Sarasota City Commission Regular Meeting – August 8, 2024

Mayor Liz Alpert convened the regular City Commission meeting at 9:01 A.M. on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at City Hall in Sarasota, Florida. The meeting had been rescheduled from August 5, 2024, due to Tropical Storm Debby. Present were Vice Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch, Commissioners Erik Arroyo, Kyle Scott Battie (arrived at 9:02 A.M.), and Debbie Trice, along with City Attorney Robert Fournier, City Manager Marlon Brown, and City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs. The Commission approved a change to the agenda removing the Florida League of Cities award presentation and announced continuances for the Colson Hotel appeal and Ordinance 24-5533.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the July 1, 2024, regular meeting by a 5-0 vote.
• Approved Consent Agenda No. 1 by a 5-0 vote, including: settlement of the Joanne Soucy estate claim; a $528,111 agreement with Natura FL, LLC for Downtown In Bloom flower baskets; a $130,000 fleet liability claim settlement; the second extension with B&E Signal and Lighting (spent $2,595,795.83 since July 7, 2020); the second extension of coastal engineering agreements (spent $284,218.72 with Aptim and $120,175.79 with Taylor Engineering); a $15,000 amendment with Kimley-Horn for the Ringling and Pine Roundabout; acceptance of a $29,166.72 pedestrian and bicycle safety grant; and an amendment with RedSpeed Florida LLC adding ten red light cameras.
• Approved Consent Agenda No. 2 by a 5-0 vote, including Resolution 24R-3260 ($29,167 budget supplemental for the SPD pedestrian/bicycle grant) and Ordinance 24-5530 (rezone of 7.51+/- acres at 930 N. Beneva Road from RMF-1 to RMF-3).
• Approved Ordinance 23-5494 (Affordable Housing Trust Fund) by a 5-0 vote after the City Manager read a revised affordable housing definition into the record.
• Reappointed Vice Mayor Ahearn-Koch to the 2024-2025 FLC Advocacy Committee and Federal Action Strike Team by consensus.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Police officers and the Sarasota Police Officers Association president expressed serious concerns about wage negotiations, stating that 105 officers were hired but 95 left over five years and that there have been 17+ shooting victims this year.
• Several downtown residents spoke in opposition to the proposed 1260 North Palm project, citing a petition with about 4,000 signatures, 17 months of attendance at meetings, process concerns, and a building they said was too large for its site.
• A representative of Limelight Community Garden voiced support for allowing community gardens downtown, noting more than 50 volunteers.
• Residents Ray Ann Malone and Jennifer Stuttler spoke in support of the Crossings at Siesta Key comprehensive plan amendment, expressing excitement about mixed-use redevelopment and walkability while noting traffic concerns.
• In the afternoon citizens' input period, John Susi criticized the police department's handling of the Ziggler investigation and warned of potential litigation.

Discussion Items

• Community Gardens and Religious Institution Accessory Uses: Planning staff requested authorization to process zoning text amendments. Following public comment and commissioner questions, the Commission voted 5-0 to direct staff to process the amendments.
• Downtown Master Plan Ad-Hoc Committee: Planning Director Steve Cover and staff presented a proposed process using an Invitation to Negotiate for consultant selection and an ad-hoc committee. Howard Davis recommended a nine-member committee of representative stakeholders rather than only subject matter experts; David Lowe requested a Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association seat. Commissioners discussed committee composition, diversity, young voices, a facilitator, and application processes. Commissioner Trice distributed an alternative focus-area list. The Commission voted 5-0 to direct staff to draft a resolution detailing criteria and an application process through the City Auditor and Clerk's office.

Legislative Public Hearings

• Resolution 24R-3234 (Sarasota Station Comprehensive Plan Amendment): Staff recommended extending the attainable housing affordability period from 15 to 30 years and removing quarterly income verification. Several commissioners asked why annual verification was not added to the text. No public speakers signed up. The Commission approved transmittal to state reviewing agencies by a 5-0 vote.
• Resolution 24R-3247 (Crossings at Siesta Key / Southgate Mall): Staff and applicant Philip DiMaria (Kimley-Horn) and Todd Mathes (Benderson) presented a proposal to allow mixed-use development, including up to 25 dwelling units per acre, with a proffer that 10% of residential units be attainable. The Commission discussed the timing and catch-up mechanisms for affordable units, with Commissioner Trice and others raising concerns about affordable housing enclaves. The Commission approved transmittal by a 5-0 vote with an additional proffer: "five years after attaining the Certificate of Occupancy of the first residential project phase, 10% of all housing units shall be provided as attainable."
• Ordinance 24-5533 (Board of Rules and Appeals): Continued to September 16, 2024, at staff's request.
• Ordinance 24-5535 (Winton Avenue Right-of-Way Vacation): Staff and applicant Bruce Franklin presented the vacation of approximately 4,564 square feet of unimproved right-of-way. The public hearing included no speakers; the Commission approved first reading by a 5-0 vote.
• Ordinance 24-5537 (School Zone Speed Detection Systems): Police and city attorney staff presented the ordinance authorized by Florida House Bill 657, allowing speed detection systems in school zones with fines up to $100. No public speakers signed up. The Commission passed first reading by a 5-0 vote.

Quasi-Judicial Public Hearing

• The appeal of the Historic Preservation Board's 5-0 denial of demolition for the Colson Hotel, 1425 8th Street, was continued to September 3, 2024. City Attorney Fournier noted he had prepared a memo explaining the applicable standards.

New Business

• Resolution 24R-3259: The Commission adopted, by a 5-0 vote, a resolution designating the Code Compliance Special Magistrate as the local hearing officer for school zone speed violations and authorizing staff to implement the program.
• Sale of 2385 15th Street to Humane Society of Sarasota County: Economic Development Manager Wayne Applebee and Humane Society Senior Director of Operations David Lynch requested direction on the sale of city-owned property for a dog walking path. The property was appraised at $130,000, with proceeds directed to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Commissioners debated lease vs. sale, stormwater easement protections, and value questions. A motion by Commissioner Trice, seconded by Commissioner Battie, directed the City Manager and City Attorney to prepare a stormwater retention easement if needed and a Purchase and Sale Agreement for future consideration. The motion passed 3-2, with Vice Mayor Ahearn-Koch and Commissioner Arroyo voting no.

Storm Response Update and Other Matters

• Deputy City Manager Patrick Robinson reported on Tropical Storm Debby response, including approximately 600 people rescued from the Pinecraft and Conrad neighborhoods, rainfall totals over seven days including 14.63 inches at Bobby Jones, 18.46 inches in the Bay of Austin area, 13.73 inches at Southgate, 10.7 inches at Myrtle and 301, and 14.8 inches at Bayou Vista and Philippi Creek. He noted Woodlawn Cemetery graves were affected and staff were working on restoration.
• City Manager Brown said the joint city-county meeting scheduled for August 28 would be rescheduled to September, and a joint meeting with Longboat Key was being considered for October. He also reported on his trip to Italy to meet with the Renzo Piano design team.
• Commissioner Arroyo stated he would send a letter to Governor DeSantis requesting an investigation and additional funds related to Tropical Storm Debby, in support of a letter from Senator Joe Gruters.

Key Outcomes

• Approved all consent agenda items and minutes.
• Directed staff to process zoning text amendments for community gardens and religious institution accessory uses.
• Directed staff to draft a Downtown Master Plan Ad-Hoc Committee resolution with criteria and application process.
• Approved transmittal of Comprehensive Plan Amendments 23-PA-02 and 23-PA-06 to state reviewing agencies.
• Passed first reading of Ordinance 24-5535 and Ordinance 24-5537.
• Adopted Resolution 24R-3259.
• Directed staff to prepare a Purchase and Sale Agreement for 2385 15th Street, subject to a stormwater easement if needed, by a 3-2 vote.
• Continued the Colson Hotel appeal to September 3, 2024, and Ordinance 24-5533 to September 16, 2024.