Briefs 8.29.13

+ Sarasota Police identify body found in Big Pass
Sarasota Police have identified the body found Aug. 27 in Big Pass as that of the president of the firm working on a government contract on Siesta Key.

A passing boat discovered the body of CB Construction Services Corp. President and CEO Cresente Bautista, 59. The cause of death is not known, but the body did not show initial signs of foul play, according to Sarasota Police Officer Linda DeNiro.

Bautista’s firm was working on the Bay Island Park seawall replacement project on the north end of Siesta Key. The investigation is ongoing.

+ County Commission cuts its emergency reserves
At a meeting Tuesday, the Sarasota County Commission approved a measure to reduce the county’s emergency-reserve fund from a 90-day reserve to 75 days — freeing $8 million to use on other projects on a one-time basis.

“We’re well within good practices to do this,” said County Commissioner Charles Hines, speaking about the move. “I feel 75 days is sufficient; let’s put that money to work in our community.”

County Commissioner Nora Patterson opposed the measure, calling it shortsighted.

“I don’t agree at this point that this is the time to do this,” Patterson said. “I understand the principle of putting dollars to work. But, to spend this money now and not to have any potential for it in the future, I don’t think it’s prudent.”

The county approved a measure in May lowering the emergency fund from a 90-day reserve to 75. The 75-day mark still puts Sarasota well ahead of the average emergency-fund reserve of 60 days among Florida counties, Hines said. There are no specific plans for allocating the one-time, $8 million payout.

+ City closures for Labor Day
The city administration offices will be closed for Labor Day Monday, Sept. 2, pushing back the scheduled City Commission meeting until Sept. 3.

Most other city services will not be affected. Garbage, recycling and other waste collection will not be impacted by the holiday, according to a city press release.

The Robert L. Taylor Community Complex will be open from 6 to 10 a.m., and the pool will be closed. The Steigerwaldt-Jockey Children’s Fountain, Bobby Jones Golf Club and Lido Pool will operate with normal hours Monday. Starting Tuesday, the Steigerwaldt-Jockey fountain will begin its winter operating hours and close at 5 p.m.

+ Holiday weekend delays Main Street construction
Construction on Main Street will be delayed to ensure parking is available downtown during the Labor Day weekend.

The demolition of the sidewalk on Main Street, from Mira Mar Court to Five Points, has been postponed until next week to keep parking open over the holiday weekend. Demolition will now begin the week of Sept. 2.

More parking on Main Street will be opened up this week from Palm Avenue to Mira Mar, where crews are scheduled to complete the installation of pavers in the parking area before the weekend begins.

Construction will continue from Gulfstream Avenue to Palm and from Goodrich avenues to Kings Court.
More details about Main Street streetscape improvements can be found at the city’s website.

Meetings & agendas
• City Commission Special Meeting — 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota.
• Siesta Key Village Association Meeting — 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar, 5250 Ocean Blvd., Sarasota.
• City Commission Regular Meeting — 2:30 and 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota.
• Sarasota County School Board Meeting — 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, Landings Administrative Complex, 1980 Landings Blvd., Sarsasota.