The Clearwater City Council held a work session on December 1, 2025, at 1:30 PM in the Main Library Council Chambers. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including housing incentives, library redevelopment, property disposition, and public comment procedures. Several items were approved via consent, while others generated extended discussion and direction to staff.
No public comments were made during the meeting. The council discussed reinstating public comment for non-agenda items later in the meeting.
We will move to item 2.1 on the agenda, and that's presentation of our December service awards. This time I'd like to call forward for our service awards. There are two to present today. I'd like to call for Sherry Watkins from Planning and Development and ask the city manager to read the letter of rec of uh award for this uh emission for this 25-year employee. Everyone who has been to the planning and development department, whether as a customer or an employee, knows Sherry Watkins. For 25 years, her positive energy and the laugh you can hear from across the room have been a part of the soundtrack of the department. She is everywhere at once, never sits still. And if you are not sure where to start, the rule is simple. Ask Sherry. She knows more about the city of Clearwater and how to find the right person, record, or place than just about anyone. And she has done it all in Allie McBeale's skirts and Halle Berry and Jane Fonda worthy hairstyles that people still remember. Sherry joined the city in 2000 and has grown from a development review technician to administrative assistant to her current role as the department's document and records specialist. If a record exists, she either knows where it is or will exhaust every avenue to find it. Her motivation is always to do what's best for the customer, who she reminds colleagues is the reason the department exists. A former department director used to say that if you looked up the definition of customer service, you would see a picture of Sherry. One attorney who has worked with her for more than 20 years has called out her servant heart. That customer focused lens guides everything that Sherry does, including leaving the department to be one of the first in the city to proactively scan and digitize records. She has taken on the daunting task of transforming decades of paper files into and microfilm into searchable records, scanning historic plans, and now leading a major project to convert microfiche so information is preserved and easy to find. Her customer service is rooted in patience and epathy. Sherry understands that most people who contact the department are not experts in planning, permitting, or records. She translates technical language into plain terms and helps customers figure out what they really need, no matter how many times or how much time it takes. Inside planning and development, Sherry is the person people go to when they have no idea where to start. For many years as administrative assistant, she managed the development review committee and community development board calendars and deadlines, keeping everyone on track and helping applicants navigate the process. She also mentors new, often very young staff members, quietly teaching them how things really work. Many planners will admit that at some point in their careers, they showed up at her desk in a panic over making a mistake or missing a deadline. She is the calm in the storm, listening, pulling out calendars, talking through options, and sending them to their managers with a plan instead of just a problem. Her colleagues describe her as generous and kind with a side of SASS. Sherry is known for frequently saying, not a problem, it's what I'm here for. She's a proud mom and grandmother and brings that same care into the workplace. The planning development department may joke that she secretly runs the place, but there's a lot of truth in that. The city of Clearwater is better because of Sherry Watkins and the positive impact she has had on residents, developers, attorneys, and businesses, helping Clearwater truly thrive from Beta Beach. Thank you. Well deserved. Thank you. Thank you, Sherry. Thank you. Thank you. That's my granddaughter. Thank you. Thanks so much. We all wish we had a fan club like Sherry's. Thank you so much, Sherry. Twenty-five years of your commitment, not just to your job, but to the city of Clearwater and our citizens, and we thank you so much for your service and the way you have served our city. Next we'll call forward for the employee of the month award for November. Raymond Dresh from Public Works. Ray is truly someone who can do it all. He manages his responsibilities in the transportation division with exceptional efficiency and still finds the time to wear multiple hats supporting development review for other divisions and public works and even other city departments. He does all of this while maintaining a friendly, approachable attitude and never hesitates to assist co-workers with questions or challenges, including frequently helping troubleshoot troubleshoot IT issues. And he's accomplished all of this in just over a year in his role. The City of Clearwater is undoubtedly better because of Bree's contributions, and within transportation, we feel very fortunate to work with alongside him.