MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
A Regular Meeting of the Venice Fishing Pier Ad Hoc Committee was held this date in Council Chambers at City Hall. Mayor Ed Martin called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
I. ROLL CALL
The following Committee members were present: Barry Garman, Jim Leis, Mike Pachota (2:03) and Morgan Skoegard. Shawn Leahey was absent.
Also present: Utilities General Manager Len Bramble, Venice Police Department Lieutenant Mike Rose and Recording Secretary Susan Schult.
1. Election of Chair and
Vice Chair
Mr. Garman nominated Mr. Leis to serve as chair of the Venice Fishing Pier Ad Hoc Committee. Seconded by Mr. Skoegard.
Mayor Martin noted Mr. Leis’ service on other city boards and mentioned the city attorney is exploring possible conflicts with people serving on more than one board.
NOMINATTION CARRIED ON VOICE VOTE UNANIMOUSLY.
Mayor Martin handed the gavel to Mr. Leis.
Mr. Garman nominated Mr. Skoegard to serve as Vice Chair. Seconded by Mr. Pachota. NOMINATION CARRIED ON VOICE VOTE UNANIMOUSLY.
2.
Welcome – Mayor Martin
Mayor Martin welcomed the new committee, stated his personal and professional interest in the fishing pier, referred to the composition of the board in working with the police department, talked about city staff and the committee working together to come to an amiable resolution to the issues plaguing the pier, and queried the board on any input.
3. Committee Introductions
Mr. Skoegard stated he has lived in the area since 2006, is a retired general contractor and loves to fish.
Mr. Garman stated he has lived in the area for approximately seven years, is retired military, fishes at the pier daily, and talked about his work with the young kids that hang out at the pier.
Mr. Pachota, co-owner
of Sharky’s on the Pier, stated he has lived in
Mr. Leis
stated he has lived in
Mayor Martin left the meeting at 2:15 p.m. and did not return.
4. Sunshine
Law – City Clerk Lori Stelzer
Ms. Stelzer welcomed the board and presented a 30-minute DVD on the sunshine law and public records as it relates to city boards and committees.
Ms. Stelzer talked
about rules and guidelines that are unique to
Ms. Stelzer answered questions concerning committee members attending social functions with other committee members.
5. Schedule
for regular meetings.
Discussion took place on possible days and times to hold regular meetings, advertising or notice of meeting and coordination of possible agenda topics. There was a consensus to hold the regular meetings on the first Thursday of the month at 3 p.m. until June 2010.
6. Organizational Discussion
Discussion followed regarding overnight parking at the pier, out of town fishermen fishing three or four days at the pier and sleeping in their car, and the Venice Pier being the only pier to allow shark fishing.
Lt. Rose stated he has lived in the area since 1972 and grew up fishing on the pier, has talked to residents who use the pier, reported better signage would alleviate some problems, and touched on the hindrances with enforcement. He talked about the benefits of signs for boaters and swimmers, having signs pertaining to the number of fishing rods allowed, turf wars, bait and fish left on the pier, trouble with profanity, stated shark fishing has been a sport in Venice for many years, and that most of the kids out on the pier are good kids.
Lt. Rose stated the Venice Police (VPD) department monitors how many times an officer is at the pier, stated VPD can issue trespassing warnings, and once the trespassing warning is issued the perpetrator is banned from the pier for one year.
Discussion followed regarding a plan for enforcement, the number of trespass warnings issued, incidents at the pier, the pier being a place for everyone to enjoy, sending a message that the city takes these issues seriously, possibly having perpetrators doing community service on the pier, and working with VPD in responding to problems on the pier.
Mr. Garman left the meeting at 3:19 p.m. and did not return.
Discussion continued regarding the Angler’s Club, creating a neighborhood watch group and authority of a watch group, fishermen contacting Florida Fish and Wildlife on wildlife violations, having a meeting on the pier to talk to the people using the pier, public education, possibly having a fishing tournament at the pier, the pier being a good environment for children, the problem not being strictly with children, video surveillance at the pier, challenges with electronics in saltwater conditions, this issue being discussed through the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, video cameras at the entrance and exit of Sharky’s, the parks board role in pier issues, posting agendas at the bait shop, and possibly having a suggestion box at the pier.
Mr. Bramble read the code pertaining to the pier, noted perhaps there needs to be changes, and queried committee members on suggested changes.
Discussion continued regarding the installation of swim buoys around the pier, the Venice Dive Club diving under the pier, the 300 foot boating and skim boarding signs installed, creating enforceable signs, and whether the issues should be broken down into sections, such as pier courtesy and safety issues.
Mr. Leis encouraged committee
members to send their agenda items to Mr. Bramble and noted the next meeting is
III. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before this Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 3:55 p.m.
(Approved by the
Chairman and the Recording Secretary at the