MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SARASOTA CITY COMMISSION MEETING OF MAY 27, 1993 AT 3:00 P.M. PRESENT: Mayor Gene Pillot, Vice Mayor Nora Patterson, Commissioner Fredd Atkins (arrived at 3:03 p.m.), Mollie Cardamone and David Merrill (arrived at 3:05 p.m.) city Manager David Sollenberger, City Auditor and Clerk Billy Robinson ABSENT: City Attorney Richard Taylor PRESIDING: Mayor Gene Pillot The meeting was called to order in accordance with Article III, Section 10 of the Charter of the City of Sarasota at 3:00 p.m. City Auditor and Clerk Robinson gave the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 1. REPORT RE: PLACEMENT OF THE KEN THOMPSON PARK ENTRANCE GATEWAY = DELAYED FURTHER ACTION UNTIL THE COMMISSION'S MEETING OF JUNE 7, 1993, AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO MAKE CALLS IN THE COMMUNITY TO SEE WHETHER OR NOT PRIVATE DONATIONS WOULD FUND THIS PROJECT (AGENDA ITEM I) #1 (0198) through (0492) Architect Jack Whelan and Dennis Daughters, City Engineer, came before the Commission. Mr. Whelan stated that he had interviewed two contractors who have experience in this type of work in order to determine an estimate as to the cost for an entrance sign to Ken Thompson Park; that an overhead sign (spanning Ken Thompson Parkway) carried on two steel supports, similar to the type that carries the traffic lights, would cost approximately $25-30,000; that the masonry stuccoed sign to display the appropriate plaque to be placed in the open field next to the access road to the boat ramps would cost approximately $12,000. Mr. Whelan continued that these cost estimates did not include lighting, latent ground conditions, and design and permitting costs. Mr. Whelan stated that latent ground conditions refers to the possibility of the contractor encountering an underground utility line or a ground condition of which they are not aware; that lighting for the proposed overhead sign would cost an additional $2-5,000, while ground lighting for the masonry stuccoed sign would be approximately $500 to $750. Book 35 Page 9426 05/27/93 3:00 P.M. Book 35 Page 9427 05/27/93 3:00 P.M. City Manager Sollenberger stated that he would have to check with the Finance Department regarding the availability of funds for this project. Vice Mayor Patterson stated that if the City had $25-30,000 to spend, she feels it should be spent to improve the park and not spent on signs; that she is reluctant to spend $12,000 for the masonry stuccoed sign; that she would like a cost estimate on the simpler sign Mr. Whelan had shown the Commission at the meeting of May 24. Mr. Whelan stated that he had not gotten prices on that sign because he thought it had been rejected, but he would be happy to determine a cost estimate for the sign to which Vice Mayor Patterson referred. Commissioner Cardamone stated that she felt the Commission had asked Mr. Whelan to design signs without giving him an indication of how much money the Commission was willing to spend; that she believes $30,000 is too much money for such a sign. Mayor Pillot stated that the sign should be an appropriate recognition with dignity of a person who served the City for close to four decades; that before the Commission rejects the overhead sign, he would like to ask whether the Commission would allow him a couple of weeks to personally talk to citizens to determine whether the community is willing to put $30,000 into such a sign. Commissioner Atkins moved to do as Mayor Pillot suggested. Motion died for lack of a second. Vice Mayor Patterson asked whether Mayor Pillot was referring to a fund-raising effort? Mayor Pillot stated that he was referring to calling people to determine whether private donations could be found to cover the cost of the project minus whatever the Commission is willing to spend on this project. Commissioner Merrill stated that he felt the sign should be something that could be used such as for flying the Flag. Mayor Pillot passed the gavel to Vice Mayor Patterson. On motion of Mayor Pillot and second of Commissioner Atkins, it was moved that the Commission delay further action until the Commission's meeting of June 7, 1993 and authorize the Mayor to make calls in the community to see whether or not private donations would fund this project. Motion carried unanimously (5 to 0): Atkins, yes; Cardamone, yes; Merrill, yes; Patterson, yes; Pillot, yes. Vice Mayor Patterson passed the gavel back to Mayor Pillot. 2. CITIZENS' INPUT (AGENDA ITEM II) #1 (0494) through (0497) There was no one signed up to speak. 3. OTHER MATTERS (AGENDA ITEM III) #1 (0498) through (0578) COMMISSIONER CARDAMONE: A. stated that it has always bothered her to see someone asked to do something for the Commission with no idea of how much money the Commission is willing to spend on a project; that Mr. Whelan has been before the Commission three times for the sign at Ken Thompson Park and at no time has anyone stated whether money is budgeted for this project or how much the Commission is willing to spend; that she feels this type of situation should be avoided. Vice Mayor Patterson stated that it would be better if the Commission gave budget parameters to consultants when asking for something to be designed. Commissioner Atkins stated that a lot of times the Commission does not have the slightest idea what something might cost. Mayor Pillot stated that it would be helpful to him when soliciting donations to have access to the drawing of the proposed overhead sign. City Manager Sollenberger stated that he would get the drawing for the Mayor. 4. ADJOURN INTO WORKSHOP SESSION (AGENDA ITEM IV) #1 (0579) The Special Meeting of the Sarasota City Commission was adjourned into a Commission Workshop at 3:15 p.m. by consensus. . Jll GENE M. PILLOT, MAYOR ATTEST: Rilly E Rulnson BILLY ECROBINSON, CITY AUDITOR AND CLERK Book 35 Page 9428 05/27/93 3:00 P.M.