http://www.sarasotagov.com/rss.xml News and information of interest to Citizens of Sarasota Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:09:26 GMT ListGarden Program 1.3.1 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/CAC/Communications/Releases/City_Mote_marine_press_conference.htm The City of Sarasota, Mote Marine Laboratory and The HuB are partnering to show Google — and the nation — that Sarasota should be chosen as the test market site for the company’s proposed ultra high-speed Internet service. A joint news conference is scheduled for Wed., March 17, 2010 at 1:00 pm at Mote’s shark tank. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:09:24 GMT http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/CAC/Communications/Releases/Downtown_construction.htm A construction fence soon will be erected at the site of the future Palm Avenue parking garage, signaling the start of significant construction and economic impact in downtown Sarasota. Two projects will help create a better downtown for business owners, residents and visitors: the Palm Avenue parking garage, restaurant and retail space; and a roundabout at Five Points, including a new waterline, to service the downtown area. Pedestrian bulb-outs also will be constructed at Palm Avenue and Main Street. With these construction projects, the City of Sarasota is investing more than $14 million in infrastructure in downtown. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:41:45 GMT http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/CAC/Communications/Releases/2010_Census.htm With the distribution of federal and state dollars at stake, City of Sarasota officials are encouraging every resident to participate in the U.S. Census. It is hoped the participation rate will increase from the last census in 2000, when participation by City of Sarasota residents was below the national and state averages. Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:01:43 GMT http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/CAC/Communications/Releases/Priorities_2010_online.htm The top priorities for the City of Sarasota administration, along with corresponding measurable objectives, are now available for review on the City of Sarasota website. The City Commission recently established five priorities for fiscal years 2010-11 and 2011-2012: economic development and recovery; transportation and mobility; budget and finance; environmental sustainability; and quality of life. “We do not have a set order for these priorities,” said Mayor Richard Clapp. “They all are equally important and they’re all interconnected. The administration will work to carry them all out.” Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:47:13 GMT http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/CAC/Communications/Releases/Google_internet.htm A community effort is underway to bring an experimental ultra high-speed internet service to Sarasota, and you can show your support for it. Google plans to launch a test system in a select few locations in the United States for a fiber network with unprecedented speed. The experimental system would provide internet connections 100 times faster than what most Americans currently use, according to information released by Google. Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:45:50 GMT http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/CAC/Communications/Releases/US301_landscape_meeting.htm The public is invited to provide input on a significant landscape improvement project which will be located along U.S. 301 in North Sarasota. The discussion will take place Thurs., March 11, 2010 at 6:00 pm at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 34th Street. Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:50:44 GMT http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/CAC/Communications/Releases/Nadalini_hire.htm In an historic vote, the City Commission hired Pamela M. Nadalini as the City Auditor and Clerk this afternoon during a special meeting. She is the first African American to be appointed to a City of Sarasota Charter Official position. It is believed she also is the first female to occupy a Charter Official position since Sarasota became a city in 1902. Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:47:13 GMT http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/CAC/Communications/Releases/Landscape_awards.htm Two significant landscape projects by the City of Sarasota have been honored by the Sarasota Garden Club for civic beautification. Fruitville Road and U.S. 41, were recognized for creating two visually appealing gateways into the City. Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:29:01 GMT http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/CAC/Communications/Releases/Palm_ave_facade_selected.htm The City Commission unanimously approved a modern façade for the Palm Avenue parking garage during its last regular meeting. The premier design, created by Sarasota architect Jonathon Parks and known as “Sails”, will use panels to provide the appearance and feel of wind filled sails. Construction is expected to begin as soon as April 1, 2010 with staging starting next month. Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:01:56 GMT http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/CAC/Communications/Releases/Public_works_open_house.htm The public is invited to take a behind the scenes look at the City of Sarasota Public Works Department during an open house Thurs., February 25, 2010 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm at the Public Works Department, 1750 12th Street. Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:47:19 GMT http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/CAC/Communications/Releases/Black_history_month.htm Educational materials will be on display at City Hall, 1565 First Street, commemorating Black History Month beginning Tues., February 16, 2010. Materials will include photographs and newspaper articles charting the history of racial integration in Sarasota County. Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:46:45 GMT http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/CAC/Communications/Releases/Sustainability_expert.htm Dr. Jennifer Languell, a renowned expert in the field of sustainability and green buildings, addressed City of Sarasota senior staff this morning at City Hall. She was invited to talk to staff about the role the City can play in creating a more sustainable Sarasota. Options were discussed for energy efficient green buildings. Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:45:45 GMT http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/CAC/Communications/Releases/Presidents_Day_2010.htm City of Sarasota administration offices will be closed Monday, Feb.15, 2010 in observance of Presidents’ Day. The closing affects City Hall, the Federal Building and Public Works, although solid waste and recycling collection will not be impacted. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:43:51 GMT http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/CAC/Communications/Releases/Brownfield_conceptual_plan.htm The City of Sarasota is in preliminary discussions with Sarasota Memorial Hospital for the hospital to use a portion of the Marion Anderson brownfield site located in North Sarasota. Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:55:23 GMT http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/CAC/Communications/Releases/Bertha_Palmer_video.htm The City of Sarasota has produced a ten minute documentary about the extraordinary life of Sarasota resident Bertha Palmer, which is now running on Access Sarasota (Comcast channel 19; Verizon channels 32 and 34). It also can be viewed on the City’s website: www.sarasotagov.com Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:15:20 GMT http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/CAC/Communications/Releases/HUD_big_check.htm The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will present a $23 million check to the City of Sarasota and the Sarasota Office of Housing and Community Development for neighborhood stabilization programs Wed., January 27, 2010 at 10:00 am at Janie’s Garden Community Center, 2350 Central Ave. The ceremony is open to the public. Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:50:20 GMT http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/CAC/Communications/Releases/Parking_garage_meetings.htm The public is invited to attend a series of three meetings to provide input on the façade and landscape plans for the Palm Avenue parking garage. The meetings will be held in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:56:15 GMT http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/CAC/Communications/Releases/Housing_Grant.htm The City of Sarasota and Sarasota County through the Office of Housing and Community Development will receive a $23 million grant from the federal government for neighborhood stabilization programs, which will include the construction of Janie’s Garden Phase III. Sarasota is just one of 56 organizations in the nation to be awarded one of the competitive grants, according to HUD, which made the announcement yesterday. Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:25:55 GMT http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/CAC/Communications/Releases/City_Offices_close_MLK_day_2010.html City of Sarasota administration offices will be closed January 18, 2010 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The closing affects City Hall, the Federal Building and Public Works, although solid waste and recycling collection will not be impacted. Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:34:46 GMT http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/CAC/Communications/Releases/NNO_award_2009.htm The City of Sarasota will be presented with a national award Tues., January 19, 2010 at 6pm for outstanding participation in the 26th annual National Night Out program to prevent crime. The award, given by the National Association of Town Watch which oversees America’s Night Out Against Crime, will be presented by staff to the City Commission during its regular meeting at City Hall. This is the second consecutive year the Greater Sarasota “National Night Out Against Crime” has been recognized with this distinguished award. Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:30:50 GMT http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/CAC/Communications/Releases/Five_Points_Construction.htm The Five Points intersection in downtown Sarasota, where Main Street, Cocoanut Avenue and Central Avenue converge, will be the site of a brief construction project starting Wed., January 6, 2010. A contractor will replace a concrete strain pole on the southwest corner. Since the pole holds and supports traffic signals and signs, it will be necessary for the intersection to be a temporary four-way stop on Thurs., January 7th. A construction worker will be on site to control traffic flow. The project is expected to be finished on or around Wed., January 13th. Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:04:17 GMT http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/CAC/Communications/Releases/FGAP_art_selection.htm The three finalists in the Call to Artists for Fredd “Glossie” Atkins Park will present their designs and concepts to an Ad Hoc Committee Tues., January 5, 2010 at 6pm at City Hall. The Committee is expected to make a decision after seeing all three presentations. The meeting will be televised on Access Sarasota and streamed live on the internet at www.sarasotagov.com Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:57:11 GMT http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/CAC/Communications/Releases/41_pedestrian_improvements.htm Construction to improve pedestrian safety at two major intersections along U.S. 41 will begin Mon., January 4, 2010 in the evening with minimal disruption to motorized traffic. The two intersections being improved are: U.S. 41 and 10 Street and U.S. 41 and Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:56:36 GMT