Sarasota City Commission Regular Meeting - April 20, 2026

The Sarasota City Commission met on April 20, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 4:52 PM. The meeting included proclamations, presentations, public comments, consent agendas, public hearings, and new business. Key topics included a police department year-end review, a controversial downtown master plan procurement, an overhaul of the special events ordinance, and a financial update revealing depleted reserves due to hurricane costs.

Commission Presentations

• Proclamation: April 2026 was proclaimed Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Nicole Pritchard, Sexual Assault Victim Advocate from SPARCC, accepted the proclamation.

Scheduled Presentations

• Sarasota Police Department 2025 End of Year Review: Chief Rex Troche and command staff presented. Highlights included an 18% reduction in violent crime in 2025 (56% over three years), a 43% increase in DUI arrests, and a 90% decrease in shooting victims in Zone Three (Newtown) following Operation Shots Free. The Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) made 2,805 contacts and completed 600 housing placements through Community Care Court. New initiatives include a real-time 911 system and a drone-first-responder program funded by a philanthropist. The Commission accepted the report unanimously (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony (First Session)

• Nancy Loerch-Archer (Sarasota Sands Owners Association) requested an explanation for why the Lido Beach renourishment project stopped short of Sarasota Sands despite public maps showing it would extend to the last groin. She noted lack of communication and urgency before turtle season.
• Christine Robinson (Argus Foundation) urged the Commission to halt the Downtown Master Plan Update process entirely, citing a troubled procurement (only one applicant remained), lack of transparency, and sidelining of the business community. She requested a restart under the new city manager.
• John Bordeaux (Downtown resident) presented a letter from the Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association (DISCA) urging adoption of former City Attorney Bob Fournier’s sound ordinance draft as an interim measure. He noted Sarasota's daytime sound limit (75 dBA) is an outlier compared to other Florida cities (65 dBA).
• Ron Shapiro (City resident) criticized the mediated settlement for the 1260 North Palm Avenue project, arguing it failed to address reasons for the prior denial and lacked substantial evidence.
• Kelly Brown (City resident) asked the Commission to initiate eminent domain for the US Recycling property to stop pollution and build affordable housing, suggesting funding from sale of a city-owned First Street property.

Consent Calendar

• Consent Agenda No. 1 (Items VI-1 through VI-4, VI-7): Approved unanimously. Includes opiate litigation settlement, fuel tax interlocal agreements, remediation/restoration services, and Ken Thompson Park hurricane restoration ($3,301,100).
• Item VI-5 (MLK Memorial Park redevelopment, $1,120,715.52): Pulled by Commissioner Ahearn-Koch for questions. Approved 5-0 after discussion of cost-saving substitutions (e.g., cheaper pavilions, lighting).
• Item VI-6 (Advertising and marketing services contracts): Pulled by Vice Mayor Ohlrich. Approved 4-1 (Ohlrich dissenting) after debate on bundling three separate contracts into one motion.
• Consent Agenda No. 2 (Items VII-2 through VII-5): Approved unanimously. Includes hazard mitigation strategy adoption, speed limit changes, Plymouth Harbor rezoning (16.59 acres to RMF-5 for 151 senior living units), and Downtown Improvement District term limits.
• Item VII-1 (Budget transfer of $250,000 from Bay TIF to Sarasota Performing Arts Center Construction Fund): Pulled by Vice Mayor Ohlrich and Commissioner Ahearn-Koch. Approved 5-0 after explanation that funds are for due diligence on the performing arts center concept design.

Unfinished Business

• Second Reading – Ordinance 25-5579 (Rezone 1.27 acres at Alderman Street from RMF-5 to DTE): Applicant proffered residential-only use. Concerns raised by Vice Mayor Ohlrich and Commissioner Ahearn-Koch about density and administrative approvals. Approved 3-2 (Ohlrich and Ahearn-Koch dissenting).

Legislative Public Hearing

• Proposed Ordinance 26-5585 (Special Events Permit Overhaul): Staff presented a comprehensive rewrite addressing location restrictions, sound permits, alcohol permits, and city co-sponsored events. After extensive public comment and commissioner discussion, the Commission passed the ordinance on first reading (4-1, Alpert dissenting) with the following amendments:
  • St. Armands Circle right-of-way shall be treated as a park for this ordinance.
  • Vendor names and specific locations are not required at application but due later.
  • Event organizer for city co-sponsored events must be the DID or a nonprofit.
  • Warning on special event permits about state alcohol permit compliance.
  • Staff to research: restricting city co-sponsored events in counting consecutive weekends, and defining “directly adjacent” as a 1/8-mile radius.
• Separate motions on sound permit: A motion to remove the 100 dBA/105 dBC option for specified parks failed 2-3 (Trice, Alpert, Battie opposed). A motion to require signage warning of hearing loss at events with 100 dBA failed 2-3.

Quasi-Judicial Public Hearing

• Proposed Ordinance 26-5595 (Rezone 0.08 acres at 2283 Ringling Blvd from CG to DTE): Applicant plans a 2,200 sq ft restaurant. No on-site parking required under DTE code; applicant cited existing street parking and nearby garage. Passed 5-0.

Discussion Items

• Financial Update (Kelly Strickland): The city’s unassigned fund balance dropped to 13.6% (from 29.2%), below the policy minimum of 17%, due to hurricane debris costs. A three-year restoration plan is underway; a millage increase was adopted for FY26. Staff instructed departments to reduce operating budgets by 2-3% for FY27. The Commission accepted the report 5-0.
• External Auditor Selection Committee Chair: Vice Mayor Ohlrich appointed chair by consensus.
• Floodplain Management Plan 2025-2030 (Resolution 26R-3392): Adopted 5-0, maintaining the city’s Class 5 CRS rating and 25% flood insurance discount.

Key Outcomes

• Votes and Decisions:
  • SPD Year-End Review accepted (5-0).
  • Consent items approved with noted dissents.
  • Ordinance 25-5579 passed 3-2.
  • Ordinance 26-5585 passed on first reading 4-1 with six amendments/directives.
  • Motion to delete 100 dBA sound option failed 2-3.
  • Motion to add hearing loss signage failed 2-3.
  • Ordinance 26-5595 passed 5-0.
  • Resolution 26R-3392 adopted 5-0.
• Future Agenda Items: The Commission directed staff to place a discussion on the Downtown Master Plan Update process (including the ad hoc committee and procurement) on the next agenda. Also, a joint meeting with the Board of County Commissioners is being pursued for September 15, 2026.
• City Attorney Polzak noted sound experts may return for an update at the May 18, 2026 meeting, with further work product in summer 2026.
• City Attorney’s investigation into US Recycling continues.
• Staff will investigate the Lido Beach renourishment shortfall and FDOT’s St. Armands speed tables.