Regular City Commission Meeting – January 21, 2025

The Sarasota City Commission met on January 21, 2025, from 9:04 a.m. to 1:13 p.m. The meeting included presentations, public input, approval of consent agendas, discussion and votes on several ordinances, board appointments, and a change to the orders of the day. Key actions involved advancing a sound ordinance amendment, continuing a street vacation deliberation, and passing first readings of a Historic Preservation Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program.

Commission Presentations

• Legacy Business Proclamations: Presented to Jetson’s Creative Trends (42 years in business) and The Gator Club (36 years in business).
• Memorial Citation: Honored Dr. Clifford E. Smith Jr., who served over 10 years as the City Historic Preservation Planner. Speeches were given by Vicki Oldham (Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition) and former Mayor Willie Charles Shaw.

Citizens’ Input Concerning City Topics

• Ron Shapiro (city resident) expressed strong opposition to the 1216 North Palm Project, detailing alleged non-compliance with zoning codes (retail frontage, habitable space, facades, trash handling, compatibility). He cited over 4,000 petition signatures and no public support at over 25 meetings.
• Mimi Castaldi (Gillespie Park resident) raised concerns about a building permit at 1673 5th Street that may not have adhered to setback requirements, requesting future neighbor input on variances.
• Tanya Castroverdi Moscalenko (Performing Arts Foundation) announced the Appleton Award for teachers incorporating arts in classrooms, with $5,000 for experienced and $2,500 for emerging educators; deadline February 14.
• Ron Soto (city resident) displayed photos of overflowing trash and pallets in the Palm Avenue parking garage alley, noting the problem had been brought up a year ago with no action. He urged the Commission to address it.

Consent Calendar

• Consent Agenda No. 1 (Items VI.1, VI.2, VI.4, VI.5, VI.7, VI.9): Approved 5-0. Included charter official evaluations, a quitclaim deed with Temple Beth Sholom, the city’s annual investment performance review, traffic equipment agreements (totaling over $353,000 in FY2023-2024), sodium bisulfite purchase ($110,000 estimated annual cost), and a modification of an emergency purchase order for ServPro from Hurricane Milton.
• Item VI.3 (Budget Calendar): Pulled by Commissioner Ahearn-Koch; after discussion about community budget input, approved 5-0.
• Item VI.6 (City-Wide Topographic Surveying and Mapping): Pulled by Commissioner Ohlrich; presentation by City Surveyor Bob Heggan highlighted mapping of 8,400 acres and 285 miles of roadways using LIDAR, funded by a Florida DEP grant. Approved 5-0.
• Item VI.8 (Sewer Pipe Replacement Services): Pulled by Commissioner Ohlrich; discussion noted it supplements stormwater management. Approved 5-0.
• Consent Agenda No. 2 (Resolution 25R-3307): Pulled by Commissioner Ohlrich to congratulate the Sarasota Police Department on receiving a $115,000 FDOT Speeding and Aggressive Driving Enforcement sub-grant; approved unanimously.

Board Appointments

• Human Relations Board: Priscilla Gomez appointed unanimously after consensus.
• Public Art Committee: Bianca Clyburn appointed unanimously. Commissioner Ahearn-Koch suggested exploring Virginia Harshman for the Human Relations Board vacancy.

Change to the Orders of the Day

• Removal of New Business Item XII.1 (Acquisition of 211 N. Tamiami Trail for park use): Motion by Commissioner Ahearn-Koch, seconded by Commissioner Battie, to remove the item for further discussion at a future meeting. Passed 5-0 after procedural clarification.

Legislative Public Hearings

Item X.1 – Sound Ordinance (Ordinance 24-5518)

• Overview: City Attorney Bob Fournier presented a reorganization of Chapter 20 (Sound Regulations) to simplify enforcement, eliminate separate amplified sound and impulsive/continuous source distinctions, and add a “plainly audible” standard between specified hours. Decibel limits remain unchanged. Two alternatives for the plainly audible standard were provided.
• Public Testimony:
  • Peter Fanning (downtown resident) supported the improvements but urged deferring first reading until blanks (hours, distance) are filled.
  • John Simon (downtown resident) described severe noise from special events and open-window bars, calling for better enforcement and integration with the special events ordinance.
  • John Bordeaux (downtown resident) requested a workshop for downtown residents and expressed concerns about special events permits allowing 100 decibels until midnight.
  • Peter Blanton (city resident) praised the plainly audible addition but suggested measuring from where residents live, and noted Sarasota’s decibel limits are high compared to other Florida cities.
  • Camilla Cherry (Newtown resident) and Dwight Cherry (owner of Stroke Seafood) reported inconsistent enforcement and anonymous complaints, urging transparency and officer training on decibel measurement.
• Discussion: Commissioners questioned enforcement, the two alternatives, anonymous complaints, measurement locations, and special events links. Interim City Manager Jeffcoat noted SPD deals with many noise complaints. City Attorney Fournier agreed to consult staff and SPD to fill blanks.
• Action: Motion by Commissioner Ohlrich, amended per Vice Mayor Trice to use the first alternative (broader) plainly audible standard, directing the City Attorney to consult with staff and SPD to fill in blanks for decibel limits and times, and return as a first reading. Passed 5-0.

Item X.2 – Mango Avenue Right-of-Way Vacation (Ordinance 24-5545)

• Attorney John Patterson (Shutts & Bowen) requested a 30-day continuance to seek resolution with affected parties. Planner Rebecca Webster confirmed. Continued to February 18, 2025 Regular Meeting, 5-0.

Items X.3 & X.4 – Historic Preservation Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Program (Ordinances 25-5557 and 25-5556)

• Presentation: Director Steven Cover, Manager David Smith, and Chief Planner Briana Dobbs outlined the two-part program allowing owners of designated historic buildings to sell unused density and square footage to receiving zones downtown. Sending zones include historic districts; receiving zones are within downtown core, edge, and bayfront (except density-only). Height increase capped at two stories (staff recommendation; Planning Board recommended up to four stories in downtown core). Protections include maintenance plans, restrictive covenants, and certificate of appropriateness.
• Public Testimony: Aaron DeFazio (Sarasota Preservation Program) endorsed the program but urged changes: adding language to require certificate of appropriateness for building permits on sending sites (Section 4-804) and using a Miami-style protective covenant rather than St. Petersburg’s.
• Discussion: Staff responded that certificate language is already in Section 4-803 and the covenant can be refined later. Commissioners asked about division of development rights, director’s denial authority, map coverage (e.g., Gator Club, old train depot), and loopholes. Commissioner Battie noted community support.
• Action:
  • Ordinance 25-5557 (Comp Plan amendment) passed on first reading, 5-0.
  • Ordinance 25-5556 (Zoning amendment) passed on first reading, 5-0, excluding the Planning Board’s recommendation to allow up to four stories in the downtown core.

Key Outcomes

• Sound Ordinance: City Attorney directed to consult with staff and SPD, use first plainly audible alternative, fill blanks, and return as a first reading.
• Mango Avenue Vacation: Continued to February 18, 2025.
• TDR Program: Both comprehensive plan and zoning amendments passed first reading; height bonus limited to two stories pending future consideration.
• Alley Trash: Deputy City Manager Robinson confirmed code compliance would inspect the Palm Avenue alley today.
• Budget Town Hall: Vice Mayor Trice suggested a town hall after strategic planning to align budget priorities; Interim City Manager Jeffcoat will review.
• Towing Ordinance: City Attorney Fournier reported delays due to state implementation of maximum rates; will contact DHSMV.
• Cold Weather Shelters: Robinson will notify homeless outreach teams when shelters open.