Regular City Commission Meeting of March 23, 2026

The Sarasota City Commission met on March 23, 2026, for a regular meeting from 9:00 AM to 7:27 PM. The commission addressed a wide range of items including employee recognitions, consent agenda items, board appointments, unfinished business on compensation and sound regulations, public hearings on speed limits and historic preservation appeals, and new business on composting, property tax reform, parking rates, and the appointment of a new city manager.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the February 17, 2026 (with changes) and February 24, 2026 meetings were approved unanimously (5-0).
• Consent Agenda No. 1: Items VI.2, VI.3, VI.5, VI.6, and VI.7 were approved unanimously (5-0). Item VI.1 (Annual Reports of City Advisory Boards) was pulled and later approved (5-0). Item VI.4 (Resilient Shoreline at The Bay Park contract for $9,999,137.00) was pulled and approved (5-0) after discussion about the single bid and federal grant compliance.
• Consent Agenda No. 2: Budget amendment Resolution No. 26R-3383 for the Opioid Settlement Fund ($181,481.74) was adopted unanimously (5-0).
• Board Appointments:
  • Mayor Debbie Trice was reappointed to the Bay Park Improvement Board until November 2026, and Vice Mayor Kathy Kelley Ohlrich will succeed her after that date (both 5-0).
  • Sebastian K. was appointed as the STAR Program Member to the Parks, Recreation & Environmental Protection Advisory Board (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Morning Citizens' Input (9:16 AM): Bradley Warren promoted Sarasota Classical Preparatory Academy, a new tuition-free public school. Virginia Maloro complained about a construction staging lot on 41 near Ringling College that she said harms property values and blocks a school zone.
• Public Testimony on Sound Regulations (10:54 AM): Six speakers commented. Mike Quillen (restaurant owner), Paul Madison (restaurant owner), Alex Thompson (hospitality representative), and Ann Rawlings (hospitality industry) expressed support for hiring the acoustic consultant and emphasized the need to balance vibrant businesses with residential concerns. Martin Hyde questioned the cost and effectiveness, suggesting a simpler decibel limit. Jim Lample (downtown resident) identified deliberate noise from modified cars and some bars as the main problem, supporting enforceable limits.
• Public Testimony on Speed Limits (1:26 PM): Kelly Brown (Gillespie Park Neighborhood Association and SCCNA) spoke in favor of the 20 mph speed limit change, representing 22,000 households. John Harshman questioned the enforcement of the new limits.
• Public Testimony on 1668 Oak Street Appeal (2:43 PM): Ron Kashden (Laurel Park Neighborhood Association Board member, granted Affected Person status) argued the demolition undermines the historic district. Aaron DeFazio (Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation) urged denial based on the standards of review. Martin Hyde commented that the appellant had provided competent substantial evidence for demolition.
• Public Testimony on Plymouth Harbor Rezone (4:48 PM): John Patterson supported the project, noting Plymouth Harbor's history of non-discrimination and the need for larger units.
• Public Testimony on Composting (5:25 PM): Steve Swab, Diane Dessenberg, Tracy Troxler (Sunshine Community Compost), and Dr. Jennifer Schaefer all spoke in favor of code amendments to enable expanded composting for water quality and soil health.
• Public Testimony on Property Tax Reform (5:59 PM): Martin Hyde criticized the city's fiscal efficiency and warned against committing to major capital projects before a potential $23 million shortfall from state property tax reform.
• Public Testimony on Parking Rates (6:36 PM): Eugene Karovski called the proposal a "money grab" and suggested cutting spending. Rachel Burns (St. Armand Circle Association) expressed disappointment at lack of consultation and asked that employee permit fees not be increased. Martin Hyde opposed the increase, calling it regressive, and suggested seeking private parking management bids.

Discussion Items

• Human Relations Board Annual Report (Item V-1): Received and accepted (5-0). The board reported zero complaints in 2025. Commissioners discussed the need for better publicity to make residents aware of the board's services.
• Compensation for City Auditor and Clerk (Item IX-1): After a presentation showing the employee's base salary of $196,247 and comparisons to other jurisdictions, the commission approved a 15% increase to $225,684 (5-0). Commissioners praised the employee's performance and expanded duties.
• Acoustic Consultant for Sound Regulations (Item IX-2): Gary and Keely Siebein of Siebein Associates presented a proposal for a citywide sound study costing $175,000–$250,000. After public input, the commission directed the city attorney to retain a qualified acoustic consultant to conduct the study and provide recommendations (5-0). The commission also agreed by consensus to direct staff to research establishing a Noise Control Ad-Hoc Committee.
• Property Tax Usage and Reform (Item XII-2): Presentation by staff on the city's property tax reliance (51% of general fund) and potential impacts of state legislative proposals. No action taken.
• Parking Rates and Expenditures (Item XII-3): Parking staff presented options to address a projected deficit. The commission voted (5-0) to increase citation fees across the board by $5 and extend paid parking hours (8 AM to midnight on-street, 24/7 in garages) while keeping existing rates. Employee permit fees were not increased. Staff were also directed to review flat-rate citation fees for public safety violations.

Key Outcomes

• Speed Limit Ordinance (No. 26-5592): Passed on first reading (5-0), reducing speed limits to 20 mph on local streets where 85th percentile speeds are at or below 20 mph, and setting maximum limits of 35 mph on other roads. Implementation will be phased with education and enforcement.
• Appeal of Historic Preservation Board – 1668 Oak Street (Application No. 2026-APP-02): The commission granted the appeal and approved demolition of the front bungalow (4-1), with Commissioner Ahearn-Koch dissenting. The motion found the applicant had met the criteria for avoidance, minimization, and mitigation, including relocation efforts and documentation.
• Plymouth Harbor Rezone and Site Plan (Ordinance No. 26-5593 and 25-SP-01): Approved on first reading (5-0), rezoning 16.59 acres from MCI to RMF-5 and approving a site plan for a new 11-story building with 151 independent senior living units and three levels of parking.
• Composting (Item XII-1): Staff directed to proceed with zoning and city code amendments to support expanded composting activities (5-0).
• City Manager Employment Agreement (Item XII-4): Approved the agreement with Karie Friling, effective May 29, 2026 (5-0).
• Settlement Approval: Accepted plaintiff's proposal for settlement of $40,000 in Latoya Collier v. City of Sarasota (Consent Item VI-7, 5-0).
• Emergency Purchase Order: Acknowledged the issuance of an emergency purchase order for Sierra Construction (Consent Item VI-5).
• Consulting Contracts: Approved first addendum with Cummins Cederberg Inc. (non-monetary) and first extension agreement with Cummins Cederberg and Kittelson & Associates (cumulative spending to date: $761,553.06 and $669,977.12 respectively) (Consent Items VI-3 and VI-6, 5-0).