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Partners proposing to redevelop Lido Beach Pavilion and Pool seek termination of lease with City of Sarasota
The agenda for the Jan. 14 special meeting of the Sarasota City Commission said the session would begin at 1:30 p.m. and end at 10 p.m. As it turned out, it took just a bit more than 16 minutes for the board members to vote unanimously to continue the session until Feb. 19. On Feb. 19, based on comments made during the Jan. 14 meeting, the commissioners hope to address a proposed agreement terminating their lease with Lido Beach Redevelopment Partners LLC for the Lido Pavilion and Pool property. (Read more »)
Lawsuit filed to try to halt construction of Siesta Promenade at U.S. 41/Stickney Point Road intersection
A petition filed in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court on Jan. 11 argues that the December 2018 decision of the Sarasota County Commission to allow the construction of the Siesta Promenade mixed-use project was unlawful for a multitude of reasons. (Read more »)
Save Our Siesta Sand 2 files complaint in federal court to try to prevent dredging of Big Sarasota Pass
As it has planned since late last year, Save Our Siesta Sand 2 (SOSS2) has filed a complaint in federal court to try to prevent the City of Sarasota and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from removing any sand from Big Sarasota Pass to renourish an approximately 1.6-mile stretch of South Lido Key Beach. (Read more »)
Nadalini formally fired by City Commission
After a 33-year career with the City of Sarasota, Pamela Nadalini formally was terminated on Jan. 16 as the city auditor and clerk, one of three City Charter positions of the local government. (Read more »)
Ambiguity of County Charter amendment approved in November leads commission to postpone vote on petition for Venice street vacation
After about 33 minutes of discussion on Jan. 15, the Sarasota County commissioners agreed to postpone voting on a petition for the vacation of a segment of Hardee Drive in Venice. They indicated they were fearful that a County Charter amendment approved on the Nov. 6, 2018 General Election ballot could lead to litigation against the county if they proceeded with the vacation. (Read more »)
‘Shade meeting’ held on litigation related to North Beach Road vacation and two Sarasota County Charter amendments approved by voters
The Sarasota County Commission spent approximately one hour and 45 minutes in a “shade” meeting on Jan. 16, discussing strategies with several of its attorneys on how best to try to resolve issues surrounding a lawsuit that is more than two-and-a-half years old. (Read more »)
Vote on successor to Sarasota County attorney tabled until Jan. 29
Although Sarasota County Commissioner Alan Maio was ready on Jan. 15 to name a successor to retiring County Attorney Stephen DeMarsh, an objection from Commissioner Nancy Detert and concurring concern raised by Commissioner Charles Hines will push back that vote until Jan. 29. (Read more »)
With Sheriff’s Office’s Animal Services Division seeing continuing climb in number of animals it needs to shelter, expansion of Bee Ridge facility expected to be necessary in a few years, County Commission learns
Though Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight has put a focus on the rising jail population over the past year, his department also has been experiencing a significant increase in the number of dogs and cats it handles at its Animal Services facility on Been Ridge Road in Sarasota, Knight and his special projects administrator told the County Commission this week. (Read more »)
Increasing fine for illegal short-term rentals to $5,000 among proposals County Commission to address
Proposing an increase in the fine for illegal short-term home rentals from $250 to $5,000 is just one of several new measures Sarasota County staff is working on to try to curb those activities in neighborhoods of single-family homes. That was the news Matt Osterhoudt, director of the county’s Planning and Development Services Department, told about 90 people at the Jan. 10 meeting of the Siesta Key Association (SKA). (Read more »)
Siesta Seen
Crime is down year-over-year on Siesta Key, Sgt. Paul Cernansky, leader of the Sheriff’s Office’s substation, reported to about 90 Siesta Key Association (SKA) members during their first regular meeting of 2019. (Read more »)
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