The Dunedin City Commission held a regular meeting on June 5, 2025, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included two proclamations, citizen input, a consent agenda, and several action items addressing affordable housing, land contraction, utility rate increases, infrastructure projects, and agenda management. Notable decisions included approval of a 78-unit affordable housing development, contraction of 0.7 acres to Clearwater, water/sewer rate increases, and a $16.1 million wastewater treatment plant electrical upgrade.
Item 2.b – Sidewalk Inspection & Repairs (Precision Sidewalk Safety Corporation): Commissioner Sandbergen inquired about competitive pricing, scope of inspection (20% of city per year, portions selected by staff), ADA compliance, and handling of driveway crossings. Public Works Director Bartlett explained the process: grinding for ¼-inch to 2-inch deviations; removal for larger issues done by city crews. Commissioner Walker raised concerns about brick sidewalks downtown; City Manager Bramley committed to evaluating a brick program for the upcoming budget cycle. Item was approved unanimously.
Item 3.a – Ordinance 25-01: Flats on Main Street Affordable Housing Development Agreement: Staff (Kinney, Ironsmith) presented the 78-unit project at 1422 Carnation Drive, serving 30%–80% AMI. Developer Brett Green (Archway Partners) provided occupancy data (1.8 persons/unit from existing projects) and parking utilization (0.75–1 space/unit actual vs. 1.5 code). He noted $27 million in federal economic development funds, $10 million in rental vouchers from Pinellas County Housing Authority, and $610,000 city ARPA contribution. Commission discussed density bonus (21 units), graywater credit (per FL Statute 403.892), traffic impact analysis, fire department circulation, and design review process. Public concerns about flooding, height, buffers, and traffic were addressed: staff noted the developer plans a 100-year storm retention (exceeding code), buffering commitments, and independent third-party traffic study. Motion carried unanimously.
Item 3.b – Ordinance 25-03: Contraction of 0.7 acres at 2201 Main Street: Staff described the request to allow unified development of a Largo Medical Center emergency care facility on the Clearwater/Dunedin border. The parcel will be contracted to Clearwater per FL Statute 171.051. Applicant committed $18,000 for past site work. No public comment. Motion carried unanimously.
Item 3.c – Ordinance 25-04: Water/Sewer Rate Increase: Staff (Watkins) presented rate increases: 15% in FY2026 and FY2027, then 3% for FY2028–2030. Reasons included inflation (22% construction cost increase, 65% increase on brass items from tariffs), labor costs, debt service for capital projects, and regulatory requirements like Senate Bill 64 (cessation of surface water discharges by 2032). Proposed rate structure keeps tier 1 at 1,000–5,000 gallons. Reclaimed water rate will come in a separate resolution. Commissioner Sandbergen asked about affordability; City Manager noted a leaks forgiveness program and proactive monitoring via cellular meters. Commissioner Dugard highlighted that $16 million of the CIP is for SB 64 compliance. Several commissioners expressed reluctant support, emphasizing infrastructure necessity. Motion carried unanimously.
Item 3.d – Coca-Cola Land Donation: Postponed to July 3, 2025, meeting per staff request. Motion carried unanimously.
Item 3.e – WWTP Electrical System Upgrades: Staff (Gonzalez, Antonian) requested award to TLC Diversified for $16,116,563 (base bid $14,691,563 plus additive alternates for MCCs at Facility 8, 16, and generator building). The project replaces 35-year-old electrical equipment, funded via low-interest State Revolving Fund. Two bids were received; value engineering reduced cost from prior bid. Questions addressed permitting (replacement-in-kind, no new permit), efficiency (reliability, parts availability), and timeline (2.5-year project). Motion carried unanimously.
Item 3.f – Stormwater Pipelining Project: Staff (Bartlett) presented a piggyback contract with Vortex Services for $636,709.30 to line nine pipe locations. This method extends pipe life without excavation. Locations prioritized by condition and impact. Motion carried unanimously.
Item 3.g – Lift Station Rehabilitations: Tabled to date uncertain per staff recommendation. Motion carried unanimously.
Item 3.h – July 3, 2025, Commission Meeting Agenda: Approved as revised, removing Ordinance 25-05 and adding the Coca-Cola donation item. Motion carried unanimously.
The June 5th, 2025 City Commission meeting. I'd like to call the meeting to order, and we'll start with invocation and pledge of allegiance. Uh Jen or City Attorney, please. Let us begin this meeting by taking a brief moment of silence and reflection. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the United States. Okay, great. So welcome everybody. I do want to say that we have Commissioner Dugard here by on Zoom. And where are you right now? Somewhere around Normandy. I'm on the Seine River. Very, very good. Very impressive. And thank you for uh and what time is it there? It's 12 o'clock midnight. So we'll just see how he does. Isn't that good? Okay. All right, we're gonna start with our we're glad you're here though. Um we're gonna start with presentations. Our first one is our Independence Day, July 4th, 2025 proclamation. I'll turn that to Commissioner Walker. Do we have uh members of the Daughters of the American Revolution? Come on up. Any sons of the American Revolution? Oh, welcome. Just the girls. I uh you know I I love doing this proclamation, and uh I feel you know, I feel like uh I definitely have a connection with you all. My uh my mom's side of the family was members of the daughter of American Revolution, so I know who my patriots are. And uh yeah, well, thank you. Independence day, 2025. Whereas 249 years ago, 56 brave men signed their names to a bold creed of freedom that set the course for our nation and changed the history of the world. And on this anniversary, we remember the great courage and conviction of our founders, and we celebrate the enduring principles of our declaration of independence. And as we celebrate our independence, Americans can take pride in our history and look to the future with confidence as we offer our gratitude to the American patriots, past and present, who have sought to advance freedom and lay the foundations of peace. And because of their sacrifice, this country remains a beacon of hope for all who dream of liberty and a shining example to the world of what a free people can achieve. Now, therefore, I, Robert James Walker, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the mayor of the City of Dunedin, Florida, and on behalf of the entire city commission, do hereby observe Friday, July 4th, 2025, as Independence Day in Dunedin, and pay special tribute to all the men and women currently serving in the armed forces and to our veterans. Our city is indeed grateful for their contributions, which have been critical to the defense of our country and to our freedom. Can I say a few words? Absolutely, please do. Well, Amir Freeney, um, vice mayor, and is the vice member here? Oh, there he is. Thank you. And commissioners and staff. Uh I'm Lori Coffey, Regent of Caladisi uh Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, D A R. And this is my friend and mentor, Jane Turner, our 55-year member. I'm a five-year member. She's a 55-year member, and like me, she's a lover of history. Just before Memorial Day, like many of us, I was at Walmart when I saw a young cashier decked out in red, white, and blue. Even her face is painted with stars.