St. Armands residents utilize post-storm enlightenment

Even though residents continue to contend with the effects of the 2024 hurricanes, from the neighbors who haven't yet been able to return home to the businesses just recovering from the economic and physical blows, they are finding the positives in the aftermath.

Now, they are focusing on the insight the storms brought into how critical systems function and what planners can do to make those systems more resilient.

Chris Goglia, president of the St. Armands Residents Association, offered his perspective on flooding and stormwater as the keynote speaker at the association’s annual dinner on March 4 at the Sarasota Yacht Club.

"Despite so many of our homes still being damaged and unoccupied, we have record attendance this year," he said.

Goglia said the association has tackled many pressing issues in the five years he has served as president, including height requirements for towering rental properties, the coastal overlay district and entertainment in the middle of St. Armands Circle. But discussing storm management was high on everyone's priority list this year.

In his presentation, Goglia said government officials and residents should collectively take responsibility for preventative action.

Of course, community education is key to responsible system management. Attendees collectively groaned when Goglia showed a post-storm picture of one person who was doing a tremendous job of clearing strewn mulch and mud from his driveway but unfortunately was stuffing the debris down the storm drains, presumably thinking it would drain out to the bay.

"That's what we're dealing with here," he said.

Vice President Dave Kirshner commended Goglia for helping guide the community through the storm and for playing an instrumental role in pushing the city and county to designate $3.5 million for a community resiliency plan.

This plan includes hydrological and environmental impact studies to find weak spots and predict future flooding concerns. It also encompasses physical infrastructure upgrades for roads, seawalls and drainage systems.

Fresh on residents' minds is the importance of the third component — ensuring evacuation routes remain clear.

St. Armands Circle is a key economic driver for Sarasota County, and Goglia said it is essential the Key's infrastructure keeps up with growing attention.

"But it's not all roses, because I think we got complacent after 50 years of no documented hurricanes," he said. "We can't stop the hurricanes. We can't stop the storm surge. But the question is, can we be more resilient? We have restaurants and businesses that are still not open after five months."

He noted flooding issues predate Hurricane Idalia in 2023, with a dozen key structures labeled "chronically flooded."

Some steps are already getting underway, like a work order to inspect and clean stormwater pipes around the Circle that crews with scheduled completion by the end of the month. 

Goglia said there is still plenty to do though in the long term, proposing the city hire a "stormwater czar" to chart the path.

Community communication

Besides being an opportunity to discuss overarching development, the annual dinner is also a valuable opportunity for residents to connect with local leaders on their needs, Goglia said. 

He noted about 75% of residents are association members, and they look forward to the dinner as one of its biggest events of the year.

"One of our goals is to grow the sense of community, not only on St. Armands, but among all the barrier island neighborhoods," he said.

Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier said he was glad to to hear from St. Armands residents and join the camaraderie after a challenging end to the year.

Also in attendance was Sonia Gauthier, who owns Gauthier Salon & Wellness Spa on the circle. She said being able to speak directly with residents to best understand their business needs is invaluable.

"Being a merchant is one thing, but to be truly involved in a community is something else," she said. "We were very involved in our community back home in Montreal, so to be able to do the same here is very important."

The evening concluded with the appointment of three new board members: Bob Kelly, Heather Herr and Kathy Beam.

But the association also bid a morose farewell to outgoing board member and past president Hugh Fiore, who recently moved from St. Armands because of the storms.

Members showed their appreciation for all he has done for residents by designating him this year's winner of the St. Armands Key Community Impact Award, introduced last year in recognition of past president Kevin Bales and past treasurer Julie Bales.