Dunedin City Commission Regular Meeting – December 4, 2025

The Dunedin City Commission met in regular session on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at Dunedin City Hall, 737 Louden Avenue, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Maureen 'Moe' Freaney presided, with Commissioners Jeff Gow, Tom Dugard, Steven Sandbergen, and Robert Walker present. The meeting opened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, followed by presentations, public comment, consent agenda action, and a series of votes. It adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

Presentations

• Commissioner Dugard read the Intergenerational Week Proclamation designating December 7–13, 2025 as Intergenerational Week in Dunedin. Recreation Coordinator Nichole Allen and Committee on Aging Chair Cindy Cole accepted; Kerry Kimball Marsalek of the Area Agency on Aging praised the program.
• Cole reported more than 80 entries in the Creative Expressions Contest from Dunedin Highland Middle School, Our Lady of Lourdes, Academie Da Vinci, and one homeschool. First place: Sloan Still; second: Jules Samuels; third: Nola Costa. A teacher award went to Ms. Kayla of Our Lady of Lourdes; ten honorable mentions were recognized. The artwork and essays were displayed at Hale Senior Center.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ray Alger, president of Scotsdale Cluster Condo III, speaking also for six other HOAs, said reclaimed water costs rose more than 800% over the prior eight years. He cited a $64 average monthly cost year-to-date through August 2025, a $53 average for 2024, and an October 2025 bill of $523; he estimated $6,300 in extra costs in FY2026 and about $5,500 over budget. He asked the Commission to phase the increase over two to three years.
• James Blackburn of 361 Berwick Court expressed full support for Alger’s comments and asked the City to review and possibly restructure the rates.
• Marcella Marcley-Weegar of 1307 Stonehaven Lane said she reviewed the Raftelis Water/Wastewater Utility Revenue Sufficiency Study, asked what the actual reclaimed water increase was, and raised concerns about future increases in the proposed budget.
• Patrick Stout, a full-time Freebee driver representing Freebee under Operation Save Freebee, reported 30,000 rides in 2025 and an 89% increase since switching to on-demand. He recommended charging $3 per person per ride for non-residents and tourists, proposed marketing to increase ridership to 50,000 while absorbing part of the $219,000 cost, and asked for at least a six-month extension.
• Lynn Pariset of 1451 Summer Isle Court supported the reclaimed-water concerns, noting many older neighbors on fixed incomes may be forced to move.
• Toby Seavey of Spoiled Rotten spoke in support of keeping Freebee, saying removing services could make Dunedin appear to be failing.
• An eComment from Lucas James also supported Freebee for safety, tourism, and community goodwill.
• City Manager Jennifer Bramley responded that phasing the reclaimed water increase would be difficult because it would have to be applied consistently to all accounts. She offered to meet with affected HOAs and staff to review bills and discuss water-reduction strategies. Mayor Freaney noted reclaimed water is still less expensive than potable water and asked for creative solutions.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda items 2.a, approval of the October 9 and October 23, 2025 minutes, and 2.b, reappointment of Amy Elliott to the Committee on Environmental Quality & Sustainability and appointment of Jimmy Dundee to the Firefighters’ Pension Trust Fund Board of Trustees, were approved unanimously.
• Item 2.d was pulled by Commissioner Walker and item 2.c was pulled by Commissioner Dugard for separate discussion and votes.

Item 2.d – Emergency Stormwater Pipe Repair

• Public Works Director Sue Bartlett explained the 15-inch stormwater pipe at 236–246 Garden Circle N. had about 8 feet of missing pipe, requiring excavation between houses, and no easement existed; a permanent 7-foot easement would be requested. The emergency purchase order to Augustine Construction of Tarpon Springs was $62,194.45.
• Commissioner Walker expressed concern about the length of time before repair; staff said the contractor would treat it as a priority.
• Motion to approve item 2.d passed unanimously.

Item 2.c – Emergency Watermain Repair Ratification

• Utilities Engineer Alejandro Gonzalez described the repair of a 20-inch watermain on Causeway Blvd west of the Tide Relief Bridge. The leak involved specialty fittings; contractor Cacique Utilities located fittings across Florida and completed the repair within the week. The emergency purchase order was $88,567.04.
• Asked to grade the water distribution system, Gonzalez gave an overall A, while noting known older problem areas reviewed through the CIP.
• Motion to ratify item 2.c passed unanimously.

Discussion Items

Annual Selection of Vice Mayor

• Mayor Freaney read the selection process from Resolution 25-11. Commissioner Sandbergen nominated Commissioner Robert Walker; no other nominations were made. A motion by Commissioner Dugard, seconded by outgoing Vice Mayor Jeff Gow, appointed Commissioner Walker as Vice Mayor for one year; it passed unanimously. Commissioners thanked Gow for his service.

Travel Policy and Reimbursement Review

• Deputy City Clerk Michelle Wells presented Resolution 24-01 and the latest travel expense recap. Staff recommended no changes. A motion by Vice Mayor Walker, seconded by Commissioner Dugard, to reaffirm Resolution 24-01 passed unanimously.

City Commission Rules of Procedure

• City Attorney Jennifer Cowan proposed minor clarifications: the Vice Mayor may sign in the Mayor’s absence, the Mayor and Vice Mayor are CRA Chair and Vice Chair, and the nomination process should include a motion. Commissioners discussed whether to approve workshop agendas; Commissioner Dugard suggested items could be added if no commissioner objected. They also discussed special-meeting language and Commissioner Sandbergen’s concern about speakers criticizing specific businesses. Mayor Freaney said she would stop personal attacks in the future.
• A motion by Commissioner Gow, seconded by Vice Mayor Walker, to make the recommended changes and bring back an updated Resolution 25-11 passed unanimously.

Commission Liaison Appointments

• The Commission approved these liaisons: Forward Pinellas, Mayor Freaney; PC School Board, Commissioner Gow; PSTA, Vice Mayor Walker; Suncoast League of Cities, Commissioner Dugard; Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, Commissioner Sandbergen; Dunedin Cares, Commissioner Dugard; Dunedin Fine Art Center and Historical Museum, Vice Mayor Walker; Dunedin Scottish Arts Foundation, Commissioner Gow; and Toronto Blue Jays, Commissioner Sandbergen.
• Staff mentioned a possible future Golf Club Committee liaison, but the Commission decided against creating a liaison for an internal enterprise. Commissioner Gow urged rotating liaisons periodically.
• Motion passed unanimously.

2026 Quick Glance Calendar

• The Commission approved the 2026 calendar with changes proposed by Mayor Freaney: the March 31 workshop and April 2 regular meeting, and moving the April 23 regular meeting to April 16. Motion passed unanimously.

Multi-Modal Transportation Master Plan Update – Resolution 25-32

• Community Development Project Manager Kathy Gademer and Kimley-Horn consultants presented the update, combining the 2011 Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan and the 2021 Multi-Modal Transportation Plan. New elements included e-bike safety, downtown bypass routes, and Streetscape Design Standards for six street types.
• Crash data for 2019–2023 showed 2,541 total crashes, 193 bike/pedestrian crashes, 63 fatal/serious injury crashes, and 20 fatal/serious crashes involving bikes or pedestrians. An online map and survey generated more than 700 responses; e-bike and trail safety were the most common concerns.
• Commissioners asked about performance metrics and dashboards, enforcement, speed limits, best practices, state coordination, and incorporation into the Land Development Code. Mayor Freaney requested a memo on how the streetscape standards will be incorporated into the code.
• Resolution 25-32 was adopted unanimously on a roll-call vote, 5–0.

WWTP Deep Bed Denitrification Filter Replacement – Bid #25-2536

• Engineer Alejandro Gonzalez said the four deep-bed denitrifying filters at the wastewater plant, installed in 1991, required rehabilitation. The first bid round came in over budget with a low bid of $3,356,774; the project was rescoped and rebid. Staff recommended awarding to C&T Contracting Services, LLC of Tampa, FL for $2,915,010. A budget amendment of $1,446,258 would be brought forward later.
• Wastewater Plant Supervisor Brian Antonian said the current scope is the bare-bones scope; removed items included a concrete protective coating worth about $400,000 and an automatic offloading valve. He said doing all filters at once while the contractor is mobilized is better than spacing replacements.
• Commissioner Walker pressed on whether removing the protective portion was acceptable; staff said they were comfortable, would inspect concrete during the work, and would address issues that arise.
• Motion to award the bid passed unanimously.

PFAS/AFFF Settlement Claim – Resolution 25-33, Starred Item

• The Commission voted unanimously to add the starred item to the agenda. City Attorney Cowan explained the City would not join as a litigation participant but would file a Phase II claim in the AFFF, or aqueous film-forming foam, PFAS class-action settlement. The filing deadline is January 1, 2026. Utilities Director Watkins said the claim allows baseline testing of the City’s production wells.
• Utilities Operations Manager Janice Bennett estimated testing at about $20,000; the claim seeks reimbursement for testing. She noted 100% of Dunedin’s water is treated through reverse osmosis or granulated activated carbon, both effective at removing PFAS.
• Cowan explained Phase I utilities already tested positive, while Phase II providers must test. She noted DuPont and 3M were among the major settled manufacturers.
• Motion to adopt Resolution 25-33 passed unanimously on a roll-call vote, 5–0.

Appointment of Deputy City Clerk Michelle Wells as City Clerk

• HR Director Theresa Smalling said City Clerk Rebecca Schlichter resigned effective November 7, 2025, after medical leave beginning July 14, 2025; Michelle Wells served as Acting City Clerk. City Manager Bramley recommended a non-competitive appointment to the Charter Officer position. The Commission unanimously approved the promotion effective December 4, 2025.
• Commissioners praised Wells’ work; Wells thanked staff and mentor Schlichter.

December 18, 2025 Proposed Agenda

• The Commission approved the proposed agenda for the December 18, 2025 regular meeting after moving action item 3.g to the consent agenda because it was under the threshold. Motion passed unanimously.

Informational Updates

• Commissioner Gow listed upcoming holiday concerts and events; Commissioner Dugard encouraged holiday donations to Dunedin Cares; Vice Mayor Walker reported the PSTA Board unanimously approved the Cross Bay Ferry; Commissioner Sandbergen praised the tree-lighting event and city staff.
• Mayor Freaney discussed state property-tax legislation: four bills are moving forward, with Ways & Means potentially considering them the following Wednesday. Eliminating homestead property tax would cost Dunedin an estimated $9 million per year; she noted roughly 70–75% of Dunedin properties are homesteaded. She asked to put a citizen-education plan on a future agenda.
• City Clerk, City Manager, and City Attorney gave no formal updates.

Key Outcomes

• All votes were unanimous.
• Commissioner Robert Walker became Vice Mayor for one year.
• Resolution 25-32, the Multi-Modal Transportation Master Plan update, was adopted 5–0.
• Bid #25-2536 was awarded to C&T Contracting Services, LLC for $2,915,010.
• Resolution 25-33 was adopted 5–0, authorizing a PFAS Phase II claim and testing.
• Michelle Wells was appointed City Clerk effective December 4, 2025.
• The December 18, 2025 agenda was approved with action item 3.g moved to consent.