News Briefs

+ Displays in the Village one step closer to the outdoors
An amendment allowing outdoor displays in Siesta Key Village cleared another hurdle after the Planning Commission approved it Thursday.

After a statement of support from Siesta Key Village Association and the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, the commission unanimously passed the proposal to the Siesta Key Overlay District zoning code.

“It’s a good, collaborative attempt to give businesses on Siesta Key a better opportunity of succeeding, and we should do everything we can to support the community out there,” said Commissioner John Ask, who made the motion to approve.

The proposed change would allow businesses in the Village to have displays outside to help attract customers. The merchant would have to obtain a temporary use permit for an annual fee of $25.

+ Judge dismisses Barfield Sunshine suit
A Sunshine lawsuit paralegal Michael Barfield filed against former Sarasota City Commissioner Terry Turner is over.

On Tuesday, 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Charles Williams dismissed the third amended complaint with prejudice in a suit aimed at forcing Turner to release messages sent from his personal email address in connection with a 2012 ballot initiative. Barfield, who works with the group Citizens for Sunshine, alleged Turner’s emails regarding the push for a “strong city manager” referendum were public records.

The lawsuit was bundled with a complaint that accused members of the Downtown Improvement District of using personal email accounts for city business. Turner had released a batch of personal emails pertaining to matters related to his duties on the City Commission in October 2012, but Barfield claimed the messages pertaining to the ballot initiative should be public.

The judge sided with the city, which contended Turner was acting as a citizen, and not as a commissioner, in his support of the referendum.

Meetings & agendas
Community Action Agency Board quarterly meeting — 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, Room 226, William L. Little Health and Human Services Center, 2200 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.

Regular City Commission meeting — 2:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18, City Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota.

Development Review Committee meeting — 9 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 20, Room 112, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota.