CIVICS REPORT CARD

• Introducing our new biweekly Sarasota CityPAC C.A.R.E.S civics report card.  We monitor every City of Sarasota commission meeting to track whether key officials live up to the voter-friendly values of Civility, Accountability, Resident-focus, Engagement, and Stewardship.

CODE OF CONDUCT

• Despite the pledge of conduct read at the begining of each city commission meeting, the April 3 meeting included 4 separate personal attacks - 3 originating from citizens, directed at either one another or the city leaders, and one from the mayor directed at an applicant for the St. Armands Business Improvement District who had objected to the for-profit carnival held in the historic (and still damaged 4 months after hydralic equipment was installed on it) St. Armands Circle Park.

SARASOTA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

• In light of questions raised by thousands of residents (including luminaries like legendary architect Carl Abbott, FAIA), about the need to consider replacing Sarasota's iconic Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in light of recent engineering reports which show the building in good structural health, and immutable touring market realities given Sarasota's proximity to Tampa, the city commission opted to extend the time period for the Sarasota Performing Arts Center to come back with replacement proposal. A purple ribbon panel will be seated to consider these questions.