Clearwater City Council Work Session: June 1, 2026

The City of Clearwater City Council held a work session on Monday, June 1, 2026, beginning at 1:30 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included presentations, budget and financial updates, real estate and development items, and a verbal report on a security incident at Clearwater Beach. The council discussed and approved numerous consent items and advanced several ordinances to first and second readings.

Presentations

• Fire District Commander Oath: Rodney Malpass was sworn in as a new district commander with over 30 years of fire service experience.
• Executive Leadership Academy Graduation: The second cohort of the city's Executive Leadership Academy was recognized. The program provides a year-long leadership development experience for high-potential employees.

Discussion Items

• Penny for Pinellas Project Funding Transfer (Item 3.1): The council reviewed a proposal to transfer $750,000 in Penny for Pinellas funds from the Police Equipment Facility project to a new Main Police Department Parking Expansion project. The funding will support secure parking for PD vehicles and free up spaces for incoming city hall staff.
• Mid-Year Budget Review (Item 3.2): Budget Director Kayleen Castle presented the mid-year budget for fiscal year 2025-26. No general fund amendments were needed. General fund reserves stand at $73.4 million (32.8% of expenditures), exceeding the minimum requirement by $54.4 million. Capital improvement fund net increase of $3,574,619 was recognized, primarily from previously approved actions. The city manager highlighted the ongoing special legislative session on property taxes and encouraged council outreach to legislators.
• Gas Franchise with New Port Richey (Item 4.1): CGS Energy Executive Director Brian Langale presented a 30-year gas franchise agreement with the City of New Port Richey, maintaining a 6% franchise fee on gas bills. The previous 30-year agreement expired in December 2025.
• Right-of-Way Vacation – Church of Scientology (Item 5.1): Public Works presented a request to vacate a portion of South Garden Avenue between Franklin Street and Court Street. Drainage and utility easements would be reserved. This item will have public hearings on two consecutive Thursdays.
• Purchase of Fire Rescue Vehicle (Item 6.1): Fire Department requested approval to purchase one Osage Warrior Type 1 rescue vehicle on a 2027 Ford F450 chassis for $387,920.45. Funding will be reimbursed by Pinellas County EMS tax revenue in fiscal year 2027-28. The new unit will replace Rescue 49 at Station 47.
• Beach Amusements License Agreement (Item 7.1): A five-year revocable license agreement with All Around Amusements, LLC was approved to continue operating amusements (slides, jump houses, trampolines, human guinea pig ball) west of Pier 60 Park. The vendor has operated since 2014.
• Annexations and Land Use Amendments (Items 8.1-8.4): The council reviewed voluntary annexations and associated land use and zoning changes for two properties: 1399 Pineapple Lane (3.4 acres, to be added to Moccasin Lake Park) and 1554 Owen Drive (0.43 acres, to receive sanitary sewer services). All staff recommendations are for approval.
• Palm Pavilion Hotel Development Agreement (Item 8.5): Planning staff presented a conceptual development agreement for a 144-room hotel at 10 and 18 Bay Esplanade. The project would be 75 feet tall with 173 parking spaces. Councilmember questions focused on traffic impacts and the type of hotel (mid-scale, not a resort). The agreement is scheduled for final approval on Thursday, June 3.
• Hyatt Regency Covenant Amendment (Item 8.6): A first amendment to the declaration of covenants for the Hyatt Regency property (301 S. Gulfview Blvd.) was discussed. The amendment would allow timeshare ownership while retaining the 30-day consecutive occupancy limit. The original hotel density reserve units were granted under an expired development agreement, but city council approval is still required for covenant changes.
• Special Magistrate Appointment (Item 8.7): Council was asked to appoint Nancy B. Mag as a special magistrate to enhance code enforcement. This provides a second enforcement option alongside the existing volunteer code enforcement board.
• Microsoft Licensing Renewal (Item 9.1): IT Manager Jared Bardin requested approval of a three-year Microsoft Enterprise Enrollment renewal (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029) at a not-to-exceed cost of $4,127,548.17. The renewal covers Office 365, security, and cloud services.
• Marina Slip Rate Adjustments (Item 10.1): Second phase of recreational slip rate increases was presented, effective October 1, 2026. No further increases for beach marina commercial tenants until after reconstruction. Staff reported that a few (7-8) tenants left, but a waiting list remains.
• Water and Solid Waste Purchases (Items 11.1, 11.2, 12.1): Awards were approved for corrosion control chemicals (Shannon Chemical, $150,000 annual), water meters (Ferguson, Badger Meter, Consolidated Pipe, $440,000 annual), and roll-off containers/compactors (Wastequip, $1,260,000 for three years).
• Appointments to Boards (Items 13.2, 13.3): Lori Watson was appointed to the Defined Contributions Plans Fiduciary Investment Committee. Luis Cerna was appointed as regular member and former councilmember Hoyt Hamilton as alternate member to the Community Development Board.
• Clearwater Beach Incident – City Manager Verbal Report: City Manager reported on a disturbance at Clearwater Beach on May 31, 2026 (the day prior). Deputy Chief Mike Walach confirmed a suspect has been identified, and the incident involved parties from outside Pinellas County. 11 similar situations have been identified since December 2025, with nine thwarted and two dismantled. Councilmembers thanked law enforcement, emphasized the beach remains safe, and discussed the need for additional enforcement tools.

Key Outcomes

• Approved on Consent: Items 4.2, 6.1, 7.1, 8.6, 9.1, 10.1, 11.1, 11.2, 12.1, 13.1, 13.2, and 13.3 were approved by consent (no separate votes).
• First Reading Ordinances: Ordinances for annexation, land use, and right-of-way vacation (Items 8.1-8.4, 5.1) were set for first reading on Thursday, June 3, with public hearings.
• Second Reading (Item 14.1): Ordinance 9881-26 vacating a lake drainage easement was adopted on second reading without discussion.
• Resolutions: Resolution 26-09 (Palm Pavilion development agreement) and Resolution 26-11 (special magistrate agreement) are scheduled for adoption on June 3.
• No Public Comment: The mayor and council noted the work session does not allow public comment; public hearings will occur at the June 3 and subsequent council meetings.