Politics & Government

City Wants More Security at City Commission Meetings

After several disturbances at last week's meeting the commission wants to designate the same officer for each meeting.

Sarasota resident Jim Lampl was just trying to prove a point. At last week's commission meeting Lampl threw a plastic bag filled with cigarette butts across the commission table, toward the commissioners. 

He was showing that the smoking ban would not only help limit second hand smoke, but also help littering problems at Five Points Park. 

The action, however, brought concerns to commissioner Willie Shaw. At Tuesday's informal city meeting, Shaw said, "To take and toss a bag across to the city manger, a bag that could've contained anything."

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Currently a zone 5 police officer, on a rotating basis, is assigned to commission meetings. On Tuesday, commissioners discussed moving toward having the same officer at each meeting. 

"As we grow we need to start looking at some different safety procedures within in the chambers before we get in there and during the time we [are] in there," Shaw said.  

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Commissioner Shannon Snyder agreed and suggested that it would be helpful if it were the same officer because of consistency. He said the officer and commissioners would end up having a better relationship and that the officer would become more familiar with people in the crowd. 

"I’ve always had a problem with not [knowing] who’s back there," said Mayor Suzanne Atwell. "I’m never sure. I would love some consistency."

The discussion of safety then turned into what actions the mayor can take if/when people in the crowd become unruly. Commissioner Terry Turner suggested that if an entire group gets out of hand that maybe the mayor needs the authority to table the issue until another meeting. 

At last week's city commission meeting people supporting measures to get rid of homeless at Five Points Park and people supporting the homeless constantly clapped after each public comment. With each person speaking either pro or against, the crowd applauded and Atwell had to gavel the applause so the meeting could continue. 

"It wasn't just one side [last week]," Atwell said. "People were clapping on both sides. It became unruly."

City auditor and clerk Pamela Nadalini said the commission already has the authority to take a quick vote to halt discussing an issue until another meeting. 


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