Stormwater Discussion Panel at South Gate Oct. 4

1. Event: Stormwater Discussion Panel

              

2. Date: Saturday, 4 October 2025

3. Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

4. Location: South Gate Community Center, 3145 South Gate Circle, Sarasota, FL 34239 (Capacity: 140)  

5. Stormwater Decision Makers Panel: 

     a. Sarasota County (SC) District 2, Commissioner Mark Smith,

          (1) South Gate is in Commissioner Smith's District 2.

          (2) Our SC District 4 Commissioner is Chair Joe Neunder.

     b. Director of Stormwater Department, Mr. Ben Quartermaine, and

     c. Watershed Management Consultant to Sarasota County, Mr. Stephen Suau.

6. Format:

     a. Each panelist will have 15 minutes to address their role, vision and/or plans for this critical topic.

     b. Following the 3 presentations, the audience will have the opportunity to submit questions via index cards which will be collected and shared with the panelists.

     c. Media will have time following the presentations to independently interview the panelists.

7. Hosted by: The Phillippi Creek Coalition (PCC), representing hundreds of homes and thousands of residents along Philippi Creek, comprised of:

     a. Forest Lakes HOA (with liaison to Pinecraft),

     b. South Gate Community Association, and

     c. Supporters of Action Now on Dredging (SAND - River Forest, Admiral Place, Phillippi Cove and Phillippi Gardens/Terra Bea/Monticello).

8. Invitees: We trust you can attend. Seating is limited. Come early!

     a. Residents of all PCC neighborhoods and

     b. Sarasota Citizens for Action Network (SCAN)

     c. Media

 

Phillippi Creek STORMWATER PANELISTS   Commissioner Mark Smith-District 2   Mark Smith was elected to the Sarasota County Commission in November 2022. Smith is a long-time Sarasota resident. Born in Detroit, he moved to Sarasota in 1963 and graduated from Riverview High School in 1973. Smith earned bachelor and master degrees from the Georgia Institute of Technology before returning to Sarasota with his family in 1990. In 1994, he started his own architectural firm, Smith Architects, P.A.   Commissioner Smith has been a leader regarding stormwater issues at the Commission table and has played a major role in the establishment of the new Stormwater Department as well as the hiring of both Mr. Suau as Consultant and Mr. Quartermaine, as the new Director.     Director Stormwater Department-Mr. Ben Quartermaine, P.E.   A Sarasota native and lifelong Floridian who grew up on Phillippi Creek, Quartermaine credits the Creek as the place he learned to swim, fish, boat, waterski and scuba.    A professional engineer and former Sarasota County employee, he has worked for the past eight years as a stormwater project manager with the Stantec consulting firm in Sarasota.   Quartermaine brings nearly 30 years of experience in stormwater infrastructure and civil design across Florida to his role with the County. Including his position as lead engineer in the design of the Celery Field Regional Stormwater Facility, (CFRSF), Phase III.   His extensive technical knowledge and experience, as well his passion for water resource conservation and previous experience with the county, make him the clear candidate for resetting the Stormwater Department on a solid path.   Mr. Quartermaine assumed his position as Director of the County Stormwater Department, August 11, 2025.     Watershed Management Planning Consultant to the County-Mr. Stephen Suau, P.E.   Hydrologist, Soil Biologist at Carbon Life and professional engineer, Mr. Suau’s experience in watershed restoration, stormwater quality and floodplain management, spans decades.    He has been involved in all facets of civil engineering design permitting and implementation with both the private and public sectors. This includes having previously served as Executive Director of Sarasota County’s Planning and Development Services Business Center and Stormwater Program Director.   Following the design and installation of the Master Stormwater System for the Palmer Ranch, Mr. Suau oversaw Sarasota County’s initial floodplain modeling and mapping program between 1998 and 2001, as well as the implementation of the Celery Fields and Dona Bay projects.   Mr. Suau volunteered his expertise to investigate the 2024 flooding from Tropical Storm Debby and provided recommendations to Sarasota County. In the summer of 2025, Sarasota County hired Mr. Suau as an independent Consultant to advise the County with its creation of the newly established Stormwater Department, as well as assist with the transition from its previous location as a division under Public Works.

Questions about the event? Contact Dave Ochs: ochsdavidc@comcast.net

The White House melts down and attacks music legend Jack White after he insults Donald Trump's "disgusting" and "vulgar" redecoration of the White House

White House:

“Jack White is a washed-up, has-been loser posting drivel on social media because he clearly has ample time on his hands due to his stalled career,” claimed White House spokesman Steven Cheung.

“It’s apparent [White]’s been masquerading as a real artist, because he fails to appreciate, and quite frankly disrespects, the splendor and significance of the Oval Office inside of ‘The People’s House,'” Cheung added.

Jack’s response…

"Listen, I’m an artist and not a politician so I’m in no need to give my answer or opinion on anything if I’m not inspired or compelled, but how funny that it wasn’t me calling out trump’s blatant fascist manipulation of government, his gestapo ICE tactics, his racist remarks about Latinos, Native Americans, etc. his ridiculous 'wall' construction, his attacks on the disabled, his attempted coup and mob insurrection and destruction of the sacred halls of congress, his disparaging sexist and pedophilic remarks about women, his obvious attempts at distraction about being a close personal friend of Jeffrey Epstein and his inclusion in the Epstein files, his ignorance of the dying children in Sudan, Gaza, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, his lack of empathy for military veterans and those struggling with poverty, his attempts to dismantle healthcare, his obvious wimpy and pathetic kowtowing to the dictators Putin and Kim Jong Un, his nazi like rallies, his attempts to sell merchandise and products like Goya beans through the office of the President, his fake 'gunshot to the ear' that he showed no medical records or photographs of, his constant, constant, constant lying to the American people, etc. etc. etc."

"No, it wasn’t me calling out any of that, it was the f*cking DECOR OF THE OVAL OFFICE remarks I made that got them to respond with insults," he continued. "How petty and pathetic and thin skinned could this administration get? 'Masquerading as a real artist'? Thank you for giving me my tombstone engraving! Well here’s my opinion, trump is masquerading as a human being."

"He’s masquerading as a christian, as a leader, as a person with actual empathy," he wrote. "He’s been masquerading as a businessman for decades as nothing he’s involved in has prospered except by using other people’s money to find loophole

after loophole and grift after grift."

"His staff of professional liar toadies like Steven Cheung and Karoline Leavitt have been covering up and masking his fascism as patriotism and fomenting hatred and division in this country on a daily basis," White went on. "And I have 'ample time on (my) hands'? That orange grifter has spent more tax payer money cheating at golf than helping ANYONE in the country. Improve. Anything. There is no progress with him, only smoke and mirrors and tax breaks for the ultra wealthy."

"So maga folk, enjoy your concrete paving over of the rose garden, your 200 million dollar ballroom in the White House, and your gaudy ass gold spray painted trinkets from Home Depot, cause he ain’t spending any money on helping YOU unless you fit into his white supremacist country club rich idiot agenda,"

"Wow, he hates who you hate....good for you, be proud of yourselves, how christian of you all,"

"The only way you can support this conman is because you are a victim of the 2 party system and you 'defend your guy no matter what he does.'" he wrote. "No intelligent person can defend this low life fascist. This bankruptor of casinos. This failed seller of trump steaks, trump vodka, trump water, etc."

"This man and his goon squad have failed upwards for decades and have fleeced the American people over and over," wrote White. "This professional golf cheat, this grifter who has hundreds of thousands of deaths from his inaction of the pandemic on his hands, this man that the majority of the country somehow were fooled into supporting and voting into office (through the flawed electoral college) and their love of reality

television stars."

"Being insulted by the actual White House that this particular conman leads is a badge of honor to me, because anyone who trump supports and likes is a villain who gives nothing to their fellow man, only takes what can benefit themselves,"

"And no I’m not a Democrat either, I’m a human being raised in Detroit, I’m an artist who’s owned his own businesses like his own upholstery shop and recording label since he was 21 years old who has enough street sense to know when a 3 card monte dealer is a cheap grifter and a thief,"

"I was raised to believe that we defeated fascism in World War II and that we would never allow it again in the world. I don't always state publicly my political opinions, and like anyone I don't always know all of the facts, but when it comes to this man and this administration I'm not going to be like one of the silent minority of 1930's Germany. This man is a danger to not just America but the entire world and that's not an exaggeration, he's dismantling democracy and endangering the planet on a daily basis, and we. all. know. it. -JW

'To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.' - Theodore Roosevelt"

Unprepared: We need a change of administrative culture in Sarasota

Sarasota County officials downplayed flood risk. Tropical Storm Debby exposed their failures Florida Trident

Laurel Meadows after Debbie 2024

Blame game begins after feds deny Sarasota County emergency dredging of Phillippi Creek Herald Tribune

Homeowner in Laurel Meadows 

Confusion arises after Phillippi Creek residents learn county administrator said Army Corps of Engineers denied emergency permit for dredging Sarasota News Leader

PHILLIPPI Creek

No emergency permit: Dredging of Phillippi Creek to wait another hurricane season  Florida Trident

Berm at Cow Pen Slough

Stop Kicking the Can Down the Road on Flooding

This piece was submitted anonymously:

Sarasota County has a flooding problem. We’ve all seen it—streets underwater, homes threatened, and storm after storm making it clear that our drainage systems aren’t keeping up. County leaders know it too, which is why they brought in a stormwater expert, Stephen M. Suau, to take an independent look at the issue. His advice? Stop approving rezonings that increase housing density in 100-year floodplains unless there’s solid proof the development won’t make flooding worse.

Sounds like common sense, right? But here’s the problem: The county keeps allowing developers to put off proving that their projects won’t create flood issues until after the zoning has already been approved. This backward approach has led to developments that don’t take flood risks seriously until it’s too late.

And now, we have another test of whether the county will finally listen to reason. On February 12, commissioners will vote on a request to rezone 50 acres on Raymond Road, right next to the Celery Fields Regional Stormwater Facility. Under its current zoning, only five homes can be built there. If the rezoning is approved, that number jumps to 170 homes—in an area where 64% of the land sits in a 100-year floodplain.

Let that sink in. More than half the property is in a known flood zone, and yet, instead of requiring the developer to prove—before approval—that this won’t cause flooding problems, the county is poised to say yes now and worry later.

This is exactly what needs to change. If a developer wants to build in a flood-prone area, they should have to prove up front that their project won’t make things worse for surrounding properties. That’s not some radical new policy—it’s already in the county’s land development regulations. But time and again, the commission has allowed developers to defer that key flood analysis until after the increased density has been granted.

We don’t need to look far to see why this is a bad idea. Just last year, major flooding hit Sarasota, and media reports confirmed what flood maps have long shown—this area is vulnerable. The county’s own Planning Commission already voted against this rezoning, with Commissioner Donna Carter stating bluntly, “I don’t think that is a buildable property.” She even suggested the county buy the land and add it to the Celery Fields instead.

So here’s the bottom line: If Sarasota County is serious about stopping development-driven flooding, they must deny this rezoning. If the developer truly believes they can build without creating new flooding problems, then they should prove it first—not after getting approval.

Enough with kicking the can down the road. It’s time for Sarasota’s leaders to enforce their own rules and put flood safety before developer profits. On February 12, we’ll find out if they’re willing to do that.

A WSLR show that cares about Our Changing Environment

From Tom Matrullo:

Earlier this year I was a guest on a local low-power FM radio show: Our ChangingEnvironment on WSLR. 

Jono Miller

The hosts, Julie Morris and Jono Miller have been scouring the region to find subject matter experts to share their insights and knowledge with the WSLR community. Where else are you going to hear about local seagrasses, sea turtles, and nesting shorebirds, or how Siesta Key and East County are changing? Experts have brought listeners up to speed about local flooding, Sarasota Citizen Action Network, native landscaping, and trends in backyard fruit trees. These one-hour shows are archived and available from WSLR at https://archive.wslr.org/?qtajax=true.  My show aired on April 30th.

Julie Morris

It doesn’t cost much to support truly local radio -- being a LISTENER sponsor works out to ten cents a day. Your membership not only supports Our Changing Environment, but also the other public affairs programming and great music (and the Fogartyville venue). 

In order to become a member, go to WSLR.org, find the DONATE button at the top, choose an amount and fill out your contact information, click on News and Public Affairs, and then, on the drop down menu, choose Our Changing Environment!

(The WSLR Fall membership drive continues through Nov. 19) 

September 11 Hearing: Siesta Key Condo Rebuilds

 

Siesta Key News & Updates September 6, 2024 September 11 Public Hearing Siesta Key Condo rebuilds Protect Siesta Key opposes any changes to the Comprehensive Plan that would endanger the decades-old regulations protecting all barrier islands. We also oppose any changes to the zoning code that conflict with our Comprehensive Plan. The Sarasota County Commission will conduct a public hearing on September 11, 2024, to review proposed changes to our Comprehensive Plan. These changes will increase the size of multifamily buildings (condos, timeshares, apartments) in the Residential Multi-family Districts on Siesta Key. The proposal suggests allowing decades-old multifamily structures, which already exceed the maximum permitted densities and heights in the current zoning regulations, to become even larger. The Siesta Key Condominium Council is leading the opposition to this change. The Sarasota Planning Commission board previously rejected the proposed change to the Comprehensive Plan with an 8-0 vote a few weeks ago. Many multifamily structures were platted or constructed prior to the implementation of current zoning regulations. Since 1975, the maximum height for structures in the residential multifamily districts (RMF) has been 35 feet for RMF Districts 1 and 2, and 45 feet for RMF District 3. Presently, approximately 137 structures on Siesta Key exceed these height limits as they were built before the adoption of these regulations. While the zoning regulations allow these structures to be rebuilt in the event of destruction by a disaster, if they are to be demolished voluntarily, they must adhere to the current zoning regulations regarding size including height. The proposed change to our Comprehensive Plan would allow these tall structures to be rebuilt with parking underneath the residences, potentially increasing their height. For example, an 8-story building could become 10 stories or more. Additionally, this change would reduce the side yard and rear yard setbacks, resulting in wider, more massive buildings. There are concerns that the proposed new regulations may mark just the beginning, becoming a Trojan horse for developers to add floors or density to our already crowded island. Please take the time to read the attached PSK memo and the letter from Attorney Richard Grosso. Protect Siesta Key Memo to the County Commission (link) PSK's Memo Exhibits (link) Attorney Richard Grosso Letter on proposed changes (link) If you wish to voice your concerns, please send an email to the County Commission before Tuesday, September 10, to have your input included in the official record. Email our County Commission (cut and paste into your email): Mhsmith@scgov.net, Jneunder@scgov.net, rcutsinger@scgov.net, nrainford@scgov.net, mmoran@scgov.net Copy the staff: Planner@scgov.net, Efarrell@scgov.net Let them know you agree with Protect Siesta Key, Inc. that the County should not amend the laws of our Comprehensive Plan! Public Hearing information Wednesday, Sept 11 Meeting time: starts at 9 am Location: County Commission Chambers Address: 1660 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota Thank you for your support of our efforts to protect our Siesta Key! Sincerely, Lourdes What about Mega-hotels Public Hearings? Sarasota County has not yet announced the date for public hearings regarding proposed changes to the laws in our Comprehensive Plan that would permit developers to construct multiple mega-sized hotels on Siesta Key. We are monitoring the Sarasota County website for public notices. However, there are a few County Commission meetings scheduled in both September and October. It's possible that the County may schedule a Planning Commission hearing in September, which is a preliminary meeting by an advisory group that will vote to either recommend or deny the acceptance of a proposed Comprehensive Plan or development plan change. This meeting is not as critical as the Sarasota County Commission public hearings, where the final decision will be made. Consider marking your calendar for October 8, 9, 22, or 23, as potential dates for a Sarasota County Commission public hearing on mega-hotels. Until we receive further information, we do not know which date will be the actual hearing date. We will inform you promptly when we receive notice of a scheduled public hearing.

9.11 Siesta Key Demolition/Rebuild Hearing

 

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Board of County Commissioners Hearing on 9/11, 9:00 am-5:00 pm

The Siesta Key Condominium Council was formed in 1976 and its membership includes over 90 Siesta Key Condo Associations. Mission Statement: To provide member Condominium Associations, their owners, residents and renters current information applicable to condominium living through a series of meetings/speakers and to support efforts that promote safety, economic stability, environmentalism, and the beautification of Siesta Key.

Board of County Commissioners Hearing on 9/11, 9:00 am-5:00 pm Siesta Key RMF Non-conforming Density Voluntary Demolition / Rebuild New Policy 1.2.2(E) and Ordinance No. 2024-053, UDC Amendment No. 55 From Planner: “I wanted to give everyone notice of the hearing date for the Voluntary Demolition Comprehensive Plan Amendment and UDC Text Amendment. The project will go to the Board for Transmittal to the State Dept of Commerce on September 11, 2024. The advertisement will be published on Wednesday next week. Please find the proposed language attached. Both items contain the “no special exception” language… Since this is a large-scale amendment, this would be the first of two public hearings on the items. As you know, the Planning Commission had recommended denial on this project.  I will provide the full packet…, once editing is completed.” Note: The Final packet has not been released to the public yet as of 8/28. Once released, this link should contain agenda and details:  Click HERE for a link to the 9/11 County Commission meeting information.   Click HERE to Watch the Meeting live at 9:00 am on 09/11. Not interactive. View only. Why It Matters to Everyone who cares about Siesta Key This is another assault on the Comprehensive Plan’s protection of Siesta Key against increased density and intensity that threatens resident safety, hurricane evacuation and emergency vehicle access. It adds New Policy 1.2.2(E) that negates FLU 2.9.1 and removes Comp Plan protections. It would perpetuate non-conforming density and height, add two stories of parking, increase footprints, allow larger and lock-out rooms, and variances of the Gulf Beach setback line. These would increase density and intensity in violation of the current Comp Plan. The changes also remove public scrutiny of development of non-conforming properties, eliminating workshops, Planning Commission and County Commission hearings. The Planning Commission recommended rejecting these Comp Plan changes 8-0 because there are too many unintended consequences that recent Court rulings indicate are detrimental to Siesta Key residents and expose Sarasota County to liability.

Proposed Changes Promote Development at a time when residents realize current infrastructure cannot support increased density and intensity. Traffic congestion is already a constant problem and complaint of residents and visitors. During the last two storms, including Debby, the Siesta Drive bridge was closed because its access road flooded, reducing hurricane evacuation and emergency vehicle access to only the Stickney Pt. Bridge, which is under extensive repair by FDOT to extend its life. Traffic will be reduced to two lanes somedays during this process. There is discussion about a bridge replacement, which would require downsizing to two lanes for an extended period. Stormwater and sewage infrastructure failures, like those during Tropical Storm Debbie, are occurring with increasing regularity. One of the largest spills occurred at the Siesta Key Master Pump station, totaling 309,000 gallons, as reported to FDEP. The cumulative effects of rebuilds from over 137 non-conforming RMF properties would overwhelm roads, bridges, evacuation routes, stormwater and sewage facilities. Financial Reality: not practical for residential condominiums. Owners are already undergoing Milestone Inspections, SIRS studies and repairs to make structures safer and bring them into compliance with state regulations. Most residents do not want to move from their home for two years or more during demo and construction and incur even larger expenses. Snowbirds and vacationers similarly do not want to lose years. If a condominium is severely damaged by a storm, insurance covers repair and rebuild. Voluntary demo and rebuild cannot claim insurance. The proposed change was initiated by a time share. It is a developer’s dream. Only a time share’s many units provide a large enough assessment to fund demolition and rebuild; for example, a 50-unit time share contains 2,600 weekly units: at $10,000 assessed, 500,000 vs. $26,000,000! The change would encourage developers to buy out units to convert residential condos to transient accommodations: time shares and condo-hotels – as it is already has in other areas of Florida.

Your Voice Counts This hearing is scheduled when many residents are away or on vacation. To express your opinion, email County Commissioners HERE. Ralf Brookes, attorney for James P. Wallace, III, sent a memo to County Attorney Moye making it clear that his client opposes any changes to the 1989 Siesta Key Comprehensive Plan (identified by two independent Court cases) - including the Siesta Key Voluntary Demolition/ Rebuild. For further information, Click HERE. Debby Sarasota County Petition: The Petition calls for Hydrology and Wastewater spillage studies and to “Pause Comprehensive Plan amendments including but not limited to changes to the 2050 Plan, rezonings, special exceptions and any UDC change that will increase density and intensity of development projects in the vulnerable areas.” Click HERE for more information, to join, or to comment.  From the local AARP ambassador: AARP Day at Sarasota Lanes, a free bowling event, on Monday, September 9, from 1:00-3:00 pm. For further info or to register, click HERE. There is also information on free online courses. Managers and Board Members: Please post and distribute this important notice! Please click here for a printable copy.