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Record of Proceedings

Community Redevelopment Agency Special Meeting - September 17, 2026

City Commission & Boards — Thursday, September 17, 2026
BodyDunedin, Florida
SessionCity Commission & Boards
DateThursday, September 17, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 34:43

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:00

Good afternoon.

0:00

Welcome to the September 17, 2026 Community Redevelopment Agency Special Meeting.

0:05

Want to call the CRA meeting to order?

0:08

And we're going to start with our City Attorney Jen doing the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:16

I pledge allegiance to the United States of America into the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, individual liberty and justice for all.

0:32

Okay.

0:34

So we'll start with citizen input.

0:37

Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to come forward and speak on an issue that is not on the agenda tonight?

0:45

Okay.

0:46

Seeing no rush to the front.

0:49

I will close uh citizen import and we'll go to uh our business of the day.

0:55

One uh one is uh draft minutes from the July 23rd, 2026 Community Redevelopment Agency meeting.

1:02

Uh are there any changes to the minutes?

1:05

Okay, hearing none, can I have a motion?

1:08

So moved.

1:10

So moved.

1:11

Second.

1:13

Okay, I have a motion and a second.

1:15

Um all in favor.

1:16

Aye.

1:17

Aye.

1:17

And motion passes unanimously.

1:20

Okay.

1:20

CRA resolution 26-03, fiscal year 2027 operating in capital budget.

1:25

Jen, can you please read C area resolution 26-03 by title only?

1:30

Community redevelopment agency CRA resolution 26-03, a resolution of the City Commission of the City of Dunedin.

1:37

Florida as the governing body of the City of Dunedin Community Redevelopment Agency, C R A, adopting the operating and capital budget for the City of Dunedin Community Redevelopment Agency for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026 and ending September 30th, 2027, and providing for an effective date.

1:54

That was Resolution 26, SCR3 read by title only.

1:57

Thank you, Jen.

1:58

Could I have a motion?

2:01

So moved.

2:02

Second.

2:05

Okay.

2:05

I have a motion.

2:06

I have a second.

2:07

I'm going to go to staff presentation by Bob Iron Smith.

2:11

Uh certainly.

2:11

Obviously, this is uh Bob Irons with the Economic Development Director.

2:15

This is for fiscal year 27.

2:17

This is our CRA budget.

2:18

Just uh kind of some of the high points what we are looking to do.

2:21

We're going to street scape Main Street, okay, from uh the trail to Broadway.

2:27

We're going to widen that sidewalk on the north side.

2:29

It will be all new brick pavers, it would be landscaping.

2:32

This is again the continued effort to make sure that we spruce up and make the downtown continue to be the top destination in the area.

2:39

That's one of our major uh initiatives.

2:41

I am sorry, Bob.

2:41

What did you say it was?

2:43

Uh this is the Streetscape project on Maine from the trail to Broadway in front of Cafe O Fresco, going toward the West.

2:49

Yep, got it.

2:50

And uh what's been out there has been out there for a very long time.

2:53

It's kind of uh tired, downtrodden.

2:55

We want to go ahead and refresh that.

2:57

So that's a major initiative for us.

2:59

Uh we're looking to do that uh kind of uh right after Easter or toward the end of April or May.

3:06

We want to make sure we don't impact the merchants.

3:08

We try to do these projects if we can during the slower time for them.

3:12

Um we will go ahead and also it will be very similar to what we did in front of Casadina, where we do take up the parking on the north side that will be used as the staging mobilization area.

3:23

And uh we'll look to go ahead and move forward with that.

3:25

We will always keep one lane of traffic open.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Community Redevelopment Agency█████████████████████████████████████████████55%
Downtown Development██████████████████22%
Public Engagement█████████11%
Budget Equity Analysis███████9%
Public Safety██3%
Summary of Proceedings

Community Redevelopment Agency Special Meeting - September 17, 2026

The Dunedin Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) held a special meeting on September 17, 2026, at 4:30 PM. Key actions included approval of the previous meeting minutes, adoption of the FY 2027 operating and capital budget, receipt of advisory committee and director reports, and discussion of future projects and strategic issues.

Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

  • The meeting was called to order, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by City Attorney Jen.

Citizen Input

  • No members of the public came forward to speak on items not on the agenda.

New Business

1.a Draft Minutes from July 23, 2026

  • Staff recommended approval. No changes were requested. A motion was made, seconded, and the minutes were approved unanimously by voice vote.

1.b CRA Resolution #26-03 FY 2027 Operating and Capital Budget

  • Staff recommended approval. Economic Development Director Bob Irons presented the budget, highlighting major initiatives:
    • Main Street Streetscape: Widening sidewalks on the north side from the trail to Broadway with brick pavers and landscaping, planned for after Easter (April/May 2027). Construction will maintain one lane of traffic and use the north side parking for staging.
    • CRA Master Plan Update: A partnership with Forward Pinellas will fund an economic development study costing the CRA approximately $49,000 (total study cost estimated at up to $250,000). The plan will inform CRA activities beyond its 2033 sunset, including potential city continuation.
    • Additional projects: Bollard removal and landscaping near City Hall, and a sidewalk connection on Douglas Avenue.
    • Debt Service: $9.1 million line item includes $440,000 for existing property debt on Scotland and placeholder borrowing for a potential parking garage. The garage financing would likely extend past 2033, with CRA revenue then flowing to the general fund. City Manager Jennifer Bramley emphasized planning for Amendment 3 impacts.
  • Public Comment: None.
  • Board Discussion:
    • Commissioner Gow questioned the debt service and was informed it is largely a placeholder pending commission decision on the parking garage. Financing would be a general government loan with competitive rates.
    • Commissioner Dugard noted the diminishing ending fund balance (from $1.6 million to $727,000) due to capital projects and asked about the garage's necessity. Bob Irons responded that the CRA pays over $200,000 annually in parking leases, the downtown asset exceeds $300 million, and at-risk leased parking (Ocean Optics, First United Methodist Church, Artisan) is disappearing, justifying the garage.
    • Commissioner Gow raised the possibility of dissolving the CRA, arguing the $1.1-$1.2 million in city property tax increment could go to the general fund. Bob Irons countered that the CRA leverages county funds and generates additional revenue through franchise fees and tourism.
  • Vote: The resolution passed unanimously on a roll call vote (Commissioners Sandberg, Gow, Vice Mayor Walker, Commissioner Dugard, Mayor Frantz all voted aye).

1.c Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Committee Chair Report

  • Kim Gale (Vice Chair) presented the report in place of Chair Alan Hale. She summarized the May 6, 2026 committee meeting, which included:
    • Approval of minutes.
    • Discussion of land development code updates.
    • Director's report covering Grand Oak Park progress, Main Street Exchange development (main street hotel/retail/restaurant), and downtown housing trends (Flats project with 78 units).
    • Pride event updates: $15,000 donated to charities, $38,000 remaining for next year.
    • Citizen input on managing multiple downtown construction projects simultaneously.
  • No questions from the board.

1.d Community Redevelopment Agency Director's Report

  • Bob Irons reported on project milestones:
    • Skinner Boulevard: Completed transformation from a four-lane state road to a two-lane boulevard with bike lanes, landscaping, and irrigation. Total grant funding was approximately $7 million.
    • Grand Oak Park: Expected completion in a few weeks (restrooms in March 2027). The pocket park features a pergola, brick pavers, and seating.
    • Main Street Exchange: Hotel/retail/restaurant project by Bill Mazas; construction crane active on Douglas Avenue. Demolition of Ocean Optics parking lot (48 spaces) expected around June 2027.
    • CRA Master Plan: Kickoff in October 2026.
    • Recognition: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy selected Dunedin as the starting point for a coast-to-coast bike ride; Dunedin to be named Florida's first official Trail Town.
  • Board Discussion:
    • Commissioner Sandberg inquired about using Grand Oak Park as a wedding venue. Bob Irons and City Manager noted it would require programming coordination with Parks and Recreation but could generate revenue.
    • Commissioner Sandberg raised concerns about the layout of merchants at the end of the seasonal market and suggested moving the market. Bob Irons indicated staff is planning a transition of the Saturday market to Loudon Avenue and the city parking lot to alleviate wear on Pioneer Park and spur east end development. One more year at the current location before transition.
    • Commissioner Sandberg reported a one-way alley near Vescalini being used the wrong way due to construction. Bob Irons will work with engineering to add markings.
    • Commissioner Sandberg asked about the Gateway property (purchased for $2.1 million years ago). Developer Joe Kokalakis is waiting to see progress on the Main Street Exchange before moving forward; no immediate timeline.
    • Commissioner Sandberg noted the Honey Lane/Casadina building remains fenced with no recent progress. Owner paused due to interest rates.
    • Commissioner Sandberg inquired about the COP property (former City-Owned Property, site with arsenic soil). DEP clearance expected within two months, potential listing in January 2027; developers have expressed interest.
    • Commissioner Gow reiterated his earlier comment suggesting dissolution of the CRA. Mayor Frantz asked if there was support for staff analysis of the CRA's financial benefits versus dissolution. Vice Mayor Walker supported a financial analysis including the parking garage impact. Mayor Frantz noted the $1.2 million county leverage and expressed desire to continue the CRA but respected the suggestion.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved: July 23, 2026 CRA meeting minutes (unanimous).
  • Approved: CRA Resolution #26-03 FY 2027 Operating and Capital Budget (unanimous roll call).
  • Received: Advisory Committee Chair Report and Director's Report.
  • Directives:
    • Staff to study the alley issue near Vescalini and add directional markings.
    • Staff to explore Grand Oak Park programming for potential wedding venue use.
    • Staff to continue transition plans for the Saturday market to Loudon Avenue/parking lot.
  • Discussion only: Commissioner Gow's suggestion to dissolve the CRA will be considered for further financial analysis; no formal motion made.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon. Welcome to the September 17, 2026 Community Redevelopment Agency Special Meeting. Want to call the CRA meeting to order? And we're going to start with our City Attorney Jen doing the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the United States of America into the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, individual liberty and justice for all. Okay. So we'll start with citizen input. Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to come forward and speak on an issue that is not on the agenda tonight? Okay. Seeing no rush to the front. I will close uh citizen import and we'll go to uh our business of the day. One uh one is uh draft minutes from the July 23rd, 2026 Community Redevelopment Agency meeting. Uh are there any changes to the minutes? Okay, hearing none, can I have a motion? So moved. So moved. Second. Okay, I have a motion and a second. Um all in favor. Aye. Aye. And motion passes unanimously. Okay. CRA resolution 26-03, fiscal year 2027 operating in capital budget. Jen, can you please read C area resolution 26-03 by title only? Community redevelopment agency CRA resolution 26-03, a resolution of the City Commission of the City of Dunedin. Florida as the governing body of the City of Dunedin Community Redevelopment Agency, C R A, adopting the operating and capital budget for the City of Dunedin Community Redevelopment Agency for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026 and ending September 30th, 2027, and providing for an effective date. That was Resolution 26, SCR3 read by title only. Thank you, Jen. Could I have a motion? So moved. Second. Okay. I have a motion. I have a second. I'm going to go to staff presentation by Bob Iron Smith. Uh certainly. Obviously, this is uh Bob Irons with the Economic Development Director. This is for fiscal year 27. This is our CRA budget. Just uh kind of some of the high points what we are looking to do. We're going to street scape Main Street, okay, from uh the trail to Broadway. We're going to widen that sidewalk on the north side. It will be all new brick pavers, it would be landscaping. This is again the continued effort to make sure that we spruce up and make the downtown continue to be the top destination in the area. That's one of our major uh initiatives. I am sorry, Bob. What did you say it was? Uh this is the Streetscape project on Maine from the trail to Broadway in front of Cafe O Fresco, going toward the West. Yep, got it.

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