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a come-as-you-are shelter in north Sarasota. "Marbut is fundamental to our progress," said Commissioner Suzanne Atwell. In the audience was County Commissioner Joe Barbetta, who in the past has accused Shaw and Chapman of trying to "sabotage" Marbut's efforts. A new wrinkle in the homelessness initiatives was introduced by Eileen Normile with the city's Independent Police Advisory Panel. She noted that in Marbut's plans so far, "There is no separate facility for registered sex offend- ers." She added that there are restrictions regarding where convicted sex offenders and sexual predators can live, but several here are homeless. "The placement of transient sex offenders and predators must be considered when shelter plans are considered," she said. CITY STEPS ON THE CHALK The vote was unanimous to require a public hearing before the city grants a street clo- sure permit for more than 72 hours. Only one event in town asks for that: the annual Chalk Festival, which creates art on the pave- ment. The closed-street issue has vexed the Chalk Festival for years. Some of the Burns Square merchants love the event and some hate it. The closure requires signatures of two-thirds of the merchants along the street, and there have been allegations of signature chicanery in years past. Commissioner Suzanne Atwell voices support for extending the contract of homelessness consultant Robert Marbut. Photo by Norman Schimmel Sarasota News Leader February 21, 2014 Page 43