Special City Commission Meeting - City Manager Search

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SARASOTA CITY COMMISSION MEETING OF JANUARY 13, 2026 PRESENT: Mayor Debbie Trice, Vice Mayor Kathy Kelley Ohlrich, Commissioners Jen Ahearn-Koch, Liz Alpert, Kyle Scott Battie, and Interim City Manager David Bullock, City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs, and City Attorney Joe Polzak ABSENT: 10:00:55 A.M. None The meeting was called to order by Mayor Trice at 10:00 A.M . 10:01 :12 A.M. INVOCATION: City Auditor and Clerk Griggs 10:01 :34 A.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Vice Mayor Ohlrich 10:01 :59 A.M. APPROVE PROPOSED AGENDA SCHEDULE 10:02:05 A.M. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Ohlrich, seconded by Commissioner Ahearn-Koch, to approve the proposed Agenda Schedule, which carried by a 5-0 vote. 10:02:26 A.M. PLEDGE OF PUBLIC CONDUCT: City Auditor and Clerk Griggs 10:02: 33 A.M. 1. CITIZENS' INPUT CONCERNING CITY TOPICS (AGENDA ITEM I) No one signed up to speak. 10:02:37 A.M. 2. DISCUSSION RE: CITY MANAGER CANDIDATES (AGENDA ITEM 11-1 ) Warren Hutmacher, Owner and Principal, Sumter Local Government Consulting (Sumter LGC), came before the Commission. 10:03:05 A.M. City Auditor and Clerk Griggs provided a brief introduction. 10:03:28 A.M. Mr. Hutmacher presented . 10:19:17 A.M. Book 69 Page 41264 01/13/26 10:00 A.M.

Book69 01/13/26 Page 41265 10:00A.M. Vice Mayor Ohlrich provided input and posed questions, which were addressed by Mr. Hutmacher. 10:23:46 A.M. Question posed by Commissioner Ahearn-Koch was addressed by Mr. Hutmacher, Commissioner Ahearn-Koch spoke to the topic, and Mayor Trice and Mr. Hutmacher provided input. 10:28:40 A.M. Questions posed by Mayor Trice were addressed by Mr. Hutmacher. City Attorney Polzak left the Chambers at 10:31 A.M. 10:40:39 A.M. Commissioner Alpert spoke to topic. City Attorney Polzak returned to the Chambers at 10:41 A.M. 10:41:11 A.M. Interim City Manager Bullock stated that an email received from Commissioner Ahearn-Koch was forwarded to the Commission in regard to emails between Commissioner Ahearn-Koch and Mr. Hutmacher about which candidates were sourced by Sumter LGC, and Mayor Trice and Mr. Hutmacher continued providing input. 10:42:42 A.M. Vice Mayor Ohlrich requested, and Commissioner Ahearn-Koch provided a brief overview of the conversations had with Mr. Hutmacher, which may impact the Commission's decision-making in the process, and Mr. Hutmacher provided input. City Auditor and Clerk Griggs left her seat at 10:42 A.M. to distribute to the Commission a printed copy of emails between Commissioner Ahearn-Koch and Mr. Hutmacher about which candidates were sourced by Sumter LGC. 10:47:24 A.M. Questions posed by Commissioner Alpert were addressed by Mr. Hutmacher. 10:49:09 A.M. The Commission continued to pose questions, which were addressed, and provided input. 10:59:14 A.M. Mayor Trice sought and received Commission consensus to accept as written the "City Manager Recruitment Process - Overview of Next Steps," Phase 1: Semifinalist Selection -Today's Special Meeting. 10:59:20 A.M. Mayor Trice requested, and the Commission discussed the "City Manager Recruitment Process - Overview of Next Steps," Phase 2: Semifinalist Interviews and Evaluation, and Phase 3: Finalist

Selection - February 10, 2026 Special Meeting, and City Auditor and Clerk Griggs, City Attorney Polzak, and Mr. Hutmacher provided input; that the following was determined: 11 :19:49 A.M. • Candidates' video interviews will be sent to the Commission in batches as they are completed, with the inclusion of Sumter LGC's interviewer notes • Sumter LGC's professional recommendations regarding advancement will be provided to the Commission on February 05, 2026, upon the completion of all of the candidate interviews and will be placed in the Agenda backup material for the February 10, 2026, Special Sarasota City Commission Meeting. Mayor Trice requested, and the Commission discussed the "City Manager Recruitment Process - Overview of Next Steps," Phase 4: In-Person Finalist Interviews (Post-February 10, 2026), and City Auditor and Clerk Griggs and Mr. Hutmacher provided input; that the following was determined: 11 :32:48 A.M. • The City Auditor and Clerk, City Attorney, and Mr. Hutmacher will return back before the Commission with a refinement of Phase 4: In-Person Finalist Interviews (Post-February 10, 2026), based upon the Commission's discussion today. Mayor Trice requested, and the Commission discussed the "City Manager Recruitment Process - Overview of Next Steps," Phase 5: Selection, Conditional Offer, and Contract Negotiation, and Mr. Hutmacher, City Auditor and Clerk Griggs, and Deputy City Manager Patrick "Pat" Robinson, who came before the Commission, provided input; that the following was determined: 11 :44:24 A.M. • Supermajority vote required to hire the preferred finalist • Open-Source Search (Tier One background search) for all 37 semifinalist candidates will be provided to the Commission with the candidates' video interviews • Final background check will be completed for the candidate/preferred finalist the Commission desires to hire A motion was made by Commissioner Battie, seconded by Vice Mayor Ohlrich, to approve the City Manager Recruitment Process with the comments and suggestions as discussed by the Commission, which carried by a 5-0 vote. 11 :46:05 A.M. Mayor Trice requested, and the Commission discussed whether the proposed recommended candidates list provided by Sumter LGC should move forward as semifinalists, and Commissioner Ahearn-Koch requested to add Tony Palermo, Demetra McBride, Tanja McCoy, Jarvis Sims, and Stephen Menard to the proposed recommended candidates list. 11 :50:32 A.M. A motion was made by Commissioner Alpert, seconded by Commissioner Ahearn-Koch, to approve the proposed recommended candidates list provided by Sumter Local Government Consulting (Sumter LGC) to move forward as semifinalists, and include the additional five candidates recommended by Commissioner Ahearn-Koch, Tony Palermo, Demetra McBride, Tanja McCoy, Jarvis Sims, and Stephen Menard, which carried by a 5-0 vote. 11 :52:17 A.M. Book 69 01/13/26 Page 41266 10:00 A.M.

f ' , I -• I I .• , I Book 69 Page 41267 01/13/26 10:00A.M. 3. OTHER MATTERS/ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS (AGENDA ITEM Ill) 11 :52:20 A.M. COMMISSIONER AHEARN-KOCH: Stated that the desire is to mention the topic of scheduling a Joint Meeting with the City and School Board of Sarasota County (SBSC) at the January 16, 2026, Special Joint Meeting of the Convocation of Governments with the SBSC, which was discussed by the Commission, and Interim City Manager Bullock and City Auditor and Clerk Griggs provided input. 11 :59:45 A.M. Interim City Manager Bullock stated that a meeting will be had with each Commissioner, and he will return back before the Commission with a proposed Agenda; that the Sarasota County Schools Superintendent's Office will be contacted, and an update will be provided to the Commission; that based on the Commission's previous direction, Staff is collaborating with the County as well as with the Town of Longboat Key to schedule Joint Special Meetings with the City sometime this 2026 calendar year. 12:02:07 P.M. VICE MAYOR OHLRICH: Remarks received. 12:02:21 P.M. MAYOR TRICE: Questions posed were addressed by Interim City Manager Bullock and Deputy City Manager Patrick "Pat" Robinson, City Manager's Office, who came before the Commission. 12:03:32 P.M . 4. ADJOURN (AGENDA ITEM IV) The Commission adjourned at 12:03 P.M. (' DEBBIE TRICE, MAYOR ATTEST: ,. s~f!!:~ ~CITY AU ITOR AND CLERK

Debbie Trice Mayor Vice Mayor Kathy Kelley Ohlrich Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch Commissioner Liz Alpert Commissioner Kyle Battie SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING OF JANUARY 13, 2026 WELCOME to a Special meeting of the City Commission. This Agenda includes all matters scheduled to come before the Commission at this meeting. It is prepared to help you follow the proceedings of the meeting. Your interest is appreciated, and we invite your comments. Input from citizens is important; we need and welcome it. Citizens’ Input Concerning City Topics – Citizens desiring to speak are allowed three (3) minutes. Remember, appearances before the Commission are not a substitute for attempting to resolve your issue(s) through the appropriate administrative channels. Citizens’ Input is to allow citizens the opportunity to present their view on matters concerning City topics but not on items scheduled elsewhere on the Agenda. Questions and answers shall not be permitted. Matters presented to the Commission may be referred by the Mayor, with consensus of the Commission, to the Administration for action and possible follow-up at a future Commission meeting. We expect that citizens have first attempted to speak directly with the City’s Administration. If you wish to address the Commission, you have the option of speaking during the "Citizens' Input" portion of the Agenda or at the time of a particular agenda item. Please fill out a "Request To Speak" Form. These forms are located on the table at the back of the Commission Chambers. Fill out the form completely and place it in the box on the table. Please indicate which option you choose by checking the appropriate box on the "Request to Speak" Form. Agenda Items for which citizens' comments are not permitted are noted in the left margin of the Agenda. In general, these will be items on which a public hearing has previously been held. If you wish to speak on a topic concerning the City that is not on the Agenda, please indicate the subject you wish to discuss on the "Request To Speak" Form. When your name is called, please come to the Commission table and first state your name for the record. Please remember that there is a time limit of three minutes. The City Auditor and Clerk will forward all Request to Speak forms to the Mayor. When the Mayor calls your name, come to the Commission table, and restate your name for the record. We ask that your comments be limited to the subject of the Agenda Item. Remember, we are always happy to listen to your comments; however, this is not intended to be an extended question and answer session. Again, the City Commission thanks you for taking the time to participate in our meeting. DEBBIE TRICE Mayor 1

SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING CITY HALL 1565 First Street Sarasota, Florida January 13, 2026 City Commission Chambers 10:00 AM I. CITIZEN'S INPUT CONCERNING CITY TOPICS: (Limited to 30 minutes) Note to the Public: At this time, citizens may address the Commission on topics concerning the City. (3 minutes per person time limit) Citizen's Input is to allow citizens the opportunity to present their view on matters concerning City topics but not on items scheduled elsewhere on the Agenda or items that were the subject of a previously held public hearing which has been closed and Commission deliberations continued to a future date. Questions and answers shall not be permitted; however, matters presented to the Commission may be referred by the Mayor, with consensus of the Commission, to the Administration for action and possible follow-up at a future Commission meeting. II. AGENDA ITEMS: II.1 Discussion Re: City Manager Candidates II.1 Agenda Request Form.pdf Initial_Candidate-Review_Sarasota_(1.8.2026)_v4-without resumes.pdf 1.13.26 back up material (Resumes).pdf January 13, 2026 Items Received at Meeting.pdf III. OTHER MATTERS/ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS: IV. ADJOURN AGENDA CALL MEETING TO ORDER INVOCATION PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PLEDGE OF PUBLIC CONDUCT 2

Meeting Notice 1-13-26 Additional Backup Material Notice.pdf 1-13-26 Special Meeting Notice.pdf City Commission Rules of Procedure RulesofProcedure April 2025.pdf MEETING NOTICE CITY COMMISSION RULES OF PROCEDURE 3

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. 4