No other business to come before the CRA.

We will adjourn the July 13th, 2026 meeting.

This time we'll call to order the council work session of the Clearwater City Council for July 13th, 2026.

Move to item 2.1 on the agenda, our July service awards.

And there are several awards today, four service awards to be presented.

So this time I'd like to call for Cole Van Dusen from our police department for his five-year employee uh appreciation letter and pen.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

I forgot ahead.

Thank you for your service.

And also now I'll call forward Graham Donaldson from Marine and Aviation Department for his 10 year employee letter of appreciation and clock.

Thank you for your service.

Thank you for your service as well.

And now call forward Teresa Phillips from our utility customer service department and ask the city manager to read the letter of appreciation.

Teresa began her career with the city on July 7th of 1991, joining the Clearwater Police Department as a communications operator, serving our citizens during their most critical moments, all while making sure to do so with professionalism, compassion, and care.

During her time with dispatch, she was promoted to trainer, where she used her skills to help coach and develop new employees.

She received numerous commendation letters, citizen compliments, and letters of recognition during her time with the Clearwater Police Department.

Then, after almost 17 years, Teresa decided it was time to serve the city in a different capacity.

On May 27th of 2008, Teresa brought her passion for service to the utility customer service department and began assisting the citizens, the city's citizens in a different capacity.

She maintains that caring for the customer, and that's always her focus.

She began in the call center, then added responsibility of cashiering, and eventually moved to the billing department.

Teresa then took an opportunity to increase her responsibilities and was promoted from a billing representative to a customer service specialist.

This moved her back into the call center where she continued to rack up applause cards from fellow employees and numerous citizens.

In March of 22, Teresa came back to the building department and after a short time was promoted to a building specialist too in February of 24.

Throughout her 35 years of service, Teresa has exemplified the City of Clearwater's commitment to superior customer service by consistently placing the needs of citizens first and treating every customer interaction with professionalism, respect, and compassion.

Her willingness to share knowledge, train new employees, improve procedures, and embrace new responsibilities has contributed to a high-performing government that delivers efficient, reliable, and responsive service to the community.

Teresa's dedication has last left a lasting impact on both citizens she serves and the colleagues she supports every day.

Teresa, congratulations on your dedication to serving the community for 35 years.

You truly are what helps make Clearwater thrive.

Thank you.

Thank you so much for your service.

That's incredible.

Congratulations.

So I'm glad I noticed the plaque next to me said 35, but uh it's just 10 years.

I mean, what's 10 years?

But when you've served for 35.

But uh thank you, Teresa.

35 years.

Let's give her another round of applause.

Now we're ready for our bi-monthly team award for July August 2026.

I'd like to call for the emergency gas leak team.

That's Greg Coons, John Turley, Corey Huberti, Colby Wade, and Gyllen Whitaker.

We'll wait right there.

The city manager is going to read the description of your fine work.

The emergency gas leak team is being recognized for their exceptional response to a recent critical underground natural gas emergency involving four-inch gas main that was the sole source of heat and hot water for a local RV resort.

Faced with a high-risk situation, the team did not hesitate and responded with outstanding professionalism, technical expertise, and unwavering commitment to safety.

Their quick action safely mitigated the hazard, prevented further escalation, minimized the risk of property damage, and ensured service to the affected community was maintained during a critical time.

Their actions exemplify the city's commitment to high performing government by working collaboratively, responding effectively under pressure, and delivering reliable, high-quality service.

They also embody superior public service through their dedication to protecting our residents, safeguarding critical infrastructure, and putting the needs of the community first.

Thank you for your dedication, your teamwork, and professionalism.

Your actions reflect the very best of our organization and help make Clearwater thrive by making a positive difference in the lives of those we serve.

Because of your efforts, our community is stronger, more connected, and one of the very best.

Good job, guys.

Well done.

Thanks so much.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

The sound quarterly update.

Yeah, thank you.

Hi, uh Brianna Roberts, Vice President of Event Operations at Ruth Becker Hall.

Um, before I get into our little presentation here, I just want to highlight again.

Um, I think we have already notified or shouted from the rooftops on our social media that we were recently awarded um number two amphitheater nationwide.

Um that is a jump up from last year.

So we're really excited about that and wanted to put that up here again.

Um so far, uh, I I know you guys ask each time um how many uh shows we've had so far from the beginning of 2026 until now.

We have had 16 shows, and then we have 25 more planned for the end of this calendar year.

So we're really just getting started.

It's it's hot right now, but we've got a packed fall.

Moving into my sustainability portion of our report.

Um, as always, our mission at Ruth Eckert Hall.

Uh, we are dedicated to conserving valuable resources and reducing the ecological footprint of concert venues and live events.

Um we do use a sustainability plan that is touching on the eight uh strategy categories adapted from the Greenprint 2.0 from the city, and that would be education and awareness, green energy and buildings, transportation, livability and conservation, water conservation, waste reduction, local food, and green economy.

So here's just some of our statistics here.

Um we are estimating that we've saved over 140,000 single-use plastic drinkware from our landfills.

Um, and that figure is made up of uh the following we've got aluminum cups, aluminum canned water, um, we do canned wine and aluminum soda cans.

We also sell reusable cups that's made out of um recycled material, excuse me.

And we are estimating that we have a total recycled amount of 360 cubic yards.

So we're really proud of that.

We hold to that, we make all of our vendors abide by those rules.

We try our best with the artist backstage, but we're certainly seeing a lot of this in our food and beverage department.

Some cool updates and completed goals.

First, we are now utilizing True Tickets.

That is a digital delivery method that's become the default method of delivery for all of our shows.

So what this means is we're transitioning from a hard paper ticket to digital only.

It's delivered right to your phone.

Not only is that easier for our guests, it cuts down on fraud, it's easier for us, we love it.

But we're also cutting down on our paper use.

Excuse me, project to reduce the need for generators on show days to power essential services.

And thankfully, with this new project going on, we're actually going to utilize the power available to us from the building itself and just redistribute it so that we're not tripping things all over the venue.

So we're really excited about that, and that should be complete within the next couple weeks.

So we did have this listening assisted listening system already in the venue, and what we did is we just invested in more equipment to offer folks so that they didn't have to rely on their own technology.

So you can visit guest services and rent one of our pieces of equipment, and if you need any sort of assistance in hearing our great shows.

Thank you.

Short and sweet.

We're really excited about beating Red Rocks out this year.

I just want to say that.

They're like the standard of outdoor venues.

So any questions for Alice or the sound, sustainability, or anything from this quarter?

Questions?

Vice Mayor?

I have no questions.

Congratulations on number two.

That's awesome.

Can't wait for us to be a number one because that'll be another great day.

So we're excited.

Congratulations, guys.

Thank you.

Okay.

Anything else?

I do have one.

That I get questions about the sunscreen, which is great that we've got that in now, because that's you know, depending on the time of year, it can be really tough on those folks when events start to see the stage, so that's great.

The only question I get is, and Bobby's not here, but Susan's here, but I do get questions about booking pace.

I mean, it you know, we've been up here long enough and we know how it works, and it's not like this, it's up and down, and it depends on what's the music industry is doing at the moment, and there's a lot that goes into it.

But I do get a lot of questions, particularly from downtown merchants about hey, well, you know, we've had you know two months where we haven't had very many shows or whatever.

Can you just tell us what you know?

Are we on pace booking wise?

Does it look like we're gonna be you know seeing more?

I've already seen the schedule.

There's been a lot added on here in the last month uh for the fall, but I mean it appears that the booking pace is similar to what's been in prior years.

I would say it's pretty much on track for that.

You hit it on the head, it kind of varies.

Um we do have like this year in particular, we have a really packed October.

I think there's something like 12 shows in October, and that's just kind of how things go.

Depends on who's touring at what times and um what venues they prefer.

Um, we do try to add stuff in to like the Capitol Theater, for example.

They may have, we might have a um summer movie series when it's a little bit lighter, so we try to kind of balance it out in that way.

But um, it definitely varies.

I know Bobby could speak to it a little bit more, but um, we are open to talking to the uh merchants, and we have had meetings with them about you know how can we drum up more um activity when it may necessarily be uh sound show, but something in between or something we can be a part of.

So we're definitely open to that conversation, but it it does vary, like you said, season to season.

But overall, we are increasing each year.

And not to throw shade on our friends from Tampa, but um, I did drive past our I-4 at the Mid-Florida Credit Union Amphitheater Thursday night uh during a torrential downpour.

Yes, and uh they don't have covered seating yet.

Um just wonder you know how much they can even protect their stage.

Uh and I pointed out to a friend of mine that I was at a Willie Nelson concert recently at the Baycare Sound, and Willie at his age performed right through uh it wasn't a torrential downpour, but he just kept on going.

So you know, hopefully that's an attractive thing for musicians and artists to know that at least have some guarantee of covered seating for their events if they book here.

Absolutely.

And you've seen it, we have some artists that want to um strictly come back to the Bay Care Sound, um, whether it just be for us or just that's the type of venue they want to play at, and they don't want to go to Tampa.

So I just had a quick so I just had a quick thought that popped into my mind.

Do you remember back in the day when we were talking about the bake care sound as if it was this like pie in the sky idea?

Remember that?

We never once thought it was actually gonna become a reality, but we still encouraged it.

Did you ever think it was gonna be like number two in the name?

You know what I mean?

No.

I just I don't have big memory.

I remember talking about that with you back in the day.

Awesome.

It does.

It makes me want to cry.

I'm really proud of our team and obviously the partnership we have here.

I want to have my tombstone.

Literally.

Because for 10 years, we it was like it's never gonna happen, it's never gonna happen.

And then it happens, and it's such a successful.

We did so.

Yes.

And thank you for being part of that wave of encouragement.

Brianna, thank you.

Thank you so much.

Okay.

Anything else?

Counselor Albret.

So I know that one of the concerns was the Live Nation Ticketmaster thing, maybe was taking some of the bigger artists or the artists away.

Is that still something that uh where you have to deal with over here?

Um I know that Bobby could probably speak to that a little bit better, but um I still think we're attracting.

I mean, the new I don't I don't have it with me here, but I know we've got new and younger artists coming to the sound.

It's really just that it's a different demographic of artists for us.

Um so I don't feel like we're being majorly affected by that.

We're still we're still growing and putting on awesome shows.

Well, I can tell you this that I'm really happy with the mix of different styles of music and entertainment that you're putting on here for everybody.

And you know, I don't know some of them, and I go to them and I really like them, so I've I've been enjoying it.

Uh thank you.

Thank you.

Okay.

All right.

Okay.

Thank you for coming.

Thank you.

Sharing good news for us.

Appreciate you.

Yeah.

So, council, um, item 3.1 is to approve a 30-year franchise agreement with Duke Energy Florida LLC for the purpose of providing uh electric and power services in the city of Clearwater and pass ordinance 9929-26 on the first reading.

In December of 1995, uh, the city granted a 30-year franchise agreement to Florida Power.

In the years that followed, Florida Power was acquired by Duke Energy.

And Duke has provided local electric service since then.

As the 30-year franchise agreement started to reach its end, the city began to evaluate the financial and operation feasibility of the city distributing electricity directly to customers, similar to how the uh Clearwater operates its water and sewer water and sewer utility and then the clear water gas system.

In 2024, the city hired new gen to prepare to prepare a feasibility study.

Um and in September 2025, New Gen presented an electric feasibility study to city council.

Based on that presentation, council voted to go forward with an appraisal.

Um in June of this year, the city did receive an appraisal from New Gen.

Now, since the agreement has expired, the city and Duke have been operating on a month-to-month basis.

The city and Duke have also been engaged in negotiations for a new franchise agreement.

So under the proposed franchise agreement, Duke will continue to construct, operate, and maintain its electric utility facilities to the city and its residents.

The new franchise agreement will be for 30 years, which is the same period of time as the expired franchise agreement.

And the city will continue to receive a six percent franchise fee, which is the same as the previous um branch race agreement.

In addition, Duke and the city will enter into a memorandum of agreement.

Now the memorandum of agreement is not set for approval this week, it's just set for a discussion.

What's set would to be approved would be the first reading of the ordinance.

Now, the duration of the memorandum of agreement will coincide with the 30-year franchise agreement term.

Um and it will provide as follows.

And everything I'm gonna list out is in the memorandum of agreement, and it's uh benefits that are provided to the city of Clearwater, its residents, as well as investments made by Duke over this period of time.

Um there will be a vision community action plan that will provide and also provide ongoing economic developments in support in recommendation of this plan in the amounts of 20,000 annually for the first five years of the memorandum.

There's going to be a downtown retail development strategy, um, also funding for the strategy of five insolvements of $30,000, followed by a site readiness review of the strategy.

Um this will be paid by Duke.

Um assist the city's increased infrastructure resiliency goals to further support economic development, annual donations of 100,000 for the for six consecutive years, um, site readiness evaluations of city designated downtown areas and the Hercules Industrial Park, providing five annual payments of 20,000 in economic development funding for the North Greenwood CRA.

Complete a construction of a looped electrical fee for the city's police department at 645 Pier Street.

Donate 10,000 annually for the first 20 years of this memorandum for the city's beautification efforts.

Duke and the city will draft and execute a 20-year naming rights sponsorship agreement for Coachman Parks improvements to include shade producing structures with Duke contributing $30,000 annually during that for each year during that term.

They will provide annual updates identifying third-party users attached to do polls to the city.

We'll provide annual GIS updates of Duke's distribution network, allow the city continued use of property adjacent to the Clearwater Beach Restoration Center and the library at 2191 Sol Road at no cost.

Also allow parking within Duke's right-of-way at the Carpenter Complex and the Bay Care Ballpark.

Designated critical time-sensitive projects, provide some assurances of process related to the ADA, have a vegetation management plan, and will hear annually to provide information on resiliency plans within the city.

So I believe Duke also wants to make a presentation at this time.

Good afternoon, Mayor, Council Members, Katie Cole with Law Firm of Hill Ward Henderson representing Duke Energy Florida.

We are really happy to be here this afternoon with Melissa Satius, the president of Duke Energy Florida.

We do have a quick PowerPoint we'd like to share with you.

I think it's it's up here.

So Melissa's going to come up and share with you.

We just wanted to be available if you had any specific questions.

We can't say thank you enough to the staff and your team and each of you for working with Duke and its representatives over the course of the past several months to bring you this contract and this franchise agreement, which we uh think is beneficial to both the city and Duke and meets the needs that you all have expressed through this time period.

So with that, I'll hand it over to Melissa.

Well, good afternoon, everyone.

I can't tell you how pleased I am to be standing here with you this afternoon.

So much thanks to you, Mayor and Council members for the service that you provide the City of Clearwater every day, neighborhoods, businesses, tourists who come to visit and enjoy Ruth Eckert Hall and the Sound and so many other beautiful aspects of here in Clearwater.

We recognize that you all put thoughtful consideration into every decision that you make every day.

It's evident in every city council meeting that you come to even today with the thoughtful questions that are presented.

And we know that you all gave careful, careful consideration to the franchise agreement and to the memorandum of agreement.

And I especially am grateful for the willingness of the council members, and certainly for the city staff, uh the city attorney, the assistant city attorney, and of course our city manager and assistant city manager and the city attorney economic development as well to sit down and give us more insight into what is important around the priorities for the city of Clearwater.

That allowed us, I think, in many ways to figure out what is the best way to move forward together.

And in those times of having the one-on-ones with each one of you, it really has given us this insight.

And so the memorandum that the attorney just went over really is the product of a lot of input from all of you.

So we're very, very appreciative of that.

And truly, this is not just a utility agreement.

I mean, the the core, the foundation for us moving together to serve the city as and the uh citizens of Clearwater really is the foundational aspect of the relationship.

And so again, we are incredibly grateful and appreciate the opportunity to go over just two quick slides that just kind of summarize what the uh city attorney just covered.

So the first one uh highlights and hopefully it will pop up there.

Just hit the keyboard.

Okay.

This is this is where my vulnerability, just anything.

There you go.

Look at me.

Okay, there you go.

I'm good at a lot of things.

Technology is not one of them.

So just a few things that I want to highlight.

The uh as I said, the city attorney kind of went through this.

And what we did is what I'm gonna highlight are the things that are kind of like you can think of them as kind of incremental value, and then also the core fundamental things and services and programs that we have provided to the city of Clearwater and citizens for decades and will continue to do so.

Resiliency.

We know resiliency casts, it's a wide net, right?

There's a big definition there, and we understand that there are priorities around resiliency for the city that go well beyond energy, and we want to be able to provide support for those efforts.

And then all of that, of course, creates the foundation for our ability to respond to storms and to do this together.

So we have a very strong history of working together in preparation for storms and working together throughout storms, but we have kind of reinforced and clarified how we will do that in this memorandum of agreement.

A core theme that you'll hear kind of throughout, or you'll see in the memorandum, and then also in the franchise agreement, really is around economic development and economic vitality for the city of Clearwater.

It's such an extraordinary place, and all of you have the aspirational vision to make it even greater than it is.

So that is why you will see the common theme of economic development investments throughout the memorandum of agreement.

And of course, on city beautification, this is a great example of how sitting down together with all of you have allowed us to kind of hone in on what was important for all of you.

Tree canopy, of course, uh, and then of course, providing some shade opportunity in important gathering places here in the city of Clearwater.

So we're thrilled about these opportunities.

They're all an investment in our customers, and our customers are your citizens, and as I always say, we have much more in common than whatever separates us, which is why again, we are so thrilled to be here.

On the next slide, these are just the um kind of ongoing benefits that uh the city of Clearwater will enjoy along with our customers.

And if you'll go to the next slide, am I responsible for going to the next slide?

Oh, there we go.

Okay, same keyboard as everybody else has.

All right.

Um system resiliency investments.

This is core to what Duke Energy does for our customers, uh, and it is a something we've really talked a lot about with all of the council members.

So uh Duke Energy over the next 10 years, we had already had this plan, but I wanted to reinforce it.

We have in our work plan now about $632 million that are planned for storm re storm hardening and grid reinforcement, self-healing technology.

In our annual update that we come back to you every year, we'll provide you a status on that, and of course, our teams work together every single day.

So your your uh administration will certainly know and be aware of where we are status-wise on various projects.

Of course, uh, as was mentioned, we continue to uh take get the uh franchise fee and pass that along to the city, so it's kind of that risk-free revenue along with the municipal utility tax, and of course, what Duke Energy play pays as far as property tax.

So those revenue streams, of course, will uh remain for the city, which are critically important for all the other services that you all provide, and for our customer programs, it's really astounding.

75% of customers in Clearwater use some type of program or service from Duke Energy that allows them to save uh costs on their electricity.

And uh since 2000 or in 2025 alone, customers saved about six and a half million dollars on their energy usage by participating in these programs and services.

And I'm really thrilled to share that just this past uh the past year, while we have been negotiating, uh, but we have a long process of a program called the Neighborhood Energy Saver Program.

Uh we launched one here in Clearwater, and I'm thrilled to say that about 600 customers who participated just from the beginning of the year through May have saved about 3.1 million dollars in energy usage, and a lot of that has to do with making small tweaks, changes in homes.

Uh so it is our job to ensure that we're communicating that to customers, educating customers, and that we do that in partnership with all of you.

And I know all of you have had various interactions with our employees.

We have a lot of employees who live here in the city of Clearwater.

This is their home, a lot of them born and raised.

We have a lot of retirees here as well.

Uh so those employees are standing by, as always, committed to continue serving the city of Clearwater, whether blue sky, whether storms night or day.

And of course, uh, we've heard from some of the amazing work that's being done on the community side here in Clearwater.

This is such a tradition that you all have and set the example for so many other communities.

Uh, and these community partners, these nonprofit organizations, they're the same ones that Duke Energy has had the privilege of serving for many, many years, and we will continue to do that.

And in fact, I think there's many new opportunities for us to look at as we move forward and have uh people who live here call Clearwater Home, enjoy those amenities and those services, and of course, the millions of customers uh or uh millions of tourists who come and visit Clearwater on an annual basis.

So I went through that quickly, but just wanted to hit those highlights.

Uh happy to answer any questions.

Okay.

Okay.

Any questions on this agenda item from council?

Last one, you don't mind.

Okay.

Not to put you on the spot, but a question for you.

Tell me why is it in the city of Clearwater the taxpayers' best interest to do a longer term, like 30 years versus 15 or 20 years?

Because I've heard a handful of different answers.

Sure.

I think a lot of it has to do with continuity, uh, as you heard uh in the city attorney's uh review of the memorandum agreement.

You can see that there are investments that we were making through the length of the the um agreement, and I think it allows us to invest more in many ways, having that longer term uh investment.

I agree, stability, stability.

Thank you.

Didn't want to put you on the spot.

No problem.

Thank you.

Probably gonna be a little hesitant to have dual conversations today and turn around and have the same conversations on Thursday, but uh appreciate the presentation.

Pleasure to be here.

Thank you so much.

So Captain Member Manino, or um, we had outside council review of the franchise agreement, a memorandum of agreement, and uh he recommended a 30-year term as well.

Thank you.

I was just gonna echo what uh Council Member Menino ended on say my thoughts on Thursday.

Yeah, is that what we agree to do?

We're gonna save our thoughts for Thursday.

It's um it's our work session, so yeah.

Any more than five of us free to share whatever.

I think I'd like to wait till Thursday because we're gonna have public comment as well, and good to save everything for Thursday night.

Okay, well, thank you so much for the time to be with you today.

Appreciate it.

Thank you.

Yeah, I think uh no.

I I think one thing before we get to Thursday night.

Just um one thing I would say is uh I I personally think we made the right decision in doing this study.

We we have gained so much information from the I know unanimously we all agree to do it.

So, regardless of where we land on it Thursday, um it it's we we've gathered some agreement information, educated ourselves on electric uh utility um uh service here in Clearwater in our setting.

So uh we've gained considerable information.

So uh with that I'll you know preserve my comments for Thursday night as well.

But um but I did want to say that is um that this process of looking at it has been incredibly valuable uh to our city uh regardless of what path we choose going forward.

So with that, we'll move to item 3.2 on the agenda.

So 3.2 is um adopt ordinance 9909-26 on the second reading, which amends chapter 30.

Um traffic and motor vehicles to modernize parking operations, update enforcement procedures and revise related fees.

It's second reading.

I don't have any new information share.

Third reading.

Okay, questions about this.

Oh, move to agenda item 3.3 Council item 3.3.

It's adopt ordinance 9, 888-26 on the third reading, vacating city right of way alley drainage and utility easements, um, subdivision platbook nine, page 43, the abutting Bayview terrace subdivision.

This is set for a third reading.

By way of review, council approved this ordinance on the first reading on it on April the 23rd and the second reading on May the 7th.

But due to the second reading not being properly noticed, it's necessary to have a third reading for this item.

I believe that there is somebody from public works to talk about a change as to the areas that are going to be vacated.

Good evening, Mayor.

Okay.

Again, good afternoon, Mayor.

Robert Kasmer, Public Works Engineering Real Estate.

The item before you today is actually for the proposed third reading for a presentation made on April 23rd by the Ottomans Pouge to vacate city right-away on unimproved alley and a drainage easement as well.

Following that presentation, the application, excuse me, the applicant paused its efforts to revise and respond to questions.

On July 6th, the applicant requested Tennessee Avenue be removed from the proposed vacation.

That was presented to legal.

It was approved.

Therefore, uh we're moving forward again.

Okay.

Again, today is going to be the third reading for this vacation effect.

And then again, we'll be moving forward again this Thursday.

Public works supports this vacation, supports this continued effort.

And any questions you may have, please.

Okay.

Any questions on this agenda?

If I can just clarify that.

So there were several right-of-ways that were set to be vacated.

There is one on Tennessee Avenue that if you look at an overhead, it runs east and west over the north part of the property.

The applicant is withdrawing the request to vacate all of Tennessee Avenue, including a portion that's over Bayview.

And there will be an updated exhibit for the council packet on Thursday.

Okay.

Very good.

So this little portion here that they're talking about, Tennessee Avenue's been removed.

And the one amendment that the attorney's talking about will involve this little area right here.

This is your previous exhibit from your previous review where you can see where Tennessee was included.

So I did just the visual.

Looks like looks like the new ones posted already.

I'm looking at it now.

So that was just a little uh area in question there.

So the error was found in this portion of Tennessee crossed over Bay.

That could not be vacated since it was not no longer part of the application.

So Bay Street will actually on the southern border of Tennessee.

That will be stopping point.

Got it.

Whereas before it was continued over, but again, none of this was being removed, so therefore the land couldn't be transferred over to them.

Okay.

Very good.

Okay.

Any questions?

Thank you.

That moved to the agenda item 3.4.

So council 3.4 to 3.6.

They are ordinances relating to annexations.

It's the same situation as the previous item.

Uh there was a first reading on April the 23rd, a second reading on May the 7th, and the second reading was not properly noticed, so we're coming back for third reading for items 3.4 to 3.6.

Okay, your question is on 3.45 and 6.

No.

Move to that agenda item 4.1.

Approved tentative millage rate of 5.850 mills for fiscal year 2026, 27 and set public hearing days on the budget for September 15, 2026, and September 21, 2026 at 6 p.m.

Good afternoon, Mayor and Council.

Before she gets started, um, just wanted to remind you all the budget conversations that we've had starting back at the beginning of the year when we had our strategic planning session.

Um that is what gave us the guidance to move forward with what we are presenting today.

Um and as discussed several times in our one-on-ones, we will be doing a public engagement um meeting surrounding the budget on August 1st, and then we have our first special budget work session on August 11th, in addition to the formal hearings that will that um remain Rosemary Call just stated in September.

So with that, I'll turn it over to Kayleen.

Good afternoon, Mayor and Council, Kayleen Castle budget director.

So we're pleased to present you as uh as Jennifer just said, the fiscal year 27 proposed operating and capital improvement budget.

We posted the digital budget as well as a full PDF version of that document on our website on June 30th.

Um at Thursday night's council meeting, I'll share a full presentation to walk you through key highlights of the budget proposal for the benefit of residents present and watching.

The action requested of you this week is to set the tentative millage rate proposed at 5.885 mills, which is the same as the current year, and also to formally set public hearing dates in September, and these are already scheduled on the council calendar as special budget meetings in September.

So this is just to formalize that because all of this information will need to be provided to the Pinellas County property appraiser's office to be included in trim notices mailed to our residents in August.

Um we have a special budget work session scheduled for you on August 11th, and that will be the time for you to fully discuss this proposed budget, and all departments will be represented at that time.

Um if there are certain topics you'd like covered at that special meeting, please let the city manager know as soon as possible so we have time to prepare that um that agenda appropriately.

I'd be happy to answer any other questions you have on this okay.

Any questions regarding this agenda item?

Vice Mayor.

This is no shock to the city manager during our one-on-ones.

Kayleen, thank you so much for the work that you've done with this too.

And I don't think it's a shock to anybody, uh, especially with the strategic budget budget meetings that we did have, um, but I'm still of the mindset of hitting a rollback rate.

So I just want everybody to you're not in my one-on-ones every week, but understand that going into Thursday, very well maybe a 401 on that.

So happy to discuss.

Yeah, I think the challenge challenge with considering our rollback, and I'd love to, um, and really I think you and I were on the same page last year after we approved our millage to uh try to get us to the possibility of that, at least look at what we could do.

But I think um, you know, number one, we had our property tax um valuations came in at about two and a half percent where we had been budgeting or estimating four.

So we're already you know adjusting for that, and then uh this home stand exemption that's on the ballot could be a significant uh and we won't have the opportunity uh under the current law to consider you know any change in our millage rate to adjust it back to what it is now if we did roll it back now.

So um I I think that I think that that although I'd love to do it, I think that um that the tax relief that folks are looking for for full-time residents that that's on the ballot really uh now it's out of our hands for the voters to decide in November.

And uh so personally for me, uh I would like to see us, although I would love to have roll the mileage back.

Uh I just think it's challenging for us to do that until we know what the voters will decide to do to give themselves some some potentially some tax relief in November.

So that's my thought.

I don't know if anybody else has anything else they want to share on that.

Yeah, just vice mayor.

So I don't disagree with those, uh, but I think that we're finding ourselves in the situation that we are in November because not necessarily clearwater, so please nobody in the audience take offense to any of this, but uh, because of other municipalities maybe living high on the hog, you know, the state is now taking the the the reins if if you will to let voters make the decisions because we haven't in the past.

So listen, I completely understand, and I even noted it in our strategic budget meeting that this could be looming.

And and listen, I mean I've already had those tough conversations and trying to look at different budgets that uh uh to prepare for what may happen.

Um but I'm still going to stand on the principle of I've wanted to hit a rollback, and and that's where I'm gonna be going with this uh forward.

So this kind of reminds me of that library conversation, right?

As much as it kills me, I know it's the right decision.

This is what I feel that is the same thing.

As much as I would love to have a rollback as well, the risk and the environment that we're facing right now does not allow me to have to make that decision in comfort.

And so just like you know, I had to accept the new reality for the library.

That's the same thing here.

We're facing a lot of risk, a lot of questions, um, and to do a rollback to me will put us at risk.

And so I would not be in support of rollback.

And I'm and I'm um, you know, some of what I've I'm concerned about too is is uh you know, I mean, it's not just um things that folks might see as luxury activities or programs.

Uh we'll have to take a hard look at a lot.

And uh certainly uh, you know, we did a strategic planning session where none of us wanted to impact essential services, fire police, streets and roads, those things that people expect from local government.

But um, I I'm not exactly sure how how you know the homestead exemption bill uh referendum if it passes, you know, what you know what impact we might see citywide on some other things that um folks care about.

So for me, you know, that will be an adjustment enough.

Um then not knowing what you know this year came in flat, but two and a half percent.

Um, you know, and and I heard on the news last night where um that increases in real property values across the United States are not ex are not expected to outpace inflation over the next year or two, at least the next year.

So, you know, our unfortunately for us the cost of paying our great staff and keeping folks in work that's sensitive to the to the inflation rate.

And so if our property values are not rising to keep pace with the inflation rate, uh then we have some challenges, and it's you know, I certainly don't want to see anything we do expect uh um proactively before we see what's what we're gonna you know let the voters decide.

I don't want to see us be making um decisions here on the millage rate that impact the quality of life that I think most of our citizens enjoy.

We like having a nice city, we like having clean places, we don't we like having uh nice parks and clean places, and um so I just I I personally think you know I I you know I'll have a chance to say more on Thursday night, but personally I think that we need to be careful at least temporarily on the millage rate because of those reasons.

Although I do support keeping the taxes as low as we possibly can for our taxpayers.

Okay, all right.

If nothing else, then we'll move to the next item, which is uh four two.

I'm on the wrong page.

That's why we don't see one.

Five one, excuse me, five one and appoint 10 members to the 2026 affordable housing advisory committee.

Good afternoon, Mayor and Council.

My name is Dylan May.

I'm the housing manager.

Floater statute 420 uh dot 9076 requires local governments that receive state housing initiative partnership or ship funding to annually establish an affordable housing advisory committee.

We call that AHAC.

Um the committee is responsible for reviewing the city's housing policies, land development regulations, ordinances, and comprehensive plan, and uh it also recommends strategies that encourage the development and preservation of affordable of affordable housing.

Uh the proposed committee before you consists of 10 members representing the um statutory categories, and that includes banking, home building, affordable housing, employers, planning essential services, a clearwater resident and a locally elected official.

Once appointed, the AHAC will begin preparing the city's local housing incentive strategy, another acronym LHIS, uh, which is required to be submitted to council by December 331st, 2026.

The LHIS will establish the city's vision, strategic priorities, and recommend uh and recommended policy and regulatory changes to help facilitate affordable housing opportunities throughout Clearwater.

Staff recommends approval of the proposed appointments to the to the affordable housing advisory committee so the committee can begin its work and to uh and ensure the city remains in compliance with ship program requirements.

With that, I'm happy to address any questions.

Okay, any questions regarding this agenda item?

No.

Okay.

We'll move to item thank you.

We'll move to item 5.2 then.

Declare a service plus certain real property located at 103 Northeast Avenue.

Approve the transfer of said property to the City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency.

Good afternoon.

Uh mayor, city council, city managers, city managers, other respective members of the days.

Um Chris Edwards, economic development and housing director.

Uh today's action is an administrative step that declares current city-owned property located at 103 Northeast Avenue as surplus and transfers that property to the Clearwater CRA.

This transfer allows CRA to strategically manage and market the property for future redevelopment that supports downtown revitalization, expands the tax and economic base, as well as advances the goals of the downtown community redevelopment area.

And then on your screen, you have a uh just a quick aerial of the property uh that we're looking to transfer, and I stand ready to answer any questions that you may have.

Okay.

Any questions on this agenda item?

If not, then thank you.

Move to item 6.1.

Authorized purchase order.

So JB Edwards, Solstein LLC, doing business as big T printing and Young Guns Embroidery Inc.

for citywide custom apparel services.

Good afternoon, Mayor, Council members, Art Cater, Parks and Recreation Director.

The item for you today is the purchase of uh custom apparel and related customized services that are used citywide.

Sounds pretty fancy, but most of these are t-shirts.

Um but anyways, they're customized t-shirts.

The services will include uniforms, uh, screen printing of t-shirts, embroidery patches, high visibility, apparel, and other branded clothing items throughout the city.

The parks and rec department will use these primarily, I just said for t-shirts for the volunteer program for athletic tournament special events and for camps that we have.

Staff is recommending multiple vendors for this contract to meet the various needs of all the departments citywide.

By doing so, we will have product availability.

We'll be able to have competitive pricing, and the vendors will be responsible.

If one doesn't have that shirt, you can go to another vendor.

It it saves us a lot on time when we cannot get those products.

Pricing is based on the percentage discount from the manufacturer suggested retail price and/or their vendor catalog pricing.

Contract is for one year with four one-year renewable options available.

The annual expenditure is estimated to be $385,000.

With that, I'll answer any questions you may have.

Okay.

Any questions on this agenda?

If not, do we have consent?

Yeah.

We have consent on it.

6.1.

Thank you, Mr.

Cater.

Agenda item 7.1.

Approval work order, advanced engineering and design inc of Pinellas Park to provide building design and permitting services for the sea wall repairs project.

Good afternoon, uh, mayor and members of council and Nate Joseph with Public Works Engineering.

To efficiently implement repairs, the city is establishing an annual seawall repair and replacement contract based on a city sea wide uh citywide seawall inspection program that will allow repairs to be completed based on priority, available funding and asset condition.

Advanced engineering design was selected to prepare the annual contract package, including construction details, technical specifications, bid quantities, and bidding support services.

Public works anticipates bringing a construction contract award recommendation to city council in early 2027.

And establishing this annual contract will provide the city with a proactive and efficient mechanism to address seawall repairs, improve resilience, and maximize the value of public infrastructure investments.

Happy to answer any questions.

If not, do we have consent?

We have consent on 7.1.

Thank you.

Award a construction contract to Keystone Excavators of Oldsmore Oldsmar, Florida for the 2026 under drain improvement project.

Good afternoon, Mayor Council members and esteemed staff at Wilness with the Stormwater Division of Public Works, as you heard just read.

We're hoping to get your consent to award a construction contract to Keystone Excavators for the replacement of Utter Drains citywide.

Be happy to answer any questions.

Okay.

Any questions on this agenda item?

If not, do we have consent?

We have consent on 7.2.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Agenda item 7.3.

Approve a purchase order to Temple Inc.

for rectangular rapid flashing beacon systems.

Good afternoon, Mayor and Council.

I'm Anna Holland Transportation Division Manager for Public Works.

This item authorizes the purchase of R RFB systems and has pedestrian lighting and related equipment to improve pedestrian crossings on Clearwater Beach and Sandkey.

The improvements will be installed at nine crossing locations along Gulfview Boulevard, Coronado Drive, and Gulf Boulevard to increase pedestrian visibility, improve illumination, and improved driver awareness.

The project is eligible eligible for reimbursement through Gulf Boulevard built.

I think that I'll be happy to answer any questions.

Okay.

Any questions on this agenda?

We do have a question.

Yep.

Um is this for a specific area for these crosswalks?

Uh there are nine crossing locations.

Um there's an exhibit, but I can go through and read which one there.

You must have missed it.

I'll go through it.

Thank you very much.

Your call.

Do we have consent?

Gender item 7.4.

Approved temporary right of entry agreement with CSX transportation requiring indemnification support of the new city hall project.

Thank you, Ms.

Call.

Good afternoon, Mayor Terra Kivitt, Engineering Public Works.

Uh this agreement is required by CSX.

It will allow the city's contractor to construct new curb right along the eastern edge of the CSX easement on East Avenue, and that is abutting the west side of the proposed new city hall project.

Um this agreement requires council approval due to the indentation clause.

Um we expect that the site work for city hall will be complete by end of August, followed by move in of city staff through September.

Any questions?

Okay.

Any questions on this one?

No.

Do we have consent?

We have consent on agenda item 7.4.

Thank you.

Agenda item 8.1.

Authorized purchase orders and multiple vendors for vehicle and equipment repair, maintenance, and collision services.

Good afternoon, Mayor, City Council, City Leadership, Brandy Colandrea, Director of General Services.

I have here with me our uh fleet division manager, AJ Davis.

Together we are uh General Services is requesting authorization to award invitation to bid 26-27 to multiple vendors for vehicle and equipment repair, maintenance, and collision services.

The city operates a diverse fleet that supports public safety, public works, public utilities, and other essential essential city services.

Having multiple qualified vendors gives us the flexibility to assign work based on the type of repairs needed, vendor expertise and availability, all in the hopes of reducing vehicle downtime and keep city operations moving.

Uh the total authorized request is a not to exceed amount of five million dollars over a potential five-year term with funding subject to annual budget processes.

We are available.

Should you have any questions or concerns?

Okay.

Any questions on agenda item 8.1?

Okay.

Now do we have consent?

We have consent on 8.1.

Thank you.

Approving indemnification and hold harmless agreement between the city of Pinellas Park in capacity as agent of the owner of the premises known as Inell's Park Fire Training Facility.

Mr.

Mayor, Council, good evening or good afternoon, Chat Edman Fire Chief.

Um the City of Pennell's Park and Clearwater Fire and Rescue propose a cooperative agreement allowing Clearwater Fire and Rescue firefighters to use the Pinellas Park Fire Training Ground through December 31st of 2027.

The facility provides live fire and structural firefighting training opportunities in a different training environment for our members.

Under the agreement, Clearwater Fire and Rescue will repair or replace any damage caused by its personnel and will identify and hold harmless the city of Panels Park for liabilities arising from its use of the facility.

The agreement preserves sovereign immunity protection under the Florida statutes and has no associated cost.

Approval also authorizes the city manager to execute this agreement and future training agreements of similar nature.

I'm available for questions.

Questions on this agenda item.

If not, do we have consent?

Yes.

We have consent on 9.1.

Thank you.

Gender item 10.1.

Provide direction on the proposed development agreement between MHG Palm Pavilion Hotel.

Six plants, uh six flag planted L L C in the City of Clairewater for property located at 10 Bay Esplanade and 18 Bay Esplanade.

Thank you.

Good afternoon, Mayor Council.

If this looked familiar, we've been looked at this in May and June.

Uh for renotification purposes, we're we're back at the starting point.

So just for clarification before I go over the the quick summary that nothing has changed from what we saw last time.

So the the site summary, if you recall, it's 1.06 acres.

West side of the property to remain, which is the existing restaurant, the east side with the demolition and new improvements.

The uh it's in the tourist district, resort facilities high future land use, old Florida district of beach by design.

Uh permitted density is 50 units or per acre or 53 units, additional 91 units, which are requested today from the hotel density reserve total of 144 units at 136 units per acre, 75 feet in height, parking on the first four levels, and from the fifth to ninth levels will be part of the hotel.

Amenities include uh existing 9389 square foot restaurant that I discussed.

Um there will be a small swimming pool on the fifth floor, and act the site act will be accessed from the north and the south from the adjacent streets through a parking garage.

Uh the the project or proposal in the conceptual is consistent with the community development code, consistent with beach by design and standards for development agreements, it's in compliance with the the standards of development agreements is consistent with the comprehensive plan and furthers the vision of beach redevelopment set forth in beach by design, and again, this is a uh direction for the which would the current August.

Thank you.

Any questions on this agenda?

Okay, vice mayor.

I don't have any questions.

Thank you.

Just uh more of a discussion um with this and Mr.

Mayor, Mr.

Albert and you guys can attest to this more than I can.

Um, but seeing what the temperature is for I like the project, I have no problems with the the project moving forward um after the view, but maybe taking a pause and pausing the distribution of the remaining hotel room density pool reserve until we complete the traffic study, um, kind of solve our traffic solution or at least make it better before we continue to maybe ponder future um allocations of those hotel rooms.

So, when is the traffic study going to be completed?

That's I don't have the information in front of me, but I believe it's on um uh ongoing, but um I have to be debating right behind me.

I did not mean to throw everybody for the great question.

You know, I hate to share my anecdotal experience, um, which may or may not be you know consistent, and sure council member Albright and might share the same, but but I I agree with you that probably um the having the study in before because that is the you know I'm sure we've all received similar feedback that has been probably the predominant concern of the residents is traffic impact.

So uh good afternoon again, Mayor, uh council members, Marcus Williamson Public Works, and Lawrence up here also.

So we've got the two different studies that are kind of going on uh right now.

So we're looking at the marina parking garage.

Uh so we uh pause the overall just briefly to evaluate a couple of concepts with the marina parking garage, uh, and then that's coming uh forward in the larger also.

So um November ish uh will be the um it's an object.

It's my turn.

Hi good afternoon, Lauren Matsky, planning and development.

And I have not had the opportunity to speak with uh assessment city manager Babel on this.

It was a conversation actually today because the proposed schedule would be to try to be wrapping this up around November.

Planning and developments concern would be trying to do any related outreach around the holidays.

Typically, we try to avoid public outreach between November and December since people's schedules are pretty full anyway, but um also understanding that timing with the the appropriate delay that we took to work on the garage piece kind of complicates things and pushed it out into the winter months.

So with um the different outreach projects that we have going on, that was something that we had wanted to discuss.

Yes, it um and if I just so the reason for a little bit of that delay was um there were some pretty innovative ideas coming out of what we might be able to do with that park and garage.

So the consultant basically was saying I'd like to take a turn uh or two on that and then get back.

So we're we're letting them take that turn or two on ideas.

And the parking right, we mean the parking at the that's part of the hotel developments.

So it's the marina uh parking garage out so we're not sure how that impacts uh hotel north beach, but because of the traffic flow, you're saying more specific about the price.

You're talking about traffic acid with the beach engine.

Correct.

Correct.

So which is essentially what I was alluding to, if if to make that clear as well.

Oh, okay.

Yeah, I thought you meant I thought you meant not just around subject property.

No, sir.

I'm at the entire to wait for this study to come all the way through, which if you don't if you don't mind.

Thank you for that.

I was anticipating being more middle of next year, so that's great news that it may be around November.

Um, I understand there can be tentative delays.

Um thank you.

Councilman Rowberton.

Okay, so this is just for the allocation of density units.

This is not for the project itself, right?

Correct.

This is to start the ball rolling to get that dedication of the units, otherwise, it's just 53 would be allowed.

So I mean, we've got to go through this whole process of planning as to review the project, and then it's got to come back as to us as a does that come back to us.

It does not, it goes through the community development board is the CDB, okay.

Goes to CDB, but it won't be going to CDB till when, do you think?

They haven't submitted for the the FLDE.

So we got a while.

And and then they're gonna require traffic study for that.

So let's say the traffic study comes back and says too much traffic for this development, um, then it would not move forward and then it'd have to release the density.

Is that correct?

Well, the the units right now we have approximately 110 in the the reserve.

91 of these would so it would go down to I guess the math is 19 remaining.

So right now we have 110 in the results.

Well, I'm just saying that somebody just doesn't hold density units unless they're thinking about if they can't do the project for that many units.

Correct.

Somebody else comes up project, they'll probably because they float around.

I mean, they're it's it's it's a living breathing with all the the panning projects, any one of them could potentially you know be rescind themselves or change their mind.

And um, if and we have currently one that went through DRC uh a couple weeks ago that they've asked for some uh hotel units as well.

So as what we're discussing here would also impact them, but it's um again what you said has to go through community development board for this project for the full project approval, and that's when that's when all the studies come out.

If it's a project that can move forward, so I'm just saying the allocation of density units in this really doesn't move the needle until the project is so I'm tying it, move this project forward.

Project is good in my eyes, and depending on what the rest of the board here decides.

But in my eyes, I like the Paul Pavilion project.

Um, is what I'm saying, in addition to that, then putting a pause on any other allocation to the 19 remaining units in the pool until we get the overarching traffic study completed to see how to move people.

So that's that's maybe the clarification that I think I relay the first time.

Yeah, uh yeah, I think that that's certainly our priority.

Yeah, at the time that proposed thank you.

Yeah, I would I thank you for that clarification because I was a little bit confused there, because there has been a current traffic and impact study done on this exact project that we're discussing.

Um, and that that's already been completed.

Uh acceptable levels of services both with or without anticipated project traffic.

But I I do recognize what you say is beyond this project and beyond Thursday's approval or not of this project.

If there are 19 unallocated units in the density pool, should we have a deeper discussion thrown on an agenda to talk about what big picture looks like moving forward of allocating any more out of that outside of this project?

And I would be open to having those discussions.

For sure.

Well, I mean, I am going to look to probably add that into a motion if I'm being honest with you guys, right?

That's why we're having the discussion now, and that is just to put that pause.

I mean, until November, December, maybe even January or after the holidays, whenever the traffic study does come to completion.

And we've got more knowledge on how to move people from the mainland to the beach and then disperse them from north to south beach and and wherever they're trying to go efficiently and effectively.

Um I think that'll also help future developers in knowing what they can do with the allocated um hotel rooms and the resort from there with with the new traffic proposals.

So there are only 19 unallocated okay.

Well, I I appreciate I you know, we're beach resident, been a beach resident for a long time, so I appreciate appreciate uh as much as you know anybody's uh the sensitivity to beach traffic.

Um the the biggest challenge we have, and we're doing a study on it with Fort Bernellus is traffic patterns between the roundabout and Sankey Bridge.

That's the biggest bottleneck.

I could tell you from having more of a personal experience with North North Side, it it pales in comparison to the challenges between the roundabout and sank bridge.

It's just we've added so many rooms, but they are already there.

They're they're built and they're or allocated.

So I I don't know that you know uh another 19 units is really gonna move the needle much on um how many people are coming across the causeway to get out to the beach.

I think the traffic pattern, you know, it's maybe too late that we can hopefully improve that pattern between roundabout and Sankey Bridge, but that's the biggest area where I think we need to look at it.

I I'm not opposed to that, but I'm not sure how many 19 units, how much difference it's gonna make if we allocate those or not.

Uh I agree with you, and maybe you can speak to this as well.

But for those projects that are still on the beach, say for whatever reason those fell through, those rooms would then come back into the hotel density reserve or if they were given up.

So that's why I'm saying just overall put a pause on until we figure out what our solution is for traffic movement, and then make an educated decision, and then even it could help developers, and seeing as how it could be you know, within the next first quarter of 2027.

Again, I just think that it might be uh a wise decision.

Um, and it wasn't just towards the 19 because what is 19 units in the grand scheme of things, it was in case anything else does fall through that hey, before we get another awesome project that could potentially put more people on South Beach or something like that, um, that we have a better understanding of what we're gonna do with our people in the mobility of the beach.

To the clerk if we have uh council members, because in order for you to place a moratorium putting a pause, it would require it to come back to council at a future date uh in the form of a resolution um right now until then, uh anything that's in the mix and um Miss Matske can correct me, the city would be obligated to um uphold.

So if that is a direction that you want uh a future discussion or to direct the city attorney to draft a resolution for future consideration, please do please provide that direction.

Okay, so two things.

Um first, as we talk, I really do believe when we need further clarification on Thursday, we will be voting whether to allocate those rooms to this project or not.

That is a question before us, right?

So even if we do a moratorium, it will not affect this project because it's already in progress, and that is just the first of many steps that they have to go through.

Okay.

Now, this agenda item, like so many others when it comes to the beach, has you know started a bunch of conversations where I I have with several people, and there's a lot of confusion, misconceptions about beach by design.

And so I was thinking that we should start off before having that discussion, having a presentation where in layman's terms, just on the record, explain it because the perceptions out there are like all over the gamut.

Um, and I don't think there's an understanding of what beach by design is in terms of infrastructure, when it was a design, and what it considers and why there's an allocation, the people that I that are that are are concerned, do not have a full understanding of it.

So I'm thinking before we have that discussion, let's start off at ground zero and have a presentation.

I hope if everybody agrees, where you can explain the beach by design, at least on record.

So if I get those calls, which are many, I'll just go go to the that July meeting, it's all there.

You know what I mean?

Versus me trying to explain all the time the same thing over and over again.

Would that be something that can my colleagues would be interested in?

Do I think staff to do?

Yeah, I you know, um, I I think it might be helpful for the public to kind of understand that a little better to have a little refresher for the public on it.

Um I don't think generally um talking to citizens concerned over not just things on the beach, but in general, that they don't um that the average citizen doesn't understand the comprehensive planning process, why that's important, why we have a comprehensive plan, why we uh it's it's to not only have some community agreement on how we want to develop our city, but it's also to give developers some reliance and some you know some certainty as to what they can and can't do and where they can and can't do it.

Um so you know, every time in every community I've been in over the years, you know, when that comprehensive plan comes up for review, there's all this public engagement, and and you try to get the public involved to get their thoughts at the time before you adopt it, but it's only usually after the fact when a project comes up that they don't like that they um that that now, oh wow, we'd approved what you know that's within the zone or not that zone.

So that's the challenge.

Um I think it may be helpful for the public to just kind of understand what we adopted as a plan, what we did beach by design, and all these other things that I wouldn't say our hands are completely tied on, but that we maybe have committed to offer developers the opportunity to give some certainty in what they can and can't invest in and and build.

So I wouldn't be opposed to it.

I wouldn't put a lot of staff time into it, but I wouldn't be opposed to it.

Layman's terms in a concise way because some of the questions I'm I'm being asked are so like you have 91 rooms.

Well, did you consider you know how much sewage that's gonna take and and why did you come up with that number?

And and so there's a lot of even basic understanding is missing.

So I'm not asking for an intensive presentation, just something concise and in layman's terms that we can just start from ground zero because some of the questions I asked shows very clearly that the there's misunderstandings out there.

Including the fact that 1385 of these hotel units in the reserve were part of the density that which was assessed at the time, including and up into the 2013 update on page 54 of the document.

So just happen to have it here.

You know, if you you should talk to folks who are on the city council back when they decided beach by decided and all that, you know, some would in hindsight look back and say, well, maybe maybe maybe we did allocate too many at the time.

But the but the reality is we allocated them.

So to go back in hindsight and redo, you know, get a do-over.

Unfortunately, you don't get a do over on some things, and so this may be one where we don't.

Uh, but to your point, I think how do we manage it now that we're have what we have, that's the challenge for us.

And um, so I'm not opposed to that kind of presentation, just reminder to us and to the community of what we can and can't do based upon what we've already agreed to do.

Councilmember Manino?

Thank you.

Um I'd be up to hearing the presentation.

I kind of feel like that ship is almost sailed.

I mean, this plan was 2001 redone in 2013, and now we're 2026, and we're saying there's 19 units left.

The questions I'm getting from the community digging a little deeper is looking for assurances of whether it's 19 units left or 400 plus that are allocated already.

Can the roads hold it?

Uh do we have the water infrastructure to support it?

Does our sewer systems and an underground systems is this incorporated into our new consolidated water plan and master plan?

Those are the the deeper discussions of assurances that people are asking about this, not so much about what is beach by design.

We can refer them to a document and to a website, but I think it's the overall questions of looking for those assurances of tell me can our roadways handle it, can the wall do we have the water, the infrastructure?

Can you flush all those toilets if we put 400 more units?

What does this do to the stormwater project that we're approving down there?

I think those are the greater questions, and that's um that's a much larger discussion.

I think that's needed than uh layman's terms of beach by design.

Just my thoughts.

Okay.

So what's our direction there?

Yeah, so that's what two things.

I don't necessarily think that you need to go back over everything.

It would probably be a waste of time if I'm being honest.

I just don't know what the exact process would be.

Do I need to bring it up under new business?

Is that what we're kind of reading?

As a body to discuss the possibility of implementing a moratorium, I can schedule it for the next meeting.

I just need that direction.

Yeah, I mean, again, moratorium pauses just until we get the traffic study of how we move people around, get that solution going, and then understand that you know, with the rest of the projects that are out there in the 19 that are already allocated, that we would be able to facilitate those people wherever the project could be in the future.

Um I think that you know, if we wanted to get uh public works involved with uh giving an update on their infrastructure for the 30-year progress from here forward, I guess you could do that.

Um I know that we used to get the North Beach updates all the time.

Um we were we were constantly getting good feedback, right?

So we're trending in the right direction.

Um I don't necessarily know that I need that.

We know that we need a lot of work out on the beach, and it will get there when it does.

My concern again is just mobility for um primarily our residents, and then our visitors and maybe pausing future projects until we can figure out our traffic solution, which seems like it's coming up relatively soon.

However, I go about doing it.

It'll be on the next uh work session agenda as a council discussion item under your perfect.

Thank you.

And it's and it's a pause on the allocation of units.

Correctional proposing if everybody's gonna discuss it in depth.

Not on projects.

Correct.

It's just the allocation of the current hotel density reserve.

Okay, I'm I'm I'm okay.

Just don't use that moratorium word, just say well, that's what I I want to.

Yeah, I don't need to get into the weeds with resolutions and then having to claw back things, but you guys know better than I do.

I will let legal decide on what the final, if something were to be determined, what the final uh terminology will be used.

Perfect.

Thank you all for appeasing me.

I appreciate it.

And you're appeased.

Okay.

I think we're good.

Thank you.

I think we provided more direction than what was asked when we request I think it's all good.

It's all good.

Uh move to agenda item 11.1.

Award a construction contract to JDS pipe inc for the FDM HMGP lift station platforms project.

Uh good afternoon, Mayor Council.

Uh, item 10.1 was a great segue uh into this discussion here.

Um Mike Flynn, public utilities director.

Today I'm requesting your award for a construction contract with JDS pipe in the amount of six million three hundred and thirty-six thousand three hundred and five dollars and eighty cents for lift station platform project uh and approval time extension for FEMA grant 437-484R.

Uh this contract allows JDS, the lowest responsive bidder, to elevate critical systems of seven coastal lift stations above the flood hazard elevations, mitigating the risk of power loss and sanitary sewer overflows during storms.

Please know while the current contract reflects the completion date, December 34th, 2021, excuse me, December 31st, 2026.

Uh, the grant deadline has been extended to March 31st, 2027, and staff intends to amend the agreement to reflect the updated date of completion.

Establishing this contract aligns with our strategic priorities of high performing government by maintaining public infrastructure and environmental stewardship by implementing proactive solutions for a resilient community.

I'm happy to respond to any questions that you may have.

Okay.

If not, do we have consent?

Yes.

We have consent of 11.1.

11.2.

Authorized purchase orders to Carolina filters, Inc., Core and Maine LP and Harrington Industrial Plastics L L C for reverse osmosis plant cartridge filters.

Uh good afternoon, Mayor Council Mike Flanagan.

Today I'm requesting your authorization to issue purchase orders uh with the three aforemed uh mentioned organizations for uh reverse osmosis uh plant cartridge filters and the annual not to exceed amount of 160,000 dollars.

Uh this action establishes primary and secondary vendor contracts for the period of July seventeenth, twenty twenty-six through july sixteenth, twenty twenty-seven, and it encompasses the necessary twenty-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-four dollars and twelve cents preliminary purchase from Harrington Industrial Plastic to ensure unerrupted uh production at our RO2 facility.

Securing these filters is essential to remove particulate matter from our source water, protect the sensitive plant membranes and guarantee reliable pre-treatment operations.

Establishing this contract directly meets our strategic objective of high performing government by providing critical water treatment components required to keep our systems running continuously and produce high quality uh drinking water.

I'm happy to respond to any questions that you may have.

Any questions on this agenda?

Now do we have consent?

We have consent on eleven point two.

Thank you.

Thank you.

This time we call the work session back to order and move item twelve point one.

Reappoint Robin Fiel to the neighborhood and affordable housing advisory board as a citizen who is actively engaged in the banking mortgage industry in connection with affordable housing with a term expiring January thirty first thirty-one, twenty thirty.

Council members, uh Ms.

Fell completed her first term, and she is the only applicant on file with this specific qualification, and she's willing to continue on the board.

Okay.

May I place on consent or keep it on consent, please?

Do we have consent?

Can we have consent on 12.1?

Okay.

Move item 12.2.

Appoint Todd St.

John Fulton to the neighborhood and affordable housing advisory board as a citizen who is actively engaged as a real estate professional in connection with affordable housing with a term expiring July 16, 2030.

Council members, Mr.

Fox is no longer able to serve on the board due to uh work conflicts.

And so the only applicant that we have with this specific category is Mr.

St.

John Fulton.

Okay.

No, okay.

All right.

And we have consent.

Yeah.

We have consent on 12.2, 12.3.

Reappoint Kennard Robinson to the North Greenwood Community Redevelopment Area Citizens Advisory Committee as a resident representative for a term expiring September 30, 2028.

Council members, Mr.

Robinson was filling an unexpired term, and so he is willing to serve and he's able to serve another term.

Okay.

We have consent.

We have consent on 12.3.

12.4.

Appoint Eleanor Elinor Nartker to the Sister Cities Advisory Board as a youth member with an unexpired term through October 31, 2028.

This is for the youth uh member on the board, and I am glad to report yet uh sad to say that Mr.

Yangera she is going off to college and can no longer serve, so that's the reason why we have Ms.

Umartker for your consideration.

Okay.

So that's good.

Do we have consent?

We have consent on 12.4, then 12.5.

Appoint Stephanie Chill to the sister cities advisory board as a resident with an arts education professional background with an unexpired term through October 31, 2027.

Council members, uh Miss Melinda Beacon, she had resigned, and so Miss Stephanie Shell was in a different category, but she's able to fill this position.

Okay.

Do we have consent?

Yeah, we have consent on Stephanie Chill.

Uh item 12.6.

Hold on a second here.

Appoint Natasha Carrick to the Sister Cities Advisory Board as the Pinellas County Schools employee with an unexpired term through February 1, 2028.

Council members, uh, due to the recent budget cuts at the county level, the position, the world language specialist position is no longer um they've eliminated the position.

Uh, but we just happen to have um Miss Carrick who has that background and she is living, she lives within city limits and is also a Pinellas County employee who's able to serve in that position.

Okay.

Um do we have consent on this one?

Yeah, we have consent on 12.6.

Thank you.

12.7.

Appoint an individual to the sister cities advisory board as a business community representative with an unexpired term through March 31, 2028.

Council members, Mr.

Kelly was serving on this board and uh as that as that community uh represent business representative.

Unfortunately, he's no longer able to serve, but I do have two applicants who are um willing to serve, and that is Cheryl Acton.

Uh she is a bookkeeper for Acton Arts LLC and William Johnson, who is an accounting manager for the Stan Pearl Resort.

Okay.

Councilmember Teshi.

Well, I think they're both qualified, but for me, it just came down to a what I believe William Mr.

Johnson's William William Johnson's unique perspective coming from the beach.

Um he has he represents a different community, has a lot of contacts and a lot of relationships, so I think he would be a great addition to the to the to the board.

Vice Mayor.

Yes, sir.

Adversely, uh I saw that Cheryl had the extension of travel uh with Delta Airlines, and we thought that with her unique travel experience that she would probably be pretty good.

I mean, as we know, we just did the sister cities tour, and having people that are uh eloquent or well versed in travel definitely helps.

So I don't think it's anything against Mr.

Johnson.

He does have a very good resume.

I just thought that that stood out and it could be very helpful for our sister cities program.

Councilmember Manino.

Uh thank you.

I also wrote down Cheryl Acton's name um for very similar reasons or travel experience with Delta.

She represents several community organizations and boards.

She's also a graduate of our Citizens Academy and went through that um through that, so that I that's kind of what caught my eye about Cheryl.

But I'm I I think both are qualified and would do a great job.

Yeah, both qualified, both look good.

I kind of would agree with the background of Cheryl Act.

Can I add something?

Re reviewing the board, we already have representation of well-traveled uh multilingual representatives.

What we're missing is actually somebody from the beach with the business um and tourism experience.

That's why he got the edge.

I'm looking at the team as it is right now and what would be a m missing some uh missing gap, and that would that's why I went for as well, Mr.

William Johnson.

Yeah, I would I would um I would share that viewpoint.

So uh I had an interesting conversation with um gentleman from Visa St.

Pete Clearwater a week or two ago, and uh he he surveys throughout the entire county, not just Clearwater Beach, but um so uh talking with him uh at the marina and um so he's telling me about how much he enjoys his job and engaging folks, and I said, What's the most surprising thing you learn?

He says, Well, the most surprising thing I learn about Clearwater is how many international people I speak with when I'm surveying people out here on Clearwater Beach.

I said, What's surprising about that?

He says it's significantly more than anywhere else in the county, including all the other beaches, including St.

Petersburg.

So I do think there's there's that we may be missing is just particularly with the Japanese um population that that visits here naturally.

Uh we we are maybe missing that tourism input from our beach community.

So if it's kind of an even thing, I would weigh more towards that.

Uh and sample is a property that you know certainly is one of the leaders out there and attracting that kind of international visitor.

Those folks, uh you you know, you've probably seen the statistics.

Those folks, uh particularly Asian tourists, um at one time an Asian tourist, the data would spend eight times the amount on a visit to the county than uh American tourist would spend here.

So um, and it's not just Japan, it's and it it's all folks from all of the world.

And and those of us out there a lot see that a lot too.

It's not just this the gentleman doing the surveys, but you see a lot of international tourists and a lot of Asian tourists too.

So you know, it sounds like they're both about even, and so I would agree with Councilmember Tisheda that uh it'd be nice to have somebody from the tourism community on this um commission.

Is there currently nobody on the sister city board that represents tourism?

I don't I don't see a team roster or what their backgrounds are or anything like that.

No, this is a specific um app uh repres rather qualification for the board um in terms of the business community, local business community rep and it was held by Mr.

Kelly, but for obvious reasons he had to resign.

So I would lean toward Mr.

Johnson.

I think I don't know if we have to do that.

I can bring it back on Thursday if council wishes.

I could go with you, I can go either way.

I mean, I like your reasoning when I didn't think about that before.

That might be a better point.

So uh did we want to put it on for Thursday to talk about further?

I guess we can invite both of them like we do other times to come.

I can ask them to come if you wish.

And if they wanted to.

Okay.

Yeah.

How does everybody else feel?

But bring it back on Thursdays.

I I guess it'll be off consent then.

Do we want the applicants present or no?

I I think we normally invite them, right?

I can invite them.

Yeah.

Okay.

Even if it's on consent for one candidate, we invite anybody who's applied to come.

So last item, designate a council member to serve as the city's official voting delegate at the Florida League of Cities annual conference, August 13th through the 15th council members, a city each year designates uh an individual to serve as the voting delegate for their actual business meeting that will be held this year on Saturday, August 15 at 9 a.m.

Uh the conference will be held at the diplomat beach resort down in Hollywood, Florida, from the 13th through the 15th.

And so I just need to have consensus in terms of who you wish to appoint so I can inform the organization who will be the voting delegate.

So um I you know shared with you earlier when it came up on the agenda that I I would like to attend this one.

Um I'll be there one way or the other for the Florida League of Mayors meeting, which is like the Wednesday right before Mayor Woody Brown of Largo is going to be president of the Florida League of Mayors next year, so I want to be there to support Mayor Brown.

He'll be the first mayor uh from Pinellas County to be the president of the Florida League of Mayors, so to support Mayor Brown.

I'd like to be there, or I will be there for that already.

Um and then so for me to attend the rest of it behalf of the city.

Plus, you know, there's it's been referenced earlier.

There's an important issue on the on the uh the November ballot that I'm sure will be discussed, and just to um to be there present for that and talk with other community leaders and other mayors throughout the state who um who are contemplating that and uh I would like to attend myself.

Now that doesn't mean you know we've sent one in the past, and if uh council member Manino, I know that you have an interest in attending.

I I don't know that it would I don't think it would be a budget breaker if two of us went.

Um no, and that would really be up to in terms of what the budget the council's budget is, but more than one council member has attended in the past.

Yeah, it's been a while, but yes, yeah.

So um you know I I've about run different different other mayors' things I go to.

I've been I'm about through my budget.

So my budget is um I mean it'd have to come out of whatever we have allocated for this, the registration fee, so on and so forth.

But um, you know, some some cities, I mean they you know sometimes it's smaller cities, but some cities the their entire count entire council attends these meetings.

So I don't know we need to do that, but uh think maybe we should consider more than just one if there's interest.

Um I'm open to more of the merrier.

So I'm this uh the elected representative for this this body for the last two years, uh Sun Coast League of Cities.

Last year I was out of the country, um, could not be at the conference.

Uh council member cotton stepped up and went.

I was our voting member.

This is already taken out of my budget.

My hotel is already booked, my registrations already done, events are already scheduled on my calendar.

I'll be there regardless.

Uh I'll also be appointed as the third vice president of the Suncoast League of Cities for our entire region.

Uh I will be not only nominated but probably appointed that very same weekend.

Um so I will be there, whether I'm the voting nomination or not.

That that doesn't bother me.

So mayor, if you want to be there and you feel the need, you're welcome to to have that role, but I I'm already scheduled to be there, so I will be there.

So what's uh so when we designate whoever whoever we designate, it comes it it's in a uh separate expense.

No, it's just still comes out of our council budget.

It's just to attend the annual uh meeting that Saturday morning and to um approve the slate of officers.

That is a no budget or any allocation test.

That is all to it.

And not even an hour.

It's very efficient.

I'll be there Thursday morning through Sunday, so I will be there.

Well, I'm I'm fine with council member but you know that if there's no if you want to join, join.

So who who do who should we put as the uh yeah I think the mayor's gonna be there?

He can if the mayor wants to be there, he's gonna be there.

He can be the voting member.

I'm gonna be there regardless of the thing.

How about this?

We bring the I'll bring this back on Thursday because I need a motion anyway.

So I'm I'm I'm fine with council member.

I thought there was some budget attached to it.

No, I thought the reason we were designating somebody to be a voting member was there was set an allocation set for through a budget.

No, um it's again it's just to attend and to vote at um at that one meeting.

That's fine.

Yeah, um I don't want to be the put council in that position of having to pick or flip a coin.

So um if you want to be the member, that's right.

I'm good either way, I'll be there.

So whether I'm voting or not, I'll be there.

That's fair.

That'd be fine.

All right.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay.

With that, we go to item 13, City Manager Verbal Reports.

So yeah, that's thank you.

We're glad to talk with the Epic meeting about the purpose of this meeting.

11.2.

We got a few.

We did it before the break.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Yeah, so I just wanted to take a moment.

I know that our team is not here, but um especially with Parks and Rec, they did a phenomenal job as it relates to the programming and putting together really um exceptional 250th anniversary celebration for our community and the way that they engaged our community and partnered with so many community members for them to have a part of it and make um what the 4th of July was in that 250th anniversary.

I just really wanted to thank them, and then of course all the other departments that helped pull that off because it certainly is a um it's a team event.

So wanted to thank them for that, and then also just do another plug for our community engagement event that is on August 1st at Morningside.

We do have it advertised on our website and are pushing it out.

We just did a um a media release as well so that we can get lots of attendance and engagement in that meeting.

Thank you.

Okay.

Uh item 14, city attorney.

Nothing.

Okay, item 15 new business that we haven't already discussed.

So nothing.

Um already added one.

No, Cotton already added one.

The hotel thing.

Okay.

All right.

We'll move on to 16 then.

Council Comments.

Anybody have any comments to add?

Uh yeah, I'll just do a shout out to the big audience um as well.

That I think that our staff, Rudy, uh, for you.

Thank you for still being here.

Um, I think that all staff for the July 3rd or unfortunately I wasn't able to be there for the fourth, but um, at least the third.

You guys did a stellar job.

Thank you very much for being able to uh allow us to celebrate uh our 250th anniversary of this nation.

It was fantastic, and kudos off to you guys and and the whole team.

So thank you.

Okay, any other comments?

We've got item 17, just to add on to that was fantastic.

Um I I thought particular and you know great was they had a um I called it the I called the the world's largest America 250 table tennis tournament because we may have been the only ones in the world hosting a table tennis tennis tournament that day.

Um and uh we had I guess he I guess he regularly practices and plays out at the long center, but uh gentleman and I'm not sure if he lives in Clearwater or not, but he lives here locally, but uh he's ranked in the top 50 in the world.

Wow in table tennis.

And um so the director who out there, I said um before I even I was calling it table tennis.

He said, don't call it ping pong when you're trying to help.

That's why I said why he said well they're very sensitive to that.

It's table tennis.

And then I uh he said uh he says, which I'm not sure exactly sure why you know they're that sensitive because he says because you ask them what kind of ball they played with, and they say, well, ping pong ball.

So but uh it was a great event, but we had a volleyball tournament, they had a pickleball tournament at another rec center, and uh and and then we had the hot dog giveaway.

It it was just a great way that our parks and rec team in particular approached gathering the community.

So again, thank you for that and the two big celebrations we had here.

Uh evidently the laser show looks a lot better if you're underneath the lasers, so had to come down in the park to see that.

But uh that was a uh great idea, and uh 4th of July was a big success as it always is.

So uh uh kudos again to our entire team for what they did on the 4th of July.

With that, we will uh adjourn the work session of July 13th, 2026, and then we're gonna be able to do that.