Dunedin City Commission Regular Meeting - June 4, 2026

The City Commission of Dunedin held its regular meeting on June 4, 2026, at Dunedin City Hall. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. and adjourned at 8:10 p.m. The agenda included presentations, citizen input, consent items, action items on a budget amendment and a voluntary annexation, and informational updates on the marina and a conflict waiver.

Presentations

• America 250 Proclamation and Declaration of Independence Signing (Item 1.a): Vice Mayor Walker read a proclamation recognizing July 4, 2026, as the 250th anniversary of American independence. Steve Beaty, Chair of the Dunedin History Museum, portrayed George Washington and spoke about the significance of the Declaration. The proclamation was signed by Mayor Freaney (as John Hancock), Vice Mayor Walker, Commissioners Gow, Dugard, Sandbergen, Pinellas County Commissioners Dave Eggers and Brian Scott, and Representative Kim Berfield. The document will be available for citizen signing at City Hall, the library, and the museum. Events are listed on the museum's website.
• LGBTQ+ Pride Month Proclamation (Item 1.b): Commissioner Dugard read the proclamation designating June 2026 as Pride Month in Dunedin. Kimberly Platt, President of Dunedin Pride, Inc., reported that the first six days of Pride events had record attendance and positive feedback. She noted 20 more events remain in the month, with a calendar available online. She also mentioned attending the Tampa LGBTQ+ Chamber Pride Luncheon, where Dunedin's inclusivity was highlighted.
• Senior Hall of Fame Inductees (Item 1.c): Recreation Coordinator Nichole Allen and Committee on Aging Chair Cyndi Cole recognized Allen Kynes and Eric Houghton as 2026 inductees. Both men spoke about their lifelong involvement in Dunedin. Mr. Kynes recounted his arrival in 1979 and subsequent volunteer work with the Dunedin Fine Arts Center, Rotary, and the Library Foundation. Mr. Houghton emphasized how the neighborhood shaped his life and his service to the church, scouts, schools, library, and city.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Citizen Input (non-agenda): Two residents spoke:
  • Sharon Herman (2325 Armour Drive), a financial planner and Chamber of Commerce board member, expressed strong opposition to the property tax referendum on the fall ballot. She argued that the 10 iterations of the bill in three months lacked thorough vetting, and that the final version was passed in less than a day. She called for careful study through the Florida Taxation & Budget Reform Commission, which meets every 20 years, and stated the proposal will harm residents.
  • David Ballard Geddis, Jr. (802 Georgia Avenue, Palm Harbor) criticized management of Honeymoon Island and the Dunedin Causeway, alleging environmental damage, mismanagement, and corruption. He proposed reconfiguring the Causeway with a larger bridge and extended cul-de-sacs, and called for those responsible for past faulty work to pay for reconstruction.
• Public Hearings (Consent and Action Items): No public input was offered on the consent agenda or action items 3.a and 3.b, except for Steve Beaty who spoke in favor of the annexation.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda (Items 2.a–2.e) was approved unanimously with Item 2.d pulled separately. Items included:
  • Approval of minutes from the 4/16/2026 Regular Meeting and 5/5/2026 Workshop.
  • Reappointments: Hank Hodde to the Dunedin Causeway and Coastal Waterways Committee (term ending 6/1/2029); Sharon Williams and Mike Rey to the Marina Advisory Committee (terms ending 6/1/2029).
  • Task Order #2026-02 to Vortex Services, LLC for sanitary sewer CIPP lining, $44,479.
  • First Amendment to the interlocal agreement with Pinellas County for the NPDES MS4 FDEP annual fee, $1,452.47 for 2026 and extending the agreement five years.
• Item 2.d (pulled): Sole Source purchase of an ABI Force Z-23 Zero-Turn Turf & Infield Laser Grading Machine from St. Johns Turf Care, LLC, $54,885. City Manager Bramley requested pulling the item for further review due to the high cost and pending budget reform considerations. No subsequent vote was taken; the item was deferred.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 26-07 – FY 2026 2nd Budget Amendment (Item 3.a): Finance Director Les Tyler presented the amendment, which increases appropriations by $1,826,258 across multiple funds. Key adjustments included:
  • General Fund: $182,000 for library carpet replacement (funded by the Machan Estate Bequest); $85,000 reclass for the Clearwater Ferry project (to PSTA).
  • Impact Fee Fund: $58,000 increase (split with Risk Fund) for a modular vehicle barrier system.
  • Water/Wastewater Fund: $1,446,258 increase for the WWTP Facility 8 Filter Media and Basin Rehab project due to bid overrun.
  • Marina Fund: $43,000 for interest on storm line of credit (not yet drawn).
  • Stormwater Fund: $1,444,100 transfer from Gabion Repair to Ditch Maintenance, funded by EWP grant.
  • Risk Fund: $58,000 transfer out for barrier system.
  • IT Services Fund: Net $50,000 decrease from various capital equipment adjustments.
  • IT Services Fund: $47,000 for new Commission Chambers Wireless Microphone System.
  • Staff noted all funds meet or exceed reserve targets except the Stormwater Fund (below 25% target) due to planned grant and debt financing. The amendment was approved by a 5–0 vote.
• Voluntary Annexation – 1991 Spanish Pines Drive (Item 3.b): First readings of Ordinances 26-02 (annexation), 26-03 (land use amendment to Residential Low), and 26-04 (zoning to R-60) were held jointly. Community Development Director Kinney presented: the property is a 0.24-acre single-family lot in the Spanish Pines enclave; all dimensional standards conform to R-60; the LPA unanimously recommended approval. Applicant James Davis and his wife Jeanne spoke, expressing gratitude and a desire to volunteer more. Public input was supportive. All three ordinances passed unanimously on first reading. Second readings are set for July 9, 2026.
• Proposed Agenda for June 18, 2026 Meeting (Item 3.c): Approved unanimously with an addition: a memo on Grand Oak Park to be provided under City Manager's Update.

Informational Items

• Commission Discussion & Comments (Item 4.a): Commissioner Dugard praised Pride Month events. Vice Mayor Walker reported on PSTA legislative committee meeting regarding property tax, noting a "backfill option" for rural communities and optimism about off-ramps; he stressed education and collaboration. Commissioner Sandbergen announced attending the Dunedin Blue Jays game after the Golf Cart Parade. Mayor Freaney commented on Pride, attended Mayor's Council where property tax and home rule were discussed; she will conduct interviews on the issue. She also noted a nonpartisan think tank by former Senator Jeff Brandes.
• City Clerk's Update (Item 4.b): Clerk Wells thanked commissioners for support at the Mayor's Council.
• City Manager's Update (Item 4.c): Utilities Director Watkins provided a marina repair update via PowerPoint. East and north bulkhead work is ongoing with a change order for electrical duct relocation. The contractor is behind schedule (substantial completion originally June 1, now August 25; final completion September). Fishing pier demolition is complete but pile removal awaits Army Corps permit (comments received March, responded April). Docks A & B design is preparing a Corps permit submittal package (target mid-June), with a master plan update expected August/September. Site visits to marinas for dock comparisons are planned July/August. Other items: new commercial dock lighting, removal of old poles, and a FDEP grant for a new boat pump-out. Commissioners asked about schedule delays, permit steps, and separation of restoration from improvements.
• City Attorney's Update (Item 4.d): Attorney Cowan requested a conflict waiver for BMO's representation of the city in a foreclosure (PNC Bank v. Garrett) because BMO also represents PNC in an unrelated matter. She stated the city has an inferior lien, no adverse effect, and PNC already consented. The waiver was approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (Items 2.a, 2.b, 2.c, 2.e): Approved unanimously. Item 2.d was pulled for further review; no vote taken.
• Resolution 26-07 (Budget Amendment): Adopted by a 5–0 vote.
• Ordinances 26-02, 26-03, 26-04 (Annexation): All three passed unanimously on first reading. Second readings scheduled for July 9, 2026.
• Proposed June 18, 2026 Agenda: Approved unanimously, with a forthcoming memo on Grand Oak Park.
• Conflict Waiver: Approved unanimously, allowing BMO to continue representing the city in the foreclosure case.
• Marina Repair: Contractor is behind schedule; staff will seek an updated timeline. Fishing pier completion hoped for within calendar year but uncertain. Master plan and dock site visits to occur July–September.