OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Venice City Council Meeting - October 14, 2025: Proclamations, Rezoning, and Appointments

City Council & Boards — Tuesday, October 14, 2025
BodyVenice, Florida
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateTuesday, October 14, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:01:59

Transcript — Verbatim
1:16

All right, good.

1:25

Get those chamber folks in here and we gotta gabble a little bit, you know.

1:31

All right, let's go ahead and whoa.

1:33

Yes, Lord.

1:35

Call this meeting to order.

1:37

We'll go ahead and do a roll call, Madam Clerk, if you're ready.

1:39

Mr.

1:40

Enkel Key.

1:41

Mrs.

1:42

Frank.

1:42

Here.

1:43

Uh Mr.

1:44

Howard won't be uh joining us today.

1:45

Mr.

1:46

Smith.

1:46

Here.

1:47

Mr.

1:48

Weed.

1:48

Here.

1:49

Vice Mayor Bolt.

1:51

Here.

1:51

Mayor Pechota.

1:52

And I am here.

1:54

Okay, we will stand for the invocation, and if I could get Chief Lysenring to come up, he's gonna lead us in the pledge.

2:03

Gracious Lord, we ask you to give your blessings to the men and women who serve on the council.

2:08

We thank you for their skills and the energies they bring to their duties.

2:12

We also thank you for the families, colleagues, and staff who support them in their important work.

2:18

Amen.

2:19

Amen.

2:26

And to the public for which one nation under uh individual with liberty and justice for all.

2:41

I will say one of the one of the nicest things about our meetings is that we start out with all the fun stuff.

2:47

So we're gonna do recognitions first.

2:48

I'm gonna bring the vice mayor down and we'll get Miss Laner and her team to come up, and we're gonna do the uh centennial anniversary of Venice Area Chamber of Commerce uh proclamation, and then we'll move into the other proclamations after that.

3:16

Okay.

3:28

Yeah, there we go.

3:42

Um, wherever you want to go.

3:44

Okay, you hold that outward.

3:46

Okay, good.

3:46

And then we're gonna come all the way to the center, as much as center as we can get.

3:50

And then I will stand right next to you and do some proclaiming.

3:55

Wait, come here.

3:56

Come here.

3:59

Don't trip and fall.

4:02

Right here on my left.

4:04

Come on in.

4:05

We're good.

4:05

We haven't even proclaimed yet.

4:11

Okay.

4:13

Whereas the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce was established in 1925 and has served as a cornerstone of economic vitality, community leadership, and business advocacy in the city of Venice for a hundred years.

4:24

And whereas the chamber has consistently fulfilled its mission to promote business growth and success, fostering a vibrant and resilient local economy through innovation, collaboration, and unwavering support of entrepreneurs, small businesses, and corporate partners alike.

4:38

And whereas over the past century, the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce has played a pivotal role in shaping the identity and prosperity of our city, championing initiatives that enhance quality of life, encourage civic engagement, and strengthen the bonds between commerce and community.

5:00

And whereas the chamber's legacy includes decades of leadership, countless partnerships, and a steadfast commitment to the values of integrity, service, and progress, making it an indispensable institution in the life of Venice.

5:06

And whereas October 15th is recognized nationally as the Chamber of Commerce Day, a time to honor the essential work of chambers across the country and to celebrate their contributions to economic development and community well-being.

5:18

And whereas the City of Venice is proud to join in the celebration and to acknowledge the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce's 100 years of excellence, vision, and impact.

5:27

Now, therefore, I, Nick Peshoda, mayor of the City of Venice, on behalf of the Venice City Council, do hereby proclaim October 14th, 2025 as a day to honor the centennial anniversary of the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce and encourage all residents, businesses, and civic leaders to honor the chamber's centennial milestone and its enduring service to our community.

5:58

Now we will get you a microphone.

6:02

Okay.

6:02

All right.

6:04

Mr.

6:04

Mayor, City Council, thank you so much for this honor.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Planning And Zoning█████████████████████████████29%
Procedural██████████████████████████26%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Community Engagement████████8%
Public Safety████████8%
Economic Development██████6%
Technology and Innovation██████6%
Historic Preservation███3%
Grant Management███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Venice City Council Meeting - October 14, 2025

The City Council of Venice, Florida, met on October 14, 2025, at 9:00 AM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included four ceremonial proclamations, approval of a consent agenda with routine items, three public hearings for zoning and code amendments, and two appointments to city boards. All decisions were unanimous except for the Housing Authority appointment, which passed 4-2.

Recognition

  • Centennial Anniversary of the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce: Mayor Pachota proclaimed October 14, 2025, as the day to honor the chamber's 100 years. Kathy Lehner (President and CEO) and board chair spoke, highlighting the chamber's role in founding Venice and launching community initiatives.
  • National Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Proclaimed October 2025. Security Analyst Joelle Gurk accepted, emphasizing shared responsibility and the IT team's 24/7 monitoring.
  • Florida City Government Week: Proclaimed October 20-26, 2025. City Manager James Clinch noted events including student government day and a poster contest.
  • Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Proclaimed October 2025. Detective Kenny and SPARCC victim advocate Mirna Marcia spoke, highlighting partnerships and services for victims.

Consent Calendar

All items on the consent agenda were approved unanimously by a single motion (moved by Vice Mayor Boldt, seconded by Council Member Frank). Approved items included:

  • Minutes of September 23, 2025, regular meeting and budget hearing.
  • Special event permits: 1,000 Miglia Race (Feb 21, 2026) and Venice Crescendo (Apr 25-26, 2026).
  • Amendment No. 3 to FDEP agreement for Tarpon Center Drive Nature Based Flood Mitigation Pilot Project.
  • Utility easement from Willow Chase Community Association.
  • Accounts receivable write-offs.
  • Collective bargaining agreement with IAFF (Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2028).
  • Clearing and landscaping reimbursement agreement with Willow Chase for water booster pump station.

Public Hearings

Ordinance 2025-34 (First Reading) – Zoning Map Amendment for Knights Trail

  • Petition: Change zoning on 60.44 acres at 2100 and 2413 Knights Trail Road from Commercial General (CG) and Commercial Intensive (CI) to Knights Trail Mixed Use (KT).
  • Staff presentation: Senior Planner Brittany Smith explained the request is consistent with the comprehensive plan and land development code. The new district allows slightly lower density (18 du/ac to 16 du/ac) but greater building coverage (up to 75%), height exceptions to 46 feet, and architectural requirements.
  • Applicant: Attorney Jackson Boone stated the property owner seeks the change to align with the city's updated zoning map; existing vested approvals for 630 multifamily units remain valid until 2028.
  • Council questions: Council Member Weed asked whether the petition was landowner-initiated (yes) and confirmed the applicant is aware of architectural requirements (yes).
  • Action: Unanimously approved on first reading and scheduled for final reading.

Ordinance 2025-35 (First Reading) – Text Amendment for Plat Process

  • Purpose: Comply with Florida Senate Bill 784 (2025) requiring administrative approval of final plats by the city engineer rather than city council.
  • Staff presentation: Senior Planner Nicole Tremblay outlined changes to the Land Development Code, including transfer of decision authority, new timeframes (60 days for engineer review, 15 days for applicant to record plat), and requirement for applicant to record plats.
  • Action: Unanimously approved on first reading and scheduled for final reading.

Ordinance 2025-33 (Final Reading) – Historic Resource Designation for 500 Nassau Street South

  • Purpose: Place the structure at 500 Nassau Street South on the Local Register of Historical Resources, as recommended by the Historic and Architectural Preservation Board.
  • Public comment: No speakers.
  • Action: Unanimously approved and adopted.

New Business

Appointment to Historic and Architectural Preservation Board (25-0372)

  • Background: Vacancy for term ending August 30, 2028. Current requirement that the appointee be a member of Venice Main Street hindered applicants.
  • Motion: Council Member Engelke moved to direct staff to amend the code to make Venice Main Street membership a preference, not a requirement, and to re-list the vacancy after that change. Seconded by Vice Mayor Bolt.
  • Discussion: Council Member Engelke explained the change would not affect the city's Certified Local Government (CLG) status, as confirmed by the city manager.
  • Action: Motion passed unanimously.

Appointment to Venice Housing Authority (25-0373)

  • Position: Unexpired term of James Kraut (October 14, 2025 – September 30, 2026).
  • Motion: Vice Mayor Boldt moved to appoint Donna Bolt. Seconded by Council Member Frank.
  • Vote: Passed 4-2 (Council Members Howard absent; Vice Mayor Boldt, Council Members Frank, Smith, Weed in favor; Council Members Engelke and Mayor Pachota opposed).

Key Outcomes

  • Unanimous approvals: Consent agenda, three ordinances (two on first reading, one on final), and the motion to amend HAPB code requirements.
  • Housing Authority appointment: Donna Bolt appointed, 4-2.
  • Next steps: Ordinance 2025-34 and 2025-35 will return for final reading at a future council meeting. Staff will draft code amendment for Venice Main Street membership preference and re-list the HAPB vacancy.

Meeting Transcript

All right, good. Get those chamber folks in here and we gotta gabble a little bit, you know. All right, let's go ahead and whoa. Yes, Lord. Call this meeting to order. We'll go ahead and do a roll call, Madam Clerk, if you're ready. Mr. Enkel Key. Mrs. Frank. Here. Uh Mr. Howard won't be uh joining us today. Mr. Smith. Here. Mr. Weed. Here. Vice Mayor Bolt. Here. Mayor Pechota. And I am here. Okay, we will stand for the invocation, and if I could get Chief Lysenring to come up, he's gonna lead us in the pledge. Gracious Lord, we ask you to give your blessings to the men and women who serve on the council. We thank you for their skills and the energies they bring to their duties. We also thank you for the families, colleagues, and staff who support them in their important work. Amen. Amen. And to the public for which one nation under uh individual with liberty and justice for all. I will say one of the one of the nicest things about our meetings is that we start out with all the fun stuff. So we're gonna do recognitions first. I'm gonna bring the vice mayor down and we'll get Miss Laner and her team to come up, and we're gonna do the uh centennial anniversary of Venice Area Chamber of Commerce uh proclamation, and then we'll move into the other proclamations after that. Okay. Yeah, there we go. Um, wherever you want to go. Okay, you hold that outward. Okay, good. And then we're gonna come all the way to the center, as much as center as we can get. And then I will stand right next to you and do some proclaiming. Wait, come here. Come here. Don't trip and fall. Right here on my left. Come on in. We're good. We haven't even proclaimed yet. Okay. Whereas the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce was established in 1925 and has served as a cornerstone of economic vitality, community leadership, and business advocacy in the city of Venice for a hundred years. And whereas the chamber has consistently fulfilled its mission to promote business growth and success, fostering a vibrant and resilient local economy through innovation, collaboration, and unwavering support of entrepreneurs, small businesses, and corporate partners alike.

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