Clearwater City Council Work Session – December 1, 2025
Clearwater City Council Work Session – December 1, 2025
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.
Consent Calendar
- December Service Awards (ID#25-1153): Presented to Sherry Watkins (25-year employee) and Raymond Dresh (Employee of the Month).
- 2025 Local Housing Incentive Strategies (LHIS) Report (ID#25-1204): Accepted as recommended by the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.
- Reimagine Clearwater Library Call for Development Concepts (ID#25-1198): Approved process and authorized staff to implement targeted marketing.
- Firm Transportation Service Agreement with Florida Gas Transmission (ID#25-1206): Approved for 10-year natural gas capacity reservation.
- Lower Spring Branch Stormwater Improvements – Supplemental Work Order Two (ID#25-1116): Approved $177,052 increase for AtkinsRealis.
- ParkMobile Purchase Order (ID#25-1151): Approved up to $1,097,454 for mobile parking transaction fees through November 2029.
- FDOT Pedestrian Overpass Easement (ID#25-1176): Approved conveyance of perpetual easement over city-owned land.
- Citywide Two-Way Radio Maintenance (ID#25-1181): Approved increase of $426,941 and term extension through September 2026.
- Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Purchase (ID#25-1202): Approved up to $2,181,450.55 for new SCBA units and related equipment.
- Emergency Inspection and Plan Review Services (ID#25-1210): Approved purchase orders to JPI, Beryl Project Engineering, Willdan Engineering, and CAP Government.
- Water Reclamation Facilities Maintenance Program (ID#25-0882): Approved $11,100,000 five-year agreement with Ardurra Group.
- Pension Plan Ordinance Amendment (ID#25-1194): Passed first reading to eliminate redundant ministerial duties of the Pension Advisory Committee.
- Retainer Agreements (ID#25-1199, ID#25-1200, ID#25-1219): Approved for litigation and lien foreclosure representation.
- Gotham Loan Conversion (ID#25-1222): Approved converting $17 million parking fund contribution into a loan with promissory note.
- Public-Private Partnership Ordinance Repeal (ID#25-1203): Passed first reading to repeal local P3 ordinance in favor of state law.
- Platting and Development Review Ordinances (ID#25-090, ID#25-090): Adopted second reading updates per Senate Bills 784 and 1080.
Public Comments & Testimony
No public comments were made during the meeting. The council discussed reinstating public comment for non-agenda items later in the meeting.
Discussion Items
- Opt Out of Live Local Act Missing Middle Tax Exemption (ID#25-1137): Staff presented that the Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater MSA has a surplus of affordable housing for households earning 80-120% AMI, allowing the city to opt out for 2026. Councilmember Manino asked about effects on existing projects like Indigo; staff confirmed no negative impact. The resolution was approved.
- Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for FY 2024-2025 (ID#25-1205): Staff presented a comprehensive overview of federal fund usage, including 253 individuals assisted with housing services, 208 affordable units added via Indigo Apartments, and $1,043,672 expended on public facilities and services. Councilmember voiced appreciation for the department's work.
- Reimagine Clearwater Library Call for Development Concepts (ID#25-1198): Staff presented a refined strategy incorporating lessons from the 2025 solicitation, including clearer messaging, targeted outreach to national cultural institutions, and a longer timeline (six to nine months for partner cultivation). Council discussed timing: some members preferred starting marketing immediately to capitalize on downtown momentum, while others wanted to delay to allow more development activity. The consensus was to proceed with the January 2026 launch, with monthly updates to council and flexibility to extend the proposal window. The item was approved by consent.
- North Ward Elementary School – Roof Repairs and Disposition Strategy (ID#25-1209): Staff provided an update on roof conditions (no active leaks, but roofs near end of life) and appraisals ($1.6 million and $2.7 million). Options for roof protection included a temporary shrink-wrap cover ($83,000) or full replacement ($372,000). Council expressed concern about spending on a property to be sold and asked staff to clarify the longevity of shrink-wrap. A pre-marketing strategy was presented, aiming to begin in early 2026 with a six-month lead time before accepting proposals. Council directed staff to provide more information on the temporary cover and proceed with the marketing approach, including consideration of both historic adaptive reuse and general development.
- Reinstating Public Comment for Non-Agenda Items (ID#25-1238): Councilmember Cotton proposed reinstating public comment with parameters: three minutes per speaker, no additional time, first-come-first-served up to 10 speakers, and a 30-minute cap. Council debated the trade-offs between public access and potential disruptions from non-residents. The city attorney noted that the city may limit non-agenda comments to local stakeholders. Council agreed to direct staff to research residency requirements and bring the item back for further discussion at the January 2026 meeting.
- Attorney General Letter Regarding Garden Avenue (ID#25-1234): Mayor Rector requested discussion of a letter from the Florida Attorney General regarding the ownership of Garden Avenue. Councilmember Alberton expressed concern about the process and the legal basis for the city's claim of fee simple ownership, citing other street vacations. Vice Mayor and others urged transparency and team unity. The council decided to place the item on the next regular meeting agenda for further discussion.
Key Outcomes
- Approved Resolution 25-14: Opting out of the missing middle property tax exemption for calendar year 2026, effective January 1, 2027 unless renewed.
- Approved 2025 LHIS Report: To be submitted to Florida Housing Finance Corporation by December 31, 2025.
- Approved CAPER Report: To be submitted to HUD by December 29, 2025.
- Approved Reimagine Library Strategy: Staff authorized to implement refined marketing and outreach starting January 2026, with monthly trustee updates and a flexible proposal window.
- Directed Staff on North Ward School: To obtain more information on the longevity of shrink-wrap roof cover and proceed with a pre-marketing strategy, with a solicitation anticipated in mid-2026.
- Set Timeline for Public Comment Reinstatement: Staff to research residency requirements for non-agenda items and report back to council at the January 2026 work session.
- Placed AG Letter on Thursday Agenda: The council will discuss the Attorney General's response regarding Garden Avenue at the December 4, 2025 regular meeting.
Meeting Transcript
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.
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