Gulf of Mexico Drive
To: Longboat Key Town Commission
I am writing to register my objection to changing the name of the main road of Longboat Key. Gulf of Mexico Drive is the name to which we are all accustomed, and have been for so many years. It is a viable name regardless of other changes that might go on around it. The name of the gulf itself may change and change back again. But let’s let LBK and GMD remain an oasis of calm and stability.
Rebecca McPheters
Longboat Key
LBK Town Commission Members and Manager Tipton
To: Longboat Key Commission
I’m writing to weigh in on the proposed name change from Gulf of Mexico Drive to Gulf of America Drive that you plan to take up at your October 20 meeting.
Without getting into the political motivations as to why our current President felt compelled to change the name of a body of water that predates our country’s founding by some 250 years, there are clear logistical reasons not to rename it based upon his whim. First, it’s very likely to be renamed/reverted yet again by the next Democrat president. Second, the logistical issues that many residents/businesses/etc. who own property on GMD would face will be significant and, per 1), ultimately maddeningly unnecessary.
If you feel compelled to change GMD’s name, please don’t play politics with it. Do something responsible and sensible and give it a name that can remain consistent after the body of water gets renamed 12 times in the next 50 years: name it Gulf Drive, and be finished with these silly games.
John Connolly
Longboat Key
Proposed GMD Name Change
To: John Connolly
Thanks, John. Staff are tallying community input and the Commission will hold an open meeting for further discussion Oct 20.
Sarah Karon
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
FLC 2025-2026 FAST Committee Appointment
To: Longboat Key Town Clerk
Congratulations on your appointment to the 2025-2026 FLC Federal Action Strike Team or FAST, approved by FLC President Holly D. Smith. Your formal appointment will be sent in the coming weeks. Thank you for volunteering your expertise and time to advocate for federal issues affecting Florida’s cities. Attached is an overview of the FAST committee for your review.
Our first committee meeting will be during the FLC Legislative Conference; the meeting will take place on Friday, December 5, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. ET. If you cannot serve on this committee for some reason, please let me know. I look forward to working with you this year! Please let me know if you have any questions.
Allison Payne
Manager, Advocacy Programs & Federal Affairs
Florida League of Cities, Inc.
Change of Name: Gulf of Mexico Drive
To: Jeff Hecklau
Thank you for your email expressing your support for not renaming GMD. As you can imagine we are getting lots of input from both sides, and the October 20 meeting is sure to be an interesting one. Enjoy your travels!
Debra Williams
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Change of Name: Gulf of Mexico Drive
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Debra Williams
As always, I enjoy the monthly Commission meetings! You all deliver an impressive effort for Longboat Key!
At yesterday’s “Let’s Talk Longboat” it was mentioned that our district Commissioner would be one possible avenue to direct the following for collation by the town.
As a full time residents of Longboat Harbour, my wife and I are firmly against any effort to rename Gulf of Mexico Drive. While we understand the symbolism of the actual Gulf of Mexico, we believe the expense, administrative tasks and overall confusion of the local road name change is unnecessary. Furthermore, future national or state level efforts to revert back could result in repetition of these items.
While I can’t speak on behalf of my 299 neighbors at Longboat Harbour, the overwhelming opinion I have heard is against this change and absent of a single opinion in favor of the change.
We will be traveling during the October 20th meeting. Wish we could attend! See you in November!
Jeff Hecklau
Longboat Key
ABC 7 News at Noon Interview
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
You two did an excellent job explaining the property tax issue. I hope the program helped citizens around the region grasp the critical services that local governments provide. Thank you for representing Longboat Key so well.
Penny Gold
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
ABC 7 News at Noon Interview
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
Oh good. Let us know if you get any good intel. Just so you know, Matt Singer sent her bill language last week to fix SB 180. Would be curious if she has any thoughts about it.
It would also be good to ask her if she planned to be the bill sponsor again for the Sovereign Immunity bill. She has been really great to work with and we appreciate all she does. Thanks for the heads up.
Allison Payne
Florida League of Cities
ABC 7 News at Noon Interview
To: Florida League of Cities Allison Payne
I am meeting with Fiona McFarland today – will get a sense of how she feels on issue.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
ABC 7 News at Noon Interview
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
Thank you for sharing the links. I watched the Facebook segment. You and Tip did a fantastic job explaining the issue. We greatly appreciate all that you do!
Allison Payne
Manager, Advocacy Programs & Federal Affairs
Florida League of Cities, Inc.
ABC 7 News at Noon Interview
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
Thank you for appearing on our noon show today.
We are showing a clip from the interview in our 5pm newscast.
We appreciate your time. Below are links to both interviews.
ABC 7 News at Noon interview:
Nowcast interview – FB Live:
Summer Smith
Evening Anchor
WWSB ABC7
Fiona McFarland meeting
To: Florida League of Cities Allison Payne
All – had a good meeting with Fiona. She understands we cannot lose property taxes and funding for localities cannot be controlled by Tallahassee. She reflected that a % increase in homesteaded amount could go up – perhaps from 3% to 5% or some other amount. She believes the Delegates will hold firm but encouraged me to spend time with the Senate. I have meetings scheduled with Jim Boyd and Will Robinson.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Property Tax issue
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
You two did an excellent job explaining the property tax issue. I hope the program helped citizens around the region grasp the critical services that local governments provide. Thank you for representing Longboat Key so well.
Penny Gold
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Cybersecurity Grant Program
To: Florida House of Representatives Fiona McFarland
Thanks so much for your time and valuable input this afternoon. Always great to see you!
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Cybersecurity Grant Program
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
Thanks again for coming to visit me. Here’s the info on the local cybersecurity grant program: https://cybergrants.fl.gov
The application window does look like it closed, but perhaps for LBK’s radar for next year.
Fiona McFarland
Florida House of Representatives
Regarding possible local name change of GMD
To: Longboat Key Commission
Thank you for providing an avenue for feedback on this issue as we will not be present for the October meeting on this subject. It saddens us greatly that the Gulf of Mexico Drive signs have been taken down on Longboat Key. The idea that the town might also decide to change our local residential street address, and that of all the residents and businesses on LBK, is abhorrent to us. Gulf of Mexico Drive is one of the most beautiful street names we have ever come across, and we have taken great delight and pride in living on Gulf of Mexico Drive for the past 18 years. It is a melodious part of LBK’s unique and collective identity. We are proud Americans as well, and America’s greatness does not depend on the obliteration of the names of other countries contained in the designations of long-recognized and referenced geographic locations. In fact, in our opinion it makes America less great, and locally it will create unnecessary disruption, confusion and expense to the residents and business owners of LBK. We are glad that at least the Town of Longboat Key has the autonomy to decide not to participate in changing our local street addresses, which we feel would be extremely detrimental.
Susan and Tony Forcella
Longboat Key
Town of Longboat Key – The Key Connection Newsletter
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
Thank you Commissioner, that means a lot! Our team is working hard to try to streamline and make the content we put out presented in a way we have more readers.
Tina Adams
Communications Manager Fire Department
Town of Longboat Key
Town of Longboat Key – The Key Connection Newsletter
To: Longboat Key Fire Department Communications Manager Tina Adams
Fabulous Job Tina!
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Town of Longboat Key – The Key Connection Newsletter
To: Longboat Key Commission
We are excited to share with you the very first edition of the Town of Longboat Key’s community newsletter, The Key Connection. Inside, you’ll find important reminders and new information, including:
Recovery Efforts
Florida Preparedness Month
Let’s Talk Longboat
Hands-Only CPR/AED Training
Veterans Day & 70th Anniversary Celebration
Waste Management Collection Updates
A Special Announcement for our North End Residents
Our Communications Team developed this newsletter as a companion to the Town Manager’s Monthly Brief. Unlike the monthly brief, The Key Connection will only be released as needed, whenever we have additional updates and timely information to share with the community.
Please help us spread the word by sharing this newsletter with your neighbors and local businesses. As always, don’t hesitate to contact Town offices if we can be of any assistance.
Tina Adams
Fire Administration & Communications Manager/PIO
Town of Longboat Key
Town of Longboat Key – The Key Connection Newsletter
To: Longboat Key Fire Department Communications Manager Tina Adams
Great idea Tina, the shorter the emails the better chance of being read.
Gary Coffin
Commissioner, Town of Longboat Key
Name of road “Gulf of Mexico Drive”
To: Longboat Key Commission
My family and I have been owners at 3115 Gulf of Mexico Drive since July 1975. We were the first owners in the building and the building to the south of us was an old fishing camp. It is now a stately mansion.
We wish to express our wish that the Town maintain the existing and historic name of “Gulf of Mexico Drive.” The name was given in 1953 and has been in continuous use since. If the Federal Government decides to change the name of the body of water facing Longboat Key, let it do so but it has not mandated a change in street names. That power in this case rests alone with the municipality through the Commission and I believe the existing name should be retained.
Robert G. Thomson
Longboat Key
Gulf of Mexico Drive
Gulf of America All the Way
To: Longboat Key Commission
I whole heartedly support adopting Gulf of America Dr as the local name if SR 789. The gulf encompasses North, South and Central America. Gulf of America is a more accurate and inclusive moniker.
Greg Peterson
Longboat Key
Bidding farewell to Dr. Dave Tomasko
To: Longboat Key Commission, Sarasota City Commission
If you are receiving this email, it is because you are a friend, acquaintance, current colleague, or former colleague of Dr. Dave Tomakso. Dave’s last day with the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program will be Friday, November 14. As we prepare to say goodbye, we invite you to share any memories, reflections, or well-wishes from his five impactful years with the program. Your contributions will be compiled into a farewell card and presented to Dave at his send-off celebration on Thursday, November 13 | 5:00–7:00 PM, Big Top Brewing, Fruitville Commons. Let’s give Dave a heartfelt send-off as he begins his next chapter! (He is not retiring, just moving onwards and upwards!)
We welcome you to join us for the farewell party and/or share your kind words using this form: https://forms.gle/HRcWRZC32z46u4f88. If you’d also like to share a photo, please email it directly to me.
Megan & The SBEP team
Public Outreach Manager
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program
September 22, 2025 – Meeting Packet Materials
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
I understand the entire Planning & Zoning Board are no longer accepting their agenda and materials on their iPads, but are requiring staff to produce paper documents for each of them. We, as a Town, made the decision to go to electronic packages. This is not good use of staff time or of the number of trees they are killing. Further, I understand some are requiring their packets be delivered to their homes. Can we expect our Boards and Commissions to use the same procedures as the Commission uses?
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Videos
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
Tip mentioned they were going to provide you with a copy of both? I’ve already reshared the Facebook Live on our Town Facebook page, but I have not yet received the other video. Once I receive their copies, I can upload them both to our Town YouTube page for easy sharing and viewing if needed.
Savannah Cobb
Assistant to Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Videos
To: Longboat Key Assistant to Town Manager Savannah Cobb
Can you post both the network video and the Facebook interview from the property tax opportunities today? I could not upload either one. I need to be able to send them to FLC.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Gulf of Mexico Drive
To: Longboat Key Commission
My family has been a resident of Longboat Key for 37 years and live at 1935 Gulf of Mexico Drive in the Seaplace Community. I was greatly disappointed in the removal of our Gulf of Mexico Drive street signs. The costs and inconvenience to the city of Longboat Key and over 7,500 residents and businesses have been outlined already by many before me. Address changes impact driver’s licenses, titles, deeds, numerous legal documents, stationary, business cards and the list goes on. This issue will now take up valuable time for our city’s members and residents which could be used to discuss far more critical issues. Did we not learn the difference between what is really critical during COVID and 2024 hurricane cleanup? I am strongly opposed to changing the name of Gulf of Mexico Drive. I will be in attendance at the meeting on October 20th to voice my concerns.
The Shanke and Smith Families
Longboat Key
Rep. Steube / Streamlining FEMA Procurement Act
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
Hope all is well, and thank you again for the support. For your awareness, we’re hoping to introduce the bill later this week. Please let me know if there’s anything further we can help clarify. Thanks!
Sami Araboghli
National Security Advisor
Office of Congressman Greg Steube
Rep. Steube / Streamlining FEMA Procurement Act
To: National Security Advisor Sami Araboghli
I have had conversation with Allison and Casey at FLC. Their initial response was positive, but they wanted to review carefully. I will follow up with them Monday. As President of the Manasota League of Cities I will hopefully get the towns in Manatee and Sarasota on board as well. Again, thanks to you, Greg and staff for this legislation.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Rep. Steube / Streamlining FEMA Procurement Act
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
Thank you for the support! We’re glad to promote these needed reforms. Do you know if your colleagues at FLC would be supportive also? We’d love to have them as an endorsing group. The National Association of Counties have just given their endorsement as well. Please let me know if there’s anything you may need from us. Thanks!
Sami Araboghli
National Security Advisor
Office of Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)
Rep. Steube / Streamlining FEMA Procurement Act
To: National Security Advisor Sami Araboghli
We are thrilled and so appreciative of this proposed legislation. Please thank Greg and staff for this bill. It will be a great benefit to us when dealing with storm damages and issues. Let me know how I can help move this thru Congress.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Rep. Steube / Streamlining FEMA Procurement Act
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
We can discuss on our call today, but this bill would be favorable for LBK. Often, we must complete a Benefit Cost Analysis to support projects where FEMA questioned the selection of premium service or qualification over lowest cost contracts. Increasing the simplified procurement rate will also lessen the chances for being selected for an audit which is good for all involved.
Howard N. Tipton
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Rep. Steube / Streamlining FEMA Procurement Act
To: Florida League of Cities Casey Cook
Casey – Greg Steube’s office just sent me this legislation he is contemplating moving forward. Can you take a look and give me any thoughts you may have?
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Rep. Steube / Streamlining FEMA Procurement Act
To: National Security Advisor Sami Araboghli
Thank you for sending this. We will review and get back to you. Thank Rep. Steube for me.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Rep. Steube / Streamlining FEMA Procurement Act
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
Hope you’re doing well! Wondering if you and your team at Florida League of Cities could take a look at legislation that Congressman Steube is considering introducing.
Congressman Steube has been working on legislation to reform FEMA procurement methods, and specifically the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) process. The intent of this bill is to streamline such procurement methods as it relates to using qualifications (QBS) as a primary factor, or pricing. As I’m sure you’re aware, some states (including Florida) have qualifications as the primary factor, while FEMA relies on pricing. This can lead to many municipalities encountering difficulty using federal funds (as disbursed through their state’s respective emergency management department) where state’s procurement policies are at odds with federal regulations.
Ultimately, this bill would fix this issue by allowing local governments to use CMARs utilizing QBS procurement methods. This bill would also increase the simplified procedure rate from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000, aimed at reducing potential backlogs in FEMA audit reviews.
We’d very much welcome your team’s support and input on this bill before we introduce. Please let me know if you may have any questions or concerns. Thanks!
Sami Araboghli
National Security Advisor
Office of Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)
SBEP Monthly Updates for TLBK
To: Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Public Outreach Coordinator Megan Barry
Absolutely, no news is welcomed at times. Thanks so much for the follow up on this important subject. I think you’re spot on with the idea of just highlights, if possible, directed for Longboat….. however, some important plans and accomplishments in our surrounding counties also directly affect us. You can send to them directly to me as I’ll be the one reporting. We meet generally on the first and third Monday of the month, the bulletin timing is not critical. As long as the “Bay Bulletin” gets out monthly, I’ll get it out to the public. Thanks for your help, and a great job Friday with the executive director interviews.
Gary Coffin
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
SBEP Monthly Updates for TLBK
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Gary Coffin
Following up with the chat we had on Friday, regarding your request to receive and read monthly SBEP updates at Town meetings. I’ve been toying around with the concept of a “Bay Bulletin” that would be exactly that – brief highlights/updates from the month. As you know, we have a quarterly newsletter that is quite comprehensive, but something like this would be a good supplemental form of communication. We can plan to share general news and tailor it to TLBK when possible. There may not be a robust list of updates every month, but no news is sometimes good news, right?
What type of communications schedule would work best for you? Would you like to receive the emails directly, or should we send them to your staff? Thank you for the suggestion. We are looking forward to implementing it with you.
Megan Barry
Public Outreach Manager
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program
Gulf of Mexico Dr.
To the Commissioners of Longboat Key
We urge you to vote against a name change for Gulf of Mexico Drive. To change will cause people and businesses unusual hassle, nuisance, cost, and disruption, and it will alter the soft quiet ambience of the Key.
Dean and Sue Kross
Longboat Key
Request for meetings with City Commissioners
To: Sarasota City Attorney Joe Polzak
Ok. Well, in that case, as long as it is clear that it will be a listen-only meeting, then that should be ok.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Request for meetings with City Commissioners
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
I just checked with Development Services as this project is in very early stages and they haven’t submitted much yet besides applying for a traffic study. But our understanding is it would involve a quasi-judicial hearing.
Joe Polzak
Attorney
City of Sarasota
Request for meetings with City Commissioners
To: Sarasota City Executive Assistant Christina Wollenberg
Happy to meet with them, but just let me know if the item is quasi-Judicial please.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Request for meetings with City Commissioners
To: Sarasota City Commission
Please see request below and let me know if you would like to proceed with scheduling.
Christina Wollenberg
Executive Assistant
City of Sarasota
Request for meetings with City Commissioners
To: Sarasota City Executive Assistant Christina Wollenberg
I have been asked to set up appoints with the City Commissioners for Philip DiMaria and Bill Waddill of Kimley-Horn to discuss the subject of 1660 Ringling Development prior to October 16. Would you be able to help us out?
Lori Denny
Administrative Support
Sarasota
Tree Removal Language
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
Thank you for looping me in on this. Please see my comments below:
In the Representative’s community, trees planted in swales are damaging sidewalks, utility lines, and in some cases even home foundations. When mentioning a “swale” what does that actually refer to? The dictionary definition is: a low-lying or depressed and often wet stretch of land also: a shallow depression on a golf course. This sounds like something else. Perhaps the area between a sidewalk and the road?
Under the local tree preservation program, removal can trigger a 3-to-1 replacement requirement, and in some instances, replanting of the same species. The Representative shared that this is often not feasible due to limited space or species-specific disease. I agree that replanting may not be feasible with the same species, especially if space is limited. Why perpetuate the same problem some years down the road? What species-specific disease are they referring to? That truly makes little sense as it relates to replanting in areas with limited space. Space and poor species selection is the issue, not a disease more than likely. Is it truly a 3:1 replacement or is that actually reversed – 1:3? Very few codes actually require a 3 to 1 replacement and most I’ve read only require such for trees that are considered “Heritage” or “Historic”. I have seen a couple of codes that appear to be a 3:1 but in fact are not, it’s a scribner error and not used in practice. If you could share the municipality, I could read the code to better understand the existing requirements.
Much of her city consists of pre-planned communities with homeowners’ associations. In many of these communities, trees in swales are located on parcels treated as HOA common areas, which prevents them from qualifying as “residential property” under current law. As a result, they are considering filing legislation to open up the statute [F.S. 163.045(1)(b)] to include HOAs and their common areas in the definition of “residential property”, specifically to allow for the removal of trees in HOA-owned common areas.
The problem with attempting to address this issue under 163.045 is that they do not fully comprehend tree risk or how it applies in FS 163.045. Each of the situations mentioned “trees planted in swales are damaging sidewalks, utility lines, and in some cases even home foundations” have nothing to do with risk and therefore 163.045 would not apply. With very few exceptions, any arborist writing a Tree Risk Assessment report regarding a tree damaging a sidewalk and it’s therefore a “risk” is either uninformed about Tree Risk Assessment or is in breach of the ethics clause required to be signed by all certified arborists. Utility lines (aboveground) could be an exception as a tree could grow into the power lines creating risk, however the solution is to prune and maintain the tree. Regarding home foundations, Arborists are not structural engineers and I would certainly like to see the structural engineering report that clearly shows tree roots impacted a home foundation. This is an exceedingly rare occurrence and would need to be documented by a qualified engineer. Tree roots do not grow through concrete. They can and in many cases do lift concrete sidewalks but multi-thousand pound monolithic slabs of concrete for a home foundation is nearly impossible. It’s for this reason one solution to the sidewalk problem is to pour a monolithic slab of concrete rather than a 2-4” slab.
We are trying to narrowly tailor this draft language to only impact the specific practical challenges the Representative is trying to solve rather than opening pandora’s box as they initially proposed. Would you be willing to review the attached draft and share it with your colleagues from the Urban Forestry Council? We would greatly appreciate your feedback and any practical insights on whether we’ve captured the issue accurately before providing it back to the Representative.
I would suggest revisiting the actual code to clarify the 3:1 replacement. An update to the code would likely seem in order that could correct the replacement requirement and also add in appropriate language to support better future tree spacings (giving trees enough space to grow to reach a reasonable level of maturity). I would also suggest they update their tree species selection list and modify that to include spacing requirements and other important criteria to support a healthy tree canopy.
In summary, based on what’s presented here, I don’t see how expanding FS 163.045 to include HOA common areas actually would serve to meet the representatives’ needs as the trees still do not pose a moderate risk as described. Fixes within the actual code and its application are more feasible and very likely more attuned to this specific community rather than the whole of the state. Cheers!
John Snow
Senior Urban and Community Forester
TreeCheckUp, LLC.
Board Certified Master Arborist
Tree Removal Language
To: Sarasota City Commission
Please see the attached from FLC and let me know your thoughts!
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Tree Removal Language
To: Florida League of Cities Legislative Advocate Matt Singer
Absolutely! I’ll be in touch soon.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Tree Removal Language
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
I’m reaching out to request your assistance getting feedback on a legislative proposal we’ve been working on internally. This stems from a concern raised by a State Representative from southeast Florida.
In the Representative’s community, trees planted in swales are damaging sidewalks, utility lines, and in some cases even home foundations. Under the local tree preservation program, removal can trigger a 3-to-1 replacement requirement, and in some instances, replanting of the same species. The Representative shared that this is often not feasible due to limited space or species-specific disease. Much of her city consists of pre-planned communities with homeowners’ associations. In many of these communities, trees in swales are located on parcels treated as HOA common areas, which prevents them from qualifying as “residential property” under current law. As a result, they are considering filing legislation to open up the statute [F.S. 163.045(1)(b)] to include HOAs and their common areas in the definition of “residential property”, specifically to allow for the removal of trees in HOA-owned common areas.
We are trying to narrowly tailor this draft language to only impact the specific practical challenges the Representative is trying to solve rather than opening pandora’s box as they initially proposed. Would you be willing to review the attached draft and share it with your colleagues from the Urban Forestry Council? We would greatly appreciate your feedback and any practical insights on whether we’ve captured the issue accurately before providing it back to the Representative.
Matt Singer
Legislative Advocate
Florida League of Cities
