MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SARASOTA CITY COMMISSION MEETING OF OCTOBER 7, 1993 AT 4:00 P.M. PRESENT: Mayor Gene Pillot, Vice Mayor Nora Patterson, Commissioners Fredd Atkins (arrived at 4:15 p.m.), Mollie Cardamone, and David Merrill, City Manager David Sollenberger, City Auditor and Clerk Billy Robinson, and City Attorney Richard Taylor (arrived at 4:30 p.m.) ABSENT: None 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 4:00 p.m. City Auditor and Clerk Robinson gave the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 1. PRESENTATION RE: COMPLETION OF THE DOWNTOWN VISION PLAN = APPROVED COMPLETION OF DOWNTOWN VISION PLAN BY THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT (AGENDA ITEM I) #1 (0035) through (3731) Mayor Pillot stated that he had received four letters concerning the Vision Plan to be part of the record and presented the letters to City Auditor and Clerk Robinson from the following: American Institute of Architects (AIA) Florida Gulf Coast dated October 5, 1993 Sarasota Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations dated October 5, 1993 The Downtown Association of Sarasota dated October 5, 1993 Barger + Dean Architects, Inc. dated. October 6, 1993 City Manager Sollenberger stated that last year the Vision Plan got off to a solid start; that there has been a great deal of participation; however, there has been a setback in the completion of the Vision Plan; that the strategy for completion of the Vision Plan needs to be determined by the Commission. Mr. Sollenberger continued that he has been a strong supporter of the vision planning process and would like to reemphasize the necessity for the Vision Plan; that he believes the City has to have a blueprint for where it is going; that approximately ten years ago the City had R/UDAT (Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team) which produced a redevelopment plan whose chief focus was public improvements in the core downtown. Book 35 Page 9722 10/07/93 4:00 P.M. Book 35 Page 9723 10/07/93 4:00 P.M. Mr. Sollenberger stated that the City is now looking for a plan to determine how to build upon what occurred with the redevelopment plan by looking at the downtown area and how it relates with the remainder of the City; that unless the City has goals, objectives, strategies, and commitments for doing something with the area, things may occur that the City does not want to have happen. Jane Robinson, Director of Planning and Development, and Sherry Carter, Chief Planner, came before the Commission. Ms. Robinson stated that many members of the community would like the City to proceed with the Vision Plan. Ms. Carter stated that the purpose of today's meeting is to ask the Commission to approve the completion of the Vision Plan in-house; that successful businesses generally have plans and clear policies to guide them in day-to-day decisions and that is how she sees this Vision Plan; that R/UDAT was a catalyst for redevelopment and provided conceptual plans for some great redevelopment which was funded by a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) District; that a lot can still be learned from R/UDAT because at least four members of the steering committee - Stuart Barger, Bruce Franklin, Frank Smith, and Jack Whelan - - are involved with the current Vision Plan effort. Ms. Carter continued that in addition to expanding upon the goals, visions, and issues included in the R/UDAT study, the City will also be focusing on the definition of its collective spirit, how big the City wants to be, environmental issues of bay quality, stormwater drainage, future land use, public safety, and issues of bureaucratic procedures in the City/County relationship. Ms. Carter stated that the Planning Department is short staffed and will be struggling to meet the expectations and demands placed by the community and the state; however, this is a primary planning process that should guide all other planning; that the City needs a master plan to be able to respond to people who come to the City with ideas and tell them whether or not the ideas fit into the City's plan. Ms. Carter continued that the City needs other planning decisions such as Code amendments, procedures, special studies, and Comprehensive Plan amendments to be guided by a master plan. Ms. Carter stated that a search for appropriate funding will have to be made once it is clear what the City wants to fund; that one of the intents of long-range planning is to go beyond short-term political agendas; that the City is required to plan by the Growth Management Act which was recently expanded by the ELMS (Environmental Land Management Study) Bill. Commissioner Atkins arrived at 4:15 p.m. Ms. Carter stated that legally the Comprehensive Plan is the City's bottom line because it rules the City's land use decisions; that by making the Vision Plan a part of the Comprehensive Plan, the city is assuring each year that it will be addressed and appropriations will be made; that every five years the (Vision) Plan will be reanalyzed through the mandated evaluation and update process. The following individuals came before the Commission: Mary Kumpe, 1564 Bay Point Drive, representing herself and the Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations (CCNA), stated that the CCNA is very supportive of the City continuing the vision process because it would be fiscally responsible; that the City must plan for the future, otherwise the City will face years of unplanned, wasteful spending of taxpayers' dollars; that the ELMS Committee recommends that following the creation of the local Vision Plan, the government should review its Comprehensive Plan, its land development regulation, and capital improvement budget to ensure these instruments will help to move the community toward its vision in a manner consistent with the adopted State Comprehensive Growth and Development Plan. Tim Seibert, 81 Cocoanut Avenue, stated that he has lived in Sarasota for slightly over half a centuryi that he has been practicing architecture in Sarasota for slightly under 40 years; that in the course of 40 years he has been lucky to meet and work with some outstanding designers and planners; that the offer he is making is a pro bono one; that the following people would offer their expertise for the Vision Plan: Kalvin Platt, Paul Rudolph, and Richard Lamb. Mr. Seibert continued that Mr. Platt is president of The SWA Group which has five offices with extensive work overseas; that Mr. Platt would come to Sarasota for air fare and living expenses; that Mr. Rudolph is in the Hall of Fame (for architecture) and has said that he would love to work on the Vision Plan; that Mr. Lamb is a professor and one of the most talented designers in the countryi that he has not spoken to Mr. Lamb about working on the Vision Plan; however, he feels Mr. Lamb would offer his expertise. Mr. Seibert gave a copy of the curriculum vitae of Mr. Platt and Mr. Lamb to the Commission (copies of which are on file in the Office of the City Auditor and Clerk). Mr. Seibert stated that he thinks the people in the Planning Department need someone with vision and talent about real life in the design world to work with them; that he proposes that he work with the City's Planning Staff to compile a package to send to Messrs. Platt, Rudolph, and Lamb before they come to Sarasota. Mr. Sollenberger stated that he thinks Mr. Seibert's offer is a marvelous one. Ms. Robinson stated that she would like a one-, two-, or three-day charette held with the exciting people Mr. Seibert mentioned. Book 35 Page 9724 10/07/93 4:00 P.M. Book 35 Page 9725 10/07/93 4:00 P.M. Mr. Seibert stated that he cannot approach people in any depth until the City states that it is definitely interested and it is "a going deal.' City Attorney Taylor arrived at 4:30 p.m. Commissioner Merrill stated that he feels the offer is an excellent idea. Commissioner Cardamone stated that she feels it is a great idea. Vice Mayor Patterson stated that she agrees and would like to see Mr. Seibert's ideas incorporated into what the City moves ahead with; that she feels it will add some inspiration to all the elements and to everyone working on the plan. Commissioner Atkins stated that Mr. Seibert's idea might offer more hope than the City can afford; that he is concerned that what the City has done in the last 30 years has been minimized. Mayor Pillot stated that Mr. Seibert is making this offer only because he is concerned about the past, present, and future of the City of Sarasota; that the expertise being offered for expenses only is expertise that the City could probably not afford to buy. Mayor Pillot stated that there was a clear consensus of the Commission to ask the City Manager to avidly pursue the opportunity presented by Mr. Seibert. Javier Suarez, 149 Cocoanut Avenue, representing Gulf Coast Chapter A.I.A., stated that the Gulf Coast Chapter supports the efforts of the City in the Vision Plan; that he feels the vision will need to be followed; that the members of the Chapter will participate in any capacity the Commission wants; that he feels the Vision Plan will be a very strong tool which the Commission should strongly consider; that he cautions that the City not fall in the trap of bringing design by gurus; that he feels the City should be careful to keep the local component (in the plan) because there is a lot of talent in the town. Robert Levy, 1391 6th Street, representing The Renaissance Plaza, stated that he has lived in Sarasota for ten years; that he saw a great potential in the area where he purchased vacant property at the corner of 6th Street and Central Avenue; that the area has gotten worse since he developed his property because the situation of dozens of vagrants, dope pushers, and prostitutes did not exist when he purchased the property. Commissioner Atkins left the Commission Chambers at 4:46 p.m. Mr. Levy stated further that several properties in the area have gone into receivership; that he knows that the Comprehensive Plan took many years to develop; that he feels the time has come for the City to make a commitment to spend some money, time, and effort to develop the area near downtown. Mayor Pillot stated that considerable attention was given by the Commission and the Administration at budget time recently to the neighborhood in which Mr. Levy conducts business; that part of the introduction of the proposed plan reads as follows: "A redevelopment plan, with specific objectives, will be developed for the area within US 41 to Orange Avenue and Fruitville Road to 10th Street. Commissioner Merrill left the Commission Chambers at 4:52 p.m. Mayor Pillot stated that Mr. Levy's involvement and his neighbors' involvement in the Vision Plan process is invited and encouraged; that the Administration will make certain that meetings and charettes are well publicized. E. W. Babb, 1886 Bahia Vista, stated that the City cannot stop its vision; that he feels the thrust of the previous plan was flawed because the emphasis was on downtown to the exclusion of the rest of the community; that the City has a group who are specifically tasked by the Commission to do the City's future planning; that this group is the Planning Board; that he feels the Planning Board should be the focus of how the City is going to accomplish what it wants done. Commissioner Merrill returned to the Commission Chambers at 4:58 p.m. Mr. Babb stated that unless the City makes an effort to flesh out the current Comprehensive Plan, the City will never get to the "road to the future. Mary Ouillin, 407 Cocoanut Avenue, president of the Downtown North Neighborhood Association (DNNA), stated that she has been actively involved with the vision process; that once again her neighborhood has lost its identity because the documentation calls (Downtown North) a "Small Area Plan"; that the City went on a campaign proposing that the Downtown North neighborhood should be taken over by eminent domain and made into a shopping center; that the neighborhood had to fight these rumors; that the neighborhood has worked very hard to clean itself up; that the neighborhood has worked to keep Rosemary Cemetery, which is the beginning of Sarasota, in good shape; that the neighborhood has tried to keep the area from being demolished. Ms. Quillin continued that John Nugent could not attend today's meeting due to recent surgeryi Book 35 Page 9726 10/07/93 4:00 P.M. Book 35 Page 9727 10/07/93 4:00 P.M. however, she speaks for him because he attended all of the Vision Plan meetings. Ms. Quillin stated that the DNNA participated in the 20/20 Foresight and presented a copy of the report to Mayor Pillot (a copy of which is on file in the Office of the City Auditor and Clerk). Ms. Quillin continued that the DNNA asks that the Commission direct the Staff that Downtown North is one area that needs to brought up to speed; that originally the Vision Plan was presented as a 50-year plan on two neighborhoods and Downtown North was not one of them. Vice Mayor Patterson left the Commission Chambers at 5:05 p.m. Jack Conway, 528 El Vernona, representing the Community Housing Corporation (CHC), stated that he participated in the vision plan process by representing the CHC's point of view; that he found the meetings stimulating and profitable in the sense that he had a better view of what was possible in some of the neighborhoods; that the CHC has concentrated its efforts in the Gillespie Park neighborhood; that by the end of 1993, the CHC will have completed 20 new and rehabilitated houses in Gillespie Park, which has had a significant impact on the neighborhood. Mr. Conway continued that in 1993 the CHC has focused its attention on the Cohen Way neighborhood; that the CHC has a planning grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to work with the residents of the Cohen Way housing project to convert the project into a home ownership cooperative. John 0. Doggett, no address given, representing the CDOVA (Creative Development of Visual Arts) Foundation, stated that he is pleased to see that the City's Vision Plan has centered its attention on the Downtown North area; that some positive things are going on in the area; however, there are immediate needs that have to be addressed; that CDOVA would like to see a liaison between the vision and the team staff appointed to the Downtown North area to take an overall objective viewpoint of what needs to be done. Vice Mayor Patterson returned to the Commission Chambers at 5:15 p.m. Mr. Doggett stated that Police Chief Jolly attended the recent meeting where a Crime Watch was formed for businesses in the area; that a march is planned for October 15 called Reclamation for Tomorrow; that the march will be represented by the businesses as well as the resident neighborhood Crime Watch groups to reclaim their streets in order for something positive to come out of the neighborhood; that the march will start at 6:30 p.m. at Rosemary Court at 810 Central Avenue; that the Commission is invited to participate. Linda Holland, 617 Gillespie Avenue, representing the Gillespie Park Neighborhood Association (Vice President), stated that she wants to add her support to continuing the visioning process; that one of the reasons she wants to see the visioning process continue is because Gillespie Park is defined as a residential area; that the neighborhood is comfortable with this definition and wants to ensure that protection and continuation of the neighborhood as a residential area is not challenged. Mayor Pillot asked how the park is doing? Ms. Holland stated that the neighborhood is enjoying the improvements to the park; however, there are some problems that need to be addressed in terms of graffiti, vandalism, and with people bringing glass bottles into the park; that the ordinance prohibiting alcoholic beverages in the park is not being adhered to. Wells Purmort, 3025 W. Forest Lakes, representing. The Downtown Association, stated that some of the greatest successes in history are the results of plans and ideas; that The Downtown Association supports the efforts of the City Commission with the Vision Plan and want to see it finished; that Chuck Davies who headed up the original R/UDAT is also willing to come to Sarasota for expenses only to give input to tie the plan all together for the vision of the future of Sarasota; that he feels that the local citizenry should be in control; that The Downtown Association wants to be an integral part of this ongoing movement. City Auditor and Clerk Robinson stated that the City received a letter from Barger + Dean Architects, Inc. that states their support of the continuation of the Vision Plan with the process being led by the Planning Department. Mr. Sollenberger stated that the Administration requests approval of the proposal that has been submitted by the Planning Department to work toward the completion of the Vision Plan; that he also wishes to consult with Tim Seibert about how his pro bono offer would work into the overall scheme of things. Mayor Pillot stated that he understands that while the process would be overseen and coordinated by the Planning and Development Department, it is inherent in the City Manager's recommendation of the involvement of those from whom the Commission has heard today. Mr. Sollenberger stated that was correct and that a contract employee would be hired to work under the supervision of the Planning Department in the overall process. On motion of Commissioner Merrill and second of Vice Mayor Patterson, it was moved to complete the Downtown Vision Plan process by the Planning and Development Department as recommended by the Administration, including Tim Seibert's ideas on a charette. Book 35 Page 9728 10/07/93 4:00 P.M. Book 35 Page 9729 10/07/93 4:00 P.M. Motion carried unanimously (4 to 0): Cardamone, yes; Merrill, yes; Patterson, yes; Pillot, yes. Commissioner Atkins returned to the Commission Chambers at 5:30 p.m. 2. RESCISSION RE: MOTION OF OCTOBER 4, 1993 OF THE CITY COMMISSION SUPPORTING A NEW BUILD ALTERNATIVE (RINGLING CAUSEWAY BRIDGE) IF A NEW BUILD (BRIDGE) IS THE CHOSEN ALTERNATIVE AT A HEIGHT BETWEEN 21 AND 28 FEET WITH NO GREATER THAN A 3% GRADE = SUPPORTED A NEW BUILD ALTERNATIVE FOR THE RINGLING CAUSEWAY BRIDGE, IF A NEW BRIDGE IS THE CHOSEN ALTERNATIVE, AT A HEIGHT BETWEEN 21 AND 28 FEET WITH NO GREATER THAN A 3% GRADE (AGENDA ITEM II) #1 (3732) through #2 (0300) On motion of Commissioner Cardamone and second of Commissioner Merrill, that in accordance with the notice given, it was moved to rescind the motion of October 4, 1993 of the City Commission supporting a new build alternative Ringling Causeway Bridge if a new build bridge is the chosen alternative at a height between 21 and 28 feet with no greater than a 3% grade. Vice Mayor Patterson asked the purpose of this rescission? Commissioner Cardamone stated that she had voted in a negative fashion to the motion because she had not been pleased with the way it was worded; that she had difficulty in seeing a motion presented that said "if feasible"; that she wants the vote given to the MPO Metropolitan Planning Organization) to be unanimous. Mayor Pillot stated that the motion is to rescind a 4 to 1 vote in order to provide an opportunity to make it a 5 to 0 vote. Commissioner Cardamone stated that was correct. Mayor Pillot called for the vote on the motion. Motion carried (5 to 0): Atkins, yes; Cardamone, yes; Merrill, yes; Patterson, yes; Pillot, yes. Mayor Pillot asked the City Auditor and Clerk how the Commission should proceed? Mr. Robinson stated that there was no motion on the floor and a motion needed to be requested. On motion of Vice Mayor Patterson and second of Commissioner Merrill, it was moved that the City Commission support a new build alternative for the Ringling Causeway Bridge, if a new bridge is the chosen alternative, at a height between 21 to 28 feet with no greater than a 3% grade. Vice Mayor Patterson stated that the reason for making this motion before the data is available is because of the time schedule of the MPO, which is the principal advisory board; that if the data shows that repairing the bridge is the more fiscally responsible approach, she would rather see that approach taken. Mayor Pillot called for the vote on the motion to support a new build alternative for the Ringling Causeway Bridge, if a new bridge is the chosen alternative, at a height between 21 and 28 feet with no greater than a 3% grade. Motion carried (5 to 0): Atkins, yes; Cardamone, yes; Merrill, yes; Patterson, yes; Pillot, yes. 3. CITIZENS . INPUT (AGENDA ITEM III) #2 (0302) through (0305) There was no one signed up to speak. 4. REMARKS OF COMMISSIONERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA = DIRECTED THE ADMINISTRATION TO SCHEDULE A SPECIAL MEETING ON NOVEMBER 22, 1993 TO BE TELEVISED TO HEAR A PLAN OF ACTION REGARDING CRIME PROBLEMS IN THE CITY (AGENDA ITEM IV) #2 (0310) through (2347) VICE MAYOR PATTERSON: None COMMISSIONER CARDAMONE: A. stated that because of her misunderstanding and reluctance to support the motion on the Ringling Causeway Bridge at the Commission meeting of October 4, 1993 she would like to make a couple of comments regarding making clearly stated motions; that it is disconcerting to her that sometimes the Commission does not seem to understand exactly what is being voted on; that she is concerned with the way motions are interpreted when the Commission begins to take a vote. Commissioner Cardamone continued that she spoke to the City Auditor and Clerk today and asked him, with the permission of the Commission, to give a brief discussion on how the Commission should properly make motions to avoid confusion of what the motion really is. City Auditor and Clerk Robinson stated that the proper procedure for motions is as follows: the Chair requests whether a motion is ready to be made; > the motion is then made by the maker and the motion is seconded; the Chair repeats the motion and asks if there is any discussion by asking the maker of the motion to lead off the discussion; Book 35 Page 9730 10/07/93 4:00 P.M. Book 35 Page 9731 10/07/93 4:00 P.M. after discussion, the Chair would ask if there is any further discussion and if there is none, state the motion and take a vote on the motion. Mr. Robinson stated that a motion should be stated three times, first by the maker, then repeated by the Chair, and before the vote by the Chair. Mayor Pillot stated that Commissioner Cardamone is correct that motions are frequently complex; that other than asking the maker of the motion to lead the discussion, he feels the Commission has followed the process outlined by Mr. Robinson. Mr. Robinson stated that he agrees that for the most part the Chair has followed the process outlined; that he feels part of the confusion is when amendments are made to the motions. Vice Mayor Patterson stated that she feels the best way to be sure that a motion is phrased to one's satisfaction is to be the maker of the motion; that at a League of Cities meeting she learned there is something called a substitute" motion. Mr. Robinson stated that he feels the confusion builds when a motion does not get a second and the gavel starts to get passed around; that Robert's Rules of Order is hard to convert to government when there are certain laws that have to be followed. Commissioner Cardamone stated that if it would keep everything clear, she would rather see short motions and a follow-up motion; that she would like for the Commission to make clear motions. Mayor Pillot stated that he understood that it is the responsibility of the Chair to repeat the motion after it has been seconded; that failure to do so presents a situation in which the motion is not finalized. Mr. Robinson stated that was correct; that a motion does not belong to the body until it has been repeated by the Chair. COMMISSIONER ATKINS: None COMMISSIONER MERRILL: A. stated that he feels the Mayor does an excellent job as Chair of the Commission meetings. B. stated that since he has been on the Commission for 21 years, frustrations are starting to build; that a frustration he has is in regard to the City's law enforcement; that Sunday night and Monday morning there was an insurrection in the City in Newtown where 500 people were in the streets at a late hour; that this is 1% of the population of the Cityi that according to the reports, 100 people were throwing rocks and bottles at the City's Police; and that some people were even shooting semiautomatic weapons at the City's Police. Commissioner Merrill stated that he feels something is very wrong that this happened in Sarasota, Florida; that in his conversation with Police Chief Jolly, he was told that there were no arrests of the mob and the Police were happy the situation had been controlled; that even though the situation was controlled, a clear message was sent that it is okay for mobs to attack the City's Police with impunity because law enforcement will retreat and hope the mob goes home; that he feels this violence will come back worse next time because of this approach. Commissioner Merrill stated that another frustration he has with the City's Police Department is because a conversation was relayed back by a friend who was talking to one of the City's Police officers who said, Isn't it ridiculous the City Commission wants to prepare a plan to eliminate illegal substances in this city?" Commissioner Merrill continued that perhaps the Police Department has become so pessimistic and defeatist in their approach that crime cannot be defeated, that the Police resent the Commission trying to step in and give some direction; that he has come to the conclusion that crime is accepted by senior management in the Police Department as a status quo and the Commission's efforts to do anything about crime are resisted. Commissioner Merrill stated that at the Commission's goal-setting meeting 25 year ago, three Commissioners asked questions about Community Resource Teams (CRT) and there was never any feedback to the Commission on exactly what the CRTs were doing; that he had suggested having an electronic town hall meeting a year ago to address the issue of crime; that this suggestion was diluted and undermined and he withdrew the request; that at the Commission's goal-setting meeting six months ago, two different goals set related to the Police - one to expand community policing and the other was to eliminate drugs. Commissioner Merrill asked whether any of the Commissioners have heard anything back on these two goals; that he has not heard anything; that Vice Mayor Patterson requested a task force be formed to look at the Police Department and it has not been done. Commissioner Merrill stated that the City is spending $15 million on the Public Safety Department; that someone Book 35 Page 9732 10/07/93 4:00 P.M. Book 35 Page 9733 10/07/93 4:00 P.M. somewhere is making policy decisions on where to spend money and where not to spend money; that the decisions are not being made at the Commission table. Commissioner Merrill continued that the Commission voted unanimously to have a plan prepared to eliminate drugs; that he does not know how far along the plan is. Commissioner Merrill stated that an article in The Tampa Tribune on Sunday was the thing that set him off; that the article was a front page story about crime in Florida with a map of high crime areas the Florida Department of Law Enforcement calls "hot spots" because they are communities with high crime rates of violent crime on top of overall problems with burglaries and other property crimes; that Sarasota was one of the ten cities on the map. Commissioner Merrill continued that he has come to the conclusion that the Commission is put in the position that President Lincoln was put in during the Civil War with an army that had superior resources than its opponent; that the City's Police Department has superior resources compared to other communities; that President Lincoln had General McClellan, who was highly regarded, well educated, and well intended but who was losing the war; that President Lincoln did not know how to win the war; that the only thing President Lincoln knew to do was to change leadership because something was wrong with how the resources were being used. Commissioner Merrill continued that during the Commission's recent budget session, he stated that he did not see the real value of the Public Safety Director position and had suggested getting rid of this position; however, the Commission did not want to get rid of this position; that the Public Safety Director is the City's general who should be leading the City's battle against crime; that after 2 years of asking questions, the only thing he knows to do is to change leadership and have the Commission look at a new Public Safety Director. Commissioner Atkins stated that he has told the Commission several times over the last eight years that crime at a certain level was accepted in the City of Sarasota; that if crime was not accepted, something would be done to address the problem; that he thinks John Lewis (Public Safety Director) is a well-intended person; that he does not want to put the whole responsibility for crime on Mr. Lewis' back; that he attended a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce this afternoon where the two goals of the City Commission which Commissioner Merrill mentioned were discussed; that he reminded the Chamber of Commerce that they had neglected their responsibility when an opportunity to look at a statewide program called Weed and Seed, sponsored by the statewide Chamber of Commerce, could have helped address the problem. Commissioner Atkins continued that the Commission has given directives to the Police Department several times and nothing happens; that until the community decides that it wants to move toward a solution, nothing will happen. Commissioner Atkins stated that he is also frustrated; that he know what it is like to raise his four children; that the problem is serious. Vice Mayor Patterson stated that she does not see any real leadership coming forward on this problem; that crime is the biggest problem the City has which stands between the City and real redevelopment; that she does not feel the City is getting what it is paying for since the City is spending more than most cities per capita for law enforcement; that she has seen nothing innovative or promising of a future direction or solution to this problem coming forth from the management of the City's Police force. Mayor Pillot stated that he declines to make any comments publicly until he has met privately with the City Manager to talk about this situation; that he will meet relatively soon with the City Manager. City Manager Sollenberger stated that Director Lewis and the Police Department are working on the plan to eliminate illegal substances; that he spoke to Police Chief Jolly this morning about the article in The Tampa Tribune and the statistics do not seem to "jive" up with the statistics of the City Police Department; that Chief Jolly has a question as to what statistics were released by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and is going to contact the Commissioner of the FDLE regarding the statistics. Commissioner Merrill stated that he feels the Police Department needs to give the Commission leadership on what should be done; that he does not feel more police officers is the solution. Commissioner Cardamone asked whether a Special City Commission meeting could be scheduled with the Police Department on Monday, October 25, 1993 to discuss this issue? City Auditor and Clerk Robinson stated that October 25 is an available date; however, the Commission has a Workshop regarding solid waste on October 26 and a Special Meeting on October 28 regarding the Comprehensive Plan public hearing. Mr. Sollenberger stated that Director Lewis is currently on vacation and he would need to check to find out when Director Lewis would return. Mr. Sollenberger stated that he feels it would be preferable to have the suggested meeting in November. Book 35 Page 9734 10/07/93 4:00 P.M. Book 35 Page 9735 10/07/93 4:00 P.M. Mayor Pillot stated that he will be out of town from November 2 through the 18th if the meeting is to be scheduled in November; that between now and November 1, he is willing to cancel anything on his calendar in favor of such a meeting. Commissioner Atkins stated that it is going to take the cooperation of all institutions in the County to deal with the crime problem; that it will take the entire community, including the newspaper, the television, the County, the City, the School Board, the hospitals, and the churches, basically any and all who are willing to help; that the City cannot do it by itself; that he had suggested taking the $10,000 registration fee (for the Weed and Seed program) out of the forfeiture funds. Commissioner Cardamone stated that she feels this would have been a perfect place to use forfeiture funds. Vice Mayor Patterson stated that Charlie Wells, Manatee County Sheriff, has started a boot camp for youthful offenders; that she spoke to Chief Jolly about the Mad Dad program she saw on television recently and Chief Jolly told her that the Police Department is working on such a program. Mayor Pillot stated that Commissioner Atkins was correct that a community-wide program is needed and it seems the City Commission should be the catalyst to get a program started. Commissioner Merrill stated that he feels the meeting should be televised on a Monday night because that is when the public expects City Commission meetings to be on. Vice Mayor Patterson suggested scheduling the proposed meeting on Monday, November 22. Mayor Pillot stated that November 22 was fine with him. Commissioner Cardamone stated that she feels that date is too far away. Vice Mayor Patterson stated that she feels Director Lewis deserves three weeks after his vacation to prepare for a meeting. Commissioner Atkins stated that he would prefer to give Director Lewis time to prepare something meaningful. It was the consensus of the Commission to direct the Administration to schedule a Special Meeting to be televised on Monday, November 22, 1993, to conduct a public hearing to hear a plan of action regarding crime problems in the City. Vice Mayor Patterson stated that Sheriff Monge should be invited as well as School Superintendent Fowler. Mayor Pillot stated that on Tuesday, October 12, the Commission has a Workshop with the Board of Adjustment and requested that a proposed quasi-agenda for the November 22 meeting be presented by the City Manager at the beginning of the Workshop. Mr. Sollenberger stated that he would present a proposed agenda to the Commission on October 12. MAYOR PILLOT: A. stated that the Taxpayers' Association is having a meeting on October 11 at 6:30 p.m. to review the criminal justice system; that this would be relevant to the issue of crime. 5. OTHER MATIRB/ARIIETAIIVE OFFICERS (AGENDA ITEM V) #2 (2349) through (2358) CITY AUDITOR AND CLERK ROBINSON: A. stated that he wanted to remind the Commission of the Joint City Commission/Board of Adjustment Workshop scheduled on Tuesday, October 12, at 4:00 p.m. 6. ADJOURN (AGENDA ITEM XIV) #2 (2361) The Special Meeting of the Sarasota City Commission of October 7, 1993 was adjourned at 6:32 p.m. bc GENE M. PILLOT, MAYOR ATTEST: Billy € Rolunson BILLY EROBINSON, CITY AUDITOR AND CLERK Book 35 Page 9736 10/07/93 4:00 P.M.