Clearwater City Council Meeting – September 17, 2026

The Clearwater City Council met on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Main Library Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, a lengthy public hearing on a right-of-way vacation request tied to a proposed $50 million family entertainment center, numerous consent agenda items, a discussion on a citizen referendum petition, and approval of goals for the city manager and city attorney.

Consent Calendar

• Item 5.1 – Approved the minutes of the August 31, 2026 City Council meeting unanimously.
• Item 6.1 – Approved annexation of 1209 Canterbury Road with ordinances 9926-26, 9927-26, and 9928-26 on first reading (unanimous).
• Item 6.3 – Approved right-of-way vacation request from Clearwater Village, L.C. (Ordinance 9889-26) on first reading (unanimous).
• Item 6.4 – Approved third-quarter budget amendments for FY 2025/26 (Ordinances 9939-26 and 9940-26) on first reading (unanimous).
• Item 6.5 – Approved purchase orders for building inspection and plan review services up to $1,250,000 (unanimous).
• Item 6.6 – Extended purchase order to Evoqua Water Technologies for odor control chemicals, not to exceed $255,000 (unanimous).
• Item 6.7 – Approved purchase orders for backflow devices and parts up to $750,000 (unanimous).
• Item 6.8 – Amended authorization for Hach Company lab equipment, setting not-to-exceed $350,000 per renewal (unanimous).
• Item 6.9 – Approved design agreement with AtkinsRéalis for Public Services Complex Administrative Building, $3,837,474.37 (unanimous).
• Item 6.10 – Approved 2026 Affordable Housing Inventory List (Resolution 26-15) (unanimous).
• Item 6.11 – Approved amendment with Cigna for medical insurance and Evernorth for EAP, total not-to-exceed $34.0 million (unanimous).
• Item 6.12 – Approved onsite medical/prescription drug services agreement with Evernorth Direct Health, not-to-exceed $5,500,000 (unanimous).
• Item 6.13 – Approved Oracle software maintenance purchase order, $197,664.05 (unanimous).
• Item 6.14 – Approved Capital Project Funding Agreement for Bayshore Trail Trailhead, $216,000 grant from Trust for Public Land (unanimous).
• Item 6.15 – Approved construction contract for Edgewater Drive Park renovations, $762,910.50 (unanimous).
• Item 6.16 – Approved one-year agreement with Juvenile Welfare Board for youth programs and budget amendment of $1,000,360 (unanimous).
• Item 6.17 – Approved purchase order for playground equipment at Coachman Park, $350,362.74 (unanimous).
• Item 6.19 – Approved purchase order to GFL Environmental for yard waste/construction debris disposal, not-to-exceed $5,550,000 over five years (unanimous).
• Item 6.20 – Approved purchase order with Pinellas County Solid Waste for disposal, not-to-exceed $6,000,000 (unanimous).
• Item 6.21 – Approved three agreements for Disaster Recovery Consulting Services (IEM, Hagerty, Tidal Basin) (unanimous).
• Item 6.22 – Approved payment of $130,529.41 from Central Insurance Fund for damaged vehicle (unanimous).
• Item 6.23 – Approved purchase of excess liability, workers comp, and specialty insurance policies, not-to-exceed $1,550,000 (unanimous).
• Item 6.24 – Appointed Patricia Geraldi to Sister Cities Advisory Board (unanimous).
• Item 6.25 – Confirmed Mayor’s appointment of Kathy Ouzts to Clearwater Housing Authority Board (unanimous).
• Item 10.1 – Approved City Manager 2027 Goals (unanimous).
• Item 10.2 – Approved City Attorney 2027 Goals (unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 6.2 (Myrtle Development LLC street vacation): Over 80 public speakers addressed the council. The vast majority expressed strong support for the project and the street vacation, citing economic development, safety for families, and the need for a family entertainment destination. Business owners, residents, and community leaders spoke in favor. A few speakers opposed the vacation, arguing it would reduce public street connectivity, eliminate free parking, and that a parking garage would be a better solution. The applicant (Bob Potter, Myrtle Development LLC; Mitch Roberts, CEO of Evo Entertainment; and traffic consultant Don Skelton) presented the case that the vacation was a minimum site requirement for the $50 million private investment and that traffic impacts would be minimal. Public comment on item 6.3 included concerns from property owner Mr. Woodson and a neighborhood representative about landlocking and drainage/stormwater issues. Commenters on item 9.1 (referendum petition) criticized the process and urged the council to respect the signatures.

Discussion Items

• Item 6.2 – Right-of-Way Vacation for Myrtle Development LLC: Council debated the request to vacate portions of Laura Street, Grove Street, and an alley. Councilmembers Manino, Albritton, and Vice Mayor Cotton argued the vacation was a strategic economic development tool that would unlock a transformative $50 million private investment, generate over $500,000 annual tax revenue, and bring an estimated 650,000 visitors per year. Councilmembers Teshada and Mayor Rector opposed the vacation, stating they supported the project but not the site plan that required eliminating a public street. They expressed concern about losing east-west connectivity and argued that a parking garage or other design could preserve Laura Street. The council voted 3-2 to approve the first reading of Ordinance 9908-26, with Councilmembers Manino, Albritton, and Vice Mayor Cotton in favor, and Councilmember Teshada and Mayor Rector opposed.
• Item 6.18 – Revenue-Generating Amusement Activities (RFP 35-25): Staff requested that this discussion-only item be continued to a later meeting; council agreed.
• Item 9.1 – Referendum Petition 26-01 (repeal of Ordinance 9907-26): City Attorney Owen Coleman outlined options: (1) proceed with verification of signatures by City Clerk or supervisor of elections; (2) seek Attorney General opinion on whether the petition violates state law (Florida Statutes 163.3167); (3) initiate declaratory judgment action; or (4) not process the petition. Council directed that the petition be sent to the Supervisor of Elections for verification and that the petitioner pay the verification cost. A majority also directed the City Attorney to seek an Attorney General opinion on possible state law violations.
• Items 4.1–4.3 – Proclamations: Recognized Constitution Week (September 17–23), Find the Good Day 2026, and presented the annual red-light camera report (17,878 violations issued; 11,660 paid; program self-sufficient).

Key Outcomes

• Item 6.2 – Approved first reading of Ordinance 9908-26 (right-of-way vacation for Myrtle Development LLC) on a 3-2 vote. Conditions include: applicant must obtain certificate of occupancy by 2030; must relocate utilities at no cost to city; responsible for railroad crossing expenses.
• Item 9.1 – Council voted unanimously to transfer signature verification to the Supervisor of Elections, with the petitioner paying the cost (10 cents per signature). Council directed the City Attorney to request an Attorney General opinion on the petition’s compliance with state law.
• All consent items and uncontested items passed unanimously.
• The meeting adjourned shortly after midnight on September 18, 2026.