Venice City Council Meeting - September 8, 2026

The Venice City Council met on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 9:00 AM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included ceremonial recognitions, public comments, a public hearing on a budget amendment, new ordinances, resolutions, and appointments. Key decisions included approval of the budget amendment, adoption of a public-private partnership ordinance, updates to the affordable housing property inventory, and appointment of board members.

Ceremonial Recognitions

• Firefighter/Paramedic Seth Todd was sworn in, along with Firefighter/EMTs Austin Dulak and Ian Jensen.
• Life Saving Awards were presented to Police Officers Josh Rowell, Steven Short, Justin Lorenz, Isaac Murray, Corporal Ryan Keogh, and Officer Courtney Brady for incidents on January 30, April 14, May 3, and May 17, 2026.
• Eric Tanner, IT Manager, received a 5-Year Service Award.
• Mayor Pachota proclaimed September 15, 2026 as "IT Professionals Day" in Venice, presented to IT Director Roger Navarro and staff.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Steve Oglethorpe (representing Golden Beach Associates Board of Directors) argued that the city has not operated in good faith regarding the Venice Municipal Airport Master Plan, alleging the city misled the public about plans for a control tower, support buildings, and development. He demanded the council terminate the current master plan and begin a transparent, open process.
• Joan Farrell (former councilwoman) spoke on two topics: (1) Urging an ad hoc fix for citizen access to the jetty to watch sunsets, citing a cost estimate of under $25,000 for a sidewalk and suggesting community involvement; (2) Criticizing the appointments to the Venice Housing Authority, alleging possible cronyism with the nominations of Donna Bolt (wife of Vice Mayor Boldt) and Peter Boers (city employee), and urging the council to appoint qualified newcomers (a social worker and an Air Force veteran). She also questioned why the city's list of affordable housing properties had none deemed suitable and accused the city of having a "hard heart" on affordable housing.

Public Hearing

• Ordinance 2026-24 (Budget Amendment): Final reading of an ordinance amending the FY 2025-2026 budget by increasing total revenue and expenditures by $6,476,400. City Manager Clinch noted the amendment includes $200,000 for a comprehensive airport environmental study (stormwater, soil, air quality sampling). The public hearing was opened and closed with no public comment. The council voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 2026-27 (Public-Private Partnerships): First reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 2 to add Section 2-227 on unsolicited proposals for public-private partnerships. City Manager Clinch explained the ordinance provides a local process in compliance with state statutes, including application fees, review timelines, and council approval. Councilmember Smith asked about applicability to the CBOARD project and airport property. The ordinance was approved unanimously on first reading.
• Resolution 2026-16 (Affordable Housing Property Inventory): Re-adoption of the inventory of city-owned real property suitable for affordable housing, superseding Resolution 2023-39. City Manager noted that almost all properties have designated uses, except for a 3-acre parcel off Knights Trail/Laurel Oaks (reserved for future city growth needs) and that Fire Station 52 (to be vacated spring 2026) is being discussed with the Venice Housing Authority for affordable housing. Councilmember Smith questioned why the Laurel Oaks parcel was not listed as suitable. The resolution was approved unanimously.
• Resolution 2026-17 (Personnel Procedures – Health Insurance): Amendment to Section 2.1 raising wage bands for group health insurance to align with the 3.5% non-bargaining pay increase, preventing employees from moving into higher contribution brackets. Approved unanimously.
• Mayor's Garden at Lavallee Municipal Campus (Item 26-0724): Council considered the Citizen Advisory Board's recommendation to create a garden with bench and fountain in front of the mayor's office. Mayor Pachota stated the enhancements would be at his personal expense. City Manager Clinch said Public Works would remove dead plants and ensure irrigation. The proposal was approved unanimously.
• City Logo (Item 26-0725): Mayor Pachota moved to authorize himself to work with staff and spend no more than $5,000 to design a new city logo, with a transition and implementation plan. He noted the current centennial logo (based on the historic Venice Company sign) has received positive feedback, and a single logo is desired, with exceptions for police and fire. A 5-7 year implementation plan was discussed to phase in the new logo. The motion passed unanimously.
• Temporary Sign Code (Item 26-0726): Mayor Pachota proposed adopting Sarasota County's sign code to simplify regulations, particularly for political signs. Councilmember Smith requested an effective date after November 3, 2026 to avoid disrupting the current election season. The motion, with the amended effective date, passed unanimously.

Appointments

• Fire Pension Board of Trustees (Item 26-0727): Mary Beth Holland was appointed to a term from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2030. Unanimous approval.
• Venice Housing Authority (Item 26-0728): Two appointments for terms from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2030.
  • First appointment: Katie D'Aurora was appointed by a vote of 6-1 (Councilmember Smith opposed).
  • Second appointment: Donna Bolt (wife of Vice Mayor Boldt) was appointed by a vote of 6-1 (Councilmember Smith opposed). Council discussion included concerns about cronyism and the need to encourage new applicants, with Councilmember Smith urging the appointment of other qualified residents. Mayor Pachota and Councilmember Frank defended the appointees' service and the difficulty of filling positions.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 2026-24 (Budget Amendment) adopted unanimously.
• Ordinance 2026-27 (Public-Private Partnerships) approved on first reading unanimously.
• Resolution 2026-16 (Affordable Housing Inventory) adopted unanimously.
• Resolution 2026-17 (Personnel Health Insurance) adopted unanimously.
• Mayor's Garden approved unanimously.
• Logo design authorized up to $5,000, unanimously.
• Temporary Sign Code changes approved, effective after November 3, 2026, unanimously.
• Mary Beth Holland appointed to Fire Pension Board unanimously.
• Katie D'Aurora appointed to Venice Housing Authority (6-1).
• Donna Bolt appointed to Venice Housing Authority (6-1).
• Upcoming events: Student Government Day on October 14, Airport Council Workshop on October 15, 9/11 Remembrance at 9 AM on September 11, Venice Main Street Beach Party on September 26, Holiday Parade applications open, and Reggae Nights on October 3.