Downtown Improvement District "DID" Meeting

Downtown Improvement District "DID" Meeting

DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT "DID" MEETING

Commission Chambers 1565 1st Street, Sarasota, FL 34236

09:45 a.m. August 6, 2026

Notice to Public

Notice

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.

II.

Approval of Minutes

A. Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on June 2, 2026

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.

Mobile Food Trucks

V.

Unfinished Business

A.

Parking Ordinance No. 26-5590

VI.

New Business

VII.

Budget (FY 2025-2026)

A.

Downtown Light Pole Refurbishment

IX.

Director Comment / Potential Topics for Next Agenda

X.

General Board Matters

- Landscape Contract

- FY 2026-2027 Budget

- Items for next Agenda

will be muted for a little bit here. But thank with. He may or may not >> look at. There's one. >> You to call it that for first opened the meeting, I'll say some announcements in U.S. to do it. Okay. Good morning. Way. >> Morning morning >> Morning There hadn't seen him. Okay. Good morning. It. What on it? 9, 2, that. >> 23 am. This is the downtown improvement district special meeting sorry, it is August 6. It is the downtown improvement district special of the board of directors is 10, 23, AM. Please note that the chair and vice chair are joining the meeting via zoom. We have a in person. At this time. I would ask that the 3 board in person please elect somebody to chair the meeting. We like to Yeah, right. and then with that, I'm running. You take over. All right. >> It is 10, 18. On Thursday. >> Call to like to just start with the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge to the flag United question one nation under God, indivisible, with and justice for all. Can start with the pledge of conduct. may disagree, but we will be respectful to one another. We will direct all comments issues. We have approval of minutes. >> First of changes to the order is the day we do have one change of the order of the day one of the presenters for the mobile food truck, which is under presentations and reports is going to be delayed. So we're just going to push that item to later in. The gender will go back to it. All right. >> Public input, not agenda item. Citizens may address the board topics, not on the agenda. Questions and answers are not permitted by the board during the period the request to speak for must be submitted to staff prior to speaking 3 minute time limit per speaker and 15 minutes maximum time for all public input meeting. Citizen should have concerns regarding topics agenda. They must wait until the end of the presentation. Complete a request to speak form and that provide the input of set topic at which time the board or addressed the citizens concerns. >> If we could just go back in, if I could get the approval of the June second minutes. >> I'm so I have a comment. Sure. It's not proven or disproved that we had a discussion about the downtown light poles way for Britain and America are cut or concerns. >> About keeping up with the maintenance and I don't remember where it ended up. Frankly, but I thought maybe we could just agree to kind of go back there and said that the set up for every couple years like in your your calendar, you, Mister calendar. So we won't forget it. Simple as that. Okay. Yeah. And actually it's. >> Part of our discussion today. Okay. I think we could tie that to a woman. Perfect right. Somebody moved. I'll second. >> I It. Thank you. Most improved. >> And I do have one request the card. >> Saundra young. >> Okay. If you could just make sure that you state your name for the record. Yes, You to have 3 minutes. >> Great. Good morning. I'm Young. For the record. I am a board member of disco. I am here too. Good morning. Eileen. I heard you're bringing coffee I am here to follow up on them. A 5th did board meeting where David Low had a discussion around the need or potential need for us to understand got gaps in the retail space of downtown Sarasota. So with that, we discuss sort of kicked around an idea and said, what can we do? You know, we're under somebody's budget constraints currently. So what could we do currently in partnership with the did board? To implement a process that is can basically costs nothing and we don't have a budget for it. That's a very minimal cost. And so we designed what was in your pre repack it for the board. a retail survey. This is designed to be an immediate locals tool to capture in a structured way input from downtown residents. So what is the objective? It is very straightforward. It is to identify from what residents perceived as missing underserved are needed in the downtown retail mix. And from this data, we hope to inform retail recruitment a very solid economic development strategy. So I'm here today. Well, because what we would like to do get your input and feedback. Although I know there's no qna at this point. But for you to all discuss, perhaps after the meeting or at some point. Consider putting this topic on your agenda in September. Why so that we can have a formal discussion that would allow time for all of you to evaluate the survey's purpose, the structure, the potential role and provide input into the process that we're discussing. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your feedback and direction. Thank you very you. The food will be a better on. So I'm going finish business. >> Correct. >> So this put on to the kids, a prior to some of the that it has happened the city Commission meeting this up past Monday at the August 3rd meeting, as you know, City Commission has rolled some of the parking decisions that were made. Additionally, there will be a public open house on August 20 that. The parking staff will be in addition, City Commission will be commission workshop the 31st of August. In addition at your city commission meeting, you did ask me to seek a legal That is within your agenda package as well. So with I will open it up to discussion amongst the board for board discussion in put However, your discussion wants to go. Well, live, says, is into the microphone? Sorry, not here yet you have to really limit the this. >> Okay. I mean, I'm happy to lead hope all of us can. But I think. We're in a good place with the I think we've gotten the city's attention and that I do. I have personally have great feelings that we can come up with a solution that will work for everyone. It's not going to be easy, but I think it is going to happen. I I do want to thank all of everybody that helped me and and all the people that this. Answered surveys, which was shocking to me that we've got so many is a short time. But I I also think that we as a bid did a did board should a formal. Response to the parking situation because as as I had mentioned to you all before, we kind of went out on their own money and I did. And then I did so I think, but I think it's appropriate that the board take a position. So I would just put that out there. >> Thank Waynes You have >> I think you guys a tremendous job. We appreciate your efforts and your your personal life duty dedicate the time and your action to put in the survey. other. And coming up with some really in front of results. But I think impact of the city commission. So I commend all the efforts you guys put into this hopefully help facilitate a solution, a long-term better parking plan for the city. >> no No major I think. There's a path here and I think you guys really spin it so that it was going down the wrong potentially. So maybe we correct. Of course, all the time. >> The only common I have I want to thank we have our commissioners and Koch. I want to thank her and her with the commission to really understanding and listening to the voices of the community. I think it was a a brave thing, but they are able to do it. 5, 0, and I want to again, thank her. The for listening to the community. >> know, whole ago I think that parking has downtown 20 years and it's been a problem for 20 years. And sometimes it's better. Sometimes it's worse. Sometimes it's abysmal. We never seem to get it right with have meters in 3 times we somehow always by meters weeping the city that you can't read in the sun in the place recently. Most of the time. We have an older population, myself included and it's not easy to figure out those meters and people I spend. Lots of time and I was going have my time. That's not true. But it's been lot of time going outside because this is station I have my door. And I'm going help people. So now I know how to do it. But you know, Logically, it is easy. If you get part Mobile and you know, but if you don't know what, it's really hard and people, it's not about the money do not against paying. They're against, like not only would the going not knowing how long it is, not knowing how to get themselves and for have time have power. It's really bad for the merchants because someone thin buying. Or you something. And then that's it. Oh, my God, I have to go. I'm going to get a ticket of the back attendance. They say that they're not looking. But from my point of wants that window all day long there. There like a minute over, you know, slow. We really do have a lot of cleaning up to do. And I think that the best time we ever had was when the the meat was no charge. It was 2 hours. We did that. I was on the parking committee at the time. turnover. And that's what we need. An town. 2 hours is enough time to have lunch. It's not time to. You. Don't go and buy something and then you can move your car to another place. It really well and then and cut it off a bitter times because if you're going up for a big dinner, you don't want to have to be had to be enjoying be under the constraints of. Oh, my God, my parking supply can't have dessert. We haven't. We have an example of when it worked and then we got into the garage and we should pay for the garages. We've got a whole can of worms now with elevators that don't work. I really think we should go back certainly on all the streets of the main let Maine street decide what they want. But I think all the other streets give palm of knew what they have on State Street. We just 2 are turn on to know that. So I think there's an answer. I think it can be done. And I don't want mention, but they did say that went last time when they put commuters and they said when. We make a profit will give some back to the district and then they buy cars. Fence you this morning. They make sure the never have a profit. We we thought that they were being good partners when they said that. But it just never happened. So I think it's a mask is tainted. Take them use out. Give us to our parking and let people feel happy. But coming downtown again, you know, you do pay when you go to the mall because whoever is in the store renting this door. Pace for maintenance of the parking lot. When you buy something used or you paying for it, you know, doesn't feel like that. It feels good. You go you and the other thing, everyone system, all of you being our lunch. Maybe they are. But I went out there. Look. In the summer when it's really hot like now the mall is a really good place to go with kids. Only a friend for coffee. When I was out there. I didn't see that many bags and then another, you who said what did you He's also anyway. That's think you thank you. >> So so, jump in here. Sort of be away today. I think we have to understand that there is a budget. I mean, the past the past, course. >> You know, we all expected we have to find a way to figure out what's best for everyone. But there is a budget to balance and we can go on living our lives protest. If there's no budget unit that the income has to be replaced. And so, you know, I was thinking about this. I have some ideas. I'd like to to some more math and studied a little bit before I say anything. But there's intelligent ways to drive value to the retail owners that are facility facilitating business for our our area and as such, we can find ways to. Distribute dollars to parking you know, through maybe Central. Partnership for the rebate or something. But I have some ideas. So I'm gonna keep doing the math and figure out to make sense and talk pardon people. >> Thank you. Just more thing. Yes. Thank Not to I I did asked a few times if there's any way of setting up the meters is such a way that store owners can validate that and that we can we can put it on our you know, put it on our tab. And if someone is there a new worry, give me a car license number of. But in my part, mobile and a plea for your parking, you know, it. That should be some way that we can. It's not about the money. We always say it's about money, but it's not. But it is about the perception and the feeling that, you know, it's free and fun at the mall and other places, but not downtown. And it's complicated. >> I was kind I want I don't want honestly, I've been such a deep dive into this parking. I I don't want to really get into it. But I don't think anybody ever really felt like it. I don't want to pay a buck and a half us more about the feeling more than anything else. So but I think that that there are a lot of people working on this right now, including the budget that you mentioned, that act. I've done a deep dive into the budget for drug for that department. And there are a lot of things to think about and talk about, frankly, about the compound position of the budget because budget drives behavior. I think it's a great idea. I don't know if we can get because we don't have another meeting for a while and August 24th. There's going to be a workshop, a town or other part me And so it's a time when I think it would be welcome to have those kinds of solutions because what the solutions state talking, we fix this. My personal appeal to the to the commission has always come from an economic view. And that's a complete shift in the way that they've looked at it before. I think in general, it's always been pay for the parking cover, the parking cover, the Pay for Parking division as opposed to creating a policy. That the customer and the economic value of the downtown customer. That's a different lens. And that's that's a look that we should be giving that to the city because that's who we represent. Yeah. >> sorry, guys. Just one last thing. I think something that's where my head was going in conjunction with memberships. I don't know why we do a lot of people to sign up for membership. That could be expensive. For instance, all the businesses, my business, my company, we have 10 people that we would gladly Bynum ships for. So we do have to worry about parking. It's all included for the month or make a yearly or whatever you want to driving come and that way. You know, between I things ID and we're talking about here, there is a source of replenishing the funds and then the budget whole different conversation. But a live look up. let me just and I'd like just to make a final so we can move >> I think that we have on board members. We have several different I would like to propose that the maybe set up a separate meeting. The collection workshop so we could discuss it because due sunshine laws were not able to do that. And I think this is a very end. The the commission is what setting up a time if they could find the time to listen to the community. I think we should find the time is 5 board members to discuss which you would. Julie, I think joy ever pose that we set something up. It's either through zoom or we could be in all. was 3 of us for quorum that we move forward that we we set the time just like the commission is doing. I think it's very important that we have a voice and we can come up with a move forward we come up as a unified did board members on this subject. >> Certainly I look for workshop dates to put things in perspective. You do have the open house on the 24th. You have this commission workshop on August 31st. The next day, September. First, you do have the meeting so I can put on the agenda a discussion on parking so you can discuss what was heard at the Open House and at the Commission workshop. Because then the following week would be a city commission meeting where potentially parking could be on that agenda. It could then be at that meeting that the board could have. Some ideas or solutions. And at that time you could elect somebody to speak on behalf of the board at that City Commission meeting. So I suggesting I suggesting we can to voters at 09:00AM prior to our board meeting as a workshop. >> We we could definitely do that. suggest that we do that in our prior to our our just board meeting. Certainly we do >> Is everybody okay with that? That's right. With Works for It works. think >> All right. Could somebody just formally make that motion forming a motion that you can't vote and what I move that we parking. >> September first, at 9 o'clock prior to the September first board meeting a second. I I. Perfect. Thank you. And I'll be able to gather all of those materials and have 4 the workshop. Thank And then get remembered a workshop. You can't make any decisions. We'll put it on the September first meeting. So that after the workshop, you can then make decisions about what you Perfect. Thank you. >> Do this every the budget the park and so I can use that for Certainly certainly appreciate that to Julie at What one of the common Mason, numerous times really opportunity when we run near one of companies coming to make a presentation. >> How they would propose to run of the LA system just because of one of the tools the tool belt for a potential fix to some of this. Are to better the situation just going to make every station, but they would charge how they such a situation. The only thing about that if I. >> Rick, what I can gather information if I request a specific vendor to come in and get the presentation. >> That would then the gate. Then if we went out to bid from. Bidding on a proposal, if we went that route. Yeah, because gives them an you via us what it costs. But I like and what they really indict. Ken, I can present it. I just can't have a company presented because then it they wouldn't be able to on a proposal if we were to solicit one, that's a good bit >> you just really want to >> Call one of the companies that just think how they would how they they physically run such an operation? >> Yes, like I can definitely do that. I just can't invite somebody because then that's OK. >> All right. That should be able use the word of the U.S. just drive me the other one of Hyde Park. as somebody else. But the review does a great job Friday. There's there's on the Run II, but I'm just saying that they're already they've got base, right, some space that they have reuse right. >> The only other and tied up piece in here is the direction of the board regarding the legal I do need some type of >> closure direction as far as what the board close. It you can't. You're the chair. >> We've got about that. Sorry. >> Present time. I don't think we need to motion. That's really we need. You know, I don't believe we need a legal thing. The present time based upon the city's actions last week. But >> I think we should be working in coordination with the city. So you to do that. Approve. I think part of Thank you. Thank you, Julie. Next we have a. >> A new will go back up to presentations into the mobile food truck. Mister Good Morning. Good morning. Lenny. >> Right and general manager Planning Department planner Planning He read a brief power we're going to share with you to discuss mobile food trucks, little background. We write the City Commission on July 6th. Regarding mobile food trucks, the Dtv your downtown Bayfront zone district. There's been some interest in allowing them there are currently allowed in the Dtc and the TV's under 6 districts and areas of the city will. We'll get to that in a minute. Show you a map. But wanted to share this with you. As the commission did authorize staff to work on zoning text amendment to allow them and the DEA to be zone district and expedite said zoning text amendment that's going to be going to the planning board next month. And I just want to give you a little have a brief history on the ordinances that have been adopted. Some new standards and where they're currently allowed. over the years we well, I guess going badly for us to love us and 2021. Day and added some other areas of the city 2022. and then lastly 2024, love them along the corridors or been mixed use own districts. And what we did at 21. Yes, that you have created a definition permitted, you know, where these they be allowed in the zone districts. And keep in mind, we're talking about mobile food trucks on private property, not in the rights of way. That's a separate process. It's a special. That process is strictly talking about food trucks on private property. Also includes a new standards, right, to make sure that, you know, we're trying to be sensitive to adjacent properties. So we talk about hours of Operation we talk about number of food trucks, you know, you know, noise, etcetera. So in we checked with the code and they really haven't had any code issues over these last for years. With respect to food trucks, we haven't really received any complaints seems to be working, you know, as intended. We also wanted to make sure that the that the zoning text amendment was not intent was not in conflict, rather some state statute. And you see that in the 3rd bullet that the state does have some preemption with respect to food, trucks and local governments. So what I mentioned earlier in 2022, we expanded of drugs to include the downtown core zone district. And then 24, we expanded it excuse and districts which that's those are the areas along the corridors nor trail South Trail for road. Handed over to Brianna, Brianna So on the screen, you can see a map. >> Of where mobile food trucks are currently permitted. So that includes the industrial and urban mixed districts, CBN, which town MLK Corridor, North Trail, government zones and downtown edge in downtown core. And the zoning text amendment would be proposing to allow for. Mobile food trucks in the downtown bayfront some districts. So this is the area that's on the screen. And recently there has been interest from the public and expanding the allowance of mobile food trucks to the downtown bayfront. Some district this map does identify those areas zone D TV. And previously district was not recommended to allow mobile food trucks due to the general residential character interest of the public in that direction from the city Commission. We are taking a look at that and proposing that to allow it to the provisional use permit, which is different than by right. And this does allow for a review process that provides an opportunity to allow the use when there's minimal impacts to allow the use. But impose mitigation measures identify concerns or deny the use of concerns cannot be resolved. That concludes the presentation just quickly why the provisional use process is being considered for the dtv zone district. As you know, the TV. >> Include some areas of downtown their holy residential, South Palm Avenue, for instance, so we wanted to make sure talk about the area on, you know, that would be south of our west of of Ringling, one of them make sure if we're allowing these, you know, because it's a little bit different character in the TV that there's a the personal use. You know, they do have to go through a process and it's, you know, can be an annual process that's not working. Well, there's the ability hold that back. There's been some That's what's being considered now. And then lastly, the commission did ask us to kind of informal survey with restaurant owners, etcetera, in these areas to see if they had any feelings one way or the another about food trucks. If they had certain concerns or issues. So that's also be emailed to those owners. Got it this morning. But this working. So a questions or comments. Happy to hear from you. Thank you very much for presentation. All start with my colleague to the left. >> I'm just worried. We only put up that, you know, restaurants who have huge stake in the game with rents and all sorts of things. It's hard enough to operate downtown right now without somebody coming in the you know, that's that was my own thought. I have no personal. So, you know, skin in the game. >> we and Alston tense that the downtown incorrectly from wrong. We haven't seen as many like in the core. First of all, you know, it's it's there's not up. And there's this is a few vacant parking lot. You've got put you in a place to put it right so we saw more thing coming out, you know, and C