Public Meetings - Clearwater, Florida

The Clearwater City Council held a work session on Monday, August 3, 2026, at 1:30 PM in the Main Library Council Chambers. The meeting covered service awards, appointments, the FY2026/2027 Annual Action Plan, the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, a major unsolicited public-private partnership proposal for the Landings Golf Course, several consent items, a public comment extension, a second reading of the Duke Energy franchise agreement, a discussion on hotel density pool units, and a conversation about naming the new City Hall complex. Consent Calendar - Agenda Item 5.1: Approved a client services agreement with Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services for insurance brokerage services for an initial three-year term with a three-year renewal option, piggybacking on Pinellas County’s agreement. - Agenda Item 6.1: Extended Owen Kohler’s appointment as Interim City Attorney through October 1, 2026. - Agenda Item 7.1: Authorized a Guaranteed Maximum Price of $1,449,136.15 to Keystone Excavators, Inc. for renovations and improvements to Countryside Community Park, including six pickleball courts with lighting, shifting funds from Frank TAC improvements. - Agenda Item 7.2: Authorized an addendum to the existing agreement with RecTrac, LLC d/b/a Vermont Systems for PayTrac payment services software, running coterminously with the existing agreement. - Agenda Item 7.3: Awarded a construction contract to Concrete Protection and Restoration LLC for Carpenter Complex Repairs in the amount of $962,933.00. - Agenda Item 8.1: Approved Change Order 3 to Skanska USA Building, Inc. for the Sound Canopy Gutters Installation Project, increasing the contract from $72,362,827.92 to $73,056,882.92, and a project budget increase of $2,513,593.13. - Agenda Item 9.1: Authorized the purchase of heavy- and light-duty vehicles and equipment in a not-to-exceed amount of $22,251,080, including 273 vehicles and equipment (241 replacements, 32 new units), with surplus disposal through auction or trade-in, and lease purchase or internal financing. - Agenda Item 10.1: Approved Amendment No. 1 and Renewal No. 1 to the 2021 Pinellas County Technical Rescue Team Agreement, extending the agreement through September 30, 2027, with no monetary change. - Agenda Item 11.1: Authorized an increase of $350,000 on purchase orders to Joe Payne, Inc. and Quorum Services for Florida Building Code inspections and plan review services, for a cumulative not-to-exceed amount of $1,200,000 through September 30, 2026. - Agenda Item 12.1: Authorized a purchase order with Verizon Wireless for cellular and mobile data services in the amount of $2,540,500 for a three-year term (August 24, 2026 – August 23, 2029), approximately $50,000 per year less than the previous contract due to phone reductions and rate savings. - Agenda Item 13.1: Approved an Encroachment Agreement with Florida Gas Transmission Company, LLC for the installation of a natural gas distribution pipeline crossing over Florida Gas Transmission pipeline facilities. - Agenda Item 14.1: Adopted Resolution 26-13 to extend the temporary restoration of public comment on non-agenda items through November 20, 2026, keeping the same rules (30 minutes or 10 speakers, whichever is greater, no sharing time). Public Comments & Testimony - One public comment was received on the FY2026/2027 Annual Action Plan from an applicant expressing gratitude and explaining their program. No other public testimony was taken during the work session. Discussion Items - Agenda Item 2.1 – August Service Awards: Recognized five-year employee Joel Silcox (Parks and Recreation), 20-year employee Leonard Jones (Marine and Aviation), 30-year employee Dave (Parks and Recreation), and July 2026 Employee of the Month Dan Kreider (Parks and Recreation). - Agenda Item 3.1 – Appointment to Neighborhood and Affordable Housing Advisory Board: Council appointed Sean Aston, a senior business analyst, as the citizen representative for a term through August 6, 2030, after a discussion where one council member supported William Johnson, but the majority selected Aston. - Agenda Item 4.1 – FY2026/2027 Annual Action Plan: Staff presented the second Action Plan of the 2025-2030 Consolidated Plan, detailing HUD funding allocations for CDBG, HOME, and SHIP programs. Projects include homelessness empowerment, emergency shelter improvements, dental clinic parking lot reconstruction, community kitchen roof replacement, training space improvements, school safety upgrades, and window improvements for a shelter. CDBG public services are capped at 15% of entitlement. Affordable housing includes new construction, rehabilitation, down payment assistance, and removal of slum and blight. The plan must be submitted to HUD by August 16, 2026. - Agenda Item 4.2 – Affordable Housing Advisory Committee: Council appointed 10 members to the 2026 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) and adopted Resolution 26-12, consistent with Florida Statute 420.9076. The committee will develop the 2026 Local Housing Incentive Strategy (LHIS) by December 31, 2026. - Agenda Item 4.3 – Unsolicited Proposal for Landings Golf Course (1875 Airport Drive): This was the major discussion item. Council members Mannino and Albert declared potential voting conflicts (Mannino recused due to possible conflict from youth soccer coaching; Albert recused due to his employment with sports facilities companies, which are consultants to the proposer). The interim city attorney noted that under Florida law, a referendum is not required because the proposed use (parks and recreation) remains the same, and the city can approve a lease up to 65 years with a 30-year renewal without a referendum. Assistant City Manager Al Battle presented the public-private partnership (P3) proposal from Sunshine Recreational and Development LLC. The project would be a $180 million investment, including 12 multi-purpose fields, 24 covered pickleball courts, 12 sand volleyball courts, a water park, fitness and wellness facilities, and a restaurant. Financing would come from a $108 million private loan, $27 million private equity, and Pinellas County Tourist Development Tax (TDT) funds. The city would provide a long-term lease. Staff recommended accepting the proposal as a qualifying project and issuing a 30-day solicitation for other proposals. The proposer’s team presented additional details: stormwater improvements to meet current standards, brownfield remediation of the former landfill site, traffic improvements (turn lanes on Keene Road), a 6-foot opaque wall, 24/7 security, free parking, and significant discounts for Clearwater residents. They estimated $47.7 million in tax revenue over 10 years (including $9.5 million to the city, $5.5 million in county sales tax, and $10.5 million in bed tax) and 615 jobs. The neighborhood input led to closing an access on Airport Drive, increasing landscaping buffers, and moving parking closer to fields. Council asked questions about traffic, parking, noise, lighting, and flood mitigation. No vote was taken; the matter is scheduled for the August 6 council meeting. - Agenda Item 14.2 – Duke Energy Franchise Agreement: Ordinance 9929-26 on second reading was presented for a 30-year franchise agreement with Duke Energy, including a Memorandum of Agreement with approximately $2 million in benefits/investments. The ordinance cannot be placed on consent. Vote scheduled for August 6. - Agenda Item 17.1 – Hotel Density Pool Units: Vice Mayor Cotton proposed a discussion on pausing the allocation of the remaining 19 hotel density pool units until the pending traffic study is completed (expected by November). Planning Director Lauren Matske noted that one application for 5–6 units is pending, and the city is obligated to process complete applications but not to grant density. Council discussed the beach traffic issues (north-south more problematic than east-west) and the original Beach by Design plan. Vice Mayor clarified he is not seeking a moratorium, only a posture of restraint. Several council members expressed support for a strategic approach rather than a formal pause. The transportation study is expected to be finished by late September, with outreach in January/February 2027. - Agenda Item 17.2 – Naming City Hall and Municipal Complex: Councilmember Mannino raised the idea of naming the municipal complex after Bill Horn, given the new City Hall’s progress. Community feedback was mixed; some preferred naming something other than the entire building. Council discussed options: naming the lobby, chambers, or the plaza (green space outside City Hall). There was consensus to name the plaza after Bill Horn rather than the entire municipal complex. Council decided to bring a motion to the August 6 council meeting to rename the plaza as “Bill Horn Plaza.” Key Outcomes - Appointment: Sean Aston appointed to the Neighborhood and Affordable Housing Advisory Board. - Affordable Housing Advisory Committee: 10 members appointed and Resolution 26-12 adopted. - Landings Golf Course P3 Proposal: Staff recommendation to accept as a qualifying project and issue a 30-day solicitation will be voted on at the August 6 council meeting (with two council members recused due to conflicts). - Public Comment Extension: Resolution 26-13 adopted, extending non-agenda public comment through November 20, 2026. - Duke Energy Franchise: Ordinance 9929-26 will be voted on second reading at the August 6 council meeting. - Hotel Density Pool: Council discussed but took no formal action; the issue may be revisited after the traffic study is complete. - City Hall Naming: Council agreed to place a motion on the August 6 agenda to rename the City Hall plaza (green space) as “Bill Horn Plaza.” - Consent Items: All consent items were approved unanimously. - Next Steps: The next regular council meeting is scheduled for August 6, 2026, where several items will be voted on. A special budget work session is set for August 11, 2026.

The Pension Trustees met on August 3, 2026. The agenda listed a start time of 1:00 PM, but the provided timestamp indicates 19:45 UTC. All items on the agenda were approved unanimously with no public comments or trustee discussion. The meeting was brief and focused on routine pension plan approvals. Discussion Items - Approval of Minutes (ID26-0225): The minutes from the June 15, 2026 Pension Trustees meeting were approved as submitted. - New Hires for Pension Plan (ID26-0871): The trustees approved the acceptance of new hires into the pension plan as listed. Human Resources Director Tiffany Macris was available for questions but none were raised. - Vesting Requests (ID26-0872): Requests from employees Scott Adam (Gas Department) and Leah Murray (Human Resources Department) to vest their pensions under Section 2.419 were approved. - Regular Pension Requests (ID26-0873): Requests from Priscilla Murphy (Public Utilities), Craig Murray (Police), Patricia Stephen-Zitouni (City Clerk's Office), Karen Vaughan (City Clerk's Office), and Jeffrey Walker (Public Works) for regular pensions under Sections 2.416 and 2.424 were approved. - Administrative Expenditures for FY2027 (ID26-0902): Finance Director Jay Ravens presented the request for pension plan administrative expenditures totaling not-to-exceed $450,575 for fiscal year 2027, a 1.5% increase from FY2026. The amount covers all administrative expenditures excluding certain professional services contracts and agreements (e.g., actuary and money manager agreements). The trustees approved the expenditure unanimously. Directors Report - No report was presented. Key Outcomes - All five agenda items were approved by unanimous vote with no opposition or discussion. The meeting then adjourned.

The City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) met on August 3, 2026, at 1:00 PM in the Main Library Council Chambers. The meeting covered routine approvals, budget amendments, a business spotlight, two major property development agreements, scheduling of an executive session, and the Director's Report. All votes were unanimous. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the July 13, 2026 CRA meeting were approved as submitted. - Third Quarter Budget Amendments (Downtown CRA): Approved Resolution 26-02, reflecting a net decrease in revenue of $33,976 from Pinellas County, $2,108 from the City of Clearwater, and $577 from the Downtown Development Board, offset by a $125,000 increase in estimated interest earnings. Adjustments included an increase of $125,000 for economic development, $14,967.49 for infrastructure, and a decrease of $33,976 for transportation. - FY2026-2027 North Greenwood CRA Budget: Approved Resolution 26-05, with total tax increment revenue of $1,205,405 (updated to reflect a rollback millage rate of 5.8773). Funding focuses on affordable housing ($200,000), economic development ($453,030), and improved mobility. Operating expenditures include $34,679 for services, $9,533 for internal services, and $255,279 for shared CRA staff salaries. - FY2026-2027 Downtown CRA Budget: Approved Resolution 26-04, with total tax increment revenue of $6,710,910. Operating expenditures decreased overall, including $406,214 to the Downtown Development Board, $976,126 for shared staff salaries, $277,120 for two dedicated police officers, $1,995,076 for economic development (city), $84,488 for housing (city), $952,424 for economic development (county), and $2 million for housing (county). Public Comments & Testimony No members of the public addressed the board on items not on the agenda or on specific agenda items. Discussion Items - Business Spotlight – Soul Sicilian Fusion: The CRA recognized Soul Sicilian Fusion (516 Cleveland Street), a family-operated Italian restaurant opened in 2019 by co-owners Nell O Menza and Natalia Harrison. Council members praised the restaurant's quality and contribution to downtown Clearwater. - Executive Session Scheduling: The board scheduled a closed executive session for August 20, 2026, at 11:00 AM to discuss active litigation in Crumb vs. CRA (Case No. 2023 CA 8557-CI), pursuant to Section 286.011(8), F.S. The session will include the trustees, CRA Executive Director, and outside counsel, with a court reporter present. - Agreement with BDP Development Partners LLC (7 Parcels): The CRA approved an agreement for development, purchase, and sale of approximately 3.13 acres (seven CRA-owned parcels) between South Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and South Washington Avenue, north of Gould Street. The project, by Archway Partners affiliate BDP Development Partners, proposes at least 178 affordable housing units (mixed-income) and at least 3,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space, using Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. The initial phase must include at least 75 units. The developer must obtain all approvals and financing before closing; staff may grant up to three one-year extensions, and the board may grant two additional one-year extensions. Brett Green, president of Archway Partners, noted the project will be permit-ready to improve tax credit competitiveness. Council members expressed support, citing the need for downtown housing and the developer's track record with Clearwater Gardens. - Agreement with St. Benedict Holdings LLC (Armory Property): The CRA approved the sale of the historic armory property at 706 N. Missouri Avenue to St. Benedict Holdings LLC for $2 million. The proceeds will offset relocation costs for Parks and Recreation. The developer plans to expand the operations of Elmamos Foods (a locally headquartered company) with warehousing, distribution, light manufacturing, corporate offices, and related uses. The agreement requires reasonable best efforts to preserve the historic armory building and includes community benefits: during a 15-year restrictive period, the business will use reasonable efforts to create up to 30 full-time jobs (goal of at least 10 for North Greenwood residents), partner with CareerSource, participate in at least one annual job hiring event with the CRA, and work toward apprenticeships or internships. Council members praised the developer's engagement with the community and the commitments to local hiring and historic preservation. David Habib of St. Benedict Holdings noted the company has already hired two additional employees, has three open positions, and hosted 10 summer interns from local schools. - Director's Report: CRA Executive Director Jesus Nino presented updates on downtown and North Greenwood projects. Downtown highlights: AECOM will develop a cohesive vision for the 400/500 blocks with two public workshops on August 25, 2026 (2:00-3:30 PM and 5:30-7:00 PM at the library); the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council is updating the downtown CRA plan to remove outdated language; the Osceola Parking Garage will go vertical starting August 15, 2026; a bid for the 600 block of Cleveland Street was issued July 29, 2026; the People's Bank clock unveiling on July 25, 2026 attracted over 3,000 attendees; Streetlight Taco will be a tenant at 432 Cleveland Street; new businesses include Newbo (soft food bakery) at 420 Cleveland Street and The Dream Space at 1196 Cleveland Street; the Ballard Hotel and The Bluffs construction continue; a call for artists for a signature sculpture at Coachman Park with a budget of $200,000-$250,000 is open until September 30, 2026. North Greenwood highlights: CAC meetings continue; a mural was installed at 400 N. Fort Harrison Avenue (Let's Go Carding) and 1045 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue (Early Head Start Center); the North Ward event on July 30, 2026 featured tours with over 351 waivers signed; the next CAC meeting is September 2, 2026 at 5:30 PM at the North Greenwood Recreation Center. Key Outcomes - All resolutions and motions passed unanimously. - Approved Resolution 26-02 (Third Quarter Budget Amendments, Downtown CRA). - Approved Resolution 26-05 (FY2026-2027 North Greenwood CRA Budget). - Approved Resolution 26-04 (FY2026-2027 Downtown CRA Budget). - Scheduled executive session for August 20, 2026 at 11:00 AM. - Approved development agreement with BDP Development Partners for 7 parcels (affordable housing project). - Approved development agreement with St. Benedict Holdings for the armory property, including Resolution 26-06. - Acknowledged the Director's Report and upcoming workshops and events.

The Downtown Development Board (DDB) met on August 3, 2026, at 1:00 PM to approve minutes, hear event recaps, vote on funding for several downtown events, approve financial statements and the FY2026/2027 budget, and discuss strategies for ensuring downtown brick-and-mortar businesses benefit from DDB-funded events. The meeting lasted approximately two hours. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes (July 13, 2026): Approved unanimously. - June 2026 Financial Statement: Approved for filing. Expenditures for June totaled $45,846; year-to-date expenditures and transfers were approximately $940,890. A $25,000 reallocation from future downtown initiatives to marketing was noted, along with transfer of remaining balances to unallocated special events grant line. - Proposed Budget FY2026/2027: Approved unanimously. Total budget $1,513,438, with property tax revenue projected at $523,809 (an increase over the amended FY2025/2026 budget). The budget includes $567,915 from unassigned fund balance. Highlights: $602,369 for marketing (including $148,000 already approved, $150,000 microgrant program, $50,000 for new DDB brand/logo), $195,000 for business assistance, and $192,797 for future downtown initiatives. Public Comments & Testimony - Symphony by the Sea Recap (Florida Orchestra): Lori Osborne, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, presented. The free concert on June 6, 2026, at Baycare Sound attracted approximately 1,565 attendees (below the anticipated 2,500–3,000). Challenges included a last-minute date change due to Country Thunder and the event falling outside the orchestra’s typical season. Positive outcomes: 150 pounds of goods collected for Salvation Army, community partner engagement, and 19 social media posts reaching 70,000+ views. Board members expressed appreciation for flexibility and hopes for the next date (May 7, 2027) to allow school participation. - Chalk the Bay Art and Music Festival (City Cultural Affairs): Amber Bryce, Arts and Cultural Affairs Manager, presented plans for the inaugural festival (Jan. 15–17, 2027) in Coachman Park. The free family event will feature 40–80 professional chalk artists, live music, student engagement, and interactive art. Conservatively estimated attendance of 6,000 (Safety Harbor’s similar event drew 10,000 over two days). Budget requested: $30,000 (staff recommendation) to $80,000 (ideal). Already received 84 artist applications from across the US and Mexico. Board discussion focused on funding level; Board member expressed support and noted the event’s organic marketing power. A motion to approve $50,000 (sweet spot for 40+ artists) passed after staff recommended $30,000. Initial motion for $30,000 was withdrawn. - TBUS Uke Fest (Tampa Bay Ukulele Society): Robert Weil, event director, presented the sixth annual free music festival on April 4, 2027, on the 400 block of Cleveland Street and Ruth Eckerd Hall. Estimated attendance: 1,000. Total budget $26,500; requested $12,500 from DDB. Last year’s attendance was 629 (Placer AI). Board members praised the unique niche event and return to street-level activation. Approved unanimously. Discussion Items - Salsa & Bachata Halloween Block Party (Florida Best Promotions Inc.): Richard El Rio requested a High Impact Grant of up to $55,600; DDB policy limits to $30,000. The event on October 31, 2026, on the 500–600 blocks of Cleveland Street is free and open to the public, with an estimated 5,000 attendees (up from 2,300 last year). Budget not attached to agenda (staff apologized). Discussion raised concerns about food/alcohol vendors potentially competing with nearby brick-and-mortar businesses (notably Nash Keys and Gulf Coast Pizza). Mr. El Rio stated he had not heard complaints and offered to follow up. The board decided to continue the item to the September meeting to review the budget and address merchant impact concerns. - Board Members to be Heard – Supporting Downtown Businesses: Board member Chip Leaches proposed that when DDB funds events, a portion should be allocated to support brick-and-mortar businesses on the same block if the event creates competition (e.g., food trucks vs. restaurants). Ideas included voucher programs, requiring event maps that avoid vendor placement in front of businesses, and making inclusion of local businesses a requirement in grant applications. Vice Mayor suggested that events could simply prohibit food/beverage vendors to drive patrons to local businesses. Councilmember Alberton recalled success with a punch-card system that encouraged attendees to visit stores. Board agreed to put this as a future agenda item for deeper discussion. - Director’s Report: Brian Catino announced upcoming events: Market Marie (Aug. 8, 10am-2pm, supporting 130+ small businesses), Mega Asian Food and Music Festival (Aug. 21, Coachman Park), and Hello Cleveland Street (Aug. series with up to $5,000 in DDB funding per event). The new DDB logo was also debuted. Key Outcomes - Chalk the Bay Art and Music Festival: Approved with $50,000 in High Impact Grant funding (motion passed unanimously after initial withdrawal of $30,000 motion). - TBUS Uke Fest: Approved with $12,500 Community Event Funding (unanimous). - Salsa & Bachata Halloween Block Party: Continued to September 2026 meeting for full budget review and merchant impact assessment. - June 2026 Financial Statement: Approved for filing. - FY2026/2027 DDB Budget: Approved as presented. - Future Action: Board directed staff to prepare an agenda item on strategies to ensure DDB-funded events benefit brick-and-mortar businesses, to be discussed at a future meeting. - Rescheduled Items: The Salsa & Bachata item will return in September; budget and merchant feedback to be provided.

On July 22, 2026, at 6:30 PM, the City of Clearwater Municipal Code Enforcement Board convened in Council Chambers at the Main Library. The seven‑member board heard a full agenda of code enforcement cases, including new business violations, an old‑business fine‑reduction request, and multiple nuisance abatement filings. Below is a summary of the proceedings. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: Unanimously approved minutes of the June 24, 2026 meeting. - Affidavits of Compliance: Accepted for nine cases (87‑17, 86‑19, 40‑22, 71‑25, 93‑25, 04‑26, 83‑26, 100‑26, and 159‑26). Public Comments & Testimony - Papadhami (Case 130‑26): Respondent appeared and acknowledged a corrected grass‑parking violation. Board issued a declaration with no fine. - Scott (Case 144‑26): Owner admitted an abandoned‑building violation, citing job loss and contractor issues. Ordered compliance by September 26, 2026. - Peduzzi (Case 150‑26): Owner admitted a fence‑permits violation after her husband’s death. Extended deadline to September 24, 2026. - Martin (Case 142‑26): Tenant explained a temporary banner sign remained while awaiting a permanent sign. Extended deadline to September 22, 2026. - No respondents appeared for most other cases. New Business Cases Permits & Construction - Case 84‑26 (Mary G Realty, 490 Mandalay Ave): Unpermitted deck. Violation found unanimously; ordered permit by Aug 24, 2026 and completion within 6 months; $150/day fine. - Case 87‑26 (Gratus Filius, 1700 Gulf to Bay Blvd): Abandoned construction site. Violation found (5‑2); ordered compliance by Oct 22, 2026; $250/day fine (1 dissenting on the fine motion). - Case 147‑26 (A 5 J’s, 2620 Drew St): Unpermitted sign. Ordered by Aug 22, 2026; $150/day fine. - Case 150‑26 (Peduzzi, 2054 Rainbow Dr): Unpermitted fence. Extended to Sep 24, 2026; $150/day fine. - Case 152‑26 (Ivan Caruso Trustee, 912 Seminole St): Structure built without valid permit. Ordered by Aug 24, 2026; $150/day fine. Property Maintenance & Signage - Case 132‑26 (Ramnarain, 1475 Park St): Exterior surfaces. Violation found; Aug 22, 2026; $150/day. - Case 134‑26 (Hicks, 1308 Roosevelt Ave): Community garden corrected – declaration, no fine. Exterior shed violation – Sep 1, 2026; $150/day. - Case 136‑26 (Soceanu, 2036 San Marino Way S): Exterior storage corrected – declaration, no fine. - Case 137‑26 (South Florida Homeowner Solutions, 2048 Loma Linda Way S): Exterior surfaces; Aug 22, 2026; $150/day. - Case 141‑26 (FTMC, 1627 Gulf to Bay Blvd): Unpermitted painted sign; Aug 22, 2026; $150/day. - Case 142‑26 (MCT/Triple Key, 810 S Missouri Ave): Temporary signs beyond limit; Sep 22, 2026; $150/day. Abandoned Building - Case 144‑26 (Scott, 3136 San Pedro St): Roofless structure. Violation found; Sep 26, 2026; $150/day. Old Business Fine Reduction – Case 70‑23 (Ayad Elayyan, 1383 Gulf to Bay Blvd) - Graffiti violation had been corrected and a sale was pending. The board voted 6‑1 to reduce the lien to administrative costs of $1,053.20, payable within 30 days; otherwise the original lien of $75,900 would revert. Nuisance Abatement Filings - Cases 180‑26, 181‑26, 183‑26, 184‑26, 185‑26, 187‑26: Inoperable vehicles, overgrowth, debris. The board ordered respondents to correct violations within 5 days of the written order and authorized the city to enter and abate the nuisance at the owner’s expense if not complied. Costs, fines, and fees would become a lien. - Case 182‑26 (Benjamin Hernandez): Pool nuisance corrected; declaration of violation, no fine. - Two items were withdrawn. Other Board Action - Affidavits of Non‑Compliance: Accepted for cases 79‑26 and 88‑26 (1623 Windsor Pl) for permits and room addition, imposing fines. - Process Discussion: City staff led a discussion on nuisance abatement and lien reduction procedures, noting that future meetings may include revised scripts and a board training session on code enforcement processes. Key Outcomes - Total cases decided: 15 new business cases resulted in violation findings with compliance deadlines; 3 were declared corrected with no fine; 1 fine reduction granted; 6 nuisance abatement orders issued. - Fines imposed: Daily fines ranged from $150 to $250 per day. - Continued cases: Several cases were continued to August 26, September 23, or later dates. - Next steps: The board will consider procedural updates and training at a future meeting. Note: The meeting time (6:30 PM) is based on the provided timestamp; the printed agenda listed 1:30 PM.

The Clearwater Community Development Board (CDB) met on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 1:00 PM in the Main Library - Council Chambers. The meeting was brief, with a single consent agenda item approved unanimously with one abstention. The Director provided updates on the August meeting schedule and an upcoming community event. Consent Calendar - FLD2026-05010: Flexible Development approval for Social and Community Centers at the Carlouel Yacht Club (accessory outdoor amenities – tennis courts, pool area, overnight cabanas) in the Institutional (I) and Preservation (P) Districts as a Comprehensive Infill Redevelopment Project at 1091 Eldorado Avenue. The proposal requested flexibility for use, reduced off-street parking based on a parking demand study, and reduced landscape buffers through a Comprehensive Landscape Program. The item was approved by a voice vote (all aye, with one abstention from Member Serna due to conflicts). Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke during the Citizens to be Heard portion or on the consent agenda item. Director's Report - The next CDB meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 20, 2026 (a change from the usual third Tuesday). - The City of Clearwater is hosting "Night at North Ward" on July 30, 2026, from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the historic North Ward Elementary School. The event will feature self-guided tours, refreshments, and community conversations to gather input on redevelopment opportunities for the historic property (three of five buildings are locally and nationally designated). Stakeholders, developers, and preservation advocates are invited. Key Outcomes - The consent agenda was approved with one abstention, adopting the findings of fact and conclusions of law in the staff report with conditions. - No other business was conducted; the meeting adjourned shortly after the director's report and a brief check for board member comments.

The Clearwater City Council held a special work session on July 16, 2026, to interview four finalists for the position of City Attorney. The candidates were John (last name not provided), Owen Kohler, Andrew (last name not provided), and Camilo Soto. Each candidate gave a five-minute presentation on their vision for the first year, followed by questions from the council. The council also discussed the process and noted disappointment that an internal candidate, Mr. Middich, was not included among the finalists. Discussion Items - Candidate Presentations and Q&A: - John (first candidate): Focused on an intense assessment of the city attorney's office, building trust with the city manager and department heads, conducting a legal audit of the city, and forward-looking projects like downtown. He emphasized a mission statement: "to improve the quality of governance through trusted legal counsel, principled judgment, and unwavering fidelity to the public interest and the rule of law." He stressed communication preference for phone calls over texts, a governing body-centric approach, and running the office like a high-powered in-house corporate counsel. He proposed quarterly meetings with council on priorities and using outside counsel strategically. - Owen Kohler (current assistant city attorney): Highlighted three priorities: provide stability by filling two vacancies in the office, bring two new council members up to speed on legal issues and city procedures, and keep major projects moving (spring training facility, downtown construction, potential P3 project, CRA litigation). He emphasized collaboration with the city manager while maintaining independence, and reducing outside counsel costs by handling more litigation internally, such as car crashes, slip-and-falls, and Section 1983 actions. He also suggested adding flexibility to employee schedules. - Andrew (third candidate): Focused on observing existing operations, identifying needed resources, and maintaining open communication within the legal department and with council. He advocated for a calm, even-keeled demeanor and providing legal advice with options and risk-benefit analysis. He cited diverse experience from working with many municipalities and emphasized weekly meetings with council and staff. He also noted the importance of training and continuous re-evaluation. - Camilo Soto (former Clearwater assistant city attorney, now with Manatee County): Emphasized his urban planning background and 10+ years of history with Clearwater, including work on Imagine Clearwater, the East Library, and the marina redevelopment. He highlighted collaboration, independence, and accuracy in legal advice, leaving politicking to politicians. He identified three challenges: the need for a collaborative downtown master plan, the chilling effect of SB 180, and potential property tax cuts via Amendment 3. He suggested efficiencies through digitization, AI, and evaluating staff strengths. Key Outcomes - The council did not make a final decision during the work session; the item was scheduled for discussion at the regular evening meeting on the same day, which would include public comment and a formal vote. - Council members expressed appreciation for the quality of the candidates and the process, including the one-on-one interviews and presentations. - Councilmember Manito expressed disappointment that an internal candidate, Mr. Middich, was not included among the top five finalists, calling it a missed opportunity for staff development. - The council will discuss and decide on next steps at the evening meeting, including a possible motion to select a candidate or proceed further.

The Clearwater City Council met on July 16, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Main Library Council Chambers. The meeting covered a 30-year franchise agreement with Duke Energy, the tentative millage rate for FY 2026-27, allocation of hotel density units for the Palm Pavilion redevelopment, and appointment of a new city attorney, among other items. Public comment was heard on several agenda items, particularly the Duke Energy franchise. Consent Calendar - The consent agenda (items 5.1–5.16) was approved unanimously, including purchase orders for citywide custom apparel, seawall repairs, underdrain improvement, pedestrian crosswalk enhancements, temporary right-of-entry for new City Hall, vehicle repair services, fire training indemnification, lift station platforms, reverse osmosis filters, and various board appointments. Public Comments & Testimony - Duke Energy Franchise (6.1): Over 20 speakers addressed the council. Several residents and a representative from Duke Energy expressed support for the franchise renewal, citing Duke’s investments, reliability, and community partnerships. Speakers from the “Dump Duke” campaign urged the council to pursue a municipal utility, citing feasibility study findings of 10–15% potential savings, lower rates in other cities (e.g., Winter Park), and dissatisfaction with Duke’s customer service and rate increases. Some speakers criticized the rushed process and lack of public education. Others praised Duke’s weatherization programs in North Greenwood. - Palm Pavilion Hotel (6.5): Residents from adjacent Pura Vida condominiums and other community members voiced opposition to the 144-room hotel, citing traffic concerns, scale, and lack of notice. They requested a pause until a traffic study due in November 2026 was completed. - Budget (6.2): One speaker urged the council to educate residents about the potential impact of the November property tax referendum. Discussion Items - 6.1 – Duke Energy Franchise Agreement: Staff presented the 30-year franchise agreement and a related Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Duke. Key MOU benefits included a $20,000/year economic development plan for five years, $100,000 for downtown retail strategy, $100,000/year for six years for infrastructure resiliency, $20,000/year for five years for North Greenwood CRA, a loop feed for police headquarters, naming rights for Coachman Park, and vegetation management collaboration. Council members expressed support, citing the city’s feasibility study and appraisal (which showed municipalization could save money but carried litigation and financial risks). The proposed franchise fee remained at 6%. - 6.2 – Tentative Millage Rate and Budget: Budget Director Kayleen Castle presented the FY 2026-27 proposed budget of $800.2 million, with a proposed millage rate of 5.8850 mills (same as current year). After discussion, Councilmember Mannino moved to set the rate at the rollback rate of 5.8773 mills, reducing revenue by approximately $145,000. The motion passed 5-0, with council members noting it was a symbolic step toward taxpayer relief. Public hearing dates were set for September 15 and 21, 2026. - 6.3 – Affordable Housing Advisory Committee: Continued to the next meeting due to a vacancy. - 6.4 – Surplus Property Transfer: Approved unanimously to transfer 103 N. East Ave. to the CRA. - 6.5 – Palm Pavilion Hotel Density Allocation: The council approved setting a second public hearing for August 20, 2026, on the development agreement allocating 91 units from the Hotel Density Reserve. Council members expressed support for the project, noting its compliance with Beach by Design, but also agreed to a future strategic discussion on the remaining 19 units and traffic issues. - 6.6 – Sister Cities Advisory Board Appointment: Cheryl Acton was appointed as the business community representative. - 7.1–7.5 – Ordinances: All second and third reading ordinances were approved unanimously, including parking modernization, right-of-way vacation, and annexation/zoning at 1903 Douglas Avenue. - 11.1 – City Attorney Selection: After discussion, the council unanimously selected Owen Kohler as the next city attorney, citing his performance as interim city attorney, institutional knowledge, and stability. Key Outcomes - Duke Energy Franchise: Ordinance 9929-26 passed on first reading unanimously (5-0). A second reading will be required. - Millage Rate: Set at 5.8773 mills (rollback rate) for FY 2026-27, with public hearings on September 15 and 21, 2026. - Palm Pavilion: Second public hearing scheduled for August 20, 2026, at 6:00 PM. - City Attorney: Owen Kohler appointed as city attorney; contract to be drafted by outside counsel. - Board Appointments: Cheryl Acton to Sister Cities Advisory Board; Robyn Fiel and Todd St. John-Fulton to Affordable Housing Advisory Board; Kinard Robinson to North Greenwood CRA CAC; Eleanor Nartker, Stephanie Chill, and Natasa Karac to Sister Cities Advisory Board. - Other: All consent agenda items approved; surplus property transferred to CRA; three ordinances adopted on third reading.

The Clearwater City Council held a work session on July 13, 2026, to discuss and take action on a variety of agenda items including service awards, a Duke Energy franchise agreement, a tentative millage rate, affordable housing committee appointments, and a proposed development agreement for Palm Pavilion Hotel. The council also heard a quarterly update from Ruth Eckerd Hall's BayCare Sound. The meeting was held at 1:30 PM in Council Chambers. Consent Calendar - Service Awards: Recognized Cole Van Dusen (5 years), Graham Donaldson (10 years), and Teresa Phillips (35 years) for their service, along with the Emergency Gas Leak Team for exceptional response to a natural gas emergency. - Purchasing and Contracts: Approved purchase orders and contracts on consent: - Citywide custom apparel services ($385,000 annual, with renewal options). - Seawall repairs design services ($128,097.56) to Advanced Engineering and Design, Inc. - Underdrain improvement project ($1,709,581.50) to Keystone Excavators, Inc., with renewal options. - Pedestrian crosswalk enhancements ($107,895) for Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacon systems. - Temporary right-of-entry agreement with CSX for new City Hall project. - Vehicle and equipment repair services ($5,000,000 over five years). - Fire training indemnification agreement with Pinellas Park. - Lift station platforms construction contract ($6,336,305.80) to JDS Pipe, Inc. - Reverse osmosis cartridge filters ($160,000 annual, with renewal options). - Board Appointments (Items 12.1–12.6): Reappointed Robyn Fiel and Todd St. John-Fulton to the Neighborhood and Affordable Housing Advisory Board, Kinard Robinson to the North Greenwood CRA Citizens Advisory Committee, and appointed Eleanor Nartker, Stephanie Chill, and Natasa Karac to the Sister Cities Advisory Board. Discussion Items - Sound Quarterly Update: Brianna Roberts, VP of Events Operations at Ruth Eckerd Hall, reported that BayCare Sound was ranked 2 amphitheater nationwide. In 2026, 16 shows had been held with 25 more planned. Sustainability initiatives saved 140,000 single-use plastics and recycled 360 cubic yards. New digital ticketing (True Tickets) reduced paper use. Council discussed booking pace and the advantage of covered seating. The Vice Mayor noted questions from downtown merchants about show frequency; Roberts indicated the schedule varies but October has 12 shows. - Duke Energy Franchise Agreement (Item 3.1): Staff presented a proposed 30-year franchise agreement with Duke Energy Florida, LLC, including a 6% franchise fee and a Memorandum of Agreement providing community investments (vision plan, downtown retail strategy, beautification, resiliency funding, etc.). Duke Energy President Melissa Satius highlighted $632 million in planned storm hardening and grid investments over 10 years and noted that 75% of Clearwater customers use Duke energy-saving programs, saving $6.5 million in 2025. Council deferred further discussion and first reading of Ordinance 9929-26 to the Thursday council meeting to allow public comment. - Parking Ordinance (Item 3.2): Ordinance 9909-26 on second reading to modernize parking operations, update enforcement, and revise fees. No questions were raised; final reading is set for Thursday. - Right-of-Way Vacation (Item 3.3): Third reading of Ordinance 9888-26 to vacate certain alleys and easements. Staff noted the applicant removed Tennessee Avenue from the request. The ordinance will move to a third reading on Thursday due to a previous notice issue. - Annexation Ordinances (Items 3.4–3.6): Third readings for annexation and zoning of 1903 Douglas Avenue. These also require a third reading on Thursday due to notice issues. - Tentative Millage Rate (Item 4.1): Budget Director Kayleen Castle proposed a tentative millage rate of 5.8850 mills for FY2026/27, unchanged from the current year, and set public hearing dates for September 15 and September 21, 2026 at 6:00 PM. Vice Mayor expressed interest in a rollback rate, but other members cited risks from the November homestead exemption ballot measure and lower property valuation growth (2.5% vs budgeted 4%). Council set the tentative millage rate and scheduled hearings. - Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (Item 5.1): Housing Manager Dylan May presented appointments of 10 members to the 2026 AHAC to comply with state requirements and prepare the Local Housing Incentive Strategy by December 31, 2026. Council approved the appointments. - Surplus Property Transfer (Item 5.2): Declared 103 N. East Ave as surplus and transferred it to the Clearwater CRA for redevelopment. - Palm Pavilion Hotel Development Agreement (Item 10.1): Staff presented a request for 91 hotel density units from the Beach by Design reserve for a 144-unit hotel at 10 and 18 Bay Esplanade. Council discussed the need for a comprehensive beach traffic study (expected November 2026) and the impact on the remaining 19 unallocated density units. Vice Mayor proposed pausing any further allocation of hotel density units until the traffic study is completed. Council agreed to bring the topic to the next work session for discussion. The project itself will proceed to the Community Development Board for review. - Board Appointment (Item 12.7): Two applicants (Cheryl Acton and William Johnson) were considered for the Sister Cities business representative seat. Council split, with some favoring Acton's travel experience and others favoring Johnson's beach tourism perspective. The item was deferred to Thursday, with both applicants invited to attend. - Florida League of Cities Delegate (Item 12.8): Mayor and Councilmember Manino expressed interest in attending the conference; the voting delegate designation was deferred to Thursday for a formal motion. Key Outcomes - Millage Rate Set: Tentative millage rate set at 5.8850 mills for FY2026/27; budget public hearings scheduled for September 15 and September 21, 2026. - Duke Energy Franchise: First reading of Ordinance 9929-26 will be on Thursday, July 16, 2026, with public comment. - Hotel Density Allocation Direction: Council directed staff to schedule a discussion item on a potential pause of further hotel density reserve allocations pending beach traffic study completion. - Consent Items Approved: All consent items (listed above) were approved unanimously. - Deferred Items: Parking ordinance second reading, right-of-way vacation, and annexation ordinances will receive final votes on Thursday. Sister Cities board appointment and Florida League of Cities voting delegate will also be decided Thursday.