Regular City Commission Meeting - August 19, 2024

The Sarasota City Commission held a regular meeting on August 19, 2024, from 9:01 AM to 6:44 PM at City Hall. The meeting included presentations, public comments, consent agendas, unfinished business, legislative public hearings, a quasi-judicial hearing, and new business. Key decisions included approval of workforce housing funding steps, direction to draft a towing ordinance, a revised option agreement for the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition, passage of multiple ordinances, and naming the new Rosemary District park Overtown Square.

Consent Calendar

• Consent Agenda No. 1 (Items VI.1–VI.7): Approved 5-0. Included routine approvals for contracts and amendments (e.g., Integrated Voice Response System, CCTV security, cleaning services, Lido Key Beach Nourishment, wastewater manhole rehabilitation, water main replacement, school crossing guard services).
• Consent Agenda No. 2 (Items VII.3–VII.4): Approved 5-0. Included Resolution 24R-3273 (budget amendment for St. Armand's escrow) and Ordinance 24-5532 (vacation of a right-of-way easement for Lofts on Lemon Phase 1).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jose Fernandez (City resident): Expressed concern about the city budget forecasting a deficit, declining taxable value growth, and the financial risks of the workforce housing project, including a potential $100 million borrowing. He urged a formal economic feasibility analysis.
• Martin Hyde (City resident): Criticized the city manager’s tenure, increased staff numbers, and the workforce housing project. He argued the project does not address affordability and urged a national search for the next city manager.
• Ron Kashden (City resident): Displayed water quality advisories from Suncoast Waterkeeper and Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, noting bacteria levels 14 times above safe thresholds. He asked what mechanism the city uses to inform the public about hazardous water conditions.
• Eric Fox (City resident): Opposed the 1260 North Palm Avenue development, citing zoning violations and excessive height. He noted over 4,000 residents signed statements against the project.
• Paul Hess (City resident): Also opposed 1260 North Palm Avenue, stating it still violates zoning requirements for retail frontage, habitable space, and compatibility. He raised concerns about refuse collection and pedestrian safety.
• Melissa Furman (City resident): Opposed the Cross Street vacation, arguing the city is giving away a valuable asset (27,073 sq ft) and noted the applicant recently demolished the McAlpin House without relocation plans.
• David Lough (Rosemary District resident): Supported naming the new park Overtown Square to honor the area's history as Overtown and noted the risk of losing the Colson Hotel. He said the survey may not reflect historical awareness.
• Anand Palagar (President, Rosemary District Association): Supported Overtown Square, noting the board unanimously chose it to honor history and the original master plan. He acknowledged the association’s oversight in not distributing the city’s survey.
• Melissa Laughlin (Vice President, Rosemary District Association): Read the board’s April 2024 motion recommending Overtown Square.
• Pamela Moones (City resident): Preferred Rosemary Central Park, citing the neighborhood’s contributions and the park’s central location. She noted the name should reflect the current community.
• Richard Bachman (Tampa resident): Expressed interest in investing in Sarasota and suggested naming the park “Rosemary’s Overtown Square” to include both names.

Discussion Items

• Towing of Vehicles from Private Property (Item IX.1): City Attorney Fournier presented recommendations to update the 2001 ordinance, including deleting city-set maximum towing rates (relying on state rates), incorporating state signage requirements, adding a 15-minute grace period, and requiring a list of rates on file with police. Commissioners discussed deceptively similar signage, storage fees, and enforcement. Motion to draft an ordinance passed 5-0.
• Option to Purchase Agreement for SAACC (Item IX.2): Assistant City Attorney Shamsey presented a draft option agreement for city-owned parcels at 1556, 1560, and 1580 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way. The agreement would allow the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition (SAACC) to buy the land for $201,000 after a 5-year option period, with covenants requiring a cultural center and a reverter clause. Commissioners debated a long-term lease vs. sale, reverter terms, and tax base impact. Commissioner Arroyo preferred a reverter clause; Commissioner Trice favored a ground lease; Vice Mayor Ahearn-Koch supported a lease option but noted fundraising benefits of ownership. A motion to return a revised draft option agreement passed 4-1 (Commissioner Trice dissenting).
• Naming of New Rosemary District Park (Item XII.1): Parks Director Fogle presented a survey with 700+ responses; “Rosemary Park” received 166 votes, “Rosemary Central Park” 93, “Overtown Square” 87. The Rosemary District Association unanimously recommended Overtown Square. Commissioners discussed historical significance and community input. Motion to name the park “Overtown Square” with an explanatory plaque passed 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 24R-3261 (Intent to Reimburse Workforce Housing Expenditures): Passed 5-0. This authorizes the city to later reimburse expenditures from bond proceeds, up to $100 million, for a workforce housing project. No borrowing was approved at this time.
• Resolution 24R-3270 (Budget Amendment for Affordable Housing Land Purchase): Passed 5-0. This establishes a $7,106,720 budget within the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to purchase properties at 1544 and 1590 1st Street, with a general fund loan if foundation pledges (up to $4.5 million) are delayed.
• Ordinance 24-5527 (Lobbyist Registration): Motion to pass on first reading failed 2-3 (Vice Mayor Ahearn-Koch, Commissioner Battie, Commissioner Trice voting no). A subsequent motion to modify the speaker card to ask if a speaker is compensated passed 5-0.
• Ordinance 24-5529 (Homestead Exemption Increase for Seniors): Passed 4-1 (Commissioner Trice dissenting). Increases the additional homestead exemption from $25,000 to $50,000 for income-qualified seniors aged 65+, effective 2025. Estimated annual revenue loss of $20,000.
• Ordinance 24-5539 (Cross Street Right-of-Way Vacation): Passed 4-1 (Vice Mayor Ahearn-Koch dissenting). Vacates approximately 27,073 sq ft of Cross Street in exchange for a public access easement, 50 public parking spaces, tree protections, and a reverter clause if development milestones are not met.
• Ordinance 24-5540 (Batch Zoning Text Amendments): Approved on first reading 5-0 for items 1–17, and separately 4-1 for item 18 (alternative parking ratios, Vice Mayor Ahearn-Koch dissenting). The amendment includes 18 changes to definitions, tree preservation, generators, permeable pavement, ADU separation, etc.
• Ordinance 24-5542 (Multimodal Transportation Impact Fee Update): Passed 5-0 on first reading. Updates the fee schedule to reflect inflation and new trip generation data, with phased increases starting January 1, 2025. Commissioners requested an analysis of revenue impacts before second reading.
• Ordinance 24-5538 (Self-Storage Facility on 17th Street): Passed 5-0 on first reading. Approves a 122,955 sq ft, three-story self-storage facility at 2530 17th Street, with a new site plan replacing an expired one. The building is designed to preserve two grand trees.
• Towing Ordinance Direction: Commission directed the City Attorney to draft a revised towing ordinance for a public hearing, incorporating the discussed changes.
• SAACC Option Agreement: Commission voted 4-1 to return a revised draft option agreement reflecting discussion on reverter clauses and other terms.
• Park Naming: The new park in the Rosemary District was officially named Overtown Square, with a plaque explaining the historical significance.