Regular City Commission Meeting – October 20, 2025

The Sarasota City Commission met on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 1:00 PM in City Hall. The meeting addressed a wide range of items including a legacy business proclamation, approval of consent agendas, a legislative public hearing on the annual batch of zoning text amendments (ZTA), discussion of special districts for lighting and underground utilities, and approval of funding concepts for The Bay Park Phase 3. The meeting adjourned at 4:44 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approved (5‑0 votes each): Minutes of Special Meetings on September 9, 15, and 16, 2025, and the Regular Meeting of September 15, 2025 (with a minor amendment to add context to Commissioner Ohlrich’s remarks).
• Consent Agenda No. 1 (Items VI‑1, VI‑4, VI‑6): Approved 5‑0. Included a Municipal Services and Pre‑Annexation Agreement for 2442 Hibiscus Street, a Pest Control Services Agreement (ITB#25‑32SP) at an estimated $69,048 annually, and a Major Encroachment Agreement with Sarasota County for fiber optic extension.
• Items Removed from Consent No. 1:
  • VI‑3 (Neighborhood Partnership Grant Program): Approved 5‑0 after a presentation by Neighborhood Planner Nancy Kelly. A record 18 neighborhoods applied, totaling $36,010.24 in grants. Commissioners praised the program and suggested increasing future funding.
  • VI‑5 (Cleaning Services Extension with Clean Space, LLC): Approved 5‑0 after a citizen comment. The third amendment and second extension cost approximately $369,483.
• Consent Agenda No. 2 (Items VII‑1, VII‑2): Approved 5‑0. Resolutions 26R‑3358 and 26R‑3359 amending Florida Department of Environmental Protection State Revolving Fund Loan Agreements.
• Items Removed from Consent No. 2:
  • VII‑3 (Ordinance 25‑5577): Approved 5‑0. Second reading of an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan to relocate the official Primary Grid Streets map from the Downtown Master Plan to the Zoning Code.
  • VII‑4 (Ordinance 25‑5580): Approved 5‑0. Rezoning of 1.35 ± acres at 351 N. Rhodes Avenue from Office Regional to Urban Mixed‑Use 1 to allow a 17‑unit Habitat for Humanity townhome development. Vice Mayor Trice highlighted support for affordable housing.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Citizens’ Input (Session I):
  • Martin Hyde (City resident) criticized the removal of the Teamsters collective bargaining agreement from the consent agenda, alleging it contained a “pay cut” for 83 employees (about 27% of the unit) and raised concerns about a $2.5 million budget gap, sexual harassment accusations, and misuse of opiate settlement funds.
  • David Lough (Rosemary District resident) presented a PowerPoint showing the Rosemary District currently has about 3,300 dwelling units, with approximately 500 under construction and another 500 planned, leading to an estimated 5,000 people in 5–7 years. He noted 26% of units will remain attainable/affordable, and urged the Commission to consider density’s role in supporting transit and the 15‑minute city concept.
  • Chris Johnson (COO, United Way of South Sarasota County) reported that the Long‑Term Recovery Group has completed 120 home rebuilds after Hurricanes Ian, Idalia, Debbie, Helene, and Milton. The organization was awarded $2.2 million for a FEMA disaster case management pilot program, and World Renew contributed $1.2 million in skilled labor. There are 78 active cases and 70,000 people on the FEMA list to be contacted.
  • Sean Patton (small business owner) expressed frustration that the Sarasota Chalk Festival art installations were removed without notice, harming businesses that sponsored the event. He asked what the City’s plan is to reimburse or mitigate losses.
• Citizens’ Input (Session II) – No speakers.
• Legislative Public Hearing on Zoning Text Amendment (Ordinance 25‑5583):
  • Kelly Brown (President, Sarasota Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations – CCNA) opposed ZTA Item No. 15, which would increase the maximum building length in Urban Mixed‑Use districts from 200 ft to 250 ft. She argued the 200‑ft standard was only one year old, the request came from a developer architect, and the Planning Board unanimously denied it. She noted that administrative adjustments can already reach 250 ft, and with SB 180, the change would be locked in.
  • Brooke Fleming (Certified Planner, Kimley‑Horn, representing Orange Pineapple LLC, owner of the McAlpine House) supported ZTA Item No. 17, which authorizes the Historic Preservation Board to grant density variances when relocating locally designated historic structures, calling it key to preserving the McAlpine House.
  • Chris Gallagher (City resident, architect) provided diagrams showing that a 10‑ft break between buildings does not guarantee good architecture or walkability. He recommended requiring a significant recess (more than 10 ft) instead of a simple break, and noted that many existing buildings in downtown well exceed 200 ft (e.g., Arcos‑587 ft, Lofts on Lemon‑383 ft). He argued that the 200‑ft limit increases costs and hinders affordable housing.
• New Business – Special Districts for Lighting and Undergrounding:
  • Chris Golia (President, St. Armands Residents Association) reported that 87% of surveyed residents (93% among voters) support undergrounding, even knowing they will have to pay.
  • Dennis Bischoff (Lido Shores) noted that 97% of respondents in their survey support the project, emphasizing reliability and citing examples from Bird Key and Longboat Key.
  • Carl Schaffstall (Lido Key resident) shared personal experience of prolonged power outages and urged the project to move faster than the estimated 4–7 years.
  • Bob Kelly (St. Armands Key) described the devastation after hurricanes, with half of 200 homes uninhabitable and many businesses still empty. He stressed that undergrounding is essential for recovery and that the barrier island community is united in support.
  • Alan Pariser (President, South Poinsettia Park Neighborhood Association) supported the lighting district, noting that 75% of neighbors approved. He appreciated the feasibility study but hoped to accelerate the timeline.

Discussion Items

• City Manager Search Update (Item IX‑1): City Auditor and Clerk Griggs reported that the search firm has received feedback and aims to present an advertisement for formal approval at the next Commission meeting. No action taken.
• Zoning Text Amendment – Batch 2025 (Ordinance 25‑5583): Planning staff presented 22 items. Two items were recommended for denial by the Planning Board: Item 8 (understory trees on lots ≤30 ft wide) and Item 15 (building length). The Commission discussed:
  • Item 8: Allows understory trees when a canopy tree is not feasible. Commissioner Ahearn‑Koch wanted stronger language requiring applicants to demonstrate infeasibility, but the City Arborist noted that on small lots canopy trees are often inappropriate. Commissioner Battie supported the compromise, stating setback standards limit buildable area. Vice Mayor Trice clarified that canopy trees require 30 ft on‑center spacing, so on 20‑ft lots the arborist would recommend against them.
  • Item 15: A proposal to increase maximum building length in Urban Mixed‑Use districts from 200 ft to 250 ft. Vice Mayor Trice favored removing it to avoid legislating from the dais and to allow further study. Commissioner Battie argued that 200 ft is arbitrary and that many successful buildings exceed it. Commissioner Ahearn‑Koch opposed the increase, citing walkability concerns. The public hearing was closed.
• Establishment of Special Districts for Lighting and Undergrounding (Item XII‑1): Director Patel and City Engineer Kamiya presented. Five associations requested formation: St. Armands Residents, Lido Shores, Lido Key, St. Armands Circle Merchants (undergrounding), and South Poinsettia Park (lighting). Support ranged from 85% to 97% in surveys. The process would take 3–7 years. Commissioners discussed equity concerns (Vice Mayor Trice worried that wealthier neighborhoods would jump ahead of others) and asked about grant options. Staff confirmed that the city would retain a consultant, and no assessment or construction contract was being approved today.
• Bay Park Phase 3A and 3B Funding (Item XII‑2): A.G. Lafley and Jennifer Compton (Bay Park Conservancy) presented the Phase 3 plan. Phase 3A (Centennial Park, 11 acres) would include resilient shoreline, seawall repairs, expanded boat launch, and 50% more trailer parking. Phase 3B (center of the park) would include a play area, water features, restaurants, and a “park over parking” garage. Total estimated cost: $20 million. Interim City Manager Bullock recommended approving the concept contingent on equal funding from Sarasota County. The first $1 million (for design and planning) can come from the existing joint TIFF fund. The remaining $19 million would be financed in 2026. The Bay Park Improvement Board had already approved the request.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Minutes of four meetings (5‑0 each).
• Approved Consent Agenda items as listed above.
• Approved Ordinance 25‑5583 on first reading (ZTA Batch) except for Item No. 15 (Urban Mixed‑Use Maximum Building Length). The motion passed 5‑0. (Vote: 5‑0)
• Directed Staff to further review ZTA Item No. 15: Mayor Alpert moved to have staff collaborate with relevant parties and return with a recommendation on whether to keep 200 ft, increase the limit, or add setbacks. The motion carried 3‑2, with Commissioners Ahearn‑Koch and Ohlrich dissenting. (Vote: 3‑2)
• Authorized Staff to proceed with Special Districts: The Commission acknowledged stakeholder support and directed staff to (1) prepare legal documents for lighting and undergrounding districts, (2) retain a consultant for cost estimates, (3) prepare boundary maps, and (4) return with Initial Assessment and Reimbursement Resolutions. (Vote: 5‑0)
• Approved the concept of funding for Bay Park Phase 3: The Commission approved the concept of $20 million in funding, contingent on equal funding from Sarasota County, with the understanding that a formal funding vote will occur later. (Vote: 5‑0)
• Authorized a letter to the Sarasota County Commission: The Commission voted to send a letter under the Mayor’s signature offering to meet and seeking the County’s position on the proposed performing arts center. (Vote: 5‑0)
• Other: Staff announced that Commission meetings will not be broadcast on live TV until the County’s new administration building is completed (expected January 2026), but will continue on Granicus and Facebook Live. The second Shred Stock event was announced for November 8, 2025.