Suggestion Box | FAQs Advisory Boards Charter/Code Budget Council/Adv Board Email Current Bids Mayor and Council Meetings Parks and Rec Special Events Quick Links Bike Trails Take the Stormwater Survey 2017 Proposed Budget 2016 Adopted Budget 2016 Capital Improvement Program 2015 Water Quality Report Comprehensive Plan Update Post Election Certification Florida Department of Health Sarasota County Emergency Services Sarasota County Emergency Services(Facebook) Featured Events _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City of Venice Public Safety Bond Information and FAQs: (Updated 8/22/16) Summary FAQs _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City of Venice Road Bond Information and FAQs: (Updated 7/15/16) Road Bond FAQs Street Name List Road Conditions Zoomable Map _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The City of Venice has partnered with SeeClickFix to launch a new program, Venice Connect, that allows citizens to report quality-of-life issues (such as potholes, roadside junk and tall grass) and request city services. With free SeeClickFix mobile app and website tools, Venice citizens will now be able to provide city staff with pictures, videos, specific descriptions, and more — valuable information needed to get the job done efficiently. Sarasota County is also a SeeClickFix partner, so issues that are actually outside of Venice city limits in unincorporated Sarasota County will be sent to the County Contact Center for assignment. Reporting a concern is now just a few clicks away! _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect to City of Venice government bid opportunities! Onvia DemandStar streamlines the local government procurement process by allowing agencies to manage the bid/proposal process electronically. Local business vendors can review the City of Venice’s current solicitations by signing up on DemandStar’s website, www.demandstar.com. The site will automatically notify vendors of bids and Requests For Proposals (RFPs) via email. Bid and RFP documents and specs are distributed online. With DemandStar, you can: • Be automatically notified of new government contracting opportunities that match your business. • Select the agencies from which you wish to receive leads. • Find out which competitors are also responding to bids and RFPs. DemandStar can also be called for more information toll-free at 800-331-5337. What: Wine Feast Where: Nokomis Ave. When: Oct. 20th from 6:00-9:00 pm Please scroll down to the bottom of the page for more important information from the City of Venice What: Sun Fiesta Where: Centennial Park-Downtown Venice When: Oct 21st, 22nd & 23rd Latest News ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Temporary Venice Library moving to a larger space On Wednesday, Sept. 28, the temporary library at the Venice Community Center will close to prepare for moving to a larger site. A book return will remain in place at the VCC for your convenience. At 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, the new library will open at 260 N. Nokomis Ave. (Hamilton building) with a host of amenities: • Expanded hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. • Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. • Larger collections of books, DVDs, magazines and newspapers. • Enhanced children’s area. • More public access computers. • Expanded reading areas. • Venetian bike and walking trail adjacent to building. • Michael Biehl Park with fountain and rest areas one block away. • Historic Main Street shopping one block away. • SCAT bus stop one block away. • As always, dedicated, helpful staff will be available to assist. Here is how to get to your new Sarasota County public library in Venice: Instructions from the closed library at the Venice Community Center From the Venice Community Center, take Nokomis Avenue north for .4 miles. Continue on Nokomis past Tampa Avenue and the Venice Theatre. Turn right into the far north entrance of the theatre parking lot. Follow the length of the parking lot to the end. Turn left to access parking around the library. The library entrance faces the bridge. Additional city parking is available in the lot south of the library. During the move, please visit other nearby library locations: • Jacaranda Public Library 4143 Woodmere Park Blvd., Venice • Osprey Public Library at Historic Spanish Point 337 N. Tamiami Trail, Osprey Sarasota County thanks you for your patience and appreciation of the value of library services in Venice. Stay informed and participate in the process to build a new permanent library in Venice at https://www.scgov.net/Library/Libraries/Pages/ VeniceLibraryUpdate.aspx, or by calling the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000. Flood Information New sign-in kiosk at Building Department The City of Venice Building Department has recently initiated a program to alleviate the need to stand in line while waiting to see a staff member in either Building or Developmental Services. With the recent addition of a sign-in kiosk, citizens are able to sign in and specify their needs, submit for a permit, ask a question, ask to see staff, or address any of the services provided by the department, according to Building Official Frank O’Neill. At times, people stand in line at the permitting counter only to ask a question, drop off paperwork, or to see a plans examiner or inspector. Often, people stand in line only to mark their spot. They are now able to sit down and not feel obligated to stand in line while they wait. This program was initiated by staff as an added convenience for those dealing with the Building Department or interrelated departments, to increase efficiency and improve customer service. The Building Department is located to the right inside the main entrance of Venice City Hall at 401 W. Venice Ave. Mosquito spraying information In the wake of Hermine and other recent storms, the area is dealing with standing water and mosquitoes. Residents should visit https://www.scgov.net/mms/Pages/default.aspx and type in "mosquito management." There, you will find information regarding ways to help manage the problem. This site also provides information and a map of all of Sarasota County, including Venice, as to when and where the county will be spraying to help control the potential mosquito problem. You can also call 941-861-5000 for more information. Venice Beach restroom closure The contractor began work on the final phase of the Venice Beach restroom remodel on Tuesday, Sept. 6. The restrooms are closed and temporary facilities have been brought in for the duration of the project (2-3 weeks). New monthly bicycle ride in Venice The City of Venice’s next monthly bicycle ride, open to the public, will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 12 It will be a fun, casual, 6-mile ride around the Island of Venice, traveling along the ever-so-popular Venice Island Loop that is highlighted on our bicycle maps. The free ride will take place on the second Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. There will be a brief safety discussion prior to the ride, as the group will be riding along shared bicycle lanes. Participants will need to bring their own bike and will be required to wear a helmet and sign a waiver. Bicyclists should meet in the City Hall parking lot at 401 W. Venice Ave. at 10 a.m. on Oct. 12. “Riding a bicycle on the road can be a little intimidating,” said city Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator Darlene Culpepper. “Riding in a group builds confidence and provides motivation and accountability, pushing individuals to their limits so they can improve their skills. Cycling is one of the best ways for people to achieve good health and fitness. So let’s encourage one another to get on that bike and ride!” Culpepper also encourages those interested to check out this link: http://www.strava.com/routes/6016642 which will take individuals to Strava, a free app to track bicycle rides, runs and even swims. The app does require a login, but it is free. If you open the link with your Strava account, it will provide turn-by-turn directions. If you plan on participating in the bike ride, please RSVP to Culpepper at dculpepper@venicegov.com. Sanitary sewer line cleaning/CCTV inspection Cleaning and CCTV inspection of sanitary sewer lines began Monday, Aug. 8, in the City of Venice, and work will continue until approximately the end of November 2016. The first section is located within the City's sewer lift station No. 1 basin. The basin area is west of U.S. 41 and east of Harbor Dr. S., between Maggiore Rd. and Airport Ave. W. and E. The project provides closed‐circuit television (CCTV) inspection and cleaning services for the sanitary sewer lines within the City. Included are 6‐inch, 8‐inch, 10‐inch, 12‐inch, 15‐inch and 16‐inch sewer mains. The remotely operated camera also records video and data to aid in identifying service locations inside the main, structural condition of the pipes, and obstructions such as grease, roots and other debris. Residents are encouraged to follow the directions on door hangers about the project distributed in the area. UIT, LLC is the contractor. Venice makes 'Best Places to Retire' list Venice, Fla., has made a Southern Living Magazine list of the South’s Best Places to Retire. Southern Living’s website states, in part: “In a city named for the canals that weave through it, you know two things: that water is central to life in the city, and that romance and culture are prized. Both (are) true in this gorgeous city; beach homes overlook the Gulf of Mexico, and beautiful beaches are always close at hand. A relaxed downtown boasts a healthy shopping district complete with walkable sidewalks lined with palm trees, and theaters and festivals provide entertainment throughout the year.” The magazine focused on areas with unique amenities, a low cost of living, opportunities for volunteering, part-time work, continued learning, a stable housing market, access to medical care, and an airport or train station close by for visits from family and grandkids. Venice is one of 15 cities named as a best place to retire. The write-up and full listing can be viewed here: http://www.southernliving.com/travel/best-places-to-retire/venice-florida US 41 Bypass detour coming Aug. 10 Another traffic detour due to U.S. 41 Bypass road-way improvements is set to begin Wednesday, Aug. 10. Crews will begin utility and storm drain construction at U.S. 41/Venice Bypass and Ridgewood Avenue. The contractor will close Ridgewood Avenue at U.S. 41/Venice Bypass to traffic beginning Aug. 10. A detour for local traffic will be in place during the road closure using East Venice Avenue. The contractor estimates this work to take approximately two months to complete. Message boards will be in place to alert motorists to the road closures and detours. Drivers are urged to proceed with caution and follow detour signs and barricades directing them around construction work. Life jacket loaner station up and running at Marina Park Boat Ramp The Venice Police Department Marine Patrol was awarded a grant to provide life jackets for boaters who do not have a life jacket or may have the wrong size. The Sea Tow Foundation awarded the Marine Patrol with several life jackets to fit infants up to adult size XL. Venice is the only city in the area to offer a loaner station at any boat ramp in Sarasota County. These loaner stations are all over the country, and the City is very fortunate to be awarded this grant from hundreds that submit to the foundation. These life jackets are available at a loaner station at the Marina Park Boat Ramp at 301 E. Venice Ave., near to the Historic Train Depot. They are for anyone who needs to borrow one for a day of fun and relaxing on the water. Once boaters return to the boat ramp, they are asked to return the life jacket so someone else can borrow it. It is the Venice Police Marine Patrol’s intent to have everyone on the water safe while boating. The loaner station will be monitored by the Marine Patrol and Sea Tow Venice. There was no cost to the City for this service. The sign was donated by Auto Trim Design and the loaner station was donated by Sea Tow Venice. The Venice Police Marine Patrol strives every day for boating safety and educating the boating community. For more information, call VPD Marine Officer Paul Joyce at 941-486-2444 or email pjoyce@venicegov.com. Art in the City Check out some of the public art around the City of Venice! Click on this Venice Area Beautification Inc. link: https://www.vabi.org/public-art.html Venice makes ‘Most Affordable Small Sunny Town’ listing Venice, Fla., has been identified as one of the 50 Most Affordable Small Sunny Towns in the United States in a recent ranking by www.light-therapy.net ranking considered the top sunniest towns in the country and was narrowed to include the most affordable of these locales. With 266 sunny days annually, Venice was ranked No. 16. The article notes: "Located on the western coast of Florida, Venice is the place to be if you love perfect weather, wearing a swimsuit all year round and any water sports. ... Venice is a palm tree-covered dream! When people think of quaint and peaceful parts of Florida, this town has to be what they imagine." The full article can be found here: http://www.light-therapy.net/50-most-affordable-sunny-small-towns/. 2016 Comprehensive Plan Update The comprehensive plan is a planning document required of local governments by the state of Florida. It endeavors to project needs for the community over the next decade. It addresses elements such as traffic, housing, infrastructure, parks, land use and other vital functions affecting the growth and quality of life in Venice. For more information click here VABI Check out Venice Area Beautification Inc.’s list of Public Art and Trails/Parks click here Help out Fire Rescue -- Take this short City of Venice Community Safety Survey! . Click Here Current Bids and Proposals Specifications and Bid documents are available by calling Onvia DemandStar at (800) 711-1712 or by their Internet address at http://www.demandstar.com. Proposers may also pick up Bid documents at the City of Venice Purchasing Department, Room 204, 401 West Venice Ave., Venice Florida 34285, (941) 486-2626 at no charge. A list of active bids and requests for proposals can be found here More Fun for the Weekend: . Venice Farmer's Market 200 block of West Tampa Avenue Saturdays, 8 a.m. - noon Read the Mobility Plan To read the Kimley-Horn Downtown Mobility Plan, copy and paste into your browser: http://tinyurl.com/khq75gf The 85-page document will take a few minutes to download. When the download is completed, double click on it to open the document. Listen to a meeting on your computer On the left of this page, click on meetings, find the meeting you want to view, look to the right of it and click on Agenda, click open, and view. To listen to live audio of meetings, or to watch city council meeting live videos, instead of clicking on Agenda, click on Meeting Details, go to the right and click on video. My Waste App Ever forget what day your garbage collection is, what is recyclable and what is not, or want to report a pothole? These and many more things can be done easily with the My Waste App.You can scan the app to the left on your I-Phone or Android. Other ways to ask questions and voice concerns: weekdays, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m Switchboard: (941) 486-2626 Questions about garbage, recycling and yard waste collection: (941) 486-2422, press 1 Water or Sewer Emergency: (941) 486-2770 (any time) Not sure who to call: Call the Information Helpline: (941) 882-7401 Use the suggestion box at the top of this page. Venice, Florida is located on the Gulf of Mexico in Sarasota County, about half way between Tampa and Fort Myers. The Buzz of Venice SCAT Bus Service Information Best Places in Florida to Open a Small Business Click here, to see what's happening at the South Jetty right now. This link will take you away from the City of Venice website. LOCAL WEATHER at Weatherbug.This link will take you away from the City of Venice website. Red Tide Information Click here for information about having a garage sale. Disclaimer | Jobs | Public Info | Privacy Policy | Contact Webmaster | Employee Corner City Of Venice, Florida (941) 486-2626 | 401 West Venice Avenue, Venice, FL 34285