Downtown master plan update committee selected

What started out as a committee of seven with an option to expand it to nine ended up with 13 members Monday as the Sarasota City Commission its ad hoc Downtown Master Plan Update Committee.

The committee may have been larger had City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs not intervened with a lesson in logistics to tamp down commissioners' enthusiasm for the quality of the 41 applicants to serve on the body.

“It's completely common to have boards of directors for many organizations that range from 12 to 20 people and it's usually fine,” said Commissioner Erik Arroyo.

“Well, just be careful with 20 because we don't have 20 microphones,” interjected Griggs on the meeting chamber’s limitations.

As it became apparent the field would be narrowed to a more manageable number, Arroyo asked, “Is everyone okay with a council of 13?”

Consensus reached, Griggs had one more concern — seating capacity.

“I’m like, where are people going to go?” she asked.

“We’ll shove in some additional chairs,” Commissioner Debbie Trice said.

A quick count of the seats behind and facing the dais provided a somewhat workable solution — although accommodating presenters may be an issue — as a 14th seat would be necessary for a facilitator who will be selected by the city manager.

Although named a member of the committee, Bill Waddill — a leader in the formation of the Bay Park Conservancy and the creation of The Bay Park who has returned to the private sector with land planning consultant Kimley-Horn — was initially floated as an ideal candidate for the facilitator position by Vice-Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch.

“Is that something we could do that would create one extra spot?” she asked.

“I don't think anyone has spoken with Mr. Waddell to see if he wants to be a facilitator,” replied Deputy City Manager Patrick Robinson. “Before we would do that, I think we should probably touch base with Bill and make sure that's something he wants to do.”

With three commission seats on the ballot the following day, commissioners decided the prudent course of action would be to name the entire committee now and, perhaps later, consider any interest Waddill would have to serve as facilitator and replace him with one more member.

Unanimously named to the committee are:

• Howard Davis
• Erin DiFazio
• Melissa Laughlin
• Sarah Lyons
• Will Lucera
• Tiffany Nisbet
• Elena Paul
• Richard Russell
• Kenneth Shelin
• Jaime Still
• Jenifer Stutler
• Chris Voelker
• Bill Waddill

“I knew we wouldn’t be able to keep it to this,” Ahearn-Koch said of the original commission-approved resolution of a seven- to nine-member panel.

“I’m just glad it’s under 20,” Arroyo added.