City Commission Workshop

Robert’s Rules of Order Workshop -1- 10/14/25 MINUTES OF THE SARASOTA CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP OF OCTOBER 14, 2025 PRESENT: Mayor Liz Alpert, presiding, Vice Mayor Debbie Trice, Commissioners Jen Ahearn-Koch, Kyle Scott Battie, and Kathy Kelley Ohlrich, Interim City Manager David Bullock, City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs, and City Attorney Joseph Polzak OTHER: Randy Mora, Attorney, Trask Daigneault, LLP ABSENT: None 10:04:06 A.M. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Alpert at 10:04 A.M. 10:04:16 A.M. 1. PRESENTATION RE: ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER (AGENDA ITEM I) 10:04:30 A.M. City Attorney Polzak briefly introduced Attorney Mora and stated that this will be one of many trainings requested from Attorney, and the hope is to provide the Commission this training annually; that the next training session would be customized to the City’s Advisory Boards and Ad-Hoc Committees, which will also be done separately on an annual basis. 10:05:20 A.M. Attorney Mora provided a brief introduction, referred to a PowerPoint presentation displayed on the Chambers monitors entitled “City of Sarasota Team Based Solutions & Service” and referred to a slide entitled “Presentation Roadmap” as follows: • Ethical guidelines • Team Based Solutions & Service - City Commission - Charter Officers • Public Meetings (Generally) • Parliamentary Procedures - Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How - Flow of a Meeting - Speaking, Debate, Preserving Order, & Civility - Motions - Voting 10:08:43 A.M. Attorney Mora continued, referred to and provided a brief overview of slides entitled “Public Trust: Ethics,” and “Public Trust: Ethical Conflicts” as follows: • Florida State Constitution indicates “A public office is a public trust. The people shall have the right to secure and sustain that trust against abuse. - The Commission does not hold their office for their own benefit - The emphasis is, is the Commission conducting meetings in a way to build public trust or is the Commission doing things, individually or collectively, to erode public trust - When deciding, ask if this is serving my property owners, residents, taxpayers; not just people without a felony conviction or people with citizenship or people who have

Robert’s Rules of Order Workshop -2- 10/14/25 lived here ten years and did not move here during the Coronavirus (COVID) pandemic • Provided a brief overview of ethical conflicts in regard to Chapter 112, Ethics Code, in the State Statutes, which is not just talking about voting conflicts, yet rather talking about a conflict of interest in service; however, the State Statute is not saying Commissioners are prohibited from having passion projects or focusing on an issue - Generally speaking about ethical conflicts, and the principal concern is “who are you serving? Public interest? Public trust? Then you are on the right path - Ethical conflict is a situation in which regard for a private interest tends to lead to disregard of a public duty 10:13:30 A.M. Attorney Mora continued further, referred to and provided a brief overview of slides entitled “Team-Based Solutions,” “Team-Based Solutions The City Commission,” “Team-Based Solutions The Mayor,” “Team- Based Solutions The Charter Officers” as follows: • Each person has a distinct and important position to play on the team • Provided a brief overview of the City’s Table of Organization Chart - The City Commission  Is the Legislative branch of local government; Five-member body, serving four-year terms elected in non-partisan elections with two Commissioners elected at large, and three Commissioners from single member districts; May not be employed by City for up to two years after leaving office  Provided a brief overview of the Commission’s Powers and Duties o Establish policy for the City o Appoint/Remove a City Manager, City Auditor and Clerk, and City Attorney o Debate and adopt legislative enactments (Ordinances & Resolutions) o Set the Millage Rate and adopt the Budget o Establishment of boards o May not interfere with administration of City - The Mayor  Selected by the Commission, not the public (ordinarily in November)  A Commissioner in every respect, but serves as presiding officer  Has a voice and vote in the City Commission’s proceedings but no veto power  Designated recipient of civil process  Powers and duties shall be such as are conferred upon him/her by the City Commission in pursuance of the provisions of the City of Sarasota Charter (City Charter), and no other 10:24:39 A.M. Attorney Mora referred to and provided a brief overview of slides entitled “Team-Based Solutions Charter Officers” and “Team-Based Solutions The City Manager” as follows: • The City Manager - Executive branch of local government - appointed (affirmative vote of at least 4 Commissioners), removed (affirmative vote of three Commissioners) and supervised by City Commission - Powers and duties enumerated in the City Charter – Article V - Appoints deputies and department heads - Akin to the Chief Executive Officer of the City - Translates policy into action - City Manager handles the day-to day management of your government organization by preparing budgets, managing staff, supervising department heads, and delivering public services

Robert’s Rules of Order Workshop -3- 10/14/25 - Works with City Commission and City Staff to develop and implement the Commission’s vision - Almost one imperceptible degree up from the City Auditor and Clerk and City Attorney since the City Manager is on the field doing the day-to-day work and needs to have the ability to go to all the moving parts of the City and say move; move in this direction, this is the vision, and this is the problem to solve Questions posed by Commissioner Ohlrich were addressed by Attorney Mora, City Auditor and Clerk Griggs, and City Attorney Polzak, and Commissioner Ohlrich spoke to the topic. 10:37:11 A.M. Attorney Mora continued, referred to and provided a brief overview of slides entitled “Team Based Solutions the City Auditor & Clerk” and “Team Based Solutions the City Auditor & Clerk (Art. VI) as follows: • Appointed (affirmative vote of at least 4 Commissioners), removed (affirmative vote of three Commissioners), and supervised by the Commission • May appoint deputy clerks • Appoint, remove, discipline and administer the compensation and salaries for employees in Clerk’s Office • Prepare Commission Agendas • Custodian of the official records • Transcription of Commission meeting minutes • Administration of pensions • Administration of elections • Maintain records of City assets • Financial Reviews • Serve as parliamentarian • Other duties as assigned • Everything is public record and open to public scrutiny and the City Auditor and Clerk is principally responsible 10:41:54 A.M. City Auditor and Clerk Griggs spoke to a compliment received from many media outlets indicating the Office of the City Auditor and Clerk have the best records response in probably the State of Florida, and Attorney Mora provided input. 10:43:05 A.M. Question posed by Commissioner Ahearn-Koch regarding whether the powers and duties listed for the City Auditor and Clerk are standard across the State or Country or do each municipality have their own list of powers and duties they add to or take away was addressed by Attorney Mora who stated that in the State of Florida, some of the powers and duties listed are standard; however, the City has more expansive powers and duties, and Commissioners Ahearn-Koch and Battie and Attorneys Mora and Polzak provided input regarding the City Auditor and Clerk’s powers and duties. 10:47:33 A.M. Attorney Mora continued further, referred to and provided a brief overview of slides entitled “Team-Based Solutions The City Attorney (Art. VII) as follows: • Appointed and removed by the City Commission • Chief legal advisor to the City Commission, City Manager, City Auditor and Clerk, and

Robert’s Rules of Order Workshop -4- 10/14/25 departments, offices & agencies • Public official subject not only to statutory code of ethics (Chp. 112), but also with obligations to Florida Bar • Absent legal or ethical conflict, generally acts at the direction of the majority of the elected body and in concert with fellow charter officers • Attorney-client relationship with the elected body, as a collegial body, not a legal obligation to individual members • Best practice is to seek legal advice before taking action, especially where uncertain • While, in some settings, conversations that individual Commissioner or other constituents have with City lawyers will fall within the attorney-client privilege, Commissioners or other constituents should not assume conversations with City lawyers on all matters are confidential The Commission recessed at 10:58 A.M. and reconvened at 11:11 A.M. 11:11:31 A.M. Attorney Mora continued providing a brief overview of the role of the City Attorney and stated that the City Attorney works at the pleasure of and for the Commission, department directors, managers, et cetera; that while City officials serve the public trust, the role of the City Attorney is to work for the City and to defend the City. 11:12:50 A.M. Attorney Mora referred to and provided a brief overview of slides entitled “Public Meetings: Generally Florida’s Sunshine Law,” “Public Meetings: Generally A Constitutional Duty,” “Public Meetings: Generally A Statutory Duty,” “Public Meetings: Generally Judicial Interpretations,” “Public Meetings: Generally Takeaways” and “Public Meetings: Basic Compliance Requirements” as follows: • Florida Government-in-the-Sunshine Law (Sunshine Law) has roots in legal doctrines - Justice Louis Brandeis in the 1800 wrote in a letter to his fiancé stating “if the broad light of day could be let in upon men’s actions, it would purify them as the sun disinfects.” - Approximately 20 years later, Justice Louis Brandeis wrote an essay entitled “What Publicity Can Do” indicating “Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants; electric light the most efficient policeman.”  Publicity is the idea of the making things open to the public inherently changes how they are and removes often the corruption  Sunlight disinfects against corruption • Constitution: All meetings of any collegial public body of… a municipality… at which official acts are to be taken or at which public business of such body is to be transacted or discussed, shall be open and noticed to the public . . . except with respect to meetings exempted pursuant to this section or specifically closed by this State Constitution (Article I, section 24 (b) - Commissioners cannot talk about City business outside of a public meeting - Any meeting of the municipality which public business of the Commission is to be transacted or discussed shall be open; this applies to any two Commissioners meeting, or any two of City Advisory Board members, the Planning and Zoning Board, any Board created by the City; however, not citizen groups; All City Advisory Boards are subject to the Sunshine Law • Statutory: All meetings of any board or commission of… any… municipal corporation… except as otherwise provided in the Constitution, including meetings with or attended by any person elected to such board or Commission, but who has not yet taken office, at which official acts are to be taken are declared to be public meetings open to the public at

Robert’s Rules of Order Workshop -5- 10/14/25 all times, and no resolution, rule, or formal action shall be considered binding except as taken or made at such meeting. The board or commission must provide reasonable notice of all such meetings. - City Charter indicates all meetings of the Commission shall be public, as provided by State Statute, and any person shall have access to the minutes and records thereof at all reasonable times • Judicial Interpretations: The courts indicated the obvious intent was to cover any gathering of the members with some matter in which foreseeable action would be taken by the board, which often presents a challenge for Commissioners to conceptualize; even if an issue has been voted on, Commissioners still are unable to discuss since no issue is truly settled in municipal business - The State Statute should be construed so as to frustrate all evasive devices; you cannot do indirectly what you could not do directly - Sunshine Law was enacted in the public interest to protect the public from “closed door” politics and, as such, the law must be broadly construed to affects its remedial and protective purpose. - When the Sunshine Law is violated, every single deed done to violate the Sunshine Law is a separate violation - If ever a Commissioner is in doubt that they are in a legitimately a public meeting, LEAVE • Takeaways: Under Florida law, any interaction between two or more members of a board or council, if that interaction includes matters that could reasonably be expected to come before that body at some point, is considered a meeting and must be held in compliance with Florida public meetings law - You cannot do indirectly, or through technology, that which you could not do directly • Compliance Requirements: - Notice: at base must be reasonable under the circumstance - Location must be open to the public - Minutes are an accounting of what has happened at the meeting and need to be prepared within a reasonable amount of time which varies in some communities - Public Participation if applicable; that public has a reasonable opportunity to be heard prior to the Commission taking official acts - Under Chapter 286 State Statutes, Open Meetings Law, Workshops or Work Sessions are nonexistent, which are entirely creatures of local creation and are no different than any other public meeting under the law which has been noticed, held at a public place, and minutes are taken  Many communities have Workshops or Work Sessions governed by the local rules or Rules of Procedure which will say no official action shall be conducted at Workshops or Work Sessions  In regards to public comment, remember the public has an opportunity to be heard within reasonable proximity before special acts are taken; there is a legal argument no official acts are taken at Workshops or Work Sessions; however from a practical standpoint, the public has been noticed the Commission is having a Workshops or Work Sessions to discuss an issue in which the public may attend but not allowed to provide comment  Legally, Workshops or Work Sessions are not needed  City Attorney’s job is risk management; Commission’s job collectively is to define the risk tolerance; and how the meetings are conducted, Rules of Procedure, and the public process is on the Commission as policy makers in terms of risk tolerance, not just legal exposure 11:33:40 A.M. Commissioner Ohlrich spoke to the Basic Compliance Requirements regarding how much the Commission relies on the Charter Officials to do their job right so the Commission can do the people’s work at Commission Meetings, and Attorney Mora and City Auditor and Clerk Griggs provided input.

Robert’s Rules of Order Workshop -6- 10/14/25 11:34:17 A.M. Questions posed by Commissioner Ahearn-Koch about whether taking public comment at Workshops is best practices were addressed by Attorney Mora, and City Auditor and Clerk Griggs provided input. 11:37:43 A.M. Questions posed by Vice Mayor Trice about public access and not enforcing gun carrying laws were addressed by City Attorney Polzak and Attorney Mora. 11:40:11 A.M. Questions posed by Commissioner Ahearn-Koch were addressed by Attorney Mora regarding at a Florida League of Cities Meeting, another Commissioner shared a way to circumvent Sunshine Laws, which Attorney Mora just said not to do, is by having a Workshop, which is publicly noticed, open to the public, and minutes are drafted, and two, three, four, or five Commissioners may attend, who are not making a decision, and discuss a topic, and a quorum is not necessary since a decision is not being made, and a discussion ensued about how to use Workshops. 11:52:23 A.M. Attorney Mora continued, referred to and provided a brief overview of slides entitled “Public Meetings Legislative vs Quasi Judicial Hearings,” and “Public Meetings: Generally Quasi Judicial Hearings as follows: • In a Quasi-Judicial hearing you are applying facts to established criteria, NOT making a legislative decision (e.g. variance hearings, some zoning designations, site plan approval) • Look for ascertainable criteria, but be mindful that ignoring criteria or evidence to make a policy decision can lead to litigation • May abstain from voting to ensure a fair proceeding free of potential bias; however, work with the City Attorney to determine if this is applicable 11:55:52 A.M. Question posed by Mayor Alpert was addressed by City Attorney Polzak, and Attorney Mora provided input. 11:57:14 P.M. • At the conclusion of a Quasi-Judicial Hearing, Commissioners are deciding based on the criteria and the evidence presented; Commission is to focus on the criteria and make findings of fact and conclusion of law; there needs to be some evidence • Consider 1) competent and substantial evidence; 2) procedural due process; and 3) essential requirements of law • Narrowing Appellate Review (No New Facts – Only Record Below) 12:02:12 P.M. Questions posed by Commissioner Ahearn-Koch about Commissioners receiving evidence they may consider competent prior to the Quasi-Judicial Hearing via email or from meeting with individuals and how to submit the evidence in the record were addressed by Attorney Mora.

Robert’s Rules of Order Workshop -7- 10/14/25 12:09:20 P.M. Mayor Alpert spoke to the topic about perhaps at a future time clarity can be provided on what is evidence was addressed by City Attorney Polzak and Attorney Mora. 12:10:31 P.M. Question posed by Commissioner Ohlrich about on balance decision making in regard to decision making criteria and competent and substantial evidence was addressed by Attorney Mora. 12:12:13 P.M. Vice Mayor Trice spoke to the topic, and Attorney Mora provided input. 12:13:26 P.M. Attorney Mora continued further, referred to and provided a brief overview of slides entitled “Public Meetings: The Opportunity To Be Heard” as follows: • Generally speaking, under the Ethics Code, the public are free to seek redress from the Commission and their opportunity to be heard occurs at a meeting during the decision making process within reasonable proximity and time before the meeting at which the Commission acts • Exceptions to public comment 1. Official acts to deal with emergency situations affecting, if compliance would cause an unreasonable delay in action 2. Ministerial acts 3. Meetings exempt from Sunshine Law (Shade Meetings, Executive Sessions, Active, Pending Litigation, Meetings acting in Quasi-Judicial capacity, and Land Use) 4. A meeting where board is acting in Quasi-Judicial capacity • The public has the right to hear all comments made to or by members of the body • Private conversations and side bars should be avoided • Receipt of messages, private notes or emails during meetings must be avoided • Time limits are permissible as long as they do not unreasonably restrict access • Provided the parameters are clear, the Presiding Officer (PO) can regulate comment to avoid repetitive, irrelevant or disruptive comments or behavior; however, be very cautious here and work with the City Attorney • A member of the public can video tape or record a meeting 12:18:02 P.M. Attorney Mora referred to and provided a brief overview of slides entitled “Parliamentary Procedure Why: Shared Expectations & Efficiency,” “Parliamentary Procedure What: A Guide For Consistency,” “Parliamentary Procedure What: Sources For Procedural Guidance,” “Parliamentary Procedure Where & When: Public Meetings,” “Parliamentary Procedure How: The Agenda,” and “Parliamentary Procedure Who: Presiding Officer & Parliamentarian” as follows: • Shared Expectations & Efficiency; Robert’s Rules of Order (RROO) is used to get voices heard, make decisions as a collective while preserving order, decorum and structure • Under RROO the Mayor would not vote; however, in local government RROO explicitly states the PO votes; there are some disconnects; however, ultimately the goal is to assure - the orderly transaction of business - One item considered at a time - All members have equal rights to persuade peers

Robert’s Rules of Order Workshop -8- 10/14/25 - Ultimately the majority has a right to decide & minority has the right to be heard and potentially influence the majority - Goal is to facilitate full and free discussion with clear expectations - Produce legally supportable action • Parliamentary procedure is a guideline and is not the law but is the guideline shared expectations Interim City Manager Bullock left the Chambers at 12:19 P.M. • No legal requirement for standardized rules of procedure for shared expectations - Rules are flexible and can be deviated from where strict adherence may work an undesirable, impractical, or unjust result- but it is important to confer with legal counsel in doing so - City Rules of Procedure – Rule XIII A majority vote of the Commission members present is required to suspend or waive any of these rules of procedure Interim City Manager Bullock returned to the Chambers at 12:23 P.M. • Provided a brief overview of the sources for procedural guidance • Parliamentary procedures are best utilized at lawful public meetings, once a quorum is established; quorum requirements differ from board to board; three members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum; that an affirmative vote of three members shall be necessary to adopt any Ordinance or Resolution and the passage shall be taken by yes or no votes entered in the minutes • An agenda is used to do the City’s business and preserve order, although an Agena is not a legal requirement under the State Statute; however, there is a ton of other case laws indicating an agenda is the most effective way to provide notice, City of Sarasota Rules of Procedure for City Commission Meetings (City Rules of Procedure) indicate: - Rule V: The City Auditor and Clerk shall prepare an agenda for each meeting held by the Commission. - All non-agendaed items shall be added to the agenda through Changes to the Orders of the Day. - All matters listed under Consent Agendas are considered to be routine and shall, be enacted by one motion. If discussion of any Consent Agenda item is desired, the item must be removed from the Consent Agenda and the item shall be discussed immediately following the vote on the remaining Consent Agenda items. - Rule X: Commission action in response to issues raised during Citizens’ Input Concerning City Topics shall be limited to referral to the administration or placement of an item on a future agenda. • Provided a brief overview of the PO & parliamentarian - Charter Article III, Section 8: The Mayor shall preside at all meetings of the Commission and shall have a voice and a vote in the proceedings of the Commission, however, no veto power - Charter Article VI, Section 5(f)” The City Auditor and Clerk shall serve as parliamentarian to the Commission - City Rules of Procedure Rule VI: Mayor shall preserve order and decorum at all meetings of the Commission; Mayor is seating in the middle, to the left of the vice- mayor, and designates seating of the remaining three members - City Rules of Procedure Rule XII: The City Manager shall designate a Sergeant-At- Arms for each Commission meeting. The designated Sergeant-At-Arms shall be available to carry out all orders and instructions given by the PO or the City Manager for the purpose of maintaining order and decorum at the Commission meetings. • Provided a brief overview of the PO expectations Attorney Mora continued, referred to and provided a brief overview of slides entitled “Parliamentary

Robert’s Rules of Order Workshop -9- 10/14/25 Procedure Typical Flow of Meeting,” “Parliamentary Procedure Debate,” “Parliamentary Procedure Intro & Resolution of Motions,” “Parliamentary Procedure Amendments • Provided a brief overview of the typical flow of meetings based upon the City Rules of Procedures • Provided a brief overview of the Debate and discussion expectations - While the Commissions is in session, all members must preserve order and decorum - Before a Commissioner, staff member, or an audience member may speak, they must first be recognized by the PO - Upon recognition, the person requesting to speak shall hold the floor and shall make their point clearly and succinctly - Important to debate the measure, not the member or the motive • After Debate the next step making a motion and provided a brief overview of Intro & Resolution of Motions as follows: 1. A member is recognized 2. A member makes a motion: “I move that _____________.” 3. A member seconds the motion. “I second the motion,” or “Second!” 4. The Mayor/PO states the motion. (ensures shared understanding of body) 5. The members discuss & debate the motion, with public comment (if appropriate). 6. The Mayor/Presiding Officer puts the question to a vote 7. The members vote. 8. The Mayor/PO announces the result of the vote - Can only have one motion on the floor at a time - Once a motion is before the assembly, it must be adopted or rejected by a vote, or the assembly must dispose of the question in some other way before any other business can be introduced - A PO must not unreasonably withhold recognition of a member of the body seeking the floor - After a motion has been made, another member who wishes it to be considered must second the motion; a second merely implies that the seconder agrees that the motion should come before the Commission and not that s/he necessarily favors the motion. - No motion can be renewed during the same session in which it has already been before the Commission (the settled rule) • An Amendment is a motion to modify the wording and sometimes the meaning of a pending motion (a motion that is on the floor before the Commission at the time) - Not used to modify something already adopted - Ordinarily used to: (1) insert or add, (2) strike out, or (3) strike out and insert - If there is an amendment, the Commission is strongly encouraged to have separate public comments on the amendment and then vote since the amendment is an official act which may change or not change of the proposed Ordinance 12:44:54 P.M. Questions posed by Commissioner Ahearn-Koch about the Public Hearing reopening to receive public comments on a proposed amendment to the motion and allowing members of the public who spoke once to speak again were addressed by Attorney Mora who stated yes, the recommendation is to reopen the Public Hearing for the limited purpose of talking about the proposed amendment since the proposed amendment is a new issue and to avoid a legal issue in the future. 12:46:19 P.M. Attorney Mora continued to refer to a slide entitled “Parliamentary Procedure Amendments” as follows: - Improper Amendments: It is improper to interject motions or amendments that are 1) irrelevant, 2) hostile to the ordinal motion, 3) deal with settled matters, or 4) are frivolous and absurd

Robert’s Rules of Order Workshop -10- 10/14/25 12:47:07 P.M. Attorney Mora stated that all of this about parliamentary procedure is designed to protect the integrity of your process and is not intended to be used as a sword to attack or vanquish peers or enemies. 12:47:54 P.M. Vice Mayor Trice voiced concern about the Sunshine Law and RROO is a motion must be on the floor before the Commission can discuss if there has not been a Workshop on a very complex proposed Ordinance then the Commission cannot have a good discussion; that in other organizations she’s been part of, RROO have been suspended for approximately 15 minutes to adjourn as a committee in order to have an open discussion and posed a question asking without a Workshop how can consensus be reached on a very complex proposed Ordinance or issue was by addressed by Attorney Mora. 12:54:16 P.M. Attorney Mora continued further, referred to and provided a brief overview of slides entitled Points of Order & Breaches of Order” • Points of Order are used to Call Out unsanctioned deviations from the rules • Slight breaches of order - PO may rap the gavel lightly, point out the fault, and advise the member to avoid it, and discussion resumes • Significant Breaches - When a member notices a breach of order that may do harm if allowed to pass or persist, s/he without waiting for recognition from the PO, may immediately call our “Point of Order” - When a point of order is raised, the PO must stop the speaker or stop the process and rule on the point of order; the PO either sustains the point of order or overrules it. • Remember: Beyond the ballot box and other applicable laws, the Commission is a self- policing body 12:55:42 P.M. Attorney Mora concluded, referred to and provided a brief overview of slides entitled “Parliamentary Procedure Compulsory Voting (Conclusion of Discussion),” and “Parliamentary Procedure Voting Conflicts,” and “Parliamentary Procedure Adjournment” as follows: • Under State Statute Chapter 286, each Commissioner has an obligation to vote unless there is a legal conflict • No county, municipal, or other local public officer shall vote in an official capacity upon any measure which would inure to his or her special private gain or loss; which he or she knows would inure to the special private gain or loss of any principal by whom he or she is retained or to the parent organization or subsidiary of a corporate principal by which he or she is retained, other than an agency as defined in s. 112.312(2); or which he or she knows would inure to the special private gain or loss of a relative or business associate of the public officer • The Commission at any meeting may recess or adjourn to a time certain for the transaction of any business or for specified business only, as may be determined by the Commission in taking such action 12:57:38 P.M. Question posed by City Auditor and Clerk Griggs about the process regarding amending previously adopted official minutes was addressed by Attorney Mora who stated that minutes are a permanent

Robert’s Rules of Order Workshop -11- 10/14/25 record and critical portion of meetings, and since minutes are permanent record, the Commission may revisit; however, if the minutes are amended, the previously approved minutes are not deleted and are a record of the City; that the minutes are “not offered for the truth of it” and are a record of what was said. Interim City Manager Bullock left the Chambers at 12:59 P.M. 1:00:52 P.M. 2. ADJOURN (AGENDA ITEM 2) Mayor Alpert adjourned the Sarasota City Commission Communication/Productivity Workshop of October 14, 2025, at 1:00 P.M.

WORKSHOP CITY COMMISSION MEETING CITY HALL 1565 First Street Sarasota, Florida October 14, 2025 City Commission Chambers 10:00 AM I. AGENDA ITEMS: I.1 Presentation Re: Roberts Rules of Order I.1 Agenda Request Form.pdf 2025-10-14 City of Sarasota Presentation (002).pdf II. ADJOURN Meeting Notice 10-14-25 City Commission Workshop Notice.pdf City Commission Rules of Procedure CC.RulesofProcedure.AdoptedApril72025.pdf AGENDA CALL MEETING TO ORDER MEETING NOTICE CITY COMMISSION RULES OF PROCEDURE 1

Shayla Griggs City Auditor and Clerk Notice to the Public The City of Sarasota is committed to providing qualified disabled individuals an opportunity to participate in meetings of the City Commission. The City of Sarasota prohibits discrimination in all services, programs, or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex or gender, marital or familial status, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or genetic information. Persons with disabilities who require assistance or alternative means for communication of program information such as Braille, large print, audiotape, etc., should contact: The City of Sarasota ADA Coordinator, Jake Brown, at (941) 263-6299 or by email at adacoordinator@sarasotafl.gov. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 286.26, Florida Statutes, persons with disabilities needing special accommodation to participate in a meeting should contact the ADA Coordinator at (941) 263-6299 at least two business days prior to the date of the meeting as to the nature of the auxiliary aids and/or service necessary. Every effort will be made to provide such aid or service to the extent that they are reasonable, do not result in undue financial or administrative burden, and do not alter the fundamental nature of the meeting. Consideration will be given to the individual's preferred aid or service. However, alternatives may be provided if in the City's determination such alternatives provide an effective means of communication. For the benefit of individuals utilizing hearing aids with a T-coil, the City Commission Chambers and SRQ Media Studio are outfitted with a Hearing Induction Loop for enhanced hearing assistance. Proceedings will be electronically recorded. Should an individual feel that a verbatim transcription of the proceedings may later be needed, said individual has the burden and expense of arranging for same. Copies of the electronic recording may be purchased from the Office of the City Auditor and Clerk. 2

file:///C/Users/JJohnson/Desktop/25-10-14-CommissionWorkshop.txt[10/14/2025 9:10:00 PM] SARASOTA CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2025, 10:00 A.M. DISCLAIMER: THIS FILE REPRESENTS AN UNEDITED VERSION OF REALTIME CAPTIONING WHICH SHOULD NEITHER BE RELIED UPON FOR COMPLETE ACCURACY NOR USED AS A VERBATIM TRANSCRIPT. ANY PERSON WHO NEEDS A VERBATIM TRANSCRIPT OF THE PROCEEDINGS MAY NEED TO HIRE A COURT REPORTER. 10:04:05AM [ SOUNDING GAVEL ] 10:04:06AM >>Mayor Alpert: ALL RIGHT. 10:04:07AM GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. 10:04:08AM I'M OPENING THIS OCTOBER 14, 2025, CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP. 10:04:16AM OUR FIRST AGENDA ITEM IS -- AND OUR ONLY AGENDA ITEM -- IS A 10:04:22AM PRESENTATION OF ROBERT'S RULES. 10:04:23AM >>Shayla Griggs: IF WE COULD GET A BRIEF PRESENTATION, 10:04:27AM INTRODUCTION, THE CITY ATTORNEY WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT. 10:04:29AM >>Mayor Alpert: ALL RIGHT. 10:04:29AM MR. POLZAK. 10:04:30AM >>Joseph Polzak: MAYOR, COMMISSION, APPRECIATE IT. 10:04:32AM AS DISCUSSED BEFORE, THIS WAS SOMETHING I'VE BEEN WANTING TO 10:04:35AM DO AND ABLE TO DO TODAY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CITY CLERK. 10:04:38AM BRINGING BEFORE YOU TODAY IS RANDY MORA, WHO IS A HIGHLY 10:04:42AM RESPECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT ATTORNEY, CITY ATTORNEY IN HIS 10:04:44AM OWN RIGHT, AND DOES A LOT OF TRAINING AND STATEWIDE 10:04:47AM PRESENTATIONS ON THESE VERY TOPICS TODAY. 10:04:50AM I'M EXCITED TO HAVE HIM PART OF MY TEAM. 10:04:52AM AS YOU ALL KNOW, I USE SUBCONTRACTORS, INCLUDING HIS FIRM. 10:04:56AM THEY ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF MY TEAM. 10:04:58AM INCORPORATED THEM INTO MY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING TODAY. 10:05:01AM THIS WILL BE ONE OF MANY TRAININGS THAT I'LL ASK HIM TO DO, 10:05:04AM HOPE TO DO THIS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS BEFORE YOU. 10:05:08AM THE NEXT WOULD BE A TRAINING SESSION CUSTOMIZED TO OUR 10:05:11AM BOARDS, PANELS, AND AD HOC COMMITTEES, DO THAT SEPARATELY 10:05:15AM AND ALSO DO THAT ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. 10:05:17AM WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, I'LL LET RANDY INTRODUCE HIMSELF A 10:05:20AM LITTLE FURTHER. 10:05:20AM >>Randy Mora: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. 10:05:22AM THIS IS GOING TO BE VERY HARD TO COMPLETE. 10:05:24AM I'M NOT USED TO HAVING A HANDSOME MAN ON THE SCREEN IN FRONT 10:05:27AM OF ME. 10:05:29AM [ LAUGHTER ] 10:05:29AM MY NAME IS RANDY MORA. 10:05:31AM AS ATTORNEY POLZAK INDICATED, I'M CERTIFIED BY THE FLORIDA 10:05:35AM BAR AND CITY, COUNTY, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAW. 10:05:37AM I'VE BEEN DOING THIS PRACTICE FOR 11 YEARS NOW ROUGHLY. 10:05:41AM THROUGH MY PRACTICE I SERVED AS CITY ATTORNEY IN FOUR 10:05:44AM DIFFERENT CITIES, PINELLAS COUNTY AND PRESENTLY THE CITY 10:05:46AM ATTORNEY IN PINELLAS PARK, AMONG THE LARGEST JURISDICTIONS 10:05:50AM IN OUR COUNTY.

file:///C/Users/JJohnson/Desktop/25-10-14-CommissionWorkshop.txt[10/14/2025 9:10:00 PM] 10:05:51AM IN ADDITION TO SERVING AS CITY ATTORNEY, I WORK WITH MY FIRM 10:05:54AM WITH THE FLORIDA MUNICIPAL INSURANCE TRUST, WHICH IS THE 10:05:56AM INSURANCE SIDE OF THE LEAGUE OF CITIES. 10:05:58AM THROUGH THAT, WE REPRESENT CITIES IN LITIGATION. 10:06:01AM FINALLY, I HAVE THIS, WHICH I CONSIDER TO BE MY FAVORITE 10:06:03AM PART OF MY PRACTICE, WHICH IS EDUCATING ELECTED OFFICIALS, 10:06:08AM EMPLOYEES, STAFF MEMBERS SERVING GOVERNMENT. 10:06:11AM IT'S A SLOW STRESS DELIVERABLE RATIO. 10:06:14AM NOT STARTING FROM A PLACE OF CRISIS. 10:06:16AM STARTING FROM A PLACE OF WANTING TO DO LITTLE BETTER AND 10:06:18AM ELEVATE OUR AWARENESS ABOUT HOW WE CAN SERVE OUR JOB AND HOW 10:06:22AM WE CAN SERVE THE PUBLIC TRUST. 10:06:23AM AS WE GO TODAY, MY AIM FOR YOU IS TO GET THE INFORMATION YOU 10:06:29AM SEEK. 10:06:29AM I'M SURE EACH OF YOU COME TO THE TABLE WANTING TO LEARN 10:06:33AM SOMETHING SPECIFICALLY OR ADDRESS SOMETHING SPECIFICALLY IN 10:06:35AM THE BROAD SCOPE OF THE TOPICS WE'RE DISCUSSING. 10:06:37AM THIS IS YOUR MEETING. 10:06:38AM I'M JUST HERE. 10:06:39AM IF YOU HAVE THOSE QUESTIONS, PLEASE ASK THEM. 10:06:42AM I WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS GIVES YOU AND THE PUBLIC THE VALUE 10:06:45AM ADDED THAT YOU MIGHT SEEK FROM HAVING SOMEBODY IN PERSON AS 10:06:49AM OPPOSED TO CLICKING PLAY ON A YouTube VIDEO. 10:06:53AM AS FAR AS ROAD MAP AND EXPECTATIONS, THIS IS NOT IN 10:06:56AM SATISFACTION OF YOUR FOUR-HOUR ETHICS SUNSHINE LAW RECORDS 10:07:00AM TRAINING. 10:07:00AM IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING MANY OF YOU HAVE ALREADY DONE THAT. 10:07:04AM IF ANY OF YOU, IT SEEMS THERE MIGHT BE SOME JOKES ABOUT WHO 10:07:09AM MIGHT BE LATE-COMERS TO CERTAIN TOPICS. 10:07:10AM IF ANYBODY HASN'T DONE THEIR TRAINING YET, WE ARE OFFERING A 10:07:14AM FOUR-HOUR TRAINING THROUGH THE LEAGUE OF CITIES TOMORROW, 10:07:16AM FOUR-HOUR WEBINAR THAT I'LL BE HANDLING TO CHECK THAT BOX 10:07:20AM AND ONE MORE IN DECEMBER IF YOU ARE TRYING TO GET IN UNDER 10:07:23AM THE WIRE. 10:07:23AM THAT SAID, TODAY IS GOING TO FOCUS ON A FEW TOPICS. 10:07:27AM I BELIEVE FIRMLY IN SHARED EXPECTATIONS, AND THAT'S WHAT A 10:07:31AM LOT OF TODAY IS GOING TO BE ABOUT. 10:07:32AM SO THIS IS OUR ROAD MAP OF THE TOPICS WE'RE GOING TO COVER. 10:07:35AM IF ANY OF YOU DON'T SEE ANY OF THE TOPICS THAT YOU WERE 10:07:38AM HOPING TO COVER, THEN WE CAN GET THE DISAPPOINTMENT OUT OF 10:07:41AM THE WAY EARLY AND JUST START THERE. 10:07:43AM WE'RE GOING TO BE STARTING WITH ETHICAL GUIDELINES. 10:07:47AM IT IS AN IMPORTANT POLE STAR WHEN TALKING ABOUT ANY TOPIC. 10:07:50AM I DO QUARTERLY ETHICS TRAININGS WITH THE LEAGUE OF CITIES. 10:07:54AM IMPORTANT PART TO ME OF GOVERNMENT PRACTICE. 10:07:57AM TEAM BASED SOLUTIONS AND SERVICE REALLY FOCUSED ON YOUR 10:07:59AM CITY, HOW YOU WORK AND HOW THE PARTS FIT TOGETHER. 10:08:02AM BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT PUBLIC MEETINGS IN TERMS OF 10:08:05AM PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE, WE'LL FOCUS ON THE FOUNDATION, THE 10:08:10AM BASICS OF THE SUNSHINE LAW, OPEN MEETING LAW. 10:08:13AM WON'T BE AN HOUR, I PROMISE, BUT ENOUGH TO BUILD THE 10:08:15AM FOUNDATION SO WE CAN TALK ABOUT HOW MEETINGS WORK.

file:///C/Users/JJohnson/Desktop/25-10-14-CommissionWorkshop.txt[10/14/2025 9:10:00 PM] 10:08:18AM WHILE THIS HAS BEEN PITCHED AND EXPLAINED TO YOU AS A 10:08:21AM ROBERT'S RULES MEETING, THAT'S REALLY A SMALL PART OF WHAT 10:08:25AM THIS IS. 10:08:25AM THIS IS REALLY MORE TOWARDS A TOTALITY OF HOW WE CONDUCT 10:08:28AM OURSELVES AS PUBLIC OFFICIALS. 10:08:30AM ANY QUESTIONS, CONCERNS BEFORE I GET STARTED? 10:08:34AM I'M USUALLY ACCUSTOMED TO STANDING AND PACING. 10:08:37AM IF YOU SEE ME FIDGETING, PLEASE UNDERSTAND I'M DOING MY BEST 10:08:41AM TO SIT STILL. 10:08:43AM THAT SAID, WE'LL START WHERE I THINK EVERY PUBLIC 10:08:46AM PRESENTATION SHOULD START IN FLORIDA, WHICH IS UNDER OUR 10:08:48AM CONSTITUTION, YOUR OFFICE IS A PUBLIC TRUST. 10:08:50AM WHAT THE CONSTITUTION SAYS IS THAT A PUBLIC OFFICE IS A 10:08:53AM PUBLIC TRUST, AND THE PUBLIC SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO SECURE 10:08:56AM AND SUSTAIN THAT TRUST AGAINST ABUSE. 10:08:58AM VERY FANCY WORDS, BUT A VERY IMPORTANT CONCEPT, WHICH IS YOU 10:09:03AM DO NOT HOLD YOUR OFFICE FOR YOUR OWN BENEFIT. 10:09:06AM AND YOU KNOW THAT, BECAUSE THERE'S REALLY NOT ENOUGH BENEFIT 10:09:10AM TO IT. 10:09:10AM THERE'S NO FRINGE BENEFITS TO PUBLIC SERVICE. 10:09:14AM YOU'RE SIGNING UP FOR ULCERS, LATE-NIGHT MEETING, GETTING 10:09:18AM HAULED INTO A ROBERT'S RULES MEETING MIDDAY. 10:09:20AM THIS IS NOT FUN AND HAPPY AND LUXURIOUS. 10:09:23AM YOU'RE DOING THIS OUT OF SOME SENSE OF SERVICE. 10:09:25AM WHAT THAT MEANS TO EACH ONE OF YOU IS LIKELY DIFFERENT, AND 10:09:28AM THAT'S GREAT BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT OUR DEMOCRATIC EXPERIMENT 10:09:33AM REQUIRES. 10:09:33AM WE COME AT THIS WITH OUR OWN PERSPECTIVE. 10:09:35AM BUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT IT IN THE CONTEXT OF PUBLIC MEETINGS 10:09:38AM AND PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE, WHAT WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO 10:09:41AM EMPHASIZE IS, ARE YOU CONDUCTING YOUR MEETINGS IN A WAY THAT 10:09:45AM BUILDS THAT PUBLIC TRUST? 10:09:46AM OR ARE YOU DOING THINGS INDIVIDUALLY OR COLLECTIVELY THAT 10:09:49AM ERODE THAT PUBLIC TRUST? 10:09:50AM IF YOU ARE, ARE YOU SERVING THAT NOTION? 10:09:54AM THAT SHOULD BE YOUR POLE STAR THROUGH ALL OF YOUR DECISION 10:09:58AM MAKING. 10:09:59AM WHEN YOU ARE DECIDING, SHOULD I SAY THIS INTO THE 10:10:02AM MICROPHONE? 10:10:02AM ASK, IS THIS SERVING MY PROPERTY OWNERS, RESIDENTS, 10:10:05AM TAXPAYERS, NOT JUST PEOPLE WITHOUT A FELONY CONVICTION OR 10:10:09AM PEOPLE WITH CITIZENSHIP OR PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED HERE TEN 10:10:10AM YEARS AND DIDN'T MOVE HERE IN COVID -- EVERYBODY. 10:10:12AM EVERYBODY IS SERVED. 10:10:13AM IN TERMS OF WHAT WE DO BY THE PUBLIC TRUST. 10:10:17AM WE FIND THAT IN THE CONSTITUTION, AND YOU'LL SEE IN A LOT OF 10:10:20AM THE THINGS WE TALK ABOUT. 10:10:21AM WE'LL START IN THE CONSTITUTION, WORK TO THE STATUTES AND 10:10:24AM TALK ABOUT IT IN PRACTICE. 10:10:25AM IN THE STATUTES, YOU FIND THAT REPEATED IN CHAPTER 112. 10:10:29AM 112 IS THE ETHICS CODE.

file:///C/Users/JJohnson/Desktop/25-10-14-CommissionWorkshop.txt[10/14/2025 9:10:00 PM] 10:10:31AM IF ANY OF YOU HAVE STRUGGLED OF LATE AS WE SWITCHED NEAR THE 10:10:37AM END OF DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME AND THE LIKE AND HAVING TROUBLE 10:10:41AM RESTING, SLEEPING, IF THE MELATONIN IS NOT HITTING, OPEN 10:10:45AM 112, TRY AND WORK THROUGH IT. 10:10:47AM YOU'LL BE FINE. 10:10:48AM IT'S NOT RIVETTING STUFF, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT. 10:10:50AM WHAT IT SAYS IN CHAPTER 112, PARAPHRASING, I TRIED TO 10:10:54AM HIGHLIGHT IN YELLOW SOME OF THE MORE IMPORTANT PARTS OF 10:10:58AM THINGS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. 10:10:59AM NO OFFICER SHALL HAVE ANY INTEREST WHICH IS IN SUBSTANTIAL 10:11:04AM CONFLICT WITH THE PROPER DISCHARGE OF HIS OR HER DUTIES. 10:11:06AM AND THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THING TO UNDERSTAND BECAUSE 10:11:06AM THERE IS A LOT THERE. 10:11:06AM WE'RE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT VOTING CONFLICTS. 10:11:09AM WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN SERVICE. 10:11:12AM IT'S IMPORTANT TO START WITH WHAT THAT'S NOT SAYING. 10:11:14AM THAT IS NOT SAYING THAT YOU ARE PROHIBITED FROM HAVING 10:11:19AM PASSION PROJECTS, THAT YOU ARE PROHIBITED FROM FOCUSING ON 10:11:23AM AN ISSUE. 10:11:24AM YOU WOULD NOT GET ELECTED IF THAT'S HOW IT WORKED. 10:11:26AM YOU HAD TO SAY SOMETHING TO YOUR COMMUNITY. 10:11:28AM I WANT TO ADDRESS THIS SECTOR NOT ADDRESSED. 10:11:31AM I WANT TO MACHINING DEVELOPMENT. 10:11:33AM I WANT TO EXPAND DEVELOPMENT. 10:11:34AM I WANT MORE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. 10:11:36AM WE NEED MORE CULTURE, MORE ARTS. 10:11:38AM IT'S NOT A CONFLICT OF INTEREST FOR YOU TO SAY I RAN ON A 10:11:41AM PLATFORM OF WE'LL HAVE MORE ARTS AND THEN I TRIED TO GET AN 10:11:45AM OPERA TO COME HERE. 10:11:46AM THAT'S THE JOB, RIGHT? 10:11:48AM THAT IS THE IDEA IN THE ABSTRACT OF HAVING A PASSION. 10:11:51AM BUT THE GOAL, AGAIN, IS WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO WHOSE 10:11:55AM INTERESTS ARE YOU SERVING, IN THAT EXAMPLE, I'M NOT 10:11:58AM SUGGESTING THE OPERA IS SQUARELY WITHIN YOUR DUTIES, BUT IN 10:12:01AM THAT EXAMPLE WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS FOR THE GREATER GOOD, FOR 10:12:04AM YOUR COMMUNITY AT-LARGE. 10:12:05AM IT IS NOT SO YOU ARE GOING TO GET VIP TICKETS FRONT ROW WHEN 10:12:09AM EVERY CULTURAL EVENT COMES. 10:12:12AM THAT IS A DIFFERENT ISSUE. 10:12:13AM WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CONFLICTS GENERALLY, ETHICAL CONFLICTS, 10:12:17AM OUR PRINCIPAL CONCERN IS WHO YOU ARE SERVING. 10:12:20AM PUBLIC INTEREST, PUBLIC TRUST, THEN YOU ARE ALREADY ON THE 10:12:23AM RIGHT PATH. 10:12:24AM ETHICAL CONFLICT, GENERALLY SPEAKING, PRIVATE INTEREST TENDS 10:12:30AM TO LEAD TO DISREGARD OF A PUBLIC DUTY. 10:12:32AM THERE IS THE OBVIOUS ONES, HEY, I'LL GIVE YOU THIS AMOUNT OF 10:12:36AM MONEY AND YOU VOTE ON THAT DEVELOPMENT OR I WILL GIVE YOU 10:12:39AM THESE TICKETS AND YOU'LL MAKE SURE I GET MY VARIANCE, THOSE 10:12:42AM ARE THE OBVIOUS THINGS THAT I WOULD HOPE ARE NOT NEWS TO YOU 10:12:45AM AS I SIT HERE NOW, STRONGLY DISCOURAGED. 10:12:50AM THAT'S NOT JUST WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. 10:12:52AM IF YOUR CALCULUS AS POLICY MAKERS IS FOCUSED ON HOW IT

file:///C/Users/JJohnson/Desktop/25-10-14-CommissionWorkshop.txt[10/14/2025 9:10:00 PM] 10:12:59AM HARMS, NUMBER ONE, YOURSELF, THEN YOU ARE STARTING FROM THE 10:13:02AM WRONG PLACE. 10:13:03AM HAVING WATCHED SOME OF YOUR MEETINGS, HAVING OBSERVED THE 10:13:08AM COVERAGE ON WHERE YOU GUYS ARE GOING, I DON'T THINK THAT'S 10:13:11AM ANY OF THE CORE ISSUES HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY. 10:13:13AM SOME YOU START, HEY, GUYS, WE NEED TO FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE 10:13:17AM HOW WE LOOK AT THE JOB. 10:13:18AM I DON'T THINK THAT'S WHERE IT'S AT. 10:13:20AM ANYTHING WE CAN DO, WE CAN DO BETTER, SO LET'S BUILD FROM 10:13:23AM THAT NOTION. 10:13:24AM WITH THAT, I FIND IT IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT'S OFTEN SKIPPED 10:13:29AM OVER. 10:13:30AM AS EACH OF YOU TRANSITIONED AND HAD MORE TIME I WOULD LOVE 10:13:33AM TO KNOW EACH OF YOUR STORIES WHAT BROUGHT TO YOU PUBLIC 10:13:36AM SERVICE OR KEEPS YOU COMING FOR SOME, BECAUSE EACH PERSON 10:13:40AM HAS A DISTINCT AND IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY AS PART OF THE 10:13:42AM TEAM, NOT JUST AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION, BUT REALLY THE 10:13:45AM ENTIRE TEAM YOU WORK WITH. 10:13:46AM IT'S SORT OF INTERESTING HOW OUR GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM IS SET 10:13:49AM UP. 10:13:50AM WE TAKE PEOPLE AND OF LATE WE HAVE PLACED GREAT VALUE UPON 10:13:53AM BRINGING PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO INTERACTION WITH OR KNOWLEDGE OF 10:13:56AM GOVERNMENT AND YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO COME IN AND BE THE 10:13:59AM TRUSTEES AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THIS CORPORATION THAT IS 10:14:01AM GOVERNMENT WITHOUT A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IS THE CITY 10:14:04AM ATTORNEY, WHAT IS THE CLERK. 10:14:05AM LIKE, I KNOW, I HAVE AN IDEA WHAT THOSE THINGS ARE, BUT IN 10:14:09AM THE DAY TO DAY, YOU FOLKS CHECK IN ONCE TO TWICE A MONTH 10:14:12AM MEANINGFULLY, HOPEFULLY MORE THAN THAT, BUT MEANINGFULLY YOU 10:14:15AM SIT AT A MEETING AND YOU ARE TOLD SUPERVISE PEOPLE WHO GO 10:14:19AM ABOUT THIS JOB ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS WITHOUT A FULL 10:14:22AM UNDERSTANDING OF HOW DOES ALL THIS COME TOGETHER. 10:14:24AM SAID DIFFERENTLY, WHAT IS THE CONTEXT? 10:14:27AM THIS PORTION OF THE PRESENTATION IS INTENDED TO FOCUS ON THE 10:14:30AM CONTEXT. 10:14:30AM YOU FOLKS HAVE AN ORGANIZATIONAL CHART. 10:14:33AM IT IS MUCH BIGGER THAN THIS. 10:14:35AM YOU'LL SEE IT IN A MOMENT. 10:14:36AM REALLY FOR OUR PURPOSES, THIS IS WHERE WE'RE FOCUSED. 10:14:42AM YOU ANSWER TO THE PUBLIC AND THE PUBLIC TRUST. 10:14:44AM THE PUBLIC IS THIS AMORPHOUS THING. 10:14:48AM PUBLIC TRUST IS MORE CONCRETE. 10:14:50AM YOU ANSWER TO THE PUBLIC TRUST. 10:14:51AM THE PUBLIC IS NOT A MONOLITH. 10:14:53AM THE PUBLIC IS ASKING YOU TO DO SEVEN THINGS ALL ARE MUTUALLY 10:14:57AM EXCLUSIVE ALL AT THE SAME TIME. 10:14:59AM YOU'RE SERVING THE PUBLIC TRUST. 10:15:01AM YOU ARE OVERSEEING EVERYTHING. 10:15:02AM YOU ARE THE VISION. 10:15:04AM YOU ARE THE MANAGEMENT. 10:15:04AM IF YOU WERE A FRANCHISE, YOU ARE THE MANAGEMENT. 10:15:08AM YOU ARE THE ONES IN THE BOX SEATS.

file:///C/Users/JJohnson/Desktop/25-10-14-CommissionWorkshop.txt[10/14/2025 9:10:00 PM] 10:15:10AM EVERYBODY ELSE IS DOWN ON THE FIELD, BUT YOU ARE IN THE BOX 10:15:12AM SEATS AND YOU PROVIDE THE VISION AND YOU SAY THIS IS HOW 10:15:15AM WE'RE GOING TO EXPEND OUR RESOURCES AND HERE'S HOW WE'LL GET 10:15:18AM TO THE GOALS AND THESE ARE WHAT OUR GOALS ARE GOING TO BE. 10:15:20AM SO THAT'S WHERE YOU FOLKS COME IN. 10:15:23AM ONE TIER BELOW YOU ON THE ORG CHART, YOU HAVE THE CITY 10:15:27AM ATTORNEY, CITY MANAGER, AND CITY AUDITOR AND CLERK IN YOUR 10:15:31AM CITY IS THE TITLE. 10:15:33AM NOW, WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH EACH OF THOSE POSITIONS MORE 10:15:36AM BROADLY. 10:15:36AM JUST IN CASE IT IS A SURPRISE TO ANY OF YOU HOW LARGE YOUR 10:15:39AM CITY IS, THERE IS YOUR WHOLE ORG CHART. 10:15:43AM YOU'LL NOTICE THIS AS WE GO THROUGH, LOOK HOW MUCH IS UNDER 10:15:47AM CITY MANAGER. 10:15:48AM LOOK HOW MUCH IS UNDER CITY ATTORNEY. 10:15:51AM SHOULD TELL YOU, FOR EXAMPLE, AS WE TALK ABOUT IT, YOUR CITY 10:15:54AM ATTORNEY DOESN'T MAKE DECISIONS. 10:15:55AM [ LAUGHTER ] 10:15:56AM I MEAN THAT IN A REALLY KIND WAY. 10:15:59AM YOU DON'T MAKE DECISIONS. 10:16:00AM MY JOB IS GIVE YOU ADVICE AND GET IGNORED. 10:16:03AM I DON'T MAKE A SINGLE DECISION ALL DAY LONG. 10:16:06AM ULTIMATELY, HE GIVES ADVICE. 10:16:08AM YOUR EXECUTIVES, WE'LL TALK ABOUT YOUR MANAGER, IS OUT THERE 10:16:12AM IN THE TRENCHES DAY AFTER DAY. 10:16:13AM AGAIN, USE THE SPORTS ANALOGY, YOUR MARKING IS ON THE FIELD 10:16:19AM CALLING OPTIONS AND ALL THOSE THINGS, SORRY IF YOU DON'T 10:16:21AM KNOW FOOTBALL, A LOT OF ANALOGIES HERE, A LOT OF METAPHORS. 10:16:26AM AUDITOR AND CLERK HAS VERY CLEARLY DEFINED GOALS AND 10:16:29AM RESPONSIBILITIES AND IS OVER THOSE AS WELL. 10:16:32AM YOU CAN SEE IT IS EVEN MORE COMPLEX THAN SIMPLY, IT'S NOT 10:16:35AM JUST EVERYTHING UNDER THE MANAGER. 10:16:36AM YOUR AUDITOR AND CLERK HAS VERY SPECIFIC DUTIES AND POWERS 10:16:40AM IN YOUR CITY AS WELL. 10:16:42AM LET'S GET A LITTLE BIT OF AN UNDERSTANDING ON HOW ALL OF 10:16:45AM THAT FITS TOGETHER. 10:16:46AM LET'S START WITH THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN THE ROOM, YOU 10:16:51AM FOLKS. 10:16:51AM THE FIVE OF YOU ARE TRULY THE MOST IMPORTANT BECAUSE YOU ARE 10:16:55AM WHO THE PUBLIC ACCESS IS. 10:16:56AM WHEN JOE GOES TO PUBLIX, HE DOES NOT GET CORNERED AND ASKED 10:17:01AM ABOUT THE DRAINAGE ON 16th STREET. 10:17:03AM YOU DO. 10:17:04AM >>Joseph Polzak: I DO, ACTUALLY. 10:17:05AM THIS IS SARASOTA. 10:17:08AM >> A LOT OF CITIES I TRY TO BE, IT'S HARD WHEN YOU ARE SIX 10:17:12AM FOOT AND SPOTTED BUT I TRY TO BE AS IN THE BACKGROUND AS I 10:17:15AM CAN. 10:17:16AM ULTIMATELY YOU FOLKS ARE THE FACE THAT MOST PEOPLE ARE AWARE 10:17:19AM OF IF THEY ARE AWARE OF THEIR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AT ALL, WHICH 10:17:22AM IS A WHOLE OTHER ISSUE. 10:17:24AM YOU ARE, TO BRING IT BACK TO SCHOOLHOUSE ROCKS, YOU ARE THE

file:///C/Users/JJohnson/Desktop/25-10-14-CommissionWorkshop.txt[10/14/2025 9:10:00 PM] 10:17:26AM LEGISLATIVE BRANCH. 10:17:28AM YOU MAKE THE POLICY. 10:17:30AM THIS CITY, AGAIN NO SURPRISE TO YOU, FIVE MEMBER BODY. 10:17:33AM SERVE FOUR-YEAR TERMS. 10:17:35AM POSITIONS ARE NONPARTISAN BY DESIGN. 10:17:37AM TWO OF YOU ARE ELECTED AT-LARGE ACCORDING TO YOUR CHARTER. 10:17:42AM THREE FROM SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICTS. 10:17:44AM YOU CANNOT, JUST AS A FOOTNOTE, YOU CANNOT BE EMPLOYED FOR 10:17:48AM THE CITY FOR UP TO TWO YEARS AFTER LEAVING OFFICE. 10:17:51AM I HAVE NOT SEEN THAT PROVISION AT A LOCAL LEVEL. 10:17:53AM WE'RE FAMILIAR WITH IT, THE SORT OF ANTI-LOBBYING THING, IT 10:17:56AM MAKES SENSE IN SOME RESPECTS. 10:17:57AM WE WOULDN'T WANT OUR COMMISSIONERS OR VICE MAYORS TO 10:18:02AM SUDDENLY BECOME THE MANAGER, AND IT'S REALLY JUST A FUNCTION 10:18:03AM OF MORE OF THE SAME. 10:18:04AM IT CREATES THE DIVISION TO SAY WE'LL GET SOME CHANGE AND NOT 10:18:08AM MAKE THIS SORT OF A LANDED PRACTICE, IF YOU WILL. 10:18:11AM ANOTHER NOTE ABOUT YOUR POWERS AND DUTIES, YOU'LL SEE 10:18:14AM THROUGHOUT I TRIED TO KEEP IT A LITTLE SMALLER, THIS IS 10:18:17AM DRAWN FROM YOUR CHARTER AND RULES OF PROCEDURE AS WE GO 10:18:20AM THROUGH THIS. 10:18:21AM IN YOUR CHARTER, THESE ARE YOUR POWERS AND DUTIES. 10:18:24AM I THINK THE FIRST ONE IS MOST IMPORTANT. 10:18:26AM YOU ESTABLISH POLICY AND NOT ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY. 10:18:28AM DAY TO DAY, THE MANAGER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR AND PERSONNEL 10:18:32AM POLICIES. 10:18:33AM YOU PROVIDE THE VISION FOR YOUR CITY AND WHAT YOU WANT IT TO 10:18:36AM LOOK LIKE, WHETHER YOU WANT IT TO LOOK LIKE WHAT IT ALWAYS 10:18:38AM DID OR SOME NEW VERSION. 10:18:40AM THAT COMES FROM COLLECTIVELY YOU. 10:18:43AM I CAN ONLY LOOK ANY ONE OF YOU IN THE EYE AT A TIME BUT IT'S 10:18:47AM COLLECTIVELY YOU. 10:18:49AM YOU APPOINT, REMOVE THE CITY ATTORNEY, AUDITOR, AND MANAGER. 10:18:52AM YOU DEBATE AND ADOPT LEGISLATIVE ENACTMENTS, ORDINANCES AND 10:18:58AM RESOLUTIONS. 10:18:59AM VERY CRITICALLY AT THIS TIME OF YEAR YOU SET THE MILLAGE 10:19:01AM RATE AND ADOPT THE BUDGET WHICH WE CLOSED OUT AND STARTED 10:19:04AM NEW FISCAL YEAR. 10:19:05AM YOU ESTABLISH BOARDS. 10:19:07AM WE TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE BOARDS AND VISION FOR THOSE IN 10:19:10AM THE FUTURE. 10:19:11AM CRITICALLY AND SOMEHOW CONFUSINGLY FOR MANY, YOU GET OUT OF 10:19:15AM THE WAY AFTER THAT. 10:19:18AM YOU STAY IN YOUR LANE. 10:19:19AM THAT IS IN YOUR CHARTER, IT IS VERY CLEAR YOU MAY NOT 10:19:22AM INTERFERE WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CITY. 10:19:24AM THAT'S BECAUSE THAT IS THE PROVINCE OF THE CITY MANAGER, 10:19:27AM WHETHER THEY BE INTERIM, ACTING, OR PERMANENT, IS OF NO 10:19:32AM CONSEQUENCE. 10:19:32AM ONLY ONE HIGH LANDER. 10:19:35AM THAT IS YOUR HIGH LANDER. 10:19:36AM YOUR MANAGER IS THE ONE IN THE FIELD IN THE TRENCHES DOING

file:///C/Users/JJohnson/Desktop/25-10-14-CommissionWorkshop.txt[10/14/2025 9:10:00 PM] 10:19:39AM THE WORK DAY TO DAY. 10:19:41AM IF YOU FIND YOURSELVES IN A MEETING HAVING A REALLY LONG 10:19:43AM DISCUSSION OVER WHAT COLOR THE STREETLIGHT SHOULD BE, YOU 10:19:46AM LOST THE PLOT. 10:19:47AM YOU DECIDE WE FUND STREETLIGHTS, WE TRUST THE PERSON WE NEED 10:19:51AM BUYING THEM. 10:19:52AM WE HAVE GIVEN THEM THE GENERAL DIRECTION WE WANT. 10:19:54AM THIS IS THE AESTHETIC, WHAT WE WANT TO DO, GREAT, LET THEM 10:19:58AM GO AND DO AND YOU GUYS KEEP DEVELOPING MORE VISION AND 10:20:02AM POLICY. 10:20:02AM NOW, ONE OF YOU SITS SLIGHTLY APART FROM THE REST. 10:20:07AM THAT IS YOU, MAYOR ALPERT. 10:20:09AM THE MAYOR IS SELECTED BY THE COMMISSION, NOT THE PUBLIC, 10:20:12AM WHICH IS A VERY INTERESTING MODEL. 10:20:14AM NOT WITHOUT PRECEDENT. 10:20:15AM THERE ARE OTHER COMMUNITIES IN FLORIDA THAT HAVE THAT SETUP. 10:20:19AM I THINK WHAT IS GOOD ABOUT THAT IS IT HELPS WITH THE PUBLIC 10:20:23AM UNDERSTANDING OF HOW YOUR COMMUNITY IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER 10:20:26AM COMMUNITIES BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT FORMS OF LOCAL 10:20:30AM GOVERNMENT. 10:20:31AM YOU HAVE A COUNCIL MANAGER, COMMISSION MANAGER FORM OF 10:20:34AM GOVERNMENT, WHICH MEANS DON'T INTERFERE, LET THEM 10:20:38AM ADMINISTER, YOU CREATE POLICY. 10:20:40AM WHEN YOU HAVE A VERY PROMINENTLY ELECTED MAYOR FOR SOME 10:20:43AM PEOPLE BECAUSE THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF CIVICS IS EITHER LIMITED 10:20:45AM TO RICHARD SCARRY OR PERHAPS SIX GRADE CIVICS, THEY HEAR THE 10:20:51AM MAYOR, AND THEY ARE LIKE, OH, YOU CUT THE RIBBONS, GIVE THE 10:20:51AM BIG CHECKS, AND YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF POLICY. 10:20:54AM IN YOUR CITY, YOUR MAYOR HAS A VERY CRITICAL ROLE -- ONE 10:21:02AM WE'LL TALK ABOUT A LOT TODAY AS THE PRESIDING OFFICER -- BUT 10:21:02AM THAT'S WHERE IT STOPS. 10:21:02AM I WAS IN A PRESENTATION WITH ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR 10:21:04AM COMMISSIONERS EARLIER THIS WEEKEND. 10:21:05AM SAID, IN ANOTHER CONTEXT, I WILL TELL MY MAYOR WHEN ELECTED, 10:21:11AM CONGRATULATIONS, YOU HAVE NOW MADE IT TO BEING HOMECOMING 10:21:15AM QUEEN OR HOMECOMING KING. 10:21:17AM WE SELECTED YOU THE ONE MOST POPULAR. 10:21:19AM YOU WILL WEAR THE GOWN, TIARA AND HOLD THE GAVEL. 10:21:24AM THE WAY WE WORK, WE'RE ALL EQUALS. 10:21:26AM BIG PICTURE YOU'RE HELPING PROVIDE THIS IS HOW WE'RE GOING 10:21:33AM TO MOVE WHEN WE'RE MAKING POLICY BUT YOU ALL HAVE AN EQUAL 10:21:37AM SAY. 10:21:37AM I THINK THE IDEA FROM YOUR RANKS YOU COLLECTIVELY CHOOSE 10:21:41AM YOUR MAYOR SORT OF PUTS AN EXCLAMATION POINT ON IT. 10:21:44AM THIS IS WHO WE WANT GUIDING OUR MEETINGS AND BUSINESS DAY TO 10:21:47AM DAY. 10:21:48AM WE'RE ALL IN THIS AND OUR CHOICE. 10:21:50AM YOU DON'T HAVE THE SITUATION WHERE PEOPLE SAY THE CITIZENS 10:21:52AM HAVE SPOKEN, I'M THE MAYOR, YOU'RE NOT. 10:21:54AM WE ARE ALL EQUAL IN THAT SENSE. 10:21:56AM BECAUSE OF THAT, MAYOR, AS YOU WELL KNOW, YOU HAVE A VOICE 10:22:01AM AND VOTE IN YOUR PROCEEDINGS.

file:///C/Users/JJohnson/Desktop/25-10-14-CommissionWorkshop.txt[10/14/2025 9:10:00 PM] 10:22:02AM YOU DO NOT HAVE VETO POWER. 10:22:04AM SOME CITIES HAVE A MAYOR, HYBRID SET UP EVEN WITH A CITY 10:22:10AM MANAGER WHERE THEY MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE VETO POWER. 10:22:15AM YOU DO NOT HAVE THAT. 10:22:16AM POWERS AND DUTIES SHALL BE SUCH AS CONFERRED UPON HIM/HER BY 10:22:27AM THE COMMISSION. 10:22:28AM YOU PASS AN ORDINANCE OR A RESOLUTION, OKAY, WE HAVE A 10:22:31AM METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY AND THE MAYOR OF THE CITY 10:22:34AM S