Road Watch Update for the Week of January 4
To: Longboat Key Commission, Sarasota City Commission
S.R. 789 from Bird Key Drive to Sunset Drive: Construction project: This project includes the addition of dedicated bicycle and transit lanes on the bridge, drainage upgrades, and raising the seawall cap near Sunset Drive. Other project activities include resurfacing the roadway throughout the project corridor and the installation of new traffic signals at the intersections of Sunset Drive, Golden Gate Drive, and Bird Key Drive. The project also includes relocating palm trees and small shrubs from their current locations on the eastern area of the John Ringling Causeway to medians closer to St. Armands Circle.
This week’s work will consist of:
· Mobilize construction equipment, including delivery of machinery and materials.
· Install Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) signs and devices.
· Install temporary pedestrian paths around the work zone. Please use designated paths and follow posted detour signs.
· Clear within the right of way and install erosion-control devices.
Lane closures will be in place during various phases of the project. Initial pre-phase work involves building a temporary roadway for use during subsequent phases. This work will not impact existing travel lane configuration.
Construction will primarily take place during daytime hours, with occasional nighttime work. Expect noise from backup alarms, construction equipment, pumps, and power tools during daytime and nighttime operations.
During construction, the speed limit on Gulfstream Avenue and John Ringling Causeway/S.R. 789 will be reduced to 35 mph. Speeding fines are doubled in the construction zone when workers are present. Motorists are urged to drive cautiously and watch for workers, construction vehicles, pickup trucks, and other equipment entering or exiting travel lanes.
Alice Ramos
Community Outreach Manager
Florida Department of Transportation
Road Watch Update for the Week of January 4
To: Longboat Key Commission, Sarasota City Commission
S.R. 70 from Lorraine Road to Bourneside Boulevard: Construction project: This project includes widening S.R. 70 from Lorraine Road to Bourneside Boulevard from a two-lane undivided roadway to a four-lane or six-lane divided roadway, depending on the location, construction of roundabouts on S.R. 70 at Uihlein Road, Del Webb Boulevard, and Bourneside Boulevard, intersection improvements at the existing signalized intersection of Greenbrook Boulevard and Lorraine Road, construction of four bridges over two Braden River crossing locations, new drainage system, construction of 10-foot shared use paths, street lighting, and landscaping, and installation of new fiber optic cable connecting the two signalized intersections to Manatee County’s regional Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS).
Notice: Please refrain from entering the work zone. New pavement has recently been installed that gives the impression of completed areas of work, but these areas are still active and use by non-project staff is a safety hazard as trucks, equipment, and work is ongoing. All new shared use paths and roadways remain closed until further notice. The work zone is an active construction area. For the safety of all, please stay out of the work area.
This week’s work will consist of:
· Excavation of the pond on the north side of S.R. 70, west of Uihlein Road.
· Driving bridge piles for the easternmost westbound bridge.
· Begin demolition of the existing box culvert to prepare for a new westbound bridge, east of Uihlein Road.
· Grading stabilization between Bourneside Boulevard and Polo Run on the north side of S.R. 70.
· Installing drainage on the north side of S.R.70 between Uihlein Road and Bourneside Boulevard.
· Installing new signal hardware at the intersection of Post Boulevard and S.R. 70.
Please use caution and watch for trucks and construction vehicles entering or exiting the work zone throughout the construction limits. Work will take place Monday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Be aware of workers and flaggers in the area. Please use caution and be aware of workers and flaggers in the area.
S. R. 70 from Bourneside Boulevard to Waterbury Road, Bradenton: Construction project: This project includes widening S.R. 70 from Bourneside Boulevard to Waterbury Road from a two-lane undivided roadway to a four-lane divided roadway, Safety features will include roundabouts to be constructed at 197th Street East/Lindrick Lane, 213th Street East, 225th Street East/Panther Ridge Trail and County Road 675/Waterbury Road. The project will also include the installation of a new drainage system, new curb and gutter, construction of 10-foot shared-use paths and five-foot paved shoulders on both sides of the roadway, street lighting throughout the project and landscaping inside the roundabouts.
Notice: Please refrain from entering the work zone. New pavement has recently been installed that gives the impression of completed areas of work, but these areas are still active and use by non-project staff is a safety hazard as trucks, equipment, and work is ongoing. All new shared use paths and roadways remain closed until further notice. The work zone is an active construction area. For the safety of all, please stay out of the work area.
This week’s work will consist of:
· Continuing eastbound construction with base work between Panther Ridge Trail and east of Meadow Dove Lane on the south side of S.R. 70.
· Grading for curb and stabilization east of Lindrick Lane for future eastbound lanes.
· Grading embankment west of Lindrick Lane for future eastbound lanes.
· Backfilling of a box culvert between Lindrick Lane and 213th Street within the existing S.R. 70 lanes where traffic was previously diverted.
· Clearing on the north side of S.R. 70 for future shared-use path at 197th Street.
· Relocating utilities on the north side of S.R. 70.
Meadow Dove Lane will be closed beginning January 12, 2026, for construction of the south portion of the Meadow Dove Lane/C.R. 675 roundabout. During the closure, no traffic will be permitted to enter or exit Meadow Dove Lane via S.R. 70. A full detour will be in place, with message boards directing traffic along the detour route. The closure is expected to remain in effect for approximately 60 days.
Alice Ramos
Community Outreach Manager
Florida Department of Transportation
FLM News
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Debra Williams
Done! I have you checking in on Feb. 12 and check out Feb. 13, but if you need me to change anything just let me know.
Savannah Cobb
Assistant to Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
FLM News
To: Longboat Key Assistant to Town Manager Savannah Cobb
BJ will be attending with me. Can you please register her as well?
Debra Williams
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
FLM News
To: Longboat Key Assistant to Town Manager Savannah Cobb
Can you please register me for this conference on 2/12-2/13?
Debra Williams
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
FLM News
To: Longboat Key Assistant to Town Manager Savanna Cobb
I hope you had a great holiday. Just looking at the potential meeting with Tip on February 12. I have a tourist development council meeting in Venice at 4 o’clock so that will not work. I could meet with him the 12th at 10 o’clock or 11 o’clock or noon. I’m also open all day Wednesday, whichever works for him is fine by me thanks,
Gary Coffin
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Weekend questions
To: Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Director Allen Parsons
Thanks Allen – it us a huge property- was wondering if they were doing more than replacing what’s there.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Weekend questions
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
Wow, what a big milestone – yes, that would be a good thing!
Isaac Brownman
Assistant Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Weekend questions
To: Longboat Key Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman
Thanks Isaac – we close on construction loan tomorrow- hope we can break ground for a house to live in.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Weekend questions
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
I have copied Allen Parsons regarding work at 6622 GMD to see if he has any information on what that is about. Also, yes, the GMD streetlight locations were voted on by the commission after many meetings and discussions, and the decisions was basically that…focus on commercial areas and other event centers, like houses of worship, along GMD. In particular, that is mainly because the FDOT would not allow the town to fully light the corridor at a dimmer standard but would allow the Town to light blocks or groupings of the corridor to their bright light roadway standards. Thank you! Hope you are having a good holiday season.
Isaac Brownman
Assistant Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Weekend questions
To: Longboat Key Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman
There is a large parcel at 6662 GMD that is being cleared. Do we know what is happening there? The streetlights on GMD don’t make much sense to me. A plethora across from Whitney shopping center than nothing. The next group across from Chapel than nothing, across from a center Shoppes. Do we only light commercial areas?
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Weekend questions
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
Following up on the property. I think the address is 6670 GMD (6622 GMD doesn’t exist). It is a large property (4.3 ac). It had a demolition of the prior single-family house & pool (damaged via Hurricane Helene) on the property. There also appears to be tree trimming/removal of damaged trees. No permits have been submitted yet for a replacement house.
Isaac Brownman
Assistant Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Weekend questions
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
I have copied Allen Parsons regarding work at 6622 GMD to see if he has any information on what that is about. Also, yes, the GMD streetlight locations were voted on by the commission after many meetings and discussions, and the decisions was basically that…focus on commercial areas and other event centers, like houses of worship, along GMD. In particular, that is mainly because the FDOT would not allow the town to fully light the corridor at a dimmer standard but would allow the Town to light blocks or groupings of the corridor to their bright light roadway standards. Thank you! Hope you are having a good holiday season.
Isaac Brownman
Assistant Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Suncoast Waterkeeper Sampling Results for Dec. 22
To: Longboat Key Commission, Sarasota City Commission
On December 22nd, Monday, the enterococci survey was carried out during a rising tide, from -0.45 to -0.2 ft. No rainfall was recorded in the 24 hours preceding sampling. The water was slightly murky at Caples, with 1 man fishing in the water, who said he caught a trout. There were suspended solids in the water column at Indian Beach, The Bay Park, and Sarasota Sailing Squadron, causing the water to be murky. It was a windy day with 6 to 13 mph winds, resulting in suspended solids in some sites. At Longboat Key Bayfront Park, there was thick wrack on the shore. The water was calm and clear at Longboat Key Boat Ramp, and there were 8 mooring boats in the water. The water was slightly murky at Palma Sola and horses were in the water, in the northeast corner about 100 meters away, and I observed horse tracks on the shore. The water was very choppy and the tide was coming in at Braden River and Palmetto Bridge, causing some leaf litter and suspended solids in the water. Some wrack was coming in with the tide at Emerson Point Preserve. The foul smell remains on Terra Ceia Bay but it is not coming from the water in the sampling location; it seems to be carried by the wind. The remnants of the decomposing hog are still there on the shore, and 2 men on kayaks were observed in the water.
The results for sites sampled in the northern region (across Manatee & Sarasota Counties) are as follows:
Caples: 10/100 mL
Indian Beach: 10/100 mL
The Bay Park, Boulevard of the Arts: 31/100 mL
Sarasota Sailing Squadron: Undetected
Longboat Key Bayfront Park (bay side): 52/100 mL
Town of Longboat Key Boat Ramp: 20/100 mL
Herb Dolan Park: Undetected
Palma Sola Causeway North: 95/100 mL
Braden River: 181/100 mL
Palmetto Bridge: 86/100 mL
Emerson Point: Undetected
Terra Ceia Bay: Undetected
Any count exceeding 71 is considered unsafe for swimming, indicating a potential health concern. The standard for enterococci in Class II and Class III Marine waters is “MPN or MF counts shall not exceed a monthly geometric mean of 35 nor exceed the Ten Percent Threshold Value (TPTV) of 130 in 10% or more of the samples during any 30-day period. Monthly geometric means shall be based on a minimum of 10 samples taken over a 30-day period,” (62-302.500 F.A.C.). The two Longboat Key sites are located in Class II waters
We are committed to bringing these critical issues to your attention and believe your active involvement is crucial. The official reports for this week’s sampling activities, courtesy of Benchmark Enviroanalytical, are attached to this email. We want to encourage you to direct all questions, suggestions for additional analysis, and feedback to Dr. Abbey Tyrna at Executivedirector@suncoastwaterkeeper.org and Pia Ronquillo-See at waterquality@suncoastwaterkeeper.org. Your input is invaluable in our collective efforts to address these water quality issues.
Thank you for your continued support of Suncoast Waterkeeper. We hope to connect more with you in 2026, as we continue our mission for fishable, swimmable, and drinkable waters on the Suncoast. On behalf of the team at Suncoast Waterkeeper, we wish you happy holidays!
Pia Ronquillo-See
Water Quality and Pollution Specialist
Suncoast Waterkeeper
Sarasota City Manager search
To: Sarasota City Clerk Shayla Griggs
Now that we have CM Applications, the successful conclusion of the effort to hire a new City Manager seems within reach. That prompted me to think about the new CM’s contract. What is the process for negotiating that contract? Have the Commissioners seen a draft of what will initially be offered? Who will do the actual negotiating? Please plan to update us on this during one of the January Commission meetings.
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
Public Parking in McCown Towers
To: Sarasota City Manager David Bullock
I hope this message finds you well. As we close out the year, I want to express my sincere gratitude for your continued interest, dedication, and hard work on behalf of the Newtown community, particularly your focus on the specific development projects. I truly appreciate the thoughtful ideas and strategic insights shared during our previous meetings, and I look forward to transitioning into implementation efforts in 2026.
We anticipate that the Hoyt project will be ready for our use in January, which will allow us to fully and meaningfully engage the MLK property owners and the broader community through our outreach and social media efforts. Thank you for your patience as this important work is finalized.
Following the holidays and in coordination with the delivery of the final product from Hoyt Architects, I will ask Wayne and Rochelle to schedule our next series of meetings.
In the meantime, I wish you a blessed holiday season filled with joy and time with your family and loved ones.
Commissioner Kyle Battie
Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Public Parking in McCown Towers
To: Sarasota City Mayor Debbie Trice
I’m hoping to have something to distribute something a few days before the meeting.
David Bullock
City Manager
City of Sarasota
Public Parking in McCown Towers
To: Sarasota City Manager David Bullock
While I am supportive of the proposal to add City-sponsored public parking to a new North Tower at McCown, I’ve got concerns about details:
How would the City pay for this parking? How would the City recover its costs?
What are the options regarding the number of spaces? What would be the costs associated with each option, and are there any advantages of one over the others from a financial perspective?
Would McCown Towers parking (or any of the options regarding number of spaces) preclude the City from pursuing other parking solutions in the Rosemary District vicinity? In other words, if we invested in parking in this location, are all other locations off the table?
What level of detail needs to be agreed upon and committed to in January, and by March, to meet Sarasota Housing Authority’s needs?
I realize this is very last-minute, but any information you can provide before the January 5 Commission meeting will be very helpful.
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
Additional Backup Material for the Monday January 5, 2026 Regular City Commission Meeting
To: Sarasota City Commission
A revised version of the Monday, January 5, 2026, Regular City Commission Meeting Agenda packet is now available through your iLegislate app (remember to tap the Refresh button).
The revised version contains the following:
Additional backup material as of Monday, December 29 at 3 p.m.
1. Please add the attached additional backup material to New Business, Agenda Item No. XII.2, Discussion Re: City working with the Housing Authority to potentially participate in the construction of public parking spaces in the proposed McCown Towers III new Senior Housing Development Application and parking garage, per the request of Commissioner Ahearn-Koch.
Paper packets have been delivered to the Commission Office for those who have requested them. Please let us know if you have any questions or require further assistance. Thank you.
Shayla Griggs
City Clerk
City of Sarasota
Monday January 5, 2026 Regular City Commission Meeting
To: Sarasota City Commission
The Monday, January 5, 2026, Regular City Commission Meeting Agenda packet is now available through your iLegislate app.
Please note that paper packets will be available for pickup in the Commission Liaison Office for those who have indicated a wish to continue to receive them. Please let us know if you have any questions or require further assistance. Thank you.
Shayla Griggs
City Clerk
City of Sarasota
Leaking pipes
To: Cheryl Foa Pecorella
Thanks for the email and please accept my apologies for the delay in responding. I’ve copied the City Manager on this email to direct it to the appropriate department for a response. I am confident they will be in touch soon,
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Leaking pipes
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
When my son, Andrew Pecorella, came in for his CWD board reappointment interviews, you mentioned that I could contact you. Well … hello!
I’m writing because during the summer I noticed that water was dripping from the pressure relief valves at the driveway side of the property at 1605 Main St., the Wells Fargo Advisors bldg at the corner of Main and Adelia. Orangetheory Fitness, Mlle Paris and Synovus are also in that building.
I’ve sent two notifications to Click-2-Fix over several months, but the situation has not changed.
I’m guessing it’s not a City repair problem, so I thought you might know how to get the Landlord to fix it. Soooo much water is being wasted every minute of every day.
I’ve included 3 attachments, one photo of the pipes, and two videos of the leaking sections. I hope you can open them.
Cheryl Foa Pecorella
Sarasota
Developer Parking Obligations
To: Sarasota City Manager David Bullock
Dave, I’m hearing quite a bit of support for requiring developers to allocate a portion of a building’s parking to visitors.
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
Developer Parking Obligations
To: Sarasota City Mayor Debbie Trice
Hope all is well, Happy Holidays, and Merry Christmas! On the city’s public access email webpage, I came across your December 23rd email to Dave Bullock regarding the need for more guest parking in the Rosemary District. I’m a frequent visitor to the Rosemary District (because my mom lives there), and I know exactly what you mean and agree with you entirely. I often have to park blocks away.
On St. Armands, we know that one developer has submitted plans to add “residential units” to an existing building. We believe these will be short-term Airbnb rentals; hotel rooms in all but name.
And, we believe this developer will be asking the City Commission to eliminate or reduce the number of parking spaces that the city currently requires for St. Armands Circle employees, service workers, delivery vehicles, and, in the case of “residential units”, for residents and guests.
The developer may claim that there is excess parking in the St. Armands parking garage that they would like to use instead. Just so they can add as many short-term Airbnb rentals as possible. Just so they can make more money. Not fulfilling any community need.
Once this is granted for one project, it becomes available to any project. The logical result, over time, is bigger buildings, more intense use, less parking for employees and customers, and probably worse traffic.
I ask you to consider that developers in the city, whether in Rosemary, St. Armands, or anywhere else, should be required to provide more guest + service worker parking, not less.
Chris Goglia
President
St. Armands Residents Association
Parking Formula for Developers of Multi-family buildings needs refinement
To: Sarasota City Manager David Bullock
Thanks. Will do.
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
Parking Formula for Developers of Multi-family buildings needs refinement
To: Sarasota City Mayor Debbie Trice
Will do. This is code. By copy I am asking Planning and dev services to take a look and prepare a discussion item. It would be best if you brought this up at an upcoming meeting directing the manager to bring back an analysis of parking requirements and an assessment of the impacts of our code on parking demands left to the city.
David Bullock
Interim City Manager
City of Sarasota
Parking Formula for Developers of Multi-family buildings needs refinement
To: Sarsota City Manager David Bullock
One of the reasons the number of parking spaces is inadequate Downtown and in Rosemary District is that developers of multi-family dwellings don’t provide adequate parking for residents’ guests and service workers. Many of the structures are like CitySide, where I live: there’s more than enough parking for residents behind restricted-access gates, but all but a handful of visitors must avail themselves of street parking.
The requirement for the developers to provide parking is likely designed to shield the City from the expense of meeting the parking needs of a private development. But, under the current scheme, the City still has the burden of providing parking for guests and service workers. This also places a burden on local businesses whose patrons have to compete for limited public parking. (We see greater pressure during the holiday season when residents are entertaining friends in their homes and restaurants are serving holiday meals.)
I propose that the formula be adjusted so that a percentage of the total number of spaces must be accessible to the residents’ guests. Perhaps you could direct Planning to look into this. If this needs to be an Agenda Item, please consider this a request.
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
FL Public Records Law prohibits alteration
To: Sarasota City Mayor Debbie Trice
I’d like to meet up with you on this topic, next week if possible? Thank you Mayor and hope you have a great holiday in the meantime!
Joe Polzak
City Attorney
City of Sarasota
FL Public Records Law prohibits alteration
To: Sarasota City Clerk Shayla Griggs
I participated in today’s FLC Quarterly Ethics webinar. Halfway through it, Randy Mora gave a hypothetical example of someone using AI to create a transcript of a meeting – thereby creating a public record. The person reviewed the AI-generated transcript and decided that it didn’t accurately reflect what the meeting participants meant, so the person altered the transcript. According to Randy, this alteration of a public record was illegal under Florida Statutes. So, it sounds to me like public records may not be corrected. (New and additional public records created, as needed?)
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
