Venice City Council Regular Meeting - May 12, 2026

The Venice City Council held a regular meeting on May 12, 2026, beginning at 9:00 AM. The meeting featured five proclamations, public comment focused on airport concerns, approval of several consent items, and public hearings on a site plan appeal, school zone speed cameras, a comprehensive plan amendment, and a budget amendment. New business included appointment of a student advisory board member, policy discussion on airport management (including motions for a legal review and environmental assessment), direction on neighborhood workshop policies, and cancellation of the June 9 meeting.

Proclamations

• National Safe Boating Week (May 16-22, 2026): Presented to Master Police Officer Paul Joyce and representatives from multiple agencies.
• National Police Week (May 11-17, 2026): Presented to Police Chief Andy Leisenring and honoring fallen officers.
• Public Works Week (May 17-23, 2026): Presented to Public Works Director Ricky Simpson and staff; also recognized Rob Bodrett for 30 years of service.
• Foster Care Month (May 2026): Presented to Nicole Britton, Executive Director of The TWIG, highlighting 368,500 children in U.S. foster care.
• Faith and Family Month (June 2026): Presented to Jim Foubister, President of One Christ Won City, noting 31,000 meals served and 750,000 volunteer hours from local churches.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the April 28, 2026 regular meeting (unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Valerie Waters (airport expansion): Requested CAP/TAP meetings be recorded; called for a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) addressing noise, water, air, wetlands, wildlife, land use, socioeconomic, traffic, climate, and environmental justice. Noted a 54% increase in aircraft operations from 2022 to 2024 and an additional 37% growth projected.
• Chris Waters (airport expansion): Supported Valerie Waters' concerns; urged completion of environmental studies before any development plans advance, especially given increased jet traffic and impacts to John Nolen's vision.
• Christine Davis (airport expansion): Revealed that a draft airport master plan dated August 2025 had already been submitted to FDOT without public knowledge; questioned the purpose of public meetings. Stated that the airport manager's requests (tower, fire station, taxiway changes, terminal) point toward CFR Part 139 certification for commercial aircraft (31+ passengers). Requested a true EIS and pause of the master plan.
• Emily Santana (General Manager, Skyport Aviation): Clarified Skyport does not control the master plan; no current plans for scheduled commercial flights. Outlined mitigation measures: ground power units (GPUs) to reduce emissions/noise, electric golf carts, operational adjustments to direct exhaust away from residences. Noted decreased operations at Skyport and full environmental compliance (no spills). Supported voluntary FAA noise abatement.
• Tanya Willard (airport): Requested that current (down) operation numbers be considered in projections. Opposed Part 139 designation; urged preservation of green space, especially the Deertown Gully headwaters (noting John Nolen's plan showed a lagoon). Mentioned a non-FAA virtual tower system used at Arcadia that could record flights and potentially charge landing fees. Asked for an airport director who listens to residents.
• Janice Reardon (airport): Requested a halt to further expansion until a Part 150 noise study and full NEPA environmental assessment are completed. Emphasized that Venice is a small coastal city, not like Tampa/Naples; called for conservation grants to preserve open space south of Runway 23 and northwest corner of the airport.
• Alex Almasan (Homeless for Hope volunteer): Expressed support for the city's Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) and requested additional VPD and counselor funding.

Discussion Items

• Appeal of Planning Commission Approval (26-03AP) – Site and Development Plan for 500/504 Gene Green Road (Ajax expansion): Attorneys for the applicant (Jeff Boone) and appellant (Darren Parks) agreed to a continuance to August 25, 2026, due to ongoing negotiations over an access easement safety issue. The appellant's attorney confirmed no opposition. Council unanimously granted the continuance.
• Ordinance 2026-19 (First Reading) – School Zone Speed Detection for Venice Elementary: Police staff presented a two-day study showing 972 vehicles in the school zone with 270 violations (11+ mph over the 15 mph limit). The ordinance expands the school zone to run continuously from 6:15 AM to 4:15 PM. Council approved 7-0 on first reading and scheduled final reading.
• Ordinance 2026-06 (Final Reading) – Comprehensive Plan Update for Mixed-Use Designations: Approved 7-0.
• Ordinance 2026-18 (Final Reading) – Budget Amendment #3 (increase revenues and expenditures by $4,916,229): Approved 7-0.
• Appointment of Student Member to Citizen Advisory Board: Lily Smith appointed unanimously to serve June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027.
• Airport Management and Policies (Item 26-0604, Councilman Howard): After public comments and council discussion, two motions were passed:
  1. Motion (Howard): Direct staff to perform a legal review of the current lease with Skyport Aviation, initiate discussions on ground operations, and update airport operating standards, with a report back within 60 days. Passed 7-0.
  2. Motion (Weed, amended to 'environmental review'): Direct airport staff to develop parameters for an environmental review of the airport property and neighboring areas (air quality, soil, water quality) and pursue vendor quotes. Passed 7-0. Council members (Weed, Frank, Howard, Engelke, Mayor Pachota) stated they would not support scheduled commercial flights. The City Manager clarified that the master plan does not authorize projects; environmental analysis will be included. A fact sheet addressing common terms is being produced.
• In-Person Option for Land Use Neighborhood Workshops (Item 26-0605, Councilwoman Frank): Council directed staff to present the history of the city's neighborhood workshop policies, including data on how often in-person versus online options have been used. Passed 7-0.
• Cancellation of June 9, 2026 Meeting: Approved 7-0, citing only a presentation scheduled and upcoming budget workshops.

Key Outcomes

• Continued the appeal (26-03AP) to August 25, 2026.
• Approved first reading of school zone speed detection ordinance (2026-19).
• Adopted comprehensive plan amendment (2026-06) and budget amendment #3 (2026-18).
• Appointed Lily Smith to Citizen Advisory Board.
• Passed two motions on airport: (1) legal/operational review in 60 days; (2) environmental review vendor quotes.
• Directed staff to research neighborhood workshop history.
• Canceled the June 9, 2026 regular meeting.