Shared Purchasing Initiative  We're making great strides in collaborating with other local governmental entities for purchases.  As part of the City Commission's current strategic plan, City staff is looking at consolidating efforts with other agencies, when mutually beneficial and possible, including sharing purchasing efforts.  City Purchasing staff issued a bid last week for janitorial supplies in partnership with the City of North Port, Town of Longboat Key, City of Holmes Beach and the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority.  Inherently, this approach maximizes buying power.  Once the bids are received, each agency will have the opportunity to sign its own contract.  Initially, new collaborations like this can be challenging, as each entity understands its role in the group and the ultimate benefits.  This is a necessary step as we continue to look toward opportunities for regionalization.  Hats off to our Purchasing staff, particularly Purchasing Manager Mary Tucker, who spearheaded this project. 

N. Water Tower Park Grant   North Water Tower Park will receive some additional TLC thanks to the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program's successful bid for a competitive $300,000 national grant.  Known as the EPA Gulf of Mexico Program Grant, a total of 144 applications were submitted from the Gulf states, plus a handful of northern states -- and just 14 applications were selected for funding.  The grant will go toward construction design and permitting for stormwater improvements, invasive vegetation removal and public outreach programs.  This grant is particularly significant as we work together to improve the business and residential areas along the North Trail.  Congratulations to our friends at SBEP for assembling an outstanding grant proposal that will make a difference in our community.    

Tree Lighting  The trees around Selby Five Points Park in downtown once again are illuminated!  If you haven't seen the white decorative lights wrapped around the 18 oak trees surrounding the park, you're in for a treat.  The white lights are simplistic, yet add a festive air to the park, which we anticipate will be one more reason why people will want to spend time in our downtown.  Congratulations again to the Downtown Improvement District and Sarasota Downtown Merchants Association for being committed to this project. (Please note: In our last newsletter, the SDMA inadvertently was not properly credited for its role with the installation of the lights.  Our apologies.)

The tree lights are on at Selby Five Points Park.

 

TEDx Event  The TEDx live stream event that we mentioned in last week's newsletter went well Tuesday night.  The rooftop of the Palm Avenue Garage was filled with approximately 125 people sitting in lawn chairs as they watched a live stream of TED 2014 in Vancouver, British Columbia.  Congratulations again to everyone involved with this unprecedented event in our downtown, especially TEDxManasota, the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Group and our City staff who worked closely with those organizations to make it happen.

Collage of photos from the TEDx event this week at the Palm Ave. Garage

 

City's Oldest Retiree Turns 100    A member of our extended City of Sarasota family celebrated a milestone birthday this week.  Dorothy Tuynman, the first secretary for the City's Fire Department in 1953, turned 100 years old on March 19th.  After raising four children of her own, Dorothy worked for the City for 24 years, calling it her "dream job" and "playing Mother" to 25 firefighters.  Decades later, when the City of Sarasota opened a health center to provide quality health care for employees and retirees while keeping costs down, Dorothy,

Dorothy Tuynman in 2013.  Photo coutesy:  Pat Guess

as a retiree, enrolled.  (It is especially gratifying to have our most senior retiree participate in this health care program, since staff has focused on enrolling more retirees.)  Dorothy was born in 1914 in what is now the area of Ringling Blvd. and Pine Place in downtown.  With the exception of one year when she lived in Miami and Bradenton, Dorothy has enjoyed the past century in Sarasota.  The secret to Dorothy's longevity, her daughter Pat Guess speculates, is just good genes.  Dorothy has many relatives who lived into their mid-90s and even 100.  She now lives in her own home in Sarasota under the loving care of her family.  Thank you, Dorothy, for your service to the City and Happy 100th Birthday!