Application: Already Handled, Thanks for the Memories
To: Sarasota City Vice Mayor Katherine Kelley Ohlrich
It was already completed…thanks for sharing
Karie Friling
City Manager
City of Sarasota
Application: Is Anybody Out There?
To: Sarasota City Manager Karie Friling
Karie – will someone be responding to the message below?
Kathy Kelley Ohlrich
Vice Mayor
City of Sarasota
Application: Seeing Red Over Teal Ribbons
To: Sarasota City Engineer Nik Patel
The above application number is pending a fee, which has been waived previous years for a nonprofit Ovarian Ca awareness campaign in Sarasota.
This event is a national campaign during the month of September that brings awareness to the community of Sarasota about Ovarian Cancer. Families, friends and healthcare professionals participate in this small awareness campaign annually by simply walking and tying, teal ribbons down the road of Bahia vista and around the perimeter of a Sarasota Memorial Hospital. At the end of the campaign, we take down the ribbons.
Over the past two weeks I’ve emailed and spoken to more than one person in the engineering department for special permits requesting that the fee be waived just as it has been previous years. No one is returning my call nor my emails after being told somebody would get back to me.
This needs immediate attention, or I will unable to purchase the materials to complete this event. I must show proof immediately that I have a permit in Sarasota to participate in this national campaign. I thank you in advance for your immediate attention.
Amy Kipila
Sarasota
Indian Beach Circle Drama: The City Washes Its Hands (and the Sod)
To: Sarasota City Commission
You have been copied on some emails from a resident about recent utility work being done in his Indian Beach neighborhood. I have asked staff to prepare a short summary of the issue and the City’s requirements, actions, and communications regarding the TECO gas-line work done at Mr. Sheesley’s property on Indian Beach Circle. Please note the work was done within the ROW/Easement not on his private property.
Permit and work limits. All utility work within a public right‑of‑way or utility easement requires a City right‑of‑way (ROW) use permit. Staff confirmed the work at Mr. Sheesley’s frontage was performed within the ROW by a TECO contractor who possessed the proper City ROW use permit.
Contractor obligations. The contractor’s scope was to directional bore the gas line along the roadway, confine work to the ROW, and restore disturbed areas, including sodding, upon completion.
Communication: Because the work was being done by TECO, they have the responsibility to place the flags and provide any appropriate communication. This is not a City project.
City inspections. After the City received Mr. Sheesley’s email on July 27th, City engineering staff went on site July 28th and halted activity to verify scope and required the contractor to restore the area and install sod that day per the requirements of the City ROW use permit. Subsequent inspection found the work met City standards under the Engineering Design Criteria Manual (EDCM). City engineering staff provided status updates and photos to Mr. Sheesley on July 28 and July 30 confirming restoration of the frontage and completion of TECO’s work.
Sod restoration. After receiving the City’s email, Mr. Sheesley responded on August 8th with additional concerns regarding the sod restoration. City engineering staff contacted TECO and asked them to replace the dead/dying sod. TECO performed additional restoration, and staff observed the lawn filling in to an acceptable condition. The corner was originally going to be only mulch, but TECO agreed to sod. The sod is above and beyond the EDCM requirements. Once it is established, it will look like the rest of the grass. (Note: ongoing watering of new sod is typically the property owner’s responsibility.) City engineering staff went on site again on August 14th and August 20th to inspect the additional restoration done by TECO (See attached pictures from 8/20/26.)
Camera and mailbox concerns. The disturbance at the mailbox the wheel rut, and allegations of camera tampering or other property damage cannot be confirmed by City staff to have been caused by TECO. Any concerns regarding issues on the private property should be directed to Sarasota Police Department; staff have coordinated for PD follow‑up when a report is filed.
In summary, the work performed by TECO met City requirements, was inspected and corrected per City standards, including re-sodding items at his request. TECO’s work and restoration is now complete and the City considers this issue complaint closed, at this time. This has been communicated to Mr. Sheesley. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. Thank you.
Karie Friling
City Manager
City of Sarasota
A Jigsaw Puzzle of Dead Grass and Despair
To: Sarasota City Engineer Sage Kamiya
I arrived back in Sarasota on Sunday evening to find more gas line flags in my yard and what looks like the replacement of sod by a six-year-old (see picture) at the corner of Bayshore and Indian Beach circle. Who thought this flaccid presentation equals restoration? What the hell is going on? Is anyone embarrassed by all of this?
I talked with Florida Public Service Commission last week. I returned a phone call (twice) from Andreas (sp) with Tampa Electric and People’s Gas, who said he and his team monitor messages frequently, with no return call as of yet.
Yesterday one of the constriction dump trucks related to this shit show of a construction project nearly backed into my mailbox creates a huge rut in our newly laid mulch. The guys working on the landscaping across the street from our home said they watched the truck back into our yard. This project needs to be shut down and someone of some authority needs to commission an audit. Unacceptable!
I just met with my realtor and photographer to take pictures of our home. We have to reschedule because of all of the vehicles parked in front of our home. That has been rescheduled for Monday morning. There will be beach chairs at every spot in front of our home. I hope no one moves them to park there. Our realtor shared that the sod replacement in the front of our yard and at the corner is unacceptable and it could affect our property value.
Who of all of you is going to step up and address my concerns (that I’ve been sharing for months and are now more serious; trucks backing into my yard). I’m meeting with an attorney on Friday. The lack of response to my concerns, shared in good faith in attempt to avoid where we are right now, is a big concern.
Robert Sheesley
Sarasota
Orange Flags, Dead Cameras, and a Ruined Vegas Vibe
To: Sarasota City Engineer Sage Kamiya
Hello. Thanks for the email. I appreciate it, however, did you look at the picture you sent me? You consider this restored? I took pictures too.
This does NOT make me whole at all; not even close. My lawn looks like a dime store jigsaw puzzle. Where is the new sod that Ed said would be installed? The words he used were “re-soded.” Ed seems like a good guy, but this was not handled properly. These subcontractors working for TECO (copied now) basically put back what they dug up. How is that okay? How could you in good conscience send me this picture and call it a day. Someone needs to fix this. This email includes both TECO and Nautilus Homes. As we used to say back in our EDS days, let’s get all the liars in the same room. Someone needs to take some adult and professional responsibility to what is happening on this street, and related to our yard. Why would you send me this picture and assume I’m okay with this? Who would be okay with this?
Only a week-long trip to Las Vegas for a cyber security conference kept me from replying to you earlier. And now there are more orange flags in my yard and orange spray paint. What is that about? Is there more digging planned in my yard? How is my realtor supposed to have pictures taken of our property with orange spray paint and orange flags everywhere? And why are there new flags? Please don’t tell me that our yard will be disturbed again. This intrusive activity is preventing us from listing and selling this home. It is now causing not only emotional stress with the non-stop heavy duty machinery up and down our street (some of us work from our homes) and parked in front of our home, and delaying residents who want to simply drive on the street that they live without incident, but also financial pain. Who at the city is going to require TECO and the builder to conduct business in a responsible and professional manner and stop tearing up my lawn? Also, the corner of our street (Bayshore and Indian Beach Circe) is completely destroyed (see picture attached). We just had landscaping done here and now it is a swath of sand retracting from the curb appeal we paid for landscaping to create for us. This is almost criminal. I will be seeking the advice of an attorney on Monday. This has gone too far. Prior to this construction project Indian Beach Circle was a quiet and peaceful street in a great neighborhood. We lived a wonderful four plus years here visiting with our neighbors often. Children from neighboring blocks would frequently ride their bikes up and down the street as they could get a glimpse of the bay. Those days are gone. People are steering clear from our street now. This project and the non-stop movement of heavy machinery, miscellaneous crews parking all over the street, leaving large trucks running and unattended (sounds like some sort of OSHA issue to me), disturbing residents’ lives and creating noise throughout the day (some of us work from our homes, remotely), has been a pollutant in more than one way to our community.
I attempted to address this issue months ago, proactively, in good faith, by calling attention to it. My interpretation of some of the outreach was merely to appease me. Then, I see dudes in my yard with shovels messing with my security camera. And now here we are. We can not take pictures of our home to list it for sale with orange flags and orange painted grass in our yard and the jigsaw puzzle torn-up grass. This is a big problem. Our lawn (and the corner of the intersection; see picture attached) needs to be restored to what it was before all of this disruption. And the painting of our lawn orange needs to stop. Who is going to address this? I can be reached by phone at the number below.
Also, before I forget, why was the TECO subcontractor (presumably according to Ed) messing with my security camera mounted on the back of our mailbox? I shared the video in a previous email. It was fairly obvious from watching it. And, both of my fence mounted cameras were disabled somehow. I only became aware of this when I went to look at the clips from the evening before (because apparently there was a theft of equipment from the work-in-progress remodeled home across the street from us) in an effort to help the owner of the burglarized home identify the criminals. I don’t think that was coincidental. Does anyone have any thoughts about this?
Robert Sheesley
Sarasota
Hope Your Week is Better Than Your Lawn
To: Robert Sheesley
I regret the stress this situation has caused you. I just wanted to let you know that TECO has finished their work and restored the right of way in front of your property. Hope you have a better rest of the week.
Sage Kamiya
City Engineer
City of Sarasota
Packing Our Bags (But Mind the Peacocks)
To: Sarasota City Engineer Sage Kamiya
Hello. Thanks for your email. I talked with Ed Brower (sp) with the city about this. Nice guy, and I sense his hands are strapped now. But honestly I’m not sure who does what to who and who is responsible for what, and notably, the appropriate and sensicalmanagementt or this type of project. No communication with residents. Just flags showing up in residents’ yards and now TECO (presumably according to Ed) workers all over my front year. If the owners of the property that is being built are expecting a welcome to the neighborhood party they’ll be waiting a very long time. Everyone on our street is pretty pissed off (tempered language). I hear what they all say. The disruption to the street and lives has been significant and not in a good way. The noise and constant large vehicles coming and going, trucks and vans and equipment blocking streets and causing issues as well as the rodent population and movement are just some of the issue.
No one has ever reached out to me (or any of my neighbors who I talk with frequently) about any of the construction (which has been an absolute shit show (I’m being kind) over the past six months). My email communication is documented. I had a phone conversation with Mark Taylor in June where he said my property would not be disturbed AND that we would be offered the opportunity to tap into the gas line during the install. I learned from Ed yesterday morning that is not the case and that if we wanted to tap into the gas line it would be a completely separate project.
Someone should take responsibility for all of this. Who does this ultimately roll up to at the city? I sent a friend over to check on our house yesterday because of what my wife shared was a break in to the home under construction across the street. My wife is in Pennsylvania and I’m in Boca Raton for a few days for work this week. Our two left and right property cameras have been disabled. To see my friend’s pictures of people standing around in our front yard with heavy equipment digging up our yard nearly made my head explode.
We have been living in Indian Beach now for over four years, relatively peacefully. Other than the unsavory clans who frequented Indian Beach at the beach in the evenings before the fencing went up it’s been a great experience. We have great neighbors. And now because of all of this drama we are considering to relocating somewhere else. Nautilus Homes should be embarrassed and apologetic for how they’ve managed this throughout the process. Even one of their subcontractor managers (the one person who demonstrated common decency and knocked on my door to communicate and ask if it was okay if his guys parked in front of our home for a few hours) that I talked with about the funeral line procession of cars parked in front of my home and all the homes on our street on our side of the street blocking my lawn guy’s entry to the lawn, said that the builder (or the builder’s job site foreman apparently) has taken the approach of trying to put 50 lbs. of crap into a 10 lb. bag (meaning, presumably, trying to do too much at once).
We are in the process of deciding to sell our beautiful home and find a more peaceful place to live in Sarasota or elsewhere. We aren’t ruling our Osprey or even Naples. It is a shame. My wife has taken a leadership role with a women’s group at our church at St. Martha and we have committed to being founding members of the Sarasota Legatus chapter. We’ve managed to build a nice social network in Sarasota in only four years. Friends encouraged us to look at Lakewood Ranch when we moved here. We wanted something more interesting and a less “cookie cutter” neighborhood. Indian Beach satisfied that want with the Ringling Museum, Jungle Gardens and Asolo Rep. Theatre, along with the families of peacocks everywhere and the easy walking access to the bay. Incidentally if the city doesn’t install speed bumps on Bayshore someone will eventually get hit and possibly killed there, as the traffic is significant and idiot drivers don’t observe the posted speed limit signs. Our neighbor had taken it upon herself to put up peacock crossing signs along our block in an effort to persuade drivers to slow down. I understand a traffic patterns study was done on Bayshore several years ago and the results indicated that the street did not have the volume to warrant speed bumps. Another head scratcher for me. We walk our dogs every morning and evening. We see the traffic volume. Someone should revisit this.
Again, the new homeowners who are building the mansion at the end of the street will likely encounter some cold shoulders with neighbors is my guess. I may possibly be the only resident emailing city employees and commissioners but I assure you people aren’t happy. And it isn’t about the actual home build; it’s all about the lack of communication, inconsiderate construction workers and subcontractors, and surprises (like dudes in my yard with shovels on my Blink camera and apparently messing with the camera in some fashion; who is going to address that?). We have a very friendly neighborhood, but I think people have had enough of the drama, including this absurd proposal (unrelated to this situation) to put a 24-hour 7 Eleven where the Walgreens once was on Myrtle and Tamiami. I have talked with many of our neighbors about that also. We really don’t need a drug dealers hangout in our neighborhood.
I’m not entirely sure what your role is here. And I do appreciate your communication, however it has come late in the process and the damage is done. I won’t arrive home until late this evening and will survey what I’m dealing with then. I appreciate the action of laying sod in the disrupted part of our front yard, but who is going to water that while I am in Las Vegas for a conference next week and at our other home in PA the following week?
This entire experience has been extremely stressful, not just for us (again we don’t seek out drama and gossip, but many of our neighbors offer their unsolicited thoughts here and there). It isn’t a good look for all involved.
This experience has been an epic failure of how to manage change and hopefully a learning ramp for someone. I know a little bit about managing change.
Robert Sheesley
Sarasota
We Stopped Them Just So They Could Start Again
To: Robert Sheesley
This is very disappointing and I definitely appreciate your frustration. I’ve been forwarded your email and offer the following update.
Regrettably we weren’t able to chat with you in person, but we wanted you to know that we’ve spoken with the sub-contractor doing work in front of your house. They are working for TECO and need to dig this hole to directional bore the gas line along the roadway in the right of way. Staff was on site this morning and halted the work to ensure we were fully aware of work required. They have committed to being done in front of your house with the area restored and sodded today. Based on this, we’ve given them approval to continue and complete the work today. If you’d like to chat about more, please send us the best number to reach you on or give Ed Brower a call.
Sage Kamiya
City Engineer
City of Sarasota
Open House Featuring Heavy Machinery
To: Lawrence Murphy
What the hell is this? We are scheduled to put our home on the market in a week. This is absolutely outrageous. What kind of city operations does something like this? I was told there would be no disturbance to our property.
Robert Sheesley
Sarasota
Dudes With Shovels Wrecking My Real Estate Dreams
To: Sarasota City Commission
Hello. What are these ass hats doing in my front yard with shovels? I’m away until Wednesday evening. Apparently, there was a robbery across the street from us last evening. Why are there dudes in orange vests in my front yard with shovels! I was told numerous times that no ground would be broken related to the gas line install on our street. I tried to address this proactively and in advance with my email on May 5. What the hell is going on here? This shit show of a circus on our street needs to be addressed by an adult who represents the city.
Robert Sheesley
Sarasota
City Staff Gets Their 60 Seconds of Fame
To: Sarasota City Commission
The Communications Office in collaboration with the Office of the City Auditor and Clerk launched “Meet the Makers”, a video series highlighting City employees and what they do to help make the City of Sarasota a great place to live, work and play. Each video is bite-sized (60-75 seconds) with the staff member explaining their job and how they help make Sarasota a wonderful community.
The series rolled out yesterday on the City’s social media channels and the first episode is being received very well! A new reel should publish every Tuesday for the next 11 weeks. (Some weeks two may drop.)
Here’s a link to the first video:
Future episodes will be accessible through the same link.
Jan Thornburg
Communications General Manager
City of Sarasota
The Mayor is Tuning In (and Taking Requests)
To: City of Sarasota Communications General Manager Jan Thornburg
I saw the first video on Facebook this morning. I was thrilled to see it. Great for City residents to get to know the people who make Sarasota a wonderful place to live. And great to show City employees that we all appreciate the work they do. I’m looking forward to the next installments. Are you asking for suggestions on who to feature?
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
Flock: Big Brother is Watching (and Probably Selling Your Data)
To: Sarasota City Commission
Recently, I made two FOIA requests to learn more about the City’s agreement with Flock Safety and SPD’s processes and procedures for managing Flock’s automated license plate reader (ALPR) system.
The attached PDF contains those requests and the City’s responses.
I have multiple concerns about Flock and ALPR and have summarized two of them below.
SPD’s processes are insufficient to protect citizens’ civil liberties. SPD’s response to my FOIA request included Standard Operating Procedure 414. ALPR procedures are documented in 414.110. Generally, 414.110 describes how a deputy may use the system but does not detail how the data is protected and audited.
414.113 allows for unfettered data collection reading, in part: “The system will be utilized as a pro-active measure….for obtaining intelligence information.”
414.121 describes fingerprinting of vehicles, including those of citizens who are not under any suspicion: “The system uses vehicle ‘fingerprints’ to identify the type of vehicle it has captured in the image. In short, the system has been taught to identify certain vehicle body characteristics when determining vehicle type, make and color. As the cameras capture more and more images, it better ‘learns’ the identifying characteristics” (emphasis mine).
414.110 does not specify how long ALPR data is retained and what internal processes are used to ensure that ALPR location data isn’t misused. Questions include, are hot lists downloadable to deputies’ devices? Are they encrypted in transmission and when they stored are on a mobile device? How do old “hits” get removed from the database?
In short, SPD’s documented procedures allow it to surveil anyone in the City of Sarasota at any time for any reason. It creates the conditions for pervasive surveillance with no effective public oversight. We have installed a dragnet that includes everyone with no visibility into what is being collected and how it’s being used.
The City’s contract with Flock does not contain explicit protections for data collected by Flock that is shared and stored in Flock’s nationwide database. Software contracts typically contain license clauses that specify who owns the data and how it can be used. The City’s agreement with Flock — which is confirmed as the only in-force agreement — does not contain language protecting citizens’ data from misuse by Flock.
Flock is not just a law enforcement-focused surveillance system. Flock is also a data broker. Their business model already monetizes location data of ordinary citizens’ information for Flock’s law enforcement clients. It’s a natural product line extension to market the data, even if anonymized, to commercial buyers of location data especially when it is as detailed as what the ALPR system can collect. That detail and accuracy of the ALPR data when combined with other public demographic databases position Flock as the ultimate nationwide data broker in addition to its law enforcement business. SPD should not be in the business of data gathering for such potential commercial interests. Without standard data ownership protections in our agreement with Flock, Flock has a logical business imperative to resell that data.
We need to immediately rework our agreement with Flock. An example of the kind of data ownership we need in our contract can be found in a (now expired) Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office contract. Section 9.2 on page 3 of that contract reads “Ownership of all data originating from SCSO and sent to, or hosted by, the Vendor remains SCSO’s exclusive property.” You can view SCSO’s contract here: https://s.air11.com/SCSOFlockContract.
I am not adamantly opposed to the use of Flock in our City. As a technologist, I understand the benefits. But I think we need to manage and control use of these surveillance systems to balance the costs to civil liberties with the benefit it provides our law enforcement agencies. I’m hoping concerns like mine add to the Commission’s thinking about how to achieve the correct balance.
Thank you very much.
Alex Neihaus
Sarasota
Arlington Park Parking
To: Sarasota City Manager Karie Friling
Arlington Park resident is seeking enforcement of problematic parking in neighborhood, e.g., parking on front lawns.
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
Arlington Park’s Front-Yard RV Dealerships
To: Sarasota City Mayor Debbie Trice
On behalf of ourselves and all or our neighbors here in Sarasota (we live in Arlington Park) it is nice to see that you and our local government paying serious attention to the needs of Residents and businesses with respect to parking regulations in our beautiful city.
In a related matter, we and many others are concerned with the lack of enforcement of parking ordinances in Arlington Park. While most residents follow the rules, dozens of homes are in violation and do not fit in with the improving image of “East of Trail” as a similar version to “West of Trail” absent the waterfront mansions.
Specifically, dozens of residents park cars, trailers, commercial vehicles, unlicensed and damaged vehicles, RV’s and boats on front lawns (or poorly landscaped front yards) despite the many ordinances created to facilitate Traffic flow, avoid accidents and maintain the aesthetic appeal of Sarasota.
I would appreciate your assistance as to what can be done to enforce the rules that you and local leaders have put in place for good reason.
At your request I will send you, or whichever city representative(s) you suggest, a list of at least 10 or 15 homes that are currently not in compliance with local parking ordinances. I will include photos if you wish. At the present time someone may receive a “warning” to comply if a neighbor notifies the police, but after a second or third warning nothing happens unless someone initiates a formal complaint or taking legal action. We have brought this issue to the attention of the Arlington Park Neighborhood Association
But without an HOA their enforcement power does not exist.
Your help is greatly appreciated. I am a permanent resident of Sarasota. We built a new house near the Arlington Park community center in 2022.
Les Fox
Sarasota
We Heard You Loud and Clear
To: Sarasota City Commission
During your City Commission’s last meeting, one topic, parking, generated significant community interest. After receiving extensive in-person and online public comment, it became clear that the changes to parking enforcement that went into effect on June 29 missed the mark for many of our residents and visitors. Hearing the community’s concerns, the Commission unanimously decided to temporarily suspend the recent changes to parking enforcement hours and Sunday paid parking. Increased parking citation fines remain in effect for both time and safety violations. Temporary parking enforcement hours are:
• On-street paid parking: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
• City garages: 7 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Thursday, and
7 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. (The first hour remains free when a parking session is started.)
• Free time-restricted: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
These temporary parking enforcement hours will remain in effect while we gather additional community input and consider the best path forward for the City’s parking operations. Have a nice weekend…and remember to pace yourself and stay hydrated in this summer heat.
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
