Sarasota Letters to the Editor week of October 30, 2026

To: Sarasota City Manager Karie Friling

See below and wanted you to be aware of this, even though we have spoken about this already. Just an FYI.

Jen Ahearn-Koch

City Commissioner

City of Sarasota

To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch

It was nice running into you today in the Rosemary District. Seeing you both reminded me of a discussion I had about the Planning Board reporting process to the City Commission.

The commissioner informed me that historically the PB regularly reported on its activities to the CC in person. The idea was to add value for the CC from its advisory board and supplement the recordings and minutes.

I’d like to bring reviving this process up as a PB board topic. And I’ve asked Commissioner Ahern-Koch if she would be willing to describe to the PB what used to happen and how it worked. I spoke with her today and she agreed to attend an upcoming PB meeting. The commissioner could be available for the PB meeting on December 9, 2026.

Would it be possible to add an agenda item for the start of the December meeting to allow the commissioner to speak to the board? I’m asking for board agenda item at the start of the December meeting so the commissioner needn’t sit through a potentially long meeting for a short discussion.

Alexandrea Davis-Shaw

Engineer

City of Sarasota

To: Verne Hall

This project info has been “out there” since the work started, but the more we share our progress with the residents the better, especially since the good news is that the project is scheduled to be completed ahead of the planned timeline. This is great information for all the North Trail Neighbourhoods so I have copied some additional folks on this email. Please share.

Thanks again for the informative and timely response!

Jen Ahearn-Koch

City Commissioner

City of Sarasota

To: Jana Hoefling

The US 41 water main replacement project replaces the existing 8-inch Asbestos Cement (AC) water main along the US 41 corridor with a new 18-inch water main to improve the drinking water distribution system resilience and provide for future demand. The project includes replacement of 20 fire hydrants, new water service connections, and new water meters with meter boxes/covers.

The project has a proposed construction timeline of 2.5 years, but completion is anticipated early in the first quarter of 2027 which is just under 1.5 years. Once the project is complete, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is responsible for paving US 41 from 14th Street to University Parkway. Public Works will perform project management for the project subject to procurement and other FDOT scheduling requirements. If you have any additional questions please contact me or Nik.

Verne Hall

Utilities Director

Facilities Director

City of Sarasota

From: Jen Ahearn-Koch Jen.Ahearn-Koch@sarasotaFL.gov Sent: Tuesday, 27 October 2026 15:18:21 To: Jana Hoefling janahoefling@yahoo.com; Karie Friling Karie.Friling@sarasotaFL.gov; Nikesh Patel Nikesh.Patel@sarasotaFL.gov; Jennifer Jorgensen Jennifer.Jorgensen@sarasotaFL.gov Subject: Re: Tamiami Trail

To: Jana Hoefling

Thanks for the email per North Tamiami Trail and its terrible condition. The good news is there are plans and funding to fix it. The City has been working on a major multimillion dollar utilities upgrade project on the Trail and it is part of the plan to replace after the project is complete.

I have copied the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, and Utilities Director on this email to respond with all the details and timeline (and copy me as well please).

Jen Ahearn-Koch

City Commissioner

City of Sarasota

 

Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch I am writing to find out when we can expect to have Tamiami Trail, US41, between Fruitville and University Parkway repaved. This road is in horrendous shape and is causing undue wear and tear on our vehicles. What is the plan?

Jana Hoefling Sarasota

To: Sarasota City Commission

We have received a citizen inquiry on Payne Park, and I wanted to ensure that you all had staff’s response.

Karie Friling

City Manager

City of Sarasota

 

To: Lucretia Tuffile

I hope your day is going well. Thanks for the email. The Public Works Department has completed the repairs to the lights, and they are now fully operational. Please accept my apology for the delay in removing the sign. The team removed it this morning. Repairs were completed several months ago on a portion of the skate park. Unfortunately, a separate section now requires additional repairs, and the team is currently soliciting quotes for the necessary work.

The skate park restrooms were closed because of ongoing vandalism and the associated repair costs. The main restrooms for the park are within a short distance of the skate park. Fortunately, these restrooms have not experienced ongoing vandalism, most likely due to the day porter who cleans and monitors them daily. We also apologize for the debris, which the team removed this morning.

The Parks and Recreation Department developed a Master Plan that was adopted by the City Commission in 2019. Payne Park, including the Skate Park and Tennis Center, is included in the Master Plan. The Parks and Recreation Master Plan is available at letsplaysarasota.com under the “About” tab.

Once the City completes repairs to the numerous parks that sustained extensive hurricane damage, it will turn its attention to the remaining projects identified in the Master Plan, including Payne Park, Payne Park Skate Park, Circus Playground, and Payne Park Tennis Center. The proposed park projects will be included in the Capital Improvement Program, which will need to go through the budget process and receive approval from the City Manager and the City Commission.

I will provide an update once a Community Input Meeting can be scheduled to gather feedback from the public regarding the proposed improvements to Payne Park.

Please let me know if you would be interested in scheduling a meeting and walk-through of the skate park, and Payne Park.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any concerns or recommendations pertaining to City parks and recreational facilities. Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns. I appreciate and value thoughtful and engaged residents like you. Thanks, and enjoy the rest of your week!

Jerry Fogle

Parks and Recreation Director

City of Sarasota

To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch

Thanks for getting back to me. Not the response I was looking for.

The “no money” excuse is getting so old. Anyway, I hope you can at least get the lights fixed in a timely manner. The city has now let the park go, and now the lights don’t work. Do you know the time line on this issue?

Here are two pictures I took yesterday. Maybe at least clean up debris, that is collecting in the bathroom area? Those bathrooms have been closed forever! Maybe we could take a walk over there together? Payne Part to me is the “Central Park” of Sarasota. It should be a perfect place for all to use and enjoy. But no, it’s not.

Lucretia Tuffile

Sarasota

To: Lucretia Truffile

Thanks for your email question per Panye Park Skate Park. We all value the Skate Park and you are not alone in asking about the skate park’s repairs, timeline, and more. I am in touch with Jake, Joey, and others often and I have pasted in one email chain below that responds to most of your questions but the key response from our Parks Director, Jerry Fogle is below.

I have copied the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, and Parks Director on this email to respond and add any updates or details (and copy me as well please).

Thanks again for your email and for caring so much!

Jen Ahearn-Koch

Commissioner

City of Sarasota

To: Sarasota City Parks and Recreation Director Jerry Fogle

Thank you for getting back to us so promptly. We look forward to hearing from you once the repairs have been completed!

Jake Ilardi

Sarasota

To: Jake Ilardi

I hope your day is going well. Unfortunately, nearly all Parks and Recreation Master Plan improvement projects funded by the Penny Surtax have been paused due to the extensive hurricane damage sustained by the City, including damage to numerous parks. A substantial portion of Penny Surtax funding (millions of dollars) has been allocated for these repairs. At this time, the only park improvement projects that are proceeding are those supported by grants and/or Park Impact Fees. Park Impact Fees may only be used for new amenities that increase park capacity; therefore, the skate park would not be eligible for these funds. I will contact you, along with other residents who have inquired about improvements to their neighborhood parks once the City has completed all hurricane-related repairs across our park system. Thanks for reaching out to us about the recent repairs. We will contact the contractor to schedule an onsite meeting with them to inspect the repairs that were recently made to the skate park’s big bowl. We will ensure the issues are addressed.

The Scope of Work included:

· Contractor to provide all materials and labor necessary to repair the skate park’s big bowl.

· The demolition of deteriorated concrete approximately six inches behind and below the damaged coping/pop-out areas, re-welding reinforcing steel (rebar) to the existing coping, and placing and finishing new concrete to restore each repair location to a safe and functional condition.

Thanks, and enjoy your day! Jerry Fogle

Parks and Recreation Director

City of Sarasota

To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch

I hope you’re having a good summer! I just wanted to briefly reach out and touch base about the skatepark. I know we spoke with Jerry in the past and he mentioned expanding/renovating the skatepark in the master plan. What are the next steps? The repairs that were just made to the big bowl section are already cracking and chipping out… I don’t think we need to be putting any more money into these quick fix “band aids” that just fall right off the second a bad rainstorm comes in… Everytime I visit the park I see something new popping up that needs to be repaired. I believe it’s time for an expansion/ overhaul! Let me know how I can start to get the ball rolling.

Jake Ilardi

Sarasota

To: Phillip Schramm

The New Pass Bridge falls under the jurisdiction of Longboat Key Police Department. Your concern has been forwarded to Chief Mager in Longboat Key. Our jurisdiction ends at the waterline on our side. I have shared your concerns with SPD, so that we can watch out for and address any vehicles that may be parking illegally within our jurisdiction. Please also note that US 41 will be repaved when the utility work is completed.

Karie Friling

City Manager

City of Sarasota

To: Sarasota City Commission

I am writing to you as a concerned citizen, the New Pass Bridge from Sarasota to Longboat Key, every night nearly a half dozen to a dozen cars are parked on the bridge to fish. It is a safety hazard as the cars are not lit. Please can something be done about the parking on the bridge before someone gets injured or killed. It is too dark to plainly see the cars on the bridge. In fact some of these cars are parked below the main span as you cross the bridge you are surprised to see a car parked there. Please post signs no parking on bridge or something it has become a safety hazard. Speaking of safety hazard when are they going to finish the Ringling Causeway project, as the street lights are not lit and is dark at night. Can you get the company doing the project to get out there and get it done, you don’t see anyone working on it for weeks on end. . The road projects in Sarasota have gotten out of hand. U.S. 41 North has become pothole ridden, I am hoping that FDOT or Sarasota has plans to resurface U.S.41 North once the water pipe project in finished. Seasonal traffic is and has arrived, please help us motorists be safe out there.

Phillip J Schramm

Sarasota

To: Sarasota City Manager Karie Friling

Here is the summary for this week:

-Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Report – This will be presented at the CC Meeting on 11/2/26.

-Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Local Housing Incentive Strategy Recommendations- The request to submit the Annual Report to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation is scheduled for the CC Meeting on 11/2/26.

-Attainable Housing Update- A total of 397 attainable housing units has been developed since the Planning Department’s Attainable Housing Program kicked off. Attainable housing units at various stages of City review currently total 1,038 units.

-Citizen’s Academy- Planning and Communications will commence meetings with the various departments early next year. The two-day event will take place in the Spring of 2027.

-Fresh Fridays- Staff and Ringling College are finalizing the projection art program for the 11/6/26 Fresh Fridays Event on Palm. This should be another spectacular event and will include projection artwork from 11 students.

-Miramar Project- Staff visited the site and determined the construction underway is in compliance with the approved plans.

-National Coastal Resilience Fund- The City has applied for a $500,000 grant to advance the Bayfront Drive Living Shoreline Project to 60% design and permitting. A decision is expected in late November or early December and $400,000 has already been secured for the project.

-Neighborhood Partnership Grant Program (Cycle A)- This was approved at the CC Meeting on 10/19/26 and includes $29,640 in grants for 15 neighborhood associations.

-Plan and Permit Reviews- Planning staff continues to provide comments at DRC Meetings and attend field visits for historic preservation permits.

-Planning Website- Active Zoning Text Amendments scheduled for hearings for the PB and CC will be posted on the website so that citizens can get the latest on what is being proposed.

-Public Art Committee- Ciera will be meeting and welcoming our new STAR Student Committee Member next week.

-Public Art Projects In Process or Underway- Approved projects include “Spoonbills of the Suncoast” on State Street, “Above the Nest” on N Osprey, “Undulations” at The Edge, “Where Home Takes Root” at Amaryllis Park Place (just completed), “Paradisa” at The Vue, and “Where Time Meets Community” at Southside Village which was completed last week.

-Rosemary Parking Rate Study- Staff met with the consultant on their latest research on potential parking rates this afternoon. We asked for one more piece of information and then we’ll pass this information on to you.

-Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition, Inc. Lease and Purchase Agreements- These were approved at the CC Meeting on 10/19/26.

-SPD/Parking Coordination- This effort is going extremely well so far, meetings have been very productive and there has been a great deal of information exchanged. The official turnover date is October 28, 2026.

-State Housing Initiatives Partnership Fund Item- This is scheduled for the CC Meeting on 11/2/26.

Project Update

-Batch ZTAs- These were unanimously recommended for approval at the PB Meeting on 9/9/26. These were approved at the CC Meeting on 10/5/26 except one relating to parking for automotive repair shops. These are scheduled for Second Public Hearing at the CC Meeting on 11/2/26.

-Bay Park ZTA- This was recommended for approval at PB Meeting on 10/14/26 and is projected to go to the CC Meeting on 11/16/26 with the Second Public Hearing projected to be at the CC Meeting on 12/7.

-Composting ZTA- This was recommended for approval at the PB Meeting on 10/14/26 and is projected to go to the CC Meeting on 12/7/26 with the Second Public Hearing projected to be at the CC Meeting on 1/4/27.

-Comprehensive Plan Update- A Commission Workshop has been scheduled to discuss the Transportation Chapter Update on 10/26/26. This is scheduled for the CC Meeting on 11/2/26.

A public open house on the Inter-Governmental Coordination Chapter was held on 7/23/26. A meeting with the Argus Foundation was held on 6/5/26. Meetings were held with two CCNA Board members on 6/8/26 and the Chamber of Commerce on 6/12/26.

Conceptual goals of the Historic Preservation Chapter were discussed at the HPB Meeting on 5/12/26 and was discussed again at the HPB Meeting on 10/13/26.

A meeting was held with CCNA Board members on the Recreation and Open Space Chapter on 8/18/26 and a presentation was given to the PREP Board on 8/20/26. An Open House Meeting is scheduled for 11/5/26.

-Condo Hotels- A discussion on this topic was held at the CC Meeting on 7/20/26 and staff was directed to research and look into preparing a ZTA. Research has begun on this topic.

-Elevated Structures ZTA- Staff continues to meet and research this topic.

-Links Avenue Alley Vacation- This is scheduled to go to the PB Meeting on 11/17/26.

-Mobile Food Trucks in Downtown Bayfront ZTA- This was approved at the CC Meeting on 10/5/26 with a time restriction, having this reviewed in 2 years. This is scheduled for Second Public Hearing at the CC Meeting on 11/2/26.

Hope you have a fun weekend!

Steve Cover

Planning Director

City of Sarasota