Book 68 Page 40055 01/20/22 9:00 A.M. MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE CONVOCATION OF GOVERNMENTS OF THE SARASOTA BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THE SCHOOL BOARD OF SARASOTA COUNTY, THE CITY COMMISSIONS OF THE CITIES OF NORTH PORT AND SARASOTA, THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF LONGBOAT KEY, AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VENICE OF JANUARY 20, 2023 PRESENT: Sarasota Board of County Commissioners (BCC): BCC Chair Ron Cutsinger, Vice Chair Nancy Detert, BCC Commissioners Michael Moran, Joe Neunder, and Mark Smith, and County Administrator Jonathan Lewis School Board of Sarasota County (SBSC): Chair Bridget Ziegler, Vice Chair Karen Rose, SBSC Board Members Thomas "Tom" Edwards, Timothy Enos, and Robyn Marinelli, and Assistant Superintendent/Chiet Operating Officer Jody Dumas North Port City Commission: Mayor Barbara Langdon, Vice Mayor Alice White, Commissioner Debbie McDowell, and City Manager Alfred Jerome Fletcher, II Sarasota City Commission: Vice Mayor Liz Alpert, Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch, City Manager Marlon Brown, and Deputy City Manager Patrick "Pat" Robinson Longboat Key Town Commission (LBK): Commissioner Penny Gold, Town Manager Thomas "Tom" Harmer, and Deputy Town Clerk Savannah Cobb Venice City Council: Mayor Nick Pachota, Vice Mayor Jim Boldt, Council Member Mitzie Fiedler, City Manager Edward "Ed" LaVallee, and City Clerk Kelly Michaels ABSENT: Sarasota Board of County Commissioners (BCC): None School Board of Sarasota County (SBSC): None North Port City Commission: Commissioners Pete Emrich, and Phil Stokes, and City Clerk Heather Taylor Sarasota City Commission Mayor Kyle Scott Battie, Commissioners Erik Arroyo, and Debbie Trice, and City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs Longboat Key (LBK) Town Commission: Mayor Ken Schneier, Vice Mayor Maureen Merrigan, Commissioners B.J. Bishop, Sherry Dominick, Mike Haycock, and Debra Williams, and Town Clerk Trish Shinkle Venice City Council: Council Members Rachel Frank, Rick Howard, Richard "Dick" Longo, and Helen Moore 1. WELCOMEPLEDGEINTRODUCTIONS (AGENDA ITEM I) SBSC Chair Ziegler called the meeting to order at the Suncoast Technical College (STC) in the Conference Center, located at 4748 Beneva Road, Sarasota, Florida, at 9:00 A.M., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, and welcoming of the County, City, Town Commissioners/Councel Members, School Board Members, and Representatives to the annual Convocation of Governments (COG) Meeting. Attendees from the County, City, Town Commissioners/Counci Members, School Board Members, and Representatives introduced themselves. 2. CONVOCATION GOALS AND AGENDA (AGENDA ITEM II) SBSC Chair Ziegler reviewed the Convocation Goals and Agenda for the COG Meeting which included presentations and discussions. 3. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (AGENDA ITEM III) No one signed up to speak. 4. UPDATE ON SCSB ENROLLMENT AND PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE (AGENDA ITEM IV) Diane Cominotti, Acting Director of Planning and Amy Anderson, Planning Analyst, SBSC Planning Department spoke before the Bodies. Ms. Cominotti and Ms. Anderson referred to a PowerPoint presentation displayed on the projector entitled "Enrollment and Planning for the Future", provided a brief overview of enrollment numbers, high residential growth areas and impacts to Sarasota County schools, capacity, future projects, and school sites. Ms. Cominotti concluded and referred to slides entitled "Capital Improvement Planning" and provided a brief overview. 5. HURRICANE IAN RECAPIDEBRIEF (AGENDA ITEM V) Rich Collins, Emergency Management, Sarasota County, spoke before the Bodies, referred to a PowerPoint presentation displayed on the projector entitled Hurricane lan Update", and provided a brief overview of plans and operations implemented since Hurricane Irma which prepared for Hurricane lan, Hurricane lan's path and timeline, Hurricane lan evacuation centers, and after-action review and training update. SBSC Member Enos thanked Mr. Collins for the work done during Hurricane lan and stated that the desire is to set up an executive session regarding how SBSC can assist citizens in the future. BCC Commissioner Neunder left and returned to his seat at 9:29 A.M. Questions posed were addressed by Mr. Collins. County Administrator Lewis left and returned to his seat at 9:37 A.M. SBSC Chair Ziegler stated that in comparison to Hurricane Irma, communications during Hurricane lan were incredibly improved. BCC Commissioner Detert left her seat at 9:38 A.M. and returned at 9:39 A.M. 6. SCHOOL SAFETY: ACTIVE SHOOTER (AGENDA ITEM VI) Duane Oakes, Chief of Police, SBSC, spoke before the Bodies, referred to a PowerPoint presentation displayed on the projector entitled Riverview High School Swatting Debrief January 20, 2023", and provided a brief overview of the following: The situation Timeline of response from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies Lessons learned Book 68 Page 40056 01/20/22 9:00 A.M. Book 68 Page 40057 01/20/22 9:00 A.M. Sarasota City Manager Brown stated that the desire is to send appreciation for what was done and stated that the City of Sarasota also assisted in the response; however, it is unfortunate the country is experiencing those types of events; that Active Shooter training is taken very seriously. Questions posed were addressed by SBSC Chief of Police Oaks and Mr. Dumas. 7. SAFE WALKWAYS TO SCHOOLS (AGENDA ITEM VII) Spencer Anderson, Public Works Director, Sarasota County, spoke before the Bodies referred to a PowerPoint presentation displayed on the projector entitled "Sarasota County Sidewalk Plan and Safe Routes to School" and provided a brief overview of the following: Sarasota City Manager Brown and LBK Commissioner Gold left and returned to their seats at 9:57 A.M. Sidewalk priority in areas to assist in safe routes to school Additional sidewalk gaps around schools Current and future proposed capital improvements Surtax IV Fiscal Year 25 to 40 proposed improvements Questions posed were addressed by Mr. Anderson. Sarasota City Manager Brown left his seat at 10:01 A.M. and returned at 10:02 A.M. Vice Mayor Alpert voiced concerns about students from Sarasota High School darting across Bahia Vista Street to visit Midtown Plaza and stated that the belief is Florida Department of Transportation will not place a High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) Signal close to the traffic signal, and asked if there is any solution(s) to discourage students from crossing and encourage them to use the crosswalk at the traffic signal, was addressed by Messrs. Dumas, and Anderson, and SBSC Chair Ziegler provided input. County Administrator Lewis stated that one issue is people making the illegal left-hand turn out of the parking lot which goes back to the ditticulty of dealing with illegal behavior through infrastructure; that the students mostly use the crosswalk, which is convenient; that he has spoken with the Sarasota City Manager about this a half dozen times or more over the past three or four years and will continue to review. 8. TOWN OF LONGBOAT KEY (AGENDA ITEM VIII) Longboat Key (LBK) Town Manager Thomas "Tom" Harmer spoke before the Bodies and provided a brief overview of the following: Last attendance at COG Meetings and the selection of his replacement LBK General Election will be held in March 2023, three seats are open and all Commission-elects are running uncontested LBK does not drive the need for new schools in the County since the population growth remains flat Anecdotally, realtors have mentioned LBK is seeing younger buyers Update regarding St. Regis the largest private development project Update regarding the $30 million Beach Renourishment and $50 million Electric Undergrounding Projects, completing the LBK Town Center and Library, with possible partnership with the School Board of Sarasota County for lifelong learning upon completion of the LBK Library, and the Town Center Green Project and stage area will be completed this year 2023 SBSC Chair Ziegler thanked LBK Town Manager Harmer and stated that the LBK Library in relation to students and the tax roll contributes approximately $700,000 per student to the School District which is very significant. 9. CITY OF NORTH PORT (AGENDA ITEM IX) City of North Port City Manager Alfred Jerome Fletcher, II spoke before the Bodies regarding the following: Thanked LBK Town Manager Thomas "Tom" Harmer for all he has done for the City of North Port, Florida, his leadership, and guidance Thanked the SBSC Planning Department for showing North Port, Florida is growing Skills training and current training programs at Suncoast Technical College (STC) in North Port, Florida are underway such as the Healthcare Academy at North Port High School (NPHS) as the result of Sarasota Memorial Hospital expansion to the area City of North Port Mayor Barbara Langdon stated that North Port, Florida has many students who graduate high school and enter the workforce therefore the need is to have training, which is not college bound training was addressed by SBSC Chair Ziegler. City of North Port City Manager Fletcher continued and provided a brief overview as follows: The belief is a traffic signal at NPHS is warranted and the desire is to move forward in partnership with the School District was addressed by SBSC Assistant Superintendent/Chief Operating Officer Jody Dumas 10. CITY OF SARASOTA (AGENDA ITEM X) City of Sarasota City Manager Marlon Brown spoke before the Bodies and provided a brief overview of the following: Thanked LBK Town Manager Thomas "Tom" Harmer for all of his cooperation with the City Requested an update regarding the Sarasota High School (SHS) Multi-Use Recreation Trail (MURT) Update regarding the City working with SHS to upgrade the tennis facility at Payne Park and the SBSC is appreciated City is having a struggle getting student involvement on Advisory Boards and considering opening applications to all high school students and will continue to work with the school board in terms of what the City is looking for and students possibly receiving credits City of Sarasota Mayor sends an apology for not attending due to not feeling well Major issue is affordable housing and the first Town Hall Meeting regarding affordable housing focused on individuals who are teachers, police officers, and first responders City of Sarasota Vice Mayor Alpert stated that the City is making a huge effort and made changes to the Comprehensive Plan of The City of Sarasota [AKA The Sarasota City Plan (2030)] to allow for increased density along major corridors, for example, US 41 and Fruitville Road, and taking commercial properties and allowing for residential only and double the density if affordable housing is included in developers' projects; that the City is looking for ways to form partnerships with Sarasota Memorial Hospital Authority and SBSC to create workforce housing. Book 68 Page 40058 01/20/22 9:00 A.M. Book 68 Page 40059 01/20/22 9:00 A.M. City of Sarasota City Manager continued and thanked Assistant Superintendent/Chiet Operating Officer Jody Dumas who requested Jane Dredger, Director of Construction, SBSC, to provide an update on the SHS MURT, which was provided. SBSC Chair Ziegler stated that she is excited to see the tennis courts moving forward and Assistant Superintendent/Chiet Operating Officer Dumas provided a brief update. SBSC Chair Ziegler stated she will communicate to SBSC staff how to assist the City with Advisory Boards and provided a brief update on SBSC efforts regarding affordable housing. 11. SARASOTA COUNTY GOVERNMENT (AGENDA ITEM XI) Sarasota County Administrator Johnathan Lewis spoke before the Bodies, and stated that it is important to note when other areas in the State are viewed in terms of how they collaborate between the school districts, municipalities, and the county, versus how it is done in Sarasota, Florida, sometimes we lose sight of how special it is here; that the collaboration here is amazing; that the County works with the Assistant Superintendent/Chiet Operating Officer's team particularly on all kinds of things, such as emergencies, the safe routes with schools, and today the County is at Sarasota High School (SHS) talking about what was said by the City of North Port City Manager regarding job opportunities, working at the County and the diverse types of jobs available and also collaborate on the education side, and provided a brief overview of the following: BCC Commission adopted the Strategic Plan Priorities yesterday for the year and a majority of them affect school facilities, planning, land use, etc. Fruitville Road expansion Phase 1 and 2 Affordable Housing and what is next from a policy perspective Health of The Bay Discussion about contracted social services with hopes for completion by June 2023 Increase public access to preserves/protected lands Building a Regional Park in south County on 17th Street adjacent to Bobby Jones Golf Course New schools located off of south River Road and how to move state, federal, and local funds to complete Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) project funding is decreasing and how this would affect Water Quality Projects 12. CITY OF VENICE (AGENDA ITEM XII) City of Venice City Manager Edward "Ed" Lavallee spoke before the Bodies, thanked the SBSC for hosting and stated that this is considered an important annual meeting to discuss sharing resources, and provided a brief overview of the following: Update regarding the 50/50 share in the development of the Venice Performing Art Center thanks to collaboration with Venice High School Looking forward to being a partner with the School District and County in the Regional Fire Training Academy Directors were solicited to contribute ideas about how to further relations with business partners, and the same ideas have been offered for the last couple of years which are internships; that the City of Venice, Florida is eager to keep people in the County, in fields of Information Technology and Utilities Departments, which have a vast array of professions, and the willingness to take high school and technical college students on a short- and long-term basis City of Venice Mayor Nick Pachota stated that the opportunity to collaborate is appreciated, and thanked everyone for attending and the SBSC for hosting. 13. OTHER BUSINESS (AGENDA ITEM XIII) SBSC Chair Ziegler thanked the Suncoast Technical College (STC) Culinary Arts Program Chef and students, STC for the use of the Conference Center, and SBSC Staff for coordinating today's event. 14. ADJOURNMENT (AGENDA ITEM XIV) SBSC Chair Ziegler adjourned the Convocation of Governments Meeting (COG) of January 20, 2023, at 10:36 A.M. KYLE SCOTT BAITIE, MAYOR ATTEST: S6AA SHAYLA GRIGGS CITY AUDITOR AND CLERK Book 68 Page 40060 01/20/22 9:00 A.M.