This time I'll call call to order the February 19, 2026 meeting of the City of Clearwater City Council.

If you wish to address the council tonight, please complete a comment card.

Comment cards are located by the clerk seated to the right of the dais.

When called to speak, please hand your card to the clerk.

Move to item two on the agenda, and that is to uh to have our invocation.

I'd ask that everyone please stand for the invocation tonight to be given by Pastor Steve Kreloff from the Lakeside Community Chapel, and then remain standing afterwards for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Well Lord, we are so grateful for your many blessings.

One of which is to live in such a not only wonderful country but a wonderful part of the country here in Clearwater.

And we thank you for our city council for the members for each one.

We would ask that you would give them wisdom as they make decisions tonight, give them insight, give them understanding, and we um we would pray that this would be a wonderful meeting and that uh all things would be done that would bring honor to you.

We pray in your name, amen.

Thank you, Pastor.

Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the floodplay of the United States of America and to the Republic for which the States, one nation, under God, and do this as well with literature and justice for all before we continue through the agenda tonight.

I'd like to introduce uh the dais to my far left is our deputy city clerk Nicole Sprague.

To her right is our city clerk Rosemary Cole.

Good evening.

To her right is interim city attorney Owen Kohler.

Good evening.

To his right is City Council Member Ryan Cotton.

Hello.

To his right, my left is City Council Member Mike Mamino.

Good evening.

To my right, Councilmember David Albretton.

Good evening.

To his right, Vice Mayor Lena Techira.

Good evening.

To her right, City Manager Jennifer Porrio.

Good evening.

To her right, Assistant City Manager Al Battle.

Good evening.

That will move to item 4.1 on the agenda, and that is the Youth Art Proclamation.

And I would like to call forward Betsy Adler and Beth Daniels from the Clearwater Arts Alliance for this proclamation.

And who whoever else you'd like to bring forward.

Whereas the study and production of art leads to a fuller, more meaningful life, and whereas art education provides substantial educational benefits to all elementary, middle, and high school students.

And whereas art education cultivates students' creativity, develops problem solving and critical thinking skills by reinforcing and bringing to life what is learned in other subjects.

And whereas art education teaches sensitivity to beauty, order, and other expressive qualities, and give students a deeper understanding of multicultural values and beliefs, and whereas our national leaders, the National Art Education Association, the Florida Arts Education Association, Arts for a Complete Education Penelis, and the Clearwater Arts Alliance acknowledge the necessity of including art experiences in all students' education.

Now, therefore, I Bruce Rector, mayor of the City of Clearwater, Florida, on behalf of the Clearwater City Council to hereby proclaim March 2026 to be Youth Art Month in Clearwater and encourage citizens to support quality school arts programs and experience the arts in their daily lives.

Thank you.

Beth, would you and your folks like to say something?

Yeah.

Just to say thank you for the proclamation and the acknowledgement of the value of creativity for our young people and their educations.

We will we are particularly proud that this year, although there were some issues about funding for art things in the county, that for the first time in a number of years, the countywide kindergarten through eight full juried art show is coming back to the Clearwater Library.

So the opening reception last year at Creative Panellists they had over 400 people in attendance honoring their young students who had been awarded and juried with the show with a piece that was put in the show, and it will be right here in our gallery on Tuesday, March the 2nd.

March 3rd, pardon me.

March the third.

So there'll be a lovely reception.

We hope you'll all see it.

Those pieces of art from those local students will be up for the best part of a month.

So you'll have time to enjoy that.

And of course, there's a lovely exhibit there now, which has been on display for several months.

So we're happy about that, and we're very thankful for the support this council has given to the efforts of creativity and art in our community.

Thank you very much.

And I think we have a little reminder of what's happening and when to be there if you'd like to be there.

But we think a lot of proud parents and a lot of very enthusiastic young students will be here right in this uh library in very short time with their lovely pieces that they're very proud of.

Thank you.

Certainly, our community that celebrates art and uh and really appreciate the importance of involving youth in art.

And so we appreciate the efforts of Claremore Arts Alliance to do that.

So thank you for coming.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, man.

Thanks so much.

Thank you.

Thanks.

Thank you very much.

I learned that.

That's my job.

Thank you so much.

We will now move to item 5.1 on the agenda.

Approve the minutes of the February 5th to 2026 City Council meeting.

So motion to approve the minutes.

So moved.

Second.

All those in favor?

Aye.

Opposed.

Unanimous.

Now move to the consent agenda.

Are there any items to be removed from tonight's consent agenda?

Yes, council received a request to remove items 6.2, 6.3, and 6.4.

Mr.

Motion to approve those items that were not just removed from the consent agenda.

I move to uh approve 6.1 and 6.5 through 6.13.

Second.

All those in favor?

Aye.

Opposed unanimous.

Move to the agenda item 6.2.

Approve a purchase order to Rev Services Inc.

of Longwood, Florida for the purchase and installation of playground equipments at Montclair Park, located 1821 Montclair Road in the total amount of 192,509 and 44 sentence pursuant to Clearwater Code Awards of sections 2.563 Prend 1 parent C piggyback and 2.563 perennial D impractical and authorized approved officials to execute saying.

Good evening, Mayor Council.

Matthew Anderson, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation.

The item before you was presented at work session on Tuesday, February 18th, and I'll be glad to answer any questions at this time.

Seems a little excessive.

About six months ago, a similar amount was spent for playground equipment at Merrymont Park.

Now I've been there, I've seen what they installed, and it sure don't look like $200,000 worth to me.

It's a swing set and a slide and one other piece of equipment.

It's listed on the city website that you're so proud of, Miss Poye.

This business is a nonprofit.

But when you pull it up in state records, it's listed as inactive.

Now I don't understand that.

Why is it listed on the city website if it's an inactive nonprofit?

Maybe that's why the city hired Samson Oni.

Maybe he can do something about this.

Very doubtful.

I believe having any park property sold for naming rights only serves to commercialize and cheapens the park visitation experience.

And I don't understand when Mary Mont Park is sponsored by a defunct nonprofit.

And I don't understand why you arrive at the wrongful conclusion that selling naming rights to park assets is somehow a good thing.

I don't believe it is.

Move to approve agenda item 6.2.

Second.

All those in favor?

Proposed unanimous.

Agenda item 6.3.

Approved increased existing purchase orders with quality sod and landscape and LC, Sunbelt SOD and Grading Company, and Tom's SOD Service Inc.

For citywide SOD needs in the amounts of $60,000 per year to address additional SOD requirements resulting from Hurricanes Helene and Melton bringing the total amount for this contract term to $360,000 pursuant to ITB 19-24 and authorized appropriate officials to execute same.

Good evening, Mayor Council.

Matthew Anderson, Assistant Director, Parks and Recreation.

The item before you was presented on Tuesday, February 17th.

I apologize, I said the 18th in my previous statement.

Um, but on Tuesday, February 17th, and at this time I'd be glad to answer any questions you may have.

Does anyone here tonight from the public desire to speak to agenda item 6.3?

I'm Mr.

Haluba, of course.

No questions from any of you.

It's just gonna be another rubber stamped approval, unanimous.

Now this is also parks and recreation business, obviously.

This one's for an additional $60,000 added to the already approved contract of three hundred thousand dollars for sod is a layer of pre-grown grass, which includes the roots and the dirt.

Now an alternative, generally accepted to sod, would be grass seed, and here's a shocker for all of you that are gonna sit here and approve this in a minute with no questions.

Grass seed costs a whole lot less than sod, a lot less.

Now the excuse given for spending this additional sixty thousand dollars for additional, it's for a additional SOD requirements.

What that's sinking is a sec a second.

SOD requirements.

I'm not aware that sod is a requirement in any way, shape, or form.

Now back in the 1940s, there was a man by the name of Maslow.

Maslow published the list of human being needs.

An important here, needs, not wants, needs.

Guess what is not on the list?

Sod.

Where maybe Mr.

Anderson can explain where this $360,000 worth of sod is actually going to be laid.

Is grass seed not a better option?

I think so.

Maybe we can get InstaGo to get a uh sponsor for SOD.

This is an outrageous expense.

We don't know where the SOD's going.

We don't even know where the money's going.

But you're going to sit here and approve it with no questions.

This past week, uh, just a couple days ago.

TripAdvisor, which is a travel website, uh takes millions of traveler reviews from all around the world.

Uh people who have visited destinations and then rate their experience visiting those destinations.

This just this week, Clearwater Beach was rated the number two beach in the United States.

We have been number one.

We fell off a little bit, but after hurricanes, it was remarkable.

See, our community pulled together to put it back together in a beautiful way.

They gave visitors from all over the world the experience, wonderful experience, rate us number two in America.

But even more importantly, we were number 17 in the entire world.

The only two American beaches rated higher than Clearwater Beach were Lawaia and San Diego.

Very nice destination.

And uh Pueblo Beach in Kauai in Hawaii.

We are on that level.

And because we're on that level, uh we have many nice resorts on Clearwater Beach that pay a whole lot in real property taxes.

And we benefit as a community from that tourism industry in keeping things nice.

So we could not put in down any grass seed at all.

We can put not put down a new sod, we could just let it be dirt.

And over time, what would happen is our community would lose its reputation as a quality of life, a great place to live.

There are people here in the audience tonight in neighborhoods throughout the city who are all the time requesting us to improve the landscaping in their neighborhood because we want the quality experience.

And so there may be those who would not like to put solid or grass seed down.

There are certainly some of those not just in Clearwater in every community.

But I can tell you the vast majority of Clearwater residents, they want this city to look nice.

They take great bright in our community, and uh and as far as we know, we've been sitting here, we look at the bids come in, we're paying market prices for this uh for this side.

So I just want to point out that there's differences of opinion.

We've heard one tonight.

Doesn't think we should put down anything at all or just throw grass seed down, but there are plenty of other people in this community that want our community to look beautiful, and and that's why we're proceeding with this purchase tonight, my view.

So with that, is there anybody else that wants to weigh in?

If not, then we will entertain a motion to approve or motion to approve agenda item 6.3.

Second.

All those opposed, excuse me, all those in favor?

Aye.

All those opposed unanimous.

That will move to agenda item 6.4.

Authorized a purchase order to wise hands LLC of St.

Petersburg, Florida for citywide landscape plants, material needs in the cumulative annual not to seed amounts at $300,000 for the initial term from March 5, 2026 through March 4, 2027, with up to three one-year renewal options pursuant to invitation to bid 06-26 and authorized appropriate officials to execute same.

Good evening, Mayor Council Matthew Anderson, Assistant Director.

I presented this item during work session on Tuesday, February 17th.

I'll be glad to answer any additional questions at this time.

I appreciate your comments, Mr.

Rector, but I'm I've been to the beach.

I don't see any sod on the beach.

You know, and if you're uh you know own a hotel, I think you can afford to put sod down or bird seed, whatever.

This is very similar.

This is for $300,000 for landscape material needs.

I don't know what landscape material is.

Is it mulch?

Is it you know invasive species weeds?

Whatever it is, it's not needs because I refer you back to Maslow's list, landscape materials are not on the list of needs.

One thing's for certain, as we've heard twice already, and you know, this is another $300,000.

Parks and recreation department has no lack of funds to do whatever they feel like they can put over on you all.

As a group, regardless if it's needed or not, regardless if it makes sense or not.

But it proves a point I think that there is no need to try to monetize park assets by selling naming rights.

I believe it's you know an ethical problem.

There's plenty of money, obviously, in parks and rec from tax revenue.

And I certainly do not believe hiring, you know, an outside entity like this InstaGo that's a one-man, one manation, is even going to help the naming rights thing.

I believe when someone makes a claim about themselves, they better be able to back it up.

Now, you know, citizenship is proved in one of three ways.

Birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, certificate of naturalization.

Now Mr.

Oney has told you, Mr.

Kohler, that he's a U.S.

citizen.

You have any of this documentation?

The answer is no.

He should be run off.

Anyone else here from the public desire to speak to agenda item 6.4.

Now is there any council discussion?

Um Mr.

Anderson, you covered this at the work session quite a bit.

Information for the public's knowledge is covered during the work session, which we had.

We did all ask questions of many items just to make the ad record accurate.

But what is the plant material?

What's what kinds of things are included in this plant material?

So the plant material that falls under this contract involves uh ground covers, plants, shrubs, trees, palms.

Uh it's a wide variety.

We've got almost a hundred species that are covered under this that were covered under this ITB.

Um, so these plants are used in various different ways.

We've got some that are uh more tropical, we've got others that are uh native that are used in our more environmental parks, and then there's a wide variety of species.

Um a lot of species diversity in the list, and that's one of the things we try to do is plant species diversity.

There's certain plants you plant the right plant or tree in the right place, except we don't have a problem with it.

Um, but yes, we have put a lot of thought into this list.

Councilmember Albert?

I just have a comment I want to tell you did such a nice job on the roundabout on the beach.

You guys got in there, it you uh you planted the plants, which is a real nice different types of plants, and you did it really fast.

I couldn't believe it.

You came in in the morning, and it was like done at the end of the day.

There was a lot of plants that got installed there.

It looks nice.

Thank you, sir.

I'll pass it on to the crews that did it.

They do a great job every day.

Yep.

Any other discussion?

Now that's through a motion.

Motion to approve agenda item 6.4.

Second.

All those in favor?

I opposed unanimous.

Thank you.

Agenda item 7.1.

Declare a surplus for the purpose of sales of Rosemary Cooper, certain unaddressed real property located at the southeast corner of Palm Bluff Street and North Myrtle Avenue.

Approve the agreement for transfer of real property and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same together with all other instruments required to affect closing.

If you have any questions, I'm happy to answer.

I'm seeing none.

Is there a council discussion?

No discussion is through a motion.

I move to approve agenda item 7.1.

Second.

All those in favor, I opposed unanimous.

Agenda item 7.2.

Approve the annexation initial future land use map designation of residential low RL and initial zoning atlas designation of low medium density residential LMDR district for the 1604 Botanier Street and pass ordinances 9875-26, 9876, 26, and 9877-26 on first reading.

Good evening, Lauren Maskey, planning and development.

This is a voluntary annexation for a single parcel of land, approximately approximately 0.16 acres in size.

The property owner has indicated they're seeking city services, including solid waste and uh sanitary sewer service.

The development review committee reviewed the application and is recommending approval as the proposed annexation area is adjacent to city other city limits and thus is consistent with Florida statutes, the city's comprehensive plan and the standards of the community development code.

May we have a reading on this once?

So there's three ordinances.

Ordinance number 9875-26, an ordinance of the city of Clearwater, Florida annexing certain real property located on the north side of Bonair Street, approximately 215 feet west of Ridge Avenue, whose post office address is 1604 Bonair Street, uh Clearwater, Florida, 3375, into the corporate limits of the city and redefining boundary lines of the city to include set edition providing an effective date.

Ordinance number 9876-26.

An ordinance of the city of Clearwater, Florida, emitting the future land use element of the comprehensive plan of the city to designate the land use for a certain real property located on the north side of Bonair Street, approximately 215 feet west of Ridge Avenue, whose post office address is 1604 Bonair Street, Clearwater, Florida, 3375 upon annexation to the city of Clearwater as residential low RL providing an effective date.

Ordinance number 9877-26.

An ordinance of the city of Clearwater, Florida, amending the zoning atlas of the city by zoning certain real property located on the north side of Bonair Street, approximately 215 feet west of Ridge Avenue, whose post office address is 1604 Bon Air Street, Clearwater, Florida, 33755.

Upon annexation to the City of Clearwater as low medium density residential LMDR providing an effective date.

Hearing none, is there a council discussion?

There's no discussion.

Is there a motion?

Move to approve agenda item 7.2.

Second.

All those in favor?

Aye.

Opposed unanimous.

Agenda item 7.3.

Approve the annexation initial future land use map designation of residential suburban RS and Initial Zoning Atlas Designation of Low Density Residential L D R District for 2941 Abbey Lake Road and pass ordinances 9872-26, 9873-26, and 9874-26 on first reading.

Good evening, Lauren Matkey, planning and development.

So the staff received a request on Tuesday to withdraw this petition for annexation from the property owner.

So I can answer questions, but it was advertised therefore, which was on the agenda for example.

May we have a reading?

We don't have to read because it's withdrawn.

Okay, good.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Council members items 7.4 and 7.5 are to be continued to March 30, 2026.

Good.

Agenda item 7.6.

Approve the joint participation agreement G3G00 between the City of Clearwater and the State of Florida Department of Transportation for a grant to repaint runway and taxiway markings.

Authorize the appropriate officials to execute same and adopt resolution 26-03.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

Um, happy to answer any questions that you have.

Okay.

May we have a reading on this one?

Resolution number 2603.

Resolution of the City of Clearwater, Florida, authorizing the execution of a joint participation agreement between the City of Clearwater and the State of Florida, Department of Transportation for a grant to repaint runway and taxiway markings, providing an effective date.

If not, is there a council discussion?

There's no discussion as through a motion.

Motion approve agenda item seven point six.

Second.

All those in favor opposed unanimous.

Agenda item seven point seven.

Oppose the inclusion of new offshore oil and gas leasing off the coast of Florida and adopt resolution 26-05.

It's been discussed last couple meetings.

When we do indeed resolution, this place resolution number 26-05.

A resolution opposing the inclusion of new offshore offshore oil and gas leasing off the coast of Florida in the five-year national outer continental shelf oil and gas leasing program.

And if not, is there a motion?

Motion to approve agenda item 7.7.

Second.

All those in favor?

All right.

Opposed unanimous.

Agenda item 7.8.

7.8.

It was a city attorney item.

There was discussion by Mr.

Simpson on Tuesday.

This resolution relates to the closing of the old city hall site.

Go ahead and have a reading.

Resolution number 26-06.

A resolution of the City of Clearwater reaffirming that land known as the old city hall site is unnecessary for public purposes.

That disposal of said land is in the best interest of the public, authorizing conveyance of the land by special warranty deed, pursuant to the terms of the purchase and sale agreement, authorizing appropriate officials to execute said deed, releasing any automatic reservation and right of entry in accordance with Florida Statute 270.11, providing for several ability and providing for an effective date.

So you know, this document and what he just read that says there's you know unnecessary for public purposes is just simply not true.

The public parks there, you people sit there by you people.

I mean, you council members sit there and carp and moan about getting people to come to downtown Clearwater, and yet you're gonna take away you know a free parking lot.

It makes no sense, but you're gonna do it anyway.

One of the reasons, and you all have spoken about this that people do not come to downtown Clearwater is there is no place to park, and you're gonna take this free lot away.

You guys are really doing what the public wants.

I move to approve agenda item 7.8 second.

Those in favor?

Opposed, unanimous.

Thank you.

Move to agenda item eight.

That is citizens to be heard on topics pertaining to city business, but that are not on tonight's agenda.

Are there any citizens tonight that we're yes?

First individual I have is Patrick Raftery.

Very good.

Thank you.

Good evening, Mr.

Mayor, Council members, and city staff.

My name is Patrick Rafter.

I reside in the Clearwater, beg your pardon, countryside area of Clearwater.

I'm here tonight to speak on a proposal that has been received from a developer for the landings area.

This proposal needs to be equally balanced with the adjacent neighborhoods.

In the past week I've been invited to two meetings by residents in that area to listen to them talk about what's being proposed.

Their concerns are for traffic, storm water runoff, traffic, energy usage, traffic, loss of green space, traffic, loss of recreation areas for the neighborhood, tree buffers, and tree canopies.

They all need to be given high consideration in this decision process.

I'm confident that Mr.

Battle will bring his experience and thought process to this review from his previous experience and accomplishments.

With our competent city staff, the focus will be factual and impacts on the neighborhood.

What does the city get from this development?

What do the residents get from this development?

Keep in mind forecast of markets as economics.

Primary purpose is to increase the reputation of astrology, meaning that they are sometimes very inaccurate.

Neighborhoods are the strength of Clearwater.

Each of you support neighborhoods.

As this proposal gets reviewed and discussed, keep that in mind.

Also, we need to involve the residents in discussions of this development so that you may get their input directly.

Thank you very much.

And our next speaker.

Daniel Haluba.

Now in this document, which you know gives us the right of freedom of religion and speech.

Nowhere in here, does it state that freedom of speech is limited somehow?

Or that the type of speech is limited.

Doesn't say that.

Now if I stand here and call Mr.

Rector a you know, derogatory name or display a disrespectful attitude.

It's just as protected if I said he's the most wonderful person on earth.

You decide which I think.

Statements on clothing, letters, numbers on clothing are protected by the free speech of the Constitution.

Freedom of the press is protected.

Now the right to partition government is a very, very important part of the U.S.

Constitution.

It's the right of citizens to be heard.

And I believe this, even though you're allowing this bit, it has so many restrictions to it that are wrongful limits on free speech.

The limitations are not in the Constitution.

Now, if I'm Mr.

Rafferty or myself or anybody else that wants to get up here and speak, if we're speaking to you, guess what?

It's city business.

Whether you like it or not.

And it doesn't matter.

If someone gets up here and decides to recite zippity douda, if that's happening, that's city business.

And maybe we should give it a try.

Zippity doo-da.

Zippity day.

My oh my, what a wonderful day.

Plenty of sunshine heading my way.

Mr.

Bluebird on my shoulder.

It's the truth.

It's the actual everything is satisfactual.

Zippity doodah.

And our next speaker?

William Johnson.

Good evening, members of the council.

Let me start off by saying that I thank you for restoring the opportunity to share information with you together in one spot.

Thank you for that.

Last year, during your strategic planning session, you decided to prioritize existing facilities and services over adding new stuff.

And so I would suggest that rather than consider new recreational facilities that you have Mr.

Johnson speaking, so thank you.

Johnson speaking so thank you okay so rather than considering new recreational facilities I would suggest that appraise the existing facilities that we have and make sure they're performing at the high level of expectation to your bright and beautiful goal and in that regard I'd like to share some photos I was out on Clearwater Beach I'm glad we got the number two ranking but I think we're kind of on the way in the wrong direction graffiti on two of the trans uh former boxes on Colonado we have parking lots that do not have the required uh landscape this is private property uh also other areas that we need that sod apparently uh clearwater beach yes the hurricanes were there but boy it doesn't look like what it used to look like and for instance our street public infrastructure doesn't appear to what I think our goal is in the other area that I've been at recently and shared some information with is Coach and Park and this is I think a beautiful picture and I like the way the the trash containers are fit in but if you look at the other side of them they're really kind of filthy and that they uh could be a lot better and that some of the others are in the same situation.

Here is a picture that I took back in November it's in the little roundabout at the bottom of Cleveland Street and there's this coil of pipe there and yes it's still there why do we have that in our beautiful coach I've shared with you before the the status of the of the restrooms just are not cleaned here's a picture from November you notice this kind of shadow on the wall there was something there that was taken down but it's still there and people are kind of digging at it I don't think that's what we really desire as a high performing government which is your strategy thank you.

Thank you our next speaker that's it that's it removed item nine on the agenda city manager reports reports.

Do you have anything okay moved item 10 city attorney reports nothing mayor item 11 closing comments by council members councilmember cotton um I do not have anything at this time thanks sirenov thank you sir member Albert yes um I'd like to welcome the fillies back in town um you know they're back in for spring training and um the first game is this Sunday first home game is Sunday at uh Baker Park so if you want to see some good baseball is starting up and we're glad they're here okay um so I would like to echo as well uh council members com uh I'll bring this comments regarding the Philippi fillies welcome it was um it's a great time of year I feel the energy all the time brings many visitors and it's a pride to our city I also had the special honor of throwing out the first pitch at the Schweiners Children's invitational softball tournament um it was a I think I was at the particular game of Oklahoma versus Duke.

Now as many of you know I it's not very often that I trade my four inch heels for sneakers so I was a little bit um anxious about throwing the ball to the plate but I'm very happy to say that I did um it was a little bit on the outside but not bad considering I had to suffer through a sudden four inch drop um beyond the ball field we rolled up our sleeves for a very dynamic interactive strategic planning session and I look forward to the uh final product of that we as a council also traveled to Tallahassee to meet with our state's uh legislators and advocate for for clear water ensuring our priorities our voices being heard um and all residents are are to be represented downtown was absolutely electric on um St.

It was um end zone, and his concert was themed very well for um St.

Valentine's.

It was all about love and positive vibes.

He even put on the screen featuring all the significant others of all his crew.

It was an excellent concert.

I did have the opportunity to um speak with him.

I met with him and his crew, young and very talented individuals, again with positive energy.

Um he had great things to say about Clearwater and its residents, and um his girlfriend slash manager after the concert texted me a really nice message.

Huge congratulations on the success of the venue.

Truly our favorite place we've played so far.

So I really appreciated that comment.

Um and yesterday's topping off ceremony and tour of our new city uh hall was another milestone moment, something that really meant a lot to me personally.

Seeing something that we've talked about for decades finally rise into reality, reminded me that not only does it take vision but persistence.

Thank you.

Well, um, I want to echo what you said about uh the Clearwater invitational ESPN.

Uh all the comments were great about the great things happening in Clearwater.

But for those of you who missed it, we had an elite college softball tournament this past weekend, really previous two weekends in Clearwater.

Uh we had one that was run by the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association, had some of the top college teams in the country.

But this past weekend, ESPN events ran it.

Uh, 40 games, all 40 were broadcast on one of the ESBN platforms.

And uh and some of them on the main ESPN network, including Texas Tech, uh being upset by Nebraska on Sunday night that was broadcast on the main ESPN throughout the entire country.

Uh the tournament draws teams from UCLA from all over the country.

Uh so we got a national national reach with the broadcast.

We had the top announcers, including our local Olympian gold medalist Michelle Smith, who's one of the announcers for uh some of the prime games.

And uh I asked about the viewers uh for all 40 games and all 40 platforms, and I was told that uh last year they tracked it, and there was about 2.5 million views.

And if you watched any of it on ESPN, if I heard Clearwater once, I heard it a hundred times.

Yeah, and the drone shots coming in and out of commercials were all about Clearwater, showing our beautiful city and aspects.

We couldn't have a more uh effective three-day advertisement across the country for how beautiful Clearwater is in our beaches.

So, what a great event.

But what I want to share is uh my appreciation for our city of Clearwater team and how they supported that.

Uh, we could not have done that uh without our team pouring our hearts into it.

And I was out there a number of games just seeing how much pride our our City of Clearwater staff and team put into making that event successful and uh taking a lot of pride in not just the event but the city of Clearwater and then score, and there were a number of other volunteers from our community that uh through if it wasn't for the volunteers through SCORE who helped get that event run, we wouldn't be able to host such a prestigious event.

So thank you to our staff for doing such a great job and hosting and continuing to bring that community back uh that uh event back, and thank you to the many volunteers that participate, not just in that event, but other events that bring attention to our city and make our city uh more bright and beautiful than it's ever been before.

So thank you to them.

And the last thing I want to say is uh we have a special birthday we're celebrating today.

Councilmember Cotton is uh celebrating his birthday today, so rare, unique opportunity to celebrate it at a council meeting.

Uh but uh happy birthday to you.

I uh for those of you uh who weren't with us earlier.

Uh we we had the city council team and staff saying happy birthday to Councilmember Cotton.

I won't ask for a repeat performance, but I tell you it was stellar, it was fantastic.

So talking about other ways we can perhaps perform throughout the community in the coming year.

Uh but uh happy birthday, council members, and uh and hope you and your family enjoy celebrating it today.

So, with that, uh nothing else to come before the city council.

We will adjourn the meeting of February 19th, 2026.