Dunedin City Commission Regular Meeting - February 5, 2026
Dunedin City Commission Regular Meeting - February 5, 2026
The Dunedin City Commission held its regular meeting on February 5, 2026, at Dunedin City Hall, 737 Louden Avenue. The commission approved a sustainability scorecard ordinance, hurricane recovery bridge financing, restructuring of an affordable housing loan, and design review for a 21-unit vacation home project, among other items. The meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m.
Presentations
- Vice Mayor Robert Walker read a proclamation designating February 28, 2026, as Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot Day in Dunedin. Sustainability Program Manager Natalie Gass announced the Gulf Coast Hope Spot Fest on Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the History Museum and city parking lot, with a Keep Pinellas Beautiful cleanup at 9:00 a.m.
- The commission welcomed the Toronto Blue Jays for their 50th spring-training season. Commissioner Steven Sandbergen read the Welcome Back proclamation. Toronto Blue Jays President of Florida Operations Shelby Nelson and General Manager Matt Woak highlighted the free Welcome Back Blue Jays event on February 14, 2026, from noon to 3:00 p.m. at TD Ballpark, Opening Day on February 21, and the team's 15 home games. Commissioners voiced strong support for the long-standing partnership.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of the December 18, 2025, Regular Meeting and January 6, 2026, Workshop.
- Approved board and committee appointments: Elizabeth Glushko Cerasoli moved to a regular term on the Arts and Cultural Advisory Committee and Taryn Nicoll appointed to alternate; Alan McHale, Douglas Moat, and Sally Caron reappointed to the CRA Advisory Committee; Stephanie Sarkis reappointed to the Edgewater Drive Advisory Committee; Susan Davis moved to regular and Jean Perrin and Barbara Ferry reappointed to the Library Advisory Committee.
- Approved the 2026 Mardi Gras Celebration revocable license agreement with the Greater Dunedin Chamber of Commerce.
- Approved the piggyback purchase of a trailer-mounted wastewater bypass pump from Mersino Water Solutions for $85,445.17. All consent items were approved unanimously.
Grand Oak Park Restroom Overview
- City Manager Jennifer Bramley presented a detailed explanation of the Grand Oak Park restroom facility cost, responding to social-media criticism. She said the facility was competitively procured through a piggyback contract using a premanufactured building, avoiding site-built design and construction costs. She cited a total cost of $454,679 (minutes elsewhere reference an authorized piggyback amount of $450,679), including architectural upgrades, ADA compliance, vandal-resistant materials, and a 20-year structural warranty. She emphasized that the commercial-grade building is designed to meet downtown architectural standards and was reviewed by the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee, Architectural Review Committee, and CRA Advisory Committee.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Dale Philippi of 644 Wisteria Court commented on the Beltrees Safe Street Plan, saying the city had not yet implemented it and suggesting low-cost near-term actions such as painting lane lines for cars and bicycles and clearing overgrown landscaping. He noted Beltrees is a gateway to TD Ballpark, the Hale Senior Center, the Pinellas Trail, the library, and Mardi Gras parade routes. City Manager Bramley said capital projects are phased into budgets over time and she would send a status update.
- Alan Brand of 1731 Hickory Gate Drive N. expressed disappointment that the proposed Main Street Exchange project did not appear to include solar panels. He noted solar power costs have decreased 17 percent while Dunedin electricity costs have risen 52 percent over six years, and offered the Sierra Club Clean Energy Committee's help to educate the city and developers.
- On Ordinance 25-11, Linda Massoud of First United Methodist Church and Faith in Action for Strength Together (FAST) spoke in support. She said the new scorecard is a flexible, developer-friendly option and that at least one developer plans to use it. She invited the commission and community to FAST's Nehemiah Action on April 16, 2026.
- On the Azul Ave Vacation Homes application, adjacent property owner Thomas Michaels of 1370 Pinehurst Road objected. He cited insufficient parking, potential spillover traffic, and safety concerns about the proposed six-foot fence blocking visibility from his driveway, recommending a four-foot fence instead. Applicant Walter Penachio of Azul Ave LLC said he would work with the city and Mr. Michaels and was open to lowering the fence.
Discussion Items
- Ordinance 25-11 – Sustainability Matrix and Sustainable Development Scorecard: Staff explained the scorecard is an optional, updated alternative to the existing sustainability matrix and is structured to avoid conflicts with Senate Bill 180. City Attorney Jennifer Cowan said pending state legislation could change the timeline for SB180 restrictions. The commission adopted the ordinance on second reading with no changes since first reading. Vice Mayor Walker moved approval, seconded by Commissioner Tom Dugard.
- Resolution 26-02 – Non-Ad Valorem Revenue Note Series 2026: Finance Director Les Tyler presented the hurricane recovery bridge financing plan. Staff estimates Hurricanes Helene and Milton repairs will total approximately $13.6 million, with up to $12 million financed through a non-revolving line of credit from Regions Capital Advantage. The variable interest rate formula is 79 percent of one-month Term SOFR plus 0.59 percent, with an indicative rate of 3.49 percent; the loan matures February 1, 2030, has no unused fees, and allows prepayment without penalty. The city's debt ratio would remain below its 20 percent target. FEMA pays 75 percent, the state pays 12.5 percent, and the city pays 12.5 percent. Commissioner Sandbergen moved approval, seconded by Vice Mayor Walker.
- Resolution 26-03 – Flats on Main Street Loan: CRA/Economic Development Director Robert Ironsmith explained that a previously approved $610,000 grant for the affordable housing project would be converted into a forgivable loan. Developer Dave Heaslip of Archway Partners said a grant would be treated as taxable income, requiring roughly $250,000 in withholding, while a forgivable loan allows the full contribution to be used. Vice Mayor Walker moved approval, seconded by Commissioner Dugard.
- DR-2025-0004 – Azul Ave Vacation Homes: Community Development Director George Kinney and Planner II Frances Leong Sharp reviewed the proposed 21-unit, two-story townhome vacation rental project at 1380 Pinehurst Road, including approximately 1,377-square-foot units, rooftop solar, a pool, covered parking, and stormwater facilities. Staff found the project consistent with the Retail & Services land use and Form-Based Medium zoning, with traffic impacts significantly lower than the former charter school. Commissioner Jeff Gow expressed concerns that the location is not walkable to downtown and that he would prefer mixed-use development closer to the city center, but he voted in favor. Commissioner Dugard moved approval, seconded by Vice Mayor Walker.
- February 19, 2026 Agenda: The proposed agenda was approved with an added proclamation. It was noted the Skinner four-story building item may be continued to a date-specific later meeting.
Informational Items
- Commissioners reported on a successful Tallahassee trip, including meetings with the Florida Department of Transportation, Emergency Management, and legislators.
- Vice Mayor Walker announced an $812,000 federal earmark secured by Congresswoman Luna for Dunedin's Pier, with the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority soon issuing a press release.
- Commissioner Gow highlighted upcoming community events, including the Dunedin Pipe Band Pub Crawl, Dunedin High School baseball at TD Ballpark, and the Ride for Ally charity ride.
- Mayor Moe Freaney noted discussions about possibly becoming a Red Star City and supporting Gold Star, Blue Star, and Red Star designations.
- City Manager Bramley gave an Elevate Florida update, reporting that the statewide program has brought $12.5 million in grants to Dunedin. For one storm-damaged home on Lyndhurst, the city could participate in an acquisition/demolition program with no direct city cost, but she recommended passing because the property would become permanently maintained open space. The commission concurred with her recommendation.
- There were no City Clerk or City Attorney updates.
Key Outcomes
- The commission voted unanimously (5–0) to adopt Ordinance 25-11.
- The commission voted unanimously (5–0) to adopt Resolution 26-02.
- The commission voted unanimously (5–0) to adopt Resolution 26-03.
- The commission voted unanimously (5–0) to approve DR-2025-0004 for Azul Ave Vacation Homes.
- The commission voted unanimously to approve the February 19, 2026, meeting agenda and all consent agenda items.
- The commission expressed consensus to support the City Manager's recommendation to decline participation in the Elevate Florida acquisition of the Lyndhurst property.
Meeting Transcript
Let me try that again. Good evening. Welcome to the February 5th, 2026 City Commission meeting. I'd like to call the meeting to order, and we'll start with invocation and pledge of allegiance by our city attorney Jen. Let us begin this meeting by taking a brief moment of silence and reflection. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the Bible of the United States. One nation. Under God, individual with liberty and judges and sprawl. What happened to our Toronto Blue Jays logo? I wanted it left on until our presentation start. Because until then it's all about the Blue Jays. And hope, the Hope Spot. We love that. Okay. We're going to go to first item, which is Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot Day Proclamation. And I will turn that over to Commissioner Walker. Vice Mayor. I'm sorry, Vice Mayor Walker. Sorry, I slipped. Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot Day in Dunedin. Whereas February 28th, 2026 has been designated as Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot Day in Dunedin to educate our community about the Hope Spot and to promote actions that support the ecological health and marine heritage of our waters. And the City of Dunedin has been recognized as the home city of the Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot, and the Gulf Coast supports countless species, including shorebirds, sea turtles, manatees, whales, mangroves, oysters, and seagrasses. And the City of Dunedin is dedicated to being a leader in sustainability practices, and the ocean produces over half of the world's oxygen and absorbs 50 times more carbon dioxide than our atmosphere, and therefore protecting its health is paramount to the health of our citizens and the sustainability of our planet. And February coincides with World Whale Day, where we celebrate some 17 species of whales that live in the Gulf year-round, including one of the most endangered whale species in the world, the endemic rices whale, with a population estimated to be only around 50 individuals. And human threats such as oil spills, ship strikes, plastic pollution, warming temperatures, and seismic blasting from offshore drilling activities, negatively impact the species of the Gulf, and an unhealthy gulf will hurt economic growth and cause hardship for our citizens. And Denedin is the home of world-renowned marine biologist, oceanographer, and explorer, Dr. Sylvia Earl, who developed the Global Hope Spot Initiative. The City of Dunedin is partnered with the Dunedin History Museum and numerous local organizations to host the annual Gulf Coast Fest on Saturday, February 28, 2026, in downtown Dunedin. Now, therefore I, Robert Walker, Vice Mayor of the City of Dunedin, Florida, do hereby proclaim February 28, 2026 as Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot Day in the City of Dunedin. And call upon all residents of this great city to join me in supporting the aims and goals of this worthwhile effort. Thank you. In garb. We are going to kick off the event with a keep Pennell's beautiful cleanup at 9 a.m. Anyone who's interested, please sign up so we have enough supplies for you. This is an ocean-friendly zero-waste event celebrating that designation of our coast through Dr. Sylvia Earl and her International Mission Blue program. The designation recognizes the integral ways the golf and our local waters shape our lives, economy, and natural resources, and how important it is to protect, preserve, and to continue learning about their wonders. The connection of our land and waters is undeniable. In Dr. Earl's words, no water, no life, no blue, no green. This family friendly event is filled with educational booths, sustainable product and craft vendors, local expert speakers, live animal shows, music, and more. We will have lots of different aquariums there, Florida Aquarium, Clearwater Aquarium, Tarpin Aquarium, Mount Marine. We'll have uh different clubs from our local universities and many other great uh vendors. We'll have speakers there to showcase many documentaries, again, live animal shows, we'll hear from Sierra Club about the endangered rice as whale. We'll also hear from our 2025 Dunedin Environmental Hero, Beth Reynolds, to speak about Honeymoon Island. And then we will also hear from our city's team about Stormwater, and finally Terry Fortner, granddaughter of Myrtle Share Betts, who will speak to her family's history of her grandmother living on Caledy C. And that book highlighting those pioneering days will be autographed by Terry in a book signing. So there's more details on the city's event page. We really look forward to all of you joining us and celebrating this great event and achievement.
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