Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Clearwater City Council held a regular meeting on Thursday, October 1, 2026, starting at 6:00 PM at the Main Library Council Chambers. The meeting included four proclamations, approval of a consent agenda with one pulled item, public hearings on comprehensive plan amendments and street vacations, and a contentious 3-2 vote to vacate three downtown streets for the Evo Family Entertainment Center. Public comments featured strong opposition and support.
Stumble call order the October first, twenty twenty-six meeting of the Clearwater City Council. If you wish to address the council tonight, please complete a comment card. Comment cards are located by the clerk, seated the right of the dais. When called to speak, please hand your card to the clerk. Move item two on the agenda, and that's our indication tonight. I'd ask that everyone please stand for the indication tonight to be given by Father Bob Swift from Saint Francis of the CC, and then remain standing afterwards for the Pledge of Allegiance. Enable them to act with character and conviction, to listen with understanding and good will, and to speak with charity and restraint. Remind them always that they are stewards of your authority. And Father we ask that you renew within them the strength of your presence and the joy of helping to build a community worthy of the human person. When there's injury, your pardon, Lord. And when there is doubt, true love in you. Good evening. His right is City Manager Judith Thorrier. Good evening. To her right is Assistant City Manager Dan Slaughter. His right is Assistant City Manager Al Battle. Now move to item 4.1, the agenda. Manufacturing month proclamation. We'd like to call forward Eric Meadows and Krista Reganey from Lithionics Back. Good evening and thank you. I'm gonna go ahead and read the proclamation and then uh invite you to make some comments. So appreciate your eagerness though to present. We'll get you to get it to you here in a second. Whereas October is nationally recognized as manufacturing month and national manufacturing day is observed on the first Friday of October. Throughout the month, we commit to strengthening and supporting the manufacturers and hardworking manufacturing employees of today, as well as the manufacturers in the future. And whereas the priorities of Manufacturing Month are to change the perception of careers and manufacturing to reflect its true status as the most advanced high-tech industry in the country. Re-establish the U.S. as the global leader of manufacturing education, advocate for education and job training policies that strengthen the U.S. manufacturing workforce and inspire the next generation of manufacturers. And whereas the City of Clearwater is fortunate to be the home to many great manufacturing businesses, some of which are world leaders in the respective fields, along with the Bay Area Manufacturing Association and AMSkills, whose mission is transforming lives and strengthening communities through technical training and apprentices. And whereas by working with educational institutions, the Board of County Commissioners and local manufacturers have and continue to work together to connect with future generations, build the next generation of skilled manufacturing employees, take charge of the public image of manufacturing, and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the whole industry. Now, therefore, I Bruce Rector, Mayor of the City of Clearwater, Florida, on behalf of the Clearwater City Council, to hereby proclaim October 2026 to be manufacturing month in Clearwater, and urge all citizens to join in recognizing the value of our manufacturers and the importance they serve in our city, county, state, and nation. Now we'll invite you to make some comments. Thank you. Good evening, and thank you, Mayor and the City of Clearwater for this important recognition. On behalf of Lithionics and manufacturers across Tampa Bay, I am honored to accept this proclamation, recognizing October as Manufacturing Month, and the people who make our industry successful every day. Manufacturing month gives students students an opportunity to tour local facilities, see advanced technology in action, meet the people behind the products, and discover career paths they might not otherwise consider. At lithionics, we design manufacture and assemble advanced lithium battery technology systems for demanding mobile applications. Our local team combines engineering, advanced manufacturing, and skilled craftsmanship to create quality careers and demonstrate the innovation happening across Tampa Bay. This effort is supported nationally by the National Association of Manufacturers and the Manufacturing Institute, and locally by the Bay Area Manufacturers Association, which connects manufacturers, supports workforce development, and introduces the next generation to our industry. Thank you, Mayor Rector, and the City of Clearwater for recognizing the people, careers, and innovation that may make manufacturing vital to our region.