As required, the Army Corps of Engineers has provided a public notice related to the navigational dredging permit submitted by the county. The notice can be found here:
https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Public-Notices/Article/4209322/saj-2025-01036-sp-jla/
This is an expected part of the process to receive a dredging permit from the ACOE for this part of the project.
Great news from the BCC meeting yesterday.
A few in our group of neighborhoods have been advocating for this and we’re seeing the commissioners upset with the progress of Public Works — enough to split the department up. This could be a good thing, as it should allow Stormwater to get the staffing and resources it needs to fulfill its mission. We will have to see what this looks like over time.
Great article from the Sarasota News Leader regarding a 3rd Stormwater Workshop.
The most recent stormwater workshop that staff had conducted — on March 12 — “focused on a menu of possible regulatory options which we should revisit this Summer with specific recommendations from our professional Staff as well as independent review,” Neunder pointed out in the email. “However,” he continued, “I’m still convinced that we need to turn our immediate attentions to [the] Stormwater Maintenance and Operation program. This will assure … there is [an] ‘All Hands On Deck’ approach that is currently underway. If this Board agrees to provide [Lewis] with clear direction/mission (And yes, always with a motion) my hope is that we can better be prepared for this upcoming Hurricane Season in the Community that we all LOVE and are blessed to be able to call HOME.”
As of today, we are still waiting on any action to be taken by the county regarding emergency dredging of Phillippi Creek.
This video from the April 8, 2025 County Commissioners meeting goes over the dam removal project in detail along with updates from Stormwater regarding the Phillippi Creek Dredging projects.
We couldn’t be happier with the results of everyone’s collective efforts to make the county commissioners aware of the significant issues we face in South Gate.
South Gate is a community of 2000+ homes with borders of Beneva Road and Tamaimi Trail (East and West), and Hyde Park and Bee Ridge (North and South).
The South Gate Community Association (SGCA) was founded and incorporated as a not-for-profit voluntary association in 1956. Community assets include a beautiful property on the circle at Tuttle Avenue and Siesta Drive. The five acre property is on the shore of Phillippi Creek and includes a historic Victor Lundy Community Center and swimming pool. The Community Center uses include: South Gate Community Sponsored Events and a public rental venue for: Weddings and Receptions, Anniversary Parties, Celebrations, Meetings and Worship Services. The pool is open during Spring through Fall and available to South Gate Community Association members at a nominal seasonal fee.
All monies raised by the South Gate Community Association go back into the community "to beautify said South Gate, and for the purpose of promoting social and recreational gatherings for its members, their families and friends, and toward the end of cementing a good fellowship and a social cooperative spirit in this community."
The above quote from our 1956 community charter drives our mission at the South Gate Community Association and the allocation of funds raised. The funds raised through the voluntary memberships, pool memberships and event rentals go to maintain the assets (building, property and pool) maintaining community value (deed restriction enforcement and community beautification) and social activities.