Citizen Advisory Board

Summary

This document provides instructions on how residents can watch and participate in upcoming City Council meetings. Meetings can be viewed live online via the City of Venice Meeting Center (https://venice.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx) by clicking 'In Progress' next to the relevant meeting. For in-person participation, residents can attend at 401 W. Venice Avenue, Venice, FL 34285, and sign up at the Kiosk in Council Chambers or in advance via https://app.thereceptionist.com/contactless/ND0f6B/x0ZSeN up to three days prior. Public comments can also be submitted in advance via email to citizenadvisoryboard@venicefl.gov or by mail/personal delivery to the City Clerk, with a deadline of Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 8:00 AM. Technical assistance is available from Eric Tanner (etanner@venicefl.gov, (941) 882-7437), and agenda questions can be directed to the City Clerk’s Office (cityclerk@venicefl.gov, (941) 882-7390). The city will provide aids for individuals with disabilities upon request at least three days prior to the meeting.

Citizen Impact

Residents can easily watch City Council meetings online or in person, and have multiple options to submit public comments in advance or speak during meetings, ensuring greater accessibility to local governance.

Confidence

high

Summary

The City of Venice is planning a rededication ceremony for Centennial Park on April 15, 2026, as part of its centennial celebrations. The park was originally named in 1988 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Venice Post Office. This rededication honors the city's 100th anniversary of incorporation (1926-2026). A new plaque and a small time capsule will be installed in the park to commemorate the event and recognize the contributions of past and present city leaders. The proposed plaque design and layout map have been provided for review.

Citizen Impact

Residents can attend the rededication ceremony at Centennial Park on April 15, 2026, and view the new plaque and time capsule which will commemorate the city's 100th anniversary.

Confidence

high

Summary

The City of Venice is undertaking a comprehensive website redesign project to modernize venicegov.com, which was last updated over seven years ago. The current site faces significant challenges including ADA compliance issues (requiring WCAG 2.1 AA by January 2027), poor mobile optimization despite most traffic coming from mobile devices, and general usability difficulties for both citizens and staff. The City Council unanimously directed the Citizen Advisory Board (CAB) to evaluate and recommend improvements.

Project Goals & Timeline:
The redesign aims for a modern, ADA-compliant, mobile-first design with streamlined navigation, tighter integration of public meeting information, and advanced AI-powered search. The project is scheduled to kick off in January 2026 with a target go-live date of July 2026.

Key Recommendations from CAB:
Based on extensive feedback, the CAB recommends:

• Making top tasks unmissable (e.g., bill pay, meetings, service requests) on the homepage.
• Rebuilding the information architecture around user needs (Residents, Visitors, Business) rather than internal departments.
• Implementing improved search functionality with spelling tolerance and content filtering.
• Standardizing page templates and contact blocks for consistency.
• Enhancing accessibility and readability for all users, especially older residents.
• Establishing content governance for ongoing maintenance and accuracy.

The project also proposes considering an AI chatbot/digital assistant to answer common questions and guide users, ensuring it operates from approved City content to maintain accuracy.

Citizen Impact

Residents will experience significantly improved access to city services and information through a modern, mobile-friendly, and ADA-compliant website. It will be easier to find public meeting details, pay bills, report issues, and access permits, enhancing transparency and efficiency in interacting with the City.

Confidence

high