Clearwater City Council Meeting - November 20, 2025

The Clearwater City Council met on November 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM in the Main Library Council Chambers. The meeting included service awards, approval of routine consent items, public hearings on code amendments, a second reading of sewer rate adjustments, and a contentious discussion regarding a councilmember's letter to the Florida Attorney General about the Garden Avenue property dispute with the Church of Scientology. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the November 6, 2025 meeting.
• Authorized purchase orders and contracts for gas leak surveys, tennis/pickleball court refurbishment, aquatic facility renovations, PRIME information management, FDOT speeding grant, Axon drone packages, undergrounding utility ILA with PSTA, water quality monitoring ILA, street resurfacing, EMS agreement, 2026 council meeting schedule, and legal representation. (Items 6.1-6.3, 6.8-6.10, 6.12 were approved without discussion.)
• Items 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, and 6.11 were pulled for individual discussion and later approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Speaker on 6.4 (PRIME agreement): Criticized the agreement, stating it is meaningless because Pinellas County Sheriff's Office handles all 911 dispatch, and alleged Clearwater Police corruption. Urged a no vote.
• Speaker on 6.5 (FDOT speeding grant): Argued traffic enforcement is sloppy and discretionary, citing past incidents. Claimed no safeguards against misuse. Urged a no vote.
• Speaker on 6.6 (Axon drone package): Opposed surveillance equipment, stating it is "wrongful mass surveillance" and violates free speech. Urged a no vote.
• Bill Joneson on 6.7 (PSTA ILA): Requested a pause to underground all power lines along Myrtle Avenue between Chestnut and Cleveland, using CRA funds, to set a higher standard for downtown development.
• Speaker on 6.11 (2026 meeting schedule): Criticized the lack of public comment periods on the schedule and suppression of free speech, referencing past town hall disruptions.
• Speaker on 8.1 (sewer rate adjustment): Expressed concern about the $6.01 increase, asking for a five-day grace period and automatic text notifications. Highlighted the impact on low-income residents, calculating $5 million+ per month from 70,000 households.
• Mr. Haluva on 8.1: Criticized the sewer rate restructuring, reclaimed water availability fees, and recycling charges, calling Clearwater Utilities a "publicly operated criminal organization."

Discussion Items

• Service Awards (4.1): Lisa Perkins, 35-year employee at CGS Energy, was honored for her dedication and community service.
• Civic Champion Award (4.2): Eleanor Lida received the award for her positive impact, volunteerism, and leadership in the East Gateway area.
• Consent Agenda Pulled Items:
  • 6.4: Deputy Police Chief Michael Wallace explained the PRIME payment net of $77,216 after reimbursement.
  • 6.5: Deputy Chief Wallace described the $75,000 FDOT grant for overtime enforcement with an education component.
  • 6.6: Staff explained the Axon Sky Hero package replaces end-of-life equipment with a five-year warranty.
  • 6.7: Public Works Director Marcus Williams noted the PSTA amendment is a pass-through for CSX/Duke work.
  • 6.11: City Manager Jennifer Clark presented the 2026 schedule, removing the strategic planning session due to date conflicts; moved the April meeting to April 20 and 23.
• Public Hearings:
  • 7.1 (Platting code amendments): Lauren Matske, Planning and Development, presented ordinance to move final plat approval from council to Community Development Coordinator, per SB 784. Unanimous recommendation from the Community Development Board.
  • 7.2 (Development review processes): Matske presented ordinance updating timeframes per SB 1080, including notification requirements, 120/180-day approval deadlines, and codifying existing practices. Unanimous board recommendation.
• Second Readings:
  • 8.1 (Sewer rate adjustment): Council discussed the necessity of rate increases due to aging infrastructure and a $1 billion wastewater treatment plant consolidation project. Staff noted they are seeking grants and will adjust rates if projects are delayed. Councilmember Manino expressed sympathy for residents. City Manager Clark offered to follow up with the speaker on resources.
  • 8.2 (Advisory board restructuring): Passed without discussion.
• City Attorney Reports: Councilmember David Albright disclosed he sent a letter to the Florida Attorney General requesting an opinion on whether the city owns the Garden Avenue right-of-way or if it is a platted right-of-way subject to vacation without fair market value, related to the Church of Scientology's application. Councilmembers criticized the lack of transparency and circumvention of the city attorney's 30-page memo. The city attorney stated he learned of the letter on Monday. Councilmember Cotton cited Florida Statute 16.01(3) allowing any municipal officer to request an opinion. Other councilmembers expressed disappointment, with Vice Mayor Teixeira calling it "knocking on the same door we all agreed to shut." Mayor Rector and Councilmember Cotton engaged in heated exchanges. Albright defended his right to seek personal clarification, stating he was not representing the city.

Key Outcomes

• All votes were unanimous.
• The 2026 meeting schedule was approved without the strategic planning session; staff will bring back a date.
• The sewer rate adjustment (Ordinance 9854-25) was adopted on second reading, increasing minimum monthly wastewater rates.
• Two code amendments (Ordinances 9856-25 and 9857-25) were passed on first reading, updating platting and development review processes.
• The Community Resiliency and Leisure Services Advisory Board and Sister Cities Advisory Board changes (Ordinance 9855-25) were adopted on second reading.
• The council took no action on the Attorney General letter; it remains a personal request from Councilmember Albright.