11 Jan 2019


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Nadalini asked to tender resignation

City Commission votes 4-1 to offer her 90 more days of paid leave if she agrees to waive potential of legal recourse

On a 4-1 vote this week, the Sarasota City Commission agreed to ask that City Auditor and Clerk Pamela Nadalini tender her resignation in writing by 5 p.m. on Jan. 15 to and then stay on paid administrative leave another 90 days, until April 15. (Read more »)


Circuit Court judge rules that County Commission did not violate county regulations in approving Grand Lakes development planned near Clark Road

Petitioners in the case considering whether to appeal

The Sarasota County Commission applied the correct law and regulations in its approval of the planned Grand Lakes development, which could include up to 1,097 homes on 533 acres south of Clark Road and east of Interstate 75, a 12thJudicial Circuit Court judge has ruled. (Read more »)


New multifamily structure 185 feet seaward of Gulf Beach Setback Line proposed to replace house at 636 Beach Road on Siesta Key

Application also seeks county vacation of segment of Tenacity Lane

The same Siesta Key property owner who has proposed a new multi-story structure on the beach near Access 10 has begun a new application process with Sarasota County. This time, he is seeking to replace an existing single-family residence at 636 Beach Road with a six-unit, multifamily dwelling over a garage that would be 185 feet seaward of the Gulf Beach Setback Line, The Sarasota News Leader has learned. (Read more »)


Mike Holderness charged with 2 felony counts after confrontation with Mike Cosentino and attempted deletion of iPhone footage

Incident occurs while Cosentino is clearing sand from North Beach Road

Siesta property owner and manager Michael Holderness, 48, has been charged with one felony count of Robbery by Sudden Snatching without a Firearm or Weapon, plus one felony count of Tampering with or Fabricating Physical Evidence after a Dec. 31, 2018 incident involving Mike Cosentino, 54, The Sarasota News Leader has learned. (Read more »)


On 3-2 vote, City Commission approves $352,000 expense for new downtown parking meters

Brody and Freeland Eddie oppose the purchase

Continuing their split over a revived paid parking program in downtown Sarasota, City Commissioners Hagen Brody and Shelli Freeland Eddie this week opposed a $352,000 budget amendment for the equipment. They also voted “No” on Nov. 5, 2018, when Parking Division Manager Mark Lyons explained a proposal to reintroduce parking meters on Main Street and South Palm Avenue and along Ringling Boulevard in the city’s Judicial District. (Read more »)


Siesta Key Association argues that county law necessitates that the City of Sarasota ask for a county permit before dredging Big Pass

12th Judicial Circuit Court judge to consider arguments in hearing on amended complaint filed to try to stop removal of sand from Big Pass

The leaders of the City of Sarasota have a duty under a provision of the Sarasota County Code to request county permission to dredge Big Sarasota Pass as part of a 50-year-long proposal to stabilize the South Lido Key shoreline. That was the argument the Tallahassee attorney for the Siesta Key Association (SKA) made during an approximately hour-long hearing on Dec. 20, 2018 before a 12th Judicial Circuit Court judge. (Read more »)


Change in Sarasota County Code to allow more flexibility in maintenance dredging of waterways

Property owners will be able to undertake projects within 10 feet of structures, as long as they first sign waivers of liability to protect county if problems arise

Sarasota County staff recommended against the change. Nevertheless, the County Commission has approved an amendment to the County Code that will enable property owners to undertake maintenance dredging within 10 feet of seawalls, docks and other structures under specific circumstances as outlined in the county’s Navigable Waterways Maintenance Management Program. (Read more »)


Speakers who address City Commission to be required to state whether they are city residents

Freeland Eddie the only board member to oppose the change in Rules of Procedure

The adoption of a resolution formally changing part of the Rules of Procedure for Sarasota City Commission meetings led to a debate this week about whether individuals who address the board should state publicly whether they are city residents. (Read more »)


Siesta Seen

State legislative bill filed to prohibit smoking on public beaches; County Commission to conduct Feb. 27 workshop on paid parking options for Siesta Beach; Condo Council meeting set for Jan. 15; and Tampa Spiritual Ensemble performance planned at Siesta Key Chapel

Newly elected state Sen. Joe Gruters of Sarasota is hoping to accomplish something that has eluded county commissioners for years: ending smoking on the public beaches. On Jan. 2, Gruters filed Senate Bill 218. (Read more »)


OPINION (free):

 

Cartoon of the Day


Commentary: We can all do more to detect and report Medicare fraud


Commentary: A smartphone can make calls, too?



OTHER NEWS (free):

56 former felons register to vote in Sarasota County in first two days of effective date of Amendment 4


Supervisor of elections to discuss details behind November 2018 results


Noted Jungian psychologist to lecture on ‘Living in the Fire’ — how to use wisdom of uncertainty to transform chaos to consciousness


Registration open for Gulf Coast Games for Life


2019 City of Sarasota Community Survey available online


Sarasota Police Department Citizens Academy applications available for classes beginning Feb. 12