Book 35 Page 9165 03/12/93 12:00 P.M. MINUTES OF THE SARASOTA CITY COMMISSION STATUTORY MEETING OF MARCH 12, 1993 AT 12:00 P.M. PRESENT: Mayor Jack Gurney, Vice Mayor Gene Pillot, Commissioners Fredd Atkins, David Merrill, and Nora Patterson, City Manager David Sollenberger, Deputy City Manager Peter Schneider, City Auditor and Clerk Billy Robinson, and City Attorney Richard Taylor PRESIDING: Mayor Jack Gurney The meeting was called to order in accordance with Article III, Sections 7(a) and 9 (b) of the Charter of the City of Sarasota at 12:00 p.m. City Auditor and Clerk Robinson gave the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 1. REMARKS OF MAYOR GURNEY (AGENDA ITEM I) #1 (0000) thru (0780) Mayor Gurney introduced members of his family that were present in the audience. Mayor Gurney stated that, at the encouragement of Lou Ann Palmer, he would give a State of the City address; that a lot has been accomplished in the last four years in a number of areas such as in the neighborhoods, the parks, the environment, and cost cutting measuresi; and that a major financial commitment had been made to the construction of new sidewalks, repair of old sidewalks, curb replacements, and street resurfacing. Mayor Gurney continued that the City celebrated a very special public/private partnership with the Community Housing Corporation, the renovation of the first houses, the building of five new houses, and that many more new houses are planned along with more renovations. Mayor Gurney stated further: A that the City is exploring the concept of down-zoning with respect to Historic Preservation and Home Occupations as tools to assist in the re-establishment of the older neighborhoods; that traffic abatement has been initiated and several new processes are planned; that in the area of parks and environment, there has been the formation of Pineapple Park to compliment Five Points Park; that Payne Park will probably become one of the shining jewels of the City; that many of the parks such as Laurel, Gillespie, Bird Key Park, and Luke Wood Park have received much needed attention; that the Franklin Manor site was a major purchase which he hopes will also become a park; that shoreline restoration from Sixth Street to Hogg Creek is taking place; that the effluent disposal system has been extended to the Bobby Jones Golf Club and the Ed Smith Sports Stadium; that cost cutting measures were taken with the consolidation of the Fire and Police Departments which should realize considerable savings for the City over the next few years; A that the Keep Sarasota Beautiful program was consolidated with the County; that there was a tough and controversial process to adopt the recommendations made by the National Golf Foundation in order to begin obtaining revenues from the Bobby Jones Golf Club; and that this will be a beautiful complex for years to come; that money was committed to Gateway 2000 which will be very important to the North Trail areas; and that the rezoning for the North Trail area will also take place soon; that the Restoration Phase I of the Exhibition Hall was completed; that contracts have been signed for improvements to the Civic Center; > that Phase I of the 12th Street widening project was completed; and that there are contracts for Phase II; that additional parking has been provided at St. Armands and there are plans for more parking provisions in the area; Book 35 Page 9166 03/12/93 12:00 P.M. Book 35 Page 9167 03/12/93 12:00 P.M. that the Main Street Project will bring about a great improvement for the downtown area; that the removal of the designation of U.S. 41 along the Bayfront is continuing to be pursued; that the retention ponds now capture drainage and storm water to deter contamination in the Bayfront area; that now there are police foot patrols in the downtown area; that there is also another police substation in the downtown area; and that the entire police substation network is beginning to grow; that new parking lots have been installed in the downtown area; that there seems to be a return of a night time economy in downtown Sarasota; that there are more people in the downtown area at night than there were several years ago; that there are more policemen in cars, on foot, and on bicycles; that the King Academy brought together a number of people to save kids that would otherwise become lost from the system; that Code Entorcement now has a Hearing Officer and decisions are made and justice is swift; that City Hall has been cleaned up and beautified; that a facelift has taken place, and it is now a place to be more proud of; that Main Street has been made into a two way street and appears to be a major victory; that the reconnection of downtown with the Bayfront has begun with the Bayfront project; that the revamping of the Bobby Jones operation was long overdue; that neighborhood issues have been tackled in a meaningful way and needed changes are taking place; that he believes the City has stopped reacting to crisis in recent years and has become pro-active; and that he hopes the Commission and the administration remains pro-active because it is very important to the City's future. Mayor Gurney stated that he has many people to thank, that he cannot thank everyone; that he would like to thank Donna Grimm and Kathy Micko in the Commission Liaison office, as well as Pam Charles who was special to every Commissioner that served. Mayor Gurney continued that he wished to thank City Manager David Sollenberger; Deputy City Manager, Peter Schneider; Carolyn Hereford and Jean Berkey who work in the City Manager's office; all of the Department Heads and their staffs; City Attorney, Dick Taylor; City Auditor and Clerk Bill Robinson and his staff; and Deputy City Auditor and Clerk Nancy Rowell. Mayor Gurney also stated that he wished to thank the firefighters and police officers, all the Commissioners he served with, including Lou Ann Palmer and Kerry Kirschner, David Merrill, Nora Patterson, Fredd Atkins, and Gene Pillot; and that he would especially like to thank his family. 2. SWEARING IN OF NEWLY ELECTED AT-LARGE COMMISSIONERS (AGENDA ITEM II) #1 (0780) thru (1090) City Auditor and Clerk Robinson asked Commissioner Gene Pillot and Commissioner Elect Mollie Cardamone to come to the front of the Commission table. Commissioner Pillot and Commissioner Elect Cardamone repeated the oath given by City Auditor and Clerk Robinson and were officially sworn to serve the City of Sarasota as Commissioners of the City Commission. Commissioner Pillot stated that he met Jack Gurney many years ago when Jack was a sports writer for the Sarasota Herald Tribune; that he has become close friends with him during the past four years; that Jack Gurney's service over the past four years speaks for itself very eloquently; that regardless of agreement on the votes, everyone agrees that Jack Gurney's votes were made on the basis of careful analysis of the facts, the recommendations of professionals, as well as what his heart told him was right for the City of Sarasota. Commissioner Pillot stated that the word "integrity" sums up the definition of Jack Gurney as a man, as a Commissioner, and as a Mayor; that no one can expect more from their elected officials than what has been done by Mr. Gurney who made decisions based on his study, work, integrity, and honest love for the City of Sarasota. Commissioner Pillot unveiled a statue of David, the symbol of Sarasota, and presented it to Jack Gurney as a token of very high esteem and gratitude by the City of Sarasota. Book 35 Page 9168 03/12/93 12:00 P.M. Book 35 Page 9169 03/12/93 12:00 P.M. 3. REORGANIZATION OF CITY COMMISSION GENE PILLOT ELECTED AS MAYOR NORA PATTERSON ELECTED AS VICE MAYOR (AGENDA ITEM III-A, AND B) #1 (1090) thru (1165) On motion of Commissioner Patterson and second of Commissioner Merrill, it was moved to nominate Commissioner Gene Pillot as Mayor of the City of Sarasota. Motion carried (5 to 0): Atkins, yes; Cardamone, yes; Merrill, yes; Patterson, yes; Pillot, yes. On motion of Commissioner Merrill and second of Commissioner Atkins, it was moved to nominate Commissioner Patterson as Vice Mayor of the City of Sarasota. Motion carried (5 to 0): Atkins, yes; Cardamone, yes; Merrill, yes; Patterson, yes; Pillot, yes. 4. REMARKS OF MAYOR AND COMMISBIONERS (AGENDA ITEM IV) #1 (1165) thru (1378) Mayor Pillot stated that this morning he had represented Mayor Gurney at Brookside Middle School in greeting a group of young Italian students, their teacher and principal, from the City of Garecia, Italy; that they have been here in Sarasota through an exchange program; that they brought to the City a letter to Senor Jack Gurney; and they also presented a banner of their 300 year old city as well as the seal of their city, along with a book of beautiful portraits from the area of Italy from which they have come. Mayor Pillot presented the letter to Jack Gurney and stated that the banner and seal will be appropriately displayed in City Hall. Vice Mayor Patterson stated that she very much enjoyed serving with Jack Gurney; that she looks forward to serving with the new member of the Commission; and that she also looks forward to another very productive two years on the Commission. Vice Mayor Patterson thanked the commissioners for their confidence in electing her as Vice Mayor. Commissioner Merrill thanked Jack Gurney. Commissioner Cardamone stated that she thanked all of the people who supported and encouraged her in this endeavor; that she salutes Jack Gurney for his wonderful leadership during the past four years; that she looks forward to the opportunity to serve the City of Sarasota; and that she will try to live up to the expectations of the residents and business community of this city. Commissioner Cardamone continued that she will work to maintain the City's sense of place in this country of cities; that she will remember the city's past; and that she will work diligently to protect it's future. Mayor Pillot thanked everyone for their presence today in recognizing Jack Gurney's service, greeting Commissioner Cardamone, and giving himself the opportunity to serve again and to receive the confidence expressed today by the audience. Mayor Pillot recognized members of his family who were present in the audience. Mayor Pillot asked that appreciation for Nancy Rowell, Deputy City Auditor and Clerk, be expressed; that she has served with great dignity and expertise; that her personality has made her very much appreciated and admired by the citizens and employees of City Hall; that Nancy has accepted a very important job in Tallahassee with the Department of Revenue; that the State Department of Revenue is enriched; and that the City government of Sarasota is greatly diminished. Mayor Pillot thanked Nancy for her wonderful service and gracious manner, and extended best wishes to her. 5. ADJOURN (AGENDA ITEM V) #1 (1378) thru (1380) There being no further business, Commissioner Pillot adjourned the meeting at 12:40 p.m. TA La2 Gene Pillot, Mayor t E EST: # Bill E Rabenaon Billy Rolinson, City Auditor and Clerk Book 35 Page 9170 03/12/93 12:00 P.M.