Tarpon Springs Board of Commissioners Regular Session Meeting - February 10, 2026

The Board of Commissioners of the City of Tarpon Springs held its Regular Session on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the City Hall Auditorium. The meeting included consent agenda approvals, reconsideration of a water service agreement for the Harbour Watch community, appointments to several city boards and committees, discussion on food truck regulations, adoption of several resolutions, and extensive public comment periods.

Consent Calendar

• Approved 14 items unanimously via a single roll call vote, including satisfaction/release of liens, special event permits (Downtown Book Festival, TSHS Senior Picnic, Garden Club Plant Sale), attorney fees, and multiple procurement awards (advertising, DEP grant, health screenings, OEM parts, pump motors, mixer assemblies, mobile communications, mangrove trimming, lighting repairs, GPS routers, and software maintenance).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Anita Protest (901 Bay Shore Drive) raised concerns about late-night firecrackers/gunshots from the bayou, dangerous electric scooters on sidewalks, and requested greater transparency by posting hearing notices for historical properties.
• David Ballard Gettis Jr. (Palm Harbor) spoke extensively on environmental degradation, development practices, and water resource management.
• Victor McCluskey (New Port Richey) and Ricardo (Tampa) delivered religious testimonies citing scripture and urging repentance.
• Ryan Murphy (1650 Seabreeze Drive) and several Seabreeze residents requested the city place dredging of their channel on a future agenda, alleging a recent city contractor pumped sediment into the waterway. They offered to share a dredging report.
• Dick Maxwell (New Port Richey) spoke on First Amendment rights concerning the freedom of religion and the right to petition the government.
• Jane Harrington (1021 Jamaica Way) highlighted the dangers of quiet electric bikes on sidewalks, particularly for her elderly mother, and asked for enforcement of sidewalk obstruction ordinances. She also requested the board separate religious preaching from official city business.
• Peter Alakis (514 Ashland Avenue) discussed property taxes, arguing the city portion is reasonable, and advocated for the city to maintain Rose Cemetery.
• Jerry Thelfi (Tarpon Springs) commended Parks Department staff member James, raised safety concerns about decorative rocks on medians being thrown, and expressed support for the Harbour Watch community.

Discussion Items

• Reconsideration of Harbour Watch Agreement Expiration (Item 15): Commissioner Panagiotis Koulias brought the item forward to ensure the Harbour Watch community was properly heard regarding their water service agreement expiring. The city attorney acknowledged multiple complex agreements exist and will negotiate with HOA attorney George Pappas. Commissioners apologized for the lack of communication in the initial process and assured the community that service would continue uninterrupted during talks and that any changes would allow for an ample transition period.
• Food Trucks Discussion & Direction (Item 21): Vice Mayor Mike Eisner raised the issue of the daily removal requirement for food trucks, arguing it is a burden on operators. A consensus emerged among commissioners to direct staff to draft an ordinance allowing food trucks to remain on site Thursday through Sunday without moving, provided they are actively operating. Permanent storage would require an approved site plan.
• Marine Commerce Committee Appointments (Item 17): Commissioner Banther led the appointment of six members (Tommy Kaloris, Lewis Miles Sand, Peter Alakis for 3-year terms; Robert Scott Moorhead, Sean William Lucas Locus for 2-year terms; Captain Joyce Hanisek for a 1-year term). Member Peter Alakis suggested the committee's duties be expanded to include conservation and economic development for the working waterfront.

Key Outcomes

• Resolutions Adopted: The board unanimously adopted Resolution 2026-04 (tourist home conditional use), Resolution 2026-06 and 2026-10 (CDBG grant applications for splash park and community center), Resolution 2026-09 (FY 2025-26 budget amendment carrying over $8.2 million in encumbrances and allocating $2.1 million for new projects), and Resolution 2026-12 (one-time utility connection incentive program). Increase File 250189-N-AS for Ovivo parts and services was also approved.
• Appointments Approved: Cindy Terrapani and Anita Protest were appointed to the Heritage Preservation Board. Scott Morris was appointed to the Budget Advisory Committee. Commissioner Banther was appointed to the PSTA Board.
• Item 26 Deferred: Resolution 2026-11, concerning the designation of public works employees as first responders, was deferred without discussion.
• Direction to Staff: Staff was directed to draft an ordinance amendment allowing food truck operators to remain on site continuously from Thursday through Sunday.
• Harbour Watch Negotiations: The board directed the city attorney to meet with Harbour Watch representatives to review decades of overlapping agreements and negotiate a path forward. Water service will not be interrupted during the process.
• Board Comments: Commissioners addressed election season tensions, emphasized respect for diverse faiths represented on the board, and encouraged the public to verify claims read on social media. Vice Mayor Eisner reported receiving a hostile phone call from a commissioner's spouse which he attributed to the election environment, urging respect and civility.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 PM.