|
|
Hello Everyone,
The search for our next City Manager continues.
After a transparent conversation during a recent special meeting, the City Commission agreed to slow down the process so Commissioners could have the opportunity to review every application received by our executive search firm, Colin Baenziger & Associates. Each Commissioner will select up to ten candidates, then a list will be compiled and the City Commission as a body will discuss the candidates and their qualifications during a workshop Friday, April 11 at 9 a.m. followed by a special meeting at 1 p.m. to narrow down the finalists.
We appreciate everyone’s patience. This is one of the most important decisions we will make as an elected body and we want to make sure we’re all comfortable with the process.
We are grateful that our Interim City Manager Doug Jeffcoat, who temporarily left his role as Public Works Director to manage the City’s extensive day-to-day business with Deputy City Manager Patrick Robinson, has agreed to stay on board as ICM while we navigate this process. With nearly 30 years of service with the City, Doug epitomizes public service and dedication to our community. Thank you!
While on the topic of dedication, I’d like to highlight our Utilities Department which conducted emergency repair work last Sunday after a contractor damaged a 14-inch water main near US 41 and US 301. With the pipe located under US 41, a state road, City staff coordinated with the Florida Department of Transportation to determine when the repair work could be conducted with the least impact to traffic flow. Two lanes on southbound US 41 just south of the US 301 split were temporarily closed Sunday morning while eight Utilities crew members responded and worked for 14 hours on site to open the road, access the pipe, make the repairs and patch the road. During that time, residents in Central Park II experienced a temporary water shutoff followed by a boil water advisory.
Utilities crew members working Sunday, March 30 to repair a water main under US 41 damaged by a contractor. Photo: Timothy Howard
Thank you to the crew for getting this tough job done on a Sunday -- and to our water customers for their patience.
The Utilities Department will coordinate with our Risk Management Division to recoup costs associated with the damaged water main.
Here’s to a great weekend ahead!
 Liz Alpert
Mayor
|
|
|
Believe it or not, six months have passed since Sarasota faced significant impacts from back-to-back hurricanes. Within 13 days of each other, extreme storm surge from Hurricane Helene and ferocious winds from Hurricane Milton battered our coastal city.
Since then, City staff have been working diligently to restore our community, including the reopening of all but three of our 61 parks. Hart’s Landing (including Doc and Eloise Werlin Park and Tony Saprito Fishing Pier), Indian Beach Park and Nora Patterson Park remain closed due to damage and extensive repairs that will be needed in coordination with state and federal agencies to ensure financial reimbursement. FEMA representatives were on site at Hart’s Landing with City staff this week conducting a visual inspection of the damage, which will be the framework to move the restoration and reimbursement processes forward.
As of the end of March, the City's storm recovery obligations (expended and encumbered funds) is $17.1 million with FEMA providing $7.7 million up front. The impact to the City's reserves is $9.4 million.
Due to the City Commission's commitment to maintain a reserve of 2-3 months of General Fund expenditures (or roughly 17-25% of the budget) for emergency purposes, the City remains in a stable financial position.
Hart's Landing - March 2025
Click here to watch a brief video update on the recovery process.
Repairs are expected to be completed in early 2027.
While the recovery process continues, we’ve come a long way! As always, we appreciate your patience and our community’s resiliency.
During the month of April, The Bay is celebrating all things green and the City is pitching in to help!
On Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26, the City will celebrate Arbor Day with a tree giveaway at The Bay and an opportunity to glean tree planting and maintenance tips from one of our arborists.
Free Tree Giveaway: On April 25 and 26, the City will host a free tree giveaway at The Nest. 100 trees will be given away from Live Oaks to Bald Cypresses, including 5 Royal Palms. Please plan to provide ID showing City of Sarasota residency to claim a tree while supplies last.
Learn From an Arborist: Interested in a lunchtime discussion about trees, landscaping, and more? Join local arborists on Friday, April 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at The Nest for an informative session about all things trees.
We hope you can join us for these tree-centric community events!
Our arborists in the Development Services Department were on hand to help the Gillespie Park Neighborhood Association (GPNA) celebrate its historic 100th anniversary last week.
After planting a live oak tree near the southwest corner of Gillespie Park earlier in the week, City staff gave away 30 trees to residents during GPNA’s big celebration in the park last Saturday. Five varieties of trees were distributed including fruit trees (avocado, mango, and loquat); canopy trees (red maple and magnolia); and an understory tree (Simpson’s Stopper).
Out of more than 55 neighborhoods and associations, Gillespie Park is one of the oldest in Sarasota. We’re thrilled to see how they’ve embraced the spirit of our city through enrichment of their environment as well as empowerment of their residents to embrace a better quality of life.
Congratulations on this monumental anniversary!
|
Children are invited to hunt for eggs in our heated pool at the Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex during the annual Aqua Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 12.
Groups will be divided by age to make sure each child can gather eggs safely. Special prizes will be awarded to those who find the "golden" eggs, and all kids will get to meet the Easter Bunny and take home a goody bag.
The event will be held Saturday, April 12 from 1 – 2 p.m. and is open to children ages 1-12 with a $5 fee per child.
Parents must enter the water with children who are 5 years old and under.
1 p.m.: 3 years old & younger
1:20 p.m.: 4 – 5 years old
1:40 p.m.: 6 – 8 years old, shallow water (3.5 - 4 feet)
2:00 p.m.: 8 - 12 years old, deep water (4 - 4.5 feet)
Register Online
|
Join us at the Paw Park in Arlington Park for our fifth dog egg hunt on Thursday, April 17 at 5:30 p.m.!
An annual favorite for hounds and humans alike, Hounds on the Hunt offers dogs and their owners a chance to hunt for eggs together, win special prizes, and take photos with the Easter Bunny!
Registration is $5 per pooch and all participating pups will receive a treat bag for participating.
Online pre-registration is encouraged.
Sorry, kids - this hunt is just for the dogs! A special children’s area will be set up so they can cheer on their beloved doggie family member from the sidelines.
Dogs must be on leash during the entire event. Dogs that are acting aggressive or are unable to be controlled by their owner will not be permitted to participate.
|
In a presentation to the Sarasota City Commission last month, Chief Rex Troche and the Sarasota Police Department command staff highlighted significant achievements and a historic reduction in crime for the year 2024. Notably, Total Index Offenses decreased by 21.8% compared to the previous year, following a 16.2% reduction in 2023. This is the largest recorded crime reduction in SPD history.
Significant crime reductions were seen in motor vehicle theft, larceny, robbery, and forcible sex crimes. While the city did experience seven homicides in 2024, the department's dedicated investigative efforts and strategic techniques led to each case being solved within 48 hours.
Building on these efforts, SPD launched Operation Safe Summer, to combat gun violence which resulted in multiple felony charges and the seizure of firearms.
SPD continued its community outreach through successful programs like the Police Explorers Program, RC Car STEAM Summer Camp, Barbers and Badges, and opioid prevention initiatives, fostering strong connections with local youth.
Looking ahead to 2025, SPD is poised for continued success with key strategic upgrades. The implementation of school zone speed cameras, the establishment of the Real-time Operations Center and the introduction of a new Mobile Command Center mark the beginning of a transformative year for public safety.
These advancements, combined with SPD's ongoing commitment to innovative policing and community engagement, set the stage for even greater achievements in the year ahead.
|
We celebrated Women’s History Month in March with the installation of a new Cultural Heritage Exhibit in City Hall!
Hanging now across City Hall walls are the works of the Petticoat Painters, who got their start in Sarasota at an art show more than 70 years ago. Their individual pieces fit together to create the cohesive exhibit “Now You See Us.”
Residents, visitors, and City Commissioners joined our staff in launching the exhibition with a special lecture and reception at City Hall. Mayor Liz Alpert addressed attendees along with Petticoat Painters President Jana Millstone, Secretary Janice Newman, and Bill Hartman, the son of Petticoat Painters founder Marty Hartman. Vice Mayor Debbie Trice and Commissioner Kathy Kelley Ohlrich were also on hand for the festivities.
We invite you to experience "Now You See Us” and learn more about the deep roots the group has with our city. The exhibit is free and open to the public in the City Hall lobby during regular City Hall hours, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Learn more about the exhibit here.
|
City staff and representatives, including Public Art Committee Chair Jonathan Parks, were on hand for the official unveiling of “Touch,” a new Public Art piece installed outside the new Aster & Links residences on Main Street.
The structure was commissioned by Belpointe Development, which entrusted artist Zachary Oxman with the creation of the larger-than-life steel hand statue. You can see the piece inside the Main Street parking garage just outside of the residence entrance and adjacent to the Regal Hollywood 11 movie theatre.
"Touch" was developer initiated, which means all funds for the piece were provided by the developer in compliance with the City’s Public Art requirement.
What a feat to add this eye-catching piece to our city’s growing Public Art collection!
|
Experience the power of theatre with Les Misérables, coming to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall from April 8 - 13.
Presented by Cameron Mackintosh, this Tony Award-winning musical continues to captivate audiences worldwide with its breathtaking staging and unforgettable score. Hailed as "Les Mis for the 21st Century" by the Huffington Post, this production brings Victor Hugo’s epic story to life with stunning visuals and deeply moving performances. Don’t miss your chance to hear iconic songs like “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” and “Bring Him Home” live on stage in what the Chicago Tribune calls "one of the greatest musicals ever created."
Tickets for Les Misérables at the Van Wezel are available now at VanWezel.org. Join over 130 million people worldwide who have been moved by this extraordinary musical phenomenon, as it continues to inspire and uplift audiences of all ages. Secure your seats today for an unforgettable evening of theatrical brilliance and immerse yourself in the timeless beauty of Les Misérables.
We have a position open for a Lifeguard I.
Visit Sarasotafl.gov to apply online and see other employment opportunities with the City of Sarasota.
|
|
|
Monday, April 7 | 9 a.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
Tuesday, April 8 | 3 p.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
Tuesday, April 8 | 5:30 p.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
Wednesday, April 9 | 1:30 p.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
Friday, April 11 | 9 a.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
Friday, April 11 | 1 p.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
|
|
|
"Sarasota Scene"
Norm Schimmel
|
|
|
|
|
