Clearwater City Council Meeting - August 6, 2026
Clearwater City Council Meeting - August 6, 2026
The Clearwater City Council met on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Main Library Council Chambers. The meeting included special recognitions, approval of routine items, a major public hearing on an unsolicited proposal to redevelop the Landings Golf Course into a sports tourism complex, and a final vote on a 30-year franchise agreement with Duke Energy. The council also reached consensus on naming the new city hall plaza in honor of former Mayor William B. Horn.
Consent Calendar
- Appointment of Sean Austin to the Neighborhood and Affordable Housing Advisory Board (term through August 6, 2030).
- Approval of a Client Services Agreement with Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, LLC for insurance brokerage services (initial three-year term with renewal option).
- Extension of Owen Kohler’s appointment as Interim City Attorney through October 1, 2026.
- Authorization of a Guaranteed Maximum Price to Keystone Excavators, Inc. for Countryside Community Park renovations ($1,449,136.15).
- Addendum to RecTrac/Vermont Systems agreement for PayTrac software (coterminous with existing agreement).
- Construction contract award to Concrete Protection and Restoration LLC for Carpenter Complex Repairs ($962,933.00).
- Change Order 3 to Skanska USA Building, Inc. for The Sound Canopy Gutters Project ($694,055.00 increase; total contract $73,056,882.92).
- Authorization for vehicle and equipment purchases (not-to-exceed $22,251,080) and declaration of surplus.
- Amendment and Renewal No. 1 to the Pinellas County Technical Rescue Team Agreement (no monetary change).
- Increase on purchase orders to Joe Payne, Inc. and Quorum Services for building code inspections ($350,000; cumulative $1,200,000 through September 30, 2026).
- Purchase order with Verizon Wireless for cellular/mobile data services ($2,540,500.00 for three years).
- Encroachment Agreement with Florida Gas Transmission Company, LLC for a natural gas pipeline crossing.
Public Comments & Testimony
Landings Golf Course Proposal (Item 7.3):
- Supporters included Dr. Ed Carlson (president of Jungle Terrace HOA, praised developer Les Porter’s community engagement), Alexandria Goodin (highlighted 24-hour security and need for youth recreation), a representative from Clearwater Soccer Club (cited over 400 children served and potential to expand to 1,000; tournaments currently lost to Lakewood Ranch), Dominic Prioli (urged progress, called it a ‘generational opportunity’), Jack Prioli (young resident born and raised in Clearwater, noted need for nearby soccer fields), Greg Erickson (advocated for innovation and youth sports), and Mike Reardon (supported development, argued golf course is not green space).
- Opponents included Brian Beckman (requested analysis of property value impacts and community meetings), Linda Byers (raised safety concerns for adjacent Clearwater Executive Air Park, FAA restrictions, flood zone risks, environmental trauma from synthetic turf), Patrick Raftery (Clearwater Neighborhoods Coalition vice president, cited opposition, concerns about charter, comprehensive plan, stormwater, traffic, noise, lighting, and financial risk; noted 22-acre landfill six feet below surface), Christine Michelak (Keep Keen Green, argued restaurant components would compete with local small businesses and that the complex would be unaffordable for low-income families), and others.
- A group speaker (Melissa Damos) presented detailed opposition on behalf of residents, emphasizing traffic, noise, light pollution, property value declines, and process concerns. She requested a competitive RFP, longer than 30 days, and possible referendum.
Duke Energy Franchise Agreement (Item 8.1):
- Opponents included Jason Scott (presented appraisal results for full buyout at $265 million; estimated 13-15% first-year savings for residents, $30 million annually; criticized lack of public communication), Shane Meager (accused council of secrecy, urged waiting until after the election), a young woman (shared family’s experience of rising Duke bills, from ~$135 to ~$450), Jeff Month (argued for 15-year term instead of 30, noted Duke raised rates after hurricanes while municipal power was cheaper), and Lisa Lanza (criticized Duke’s low-income program outreach and lack of a working group before the franchise expiration).
- Supporters included Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida State President, who thanked the council for collaboration.
Other Public Comments:
- Bill Johnson (spoke during Citizens to be Heard on Phillies agreement, requested non-binding final approval until property tax referendum impact is known; questioned use of general funds for ballpark expansion).
- Lisa Lanza (highlighted PSTA Snapper microtransit service and criticized the consolidated Resiliency and Leisure Board for not meeting often enough to address key issues).
Discussion Items
Landings Golf Course Unsolicited Proposal (Item 7.3):
- Staff presented the proposal from Sunshine Recreational and Development LLC under Florida Statute 255.065. The $180 million project includes 12 multi-purpose fields, 24 covered pickleball courts, 12 sand volleyball courts, two 18-hole putting courses, a fitness/wellness center, water park, and food/beverage operations. The site is a 77-acre city-owned property currently used as a golf course. Financing includes $108 million private loan, $45 million in county tourist development taxes, and $26.9 million equity. The financial review by Public Resources Advisory Group highlighted risks: high site remediation costs (buried landfill), reliance on restaurant revenue, and two-phase development. Planning Director Lauren Matsky concluded the proposed use remains “parks and recreation facility” per the code, so no change of use. Staff recommended accepting the proposal as qualifying and soliciting additional proposals for 30 days.
- The applicant, represented by Brian Onks, presented additional details: 24-hour security, elimination of paid parking, closure of Airport Drive egress for patrons, noise mitigation (covered pickleball courts, opaque wall, no amplified noise except on championship field), and a commitment to Clearwater resident discounts. They cited a $47 million total tax benefit over 30 years and 615 jobs.
- Council discussion: Councilmember Albert noted the project aligns with the comprehensive plan and proposed moving forward with soliciting other proposals. Vice Mayor Cotton supported the motion. The mayor and Councilmember Mannino recused themselves due to potential conflicts of interest (mayor under 112.3143, Mannino awaiting ethics opinion). The remaining council voted unanimously to accept the proposal as qualifying and to solicit additional proposals for 30 days.
Duke Energy Franchise Agreement (Item 8.1):
- Second reading of Ordinance 9929-26 granting a 30-year non-exclusive franchise to Duke Energy. The franchise fee is 6%. A Memorandum of Agreement includes approximately $2 million in benefits to the city. The council discussed the appraisal for a full buyout at $265 million but opted not to pursue public power. Public comments were heard. The council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance and the memorandum.
Naming of City Hall and Municipal Complex (Item 12.1):
- Councilmember Mannino initiated a conversation on naming the new city hall or its plaza/park after former Mayor William B. Horn. After discussion, the council reached consensus on naming the plaza (walking paths and green space adjacent to city hall) in his honor. A motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda (Items 6.1-6.12): Approved unanimously.
- FY2026/2027 Annual Action Plan (Item 7.1): Approved unanimously.
- Appointment of Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (Item 7.2): Resolution 26-12 adopted; 10 members appointed unanimously.
- Landings Golf Course Proposal (Item 7.3): Council accepted the proposal as qualifying and directed staff to solicit additional proposals for 30 days. Motion passed unanimously (Mayor and Councilmember Mannino recused).
- Temporary Restoration of Public Comment (Item 7.4): Resolution 26-13 adopted, extending public comment on non-agenda items through November 20, 2026. Approved unanimously.
- Duke Energy Franchise Agreement (Item 8.1): Ordinance 9929-26 adopted on second reading; Memorandum of Agreement approved. Unanimous.
- Naming of City Hall Complex (Item 12.1): Council directed that the plaza at the new city hall be named after William B. Horn. Unanimous.
- Future Agenda Items: Councilmember Albert requested a discussion on the county RFN (Revenue Finance Note) and city/county buildings be added to the next agenda. Council also noted that Mayor Rector and Councilmember Cotton would be absent from the September 14 work session and CRA meeting; they requested postponement of any significant agenda items requiring full council discussion.
Meeting Transcript
This time I'll call order the Clearwater City Council meeting for August 6, 2026. If you wish to address address the council tonight, please complete a comment card. Comment cards are located by the clerk seated to the right of the dais. Please hand your card to the clerk. I'd ask for everyone to please stand tonight as we move to item two on the agenda for the invitation to be given by Reverend Allie Wood from the first United Methodist Church of Clearwater, and then remain standing afterwards for the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Let us pray. Loving creator, we come to you on this very rainy evening, grateful for the privilege of being a community. We are grateful for all those who make our life together and our safety possible. Our first responders, our city staff, our elected officials, those who work tirelessly on our behalf. As we gather tonight and decide on the business of our city, some small items and some large, make us mindful of all those who live and work and reside in Clearwater. Help us to remember that our city belongs to all of us, and help us to be people who think not just of ourselves, but the future, those voices that are so often unheard, and even those with whom we disagree. Thank you, Reverend Wood. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. Liberty and Justice for all before we continue with tonight's meeting, I'd like to introduce our dais to my far left is our assistant city clerk and uh the deputy city clerk, Nicole Spring. To her right is our city clerk, Rosemary Cole. Good evening. Hello and welcome. To my right, Councilmember Mike Benino. Good evening. To his right, Councilmember David Albert. Good evening. To his right, Assistant City Manager Dan Slaughter. Excuse me. His right, Assistant City Manager Al Battle. Good evening. With that, we'll move to item 4.1 on the agenda. I'd like to call forward Anita Berry with Johnston Stewart for a end of legislative session report. Thank you for having us here. So I think that shows kind of the temperature of this session and some of the discord that was occurring between the House and the Senate and the governor's office. Lawmakers were unable to fulfill their constitutional obligation within the normal 60-day legislative session to pass a balanced budget. Most of that was due to failure to reach agreement on really those top line numbers, so what they want to spend in the large the large spending categories. However, soon after they were called into three different special sessions. Ultimately, the second of those special sessions, they came back to finalize a budget. They passed the full budget shortly after Memorial Day. And that continued significant investments in transportation, environmental protection, affordable housing, resiliency, and water quality, while also maintaining strong reserves for the states. We were very pleased to say that all three of the city's funding priorities were fully funded by the legislature in the budget that passed both the House and Senate. And I would say that that is remarkable given the budget climate that we are in in our state right now, certainly looking at some projected deficits in the coming years. And so we saw the House and Senate really look at pulling back some of their spending levels. So we were very happy to have full funding for all of your priorities come out of the legislature. The final budget signed by the governor totals about a hundred and seven hundred and seventeen point six billion dollars. That follows 810 million in line item vetoes that the governor issued on specific appropriations projects. Unfortunately, Elevate Bay Shore was vetoed, but we still returned almost four million to the city of Clearwater. That includes three million for the lift station rehab program and 800,000 for the backup emergency power generator connection for lift stations. Many grant and infrastructure programs utilized by municipalities like the City of Clearwater were funded and received continued funding in the budget that the governor assigned. This includes the five the F.5 Year Work Program, Resilient Florida, which I know that the city has benefited from, and beach nourishment funds. And I'll I'll pause on that because our delegations and Chair Hooper in particular really championed the beach nourishment funds that this session and his work and the work done by the legislature designated 43 million for Pinellas County and the beaches here specifically. It's a pot of about 64 and 43 million is going back to Pinellas County. So that's really exciting for our beaches.
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