Sarasota City Commission Workshop – September 30, 2024

On Monday, September 30, 2024, the Sarasota City Commission convened a workshop from 9:02 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. to receive an update on Hurricane Helene recovery, continue discussions on the City Manager transition and interim placement, and review the concept design and implementation plan for the proposed Sarasota Performing Arts Center (SPAC). Commissioners, city staff, and representatives from the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation (SPAF) and design teams participated in person and via Zoom.

Hurricane Helene Update (9:02–9:25 A.M.)

• Deputy City Manager Patrick Robinson reported that the storm brought three to eight feet of storm surge to barrier islands, with no reported loss of life in the city. Power restoration reached 95–97% as of Sunday, and water/sewer systems were operational with no spills. The city is providing water to south Longboat Key via an interlocal agreement.
• Debris removal will begin Tuesday or Wednesday (October 1–2), but contractor availability is strained due to the storm’s vast footprint. Sand is being staged at Lido Beach; contaminated sand cannot be returned directly to beach without FDEP screening.
• Commissioner Battie asked about assisting residents with debris and expediting permits. Deputy City Manager Robinson confirmed permit fees will be suspended.
• Vice Mayor Ahearn-Koch and Commissioner Trice commended staff, utility crews, and Florida Power & Light.

City Manager Transition & Interim Placement (Agenda Item I-1)

• Human Resources Director Stacie Mason gave an update: an internal senior director is willing to serve as interim city manager. A discussion on internal vs. external interim options will be on the October 7, 2024 regular meeting agenda.
• Deputy City Manager Robinson noted the permanent search will commence after the interim decision and is expected to take four to six months, with search firm proposals ready by late October/early November. Commissioners will drive the recruitment process.
• Vice Mayor Ahearn-Koch requested that the potential internal candidate meet with each commissioner before the October 7 meeting.

Sarasota Performing Arts Center – Concept Design & Implementation Plan (Agenda Item I-2, 10:00 A.M.–12:00 P.M.)

• Governmental Affairs Director Jennifer Jorgensen introduced the presentation, noting that the implementation agreement must be approved no later than November 30, 2024, per the partnership agreement. A revised projected operating financials table (page 19) was distributed.
• Tania Castroverde Moskalenko, SPAF CEO, presented the vision: a 2,500–2,700 seat large theater, a 600–800 seat medium theater, a 200–300 seat multi-purpose space, and an outdoor lawn for 2,000–3,000 people. Goals include broad community access, integration with the Bay Park, and environmental sustainability.
• Architects Kerry Joyce and Ronan Dunphy (Renzo Piano Building Workshop via Zoom) presented the concept design: the building is shifted east toward Tamiami Trail to free park space, with three raised performance volumes allowing views and permeability. A 2,300-foot canopy along a cultural axis would provide shade and generate about 90% of the building’s energy via photovoltaics. Parking is proposed in dispersed lots, with a maximum demand of 1,100 spaces (calculated by Tindale Oliver). Boat trailer parking would be reorganized.

Commissioner Questions and Concerns

• Commissioner Trice voiced concerns about loading dock access (especially for multiple large trucks), the lobby bottleneck for 2,700 patrons, psychological comfort under the large building, and the need for adequate exits. She also questioned the medium theater’s necessity given Van Wezel’s future and the city’s responsibility.
• Vice Mayor Ahearn-Koch raised concerns about parking quantity vs. local demographics (older population, heat, walking distances) and asked how the 1,100-space figure was derived. She also sought clarification on the rooftop terrace (not a commercial bar, only six to ten events annually), the building’s impact on adjacent residents (noise, views), and the fit of the medium theater with 10th Street and the roundabout. She requested the community survey results, the economic/fiscal impact report with assumptions, and the Van Wezel sales report. Ahearn-Koch expressed opposition to the foundation board structure (city/county representatives as non-voting ex officio), urging voting seats for elected officials.
• Commissioner Battie expressed strong support for the design, noting 71% community support in a survey. He urged the team not to scale back its vision for a transformative, inclusive facility. He acknowledged parking as a challenge but believed it can be solved, emphasizing that the city is trending younger.
• Mayor Alpert noted that removing the existing parking lot is necessary to create park space.

Business Plan Presentation (Emily Harney, AEA Consulting)

• The business plan assumes city ownership/private operation (501(c)(3) foundation). Market research shows Sarasota is rapidly growing and demographically shifting.
• Stable year (year three) projections: 455 performances/events, 539,000 visitors, ~$44.1 million total income ($39.8 million earned, $4.4 million contributed). Ticket price ranges: Broadway $20–$200 (avg. $101); medium theater $15–$90 (avg. $55.95); children’s performances $7; free educational events.
• 75% attendance assumption was based on benchmarks of six similar venues (73% average) and Van Wezel historical data (84–85% pre-COVID, 82% last year per Executive Director Mary Bensel).
• Commissioner Trice questioned low utilization (large theater 179 events = ~49% of year; medium theater 25%). She requested comparison with Van Wezel actuals and urged discount programs (TKTS, lotteries) and lower service fees for affordable tickets.
• Commissioner Battie asked about EBITDA/contributed income decline after year one.

Implementation Next Steps

• Project budget and funding plan are still in development; final numbers expected by October 21, 2024.
• City Manager Brown acknowledged many outstanding questions and promised to arrange additional meetings or a follow-up session to ensure commissioners are comfortable before the October 21 vote.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken. The workshop provided direction for further refinement.
• The interim city manager decision will be considered on October 7, 2024; candidates (internal and external) will be presented.
• The permanent city manager search process will be finalized after the interim choice, with search firm proposals expected by late October/early November.
• The SPAC implementation plan and agreement will return for commission consideration on October 21, 2024, with updated financials, assumptions, and a revised business plan addressing commissioner feedback (e.g., parking, medium theater utilization, board representation, fee structures). The foundation and city staff will work to answer remaining questions before that date.