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contract of Robert Marbut to develop a plan for the city's homeless and vagrants. The com- missioners also will be asked to fund studies of two remaining sites proposed by Marbut for a so-called "wet shelter." Vice Mayor Willie Shaw is adamantly opposed to locating the shelter in his district — District 1 — and he is supported by Commissioner Susan Chapman. Both would like to see a more regionally focused facility. The two sites proposed are at 1330 N. Osprey Ave. and 1800 N. East Ave. A third site was removed after it was leased by another party. (See the related story in this issue.) The county is paying half the two bills (Marbut's contract extension and the site environmental survey). It is asking the city to foot the other $76,427. Venice and North Port have been asked to contribute, but so far, nada. Also in the afternoon, the city commission- ers will review their three-year Strategic Plan, their "big picture." Each year, it calls for staff to focus on and complete various priorities. The work began Oct. 1, 2013. On Tuesday, the commissioners will be asked to consider the plan for the second year's efforts. Staff is sug- gesting two additional objectives: updates to the Payne Park master plan and an update of the Cultural Park master plan. Tasks for the current year include developing a master plan for North Water Tower Park, revising ordinances for "disruptive urban behavior," starting a Rosemary District "cat- alyst project," completing a Gillespie Park master plan, conducting a review of the retail/ restaurant mix downtown and at St. Armands, and putting together a master plan for Bobby Jones Golf Course, which the city owns. The commissioners have the power to repri- oritize the efforts, cancel some and add others — if they can muster the votes. During the evening session, the commission- ers will review a revision of the so-called "noise ordinance." This was a heated topic last year, as Commissioner Paul Caragiulo conducted public meetings that turned into face-offs between downtown condominium dwellers and people who desire a more lively downtown entertainment scene. The commis- sioners handed the proverbial hot potato to their attorney, who will be reporting back with a reorganized "sound regulation" ordinance. Included in the proposed new ordinance is simplified language that may make it easier to enforce, along with sections regarding chronic offenders. It uses a standard recently validated by an appeals court called "plainly audible noise," and it does not use or need a decibel meter or any other aid beyond "the officer's ordinary auditory senses." First violation is a $250 fine; the second is $500. Citations can be contested. If fines are not paid, the city can record "a lien against the offending property." The revised ordinance defines a "chronic offender" and suggests how the city should address one. The com- missioners last year asked their attorney to let them review the draft before they decide to set it for public hearing … or not. DESIGNER DRUGS AND FAST BOATS The City Commission next week also will be asked to consider affirming the county's new ordinance regulating designer drugs, including Sarasota News Leader February 14, 2014 Page 41