News Briefs

+ Commission rejects DSA funding request
The City Commission voted down a request by the Downtown Sarasota Alliance (DSA) for $20,000 in city Tax Increment Finance (TIF) funding to be used for the 2013 downtown marketing effort. Mayor Suzanne Atwell and Commissioner Paul Caragiulo voted in favor of the funding request.

The commission, however, voted unanimously on a second motion to recommend that the Downtown Improvement District fund the marketing effort.

If the commission had agreed to fund the request, the TIF dollars would have been used for a marketing effort to bring more diners and shoppers downtown.

+ Domestic partnership registry begins
City commissioners Monday, Nov. 5, moved forward with a domestic-partnership registry and a method for allowing residents to sign up for the registry.

The registry kicked off at 9 a.m. Tuesday with volunteers helping residents register.

+ United Airlines returns to SRQ Airport
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport welcomed the first arrival and departure flights of United Airlines Nov. 4. The airline will offer daily non-stop flights between Chicago and Sarasota.

“We are delighted with the return of United, the world’s largest airline to SRQ,” said Sarasota-Bradenton airport’s board chairman, Carlos Beruff. “Chicago is our second-largest market behind New York City, and it wasn’t a big surprise that both the arrival and the departure were full.”

Meetings & Agendas
• Southside Village Business Association Meeting — 8 a.m. Monday, Nov. 12, at Libby’s Café + Bar, 1917 S. Osprey Ave.
• Public Workshop: Downtown Circulator — 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, City Hall, Commission Chambers, 1565 First St., Sarasota.
• Regular City Commission Meeting — 2:30 and 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, City Hall, Commission Chambers, 1565 First St., Sarasota.