Dunedin City Commission Regular Meeting – April 2, 2026

The City Commission met on April 2, 2026, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included four proclamations, approval of a landscaping maintenance agreement with FDOT, authorization of a sewer lining task order, approval of an amendment to the interlocal agreement for the Midtown Parking Garage, and a design review application that was withdrawn after commission comments indicated opposition. All votes were 4-1 except the consent agenda and sewer lining which were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously: minutes from the February 5 and February 19, 2026 regular meetings.
• Board and Committee Appointments: Moved Patrick Francois from alternate to regular term on the Committee on Environmental Quality & Sustainability; appointed Jane O'Donovan; appointed Vincent Luisi as ex officio to Historic Preservation Advisory Committee; moved Karen Mullins from alternate to regular term; appointed Lisa Hughes to alternate term on Library Advisory Committee.
• RFP #25-2535: Approved selection of Colliers Engineering & Design, Inc.; Witt O'Brien's, LLC; and CohnReznick Advisory LLC for loan-grant administration and compliance services.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Item 3a (Skinner Boulevard Landscaping MOA): No public comments.
• On Item 3b (Sewer Lining Task Order): No public comments.
• On Item 3c (Parking Garage ILA Amendment): No public comments.
• On Item 3d (Design Review – 444 Skinner Blvd Townhomes):
  • David Ramsey (previous owner): Expressed support, stating the original site plan was approved in 2000 and this project is an improvement.
  • William Labrie (451 Palmetto Street): Opposed, saying the building does not fit the surrounding one- and two-story structures and looks like a parking garage.
  • Karin Hartenbach (2056 Cove Trace, Palm Harbor): Supported, noting the project is well-designed and would add to the area.
  • Christopher Jallo (multiple properties on Main Street): Supported, arguing that the ARC and LPA found compatibility and that the stormwater improvements benefit neighbors.
  • Sabra Rosen (445 Palmetto Street): Opposed, citing flooding concerns, building size, and that the developer admitted the extra height is for profit. She noted many negative comments on Facebook.
  • An eComment from Sharon Herman opposed the project as too large and high.
  • An email from William LaBrie reiterated opposition, emphasizing water runoff, trash pick-up, and incompatibility.

Discussion Items

• 3a: Skinner Boulevard Landscaping and Irrigation Maintenance MOA (Resolution 26-04) Staff presented a memorandum of agreement with FDOT for landscape and irrigation maintenance on Skinner Boulevard. The landscaping includes Florida-friendly plants with drought tolerance; annual maintenance cost estimated at $15,000. FDOT contributed $1.1 million for improvements. Commissioner Gow opposed due to lack of shade trees, despite staff explaining that shade trees are placed in medians and rights-of-way where possible due to utility constraints. The motion passed 4-1, with Commissioner Gow voting nay.

• 3b: Sanitary Sewer Cured-In-Place-Pipe (CIPP) Lining Task Order Staff recommended authorizing $899,834 to Vortex Services, LLC for approximately 11,500 linear feet of sewer lining in the Fairway Estates neighborhood. The lining extends pipe life up to 50 years without excavation. The motion passed unanimously.

• 3c: First Amendment to Interlocal Agreement with Pinellas County for Midtown Parking Garage Staff requested approval to amend the existing ILA to add $756,000 in tax increment financing (TIF) for the parking garage, bringing total available TIF to $7.35 million. The garage is estimated to cost $10.3 million, with additional funding from Penny for Pinellas and the General Fund post-CRA sunset (2033). The debt service is approximately $850,000 annually. Commissioner Gow opposed, citing traffic concerns and a preference for walkability. The motion passed 4-1.

• 3d: Design Review – 444 Skinner Blvd Townhomes (DR-2025-0003) The applicant proposed a 4-story (3 stories over ground-floor parking) multifamily building with 5 units on a 0.21-acre vacant parcel. Staff recommended denial based on incompatibility with Objective 2.9 of the Comprehensive Plan, citing the surrounding area's average building height of 1.4 stories (17.96 feet). The applicant argued the project conforms to the Activity Center and Downtown Core zoning, and that the extra 6 feet (42 ft vs. 36 ft) is needed for structured parking. The ARC and LPA had recommended approval with conditions. After commission comments from Vice Mayor Walker, Commissioner Gow, Commissioner Dugard, Commissioner Sandbergen, and Mayor Freaney indicating they could not support the project due to compatibility concerns, the applicant withdrew the application.

• 3e: Proposed Agenda for April 16, 2026 Commission Meeting Approved with a correction to change an action item from second reading to first reading. The motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 26-04 (Skinner Boulevard landscaping MOA) approved 4-1.
• Task Order #2026-01 for sewer CIPP lining to Vortex Services, LLC in the amount of $899,834 approved unanimously.
• First Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement with Pinellas County for additional $756,000 TIF for the Midtown Parking Garage approved 4-1.
• Application DR-2025-0003 (444 Skinner Blvd Townhomes) withdrawn by the applicant after commission discussion indicated opposition; the applicant may reapply in the future.
• The proposed agenda for April 16, 2026 was approved as amended.
• Commissioner Dugard raised a concern about lower committee recommendations conflicting with staff recommendations and suggested having committee chairs explain their reasoning at future commission meetings. The commission discussed options but no formal action was taken.