Clearwater Community Resiliency and Leisure Services Advisory Board Meeting - June 25, 2026

The Community Resiliency and Leisure Services Advisory Board met on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 4:00 PM in the Council Chambers of the Main Library. The meeting included a recognition award for solar energy achievements, a discussion of upcoming solar celebrations, and planning for the next meeting. Citizens raised concerns about the use of shell in city parks and offered suggestions for board engagement.

Consent Calendar

• The board unanimously approved the minutes of the April 23, 2026 meeting as submitted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bill Johnson (resident of Countryside) reiterated his concern from the previous meeting about the Clearwater Parks Organization's extensive use of shell as a ground cover in landscape beds and around trees on city property. He stated that the Clearwater Development Code prohibits shell and rocks for such purposes and asked the board to direct the Parks Department to replace the existing shell with natural mulch. The board clarified that it does not have authority to direct departments, but voted to share Johnson's concern with the City Council, including his presentation and an email from the Clearwater Garden Club.
• Patrick Rafferty (resident of Countryside) commended the board for volunteering and discussed the ordinance that created the board (Section 2-104). He encouraged board members to visit parks, talk to residents, and keep informed on issues affecting parks, libraries, and the environment. He also noted the potential impact of the November ballot measure to eliminate property taxes and urged the board to be good stewards of the services they represent.

Discussion Items

• Municipal Energy Savings Program Recognition (ID#26-0776): Butch Collier from Cenergistic presented the city with the 2026 Energy Excellence Award for Excellence in Environmental and Financial Stewardship. He reported that since September 2023, the city’s solar installations at Coachman Park and other buildings have produced 825,340 kilowatt-hours, resulting in an estimated savings of $165,607—enough energy to power the Main Library for seven months. The board noted that Clearwater is producing more solar kilowatts than any other municipality in Pinellas County.
• Invitation to Summer Solar Celebrations (ID#26-0714): Cassie Ferdova from the Sustainability and Environmental Division invited the board to two upcoming solar ribbon-cutting events: Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 1:30 PM at the North Greenwood Rec Center, and Friday, July 17, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the Countryside Library. The board was asked to provide a speaker; one member volunteered for the July 17 event. The board discussed that multiple members can attend as long as they do not discuss board business, per Sunshine Law.
• Setting Agenda for Next Meeting (ID#26-0741): The board discussed items for the August 27, 2026 meeting. Confirmed items include:
  • Hurricane preparedness presentation (rescheduled from June due to a training conflict).
  • Discussion on how to handle concerns raised by the public during the Citizens to be Heard portion.
  • Potential community engagement projects and topics (e.g., adopt-a-drain program, library updates).
  • A presentation on the potential impact of the proposed constitutional amendment to eliminate property taxes, subject to legal review on what can be discussed. The board also expressed interest in a future presentation from the Public Works Director on stormwater management and infrastructure priorities.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on sharing citizen concern: The board voted unanimously to share Bill Johnson’s concern about shell use in parks with the City Council via email, including attachments. The city clerk will send the email and copy the board.
• Board speaker for solar celebration: One board member volunteered to speak at the Countryside Library solar celebration on July 17, 2026.
• Next meeting: Scheduled for August 27, 2026, with a confirmed agenda including hurricane preparedness, public comment procedures, community engagement topics, and possible constitutional amendment education.
• Other items: The board discussed the Landings project (not within its purview) and agreed to wait for an official presentation to the City Council. A board member raised a question about the urban reforestation program budget: $1.012 million total, with only $150,000 for tree replacement and over $850,000 for trimming, pruning, and removal; the city clerk will seek clarification from Public Works.