The Clearwater City Council met on June 18, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Main Library Council Chambers. The meeting included three proclamations, approval of consent agenda items, a public hearing on a right-of-way vacation for the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization, and several other ordinances. A key moment was the council's decision to vacate a portion of South Garden Avenue, which passed 3-2 after extended public comment and a brief recess to accommodate overflow crowd safety concerns.
Item 7.1 – Surplus Property Transfer to CRA: No public comment. Approved unanimously. Item 7.2 – Parking Ordinance Update (First Reading): No public comment. Approved unanimously. Item 8.1 – Right-of-Way Vacation for Garden Avenue (Second Reading): This item generated significant public interest. The building reached capacity (approx. 650 people), with an estimated 2,000 people outside. After council discussion, a recess was taken to allow 10 individuals from the opposition to enter and speak, balancing the 14 speakers from the support side who had already signed up. Public comment ran for 60 minutes, with speakers from both sides.
Item 8.1 (Garden Avenue Vacation): Council members debated the merits. Councilman Manino spoke in favor, citing traffic studies showing minimal impact (8 cars per hour in peak, 68% of traffic from church members), safety, and precedent for other vacations (e.g., Jones Road, Coachman Park). He argued the vote is about the right-of-way, not the church. Councilman Albrighton spoke in favor, emphasizing safety as a first responder. Councilwoman Tishadem opposed, arguing that this vacation is fundamentally different from previous ones because it permanently privatizes an active public street in downtown, reduces public access, and contradicts the city's comprehensive plan. She noted that Cleveland Street was never vacated and remains public. Mayor Rector opposed, stating that the city should have sought a court determination of ownership before vacating, as the previous city attorney had opined that the public owns the street. He also cited the importance of Garden Avenue for future downtown growth. The council voted 3-2 in favor of the vacation.
Item 8.2 – Mid-Year Operating Budget Amendment (Ordinance 9921-26): No discussion. Approved unanimously.
Item 8.3 – Mid-Year Capital Improvement Budget Amendment (Ordinance 9922-26): Increases budget by $3,574,619. Approved unanimously.
Item 8.4 – Third Reading of Ordinance 9906-26 (Trading and Selling on Streets): No discussion. Approved unanimously.
This time we'll call to order the June 18, 2026 meeting of the Clearwater City Council. If you wish to address address the council tonight, please complete a comment card, comment cards located by the clerk seated to the right of the dais. When called to speak, please hand your card to the clerk. This time we'll move to item two on the agenda, which is our indication, like to call forward Father Bob Swick from St. Francis of Assisi and ask everyone to remain standing afterwards for the Pledge of Allegiance. We invite you to preside over this meeting. May there be an embracing unity of spirit. Help the good counsel to each listen politely as others share their points of view, always striving, always striving to serve the greater good. Amid all the calamity, the conflict, the confusion that screams for our leaders' attention, we pray our council members will be filled with your spirit so they may serve with a special love of community that includes measures of safety for our citizens and our visitors. Guide and inspire them as well as everyone with the words of St. John the Twenty Third. And in all matters, let there be charity. Amen. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. To my far left is Deputy City Clerk Nicole Sprague. To her right is our city clerk Rosemary Call. Good evening. Excuse me. To my right is Councilmember Mike Manino. Good evening. To his right is Councilmember David Holbright. Good evening. To his right is our city manager Jennifer Poirier. Good evening. To her right is Assistant City Manager Dan Slaughter. And to his right is Assistant City Manager Al Bow. With that, we'll move to item 4.1 on the agenda. And I'd like to call forward Cassie Cordova from Public Works for the Pollinator Week Proclamation. Whereas Clearwater is home to many native wildlife and pollinator species, including birds, bees, bats, and other insects that are essential to maintaining a healthy and biodiverse environment, and recognizes that human well-being ultimately depends on well-functioning ecosystems that foster connections between people and nature. And whereas pollinator species are in decline due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and other environmental stressors, with species such as the monarch butterfly experiencing significant population decreases over the past 25 years. And whereas National Pollinator Week is a nationwide initiative that raises awareness and provides opportunities to restore native habitat and support local pollinator populations. And whereas I, Bruce Rector, have signed the National Wildlife Federation's mayor's monarch monarch pledge, committing to taking meaningful action to protect pollinators, including the Monarch Butterfly, and to support local, state, and national efforts to conserve and restore pollinator habitats while strengthening the connection between our community and the natural environment. Now, therefore, I Bruce Rector, mayor of the City of Clearwater, on behalf of the Santa City of Clearwater Council, do hereby proclaim June 22nd to the 28th, 2026 to be pollinator week in Clearwater and encourage all residents to participate in community activities that support and celebrate pollinator protection. Cassie, would you like to say a few words? Thank you so much, Mayor and City Council. We are doing this as part of our mayor's monarch pledge that you brought to us last year, and we did our initiatives last year, and we re-signed this year again. So this year we'll be focusing on invasive species removal. We'll do some education outreach on that topic. We'll put some signs up at our beautiful Moccasin Lake Nature Park. So all this can be found at our website, MikeClearwater.com/slash pollinators. And thank you again for your support. Thank you. That uh item 4.2, I'd like to call forward our um for the solid waste and recycling workers week proclamation call forward Kerbin St. Ami, the Solid Waste Director for the City of Clearwater, and the team. Great looking team. Whereas the City of Clearwater is committed to maintaining a clean, safe, healthy, and beautiful community for residents, businesses, and visitors, and whereas the dedicated men and women of the City of Clearwater Solid Waste Department provide essential services every day, collecting refuge, recycling, and yard waste while helping protect public health and the environment. And whereas these hardworking professionals perform their duties in all weather conditions and often under challenging circumstances, demonstrating exceptional commitment, reliability, and professionalism in service to our community. And whereas solid waste employees play a vital role in preserving Clearwater's natural beauty and enhancing the quality of life enjoyed by all who live, work, and visit here, helping to keep our city bright and beautiful year-round. And whereas the observance of solid waste and recycling workers' week provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the contributions, dedication, and sacrifices of these public servants who go above and beyond in their service to the city of Clearwater. And whereas the City Council wishes to express its sincere appreciation and desire and gratitude to all solid waste and recycling employees for the outstanding work, commitment to excellence and unwavering dedication to serving our community.