Dunedin City Commission Regular Meeting: October 22, 2026

The Dunedin City Commission held a regular meeting on October 22, 2026. The meeting covered a broad range of topics including the approval of a major rezoning, the consolidation of citizen advisory committees, the award of a new golf course maintenance contract, and a crucial reconsideration of the city's recycling contract after a vote failed two weeks prior. The overarching theme involved reaffirming environmental commitments and improving government efficiency.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved minutes from the September 1, 2026 workshop and September 3, 2026 regular meeting.
• Board/Committee Appointments: Approved appointments for the Committee on Aging, Firefighters' Pension Trust Fund Board of Trustees, and Library Advisory Committee.
• Bid Awards & Agreements (Items 2C-2G): Approved bids for water treatment plant bleach tank replacement ($164,185), fire boat lift ($98,164.45), lift station repairs ($89,963.51), the Clearwater Ferry Service ILA renewal ($85,000 NTE), and a Hammock Boardwalk change order ($16,528.64). Items 2D and 2F were briefly pulled for questions before passing unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John McDoney (Resident): Praised city staff for promptly fixing a plugged storm drain, highlighting their customer service as a direct reflection of the city's mission statement.
• Gregory O'Lenich (Resident): Described an incident where his wife suffered a broken nose and a deep laceration requiring six stitches after tripping on an uneven sidewalk. He expressed frustration over the city's lack of response to their accident claim. Mayor Franny personally intervened, offering immediate assistance.
• Elizabeth Cascalera & Emily Wallett (Residents): Voiced long-standing complaints (7+ years) about dangerous traffic conditions and noise caused by parents using their narrow residential street (Texas/Carolina Ave) as an unauthorized school drop-off zone. Staff committed to renewing dialogue with the school and sheriff's office.
• Recycling Contract (3G) Testimony:
  • Leslie Viance: Urged the Commission to maintain the recycling program, noting it is a key characteristic of the city and a frequent question from potential homebuyers.
  • Eric (Resident): Described recycling as part of "Dunedin's discipline" and a healthy habit for residents, stating cancellation would make the community feel guilty and adrift.
  • Patrick Clare: Argued that scaling back recycling would directly contradict the newly approved Stormwater & Sustainability Advisory Committee and the DREAM plan.
  • Nan Bennett: Suggested that future contracts use a petroleum-based index for cost escalation rather than CPI, given the industry's reliance on transportation.

Discussion Items

• 3A: Rezoning of 968 Douglas Avenue (Ordinance 26-09): The Commission unanimously approved the second reading to rezone the 1.07-acre property from Downtown Industrial (DI) to Downtown Core (DC) to allow for a 318-space parking structure and 25,000 square feet of retail. Commissioners praised the developer's design and community engagement.
• 3B & 3C: Advisory Committee Consolidations: The Commission voted unanimously to merge the Social Services Committee with the Disability Advisory Committee and the Environmental Quality & Sustainability Committee with the Stormwater Advisory Committee. The consolidations were aimed at improving quorum and efficiency after years of inactivity on the individual committees.
• 3D: Bond Reimbursement Resolution (Resolution 26-23): Unanimously approved to allow the Water/Wastewater Enterprise Fund to seek reimbursement for approximately $8 million in capital projects (e.g., filter feed pumps, well facilities) from future tax-exempt debt. Staff called it a standard financial tool.
• 3E: Marina Boat Ramp Fees (Resolution 26-27): Staff successfully requested a continuance to the November 19, 2026 meeting. The motion passed 4-1, with Commissioner Gow dissenting.
• 3F: Dunedin Golf Club Maintenance Contract: The Commission unanimously awarded the five-year contract to BrightView Golf Maintenance for $868,010.08 annually, which was lower than the current contract. Parks & Recreation Director Blair detailed site visits to nine of BrightView's municipal courses in Florida and stated he was "100 percent convinced" of their ability to meet the city's high standards for the course.
• 3G: Recycling Services Contract (Reconsideration): Following a vote that failed 3-2 on October 8, 2026, staff provided an extensive follow-up presentation covering the RFP scoring process, cost comparisons, and the impacts of eliminating the program. A representative from Pinellas County Solid Waste warned of generational impacts on the landfill. Following robust discussion and public testimony, the motion to award the contract to Waste Pro for $1,170,000 passed unanimously. Commissioners cited strong community support and a clear environmental mandate.
• Commission Discussion & Future Items:
  • SB 1134 (DEI/Cultural Legislation): Commissioner Gow led a discussion on state legislation affecting cultural festivals. The Commission gave consensus direction to work with Scottish heritage groups and state legislators to pursue an exemption, emphasizing that Scottish heritage is intrinsic to Dunedin's identity.
  • Code Enforcement & Marina Update: Mayor Franny requested a future workshop on the $5,000 code enforcement fine cap and a holistic update on the Marina's permitting and construction status.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 26-09 (Rezoning): Approved unanimously on second reading.
• Resolutions 26-20, 26-22, 26-23: Passed unanimously, enacting committee consolidations and the bond reimbursement declaration.
• Marina Boat Ramp Fees: Continued to the November 19, 2026 meeting.
• Golf Course Contract: Awarded to BrightView Golf Maintenance.
• Recycling Contract: Awarded to Waste Pro of Florida, Inc., securing the program for the foreseeable future.
• Workshop Canceled: The November 3, 2026 Commission Workshop was canceled in recognition of Election Day.
• Future Workshops Requested: Staff was directed to provide workshops on Code Enforcement citation policies and a comprehensive Marina update.