Venice City Council Meeting - October 27, 2026

The Venice City Council held its regular meeting on October 27, 2026, beginning at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers. The meeting included recognition of community service, public comments, consent agenda approvals, public hearings on zoning and a data center moratorium, new business items including budget amendments and airport-related resolutions, and a discussion of tabled initiatives under Senate Bill 180. The meeting also featured farewell remarks and recognitions for outgoing Mayor Nick Pachota and Council Member Ron Smith, who were both honored for their service.

Recognition

• Mayor's Pillar of the Community Award presented to Roger Effron for his leadership on the Citizen Advisory Board and hurricane response efforts.
• Council Member Ron Smith recognized for his service from 2023 to 2026, including efforts on tax relief, neighborhood protection, and coastal access.
• Mayor Nick Pachota recognized for his seven years on council and four years as mayor, noted for achieving infrastructure projects, home rule advocacy, and community leadership. Vice Mayor Boldt presented the recognition and praised Pachota's foundation for future work.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Chris Smith (Gentleman of Jazz) thanked the city for use of Centennial Park Gazebo for free concerts, highlighting the amenity and support from events staff.
• Madeline Zubeck (homeowner, South Fork of Deertown Gully) formally requested the city expand the $200,000 airport environmental review to include comprehensive physical testing at all outfall locations, deep core sediment sampling, sequential sampling in the connecting canal, actionable remediation recommendations, a biological study for wildlife impacts, a full island-wide traffic micro-simulation, and air sampling for jet exhaust particulates. She submitted a community audit guide.
• Christine Davis (homeowner) submitted a certified lab report showing petroleum hydrocarbons and PAH compounds migrating from the airport through a culvert into Deertown Gully. She argued the city is ultimately responsible as airport owner and called for more testing and mitigation, stating the airport's stormwater treatment claims are not accurate.
• Ronald Ammel (homeowner, Bellaggio on Venice Island) requested council direct airport staff to petition the FAA to change Runway 05's traffic pattern from left to right to reduce noise over neighborhoods, and to expedite the planned remote tower to control departure headings. He expressed support for the airport as an asset.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously: minutes of October 13, 2026 regular meeting; authorization for the Mayor to execute a $150,000 FDEM subaward for a Watershed Master Plan; and approval of a $204,010 WCIND grant agreement for Police Marine Patrol.

Public Hearings

• Ordinance 2026-33 (First Reading) – Rezoning 1936 E Venice Avenue from Sarasota County OUE-1 to City OPI (Office, Professional, Institutional) for Calvary Bible Church. Staff recommended approval, noting the change aligns with existing future land use. One speaker, Mike Rafferty, requested council defer the rezoning and instead direct staff to study a dedicated worship zoning district to protect places of worship. Council discussed the suggestion; motion carried unanimously, with direction to staff to study the idea and bring back a report.
• Ordinance 2026-32 (Final Reading) – Imposing a 12-month moratorium on applications for large-load customer facilities (including large-scale data centers). No public comments. Passed unanimously.

Discussion Items

• Budget Amendment (Ordinance 2026-37) – Increased FY27 budget by $594,929 in revenues and expenditures. Approved unanimously on first reading.
• Resolution 2026-18 – Approved Amendment No. 4 to the FDOT grant for the Venice Municipal Airport Master Plan Update. Unanimous.
• Resolution 2026-20 – Approved Amendment No. 3 to the FDOT grant for design and construction of a General Aviation Terminal Building. Unanimous.
• Resolution 2026-19 was removed by staff prior to the meeting.
• Senate Bill 180 Tabled Initiatives (Item 26-0801) – City Manager Clinch presented a list of five items paused due to SB 180 restrictions. Kelly noted that impact fee increases are not recommended pending litigation in other counties, as two adverse rulings found such increases to be land development regulations subject to the law. Council accepted the list unanimously.
• City Logo (Item 26-0802) – Mayor Pachota proposed adopting a modified centennial logo as the official primary logo, replacing the previous “burden sun” design. Staff will develop implementation guidelines and recommend a phased approach to minimize costs. Council approved the motion unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Zoning Map Amendment (25-56RZ) – Approved on first reading; staff directed to study a dedicated worship zoning district.
• Data Center Moratorium – Adopted unanimously.
• Budget Amendment – Approved on first reading.
• Airport Grant Agreements – Approved.
• SB 180 Tabled Initiatives List – Accepted.
• New Official City Logo – Adopted; staff to prepare updated resolution and implementation plan.
• Farewells – Multiple council members expressed gratitude to outgoing Mayor Pachota and Council Member Smith. The meeting adjourned at approximately noon prior to an executive session.