Records request
To: Sarasota City Clerk Shayla Griggs
I’m aware that you can only respond when staff pass the information back to you. That said it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that someone is sitting on a simple request which obstructs Florida sunshine law. I asked for a total of the new parking enforcement vehicles, their cost, and when they were purchased. An absolutely simple request and one that would take maybe 5 minutes to answer.
The lack of response which is not my typical experience with your office suggests someone doesn’t want me to have the information. That though isn’t an option. If I don’t get what I asked for by close of business Thursday July 30th I’ll have no choice but to consider my options.
Martin Hyde
Sarasota
Records request
To: Martin Hyde
Thank you Mr. Hyde. My staff is currently waiting on response from corresponding departments. Once we receive those records we will get them to you. Thank you.
Shayla Griggs
City Auditor and Clerk
City of Sarasota
You are likely in violation of Florida Law
To: Sarasota City Commission
You are likely in violation of Florida Law and I am seeking an investigation and fines. Years of local government sanctioned unbridled, poorly planned at often lightly regulated growth without consideration of how most of the Nation gets from home to business has resulted in densely populated cities with heavily limited parking for the vehicles that deliver customers to business. This was at best poor planning by government and perhaps at worse political corruption. Tell all public parking facilities government owned or privately run they must obey the State Law or face legal consequences.
David R. Kraner
Sarasota
Hawk light going on and off
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
This is Virginia Stephens in Jefferson Center. I live in an apartment facing North and look at the hawk light (crossing light) for the crosswalk that goes from the northeast corner of 10th and Tamiami Trail to the northwest corner by the boat ramp. It keeps going off when no one is crossing, at all hours of the day and night. I checked with Jude Levy to see if she thought you might be able to help address this issue with FDOT, and she said she thought you might.
I see cars going through it when it is double red now, and am concerned that someone may get hit when they are actually crossing.
Do you have any connections at FDOT with someone who may be able to get this corrected?
Virginia Stephens
Sarasota
Hawk light going on and off
To: Virginia Stephens
Thanks for the email, and always feel free to contact me about anything at any time. The Hawk signals at 10th and 14th that seem to break at the first strong wind and sprinkle that hits, so thank you for the email. This is under the authority of FDOT but I’ve copied the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, and Public Works Director to communicate with FDOT.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Business Owners’ Issues with Expanded Hours/Parking
To: Sarasota City Manager Karie Friling
See business owner suggestion regarding providing explanatory publicity re: parking, based on my reply to her initial comments.
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
Business Owners’ Issues with Expanded Hours/Parking
To: Sarasota City Mayor Debbie Trice
Thank you for your explanation. I wish that you would’ve said that in your comments at the meeting because it would’ve made much more sense. Maybe you could reiterate that to the business owners. And also put it in the Newspaper. That would be really helpful. Also, you could help the business owners by putting together a summary of what you have said here and giving that to all of the business owners, so they can post it in their restaurants or their shops so customers would understand. Because certainly I didn’t understand.
Kathy Kelley
Sarasota
Business Owners’ Issues with Expanded Hours/Parking
To: Kathy Kelley
Thank you, Ms. Kelley, for your thoughts. Many people don’t realize that someone has to pay for the parking. Right now, City taxpayers are making up the difference between the expense of providing and maintaining City parking and the revenue generated by parking fees and fines. The objective of the changes we implemented recently was to place the all costs on people who use the parking spaces, and not require City taxpayers (some of whom don’t drive or even own cars) to subsidize the parking.
Quite a few complaints have come from people who say they will go to UTC to shop and dine rather than pay to park in the City. What they don’t realize is that the businesses in UTC pay fees to UTC Management — and those fees include the expense of parking. As a result, the cost of parking is reflected in the prices charged at UTC — but the customer/diner is unaware.
Downtown restaurants may find that offering rebates is good marketing — especially $2 or $3 on a $100+ meal.
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
Business Owners’ Issues with Expanded Hours/Parking
To: Sarasota City Mayor Debbie Trice
Why won’t commissioners listen to the dilemma the business owners are finding themselves in with the expanded parking hours? Many businesses are losing customers and two restaurants are giving ‘give-backs’ to their customers to defray the cost of that parking. That is Awful…and Cheesy! What’s going on?
And as the Mayor, I was Totally floored by your comments about owners giving ‘Rebates’ to their customers!! You go into business to Make money; not to have to figure out ways to ‘bribe’ your customers to stay. Why didn’t you just tell the commissioners to rethink this issue, and give their constituents what they Need?? Switch the hours back to how they were. (I thought your comments were actually heartless.)
Kathleen Kelley
Sarasota
Proposed Gas Line Flags
To: Sarasota City Building Official Larry Murphy
What are these non English speaking 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? I need someone to call me at (312) 735-9559. This shit show of a circus on our street needs to be addressed by an adult who represents the city.
Robert Sheesley
Sarasota
Proposed Gas Line Flags
To: Sarasota City Building Official Larry Murphy
More stupidity happening here. The contractor Nautilus should be fined for creating this. One of the concrete Forman just told me the GC is trying to put 50 lbs. of crap in a 10 lb. bag. So, even he sees the problem on this street.
Robert Sheesley
Sarasota
Proposed Gas Line Flags
To: Sarasota City Building Official Larry Murphy
Hello Larry. I spoke with Mike Taylor in mid May and also received a voice message from Ed Brower around the same time explaining this process. At the time I was satisfied with our discussion and my understanding of the process.
We were away from our Sarasota home from May 25 until last Tuesday, July 14. The circus (nicer word for shit show) continues on our street with the ongoing build of the Indian Beach Taj Mahal at the end of Indian Beach Circle. The construction crews seem to think it’s okay to make the front of our home their work area. See pictures attached. Who can I address this with? My lawn guy is coming today to cut our lawn this afternoon. I’m going to ask the drivers of all of these vehicles to move. I have had to take time out of my work day to walk down to the end of the street, conduct an investigation of who I need to talk with about having vehicles moved. And now I’m having to do it again. My billable rate per hour is $300. Hopefully they will comply with my request. As for the new pretty orange flags now in my yard (see picture attached) who is coming here to remove them (and the white ones) so my lawn guy can properly cut our lawn this afternoon? There was a much better way of joining the neighborhood.
Robert Sheesley
Sarasota
Proposed Gas Line Flags
To: Robert Sheesley
I have inquired about your question to our engineering division below is the response. It appears they have made an application for this work. If you have further questions, please phone Ed Brower.
TECO – Permit #2026-007516. Installation of 490ft of 2” P.E. along Indian Beach.
They have not given us any notification of when they are beginning work. This is probably preliminary surveying.
Larry Murphy
Building Official
City of Sarasota
Proposed Gas Line Flags
To: Sarasota City Building Official Larry Murphy
I am not entirely sure how to respond to this email. There are gas flags in the ground of neighboring property for a new build- I believe the new construction is 710 Indian Beach Cir. It is a private provider permit. I am unsure of the proper protocol when it comes to new gas lines that may disturb neighbors. Could you please assist?
Macy Grochowski
Manager of Permits and Licensing
City of Sarasota
Proposed Gas Line Flags
To: Sarasota City Mayor Debbie Trice
I’ll lead with an apology for this unsolicited email. I know you are all very busy. However, I’m not really sure where to go in the labyrinth that is the city of Sarasota government to get answers to my questions.
After waking up to white flags in our yard yesterday, I’m thinking, “surely there is an established process that requires a permit(s) to break ground on other peoples’ property and run a gas line.” And an established protocol and process to properly communicate same. But in my interest to learn more, I’m in a circular reference loop now after taking with 811 who all but dismissed their role in any of this situation.
Our awareness of these white flags (see previous emails) should not have been a surprise. The monolithic drug cartel-like structure being built at the end of our street (Indian Beach Circle) is the likely the obvious reason for these flags and related gas line as the trail of flags ends there. Someone of sound mind and with good intentions should have communicated what is planned here.
We have been good citizens of Indian Beach, paying our property taxes on time, attending association meetings, volunteering our time for the beautification of the green spaces in the neighborhood, watching neighbors homes while they are away and offering our home for showers and storage of refrigerated food during the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, as our home was one of only two on our street with electrical power for days, post storm.
It is bad enough that the noise and additional day-long traffic blockages with larger than average trucks and dump trucks hauling dirt and other material has been a disruptive burden now for months. If the builder of the home on the bay is intending to win a good neighbor award as the next resident on Indian Beach Circle they will be sadly disappointed.
How do I (a) understand what protocols have been followed (e.g., permits, record of a utility easement (b) what rights I have as a land owner, and (c) what restitution is available it this is a project that the city intends to pursue. We are paying for landscaping on our property right now. I suspect earth removal to run a gas line is going to significantly affect anything that is done.
Please advise me on who I should be talking to at the city office to understand what is going on here and to put eyes on the proper permit(s) and legal filings and records.
Robert Sheesley
Sarasota
Proposed Gas Line Flags
To: Sarasota City Building Official Larry Murphy
811 said they are not the organization that places the flags. They only make notifications on behalf of people/companies that intend to move earth to a utility. They stated that they don’t require a permit to make a notification. However, my understanding is that in order to legally move earth and disrupt someone’s lawn a permit is required. Who can provide me a copy of a permit that requires my yard to be disrupted for the purpose of running a gas line?
Robert Sheesley
Sarasota
Proposed Gas Line Flags
To: Sarasota City Building Official Larry Murphy
We had proposed gas line flags placed in our front yard by someone. We traced these flags along our street (Indian Beach Circle) to a residential home project at the end of the street. How do I find out if these were placed there by a commercial builder or the city of Sarasota? My understanding is that the use of our property requires a recorded utility easement and that new gas line installations must be permitted and approved by the City of Sarasota’s Utilities Permitting and Field Services Division. No one informed us of any such need or proposal. The flags just showed up yesterday. Please advise. Thank you.
Robert Sheesley
Sarasota
No back in ticket
To: Yevgeny Khodorkovsky
Thanks for the explanation. I was confused because the ticket said Mercedes and you mentioned your car was a Tesla. Anyway, I understand the situation better.
I have copied the City Manager on this email so she has the relevant info and we can add this to our list of items to discuss on Aug 3 and 31. If the department can improve the process, then we should make this part of the discussion.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
No back in ticket
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
Thanks for reaching out Jen.
Here are the details of the situation:
I backed into a parking spot at Bayfront Park on June 9th 2026 (I didn’t know there’s no back in parking). The sign indicating “no back-in” where I parked had something on it (like a sticker or a cloth – it’s hard to see from my Tesla camera).
When I returned, I found a ticket on my car (left in the photo), but the ticket was issued for a completely different car (one I didn’t recognize).
I assumed it was a mistake and drove away.
Last week, over a month after the ticket was issued, I received my actual ticket (right on the photo) in the mail. I reviewed my Tesla’s parking camera footage (attached) and confirmed that the sign was covered as mentioned, this explains why I didn’t see it.
When I went to the parking front desk, the clerk said I can’t contest the ticket, because it’s been over the 14-day contest limit, and directed me to the county court for other options (I actually went there, but of course they told me they have nothing to do with it).
So I was issued an (arguably) invalid ticket, did not actually receive it when it was issued, can’t dispute it because the time limit expired, and the amount is higher than the original citation fee.
This is a big problem because most people don’t have the time, resources, or know how to demand real due process – which means many people just end up paying even when they’re innocent. In this scenario, the effect of the current process is the City obtaining money from other people through wrongful use of force (here, police powers), which is incidentally the definition of extortion.
I don’t know how often this happens, but ironically this is my first-ever parking ticket.
At the very least, the process should handle enforcement mistakes like this, and start the dispute clock from the time the ticket was actually served to the offender e.g., mail/in-person (not to mention that 14 days is arbitrarily short). They should also mail it right away, not a month later; this would provide the best opportunity for due process. See evidence photos attached below. Happy to clarify any of this.
Yevgeny Khodorkovsky
Sarasota
No back in ticket
To: Yevgeny Khodorkovsky
I am not sure I understand the situation but I will see you today and perhaps you can explain it further. I’ve copied the City Manager and Deputy City Manager so they are aware of the situation and will follow up once I have a complete understanding of the details.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
No back in ticket
To: Sarasota City Parking Manager Cheryl Woodard
Here’s the ticket I called about.
– I did not get my ticket on my car
– The no back-in sign was obstructed, so the ticket is invalid in the first place (evidence video link in thread).
– The process effectively does not allow disputes in these scenarios which is equivalent to entrapment (or fraudulence).
– The front desk clerk directed me to go to court for disputing the ticket, when of course the county court has nothing to do with this matter.
I kindly request:
– dismiss this ticket
– modify the dispute process to allow disputes for up to 30 days from receiving the ticket in the mail.
– train front desk employees to know the process.
Yevgeny Khodorkovsky
Sarasota
No back in ticket
To: Sarasota City Parking Manager Cheryl Woodard
Hi, I got a parking ticket for backing in. However the “no back-in” sign was obscured/blanked out. Here’s my Tesla’s camera capturing the attendant taking a photo of that same obstructed sign. Since there was no sign prohibiting back in parking, I’d like to dispute the ticket
Yevgeny Khodorkovsky
Sarasota
Neighborhood Community Grant Program
To: Flo Entler
I just want to clarify that it was not proposed to be eliminated, as it is in the proposed budget now. It was listed to be discussed by the Commission to highlight these types of essential neighborhood programs, which often go unnoticed or are considered not core services. Thank you for reaching out.
Karie Friling
City Manager
City of Sarasota
Neighborhood Community Grant Program
To: Sarasota City Commission
Watching the budget workshop yesterday, I was very surprised to see the proposed elimination of the neighborhood grant program that has been the key to building community and keeping residents involved and informed in the Arlington Park neighborhood. This program has been around for over 20 years.
The Arlington Park Neighborhood Association, Inc. (APNA) relies on the grant program for the majority of our outreach and community building. We hold monthly meetings and 2 community building events each year. Without these funds, we would not be able to afford to continue our meetings and very popular events.
We do not charge a membership fee to be included in our communications, meetings and events. The grant funds are their only opportunity to keep our neighborhoods informed and included. We have worked very hard for many years, volunteering many hours to build up our membership participation and have been successful due to the grants. We would be unable to continue to build community without the grant program provided to the neighborhood.
Please reconsider funding this program as it will be a detriment to my neighborhood as well as many others. Thank you!
Flo Entler
APNA President
Marina/Mooring field
To: Sarasota City Commission
Good morning, I represent a group, save Crystal River, that is in the process of restoring Kings Bay in the city of Crystal River Florida. We are continuing to have issues with derelict and sunken vessels in our Bay. We are an outstanding Florida waterway designation. We want to declare our Bay a Marina and put in a mooring field. Over the years we’ve enjoyed boating in your area and have stayed many times at Marina Jacks. It looks like you guys have got your act together as it relates to the mooring field and controlling derelict vessels. What we are requesting is a copy of any ordinance you have for the mooring field and any other pertinent information that may help us.
Steven Lamb
Sarasota
Wider Perspective on Property Tax Amendment effect
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
Friday afternoon, I was listening to WUSF, our local NPR station, and the Friday “Florida Roundup” on the program “Florida Matters Live and Local.” The first 20 minutes of the program was about the Property Tax referendum — and it was quite eye-opening to me. (Replay is available online.)
I didn’t make note of the organization that compiled the estimates of local impacts over time, but the key takeaways were that:
(1) the local hit in year 1 would continue to grow over time — I gather that’s mainly because of the increased constraint on growth of assessed value of non-homestead property, and
(2) the mix of property types in a municipality will greatly affect the trajectory of the impact over time. An example provided was that small suburban communities with little commercial property will take a big hit immediately, but with a slower increase after that. For a city like Orlando, the immediate impact was moderate, but the amount would triple over 5 years.
That made me wonder whether we’ve estimated the hit (1) over time and (2) factoring in the effect of the revised assessment caps on non-homestead properties.
Interesting comment by DC Reeves, Mayor of Pensacola (I’m paraphrasing), It’s like the sky is falling, but if the Amendment passes, we will figure it out, but the voters probably won’t like it.
One of the other guests on the program was Jason Garcia who has a Substack called “Seeking Rents.” I plan to see if he has any worthwhile information to share. BTW, only one caller to this call-in show was in favor of the amendment.
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
Encroachment Also Affects Adjacent Private Property
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
Thank you for your response and for taking an interest in this matter. I’m glad to provide the background documents.
The survey showing Villa Ballada’s building crossing my property line. This is the developer’s own survey.
Villa Ballada’s Complaint against its general contractor (Villa Ballada, LLC v. Finnell Construction Services, LLC, Case No. 2026 CA 002209 NC, Sarasota County Circuit Court, filed April 20, 2026). I’d direct your attention to Count III, where Villa Ballada admits the building was “constructed outside the parcel boundaries, causing damage to the neighboring parcels to the north and west of the Project” (¶ 29) — my property is the parcel to the north.
Paragraph 30 of the same filing confirms that Villa Ballada cannot obtain certificates of occupancy until the encroachment is resolved. My concern remains that if the City resolves the public-land encroachment, the possibility of them neogitiong their CO in these discussions could be possible. Leaving me in an uphill battle that I will need to incur further legal fees to fight while the developer can sell all his units and walk away.
One last note: I am not a lawyer. Given the threats I have received from the developer’s counsel, I have asked my attorney, Eric Hoonhout (copied here), to handle any legal conversations / discussions on this topic. I simply don’t want to share something the wrong way given the topic. This conversation can take place directly between the City Attorney’s office and Mr. Hoonhout.
I’m happy to answer any questions or provide anything further, and I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you directly.
Ken Bond
Sarasota
Encroachment Also Affects Adjacent Private Property
To: Ken Bond
Thank you for sharing this information. I do appreciate you taking the time to do so.
I would like to take you up on your offer to provide the background documents including the survey and any other correspondence.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Encroachment Also Affects Adjacent Private Property
To: Sarasota City Commission
I own the property directly adjacent to the north of the Villa Ballada condominium project on Kumquat Court. As you negotiate with the developer over his building’s encroachment onto public land, I want you to be aware that the same building also encroaches onto my private property — and that my experience with Mr. Dunn closely mirrors what the Commission saw on July 20.
The encroachment on my property. Villa Ballada’s own survey confirms their building crosses my boundary line. Before construction began, I personally advised the developer, John Dunn, of the boundary concerns. The building was constructed over my property line anyway. Notably, in Villa Ballada’s own pending lawsuit against its general contractor (Case No. 2026 CA 002209 NC, Sarasota County Circuit Court), it acknowledges under oath that the encroachment caused damage to the neighboring parcels.
How the developer has responded. The Commission’s experience mirrors my own. Just as Mr. Dunn’s lawyers asked the City to hand over its encroachment for free, he came to me asking that I simply give him the encroachment on my land at no cost. The City was able to deny that request and negotiate. When I declined, his lawyers threatened to sue me to take my property for free — leaving me to spend money on attorneys with no end in sight, over a problem entirely of his own making. This situation simply isn’t right.
Why the City’s negotiations affect me directly. I am concerned that the outcome of the City’s negotiations with Mr. Dunn’s lawyers will be Villa Ballada receiving both the public land and its certificates of occupancy — while the encroachment on my private property remains unresolved. If the City grants Villa Ballada what it needs to close out the project, the developer will have little remaining incentive to deal fairly with me, and my situation will be left materially worse. I respectfully ask that the Commission not allow the developer to resolve his encroachment on public land and receive his CO while leaving an admitted encroachment on private land unaddressed.
I am happy to provide documentation, including the survey and the referenced court filings if needed.
Ken Bond
Sarasota
Transportation Chapter Update – Comprehensive Plan
To: Sarasota City Commission
As a follow up to a question I received from a Commissioner about the required process for city initiated updates to the Comprehensive Plan. Please see below and attachments for details regarding this.
Karie Friling
City Manager
City of Sarasota
Transportation Chapter Update – Comprehensive Plan
To: Sarasota City Manager Karie Friling
Attached is the Guidelines for Seeking Amendment to the Sarasota City Plan, Administrative Regulation No. 030.A006.0924 that was most recently approved in September 2024. In regards to the Transportation Chapter comprehensive plan amendment update, the following from III. 2. (d) (page 3 of 16) applies:
(d) The Annual Amendment Schedule does not apply to a city-initiated comprehensive plan amendment authorized by the City Commission that updates a chapter(s) of the comprehensive plan. Although the dates and deadlines of the Annual Amendment Schedule do not apply, the processing of such amendment shall follow the process outlined in the Annual Amendment Schedule starting with a pre-application conference followed by a community workshop (when applicable), application submittal, substantive review and analysis, and public hearings with the Local Planning Agency and City Commission.
The Transportation chapter update is a city-initiated plan amendment. On January 20, 2026, the City Commission authorized staff to prepare updates to the comprehensive plan chapters of the Sarasota City Plan (see attached Agenda Request and minutes on pages 9-10 of 12 of the PDF file titled “City Commission authorization for comprehensive plan amendment updates, 01.20.2026.pdf” which is attached).
Following the process outlined in the Guidelines, a pre-application conference with DRC was held on April 1, 2026.
The plan amendment application was submitted on April 2, 2026.
Substantive review and analysis were completed, and a staff report was prepared. The staff report with the proposed plan amendment was presented to the Planning Board at a public hearing (both transmittal and adoption) on May 13, 2026.
The staff report is scheduled for a City Commission public hearing on August 3, 2026, to consider transmitting the proposed amendment to review agencies. Assuming the City Commission authorizes transmittal and after review agencies comments are received, the plan amendment will be scheduled for a City Commission adoption public hearing.
Sec. IV-201, (b) (1) of the Zoning Code requires a Community Workshop for two types of plan amendments which are:
“Amendments to the future land use map illustration LU-6 of the Sarasota City Plan” – this is not an amendment to the Future Land Use Map; and
f. “Amendments to the text of the Sarasota City Plan that affect a specific and limited area of the city (determined by the director of the planning department)” – the Transportation Chapter update is not for a specific and limited area of the city, but is applicable city-wide.
Transportation Planning staff held numerous community meetings regarding the update. Note that Appendix 2 in the proposed Transportation Chapter contains a public engagement summary that began in May 2025 in order to update the chapter. City transportation planners, as well as staff from the City’s transportation consultant ADAES-Q, gathered public input through stakeholder listening sessions, a transportation survey, a public meeting to review the Goal and Objectives (August 21, 2025), three community Open Houses to review draft Action Strategies (October 2025), and a public meeting to review Findings and Draft Recommendations (February 3, 2026). Please see Appendix 2 in the proposed Transportation Chapter for greater detail.
For many plan amendments, especially privately initiated amendments, the annual amendment schedule is followed. However, the Guidelines provide exceptions for certain amendments of which this Transportation Chapter update is one of those exceptions as noted above. In summary, the process outlined in the Guidelines has been followed for this city-initiated amendment. If I can provide additional information, please let me know.
Steve Cover
Director of Planning
City of Sarasota
