Downtown Improvement District "DID" Meeting

Downtown Improvement District "DID" Meeting

MINUTES OF THE DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT "DID" MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2026

1.

Call to Order & Roll Call

1)

Pledge of Allegiance

2)

Changes to the Order of the Day

3)

Pledge of Conduct:

We may disagree, but we will be respectful to one another. We will direct all comments to issues.

2.

Call to Order & Roll Call

1)

Pledge of Allegiance

2)

Pledge of Allegiance

3)

Changes to the Order of the Day

4)

Pledge of Conduct:

We may disagree, but we will be respectful to one another. We will direct all comments to issues.

3.

Approval of Minutes

4.

Approval of Minutes

5.

Public Input NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Citizen(s) may address the Board on topics NOT on the Agenda. Questions and answers are not permitted by the Board during this period. A “Request to Speak Form” must be submitted to Staff prior to speaking. Three (3) minutes time limit per speaker and Fifteen (15) minutes maximum time for all public input per meeting.

Note: Should a citizen(s) have concerns regarding a topic on the agenda, they MUST wait until the end of the presentation, complete a “Request to Speak” form and then provide their input on said topic, at which time the board or presenter may address the citizen’s concern.

6.

Public Input NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Citizen(s) may address the Board on topics NOT on the Agenda. Questions and answers are not permitted by the Board during this period. A “Request to Speak Form” must be submitted to Staff prior to speaking. Three (3) minutes time limit per speaker and Fifteen (15) minutes maximum time for all public input per meeting.

Note: Should a citizen(s) have concerns regarding a topic on the agenda, they MUST wait until the end of the presentation, complete a “Request to Speak” form and then provide their input on said topic, at which time the board or presenter may address the citizen’s concern.

7.

Presentations & Reports

1)

City Manager Friling & Deputy City Manager Jorgensen

2)

City Manager Friling & Deputy City Manager Jorgensen

Downtown Improvement District "DID" Meeting

DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT "DID" MEETING

Commission Chambers 1565 1st Street, Sarasota, FL 34236

10:00 a.m. September 1, 2026

Notice

Notice to Public

I.

Call to Order & Roll Call

A.

Pledge of Allegiance

B.

Changes to the Order of the Day

C.

Pledge of Conduct: We may disagree, but we will be respectful to one another. We will direct all comments to issues.

I.

Call to Order & Roll Call

A.

Pledge of Allegiance

A.

Pledge of Allegiance

B.

Changes to the Order of the Day

C.

Pledge of Conduct: We may disagree, but we will be respectful to one another. We will direct all comments to issues.

II.

Approval of Minutes

A. Minutes of the Special Meeting held August 6, 2026

II.

Approval of Minutes

III.

Public Input NON-AGENDA ITEMS Citizen(s) may address the Board on topics NOT on the Agenda. Questions and answers are not permitted by the Board during this period. A “Request to Speak Form” must be submitted to Staff prior to speaking. Three (3) minutes time limit per speaker and Fifteen (15) minutes maximum time for all public input per meeting. Note: Should a citizen(s) have concerns regarding a topic on the agenda, they MUST wait until the end of the presentation, complete a “Request to Speak” form and then provide their input on said topic, at which time the board or presenter may address the citizen’s concern.

III.

Public Input NON-AGENDA ITEMS Citizen(s) may address the Board on topics NOT on the Agenda. Questions and answers are not permitted by the Board during this period. A “Request to Speak Form” must be submitted to Staff prior to speaking. Three (3) minutes time limit per speaker and Fifteen (15) minutes maximum time for all public input per meeting. Note: Should a citizen(s) have concerns regarding a topic on the agenda, they MUST wait until the end of the presentation, complete a “Request to Speak” form and then provide their input on said topic, at which time the board or presenter may address the citizen’s concern.

IV.

Presentations & Reports

A.

City Manager Friling & Deputy City Manager Jorgensen

A.

City Manager Friling & Deputy City Manager Jorgensen

V.

get too o'clock it like to call it mean to her really do we have a core we do and it is timber first to Thank you. Let's get good place. First. stands one nation under God. is no and justice for all. >> And as a reminder, we do our board member Chris Poker via the telephone with Thank you to sort of a full board. We do. So I'll repeat the see additional people here may disagree. The respectful to one another will direct all comments to the issues. The first order of business is approval of minutes from August. The 6th, motion. on favor. Okay. So public input, Chile, we do. Mister David up. And mourning for the David Lowe with discontent. You change my remarks little bit of what I was going to One thing >> Mister or talked about was so and so we're going use the term And another term there. I'd like to use its value proposition. So one of the things is we frame parking, knew everything we is what is the value proposition. We collectively are offering consumers whether it be parking, we're restrooms or whatever. The streetscape the cleanliness of our street and so I want to frame it. When we look at policies, are we thinking in terms of this adding to this service, so the experience or detracting O Grande a paid parking. There's a little bit of a tractor, but how do we mitigate You know this good has providing new quarterly input to get 3 minutes a day to give a little mini one. One thing, though, not being president of disco anymore, but looking for things to focus on. One thing that a amenity of retail downtown. You know, my colleague talked about a survey that we wanted to do and I didn't since a great deal of interest. Your folks part, but the chamber and discuss working on a survey to see what kinds mix people might want. I've been doing some work on my own to some extent associated the housing. That's the word they're going to have some new retail and their space and have been trying to So I've been reaching out on my own. Steve is aware of some of the efforts but I've been contact with Hardware. Heard back from them. I've been in contact with CBS and heard back from them. I'm looking at some of bakery opportunities which might be a niche for us. opportunities to kind of goes back again and go to this value proposition. If people are coming downtown, what is it that missing mix that will never be able to quantify for that pharmacy. That may be downtown where that little hurt or store or that little New bakery, which we have. so I'm I'm kind of reaching out disco, by the way, has less than 2% of the budget. did. So this is all kind of pro bono work and what I'm doing and using the briefing book that a developer Miss Frey Ling, it kind of a condensed version of that is the talk. She and interesting how I do hear from people when they are right there and say I have no financial interest in this outcome, but I'm reaching note. 3 minutes. I was watching the Thank you, David. So the next order of business. City manager, please. Please, please. Yes. a bridge after Jarvis and with Haha. >> Fill in the Good morning. morning, everyone. How are you guys today? Are you for I'm okay. Good morning. >> So it's nice to finally be before you guys. And this is my first official did meeting, although it's been a yesterday was my official 3 month anniversary. With the city. Not that anyone's counting. Haha. She was an interesting day. I'm sure you're all aware of results of workshop. We have for the board yesterday. I'm here to answer any questions you have. I want to make sure that you understand that this is Jennifer Jorgensen. I know you all know her, but she is now officially the city's deputy city manager. And so we work very closely together as a team. And so you'll be seeing a lot of her to her new official capacity as well. you probably have all Google me a number of times. So, you know, a lot about me already, but I will answer the questions that you have. if you didn't your research, you know that a lot of my background when I was up in online Chicago area was economic development. I start out as community neighborhood planner up being economic development director for the city of Pure, Real 9 that I moved up to Chicago area and really have spent a lot of my career in economic development. So one of the things that I'm doing as a new city but I'm not in meetings after meetings my first week. Buy that. Just give you perspective. I committed address for a second my first week I was here. I had 53 He's. >> So and has a slowed up slowdown. but going back to my economic developments, comments is, you know, my review of our documents in my initial review of our resources allocation resources. I've come to a conclusion that we really do not have a very solid economic development program. What I mean by that, I mean, we have a reactive or not for a proactive. And that's something that we're going to be working together. And trying to create we also have a brand new economic development manager who was just recently She's actually in the planning Ms Dieter Larkins. She's coming from Saint Pete's. And so she's been I think, a couple weeks as well. So she is new to the team and she's originally from the City of Sarasota. So she's coming back home. open to any common questions you have for me. I'm pretty much an open book that you see is what you get. And I look forward to working with you guys on your various projects lane. A little bit more about your organization and what your parties are Astle Thank you very much. This morning. The I'm basically your operations, a status report. So kind of where we're at with some of these initiatives that you've been working with the city on. And so we have that as well. So there's anything you want to bring to my attention this any insights that you want to share with me or if there's any questions that you have in me. I'm welcome. Thank you very much. once I write, you think would be appropriate if we're equipped who's up here? Because there's So when first met with Christopher, See quick press, Chris few that Chris or not. >> I a little bit background. Her background. She comes to the city. She probably a function center to Chris, what you >> I'm sorry hear. I'm all know I'm I'm on a weird time. Delay year. Okay. So it's you guys. Talk hear anything. But it is kind of your money out now. But but that that's one of the recent. >> A case can hear me now because I'm sorry. need yes, grant. Yeah. So I guess to quick bio for because some of the people have not had the pleasure of meeting city manager and Jennifer, so I thought we get a quick bite of who we are, kind of how we set the city so we can show understand our feelings where they come from. Army. Yes, you start. >> Okay. Sure. I'm happy I'm pretty poker and I'm led to the rest of And and operate too. It was downtown restaurant. One of them and best sound in the other is a evening out what I've been on board trimming out the year, but been on quite a while. I'm I. Here's But the prop downtown so that that. >> think I was running sugar come from Los Angeles. I moved to Sarasota. 2019. I was in the personal care business at a company called a sugar cosmetics. I saw 5 years ago, actually today's 5 years. And I substantial investment here in downtown 20,000 square retail space. Building a new home in Harbor The current owner and operator of Sugar Champagne bar downtown. I've been on the board with the with the that for my 3rd year, my 3rd year. I love being here. I love the city of Sarasota. Always believed in it. I call this the East Coast, Palm Springs, I fell in love with the wind came here and I thought that it's just a remarkable place. The people here. The shopping, a divide is just such a beautiful place. And I just want to be an advocate of this beautiful city. But way but been here for 34 years. Give or take. >> And I came down as managing partner for Benderson Development Open the state Office of here 2000, 2 or so left that company in 2005 my own real estate company which have been doing ever since partner years, the State Street garage on the retail space downstairs. They have the city to help the city the passion about the city try and help the city the best we can. We're here is partners and diligently try and help any way that we can help you Mister Culver and making the place a better experience, a better life for people in the city. Understanding all the trials and tribulations of big city has now we are little bigger city and so are when listening help. >> Morningside Acome are also real estate developer moved here about 5 years ago. Marshall was he? And ever since I set foot here been c'est with the city. We've obviously few projects ongoing right now about 3 towers slated for downtown one, finishing one, starting one in the earlier phases of of commencement. Would we are involved. The retail market were active in the public So similar to Mister Rubin. We're just here to help are excited. I see a very bright future. So it be my first experience with the city Get to spend much of the Marlins. So going to figure out how we can help each other. But I have probably 4, 5 meetings with you soon. So add that to the list. All right. >> Hampshire, I moved to service. So the 35 years ago and that that always lives in the city. First of them, Bay Island, which was really great that we bought a building downtown the cordon near the corner of main and palm. And the toying with the idea of moving them calm but was scared to sell the property on the water because you'll never get back. And then we took the plunge. And the never looked back. So up in downtown the. Of live downtown on the building longer. being downtown 12 years, seeing a lot of changes being on the parking committee for most of that time. Hate to think this is where front is running away. we can do better. a landlord. The building owner of all live right in the heart of downtown. I see things that. It's really amazing. Last night some guy was coming down the alley, my ring doorbell wind up. So I went on my balcony and said, hey, what are you doing? And I'm just trying to find a place, you know, he was just 20 years, my water and whatever. But it is good to have residents who are proactive and know what's going on. Loves the I run an Oriental. Unique Oriental carpet business downtown. And though I love it because I feel like I know have to people in Sarasota. Although I am getting to be a good light, down the street and someone I leave hi how you then my husband was say who was that? So I guess you're getting A lot recognizing that be one Saturday and some won't stop us. I think I know who you are. >> What I know you we saw you TV. >> anyway. Welcome anything I can do to help. I'm changing my death. And then, of >> Well, I would just like to say that, you know, when the reasons I was so excited to be considered to be the city manger for Sarasota is because I really feel like is extorting a community. I'm type of person. I am a type a person. believe you're going to do anything you need to be do Good enough, right? And so I'm really excited because I think that we have such a great foundation and externally things already happening remind people sometimes I think we get focus on the small issues in the community. with sometimes you got step back and look at this beautiful community and see it off. You know, from a higher level and in it really does help. I think by Lejeune in terms of the competing priorities that we experience within the city, which there are a lot of them right now. But I am just excited because when I first came here, I've been coming to Sarasota for many, many with my family. I have family down here as well. My mother lived at him before she passed away. So I've seen Sarasota change from a sleepy little beach town to what it is today. And I Sarasota grow very quickly. And there's some growing pains that we have to address for that, which is any community in the country is just with those things. One of things about Sarasota we're so fortunate to have is the downtown. There are so many communities across the country, including where I came from, which is the Chicago area where they would die to have a we have literally. A vibrant, active. Destrehan focused downtown. Their communities are investing hundreds of millions of dollars to build what we have here in Sarasota. We it. So what do we do to make it better protected? Right? Because we already have it. And that's what's so exciting. I think there's some endless opportunities here to think about where do we want to be in the next 20 years and how do we get there? One of the things that we have in our budget for next year, which I felt very strongly about the short period time and I've been here, city manages we need to really focus on strategic planning. We need have data. We need to be data driven. High performance driven because that helps us identify her knees and make sure we meeting our goals set by those priorities. And so that's something I'm looking forward to engaging next year for the entire community, something that the 5 commissioners felt was very important to step back and look at the entire city and have a to plan that could implementable. And with objective is and it com plus a measurable goals. So that's kind of where I'm at right now. My short tenure here. Any questions you have for Jennifer, where can you find the money to help the parking division >> We're >> going to talk about lax right to the guest. Rest of us to were is December reserve schedule. The structural study of the garage each one of the garage is you know what's ahead of you. >> And that there's money set aside. They struck in the reserve budget. Yeah, to handle the maintenance of ongoing yearly basis. Yeah. Get wet when you've got new elevators and that down all the time for years. I mean, it's inexcusable. Really proud you would never have that in a million years. Never happened. The private side. How's that been government? That's really all I can control of the government that they happen. And I think it's just a minute for part of the garage there. Well functioning and that can can can break. Even it's great have a reserve schedule. And that's what the taxpayers expect to pay for the first place. They're still paying for. yeah, it's important to me that that we fix that little problem inside the party. Most a bigger problem so that you have and I know your plates full parking lot of work. We saw that storm damage is still that FEMA claims got a big play you. I understand all has been active downtown for many years to love this place. I was sure that stores are all boarded up on Main Street. There's nothing here yet. So the transformation has happened the last 20 years that we really got to protect grown-up. Exactly. Yeah. And you know, so we need >> Yeah, I don't have a for the parking and just over a parking in general. I think there's some things that we obviously can do better. I think there are now says that we do to ensure some of the concerns that you have mentioned address ahead of time. There's even some things that were bought yesterday at workshop mean where I think there are things that we can do collectively, not just with the did that with all of the impact of businesses and our really community at large. I think it's going up hybrid solution. I really do. I don't any other solution that we can approach other than a hybrid solution. And some of the replacement of the elevators some of the software and technology and things like that. Even the replacement, the cars is going the right direction because they are doesn't look like these are extremely inefficient And actually replacing them with the normal cars are actually going to say my long-term. So some of NASA's been down we can do more. Certainly everything's right now under the cloud of what I call the Amendment 3. And so I feel like honestly, be quite frank for a little bit impotent purgatory right now. So if you know, that means if you're good practicing Catholic and you know what that means right? >> Your hand on how you have any can't. You're right there in the middle trying figure out which way you're going to go. And that's just reality that we're in right now as every other community in the state of Florida. Right? >> So I one way or the other. I'm looking forward to getting November 3rd behind us because I think that when we know we can plan better right? And and that's really what we need to do. So in the meantime, we are going to be changed back the signs downtown for the normal hours prior to the vote that was made back in May by the commission. So there's not this confusion of what our forsman ours are. We're going to be doing that. And then we're also going to start working on some of those other things like a true Validation Business Foundation program that this is compared pay this easy to do. And it's not complicated. And I am assuming that it will be part of that. Absolutely. I see you guys as a resource as someone who boots on the ground one understands what's happening out there, what we can and cannot do as well as other groups as well as our staff as well. >> Thank Thank you. Thank you, Any questions? >> No, not of all. I'm very excited about the future of we thank my members here that I really do appreciate that. I will take you up on that. Thank you. Thank you so much. so much. it could be of service to help in any way we can. Thank you. That was discussion of parking. >> So yes, so based upon discussion this morning at your workshop. If there are action items in each direction and the think of that nature now would be the time. >> So can I this question? Is it possible for the directors to seize out for a night or 2? But their comments to you? And then if you get the counts to me, I liked over articulate the board's position instead of just giving a few ideas here. I think today would be a little more constructive way to take. >> If you get bored consensus today I I agree plane. I agree. as Chris, you agree that. Yeah, thank both her. And said the consensus is everybody formulate. >> What I'll do is I summarize the meeting. I will minutes. Then you can take that. And then summarize your thoughts. Send them back to me. And then I will coordinate that with the chair and set up the meeting with Mister Culver and what kind >> it would be great if we can make that all happen prior to our next meeting in October so that you can report back, so do it if I can get you all the minutes by the end of this week. Give you all the week and then I can set it up the following week. right. >> Mister, Go or big reason for that. thank you. Case in their sick. We ready for the next order of business. You know, we okay. grants. Yes, please. >> So if you all recall back in or even before June, you opened up your grant period. Four-year public Graham activation. And at such time you degree C 2 applications for your precious series events on that board meeting on July second, the board voted 4 to one to award the grant in the amount of $92,000 to next based upon their Next. Mark is here with us and does have a brief. that they will be presenting and then after that presentation, I will be asking the too, approved the locations, dates and beans for the Fresh Friday schedule. I will ask for a designated board liaison to work with next mark as well as authorizing the chair to execute can sign the agreement, which will then serve as the mechanism to fund the program. Remember, these will not be affected until October one when the new fiscal year budget goes into place. And just, you Page, 43 viewer, gender material are the season. 6 lineup. That includes date, your location and your 43 page. 43 of the backup material. And J T H. Right and the right up there. And if you just remember to state your name for record good morning morning morning. has risen to serve the McLean Experience management >> JT Pronto president next. Mark. >> Today we're going to do today's review. What we're proposing from a lineup perspective for each location with above. Some feedback on goal today is to have a collaborative process. We do our initial. >> Okay. Is it on presentation? is up But they have been in there and they're like it is. >> With first 3 Main Street, North Palm 5 points. Park have been traditionally wear each fresh. Fridays location has been reason being 2 things. Number one, always love to kick it off of Main Street. The most businesses are Main Street gets the most amount congestion and most crowd as well. The one on November 6 is intentional as well. In North Palm. Technically it's it's North Palm. It's right by What we're going to do is actually light up the garage with projection and partner with the Ringling students. We did this last year as well as the city of Sarasota, Art Department and project they the sales. Yes, And so we're in talks with them to go through a very similar process than what we did last time. But it was a great event and well-received event as well. And then finally the 3rd one light up the night being in the 5 points, part lighting up that a Christmas tree and celebrating the holiday season for that first fresh Typically a great and most attended event is actually light up the night. Ultimately those 3 ones that we really feel that our are primarily focused in any not only the heart of downtown, but there's reasons behind it as well. Then you'll see kind of a switch from State Street to Main Street starting in 2027. January is the week after a new year. So we give a week breaker. We buffer. We've been directed to kind of switch back and forth from locations, from State Street, Main Street throughout downtown. But the goal is to not repeat month to month and to switch locations each month there and then finally ending on North Palm using art of patients, a covered area just in case of rain. And we've got some good turnout last year from that. But you never know in the weather is going suffice. You'll see each team as independent as well. A lot different than last There are some classics on their such as back to the 80's. One of our more popular light up the night. But each other theme is is actually different compared to last year. live music is is going to be the main aspect of it. And then an added value activity as well will be part of the pressurized events. So opening up with any discussion if we're good with that now that we can see Any thoughts? Questions, comments, concerns. Surely isn't. Thank you very much for both being here. Very Love the idea about the themes. >> I think the locations are I know for. The last July 4th of July celebration to 50. You did have a beer garden. Are you expecting to expand that or you can be doing that? Yes. >> Yeah. So it's going to be how you can actually cause we're not a card you're going, but some sort of area doesn't air designated area for food and beverage right. High top tables included in that not necessarily blocked off, but sanction for area food and beverage Center. And it also depends on the location to Main Street. We've got so much room to work with State Street a little bit higher. So might be a smaller footprint. But ultimately it doesn't need area in which we can hours of endure hours of operation. Are you changing? Are you keeping the same same same 7 to 10. All right. Thank you very KT. As you know, we spent a lot of time together sort of exploring some of the private right is yes. >> A few months ago. And I'll tell you, you guys do it on the table job. And I think when we went, we went and told everyone to did little interview here. Incredible we want to see if people knew about board and what we're about and what we're doing and are this trick. You did a great presentation about us. And, you know, I was invited on stage everyone, but I think we need to keep pushing that aspect that board's involved in this event, they helping make this event reality, the support. believe what I can tell you ho