A Conversation with Mitzie was recently held at Venetian Golf and River Club on Laurel Road.
The first question that was asked is what is it like to be a council member?
The hours are long.
You must read background materials, understand the laws, consult with the staff, read emails, and talk to citizens. You attend workshops and meetings. You need to be prepared to make decisions that have long lasting consequences.
A typical council meeting may include a consent agenda, first and second reading of ordinances, a conditional use petition, unfinished business, resolutions, new business, council action/discussion, and council reports.
Hearings may be quasi-judicial in nature. Quasi-judicial is a proceeding conducted by council that is like a court proceeding. We investigate facts and draw conclusions that have a legal effect. Our attorney asks us to declare any exparte conversations where we state if we have discussed the issue prior to the hearing. Florida has sunshine laws, which mean that all our conversations must take place in the “sunshine”. We are prohibited from having conversations with each other, or others about matters that may come before us as quasi-judicial which includes all social media as well. This makes sure that there are no ‘backroom deals’.
I am required to make decisions that conform to the law. These may not be popular, but when sworn into office, I pledged to follow the law. However, there have been occasions where I have had discretion, often in areas of compatibility. I voted against a proposal to build an apartment building in the Pinebrook PUD and a hotel in the Amora neighborhood. The compatibility chapter in the LDRs is an important chapter that protects landowners from incompatible new developments.
The job is tough; you need to know the law and be willing to enforce it. But it is also rewarding, you have an opportunity to improve the lives of the citizens of Venice. I hope that when you vote for a Venice City Council member you make sure that your candidate understands the job. It is not an easy one, but it is one that I enjoy.