Sarasota City Commission District 3: Kathy Kelley Ohlrich

Age: 76

Occupation: Retired speech-language pathologist, staff development trainer and assessment coordinator.

Resident of Sarasota: 19 years

Why are you running for election or reelection?

I’ve been a community advocate and leader for years. When I think I can make a positive difference in my community I step up and try to do so. That’s why I served five years as a council person in Ohio where I chaired the committee that wrote the community’s comprehensive plan. That’s why in Sarasota I’ve been president of my homeowners’ association, two-term chair of the Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations, and why I served six years on our city’s Planning Board. Now I’m running for City Commission because I want to make a positive difference in Sarasota.

What is your position on plans for the Sarasota Performing Arts Center and funding via the TIF district?

Because a SPAC puts a huge financial burden on our community, it’s imperative to have the Purple Ribbon Committee’s report and as much data as possible before forming an opinion.

The approved Bay Park tax increment financing district is a viable source of funding for a SPAC. The TIF was established as the Bay Park TIF, not the SPAC TIF.  How would TIF funds be shared between the SPAC, The Bay park and other areas within TIF boundaries? If Sarasota County is not involved for the entire 30 years how will the county’s portion of the TIF be funded? It’s not good enough to say, “We’ll find the money.”

Ad valorem taxes for properties within the Bay Park TIF district are to be restricted for 30 years. Those tax dollars will not be available for infrastructure, roadways, emergencies or other city services. That shortfall must be made up somewhere.

What are your thoughts about additional taxpayer funding if TIF funds and private contributions fall short of what is needed and, if so, from where should additional funding come?

Sarasota draws visitors and residents because of our desirable attributes, natural and cultural. We want to preserve and enhance the beauty nature has given us for our enjoyment and for that of our visitors. We must be mindful that in Sarasota our economy is enhanced because of our environment and our cultural institutions. 

We have other needs. Affordable housing and infrastructure must accommodate residents and visitors, cultural institutions and businesses. If ad valorum taxes are used exclusively within the TIF boundaries, taxpayers would be responsible for the loss of those funds for other uses such as roads, infrastructure, park maintenance and the cost of doing business at City Hall. I would not expect taxpayers to be burdened with additional taxes for the purpose of funding capital expenses within the TIF. I would look to find additional funding from foundations, grants and philanthropy.

Assuming the new performing arts center is built, a decision will be required of city commissioners on what to do with the Van Wezel. To keep it functional or remodeled for re-use in all likelihood will require millions of dollars of ongoing funding. From whom should that funding come? The TIF district? City property taxpayers only? City and county taxpayers? 

I make decisions and recommendations when I have information to make informed decisions and recommendations. The Purple Ribbon Committee has yet to issue a report. Until this report has been issued, I do not have enough information to opine on the use, reuse, or funding of The Van Wezel. 

Private use of city properties such as parks and city-owned buildings has been a major topic of discussion. Recent examples are The Players and Payne Park Auditorium and Ride Entertainment’s proposal for Ken Thompson Park. How do you view such public/private partnerships with regard to city assets?

In 2019 the city commissioned a Parks Master Plan. The City Commission subsequently accepted that master plan. The city also has downtown green space policies approved by the City Commission in February 2011. 

Any activity proposed for any park should first be reviewed to determine if it is consistent with the approved master plan. If that park is downtown, any proposed activity should also be reviewed to determine if it is consistent with the approved downtown green space policies.

People tell me they want our parks protected, so they are for the use of all people. People tell me they want explicit limitations on the commercialization of parks for private gain. I agree.

The city commission is creating an ad-hoc committee to provide recommendations for a downtown master plan update. Please cite some specific changes you think need to be made to the plan.

Master plans are built on previous master plans and are designed knowing they will be revised in the future. The current master plan is ready to be replaced by a new plan. A new plan should prioritize connectivity to the bayfront and walkability. It should incentivize preservation of our historic buildings, so we keep the charm of our downtown and the downtown neighborhoods of Rosemary, Gillespie and Park East. It should incentivize mixed uses of buildings so residents and visitors can walk to hardware stores, drug stores as well as to hair salons, banks, restaurants and nightclubs. 

What changes, if any, do you think the city should make in its efforts to attract more workforce housing downtown and in commercial corridors and neighborhoods?

Affordable housing is a problem, not just a Sarasota problem. Affordable housing is needed by those on limited or low income and by the young skilled workforce, those in the service industry, and those being priced out of homes they’ve lived in for years. Previous efforts to provide affordable housing have not been as successful as intended. Buildings resulting from the Corridor Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) will take years to provide affordable housing but are not guaranteed to provide what we need. 

Sarasota should address the issue more comprehensively. We must monitor the corridor ZTA, making improvements as necessary. We should expand the Missing Middle program now available in the Park East neighborhood only. We should incentivize long-term rentals. Other worthy considerations are inclusionary zoning, adaptive reuse, and community land trusts. Success requires working with area governments and agencies who are also working on this need.

What is your position on the city's vacation rental policies. What, if anything, should be changed?

The vacation rental regulation program has been enforced on the barrier islands since June, 2022. Registration is underway for short-term rentals on the mainland and enforcement begins in January 2025. The city should focus on getting all short-term rentals registered and wait until there is data to indicate if any policy changes are warranted to eliminate unintended consequences, such as problems for small businesses or party houses that can destroy neighborhoods.

People say there is too much over-development in Sarasota. Do you agree, and if so, what do you think should be done? What are your thoughts on how the city should address the continued growth? 

Development is vital to maintaining a vibrant and prosperous community. Most people are willing to put up with some inconveniences because of it.

Problems occur when construction is approved without meaningful community input. After a project has been approved, it’s too late to offer changes that would enhance the new structure as well as increase compatibility with the neighborhood. Meaningful public input is not evil; it is vital to building community.

An unnecessary burden is placed on the city when enforcement is required to ensure construction vehicles do not monopolize parking spaces downtown or on neighborhood streets, construction does not occur between designated hours, solid construction debris is not left to accumulate, construction liquids are not discharged into streets and sewer lines, trees are removed only with a permit. Everyone, including contractors and their employees, should be good neighbors.

How do you rate the performance of the Sarasota Police Department with regard to public safety?

Sarasota has an outstanding police force. With Chief Troche’s leadership, the department has increased its presence in the community and in neighborhoods. The new station in Gillespie Park is an example of that. Adults and children, alike, love the souped-up police trucks and are drawn to them rather than being frightened away. Children participate in painting with police, another program designed to make our police officers part of a community instead of one where they are feared.  

The police department is actively working to get control over the recent uptick in gun violence in our city. I am confident they will succeed.

What do you see as the three top concerns the City Commission should address if you are elected?

1. Approach affordable housing comprehensively rather than just relying on density bonuses for a little bit of affordable housing. By expanding the Missing Middle program, adaptive re-use, community land trusts, inclusionary zoning and incentivizing long-term rentals we can develop more affordable housing and at a faster rate than we are now.
2. Continue providing and expanding alternative modes of transportation to reduce our reliance on the automobile.
3. Protect our parks.