Joint Meeting of City of Sarasota Board and Sarasota County Commission - March 28, 2025

The City of Sarasota Board and the Sarasota County Commission convened jointly on March 28, 2025, at 1660 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, Florida. Four of five city commissioners and all five county commissioners were present (Commissioner Batti arrived later). The meeting featured presentations on transit, parks, stormwater, and affordable housing, with public comments touching on drainage, recycling, and water transit.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Charles Hines, Program Director for Florida Gulf Coast Trail (Trust for Public Land), thanked both staffs for collaboration on Bobby Jones and 17th Street Park, urging them to keep the trail connection in mind. He noted hundreds of thousands of trail users.
• Francis Bermudez, Sarasota resident since 1979, commended Jane Grog and city/county teams for Breeze Transit improvements. She urged acceleration of sustainable water transit, citing studies from 2005, 2021, and 2022, and called for an end to "paralysis by analysis."
• Celine O'Connor, full-time Lido Key resident, highlighted ~115 inoperable streetlights on Ben Franklin Drive (both city and county sides) and road flooding on Lido Key. She requested expedited repairs, long-term drainage solutions (including EPA permits for vegetation trimming), and county replenishment of dunes at South Lido Park.
• Kathleen Beam, St. Armands resident at 47 North Washington Drive, reported her home flooded four times in 14 months due to inadequate drainage, imploring both boards for immediate action.
• Laurel Korberg, President of Central Coconut Neighborhood Association, reminded boards of the ongoing US Recycle issue (toxic dust), stating her board is looking for resolution pathways. She also expressed opposition to the city taking on a $400 million Arts Center project while other pressing needs (dredging Whitaker Bayou, Philippi Creek, Alligator Creek) remain unfunded.
• Marissa Dawson (final speaker), representing Central Coconut Neighborhood Association and Whitaker Bayou neighbors, requested dredging of Whitaker Bayou upstream from North Tamiami Trail, noting no dredging in ~26 years. She also asked for excavation of feeder drainage ditches. She noted Resilient SRQ1 funding was denied but hopes for Resilient SRQ2.

Breeze Transit Update (Jane Grog, Sarasota County Transit Director)

• Overview of Breeze services: fixed routes, on-demand (launched 2021), and Breeze Plus (ADA/complementary). On-demand operates in three zones; 92% of riders use the app. Standard fare $2; discount for transportation disadvantaged ($1.50). Average wait time ~18.5 minutes (target 30 minutes). Since launch, over 1 million rides; 386,000 in 2024 alone. 4.9 out of 5 stars rating. 63% of trips are shared.
• Ridership within City of Sarasota accounts for about half of all boardings. Most popular destinations: downtown transfer station, Siesta Key Mall, New College, Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
• 2024 accomplishments: Increased frequency on Route 99 (downtown-Bradenton) to 20 minutes via FDOT support; launched 76 Flyer connecting downtown hotels to SRQ Airport; extended Siesta trolley to downtown.
• 2025 developments: Improvements at downtown transfer station; drafting interlocal agreement to transfer Bay Runner management from city to county (expected to be finalized for board review); new funding split with Manatee County effective 2025, benefiting service recognition.
• Future considerations: water taxi/ferry, vendor proposals, integrating on-demand efficiencies into ADA service (co-mingling), potential expansion of on-demand zones.
• Cost: Average gross cost per on-demand trip ~$14; varies by zone ($11 in Northport/Venice, ~$20 in Lido Longboat). Commissioner Cox asked about cost per trip vs. fixed route; Grogg noted eliminated routes had $26-29 per trip; on-demand now provides ~200,000 rides in Northport zone vs. 22,000 previously at lower cost.
• Commissioner Ulrich inquired about marketing; Grogg said limited rollout due to COVID and capacity, but increased marketing is planned.

Bobby Jones Golf Club & Nature Park (City of Sarasota Parks)

• Jerry Fogle presented history: 1926 Donald Ross 18-hole course, named after Bobby Jones in 1927. Expanded over decades to 45 holes. In 2020, commission downsized to 18-hole regulation + 9-hole short course, converting rest to nature park. Groundbreaking 2022; grand reopening December 2023; Gillespie Executive Course opened May 2024.
• John Kretzer (project manager): Key features: restored original Donald Ross design, state-of-the-art practice facility (21,000 sq ft putting green, 70-station driving range), 20-acre wetland treating 2.6 billion gallons of water annually (equivalent to 4,000 Olympic pools). Course now elevated to prevent flooding; never closed due to rain except during hurricanes. First 9.5 months: 43,770 rounds; revenues 36% above fiscal year 2023-24 expectations. During Hurricane Debby, park retained 300 million gallons of floodwater, subsided in 48 hours; course reopened in less than 4 days.
• Nature park (100 acres) open; construction plans for boardwalk and marsh overlook are being developed by Kimley-Horn, with park impact fee request submitted to county.
• Awards: Best Golf Courses in U.S. Under $100 (Golf.com); #2 Best New or Remodeled Affordable Courses 2024 (Golf Digest). Funding: $1.5M from SWFWMD, $487K from FDEP.
• Commissioners praised the project for flood mitigation and community value.

Stormwater Management Interlocal Agreement (Spencer Anderson, Sarasota County Public Works Director)

• Overview of 2024 hurricane season impacts; two stormwater workshops held with county commission (January and March 2025). Current focus on maintenance preparedness for 2025 season.
• History: County stormwater utility established 1989 (first in Florida). Assessment structure updated in 2022. Annual assessments primarily fund maintenance; capital projects use separate assessments. Last capital assessments paid off in 2014; $80M invested previously (Hudson Bayou, Whitaker Bayou, Philippi Creek). Interlocal agreement with city covers basin planning, maintenance, NPDES permitting.
• County staff recommendation: Terminate the interlocal agreement and have city assume stormwater services. Two options presented: (1) complete separation on a date certain (e.g., October 1, 2027), or (2) phased geographic separation over several years. County would reallocate equipment to newly added 87 sq mi service area (40% increase). Annual assessments collected in city ~$4M.
• Commissioner Cox asked for cost and staffing details; Anderson stated no specifics yet, but city may desire different level of service. Commissioner Ulrich noted need to consider county-owned property within city used for stormwater.
• Commissioner Smith raised dredging of Whitaker Bayou and Hudson Bayou; Anderson said those are part of county's navigable waterways program, not stormwater utility, and applications will be submitted to Resilient SRQ. Commissioner Batti confirmed state-level discussions with Senator Gruters.
• No formal decision; policy direction to be scheduled as county board discussion item soon.

Affordable Housing Update (City of Sarasota Planning Department)

• Steve Cover (Planning Director) presented: City focused on incentivizing private sector to provide attainable housing. 2023 Chamber survey of young professionals (ages 19-40): 96% said housing cost negatively impacts economy; 7 in 10 considered leaving Sarasota due to cost; 51% cost-burdened; 73% reported business disruption; 91% support zoning changes for attainable housing; 1,500+ job offers turned down due to housing costs. Median rent for 1-bedroom (without utilities) ~$2,300/month; individuals at 100-120% AMI cannot afford this.
• Tools adopted: Accessory dwelling units allowed (excl. barrier islands); reduced parking for affordable units (30-year minimum); multimodal impact fee discounts/ deferrals; corridor rezoning for height/density bonuses; continuous funding from penny surtax (~$200k/year).
• Downtown density bonus: Up to 4x base density if 15% of bonus units are attainable (30-year minimum). Tiering requirement: at least 1/3 of attainable units for ≤80% AMI, no more than 1/3 for 100-120% AMI, balance between 80-100% AMI.
• Brianna Dobbs (Chief Planner) described Urban Mixed Use future land use classification along US 41, Fruitville, and portions of US 301, allowing up to 3x base density with same affordability tiering. Includes daylight plane for compatibility, sidewalk/pedestrian amenity zones.
• Results: Over 20 active attainable housing applications; total of ~800 units in pipeline (including nonprofit projects and city-led project of ~190 units). Recognized by Florida League of Cities, FPZA, APA Sun Coast.
• Commissioner Mast asked for inventory of existing attainable units; staff committed to providing via email. Also asked about 30-year term; Cover explained it aligns with typical financing cycles. Commissioner Knight requested demographic data on who is being served; staff will try to provide income-level breakdown.
• Commissioner Smith commended city and noted county should consider similar zoning changes. Commissioner Koch mentioned House Bill 943 (preempting local regulations for affordable housing) and asked for updates; staff not aware of latest status. Cover said city's program is fully incentivized, so should withstand preemption.
• Discussion on cost of living affecting recruitment; city manager salary range noted as $225,000-$305,000 (51 applicants). Commissioner Mast emphasized need for homeownership opportunities, not just rentals.

17th Street Regional Park Update (Nicole Risler, Sarasota County Parks Director)

• Project history: Identified in 2016 parks master plan; board approved design and funding in 2022. Design completed early 2024; construction delayed due to Army Corps of Engineers permitting, but permit received January 2025. Construction to start before May 1, 2025, anticipated 18-month duration.
• Total cost ~$65 million, funded by surtax, park impact fees, tourist development tax.
• Athletic complex (first phase): 4 full-size artificial turf multipurpose fields (with infrastructure for football on two fields), youth softball complex with championship field, adult softball complex (3 fields, 300-ft fences), multipurpose fields, playground, dog park (retained and improved), support buildings, concessions, restrooms, shade structures. Future phase: additional fields.
• Trail connection: Legacy Trail connector through Bobby Jones Nature Park to Nathan Benderson Park. County is building segment through the park; orange segment (Beneva Road to Fruitville) designed and fully funded ($500k raised privately) by Friends of Legacy Trail, Trust for Public Land, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Big Waters Land Trust; construction expected in 12 months. Purple and yellow segments are city projects. Teal segment being built with athletic complex. Final leg to Benderson has Sun Trail grant application pending.
• Stormwater: Enhanced on-site ponds; project meets or exceeds requirements; environmental permitting was extensive. Commissioner Cox noted Bobby Jones project treats 65% more stormwater and urged similar focus here.
• Commissioners expressed strong support; Commissioner Mast shared constituent excitement; Commissioner Cutsinger highlighted connectivity to Lakewood Ranch via planned overpass.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes or decisions were taken during the joint meeting, as it was primarily informational and discussion-oriented.
• County staff will schedule a formal board discussion on terminating the stormwater interlocal agreement with the city.
• City staff will provide requested data on existing attainable housing units and demographic/income breakdown to county commissioners.
• Both boards expressed commitment to continue collaborating on transit, trails, drainage, and affordable housing.
• A joint request was made to meet at least annually going forward.
• Recognition: Commissioner Frank Piccolo (SRQ Airport Director) was acknowledged for his 30+ years of service; both boards agreed to arrange an award ceremony.
• Public comments highlighted urgent needs for street lighting repairs on Ben Franklin Drive, drainage improvements on Lido Key and St. Armands, resolution of US Recycle issues, and dredging of Whitaker Bayou.