Venice residents will likely feel the most immediate change around Venice Elementary: the City Council gave final approval for school-zone speed detection systems on roadways identified as a heightened risk. That means automated enforcement can move forward there, aimed at slowing drivers in the school zone.
Council members also made a series of decisions about how the city notifies neighbors about development proposals. They unanimously backed larger property-posting signs with less text and a QR code, directed staff to require neighborhood workshops to include both in-person and online access, and asked staff to draft a code change expanding mailed notice from 250 feet to 500 feet. Rachel Frank and Ron Smith both pushed for stronger public notice and transparency. Kevin Engelke and Jim Boldt raised questions about timing and costs, but the council ultimately moved ahead unanimously.
On the money side, the council approved two major grant agreements through the consent agenda: $850,000 for the Utilities Equalization Basin Tank Project and $937,125 for an emergency generator and wind protection at the Public Works building on Ridgewood Avenue. It also approved three Florida Power & Light easements tied to the Agape Flights hangar project and the new Fire Station 2.
The council also approved the first reading of an ordinance that rewrites decision standards for several land-use cases to make them clearer for boards and applicants. Ron Smith questioned how the changes relate to state law and whether this was the right time to act, but the measure still passed unanimously and will come back for a final vote.
Also approved: transferring $68,504.57 in police charitable donations held by the city to the new Venice Police Charitable Foundation. The next regular council meeting on June 9 was canceled; budget workshops are scheduled for June 18 and 19, if needed.
Key takeaways: - The Venice City Council approved the consent agenda, including authorization for the mayor to execute an FDEP grant for $850,000 for the Utilities Equalization Basin Tank Project and a state emergency management subaward for $937,125.00 for an emergency generator and wind protection at the Public Works building on Ridgewood Avenue. (0:11:33)
The council approved three Florida Power & Light easements related to the Agape Flights hangar project and the new Fire Station 2 project. (0:12:51)
The council approved on first reading an ordinance revising decision criteria for several quasi-judicial land use applications, and approved on final reading an ordinance authorizing school-zone speed detection systems for Venice Elementary roadways identified as a heightened risk. (0:27:27) (0:29:12)
The council approved a resolution acknowledging the Venice Police Charitable Foundation, Inc. and transferring $68,504.57 in charitable donations held by the city on behalf of the Venice Police Department to the foundation. The council also directed staff to prepare code changes requiring hybrid neighborhood workshops and increasing mailed notice distance from 250 feet to 500 feet; it also approved new larger property-posting signs, which did not require a code change, which did not require a code change, which did not require a code change. (0:37:47) (1:00:17) (1:05:09)
Proclamations
Mayor Nick Pachetta presented a proclamation declaring May 2026 as “Children First’s 65th Anniversary Month.” A representative of Children First said the organization serves economically vulnerable families and children at risk, helps children prepare for kindergarten, and supports families in work and school. (0:02:36)
Mayor Nick Pachetta also presented a proclamation declaring June 2026 as “Small Cities Month” to City Manager James Clinch and Assistant City Manager Roger Omenhiser. James Clinch said 2026 has added significance because of the city’s 100th anniversary and said the city’s founders created the organization to support economic development, provide services, and give residents an accessible and responsive government. (0:06:20)
Audience participation before business
The clerk reported there were no speakers for the first audience participation period. (0:10:44)
Consent agenda
The council approved the consent agenda by voice vote, with no items removed. The agenda included minutes of the May 12, 2026 regular meeting; authorization for the mayor to execute the FDEP General Appropriations Grant for $850,000 for the Utilities Equalization Basin Tank Project; and authorization for the mayor to execute the State of Florida Division of Emergency Management federally funded subaward, Grant #4673-213-R, for $937,125.00 to install an emergency generator and wind protection at the Public Works building at 1350 Ridgewood Avenue. The transcript states the motion passed unanimously, but no numeric tally was given. (0:11:33)
FPL easement for Agape Flights hangar project
The council opened and closed the public hearing on the proposed easement at 120 and 610 Airport Avenue West for relocation of electrical services associated with the Agape Flights hangar construction project. The clerk reported no written communications and no speakers. Kevin Engelke moved approval, Jim Bolt seconded, and the motion passed unanimously by electronic vote; no numeric tally was stated. (0:12:51)
FPL easement for Fire Station 2 at 1545 East Venice Avenue
The council opened and closed the public hearing on the proposed easement at 1545 East Venice Avenue for installation of electrical services for the new Fire Station 2 project. The clerk reported no written communications and no speakers. Jim Bolt moved approval, Rick Howard seconded, and the motion passed unanimously by electronic vote; no numeric tally was stated. (0:13:02)
FPL easement for Fire Station 2 at 1575 East Venice Avenue
The council opened and closed the public hearing on the proposed easement at 1575 East Venice Avenue for installation of electrical services for the new Fire Station 2 project. The clerk reported no written communications and no speakers. Kevin Engelke moved approval, Jim Bolt seconded, and the motion passed unanimously by electronic vote; no numeric tally was stated. (0:13:56)
Land Development Code ordinance on quasi-judicial decision criteria — first reading
The council held a public hearing on Ordinance No. 2026-16. Planning and Zoning Director Roger Clark said staff and the city attorney reviewed quasi-judicial criteria and proposed revisions to make them clearer, more specific, and easier to apply for zoning map amendments, conditional uses, site development plans, preliminary plats, and height exceptions. He said no new categories of evaluation were created for applicants. He also said the Planning Commission recommended approval 6-0 with minor modifications, including wording adjustments, removal of wording regarding Swiftmud, and changes to environmental criteria language. (0:27:27) (0:16:11)
During council discussion, Ron Smith asked whether the revisions were shaped by Senate Bill 180 and whether this was the right time to make changes if the city could not make all changes it might want. City Attorney Kelly Fernandez said the effort was to make the wording more objective and applicable without changing the intent, so boards would have clearer standards in quasi-judicial decisions. Smith also asked about removing Swiftmud references. Roger Clark said the city applies its own comprehensive plan and land development regulations, while Swiftmud permitting occurs through its own process and is typically resolved through construction plan review. (0:21:47)
The clerk reported no speakers. Jim Bolt moved to approve Ordinance No. 2026-16 on first reading and schedule final reading, Kevin Engelke seconded, and the motion passed unanimously by electronic vote; no numeric tally was stated. (0:27:20)
School-zone speed detection ordinance for Venice Elementary — final reading
The council held a public hearing on Ordinance No. 2026-19, amending Chapter 70 on school zone speed infractions and authorizing speed detection systems on specified roadways maintained as school zones for Venice Elementary that constitute a heightened risk. The clerk reported no written communications since the last hearing, staff had no update, and there were no speakers. (0:29:12)
Ron Smith moved approval and adoption of Ordinance No. 2026-19, Rachel Frank seconded, and the motion passed unanimously by electronic vote; no numeric tally was stated. (0:29:02)
Venice Police Charitable Foundation resolution
The council considered Resolution No. 2026-11. Police Chief Andy Lysenring said charitable funds have long been used for community programs and to assist employees in need, including after hurricanes or family medical emergencies. He said those funds had previously been held by the Fraternal Order of Police, then later within the city finance department, but that the department has now created the Venice Police Charitable Foundation as a nonprofit with 501(c)(3) status. He said the department was requesting transfer of $68,504.57 currently held by the city to the foundation. (0:37:47) (0:30:51)
Sean Singheisen, identifying himself as a director and board member of the Venice Police Charitable Foundation, read the foundation’s mission statement. He said the foundation supports Venice Police Department employees in times of personal need, wellness and professional development, and community partnerships. He listed programs including Shop with a Cop, Blue Santa, and the Shark’s Tooth Fishing Tournament, and listed board members as Craig Markham, Mary Ann Kurtz, Steve Ledbetter, Eric Robinson, Sean Singheisen, Joe Raffinello, Tabitha Joyce, and Chief [unclear]. (0:34:04)
The clerk reported no speakers. Rick Howard moved approval and adoption of Resolution No. 2026-11, Jim Bolt seconded, and the motion passed unanimously by electronic vote; no numeric tally was stated. (0:37:42)
Neighborhood workshops and property posting standards
Planning and Zoning Director Roger Clark presented research requested by the council on neighborhood workshop formats and property-posting standards. He said neighborhood workshops were added after concerns raised during the 2007 Envision Venice comprehensive plan update. He said applicants must notify adjacent property owners within a specified radius and registered neighborhood associations at least 15 days before the hearing, and must hold the workshop before submitting a land-use change application. He said workshops were held in person before 2020, shifted to virtual during COVID, and the 2022 land development regulations allow in-person, virtual, or hybrid formats. Since 2020, he said, 37 of 122 neighborhood workshops included an in-person component. (1:00:17) (1:05:09)
Roger Clark said staff surveyed other jurisdictions. He said Sarasota County is evaluating the issue and appears likely to require in-person workshops; Longboat Key requires them in person for one application type; North Port requires in-person workshops but allows a hybrid virtual component; and Sarasota does not explicitly require in-person workshops but implies a location. Staff recommended requiring a hybrid format with both an in-person and virtual component. He said this approach considered the possibility that requiring out-of-area professionals to attend in person could be considered more burdensome under Senate Bill 180. (0:41:22)
On mailed notice distances, Roger Clark said Venice currently notifies property owners within 250 feet of the subject property, measured from the outside of the property or from the middle of an adjacent roadway, right-of-way, or water body. He said Sarasota County uses 750 feet and 1,500 feet in rural areas; Sarasota uses 500 feet; North Port uses 1,200 feet and 1,320 feet for some rezonings and special exceptions; and Longboat Key uses 500 feet. He said Venice has used 250 feet since at least 1978 and that staff has not received many complaints specifically about the distance, though there are sometimes complaints when notices do not reach people because of mailing or property appraiser address issues. (0:43:18) (0:55:44)
On property posting, Roger Clark showed a revised sign format. He said the city had moved to the same sign size as Sarasota County, 3 feet wide by 2 feet high, with less text and a QR code linking to the agenda item. He said the city would continue posting the signs and charging applicants for them, with an initial order of 100 to 150 signs estimated in the $2,000 to $3,000 range. City Attorney Kelly Fernandez later clarified that the sign-size change did not require a code modification, while changes to mailed notice distance and workshop format would require code changes. (0:45:29) (0:58:00)
During council discussion, Ron Smith said he wanted the city to give as much notice and transparency as possible and suggested the city could absorb the cost of additional mailed notices if needed. Kelly Fernandez said the city could choose to take on additional cost, but whether a change is “more burdensome” under Senate Bill 180 could depend on whether someone challenges it. City Manager James Clinch said there could be cost implications for all three items discussed: signs, hybrid meetings, and mailers. Kevin Engelke said he supported looking at a larger notice radius, possibly after Senate Bill 180 sunsets, but later supported moving forward now. Jim Bolt said he did not recall many complaints about the 250-foot standard. Rachel Frank said her goal was transparency and public involvement. (0:48:31) (0:50:53) (0:52:38) (0:55:40) (1:00:17)
Rachel Frank moved to approve staff’s recommendation for the new physical posting standards and for neighborhood workshops to require a hybrid option with both in-person and online components. Jim Bolt seconded. The motion passed unanimously by electronic vote; no numeric tally was stated. (0:59:44)
After that vote, Kevin Engelke moved to direct staff to prepare a mailed-notice modification increasing the standard from 250 feet to 500 feet. Ron Smith seconded. During discussion, Rachel Frank said 500 feet is “1.4 football fields” and noted that the larger signs would also improve visibility. Mayor Nick Pachetta said he supported bringing Venice in line with other local standards while being careful about Senate Bill 180. The motion passed unanimously by electronic vote; no numeric tally was stated. (1:05:02)
Charter officer reports
City Clerk Kelly Michaels said the June 9 meeting was canceled and the next meeting would be budget workshops on June 18 and 19, if needed. (1:07:35)
City Manager James Clinch said staff did not bring forward a request at this meeting to exceed the 3% charter limit on the proposed budget for the next fiscal year because “it is going to be a lean year” and “a cut year.” He said the city is not planning to exceed that threshold. He said draft budget books would be provided late the following week, budget detail sheets would be provided electronically, and a second budget workshop was planned for July 8 if needed. He said the city’s approach would be “extremely conservative,” with reductions in the general fund and in overall FTEs through removal of unfilled positions. He also said the budget would still include seven neighborhood parks, the Venice Community Center, and a fleet maintenance program for light fleet units. He added that hurricane season begins June 1 and said city staff had completed county and city emergency preparedness training, with a hurricane expo planned for Friday and Saturday at the Venice Community Center. (1:07:53)
Council reports
Ron Smith said he supported a letter from former council member Mitzi Fiedler urging the city to look at acquiring 10 additional acres near the North Venice Park and said that could be discussed with Sarasota County at an upcoming joint meeting. He also asked that reopening access to Caspersen Beach be included in that joint meeting discussion. Smith also said he wanted the council to consider making the airport advisory panel a permanent advisory board to the council. (1:11:22)
Kevin Engelke said he agreed with exploring the possible acquisition of property near Northeast Venice Park if it was an opportunity for the city and another entity could pay for it. He also reported attending a Florida League of Cities leadership meeting focused on courtesy and conflict resolution and said discussion there confirmed to him that Venice is “a pretty well-run city.” (1:14:41)
Mayor Nick Pachetta announced a free two-day City of Venice Hurricane and Home Expo at the Venice Community Center on Friday, May 29, and Saturday, May 30, with city, county, nonprofit, and business participants, speakers, raffles, and food. He also announced the 33rd Annual Downtown Venice Craft Festival on Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21, and a July 4 schedule including a 9:30 a.m. parade, 11 a.m. community picnic at the Venice Community Center, and 9 p.m. fireworks. He said parade applications were due by Friday, June 5, or earlier if capacity is reached. (1:16:14)
Final audience participation and adjournment
The clerk reported there were no speakers for the final audience participation period, and the meeting adjourned. (1:18:45)
Watch the full meeting recording
Vote tallies in this recap were checked against the body’s official roll-call record.
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