Regular City Commission Meeting of August 17, 2026

The City Commission convened on August 17, 2026, at 9:00 AM in City Commission Chambers. The meeting addressed a range of items including public comments, board reports, consent agendas, board appointments, adoption of the Repetitive Loss Area Analysis, two public hearings on a comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning for 1660 Ringling Boulevard, and several ordinance approvals. All votes were unanimous (5-0) unless noted.

Consent Calendar

• Consent Agenda No. 1 (Items VI.1 and VI.2): Approved as a single motion. Included authorization for an agreement with Waterfield Florida Staffing, LLC for school crossing guard services, and a restated Sister Cities Association agreement with $10,000 annual spending and a 3-year term.
• Consent Agenda No. 2 (Items VII.1 and VII.2): Approved as a single motion. Included Resolution 26R-3411 appropriating $100,000 for traffic studies and Resolution 26R-3412 appropriating $3,500,000 in grant funds for Van Wezel flood mitigation improvements.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Henry Kowadi (city resident): Described extensive flood damage to his home from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. He requested a zoning text amendment to allow a balcony on elevated homes, noting the current 35% building coverage limit and lack of variance options, which prevents elevation mitigation.
• Chip (business owner on Main Street): Opposed the city’s change to prohibit backing into parking garages, arguing that backing in is safer. He cited accident statistics and personal tragedies, warning of potential city liability.
• Elizabeth Rose (city resident): Expressed concern about the Historic Preservation Board’s ability to pursue private property for historic designation without clear owner consent, noting a short 15-day objection window. She advocated for better outreach and clearer information on the Florida Master Site File.
• Howard Davis (representing Architecture Sarasota): Spoke in favor of the comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning for 1660 Ringling Boulevard, emphasizing adaptive reuse of a vacant building and the positive economic impact of Class A office space. He called the current zoning issue a “scrivener’s error.”
• Kimberly Colgate (resident at The Q condominium): Raised traffic concerns about the 1660 Ringling project, citing inconsistencies in trip generation figures (427 vs. 1,255 new trips) and narrow streets. She requested a “do not enter” sign at Pine Place and Morrill Street to direct traffic away from her area.

Discussion Items

• Historic Preservation Board Annual Report for 2025: Presented by Senior Planner Susan Dodd and Chair Ramsey Franchie. Key statistics: 20 demolitions on the Florida Master Site File, 4 certificates of appropriateness (alterations/additions), 1 historic variance, 1 historic designation, and 1 relocation granted. Discussion focused on improvements to the designation process, property owner communication, and clarifying the difference between Florida Master Site File and historic designation. Commissioner Ahern-Koch suggested making the demolition process more burdensome and designations easier. Commissioner Battie asked about property owner rights and a city code provision allowing the board to initiate designation with a short objection window.
• Repetitive Loss Area Analysis (Resolution 26R-3414): Staff presented the final version, required for FEMA Community Rating System advancement. The number of repetitive loss properties in Sarasota increased from 48 to 166 due to the 2024 storms. The city currently holds a Class 5 rating (25% flood insurance discount); adoption of this analysis and the watershed master plan is expected to earn enough points for Class 4 (30% discount). Key changes from the draft included resident recommendations and correction of location descriptions. Commissioner Ahern-Koch noted that only 10% of questionnaires were returned and suggested isolating storm surge as a distinct flood cause in future surveys.
• Personnel Rules and Regulations (Ordinance 26-5601, First Reading): Presented by HR Director Dominique Anderson and employment attorney Rob Eschenfelder. Proposed amendments to Chapter 24 of the City Code include: clarifying exempt positions and “just cause” discipline, eliminating authority for standalone employment agreements for department heads (nullifying existing ones), deleting reference to a defunct Civil Service Board, adding a whistleblower provision with internal complaint process, and establishing a disciplinary appeals process with a contracted Personnel Hearing Officer. Discussion included technical clarifications on appointing officers, consistency of language, and plans to update the full personnel policy manual later.
• Comprehensive Plan Amendment (Ordinance 26-5605) and Rezoning (Ordinance 26-5606) for 1660 Ringling Boulevard: These items were heard separately but on the same property. The applicants (Benderson Development, represented by Philip DiMaria and Todd Mathis) requested a change from Urban Edge to Downtown Core future land use and a rezone from Downtown Edge (DTE) to Downtown Core (DTC) for approximately 1 acre of the former county administration building site. The existing building is non-conforming in height (6 stories vs. 5-story limit); the change would allow up to 10 stories. Proffers include: only non-residential uses within the existing building footprint, a maximum of 38,000 square feet of retail for the entire DTC portion, and preservation of a 92-foot buffer to the south (Laurel Park). The Planning Board recommended approval 5-0. Commissioner discussions covered staging, enhancement of an adjacent city park, commitment to a buffer/transition (added as a “whereas” clause in the rezoning ordinance), traffic impacts (308 new PM peak trips in the revised analysis, with level of service still met), and filling sidewalk gaps on Rawls and Morrill. After public testimony, the comp plan amendment was approved 5-0, and the rezoning was approved 5-0 with an additional proffer to fill sidewalk gaps.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved: Minutes of July 20, 2026 (regular) and July 28, 2026 (special) were approved with non-substantive changes.
• Historic Preservation Board: The 2025 annual report was accepted by consensus.
• Board Appointments: David Phillips reappointed to Board of Rules and Appeals (residency waived). Christopher Wilson appointed to Historic Preservation Board. Linda Manis reappointed to Stormwater Environmental Utility Advisory Committee.
• Parks, Recreation & Environmental Protection Advisory Board Appointment: Continued to a later meeting; staff directed to advertise for candidates with particular interest in Robert L. Taylor Community Complex.
• Repetitive Loss Area Analysis: Resolution 26R-3414 adopted. The city will apply for Class 4 CRS rating next year.
• Personnel Code Changes: Ordinance 26-5601 approved on first reading (second reading and adoption at a future meeting).
• 1660 Ringling Boulevard: Comprehensive Plan Amendment (Ordinance 26-5605) and Rezoning (Ordinance 26-5606) both approved 5-0, subject to proffers including non-residential use in existing building footprint, 38,000 sq ft retail cap, and sidewalk gap filling on Rawls and Morrill.
• Future Agenda Items: Staff will bring back a sound ordinance discussion at the second September meeting. A parking open house is scheduled for August 24, 2026. The city attorney noted release of revised ballot language for Amendment 3 (property tax reform).