Pitch It or Ditch It: FLC October Deadline
To: Sarasota Deputy City Manager Jennifer Jorgensen
I am available if he wants to meet and go over some of the items before the meeting, as we get closer to the meeting and have materials. If he wants to talk about proposing an item I am available for discussion on that as well. I do have a feeling that data centers and the stormwater rule will generate a lot of discussion.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
PSA: Stop Yelling at the Parking Staff
To: Sarasota City Government staff
Yesterday, one of our Parking Division employees was assaulted while performing their job. This morning, I met with our Parking team alongside Police Chief Troche to talk about what occurred, their safety, and the support available to them.
I want every City employee to hear directly from me: We will not tolerate anyone threatening, intimidating, harassing, or putting their hands on a City employee who is simply doing their job.
We recognize that members of our community may disagree with City policies and decisions. They have every right to express those concerns, question our decisions, and advocate for change. This is part of serving in local government. But disagreement with a City policy never gives someone the right to mistreat the employee responsible for carrying it out.
Our Parking employees have been on the front lines of an issue that has generated significant public attention and strong emotions in recent weeks. Through it all, they continue to come to work and serve our community professionally. They deserve our support, respect, and most importantly, a safe environment in which to do their jobs.
Our Police Department and City administration are aligned on this issue. Threatening or assaulting one of our employees will be taken seriously, and we will respond appropriately.
I am also asking all our employees who work throughout the community – particularly those in the field – to look out for one another. If you see a fellow employee in a situation that appears confrontational or unsafe, do not ignore it. Be aware, offer assistance when it is safe to do so, contact a supervisor, and involve law enforcement when appropriate. And please if you just happen to see them in the field, please wave or say hello. We are one City team, and taking care of one another is part of what that means.
At the same time, I want us to remember why we are here. Public service is not always easy. We encounter people on their best days and sometimes on their worst. We can enforce our rules, do our jobs professionally, and still lead with patience, respect, and kindness. Those values are not signs of weakness – they are part of what it means to be a public servant. I will also ask the same of our community. Debate the policy. Question a decision. Tell us when you believe we can do better. But please treat the people who serve this City with dignity and respect.
To our Parking team, I want you to know that I see the work you are doing and you have the full support of this administration and the Sarasota Police Department.
And to all of our employees, please continue to look out for one another. No one who comes to work each day to serve this community should ever have to wonder whether the City will stand behind them when their safety is threatened. We will. Thank you all for everything that you do for the City of Sarasota and for one another.
Karie Friling
City Manager
City of Sarasota
Repairs are needed…
To: Sarasota City Manager Karie Friling
I have had a number of constituents recently ask me (including today) specifically about the repairs needed at Whitaker Park, when it will open and what the holdup is specifically to Whitaker Park. The questions generally go like this: “It looks to be completely repaired from the water side and land side. The Sewell is completed. What work specifically needs to be done that needs FEMA’s approval or other permitting (aside from the dock) or what is the specific hold up to reopening Whitaker Park.” Thank you so much in advance for providing me with a detailed response when you are able.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Pitch It or Ditch It: FLC October Deadline
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
Mr. Woodard from our Utilities team is on the Utilities, Natural Resources and Public Works Legislative Committee. I have been reaching out to the staff committee members on any proposal recommendations and if needed will schedule meetings to discuss with the Commission committee members as well. Thank you!
Jennifer Jorgensen
Deputy City Manager
City of Sarasota
Pitch It or Ditch It: FLC October Deadline
To: Sarasota Deputy City Manager Jennifer Jorgensen
See below. I am not sure if Mr. Hall or someone else from the City who follows the legislature’s activities would like to weigh in but thought I would share this opportunity.
I did connect FLC’s Mr. Singer with Steve Suau (formerly with Sarasota County) who will be our (FLC Utilities, Natural Resources and Public Works) presenter in October on The Stormwater Rule, and stormwater in general. We are also looking other policy items:
• PFAS
• Extraterritorial (water service) Mandates (up to a mile outside the city)
• Data Centres
• One Water (maybe if Mr. Hubbard submits it)
Let me know if you would like me to reach out to Mr. Hall directly to share or talk through this.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Pitch It or Ditch It: FLC October Deadline
To: Sarasota City Commission
Thank you for volunteering to serve on the Florida League of Cities’ 2025-2026 Utilities, Natural Resources, and Public Works Policy Committee.
This is a friendly reminder that September 17th at 5 p.m. ET is the deadline to submit any issue for consideration at the October meeting. Proposed issue statements must address a legislative issue of statewide concern that directly pertains to municipal services and functions. Proposals should be within the purview of our committee. Issues within the Utilities, Natural Resources, and Public Works Committee’s purview include: coastal management, environmental permitting, hazardous and toxic wastes, recycling, solid waste collection and disposal, stormwater, wastewater treatment and reuse, water management, water quality and quantity, resiliency, brownfields, and municipal utilities.
If you would like to propose a legislative priority, please email me at MSinger@flcities.com with a statement of 75 words or less in the following format: “The Florida League of Cities Support …”
If you don’t have an issue ready for the October meeting, you’ll have a second and final opportunity to submit one for consideration at the November meeting. Proposals for November must be submitted by October 26th. No new issues will be considered at the third and final meeting in December.
The October 9th committee meeting packet will be emailed to you one week before the meeting. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.
Matt Singer
Legislative Advocate
Florida League of Cities, Inc.
Appoint a group…
To: Sarasota City Manager Karie Friling
Thanks Karie for the follow-up, I appreciate the time and effort that went into responding.
I have some questions and comments:
Thanks for the update on the JB Turner House. I thought they were looking into using the TDR program? I am not sure what is meant by “but would still like the air rights at no cost”.
For the homes, I was asking about “Container Homes, Tiny Homes, and Small Homes”, not ADUs we do have an ordinance already for ADUs. Sorry if I was not clear on that.
The request of some well versed, expert citizens and of CCNA is that we appoint a citizen ad hoc advisory group work with staff to help them on this extremely complicated area of law in Florida.
For the shell: The Commission has recently had items where the prohibition of shell didn’t make sense. I acknowledge that it will not be the norm that it does make sense but sometimes it could be an option, the most recent example is the Sarasota Sailing Squadron’s request for shell at their facility which was granted. I brought this up at the meeting a few times. I understand the issue that it could block storm drains but we are coastal and there may be situations where it makes sense and we would want to encourage pervious surfaces instead of asphalt.
5) the ZTA for larger setbacks to be allowed in the situation to save trees and/or historic structures is not a mandate but an extra option, making it easier for developers not more burdensome or restrictive, it offers more flexibility and choices, and is not suggested to limit, quite the opposite. SB180 would not come into play here. It would allow them to be set back ten feet for example where we have a zero set back now if it were to save a tree or historic structure. Hope this adds some clarity and please feel free to reach out if I was not clear in explaining these items. Apologies for any confusion.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Answers to Your Burning Commission Questions
To: Sarasota City Commission
I have been asked to follow-up on some requested information from Commissioners. Please see the attached link below to the proposed 2026 Batch ZTA that is before our Planning Board on September 9th. Also, see the information below from Steve Cover regarding additional requests for information. I am trying to be consistent in sharing requested information with the entire Board.
Karie Friling
City Manager
City of Sarasota
Everything But the Parking (Yes, Really)
To: Sarasota City Planner Steve Cover
Where are we at with the JB Turner house project? The last time that we met with the developer, we shared we would get an appraisal of our land and get back together with them to discuss next steps and options. Have we received the appraisal? The survey is expected to be received this week. The developer just paid the invoice for the appraisal, which is now expected to be finished in roughly four weeks. The developer has offered to relocate the house and fix it up to meet whatever needs there may be for a future tenant, but would still like the air rights at no cost.
Has there been conversations at the Commission level about doing a workshop on accessory dwelling units/small cottages, etc. in our residential areas? If so, Is this something that is on our radar? This was discussed extensively with the Community/Commission, ultimately leading up to an ordinance adopted August 17, 2021 (Ordinance No. 20-5337) that allows accessory dwelling units citywide, except for the barrier islands, with a maximum size of 650 sq. ft.
The condo/hotel zoning classification is going to be heating up. Please provide me with your plan for this project, including outreach efforts planned. Kelly Brown reached out to me and indicated the CCNA is going to be forming an ad-hoc group to work on this. Staff is researching this issue and would look to start outreach efforts later this fall. It should be noted that the two development projects that were previously proposing the condo/hotel model are no longer doing so. To date there are no applications developing condo hotels.
Shell verses Asphalt ZTA – is this underway or being considered to make this change and allow? Shell is not allowed in city rights-of-way (driveway aprons connecting to a street) due to washout into the storm drainage system. Pursuant to Sec. VII-203 of the Zoning Code, all off-street parking areas shall be surfaced with asphalt, bituminous or concrete material, clay brick or concrete paving units, or permeable pavement surfaces and maintained in a smooth, well-graded condition. This standard ensures ADA compliance is met and shell does not meet that standard due to its lack of compaction and level grading.
ZTA amendment to allow larger setbacks to protect trees – is this under consideration. It was brought up at a commission meeting last month. Due to the conflict of SB180 in creating a more restrictive standard by increasing the minimum setback here, this item would need to wait until October of 2027 when SB180 is scheduled to sunset.
In addition, staff is currently working on the Batch ZTA for 2026, with a total of 17 items scheduled for public hearing before the Planning Board next Wednesday, as well as the Composting ZTA and Bay Park ZTA items that are tentatively scheduled to go to the Planning Board next month. Planning and Development Services staff just met today and are researching information related to a future elevated houses ZTA.
Lastly, staff is working on updating the Commercial Shopping Center (CSC) Zone District to be consistent with the related Future Land Use Classification (Metropolitan Regional No. 9) for the 33.95-acre former Southgate Mall site. The Commission, on November 4, 2024, amended the Future Land Use Classification for this site to allow for residential and mixed-use development. This zone district is only applicable to this site.
Karie Friling
City Manager
City of Sarasota
The Fast and the Confused: School Zone Edition
To: Linda Kitsch
Thanks Linda. I understand better now. I don’t know the answer but I have copied the City Manager and Chief of Police and am guessing they will be able to respond.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
The Fast and the Confused: School Zone Edition
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
Perhaps I am groggy from working outside in the garden in the heat, or perhaps senility is beginning to set in for me, but let me try to clarify my issue.
There are two signs on Hatton St eastbound right before Shade; one says Traffic Camera Enforcement all day, one says 15mph during morning & evening schooldays.
But there is one sign on Shade, southbound, that says 15mph 7am – 3.45pm (all day). (Northbound on Shade, just north of Bahia Vista, is a flashing 15mph sign, but that does not flash all day from 7 a.m.-3:45 p.m.; correct me if I’m wrong here.)
So I suppose my question is: we are all used to seeing school slow zones for mornings and evenings. Is Shade speed limit an anomaly, that is, is it the except to the normal, is it really supposed to be 15mph All Day (as opposed to the usual mornings & afternoons)?
If that is the case, I have no objection but you must understand how this would be confusing to people, not only to me.
Linda Kitch
Sarasota
The Fast and the Confused: School Zone Edition
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
I know Steve has been in touch regarding the long-running speeding issue on Tamisola St abutting Sarasota High. We are both Alta Vista residents who have long been pushing on several issues in our neighborhood abutting SHS, as the Alta Vista Neighborhood Assn has been generally, um, let’s say “uninspired” to deal with such matters.
I am forwarding this long email thread to you re my asking the City to correct the School Zone signs on nearby Shade & Hatton, which show inconsistent reduced 15mph times. This hasn’t been clarified/resolved. (I’m Pro-traffic-enforcement.)
I’m not asking anything of you here, just sending this as additional context, because it’s related to the speeding issues around SHS.
Linda Kitch
Sarasota
Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Confusing Sign
To: Cory Holding
did u ever follow up with me on this confusing school zone sign issue (as Sage asked in email earlier in August)? Hatton Street sign says 15 mph 7 – 8:45 and 3 – 3:45 and additional (new) sign on Hatton (just before that sign, somewhat tree-obscured) says “speed limit photo enforced” 7 – 3:45. But Shade Avenue sign says 15 mph 7 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
I understood that the photo enforcement is valid at any time based on the speed limit at that time, that’s not my question. My question is: is Shade supposed to be 15 mph all day, or just morning and evening, like it used to be? The two 15 mph signs are inconsistent as to hours.
Personally i wish we could install another camera on Hatton, where especially at night, joyriders certainly exceed the “usual” 25 mph by 10, 20, 30 mph!
Thanks for any clarification you can give. Yes i do plan to attend a traffic calming open house, but they don’t seem to deal with these special school safety zones.
Linda Kitch
Sarasota
The Fast and the Confused: School Zone Edition
To: Sarasota City Engineer Sage Kamiya
Well, school starts next Monday; I wondered if you folks have an update regarding that school zone sign (with camera) on Shade Ave, the one that shows a whopping “7 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.” speed restriction? If I recall, your dept was working on these issues this summer.
Linda Kitch
Sarasota
Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Confusing Sign
To: Linda Kitch
Appreciate your patience for us to review this. As you’ve mentioned we have a city-wide issue that we need to improve. Regarding different times, though, this is acceptable as the statute is based on the school times for which the school zone covers.
We annually receive school times from the schools for flashing beacons, signage, etc. During this summer when we get these, we will review specifically if the times posted need to be updated. Thanks again for your interest in traffic and school safety.
Sage Kamiya
City Engineer
City of Sarasota
Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Confusing Sign
To: Linda Kitch
Appreciate your patience as we do some of our due diligence. Let me see how we’re coming and I’ll get back to you.
Sage Kamiya
City Engineer
City of Sarasota
Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Confusing Sign
Thanks for bringing to my attention. Let me take a look and get back to you.
Sage Kamiya
City Engineer
City of Sarasota
Consistency? Not on These Speed Limit Signs
To: Sarasota City Commission
In our AltaVista neighborhood there are some school zone reduced speed limit signs, which are inconsistent. Near Hatton/Shade intersection, one on Hatton says 15 mph Monday-Friday 7 a.m. – 8.45 a.m. & 3 – 3.45 p.m., as do most. But the one on shade av says Monday-Friday 7 a.m. – 3.45 p.m., essentially all day. (the one near the Camera). That’s just wrong, is it not? These should be consistent! Please have that fixed.
Linda Kitch
Sarasota
Keep Your Hands to Yourself
To: Sarasota City Commission
Yesterday, one of our Parking Division employees was assaulted while performing their job. This morning, I met with our Parking team alongside Police Chief Troche to talk about what occurred, their safety, and the support available to them.
I want every City employee to hear directly from me: We will not tolerate anyone threatening, intimidating, harassing, or putting their hands on a City employee who is simply doing their job.
We recognize that members of our community may disagree with City policies and decisions. They have every right to express those concerns, question our decisions, and advocate for change. This is part of serving in local government. But disagreement with a City policy never gives someone the right to mistreat the employee responsible for carrying it out.
Our Parking employees have been on the front lines of an issue that has generated significant public attention and strong emotions in recent weeks. Through it all, they continue to come to work and serve our community professionally. They deserve our support, respect, and most importantly, a safe environment in which to do their jobs.
Our Police Department and City administration are aligned on this issue. Threatening or assaulting one of our employees will be taken seriously, and we will respond appropriately.
I am also asking all our employees who work throughout the community – particularly those in the field – to look out for one another. If you see a fellow employee in a situation that appears confrontational or unsafe, do not ignore it. Be aware, offer assistance when it is safe to do so, contact a supervisor, and involve law enforcement when appropriate. And please if you just happen to see them in the field, please wave or say hello. We are one City team, and taking care of one another is part of what that means.
At the same time, I want us to remember why we are here. Public service is not always easy. We encounter people on their best days and sometimes on their worst. We can enforce our rules, do our jobs professionally, and still lead with patience, respect, and kindness. Those values are not signs of weakness – they are part of what it means to be a public servant. I will also ask the same of our community. Debate the policy. Question a decision. Tell us when you believe we can do better. But please treat the people who serve this City with dignity and respect.
To our Parking team, I want you to know that I see the work you are doing and you have the full support of this administration and the Sarasota Police Department.
And to all of our employees, please continue to look out for one another. No one who comes to work each day to serve this community should ever have to wonder whether the City will stand behind them when their safety is threatened. We will. Thank you all for everything that you do for the City of Sarasota and for one another.
Karie Friling
City Manager
City of Sarasota
Coming Soon: Less Sidewalk, More Ninjas
To: Jody Geiger
I hope your day is going well.
Just wanted to provide an update for North Water Tower Park.
We have submitted two Purchase Orders. One Purchase Order covers the procurement of equipment, and the other pertains to site preparation. Upon approval of the Purchase Orders, we will proceed with ordering the equipment. A permit will be required before we can advance with the site preparation activities.
North Water Tower Park Improvements:
Order 2 new custom play systems for kids ages 2-5 years and kids ages 5-12 years
Order Ninja Training Ground Outdoor Fitness for teens and adults
Removal/demo of existing playground structure
Removal of sidewalk per plans
Form and pour replacement sidewalks
Site grading of playgrounds and dog park areas
Install fencing, irrigation, and landscaping at dog park area
Installation of site furnishings
Installation of playground equipment and fitness equipment
We will provide a tentative construction schedule once it is received from the contractor.
Please feel free to share the update. We will keep you updated. Thanks, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Jerry Fogle
Parks and Recreation Director
City of Sarasota
Keep Your Hands to Yourself
To: Sarasota City Commission
Yesterday afternoon, one of our parking employees was assaulted in the St. Armand’s area. The police were called and the individual was arrested. Our employee was treated and she is doing ok. This morning, I along with Jennifer Jorgensen, the Police Chief, Deputy Police Chief, Steve Cover, and Pat Polzak met with the parking division to listen to their concerns, answer any questions they had, and to show our support to them during this difficult time. I was clear on this – there is zero tolerance for anyone in the public putting their hands on our employees or even threatening our employees. The Police Department will be conducting additional training and providing additional support to them, as well.
My simple request of the Commission currently is this – please continue to support our staff and when engaging with your constituents – please be proactive in turning down the rhetoric and emotions.
Karie Friling
City Manager
City of Sarasota
Gridlock on Paper
To: Ron Kashden
Thank you Ron for sharing this analysis and recommendation. I too am concerned about the high V/C ratios proposed as it was my understanding that anything over .85 or .9 was very close to standstill and generally not acceptable per safety. People become anxious at standstill and that increased in anxiety, generally translates to a decrease in safe driving behaviour. I have copied the City Manager, as well, on this email.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Gridlock on Paper: Transportation Chapter Debate
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
I saw you at yesterday’s workshop and thought you’d be interested in the public comment that I submitted today.
Ron Kashden
Sarasota
Gridlock on Paper: Transportation Chapter Debate
To: Alvimarie Corales
I have a significant concern regarding one aspect of the proposed revised transportation chapter, specifically the allowable v/c (with improvements) as shown below:
According to the Florida Highway Administration [“FHWA”] ([https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop08024/chapter3.htm](https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop08024/chapter3.htm)) which described in detail the ramifications of v/c on roadway experience, a 1.0 V/C road is considered a route with “no spare capacity”.
Drivers should expect recurring congestion and variable delay, with little resilience when traffic runs even slightly heavier than forecast or when routine disruptions occur.
FHWA characterizes the 0.95–1.00 range as unstable flow with widely varying delay, and says improvements will soon be needed to avoid excessive delays.
Typical conditions:
Stop-and-go traffic at the busiest times rather than smooth progression. Longer waits at traffic signals, especially for side streets and left turns. Short queues on a good day, longer queues on an ordinary day. A few extra cars, a school dismissal, a delivery vehicle, a slow turn, pedestrians in a crosswalk, or an imperfect signal cycle can extend a queue materially.
Less freedom to change lanes or enter from driveways. Gaps in the traffic stream become scarce.
Harder and less predictable turning movements. Left-turn queues can spill out of a turn bay; vehicles exiting a shopping center or side street may wait through several gaps or signal cycles.
Travel-time unreliability. A trip that normally takes five minutes through the corridor may sometimes take five and sometimes take ten or more, depending on small day-to-day variations.
The key point: 1.0 V/C is a model’s threshold of capacity, not a comfortable operating condition.
FHWA states that even at 0.85–1.00, flow becomes less stable because of natural cycle-to-cycle variations; at 0.95–1.00, delays can vary widely even before a segment or movement is technically over capacity. Safety studies have been done that show as traffic reaches capacity, accidents increase on all types of roads ([https://ntrl.ntis.gov/NTRL/dashboard/searchResults/titleDetail/PB90142688.xhtml](https://ntrl.ntis.gov/NTRL/dashboard/searchResults/titleDetail/PB90142688.xhtml)).
I did ask the consultant yesterday how the maximum V/C values were determined and he responded that, to transition from level of service to V/C, it’s more of a “art” rather than a mathematical formula. Given all of the above evidence, I respectfully recommend that:
Downtown core maximum V/C be reduced from 1.0 (unhealthy and potentially dangerous) to 0.95 or even 0.9.
A duration (time component) be added to these maximum values. Currently there is no description on acceptable length of time that the max v/c can last. A momentary surge is significantly different than a multi-hour effect. With the current text, a road that is operating at beyond it’s maximum v/c for 24 hours would be judged equally to a school intersection when school is letting out. Thank you for your consideration,
Ronald Kashden
Sarasota
Wood Street: Now an Unintentional Waterfront Property
To: James Portman
Thanks so much for following-up and providing me with this information after chatting last night at the Alta Insta Neighborhood Association meeting. I’ve copied the City Manager, staff, and Count Commissioner Smith on the email. This is both a site specific issue, and a “bigger picture” issue as well, especially as we continue to redevelop. I look forward to the response from the City Manager and Staff along with any other input from the county.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Wood Street: Now an Unintentional Waterfront Property
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
Please forward this information to whoever you think might be able to address an ongoing residential flooding situation that occurs at Wood St Sarasota 34237.
Next door to the east of there is a double lot that was just cleared of a house. Next door to the east of the recently cleared double lot are two newer, two-story houses built up on mounds & when they were built the occupant of the house that used to be on the double lot complained about his house flooding inside. This had been an issue for him even before the two newer houses were built but it seemed to get worse after the new houses were built.
The owner of 2535 Wood St also has flooding issues that she feels will be exacerbated by two more houses being built up on mounds on the recently-cleared double lot next door to her.
She notices how the speed bump table seems to corral and send water towards her house & apparently, despite there being a somewhat nearby drain, water floods her front yard.
Anyone standing on the sidewalk across the street will notice how her house sits lower than the new houses to the east of her so naturally water will run downhill.
I am hoping that someone appropriate and capable could take a look at how water drains in that area and address this ongoing drainage issue.
She is a single parent and I am sure she would appreciate any effort to address this. Thank you so much for your assistance with this.
James Portman
Zachos Realty & Design Group
Sarasota
Time-Traveling Back to the Old Rules
To: K. Hermes
I shared your inquiry with Mr. Deveau for follow-up. Please see his response below. The hours of enforcement do begin earlier in certain zones (including the area of the subject citation), and this has not changed. The only roll-back is the extended hours that the City Commission approved and then rescinded. If you have additional questions, please reach out to him directly. He is copied on this email.
Karie Friling
City Manager
City of Sarasota
The Endless Saga of Sarasota Parking
To: Sarasota City Manager Karie Friling
With the suspension of the new parking items, we have gone back to how all times were monitored prior to June 29, 2026. On-Street paid parking went back to 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. All signage for hourly spots reverted to their previous times. There are two different times for downtown. Judicial area east of 301 on Main Street and Ringling went back to 8am-5pm while the rest of downtown including the area where this citation was given (Coconut Ave) went back 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. The proper signage is there next to where the car was parked.
Technically the citation was good. Although the citation was dismissed as the photos taken did not clearly show the signage that was being enforced.
Phillip Deveau
Interim General Manager Parking Division
City of Sarasota
The Endless Saga of Sarasota Parking
To: Sarasota City Manager Karie Friling
We’ll investigate it and get back to you.
Steve Cover
Director of Planning
City of Sarasota
What the Flock is Going on with These Cameras?
To: Sarasota City Planning Director Steve Cover
Please see below and attached information from Ms. Hermes today. Please let me know how to respond back appropriately and factually.
Karie Friling
City Manager
City of Sarasota
What the Flock is Going on with These Cameras?
To: Sarasota City Manager Karie Friling
Karie, the Governor’s order to remove Flock cameras from state highways left me very confused, as did our response to a media query differentiating License Plate Readers from the cameras in question (seeming to indicate that the school zone cameras don’t read the license plates). I suspect that I’m not the only confused person.
If I were asked yesterday, I would have said 2 statutes passed by the Florida Legislature authorized municipalities to install cameras to enforce red light violations and to enforce speeding violations in school zones. I would have said that Sarasota installed these cameras in a limited number of locations. They are expensive so we only placed them where the need is greatest. I would also have said that I personally confirmed with Chief Troche that our contracts with the vendors deny them the right to store or share any data captured by the cameras in Sarasota. What’s the correct information? Can we issue an explanatory memo?
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
Tales from the Parking Enforcement Trenches
To: Sarasota City Manager Karie Friling
Thank you. I’ve seen some comments on social media wanting to know what specific incidents were being alluded to. I hope this answers the question.
Liz Alpert
Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Tales from the Parking Enforcement Trenches
To: Sarasota City Commission
I feel the need to share the below information withy you, so you can best understand what our staff is experiencing in the field when doing their jobs. Please see below. I have asked for SPD to be aware and present in our downtown to assist our staff, when needed.
Karie Friling
City Manager
City of Sarasota
Classified: Wild Parking Encounters
To: Sarasota City Manager Karie Friling
I mentioned that people are getting more aggressive with our parking enforcement staff.
Her are some examples of what our staff is experiencing now.
Steve Cover
Director of Planning
City of Sarasota
Classified: Wild Parking Encounters
To: Sarasota City Planning Director Steven Cover
One incident where an officer was issuing a citation, someone drove by and yelled the N-word. Very disturbing and unacceptable. Another incident occurred while our officer was issuing a citation. A couple walking down the sidewalk said to the officer, “If I were a restaurant owner, I would poison you”.
Another incident occurred involving a customer who was upset about receiving a citation. Officer was frightened when a customer reached into her scooter and attempted to return
A citation. She demanded that the person get out and called the police. Police officers responded but said they could not act because they did not hear the interaction.
Just recently a customer at State Street Garage yelled “I hate the garage people “. Referring to the Parking staff.
Another upset irate customer. The parking officer was issuing a citation for No Parking Anytime when the customer approached the officer and said “Don’t you have something else to do?
I’m going to have your freaking job.”
Our goal is to be ambassadors for the city first. We are not just here to write citations; we are here to educate the public when possible and enforce parking policies when necessary.
These are just a few incidents I wanted to share. I’m trying to make sure our officers are not becoming frightened, discouraged or considering leaving the profession because of the challenges they experience while doing their jobs. We want them to know that their safety, well-being, and support is important to us.
Cheryl Woodard
Parking Services Manager
City of Sarasota
Tearing Down MiraMar: Staging Plan TBD
To: Sarasota City Manager Karie Friling
Thank you Ms. Friling for the response. I would appreciate any updates on this project as they are submitted/received, so the surrounding residents know what to expect.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Tearing Down MiraMar: Staging Plan TBD
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
I checked with Lucia and they are still finalizing their staging plan for construction. They have been issued a demolition permit only; no building permits yet. Once it is approved I will share the staging plan with you, per your request. Demolition does not require an approved staging plan per code, but Lucia has shared the building staff is still working with them on the logistics and any associated impacts of the demo phase.
Karie Friling
City Manager
City of Sarasota
Tearing Down MiraMar: Staging Plan TBD
To: Sarasota City Manager Karie Friling
May I get a copy of the staging plan for the MiraMar construction project on Palm including any infrastructure upgrades necessary and the plan / timeline / staging of any?
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
