OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Venice City Council Regular Meeting - March 24, 2026

City Council & Boards — Tuesday, March 24, 2026
BodyVenice, Florida
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateTuesday, March 24, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:19:34

Transcript — Verbatim
1:14

Okay, let's call this meeting to order.

1:16

Madam Clerk, if we could start with a roll call, please.

1:19

Mr.

1:19

Engelkey.

1:20

Mrs.

1:21

Frank.

1:21

Here.

1:22

Mr.

1:22

Howard.

1:23

Here.

1:23

Mr.

1:24

Smith.

1:26

Mr.

1:26

Wheat is absent.

1:27

Vice Mayor Boltz.

1:28

Here.

1:29

Mayor Pichoda.

1:30

Here.

1:31

All right.

1:31

We'll stand for the uh invocation, and today's pledge will be led by Vice Mayor Bolt.

1:38

Father, we offer you thanks and praise for the blessings of our community, those who have led us in the past, and those who have accepted the challenge to lead us on this day.

1:47

Give us patience and understanding as we set aside our personal interests and serve for the good of those that have been that we've been called to serve.

1:56

Accept our thoughts and words for in your name we pray.

1:59

Amen.

2:01

I pledge allegiance to the fly of the United States of America.

2:06

And to the Republic or which one nation, under God, individual, liberty, and justice for all.

2:20

Okay.

2:25

And I just want to give a special recognition to Miss Lori Stelter for being in the audience today after thirty-two years of great service to our city as the clerk.

2:36

Um I could get Scotty Lynn Kelly, Clerk Michaels, and Tony Gregory plus family if they'd like to come up.

3:26

There you go.

4:07

International Institute of Municipal Clerks.

4:09

Sorry, I was rushing to get here.

5:00

Sorry.

5:03

Printed it big so I can see it.

5:06

The first step towards certification is earning the certified municipal clerk designation.

5:11

This requires completion of the IIMC approved municipal clerk institute program conducted by the John Scott Daly Florida Institute of Government at Florida State University.

5:21

This program includes 120 hours of coursework focused on leadership, management, interpersonal skills, and the techno technical knowledge needed to navigate the rapidly changing demands of government.

5:34

Additional requirements include responsible experience in local government, participation in conferences and seminars, and in many cases, academic coursework or degrees in public administration or related fields.

5:46

Achieving the CMC designation is a significant milestone, but true professionals never stop striving for more.

5:53

And you got your CMC three years ago.

5:57

Two years ago.

5:59

Okay.

5:59

So I got to come do that one too.

6:03

The next step is the Master Municipal Clerk Academy, designated or designed to advance the professional education of clerks and prepare them for the compla complex challenges of the office.

6:15

To earn the MMC designation, clerks must complete 160 hours of advanced education, 80% of which must be in public administration, along with 20 points of documented professional and social contributions, such as conference attendance, committee participation, and special recognition.

6:32

Meeting these requirements is no small task, especially considering the daily demands placed on the clerk's office.

6:45

Oh, printed it two-sided and I missed a page, but that's okay, we're not going back.

6:51

Recognizing the need for even more advanced professional development opportunities, FACC partnered with the John Scott Daily Florida Institute of Government to create the Florida Certified Professional Clerk Program.

7:03

This 20-month program continue combines virtual and in-person learning and culminates in a capstone project.

7:10

It is open to all CMC certified FACC members in good standing and focuses on organizational leadership specific to the unique responsibilities of municipal clerks in Florida.

7:21

This would be Tony's next step if she decides to move forward.

7:26

Your deputy city clerk, Tony Gregory, is now part of an elite group of highly trained and dedicated local government professionals.

7:34

A distinct distinction she's burning.

7:40

Trained and I'm sorry, a distinction she could not have achieved without your support and encouragement.

7:46

In an era of rapid and rapid and significant change, lifelong learning is not just beneficial but essential in meeting the evolving needs of the communities we serve.

7:56

Your city should take great pride in Tony's commitment to her profession and in her achievement as the of this remarkable milestone.

8:04

Since joining FACC in August of 22, Tony has been an active and engaged member.

8:11

She has served, thank you, as a class moderator at conferences and acted as district coordinator for her third year CMC class project.

8:21

Her dedication is evident in everything that she does.

8:24

Tony, on behalf of the Florida Association of City Clerks and its members, the professional education committee, and the South East Southwest District, we are incredibly proud of you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Planning And Zoning███████████████████████████████31%
Land Development Code█████████████████17%
Procedural█████████████13%
Personnel Matters████████████12%
Public Engagement████████8%
Records Management████4%
Water And Wastewater Management███3%
Budget Equity Analysis███3%
Public Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Venice City Council Regular Meeting - March 24, 2026

On March 24, 2026, the Venice City Council held a regular meeting addressing several agenda items including recognitions, public comments, consent items, pension board reports, four ordinances on first reading, a resolution, and charter officer reports. The meeting lasted from 9:00 AM to approximately 5:00 PM, with a brief recess.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of the March 10, 2026 regular meeting (Item 26-0549).
  • Authorized the Mayor to execute the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Construction Loan Agreement for the Utilities Water Reclamation Flow Equalization Tank Project (Item 26-0550).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Madeline Zubeck (Gulf Shores resident) expressed strong opposition to the proposed pipeline from Flamingo Ditch to Deertown Gully, citing flood risks from Hurricane Milton and lack of resident consultation. She requested the city pause and evaluate the option, and criticized the CIP meeting format for not allowing public questions. The City Manager later clarified the pipeline was only a recommendation and not on the April 8th CIP agenda.
  • Charlie Thorpe (Venice Area Chamber of Commerce) thanked the city's communications team for their support of the Teen Leadership Program, presenting certificates of appreciation. He invited council to the graduation on April 7th.

Discussion Items

  • Police Pension Board Annual Report (Item 26-0551): Chair Kevin McGrath and Actuary Doug Lozen reported the plan remains over 100% funded for the second consecutive year, with a 6.75% investment return assumption. They are working on options to keep premium tax monies flowing while maintaining funded status.
  • Fire Pension Board Annual Report (Item 26-0552): Plan Administrator Chrissy Stoker noted the plan received $371,293 in state monies (up from 2024). Funded status improved from 72.6% to 76.5% (a high watermark). Net return was 10.07% vs. 6.25% assumption. A deferred retirement option plan (DROP) is being developed and will come to council soon.

Ordinances - First Reading

  • Ordinance 2026-08 (Annexation – 282 N. Auburn Road): Unanimously approved (6-0). The 10.12-acre parcel (iHeartMedia) will be annexed into the city, consistent with JPA Area 7. The applicant plans 43 single-family lots at 4.25 units/acre.
  • Ordinance 2026-09 (Comprehensive Plan Amendment – Future Land Use Map): Unanimously approved (6-0). Changes the designation from Sarasota County Moderate Density Residential to City of Venice Mixed Use Residential (MUR) for the same property.
  • Ordinance 2026-10 (Zoning Map Amendment – PUD): Approved 5-1. Changes zoning from Open Use Estate 1 (OUE-1) to Planned Unit Development (PUD) with a binding master plan. The plan includes 43 single-family detached lots, 50% open space, 25-foot buffer, and no commercial use. Councilmember Smith voted against, citing concerns about future commercial potential despite the JPA prohibition and binding plan. The ordinance was amended to incorporate the binding master plan as an exhibit.
  • Ordinance 2026-12 (Nokomis Groves Community Development District): Unanimously approved (6-0). Establishes a CDD on 60.4 acres for 341 residential units. The district will finance $13.1 million in public improvements via tax-exempt bonds, with no cost to the city. The CDD is the sixth such district in the city.

New Business

  • Ordinance 2026-15 (Travel Expense Policy Amendments): Approved 5-1 after amendment. The ordinance changes signing authority for travel authorization forms from the Finance Director and City Clerk to the Mayor (or Vice Mayor for the Mayor's travel). The City Manager supported the change but noted the council as a whole approves the travel budget. Councilmember Engelke initially preferred the City Manager, but later supported the amendment. The dissenting vote was not specified.
  • Resolution 2026-06 (Amendment to Public Transportation Grant Agreement): Unanimously approved. Authorizes an amendment to the grant agreement for the design and construction of the general aviation terminal building at Venice Airport.

Key Outcomes

  • Police Pension: Council acknowledged the plan's strong funded status and ongoing work to maintain premium tax monies. No formal action required.
  • Fire Pension: Council noted the improved funded status and upcoming DROP proposal. No formal action.
  • Annexation (2026-08): Approved on first reading, final reading scheduled.
  • Comprehensive Plan Amendment (2026-09): Approved on first reading, final reading scheduled.
  • Zoning Map Amendment (2026-10): Approved on first reading (5-1), final reading scheduled. Binding master plan incorporated into ordinance.
  • CDD (2026-12): Approved on first reading, final reading scheduled.
  • Travel Policy (2026-15): Approved (5-1) with amendment specifying Mayor or Vice Mayor as signatory.
  • Resolution 2026-06: Adopted unanimously.
  • Future Meetings: Council noted the April 8th CIP meeting (public can attend) and the April 18th Public Safety Day. The Mayor and City Manager will travel to Washington, D.C. to advocate for Humphreys Park South Jetty Reconstruction, Flamingo Ditch, and beach renourishment.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, let's call this meeting to order. Madam Clerk, if we could start with a roll call, please. Mr. Engelkey. Mrs. Frank. Here. Mr. Howard. Here. Mr. Smith. Mr. Wheat is absent. Vice Mayor Boltz. Here. Mayor Pichoda. Here. All right. We'll stand for the uh invocation, and today's pledge will be led by Vice Mayor Bolt. Father, we offer you thanks and praise for the blessings of our community, those who have led us in the past, and those who have accepted the challenge to lead us on this day. Give us patience and understanding as we set aside our personal interests and serve for the good of those that have been that we've been called to serve. Accept our thoughts and words for in your name we pray. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the fly of the United States of America. And to the Republic or which one nation, under God, individual, liberty, and justice for all. Okay. And I just want to give a special recognition to Miss Lori Stelter for being in the audience today after thirty-two years of great service to our city as the clerk. Um I could get Scotty Lynn Kelly, Clerk Michaels, and Tony Gregory plus family if they'd like to come up. There you go. International Institute of Municipal Clerks. Sorry, I was rushing to get here. Sorry. Printed it big so I can see it. The first step towards certification is earning the certified municipal clerk designation. This requires completion of the IIMC approved municipal clerk institute program conducted by the John Scott Daly Florida Institute of Government at Florida State University. This program includes 120 hours of coursework focused on leadership, management, interpersonal skills, and the techno technical knowledge needed to navigate the rapidly changing demands of government. Additional requirements include responsible experience in local government, participation in conferences and seminars, and in many cases, academic coursework or degrees in public administration or related fields. Achieving the CMC designation is a significant milestone, but true professionals never stop striving for more. And you got your CMC three years ago. Two years ago. Okay. So I got to come do that one too. The next step is the Master Municipal Clerk Academy, designated or designed to advance the professional education of clerks and prepare them for the compla complex challenges of the office. To earn the MMC designation, clerks must complete 160 hours of advanced education, 80% of which must be in public administration, along with 20 points of documented professional and social contributions, such as conference attendance, committee participation, and special recognition. Meeting these requirements is no small task, especially considering the daily demands placed on the clerk's office. Oh, printed it two-sided and I missed a page, but that's okay, we're not going back. Recognizing the need for even more advanced professional development opportunities, FACC partnered with the John Scott Daily Florida Institute of Government to create the Florida Certified Professional Clerk Program. This 20-month program continue combines virtual and in-person learning and culminates in a capstone project. It is open to all CMC certified FACC members in good standing and focuses on organizational leadership specific to the unique responsibilities of municipal clerks in Florida.

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