OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Venice City Council Meeting - April 28, 2026

City Council & Boards — Tuesday, April 28, 2026
BodyVenice, Florida
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateTuesday, April 28, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:49:17

Transcript — Verbatim
1:52

Good morning, good morning.

1:54

Let's call this meeting to order and start with a roll call, Madam Clerk.

1:57

Mr.

1:58

Engelkey.

1:58

Here.

1:59

Mrs.

1:59

Frank.

2:00

Here.

2:00

Mr.

2:01

Howard.

2:01

Here.

2:02

Mr.

2:02

Smith.

2:03

Mr.

2:04

Weed.

2:04

Here.

2:05

Vice Mayor Bolt.

2:06

Here.

2:07

Mayor Pichota.

2:08

Here.

2:09

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

2:17

Our father, we pray for this session of the Venice City Council.

2:21

Bless the men and women who have served who are serving us on our council to lead our city into a bright tomorrow.

2:28

Bless those who are meeting here today with wisdom to guide their discussions and decisions for common good of our residents, friends, and neighbors.

2:36

In your name we pray.

2:37

Amen.

3:04

If I could get the police chief to meet me up front, and we will have officers Charlie Brown, Robert Escobedo, Gary Limscomb, Zachary Boudrault, and Michael O'Brien.

4:48

And then we're going to have a moment to pin the badges.

5:03

And we incorporate their family members in this process because no first responder serves alone.

5:09

It's important that they're here.

5:11

They're going to share throughout their careers in the good times and the achievements and also in the sacrifices that they make.

5:19

So it's important that they be part of this process.

5:22

So we're going to start with the oath of office.

5:35

Hold on like that.

5:37

Perfect.

5:45

I state your name.

5:46

I Robert Henry Escobeto.

5:48

Do solemnly swear.

5:50

Do solemnly swear.

5:51

That I will support, protect, and defend.

5:53

That I will support, protect, and defend.

5:56

The Constitution and Government.

5:58

The Constitution and the Government.

5:59

Of the United States.

6:00

Of the United States.

6:02

And of the State of Florida.

6:03

And of the State of Florida.

6:04

That I am duly qualified.

6:06

That I am duly qualified.

6:07

To hold my position.

6:08

To hold my position.

6:09

Under the Constitution.

6:11

Under the Constitution.

6:12

Of the state.

6:13

Of the state.

6:14

And that I will well and faithfully.

6:16

And that I will well and faithfully.

6:18

Perform the duties.

6:19

Perform the duties.

6:20

Of police officer.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Airport Management███████████████████████23%
Procedural██████████████████████22%
Public Safety█████████████████17%
Fiscal Sustainability███████7%
Economic Development██████6%
Affordable Housing██████6%
Community Engagement█████5%
Historic Preservation███3%
Environmental Protection███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Venice City Council Meeting - April 28, 2026

The Venice City Council held its regular meeting on April 28, 2026, beginning at 9:00 AM. The meeting included ceremonial swearing-in of five police officers, multiple proclamations, public hearings on four ordinances, approval of the FY27 Strategic Plan, a budget amendment, a quarterly financial update, approval of a mural, a priority access housing agreement, and direction on preparing for the sunset of Florida Senate Bill 180.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of the April 8, 2026 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Workshop and April 14, 2026 Regular Meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Brett Spengler (Glenwood Manor Board) read an FAA letter stating that the airport sponsor (city) is responsible for addressing ground-based airport noise and operations, not the FAA. He played a recording of engine run-up noise and urged council to take action.
  • Dennis King (President, Venice Aviation Society - VASI) expressed support for Ordinance 2026-18 (budget amendment for new terminal building), noting the existing 40-year-old terminal is non-compliant and needs replacement. He highlighted $5.5M in FAA/FDOT grants, $2.875M in restricted airport funds, and only $540,742 local share.
  • Paul Hollowell (Venice resident and airport tenant) supported the new administration building, describing water leaks, electrical and plumbing problems. He urged the city to counteract misinformation on social media about the airport.
  • Christina Davis criticized airport management for not maintaining the building and allowing metal structures inconsistent with John Nolen's vision. She called for environmental impact studies regarding jet particulates, noise, and pollution.
  • Madeline Zubik announced a protest at the Citizens Advisory Panel meeting on April 29, 2026, and questioned the lack of comprehensive environmental impact studies on jet pollution and waterway contamination.
  • Tracy Kehoe (resident) requested a dedicated noise abatement officer (not a community outreach officer) and praised Naples' approach to buying land at the airport to prevent development. She suggested making the airport a family-friendly destination.

Discussion Items

  • Proclamations & Swearing-In: Ceremonial swearing-in of Police Officers Charlie Brown, Robert Escobedo, Gary Lipscomb, Zachary Beaudreault, and Michael O'Brien. Proclamations declared: May 10-16, 2026 as Nurses and Hospital Week; May 17-23 as Emergency Medical Services Week; May 3-9 as Municipal Clerk's Week; May 2026 as Building Safety Month and Historic Preservation Month; May 3-9 as National Travel and Tourism Week.
  • Public Hearings (Final Reading):
    • Ordinance 2026-12: Establishing the Venice Grand Oaks Community Development District. Approved unanimously.
    • Ordinance 2026-13: Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map amendment for 490 Substation Road from High Density Residential to Industrial. Approved 5-2.
    • Ordinance 2026-14: Zoning Map amendment for 490 Substation Road from RMF-1 to Industrial (quasi-judicial). Approved 6-1.
    • Ordinance 2026-17: Adding a Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) to the Municipal Firefighters' Pension Trust Fund. Approved unanimously.
  • Unfinished Business (Item 26-0572): Approve the Venice Strategic Plan for FY ending September 30, 2027. City Manager noted a change to language regarding JPA areas from specific acreage to "strategically appropriate." Approved unanimously.
  • New Business - Ordinance 2026-18: Budget Amendment #3 increasing revenues and expenditures by $4,916,229 (including funding for new airport terminal). Approved on first reading unanimously.
  • Quarterly Financial Update (Item 26-0590): Finance Director Linda Senne presented mid-year financials. General fund revenues on track; property taxes at 92% of budget. Expenditures noted for fleet (55% due to fuel tank purchase) and parks (80% due to Wellfield Park payment). Projected fund balance increased from $27.7M to $28.4M. Reserves remain at 25% policy target.
  • Old Betsy Mural (Item 26-0591): Citizens Advisory Board recommended approval of a mural on the rear of the Old Betsy Museum. Council discussion amended the design to change a Dalmatian to a golden retriever to represent the police department. Approved unanimously.
  • Priority Access to Housing Agreement (Item 26-0592): Agreement with Venice Avenue Apartments LLC to reserve units for city staff at a future affordable housing project. Mayor recused due to ownership interest. Assistant City Manager Roger Omanheiser noted the developer offered this for philanthropic reasons with no financial incentive. Approved unanimously (Mayor abstained).
  • SB 180 Sunset Preparation (Item 26-0593): Councilmember Engelke introduced a motion to direct charter officers to research and provide a list of items the city can implement after SB 180's sunset on October 1, 2027. City Manager confirmed a running list exists. Motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Votes:
    • Ord. 2026-12 (Grand Oaks CDD): Unanimous approval.
    • Ord. 2026-13 (FLUM change): Approved 5-2.
    • Ord. 2026-14 (Zoning change): Approved 6-1.
    • Ord. 2026-17 (Firefighter DROP): Unanimous approval.
    • FY27 Strategic Plan: Unanimous approval.
    • Ord. 2026-18 (Budget Amendment #3): Unanimous approval on first reading.
    • Old Betsy Mural: Unanimous approval with amendment.
    • Priority Access to Housing Agreement: Unanimous approval (Mayor recused).
    • SB 180 preparation motion: Unanimous approval.
  • Next Steps: Staff to bring back list of SB 180 items; police staffing study report expected within a month; airport master plan continues with advisory panel meetings on April 29 and fall 2026; solid waste route changes begin June 1, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Good morning, good morning. Let's call this meeting to order and start with a roll call, Madam Clerk. Mr. Engelkey. Here. Mrs. Frank. Here. Mr. Howard. Here. Mr. Smith. Mr. Weed. Here. Vice Mayor Bolt. Here. Mayor Pichota. Here. We will uh stand for the invocation, and today's pledge will be led by Vice Mayor Bolt. Our father, we pray for this session of the Venice City Council. Bless the men and women who have served who are serving us on our council to lead our city into a bright tomorrow. Bless those who are meeting here today with wisdom to guide their discussions and decisions for common good of our residents, friends, and neighbors. In your name we pray. Amen. If I could get the police chief to meet me up front, and we will have officers Charlie Brown, Robert Escobedo, Gary Limscomb, Zachary Boudrault, and Michael O'Brien. And then we're going to have a moment to pin the badges. And we incorporate their family members in this process because no first responder serves alone. It's important that they're here. They're going to share throughout their careers in the good times and the achievements and also in the sacrifices that they make. So it's important that they be part of this process. So we're going to start with the oath of office. Hold on like that. Perfect. I state your name. I Robert Henry Escobeto. Do solemnly swear. Do solemnly swear. That I will support, protect, and defend. That I will support, protect, and defend. The Constitution and Government. The Constitution and the Government. Of the United States. Of the United States. And of the State of Florida. And of the State of Florida. That I am duly qualified. That I am duly qualified. To hold my position.

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