The West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) began delivering granite rocks from their surplus supply by truck July 15 to Humphris Park at the South Jetty in preparation for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to mobilize temporary repairs. On July 22, the Army Corps began placing rocks on both sides of the Jetty walkway to fill in voids and enhance stability after it was damaged in Hurricane Idalia last year. By July 26, more than 400 tons of rocks were placed. As part of a more extensive restoration project, these repairs will enable the City to repave the walkway with over 6 tons of asphalt and reopen it to the public. The project is expected to take a couple weeks to complete.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers places granite rocks on the South Jetty walkway July 23 to fill in voids and enhance stability following damage from Hurricane Idalia in August 2023.
Mayor Nick Pachota Vice Mayor Jim Boldt
Joan Farrell Rachel Frank
Rick Howard Helen Moore
Ron Smith
Top photo: Rob Faulisi
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Important Phone Numbers
City Hall: 941-486-2626
Code Enforcement: 941-882-7545
Non-emergency police: 941-486-2444
During this work, Humphris Park, Jetty Jack’s concessions and more than half of the parking lot remain open to the public. The Venice Police Department would like to remind citizens that ignoring the “Jetty Closed” signage and going out on the walkway to fish will garner individuals a $75 fine. Please be patient as this important project is completed.
The Army Corps is working on the design of a much larger project to restore the South and North Jetty to their original design specifications. The schedule on this project is not yet determined, but will be an important project to ensure the South Jetty structure maintains its integrity in the future as we continue to experience larger and more intense storm events.
City
Venice Police Chief Charlie Thorpe Venice Fire Rescue Chief Frank Giddens
VPD holds Shop with a Cop
It’s almost time to go back to class, and that means it’s time for Shop with a Cop! For more than 26 years, this annual event has connected Venice Police officers and community members before the start of the new school year
On July 25, our officers supported 18 students with school supplies, new clothes and shoes, gifts for parents and siblings, breakfast and pizza lunch at VPD, and ice cream downtown. What a day!
Along with Sgt. Sean Hammett, who heads up the event for VPD, and Patricia Simmons with The Salvation Army of Sarasota County, a big thank you to all those who made this event possible: Walmart Venice, Big Mike’s Pizza, Venice Avenue Creamery, Detwiler's Farm Market, and Venice FOP Lodge 57. More photos, pages 4-5
Shop with a Cop continued
Shop with a Cop continued
City of Venice Centennial Logo Contest
Contest opened: July 15, 2024
Contest closes: 5 p m , Sept 2, 2024
Submit: Email entries to centennial@venicefl.gov
Criteria: See the design brief at venicegov.com
Calling all creatives! The City of Venice has launched a Centennial Logo Contest to commemorate and celebrate Venice’s upcoming 100-year anniversary, which officially kicks off in November 2025 and runs for 18 months.
The Centennial logo will be featured throughout the numerous Centennial events, at City facilities and on all City-sponsored printed and digital promotional and marketing materials. The City will also allow community partners to use and display the logo as approved through the City’s partnership guidelines.
“One of our most important goals for the upcoming Centennial is to actively involve the Venice community in the process,” said Assistant City Manager James Clinch “This logo contest will be a fun opportunity for citizens to participate directly by submitting their original logo designs and by providing valuable input for the selection of the Venice Centennial logo ”
Submitted logo designs that meet the criteria as outlined in the design brief attached will be put up for public vote in late September, with final adoption by City Council.
The public is encouraged to submit logo designs by 5 p.m. Sept. 2, 2024, to centennial@venicefl.gov.
Read the full design brief here
Mobile Home Park Clubhouse added to Local Historical Register
The City of Venice is pleased to announce another addition to the City's Local Register of Historical Resources. At the July 9 City Council meeting, the Municipal Mobile Home Park Clubhouse was added into the Register as the last remaining structure of the Venice Army Air Base still in its original location.
Clockwise from top left: the Mobile Home Park Clubhouse; the Municipal Mobile Home Park in 1949; some of the original mailboxes; the Mobile Home Park in 1967.
Bill Jervey creates endowment to support VABI
Local philanthropist Bill Jervey has made an endowment through the Gulf Coast Community Foundation to support Venice Area Beautification Inc. (VABI) in honor of Bob Vedder, one of the group’s most dedicated volunteers.
On July 22, Jervey presented a check for the net proceeds from the sale of his Daytona Beach condominium, $242,377, to VABI President David Ingram, the Venice Gondolier reported. Ingram gave the check to GCCF Vice President of Philanthropy Joe Carter, as the foundation will administer the Bob Vedder Beautification Endowment. Interest from the endowment will let VABI continue its work, including maintaining the downtown flower baskets, flower fountains, and other landscaping in perpetuity, Jervey said.
“This is an amazing gift to VABI and honors one of our most dedicated volunteers,” Ingram said.
Jervey said in the Gondolier that his introduction to VABI was seeing Vedder working on the gardens it maintains downtown. Through him, Jervey became an early donor, and he’s been a “great friend” of VABI from then on, he said.
Jervey, second from left, presents a check to fund the Bob Vedder Beautification Endowment at Gulf Coast Community Foundation to Bob Vedder and David Ingram, president of Venice Area Beautification Inc , which will be the beneficiary of the endowment At left is Joe Carter, GCCF vice president of Philanthropy. Photo: Bob Mudge/Venice Gondolier
Check out this article on youth sports and kids’ selfesteem by Venice City Manager Ed Lavallee, pictured at right, that was recently published online in Venice City Lifestyle: The Life-Changing Magic of Little League Baseball
Bill
Meet & Greet planned for new Airport staff
You're invited to meet the newest Venice Municipal Airport staff:
9-11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6
Light refreshments provided
Community Hall at Venice City Hall
401 W Venice Ave
In June, Nick Dumas assumed the Airport Manager position (upgraded from Property and Grants Manager) and Rob Pratt assumed the Community Outreach Manager (a new position approved by City Council).
Nick will act in the capacity of a Deputy Director to assist Aiport Director Mark Cervasvio with Airport administration, while Rob will work with the community, pilots and the FAA to educate about, advocate for, and explore alternatives options for the voluntary noise abatement program already in place and the “Fly Friendly” program.
HURRICANE SEASON
June 1 through Nov. 30
ARE YOU PREPARED?
Did you download the City of Venice Hurricane Guide yet?
This free hurricane guide includes information on how to prepare yourself, your pets, your home and your business; emergency contacts and resources, checklists for building your disaster kit, and more!
S T O R M R E A D Y
UPDATES & ACTIONS
Mote: Area sea turtle nests exceed 2023 season
As of July 27, Mote Marine Laboratory has recorded 4,324 sea turtle nests on Sarasota County beaches, with 584 of those nests in Venice. The majority of the nests are loggerhead sea turtles; 29 are the more rare green sea turtle.
Sea turtles laid 114 nests the week of July 21-27, 2024, according to the most recent data available from Mote, with 15 in Venice. The first documented nest of the season was found in Venice on April 28.
Area sea turtle nests now exceed last year’s total In 2023, Mote documented 4,284 nests, with 775 of those on Venice beaches.
Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program volunteers patrol 35 miles of beaches from Longboat Key to Venice each day of nesting season, May 1-Oct 31 on the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Sea turtles emerge at night and follow dim, natural light to return to the Gulf waters
Artificial lights that shine onto a nesting beach can draw turtle hatchlings away from the water and off the beach, where they have a slim chance of survival, according to information provided by the Sea Turtle Conservancy. These lights can lead them into roads, swimming pools and other danger zones, while causing them to exhaust their energy stores. Beach lights can also scare away females crawling ashore to nest.
Like many of Florida’s coastal communities, the City of Venice has a lighting ordinance requiring residents to turn off beachfront lights during sea turtle nesting season. You should also avoid using flashlights, lanterns or flash photography while on the beach at night. Residents should go out to the beach at night and identify what lights on their property are visible from the beach. If the lights are not needed for safety, simply turn them off. If the lights cannot be turned off, shield, redirect or lower the height of the lights so they are no longer visible from the beach Replace problematic lights with turtle-friendly fixtures designed to direct light where you need it and away from the beach, with red or amber LED bulbs.
The City’s Community Resource Officers will be walking the beachfronts at night to look for any potential lighting violators. Residents and visitors are also reminded to make sure to remove all items such as beach chairs and trash in which sea turtles can become entangled from the beach at night. People should also fill in holes and knock down sand castles to make the beach safer for sea turtles.
If you encounter a nesting turtle or hatchlings on the beach, remain quiet and observe from a distance. Never encourage a turtle to move while nesting or pick up hatchlings that have emerged and are heading for the water Stay away from nests marked with stakes and bright tape
If you see lights shining on Venice beaches during nesting season, call 941-468-7036. If you see a sick, injured or stranded sea turtle in Sarasota County waters, contact Mote Marine Laboratory’s Stranding Investigations Program at 888-345-2335 If you find sea turtle hatchlings that are not on the beach or are headed away from the ocean, call FWC’s hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922)
Get nesting season updates at Mote’s website here.
Loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings emerge from a nest on Venice Beach July 22 in this photo taken by Susan Prisco.
UPDATES & ACTIONS
Venice Police conducts Operation Dry Water
July 4-6, Venice Police Department, along with Sarasota Sheriff’s Office, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), U S Coast Guard, Sarasota Police Department and other neighboring law enforcement partners conducted Operation Dry Water to encourage safe and sober boating
In the evening of July 4, the Venice Police Marine Unit, with assistance from Sea Tow Venice, responded to a boat crash where the male operator had been under the influence of alcohol. The operator hit another vessel before crashing into a private dock, launching the boat and operator over the seawall into a back yard of a property on Laguna Drive. The operator was hospitalized with injuries and the crash is being investigated by FWC. Charges are pending.
Remember, it is illegal and dangerous to operate a boat under the influence.
At right, VPD Master Police Officer Paul Joyce, top, is joined by Craig Marcum with Sea Tow Venice to remove the crashed vessel off land
UPDATES & ACTIONS
July 9 City Council Meeting Recap
Venice City Council took the following actions at their regular July 9 meeting:
Approved on Consent Agenda:
City Clerk: Set the Dates for the Public Hearings on Millage and Budget for 5:01 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10 and Sept. 24, 2024, and Set the Preliminary Operating Millage Rate at 3.9041 Mills and the Debt Service Millage Rate at 0.3632 Mills for Fiscal Year Ending 2025.
Airport: Request to Apply and Receive Federal Grant Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) for the Construction of the Airport Administration/ Terminal Building in the Amount of $950,000.
Lease Agreement Between the City of Venice and Blue Skies Unlimited, LLC for the Construction of an Aircraft Hangar.
Approved 6-1 (Council Member Farrell dissenting): Authorize the Mayor to Execute the City of Venice Consent for Use of Impact Fees for Laurel Road Widening Project.
5-Year Service Award
Christina Rimes, CRS Coordinator in Engineering, receives her 10-year service award and pin during the July 9 City Council meeting from City Manager Ed Lavallee and Mayor Nick Pachota, as City Engineer Kathleen Weeden looks on.
Approved 7-0 on Final Reading: Ordinance 2024-13 of the City of Venice, Providing for Placement of the Structure Known as the Municipal Mobile Home Park Clubhouse Located at 780 Firenze Ave. E. on the Local Register of Historical Resources Pursuant to Chapter 87, Historic and Architectural Preservation, Section 7.7, Local Register and Landmarks, of the City of Venice Code of Ordinances; Providing for Conflicts; and Providing for Severability.
Watch the complete July 9 Council meeting here Venice City Council meets in chambers at City Hall, 401 W. Venice Ave., at 9 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month Council meeting minutes and audio and video recordings are typically available within 48 hours of each meeting date. City Council is currently on break through August, resuming Aug. 27, 2024.
National Health Center Week Proclamation
Mayor Pachota recognizes the week of Aug. 4-10, 2024, as National Health Center Week with a proclamation presented to CenterPlace Health CEO Kari Ellingstad and her staff during the July 9 Council meeting
July 9 Council Meeting Recap continued
Approved 7-0 on Final Reading: Ordinance 2024-14 Amending City of Venice Ordinance No. 2023-34, as Previously Amended, Which Adopted the Official Budget of the City of Venice for the Fiscal Year Beginning Oct. 1, 2023 and Ending Sept. 30, 2024; by Increasing the Total Revenue by $1,600,000 and Total Expenditures by $1,600,000.
Approved 7-0 on First Reading: Ordinance 2024-17 Amending City of Venice Ordinance No. 2023-34, as Previously Amended, Which Adopted the Official Budget of the City of Venice for the Fiscal Year Beginning Oct. 1, 2023 and Ending Sept. 30, 2024; by Increasing the Total Revenue by $778,083 and Total Expenditures by $778,083.
In Other Action, Council Voted To: Direct staff to work with special counsel to refine the PUD Amendment document presented July 9 with Council feedback and return with a more complete document.
Accept the Citizen Advisory Board's recommendation and approve placement of a circus mural on a City wall located at 780 S. Tamiami Trail.
Accept the Citizen Advisory Board's recommendation and approve placement of a Girl with Butterflies Statue and other interpretive elements in Centennial Park.
Maintain the standard that the Mayor reserve the privilege to maintain the Mayor's Pillar of the Community Award.
2023 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report available
Drinking water quality is essential to our beautiful community and the region. The City’s Utilities Department is committed to meeting state and federal water quality standards
Utilities Director Javier Vargas is pleased to report that the 2023 Water Quality Report highlights the performance of the City’s drinking water systems and the work of our water professionals in delivering some of the nation’s best drinking water. Read the report here.
“Together, we remain committed to protecting public health and maintaining open communication with the public about our drinking water,” Vargas said
The City’s drinking water source is from wells which draw from the intermediate aquifer This brackish water is pumped to the treatment plant where it is treated using the reverse-osmosis process The water is then run through the aeration process to remove hydrogen sulfide. Chlorine is added as a disinfectant. This process is continuously monitored and adjusted as needed by plant operators who are certified by the State of Florida The final product is delivered to the residents, businesses, and visitors located within the City of Venice
UPDATES & ACTIONS
City of Venice 2024 election and candidate information
ELECTION FOR VENICE CITY COUNCIL SEATS 3 AND 4 (NOV. 5, 2024)
The election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Seats 3 and 4 incumbent office holders are Helen Moore and Jim Boldt, respectively. Voting for these seats is open only to registered voters residing within Venice City limits. For additional information concerning elections, visit the Election page on the City website.
CANDIDATE INFORMATION
Candidates for City Council must be residents who have been registered to vote in the City of Venice for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the first day of qualifying, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, at noon. The deadline to file qualifying paperwork is no later than noon on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. The term of office for Venice City Council is three years and current term limits provide that members may serve no more than three consecutive elected terms. For information on running for Venice City Council, visit the Candidates for Municipal Office page on the City website or contact City Clerk Kelly Michaels at 941-882-7390.
South Lake Ct. sewer project starts Aug. 5
The City of Venice Utilities Department is having a sanitary sewer manhole replaced by contractors. The manhole is located in the 1100 block area of South Lake Court off Pinebrook Road. (See map at right.)
The work is expected to start on Monday, Aug 5 and should be complete within a few weeks. Residents should expect large machinery and equipment as well as a partial road closure in the immediate area of the manhole replacement. Your patience is appreciated as this project is completed.
UTILITIES UPDATE:
Water Treatment Plant Supply Well RO-8E
Work scheduled for August 2024: Onsite:
Install 12-inch raw water main and fiber-optic conduit from the wellhead to the Pinebrook Road right-of-way. Install 16-inch raw water main and fiber-optic conduit along the west side of Pinebrook Road, from Kilpatrick Road north to the well site. Restoration of roadway pavement, curb and gutter, sidewalk, sod, and all other restoration applicable to the project work areas.
During the work, the west (southbound) lane of Pinebrook Road and the adjacent sidewalk will be closed between Kilpatrick Road and Healthcare Way (Sarasota Memorial Hospital).
Heavy equipment will be near and in the road right-ofway. Please drive slowly, use caution, and watch out for workers. Motorists are to follow posted traffic signs.
Project background: The City currently operates 14 wells that supply raw water to the Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant (WTP). Use of the wells are rotated about every week and about half the wells are in service at any given time depending on the water demands Over time, wells must be taken off-line for extensive rehabilitation to recover the original production capacity The City’s permit to withdraw water from the aquifer includes the addition of one well. This project also includes 12- and 16-inch raw water transmission mains and a generator. Construction of the new well affords greater reliability and operational flexibility in meeting the future water demands of the City.
Funding: A substantial portion of this project is funded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan Program.
For more information, visit venicegov.com/government/utilities/projects
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Reporting City issues just a few clicks away
The City’s SeeClickFix platform, Venice Connect, allows citizens to report quality-of-life issues such as potholes, roadside junk and tall grass and request City services. With free SeeClickFix mobile app and web tools, citizens are able to provide City staff with pictures, videos, specific descriptions and more valuable information needed to get the job done efficiently In addition, the SeeClickFix platform provides City officials with a centralized issue management system to manage issues from creation to resolution, engaging citizens throughout the process.
Use SeeClickFix to request assistance with City of Venice services or report problems, such as potholes, streetlights that are out, broken sidewalks, stormdrain issues, traffic signal/sign problems, code violations, etc Venice Connect will acknowledge newly submitted issues and forward them to the appropriate departments to take care of the requests. Users will receive email updates and can come back here to check the status of submitted issues. When the issue is resolved, the issue can be closed Separate issues should be submitted as separate SeeClickFix reports
Note: Please make sure that the address you are providing is the location of the issue being reported.
Those with general questions concerning the City and its policies should call 941-486-2626 Enforcement issues of an emergency nature such as excessive noise, homeless concerns, or dog owners not following the rules at the Paw Park, should be reported directly to the Venice Police Department by calling 911 to be dealt with in real-time. VPD’s non-emergency number is 941-486-2444. After-hours Utilities emergencies can be reported at 941-486-2770.
For more information on using SeeClickFix, call 941-882-7401 or visit venicegov.com.
Hurricane season is well underway! Have you signed up for Alert Sarasota County yet?
Sarasota County’s mass-notification system, Alert Sarasota County, is hosted by Everbridge as part of a partnership with the state of Florida and the cities of Venice, Sarasota, North Port and the Town of Longboat Key. Alert Sarasota County, which replaced the CodeRED notification system, is used to communicate public health and safety topics affecting residents Available alerts in the City of Venice include severe weather such as hurricanes and tropical storms, police and fire incidents, temporary road closures and construction, hazardous spills, water outages and boil water notices, flooding, power outages and red tide Hurricane season runs from June 1-Nov 30 in Florida Users can choose the types of alerts and how to receive them when registering their new account. These options can be changed at any time. Users can sign up for alerts by registering with their home address. County and municipality alerts can differ Visit alertsarasotacounty.com or scan the QR code at right to register
Alert Sarasota County can send alerts to users via landline phone, cell phone, text message, email, TDD/TTY, or a combination of these methods
Fertilizer Restricted Season is June 1-Sept. 30. No to N: Fertilizers containing nitrogen and phosphorous are prohibited in the summer. Instead, Pump Iron: Use products containing iron and micronutrients to stay green in the summer Pick the correct fertilizer for your yard and make your own weed killer
There are no restrictions on reclaimed water, but conserve it as much as possible
S U M M E R S A F E T Y
Looking for more to do?
Visit the City’s 35 parks
Bicycle around Venice island
Stop by the Venice Museum
Fish off the Venice Fishing Pier
View the City’s Event calendar
Join a City Advisory Board
Volunteer with VABI
Christmas Boat Parade - Saturday, Dec. 2 Rides are paused until Fall 2024
Find more events with community partners:
Venice Area Chamber of Commerce
Venice Art Center
Venice Community Center
Venice Performing Arts Center
Venice MainStreet Inc.
Venice Symphony
Venice Theatre
Visit Sarasota County
Sarasota County Government
Counting Down!
First day of Sarasota County SchoolsMonday, Aug. 12
Election Day - Tuesday, Nov. 5
Venice Holiday Parade - Saturday, Nov. 30
Envirorace 5K
The only 5K race down downtown Venice Avenue takes place 7:30 a.m., Sunday, Sept 15 featuring 2 loops down the famous canopy tree-lined road. Enviroracing Inc raises environmental awareness in the running community to promote a "less waste" environmental responsibility with event hosting. No single-use plastic water bottles and no plastic goodie bags or other items that end up in the landfill. Bins will be onsite to collect unwanted race medals, race bibs and athletics shoes.
Hosted by Enviroracing Inc., registration is required.
Save the date! Sun Fiesta returns to Centennial Park Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 18, 19 and 20, with music, food, vendors and more. Don’t miss out on the bed races down Venice Avenue that Saturday morning!
Hosted by
the Women’s Sertoma Club of Venice.
Sun Fiesta
City’s fireworks show a booming success
The City of Venice annual July 4 fireworks show lit up the sky on Independence Day The nearly 25-minute show was sponsored in part by Visit Sarasota County.
Venice Police, top left: Korey Shope, Sam Montes, Kade Reyher, Ryan Keogh, Andrew Nelson, Sean Hammett, Issac Murray, Fred Theisen, Ben Nelson, Josh Rowell, Rachel Richardson, Louis White, Rhett Dinka, Rob Goodson. Top middle: VPD Marine Unit Top right: VPD Sgt Sean Hammett.
Venice Fire Rescue, center left: Marty Dover, Phil Castellano, Ruth Ann Unruh, Chris Ripo. Center right: VFR Marine Unit
Bottom left: Fireworks are shot off from the Humphris Park/South Jetty parking lot. Bottom center: Pyrotecnico technicians prepare to launch Bottom right: Aerial of Snake Island and the Jetties July 4 by Venice Aerial Photography.
It's a dirty job ... and we're sure glad we have our City pros on hand to do it! Brian Bettenhausen, Danny Self and Wayne Ball with Utilities remove and replace a pump at Lift Station 5 near Higel Marine Park July 22.
At left, citizens were happy to see our “neigh-bors” from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol along Harbor Drive July 12. At right, Deputy City Clerk Toni Cone headed up a recent City Hall collection of items for the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
AROUND TOWN
Chris Somers and Lad Trcak with Public Works are continuing repairs and replacements of decorative street lighting around the downtown area July 16.
On July 23, a citizen reported an obstructed stop sign at Apalachicola Rd. and Park Blvd. N. through the City's SeeClickFix issue management system. VPD Community Resource Officer Willie Acosta arrived to investigate the complaint and found a stop sign obstructed by vegetation, not able to be seen by drivers. An emergency request was made through Public Works. The dangerous situation was corrected, and the sign was moved over to its proper location.
Josh King with Public Works performs landscaping maintenance outside City Hall on July 17.
