Dunedin City Commission Regular Meeting – September 18, 2025

The Dunedin City Commission met on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 6:00 PM at City Hall (737 Louden Ave) and adjourned at 9:33 PM. The meeting included proclamations honoring retiring Fire Chief Jeff Parks and the Junior League Clearwater-Dunedin, citizen input on stormwater and marina issues, consent agenda approvals with discussion on several items, action items including a $250,000 state grant for water treatment plant hardening, a $314,372 change order for FDOT-related utility relocations, the annual City Manager performance evaluation, and a decision on the future of the Dunedin Mardi Gras celebration.

Presentations

• Jeff Parks Day Proclamation: Vice Mayor Gow read a proclamation designating September 18, 2025, as Chief Parks Day. Chief Parks, retiring after 18 years with the city (42 years in the Tampa Bay area), expressed appreciation and noted the challenges of staffing shortages and hurricanes. Commissioners and the City Manager praised his leadership, succession planning, and the team he built.
• Find the Good Day Proclamation: Commissioner Sandbergen proclaimed the third Thursday of September as Find the Good Day. Malena Allison (President) and Mary Ellen Shaffer (Community Impact Co-Chair) of the Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin accepted, highlighting 75 years of service.
• Announcement: Mayor Freaney announced that Skinner Boulevard officially opened five months ahead of schedule.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Blair Westley (1161 Palm Blvd): Spoke about a nine-year storm drainage issue at her driveway, including a slip-and-fall in sludge. She read a July 21 email to city officials that received no response. The City Manager said she would address the issue with staff.
• Jim Cowger (2092 Valley Drive): Reported ongoing soil loss and failed gabions at Briar Creek, standing water, and a claim in mediation. He requested a temporary fix and expressed frustration. Public Works Director Bartlett explained that engineering is evaluating repairs on a prioritized list and that his claim has been referred to Risk Management.
• Carolyn James (2470 Bayshore Blvd): Requested that her boat be returned to a properly sized slip, claiming she was misled about ferry dock interference. She argued residents should have priority over tourists and noted two vacant slips fitting her boat.

Consent Calendar

• Approved items 2.a (minutes of 7/18/25 Budget Workshop), 2.c (DigEplan software purchase, $72,000), and 2.e (FY26 laptops from Dell, $117,480) unanimously.
• Items pulled for discussion: 2.b, 2.d, 2.f, 2.g (all approved unanimously after discussion).

Item 2.b – FY26 Special Event Road Closures

• Discussed public notification, portable restroom locations, and the Blue Jays’ 50th Anniversary. Staff committed to adding restroom locations on event maps. Approved unanimously.

Item 2.d – Emergency Purchase of Fire Engine

• Approved a $180,000 purchase (not-to-exceed) of a 2011 E-One surplus fire engine from Palm Harbor Fire District. A new engine would cost ~$900,000. It will serve as a reserve engine, to be surplused in 3–4 years. Approved unanimously.

Item 2.f – ESRI GIS Software Renewal

• Approved a three-year contract at $126,600 ($42,200/year). IT Director Nagy explained the procurement process. A public comment noted ESRI is the standard for GIS. Approved unanimously.

Item 2.g – Clearwater Ferry Interlocal Agreement

• Approved an $85,000 operational agreement with PSTA for ferry service from Dunedin to Clearwater Beach (Blue Route). Service begins October 9, 2025, running Thursday–Sunday, noon–9 PM, with $8 fare. PSTA CEO Brad Miller presented. Approved unanimously.

Action Items

3.a – Resolution 25-30: FDEM Grant for Water Treatment Plant Hardening

• Authorized acceptance of $250,000 from the Florida Department of Emergency Management to install impact-resistant windows and doors at the Water Treatment Plant administrative building. The project will be bid out and likely completed in spring. Approved unanimously.

3.b – Change Order No. 2 with Chen Moore & Associates (CMA)

• Approved $314,372.50 for additional engineering and construction inspection services related to FDOT’s widening of Alt 19 and Curlew Road. The change was driven by FDOT design changes and an accelerated timeline. Several commissioners expressed frustration but recognized the necessity. Approved unanimously.

3.c – Debris Removal Agreement with Crowdergulf

• Continued to the October 9, 2025, Commission meeting at staff’s request. Approved unanimously.

3.d – City Manager Annual Performance Evaluation

• Each commissioner praised City Manager Jennifer Bramley’s performance, particularly her leadership during hurricanes, recovery efforts, legislative work, and grant acquisition. She received ratings of Outstanding or Excellent in all categories. The commission approved a 3.5% salary increase (the maximum general employee increase) unanimously.
• Goals for the coming year include continuing storm recovery, maintaining the millage rate, addressing infrastructure and affordable housing, developing a long-term storm mitigation plan, completing the Marina and Pier, and advancing the Historic Preservation Ordinance and city pool design.

3.e – Proposed Agenda for October 9, 2025, Commission Meeting

• Approved with the addition of the continued Crowdergulf item. Approved unanimously.

Informational Items

City Manager’s Update – Mardi Gras Discussion

• The City Manager presented three options for the 2026 Mardi Gras celebration. Staff recommended Proposal 1: The City takes on all parade logistics (cost ~$34,000) and the Chamber of Commerce runs the street festival, held on Fat Tuesday (February 17, 2026). This was in response to the dissolution of the Downtown Dunedin Merchants Association and the Chamber absorbing the event. Public comment from Gregory Brady (Chamber past president) and Jeanette Donahue (Chamber interim president) expressed support for a partnership. The commission approved Proposal 1 unanimously.
• Additionally, the City Manager noted two grant submissions under the new grant-seeking policy: San Charles Drive Drainage Improvements ($150,000, matched) and a Resilient Florida Vulnerability Assessment ($45,000, match available in Stormwater Fund).

Commission Discussion and Comments

• Vice Mayor Gow: Reported on Band Booster meeting and Clan McPherson Days (October 23–26).
• Commissioner Sandbergen: Raised issue of Jerry Lake maintenance; City Manager noted a future grant.
• Commissioner Walker: Requested an update on North Douglas recovery; noted Dunedin History Museum’s Mix and Mingle series.
• Commissioner Dugard: Announced Island Fest (Oct 11–12) and ongoing confusion about substantial damage letters; observed water on Douglas Avenue during high tide.
• Mayor Freaney: Announced Showcase Theater performance (Almost, Maine), DCO meeting, and Boat Club meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Votes and Decisions: All consent items and action items approved (unanimously unless noted).
• Grants Accepted: $250,000 FDEM grant for water plant hardening; $150,000 San Charles drainage grant application; $45,000 vulnerability assessment application.
• Contracts Approved: DigEplan software ($72,000), Dell laptops ($117,480), ESRI GIS renewal ($126,600), emergency fire engine purchase ($180,000), Clearwater Ferry ILA ($85,000), CMA change order ($314,372.50).
• City Manager Raise: 3.5% salary increase approved.
• Mardi Gras Direction: City to host parade on Fat Tuesday (Feb 17, 2026) at an estimated cost of $34,000; Chamber to manage street festival. Formal agreement to be drafted.
• Item Continued: Debris removal agreement with Crowdergulf (item 3.c) continued to October 9, 2025.