Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/235968
Sarasota News Leader January 3, 2014 expensive," Commissioner Nora Patterson on Feb. 26 refuses to support awarding an $859,754.45 bid to a local firm for the construction of new restrooms at South Lido Beach. Her queries of staff lead to Commissioner Christine Robinson winning unanimous approval from the board for a fuller discussion of the project during the morning session of the commission's March 6 meeting. The commissioners also agree, by consensus, to ask County Administrator Randall Reid to schedule a workshop in the not-too-distant future on how county staff and consultants are designing new buildings for which bids seem to be coming in at higher costs per square foot than they expected. Patterson pulled the South Lido project from the consent agenda, saying, "This comes out to $533 a square foot. … It would be pretty unusual unless you were dealing with gold faucets and things" for the cost to be that high. Page 22 In an effort to prevent a potential legal challenge, the Sarasota County Commission unanimously approves an emergency ordinance on Feb. 27, changing parts of the current county code banning solicitation on roads and rights of way. The changes substitute "obstruction of traffic" for "solicitation" and prohibit the "distribution of any item to, receipt of any item from, or exchange of any item with the occupant of any motorized vehicle upon a road in the unincorporated area of Sarasota County …." Commissioners Joe Barbetta and Nora Patterson, however, voice concerns about portions of the new language. County Attorney Stephen DeMarsh assures them the board could advertise a public hearing at any time on the ordinance, with further tweaks if desired, before making it a long-term part of the county code. DeMarsh recommends the Feb. 27 action on the basis of a recent 12th Judicial Circuit Court judge's ruling that struck down part of a City of Sarasota ordinance related to panhandling. % County commissioners decry the proposed cost of a new restroom facility on South Lido Beach. Image courtesy of Sarasota County