SARASOTA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON TUESDAY APPOINTED TAYLOR MEALS OF ENGLEWOOD TO FILL THE VACANCY ON THE SARASOTA PLANNING COMMISSION CREATED BY THE RESIGNATION OF CHRISTINE ROBINSON, WHO WAS APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR CHARLIE CRIST TO REPLACE THE RETIRING SHANNON STAUB ON THE COMMISSION. MEALS WAS REPORTEDLY ONE OF SEVEN PEOPLE WHO APPLIED FOR THE POSITION. MEALS IS ALSO ON THE BOARD OF THE ENGLEWOOD WATER DISTRICT. COMMISSIONERS ALSO DISCUSSED THE IDEA OF SELLING ADVERTISING ON THE EXTERIOR OF SCAT TROLLEY VEHICLES TO SUPPORT THE COST OF OPERATING THE LONGBOAT KEY TROLLEY SERVICE. THEY DIRECTED STAFF TO QUICKLY PREPARE OPTIONS FOR THEM TO CONSIDER AT THEIR NEXT MEETING. FINALLY, COMMISSIONERS APPROVED ADVERTISING OF A PUBLIC HEARING TO EXTEND THE NEWS RACK ORDINANCE, WHICH IS DUE TO EXPIRE MARCH 1ST. THE ORDINANCE REGULATES THE SIZE, PLACEMENT, AND TYPE OF NEWS RACKS WITHIN UNICORPORATED AREAS. IF APPROVED, THE EXTENSION WOULD LAST TWO YEARS.
