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Hello Everyone,
Spring is in the air in our beautiful coastal community!
We’re partnering with The Bay this month to celebrate Arbor Day and Earth Day over two days next week as part of The Bay’s Good to Be Green community events.
To help grow our urban canopy, we will give away a total of 100 trees Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26 to City of Sarasota residents while supplies last. Over a dozen different species will be available -- and they will be sizable with some in 15-gallon containers. A very limited number of royal palms will even be given away. We expect the trees to go fast. Arrive early and please plan to show proof of residency (driver’s license, utility bill etc.) More information is below in City News.
The City will also participate in a lunchtime discussion at 11:30 a.m. on Friday called “Learn from an Arborist”, an informative session about planting the right tree in the right place and more. On Saturday the 26th, any remaining trees will be given away starting at 9 a.m. Then, at 11 a.m. make sure you stop by the Earth Day tabling event where our new Sustainability and Resilience Manager will be on hand answering questions and sharing what we’re doing as a City to protect and conserve Mother Earth.
Details about these events and all the Good to Be Green festivities are available on The Bay’s website. Hope to see you there.
Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Easter!
 Liz Alpert
Mayor
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Friendly reminder: If your home or business experienced damage or loss due to Hurricanes Helene or Milton, you have until Sunday, April 27 to apply for federal disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Both businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans with a maximum allocation of $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, equipment, inventory, and other assets. Homeowners are eligible to apply for both home and personal property loans, with a maximum of $500,000 to replace or repair primary residences and up to $100,000 for property items including appliances, cars, clothing, and furniture. Renters are also eligible to apply for personal property loans.
The agency has set up a physical office in downtown Sarasota to assist individuals with their applications and answer any questions that may arise. The center is located at 111 S. Orange Ave. and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-in appointments are available.
For more information, click here.
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Following a difficult year that delivered three hurricanes in 65 days, including two major back-to-back storms in 13 days, it’s important to remain vigilant and prepare for the upcoming hurricane season.
Sarasota County is hosting a free Community Conversations session about Hurricane Preparedness on Thursday, May 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Riverview High School. The event is being held during Hurricane Preparedness Week, which takes place May 4 – 10.
The two-hour event will have local, regional, and national officials on hand including representatives from the National Weather Service and the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Participants will learn best practices and tips on personal and home preparation, evacuation procedures, shelter options and special needs, vital resources, what to expect from national forecasting models this year, and more.
The City coordinates closely with both the County and other local agencies during a tropical weather event and local state of emergency. This Community Conversation is intended for anyone who resides within Sarasota County.
Attendees can submit questions for the panel discussions here through May 2.
Registration is encouraged and can be completed here.
Congratulations to our City Engineer, Nikesh Patel, for being recognized as Government Engineer of the Year by the Florida Engineering Society’s local chapter.
Nikesh has served the City of Sarasota since 2021, overseeing all public right-of-way infrastructure and leading countless successful projects and improvements to our City. Prior to joining the City of Sarasota, Nikesh worked for 17 years at the Florida Department of Transportation, managing significant infrastructure projects improving ease of travel in our region.
Throughout his over 20 years of experience in the infrastructure industry, Nikesh has been recognized with multiple awards for his hard work, including a recent recognition as one of the Business Observer’s 40 under 40 honorees.
Congratulations, Nikesh, for receiving yet another well-deserved recognition!
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Heads up! The City’s Rosemary Square parking lot, located at 1433 5th Street, will have a 3-hour time limit for parking beginning Tuesday, May 6.
This lot, containing 39 free public parking spaces, is located adjacent to the Rosemary Square building on 5th Street. Updated signage will be installed on the morning of May 6.
The lot's updated 3-hour time limit is being enacted to increase turnover and the number of open free parking spaces in the vicinity, while allowing individuals to park for an hour longer than the 2-hour limited on-street parking spaces nearby.
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Each year, the City’s Financial Administration department prepares an abbreviated, easy-to-read version of the lengthy Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for interested citizens to review. The PAFR is designed for those who may not be as familiar with government finance and is presented in a digestible format fit for the average reader.
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The 2024 PAFR is its 12th annual edition, with its first 11 versions winning the prestigious Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada. This award recognizes municipalities that create accessible annual financial reports that are easy for the public to understand. The City’s 2024 edition has been submitted for consideration.
The department has also garnered several other notable awards including the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Award for 43 consecutive years and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for 34 consecutive years. These three recognitions together form the trifecta of GFOA’s highest honors, which signifies the City’s competency and leadership in governmental finance.
Read the 2024 PAFR report here.
Beetlejuice will be presented at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall April 22-27, 2025.
Get ready for a ghostly good time at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall from April 22-27 with Beetlejuice! Based on Tim Burton’s iconic film, this uproarious musical follows Lydia Deetz, a peculiar teenager whose life takes a supernatural turn when she encounters a quirky deceased couple and a demon with a penchant for stripes. Featuring a wickedly irreverent book, an enchanting set design, and a hauntingly delightful score, this show is not to be missed. Join us for a screamingly good time that explores themes of family, love, and seizing every Day-O!
Secure your tickets now at VanWezel.org, with best availability on Sunday, April 27!
This Earth Month, City of Sarasota residents can take home a FREE canopy tree!
As part of The Bay’s Good to Be Green event, the City of Sarasota is giving away 100 trees from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26 at the Bay Park, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts.
City residents with proof of residency can pick from 18 different species of 15-gallon tree, including:
- live oak
- royal palm
- orange Geiger
- bald cypress
- and many more!
This is a first-come, first-served event. Be sure to get your free tree while supplies last!
Click here for more information.
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The Sarasota Police Department’s Explorer Program is gearing up for an exciting season ahead! Eight dedicated students from various area high schools will soon have the chance to demonstrate the diverse skills they've diligently cultivated.
SPD Explorers recently met District 1 Commissioner Kyle Battie at National Night Out.
In May, the Explorers are scheduled to attend a delegates meeting, setting the stage for the highly anticipated state competition in June. These events offer the young participants a unique opportunity to showcase their knowledge and proficiency in essential law enforcement techniques,
Every Tuesday, the group gathers to practice critical policing skills that officers use daily. Their comprehensive training covers a wide array of areas including Criminal Law, Criminal Investigations, Crime Prevention, Traffic Control and Direction, Public Speaking, Radio Operations, Accident Investigations, Civil and Criminal Disputes, Basic Firearms Safety, CPR and First Aid, Courtroom Procedures, Defensive Tactics, and Communication Techniques. Through activities such as conducting suspect interviews, processing crime scenes, applying proper handcuffing methods, and clearly communicating rights to individuals in custody, students gain a realistic and in-depth understanding of a career in law enforcement.
The Sarasota Police Department’s Explorer Program not only prepares young people for potential careers in policing, but also instills valuable life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and community responsibility. As they prepare to represent Sarasota, these Explorers embody the commitment, discipline, and passion necessary for today's law enforcement professionals.
Anyone interested in learning more about the program should contact Michelle Kenner at 941-263-6020 or email michelle.kenner@sarasotafl.gov.
We have a position open for an Arborist II.
Visit Sarasotafl.gov to apply online and see other employment opportunities with the City of Sarasota.
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Monday, April 21 | 9 a.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
Tuesday, April 22 | 5:30 p.m.
Selby Library | 1331 First St. - Second Floor Conference Room
Agenda
Wednesday, April 23 | 9 a.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
Thursday, April 24 | 8:15 a.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
Thursday, April 24 | 9 a.m. (or immediately following regular meeting)
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
Thursday, April 24 | 10:30 a.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
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"Sarasota Scene"
Norm Schimmel
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