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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Dunedin City Commission Regular Meeting - September 3, 2026

City Commission & Boards — Thursday, September 3, 2026

BodyDunedin, Florida

SessionCity Commission & Boards

DateThursday, September 3, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 3:59:34

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:01

Good evening.

0:02

Welcome to the September 3rd, 2026 City Commission meeting.

0:05

I'd like to call the meeting to order.

0:07

And uh we'll start with our invocation moment of silence and pledge of allegiance with Jen.

0:12

Can you take us with that?

0:19

Good evening.

0:20

Let us begin this meeting by taking a brief moment of silence and reflection as our thoughts go out to the family.

0:26

Former Mayor Bob Hackworth.

0:37

Amen.

0:38

I pledge allegiance to the United States of America.

0:43

And to Republic.

0:46

One nation under God.

0:48

Indivisible.

0:50

Liberty and justice for all.

0:55

Okay.

0:56

I just want to add to that, you know, our our thoughts, continuing thoughts go to Gwen Hackworth, uh, Matty Hackworth, Bob's daughter, uh, and uh Bobby Hackworth, his son, and of course he has three grandchildren too, so they're all uh dealing with the surprising loss.

1:13

Pretty quick.

1:14

So um okay, we're gonna go to uh we need to have uh we had uh Vice Mayor Walker and Commissioner DeGard.

1:21

We're not at the past Tuesday workshop, and I want to ask for motion for excuse absences, all for good reasons that they couldn't make it.

1:27

So moved second.

1:28

Okay, all in favor?

1:29

Aye.

1:30

Aye.

1:31

Motion passes unanimously.

1:32

Okay, and we're gonna go to presentations, and we have an artist recognition, uh, Richard Logan, and I'm gonna turn it to Nicole and Elizabeth.

1:47

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Commission, uh Nicole Delfino, Strategy and Sustainability Manager here today, uh, to recognize the uh City Commission Chamber artist uh for this uh semi-annual uh display.

2:01

Um so I'm actually gonna pass it over to Elizabeth Brinkle, the city's art consultant to introduce the artist, uh, go over a little details about the artwork here.

2:12

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Commissioners, staff.

2:15

Thanks so much for the opportunity to introduce the artist for the current exhibition here in Dunedin City Hall, running through December 2026.

2:29

Artist Richard Logan has the distinction of being a featured artist in the Takatori Yaki Gallery in Fuku Fukuoka.

2:43

Japan.

2:44

Um Duncan McClellan Gallery, the Florida Craft Art Gallery, American Strategic Insurance, and Bright House Networks in St.

2:52

Petersburg, Florida.

2:54

Mr.

2:54

Logan's works have been exhibited in galleries across the U.S.

2:58

He has completed large-scale commissions for city buildings, including a commission in Dunedin City Hall, Caladisi Room, and numerous projects for local private and nonprofit organizations.

3:10

His work is collected throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe.

3:16

Richard's pre-Columbian exhibit will be here in the City Hall until December 2026.

3:25

And I emphasize that because on September 10th, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., an artist talk with light refreshments will be here in the chamber.

3:35

We'll talk with Richard about his inspiration, his process, along with learning more about him as a practicing artist.

3:43

The public is very much invited to attend.

3:46

And at this time it's my pleasure to welcome artist Richard Logan.

3:58

Thank you very much.

3:59

And it's an honor to be here.

4:01

I mean, this lovely building, the space that you've created for art is just fantastic.

4:08

Do you want to tell us a little bit more about yourself?

4:10

Or and then we'll we've got a few questions for you too.

4:13

So you don't have to say a lot.

4:14

We we've got some questions for you.

4:15

Um I I've always loved art.

4:18

Um my parents told me I had to do something to make money, so actually I got my degree in architecture, but then uh decided that wasn't what I wanted to do, and just started doing art, and so that's kind of what I've been doing.

4:31

Are you making any money?

4:32

Yes.

4:36

I'm not I'm not a starving artist.

4:41

So we've got a few questions for you.

4:43

Um I'm gonna start over with uh Vice Mayor.

4:47

Thank you, Mayor.

4:48

Thank you, Mayor.

4:50

You know, uh the thing that I always find uh really interesting, you know, about the the beautiful work that you all do is you is your process.

5:02

And can you kind of talk a little bit about your creative process?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Environmental Protection██████████████████18%

Procedural███████████████15%

Budget Equity Analysis███████████████15%

Public Safety████████████12%

Public Engagement█████████9%

Fiscal Sustainability███████7%

Transportation Safety██████6%

Arts And Culture████4%

Water And Wastewater Management████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Dunedin City Commission Regular Meeting - September 3, 2026

The Dunedin City Commission held a regular meeting on September 3, 2026, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included presentations, citizen input, consent agenda approvals, and key action items including a ban on motorized watercraft launches from the Dunedin Causeway, adoption of a tentative millage rate and budget, and an increase in marina slip fees.

Presentations

Artist Recognition: Richard Logan was recognized for his artwork displayed in the Commission Chambers from June to December 2026. Logan discussed his creative process and inspirations.
National Constitution Week Proclamation (September 17-23, 2026): Presented to the Caladesi Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution by Vice Mayor Walker. The DAR presented a Constitution flag to fly over City Hall during the week.
"A Day to Remember" Proclamation (Patriot Day, September 11, 2026): Presented to the American Legion Auxiliary Dunedin Memorial Unit 275 and Dunedin Fire Rescue by Commissioner Dugard. The proclamation marked the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Public Comments & Testimony

David Ballard Geddis Jr. (Palm Harbor) spoke during Citizen Input about bond debt at the Tampa Bay Water Authority, arguing that interest payments on bonds consume a large portion of the budget and that water should not be treated as a privilege.
Numerous speakers addressed Ordinance 26-08 (see Discussion Items). Positions were mixed: many Dunedin residents and organizations supported the ban citing safety, environmental, and quality-of-life concerns; some non-resident jet ski enthusiasts opposed it, arguing it would reduce tourism and economic activity. Specific testimony included:
- Mark Clark (Dunedin) argued stormwater runoff, not jet skis, is the primary cause of seagrass damage, and suggested a no-wake zone instead.
- Eric Graves (Dunedin) supported the ban, noting improved water clarity and seagrass since the causeway closed.
- Carol Horner (Dunedin) a former jet ski user, supported the ban for safety reasons, citing dangerous sandbar changes.
- Michelle Birnbaum (Dunedin) expressed concerns about enforcement and safety, recounting a friend injured by a jet ski.
- Cleveland Laycock (Dunedin) supported the ban, praising the committee process.
- Matt Norman (Dunedin) proposed a compromise: a small, permit-only launch area restricted to Dunedin residents with a one-year pilot.
- Sean Spencer (Holiday) opposed the ban, threatening a boycott of Dunedin businesses by a large enthusiast group.
- Nancy Schmidt (Dunedin), a Causeway & Coastal Waterways Committee member, explained the committee's decision was driven by safety and enforcement issues, not seagrass.
- Rita Foley (Dunedin) urged prioritizing safety and environment.
On Resolution 26-21 and the budget, no public comments were made.
On marina fees, Cleveland Laycock (Dunedin) thanked staff for transparency and noted the Marina Advisory Committee would discuss the boat ramp.

Discussion Items

Ordinance 26-08 (Second Reading): Prohibits launching or landing motorized watercraft from the Dunedin Causeway Beach. Staff presented history, safety data (two fatal accidents from 2021-2024), environmental benefits, and support from Pinellas County, Sierra Club, and others. The Commission discussed enforcement (warning, Class 5 citation, trespass), signage, and the distinction between launching and anchoring offshore. The ordinance was adopted unanimously after extensive public testimony.
Resolution 26-21 (Starred Item): Updates the map (Exhibit A) of allowable motorized watercraft operations around the Dunedin Causeway for clarity and readability, without changing waterway designations. The Commission noted needed corrections (zip code, legend consistency). Adopted unanimously.
Resolution 26-12 & 26-13 (Tentative Millage & Budget): Establishes a tentative millage rate of 4.1345 mills ($4.13 per $1,000 assessed value) and a tentative combined operating and capital budget of $138,845,566 — an 11% decrease from FY2026. The budget is balanced, maintains service levels, and includes a state appropriation of $750,000 for a high-water rescue vehicle and Bayshore water main design. Staff noted the budget is advertised as a tax increase due to rising property values. The Commission discussed credit card fees for city services, directing staff to research passing on fees for the golf course first. The contingency plan for Amendment #3 will be presented September 17, 2026. Resolutions adopted unanimously.
Resolution 26-17 (Marina User Fees): Increases marina slip user fees by 7% effective October 1, 2026, rather than the originally planned 10%, due to a $3 million state appropriation for hurricane repairs. The increase is needed to keep the marina fund self-sustaining. The Commission confirmed that five slip sizes changed and that FEMA reimbursement risk could require future adjustments. Adopted unanimously.
Proposed Agenda for September 17, 2026: Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

Ordinance 26-08 adopted (5-0) — bans motorized watercraft launches from Dunedin Causeway Beach.
Resolution 26-21 adopted (5-0) — updates the causeway watercraft map.
Resolution 26-12 adopted (5-0) — tentative millage rate of 4.1345 mills for FY2027.
Resolution 26-13 adopted (5-0) — tentative operating and capital budget of $138,845,566 for FY2027.
Resolution 26-17 adopted (5-0) — 7% increase in marina slip user fees, effective October 1, 2026.
Agenda for September 17, 2026 approved unanimously.
Staff directed to research steps for passing on credit card fees at the golf course and report back.
Next steps: Final public hearing on millage and budget on September 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The contingency plan for Amendment #3 will be presented at a workshop at 12:30 PM on the same day.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. Welcome to the September 3rd, 2026 City Commission meeting. I'd like to call the meeting to order. And uh we'll start with our invocation moment of silence and pledge of allegiance with Jen. Can you take us with that? Good evening. Let us begin this meeting by taking a brief moment of silence and reflection as our thoughts go out to the family. Former Mayor Bob Hackworth. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the United States of America. And to Republic. One nation under God. Indivisible. Liberty and justice for all. Okay. I just want to add to that, you know, our our thoughts, continuing thoughts go to Gwen Hackworth, uh, Matty Hackworth, Bob's daughter, uh, and uh Bobby Hackworth, his son, and of course he has three grandchildren too, so they're all uh dealing with the surprising loss. Pretty quick. So um okay, we're gonna go to uh we need to have uh we had uh Vice Mayor Walker and Commissioner DeGard. We're not at the past Tuesday workshop, and I want to ask for motion for excuse absences, all for good reasons that they couldn't make it. So moved second. Okay, all in favor? Aye. Aye. Motion passes unanimously. Okay, and we're gonna go to presentations, and we have an artist recognition, uh, Richard Logan, and I'm gonna turn it to Nicole and Elizabeth. Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Commission, uh Nicole Delfino, Strategy and Sustainability Manager here today, uh, to recognize the uh City Commission Chamber artist uh for this uh semi-annual uh display. Um so I'm actually gonna pass it over to Elizabeth Brinkle, the city's art consultant to introduce the artist, uh, go over a little details about the artwork here. Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Commissioners, staff. Thanks so much for the opportunity to introduce the artist for the current exhibition here in Dunedin City Hall, running through December 2026. Artist Richard Logan has the distinction of being a featured artist in the Takatori Yaki Gallery in Fuku Fukuoka. Japan. Um Duncan McClellan Gallery, the Florida Craft Art Gallery, American Strategic Insurance, and Bright House Networks in St. Petersburg, Florida. Mr. Logan's works have been exhibited in galleries across the U.S. He has completed large-scale commissions for city buildings, including a commission in Dunedin City Hall, Caladisi Room, and numerous projects for local private and nonprofit organizations. His work is collected throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe. Richard's pre-Columbian exhibit will be here in the City Hall until December 2026. And I emphasize that because on September 10th, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., an artist talk with light refreshments will be here in the chamber. We'll talk with Richard about his inspiration, his process, along with learning more about him as a practicing artist. The public is very much invited to attend. And at this time it's my pleasure to welcome artist Richard Logan. Thank you very much. And it's an honor to be here. I mean, this lovely building, the space that you've created for art is just fantastic. Do you want to tell us a little bit more about yourself? Or and then we'll we've got a few questions for you too. So you don't have to say a lot. We we've got some questions for you. Um I I've always loved art.

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