OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Dunedin City Commission Regular Meeting - March 19, 2026

City Commission & Boards — Thursday, March 19, 2026
BodyDunedin, Florida
SessionCity Commission & Boards
DateThursday, March 19, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:55:45

Transcript — Verbatim
1:13

Good evening everyone and welcome to the March nineteenth 2026 City Commission meeting.

1:19

I'm gonna call the meeting to order, and we will start with the mocation and pledge by our city attorney Jen.

1:26

Let's begin this meeting by taking a brief.

1:57

Okay, well, our first order of business is we're going to give an excused absence to our vice mayor who had surgery this morning.

2:05

He's doing very well.

2:21

There we go.

2:21

So can I have a motion to excuse Vice Mayor?

2:24

So moved.

2:24

Second.

2:25

Okay.

2:27

All in favor.

2:28

Aye.

2:29

Aye.

2:30

Motion passed unanimously.

2:32

No discussion.

2:33

Yeah, no discussion, but we certainly wish the Vice Mayor well.

2:37

Well, and we always miss him.

2:38

So okay.

2:39

Um so our first uh point of order is the twenty twenty-six mayor's challenge presentation.

2:47

So I would ask uh Mayor Bruce Rector of City of Clearwater in his Toronto Blue Jays jersey to come forward.

3:01

Well, Mayor, uh uh it's great to be here with friends in Denaton tonight.

3:05

Uh I I did have to we had to um to go back and Mike Lockwood's with me from parks and recreation in City of Clearwater and and uh our team had to research how this is actually done because we looked at it last time last time the Blue Jays won was 2015.

3:25

So uh but uh this this is such a great tradition and it's uh great tradition because uh of the the love both of our communities have for baseball, major league baseball, and I think it's fitting that the fiftieth year of the Blue Jays here in Danedon that uh although I would love to kept it in my uh office for another year.

3:48

I think it's fitting that we do bring it back to you in this very special year for the city of Dunedin.

3:52

And I'm gonna come down in a minute, but before I do, let's kind of relive the moment there at the game.

3:58

Um because it didn't start out good.

4:01

I'm trying to remember.

4:02

I think it like was two-nothing favor of Phillies.

4:06

And then I think we went ahead three to two.

4:10

And of course, every time they went ahead, Mayor Rector would look over at me and like here we go again, you know.

4:17

And then I think you guys went ahead five to three.

4:23

And then of course, and then seven to five if I recall, seven to five.

4:27

So um but anyway.

4:28

For the record, Mayor, I was standing next to uh Philly's owner John Middleton.

4:33

Yes.

4:34

When when everything fell apart.

4:36

And uh it wasn't recorded, but I did ask John, you know, what what's going on here?

4:42

And he did say he brought your good players in.

4:45

And I can tell you that I will be showing this video to Mark Shapiro, CEO of the Blue Jays to make sure we're not, you know, we're we're taking care of our good players for the next time because we've got to start a long tradition.

4:56

Um but anyway, um before I come down, I do want to say really appreciate that you were there.

5:01

Um, and of course, uh some others from Clearwater were there, which was awesome.

5:06

It is a great partnership.

5:07

We both know how valuable spring training is to our region, how much money it brings into our region, and how the jobs it supports.

5:14

So it it it is a great uh it's a great partnership.

5:17

I'll come down now for the official picture.

5:19

Very good.

5:32

I need to take that again.

5:35

Where's the one that has one?

6:14

Are you kidding?

6:21

I do want to give our uh Toronto Blue Jays liaison a chance to weigh in on this, Commissioner Sambergen.

6:27

You know, that was uh that was quite a game, and I you know, Mayor, I did think that's a little unfair when you brought the owner of the Phillies.

6:35

It wasn't like he just brought a fan, so uh yeah, but uh I I think we're Dunedin's gonna go on a run.

6:41

What would you say like 10 years almost?

6:43

So I I hate to say it, but that they that thing's not going back to downtown Clearwater for a while.

6:48

And welcome to Dunedin, and thank you.

6:50

You know, the partnership, the Phillies, Blue Jays, you know, the fans, when the the when Philly's here in town, you know, the uh our restaurants in downtown are full, and uh and I'm sure we do the same for you.

6:59

So yeah, thank you for that competition.

7:02

And uh anyone else over here.

7:08

I just like the mayor of Clearwater to know he's welcome here anytime he wants to come.

7:16

I do have to say last year when when I went, because we did lose last year, I went and you had a I don't remember what it was, you had a huge controv controversial issue going on.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Solid Waste Management██████████████████████22%
Community Engagement████████████12%
Water And Wastewater Management█████████9%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████9%
Historic Preservation███████7%
Public Engagement███████7%
Budget Equity Analysis███████7%
Fiscal Sustainability██████6%
Education█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Dunedin City Commission Regular Meeting - March 19, 2026

The Dunedin City Commission held a regular meeting on March 19, 2026, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included presentations, citizen input, consent agenda, and several action items. Key decisions included adoption of a solid waste rate increase (Ordinance 26-01), establishment of a Golf Club Advisory Committee (Resolution 26-05), approval of the FY2026 First Budget Amendment ($31.4 million), and award of a mill & overlay contract ($1,248,310.30) plus a change order ($281,339.28). All votes were 4-0 with Vice Mayor Walker excused. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of the 2/3/2026 Workshop.
  • Reappointed Julie Church to the Arts and Cultural Advisory Committee (term ending April 1, 2029).
  • Appointed James Culhane to the Library Advisory Committee (alternate term ending March 1, 2029).
  • Appointed Sylvia Tzekas to the Local Planning Agency (partial alternate term ending December 31, 2027).
  • Approved shortlist, negotiation, and award of RFQ 25-2528 (Dunedin Marina Docks A & B replacement) to Kimley-Horn & Associates for $355,757.
  • Approved piggyback agreement with Risk Strategies for property/casualty insurance brokerage.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • David Ballard Geddes, Jr. (Palm Harbor) criticized the city's water management and sewage treatment, claiming 1.4 billion gallons of raw sewage processed annually and that the city has been polluting St. Joseph's Sound. He also criticized lawn irrigation and fertilizer use. Mayor Freaney noted the water is treated per regulations.
  • Dale Cox (Dunedin) praised staff for a thorough presentation on sanitary system capacity for the Main Street Exchange project.
  • Julie Nelson (Dunedin) expressed concern about rising utility costs, budget mismanagement, and lack of response from commissioners. She cited a combined 86% increase in water and waste rates, criticized minimum billing thresholds, and called for more thoughtful development. She also noted trail safety issues and poor park maintenance.
  • Thierry Boveri (Raftelis Consulting) explained that the solid waste rate study was driven by inflation outpacing prior fixed adjustments, and that the proposed rate increase (from $23.67 to $30.42 in FY26) is below the regional average of $30.69.
  • Jim Cowger (Dunedin) questioned the methodology of the comparison with other municipalities; Boveri responded that population is not a good metric due to economies of scale in the city's collection operation.

Discussion Items

  • First Reading of Ordinance 25-02 (Historic Preservation) – Staff requested continuance to April 16, 2026, because review comments from the Florida Department of State and National Park Service were not yet received. Motion carried 4-0.
  • Second Reading of Solid Waste Ordinance 26-01 – After extensive discussion, the Commission adopted the ordinance with a rate increase from $23.67 to $30.42 effective April 1, 2026, then to $35.17 on April 1, 2027, and annually thereafter at 3% or CPI (whichever is greater) starting October 1, 2027. The rate study included an efficiency study that reduced assets (trucks reduced from 6 to 13) and eliminated unincorporated service. The Board of Finance unanimously supported the recommendation. Motion carried 4-0.
  • Resolution 26-05 (Golf Club Advisory Committee) – Established a seven-member committee with three club members (residents), three non-member residents, and one Board of Finance member. Terms of three years, staggered. Alternates must be non-members. Commission stressed the committee is advisory only and should not direct the general manager. Motion carried 4-0.
  • Resolution 26-06 (FY2026 First Budget Amendment) – Increased appropriations by $31.4 million across various funds, primarily for carry-forward encumbrances ($15.4M) and projects ($15.9M). The carry-forward was reduced by $15 million from the previous year due to departmental cooperation. Solid Waste, Stormwater, Golf Operations, and Health funds were below reserve targets but are being monitored. General Fund available balance projected at 32% (above the 15% target). Motion carried 4-0.
  • Award of Bid #25-2545 (Mill & Overlay) – Approved $1,248,310.30 to Preferred Materials, Inc. for FY2026 mill and overlay on various streets. Funding sources: Penny-for-Pinellas ($1.1M), Stormwater ($200K), Gas Tax ($220K). Motion carried 4-0.
  • Change Order #1 – Approved an increase of $281,339.28 (plus 32 days) to the same contract to add curb repairs and pave Robmar Drive, bringing total to $1,529,649.58. Staff noted opportunity to use under-budget savings to address backlog. Motion carried 4-0.
  • RFP #25-2535 (Loan-Grant Administration) – Postponed to April 2, 2026, at staff’s request. Motion carried 4-0.
  • Proposed Agenda for April 2, 2026 Commission Meeting – Approved as presented. Motion carried 4-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Solid Waste Rate Increase (Ordinance 26-01) – Adopted on second reading (4-0). Rates increase to $30.42/month (FY26), $35.17 (FY27), then 3% or CPI annually.
  • Golf Club Advisory Committee (Resolution 26-05) – Established (4-0) with membership terms of three years; alternates must be non-members. Application window March 23–April 6, 2026; appointments expected May 21, 2026.
  • FY2026 Budget Amendment (Resolution 26-06) – Approved (4-0) to appropriate $31.4 million in carry-forward funds.
  • Mill & Overlay Contracts – Awarded base contract ($1,248,310.30) and approved change order ($281,339.28), both 4-0. Rodmar Drive added as result of savings.
  • Postponement – RFP #25-2535 continued to April 2, 2026 (4-0). Historic Preservation Ordinance continued to April 16, 2026 (4-0).

Meeting Transcript

Good evening everyone and welcome to the March nineteenth 2026 City Commission meeting. I'm gonna call the meeting to order, and we will start with the mocation and pledge by our city attorney Jen. Let's begin this meeting by taking a brief. Okay, well, our first order of business is we're going to give an excused absence to our vice mayor who had surgery this morning. He's doing very well. There we go. So can I have a motion to excuse Vice Mayor? So moved. Second. Okay. All in favor. Aye. Aye. Motion passed unanimously. No discussion. Yeah, no discussion, but we certainly wish the Vice Mayor well. Well, and we always miss him. So okay. Um so our first uh point of order is the twenty twenty-six mayor's challenge presentation. So I would ask uh Mayor Bruce Rector of City of Clearwater in his Toronto Blue Jays jersey to come forward. Well, Mayor, uh uh it's great to be here with friends in Denaton tonight. Uh I I did have to we had to um to go back and Mike Lockwood's with me from parks and recreation in City of Clearwater and and uh our team had to research how this is actually done because we looked at it last time last time the Blue Jays won was 2015. So uh but uh this this is such a great tradition and it's uh great tradition because uh of the the love both of our communities have for baseball, major league baseball, and I think it's fitting that the fiftieth year of the Blue Jays here in Danedon that uh although I would love to kept it in my uh office for another year. I think it's fitting that we do bring it back to you in this very special year for the city of Dunedin. And I'm gonna come down in a minute, but before I do, let's kind of relive the moment there at the game. Um because it didn't start out good. I'm trying to remember. I think it like was two-nothing favor of Phillies. And then I think we went ahead three to two. And of course, every time they went ahead, Mayor Rector would look over at me and like here we go again, you know. And then I think you guys went ahead five to three. And then of course, and then seven to five if I recall, seven to five. So um but anyway. For the record, Mayor, I was standing next to uh Philly's owner John Middleton. Yes. When when everything fell apart. And uh it wasn't recorded, but I did ask John, you know, what what's going on here? And he did say he brought your good players in. And I can tell you that I will be showing this video to Mark Shapiro, CEO of the Blue Jays to make sure we're not, you know, we're we're taking care of our good players for the next time because we've got to start a long tradition. Um but anyway, um before I come down, I do want to say really appreciate that you were there. Um, and of course, uh some others from Clearwater were there, which was awesome. It is a great partnership. We both know how valuable spring training is to our region, how much money it brings into our region, and how the jobs it supports. So it it it is a great uh it's a great partnership. I'll come down now for the official picture. Very good. I need to take that again. Where's the one that has one? Are you kidding? I do want to give our uh Toronto Blue Jays liaison a chance to weigh in on this, Commissioner Sambergen.

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