Tarpon Springs Board of Commissioners Regular Session - December 9, 2025

The Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 6:30 PM in City Hall Auditorium. The meeting included a special presentation on homelessness, public comments, consent agenda approvals, and several quasi-judicial hearings. Notable outcomes included approval of a conditional use for a restaurant/tavern at 325 E Lemon Street, denial of a medical office building at 1098 S Pinellas Avenue, approval of a rezoning at 475 N Highland Avenue, and re-establishment of the Marine Commerce Committee with member selection deferred to the next meeting.

Special Presentation

• 2025 Annual Point-in-Time Count & HUD CoC Funding Shifts: Presenters Cheri Holzbacher (CEO, Homeless Leadership Alliance of Pinellas) and Kathleen Beckman (Chair, Pinellas Continuum of Care Board) reported that the 2025 Point-in-Time Count found 1,863 homeless individuals countywide (1,325 sheltered, 538 unsheltered). Tarpon Springs saw a slight uptick in unsheltered homelessness. Over 3,600 students were identified as homeless during the school year. Key causes: financial/job loss (40%), medical issues, family issues, eviction/foreclosure. Presenters noted federal HUD shifts toward shorter-term crisis response and urged the city to appoint a representative to the CoC board. Commissioners asked about education, substance abuse, and senior homelessness.

Consent Calendar

• Items Approved En Bloc (Items 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12): Routine approvals including attorney fees (Johnson Jackson PLLC), special events (Epiphany Litany, First Friday, Saturday Market, Sponge Docks Craft Festival, Fenders for 1st Responders), election contract, restroom maintenance, electrical services, tire services, automotive parts, DOT/IPTM agreement, and NPDES interlocal agreement. Motion passed unanimously.
• Item 5 – FDEM Subrecipient Agreement (Sponge Docks Flooding Risk Reduction): Vice Mayor Eisner raised concerns about vault system size and construction timing impacts on businesses. Staff clarified the agreement funds design only; final design will consider multiple options. Approved 5-0.
• Item 6 – FDEP Standard Grant Agreement (Wastewater Treatment Electrical Resiliency): Public Services Director Thomas Kiger explained the project replaces 1985 electrical systems and a 1974 generator to prevent storm surge intrusion. Approved 5-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sue Swentsky urged commissioners to attend committee meetings, highlighted disparities in beautification between Tarpon Avenue and Pinellas Avenue, requested more police patrols on Pinellas Avenue, and emphasized sustainability pillars.
• Peter Lacus read Psalm 55, commenting on financial struggles and global conflicts.
• Steve Schwartz complained about the city clerk's department mishandling utility payments, leading to a $60 fee; he said the city manager did not return his calls.
• Candace Wagner (Shepherd Center) described her work as a case manager, noted the challenge of housing seniors on fixed incomes, and stressed the need for shelter solutions.
• John Saxer requested return or placement of stone anchors for a proposed circle at the old Sun Bay Motel site.
• Lori Weaver spoke in opposition to the medical office building (Item 15), criticizing the SMART code requirements that place parking in the back and building close to the street.
• Carol Mickett opposed the medical office, citing wetlands, flooding, and underutilized nearby properties.
• Peter Delakis opposed the medical office, arguing the site is hydrologically sensitive and mitigation credits may be invalid.

Discussion Items

• Item 14 – Resolution 2025-62 (Conditional Use for Restaurant/Tavern at 325 E Lemon Street): The applicant, Benjamin Spiegel, proposed a 124-seat restaurant/tavern (Rusty Key Tavern) in the former Silver King Brewery space. Staff recommended approval with conditions including a 4-foot sidewalk on the west side. The applicant requested waiving the sidewalk if the Lemon Street entrance remains primary. After discussion, the board upheld the condition for walkability and ADA access. The motion to approve with staff and P&Z conditions passed 5-0.
• Item 15 – Resolution 2025-65 (Medical Office Building at 1098 S Pinellas Avenue): The applicant proposed a 13,057 sq ft medical/general office building on 1.83 acres (2/3 wetlands). The project had prior approvals but expired. Issues included wetland fill (mitigated off-site in 2014), single ingress/egress via Apricot Court (Pinellas County denied a Mirs Boulevard entrance), dry flood proofing, and a setback under the SMART code that placed the building close to the corner. Several commissioners expressed concerns about flooding, traffic safety, and consistency with the new comprehensive plan. The motion to deny on flooding concerns passed 5-0.
• Item 16 – Ordinance 2025-18 (Rezoning at 475 N Highland Avenue): Rezoning 7.72 acres from A and RPD to A (Agricultural) to allow two single-family homes. The property includes wetlands that will be preserved. Staff and P&Z unanimously recommended approval. Approved 5-0.
• Item 17 – Resolution 2025-66 (Calling Municipal Election): Called for March 10, 2026, to elect commissioners for seats 1 and 2. Approved 5-0.
• Item 18 – Resolution 2025-68 (Re-establish Marine Commerce Committee): The resolution re-established the committee with 7 regular and 3 alternate members. Mayor proposed immediate appointment of members, but Vice Mayor argued for vetting applications first. A motion to appoint that evening failed; an amended motion to re-establish the committee and select members at the next meeting passed 5-0.
• Item 19 – Ordinance 2025-19 (Human Resources Background Checks): Second reading of an ordinance requiring background investigations for all city employees, as required by FDLE. Approved 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• Item 14: Approved with conditions (4-foot sidewalk, Lemon Street door operational, seating cap at 124, local business tax receipt).
• Item 15: Denied due to flooding concerns, traffic safety, and wetland impacts.
• Item 16: Approved (rezoning to Agricultural).
• Item 17: Approved (municipal election resolution).
• Item 18: Approved (Marine Commerce Committee re-established; member appointments to be made at the December 16, 2025 meeting).
• Item 19: Approved (background check ordinance).

Board & Staff Comments

• Commissioners praised city staff for holiday decorations on Tarpon Avenue and the Sponge Docks, and the success of the Christmas parade. Chief Young invited residents to Snowplace. City Clerk noted the parade turnout was the largest ever. Commissioner Banther suggested revisiting Zoom usage policy at a future meeting. The meeting adjourned at 10:01 PM.