Sarasota City Commission Regular Meeting - September 16, 2024

The Sarasota City Commission met on September 16, 2024, at 9:00 AM in City Hall. The meeting included proclamations, presentations, approval of multiple consent agendas, public hearings, and new business items. Key decisions included adoption of a senior homestead exemption increase, approval of the Engineering Design Criteria Manual update, creation of an Ad-Hoc Committee for the Downtown Master Plan, and a directive to create a contractor parking permit category. A resolution to stand with the Venezuelan people failed.

Consent Calendar

• Consent Agenda No. 1 (Items VI-1, VI-3, VI-4, VI-5): Approved 5-0. Items included contracts for economic consulting services, water pipeline realignment, emergency purchase orders, and security guard services extension.
• Item VI-2 (Main Street Complete Streets engineering services with Kimley-Horn, $2,269,326): Removed for discussion, then approved 5-0 after clarification that the project will be coordinated with the Downtown Master Plan and uses ARPA funds.
• Consent Agenda No. 2 (Items VII-1, VII-2, VII-4): Approved 5-0. Included ordinances on retirement plan amendments, a self-storage facility redevelopment, and Bay Park Improvement District trust fund modifications.
• Item VII-3 (Multimodal Transportation Impact Fee schedule update): Removed for citizen input regarding credits, then approved 5-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jose Fernandez (City resident): Presented a comparison of pro formas for the Workforce Housing Complex, arguing the city's cost estimate of $86 million is not credible and exceeds his estimate by over $30 million. He stated the project is not for poor people but for those at 80-120% AMI.
• Tony Chiofalo (City resident): Raised safety concerns about bicyclists on the Ringling Bridge pedestrian lanes and frequent accidents at the Gulfstream/41 roundabout, especially with political demonstrations.
• Bill Waddell (on behalf of Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation): Announced town halls on September 18 for the new performing arts center conceptual design.
• Dale Sprints (City resident): Read a statement from the Climate Adaptation Center opposing the 1260 North Palm project, citing increased heat island effect and past sewage spills.
• Ron Shapiro (City resident): Opposed the 1260 North Palm project, noting over 4,000 petition signatures and 70 speakers at meetings against it, with zero in support. He argued the project offers no public good and violates multiple codes.
• David Lough (President, Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association): Questioned the credit mechanism for Multimodal Transportation Impact Fees, citing projects like Astor and Lynx and Cordelia that owe no fees due to credits. He asked if the commission was also approving the credit mechanism.
• Eugene Kodrakovsky (City resident): Opposed permitting the city manager to set parking rates administratively, arguing it removes public oversight and that the parking department should optimize services, not revenue.
• Dan DeLeo (City resident): Advocated for a private contract model for legal services rather than in-house, citing cost efficiency and experience with the school board and PGT.
• Andrew Oppenheim (Shoemaker, Lupin, Kendrick): Presented the firm's qualifications for city attorney, highlighting experience with many local governments and offering to provide a detailed plan.
• Eugene Kodrakovsky (second appearance): Expressed concern about the commission's disregard for residents, citing examples of joking about taxes, vacating easements for free, and restricting beach access.

Discussion Items

• Proclamations & Presentations:
  • Proclamation for September 2024 as "Attendance Awareness Month" presented to Beth Duda (Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading).
  • Proclamation for September 19, 2024 as "Find the Good Day" presented to Junior League of Sarasota.
  • Employee and Team of the Month: Team of the Month awarded to Officers Kevin Sullivan, Nicholas Dominis, and Eric Maszak for rescues during Hurricane Debby (600 people saved).
  • Florida League of Cities Municipal Achievement Award for the Attainable Housing Density Bonus programs presented to planning staff.
  • Presentation on economic benefits of historic preservation by Manny Leto (Preserve the 'Burg) and Erin DiFazio (Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation). Discussed the "Keeping the Vibe Alive" study showing historic districts recover quicker in property values, support small businesses, and provide affordable housing.
• Homestead Exemption for Seniors (Ordinance 24-5529): Second reading. Increased additional homestead exemption from $25,000 to $50,000 for income-qualified persons aged 65+ (income limit adjusted annually). Commissioner Trice voted no, arguing it shifts tax burden to renters. Motion to adopt carried 4-1.
• Zoning Code Amendments (Ordinance 24-5540): Second reading of Batch 2024 ZTA (18 items). Items 1-17 adopted 5-0. Item 18 (streetwall coplanar requirements) adopted 4-1, with Vice Mayor Ahearn-Koch voting no.
• Engineering Design Criteria Manual (EDCM) Update: Presentation by staff. Accepted by motion 5-0. The update includes a 2-year implementation window (effective October 1, 2026) and will be followed by public hearings and training. One practitioner raised concerns, but staff noted only one individual objected.
• Ad-Hoc Committee for Downtown Master Plan (Resolution 24R-3272): Adopted 5-0 with amendment by Commissioner Trice: if only one person applies to a category, the commission may by majority vote remove the limiting criteria. Committee will have up to 9 members representing various downtown stakeholders. Discussion included parameters on absenteeism (city code applies) and chair eligibility (developer can be chair, no restriction imposed).
• Permit Parking Rate Approval Process: Discussion on creating a contractor parking permit category. The commission directed staff to draft a resolution adding a third category for contractors, with rates set by the commission (not administratively). Motion by Vice Mayor Ahearn-Koch, seconded by Commissioner Battie, passed 5-0.
• Transition of City Attorney Charter Official Position: Discussion on whether to appoint Joseph Polzak as city attorney and whether to keep legal services external or move in-house. Commission voted unanimously to bring the appointment back to the October 21, 2024 meeting, allowing time for Commissioner Trice to meet with candidates and conduct due diligence. Commissioners expressed confidence in the current team but wanted a unanimous vote.
• Venezuela Resolution: Commissioner Arroyo proposed a resolution to stand with the Venezuelan people, denouncing the election results and condemning communism. Motion failed 2-3 (Alpert, Ahearn-Koch, Trice against; Arroyo, Battie for). Opponents argued it is beyond the commission's purview and could set a precedent.

Key Outcomes

• Homestead exemption increase for seniors: Adopted 4-1 (Trice no).
• Zoning code amendments (Batch 2024 ZTA): Items 1-17 adopted 5-0; Item 18 adopted 4-1.
• EDCM Update: Accepted 5-0.
• Ad-Hoc Committee for Downtown Master Plan: Resolution adopted 5-0 with Trice amendment.
• Robarts Arena public purpose certification: Resolution adopted 5-0.
• Table of Organization for FY 2024-2025: Ordinance passed on first reading 5-0, amended to show Internal Audit and Pensions reporting to City Auditor and Clerk.
• Contractor parking permit: Staff directed to draft a resolution creating a third permit category, with rates set by commission (5-0).
• City Attorney appointment: Matter continued to October 21, 2024 meeting (5-0).
• Venezuela resolution: Motion failed 2-3.
• Remarks of Commissioners: Commissioner Trice requested an update on safety concerns on Ringling Bridge from Deputy City Manager. Vice Mayor Ahearn-Koch requested a presentation on Tropical Storm Debby impacts (sewage spills) from Sarasota Bay Estuary Program and a future agenda item on legislative priorities. Mayor Alpert requested a staff presentation on flooding and sewage spills, to be coordinated with the Estuary Program. Commissioner Arroyo expressed concern about delay on city attorney appointment and requested it be moved to October 7, but no action taken. City Manager Brown announced a workshop on September 30, 2024 regarding the Performing Arts Center concept design and implementation agreement.