Tarpon Springs Board of Commissioners Regular Session and CRA Meeting - February 24, 2026

The regular session of the Tarpon Springs Board of Commissioners began at 6:30 PM and adjourned at approximately 10:23 PM, followed by a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting. The meeting included proclamations, public comments, consent items, business items, ordinances, resolutions, and extensive board and staff comments, often marked by personal conflict.

Consent Calendar

• Approved items 2–14 unanimously, including: five special events (Sunset Beach Movie Night, Easter Egg-Stravaganza, TSHS Band Boosters Music Festival, Taste of Tarpon, Bike Your City); attorney fee payment; renewal of City Attorney services; increase in golf cart leasing; awards for corrosion inhibitor, pumps, SCADA equipment, AirVac parts; MOU with U.S. Capitol Police; contracts for auctioneer services, Ford OEM parts, cybersecurity, and landscaping materials.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Susan Rose (504 S Florida Ave): Announced a new "Memory Cafe" at the Tarpon Springs Library for people with dementia and their care partners, meeting first Saturday of the month. Reported growth from 3 guests in January to 12 in February.
• Katie Taylor (657 Haven Pl): Thanked the city for supporting Rose Cemetery cleanup and noted that 12 feet of city property contains graves being addressed.
• Robin Sanger (1630 Lonesome Pine Ln): Praised community events (Stone Soup, Touch-a-Truck, Rose Cemetery cleanup, first responders car show, meal packing) and the volunteer spirit.
• Juliana Day (413 E Oakland St): Thanked the city for trimming bushes at a dangerous corner where her daughter had an accident.
• Marty Peters (1702 Heritage Oaks Ct): Criticized State Rep. Adam Anderson for voting to place a referendum that could reduce property taxes, urging the board to invite Anderson to tour Tarpon Springs and understand impacts on local services.
• Peter Lackis (514 Ashland Ave): Read Psalm 35 and urged unity in the community, expressing concern about ethnic division.

Discussion Items

• Anclote Bayou Bathymetric Survey (Item 16): Staff and Stantec presented results of a 17-mile waterway survey, estimating dredging costs between $11M and $18M for 88,000 cubic yards. Discussion focused on phasing, prioritizing areas, and potential grants. The board directed staff to schedule a workshop for further detail.
• Sludge Hauling Increase (Item 17): Approved a 15% increase in biosolids contract due to cold weather operations.
• Utilities Engineer Contract (Item 18): Ratified selection of McKim & Creed, Tetra Tech, and Black & Veatch for a 5-year, $1.5M annual contract for water/wastewater engineering services.
• Craig Park Seawall Bid Rejection (Item 19): Approved rejection and rebid due to an incorrect quantity in the bid schedule; lowest bidder would have needed an additional ~$200,000.
• Removal of Planning & Zoning Board Member (Item 20): Commissioner Koulias moved to remove Lori Weaver, alleging an illegal short-term rental. Weaver responded that rentals were permitted under the governor's emergency order post-hurricane. No second to the motion; motion died.
• Ordinance 2026-01 – Boat Launch Permit (Item 21): Approved on first reading. Increases fine to $100, institutes daily launch fee via ParkMobile app, continues boat launch attendant program ($21K in part-time wages).
• Ordinance 2026-02 – Parking Large Vehicles/Trailers (Item 22): Approved on first reading. Restricts parking of large vehicles/trailers in residential districts for safety and accessibility.
• Ordinance 2026-03 – Parking at Sunset Beach and Splash Park (Item 23): Proposed $5 daily non-resident fee, $50 annual pass, free for residents. After discussion and a motion to table, the board voted 4-1 to table until the second meeting in April.
• Resolution 2026-13 – Non-Ad Valorem Revenue Note (Item 24): Approved 3-2 (Commissioners Koulias and Eisner dissenting). Authorizes up to $19.5M in notes to finance Fire Station 70, Craig Park Seawall, stormwater projects, golf course clubhouse, and utility projects. The freed-up $6M from penny funds will be used for dredging and other CIP projects.
• Resolution 2026-14 – Heritage Museum Roof Grant (Item 25): Approved. Supports application to Pinellas County CDBG for $41,296.25, with $7,500 city match.
• Resolution 2026-15 – Urban Forestry Grant (Item 26): Approved. Supports application to FDACS for $75,000 for citywide tree pruning, with $10,000 city match.
• Resolution 2026-11 – First Responder Designation (Item 27): Approved. Designates Public Works, Water, and Wastewater employees as first responders per federal mandate.
• CRA Item 1 – Downtown Shuttle Pilot (tabled): Staff recommended purchasing two GEM electric shuttles ($99,253). Vice Mayor Eisner raised concerns about ADA capacity and cost per mile compared to other vendor proposals. The board voted to table the item, directing staff to work with the city attorney and procurement on a formal process.
• CRA Item 2 – Purchase of Housing Finance Authority Lots (Item 2): Received direction to proceed with purchasing ~20 lots at ~$15,100 each (total over $300,000) using CRA funds for Safford Avenue mixed-use and general fund for single-family affordable housing.
• CRA Item 3 – Jitney Museum Bid Rejection (Item 3): Approved rejection of single bid that exceeded budget ($275,515 budget vs. $350,000 bid).

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Anclote Bayou survey: workshop to be scheduled for further prioritization and cost analysis.
• Sludge hauling increase (15%) approved unanimously.
• Utilities engineer contract ratified unanimously.
• Craig Park Seawall bid rejected unanimously; to be rebid.
• Motion to remove Planning & Zoning Board member failed for lack of a second.
• Ordinance 2026-01 (boat launch permit) approved on first reading unanimously.
• Ordinance 2026-02 (large vehicle parking) approved on first reading unanimously.
• Ordinance 2026-03 (Sunset Beach parking) tabled (4-1) until April meeting.
• Resolution 2026-13 (bond issuance) approved 3-2.
• Resolutions 2026-14, 2026-15, and 2026-11 all approved unanimously.
• CRA: Shuttle pilot tabled; lots purchase direction given; jitney museum bid rejected.