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