[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6553733,"mediaKeyId","5065836-4e5630917dcd4505669f81d86af38b64","parentId",5065836,"title","Council accepts donated metal roof for Centennial Park restrooms; member urges procurement clarity","audioSeconds",184,"startMs",3565000,"endMs",3749000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065836-4e5630917dcd4505669f81d86af38b64&start=3565&end=3749","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065836-4e5630917dcd4505669f81d86af38b64/thumbnail_3565000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6553733/Venice/Sarasota-County/Florida/Council-accepts-donated-metal-roof-for-Centennial-Park-restrooms-member-urges-procurement-clarity","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553733-de15dce203ef7911377b6ce1a4955ba1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771215818&Signature=Op548FEUvFW6Zgmbl5D~MrBFQH87wFQ2NaQYmPOcKUzy0NOuy1wfj761Ia2uMiETgJuL6KPsXOjOkeAgxAP3JojZ~4YOsIfXIZ1iOJmPU4zkgM7funMgBb4-2JN50aQLX9f0x0IuCAy7XLIGaH9fKFZS-X8rogN2sWRRwhocACxM2CVghrzwYHjCAA4dxH6UD9bdcgVLivf0frdhxMnrWmqeX0-aYry30eJYf0yeq-ZbeiFJGCnA61p01ly-fP65wiHZvFDMPWChD5crXZt1YpYyR55lRAHoEs6fBwlXrcvilJtJTFfmCm878JfDq2VSH3ZHtxkZnFqSH38SwMbztw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Venice","date","2025-06-24T00:00:00Z","article","The City Council unanimously accepted a donation to replace the Centennial Park restroom roof from Modern Metal Roofing at its June 24 meeting.

Ricky Simpson, director of public works and asset management, presented the proposal and described the donated product as a hardened metal barrel tile selected for improved durability, resistance to hail and wind uplift, and performance in salt air. Simpson said the city has transitioned new construction to similar metal systems and cited reduced repair needs after earlier installations.

Council member Howard moved to accept the donation, noting a long-standing relationship with the company’s owner and praising the public‑private partnership. The motion was seconded by Council member Engelke and passed unanimously.

Council member Lloyd Weed read aloud a sentence from the donor’s offer noting the donation was “considerable” and that the company hoped the city would “reach out to our company for future roofing needs.” Weed requested clarity that accepting the donation would not alter the city’s procurement and competitive‑bidding requirements. Mayor and staff noted the city’s procurement policy remains in effect; the acceptance did not change procurement rules.

Why it matters: the donation reduces the city’s capital cost for improving park infrastructure and illustrates private support for local facility resilience. Staff said the metal tile product is a heavier gauge (24 gauge) than earlier materials used and is expected to be more uplift‑resistant.

Next steps: staff will proceed with accepting the gift and installing the replacement roof at Centennial Park’s restrooms. No procurement waiver or future contract award was authorized at the council meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Venice - City Council on 2025-06-24 9:00 AM - Jun 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council unanimously accepted a donation from Modern Metal Roofing to replace Centennial Park restroom roofs, while a council member asked the city to ensure future procurement remains competitive and free of perceived favoritism.","taxTitle","Venice, Sarasota County, Florida","taxId",56285,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6553737,"Citizens Advisory Board presents 41 recommendations after Venice hurricane season review",1144,2380000,3524000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065836-4e5630917dcd4505669f81d86af38b64&start=2380&end=3524","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065836-4e5630917dcd4505669f81d86af38b64/thumbnail_2380000.jpg","/articles/6553737/Venice/Sarasota-County/Florida/Citizens-Advisory-Board-presents-41-recommendations-after-Venice-hurricane-season-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553737-80a9a8d68a889a383470cc0150f1d3d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771215818&Signature=HQFhh6GN6YqfnVN2GjJtXLjKZpwzJA8FP2bJIOZpcMerUxKo6RgPYAhGcK8rz2R-esCY1jk8NPGPZYqb83jZHEp-tYCLBdqmAwMYQAdy1Ejho2r-Q1UH70xE1Oq6dC0V74RoOLM6m9xyjd0EfNatFd3EufWzpDw6mjHX0pdnsjn0hEIU8rT7tOaqEG0nI49mvZcApAvDlXYdPZpuFkCVDkFtCGazy3q1~dp0-~kaQJwdnPjYyJOEJfh06N8cBd~bTE~-qUAAL-7h1F9vfiLfqpoRmNHfNu6Q5WeuyPgL-imejYITak87zg-bb9XYSbbh3KgRCFi8r8avKZ9YCZDVxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Citizens Advisory Board presented its hurricane after‑action review to the City Council on June 24, summarizing resident feedback gathered through an online survey, public meetings and stakeholder outreach and offering 41 recommendations across 10 issue areas.

The board reported 880 survey responses and said nearly three‑quarters of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with the city’s hurricane response. Board chair Roger Efron said the group conducted a broad review and “felt we could do the job” despite procedural limits from the Sunshine Law; he praised the staff and volunteers who supported the effort. Doctor Davis, who led the report, said the aim was to capture residents’ experiences and make actionable recommendations for future storms.

Key findings and recommendations: the CAB highlighted that city messaging, while often informative, did not reach all residents during outages or among those with special needs; sandbag distribution worked but was slow and frustrating for many; evacuation assistance and routes require more support for vulnerable residents; debris removal and drainage were major concerns tied to flooding and recovery delays; and the building permit process hampered timely recovery. The board urged better use of volunteers, a centralized hurricane resource location, and expanded outreach to tourists and visitors.

Several CAB recommendations have already been folded into the city manager’s hurricane after‑action review, the board said. Davis noted the city has initiated watershed studies for flooded areas such as Flamingo Ditch and is addressing permit‑process improvements. The CAB emphasized coordination with county efforts and recommended development of maps, timelines and centralized information so residents better understand debris removal and recovery sequencing.

Why it matters: the report represents a resident‑centered assessment of emergency preparedness and recovery and offers near‑term and structural suggestions for improving resilience and response. The board framed volunteer coordination and targeted assistance for elderly and disabled residents as priorities.

Next steps: the full CAB report and two addenda were made available with the meeting agenda; the council will consider the findings alongside the city’s own after‑action review and ongoing watershed and permitting work.

","A Citizens Advisory Board report on the 2024 hurricane season found general satisfaction with the city’s response but recommended 41 actions across communications, sandbag distribution, evacuation assistance, drainage, debris removal and support for residents with special needs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6553742,"Venice council approves rezoning for two parcels in island neighborhood over resident objections",407,1325000,1732000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065836-4e5630917dcd4505669f81d86af38b64&start=1325&end=1732","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065836-4e5630917dcd4505669f81d86af38b64/thumbnail_1325000.jpg","/articles/6553742/Venice/Sarasota-County/Florida/Venice-council-approves-rezoning-for-two-parcels-in-island-neighborhood-over-resident-objections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553742-5274b5b3330e39a28271e7a8e6b92981/orig.mp4?Expires=1771215818&Signature=O6WRAlcrKRC4dEEUbw2be6Vog3N-ADSjn1EaMOQrtsmxkhyVmC56zQR~eZUKtl4mz0g~bnbu359z1uM5mCOtkOuHqYWasC3C1qsy3fgd1RUjrTT9WgFfVL7CFle~i~MQ4j2AQh-EFy9DQCJ-QwNDQvcRlb8NVwo1E9L5NYbCCVHzpXZJx9Ogan7VwF4ppSXlTqg8ZSMUZlVfd-8BiQeUIgjwPErn3XJlrKsDJ6kANrhqFqDVlK3eF0GS6gYpI1ebAn4SkSgM2iRSoxHsP7SP1KkyseKecaFTJxMxJU8cfZsZEz0cZr0zSj9s9fX2dyMxjNI78Zc9-xrwzImMX3ubUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Venice City Council voted 5-1 on June 24 to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-20, amending the official zoning atlas to change the zoning for properties at 225 Park Boulevard South and 528 Menendez Street from Residential Multifamily-4 to Residential Single Family.

The rezoning drew public comment from residents with different perspectives. Donald O’Connell, a long-time Venice resident and property owner in the historic apartment district, described the area’s original intent as workforce housing and said zoning changes since the 1950s had reduced density and made new rental housing effectively impossible in the district. He warned the current rules have “made it impossible to build new rental housing in the district.” Marguerite Delver, speaking in favor of the applicant’s request, argued that restoring single-family rights would preserve neighborhood character and restore property rights she said had been “abruptly taken” from the Borah family.

The council opened a quasi-judicial public hearing on the ordinance after the clerk read the title and received no ex parte disclosures or written communications on the item. Council member Engelking moved adoption “based on the evidence in the record,” and Council member Howard seconded. Council member Smith said he opposed the change and repeated concerns he had voiced earlier; the motion passed 5 to 1.

Why it matters: the action changes long-term development rights for the two parcels and signals the council’s willingness to adjust zoning designations in island neighborhoods. Supporters said the change restores an owner’s ability to build single-family homes in the future; opponents said it undermines the historic apartment district and reduces supply of smaller rental units.

Council action and next steps: the ordinance was adopted at second reading and becomes effective per the terms in the ordinance. No additional staff responses or applicant rebuttals were recorded in the hearing record. The council did not identify a timeline for any redevelopment of the parcels.

Community context: speakers framed the issue around the city’s historic “John Nolan” apartment district, changes in density limits adopted in the 1970s, and long-standing local concerns about maintaining affordable/workforce housing in the island neighborhood.

","The City Council approved an ordinance changing two properties from multifamily to single-family zoning after a public hearing that drew neighborhood comments and a 5-1 council vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council accepts donated metal roof for Centennial Park restrooms; member urges procurement clarity

Citizens Advisory Board presents 41 recommendations after Venice hurricane season review

Venice council approves rezoning for two parcels in island neighborhood over resident objections