OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Dunedin City Commission Regular Meeting – November 20, 2025

City Commission & Boards — Thursday, November 20, 2025
BodyDunedin, Florida
SessionCity Commission & Boards
DateThursday, November 20, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:15:13

Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

Okay, good evening.

0:07

Welcome to the November 20th, 2025 City Commission meeting.

0:11

I'm going to call the meeting to order, and I will turn to Jen who will give us our invocation and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:19

Let us begin this meeting by taking a brief moment of silence and reflection and include in our thoughts and prayers the family of Chelsea Gao.

0:35

Amen.

0:46

In individual delivery, sir.

0:56

Okay.

0:57

Well, before we start, our first uh point of order is uh Vice Mayor uh Gao is not here tonight, and we need to give him a um an ex or an excused absence.

1:09

And uh just to say for anybody out there who is not aware, two weeks ago uh Vice Mayor was not able to be here because of a family emergency, ended up to be his youngest daughter, uh passed away, and uh so he has had a lot to deal with in the last two weeks.

1:26

Our hearts are with him and with his wife Karen and her daughter Lindsay.

1:31

Um can I get a motion so moved?

1:35

Second.

1:36

All in favor.

1:38

Uh I motion passes unanimously.

1:40

And again, our hearts are with uh Jeff and Karen.

1:43

Okay, uh we have uh presentation, which is the marina update, which actually might have been asked for by Vice Mayor Gao.

1:51

It was Mayor.

1:52

This is requested during agenda briefings by Vice Mayor Gao, and luckily staff was able to accommodate this evening.

1:57

Okay, and I think it's great.

1:59

Good timing to do this.

2:00

So, Clay.

2:04

Make sure we're ready.

2:05

Um, good evening, uh Mayor and uh commissioners, Clayton Watkins engineering and utilities in engineering, and with me is uh Laurie Ferguson, our harbor master.

2:14

Let me get this up and going.

2:20

What we wanted to do today was just give a quick little um update of sort of what has been done, where we are, um uh as long as it comes to the marina and its recovery.

2:29

As we talked about just do a general update of completed items and tasks, uh update on the bulkhead construction, uh the peer replacement.

2:37

Um sorry.

2:40

I don't know how I did that.

2:41

I apologize.

2:42

No problem.

2:43

Okay, then I shouldn't have my phone up here anyway, right?

2:45

There you go.

2:46

Makes me want to go check mine.

2:47

Uh and then also an update on uh sort of where we think we're we're when we'll be re-presenting the master plan to you, and then an update on the design and permitting for docks uh A and B.

2:58

So far to date since we last met and updated the commission.

3:03

Um the peninsula was reopened to the public to the wind lasses to DYSA, and that happened in May of 25.

3:12

Stabilization of docks A and B, which was putting down the finger piers and uh stabilizing some of the pilings among some other minor repair work, was completed in June of 2025.

3:27

The new shore power pedestals were installed in July of 2025 at record speed uh completion um thanks to Buell Electric.

3:39

Slip runners were able to return following that and during that uh and and the new agreements were underway in June of 2025.

3:49

And the Clearwater Ferry started service as of October of 2025, and the ridership is going very well.

3:57

People are happy to see it back.

4:00

So I'll jump in and talk a little bit, uh, give a quick quick little brief on the uh bulkhead replacement.

4:06

Um as you know, you you approved the um the award of the design contract in January of 2025.

4:12

Um at that point in time we started design.

4:15

Um we were able to put the item out the bid in June of 2025 and brought it in front of you on the July 17th meeting.

4:22

Uh then construction started um a little later than expected.

4:25

It was initially expected to start in in August, excuse me.

4:29

Um but due to a delay in steel delivery, uh they were not able to get moving until October the 13th.

4:35

Um with that and um if you were out there recently today, we've as we have started to drive these piles.

4:42

Um some of the old infrastructure, including the water mains that are in our fire mains have have our old duct old iron pipe.

4:49

Um they have caused a few um breaks and delays, and then we made the decision that earlier this week to to to have our crews come in and just replace that line because it's a six-inch fire line.

5:01

If that blows during construction, we're gonna have a hot mess.

5:05

So we took two days and have had city crews come in replace that fire line, that the old ductor iron and put in PVC that should survive the construction.

5:14

So they had the BDIs, the contractor, they had a limited crew in there this week.

5:19

Mostly they've been doing a lot of prep work.

5:22

Um as they move along behind the wall, they're gonna have to sort of segment themselves as they move down, they'll remove part of their new wall, old wall, drive the new wall.

5:30

It's sort of a stepped process.

5:32

And so there is uh a bank of conduit that sits about two or three feet behind that wall.

5:37

They've been making sure they've investigated it, find it, try to shore it up as they come across.

5:42

That's sort of why it looks like they're sort of picking and peeling their way down.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Marina Management████████████████████████24%
Disaster Recovery█████████████████████21%
Historic Preservation██████████████████18%
Procedural██████████████14%
Budget Equity Analysis██████6%
Community Engagement█████5%
Procurement████4%
Public Engagement██2%
Public Transportation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Dunedin City Commission Regular Meeting – November 20, 2025

The City Commission met on November 20, 2025, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. Mayor Maureen "Moe" Freaney presided with Commissioners Tom Dugard, Steven Sandbergen, and Robert Walker present; Vice Mayor Jeff Gow was excused unanimously following a family tragedy. The meeting included a marina recovery update, a consent agenda, a historic landmark designation, a final budget amendment, and the award of disaster recovery consulting contracts. The meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes approved for September 18, 2025 Regular Meeting, September 23, 2025 Special Meeting (with correction to add City Attorney Jennifer Cowan), and October 7, 2025 Workshop. Unanimous (4-0).
  • Board and Committee Appointments: Lorne Schinbein reappointed to the Board of Adjustment and Appeal (term ending 12/1/2028); Coleen Coble moved from alternate to a partial regular term on the Committee on Aging (ending 8/1/2027); Howard Gray reappointed to the Committee on Environmental Quality & Sustainability (ending 12/1/2028); Shelley Weintraub appointed to the Housing Authority (partial term ending 2/1/2027). All approved unanimously.
  • Purchase of replacement network servers from SHI, Inc. with five-year support and licensing for $176,590.88 approved unanimously.
  • Livestream Broadcasting-Media Room Services (RFP 25-2533) awarded to Full Moon Creative for $66,914.50, approved as part of consent agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • On Agenda Item 3a (Historic Landmark Designation): John Mills, owner of 558 Beltrees Street, spoke in support, recounting the story of the 200-year-old live sand oak tree on the property and the City Arborist’s efforts to preserve it. He expressed gratitude for the City’s management. No other public comments were made on any item.

Discussion Items

  • Marina Update (Presentation): Harbormaster Laurie Ferguson and Utilities & Engineering Director Clayton Watkins reported progress: peninsula reopened May 2025, stabilization of Docks A & B completed June 2025, new shore power pedestals installed July 2025, Clearwater Ferry service resumed October 2025. Bulkhead replacement construction began October 13, 2025, with expected completion April 2026; delays due to old water mains and rock layers. Fishing pier replacement bid closes December 2, 2025, with award expected January 2026 and completion fall 2026 (demolition and new pier similar in size, with ADA fishing spaces and concrete floating docks). Master Plan update to be brought to Commission in January/February 2026. Design and permitting for Docks A & B estimated 12–24 months. Army Corps of Engineers approval needed, estimated six months.
  • Ordinance 25-10 – Historic Landmark Designation of 558 Beltrees Street: Planner II Frances Leong Sharp presented. The property, built in 1926 in Craftsman Bungalow style, was recommended for designation by the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee on October 9, 2025. Staff found the request consistent with criteria. Commissioners clarified the designation applies only to exterior; owners are voluntarily maintaining interior consistency. Owners (John and his wife) spoke in support. Approved unanimously on first reading; second reading set for December 18, 2025.
  • Resolution 25-27 – FY2025 Final Budget Amendment: Finance Director Les Tyler presented. Total budget impact across funds is $1,865,544. Key amendments: General Fund increase of $259,822 for Kimley-Horn design services for fishing pier (reimbursable 87.5% by FEMA/state); Disaster Recovery Fund increase of $907,639 for expenses from Tropical Storm Debby, Hurricanes Helene and Milton; $170,000 interest payment on $5 million interfund loan; Marina Fund $298,083 for bulkhead design; Fleet Fund revenue increase of $170,000 for interest; Health Fund $400,000 increase due to higher medical claims (claims 13% over budget). Tyler noted all fund balances remain within targets and reserve requirements. Commissioner Dugard inquired about health fund trends; Tyler said it fluctuates and will provide historical data. Resolution adopted unanimously.
  • Award of Disaster Recovery Consulting Services Contracts: Finance Director Tyler explained RFP 25-2524 issued for pre-event contracts with Tetra Tech, Inc. and Witt O’Brien’s LLC, both top-ranked firms. Contracts are for three years with an option for one additional two-year period (contracts originally had a typo corrected to reflect this). Dual vendor model recommended for redundancy, flexibility, and competition. Rates are slightly lower than five years ago and 100% reimbursable by FEMA for admin costs. Staff will return for approval of scope/fees over $50,000. Approved unanimously.
  • Proposed December 4, 2025 Commission Meeting Agenda: Commissioners requested deletion of Item 3f (Sustainability Matrix Update) moved to December 18; Items 3i (Bid Award Old City Hall Park) and 3j (Piggyback Agreement for Restroom) moved to December 18. Agenda approved as revised unanimously.
  • Proposed December 2, 2025 Workshop Agenda: Addition of Item 2b (Freebee Loop) requested. Agenda approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Vice Mayor Gow’s absence excused unanimously (4-0) with condolences.
  • Marina update received; staff to return in January/February with Master Plan workshop.
  • Ordinance 25-10 approved on first reading (4-0); second reading December 18, 2025.
  • Resolution 25-27 (Final Budget Amendment) adopted (4-0).
  • Contracts awarded to Tetra Tech and Witt O’Brien’s for disaster recovery consulting (4-0).
  • Future meeting agendas approved with modifications: Dec 4 agenda moved sustainability, park items to Dec 18; Dec 2 workshop added Freebee Loop discussion.
  • City Manager’s Update: Final 2026 Legislative Agenda presented; property tax reform information to be developed for residents.
  • Commission Discussion and Comments: Commissioner Walker reported PSTA approval of Cross Bay Ferry agreement; announced Freeman’s Sound Mental Health Walk on Saturday, November 22, dedicated to Chelsea Gow. Mayor Freaney expressed gratitude for community recovery, Blue Jays partnership, and Commissioner collegiality.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, good evening. Welcome to the November 20th, 2025 City Commission meeting. I'm going to call the meeting to order, and I will turn to Jen who will give us our invocation and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Let us begin this meeting by taking a brief moment of silence and reflection and include in our thoughts and prayers the family of Chelsea Gao. Amen. In individual delivery, sir. Okay. Well, before we start, our first uh point of order is uh Vice Mayor uh Gao is not here tonight, and we need to give him a um an ex or an excused absence. And uh just to say for anybody out there who is not aware, two weeks ago uh Vice Mayor was not able to be here because of a family emergency, ended up to be his youngest daughter, uh passed away, and uh so he has had a lot to deal with in the last two weeks. Our hearts are with him and with his wife Karen and her daughter Lindsay. Um can I get a motion so moved? Second. All in favor. Uh I motion passes unanimously. And again, our hearts are with uh Jeff and Karen. Okay, uh we have uh presentation, which is the marina update, which actually might have been asked for by Vice Mayor Gao. It was Mayor. This is requested during agenda briefings by Vice Mayor Gao, and luckily staff was able to accommodate this evening. Okay, and I think it's great. Good timing to do this. So, Clay. Make sure we're ready. Um, good evening, uh Mayor and uh commissioners, Clayton Watkins engineering and utilities in engineering, and with me is uh Laurie Ferguson, our harbor master. Let me get this up and going. What we wanted to do today was just give a quick little um update of sort of what has been done, where we are, um uh as long as it comes to the marina and its recovery. As we talked about just do a general update of completed items and tasks, uh update on the bulkhead construction, uh the peer replacement. Um sorry. I don't know how I did that. I apologize. No problem. Okay, then I shouldn't have my phone up here anyway, right? There you go. Makes me want to go check mine. Uh and then also an update on uh sort of where we think we're we're when we'll be re-presenting the master plan to you, and then an update on the design and permitting for docks uh A and B. So far to date since we last met and updated the commission. Um the peninsula was reopened to the public to the wind lasses to DYSA, and that happened in May of 25. Stabilization of docks A and B, which was putting down the finger piers and uh stabilizing some of the pilings among some other minor repair work, was completed in June of 2025. The new shore power pedestals were installed in July of 2025 at record speed uh completion um thanks to Buell Electric. Slip runners were able to return following that and during that uh and and the new agreements were underway in June of 2025. And the Clearwater Ferry started service as of October of 2025, and the ridership is going very well. People are happy to see it back. So I'll jump in and talk a little bit, uh, give a quick quick little brief on the uh bulkhead replacement. Um as you know, you you approved the um the award of the design contract in January of 2025. Um at that point in time we started design. Um we were able to put the item out the bid in June of 2025 and brought it in front of you on the July 17th meeting. Uh then construction started um a little later than expected. It was initially expected to start in in August, excuse me. Um but due to a delay in steel delivery, uh they were not able to get moving until October the 13th. Um with that and um if you were out there recently today, we've as we have started to drive these piles. Um some of the old infrastructure, including the water mains that are in our fire mains have have our old duct old iron pipe.

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