Dunedin City Commission Regular Meeting - May 22, 2025

The Dunedin City Commission held its regular meeting on May 22, 2025, at City Hall, 737 Louden Avenue, starting at 6:00 PM. The meeting included presentations, citizen input, a consent agenda, action items, and informational reports. Approximately 98 people were in attendance.

Presentations

• Highland Games Update: Eric MacNeill, President of the Dunedin Scottish Arts Foundation, reported that the 2025 Highland Games attracted approximately 21,000 attendees over two days, with 465 volunteers and a total budget of just under $250,000. The event generated an estimated $10 million economic impact. The foundation donated $73,200 back to the community, including $12,000 each to Dunedin High School, Middle School, and City bands. Over the past 12 months, the foundation spent approximately $92,000 on marketing, mostly to audiences outside Pinellas County, with half funded by Visit St. Pete/Clearwater grants.
• John Doglione Service Scholarship Award: Vice Mayor Gow presented the 2025 scholarship to Isabella Baltazar-Lozano, a Dunedin High School graduate with a 4.3 GPA who will attend Florida State University. The scholarship honors former Commissioner and Mayor John Doglione for his service to youth and government.
• Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Committee Awards: Economic Development Director Robert Ironsmith recognized five past members who served ten or more years before term limits were implemented: John Freeborn (20 years), Patti Coleman (20 years), Sylvia Tzekas (18 years), Gregory Brady (30 years), and Dr. Terry Zervos (20 years).
• Wendy Barmore Music Scholarship: Terri Scully of the Rotary Club of Dunedin presented the inaugural scholarship to Chloe Sturtz, a Dunedin High School student with a 4.11 GPA who will attend Florida Atlantic University. The scholarship honors Wendy Barmore, a Rotary Club member and music advocate.
• Dunedin Environmental Hero Award 2025: CEQS Chair David Graves awarded the Environmental Hero Award to Beth Reynolds, a Park Service Specialist at Honeymoon Island State Park, for her work in wildlife rescue, environmental education, and launching the Replay beach toy reuse program. Honorable mentions were given to Elizabeth and Rowland Moulin, Julie's Case Management, and Dunedin Cares.
• Additional Awards: Mayor Freaney announced that the City of Dunedin received the One Bay McIntosh Award from the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council for its Resiliency and Sustainability Rebate Program, presented to Sustainability Program Manager Natalie Gass. City Manager Jennifer Bramley also reported that Public Works Director Sue Bartlett was named West Coast Branch Public Works Director of the Year, the City's budget document received the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, and Paramedic/EMT Derek Currier was named 2025 Emergency Medical Services Professional of the Year.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Joann Holliday (952 Virginia Street): Raised concerns about barrels of toxic chemicals (a coating product for pickleball courts) stored near her bedroom windows, about 80 feet away, stating they should be stored in a ventilated location out of heat. She also requested that pickleball hours end at 8:00 PM, as other locations are not open later, and noted that birds previously at Eagle Scout Park have relocated to a nearby telephone pole.
• Vicky Stephens (Heather Lakes, backing up to Eagle Scout Park): Reinforced concerns about pickleball noise and lack of enforcement, stating that residents have not been notified about decisions. She requested a closing time of 8:00 PM, lights off 15 minutes before closing, and enforcement of hours. She reported that deputies often arrive 45 minutes to an hour later or not at all.
• Renee Chiea (1229 Royal Oak Drive): Criticized the City's strategic plan, developed by a St. Pete contractor, as promoting growth and gentrification similar to St. Pete. She opposed high-density housing, a new parking lot, and large expenditures on studies and contractors, urging more prudent spending.
• Lynda Mifsud (First United Methodist Church, representing FAST – Faith in Action and Strength Together): Expressed support for green stormwater infrastructure as part of the sustainability matrix update, thanking Commissioner Walker for his commitment and commending the City for caring about water quality and flooding.

Response to Citizen Input: City Manager Bramley addressed pickleball issues: staff reached out to the Heather Lakes Condo Association president but was told residents had been heard. She will collect contact information from residents to include them in plans. Actions underway include limiting hours, ordering four light shields for lights closest to Heather Lakes, exploring landscaping and sound mitigation (likely mature trees as acoustical shields are not effective), coordinating with the Sheriff's Office for directed patrol, manufacturing signage for noise respect, and continuing to evaluate parking. Regarding the strategic plan, she noted it was developed through a robust public input process with multiple community meetings, focusing on resident priorities.

Discussion Items

• 3.a First Reading of Ordinance 25-04 – Water/Sewer Rate Increase: Utilities Operations Division Manager Janice Bennett and Thierry Boveri of Raftelis Financial Consultants presented a rate study showing that revenues are approximately 25% below funding requirements due to higher-than-anticipated operational and maintenance cost increases from inflation, loss of industrial customers, and significant capital needs (including a $382 million infrastructure reinvestment need over 40 years). The study recommends a five-year rate plan with a two-year phase-in: for a typical 4,000-gallon residential customer, the combined bill would rise from $80.21 to $92.24 in FY26, $106.08 in FY27, then increase 3% annually through FY30. Reclaimed water rates would increase from $5.00 to $15.00 per month for 10,000 gallons, still below average. Public comments from Alyssa Madlon (St. Petersburg College student) suggested support programs for fixed-income residents and periodic rate review. Renee Chiea asked about grant alternatives and future rate reductions. Commissioners expressed reluctance but most spoke in support, citing infrastructure obligations, inflation, regulatory requirements, and staff retention. Commissioner Dugard called for more conservation incentives for low-income households. The motion passed unanimously (5-0) on first reading; second reading set for June 5, 2025.
• 3.b Resolution 25-15 – FY2025 3rd Budget Amendment: Finance Director Les Tyler presented a $3.3 million budget amendment for various funds, including transfers for roof replacement, ARPA fund reclassifications, a $5 million internal loan from Fleet Fund to General Fund for storm costs, FEMA expedited funding, vehicle purchases, and stormwater modeling. All items were previously presented to the Commission. The Water/Sewer Fund and Stormwater Fund are slightly below target reserves but expected to improve with approved rate studies. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
• 3.c Resolution 25-16 – Utility Easement Vacation: Utilities Director Clayton Watkins presented a request to vacate an 89.87-square-foot portion of a platted utility easement at 2670 St. Joseph Drive West to allow construction of a deck. All utilities (including Duke Energy) provided no-objection letters, and proper notice was given to neighbors within 500 feet. Public comment from Linda Ivarson (Island Towers Condominiums) asked about implications; staff explained that Duke Energy has no objection and the reduction is acceptable. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
• 3.d Increase Purchase Order with CrowderGulf for Hurricane Milton Debris Removal: Public Works Director Sue Bartlett requested an increase of $939,926.30 to the existing purchase order for disaster debris collection and removal, bringing the total to $5,250,776.30. The increase covers additional debris beyond initial estimates; all work was completed by January. FEMA reimbursement is expected at 100% for debris removal and 87.5% for monitoring, as work was completed within the time allotment. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
• 3.e Proposed Agenda for June 5, 2025 Commission Meeting: The Commission approved the proposed agenda unanimously (5-0).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: All items were approved unanimously, with item 2.e (Washington Street Drainage Improvements, $197,707.29) pulled for discussion and also approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 25-04 (Water/Sewer Rate Increase): Passed on first reading (5-0) with a second reading scheduled for June 5, 2025.
• Resolution 25-15 (Budget Amendment): Approved unanimously (5-0).
• Resolution 25-16 (Easement Vacation): Approved unanimously (5-0).
• CrowderGulf PO Increase: Approved unanimously (5-0).
• June 5, 2025 Agenda: Approved unanimously.

Informational Items

• Commission discussion included: Vice Mayor Gow clarified that chemicals at pickleball courts are a one-time treatment for cracking; Commissioner Sandbergen thanked Dunedin Fire Rescue for allowing him to train and recognized the Public Works rodeo; Commissioner Dugard praised staff performance; Mayor Freaney acknowledged the passing of community leader Gabriella Mullins, reported on the TBRPC conference where Dunedin won the One Bay McIntosh Award, and proposed a rotation system for attending ribbon cuttings to better manage scheduling.