Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/273295
meeting laws. The organization charged that Chapman and Atwell met with a group that included city staffers, police officers and downtown merchants to talk about homeless- ness and vagrancy. There was no prior official notice, and no official notes or minutes were taken. The group's attorney, Andrea Mogensen of Sarasota, alleged the two commissioners talked about the issue and, therefore, violated the state's Sunshine Laws. The city and Atwell folded within three weeks, and the city paid Citizens for Sunshine's legal bills of $18,000 as called for in state stat- utes. The city admitted to a small infraction, and Atwell admitted nothing but paid $500 to a charity as demanded in the settlement. Chapman, however, refused to surrender. In early December, the commission grumbled but voted to pay for Chapman's defense for 90 days. The period expired on March 3. Chapman's lawyers say no evidence has turned up to show that the two women spoke about the issue of homelessness at the meet- ing. "Citizens for Sunshine has not come up with one witness that either Commissioner Chapman or Commissioner Atwell said any- thing except pleasantries to each other," said Attorney Bill Fuller. "It is our position there is an ulterior motive for the lawsuit. It is to coerce Commissioner Chapman to vote in favor of the 12th Street homeless shelter." One of the two remaining sites under review for a city homeless shelter is located at 1330 N. Osprey Ave., near the Salvation Army facil- ity on 10th Street. Fuller cited the sworn testimony of Mike LeShea, a friend of Anthony Lorenzo, chair- man of Citizens for Sunshine. "The president of Citizens for Sunshine told [LeShea] the Mayor Shannon Snyder prepares for the start of the March 3 meeting. Photo by Stan Zimmerman Sarasota News Leader March 7, 2014 Page 38