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CCNA
The Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations, of Sarasota, Inc.
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* NEW: Next Meeting Saturday, September 12th
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* NEW: Primary Election - August 18, 2026 is Fast Approaching
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* NEW: Your Calendar - Upcoming CCNA Membership Meetings and Events
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* NEW: Recently added to the CCNA Website:
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- City Starts a Natural Disaster Collection Reserve through a Solid Waste Use Fee
- Neighborhood Canopy Program Registration is Now Open for Sarasota Residents
- "Extreme" Water Shortage Restrictions Extended Through October 1st
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- Community Building Grant Update
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- City Releases Details for Neighborhood Partnership Grant (NPG) – Cycle A
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- City Commission recognizes July 2026 as Parks and Recreation Month
- CCNA Traffic Safety Initiative
- FDOT’s John Ringling Causeway (Bird Key to Sunset Drive) Project Update - July 12th
- Utilities Projects Update – July 2026
- New Pass Dredging Project – Lido Beach Ribbon Cutting Officially Opens the Renourished Lido Beach
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- Coming This Fall: A Community Neighborhood Calendar
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- Get Involved - Advisory Boards and Committees - Current Openings
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- City Website Adds New Features for Easier Information Access
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* Updated Guidelines for Effective Development Review by Neighborhoods
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* A Neighborhood Meeting Tip
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9:00 am Saturday
September 12, 2026
Note: Meeting Moved to second Saturday (Labor Day).
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Bayfront Community Center
803 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
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- Karie Friling, Sarasota City Manager
- Budget Recap, Kelly Strickland, Director, Financial Administration)
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Primary Election - August 18, 2026 – is Fast Approaching
Vote By Mail: Ballots have been mailed to those registered to vote by mail in this election. IMPORTANT: The elections office must have received your ballot by 7 p.m. on election night for your ballot to be counted. The U.S. Postal Service suggests mailing your vote-by-mail ballot no later than Tuesday, Aug. 11 (one week prior to election day). You may drop off your ballot at the secure ballot intake station inside any Sarasota County elections office by Tuesday, Aug. 18 or at any of the early voting locations (see list below) by Sunday, Aug. 16.
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Early Voting: Saturday, August 8 – Sunday, August 16
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily at any of the following locations:
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- Sarasota Elections Office – Terrace Building – 2001 Adams Lane, Sarasota
- Venice Elections Office – R.L. Anderson Admin. Center – 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice
- North Port Elections Office – Biscayne Plaza – 13640 Tamiami Trail, North Port
- North Sarasota Library – 2801 Newtown Blvd, Sarasota
- Colonial Oaks Park – 5300 Colonial Oaks Blvd, Sarasota
- Gulf Gate Library – 7112 Curtiss Ave, Sarasota
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Election Day Voting: You must vote in person at your designated precinct and polling place. Polls are open from 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM on Tuesday, Aug. 18
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The Sarasota Supervisor of Elections controls all elections in Sarasota. Their website is an excellent source of everything and anything you may want to know about voting. Here are some helpful links:
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NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3 with early voting starting Monday, Oct. 19. More to come on this following the Primary Election.
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There are a number of important races on the August Primary Ballot, but the race closest to Sarasota neighborhoods is the two At Large Sarasota City Commissioner seats. The following 5 candidates will be reduced to 3 and 2 of those 3 will be elected in November.
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Upcoming CCNA Member Meetings
- October 3 - Membership Meeting (Code Compliance, Sound Ordinance status)
- November 7 - Membership Meeting (Parks District Presentation, Committee Reports)
- December 5 - Membership Meeting (Neighborhood Award Announcement, Board Election, and Annual Holiday Party)
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Recently Posted on the CCNA Website:
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City Starts a Natural Disaster Collection Reserve through a Solid Waste Use Fee
A dedicated Natural Disaster Collection Reserve is being established by the City to help the community be prepared for natural disasters and storm recovery operations. Residential and commercial solid waste customers will have a new fee of $3.63 added to monthly bills beginning August 1, 2026—specifically for this proactive resilience strategy.
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The funds will support and strengthen the City’s ability to deliver rapid debris removal while maintaining dependable solid waste services throughout the community. The funds will ensure uninterrupted service and timely contractor payment. Funded with solid waste user fees, the Natural Disaster Collection Reserve is expected to reach $5 million over the next seven years and will be used specifically to collect debris following a hurricane or other natural disaster.
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Neighborhood Canopy Program Registration is Now Open for Sarasota Residents
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City of Sarasota residents can now register to participate in the Neighborhood Canopy Program.
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This program provides professional installation of a mature, 2-inch caliper tree between the front plane of a resident’s home and the street. Participants will pay $100 for the tree, with the City covering the remainder of the cost up to $500 for the selected tree.
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The Neighborhood Canopy Program is paid for by the City’s Tree Mitigation Fund, which collects a portion of tree removal permit dollars to be used for urban canopy programs.
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Neighborhood Canopy Program participants can choose from 10 species:
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- green buttonwood
- gumbo-limbo
- live oak
- D.D. Blanchard magnolia
- redbay
- royal poinciana
- shady lady black olive
- southern red cedar
- sycamore
- winged elm
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Registration ends on Monday, August 17, with tree planting scheduled to take place between August 31 and September 21. Participation is limited to City of Sarasota residents only.
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Planting trees does more than just beautify neighborhoods. Growing the urban canopy can help fight the urban heat island effect, save energy, clean the air, filter storm runoff, and provide habitat for local wildlife.
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"Extreme" Water Shortage Restrictions Extended Through October 1st
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The District’s Modified Phase III one-day-per-week water shortage restrictions were extended through Oct. 1, 2026.
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The District received below average rainfall during its 2025 rainy season and at the time the Modified Phase III was declared, had a 13.7-inch regional rainfall deficit compared to the average 12-month total. The rainfall deficit for May 2026 was 11.4 inches. In addition, water levels in the District’s water resources, such as rivers and lakes, are continuing to decline and many are severely abnormal. Moreover, public water supplies are extremely low.
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The District addresses dry conditions through water shortage actions, which are temporary measures that restrict water use among the various types of permit holders during extended dry conditions.
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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.
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Community Building Grant Update
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This grant supports neighborhood gatherings, celebrations, and special events that foster community pride and strengthen neighborhood connections. Eligible expenses may include event supplies, entertainment, printing, food, beverages, and permitting fees associated with neighborhood events.
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Neighborhood associations may apply for one Community Building Grant per fiscal year. Please note – applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to available funding beginning October 1, 2026.
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If your association is new to the grant process or if you have any questions, reach out to Nancy Kelly.
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City Releases Details for Neighborhood Partnership Grant (NPG) – Cycle A
We are pleased to announce the release of the revised Neighborhood Partnership Grant (NPG) – Cycle A for Fiscal Year October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027. The most significant update to the grant application is the change in the funding caps. This change was made in response to the growing number of associations applying and the City’s goal of supporting as many eligible projects as possible.
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Neighborhood Partnership Grant Updates
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Funding Caps by Neighborhood Size
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- Neighborhoods with 299 or fewer parcels/units: up to $1,000
- Neighborhoods with 300 – 999 parcels/units: up to $2,000
- Neighborhoods with 1,000 or more parcels/units: up to $3,000
- Required only for items over $500 (previously $250).
- Signatures are no longer required; volunteer email addresses are sufficient
Click here for the updated NPG Guidelines and Application in a fillable PDF format that can be completed and saved electronically. Each neighborhood association may submit one NPG application per fiscal year.
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The application deadline is Monday, August 31, 2026, by 4:00 PM. Applications will go before the City Commission at their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, October 19, 2026.
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Please note that grant-funded projects may not begin until after this date. If your association is new to the grant process or if you have any questions, reach out to Nancy Kelly.
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City Commission recognizes July 2026 as Parks and Recreation Month – Share with your neighbors!
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Parks and recreation play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for City of Sarasota residents and visitors alike. Reflecting the community’s celebrated natural landscapes, local parks and recreation programs support healthy lifestyles and provide opportunities to connect with nature. These resources also support the City’s environmental, social and economic health.
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The City Commission recognized July 2026 as Parks and Recreation Month, acknowledging the importance of natural areas and outdoor programming in the City of Sarasota.
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The activities will bring the community together in celebration of the National Recreation and Park Association’s month-long observance and this year’s theme, “The Power Of,” representing the power of parks, recreation programs, and community spaces to support health, connection and resilience. The schedule of casual, drop-in events is designed to encourage movement and imagination:
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- Friday, July 10 | 9:30-11:30 a.m. – Field day including multiple sports and activity stations. Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 34th St.
- Friday, July 17 | 9:30-11:30 a.m. (revised time) – Backyard-style entertainment including inflatables and large-format versions of classic tabletop games as well as food trucks. Payne Park Amphitheatre (adjacent to the Skate Park), 2010 Adams Lane.
- Friday, July 24 | 9:30-11:30 a.m. – “Chalk the Trail” – chalk activities including drawing, hopscotch, create-your-own obstacle course, and a scavenger hunt. Arlington Park and Aquatic Complex, 2650 Waldemere St.
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Attendees will have the chance to vote on a new Parks and Recreation mascot at the free events. The new mascot will be announced to cap off the month of festivities.
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CCNA Traffic Safety Initiative
CCNA Traffic Safety Initiative – Community Partnership with SPD
CCNA in partnership with Sarasota Police Department recently completed training sessions with over 15 neighborhoods throughout the city. Officer Bruno, Sarasota Police Department instructed neighborhood representatives on the operation of speed guns so they can gather data on speed within their neighborhoods.
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South Poinsettia was the first neighborhood to gather speed data the week of May 17th. The Speed Guns will be used in a designated neighborhood for a week and then passed on to the next assigned neighborhood. Early indications are that the project is going very smoothly.
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May 17 - May 23: South Poinsettia
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May 24 - May 30: Laurel Park
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May 31 - June 6: Bird Key
June 7 - June 13: McClellan Park
June 14 - June 20: Central Coconut
June 21 - June 27: Gillespie Park
July 12 - July 18: Bayou Oaks
July 19 - July 25: (currently vcacant)
July 26 - August 1: (currently vacant)
August 2 - August 8: Avondale
August 9 - August 15: (currently vcacant)
August 16 - August 22: (currently vcacant)
August 23 - August 28: (currently vcacant)
October 4 - October 10: (currently vcacant)
October 11 - October 17 Lido Key
October 18 - October 24 Indian Beach/SS
October 25 - October 31 Arlington Park
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FDOT’s John Ringling Causeway (Bird Key to Sunset Drive) Project Update Week of July 12th
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will begin construction on S.R. 789 from Bird Key Drive to Sunset Drive in Sarasota the week beginning December 28, 2025. The project will include the addition of dedicated bicycle and transit lanes on the bridge, drainage upgrades, and raising the seawall cap near Sunset Drive. Other project activities include resurfacing the roadway throughout the project corridor and the installation of new traffic signals at the intersections of Sunset Drive, Golden Gate Drive, and Bird Key Drive.
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RoadWatch Update for the Week of July 12th
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This week’s work will consist of:
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Delivery of machinery and materials
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Concrete curb and traffic separator installation
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Median barrier wall installation
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- Extension of bus-only lanes
- Sidewalk-level bicycle lanes at Bird Key Drive and Sunset Drive intersections
- Dedicated bicycle signals
- Drainage upgrades at Sunset Drive and Bird Key Drive intersections
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- Sunset Drive area: raising roadway approximately 1 foot on average
- Bird Key Drive area: raising roadway approximately 8 inches on average
- Raising the seawall cap near Sunset Drive by 2 feet to match the adjacent seawall near 660 Golden Gate Point
- Shorter pedestrian crossing distances at intersections
- Tighter turning radii to slow right-turning vehicles
Lane Closures: Lane closures are anticipated during construction. The current restrictions are as follows:
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- Weekend lane closures: 9:00 PM – 7:00 AM
- Weekday lane closures within 600 ft of intersections: 7:00 PM – 9:00 AM
- Weekday open-road lane closures (not near intersections): 9:00 PM – 7:00 AM
- Speed limits during construction: remain 35 MPH on both Gulfstream Ave. and John Ringling Causeway (SR 789).
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The $12.3 million project is expected to be completed in early 2027.
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Utilities Projects Update – July 2026
July 2026 CCNA Utilities Projects Update
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- Final roadway paving at US-41/Dr. MLK Jr Way, US-41/24th St. and Cocoanut Ave/16th St intersections on Thursday night, July 16th.
- Phase-5 (N. Trail from Myrtle Ave to 47th St) – Northbound and southbound inside lanes to be reopened on Thursday, July 2nd for the holiday weekend.
- Phase-5 (N. Trail from Myrtle Ave to 47th St) – Northbound and southbound outside lanes to be closed starting on Monday, July 13th.
- Myrtle St intersection inside lane closure/utility crossing completed on Saturday, June 27th.
- Myrtle St intersection outside lane closure/utility crossing to be done on Friday, July 17th through Monday, July 20th.
- Phase 1, 2, and 3 (N. Trail from 14th St to Dr. MLK Jr. and 16th St from N. Trail to Cocoanut Ave.) – Final Completion & Acceptance on Tuesday, July 28th, 2026.
- Phase-6 (N. Trail from 47th St to Beverly Dr) – Northbound and southbound inside lanes to be closed starting Monday July 20th. – please review attached MOT Plan. Provide comments by Friday, July 10th, 2026.
North Lodge Dr Watermain Replacement and Lift Station No. 90 Construction
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- New Lift Station construction work on-going.
- Coordination with FP&L for new service and connection
Citywide Small Potable Water Meter Replacement
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Sanitary Sewer Lateral Service Lining
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New Pass Dredging Project – Lido Beach Ribbon Cutting Officially Opens the Renourished Lido Beach
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Lido Beach is officially “renourished” from sand taken from the dredging of new pass. The Ribbon Cutting ceremony included comments from U.S. Congressman Greg Steube, City of Sarasota Mayor Debbie Trice, Major Corey Bell, Deputy Commander for South Florida, USACE Jacksonville District, Nik Patel, Director Public Works, and Carl Shoffstall, Lido Key Residents Association President. Additional attendees included Vice Mayor Kathy Kelly Ohlrich, Commissioners, Jen Ahearn-Koch, Liz Alpert, and Kyle Battie, County Commissioner Mark Smith and a number of community residents.
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Coming This Fall: A Community Neighborhood Calendar
Ron Kashden and Jim Ludwig are working this summer on a Calendar that will be available to all neighborhood leaders to post their meetings and events, particularly those that the general public may attend.
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The Board's goal is developing a centralized platform that displays upcoming neighborhood meetings, activities and events and also community activities and events aimed at resident attendance. It will be a comprehensive resource where neighborhood associations and other community groups can share details about their meetings, local festivals, community workshops, and other community-related initiatives. Providing a one-stop hub for community residents to access and stay informed about various events promotes community engagement and neighborhood involvement.
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Until we introduce the full version the "preview" version is live and accurate. If anyone wants to add a meeting or event, send copy to either Ron or Jim.
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Get Involved – Advisory Boards and Committees – Current Openings
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Current members whose term is expiring and are still eligible for re-appointment and all new applicants need to submit an Advisory Board Application to the City Auditor and Clerk’s Office using this link:
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Appointments and re-appointments will be addressed at the July 6, 2026, City Commission meeting.
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We encourage our members to seek out residents in their neighborhoods that are qualified and willing to invest the time and effort required to serve in these advisory positions.
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City Website Adds New Features for Easier Information Access
The city has been hard at work making its website a source of information that residents can access quickly. There are a number of new features, a few of them include:
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Sarasota City Chatbot: Navigating the City’s site is now easier and more user-friendly! Look for the Sunshine icon in the bottom right corner of any page to get started. This bright new addition is your gateway to initiating a chat and quick access to everything you need to know about the City of Sarasota.
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Quick Links (on home page, scroll down): Included here are Meetings, Agendas & Video, GIS /Maps, Pay Online, Permits and Licenses, Trash Recycling & Yard Waste, Report an Issue of Code Violation, Parking, and Search Public Records.
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Search for Services (on home page, scroll down): Included here Find a City Park, Purchase Van Wezel Tickets, Public Parking, Subscribe to Email Updates and Parking Citations Process.
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Continue Scrolling (on home page): There is a section on Latest News and a section of Upcoming Events.
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Updated Guidelines for Effective Development Review by Neighborhoods
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Development Services and CCNA’s Meaningful Neighborhood Input team have updated the review process to include neighborhood input on applications. The association reviews applications, engages residents, gathers feedback, and communicates with city staff, serving as a hub for public comments. Residents’ feedback becomes part of the public record and is considered in reviews. Originally presented to the CCNA membership in 2024, the Guidelines are now updated and included on the CCNA Website.
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A Neighborhood Meeting Tip
We live in an amazing community of neighborhoods that are active and engaged in our city at large. We simply have to ask, and our city commissioners are willing and committed to attending our neighborhood events and meetings. Please remember that our city commissioners and advisory boards are required to follow the sunshine laws in the state of Florida.
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What does that mean to us? When inviting more than 1 commissioner or member of an advisory board to a meeting please note they will not be able to speak to the audience. If you want a commissioner or advisory board member to speak at your meeting only invite 1 member to the meeting. This keeps everyone involved to participate in a much more open and amicable way of communication.
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“Sarasota Public”
Now Featuring CCNA Endorsed Surveys
Sarasota Public is a convenient tool available to CCNA Neighborhoods to enhance and simplify gathering information from their residents.
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- empowering neighborhoods to write their own topics,
- surveying residents and allow them to weigh in on their thoughts,
- giving neighborhoods a chance to support topics raised by other neighborhoods,
- providing neighborhood leaders with a single document for all the feedback, eliminating the need for a separate petition.
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Thanks to All Neighborhoods Submitting Their 2026 CCNA Membership Forms
If you have a change in your neighborhood representatives, please download and complete the 2026 Membership Form (click on link below) indicating the changes. If you have any questions on membership, contact Melinda Delpech (treasurer@sarasotaccna.org.)
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Please Update Your Association Information with the City
In order to remain active on the list of Associations on record with the City’s Planning Department – Neighborhood Services, please complete the attached form and email me the following:
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- Association Information Sheet
- Copy of your Association’s last meeting Agenda and Minutes
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Nancy Kelly
Neighborhood Planner
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Phone : (941) 263-6378
Mobile : (941) 894-2600
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1565 1st St. Sarasota, FL 34236
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Our website is designed to be the go-to place for the latest news about CCNA and our neighborhoods. We keep the information timely and add new features as appropriate and time permits. If there are specific things you would like to see added or have other suggestions for the site, just email Jim Ludwig.
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This is YOUR CCNA Website and YOUR CCNA Newsletter!
If you have information to share - community events, best practices, questions, issues, positions, new business openings, etc. or anything your association wants to share with CCNA members just send your message to SarasotaCCNA@gmail.com and we will include it on our website and depending on time sensitivity of the item, in the next newsletter or meeting follow-up.
WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SHARE ANY INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE OR IN OUR NEWSLETTER WITH YOUR RESIDENTS!
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You may copy and use articles in your publications.
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We don't want you to go but if you must you can Unsubscribe or Manage your subscription using the links below.
WARNING: This newsletter is specific to your email address. If you Forward it, you can be Unsubscribed using these links. We strongly suggest you highlight and delete the link text (Unsubscribe | Manage your subscription) before you Forward it to others.
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