City Commission Regular Meeting – September 3, 2026
City Commission Regular Meeting – September 3, 2026
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM at City Hall. Following invocation and pledge, the Commission approved excused absences for Vice Mayor Walker and Commissioner DeGard. Presentations included recognition of artist Richard Logan (exhibit through December 2026), a proclamation for National Constitution Week (September 17–23, 2026) presented by the Caladesi Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and a "Day to Remember" proclamation designating September 11, 2026 as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance in Dunedin, accepted by the American Legion Auxiliary and Dunedin Fire Rescue. Citizen input featured one speaker on bond debt related to Tampa Bay Water Authority.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes for the July 9, 2026 Regular Meeting and July 21, 2026 Budget Workshop.
- Board appointments: Kevin Kuchar to the Dunedin Causeway & Coastal Waterways Committee (partial alternate term ending 6/1/2028); Tim Young moved to a regular term on the Local Planning Agency (ending 12/31/2027); Daniel Massaro appointed to a partial alternate term (ending 12/31/2028).
- Approved Interlocal Agreement with Forward Pinellas for planning and mapping services.
- Approved Indemnification and Hold Harmless Agreement for use of City of Pinellas Park Fire Training Facility.
- Ratified emergency purchase order to Guardian Equipment, Inc. for replacement of two 4,600-gallon sodium hypochlorite tanks at the Wastewater Treatment Plant ($95,985).
- Item 2D (Production Well Drilling Services) was pulled for discussion and later approved unanimously after Q&A: award to FTE Drilling USA, Inc. for $326,672.50, with additional above-ground costs estimated at $300,000–$400,000. Staff clarified the well (#30) is for resilience, not capacity increase, and will allow resting other wells.
Public Comments & Testimony
- David Ballard Geddes Jr. spoke against bond debt for water authority, arguing interest payments divert funds from infrastructure.
- On Ordinance 26-08 (motorized watercraft launch prohibition):
- Mark Clark opposed, stating stormwater runoff is the primary cause of seagrass damage and suggesting a no-wake zone instead.
- Eric Graves (Dunedin Boat Club paddling group) supported, noting improved water clarity since the closure.
- Carol Horner supported based on safety concerns, describing shifting sandbars and inexperienced riders.
- Michelle Bernbaum supported, recounting a friend injured by a jet ski; urged extending restrictions.
- Cleveland Laycock supported the Causeway Committee’s recommendation, praising the public process.
- Matt Norman opposed and proposed a pilot permit-only launch area for Dunedin residents.
- Claudia Nable supported, citing personal negative experiences and safety.
- Megan Colby (Sierra Club) supported, advocating native plantings for shoreline resilience.
- Harry Matthews (Causeway and Marina Committees) supported reluctantly, hoping for future compromise.
- Sean Spencer opposed, threatening a boycott of Dunedin businesses.
- Nancy Smith (Causeway Committee) supported, citing years of enforcement and safety issues.
- John Loubiere opposed, accusing the city of using the hurricane as an excuse.
- Rita Foley supported, noting ecological recovery and safety.
- On the budget and marina fees: Cleveland Laycock praised transparency and thanked staff.
Discussion Items
- Ordinance 26-08 (Second Reading): Staff presented history, environmental benefits (seagrass protection, reduced turbidity), safety (two jet ski deaths, Pinellas County Sheriff data), and enforcement (warning, then $93 citation, possible trespass). Commission clarified that anchoring offshore and accessing the beach remains permitted. County will present traffic pattern changes before implementation. A public education effort on rules was emphasized. Adopted unanimously (5-0).
- Resolution 26-21 (Causeway Map Update): Updated Exhibit A for readability, correcting ordinance references and city address; no substantive waterway designation changes. Commission noted legend and zip code corrections needed. Adopted unanimously (5-0).
- Resolution 26-12 (Tentative Millage Rate): Set at 4.1345 mills ($4.13 per $1,000 assessed value), same rate for 11 years. Advertised as a tax increase due to property value growth. Commission discussed Amendment 3 (property tax cap) and that a contingency plan will be presented on September 17 at 12:30 PM. Adopted unanimously (5-0).
- Resolution 26-13 (Tentative Operating & Capital Budget): Total $138,845,566 across all funds, an 11% decrease from FY 2026. Balanced budget. Staff highlighted revenue changes ($750,000 state appropriation for fire rescue vehicle and water main design, offset by FEMA reductions). General fund reserve at 18.6% (target 15%). Contingency plan to address future shortfalls (currently $5.05 million annually) due by October. Adopted unanimously (5-0).
- Resolution 26-17 (Marina User Fee Increase): 7% increase in slip fees (instead of scheduled 10%) effective October 1, 2026, based on updated forecast. Staff noted a $3 million state appropriation for hurricane repairs; risk if FEMA denies floating dock mitigation costs. Boat ramp daily fees remain flat. Commission discussed enforcement of delinquencies (auction of boats). Adopted unanimously (5-0).
- Proposed Agenda for September 17, 2026 Commission Meeting: Approved.
Key Outcomes
- Unanimous adoption of Ordinance 26-08 (prohibiting motorized watercraft launches from Dunedin Causeway Beach).
- Unanimous adoption of Resolution 26-21 (updated causeway map), with staff to correct legend and zip code.
- Unanimous adoption of tentative millage rate (4.1345 mills) and tentative budget ($138.8 million).
- Unanimous adoption of 7% marina slip fee increase.
- Staff directed to begin research on passing credit card fees to customers for golf course, then other funds.
- City manager noted request for a limited sidewalk sale in September pending further review.
- Next public hearing for final millage and budget: September 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM.
- Tax education forums on Amendment 3 scheduled for September 15 and October 6, 2026.
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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