Venice advisory board finalizes hurricane after-action draft, aims for City Council review in June

The City of Venice Citizen Advisory Board on April 21 reviewed draft recommendations compiled from a community hurricane survey and agreed to finalize its report at the board's May meeting, then seek City Council consideration on June 10.

The board's review focused on communications, sandbag distribution, evacuation locations, debris removal, drainage, volunteer mobilization and special-needs outreach. The board voted to continue discussion of the hurricane after-action review at the May meeting; the motion carried by roll call.

The report under development is intended to reflect resident perceptions as well as operational findings. Mr. Clinch (Assistant City Manager) told the board that the city runs its own sandbag operations but coordinates with Sarasota County, and that debris operations following the recent storms required extensive contractor work and, in one measure the city tracked, debris collection took about "52 days." He urged education for residents on how debris collection is scheduled and how to prepare piles so contractor crews can work efficiently.

Board members debated whether recommendations should address items beyond direct city control, such as utility companies and county-run landfill arrangements. The board voted in favor of including resident perceptions so the City Council would have both the community's experiences and the city's operational responses on the record.

On communications,…