Garbage pickup
To: Jim Haft
The current contract with Waste Management expires on June 30, 2027. The cost savings in this particular contract to go to one day a week is minimal. When this was brought several years ago, we heard from many constituents and commissioners that they were not interested, so it has not been changed.
Isaac Brownman
Assistant Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Garbage pickup
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
Is there any reason that we can’t reduce garbage pick-up to once/week? That’s what most every town I know of does, including Sarasota. Once a week is plenty. It would likely save the town some money and reduce traffic backups on GMD.
James G. Haft
Longboat Key
Water pressure
To: Maureen Merrigan
Maureen, I included Jessie on this to fill any gaps, if necessary. As for water pressure, we have been monitoring and working with Manatee County on the pressures. At the start of the project at the Cortez Bridge Booster Station there was a drop in pressure and both Manatee County and Town Utilities have been in constant communication to increase those pressures, which Manatee County has. Pressures are now flowing at a about 50 PSI and historically (when the booster is operational) they range from the mid to upper 50s. The Manatee County Booster Station Project is scheduled to be complete in April. As for Fire Pressures, they are adequate for fire fighting and again we are in communication with them to ensure they continue to be so.
As for the Water restriction:
They are multi county, including Manatee and Sarasota. Reminder that we get all of our palatable water from Manatee. In addition these restrictions apply to wells. Phase II water restriction went into effect on February 8th and are projected to continue through July 1, 2026.
Charles Mopps
Public Works Director
Town of Longboat Key Public Works
H2O questions
To: Longboat Key Public Works Director Charlie Mopps
Hi Charlie & Sarah Just a quick follow-up from our LBK North Meeting today. There was a question about water pressure being down on the North end of the Key. We understand it is from County construction. Is this a consistent loss of pressure (24×7)? Is there any way to solve this short of waiting it out (e.g. better pumps)? Also does this impact our ability to fight fires? Relatedly – can we get a synopsis of the drought, water restrictions? There were several questions we could not completely answer – is this multi county wide (Manatee, Sarasota)? what is the fine? does this apply to both city and well water? When will we know when restrictions are lifted? If you have something we can include in the minutes that go out Friday we will add it – if not, we can send out separately next week. Thanks for your help with this.
Maureen Merrigan
Longboat Key
St. Regis Groin Sign ZTA/Sign Code Amendment Status Update
To: Longboat Key Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman
Isaac- Providing a status update & public hearing timing look ahead re: proposed code amendments associated with the unpermitted structure/sign installed on the St. Regis groin:
Zoning Text Amendment application applied for by applicant on Jan. 28, 2026.
P&Z Board public hearing on Zoning Text Amendment & commission-directed companion Sign Code amendment to be held on Mar. 17, 2026. Town Commission 1st Reading/Public Hearing to be held May 4, 2026.
Allen Parsons
Director Planning, Zoning & Building Department,
Town of Longboat Key
Request for Brief Meeting: Supporting Long-Term Hurricane Recovery Efforts
To: Longboat Key Director of Planning and Zoning Director Allen Parsons
I see. Thanks. I have never heard of Ms. Bonney’s organizations but have no problem in forwarding Allen’s responses.
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Request for Brief Meeting: Supporting Long-Term Hurricane Recovery Efforts
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
I’m writing on behalf of Hope Pathways Long Term Recovery Group, a program with the national nonprofit – Hope Pathways Inc. In partnership with World Renew and Rebuilding Together, we are bringing more than 2 million in recovery support to impacted communities. The Hope Pathways LTRG has assisted over 300 hurricane survivors to date, with more fully vetted clients currently in process.
We strive to operate with full compliance and integrity and would appreciate a brief meeting with you to better understand Longboat Key’s permit policies related to disaster recovery work. Specifically, we would like guidance on:
What recovery work requires permits – All work that is removing/ replacing interior altering any nonstructural and/or structural members, Electrical, Plumbing and/or Mechanical per FBC 2023 – Building – sec 105. No Permit required for Cosmetic work – minor work – painting, trim, repairing drywall – a “Minor Work” form is required for these type repairs.
Best protocols when multiple partners are working at one address (e.g., one permit per property, sequencing of roof work versus follow-on repairs) – Master Permit obtained listing all their subcontractors and list all the scope of work items at the time of permit application.
Whether a streamlined or expedited permit process exists for disaster survivors – Yes however, we routinely review all permits within in seven days for those permits when all the required submittals were submitted at the time of application.
Any additional protocols we should be aware of – This is a Barrier Island – most properties are in a flood zone – Many gulf-fronting properties are located where a state permit is required as well. Currently, we are in 150 mph wind zone, Exposure D design criteria. Many older properties are subject to the FEMA 50% rule. Towns Flood Ordinance and Turtle Code and their amendments.
Appropriate points of contact for permit coordination – Building Official, Patti Fige or Department Director, Allen Parsons – 941-316-1966.
We value the Town’s leadership and want to ensure our work aligns fully with Longboat Key’s expectations. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sharon Bonney
Hope Pathway
Longboat Key North meeting
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Sarah Karon
Agenda will go out to all later today for the Thursday meeting 11:30-1, Paradise Center
Tal office has not responded so assuming he will not make it, but Ken will be there (we wanted to thank him for all of his work over the years – and get his perspective on issues moving forward). Of course attend (assuming you would, unless there was a conflict).
Maureen Merrigan
Longboat Key
Longboat Key North meeting
To: Maureen Merrigan
I somehow missed the info for this Thursday’s LBKN meeting. Paul H tells me it will be held in person at Paradise Center, with the mayor and Tal attending? OK with you if I sit in the corner?
Sarah Karon
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Structure Fire
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Sarah Karon
Appreciate your words. The firefighters did an outstanding job!
Paul B. Dezzi
Fire Chief
Town of Longboat Key
Structure Fire
To: Longboat Key Fire Chief Paul Dezzi
Such an impressive response and, thankfully, no one was harmed. Thank you, Chief!
Sarah Karon
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Structure Fire
To: Longboat Key Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman
I wanted to share that just before 10am this morning the fire department responded to a report of a structure fire at 660 Lands End. The first arriving truck reported smoke showing from the roof. Upon further examination, the structure was a three-story wood frame duplex with smoke coming from the eaves of both duplexes.
Fire departments from Longboat Key, Sarasota County, West Manatee, Cedar Hammock, and Manatee County EMS assisted in the extinguishment of the fire. Both structures were completely destroyed. There were no reported injuries. Note: There was a cleaning lady in the one duplex where the fire began but she was outside upon arrival of the fire department.
The state fire marshal’s office has been called and will be investigating.
Paul B. Dezzi
Fire Chief
Town of Longboat Key
Sarasota County Value Adjustment Board
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
I believe we knew in advance of at least some of these hearings. It would be good policy to have someone from LBK listen in, at least with respect to high value challenges. Do we have any information on the results?
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Sarasota County Value Adjustment Board
To: Longboat Key Commission
The attached list identifies parcel owners who have filed an appeal with the Sarasota County Value Adjustment Board (VAB) challenging their property tax assessments/determinations made by the Property Appraiser.
The deadline to file a petition—25 days from the mailing of the TRIM notice—has now passed, so no additional properties will be added to the hearing schedule at this point. Unfortunately, the Clerk’s office just received this mailing, and 9 of the appeals have already been heard, with 1 scheduled for today.
Below is some background information regarding the VAB:
The Value Adjustment Board (VAB) consists of two members of the Board of County Commissioners, one member of the County School Board, and two Citizen Members. The VAB appoints Special Magistrates to conduct hearings on petitions filed.
Members: County Commissioners Ron Cutsinger and Teresa Mast, School Board Member Robyn Marinelli, Citizen representative Joe Hembree (only one listed on the website).
All VAB hearings are open to the public and may be viewed electronically. Public access is provided through Microsoft Teams. This access is for viewing only; members of the public are not permitted to speak or otherwise participate in the hearing.
Once petitions are heard by the VAB Special Magistrates, recommendations are forwarded to the VAB for final action (to approve the appeal and adjust the valuation, or to deny the appeal). There are currently no meetings scheduled for the VAB on the County website. Please advise if you have any questions.
Trish Shinkle
Town Clerk
Town of Longboat Key
Tunnel Question
To: Longboat Key Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman
Thank you Isaac. The mirrors are an important element; I hope they will help.
Penny Gold
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Tunnel Question
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Penny Gold
Thank you Commissioner. Actually, we cannot as it is still under private ownership and control. What we can do is forward to the Bay Isles Association who is still responsible for it. I will personally send it their way and send any response I get back to this group. Thank you!
Isaac Brownman
Assistant Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Tunnel Question
To: Longboat Key Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman
I received the following note from a constituent and wonder if our Public Works team can assist with a repair. I know we are currently processing the legal documents needed to transfer tunnel ownership, but hope you can help determine which organization will be able to help with a repair during the interim. Thank you for your guidance on this.
Penny Gold
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Tunnel Question
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Penny Gold
I’m not sure you can help here, but I found that the mirror in the tunnel under GMD going West from Sea Place has been broken for a while. There’s no glass, just a broken frame. Can you help?
Thomas M. Morgan
Longboat Key
Canal Dredging
To: Bob White
Bob, Thank you for your input and feelings on this important matter. That will surely part of our discussions.
Gary Coffin
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Canal Dredging
To: Longboat Key Town Commission
I commend the Town for addressing the overdue dredging and maintenance of the canals. However, the proposed 80/20 funding ratio is not equitable and should be reconsidered.
The ratio appears to equate the benefits received by canal-front property owners with those received by non-beachfront property owners under the Town’s longstanding beach maintenance funding policy.
Non-beachfront properties receive substantial and ongoing benefit from the Town’s beach renourishment program, including full access and use through the 12 public beach access points on Longboat Key.
By contrast, non-canal-front properties receive little to no meaningful access or benefit from canals that function, in practice, as private waterways serving only the adjacent properties.
Given the significant difference in public accessibility and benefit, there is no justification for applying the same funding ratio to canal dredging as is applied to beach maintenance.
I respectfully request that the Commission reconsider the proposed allocation and adopt a funding plan that more accurately reflects the distribution of direct benefit.
Bob White
Longboat Key
Applicants for the P&Z Board Vacancies
To: Longboat Key Commission
Per a request, attached are the current applicants for the vacancies on the P&Z Board. Please note that the application deadline is today at noon; any additional applications received before that time will be forwarded to you afterward.
Please let me know if you have any concerns about making the appointments at the March 2 regular meeting so that I may pass that information on to the Asst. Town Manager. If preferred, we can defer the appointments until April, after Commissioner-Elect Gladding is seated, so he has the opportunity to make nominations and vote. The Town Attorney has advised that Mr. Gladding may remain on the P&Z Board as a member through March 22, 2026.
The following individuals have applied:
Mr. Kevin Giordana (District 3 resident)
Mr. Michael Lesburg (District 3 resident) – has previously applied for the P&Z Board, but not been selected. I would presume that is because he is gone over the summer and into fall (June – October)
Mr. Mark Marcantano (District 2 resident) – has also applied for a seat on the Pension Board and/or the MPO Citizens Advisory Committee
Ms. Doreen Mitchell (District 5 resident)
Ms. Carolyn “Laney” Pitt (District 3 resident)
Also attached is the current list of Board members. The term for Commissioner-Elect Gladding’s seat will be effective from March 23, 2026, plus a full 3-year term to May 9, 2029. The vacant seat will be filled for a partial term through May 12, 2027.
Trish Shinkle
Town Clerk
Town of Longboat Key
Resident feedback
To: Sarasota City Mayor Debbie Trice
Thank you for passing this along. I appreciate the feedback from the Avondale resident.
As a general practice, Public Works vehicles are not intended to idle for extended periods unless operationally necessary (e.g., powering equipment, maintaining communications systems, or supporting active field operations). Extended idling solely for cabin comfort would not align with our expectations for fuel efficiency, environmental stewardship, and neighborhood sensitivity.
That said, there are circumstances where trucks must remain running to:
Power hydraulic or auxiliary equipment
Maintain battery load for lighting, message boards, or tools
Support short-duration stop-and-go field work
I will follow up with Public Works Division to:
Reinforce existing idling expectations.
Confirm whether this was operationally necessary in the reported instance.
Evaluate whether additional guidance or clarification to staff is warranted.
We are mindful of noise, emissions, and neighborhood impacts, particularly in residential areas such as Avondale. Thank you again for bringing this forward and we will address internally.
Nikesh Patel
Public Works Director
City of Sarasota
Resident feedback
To: Sarasota City Manager Dave Bullock
I’m at a luncheon where an Avondale resident is unhappy that Public Works vehicles leave their engines running for hours (generating fumes and noise). He was told that it was to keep AC running so the cabin would be cool when they got back in. He pointed out that this happened on a cool day when they just could have left the window open. Just passing this along for consideration whether policy should be adjusted.
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
Resident feedback
To: Sarasota City Manager Dave Bullock
Have we been having problems with our utility billing “since October” or is this resident experiencing a unique problem? If pervasive, are steps being taken to resolve the issue? Should there be a City communication to the utility customers?
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
Utility bill 034877-32908
To: Sarasota City Commission
Today is the 25th. Usual cut off is the 15th. Usual due is the 4th. That’s 9 days from now.
Hardly consistent and a hardship that your customers have to go online each day to search for a bill. Your new Utility online system is a disaster. Even the big-boys (Visa, Amex,etc) give us 25 days to set up an pay our bills. This has been a mess since October with no consistency in sight.
William Bartlett
Sarasota
To: City Staff
I, myself, was confused by the removal of the light at Orange and Gulfview Drive — post 2024 storms. It wasn’t clear whether it would eventually be replaced or traffic control relocated to another intersection. Traffic calming “speed bumps” aren’t very effective now that so many vehicles have large wheels. Please consider what needs to be done to address this resident’s concerns.
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
South Orange Avenue Pedestrian Safety Interventions
To: Sarasota City Mayor Debbie Trice
I hope this message finds you well. My name is Samuel Brasgalla and live on South Orange avenue. I am contacting you to bring to your attention a local problem which only moments ago nearly took the lives of myself and my seven-year-old dog. Ever since the removal of the traffic signal at Gulf of view Drive and Orange Avenue, I have found myself using that crosswalk with drivers not paying attention to the crossing. In the last three weeks, I have experienced two near misses while using the crosswalk by inattentive drivers. I blame these near-misses on inattentive drivers and the dangerous absence of frequent traffic calming measures on South Orange Avenue between Ringling Boulevard and going all the way down to where it turns into McLellan Parkway and ends at Osprey Avenue. This lack of traffic calming measures has also led too many drivers taking joyrides down the street and going up to 40 mph and what should be a 25 mph street. I cannot continue my silence on this matter as the continuation of such policies, jeopardises pedestrian safety and endanger the lives of people such as myself and those that walk regularly.
As a preliminary list of proposed pedestrian safety interventions, I’ve suggested that the following be implemented between mound Street and Hyde Park:
Three-way stops:
• Waldemere or Hawthorne and Orange
• Bahia Vista and Orange
• Alta Vista and Orange
All-way stops:
• Prospect and Orange
Raised Crosswalks/ Crosswalk Bumps:
• Gulfview Drive and Orange Avenue
I cannot stress enough how vital these safety interventions would be to improve the safety of the people of the Hudson Bayou neighbourhood. I look forward to hearing your response on this and your prompt action.
Samuel Brasgalla
Sarasota
Thank you Sage for the response! Much appreciated.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Art work for back cover of KK program
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch/Dr. Lapovsky
Yes, you are correct. The FDOT has designed and is preparing to overhaul the speed tables on St. Armands. They had plans to start some time ago, but due to a few delays, including cold weather, they have not started yet. The latest estimate is to start in March, but this date is dependent on a few factors like cold weather. They are committed to completing the work and we will continue to be in coordination with them. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Sage Kamiya
City Engineer
City of Sarasota
Artwork for back cover of KK program
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
Thank you very much for getting back to me on this.We will look forward to our new, permanent speed bumps.
Lucie Lapovsky
Sarasota
Artwork for back cover of KK program
To: Lucie Lapovsky
Thank you per your email about the permanent speed tables on St Armands. I have copied the City Manager and staff on this email to add to my response with updates but it is my understanding that FDOT is moving forward with permanent speed tables on St Armands. I think the installation was supposed to start in Feb 14, 2026 but it was delayed because of weather I think but I could be mistaken. It is my understanding it should be starting very soon but perhaps the City Manager can get us an exact start date. I look forward to a response from the City Manager soon.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Artwork for back cover of KK program
To: Sarasota City Mayor Debbie Trice
Thanks for getting back to me. My husband has wanted me to ask you about the speed bumps on St . Armand’s Circle. They were put in a few years ago and were supposed to be temporary to be replaced by permanent speed bumps but this has never happened; do you know anything about this?
Lucie Lapovsky
Sarasota
Artwork for back cover of KK program
To: Lucie Lapovsky
Is there something unusual associated with this lease renewal that warrants a meeting with “the Mayor”?
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
Sarasota Outboard Club
To: Sarasota City Mayor Debbie Trice
First, thank you for all that you do on behalf of Sarasota. I know that you are extremely busy (especially with the new City Manager review / selection), but wanted to see if you have a few minutes sometime over the next 3 – 5 weeks to meet briefly?
I’m the 2026 Sarasota Outboard Club Commodore and we are in the process of renewing our lease with the City of Sarasota. Copied on this email are members of our SOC Lease Renewal Committee – Todd Morton, Owner of Morton;s Gourmet Market, 2025 President of Argus Foundation; and current Argus board member, AND Eric Beasley, Owner of Florida Power Solutions and 2x Past Commodore of the Sarasota Outboard Club.
Founded in 1955, the Sarasota Outboard Club was the first organization established on Ken Thompson Park in 1962 and have maintained a great relationship with the City of Sarasota over the years. We would welcome the opportunity to meet you in person to discuss the SOC and future plans for the club. Thanks again and looking forward to meeting you.
Nate Yoder
Sarasota
