Regular City Commission Meeting of September 2, 2025

The Sarasota City Commission met on September 2, 2025, at 9:00 AM to address a range of topics including presentations, approvals, and major decisions on capital improvement projects. The meeting featured significant debate over the School Avenue Greenway Extension, a vote to move forward with the Main Street Complete Streets visioning, and the designation of a historic property. Key votes and outcomes are detailed below.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the Special Meeting of July 29, 2025, and Regular Meeting of August 4, 2025, approved unanimously (5-0).
• Consent Agenda No. 1: Approved 5-0, including:
  • Interlocal agreement on mutual aid for building inspections (Cities of Sarasota, Venice, North Port, Punta Gorda; Charlotte and Sarasota Counties; Town of Longboat Key).
  • Municipal services pre-annexation agreement for 2945 Arlington Street.
  • Liability insurance renewal (total $620,572.24, 0.54% increase).
  • Purchase order for WWTP EPS Reuse Pump Replacement ($436,346.00) with Wastewater Solutions, LLC.
  • Purchase order for Seawater Intake Pier Repairs ($408,203.15) with Apollo Construction & Engineering Services Inc.
• Consent Agenda No. 2 (Items VII-1 and VII-4): Approved 5-0:
  • Resolution 25R-3348: Annual assessment for St. Armands Key parking garage.
  • Resolution 25R-3351: Budget amendment to transfer $82,477 for effluent pump replacement.
• Item VII-2 (Bobby Jones Nature Park Budget): Removed from consent; after presentation, approved 5-0. Resolution 25R-3349 establishes a $1,670,000 budget from Parks Impact Fees for improvements including boardwalk, overlooks, micro-forest, and pavilions.
• Item VII-3 (St. Armands Parking Fund Loan): Removed from consent; after discussion, approved 5-0. Resolution 25R-3350 advances $400,000 from General Fund to St. Armands Paid Parking Area Fund as a loan at the city's blended investment portfolio rate.
• Item VII-5 (10th Street Vacation): Removed for separate vote; approved 5-0. Ordinance 24-5546 vacates approximately 1.403+/- acres of platted right-of-way for The Bay Park.

Public Comments & Testimony

School Avenue Greenway (Item IX-1):

• Helen Magill, City resident: Opposed the project, citing flooding and safety concerns.
• Flo Entler, President of Arlington Park Neighborhood Association: Representing the neighborhood, stated that of 29 comment cards received at workshops, 23 neighbors do not want the multi-use recreational trail (MURT). Highlighted drainage and flood zone issues.
• Katri Fiero, City resident: Expressed concerns about safety for schoolchildren, narrow sidewalks, and stormwater drainage.
• Danny Williams, City resident: Supported the project, showing video of the existing greenway and citing safe access to Aldi.
• Tracy Robinson, City resident: Opposed, citing flooding risks, endangered species, and speeding issues; noted that 93% of survey respondents use the greenway “rarely.”
• Rob Grant, City resident: Argued connectivity benefits are limited; path ends in a neighborhood unfriendly to bicyclists/pedestrians; urged funds be used elsewhere (e.g., Circus Trail).
• Others (Joan Kellett, Carol Butera via Ashley Jansen) voiced opposition over flooding, maintenance, lighting, and tree loss.

Main Street Complete Streets (Item IX-2):

• Lance Thomas, City resident, representing Sarasota Mobility Alliance: Expressed strong support for wider sidewalks, flush curbs, enhanced crosswalks, and wayfinding technology.
• Danny Williams (scheduled but left).

Citizens’ Input (General):

• Norman Schimmel, City resident: Announced the 14th annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at the new County Emergency Services Fire Administration Building on September 11, 2025, at 9:30 AM.
• Stephen Gaffanti (not city resident): Urged creation of a policy preventing police from blocking elected precinct representatives from taking their seats, alleging a police state incident.
• Ted Wilson (Bobby Jones item): Opposed using $1.67M for nature park, arguing Big Water Land Trust should fund improvements; suggested money be used for clubhouse.
• Unidentified speaker (after main agenda): Criticized commissioners’ planned trip to Delray Beach, warning of Sunshine Law violations.

Discussion Items

IX-1: Direction Re: School Avenue Greenway Feasibility

• Staff (Alvimarie Corales, Corinne Arriaga, Katie Habgood of PGA) presented the feasibility study for extending the existing 0.36-mile greenway from Weber Street to Daytura (0.44 miles). The study began in 2024 and included public engagement; 62% of survey respondents preferred paved or boardwalk concepts (Concept 1 or 2). Staff recommended Concept 1 (paved surface with pervious options, preserving tree canopy). Key concerns: drainage/flooding (85 crashes on parallel US 41 segment in five years, two fatalities), tree removal, lighting, and maintenance. Estimated construction costs exceed the $1 million allocated in CIP. Commissioner Ohlrich moved to reallocate funds to the Circus Trail extension; Vice Mayor Trice and Mayor Alpert opposed due to lack of information, and Commissioner Battie also voted no. Motion failed 2-3. Second motion to continue the item for staff to return with information on the second alternative (Circus Trail) passed 5-0.

IX-2: Direction Re: Main Street Complete Streets Visioning

• Staff presented a two-year visioning process resulting in a plan to widen sidewalks, convert some angled parking to parallel, add trees, and enhance pedestrian amenities from US 41 to School Avenue (1.2 miles). The plan retains angled parking on some segments (e.g., Gulfstream to Pineapple) but modifies from Pineapple to Orange due to high crash rates (250+ parking-related crashes in five years). Parking analyses showed garages at 45-55% occupancy during peak season. Commissioner Ohlrich moved to continue into planning and design phase; passed 4-1, with Commissioner Ahearn-Koch voting no citing merchant concerns over parking removal. Commissioner Battie emphasized need for better retail and foot traffic.

IX-3: Discussion Re: City Manager Search Update

• City Auditor and Clerk Griggs reminded commissioners to submit interview questions; two had not responded. Deadline extended to end of day. No action taken.

X-1: Legislative Public Hearing – Infrastructure Sales Surtax

• Resolution 25R-3347 amending the Penny Sales Tax project list (Phase 3) for FY 2024-25 capital improvements. No public speakers. Adopted 5-0.

XI-1: Quasi-Judicial Public Hearing – Historic Designation of 1874 Wisteria Street

• Ordinance 25-5575 designates the Stickney/Kimbrough residence (house, casita, garage, street wall) as a structure of historic significance. Property owner Catherine Duffy presented history; no opposition. Passed 5-0 on first reading.

Additional Commissioner Remarks

• Commissioner Ohlrich: Discussed state-mandated removal of painted sidewalk markings; Interim City Manager Bullock confirmed compliance by Sept. 4 to avoid withholding $67 million in state funds. Also requested recurring budget town hall meetings and thanked Norman Schimmel for 9/11 memorial efforts.
• Commissioner Ahearn-Koch: Clarified her vote on the Purple Ribbon Committee report—stated she did not accept it despite voting to accept. Requested a draft resolution to ask the state legislature to reconsider sidewalk art policy, and proposed regular joint meetings with county, Longboat Key, school board, and airport authority.
• Mayor Alpert: Added an agenda item for Sept. 15 to discuss a strategic planning process.
• City Attorney Polzak: Announced a settlement offer ($50,000) in a trip-and-fall case and requested a shade meeting.
• Deputy City Manager Robinson: Reported that the manhole cover issue raised by Tracy Robinson was resolved; addressed a citizen complaint about police being investigated and found not a policy violation.

Key Outcomes

• School Avenue Greenway motion to reallocate funds to another multimodal project failed 2-3; continuation motion for staff to return with alternative recommendation passed 5-0.
• Main Street Complete Streets visioning approved to move into planning and design phase with Kimley-Horn (4-1).
• Historic designation of 1874 Wisteria Street approved 5-0.
• Infrastructure sales surtax resolution adopted 5-0.
• Consent items all approved as noted.
• City manager search update: No formal action; deadline for interview questions extended.
• Sidewalk art policy: Commissioner Ahearn-Koch’s suggestion to submit to Florida League of Cities’ Transportation Committee received consensus support.
• Shade meeting requested for litigation settlement discussions (case number 58-2024-CA-001468).