Regular City Commission Meeting - February 3, 2025

The Sarasota City Commission met on February 3, 2025, at 9:00 AM in City Hall. The meeting included recognition of employees, public comments, approval of routine items, a legislative public hearing on public art zoning changes, and a quasi-judicial hearing for the Bay Park Phase 2 canal district improvements. The meeting adjourned at 11:10 AM.

Commission Presentations

• Employee of the Month: Julie Ryan, Business District Manager in the Planning Department, recognized for her work on downtown holiday decorations and the tree lighting ceremony.
• Team of the Month: Facilities and Technical Production team at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, recognized for recovery efforts after Hurricane Milton, which caused significant flooding and a two-month shutdown.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the January 6, 2025 regular meeting (5-0 vote).
• Consent Agenda No. 1 (Items VI.1–VI.3): Approved unanimously:
  • Amendment to CDBG-funded project from street to park improvements ($285,225).
  • Authorization for limited assignment of auditor services agreement with Forvis Mazars, LLP.
  • Authorization for agreement with Temple, Inc. for FDOT-approved traffic equipment (city spent $173,578 in FY2023-2024).
• Consent Agenda No. 2 (Item VII.1): Adopted Ordinance No. 24-5533 on second reading, amending Chapter 11, Article III regarding the Board of Rules and Appeals membership and quorum requirements, deleting contractor certificate of competency and discipline sections (5-0 vote).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mike Hassett (resident, District of Commissioner Battie) expressed concerns about the proposed performing arts center funding, stating that the $400 million phase one budget does not cover infrastructure or parking, and that phase two (estimated $170 million) may commit future commissions to an unaffordable design. He requested the city publish an FAQ on funding numbers and urged a design caveat ensuring 80% reusability if the floor plan is flipped to place the large hall south of the canal.
• Mary Seiner (resident) spoke about the Citizens Tax Oversight Committee, noting that only eight of the ten required members have been appointed due to one commissioner not appointing their two members. She urged commissioners to fill vacancies and respect the ordinance.

Legislative Public Hearing: Public Art Zoning Text Amendment (Ordinance 25-5558)

• Presentation: Planning Director Steve Cover, Chief Planner Briana Dobbs, and Public Art Administrator Ciera Coleman presented the amendment to the Zoning Code (Article VII, Division 7). The amendment clarifies developer options for providing public art, defines the role of the Planning Director, and allows the Public Art Fund to support the adopted 2030 Public Art Plan, including operations and stewardship. Key provisions:
  • Developers of projects with construction value ≥$1 million must pay 0.5% of construction cost to the fund or provide on-site art.
  • New option: payments over $500,000 may be used for public art on public land near the development.
  • Exemptions: portions of buildings with attainable housing (based on square footage) are exempt from the fee; individual condominium permits are also exempt.
  • All art on private property remains private property with owner maintenance responsibility.
  • City-commissioned art over $250,000 requires City Commission approval.
• Discussion: Commissioners asked about funding for neighborhoods without large developments, public art in affordable housing (housing authority partnership), definition of public art (reproductions, wall art), and pricing methodology for city-commissioned works. Staff noted that a work plan and selection protocol are being developed. The state preemption (Senate Bill 250) prevents increasing the fee percentage until October 1, 2026.
• Vote: Motion to approve Ordinance 25-5558 on first reading (4-1) with Vice Mayor Trice voting no. A proposed friendly amendment to remove the name Mary Davis Wallace from the second whereas was not accepted by the motion maker (Commissioner Ahearn-Koch) and seconder (Commissioner Battie).

Quasi-Judicial Public Hearing: Bay Park Phase 2 – Canal District (Resolution 25R-3308)

• Proposal: Approval of G Zone Waiver (24-GZW-01) to allow dock pilings up to 14.5 feet above mean high water (code limit: 10.5 ft) and seawall up to 6.1 feet above mean low water (code limit: 5 ft); Major Conditional Use (25-CU-02) and Site Plan (25-SP-05) for construction of a floating day dock along the southern seawall of the boat basin at 1059 N. Tamiami Trail (The Bay Park).
• Presentations: Applicant representatives Philip DiMaria (Kimley-Horn), A.G. Lafley (Bay Park Conservancy CEO), and Danielle Stewart presented the project, noting the seawall is in poor condition and needs repair/resilience improvements. The floating dock is designed to withstand storm surge and wave conditions, with piles tall enough to accommodate 100-year storm events. Staff planner Noah Fossick confirmed compliance with development standards and noted unanimous Planning Board recommendation.
• Public Comment: No one signed up to speak.
• Commission Questions: Commissioner Ahearn-Koch asked about durability and city liability for floating docks (engineer Michael Herman explained design criteria and modeling for Hurricane Helene and Milton conditions). Discussion of ex parte communications: some commissioners had site visits or conversations with staff about floating docks but not the specific waivers.
• Votes:
  1. Motion to affirm Planning Board recommendation approving Major Conditional Use No. 25-CU-02 and Site Plan No. 25-SP-05: passed 5-0.
  2. Motion to adopt Resolution 25R-3308 (first reading): passed 5-0.

Other Business

• Continuation: Quasi-Judicial Public Hearing for Proposed Resolution 25R-3309 (seawall at 1215 Westway Drive) was continued to the February 18, 2025 regular meeting by applicant request, with commission consensus.
• Commissioners' Remarks:
  • Commissioner Ohlrich requested staff address vacancies on the Citizens Tax Oversight Committee; staff will meet with her.
  • Commissioner Ahearn-Koch proposed future joint meetings with Sarasota Memorial Hospital Board, School Board, Town of Longboat Key, and Airport Authority; she also requested a presentation on “skate dots” (skateable public art) in city parks, and an update on U.S. Recycling’s resumed operations (Deputy City Manager Robinson reported that U.S. Recycling resumed crushing under a new air permit; zoning appears to allow it; staff will add the issue to the March 24 joint meeting with the county).
  • Commissioner Battie expressed concern about a drug treatment facility near Mary Dean Park on 16th Street and a possible new building; staff will follow up. He also announced withdrawal of attorney’s fees request in his legal case against the city, citing desire to move on.
  • Vice Mayor Trice requested a workshop to discuss policy on naming individuals in ordinances. She also reported on community events (Lunar New Year, Scottish Highland Games) and a homeless count she participated in.
  • Mayor Alpert emphasized support for the Sister Cities program.
  • Interim City Manager Jeffcoat received consensus to bring proclamations for Nels Matson (Wounded Warrior Project) and Ernie Kretzmer (roundabout donor) to future meetings.
• Administrative Matters: City Auditor and Clerk Griggs reminded commissioners of the February 11 workshop and February 14 retreat.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes of January 6, 2025: Approved 5-0.
• Consent Agenda No. 1: Approved unanimously (3 items).
• Consent Agenda No. 2: Ordinance 24-5533 adopted unanimously.
• Ordinance 25-5558 (Public Art ZTA): Approved on first reading 4-1 (Vice Mayor Trice dissenting).
• Bay Park Phase 2 Approvals:
  • Major Conditional Use (25-CU-02) and Site Plan (25-SP-05): Approved 5-0.
  • G Zone Waiver Resolution 25R-3308: Adopted 5-0.
• Continuation: Seawall permit at 1215 Westway Drive continued to February 18, 2025.
• Future Items: Joint meeting with county on U.S. Recycling to be added to March 24 agenda; proclamations for Nels Matson and Ernie Kretzmer to be scheduled; workshops on strategic plan (Feb 11) and retreat (Feb 14).