Regular Sarasota City Commission Meeting – February 2, 2026

The Sarasota City Commission met on Monday, February 2, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 4:24 PM in City Hall Chambers. The agenda included approval of homeless outreach funding, a revised budget calendar, a land‑use change for the Marian Anderson Place Brownfield site, the Bobby Jones Golf Club clubhouse design, a comprehensive procurement code overhaul, new day‑dock fees at Bay Park, and direction on historic preservation for the Payne Park Auditorium. Public comment addressed noise ordinance reform, flood mitigation, special events scheduling, and historic designation of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

Consent Calendar

• Item VI‑1 – Homeless Outreach Team Beds: Removed from consent per Commissioner Ahearn‑Koch for a staff presentation. Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a $410,365 annual agreement with The Salvation Army for 25 beds (unanimous, 5‑0). Commissioner Alpert clarified that no fee is charged to clients; entry is via criminal diversion or outreach. Homelessness Response Coordinator Shellie Legarsky stated 361 individuals used the beds in 2025. The Commission voiced strong support for the program.
• Item VI‑2 – 2026‑2027 Budget Calendar: Removed for discussion. Approved the calendar as proposed, with direction to add a second public workshop between July 28 and the September public hearings (5‑0). Financial Director Kelly Strickland presented; Vice Mayor Ohlrich suggested the additional workshop. Interim City Manager David Bullock stated staff would plan the workshop.
• Items VI‑3 through VI‑7 (Ted Sperling Parking, cemetery maintenance, electrical services, architectural services, sewer manhole rehabilitation) approved collectively (5‑0).
• Item VII‑1 – Budget Resolution 26R‑3375: Transfers $25,000 for Workday fees; approved (5‑0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Citizens’ Input (Morning):
  • Steve Martinucci (City resident) requested residential noise zones with a 15‑ to 50‑foot plainly audible standard and elimination of the school noise exemption. Cited Orlando’s zoning as a model.
  • Henry Kowani (St. Armand’s resident) requested zoning code modifications to allow elevation of existing homes after Hurricane flooding. He described his goal to elevate 12 feet.
  • Jim Lampl (downtown resident) urged the Commission to be more accessible to the public and warned against censorship, citing a recent court case.
  • Ron Shapiro (City resident) opposed the proposed 1260 North Palm (Obsidian) project, detailing perceived non‑compliance with city regulations, including taking of public sidewalk for parking. He called on the Commission to deny the project.
  • David Lowe (President, DSCA) requested updates on the special events ordinance, the sound ordinance, the Ceravella project, and a strategic plan to guide the budget.
  • Lorrie Muldowney (Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation) announced the Florida Department of State found the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places for architecture.
  • Ronnique Hawkins (City resident, NAACP representative) submitted loud‑car survey results from Newtown (2023) showing community demand for noise ordinance enforcement.
• Public Hearing – Procurement Code (Item X‑1):
  • Martin Hyde (non‑city resident) criticized the proposed increase in the City Manager’s contract approval authority from $200,000 to $500,000 and alleged recent procurement failures (e.g., City Hall restroom renovations). He urged the Commission to reject what he called a “power grab.”
• Public Hearing – Day Dock Fees (Item X‑2): No public speakers.
• New Business – Payne Park Auditorium (Item XII‑1):
  • Katie Weiss (Board Chair, The Players, Inc.) opposed exterior historic designation, arguing lease‑based protections are sufficient and that designation would add future regulatory constraints.
  • Lorrie Muldowney and Dave Baber (Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation) supported exterior designation, stating it ensures long‑term protection and provides building‑code flexibility after disasters.
  • Pearlie Freiberg (City resident) questioned whether a community theater lease is permitted in the G‑zone; City Attorney Polzak and Economic Development Manager Applebee indicated the lease was vetted and is permissible.
• Citizens’ Input (Afternoon):
  • Cullen Andrew (CMO, Guard Against Trafficking) offered partnership opportunities to combat human trafficking.
  • Shellie Freeland Eddie (attorney for Lashedra Lyons‑Cummings) reported her client was injured in a fall due to uncleared hurricane debris near Janie’s Garden and requested city attention to sidewalk safety.

Discussion Items

• Marian Anderson Place Land‑Use Change (Item IX‑1): Second reading of Ordinance 25‑5581, changing 9.22 acres from Community Commercial to Production Intensive Commercial. Manager of Long‑Range Planning David Smith and Economic Development Manager Wayne Applebee presented. Commissioner Ahearn‑Koch read the site‑specific limitation (no salvage/recycling outdoors). Commissioner Battie commended the developer, Newtown Gateway LLC. Adopted (5‑0).
• Bobby Jones Clubhouse Third Amendment (Item IX‑2): Extended debate on whether to proceed with a one‑story design (staff recommendation) or revert to a two‑story design. After two failed motions (one to deny the one‑story and proceed with two‑story, 2‑3; one to bring back a conceptual two‑story with smaller footprint, 2‑3), the Commission approved the third amendment for $514,957 for one‑story design (3‑2). Mayor Trice, Vice Mayor Ohlrich, and Commissioner Ahearn‑Koch voted yes; Commissioners Alpert and Battie voted no. Key points raised: $4 million cost savings with one‑story vs. two‑story; potential revenue from restaurant; risk of further delays with redesign; impact on parks funding.
• Budget Resolution 26R‑3376 for Bobby Jones Clubhouse (Item IX‑3): Established $1,179,006 expenditure budget. Approved (3‑2) with same vote split.
• Procurement Code Overhaul (Item X‑1): Public hearing on Ordinance 26‑5588. Staff (Jennifer Jorgensen, Renee Hayes, attorney Robert Eschenfelder) presented major changes: increased thresholds, new exemptions, city manager authority to approve contracts up to $500,000, removal of some current exemptions, and addition of IT purchase exemption. Commission discussion focused on the city manager approval cap and local preference. Vice Mayor Ohlrich moved to amend the motion to: (1) rename “Administrative Procedures” to “Procurement Procedures” for Section 2‑370, (2) add Section 2‑348 (IT Exemptions), and (3) remove the local preference section. Amendment adopted (5‑0). Main motion as amended approved on first reading (5‑0).
• Day Dock Fees at Bay Park (Item X‑2): Public hearing on Ordinance 26‑5591. Parking Manager Broxton Harvey presented $2/hour, 5‑hour maximum, $10 daily max, enforcement via mobile app, hours 8 AM – 8 PM. Commissioners discussed hours, enforcement, and data tracking. Approved on first reading (5‑0).
• Payne Park Auditorium Historic Designation (Item XII‑1): Senior Planner Susan Dodd presented. After extensive discussion, Commissioner Ahearn‑Koch moved to: (1) direct the City Manager to consent to improvements per the January 16 joint letter, (2) revise the lease to protect eight historic elements, (3) allow The Players, Inc. to occupy, and (4) after the first performance season, pursue exterior historic designation. Seconded by Commissioner Battie. Passed (4‑1), with Commissioner Alpert dissenting (opposed exterior designation at any future date). The Commission expressed hope for continued collaboration between the Alliance and The Players.

Key Outcomes

• Homeless Outreach Beds: Approved contract with Salvation Army for $410,365 (5‑0).
• Budget Calendar: Approved with addition of second public workshop (5‑0).
• Marian Anderson Land‑Use: Adopted Ordinance 25‑5581 on second reading (5‑0).
• Bobby Jones Clubhouse: Approved third amendment for one‑story design ($514,957) – 3‑2; approved budget resolution ($1,179,006) – 3‑2.
• Procurement Code: Approved Ordinance 26‑5588 on first reading with amendments to remove local preference, add IT exemption, and rename section – (5‑0).
• Day Dock Fees: Approved Ordinance 26‑5591 on first reading (5‑0).
• Payne Park Auditorium: Directed City Manager to implement joint letter protections and pursue exterior historic designation after first season – (4‑1).
• Future Agenda Items: Direction to staff to research modifying zoning for home elevation (Commissioner Alpert); request for disparity study (Commissioner Battie); request for presentation on Van Wezel next steps and FEMA reimbursement update (Vice Mayor Ohlrich); Mayor Trice noted invitation to Longboat Key and Venice Commissions for April 15 ethics class.
• Staff Reports: City Attorney Polzak noted the Burns Square parking agreement was finalized; the Obsidian (1260 North Palm) matter will return for a quasi‑judicial hearing on May 4, 2026, after a FLUEDRA mediation process.