Sarasota City Commission Regular Meeting - July 6, 2026

The Sarasota City Commission held a regular meeting on July 6, 2026, at 9:00 AM. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including proclamations, presentations, citizen comments, consent agendas, board appointments, a legislative public hearing on a right-of-way vacation, and new business on mobile food trucks. Notable discussions included concerns over water shutoffs, paid parking impacts, and tree trimming on public beach access.

Consent Calendar

• Consent Agenda No. 1: Approved all items except Item 6.3, which was pulled for discussion. Items included: Federal FY2026-2030 Consolidated Plan; Engineering Design & Construction Oversight Services agreements; Hurricane Milton Permanent Highway Lighting Repair LAP Agreement; Environmental & Hydrologist Professional Services renewal ($100,000 annually); Seawater Intake Pier Repairs ($317,326.78).
• Consent Agenda No. 2: Approved all items except Items 7.1 and 7.5, which were pulled. Items included: Election resolutions for August 18 and November 3, 2026 (with a language amendment to use gender-neutral terms); budget amendments for trolley grant ($371,057), traffic studies ($100,000), Hurricane Milton lighting repair LAP; litigation and outside counsel ($491,500); medical/dental fund ($1,572,500); and a $3.63 uniform surcharge for a Natural Disaster Collection Reserve Account (Second Reading of Ordinance 26-5596).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Martin Hyde (non-resident): Criticized the city for cutting off water to over 200 residents due to a 27% cumulative water rate increase since 2019. Demanded reinstatement of water service and a moratorium on cutoffs.
• Ron Watts (Laurel Park resident, Parks Advisory Board): Urged the Commission to prioritize parks and consider a parks district with dedicated funding, citing the 10-year master plan and over 60 parks.
• Jerry Wells (city resident): Reported the unauthorized clear-cutting of sea grape trees at a city-owned beach access on Lido Key (Cleveland and Ben Franklin Drive). Filed a complaint with FDEP and requested accountability.
• Ronnie Sugar (downtown landlord/restaurateur): Argued that paid parking is harming downtown businesses, leading customers to go elsewhere. Proposed two-hour free parking (similar to Venice) and asked for a referendum.
• Chris Vulker (business owner): Echoed parking concerns, noted the parking division's 43% personnel cost is among the highest nationally, and suggested introspection and reduced hours for paid parking.
• Jennifer Trier (city resident): Opposed the Osprey Court alley vacation, citing loss of 12 affordable units replaced by only 4 attainable units, and questioned the use of "approximate" language.
• Ron Cashton (Laurel Park Neighborhood Association board): Supported the alley vacation, noting community engagement and proffered benefits (canopy, setbacks, park). Suggested amending zoning to allow unlimited setbacks to preserve existing trees.
• David Lowe (city resident): Supported mobile food trucks in downtown Bayfront, citing vibrancy, but cautioned against overexpansion. Suggested a provisional use or pilot program.

Discussion Items

• Item 6.3 – Hurricane Milton Permanent Highway Lighting Repair: Commissioner Ahearn-Koch requested a presentation to inform Lido Key residents. Staff explained the FDOT process, sole-source procurement, and timeline (project start likely next year, completion within 1.5 years). Approved.
• Item 7.1 – Election Resolution Language: Mayor Trice noted that the resolution used "his" for the Mayor, and moved to amend to gender-neutral language. Approved unanimously after amendment.
• Item 7.5 – Litigation Budget Amendment: Commissioner Ahearn-Koch requested details on two major lawsuits (Carl Jackson/Rose Salem vs. City, and Christian Siegler vs. City). Discussion focused on budgeting for litigation; staff will explore forward-looking budgeting and possibly an insurance backstop. Approved.
• Item 10.2 – Osprey Court Right-of-Way Vacation (Ordinance 26-5599): Extensive discussion on public benefit. The applicant (PFI 721 Development LLC) proffered: 4 attainable units at 80% AMI for 30 years, enhanced setbacks (20-ft stepback on Ringling, 14-ft on Osprey), wider sidewalks, canopy trees, public art, a 1,000-1,132 sq ft park, and removal of curb cuts. Planning Board had recommended denial. The Commission debated the loss of 12 existing affordable units vs. the proffered benefits. A friendly amendment added a restrictive covenant and limited minor deviations. Approved 4-1, with Vice Mayor Kelley Ohlrich dissenting.
• Item 12.1 – Mobile Food Trucks in Downtown Bayfront (DTB) Zone District: Staff presented the history of food truck regulations. Public commenter David Lowe supported but suggested caution. Commission directed staff to draft a zoning text amendment for DTB only (not other commercial zones), with outreach to brick-and-mortar businesses to gauge impacts. Also voted 5-0 to direct staff to find a way for a specific coffee cart to operate at Swim City pending the ZTA.

Key Outcomes

• Election Resolutions Approved: Resolution 26R-3400 amended to gender-neutral language, setting elections for August 18 and November 3, 2026.
• Ordinance 26-5597 Adopted: Amends reemployment after retirement for the General Employees Defined Benefit Plan to align with IRS changes (no benefit discontinuation for those under 59.5).
• Ordinance 26-5599 Adopted (Osprey Court Vacation): With added restrictive covenant requiring all proffers to be recorded and any deviations (except minor ones requested by staff) to come back to Commission. Effective after building permit issuance.
• Board Appointments: External Auditor Selection Committee: Hugh Fiori and Kelly Brown. Planning Board: Shane LeMay (reappointed) and Tiffany Nisbet. Board of Adjustment: Brett Blumetti and Jay Salem. Sarasota Housing Authority: Carolyn Mason and David Morgan (reappointed).
• Direction on Mobile Food Trucks: Staff to draft ZTA for DTB zone district only, with business outreach; also to find a way for the Swim City coffee cart to operate pending amendment.
• Staff Direction on Water Shutoffs: New City Manager Carrie Fryling to investigate and connect affected residents with social service programs; also explore partnerships with community foundations.
• Parking Discussion: Commission agreed to hold a future workshop on parking department operations, enterprise fund status, and potential changes to hours/rates, with staff to prepare options.
• Tree Trimming on Lido Key: Staff confirmed the trimming was done by a condo association under a state permit but appears to have exceeded the permit; staff is following up with FDEP on possible fines.
• Sound Study Update: Phase 1 underway with CBINE Acoustics, using soundwalks and long-term meters in downtown, St. Armands, Lido Key, and Newtown. Initial feedback positive.
• Future Agenda Item: Commissioner Alpert requested placing discussion on restructuring public comment timing on the August agenda; City Manager Fryling to bring a proposal.