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Hello Everyone,
Unfortunately, it’s that time of year again. Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1, so we have this entire month to be thoughtful and proactive with preparations. To help keep this top of mind, Hurricane Preparedness Week will be observed May 3-9. Look for daily messages on the City’s social media channels as we partner with the National Hurricane Center, Florida Division of Emergency Management and Sarasota County to remind our community of the many steps you can take now:
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Make a plan: Your plan should be specific to the needs of everyone in your household and everyone should understand the plan.
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Know your evacuation level: Find out if your home is in an evacuation or flood-prone area. You can find your evacuation level at scgov.net/KnowYourLevel
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Be weather alert ready: Have multiple options to receive weather alerts, including a battery operated or hand-crank weather radio.
You can receive emergency alerts specific to our area in Sarasota by registering for Alert Sarasota at AlertCitySarasota.com Stay up to date by following the City of Sarasota on Facebook, Instagram, X and Nextdoor. And, visit Sarasotafl.gov/Alerts for real-time updates as needed from the City of Sarasota.
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Harden your home: Inspect your home and take the necessary steps to make it more resilient with tropical weather.
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Restock your disaster supply kit: Have enough food, water and prescription medications for each family member (pets included) for seven days. Visit FloridaDisaster.org/kit for a checklist of recommended items.
Additional resources are available on the City’s website at Sarasotafl.gov/HurricanePrep
Many of us are still storm weary from the 2024 season. We know all too well that Mother Nature can be unpredictable. Let’s be as prepared as we can be! Take the time now to be ready for hurricane season, which lasts through November.
And now that you have a plan for a plan, have a wonderful weekend in our special city!
All my best to you,
 Debbie Trice
Mayor
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The community is invited to a Sarasota City Plan open house on May 11 at 5:30 p.m. in the SRQ Media Studio at the City Hall Annex, 1565 1st St. This event was originally scheduled for April 22.
Sarasota’s long‑term planning guide is updated periodically to ensure the City’s future reflects responsible planning, current needs, and community priorities. Right now, City Planning staff are revisiting three chapters of the Comprehensive Plan: Historic Preservation, Recreation and Open Space, and Governmental Coordination.
Join us to learn about the proposed updates. Attendees will hear a brief overview, then have the chance to speak directly with staff about each topic.
This open house is part of a larger, multi‑step effort to refresh portions of the Sarasota City Plan. After the event, the proposed changes are scheduled to move to the City’s advisory boards—the Historic Preservation Board in May and, for Recreation and Open Space, the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board later this summer. From there, the three chapters will move to the Planning Board and City Commission for public hearings. The Commission will then consider sending the proposals to the State for review, and once the state level assessment is finished, the Commission will hold an additional round of public hearings to officially adopt the drafted revisions.
We hope you’ll join us and take part in this important process.
If you’ve driven anywhere lately, you’ve seen it -- the construction cones, barrels, flashing signs and driver frustration.
It’s not always speed that creates the biggest risk in construction zones; it’s the constant lane switching. Drivers are weaving in and out, trying to get one car ahead, creating confusion for others and increasing the chance of crashes. In the areas where construction is happening, pick a lane and stay in it. You’ll get there safely and often just as quickly.
Know your route before you leave, especially during peak travel times. If you can avoid active construction zones altogether, do it. Navigation apps can help, but so can a quick check before you head out the door.
Whether or not you’re in a construction zone, phones should be down anytime you’re behind the wheel. School zones and active construction areas are high-risk environments where workers, children and other drivers depend on your full attention. One glance at a screen can have lasting consequences.
Construction zones are temporary workplaces and shared spaces that require patience and awareness. The next time you see those orange signs, take a breath, hold your lane and focus on the road ahead. A few extra seconds of caution can make all the difference.
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The City is wrapping up Phase 3 of a Florida Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Grant project, which includes planting more than 40 new trees and shrubs along Ringling Boulevard and upgrading the irrigation system in the area. The plantings include oak, orange geiger, black olive, Simpson’s stopper, dahoon holly, foxtail palm, green buttonwood, and several types of shrubs. This phase was supported by $15,000 from the grant.
Our urban canopy plays a vital role in keeping Sarasota healthy by providing shade, improving air quality, reducing stormwater runoff, and much more. In earlier phases, the City cataloged roughly 10,000 trees and developed an Urban Forest Management Plan to help guide long-term care and planning. Altogether, the City received $55,000 in grant funding for these urban forestry initiatives.
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Between a resoundingly successful tree giveaway at The Bay and a ceremonial Arbor Day tree planting at Arlington Park, it’s been a tree-centric past few weeks here in Sarasota!
In celebration of Earth Day, 170 City residents joined us at The Bay to select a free tree. In addition to taking home trees, many attendees also visited City staff in the nearby pavilion at The Nest to discuss City sustainability initiatives.
Then, we hosted a ceremonial tree planting in recognition of Arbor Day. After a reading of the City’s Arbor Day proclamation by a representative of the Florida Forest Service, a Florida Flame red maple was planted near the southern end of Arlington Park to be enjoyed by the community for years to come.
For a remarkable 40 years, the City of Sarasota has been honored by the Arbor Day Foundation with a Tree City USA recognition. This distinction recognizes our efforts to encourage residents to plant, properly care for, and understand the very important role trees play in our ecosystem.
Couldn’t make it to our April 18 tree giveaway, but still interested in getting a tree? This summer, City residents will have the opportunity to participate in the Neighborhood Canopy Program. With this program, residents can make a voluntary $100 payment to have a beautiful canopy tree professionally planted between the front plane of their home and the right of way. Look for details coming soon on how to sign up for this exciting initiative!
City staff recently welcomed young visitors for two interactive learning experiences.
Our 10th annual Bring Your Kids to Work Day event gave children a glimpse into professional life at the City. Around 30 participants ages 7-14 received a City ID badge as they joined their parents for a day of imaginative exercises and demonstrations. During a team challenge to develop mock employee benefits proposals, kids pitched ideas from “Fun Fridays” to incentives that reward community service. A very popular activity was a demonstration with two SPD K-9s where students learned how these highly trained dogs help protect our community.
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We also welcomed K-3 students and parents from the Spanish Legacy Academy for a field trip at the SPD Headquarters and Payne Park. The group learned that public service in our City includes a wide variety of functions and tools—and experienced some of them firsthand. During a lively urban design activity with Planning Director Steve Cover, our young visitors took turns placing elements such as a skateboard park, housing development, restaurant and others on a whiteboard layout of their imagined city. Kids also enjoyed seeing heavy machinery used by our Parks and Recreation Department as well as enjoying structured games in Payne Park.
During both events, SPD invited participants to explore how it supports the community through educational resources like the Sarasota Learning Center mobile classroom and safety technology.
We had a great time hosting our young community members and sparking curiosity in public service through hands‑on experiences. Bravo to everyone involved!
Bobby Jones Golf Club will host a free Community Swing golf event on Mother’s Day — Sunday, May 10, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Community Swing event will feature family-friendly activities including a bounce house, putting games, beginner-friendly golf demonstrations, music, and food and drinks. The event invites seasoned golfers, curious beginners, and anyone looking to enjoy the natural outdoor setting while connecting with community members and strengthening local ties at Sarasota’s historic municipal course.
Bobby Jones Golf Club looks forward to welcoming the community for a fun, inclusive day on the fairway.
Interested in attending? You’re encouraged to RSVP in advance through the Bobby Jones website at BobbyJonesGolfClub.com
Community Swing is a nationwide series presented by Troon. The event is designed to transform municipal and public access golf courses into welcoming gathering spaces for people of all ages -- whether or not they play golf.
We’re excited to announce that the City of Sarasota Parks and Recreation Department has transitioned to the upgraded eTrak 6.0 registration system, now available at all our facilities, including Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex, Lido Pool, Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, and Payne Park Tennis Center.
The enhanced platform makes it easier than ever to register for programs and events. All patrons -- even those with previous accounts -- will need to create a new eTrak 6.0 account. Once registered, you can easily enroll in tennis clinics, summer youth camps, pool passes, swim lessons, and many other activities.
• Easier Registration: Sign up for activities quickly and easily.
• Mobile-Friendly: Access the system from any device.
• Improved Account Management: View your history, make payments, and manage family members all in one place.
These upgrades offer a more user-friendly, efficient experience across all recreation facilities.
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A true icon of modern music, Herbie Hancock brings his groundbreaking sound to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on May 9. With a career spanning over five decades and 14 GRAMMY® Awards -- including Album of the Year for River: The Joni Letters -- Hancock continues to push boundaries, blending jazz, funk, and innovation into an unforgettable live performance. Now in the seventh decade of his career, he remains at the forefront of music and culture, delivering a night that’s as unpredictable as it is extraordinary.
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Are you or someone you know interested? Visit Sarasotafl.gov to apply online and see other employment opportunities with the City of Sarasota.
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Monday, May 4 | 9 a.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
Tuesday, May 5 | 10 a.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
Tuesday, May 5 | 5:30 p.m.
City Hall Annex | SRQ Media Studio
Wednesday, May 6 | 9 a.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
Wednesday, May 6 | 1:30 p.m.
City Hall Annex | SRQ Media Studio
Agenda
Wednesday, May 6 | 3:00 p.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
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"Sarasota Scene"
Norm Schimmel
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