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gave up on them, and the city was left with little but a figurative bad taste in its mouth over leasing any vending operation on the site. Enter Paul Mattison, a young chef will- ing to scrape together some money to create a café with a tasty menu. It was the start of a mini empire of enterprises for Mattison. His Lemon Avenue lease expires later this year, and Chef Paul would like not only to extend it for another five years, but also perhaps for longer — or even buy the property at the northwest corner of Main Street. City Purchasing Manager Mary Tucker asked the city commissioners for guidance. Extend the lease? Sell the parcel? If so, under what terms? Right now the rent is based on the county property appraiser's annual estimates of its value. Tucker said she would prefer to change the basis for rent, perhaps tying it to the cafe's finances. The establishment enjoys a solitary privilege envied by other downtown venues. Mattison can allow the playing of live music an hour longer than anybody else. "Back in the day," that was considered a way to help him build his fledgling business. But outdoor music is controversial now, and the city is redrafting its "sound ordinance." Mayor Shannon Snyder said the city should retain ownership of the property. And he said Mattison's special treatment for music needed Mattison's City Grille is in a popular section of Main Street, near Pineapple Square's shops and Whole Foods. Special events, such as this February art show, also are held in that area. Photo by Norman Schimmel Sarasota News Leader March 21, 2014 Page 39