Regular City Commission Meeting - November 4, 2024

The Sarasota City Commission met on November 4, 2024, from 9:01 AM to 1:46 PM, with a lunch recess from 11:47 AM to 1:01 PM. The meeting included proclamations for three legacy businesses, approval of the 2025 meeting schedule, acceptance of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee recommendations, authorization of a school zone speed enforcement contract, a contract for the Legacy Trail Payne Park connection, adoption of several budget resolutions and a right-of-way vacation, a historic designation for a 1926 home, and the appointment of 13 members to the Downtown Master Plan Update Ad Hoc Committee. Public comments were received on the right-of-way vacation and the Legacy Trail project.

Legacy Business Proclamations

• The Commission recognized three businesses as City of Sarasota Legacy Businesses: Hart's Landing Bait Shop and General Store (75 years), Ian Black Real Estate (38 years), and Purmort & Martin Insurance Agency (65 years). Each received a proclamation and brief remarks from owners.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Item VI-1: Approval of the 2025 Regular City Commission Meeting Schedule and Deadlines. Approved 5-0.
• Agenda Item VI-2: Approval of the 2024 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) Recommendations. Approved 5-0, with authorization to submit the annual report to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
• Agenda Item VI-3: Authorization to execute the Agreement for Professional Services between RedSpeed Florida, LLC, and the City for the School Zone Speed Enforcement Program, with four agreed-upon contractual changes. Approved 5-0.
• Agenda Item VI-4: Authorization to execute the Agreement for The Legacy Trail Payne Park - Alderman MURT (ITB 24-47ST) with Spectrum Underground, Inc. in the amount of $894,214.26. Approved 5-0.
• Consent Agenda No. 2 (Items VII-1 through VII-5): Adoption of Resolutions 25R-3294, 25R-3295, 25R-3296 (budget amendments) and Ordinances 24-5535 (right-of-way vacation on Winton Avenue) and 24-5549 (comprehensive plan amendment for affordable housing affordability period). Approved 5-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Pearlie Freiburg (Sarasota resident) spoke on the Legacy Trail Payne Park project, arguing that the development within the G zone district had not followed proper process. Staff responded that the project received Development Review Committee sign-off in August 2021, and community workshops were held.
• Rob Grant (City resident, Arlington Park neighborhood) spoke against the Cross Street right-of-way vacation (Ordinance 24-5539), alleging that campaign contributions from entities associated with the developer created a conflict of interest for three commissioners. The City Attorney noted that contributions were disclosed and that the legal standard for recusal was not met. Mr. Grant also expressed concern about the lack of a site plan.
• Cathy Antunes (City resident) opposed the Cross Street vacation, stating that the public interest had not been fully vetted. She cited a prior street vacation for Selby Gardens where promised benefits (e.g., public use of a garage) were not fulfilled, and noted that no site plan had been presented.
• Pearlie Freiburg (Sarasota resident) also spoke against the Cross Street vacation, citing the Sarasota City Plan's transportation policy that the city shall not vacate rights-of-way unless they provide no public benefit. She argued the vacation would create a mega-block and diminish a throughway to the bay.

Discussion Items

• Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Recommendations (Item VI-2): General Manager Cindy Emshoff (OHCD) and AHAC Chair Jon Thaxton presented. The committee made 11 mandatory recommendations and 7 discretionary recommendations. Key discretionary items included using a percentage of property tax growth for affordable housing, considering pictorial examples of compatibility, evaluating the impact of land-use decisions on affordable housing supply, mandatory inclusionary zoning, and monitoring policy efficacy. Vice Mayor Ahearn-Koch emphasized the need for a nexus study and feasibility study to quantify demand. Commissioner Arroyo asked about costs and who would pay for a nexus study. The discussion noted that the city's voluntary density program requires 15% of bonus units to be affordable, and that mandatory inclusionary zoning would apply only to properties requesting density increases.
• RedSpeed School Zone Speed Enforcement Program (Item VI-3): Governmental Affairs Director Jennifer Jorgensen presented four contractual changes agreed to by RedSpeed: (1) specification of termination costs ($50,000 per camera, reduced by $4,166/month, no cost after 12 months); (2) adding the word "reserve" to a blank paragraph in Exhibit A; (3) a grammatical correction regarding call center hours; (4) adding "pixels" to a resolution description. Vice Mayor Ahearn-Koch clarified that RedSpeed will install signage and that the program will be implemented at six school zones. A public service announcement will be issued.
• Legacy Trail Payne Park - Alderman MURT (Item VI-4): Senior Transportation Planner Corinne Arriaga addressed public comments, confirming that the project went through the Development Review Committee and community workshops. The project connects the Legacy Trail through Payne Park.
• Cross Street Right-of-Way Vacation (Ordinance 24-5539, Second Reading): Planner Rebecca Webster presented. The vacation covers approximately 27,073 sq. ft. of Cross Street between Orange Avenue and Pineapple Avenue. The ordinance includes proffers (letters A-J) to maintain a public access easement, keep current roadway capacity, enhance pedestrian access, and provide 50 public parking spaces, among others. The City Attorney noted that the vacation is a legislative matter and that the justification is public benefit from better-quality development. Commissioner Battie argued the street is underutilized and the vacation provides public benefit through private investment. Commissioner Trice opposed, citing concerns about unknown future impacts and the possibility of future curb cuts on primary grid streets. Vice Mayor Ahearn-Koch opposed, noting the loss of trees, the uncertainty of proffers, and the impact on traffic circulation near the roundabout. The ordinance passed 3-2, with Vice Mayor Ahearn-Koch and Commissioner Trice voting no.
• Historic Designation of Baum-Burns Home (Ordinance 24-5548, First Reading): Applicant Joyce Hart, owner of the 1926 home at 96 S. Washington Drive, presented, noting the house is largely original. Senior Planner Clifford Smith confirmed the home meets three criteria for historic significance. The Historic Preservation Board voted unanimously to recommend approval. The home recently suffered flooding from hurricanes but remained dry inside. The Commission voted 5-0 to approve on first reading.
• Downtown Master Plan Update Ad Hoc Committee Appointments (Item VIII-1): After extensive discussion, the Commission agreed to appoint 13 members (up from the originally stated 9). The process involved each commissioner submitting a list of top candidates; the City Auditor and Clerk tallied votes. Two candidates (Jamie Still and Howard Davis) received five votes. Six candidates received four votes (Tiffany Nisbet, Sarah Lyons, Chris Voelker, Bill Waddill, Erin Difazio, Jennifer Stutler). Three candidates received three votes (Ken Shelin, Elena Paul, Melissa Laughlin). Commissioner Arroyo moved to add Will Luera and Richard Russell, supported by Commissioner Trice, resulting in a 13-member committee. The motion passed 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• Approved 2025 Regular City Commission Meeting Schedule (5-0).
• Approved 2024 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Recommendations and authorized staff to submit the annual report to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (5-0).
• Authorized the School Zone Speed Enforcement Program agreement with RedSpeed Florida, LLC, with four specified changes (5-0).
• Authorized the Legacy Trail Payne Park - Alderman MURT contract with Spectrum Underground, Inc. for $894,214.26 (5-0).
• Adopted Resolution 25R-3294, transferring $338,905 from Serena Street Pedestrian Connections to Main Street Streetscape (5-0).
• Adopted Resolutions 25R-3295 and 25R-3296, increasing Tourist Development Tax fund budgets by $1,462,625 and $174,970 respectively (5-0).
• Adopted Ordinance 24-5535, vacating a 4,560+/- sq. ft. portion of Winton Avenue right-of-way (5-0).
• Adopted Ordinance 24-5549, extending the affordability period from 15 to 30 years and removing quarterly income verification for attainable dwellings at 300/508 Audubon Place and 2211 Fruitville Road (5-0).
• Adopted Ordinance 24-5539 (second reading), conditionally vacating approximately 27,073 sq. ft. of Cross Street right-of-way, subject to proffers (3-2).
• Adopted Ordinance 24-5548 (first reading), designating the Baum-Burns home at 96 S. Washington Drive as a structure of historic significance (5-0).
• Appointed 13 members to the Downtown Master Plan Update Ad Hoc Committee: Jamie Still, Howard Davis, Tiffany Nisbet, Sarah Lyons, Chris Voelker, Bill Waddill, Erin Difazio, Jennifer Stutler, Ken Shelin, Elena Paul, Melissa Laughlin, Will Luera, and Richard Russell (5-0).
• Debris removal update: Deputy City Manager Robinson reported that 221,809 tons of debris had been removed from city roadways, approximately 35-40% complete, with cleanup ongoing from three hurricanes.