Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/86226
Sarasota News Leader October 5, 2012 The Floridays company will buy the land from the city for $2.5 million, but the city will put $1.2 million back into the project in infrastruc- ture (mostly utilities work), which will benefit not only the hotel but the surrounding area. Monday was the day the commission agreed to sell the land, the first of two key agreements. The second involves a parking and redevelop- ment pact to be signed in early January. Commissioners enthused about the project. "Mr. Rogers, I can't say thank you enough," said Shannon Snyder. Mayor Suzanne Atwell even "punned" him: "Not to be funny, but this is a wonderful day in the neighborhood. It's the right time, the right fit and the right style for the City of Sarasota," she said. The vote was unanimous, also to applause. CHALK FESTIVAL SWEEPS UP While at least two commissioners did not real- ize it, Chalk Festival Organizer Denise Kowal already had what she needed when she came forward, seemingly to ask for help. Because staff decides virtually all issues about festivals, she needed commission approval only to waive about $3,500 in city fees. At least two commissioners thought they would be able to decide how long the festival would last, if paint could be applied to the as- phalt and whether the art could be left on the streets after the festival ended. A number of residents came to protest the 10- day duration of the festival. "Ten days is a ridiculous amount of time to shut down a retail district," said Lee Anne Swor. "I need to work to make a living." Page 34 Heidi McCullough said, "I believe a two-day closure is sufficient. And it's a chalk festival. No paint." Commissioners were surprised to find out all the decisions had been made at the staff level, except for the fee waiver. "You have given us administrative authority to approve that part of the event permit," said Deputy City Manager Brown. "These folks have been marketing since Janu- ary," said Commissioner Snyder. "Either they are marching on their own or had tacit approv- al from staff since January. Either there are memos, or we are being cornered in a box." "These folks have been led to believe a 10-day festival has been permitted," said Commis- sioner Turner. "We could overrule staff, but it would be totally inappropriate to do that. We should stand behind our staff."' "This is now the biggest collection of 3D art- ists in the world," said Kowal. "We are flying in 20 artists from around the world to partici- pate. But only one will be using paint." In the end, commissioners succumbed to the lure of the chalk. Turner made a motion to del- egate to the city manager how long the chalk stays on the street, approve the festival's safe- ty plan for post-event viewing of the art and "approve the small waiver of fees." The motion was approved 4-1, with Shaw in the minority. FEAR AND ANGER AFTER OFFICER'S REINSTATEMENT The decision putting Police Officer Christo- pher Childers back on duty at the Sarasota