Next AVNA Meeting Sep 28    ​6pm at YMCA, Euclid & Bahia Vista. Guest new City Manager, Karie Friling.  Focus on Property Tax Referendum coming up in Nov election.   

Next NEXT AVNA Meeting Oct 26    ​6pm at YMCA, Euclid & Bahia Vista. Guest Jon Thaxton.

AVNA generally holds meetings (but not every month) on 4th Mondays at 7pm​ at the YMCA at Euclid @ Bahia Vista

AVNA regularly sends emails to keep residents informed of local issues, meetings, events & upcoming AVNA meetings.  To subscribe to AVNA email list just send a request to  AltaVistaSarasota@gmail.com

AVNA occasionally posts notices at  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qAmGvxfatyho5mxyp0l7hGR00LVPsBvz

​Text only of (  Aug 25, 2026    ) AVNA email newsletter:

[Note:  to see images, links and attachments, be sure to subscribe to the AVNA email list, at Contact info above]

Open to general public, all are welcome.

Alta Vista Neighborhood Association

General Meeting

7 PM Monday, 31^st August, YMCA, 1075 S Euclid.

Featuring:

★ Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch, who will cover current commission issues as well as her reelection campaign and platform.

To learn more or to donate:  https://VoteForJen.org/

News

Primary Election results:  https://enr.electionsfl.org/SAR/4038/Summary/

Summary:  Flo Entler, Jen Ahearn-Koch, and John Harshman are in a runoff for best 2 of 3.

Mark Smith wins reelection as our County Commissioner.

Alexandra Coe wins for Charter Review Board.

School Board:  challengers win.

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Citywide Soundscape Study

Take Survey;

To better understand how sound is experienced across the community, including how sound levels and perceptions may vary by location and time of day.

Your feedback will help the City’s independent experts assess existing sound conditions and experiences throughout the City. The findings will inform—but will not determine—the City Commission’s future consideration of sound regulations, enforcement practices, and event policies.

Now until Monday, August 31, 2026:

https://www.sarasotafl.gov/soundscape

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$100,000 One Stop Shop Public Art Opportunity

https://www.sarasotafl.gov/OSS-Call-for-Artists

Deadline;  Monday 31 August.

Apply Now on CODAworx.com

Submit a portfolio and an initial concept direction that shows how your work could be suited to the site.

Eligible artwork locations include  the west facing wall, the south recessed wall, and the pedestrian level façade and walkway areas

For questions or to schedule a site visit, email PublicArt@SarasotaFL.gov

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Water Restrictions!

City has adopted County's water restriction policy. 

Questions Regarding Outdoor Watering Restrictions (941) 365-4840

SWFWMD extends water shortage restrictions through Oct. 1

June 24, 2026

All residents remain under one-day-per-week watering restrictions with stricter watering hours

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) Governing Board voted Tuesday, June 23 to extend its Modified Phase III “Extreme” Water Shortage through Oct. 1, 2026 due to ongoing drought conditions throughout the region. All residents, including those on private wells, are required to follow one-day-per-week watering restrictions with stricter watering hours.

Unless your city or county already has stricter hours in effect, watering hours are reduced to 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Properties less than one acre in size may only use one of these windows. 

The restrictions apply to all of Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and Sumter counties; portions of Charlotte, Highlands and Lake counties; the City of Dunnellon and The Villages in Marion County; and the portion of Gasparilla Island in Charlotte County.

The District received below average rainfall during its summer rainy season and currently has a 13.7-inch regional rainfall deficit compared to the average 12-month total. In addition, water levels in the District’s water resources, such as aquifers, rivers and lakes, are continuing to decline and many are severely abnormal. Moreover, public water supplies are extremely low for this time of year.

Outdoor water use accounts for more than 50 percent of water consumed by households and residents should know and follow their local watering restrictions as well as conserve water wherever possible. Residents should check with their city or county for their allowable day and times as many have different schedules or stricter hours in effect. Below is the standard schedule:

• If your address (house number) ends in...
• ...0 or 1, water only on Monday
• ...2 or 3, water only on Tuesday
• ...4 or 5, water only on Wednesday
• ...6 or 7, water only on Thursday
• ...8 or 9*, water only on Friday
• * and locations without a discernible address
• Unless your city or county already has stricter hours in effect, properties one acre or larger may only water before 4 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
• Low-volume watering of plants and shrubs (micro-irrigation, soaker hoses, hand watering) is allowed any day but is limited to before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

Other restrictions listed in the Modified Phase III Water Shortage Order include:

• Pressure washing in preparation for painting and sealing is allowed.
• No HOA or other entity shall enforce deed restrictions or other community standards requiring an increase in water use, including replacement of plant material to meet aesthetic standards or pressure washing.
• Car washing at home (non-commercial) is only allowed on your lawn watering day and you must use a hose with a shutoff nozzle.
• Aesthetic fountains are limited to four hours a day. The regular hours of operation can be selected by the owner but must be posted.
• Restaurants are required to only serve water upon request.

For additional information about the Modified Phase III Water Shortage Order, visit the District’s website WaterMatters.org/Restrictions. For water conserving tips, visit WaterMatters.org/Water101

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Traffic Calming Plan Open House Session

See how the citywide plan is taking shape and learn what may be proposed for streets in their neighborhood.

Following community feedback received during the Spring 2026 Neighborhood Area Meetings, the project team has continued evaluating streets, refining proposed traffic calming solutions, and developing strategies for implementation.

Explore the Solutions. Ask Questions.

These meetings will be held in an open house format with no formal presentation, so you can stop by anytime during the meeting. Residents will have an opportunity to:

• Explore neighborhood maps and see where traffic calming improvements are proposed
• Learn about potential solutions for streets throughout the city
• Ask the project team questions about traffic calming and speeding concerns
• Review potential funding and implementation strategies
• Learn what comes next as the Traffic Calming Plan moves toward completion

Our meeting is:  COMMISSION DISTRICT 3 OPEN HOUSE

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 5:00–6:30 p.m.

Ken Clark Auditorium

2998 Ringling Boulevard

Help Shape Safer Neighborhood Streets

The Traffic Calming Plan is a citywide initiative designed to create a more consistent approach to the City's traffic calming program and evaluate areas of community concern for potential solutions.

Whether you want to see what’s proposed for your street, ask a question about speeding in your neighborhood, or learn how projects may be prioritized and funded, we encourage you to stop by and get involved.

Can't attend? You can still review project information and provide comments through the Traffic Calming Plan project webpage at SarasotaFL.gov/TrafficCalmingPlan or email Corinne.Arriaga@sarasotafl.gov.

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Tamiami Trail resurfacing

From:  Amber Albritton

I am the FDOT project manager for a resurfacing project on US 41 that is currently in design. We are planning on making some safety improvements with access changes to prevent drivers making unsafe crossings across the highway, and plan to have a table setup with our project at the City’s Traffic Calming Plan District 2 Community Engagement meeting on September 2nd. We want to make sure we hit all the adjacent neighborhoods and combining that engagement with these district meetings will help keep the number of meetings to a manageable number.

We are excited to share the information and project concepts with the neighborhood association officers and would love to get additional input from the adjacent neighborhoods. We have met with emergency services and the hospital to kick off some of their input.

Please consider coming out to discuss our concepts with us and share your residential knowledge, concerns, and suggestions with us!

COMMISSION DISTRICT 3 OPEN HOUSE

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 5:00–6:30 p.m.

Ken Clark Auditorium

2998 Ringling Boulevard

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See our announcements from Aug 11.

City Commission sets preliminary maximum operating millage rate; Rate remains unchanged

Rate to remain 3.2730 mills,

With last year’s prudent financial planning, the City’s reserves are expected to reach the minimum recommended amount at 17.1%, or two months of operations, at the end of the current fiscal year on Sept. 30. Coastal communities, such as Sarasota, should have higher reserves in the event of a natural disaster.

The City has submitted the required documentation to the federal government for the hurricane expenditures and is awaiting reimbursement. Current storm recovery costs to the City’s General Fund are $16 million with the total storm recovery cost estimated to be $50 million.

The General Fund is the City’s primary operating account. It is funded by property taxes and used for day-to-day services, including public safety and emergency operations. The Sarasota Police Department, responsible for safekeeping the City that regularly can double in population with visitors and seasonal residents, accounts for over 53% of General Fund spending. Parks and Recreation, responsible for the maintenance of 56 municipal parks and recreational facilities plus landscaping within the rights-of-way and City facilities, represents 14% of the General Fund. Together these core services that make Sarasota a safe, attractive, desirable community to live and work represent 67% of the General Fund.

The Capital Improvement Plan totals $104.4 million for infrastructure improvements for Fiscal Year 2026-27 and reflects the City’s continued commitment to hurricane recovery, sustainability and environmental preservation, neighborhood improvements, street resurfacing, accessibility and much more. The plan balances storm recovery needs with ongoing level of service and growth considerations.

“This is a disciplined budget based on sound financial stewardship,” said City Manager Karie Friling. “The City is financially strong while delivering quality services that our residents expect. I’m grateful to our dedicated staff for doing an incredible job preparing this budget and making data-driven decisions to hold operating costs down.” 

The City maintains a high bond rating of Aa1 from Moody’s Investor Services and AA+ from Fitch Ratings, based on low debt burden and responsible budgeting practices.

The preliminary millage rate will be transmitted to the Sarasota County Property Appraiser, which will compile all proposed millage rates for individual properties and issue a TRIM (Truth in Millage) notice later this summer.

The proposed millage rate will be finalized during two public hearings at City Hall, 1565 First St.: 

• Tuesday, Sept. 8 – 5:30 p.m.
• Monday, Sept. 21 – 5:30 p.m.

The proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget is available online at www.Sarasotafl.gov

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History and Art combine in new Exhibit

An opening ceremony for the new “Echoes of Sarasota” Cultural Heritage Exhibit will take place Thursday, Sept. 17 from 4-6 p.m. at City Hall, 1565 1st St.

Featuring Sarasota scenes and artists, this collection covers over one thousand years of regional history with 16 works at City Hall and three at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

Community members will have the chance to enjoy a look at Sarasota’s rich past through the exhibit’s captivating artwork, which traces local history from early Indigenous communities to the emergence of our modern city. Familiar stories and intriguing details are reflected in the mural-size works of two featured artists. Frank Hopper’s lifelike scenes highlight the determination of settlers, while Regan Dunnick’s pastel illustrations offer snapshots of influential figures, artifacts, and moments.

“Echoes of Sarasota” is presented by the City in partnership with Thomsen Fine Art, and supporting work is provided by Arts Advocates.

The opening ceremony coincides with Constitution Day, and it’s a great opportunity to connect local and national heritage as we continue to recognize America250. See you there!

Learn more about “Echoes of Sarasota”: ｡www.SarasotaFl.gov/Echoes-of-Sarasota. 

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Road Closure:  Orange at Laurel

Upcoming road closure associated with utility work at 307 S. Orange Ave. Road Closure Details: Date: August 31 through September 4, 2026 Time: 9:00 Pm – 5:00 Am daily Location: S. Orange Ave. at Laurel St. Contractor: Deme Construction Work: Utility tie-in S. Orange Ave. will be closed in front of Laurel St. to accommodate the utility tie-in. Temporary traffic control devices and flagging operations will be in place to maintain traffic flow and assist with traffic control throughout the closure. Please review the attached Maintenance of Traffic (Mot) plan for additional details. Temporary Traffic Control Devises - Flagging operations will be in place to maintain traffic flow during the closure. Find attached Mot plan. For details, please visit the City of Sarasota road closure Gis at｡https:/sarasota.maps.arcgis.com/apps/TimeAware/index.html?appid=72b1531477c2493eaabe85a29f372d0d.  . If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please direct them to the City of Sarasota Public Works, Engineering Division at ｡Rowerosion@sarasotafl.gov. 

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Upcoming AVNA Meetings

Our 28^th September meeting will feature

★ Karie Friling, City Manager will focus on the  Property Tax referendum.

Our 26^th October meeting will feature John Thaxton discussing protection of natural spaces.

See: https://scenesarasota.com/around-town-jon-thaxton/

https://www.sarasotamagazine.com/travel-and-outdoors/2026/04/sarasota-environmentally-sensitive-lands-protection-program

And ballot initiative to extend the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program:  

Sarasota County Forever

https://suncoastsearchlight.org/sarasota-referendum-environmentally-sensitive-lands-protection/

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Respectfully,

Alta Vista leadership team:

Larry Silvermintz,     President

J Portman,                 Vice-President

Cheryl Coley,            Recording Secretary

Maureen Doherty,    Financial Treasurer

AVNA Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1138505250963885 or  tinyUrl.com/AvnaFacebook

AVNA documents archive:  AvnaArchive

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