Sarasota City Commission Regular Meeting – November 17, 2025

The Sarasota City Commission held a regular meeting on November 17, 2025, from 9:02 AM to 4:07 PM, with a lunch recess from approximately 11:57 AM to 1:00 PM. The meeting covered a wide range of routine and substantive items, including budget amendments, a special events ordinance, a quasi-judicial site plan approval, and a property sale. The Commission unanimously approved most items, with one 4-1 vote on funding for the performing arts center. Numerous citizens provided input on parking, noise, and community events.

Consent Calendar

• Board of Rules and Appeals Annual Report – Unanimously accepted (5-0).
• Consent Agenda No. 1 – Approved items 1–4 and 6–8 (5-0). Item 5 (Bay Runner Interlocal Agreement) was pulled for discussion and later approved (5-0). A separate motion to direct the Interim City Manager to research alternative funding sources for the Bay Runner also passed (5-0).
• Consent Agenda No. 2 – Approved items 1, 4, 5, and 7 (5-0). Items 2, 3, 6, and 8 were removed for separate discussion and votes (see Discussion Items).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Citizens' Input (Morning Session) – Five speakers addressed parking concerns related to the Main Street streetscape redesign, emphasizing the need for collaboration with the Downtown Merchant Association and better sidewalk cleanliness. Martin Hyde criticized high salaries of city employees and the Van Wezel booking.
• Citizens' Input on Consent No. 2 (Budget Amendments) – Martin Hyde characterized the budget transfers as a “shell game,” questioning the movement of $7.6 million across funds.
• Citizens' Input on Special Events Ordinance – Multiple downtown residents and business owners expressed concerns about noise (especially bass), event frequency, and enforcement. Speakers requested lower decibel limits, earlier end times (10 PM), better notification, and a more equitable street closure approval process (e.g., weighting by building linear footage). John Bordeaux and others urged a face-to-face workshop.
• Citizens' Input (Afternoon Session) – Flo Entler (Arlington Park Neighborhood Association) celebrated a community mural painting at Arlington Park Pool on November 15. Lashedra Lyons-Cummings reported an e-bike accident on city property due to a damaged fence since Hurricane Milton; the City Attorney noted the claim is being processed through Risk Management.

Discussion Items

• Bay Runner Interlocal Agreement (Item VI-5) – Staff presented ridership data (over 500,000 riders since March 2022) and cost savings (estimated $1.9 million over five years) by transferring operations to Sarasota County Breeze Transit. Commissioner Ahearn-Koch raised concerns about funding solely from the Economic Development Fund and requested exploration of other funding sources. The Commission approved the interlocal agreement and directed staff to study alternatives.
• Special Events Ordinance (Item X-2, Proposed Ordinance No. 26-5585) – After a lengthy public hearing and commissioner questions, the Commission voted 5-0 to continue the ordinance on first reading, directing staff to incorporate suggested changes. Key issues included: lowering sound decibel limits (85 dBA, 90 dBC for bass), measuring sound from the point of complaint (not at 100 feet), reducing event frequency in downtown core zones, earlier end times, expanded cleanup areas, and improved notification. The Interim City Manager administratively agreed to immediately lower the sound permit to 85 dBA/90 dBC.
• Budget Amendments (Items VII-2, VII-3, VII-6, VII-8) –
  • Item VII-2 (Performing Arts Center) – Transferred $340,705 from the City Bay TIF fund to the Sarasota Performing Arts Center Construction Fund for the Renzo Piano concept design. Passed 4-1 (Commissioner Ahearn-Koch dissenting).
  • Item VII-3 (Affordable Housing) – Transferred $2,952,000 from the General Fund to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to write off a loan for the 1544/1591 1st Street property purchase. Passed 5-0.
  • Item VII-6 (Bobby Jones Golf Complex) – Amended budget to reflect higher revenues ($426,000) and increased expenditures ($300,000). Passed 5-0.
  • Item VII-8 (Zoning Text Amendments, Second Reading) – Approved Ordinance No. 25-5583 with 21 items, including removal of items 15 and 21 per Interim City Manager (retaining appointment authority for building official). Passed 5-0.
• City Manager Search Update – The recruitment brochure was advertised on November 17. Applications due December 12; first review of resumes scheduled for that date. Commission action expected in January.
• Sale of Real Property to Plymouth Harbor (Item XII-1) – Staff presented a proposal to sell a 10 ft x 65 ft (approx. 650 sq ft) strip at 710 John Ringling Causeway for $16,350, with proceeds to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Approved 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Motions (all 5-0 unless noted):
  • Board of Rules and Appeals Annual Report
  • Consent Agenda No. 1 (items 1–4, 6–8)
  • Bay Runner Interlocal Agreement and study of alternative funding
  • Consent Agenda No. 2 items 1, 4, 5, 7
  • Resolution 26R-3361 (Performing Arts Center) – 4-1
  • Resolution 26R-3363 (Affordable Housing)
  • Resolution 26R-3366 (Bobby Jones Golf Complex)
  • Ordinance 25-5583 (Zoning Amendments)
  • Site Plan 25-SP-11 (Amaryllis Park Place Phase IV)
  • Direction to prepare sale agreement with Plymouth Harbor (proceeds to Affordable Housing Trust Fund)
• Continued Items: Special Events Ordinance No. 26-5585 returned to first reading with directive to incorporate commission discussion.Board of Rules and Appeals Annual Report
  • Consent Agenda No. 1 (items 1–4, 6–8)
  • Bay Runner Interlocal Agreement and study of alternative funding
  • Consent Agenda No. 2 items 1, 4, 5, 7
  • Resolution 26R-3361 (Performing Arts Center) – 4-1
  • Resolution 26R-3363 (Affordable Housing)
  • Resolution 26R-3366 (Bobby Jones Golf Complex)
  • Ordinance 25-5583 (Zoning Amendments)
  • Site Plan 25-SP-11 (Amaryllis Park Place Phase IV)
  • Direction to prepare sale agreement with Plymouth Harbor (proceeds to Affordable Housing Trust Fund)
• Continued Items: Special Events Ordinance No. 26-5585 returned to first reading with directive to incorporate commission discussion.