City of Sarasota champions Housing First approach to homelessness
The toughest challenge may be selling the idea to the County Commission when the two boards meet on Friday, Nov. 6
The challenge: Over four to five years, permanently house 300 to 400 chronically homeless individuals in the city of Sarasota. The strategy: Utilize a Housing First approach and encourage a new nonprofit organization to manage the effort, with support from the city. City Manager Tom Barwin and the city commissioners, who recently adopted this strategy, say focusing on housing is the path to finally addressing Sarasota’s homelessness woes. (Read more »)
County staff pleased with thoroughness of peer review regarding Lido Key renourishment project
Final document continues to question U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ assertions, but a potential discrepancy has arisen regarding whether the USACE was asked for all the materials it could provide
Sarasota County staff is undertaking a thorough review of the final version of a peer review regarding the proposal by the City of Sarasota and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to dredge Big Sarasota Pass to renourish Lido Key Beach, county Coastal Resources Manager Laird Wreford told The Sarasota News Leader this week. (Read more »)
City files — but holds off on serving — lawsuit over county fire-rescue assessments of city parcels
City attorneys say city and county staff still are trying to resolve the issue without pursuing a court case
The City of Sarasota has proceeded with filing a lawsuit against Sarasota County in the 12th Judicial Circuit over the county’s attempt this year to impose fire-rescue assessments on 13 city-owned properties. However, in response to a question from The Sarasota News Leader, John R. Herin Jr. of the GrayRobinson law firm in Fort Lauderdale wrote in a Nov. 3 email, “While the complaint has been filed, it has not, and will not, be served on the County until the informal dispute resolution meetings between the City and County have come to an end.” (Read more »)
City Commission approves a second roundabout sculpture for downtown
Flow will be placed in the center of the traffic structure at U.S. 41 and Gulfstream Avenue
The Sarasota city commissioners have chosen the city’s second piece of roundabout art. And once it is installed, it seems reasonable to say it will certainly be visible. Like the first sculpture, Embracing our Differences, which was approved last month for the recently completed roundabout at Orange Avenue and Main Street, the second piece of art will be larger than life-size. It is planned to be 25 feet tall (including its base) and 23 feet wide at its point of greatest girth. (Read more »)
Medical Examiner’s Office to be excluded from Public Safety Campus referendum in 2016
Sarasota commissioners express dismay that Manatee commissioners had not heard of the plans before Oct. 29
Sarasota County Administrator Tom Harmer and Manatee County Administrator Ed Hunzeker have been charged by their boards with facilitating new discussions regarding the future location of a combined facility for the 12th Judicial Circuit’s Medical Examiner’s Office. The action followed expressions of dismay on the part of Sarasota County commissioners last week that their Manatee counterparts had no knowledge until Oct. 29 of Sarasota County plans for a November 2016 bond referendum that would cover expenses for a new Public Safety Campus on Cattlemen Road. (Read more »)
SANCA representatives say they will be ready for World Rowing Championships
Finishing tower construction expected to get under way ‘very shortly,’ SANCA president tells Manatee and Sarasota commissioners
In just her third week serving as event director of the 2017 World Rowing Championships, Meredith Scerba took the opportunity of the Oct. 29 joint meeting of the Sarasota and Manatee County commissions to introduce herself. However, during her presentation, the most pointed question ultimately went to Paul Blackketter, president of Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates Inc., (SANCA), the nonprofit organization that manages Nathan Benderson Park, where the championships will be held. (Read more »)
Changes coming to Siesta Key’s SCAT routes later starting Nov. 14
Former Pinecraft service to be merged into Route 10; other bus service changes planned countywide
In the coming weeks, Kendra Keiderling expects to spend a lot more time walking a beat on Siesta Key, so to speak. The marketing, public outreach and customer service coordinator for Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) will be visiting condominium complexes, businesses and agencies that handle rentals of accommodations to let them know about a route change that will affect the barrier island starting Nov. 14. (Read more »)
Siesta Seen
Light Up the Village plans well under way; new banners coming after the holidays; break-ins reported, mostly involving unlocked vehicles; and SDA annual fundraiser set for Nov. 12
With 16 groups signed up already for the Siesta Key Village Association’s Light Up the Village parade on Nov. 28, plans are well under way for the annual holiday season kickoff, members of the organization said during their regular meeting on Nov. 3. Among those parade participants will be four fire trucks, Siesta Key Village Association (SKVA) Vice President Mark Smith reported. (Read more »)
Mayors’ Feed the Hungry Program welcomes contributions this month
Non-perishable food items may be brought to Ed Smith Stadium between Nov. 9 and Nov. 20
The Baltimore Orioles and the Mayors’ Feed the Hungry Program are teaming up again this year to collect and distribute food to help people in need in Sarasota County, the team has announced. The Orioles will accept non-perishable food items at Ed Smith Stadium beginning on Monday, Nov. 9, and the Major League Baseball team will host the charity’s Thanksgiving Sorting Day at the ballpark on Friday, Nov. 20, a news release says. (Read more »)
Sarasota County libraries announce ‘One Book’ program for 2016
John D. MacDonald’s works to be the focus
Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources has announced that in 2016, the popular “One Book” program will focus on the works of John D. MacDonald, in commemoration of his 100th birthday. MacDonald, well-known for his Travis McGee crime thriller series, lived and worked in Sarasota from 1952 until his death in 1986, a county news release points out. “He was a prolific novelist and short-story writer, completing 78 books across genres including thrillers and science fiction,” the release adds. MacDonald’s novel The Executioners was adapted into film versions titled Cape Fear. (Read more »)
Residents invited to Nov. 17 community meeting on Lift Station 87 traffic plans
Project engineers to present proposal for handling detours related to the microtunneling
Residents are invited to a community outreach meeting on Nov. 17 to review the traffic plan proposed for implementation during Phase 1 of the Lift Station 87 microtunneling project in the City of Sarasota, the city has announced. The session will begin at 6 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at City Hall, located at 1565 First St. in Sarasota, a news release says. (Read more»)
County’s Mosquito Management Services to host open house on Nov. 7
Event marking the program’s 75th year will include exhibits and cake
Sarasota County Mosquito Management Services will celebrate 75 years of service by hosting a community open house on Saturday, Nov. 7, the county has announced. This free event will offer members of the community the opportunity to meet staff, enjoy interactive exhibits and learn about all the eco-friendly tools utilized by mosquito management staff to control the mosquito population throughout Sarasota County, a news release notes. (Read more »)
County Historical Society to hold Appraisal Clinic on Nov. 14
Public invited to bring items whose value will be judged by professionals
The Historical Society of Sarasota County will present an appraisal clinic on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Crocker Memorial Church, located at 1260 12th St. in Sarasota, the organization has announced. The Crocker Memorial Church is in Pioneer Park, one block in from North Tamiami Trail at 12th Street, a news release notes. (Read more»)
Sarasota City Hall to close for Veterans Day; parade scheduled
No changes planned regarding garbage collection
City of Sarasota administration offices will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day, the city has announced. Solid waste and recycling collections will not be impacted, a news release emphasizes. City of Sarasota recreational facilities will be open at regular hours, the release notes. (Read more»)
Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight promotes three employees
Two new sergeants and a new operations supervisor for the Emergency Operations Bureau recognized during ceremony
On Nov. 5, Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight promoted three employees to new positions in the Law Enforcement Division and Emergency Operations Bureau, the Sheriff’s Office has announced. Det. Michelle DiCapua, who is assigned to the Patrol Bureau, was promoted to sergeant, a news release says. Det. Scott Huber also was promoted to sergeant, assigned to the Patrol Bureau. 911 Systems Analyst Brett Thomas was promoted to operations supervisor, assigned to the Technical Services Section of the Emergency Operations Bureau, the release adds. (Read more »)