Venice City Council Regular Meeting - June 24, 2025

The Venice City Council met on June 24, 2025, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers. The meeting included recognitions, public comments, consent agenda approvals, public hearings on zoning and ordinances, new business items, and reports. Key actions included approval of a zoning change, adoption of noise and speed enforcement ordinances, renaming City Hall Park to the Lavallee Municipal Campus, budget amendments, fee updates, and debt financing for capital projects. The Citizen Advisory Board presented a hurricane after-action review.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the June 10, 2025 regular meeting.
• Approved the Venice Nights Market special events on October 25, 2025, and November 15, 2025, at Maxine Barritt Park.
• Approved the Veterans Day in Venice special event on November 8, 2025, in Centennial Park.
• Approved the Second Amendment to Agreement for Conveyance of Real Property with Sarasota County.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Donald Connell (53-year resident, owner of historic apartment buildings) criticized decades of downzoning in the apartment district, arguing it has destroyed the Nolen plan and made rental housing construction impossible. He urged the council to restore historic density to allow apartments.
• Marty Dover (resident) spoke in support of Ordinance 2025-20, urging approval to restore single-family zoning on the Bora property. She argued the comprehensive plan can change with circumstances and criticized the premise that LDR rules are unchangeable. She noted tenants are not at immediate risk.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 2025-20 (Zoning map amendment for 225 Park Blvd S and 528 Menendez St from RMF-4 to RSF-4): Council discussion included Councilmember Smith stating opposition for reasons previously stated. The public hearing was opened and closed after one speaker. Motion to approve passed 5-1 (Smith dissenting).
• Ordinance 2025-23 (Noise control amendments): No public comment; motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Ordinance 2025-24 (School zone speed detection systems): Councilmember Howard applauded the police department for the initiative, citing appalling numbers of speeders. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Resolution 2025-14 (Renaming City Hall Park the Lavallee Municipal Campus): Mayor Pachota noted it is not about the city manager but his ethical beacon and accomplishments. Councilmember Smith mentioned the fortuitous timing with city manager candidates present. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Ordinance 2025-25 (Budget amendment increasing revenue and expenditures by $9,236,600): First reading; motion to approve and schedule final reading passed unanimously.
• Resolution 2025-13 (Revised schedule of emergency medical aid fees): Councilmember Smith expressed desire to tie fees to CPI index rather than sporadic updates. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Resolution 2025-15 (Debt financing for Fire Station #52, EOC storage, solid waste/recycling and fleet maintenance facilities): Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Presentation: 2024 Hurricane After Action Report – Citizen Advisory Board Chair Roger Effron and Vice Chair Mary Davis presented. Key findings: 75% of 880 survey respondents were satisfied/very satisfied with city’s response; 10 issues identified with 41 recommendations. Top issues: communication, sandbag distribution, evacuation, debries removal, drainage, building permits, special needs, volunteers, centralized resources, tourism. Several recommendations already incorporated into city’s internal after-action review and county recommendations. Council thanked the board.
• Council Action 25-0265 (Donation of roof replacement materials from Modern Metal Roofing for Centennial Park restrooms): Public Works Director Ricky Simpson presented benefits of metal roofing. Councilmember Howard thanked donor Chan. Councilmember Weed noted the donation should not imply future bidding favouritism. Motion to accept passed unanimously.
• Council Action 25-0266 (Appointment to Citizen Advisory Board – unexpired term of Lloyd Weed): Councilmember Frank moved to appoint Terry Redmond. Councilmember Smith also acknowledged applicant Thomas Fitch. Motion passed unanimously.
• Council Action 25-0267 (Direction to research EMS impact fee): Mayor Pachota stated development should pay its way. Motion passed unanimously.

Charter Officer Reports

• City Manager Ed Lavallee thanked council for Resolution 2025-14, reflecting on 13 years of partnership and the public trust mission.

Council Reports

• Councilmember Engelke reported on Florida League of Cities nominating committee, centennial public workshop, city manager selection process (concluding in 48 hours), celebration planned for July 8, updates on Venice Theatre progress, $90 million congressional appropriation for jetty repairs, and $850,000 state appropriation for equalization tank project. He also announced community reception for city manager candidates (June 24, 5:30-7:30 PM), Venice Police homelessness outreach meeting (June 27), Bayshore/Laguna Drive safety study meeting (July 7), and July 4 fireworks display.
• Other councilmembers had no reports.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Consent Agenda (items 25-0260 through 25-0263) unanimously.
• Approved Ordinance 2025-20 (zoning change) with a 5-1 vote.
• Approved Ordinance2025-23 (noise control) unanimously.
• Approved Ordinance2025-24 (school zone speed cameras) unanimously.
• Approved Resolution2025-14 (renaming campus) unanimously.
• Approved Ordinance2025-25 on first reading (budget amendment) unanimously.
• Approved Resolution2025-13 (EMS fee schedule) unanimously.
• Approved Resolution2025-15 (debt financing) unanimously.
• Accepted donation (25-0265) unanimously.
• Appointed Terry Redmond to CAB (25-0266) unanimously.
• Directed research on EMS impact fee (25-0267) unanimously.
• Received and filed Hurricane After Action Report.