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The state of the city
Hizzoner and city manager look at the present and the
future of Venice
Condos on levitating platforms above the clouds with flying cars, glass
elevators, portable beaches, and the end of property taxes -- nope, none of
that, the future is far more banal
-- articles by Mayor Ed Martin and City Manager Marty Black
-- posted to Venice Florida! dot com on 01/15/08
New Year's goals, 2008
New year, new city council, new problems, same city;
seeking out new opportunities while preserving the "brand" that is Venice
-- Ed Martin, Mayor, City of Venice
--
emartin@ci.venice.fl.usGot a comment?
Make
it here.
Welcome to 2008
“New Year’s Resolutions” implies that the attainment is under the
power of the resolution maker—even if most of us fail to fulfill our
resolutions by lack of will, not by the intervention of fate.
I am mindful that achieving public policy goals for the city of Venice is a
team effort, not the province of the Mayor or any one council member. At
least four council members have to agree to set a new course or change an
existing one. Therefore, I am listing some goals that hopefully may find
majority support in 2008 or beyond.
1. Getting a broader perspective on important issues
This process is already underway. Council has had a series of workshops and
well-attended council meetings to encourage more participation by the
public. A Town Hall forum is scheduled for this spring. Informal, open
meetings with the Mayor are also planned.
In an appeal hearing, council unanimously supported the city’s director of
zoning and planning in his determination that short-term rentals were not
permissible in residential, single family neighborhoods. The city relied on
outside counsel and an expert witness in presenting its case before council.
Earlier, the planning commission had voted unanimously in the opposite
direction. It is impossible to know how they might have voted had the city
used outside expertise. Facing major decisions, I hope the council and the
city will seek expert advice on urban planning and other important issues.
A number of citizens have indicated a wish to take part on city boards and
commissions. Throughout the year I will make recommendations to council for
new appointments. Usually a portion of each board completes a three year
term each year. New perspectives mingling with previous experience should
strengthen the advisory process.
2. Preserving and strengthening the identity of Venice
Venice is a “brand” in the corporate sense and it is a successful
brand, attracting residents and visitors. In recent years some individuals
have suggesting changing the mix of ingredients despite its success. I will
recommend that council consider ways to build on our successful model when
considering the comprehensive plan and in new height and design standards.
Some examples of failure to understand this concept have been suggestions to
change the scale of the city, making it higher and more dense and policies
adopted by the planning commission and the city council to introduce new
architectural designs and color patterns replacing the traditional patterns
of the downtown and East Venice Avenue. A recent architectural overlay plan
for Business 41 has “weakened” standards that have been successful in the
city, leading to, as one example, the use of multiple colors on one business
that has drawn negative comment.
The Venice public in the election in March, 2007 approved by 69 percent
allowing Sarasota County to comment on certain aspects of growth in Venice.
In the November election 65 percent expressed the wish that Venice control
its growth carefully and not, as some have put it, “kill the goose that laid
the golden egg.” They asked for new directions in leadership. Utilizing the
experiences of a more varied group of citizens who have had significant
leadership roles in business, law, etc. and as participants in other
communities should help avoid problems of insularity.
3. Seeking out new opportunities for enhancing Venice
Council will have the opportunity to approve two new task forces-
one on economic development and one on the environment. A decision to draft
the specifications of these task forces has already been approved and
council members and city staff are working to flesh out the concepts.
I recommended these task forces not only because of their obvious relevance
for our city, but because, surprisingly, there are no existing city
committees or boards focused primarily on these highly significant issues.
We have already begun discussions with the Economic Development Council of
Sarasota, a non-profit organization that works with communities and
businesses to encourage economic development. EDC has agreed to work with
our task force.
The city will have the opportunity to buy a ten acre parcel of land east of
the restored train station, bordering Hatchett Creek, and replacing the
current cement plant. The Trust for Public Land, also a non-profit agency,
has an option to purchase that property and would like to preserve it as a
park through selling it to the city, the county, or perhaps a combination of
both. There are a number of options for use of this land and plans will be
the subject of future meetings inviting public comment on the purchase, its
terms and the potential uses for the land.
This land, the property at the airport, the Seaboard area east of the
Intracoastal Waterway and the land east of I-75 near Laurel and Border Roads
present just some of the opportunities for sophisticated planning and
ecologically sound economic development that should be part of Venice’s
future.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of goals and as the year progresses
others will be highlighted and considered. With the kind of cooperation that
has been exhibited by council since the election, the enthusiastic support
of citizens and the hard work of the city staff, 2008 should be a good, if
busy, year. |
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New Year's outlook
While Venice faces serious challenges, it is
better positioned than most other cities to handle those challenges
-- Martin Black,
City Manager, City of Venice
--
mblack@ci.venice.fl.us
Steadiness
in the face of uncertainty
As 2008 begins and Venice City Council
prepares for the annual town hall meeting on Feb. 4, we face a time of
uncertainty. Local, regional and state
economic conditions have deteriorated, with impacts felt in every arena.
This year, city tax rates were
reduced by more than 12 percent and the total city budget was reduced by
more than $16 million – an almost 20 percent reduction. Twenty-seven
city jobs were eliminated in the past two years, having an impact on
employees, their families and city services.
On Jan. 29, we will join other
Florida residents to vote on a constitutional amendment that continues
the inequity of current state property taxes, a state policy in which
homes with similar service needs pay wildly different taxes, and
ultimately reduces our ability to equitably provide city services.
We enter 2008 with several
advantages:
1. A master plan framework
established in the joint planning agreement between Venice and Sarasota
County creates a clear picture of future land use, transportation,
utility and environmental priorities in the greater Venice area.
2. The pending completion of the
U.S. 41 Bypass master plan study funded by Sarasota County and Venice.
Preliminary results of the redevelopment plan will be presented at a
joint County Commission and City Council meeting on Feb. 11 at the
Venice Community Center.
3. A renewed commitment to
Envision Venice, the
city’s award winning planning effort. City Council delayed adoption of a
re-write of the comprehensive plan to provide more opportunities to
define neighborhood standards aimed at supporting compatibility of uses
and design. A building height moratorium is under way while City Council
considers its options. Public workshops on long range planning issues
are already set for Jan. 11, Feb. 7 and Feb. 28.
4. An operating cash reserve that
exceeds national standards – city council set a higher threshold to
recognize the potential impacts from hurricanes and other natural
disasters.
5. Funding to complete a passive
Tramonto Vista Park at Venice Beach with public restrooms that also meet
needs at the Paw Park and new beach access and picnic shelters.
Residents, visitors and business
owners are encouraged to reflect on these on-going projects, take
advantage of public sessions and provide City Council with your thoughts
and priorities. Check the city’s website at
www.venicegov.com
for more information.
Venice is a unique and special community – help
retain our community’s identity, character and quality of life. |
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