Sarasota City Commission Meeting July 7, 2025
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Sarasota City Commission Meeting July 7, 2025
The Sarasota City Commission held a regular meeting on July 7, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 4:57 PM. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including presentations, consent agenda items, legislative and quasi-judicial public hearings, and new business. Key actions included approvals of rezoning and comprehensive plan amendments, direction on a city manager search, and discussions on watercraft regulation and a lease extension for MarineMax East, Inc.
Consent Calendar
- Agenda Items VI.5-9 (Consent Agenda No. 1): Approved unanimously (5-0) including the Federal FY2025-2026 Annual Action Plan, HOME American Rescue Plan Funds allocation increase, Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan ($30,000,000), Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan ($12,000,000), and the Verna 30-Inch Raw Water Main Relocation contract ($4,125,362.22).
- Agenda Items VII.1-3 (Consent Agenda No. 2): Approved unanimously (5-0) including Resolution 25R-3329 (support for Lido Shoreline Protection Project), Resolution 25R-3333 (budget amendment for water/sewer fund), and Resolution 25R-3334 (budget amendment for HOME funds).
Items Removed from Consent Agenda No. 1 (Unanimous 5-0 votes)
- VI.1: Approved the agreement with FEMA for a 40kw generator at 237 Payne Parkway (total project cost $200,633; 75% grant, 25% city match).
- VI.2: Approved the contract with Sierra Construction Company for City Hall restroom renovations ($599,876).
- VI.3: Approved the agreement with FCM Industries DBA EZ Mulch for mulch installation services ($154,995 annually).
- VI.4: Approved the Locally Funded Agreement with Sarasota County for park improvements at Bobby Jones Golf Course Nature Park ($1,670,000).
Items Removed from Consent Agenda No. 2 (Unanimous 5-0 votes)
- VII.4: Adopted Ordinance 25-5561 (second reading) to rezone a parcel on N. Tuttle Avenue from RMF-1 to RMF-2.
- VII.5: Adopted Ordinance 25-5565 (second reading) changing the future land use classification of 1.2 acres at 65 S. Palm Avenue and 136 Mira Mar Court from Downtown Core to Downtown Bayfront, with a change of the word "will" to "shall" on page 3 of the backup material.
- VII.6: Adopted Ordinance 25-5567 (second reading) to vacate a 6,003 sq ft alley section between 4th and 5th streets east of N. Tamiami Trail.
- VII.7: Adopted Ordinance 25-5568 (second reading) to rezone 1.87 acres at 5325 Royal Palm Avenue from RMF-2 to MU-2.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Citizens' Input (Pre-lunch): Brandon Paonessa (non-city resident) and Celine O'Connor (city resident) spoke about unpermitted commercial jet ski rentals operating at city parks, particularly South Lido Beach Park, and the need for enforcement. Tammy Garner (city resident) described dangerous conditions at South Lido Park, including trash, drinking, and unsafe boating. Martin Hyde (city resident) urged the commission to scrutinize all budget requests and avoid corporate welfare. Kelly Brown (city resident, CCNA President) announced a new Stormwater Resilience Committee formed by the Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations to address flooding issues.
- Legislative Public Hearings: None registered for Item X.1, but NAMI representatives Colleen Thayer, Jake Hartvigsen, Sonya Johnson, Blake Neathery, and Jessica Polk accepted a proclamation.
- Quasi-Judicial Public Hearings (XI.2): Jan Hetland (affected person, Dolphin Towers) expressed full support for the Miramar rezone. Joshua Reed read a letter from Jeff LaHurd urging preservation. Erin DeFazio (Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation) praised the project's community engagement. Eileen Hampshire (owner, Palm Avenue) urged approval, warning that denial would lead to a less desirable development.
- New Business (XII.1 - MarineMax): Bill Galvano, attorney for MarineMax, and Samuel Lowery (VP of Real Estate) presented, highlighting the tenant's long partnership, capital investments, and commitment to public access. Martin Hyde (city resident) spoke against the lease extension, arguing it constituted corporate welfare and that the city should seek fair market value.
- New Business (XII.2 - Watercraft Regulation): Rae-Anne Malone (non-city resident) supported a ban, blaming jet skis for dangerous conditions. Scott Ashby (city resident, Lido Key Residents Association) urged a ban on beaching any motorized watercraft at all city beaches. Tammy Garner and Celine O'Connor also provided visual evidence of crowding and safety concerns.
Discussion Items
- City Manager Search Firm (IX.2): Commissioners discussed narrowing down search firms from six to three. After debate, consensus emerged for Sumter Local Government Consulting, Slavin Management Consultants, and MGT Impact Solutions. Commissioners identified key questions for the RFP: warranty, search team, pending searches, Florida city manager experience, direct sourcing approach, retention rate, cost, proximity to Sarasota, size of Florida city searches, and national sourcing. The RFP will also include the commission's preferred criteria for the city manager.
- MarineMax Lease Extension (XII.1): Economic Development Manager Wayne Appleby presented the request. MarineMax sought a 25-year extension and $5 million in rent credits for seawall repairs. Commissioners questioned the public benefit, fair market value, and transparency of subleases (Salty Dog). A motion passed 5-0 to reopen the lease, negotiate new terms, conduct a fair market appraisal, and examine a 25-year extension from 2025.
- Watercraft Regulation (XII.2): Deputy City Manager Robinson and Police Officer Dixon outlined current enforcement challenges. Two motions passed unanimously: 1) Direct staff to research regulatory language for commercial jet ski/watercraft rentals city-wide. 2) Direct staff to research regulatory language to control mooring or operating marine vessels within approximately 300 feet of all beaches within city limits. The commission emphasized a comprehensive, enforceable approach working with the county.
Key Outcomes
- Votes: All consent agenda items and removed items passed 5-0. Resolution 25R-3331 (1260 North Palm Residences) passed 4-1 with Mayor Alpert voting no. Ordinance 25-5566 (Miramar rezone) passed 5-0. The MarineMax lease extension motion passed 5-0. Both watercraft regulation motions passed 5-0.
- Directives: Staff directed to issue RFPs to Sumter, Slavin, and MGT for the city manager search. Staff directed to negotiate MarineMax lease renewal with fair market appraisal and a 25-year extension from 2025. Staff directed to research and draft regulations for commercial watercraft rentals (city-wide) and for mooring/operating vessels within 300 feet of all city beaches.
- Other: The Bobby Jones Golf Course Phase 3 clubhouse site plan (XI.1) was continued to a future date. Commissioner Ohlrich requested an update on parking garage studies and a presentation on the St. Armands Circle Master Plan. Commissioner Ahearn-Koch requested a discussion on implementing a Parks Taxing District. Mayor Alpert requested a future discussion on eliminating parking minimums. Commissioner Ohlrich also requested a presentation on the recently published Sarasota Housing Action Plan. City Attorney Polzak reported two settlement offers ($200,000 each) for auto accident and negligence cases, recommending against settlement at this time.
Meeting Transcript
Turn it down. Get it harder. Good morning. It's nine o'clock, and I am calling the July 7th City of Sarasota Commission meeting to order. Um, Mayor Liz Alpert is joining us via Zoom today, so that's why I'm chairing the meeting. Um, and I will ask the city auditor and clerk to read the invocation. Um, please stand Heavenly Father, we affirm our faith in thee. We seek your divine strength, wisdom, and guidance in the deliberations that affect the lives of each of the citizens of our community. In that name we pray, amen. And Commissioner Ahern Kodch, will you lead us in the pledge? Yes. I pledge allegiance. Are there any changes to the order of the day? Thank you. Thank you, Vice Mayor. Yes, there are some changes to the order of the day. Please add under board appointments agenda item number eight point four. Appointment race, Sarasota County Storm Water, environmental utility advisory board committee per the request of city auditor and clerk riggs. Please add under new business agenda item number twelve point two discussion ray, direct city attorney to examine municipal regulation of water crab operation and leaching per the request of City Attorney Polls Act. And also for the record, I believe that we are going to ask that item number eleven point one public rate approval of site plan application number twenty-three dash spenty-three for the Bobby Jones Golf Course Renovations Phase Three to be continued and announced at a different date. Second. I believe we need a vote, and we're going to do voice vote. We can't do electronic voting. Okay, so that passed unanimously. Um next up is uh we have presentations. Um you do the um proposed schedule. Do I not have that on there? That's what we just did. Oh, okay. I'm sorry. I thought you were approving the changes to the order. No, there were no objections to the changes. All right, we'll do it as a change. Um, if everybody will join me out front, we have a couple of presentations today. And one thing I forgot to add, if you will silence your phones. I forgot to silence mine. Well, first up, we have um employee of the month and team of the month. And I am going to start with employee of the month of July. It's with great pride that we recognize Pauline Kaufman. And if she's here, please come down, Pauline. We're recognizing Pauline for her outstanding service and professionalism in her role as a business analyst in the information technology department. Um Pauline has been a valued member of the city's team for nearly five years. She brings extensive technical knowledge to her role, supported by her A Plus certification, uh Comp TIA, and Network Plus certification, also from CompTIA, and Modern Desktop Administrator Associate certification from Microsoft. In recognition of her efforts, Pauline has received two employee of the month nominations. The first from a coworker highlights how she has played a pivotal role in one of the city's most important digital transformation efforts, the implementation of a new website to enhance user accessibility. The nominator highlights. Pauline Kaufman is a consummate professional who embodies the core values of the IT department and the City of Sarasota as a whole. Her integrity, teamwork, and service to the city is appreciated, and we proudly commend her for her continued excellence and commitment to public service. Thank you, Pauline. Well, Luke seems to want.
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