Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/190797
Sarasota News Leader October 11, 2013 Page 18 talking about what they did [in restaurant-limiting initiatives], and didn't hear anybody say they were successful. I don't think it is the responsibility of the [Sarasota] Planning Department to define the problem. What is the problem? And how do we look for solutions? We're messing around with the free market." DID board member Dr. Mark Kauffman replied, "The two boards should hire an expert to tell us if we have a problem. Look at Siesta Key. It's chaos out there. " Ritz responded, "Who's complaining? It's like Yogi Berra. They're so busy nobody goes there anymore?" FLIRTING WITH THE LAW Ownership in each business district is highly concentrated. John Moran, DID operations manager, said there are 120 commercial property owners downtown, but "Twenty own more than half the taxable value." St. Armands Business Improvement District Chairman Marty Rappaport counts votes in the September referendum on the BID's future. Photo by Stan Zimmerman it's over $50,000, then you need a proposal we St. Armands has a similar situation. "We have can use for a [Request for Proposals]. That 67 owners," Rappaport noted. "It takes about way you can define what you are looking for," 20 to make up a majority." she added. Rappaport added that a previous consultant had cautioned St. Armands property owners about restaurants taking up an increasing amount of space on the shopping circle. "He warned us eight years ago we were facing a problem. If it continues, it is going to destroy the area." Members of both boards began talking about hiring the same consultant until they were brought back to legal reality by city Purchasing Manager Mary Tucker. "You can't just go out and hire somebody," she said. "If [the expense is] over $5,000, you are going to need bids. If A board openly discussing hiring a specific consultant or contractor at a cost of more than $5,000 flirts with violation of the state contracting rules. Kauffman then suggested the city Purchasing Department put out a Request for Proposals to hire a consultant to examine the "present mix of bars, restaurants and food-related-consumption-on-the-premises businesses to determine if it is a proper mix." The motion was seconded by William Pettey, and both boards passed it unanimously. %