Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/129431
Sarasota News Leader May 10, 2013 Page 40 of our agenda. We're the ones setting policy. sion, Commissioner Paul Caragiulo asked City I'm having trouble with this." Attorney Bob Fournier about Small's claim. Vice Mayor Willie Shaw said if Snyder saw a problem, he could call a point of order. "It would have been appropriate once you recognized a problem," Shaw added. "We may get too comfortable, moving from a discussion during Commissioner Comments to address an issue." "The purchase and sale agreement is still in effect," Fournier said. "It obligates the city to initiate a comprehensive plan amendment and rezone process. But you are under no obligation to approve those applications." A recent traffic study found the intersection "failed" normal standards and that at least $17.6 million would have to be spent to bring it up to a passing grade. Of that sum, Benderson's share would be $2 million. weekends we'll continue this directed enforcement." The commission's rules do not allow board members to respond during the open-to-thepublic portion of their meeting. But when time came for individual comments later in the ses- The heightened enforcement has convinced two bars — Smokin' Joe's and the Tequila Cantina — to close their front doors to prevent the emission of noise into the street. "That's Under a voter-approved charter change, the comprehensive plan change will require a suCommissioner Terry Turner reminded his permajority of four votes on the commission. colleagues, "Members can kick items off the Deputy City Manager Brown said the traffic agenda." study was sent to Benderson for review earlier THE BENDERSON AT FRUITVILLE DEAL in the day. "We're waiting for their response," he said. The indefatigable Millie Small was the first person to address the city commissioners DOWNTOWN SOUND during the afternoon open-to-the-public part of the session. She stepped up to once again For more than two months, the city commischallenge the city's plan to sell slightly more sioners have asked the Police Department for than 10 acres on the northwest corner of consistent enforcement of the city's sound orFruitville and Beneva roads to Benderson De- dinance downtown to cut through public opinvelopment Co. The land is currently a passive ion and get to the facts about complaints. and mostly undeveloped park, and it is the site Monday afternoon, Chief Bernadette DiPino of some local government uses (including a reported, "We started directed enforcement seldom-used helipad). two weeks ago. And over the next several The department has put extra officers on the street under the command of Sgt. Demetrio Konstantopoulos. "It's been a crash course "Why waste more time talking about this proj- in the measurement of sound," he said. "Last ect?" Small asked. "You don't have the money. weekend, all the businesses were in compliance." Let's keep the open parkland space."