The Dunedin Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) held a regular meeting on January 22, 2026, at 4:30 PM at City Hall. Chair Maureen "Moe" Freaney presided, with members Tom Dugard, Jeff Gow, and Steven Sandbergen present; Robert Walker was excused. The meeting covered approval of prior minutes, a report from the CRA Advisory Committee Chair, and a comprehensive Director's Report on downtown projects. No citizen input was offered.
No members of the public spoke during the citizen input period for non-agenda items.
Advisory Committee Chair Report CRA Advisory Committee Chair Alan McHale reported that the Committee had met twice since November 2025. He noted excitement about several downtown projects, including the Main Street Exchange and the associated parking garage, which is expected to help solve parking issues and create jobs. An ongoing concern across communities is the growth of e-bike usage; McHale expressed hope for clearer legislation within 12 months. He also introduced the new owners of Tiki Rides, who plan to nurture and grow the business. No negative developments were reported.
Community Redevelopment Agency Director's Report Director Bob Ironsmith provided a detailed update on multiple projects:
Board members asked questions about traffic enforcement, roundabout safety, undergrounding easements, and the vision for Skinner's north side. Ironsmith advocated for mixed-use, three-story maximum development there. Commissioner Gow noted the golf cart crossing at Douglas may be east of the main activity area and asked about a crossing at Highland, but FDOT only approved crossings at Douglas and Bass.
Recognition Director Ironsmith recognized Economic Development Specialist Carolyn Homer for earning the Florida Redevelopment Association Redevelopment Professional certificate, noting the City's investment in staff development. She will be formally recognized at the FRA Annual Conference on October 22, 2026, in Charlotte Harbor.
Okay. Seeing no one, I will close uh citizen input. Um I was gonna say seeing no one, period, but yeah, just about. Uh okay. So next one is draft minutes from the twenty uh November twentieth, twenty twenty-five, community redevelopment agencies. First of all, are there any changes? Okay, no changes, hearing none. Uh if I could have a motion to approve the minutes. So moved. Second. Okay. All in favor. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes unanimously. Okay. Community redevelopment agency advisory committee chair report. Um and this will be given by none other than the chair, Alan McHale. Um it's your mic. It is. There we go. Good afternoon, Mayor, Commissioners, City staff. Happy New Year to each and every one of you. I hope you're all escaping the sicknesses that are going around today. Um CRA Advisory Committee uh have had two meetings, I think, since our last uh get together here. That was in November and in January. And on both occasions we heard uh on multiple projects that are going on in the downtown area. Um for the most part the committee is extremely excited at the progress being made uh in the downtown area with no major concerns. A lot of excitement around the main street exchange project, including the new parking garage, which will solve some of the platform issues, but also create more jobs in the downtown area. So a lot of excitement around that. Um age old problem keeps coming up at each of our meetings, like many other people were still concerned about the growth of e-bike usage in and around the downtown area. But listening to the sheriff on Friday at the DCO meeting, it's clear that many other communities are sharing our concern. So hopefully his desire to have um better and more cle clear legislation in the next twelve months will help him and everyone else get a handle on the issue. Um at our last meeting, we were introduced to the new owners of the Tiki Rides business, Shannon and Jonathan, and they gave us assurances that the business that they've taken over will be nurtured and they'll help it grow, and they're very keen to to keep it going in the downtown, so that's good as well. Both meetings were over relatively quickly with no dissension. Um there's nothing negative to report from our perspective as a committee. Cool. Um anybody have any questions for the chair? Uh starting over here, uh Commissioner Gow. Uh no, I'm good. Commissioner Dugar? Commissioner Samberg. Um I don't have anything either, but a great report. I guess it was so thorough, we just don't have anything. So all good. But thank you. Thanks for all you do. I'll take it as a compliment, but thank you very much, and good luck to each of you. And continue that good work at Scottish American, too.