Sarasota City Commission Regular Meeting - December 1, 2025

The Sarasota City Commission met on December 1, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 7:42 PM at City Hall. All five commissioners were present: Mayor Debbie Trice, Vice Mayor Kathy Kelley Ohlrich, Commissioners Jen Ahearn-Koch, Liz Alpert (via Zoom), and Kyle Battie. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including a proclamation, public comments, consent agendas, board appointments, affordable housing updates, legislative public hearings on the Downtown Improvement District and sound ordinance, a quasi-judicial hearing on the Bobby Jones Golf Course clubhouse, and several new business items.

Consent Calendar

• Proclamation: Recognized December 1, 2025, as Public Art in Motion Day, presented to Ringling College of Art+Design students.
• Minutes: Approved minutes of November 3 and November 7, 2025, both unanimously.
• Consent Agenda No. 1: Items 6.1 (roof replacement), 6.2 (ADA change order), and 6.3 (affordable housing unit assignment) were removed for discussion and approved individually (5-0 each). Item 6.4 (police lieutenants collective bargaining agreement) was approved on consent (5-0).
• Consent Agenda No. 2: Resolution 26R-3368 (budget amendment for traffic enforcement overtime) approved (5-0). Ordinance 24-5531 (easement vacation) removed for clarification and approved (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• First Citizens' Input: Martin Hyde criticized commission spending and trust in staff, citing a $2 million fund transfer and lack of disclosure on contamination. Eugene requested restoration of written comments on Sarasota Police Department social media pages, calling the current policy a violation of free speech.
• Sound Ordinance Public Hearing: Over a dozen residents spoke, showing videos and data on excessive noise downtown and at beaches. Speakers urged adopting stricter decibel limits, earlier nighttime hours (10 PM or 11 PM), and a plainly audible standard. John Bordeaux and Linda Howler-Sloan provided detailed comparisons with other Florida cities. Paul Madison, representing Madison's City Grill, asked to maintain existing hours (11 PM weeknights, midnight weekends). Several residents also raised concerns about vehicular noise, jet skis, and school exemptions.
• Bobby Jones Clubhouse: Several residents spoke in favor of the one-story option, citing cost savings and financial prudence. Norm Dumain urged honoring the original penny tax allocation for the nature park. Sean Pearson argued that delaying the two-story design would increase costs.
• Vacation Rental Expansion: Three residents opposed expansion, arguing it would harm affordable housing and small property owners. Sylvia Radke and Kim D'Aliato noted that short-term rentals help them afford homes in DTN.
• Bay Park Day Docks: Eugene criticized charging fees as a money grab, stating no other Florida municipality charges docking fees at public ramps.

Discussion Items

• Citizens with Disabilities Advisory Board Annual Update: ADA Coordinator Jake Brown and Chair Rosemary Krimbel presented accomplishments including the Eco Rover beach wheelchair (27 riders), closed captioning funding, and web compliance progress. The board received the report.
• Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) Status Update: Planning Director Steve Cover and General Manager Ryan Chapdelain reviewed 11 statutorily required topics, noting progress on density bonuses, impact fee reductions, ADUs (70 built since 2021), and a pipeline of over 1,000 attainable units (649 from private sector). Discussion included data tracking, parking issues in Rosemary District, missing middle housing, and possible expansion of ADU programs. No action taken.
• Downtown Improvement District Ordinance (25-5572): Business District Manager Julie Ryan presented amendments to align the district's purpose with its strategic plan. An earlier public speaker (Jim Lampl) urged sidewalk widening for wheelchair accessibility. The ordinance passed first reading (5-0).
• Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Ordinance (26-5587): Ryan Chapdelain explained the amendment to create a city-only AHAC after the county terminated the joint interlocal agreement. Passed first reading (5-0).
• Sound Ordinance (24-5518): Former City Attorney Bob Fournier detailed proposed changes: reorganizing decibel limits into inside/outside source categories, adding a plainly audible standard, and setting nighttime hours. After extensive debate and multiple motions, the commission adopted (5-0) a motion to pass the ordinance on first reading with amendments: mirror the City of Miami Beach plainly audible standard (11 PM-7 AM, 100 feet, seven days a week, with midnight on Friday and Saturday; exceptions for New Year's Eve and July 4th), include enumeration of sound devices and prima facie evidence. Separately, the commission voted unanimously (5-0) to direct staff to hire a consultant for a sound study on maximum decibels and zones.
• Bobby Jones Golf Course Clubhouse Design Options: Parks staff presented two options: a two-story (11.2M, 220 seats, 17-month timeline) and a one-story (7.2M, 60-70 seats plus banquet space, 20-month timeline). After discussion on funding, operations, and community input, the commission voted 4-1 (Alpert dissenting) to move forward with the one-story design.
• Quasi-Judicial Public Hearing – Bobby Jones Site Plan: Following the design direction, the commission denied (4-1, Alpert dissenting) the site plan for the two-story clubhouse as moot.
• Vacation Rental Expansion Feasibility Report: Vacation Rental Compliance Supervisor Hannah Chabica presented data on 574 registrations, 86 complaints (82 in existing zones), and three policy options. The commission voted (5-0) to direct staff to research costs for Option 3 (partial expansion to DTN zone) and return with more information.
• Bay Park Day Dock Rates: Parking Manager Broxton Harvey proposed $2/hour, 5-hour max, 8 AM-8 PM Mon-Sat. After public comment, the commission approved (5-0) the rate and directed staff to research other municipal dock rates and confirm that future rate changes require commission approval.
• Charter Official Evaluation Performance Format: HR Director Stacie Mason presented four format examples. After discussion, the commission reached consensus to use a narrative format (Example 3) focusing on duties commissioners interact with, supplemented by a one- to two-page self-assessment from each charter official, a salary history sheet, and a section for compensation discussion.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 25-5572 (Downtown Improvement District): Passed first reading (5-0).
• Ordinance 26-5587 (AHAC Composition): Passed first reading (5-0).
• Sound Ordinance 24-5518: Passed first reading (5-0) with amendments adopting a plainly audible standard modeled on Miami Beach (11 PM-7 AM, 100 feet, midnight on weekends*, exceptions for New Year's Eve and July 4th). Consultant hired for sound study (5-0).
• Bobby Jones Clubhouse: Commission directed staff to design a one-story clubhouse (4-1) and denied the two-story site plan (4-1).
• Vacation Rental Expansion: Staff directed to research costs for partial expansion to DTN zone (5-0).
• Bay Park Day Docks: Approved $2/hour, 5-hour max, Mon-Sat 8 AM-8 PM; future rates set by commission (5-0).
• Charter Official Evaluation: Consensus on narrative format, self-assessment, salary history, and compensation discussion.
• Board Appointments: Sadek Omar and Eileen Hampshire appointed to Downtown Improvement District Board; Alexander Neihaus appointed to Planning Board (permanent), Chad Oberson as alternate; several reappointments approved; Affordable Housing Advisory Committee appointments postponed one month (4-1).
• Other: Lease with Historical Society approved (5-0); commission representation on various boards finalized; March 16, 2026 meeting rescheduled to March 23, 2026 due to National League of Cities conference; shade meeting announced for two lawsuits.