Sarasota City Commission Regular Meeting – January 5, 2026
Sarasota City Commission Regular Meeting – January 5, 2026
The Sarasota City Commission met on January 5, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:42 p.m. to address a wide-ranging agenda including board reports, consent items, housing authority collaboration, and the city manager search. The meeting included public comment on noise ordinance enforcement, approval of numerous routine contracts and grants, new board appointments, and a contentious discussion on public parking at McCown Towers.
Citizens' Input (Noise Ordinance)
- Ronnique Hawkins, City resident, presented in support of the noise ordinance, displaying an obituary of former Mayor Rev. Dr. Jerome Dupree and videos of late-night disturbances in Newtown. She questioned whether the city is prepared to cover medical bills from noise-related health impacts and asked the Commission to direct the Sarasota Police Department to enforce the ordinance equally citywide and to adopt a 65-decibel limit similar to Miami, Orlando, and Tampa.
- Victor Woods, a national speaker and Lakewood Ranch resident, spoke in support of noise ordinance enforcement, arguing that the issue disproportionately affects poor and Black residents and is a basic law enforcement matter. He urged the Commission to treat the Newtown noise problem with the same urgency as in affluent neighborhoods.
- Howard Butts (through Ms. Hawkins) described his own health struggles and sleep deprivation caused by persistent loud music in Newtown.
- A speaker (likely Frank Martinucci) read a statement concerning revision of the noise ordinance, recommending residential noise zones outside downtown and elimination of the exemption for Sarasota schools. He noted that over 100 residents have signed a petition requesting reduced stadium PA volume and redirected speakers, and expressed concerns about future school construction adding more noise.
Consent Calendar
- Consent Agenda No. 1 (Items VI.1–VI.8, VI.10, VI.11): Approved unanimously (5-0). These items included: approval for a public art mural at Robert L. Taylor Community Center (VI.1), seventh amendment to lease with Sarasota Sailing Squadron (VI.2), sale of city-owned property at 710 John Ringling Causeway (VI.3), software license extension with Mitchell Humphrey & Co. (VI.4), collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local No. 173 (VI.5), traffic signal upgrade consulting with Kimley-Horn (VI.6), as-needed architectural services with multiple firms (VI.7), coastal engineering consulting with Cummins Cederberg and Taylor Engineering (VI.8), a piggyback agreement for utility materials (VI.10), and an extension for sodium bisulfite supply (VI.11).
- Consent Agenda No. 2 (Items VII.1–VII.4): Approved unanimously (5-0). Included Resolution 26R-3370 (FDOT public transportation grant along SR 789), Resolution 26R-3371 (budget amendment for Teamster salary increases), Ordinance 25-5572 (amending Downtown Improvement District powers), and Ordinance 26-5587 (revising Affordable Housing Advisory Committee composition).
- Item VI.9 (Network as a Service project with Ferguson Waterworks, $2,215,712.28) was pulled from Consent Agenda No. 1 by Commissioner Ahearn-Koch for discussion. After a brief presentation by Utilities Director Verne Hall and Ferguson representative Tyler Stargel, the item was approved unanimously (5-0). The system will allow remote meter reading and leak detection.
Board Actions & Reports
- Downtown Improvement District (DID) Annual Report (Item V.1): Presented by Ronnie Shugar (Chair) and Julie Ryan. Key points: DID supports programs like Fresh Fridays (attracts 2,000–3,000 attendees), Bay Runner Trolley ($50,000 annual support), holiday lighting, and sidewalk maintenance. Commissioners asked about data on economic impact and expansion of district boundaries. The report was accepted unanimously (5-0).
- Employee Retirement Account Committee (ERAC) Annual Report (Item V.2): Presented by Ben Billingsley (Chair). The DC plan is closed to new participants; 170 active members, 500 total participants. No cost to the city for Corebridge services. Report accepted unanimously (5-0).
- CRA Minutes (Item CRA.1): Approved unanimously (5-0).
- Newtown CRA Advisory Board Report on RL Taylor Public Art Mural (Item CRA.2): Presented by Wayne Appleby and Rochelle Gallant. The mural would celebrate Newtown history on the west wall of the community center. The board requested permission to proceed with the public art process. The report was accepted unanimously (5-0), and the consent item (VI.1) was approved as part of Consent Agenda No. 1.
Board Appointments
- Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) (Item VIII.1): Five applicants were considered for four positions. Cindy Emshoff (OHCD) explained that the committee needs at least eight members and an elected official. Commissioner Alpert moved to appoint all five (Julian "Scott" Eller, Trent Claybaugh, John Peshkin, Lori Cuson, John Simon). Motion carried 4-1, with Mayor Trice voting no.
- Historic Preservation Board (HPB) (Item VIII.2): Vice Mayor Ohlrich moved to appoint Lorrie Muldowney to fill a vacancy. Approved unanimously (5-0).
Unfinished Business
- Bay Park Conservancy Management and Operations Agreement (Item IX.1): Presented by Jennifer Jorgensen and AG Lafley (CEO, BPC). The agreement consolidates usage agreements for the Chidsey Library and Municipal Auditorium into an Exhibit G to the existing partnership. Commissioners asked about rental fees, security (SPD and private), and oversight of uses (e.g., ordinances). Motion to approve carried 5-0.
- Sarasota/Manatee MPO 2026 Transportation Project Priorities List (Item IX.2): Presented by Alvimarie Corales and Corinne Arriaga. The list includes 4 new projects (Tuttle Ave corridor, US 41 drainage, ITS/CAV tech on US 301 and Fruitville Rd). Motion to approve the list passed 5-0. A second motion to issue a letter supporting the US 41/MLK Jr. Way and US 41/Myrtle Street roundabout projects also passed 5-0.
- City Manager Search Update (Item IX.3): City Auditor Griggs reported that 8 new applications were received over the break; the consultant’s recommendation letter expected by Wednesday, January 7. After debate on a cutoff date, the Commission voted 4-1 (Vice Mayor Ohlrich dissenting) to accept applications only until Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. The earlier motion to cutoff on Monday, January 5 died for lack of a second. Commissioners requested that the search firm provide details on sourcing and vetting of candidates.
New Business
- Waiver of Local Preference for Downtown Master Plan Consultant (Item XII.1): The ad-hoc committee (10-1 vote) recommended waiving the local preference provision (Procurement Code Sec. 2-368(e)) to attract the best consultant. Jennifer Jorgensen and Bill Waddill presented. Motion to approve the waiver passed 5-0.
- McCown Towers III Public Parking Discussion (Item XII.2): A lengthy discussion on collaborating with the Sarasota Housing Authority (SHA) to add public parking spaces (two levels, 160 spaces) in the proposed senior housing development and parking garage. Broxton Harvey (Parking Manager) presented options, financial estimates ($8 million, debt service $600,000–$700,000/year), and potential metering strategies. Public speakers: Melissa Furman (opposed, citing resident quality of life), Carl Williams (Sarasota School of Arts & Sciences, supportive), David Lowe (Rosemary District resident, supportive with caution), Valerie Bouchon (McCown Towers resident, opposed on safety and security grounds), Louise Mashinist (Unitarian Universalists, echoed resident concerns), Melissa Laughlin (Rosemary District Association, supportive). Commissioners debated costs, resident concerns, and alternative parking options. A motion by Commissioner Alpert, seconded by Commissioner Battie, to direct staff to proceed with SHA to create 162 parking spaces (two levels) and return with a design addressing safety and pricing passed 4-1 (Commissioner Ahearn-Koch dissenting). The Commission also reached consensus to draft a letter supporting SHA’s Resilient SRQ application to the County Commission.
- Rescheduling March 16 Meeting (Item XII.3): Motion to move the March 16, 2026 regular meeting to March 23, 2026. Approved 4-0 (Commissioner Battie absent during vote).
Key Outcomes
- Approved: DID Annual Report; ERAC Annual Report; CRA minutes; all consent items; AHAC and HPB appointments; Bay Park Management Agreement; MPO priorities list; support letters for roundabout projects; waiver of local preference for Downtown Master Plan; and rescheduling of March meeting.
- Directed: Staff to proceed with design and pricing for two levels of public parking at McCown Towers (162 spaces) in coordination with SHA; to draft a letter supporting SHA’s Resilient SRQ application; to bring back a parking plan addressing safety and pricing.
- Set Deadline: City manager applications accepted only until Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
- Upcoming: Search firm to provide recommendations by January 7; special meeting on city manager search scheduled for January 13; noise ordinance acoustic study to be initiated (budget $20,000–$25,000); staff to bring back discussion on parking code revisions.
Meeting Transcript
I'd like to welcome you to the January 5th regular city commission meeting, and I am calling it to order. Uh first we will have the invocation by city auditor and clerk grooks. Please thank you. 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 the name we pray, Amen. And Vice Mayor, will you lead us in the pledge? Thank you. And we are going to have a moment of silence in memory of a city neighborhood activist Barbara Powell Harris, who recently passed away. Thank you. Thank you very much. And to begin our agenda, are there any changes to the order of the day? No, Madam Mayor, there are no changes to the order of the day. Thank you. May I have a motion to accept the agenda as published? So moved. Seven. Moved by Commissioner Batti, seconded by the Vice Mayor. Have your vote, please. And it passed unanimously. Thank you very much. Turning the page. No problem, Mayor. Thank you. We may disagree, but we will be respectful to one another. We will direct all comments to issues. We will not engage in personal attacks. Thank you. And we have four individuals who have requested to speak at this stage of the agenda on items that are not on today's agenda. If you will all come and join us at the table. I want to thank all the staff too, especially the special events where we where it all starts with James and Laurie and John and getting our permits and everything and our application so we can do this. The police, I mean, it's all hands-on deck that night, like I'm sure it is on New Year's Eve. And Sergeant Luciano, it was his first time kind of uh in control of that, and uh Lieutenant Quinlan was there, and then of course they brought in Lieutenant Schweederman, and then of course Lisa helped us get our FDOT permit so we could close down uh 301 so we could go across the road. So, and then uh Mr. Willie Butler and crew, the public works. So I tell you what, we couldn't do it without them and just what they do, and and uh he was instrumental in and getting doing a little special something for me, which uh didn't take too much time. Our parks and rec who make sure that we get the trees pruned so the the floats don't hit any tree limbs, and uh so and then I want to I I want to thank my board. I've got some new board members on uh the board uh this year, and it really worked well for me. Uh my first two years, I felt like I was doing it myself. But uh this was actually my ninth year. It would have been the 10th uh had we had COVID, and we're getting ready to do our 30th uh this year, which would have been last year, but with COVID, we didn't have one. So we're looking forward to our 30th year. We're gonna be working on the the uh what's going to be the theme, you know. It's there's the 30th year, which is the Pearl Year, my tenth year, which is diamonds. Uh we've got our 250th year of the uh of the United States. Um there's all kinds of celebrations happening this year, and we want to make it special. Uh I couldn't do it without our volunteers, and believe it or not, the night of we have right out about 10 volunteers, not including myself, but uh unpaid uh that puts that together and makes it go down Main Street. And um then uh we had some sponsorships this year. We've been kind of struggling because when I took it over, my insurance was $400 for the day that I have to get. Uh this last year I cut a check for $7400.
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