Venice City Council Meeting - August 26, 2025: Swearing-In, Land Use Ordinances, and Mediated Settlement Discussion

The Venice City Council met on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, starting at 9:00 AM, with an executive session at noon for a pending lawsuit. The meeting included the swearing-in of City Manager James Clinch, service awards for five employees, and a full agenda of consent items, public hearings, new business, and a mediated settlement agreement. Key actions included adoption of several land development code amendments, approval of a $17.5 million bond issuance, and a failed mediated settlement for a Planned Unit Development density increase. The meeting adjourned after 5:00 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the June 30, 2025 Flamingo Ditch Workshop and July 8, 2025 Regular Meeting.
• Authorized a private attorney-client session on September 23, 2025 for the Patrick Lynch v. City of Venice case.
• Approved the third amendment to the Zachrich Hangar Lease Agreement at the airport.
• Approved an interlocal agreement for mutual aid building inspections with North Port, Sarasota, Punta Gorda, Charlotte County, Sarasota County, and Longboat Key (pulled for discussion but later passed unanimously).
• Authorized acceptance of a temporary construction easement from MAH Venice Investments for a water booster pump station.
• Approved the final plat for Hawthorn Hollows and accepted a $1,707,173.01 completion bond.
• Approved a workers' compensation settlement for former employee Ottone Guraly in the amount of $17,600.
• Authorized execution of a $40,600 historic resources survey grant for Edgewood and Seaboard areas.
• Approved a fence replacement and subsurface utilities agreement with MAH Venice Investments.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No speakers during the initial audience participation period.
• During the mediated settlement discussion, three speakers opposed the agreement:
  • Olin Thomas (Milano resident): Called the settlement one-sided, argued it was not a compromise, and highlighted the addition of eight new conditions beyond the original density request.
  • Joan Ayacono (Venice Thrives): Urged rejection, stating the agreement was a “surrender” and that the city was “ceding control” to developers; noted the original denial reasons remained unchanged.
  • Steve Carr (Central Venice Coalition): Objected to height exceptions and the binding condition that would prevent the council from placing stipulations on the height exception application.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 2025-19 (Affordable Housing/Live Local Act): On second reading, staff noted a small change to clarify that a portion of a planned district permitting commercial, industrial, or mixed use could be used. Passed unanimously.
• Ordinance 2025-26 (Planned Public Hospital District): Creating a new zoning district for a public hospital campus. Councilmember Smith opposed, citing frequent amendments to guiding documents. Passed 6-1.
• Ordinance 2025-27 (Comprehensive Plan Amendment): Amending Mixed Use Corridor standards to recognize the new hospital district. Passed 6-1.
• Ordinance 2025-28 (Zoning Map Amendment): Changing the zoning of 2600 East Laurel Road from Laurel West to Planned Public Hospital District. This quasi-judicial item passed 6-1.
• Ordinance 2025-29 (Parks and Recreation Code Amendment): On first reading, changes descriptions and removes a requirement to send park naming proposals to a citizen advisory board. Passed 5-2; Councilmembers Smith and Weed opposed, arguing the board provided valuable input and time for community consideration.
• Ordinance 2025-30 (Council Presentation Time Limits): On first reading, limits presentations to 20 minutes and three per meeting. Passed unanimously.
• Resolution 2025-16 (Rescind Site Nomination Procedure): Rescinds a 2009 resolution for council endorsement of environmentally sensitive lands nominations. Passed 6-1; Councilmember Smith wanted to assign the task to the citizen advisory board.
• Resolution 2025-17 (Bond Issuance): Authorizes not exceeding $17.5 million in capital improvement revenue bonds for Fire Station #52, an EOC storage facility, and a solid waste/fleet maintenance facility. Councilmember Weed noted the facility is outside city limits, so the title was amended from “within the city” to “for the city.” Passed unanimously.
• Resolution 2025-18 (Airport PAPI Grant Amendment): Approves an amendment to a state grant for replacing precision approach path indicators at the airport. Councilmember Howard praised the safety and noise benefits. Passed unanimously.
• Resolutions 2025-19 and 2025-20 (Utilities Acceptances): Accepting utilities and improvements from Rustic Oaks Community Development District for two phases of Magnolia Bay South. Both passed unanimously.
• Resolution 2025-21 (Mobile Home Park Prospectus): Approves updated rules and regulations for the Venice Municipal Mobile Home Park, last updated in 1997. Councilmember Smith requested a delay for a community meeting, but the resolution passed 5-2 after a punctuation amendment on insurance requirements.
• 25-0312 (FY2026 Budget Changes): Finance Director Linda Senne presented changes since the June budget workshop, including adding six dual-certified firefighters, reducing the CBORD master plan allocation, and adjusting fire pension contributions. Passed unanimously.
• 25-0313 (Quarterly Financial Update): Presented as of June 30, 2025; general fund revenues are tracking well, with property taxes at 101% of budget. No action required.
• 25-0314 (Mediated Settlement Agreement – GCCF PUD): The council considered a mediated settlement for a density increase from 1,300 to 1,617 units on a 324-acre PUD, with conditions including restricting 370 additional units to a 17.46-acre parcel and adding height exceptions (65 feet for assisted living, 55 feet for multifamily). After extensive debate, the motion to approve failed 3-4, with Councilmembers Engelke, Boldt, and Frank in favor; Councilmembers Smith, Weed, Howard, and Mayor Pachota opposed. The matter will proceed to a special magistrate hearing or court.
• 25-0315 (Virtual Attendance Request): Approved unanimously to allow applicant Walt Kitonis to participate virtually in a September 9 appeal hearing due to a family medical emergency.
• 25-0316 (Fire Pension Board Appointment): Appointed Mary Beth Holland to complete the unexpired term of Barbara Fraser through September 30, 2026. Passed unanimously.
• 25-0317 (Historic and Architectural Preservation Board Appointments): Reappointed John Barrick and Mark Beebe to terms from September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2028. Passed unanimously.
• 25-0318 (Charter Amendment for Assistant City Manager): Mayor Pachota proposed referring to the charter a requirement for council approval of the assistant city manager selection. After debate, the motion failed 1-6, with only the mayor voting in favor. Several councilmembers felt the city manager should have autonomy in hiring.

Key Outcomes

• Approvals: Six land use ordinances and five resolutions passed; bond issuance and budget changes approved.
• Failed Items: Mediated settlement for GCCF PUD density increase (3-4); charter amendment for assistant city manager selection (1-6).
• Appointments: Mary Beth Holland to Fire Pension Board; John Barrick and Mark Beebe to HAPB.
• Next Steps: The city will proceed with the FLUEDRA process or potential litigation on the denied settlement. The budget ordinance will be considered at the September public hearing with potential millage rate discussion.