Charter Review Committee approves package of edits to Venice Home Rule Charter, advances proposals to City Commission

The Charter Review Committee voted July 9 to approve a package of redlined amendments to Articles 9–12 of the City of Venice Home Rule Charter and moved the draft propositions toward the City Commission for consideration.

The committee’s review covered multiple sections: Article 9 required no change; Article 10 (section 10.01) updated language on the city’s eminent-domain authority; several subsections of Article 11 (franchises) were revised to remove obsolete language and clarify procedures; and Article 12 was updated for charter construction, notice-of-claim timing and a non-substantive revision process. Committee members approved each change by voice vote.

Chair (presiding) said the committee had a redlined draft of the proposed changes and that city attorney Ritchie had located compatible language for section 10.01. Member Paul moved to approve the edits to section 10.01; Mayor Isbell seconded and the motion carried.

The committee also approved edits to franchise provisions. Mayor Isbell moved to approve changes to section 11.06, clarifying that required readings for franchise matters need not be in consecutive months; Commissioner Falkenbach seconded and the committee approved the change. The committee removed archaic references (for example, replacing the word “telegraph” with broader language covering other wires) and voted to delete a separate inspection section (11.1) that members described as outdated.

One substantive procedural change approved was in section 12.04, which changes the deadline for filing a notice of claim with the city from 30 days to 90 days. A committee member described that change as “a very citizen-friendly thing to do.” Commissioner Falkenbach moved the change and Mayor Isbell seconded; the motion passed by voice vote.

The committee approved a new section (12.08) authorizing non‑substantive revisions for clerical fixes, cross‑references and numbering updates without requiring a full charter amendment process. Members said that process could reduce the need for repeated formal amendments for simple updates.

City attorney staff will draft ballot language for the propositions that will appear to voters. The committee scheduled a final review of the proposed amendments for July 15 and agreed to present the package to the City Commission on July 21. Committee members discussed holding town-hall style presentations, distributing one‑pagers and FAQs, and coordinating outreach materials before any election date is set.

The committee adjourned at 5:27 p.m.; the City attorney will return with the formal proposition language and a compiled list of the substantive items proposed for the ballot.