[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6615528,"mediaKeyId","2863867-7ee6c0c247490a1cf9baa38ef93667d6","parentId",2863867,"title","Golden Beach residents press council for Flamingo Ditch fixes; staff says consultant will pursue grants and emergency maintenance","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",7289000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2863867-7ee6c0c247490a1cf9baa38ef93667d6&start=7289&end=7289","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2863867-7ee6c0c247490a1cf9baa38ef93667d6/thumbnail_7289000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6615528/Venice/Sarasota-County/Florida/Golden-Beach-residents-press-council-for-Flamingo-Ditch-fixes-staff-says-consultant-will-pursue-grants-and-emergency-maintenance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6615528-fe9c424a2ba3629d3cf5e6e1daf03073/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143782&Signature=ofpxBITwdodmru6U73schZYDVZTtJ6pFAuKkWnS59ACyNhC~FOScXMd0oHgSw3jlxGVMaXHj-ao0JpvsHY7UMtKC9zoDcEEhM5u4fZbJjpVeHZDWdWbbHf7SYtMgl0fL1pad-CGhJUSSd~4X8LTZ9ox19OXWgvGL-NIA5P9i9cLjFeQH7aQ89DQVTGbIY65VWJ8VwCCNbK4tfGhOd84YAzxRuvyPYskJb7xukzMSAh7YLh6zbViCnI1mHAl9Kv~gqM0YKdPW0g16YtT0WnUMfH9CVNOD-LikyYcNfvxm3Pa6VSaS9EfrCHmRYBNWGJnFYjy83tk57i7XvJ4w~FNkIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Venice","date","2025-04-03T00:00:00Z","article","Residents and councilmembers pressed the city to prioritize Flamingo Ditch/Golden Beach drainage work during the CIP workshop. Residents said repeated flooding after recent storms has created anxiety and urged more direct, visible action from city leaders. Israel Salinas, a Flamingo Ditch resident, asked for a public forum: “We feel a little more relief that city council is telling us this is a priority… The other comment… is that I think a lot of the stress and anxiety… would be helpful is if city council made a motion next week to have a town hall meeting on this subject.”

Councilmembers recapped technical work under way. City Council members confirmed the city hired Coastal Protection Engineering (CPE) to analyze options. Acting City Engineer John Kramer said staff did not include a Flamingo Ditch CIP project in the current book because there is not yet a defined project scope and budget; “The capital improvement plan is intended for capital projects that have a defined scope and budget,” Kramer told council. Staff and council discussed a two‑track approach: immediate emergency maintenance and outfall work to reduce flood risk for the coming hurricane season, and longer‑term capital solutions that will require permitting and likely federal/state grant funding.

Staff said the city is preparing to list Flamingo Ditch on the Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) so the project will be eligible for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds; engineering indicated a presentation and related LMS action would appear on the April agenda and that Coastal Protection Engineering planned to return with a set of recommended options in June. Councilman Smith urged heightened priority for the grant‑writing and application effort, warning that some federal programs are first‑come, first‑served.

Council discussion balanced urgency with caution. Several councilmembers agreed to pursue emergency maintenance contracts and to use consultants to prepare grant applications; they also emphasized the need for clear resident communication about timing, scope and funding sources. Councilwoman Farrell noted the difference between temporary maintenance and a capital obligation and emphasized that residents paying stormwater fees expect municipal action.

Public comment: two Flamingo Ditch residents and a representative of Venice Thrives asked for town halls and clearer communication on the timeline and grant pursuit. Staff said emergency contracts to keep the outfalls open and maintain drainage are being readied for the coming hurricane season; large capital projects would follow once the consultant provides defined scope and cost estimates.

Ending: Staff will advance LMS listing and follow up on FEMA hazard mitigation options, provide emergency maintenance contracts for the short term and return with defined capital options and grant‑application support in June.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Venice - City Council on 2025-04-03 9:00 AM - Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Workshop - Apr 03, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Residents of Flamingo Ditch and Golden Beach urged the council to add a drainage project to the CIP and to accelerate work before hurricane season. Staff said Coastal Protection Engineering will present options and that the city will pursue inclusion on the Local Mitigation Strategy to become eligible for FEMA hazard mitigation funding.","taxTitle","Venice, Sarasota County, Florida","taxId",56285,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6615533,"Venice seeks portable impact‑rated vehicle barriers for events amid security concerns",298,770000,1068000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2863867-7ee6c0c247490a1cf9baa38ef93667d6&start=770&end=1068","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2863867-7ee6c0c247490a1cf9baa38ef93667d6/thumbnail_770000.jpg","/articles/6615533/Venice/Sarasota-County/Florida/Venice-seeks-portable-impactrated-vehicle-barriers-for-events-amid-security-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6615533-9c2053d4922afd41480f4abc380e4ca5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143782&Signature=Lisd59s7pYHH5ikg9URue2~F23ff-wo3cgV7mmmUoRSaYJYV61KkEBGUdqsR9Ri5J4g4oNDKLFhBrXc1fmrHqSuN82iV5ukCPCWmzbD-oDcpJNBvl--TXrm6SkaVgJXcSWzd1xctbJinPAEIh8w3t~U11a4VZA8VPLvPQe-emB91n3vdnA9p2rvWvPekXVHDYl8hiqSKt8ZyHrf-3PaiurE7j1SvcSipJbhEXmH-nRO9XCI47xL2MrrvZooo2sYBKZstRacHrIkch8WX6twiVFNhDObh1GyHIC2Cru6AFNZz3bI7EQqktH~-X-HTNYXdzf9LYpOTKS~YiPVjXd-Dww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Venice is proposing a $100,000 purchase of impact‑rated, portable vehicle barriers as part of its capital improvement plan for special events and public safety. Assistant City Manager James Clinch told council the change was prompted by heavier crowds at longstanding events and growing security concerns: “Over the last five years… our special events have been extremely popular… We found events… getting stretched beyond their capacity in terms of space, in terms of services… and especially in terms of public safety needs.”

Brie Anne (event safety coordinator) described the units as an industry progression from lightweight A‑frame barricades to hardened, impact‑rated systems. “If the vehicle approaches the unit, your undercarriage of your vehicle will get caught on those front prongs. It will tip the whole unit forward and actually lift the front of your vehicle off the ground. So it will fully stop a vehicle,” she said, offering to provide demonstration videos used in vendor testing. Staff said the units are mobile, can be branded for events, and vendors provide training and quarterly servicing options.

Council discussed alternatives (concrete or water‑filled Jersey barriers) and staff said those are typically used for long‑term lane control and often require heavy equipment to move. Brie Anne said the portable impact units avoid roadway damage and are easier for event organizers to deploy weekly at farmers markets and festivals. Staff indicated they will pursue grant opportunities to offset the $100,000 estimate and seek a collaborative deployment model with event holders and city staff.

Councilmember feedback was supportive but inquisitive: members asked about test results, durability and training. The city said vendor training and periodic servicing are part of the purchase conversation. No formal procurement or appropriation was approved at the workshop; the proposal was presented as a CIP request to be considered in FY26 planning and during subsequent budget workshops.

Ending: Staff will return with procurement details, vendor training options and any available grant matches if council elects to move the item forward in the final FY26 budget.","City staff proposed $100,000 to buy impact‑rated vehicle mitigation units for special events; presenters said the units are designed to stop vehicles and are more mobile and visually compatible than trucks or concrete Jersey barriers.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6615538,"Venice council reviews five‑year CIP; members press to prioritize beach parking, jetty funding and stormwater work",1665,179000,1844000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2863867-7ee6c0c247490a1cf9baa38ef93667d6&start=179&end=1844","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2863867-7ee6c0c247490a1cf9baa38ef93667d6/thumbnail_179000.jpg","/articles/6615538/Venice/Sarasota-County/Florida/Venice-council-reviews-fiveyear-CIP-members-press-to-prioritize-beach-parking-jetty-funding-and-stormwater-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6615538-a43218d0c892f197ef8c632ff7f5f967/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143782&Signature=dm40tn9YILG73tfatUZ6Sntpa9IFp60VgnnpgD~~1yWeCvyOUTEjSRFuqhfyoEx~T2k0v1CM3-ZE6XTnJTIxv7cUr~LBWOVFsJq8-jj90Ntpf4gYyKT6b6UJzTf4BXmz008o-gKeUuZMn3eoKcLteIkf0jIcjYI03j6v3VuxzaNbNx61lOVL~owYtBl6RVaFQkbdK6hh8zkBMnHwK1v62Lv0zYtyl1la-5MSWINAhAeE5pCmGMGE~FOqpDrdzHnEK11Em8yzTUSqOi66fQu1sBaHIhDtcTm~zB~zkGLHz8SfQKcZssl-VMAa8H2C4geVIlgbG91JspVSXkJz94Ov4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Venice City Council met for a capital improvement plan (CIP) workshop focused on a five‑year list of proposed capital projects and funding sources. Finance Director Linda Seni told the council the CIP is an early, nonbinding, strategic planning step: “This is a fluid, moving document. So I just wanna make sure that's not binding at this point.”

Council members and staff front‑loaded discussion around several items that councilmembers said should be priorities or re‑scoped: additional parking near South Brochard/Caspersen Beach, design funding for the Well Field Park interlocal agreement, storm damage repairs at Humphreys Park/South Jetty and airport, fleet and fire apparatus procurements, and several smaller public‑safety and amenities projects. Several councilmembers urged shifting some projects out of the general fund and using the city's one‑cent sales tax or outside grants where appropriate.

The council was shown a color‑coded CIP book. Councilman Smith praised the visual coding and urged caution at the number of new items appearing in the near term: “As a general rule, projects should progress through the CIP, first appearing five years out… then moving up until they finally eventually reach the next year column.” Smith and others noted many new “red” entries — projects appearing for the first time in FY26 — and asked staff to identify which items could be deferred to ease pressure on next year’s operating budget, particularly given expected union negotiations and staffing needs. Seni said projects can be moved between years and that council can add items up to adoption in September.

Funding choices surfaced repeatedly. Councilwoman Frank asked whether the Broward Park/South Brochard additional beach parking could be moved into the current fiscal year; Seni said the item could be funded from the general fund or reallocated to the one‑cent sales tax (which has been held for Fire Station 2 and a fleet maintenance facility). Council members discussed the possibility of Tourist Development Council (TDC) or other tourism‑related funds for beach and jetty projects but staff said the city had not formally requested TDC money for the Broward Park parking project.

Well Field Park: Seni said the CIP includes a $5 million contribution in FY26 tied to an interlocal agreement; subsequent years show $1 million per year over 15 years (a total program figure recorded in the CIP materials). Council members agreed the funding source is general fund reserves as presented, and Seni said that the $5 million was already earmarked in quarterly reserve reports.

South Jetty / Humphreys Park: the council discussed two Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) restoration models and the uncertain federal timeline. Acting City Engineer John Kramer told council the city lacks detailed federal project timing; design and construction sequencing depend on the Army Corps. Multiple council members favored moving the city’s local design funding back one year to avoid spending on work that might be undone by a future Corps project. Kramer agreed that delaying design by a year was appropriate given uncertainty.

Parks and playgrounds: Public Works Director Rick Simpson told council that some playground surfaces — notably at Legacy Park — deteriorated faster than expected because of new surface materials and storm damage, creating a safety concern. Simpson described the replacements as necessary to meet safety standards. Several councillors said they want staff to justify “end of useful life” designations given the large number of asset replacements showing up at once; Simpson said a 2025 facility condition assessment is nearly complete and will update prior 2017 data.

Public safety, EMS and fleet items: Fire Chief Frank Giddens described an EMS inventory control vending machine (electronic, climate‑controlled cabinet) as an accountability and waste‑reduction tool; he said it would improve tracking of controlled medications and help avoid expired supplies. He noted an estimated purchase cost above $30,000. Council also reviewed planned pre‑orders for a ladder truck and fire engine (procurements that lock in pricing but often arrive years later). City Manager LaValley told the council a prior multi‑year effort had restored the fleet replacement fund and that the city now budgets vehicle replacements in a structured way.

Other CIP notes: staff described a proposed $100,000 allocation for portable, impact‑rated vehicle barriers (for special events), a $115,000 project to make the city website ADA‑compliant, a $10,000 awning for the marine patrol building, and a $70,000 line listed as equipment for “ostrich rescue” (entered by department as presented). The council asked department heads to be ready with clarifications on urgency before final budget decisions.

Next steps: Seni said the CIP book is a working document and will be refined before June budget workshops and final adoption in September; projects can be added, moved earlier with budget amendments, or delayed. Councilmembers asked staff to present clearer funding recommendations for items they want accelerated (notably beach parking and certain park repairs) and to provide follow‑up details on grant opportunities for large coastal projects.

Ending: The workshop continued into topic‑specific presentations (airport, utility, stormwater and fleet funds) and concluded with audience participation, where residents asked for additional public outreach on stormwater and dredging concerns. The city emphasized the CIP is not an immediate appropriation but the first public step in setting priorities for FY26 and beyond.","At a capital improvement plan workshop, finance staff presented a five‑year, fluid CIP book with many new FY26 requests. Councilmembers pressed to accelerate some projects (beach parking, Broward Park) and to clarify funding sources as the city faces competing priorities including fire station needs, airport projects and stormwater responses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Golden Beach residents press council for Flamingo Ditch fixes; staff says consultant will pursue grants and emergency maintenance

Venice seeks portable impact‑rated vehicle barriers for events amid security concerns

Venice council reviews five‑year CIP; members press to prioritize beach parking, jetty funding and stormwater work