Parking Peace: A Thank You Note to the Commission
To: Sarasota City Commission
On behalf of the DSEA, the residents, businesses, volunteers, and supporters who care deeply about our community, I would like to sincerely thank you for taking the time to listen to our concerns regarding the proposed parking changes.
Your willingness to hear our voices, consider the impact these changes have had, and ultimately make a decision that reflects the needs of our community is deeply appreciated. This outcome is a reminder that respectful dialogue and community involvement can lead to positive solutions.
We understand that the conversation about parking and the City’s long-term revenue needs is not over. As we move forward, we look forward to continuing to work with you to explore solutions that help meet the City’s financial goals while also supporting our local businesses, nonprofits, employees, residents, and visitors. We are confident that, by working together, we can find a balanced approach that benefits everyone.
Thank you again for your thoughtful consideration, your willingness to listen, and your commitment to the people of Downtown Sarasota. We appreciate your service and look forward to collaborating with you in the future.
Darci Jacob
Downtown Sarasota Enrichment Association
Sarasota
Marathon Meeting, Meaningful Input
To: Darci Jacob
Thank you all for staying through the whole Commission meeting to speak. I know it was a long day but your input is appreciated. This is the start of a community conversation toward reaching a common goal.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Lido Beach Plunge on Hold Until November
To: Holly Flanagan
Please see attached project briefing information regarding the Lido Beach Pool. I hope this provides the necessary background regarding the challenges that we currently face. At this time, any future decisions regarding next steps and/or improvements to the pool are on hold until after the November referendum results. Thank you for reaching out to the City.
Karie Friling
City Manager
City of Sarasota
Diving into the Lido Pool Delay
To: Holly Flanagan
Thanks for the email per Lido Pool. I’ve copied the City Manager to direct this to the Parks Department to respond with details of the status of pool repairs and opening (and copy me as well please).
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
The Call to Re-Open Lido Beach Pool
To: Sarasota City Commission
I am writing to voice my concern regarding the closure of the Lido Beach Pool. This pool has significant historical value and is one of only three public beachfront pools in the area. As a regular user, I consistently see the pool filled with lap swimmers and community members. It is a vital piece of Sarasota’s tourism and community life. I urge you to re-open the Lido Beach Pool.
Holly Flanagan
City of Sarasota Resident
Dominique Anderson Named HR Director
To: Sarasota City Commission
After completing a recruitment and interviewing process, I’m pleased to share that I have appointed Dominique Anderson as the City’s new permanent Human Resources Director.
Dominique Anderson has demonstrated exceptional leadership, professionalism, and dedication in serving the City of Sarasota, and I’m confident this appointment will strengthen our HR operations and support our employees and departments citywide. Ms. Anderson has been with the City of Sarasota since March 2014, beginning as a Human Resources Specialist focused on employee data administration. Over more than 12 years of service, Dominique Anderson has progressed through several key HR roles, including Human Resources Generalist, Senior Human Resources Generalist, General Manager, and most recently Acting Human Resources Director. This experience spans the full employee life cycle, including talent acquisition, employee and labor relations, compensation and benefits, HR operations, and oversight of the employee health center.
Throughout these roles, Dominique Anderson has consistently prioritized compliance, collaboration, and the creation and enhancement of a welcoming HR environment that supports both employees and the City’s strategic goals. After speaking with both her fellow colleagues and staff, I am confident that she will continue to excel in this new leadership role.
Ms. Anderson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and a master’s degree in management. She also maintains a Florida Certified Labor Relations Professional certification and the PHR (Professional in Human Resources) credential.
Please join me in congratulating Dominique Anderson on this well‑earned appointment. I look forward to the continued positive impact her leadership will have on our organization.
Karie Friling
City Manager
City of Sarasota
Addressing 1400 Publicly
To: John Harshman
Thanks for taking the time to bring this up publicly at yesterday’s Commission meeting. See below for follow-up.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
The 20-Day Clock on Main Street Decay
To: Sarasota City Manager Karie Friling
Yes, we do. For commercial development, we cite according to the Commercial, Business and Industrial Building Minimum Standards Code of 1992. We also cite unsecure, vacant dwellings in accordance with Standard Unsafe Building Abatement Code.
We have begun a notice of violation for the following code sections:
101.6 – All commercial, business and industrial buildings or structures, both existing or new, and all parts thereof, shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition. All devices or safeguards which are required by this code or the Standard Building Code in a building when erected, altered, or repaired, shall be maintained in good working order. The owner, or his designated agent or lessee, shall be responsible for the maintenance of buildings, structures and premises.
202.1.1 – The exterior of every structure or accessory structure (including fences, signs and store fronts) shall be maintained in good repair and shall be substantially weathertight, watertight and shall be made impervious to the adverse effects of weather and be maintained in sound condition and good repair. All surfaces shall be maintained free of broken glass, loose shingles, crumbling stone or brick, excessive peeling paint or other condition reflective of deterioration or inadequate maintenance to the end that the basic integrity of the structure may be preserved, safety and fire hazards may be eliminated, and adjoining properties and the neighborhood may be protected from blighting influences; They have been given 20 days to correct.
Lucia Panica
Director of Development Services
City of Sarasota
Aesthetics and Safety Question
To: Sarasota City Director of Development Services Lucia Panica
Thank you for the quick response. Does the City require/have a board up of vacant properties to ensure safety and aesthetics?
Karie Friling
City Manager
City of Sarasota
Checking in on Fit 2 Run’s Ghost Town
To: Sarasota City Manager Karie Friling
I’m sending a status update on the building that John Harshman mentioned today during public comment. The building is located at 1400 Main St and it is the former Fit 2 Run store. We have a pending build out permit 2025-010579 that is waiting for a response to comments for engineering , utilities, and Building. The contractor had previously mentioned possibly withdrawing the permit but that hasn’t happened. Since the comments have been pending for a while, Larry will be reaching out to the contractor to get the status. Code Compliance is going to the site today to see if there are any violations.
Lucia Panica
Director of Development Services
City of Sarasota
Routing the Flooding Fix
To: Shannon James
I am copying the city manager and deputy city manager with this response in order for the appropriate staff to respond.
Liz Alpert
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Bath and Racquet’s Flooding Fiasco
To: Sarasota City Commission
Regarding the Residences at Bath and Racquet located at Robinhood Street Sarasota, FL
Design Firm: Halflants + Pichette Architects (Sarasota and Tampa)
Developer Entity: Sarasota Springs LLC / Silver Sky Global Capital
My name is Shannon James (formerly Clarke as listed in previous discussions and email exchanges).
I have owned and lived in my home located at Mill Terrace since 2004.
Photos and video attached in this communication were provided by myself as well as:
Luis Tamayo, Khalin Van Raadhorst, Daniel Shanahan, and Margaret Shanahan.
The flooding situation has not improved—in fact, it continues to get worse.
I have correspondence with the City dating back to 2024 that I am happy to provide if anyone needs to be brought up to speed on this issue. For the past two years, we have repeatedly expressed our concerns regarding the flooding. Each time, we have been told that the situation is “being handled,” “has been taken care of,” or that “the drainage system is working perfectly.”
The last assurance came from Jorge, who was serving as the Project Manager at the time. To support his claim, he sent a photograph that he represented as evidence that the drainage system was functioning properly. Unfortunately, the photograph was clearly outdated. I know this because I had already replaced my original 6-foot fence with a new 8-foot fence around my property. The photo he provided showed the old fence, making it impossible for it to have been taken during a current inspection. I am also willing to provide that text message exchange.
At this point, our concerns have not only been ignored, but we have also been provided with information that was demonstrably inaccurate. The City has a responsibility to ensure this project is completed and maintained in accordance with the applicable legal and engineering standards, and from our perspective, that has not occurred.
None of us wants this matter to escalate into litigation. However, after two years of raising these concerns without meaningful resolution, it is becoming increasingly difficult to see any other path forward.
According to FEMA’s flood zone information, our properties are not located within a designated flood zone. The attached photos and video tell a very different story and demonstrate the ongoing severity of the flooding that we continue to experience.
Shannon Rae James
Sarasota
Bringing Presentations to the Small Screen
To: Vice Mayor
Yes, I saw that email from Ms. Brown and I have already talked to staff to see how this can be done. We will work on it. Thank you.
Shayla Griggs
City Auditor and Clerk, City of Sarasota
Phone: (941) 263-6222
Email: Shayla.Griggs@Sarasotafl.gov
1565 1st Street, Sarasota, FL 34236
QR Code Pitch for Council Meetings
To: Sarasota City Manager Karie Friling
Good Morning Shayla and Karie – a member of the public commented to me on power point presentations during CC meetings. Together we wondered if it is possible to, at the beginning of a presentation, have a QR code on the screen so audience members could download the presentation to their phones thereby seeing it better and not having to get up and move to a better location for viewing on the screens. I know of several organizations that do something like that, so I know it’s possible. I think it would be a good idea for the city to routinely do this.
Kathy Kelley Ohlrich
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Why Condo Hotels Threaten Residential Rights
To: Sarasota City Commission
Thank you for beginning the process to understand and evaluate the emergence of “condo hotels” and their impact on our city. I’ve attached a short PDF that I presented to staff today that argues that we currently do not have a definition of this type of use in our code (which of course, you already know).
But the missing category is only part of the problem. Allowing this business model to establish itself as a “regular” type of condominium will likely have serious long-term consequences for owners and for the city.
In Florida, a condominium association is a legal structure that runs for decades. Under Chapter 718, the developer records the declarations and bylaws at the outset and they are exceedingly expensive and difficult to change later.
A developer can use that power to write terms that morph the condominium — which Chapter 718 envisions as a residential form of property ownership — into a recurring-revenue vehicle that discounts owners’ legitimate property rights. The prospect of that revenue is a strong incentive to do exactly this. One example: terms that require owners to use the developer’s designated rental agent.
This is not about leases made by owners. It is about transient lodging force-fed into a legal framework built for residential ownership. I understand the appeal of recurring revenue: we used to buy movies on DVD and now we subscribe to them on streaming services. Subscription revenue is a powerful model. But condos aren’t movies. They are a form of property ownership we should protect before we let economic imperatives — wholly rational in themselves — reshape it. I appreciate your thoughtful consideration of what this change in business model means for our city.
Alex Neihaus
Sarasota
Taking Note of SCOTUS Surveillance Ruling
To: Alex Neihaus, Sarasota City Manager Karie Friling
Thank you Alex. I very much appreciate your input on this especially given your background and experience. I’ve copied the City Manager on this email as a well so we can discuss this at our next meeting.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Flock Data and the 4th Amendment
To: Alex Neihaus
Lost (IMHO) in this week’s news cycle was an important Supreme Court decision potentially affecting the city’s use of location data and our supplying that data to Flock. A pull quote from SCOTUSblog:
“Writing for the majority, Justice Elena Kagan emphasized that ‘[a]n individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy in records about his cell phone’s location, and police intrude on that constitutionally protected interest when they demand the information—even though for only a limited time, and from a third-party tech company.”
It’s not hard (at least for me) to get from geolocation data being a search in 4th Amendment terms to prior collection via ALPR being off-limits by government, particularly by law enforcement.
I’m hoping the city will take notice of this ruling and begin to reevaluate our current lax approach to privacy in which SPD has been allowed to implement vast surveillance programs with little public input.
By supplying Flock with citizens’ geolocation data with little oversight or restrictions on the use of that data we are tolerating a gradual deterioration of citizens’ civil liberties. And we are helping Flock become the most privacy-invasive data broker in the country.
Alex Neihaus
Sarasota
The Villa Ballada Encroachment
To: Kelly Brown
I was recently made aware that some people were able to close on their units in Villa Ballada and move in. This confused me, considering the issues the City has with the encroachment and, now, construction deficiencies identified by members of the public.
How does this affect our negotiations with the developer? Do the unit purchasers have any recourse if we can’t reach an agreement with the developer?
I am hearing various recommendations on what improvements we should require of the developer in exchange for resolving the encroachment. They include:
Repave Kumquat Court from Blvd of the Arts to 4th Street to repair damage caused by construction vehicles. (I assume this is something that they would be responsible for anyway — payment to City to make repairs and repave?)
Improve the sidewalk on the west side of Kumquat Court
Because streetlights along Villa Ballada’s facade are adequate, provide funds for the City to install decorative street lights around the corner on 4th Street. Lemon to Orange is probably too big an ask, but Kumquat to Orange Ave (or at least to Orange Alley) might be in the right ballpark.
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
Clogged Drains and Expired TCO
To: Sarasota City Commission
After the rain on Friday I went back and looked at this site while walking my dog.
The storm drain is not functioning properly – clearly clogged.
The “patch” job done at the street level by developer causes water to puddle as well drain grate was installed at an upward angle so only high levels of water will drain.
The TCO posted is expired while there is an office functioning and fitted out at the ground floor.
Ideally the city will hold this developer accountable to resolve these issues as well as the encroachment on public property that is currently under consideration before giving a final certificate of occupancy.
Kelly Brown
Sarasota
Staff’s Silence on Palm Avenue Incompatibility
To: Sarasota City Manager Karie Friling
This resident is reflecting on ongoing development on Palm Avenue exceeding the street’s capacity. I believe the same is also true of Pineapple from Main to Ringling. These original street in the early platting of Sarasota are, in many respects, like the narrow streets in the old sections of European cities.
In my opinion, this makes some of the developments under consideration incompatible in these locations, but staff never seems to suggest possible incompatibility. The current Commission is not one to rubber stamp staff’s recommendations, but ignoring potential areas of concern leads the public to question staff’s professionalism.
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
The Cumulative Impact of Condo Chaos
To: Sarasota City Commission
Palm Avenue from Ringling to Mound is a major north south street in Sarasota. It has room for 3 lanes of traffic. One of those lanes is used for resident and visitor parking. One is used for construction and maintenance vehicles. The last and center lane is used for through traffic. I live on Palm Avenue. Seldom do I drive north or south that I or another driver coming from the other direction need to pull over and let the other through. There are 3 new condo units approved on Palm and construction will begin soon. I fear that each new condo has been evaluated for the traffic that it will create and not what the cumulative traffic will be.
In addition, at the south end of Palm, drivers may only make a right turn. Often as I observe drivers not being aware of this, they need to back up and turn around and head back north on Palm to complete their trip. The traffic gets congested quickly. The newest condo to be built at 777 South Palm originally was evaluated to be barely acceptable in the cumulative traffic. However, if that condo evolves into a condo/hotel, it will further increase the projected density.
I request that you look seriously at the developments on Palm Avenue.
I thank you and I offer my assistance in any way.
Susan Dana
Sarasota
All Hands on Deck for Hog Creek
To: Bob Firth
Thanks for the email per Hog Creek. I’ve copied the City Manager, The Bay CEO, and City staff on the email so they are aware of the conversation and the issue. There are many “hands” involved in Hog Creek (County, City, The Bay, maybe FDOT) so it is important this is a coordinated effort, and I suspect that is the plan, so I hope we can get a response on that (and copy me as well please).
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
A Pioneer Park Disappearance Act
To: Sarasota City Commission
I really appreciate your efforts regarding the water quality at Hog Creek. Unfortunately issues have continued. I was out of town for just six weeks and there has been a major change to the pond in Pioneer Park while I was gone. There has been a major increase of silt that is filling in the pond. I’m sure this is related to the discharge that I reported earlier this year. I am attaching photos showing the dramatic change in the water levels. This is not a drought issue as the water level is determined by piping under US41.
I don’t know if analyzing the silt will give us a source to the discharge but before long we no longer have a pond that has been there since the creation of Pioneer Park. If the concrete recycling plant is not a cause, it could possibly the construction at 10th on the south side between Cocoanut and Central. Regardless the change is dramatic and something needs to be done. I hope we can find a solution to this problem. The water quality of Hog Creek and the Bay are at risk. Thanks again for your attention to this matter.
Bob Firth
Sarasota
Keeping an Eye on Hog Creek
To: Sarasota City Commission
Thank you for your attention to this matter and the effort you have made to find the source of the problem. We are normally in the park three times a day and live just south of the pond. If we see a reoccurrence of the problem We will let you know. The health of Hog Creek and the water quality going into the bay is an issue that is important to all of us.
Bob Firth
Sarasota
County Continues Water Quality Investigation
To: Bob Firth
Thank you for your email, which I received through the Sarasota County Commission Services office. Sarasota County Air and Water Quality team members have been actively investigating this situation for almost two months, beginning at the end of May when the discoloration was first observed and reported to them by a nearby resident. Since then, we have made many inspections, including those at nearby industrial facilities. Fortunately, the discoloration has cleared. That said, we have not yet been able to determine the source of the issue given that it is no longer occurring.
We are continuing the investigation. If you or any of your neighbors in the area happen to observe this or any other pollution concerns, please contact Sarasota County Air and Water Quality, Environmental Protection Division staff. You may reach them at reportpollution@scgov.net. If I may be of any further assistance, please let me know.
Rachel Herman
Environmental Protection Division Manager
Sarasota County
The Source of Hog Creek’s Dumping Problem
To: Sarasota City Commission
There is a serious water quality issue at Hog Creek in Pioneer Park. The conditions have progressively gotten worse. I spoke to a person from the Parks department and he said he has reported it but it is a storm water issue and the county’s responsibility.
I had copied Kelly Brown when I first reported this to Jen Ahearn-Koch and she had requested that Suncoast Water Keepers do a water test. I don’t know if they have done any testing as of yet. I really feel that Mark Smith should address this given storm water issues are the county’s responsible.
I am concerned that the concrete recycling plant or some of the recent construction is dumping into our creek. I am also very concerned with the wildlife in the park that live off the water in this creek.
I wanted to bring this to the board’s attention as I am leaving town on Thursday and won’t be able to physically follow up on this issue until I return in 6 weeks.
Bob Firth
Sarasota
Investigating the Limelight Floods
To: Sarasota County Stormwater Field Services Manager Travis McCanna
Can you work with Andrew and review the area? We have Commissioner Ahern-Koch and Ms. Livingood share concern of flooding.
Nikesh Patel
Director of Public Works
City of Sarasota
The Reality of Limelight Drainage
To: Sarasota City Commission
Thank you for following up regarding the flooding concerns near the Limelight District, particularly around 8th Street and Apricot Avenue.
This area is within a known stormwater Level-of-Service (LOS) deficiency zone, which Sarasota County has identified. You can view the County’s LOS map here (yellow indicates deficient areas): Sarasota County Stormwater LOS Map – https://sarasota.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/basic/index.html?appid=c857b360e94344b2a7fd74576e90221c.
The County is responsible for maintaining the primary drainage system in this area based on the interlocal agreement. Their most recent ditch and inlet cleaning occurred on July 2, 2025, with the next maintenance cycle originally scheduled for early 2026. However, that work has been delayed due to a regional backlog. You can track the County’s current stormwater maintenance activities here which will provide you with the latest: Sarasota County Maintenance Dashboard – https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/36f63bf761e4483b9e89120efe8ed860.
You can also follow up with the County at (941) 861-5000 or https://sarasotacountyfl.qscend.com/311 for an update.
On the City side, our team is ensuring that ongoing construction complies with the Engineering Design Criteria Manual (EDCM) and does not worsen existing drainage conditions. The new development at the northwest corner of 8th Street and Apricot includes a P-6 curb inlet and ADA-compliant sidewalk, which will modestly improve local collection and conveyance. However, larger-scale drainage capacity upgrades will require a County-led capital improvement, since the County is responsible for the regional stormwater system under our interlocal agreement.
While all new developments must demonstrate concurrency and cannot worsen drainage performance, they are not required to resolve preexisting system deficiencies. Our focus remains on preventing further impacts and collaborating with the County to advance both short-term maintenance and long-term infrastructure improvements in the Limelight area.
Please know that we’re continuing to coordinate closely with the County’s Stormwater Division and will keep residents informed as updates become available.
Nikesh Patel
Director of Public Works
City of Sarasota
