Regular City Commission Meeting of February 18, 2025

The Sarasota City Commission held its regular meeting on February 18, 2025, beginning at 9:01 a.m. and adjourning at 1:14 p.m. The meeting featured proclamations honoring community philanthropist Ernest Kretzmer and retiring City Attorney Robert Fournier and Deputy City Attorney Michael Connolly. Key actions included approving a Historic Preservation Transfer of Development Rights program, adopting zoning amendments for seawall heights and religious institution uses, authorizing the sale of a city-owned lot to an adjacent property owner with proceeds for affordable housing, and passing on first reading a conditional vacation of a Mango Avenue right-of-way to allow development of an auto repair shop. The Commission also approved the 2025 state legislative priorities and proposed changes to the General Employees' Pension Plan investment authority.

Consent Calendar

• Received and accepted the 2024 Sarasota County Unified Program for Public Information (PPI) and Flood Insurance Promotion Plan (FIPP) Annual Evaluation Report, which supports the city's Community Rating System providing a 25% discount on flood insurance for National Flood Insurance Program policyholders. (Motion by Ohlrich, seconded Ahearn-Koch, 5-0) – Item VI.1 was pulled for presentation.
• Approved the City Hall Exterior Fountain and Surrounding Area Renovation contract with Stellar Development, Inc. for $625,518.15, which includes installation of a fence for nighttime security. (Motion by Trice, seconded Battie, 4-1; Commissioner Ahearn-Koch voted no) – Item VI.2 was pulled for discussion.
• Approved Consent Agenda No. 1, Items VI.3–VI.5 (electronic payment services from Vertosoft, LLC, extension of consulting engineering services for the Regional Advanced Traffic Management System, and cyber security solutions from Thundercat Technology, LLC) via a single motion. (Motion by Trice, seconded Ohlrich, 5-0)
• Approved Consent Agenda No. 2, Items VII.1–VII.4: budget resolutions for Police Department grants (Resolutions 25R-3311 and 25R-3312) and adoption on second reading of ordinances establishing the Historic Preservation Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Program (Ordinances 25-5557 and 25-5556), limited to approximately 1,221 acres in downtown Sarasota. (Motion by Battie, seconded Ohlrich, 5-0)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Christos Nicholoudis (as recorded in minutes; attorney spoke) – Represented clients owning a landlocked parcel at 3476 Winton Avenue. He requested the city allow his clients to purchase a small city-owned sliver of property to maintain access, offering to pay for surveys and appraisal.
• Tim Woods (Broadway Promenade resident) – Spoke about the proposed Sarasota Performing Arts Center. He suggested locating it south of the 10th Street Canal by amending the Renaissance condominium's view corridor easement, arguing it would be an ideal location and that the boat launch should remain.
• Martin Hyde (city resident) – Raised concerns about three recent fatal hit-and-runs on major thoroughfares and urged the city to consider safety measures such as signage, cameras, and public education against jaywalking. He also commented on code of conduct, calling inappropriate remarks from the dais unacceptable.
• Sherman Baldwin (concessionaire for Hearts Landing) – Reported that Hearts Landing was devastated by hurricanes but that he and Doc Worlin are committed to rebuilding. He thanked the city and asked for continued support while working with FDOT.
• Brenda Patten (attorney for Wilson AMI, LLC) – Spoke in favor of the purchase of the city-owned lot at 400 Benjamin Franklin Drive, describing the lot as degraded and of minimal environmental value, and stating that the $97,000 sale would fund affordable housing.
• Martin Hyde also spoke in opposition to the land sale, calling it poor public policy and offering $125,000 for the lot himself. He argued the property's market value is much higher than the appraised $81,000.
• John Patterson (attorney for applicants) and Howard Davis (abutting property owner) – Presented the Memorandum of Understanding reached after negotiations on the Mango Avenue right-of-way vacation, detailing proffers including an easement for stormwater drainage and construction of a sidewalk, and requests for city infrastructure studies.

Discussion Items

• Consent Item VI.1 (PPI/FIPP Report): Commissioner Ahearn-Koch requested a presentation to highlight the report's value. Floodplain Manager Cynthia Cahill explained the 25% flood insurance discount. Commissioner Ohlrich noted the automatic discount for NFIP policies. The Commission then accepted the report.
• Consent Item VI.2 (Fountain Renovation): Commissioner Ahearn-Koch requested discussion on the proposed fence, citing the area's use as a public space. Staff cited vandalism, unsanitary activities, and security concerns. Commissioners debated whether the space is a public park or a city campus amenity, ultimately approving the project with the fence. (4-1)
• Unfinished Business IX.1 (Zoning Code Amendments): Chief Planner Briana Dobbs presented second reading changes: raising seawall heights to 7.27 ft NAVD88 based on NOAA 2070 projections, adding community gardens to the definition of park, modifying the food pantry definition, clarifying religious institution accessory uses, and encouraging living shorelines. The Climate Adaptation Center expressed strong support. Vice Mayor Trice thanked staff for addressing concerns. The ordinance was adopted unanimously on second reading.
• Unfinished Business IX.2 (Land Sale): Economic Development Manager Wayne Applebee presented the $97,000 offer for the 6,700 sq ft city-owned lot at 400 Benjamin Franklin Drive. Martin Hyde offered a higher bid. Commissioner Ahearn-Koch moved to reject the sale, arguing public land should be retained. The motion failed 2-3. Vice Mayor Trice then moved to approve the sale with proceeds directed to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund; the motion carried 4-1.
• Unfinished Business IX.3 (State Legislative Priorities): Governmental Affairs Director Jennifer Jorgensen presented the 2025 priorities, updated from a January 7 workshop. Commissioner Ahearn-Koch confirmed the document provides flexibility on preemption bills, sovereign immunity, and taxation. Commissioner Ohlrich noted consistency with the strategic plan. The priorities were approved unanimously.
• Legislative Public Hearing X.1 (Mango Avenue Right-of-Way Vacation): Planner Rebecca Webster presented conceptual alternatives. Applicants and abutters had negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding after extensive discussions. Proffers included granting an easement to the city for stormwater drainage ingress/egress and installing a sidewalk on Apricot Avenue. After debate, Vice Mayor Trice moved to pass Ordinance 24-5545 on first reading with conditions (site plan approval and building permit within two years) and the proffers. The motion carried 3-2, with Commissioners Ahearn-Koch and Ohlrich voting no. A subsequent motion to direct staff to research the MOU items and include signage on the dead end of Apricot Street carried 5-0.
• Legislative Public Hearing X.2 (General Employees Pension Plan): Attorney Stuart Kaufman presented the amendment to expand investment authority for the General Employees Defined Benefit Pension Plan, similar to the police plan adopted in July 2024. The ordinance passed on first reading unanimously.
• City Attorney's Report: Robert Fournier requested consensus to amend the Comprehensive Plan's verbal action strategy regarding the primary grid street map, replacing