The biggest day-to-day issue for many residents was noise and special events. City commissioners gave first-round approval to a rewritten special events ordinance, voting 4-1 to move it forward with changes and more research before a final vote. The proposal would tighten rules on street closures, alcohol, recurring events, and event hours, and it would set sound limits for most places at 85 dBA and 90 dBC. Some large venues and parks would still be allowed up to 100 dBA and 105 dBC. Liz Alpert voted no on first reading. Kathy Kelley Ohlrich and Jen Ahearn-Koch then tried to remove that higher sound allowance, but that failed 2-3.
The commission also heard Sarasota Police Department’s year-end report and accepted it unanimously. Police leaders said violent crime fell 18% in 2025 and 56% over three years. They pointed to the Real-Time Operations Center, gunshot detection, body cameras, homeless outreach, and new technology including planned real-time 911 software and a drone first responder program.
On land use, commissioners unanimously approved rezoning at 2283 Ringling Boulevard so a 2,204-square-foot restaurant can operate there under Downtown Edge zoning. Earlier, they also approved another Downtown Edge rezoning near Alderman Street on a 3-2 vote, with Kyle Battie, Debbie Trice, and Liz Alpert in favor and Kathy Kelley Ohlrich and Jen Ahearn-Koch opposed.
The city’s financial update carried a warning: Sarasota’s unassigned general fund balance dropped to $13.6 million, or 10.8% of spending, below the city’s target reserve range. Finance staff said hurricane debris cleanup was the main reason.
Next, the special events ordinance comes back for second reading with more detail on adjacent-event limits and how city co-sponsored events would be counted.
Key takeaways: - The Sarasota City Commission accepted the Sarasota Police Department’s report after a presentation on crime trends, technology, outreach, and operations; the motion passed unanimously. (1:46:13)
The commission approved a special events ordinance on first reading, 4-1, with changes and follow-up research requested before second reading; a separate motion to remove the 100-decibel allowance for certain park and arena locations failed 2-3. (6:10:32) (6:25:21)
The commission approved a rezoning at 2283 Ringling Boulevard from Commercial General to Downtown Edge for a restaurant use, with a 2,204-square-foot restaurant proffer; the vote was unanimous. (6:45:00) (7:18:24)
Finance staff reported that the general fund unassigned balance ended fiscal year 2025 at $13.6 million, or 10.8% of expenditures, below the city policy range of 17% to 25%; staff said the shortfall was driven primarily by hurricane debris cleanup costs. (7:19:18)
Proclamation: Sexual Assault Awareness Month
The commission presented a proclamation recognizing April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The proclamation cited statistics on sexual assault and recognized Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center, SPARC, for services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and their children in Sarasota County. A SPARC representative identified herself as Nicole, a sexual assault victim advocate, and thanked the commission. (0:29:06)
Sarasota Police Department 2025 end-of-year review
Police Chief Rex Troche, Deputy Chief Scott Mayforth, Captain Rob Armstrong, Captain Kenneth Rainey, Captain Jonathan Todd, and Captain Tom Quinlan presented the Sarasota Police Department’s 2025 year-end review. Chief Troche said violent crime was down 18% in 2025 and said the department had seen a total 56% drop over the last three years, citing prior yearly drops of 21.8% and 16%. (0:33:25)
Chief Troche said the Real-Time Operations Center had improved public and officer safety, real-time intelligence, and prosecution support. He said the system included gunshot detection, officer body-worn camera access, and planned access to about 600 school cameras in the city. He gave an example from Sept. 12 in which the system alerted police to gunshots in the Watts area when no 9-1-1 call had been made; he said officers found a gunshot victim in a vehicle and that the system helped save the person’s life. (0:34:39) (0:36:29)
Captain Armstrong said proactive activity was slightly down from 2024 to 2025, which he attributed to fewer officers on the road, but said both years remained proactive. He said DUI arrests were up 43% over two years, which he attributed to training and body-worn camera use. He also reviewed the Homeless Outreach Team, saying the team had 2,805 contacts in 2025 and that its primary goal remained outreach, services, and housing. He said the team included one sergeant, three enforcement officers, two outreach officers, one city coordinator, and two case managers. (0:37:08) (0:38:01)
Captain Armstrong also described a mobile learning center donated by a resident, equipped with iPads, 3D printers, and interactive learning materials for elementary-age students, and said the department was partnering with USF on AI- and data-driven crime forecasting. He said phase one of that work showed a 19.6 crime reduction citywide. (0:38:55) (0:39:29)
Captain Rainey said Internal Affairs handled 173 total investigations in 2025: 11 formal investigations, 64 informal investigations, and 98 investigative inquiries. He said 84 of the 98 inquiries were closed after preliminary review with no policy violation identified. He also said IA issued 75 internal officer compliments in 2025. He reviewed training including SNAP training, Axon/Taser 10 certification, virtual reality training, and ABLE active bystandership training. He said response-to-resistance incidents fell to 111 in 2025, a 12% reduction from 2024 after a 36% reduction the year before. (0:40:55) (0:42:14) (0:43:13)
Captain Todd said there were two homicides in the city in 2025, down from seven in 2024, and that both 2025 homicide suspects were identified, located, and arrested within hours. He said the homicide clearance rate was 100%. He described a Feb. 4, 2025 homicide at the Lyra Apartments on Ringling Boulevard and said detectives identified Jalma Gordon as the suspect and located him near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, within about two hours using surveillance footage and the Real-Time Operations Center. He said detectives worked 715 criminal investigations in 2025. He also reported that the Strategic Investigations Unit made 67 arrests resulting in 206 felony charges and 23 misdemeanor charges, and seized nearly $600,000 in cash and 54 firearms. He said the Community Action Team made 114 arrests resulting in 142 felony charges and 43 misdemeanor charges, and seized 34 firearms. He said the “Shots Free in Zone 3” operation in Newtown reduced cases where a victim was shot from 22 in 2024 to eight in 2025. (0:44:39) (0:45:00) (0:46:32) (0:47:33) (0:48:19)
Captain Quinlan reviewed support services, including MIS, facilities, records, body-worn camera records, red light cameras, fleet, school zone safety cameras, and event support. He said the records unit processed 21,903 cases, more than 2,300 state attorney requests, and 5,183 public records requests in one year. He said the body-worn camera unit handled 3,122 public records requests, a 266.5% increase from 2024. He said the red light camera unit processed 27,978 violations in 2025 and that the city had 30 red light cameras after adding 10. He said school zone safety cameras launched in January 2025, served six schools and 11 school zones with 22 cameras, processed more than 51,000 violations, and saw a 59% reduction in violations within one year. (0:49:40) (0:51:08) (0:51:49)
Deputy Chief Mayforth said the department was preparing to roll out real-time 911 software and a drone first responder program. He said the real-time 911 system would let Real-Time Operations Center analysts hear calls as they are made to county dispatch, potentially giving officers a one- to three-minute advantage. He said the drone system would allow analysts to launch a roof-mounted autonomous drone to incidents and that the target rollout for the drone program was around October. Chief Troche later said the drone first responder beta program was funded by a philanthropist through the Sarasota Police Foundation after the Lyra homicide case. (0:53:04) (1:29:27)
Commissioners asked about the learning center, Spring Fest, the Homeless Outreach Team, training, Newtown crime reduction, youth outreach, and the former Police Complaint Committee and Independent Police Advisory Panel. Staff said 100% of Sarasota police officers receive training on interacting with unsheltered people and that the department does a refresher every two years. Chief Troche said the city was working with Dr. Heather Salzman on a “constitutional policing” approach after state changes affecting the advisory boards. (0:55:47) (0:57:15) (1:03:04) (1:12:25) (1:20:50) (1:35:45)
The commission then voted to accept the report. The motion by Kyle Battea and second by Jen Ahearn-Koch passed unanimously. (1:46:13)
Citizen comments
Five speakers addressed the commission during citizen input. (1:46:36)
Nancy Lorch-Archer, speaking for Sarasota Sands, thanked the city for post-hurricane help and said the Lido Beach renourishment project stopped short of Sarasota Sands without notice from the city or the Army Corps of Engineers. She asked what changed and how the issue would be remedied before turtle season. (1:47:47)
Christine Robinson, speaking for the Argus Foundation, asked the commission to halt the downtown master plan update process, including procurement, and restart it after the new city manager had time to review the current plan. She said only one applicant remained in the procurement process and raised concerns about transparency and process. (1:50:51)
John Bordeaux, a downtown resident, said the Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association had urged the city to adopt a draft sound ordinance prepared by former city attorney Bob Fournier as an interim measure. He also asked the commission to return to a 65-decibel daytime sound limit. (1:54:04)
Ron Shapiro, a Sarasota resident, spoke about the planned May 4 quasi-judicial hearing on the 1260 North Palm Avenue project and said the mediated settlement did not address the reasons the commission had denied the project in 2025. (1:57:04)
Kelly Brown, a Gillespie Park resident and president of the Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations, asked the commission to direct staff to begin an eminent domain process for the U.S. Recycling property and suggested using proceeds from the First Street property sale for that purpose. (2:00:14)
Consent agenda and pulled items
The commission approved the balance of consent agenda number one unanimously after pulling items 6.5 and 6.6. (2:16:40) (2:17:18)
On item 6.5, Jen Ahearn-Koch asked about the Martin Luther King Park Improvement Project coming in above estimate. Parks and Recreation Director Jerry Fogle said the only removed item was a bench swing and that some other items were replaced with less expensive versions, including pavilions, pavers, and bollard lighting. The motion to approve item 6.5 passed unanimously. (2:18:07) (2:22:33)
On item 6.6, Kathy Kelley Ulrich asked why three marketing-related contracts were bundled into one motion. Procurement staff said they had been bundled because they came from one solicitation. After discussion, the commission voted on the item as a whole. The motion to approve item 6.6 passed 4-1. The transcript does not state which commissioner voted no. (2:22:52) (2:28:54)
The commission then approved the balance of consent agenda number two unanimously after pulling item 7.1. (2:29:11) (2:32:45)
On item 7.1, Kathy Kelley Ulrich and Jen Ahearn-Koch asked about transferring $250,000 from the city’s Bay Park tax increment financing fund to the Sarasota Performing Arts Construction Fund. Staff said part of the money would reimburse the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation for phase one concept design work by Renzo Piano and part would support city due diligence and project management work. Staff said the amount was an estimate and not a commitment to a single consultant contract. The motion to approve Resolution 26R-3390 passed unanimously by roll call. (2:33:35) (2:44:52)
Rezoning at Alderman Street / Hudson Avenue / Pine Tree Lane / Role Place
The commission held second reading on proposed ordinance 25-5579, a rezoning of about 1.27 acres from RMF-5 to Downtown Edge. Development Services General Manager Alison Christie said there had been no changes since first reading. Commissioners discussed the lack of a site plan, the effect of the rezoning on future administrative approvals, density, and height limits. Christie said the existing density would be nonconforming under Downtown Neighborhood Edge and that the code would limit height based on adjacent zoning, with three stories near Laurel Park, four stories near RMF zoning, and a small strip that could reach five stories. (2:45:28) (2:47:01) (2:50:57)
The motion by Liz Alpert and second by Kyle Battea to approve the ordinance on second reading passed 3-2 by roll call. The transcript states the votes: Kyle Battea yes, Kathy Kelley Ulrich no, Debbie Trice yes, Jen Ahearn-Koch no, Liz Alpert yes. (2:53:24)
Special events ordinance
The commission held a legislative public hearing on proposed ordinance 26-5585, which would amend city code provisions on special event permits, sound permits, right-of-way use, vending, litter, city co-sponsored events, security deposits, insurance, and nonprofit special event status. Special Events Manager Jim Wormley said the goal was to preserve and enhance the city’s atmosphere while balancing feedback from residents, businesses, and event organizers. Special Events Supervisor Laurie Benson reviewed changes requested after prior first-reading discussions. (2:54:43) (2:57:15)
Benson said proposed changes included: - limiting events with a right-of-way closure, sound permit, and alcohol to one day, except at J.D. Hamel Park and Gulfstream Park; (2:59:35)
within a defined downtown boundary, limiting events with a right-of-way closure, sound permit, and alcohol to two per month unless approved by the city commission, and prohibiting such events on consecutive weekends on directly adjacent rights of way; (2:59:56)
requiring recurring special events to apply annually; (3:01:05)
requiring proof of the proper state-issued alcohol permit; (3:01:41)
replacing a two-thirds signature requirement for street closures with a notice process to impacted residents and businesses; (3:02:01)
setting special event sound permit limits effective May 1, 2026, at 85 dBA and 90 dBC for most locations, and 100 dBA and 105 dBC for the Bay Park, Bayfront Park, Payne Park, Ken Thompson Park, and Robarts Arena/Sarasota Fairgrounds or another location approved by the city manager. (3:02:50)
Benson also said other changes included a 60-day application deadline, denial authority if an organizer had been convicted of a federal or state crime or found in violation of a city or county ordinance within the last two years, no Main Street street closures Monday through Friday before 5 p.m. except legal holidays or city manager approval, an 11 p.m. event end time except New Year’s Eve, and limits on events at J.D. Hamel Park, Boulevard of the Arts, Bayfront Park, and Bobby Jones Golf Club and Nature Park. (3:04:03)
Public speakers Jim Lample, John Bordeaux, and John Simon commented on the ordinance. Lample said the ordinance was difficult to follow and asked for a simpler chart, lower sound limits in downtown parks, and removal of city manager override authority on sound. Bordeaux said downtown should be limited to one Fresh Friday and one additional special event per month, asked for an 85-decibel limit citywide, objected to administrative changes to event criteria, and asked for stronger enforcement. Simon raised concerns about nonprofit temporary alcohol permits and said the city should require more documentation or audits related to alcohol sales at events. (3:10:16) (3:13:37) (3:18:49)
After a lunch recess, commissioners discussed the ordinance in detail. Topics included whether St. Armands Circle Park should be treated as a park or right-of-way for ordinance purposes, vendor identification timing, whether the Downtown Improvement District should qualify for city co-sponsorship, whether city co-sponsored events should count toward location restrictions, the meaning of “directly adjacent,” and whether event permits should include a warning about compliance with state alcohol permit laws. (4:45:00) (5:03:03) (5:12:15) (5:15:00) (5:49:43)
The commission then approved the ordinance on first reading, 4-1, with changes and follow-up research to return at second reading. The transcript reflects that the changes with consensus included: - clarifying that St. Armands Circle would be treated as a park for purposes of the ordinance; (6:03:09)
changing vendor language so exact vendor names and locations were not required at initial application, with later submission still required; (4:46:20) (6:04:02)
allowing nonprofit entities or the Downtown Improvement District in the city co-sponsored event language; (6:05:13)
adding a warning on the city permit about following state alcohol permit law; (6:05:23)
bringing back more information on “directly adjacent” and a possible one-eighth-mile standard, and on how city co-sponsored events interact with consecutive weekend restrictions. (6:05:59)
The motion passed 4-1 by roll call. The transcript states the votes: Kathy Kelley Ulrich yes, Debbie Trice yes, Jen Ahearn-Koch yes, Liz Alpert no, Kyle Battea yes. (6:13:48)
The commission then took up a separate motion by Kathy Kelley Ulrich, seconded by Jen Ahearn-Koch, to remove the 100 dBA / 105 dBC allowance from the special sound permit. That motion failed 2-3. The transcript does not identify each vote by name. (6:25:21)
A second motion by Kathy Kelley Ulrich, seconded by Jen Ahearn-Koch, to require warning signs at entrances and in front of speakers for events using the higher sound level also failed 2-3. The proposed warning language was that exposure to that sound for 15 minutes or more may cause permanent hearing loss. The transcript does not identify each vote by name. (6:25:59) (6:29:03)
Rezoning at 2283 Ringling Boulevard
The commission held a quasi-judicial hearing on proposed ordinance 26-5595 to rezone about 0.08 acres at 2283 Ringling Boulevard from Commercial General to Downtown Edge. Applicant representative Joel Freedman and owner Sean Zametz said the property was a small commercial building and that the rezoning would bring the property into compliance with the future land use designation of Urban Edge. Freedman said the applicant proffered a 2,204-square-foot restaurant use and that traffic impacts were deemed de minimis. (6:45:00) (6:48:38) (6:50:50)
Planner Camden Jenkins said the property was about 3,913 square feet, currently had a one-story 2,204-square-foot commercial building, and was surrounded by restaurants, retail, a gas station, and the Lyra Apartments. He said the planning board had voted unanimously on March 11, 2025, to recommend approval. He also said Downtown Edge zoning would not require off-street parking for a liner building or independent building under 10,000 square feet, while the current Commercial General zoning would require about 15 spaces for a restaurant of that size. (6:54:23) (7:02:39)
Public speaker Rocco Cartia, who said he operated a restaurant next door, said he was concerned about parking and said the building had been a pizzeria or Italian restaurant for many years. (6:56:06)
Commissioners discussed parking, nearby residential growth, and the purpose of the rezoning. The motion by Kathy Kelley Ulrich, seconded by Kyle Battea, to approve the ordinance passed unanimously by roll call. (7:15:25) (7:18:24)
Financial update
Finance Director Kelly Strickland presented a financial update on the general fund and fiscal year 2027 budget planning. She said the city’s unassigned general fund balance was $30 million at the end of fiscal year 2023, $29.2 [million] at the end of fiscal year 2024, and $13.6 million at the end of fiscal year 2025. She said the reduction was primarily due to debris cleanup costs after Hurricanes Debbie, Helene, and Milton. (7:19:18) (7:20:06)
Strickland said the city’s unassigned fund balance as a percentage of expenditures ended fiscal year 2025 at 10.8%, below the Government Finance Officers Association recommendation and city policy range of 17% to 25%. She said the fiscal year 2026 budget had included a millage increase from 3.000 to 3.2730 as part of a three-year reserve restoration plan, but the city ended fiscal year 2025 about $4.4 million lower than estimated. (7:20:42) (7:21:53) (7:22:43)
She said departments had been instructed to maintain current service levels, reduce non-personnel operating budgets where possible, postpone capital purchases, use equipment replacement funds before requesting new capital dollars, and not request new general fund staffing. She said staff was estimating a 4% increase in assessed value for fiscal year 2027 and that at the current millage rate, that would generate about $2.2 million in additional general fund revenue, though Bay Park TIF and Newtown CRA changes would affect the amount. She also said the revenue stabilization fund balance was about $3.8 million. (7:25:25) (7:26:13) (7:27:09)
The commission accepted the report unanimously. (7:37:11)
External auditor selection committee
Strickland told the commission that the city’s current auditor, Forvis Mazars, had completed the fifth year of its contract and that state law required the city to go through a new selection process. She said the law required one commission member to serve on the selection committee as chair and that at least two other community members would also serve. The commission selected Kathy Kelley Ulrich as chair by consensus. (7:37:47) (7:41:24)
Floodplain management plan
Flood Zone Specialist Nick Baltimore presented the 2025-2030 floodplain management plan. He said the plan is required every five years to maintain participation in the National Flood Insurance Program and FEMA’s Community Rating System, which currently gives city residents a 25% flood insurance discount as a Class 5 community. He said the city’s floodplain management planning committee met five times and that the final draft was posted for public input in February. (7:42:43)
Baltimore said FEMA released new flood insurance rate maps in March 2024 and that Hurricanes Debbie, Helene, and Milton later brought storm surge up to eight feet and more than 20 inches of rainfall. He said repetitive loss properties increased from 73 to about 176 and that National Flood Insurance Program claims payouts rose from $7.5 million in 2020 to $87.9 million in 2025. He said the city is completing a repetitive loss area analysis and continuing work on shoreline stabilization, dune restoration, stormwater improvements, engineering standards, elevation modeling, and public outreach. (7:43:54) (7:44:40) (7:45:24)
The motion by Jen Ahearn-Koch, seconded by Kathy Kelley Ulrich, to adopt Resolution 26R-3392 passed unanimously by roll call. (7:46:58) (7:48:57)
Commission remarks and future agenda items
During commission remarks, Kathy Kelley Ulrich asked staff for follow-up on Sarasota Sands’ comments about Lido Beach renourishment. Interim City Manager Marlon Brown said he had asked the chief engineer to contact the speaker and review the issue. (7:49:42)
Ohlrich also raised concerns about notice timing for a public workshop on comprehensive plan amendments. Brown said he had discussed the issue with staff and said future notice would be at least two weeks and would include outreach to neighborhoods. (7:50:24)
Ohlrich asked to place discussion of the downtown master plan update process on a future agenda, including the process followed by the ad hoc committee. Brown said staff would work on bringing that back on the next available agenda and would review what procurement-related information could be shared. (7:50:51) (7:55:03)
Jen Ahearn-Koch asked again about scheduling a joint meeting with the Sarasota County Commission and said she intended to write county commissioners individually. Brown said staff had a hold on Sept. 15 and would check again with county staff. Ahearn-Koch also said she had attended the St. Armands visioning session and wanted follow-up on concerns about speed humps, and Brown said staff would provide information. She also commented on U.S. Recycling, the Florida Urban Forestry Council, the Manasota League of Cities, the Sarasota Opera 100-year celebration, the Sarasota Orchestra event at Ed Smith Stadium, and the Earth Day tree giveaway. (7:56:01) (8:12:15)
The meeting adjourned at 8:18:14.
Watch the full meeting recording
Vote tallies in this recap were transcribed from the meeting recording and reviewed by a human editor; this body doesn’t publish a structured roll-call record, so they were not independently verified against an official vote log.
How this was reported: The Public Eye uses AI tools to transcribe and draft coverage of public meetings from official recordings. Every article is reviewed and verified by a human editor before publishing. Our coverage is limited to what happened on the public record — we don’t publish opinion or investigations. The Public Eye is independent and not affiliated with any government body, developer, or other news outlet. Spot an error? Email office@thepubliceye.ai and we’ll correct it promptly.