Council Will Face Significant Decisions This Week
There is no average week for a Council Member or Mayor. Any day new information may need to be processed and action considered or taken. Some recent examples, arising from public concern and not really on a previously determined agenda include:
. A number of houses made with “Chinese drywall” are found in Venice. One example provided by a citizen involved a house purchased for over $600,000--unfit to live in, sold recently for about $80,000. What can we do to help?
.FEMA has prepared maps showing new flood zones. About 800 properties in Venice are affected. While Venice does not control FEMA’s decisions, is there some way we can be of assistance. If houses must be modified our building officials and boards may be involved.
.Such items as requests for events, parades, rock concerts, each require some investigation and decisions, such as not charging for police and fire services for non-profits, reversing a previous Council policy. Is 120 decibels too much for Centennial Park from 6 to 10 p.m.?
BIG WEEK AHEAD
Citizens will find a number of meetings scheduled for January 25-29 may be of interest. Important issues including the future growth plans for the City, the future plans for the Airport and Review and Modification of the City’s Strategic Plan will all be considered and some decisions, not necessarily final ones, will be made.
Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. Comprehensive Plan Workshop
The City is preparing its revisions to the proposed Comprehensive Plan which importantly impacts on the future growth patterns of the City, residential, commercial, industrial, traffic, environment, parks and more.
We will be considering comments made by the State on our plan and clarifying definitions etc. The County has notified us that they support our treatment of the Joint (City and County) Planning Areas. Earlier staff comments had suggested a disconnect which seems not to have occurred on closer review.
Tuesday, 1:30 Regular Council Meeting
We will have a full agenda of important but not major issues, appointments, hearing from outside agencies on plans, etc. Often items such as those I mentioned above arise from the Public Comment period that Council encourages and tries to respond to appropriately.
Wednesday 7:45 a.m. Breakfast with the Mayor and “Mainstreet.” This month we have invited the leadership of the Chamber of Commerce for an informal sharing of ideas and information.
Thursday 1:30 Airport Master plan Workshop
The meeting will update flight data, review the FAA negative reaction to the letter from City Manager and our consultant, DY’s suggesting that a “B” designation of the airport would be in the public interest. Council will decide what next steps to take in the preparation of a submission to the FAA, which we hope to make in the first part of this year.
Friday, 8:00 a.m-5:00 p.m. Strategic Planning Meeting.
This meeting is for Council Members and top staff to review the City’s established priorities for the near and more distant future and make modifications or additions as needed. The meeting is open to the public but active participation is limited to the consultant/expediter, council and staff. Anything discussed is public and may be brought up by citizens in future council meetings during the Public participation which is part of workshops and regular meetings.
ETC.
Council members will be taking part in other meetings as well, government and community events. For example, Monday at 7:55 a.m. I will be with the delightful children of Epiphany School, their parents and teachers, to recognize “Catholic School Week.” Thursday after the Airport Workshop I intend to drop by the Chamber of Commerce, HobNob at 5:30p.m. to keep in touch with the members of the larger community businesses. Other Council members will have similar activities scheduled.
See you around!
Posted By Ed Martin at 9:51 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
