Regular Sarasota City Commission Meeting - December 2, 2024

The Sarasota City Commission held its regular meeting on December 2, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 1:14 PM. The agenda included approvals of minutes and consent items, several legislative public hearings, board appointments, and new business items. Key actions included the adoption of zoning text amendments, approval of the 2025 Ringling Causeway Bridge lighting schedule, and a failed motion to rescind a previously approved street vacation ordinance.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approved (3 items): Minutes of the Regular (Nov 4), Special (Nov 4), and Statutory (Nov 8) meetings were all approved unanimously (5-0 each).
• CRA Items: Minutes of the July 15, 2024 CRA meeting approved unanimously. The Newtown CRA Advisory Board report was received, and reappointments were made.
• Consent Agenda No. 1 (Items VI.5-7): Approved unanimously (5-0) after removing items VI.1, VI.2, VI.4, and VI.8 for discussion.
• Consent Agenda No. 2 (Items VII.2-6): Approved unanimously (5-0) after removing item VII.1 for discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Eduardo Silvestri & Bob Twynum (Sarasota Sailing Squadron): Thanked the commission for support, reported damage from hurricanes but noted the squadron is operational and hosting upcoming national regattas.
• John Bordeaux (Downtown Resident): Urged adoption of a revised sound ordinance with a "plainly audible" standard, revision of the sit/lie ordinance to prevent camping on sidewalks, and requested updates on compliance with House Bill 1365 regarding homeless sheltering.
• James Haft (Avondale Residents Association Board): Requested the city commission an engineering study to dredge and clean up Hudson Bayou, citing shallow depths, pollution, and lead contamination. Also raised concerns about sewage dumping after storms.
• Mike Chambers (Affected Person on 6th & Shade): Opposed the proposed street improvements for Shade Avenue, concerned about loss of yard space, removal of trees, and increased traffic on his 17-foot-wide street.

Discussion Items

• Zoning Text Amendment (Ordinance 25-5552): Staff proposed amendments to add community gardens to park definitions, clarify food pantry definitions, modify accessory uses for religious institutions, and raise seawall height limits to 7.27 feet NAVD 88 for sea level rise resilience. Commissioners expressed concerns about seawall impacts on adjacent properties, food pantry definitions excluding prepared meals for homeless, and encouraged living shorelines. The ordinance passed 4-1 with Vice Mayor Trice dissenting, with clarifications to be added at second reading.
• Parking Appeal Fee (Ordinance 25-5555): Increased the administrative fee for appealing a parking citation from $7.50 to $25.00 to better cover magistrate costs. Passed unanimously (5-0).
• Comprehensive Plan Amendment (Ordinance 25-5553) and Rezone (Ordinance 25-5554) for 6th & Shade: Combined public hearing. Applicant Michael Halflants requested changing the future land use from Urban Neighborhood to Urban Edge and rezoning from DTN to DTNE to allow 18 dwelling units per acre (up from 12). Proffered increased setbacks. Staff recommended approval. Affected person Mike Chambers voiced concerns about future street widening. Both ordinances passed on first reading unanimously (5-0).
• Ringling Causeway Bridge Lighting Schedule (2025): Commission approved the proposed schedule (5-0). Vice Mayor Trice requested a future discussion on the policy regarding adding new causes and modifying dates, noting the current policy limits changes.
• Rescission of Cross Street Vacation (Ordinance 24-5539): Commissioner Ahearn-Koch moved to rescind the previously approved conditional street vacation between Orange Avenue and Palm Avenue/Ringling Boulevard roundabout. She cited poor timing due to three consecutive hurricanes and unresolved questions about the new downtown master plan, EDCM, and transfer of development rights. The applicant’s attorney, William Merrill, argued that the client had already granted seven recorded easements in reliance on the ordinance, making rescission impossible under Robert’s Rules and exposing the city to legal claims. After debate, the motion failed 1-4 (Commissioner Ahearn-Koch voting yes, others no).

Key Outcomes

• Workshop Dates: Approved (5-0) 2025 workshop dates and changed meeting time to 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
• MSL Auditor Contract (VI.2): Approved first amendment and extension (5-0) with staff clarification that the new firm Forvis Mazaris has not yet agreed to amended terms; MSL remains obligated.
• Debris Removal Contract (VI.4): Approved (5-0) with explanation that rate increases (some doubled) were necessary to retain trucks after Hurricanes Helene and Milton; FEMA reimbursement expected.
• Johnson Controls/Pilar Extension (VI.8): Approved (5-0) despite significant rate increases (e.g., HVAC regular from $82 to $118/hr, emergency to $156). Staff noted rates were negotiated down.
• US 41 Beautification Grant (VII.1): Approved (5-0) a grant from FDOT ($110,000 total) to landscape medians from University Parkway to General Spats, with $30,000 from the tree fund for tree planting.
• Board Appointments: Appointed or reappointed members to the Board of Adjustment (Lawrence Cherry, Tiffany Nisbet), Downtown Improvement District (Wayne Ruben), Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board (David Plotkin, Carl Shoffstall, Ron Watts), Public Art Committee (Jonathan Parks, Cassia Kite Jaeger), and Employee Retirement Account Committee (Ben Billingsley). Commission representation on various boards also assigned.
• Remarks and Future Agenda Items: Commissioners requested future discussions on the bridge lighting policy, community workshop timing requirements, the zoning around Ed Smith Stadium, and the Robert L. Taylor Sports Complex community engagement. The City Attorney noted the sound ordinance will come forward in January 2025, and the sit/lie ordinance is available for discussion.
• Legal Matter: City Attorney reported a personal injury settlement proposal for $150,000; staff recommended not accepting at this time.
• Hurricane Debris Update: Deputy City Manager Robinson reported over 400 tons of debris collected; expected completion within 90 days for FEMA reimbursement. He also clarified that crews discharging into the sanitary system during storms did not cause environmental release.