City Council - Regular Meeting

August 20, 26 meeting of the Clearwater City Council. If you wish to address the council tonight, please complete a comment card. Comment cards are located by the clerk seated to the right of the dais. When called to speak, please hand your card to the clerk. We'll now move to Item 2 on the agenda and for our invocation, I'd ask that everyone please stand for our invocation to be given by Pastor Willie Rice. Calvary Church, the oldest church, as I recall, in Pinellas County, and we want to congratulate Dr. Rice, too. He was recently elected the 66th president of the Southern Baptist Convention

and indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Before we go further in tonight's agenda, please let me introduce our dais. Between my far left is our Deputy City Clerk, Nicole Sprague. Good evening. To her right is our City Clerk, Rosemarie Cole. To her right is our City Attorney, Owen Coley. To his right is City Council Member Lena Teixeira.

To my right is Council Member Mike Menino. To his right, Council Member David Albritton. To his right, City Manager Jennifer Poirier. To her right, Assistant City Manager Dan Slaughter. Hello. And to his right, Assistant City Manager Al Battle. Good evening. With that, we'll move to Item 4.1 on the agenda. Okay.

Before you come up, I just want to say how proud we are to have all of you here. in Clearwater, representing us in this list of the fastest growing businesses in Tampa Bay, but as Stephanie pointed out, representing us throughout the country and throughout the world. And we're proud of all of you, what you've already accomplished and what you will continue to accomplish in making Clearwater your home. So thank you for doing that and thank you for all you've done. I know some of you started these businesses from scratch, and it's been a labor of love in the beginning, and it's grown maybe far b

We're going to figure out how to get a picture. One, two, three, smile. One, two, three, smile. Thank you. Okay, we'll now move to item 5.1 on the agenda.

Okay, is there a motion to approve the minutes? So moved. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Unanimous. Now move to item 6.1.

Maybe we have a rating, I guess, before we.

Chair Greg Musil. Is there anyone here from the public tonight that desires to speak to Agenda Item 6.1? Hearing seeing none, is there any council discussion? If not, is there a motion?

Chair Greg Musil. Move to approve Agenda Item 6.1. Second.

All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Unanimous. Agenda Item 6.2.

Seeing no one here from the public tonight that desires to speak to agenda item 6.2.

Chair Greg Musil Thank you. Does everyone else from the public desire to speak to this agenda item? If not, is there a council discussion? Council Member Walbring.

This is a proven annexation, and usually when people annex into the city, they annex for getting sewer or, you know, water and advantages of being in the city of Clearwater. Now, why does this have to do with an eightplex? That's what I want to know.

So we have some people that are neighbors that don't want to see an 8-plex. Will they have an opportunity to voice their opinions when zones, when plans come into the planning department?

Is this property adjacent to the city limits now? I mean, are they right on the line?

Quick question. If they did not annex into the city and stayed under county land use, what restrictions would they have? Would they still be able to move forward with their desired project without city sewer, EMS, police, and sanitary services?

Okay. Any further discussion? All right. Is there a motion?

All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Aye. It would be four votes for and Councilmember Albritton against. Okay. Thank you. Gen item 6.3.

Is there anyone here from the public tonight who desires to speak to Agenda Item 6.3? Hearing seeing none, is there any Council discussion? If not, is there a motion? Trustee Laura Smith.

Motion to approve Agenda Item 6.3. Chair Greg Musil. Second.

All those in favor? Aye. Chair Greg Musil. Opposed? Unanimous. Agenda Item 6.4.

Does anyone here from the public tonight desire to speak to agenda item 6.4? Hearing none, is there any council discussion? If not, is there a motion?

Chair Greg Musil. Move to approve agenda item 6.4. Second. Chair Greg Musil.

All those in favor? Aye. Chair Greg Musil. Opposed? Unanimous. Thank you. Move to agenda item 6.5.

Chair Greg Musil. Is there anyone here tonight that desires to speak from the public, desires to speak to agenda item 6.5? Hearing none, is there any council discussion? If not, is there a motion?

Yeah. And, Mayor, I appreciate our partnership with Ford Pinellas. I move to approve Agenda Item 6.5. Second.

All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Unanimous. Agenda Item 6.6.

Chair Greg Musil. Anyone here from the public tonight desire to speak to Agenda Item 6.6? Please approach, yeah.

Thank you, sir. Any other speakers? If not, is there a council discussion? Council Member Menino.

Thank you, Mayor. Thank you all for coming in and voicing your thoughts on this. It's always nice to have good positive feedback, especially relating to all the work the city and staff has done to protect that in a beautiful waterway. And your shirt says it's a special place. There is no doubt. Stevenson's Creek is a special place. Just a couple I thank the city manager. I think since our first day in office. I've been having these discussions with you on the importance of this to me So I thank you. Mr. McDonald. I want to thank you for your constant engagement and communications with the Stev

Again, I want to mirror that and say thank you for coming in. i uh i've been a boater all my life and i know that probably that area most boats can't even get under the bridge i think it's just skiffs and wave runners probably that probably get in there but i'm all for this i think it's a protected area it's a beautiful area i used to play there when i was a kid so um yeah i'd be for um going forward with this customer

You know, it's in human nature to express when someone is not happy, right? It's just much easier. So to have all of you come here to encourage us and support us and tell us that we're doing the right thing, I just want to let you know it's much appreciated. It's a breath of fresh air, actually, to hear all positive with nothing conflicting. So thank you so much for taking the time to convey a positive message.

Okay. Nobody? Nobody wants to tell, say they don't like manatees. This is an easy one. This is your opportunity. I think everyone loves manatees. So if no further discussion, is there a motion?

All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Unanimous. Thank you for coming tonight, Kim. Move to agenda item 6.7.

Anyone here from the public that I desire to speak to this agenda item? Hearing none, is there any council discussion? If not, is there a motion?

Second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Unanimous. Agenda item 6.9.

So I want to hear from the public the desire to speak to this agenda. Seeing none, is there any council discussion? Council Member Menino.

Mayor, thank you. Just briefly, on a bigger note, the amount of work that staff puts into these grants lately has changed the last couple years, and it's greatly appreciated for what it does for the taxpayers, alleviating that burden, as well as lot of our local community partners this project alone you said 2.4 million and you're committed to searching for more we're doing that across all of our departments to alleviate that burden on our taxpayers and it's appreciated so thank you staff any further discussion that's their emotion

No net is a good word. I move to approve agenda item 6.9. Second.

Okay. Does anyone here from the public desire to speak to this agenda item? Hearing none, is there any council discussion or questions? If not, is there a motion?

Move to approve agenda item 6.10. Second.

All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Unanimous. Thank you. Thank you. June item 6.11.

Chair Greg Musil Okay. We have one here from the public and I desire to speak to this agenda. If not, is there any council discussion? Well, we appreciate $30,000. It's $30,000. But I'd also like to say, I mean, it's an important point that we have vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle crashes in Pinellas County are way too high. Some of it or a lot of it is on the pedestrian and the bicycle rider. It's not only the vehicles. It's the folks who are crossing where they shouldn't cross and driving bicycles or riding bicycles aggressively or inappropriately or crossing in dark clothing in places that they

All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Agenda item 6.12.

Chair Greg Musil. Anyone here from the public tonight that desires to speak to item 6.12? Hearing, seeing none, any council discussion? If not, is there a motion?

Opposed in favor? Aye. Opposed? Unanimous. Agenda item 6.13.

Anyone here from the public tonight who desires to speak to agenda item 6.13? We're seeing none. Any council discussion? Vice Mayor?

Mayor, just real quick, wanted to say that is a great board. I have had the privilege once. You've only given me one privilege to sit in for you, and staff does an amazing job, and I appreciate your service and leadership on that board, Mr. Kelly.

Well, you're not the lowest, but the most. But, I mean, we appreciate $100,000. Thank you for your work.

Move to approve agenda item 6.13. Second.

All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Unanimous. Agenda item 6.14.

Motion to approve agenda item 6.14. Second.

Opposed? Unanimous. Thank you. Agenda item 6.15.

looked at all the facilities and never knew where the water was because you guys are hidden. And probably for good reason. But I mean, it looked like something out of NASA. I mean, it's an amazing plant you guys do over there. And I wouldn't have the slightest idea of what you do with water, but I just know the end result is it comes out where everybody can drink it and it's safe. So I want to thank you for that. Well, we appreciate that. Thank you.

Any other discussion? Okay. Okay. Is there a motion then?

All those in favor? Aye. Chair Greg Musil. Opposed? Unanimous. Thank you, sir. Agenda Item 6.16.

All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Unanimous. Thank you. Thank you. Agenda item 6.17.

Okay. Anyone want to hear from the public desire to speak to this agenda item? We're seeing none. Is there any council discussions? If not, is there a motion?

Move to approve agenda item 6.17. Second.

Opposed? Unanimous. Thank you, sir. Agenda item 6.18.

Chair Greg Musil. I want to hear from the public tonight. I desire to speak to the agenda item 6.18. Seeing none, is there any council discussion? There's none. Is there a motion?

Move to approve agenda item 6.18. Second.

Opposed? Unanimous. Thank you. Agenda item 6.19.

Chair Jerry Cook You want to hear from the public, then I desire to speak to agenda item 6.19. Hearing to see none, any council discussion? Other than water is dominating the agenda tonight. But important, as Councilmember Albritton pointed out, and we're fortunate to have a great large department and great water here in Clearwater. Chair Greg Musil.

All those in favor? Aye. Chair Greg Musil. Opposed? Unanimous. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Chair Greg Musil. Agenda 6.20.

Okay. Does anyone want to hear from the public tonight that desires to speak to agenda item 6.20? Seeing none, is there any counsel? Council Member Albrighton.

OK, so we've got $19 million here, right? That's correct. You're the winner today, I think. Tell me exactly what we're doing with $19 million. Absolutely.

Okay. Any other questions? If not, is there a motion?

Second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Unanimous. Thank you. Agenda item 6.21.

Chair Greg Musil You won't hear from the public tonight the desire to speak to agenda item 6.21. Hearing seeing none, is there any council discussion? If not, is there a motion?

Chair Greg Musil Move to approve agenda item 6.21. Chair Greg Musil Second.

Chair Greg Musil All those in favor? Chair Greg Musil Aye. Chair Greg Musil Opposed? Unanimous. Chair Greg Musil Thank you. Chair Greg Musil Agenda item 6.22.

Okay. Does anyone here from the public desire to speak to this agenda? Seeing none discussion, vice mayor first.

Move to approve agenda item 6.22. Second.

All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Unanimous. Thank you. Agenda item 6.23.

Is there anyone here from the public that I desire to speak for this agenda item? Seeing none, is there any council discussion? No discussion. Is there a motion?

Opposed? Unanimous. Thank you and welcome.

Well, we have a lot of confidence in you, and that's the reason we're entering into this. So congratulations and welcome to our team. Officially. You've been part of our team, but now officially as a city attorney. Okay, with that, we'll move to Item 7 on the agenda. Are there any citizens here tonight who want to be heard?

Perfect timing. Yeah. Thank you for your service to our country. Okay. With that, is there anyone else to speak tonight? Okay. With that, we will move to item eight on the agenda, city manager reports.

Move to item nine. So the attorney reports. Nothing to answer. Item 10.1. Council Member Menino, I think that's.

That is me. Thank you, Mayor. If you don't mind, it was kind of requested that I just briefly take a minute or two, just give a little quick kind of one-on-one overview. density pool density reserve pool where it came from how it started I would like to then move into kind of framing the opportunity and what I feel is a responsibility in front of us as a council as we we move forward with development on Clearwater Beach as specific to our hotel density reserve pool and Beach by design so bear with me and I'll be as quick quick and efficient as possible. Clearwater Beach Hotel Density Reserve P

Yeah, this is my question, and I agree with you 100%. I always thought that East Shore completion of the boardwalk and the connection to the park that Clearwater did a beautiful job on years ago would be a great way to finish off the density pool. My question is to our city attorney. Do we need, I mean, what would council need to

Chair Greg Musil. I think that's a little bit where I'm lost to is what's our goal here because I think there are only 19 units unallocated currently. So we're really trying to have an impact. We're trying to anticipate that some might come back in. And having lived out there a long time, I kind of know where they've been allocated and what lots. But I think it would be good for us all to take a look at where are the units allocated, but yet construction hasn't begun on those, just to know kind of what you're looking at. To your point. I don't know how many are still along East Shore. But I kn

I always appreciate being strategic, right? The only concern I have is logistically, how we're going to do that. There's a lot of moving parts, including the process and the legality behind that, so I do want to see how we can navigate through that. But I also would like to know, sort of like an update, how many are lingering and maybe have an opinion expressed about how many of those you think is going to come to fruition, just so that we know what we're dealing with. Are we dealing with 50? Are we dealing with 200? It's certainly going to help us navigate what kind of strategy to go forward

Well, my understanding is you aren't going to get much of a project like a hotel unless it's right around 120 units. hotels not going to build less than that they're going to they usually start at 120 and go up that's the only reason i'd like to strategically and i know we don't have a 100 but if you watch it i mean they go back and forth so i think if we could just put a net up somehow and catch you know what i'm saying at least 120 units we could say okay well this is where we'd like to have them finish off in that particular spot. That's just my opinion.

I would say this, too, that we've had citizens come in and express concerns about the pool and all that. And I've had citizens, beach residents, talk to me about it. And I share with them that You know, you have to be careful that you're not asking for a consequence that you didn't intend because if your concern is hotels and unit development, what you could be is you could be incentivizing these folks to act more quickly to make sure they don't go back into the pool and to start construction faster and to increase the problem that really is your daily problem is density and the traffic conges

Yeah, I appreciate the discussion. That's why it came up. I think it's important. I have talked to both developers of the projects on South Beach and the base of Sankey Bridge. There is a large number allocated there. There's no doubt from the developer at some point they will be using those and they will develop. Tell me if I'm wrong, please. As far as the other one, Mayor, I do believe from the direction I'm giving, we may see 100 units put back in. That puts us at that 100 range. Please, again, Tell me if I'm talking wrong, but this is the communications I've had leading up to today's discu

Well, I wouldn't disagree with it. We were doing the study with Fort Pinellas on the traffic flow on South Beach, and I've said many times that from my personal experience out there, that's the bottleneck. And so you just mentioned two, which I know there are units, significant number allocated to those two places. I mean, we'd be adding significant units onto a portion of the beach when we already have a significant traffic problem. So, you know, if we could, one of those two projects, the one you're talking about, I know the location, I mean, if we could move that to the northern part, I mea

I would agree with that. Is there something, any legal question that you see? If we were just taking a posture or a tone without trying to change a plan. We have that flexibility.

I guess my kind of question is, you know, one of the questions I would have is whether or not We can control them transferring to somebody else. They don't have to put them back in, do they? I mean, we can't restrict. If they have the right to transfer, they have the right to transfer, right?

And that's why the one we just approved tonight, that they had to apply for those units that got returned. They just knew they were there, so they got on quickly. Yes.

It's not too hard for me. I like to see a map.

And that would be helpful to me to know what parcels are left on yeast and the size of them and what they're, you know, could be used.

Chair Greg Musil No, that's it. Thank you. I think it's important because we could sit in this very place in two weeks and somebody's presenting, they want five, they want six, they want two, and I think us taking that tone and posture that we're recognizing the opportunity, the responsibility, let's get as much bang for the buck as we can in closing this chapter out and let's try to fill some of that vision gap that's missing. Thank you.

Chair Greg Musil Okay. Nothing further on that. We move to agenda item 10.2. which is discussing the canceling the work session scheduled for Monday, September 14th, 2026. I will be out that day and Council Member Teixeira will be out that day as well. And so The discussion is we could cancel it or we could move the work session. It's whatever the pleasure is of the council.

Okay, thank you. This is an important discussion. I think we all value all of us being a part of every business decision we make. I think there's balance here. It's recognizing the importance of us being present for these discussions, the opportunities for the public to be present, to see and hear. and be engaged. There's also a side where we set calendars and commitments for council schedules back in January we commit to. Staff works hard to build schedules and agendas around that commitment. They then communicate and work with our businesses, our investors, our developers, lawyers, engineers

One meeting. One meeting on the 17th. Yeah.

You know, I pointed out that the county, I think the county has its work session the same day as they have their commission meetings. So if we're all available, we could have early in the day, we could have a work session prior and approve a consent agenda the same day as we have the council meetings. That would save everyone, including staff, some time at night. But we'd just be moving it from Monday to Thursday.

I'm not, you know. entirely clear on how the county does it, but I guess, you know, arguably you could just call the agenda item and not have a presentation by staff. Automatically, I mean, they would be there to, if we had questions about an agenda item, but I mean... I'm just trying to think of a way we could potentially still have a work session to prepare like we normally do. But if it's inconvenient or it's not going to work, then that's fine too.

What is the consensus? What are we going to say? What is the consensus? Before I go down that rabbit hole.

I think we're just not going to have any work session.

We're not going to have any work session. We're just going to vote. Like we did today. Yes, but tonight, as very obviously, there was no subject of great involvement. We had, what, maybe seven speakers? And there's others where we have thousands of people outside. So are you saying that that meeting, that council meeting, That agenda will reflect like this one where there are no agenda items of great significance in terms of public interest and discussion?

I think I, if you don't mind, can I? Yeah. I'd like to say, I've been trying to sort of watch where it's going so that hopefully it would resolve itself, but I don't think it's going to happen. So I want to clarify something. First of all, I did not ask for any meeting to be canceled because of my calendar or my schedule. And so what I have asked with respect to both the CRA meeting and the September 14th council session was that significant items, the ones that would benefit from fuller discussions, had a high interest, public participation, be moved to a date when I could participate. It's a

Well, the way I see it, I don't think we're leaving you out. I mean, all we're doing is saying we don't need to have the work session. Public is not invited to speak at work sessions. We could take care of it on the 17th.

There was nothing on the agenda that was heavy?

The Vice Mayor has something to share, so Vice Mayor.

Can I respond? Obviously, work sessions are important. Or else we would just be coming over here and vote. There is an objective to having a work session. That's deliberating, participating. having a discussion, and then having that opportunity to go to a meeting. Again, I ask, why is this circumstance so different? I see all kinds of changes, omissions, postponements, continuances, going six weeks without one, doing two in a day. First time I ask for something. Because I cannot avoid something that has to do with my family. And I have asked verbally, I've put it in writing, and now I'm on the

I would not be for three of you having a work session. anyone of the five of us can pull everything from the agenda. And I would do that just if there's only going to be three of us here at work session. I think we need to have everything on the agenda on the Thursday night. So essentially, that's asking the staff to present twice. And so I don't know what the efficiency is of having it if it's only going to be three of us. But I don't know. I'm wondering, back to my original idea of having it during the day on Thursday, I don't know when you might be able to return before then. Could we do it

I might maybe try to do the night before, but it's just emotionally frustrating. I'm not asking for a vacation. I'm not asking to go to a conference. I am asking for some, for my once in four and a half years time to take care of my mom. And apparently it's so important, this one specific case, that I cannot be given what has been given to everybody else.

I have a conflict. Okay. I leave that morning, Friday. Sorry. I mean, I can... But as I know, that doesn't work for my schedule. Mayor, may I? Yeah, sure. Or you can go ahead. No. Just a couple things. Councilwoman, I feel for your situation and recognize that it's not easy. And I don't envy the position that you're in. And I recognize the emotions attached to it and greatly respect it. With that being said, I don't want to come across as callous to kind of go backwards over what your ask was. And I'm sorry that you found discomfort in your original new business item when you said it. I didn't

May I respond there? Yes. Actually, what just happened right now, this actually makes my point. Setting precedent, it has been set. It has been done. It has been accommodated. Requests have been accommodated, period. So why again is this one so difficult? Precedent exists already. And look at that. Hey, can we do it Thursday, Friday? And then what did you say? Nope, sorry. And there was it. That was the end of the thing. Right. And I'm saying I can't be there. So why can't we just push it? What is going to happen in that month? How is that going to change the results of whatever it is?

The results do not change, whatever that is.

I'm scheduled here, too, right? I scheduled it in July for this. I've been asking about it since July.

I mean, I received some feedback and I did not feel comfortable with how it was perceived, which solidified how I felt. I am not asking for what has not been given to others. And the fact that there's so much pushback, I think, makes me uncomfortable. How is that to be perceived? I would understand if the outcomes would be altered, but it won't. It will not be altered. By pushing it a month, whatever is scheduled, by pushing it a month, it will not be altered. It's happened before through human error, omissions, changing, whatever. The schedule is a fluid thing. We see it right even today. Tod

Well, I guess I understand all you're saying. I understand the history and how we've handled things and agenda items. What we have before us is discussion of the work session, whether or not to have the work session. So we're not really discussing what's going to be on the agenda on the 17th. Right now, we're just discussing whether or not to have a work session, either cancel it or reschedule it. So I think that's our discussion now. What's on that agenda for that meeting? That's really a separate conversation, I think.

do you would would you all like council to keep it on that date i guess would be the next question thank you um a couple things um i want us to make sure that we recognize the fact and no i'm not no disrespect at all. We need to recognize the fact that when we say outcomes are not altered by pushing business back a month, um, tell our Phillies that, I mean that, that pushed them back a month and we're not baseball ready for spring training. That's a, that's a massive problem. Tell staff that made plans to go visit their children. They took to college and now, All of a sudden, the schedule's ch

Is there something else to share, Vice Mayor?

I would love to see this kind of concern for other applicants. I'm sorry. We've had how many continuances and how many delays? Through no malicious intent, just normal day to day things that happen. I've never seen this, it's going to take a month to delay, what's it going to cost? The inconsistency is blatant. It's blatant.

Anybody else have anything to add? I hear what you're saying. Also, you will be here on the 17th.

So my concern was that there would be discussion without really on an important issue like the one that we're talking about. that um that either any one of us would not be here for any discussion that the council would have to hold during a work session but um but if we're going to cancel the work session and everybody's going to be present for consideration on the 17th and again if there's some way that doesn't sound like it's practical if there's some way to have a work session before and earlier in the day um i think that that would be a compromise if we could do that sounds like that's dif

Okay. So I've listened to all this go back and forth. You know, we have a job to do up here. And nobody's leaving anybody out having one meeting. It'll be a long meeting. I think it's the best solution because I want everybody here during discussions, and that's the best time to do it. Everybody's here, and we can talk until our heart's content. We're going to have a lot of public people speaking either side of it, and I'm just going to plan on being here for a while. But I think that's the best solution. It doesn't leave anybody out, and I think that's what we should do. One meeting, Thursday

So is this one we need to give direction on, or is this one we need to vote on canceling the work session?

Well, I think we're unanimous on canceling the work session.

If we're all going to be here, I think we consider the business that's before the council. It's been the applications that are already questionable. My concern is that we would not all be here for the discussion, but if we're all going to be here, then we consider whatever is appropriate for that agenda. Thank you. Okay. With that, we move to Item 11, Opposing Council Comments by Councilmembers. Councilmember Albert?

Yeah, I just have one correction, Mayor. I heard at the beginning of the council meeting when you were introducing Willie Rice, you said that he was a member of the longest acting church in Clearwater. Willie said that to me a couple of months ago at a mayor's prayer breakfast. I texted him. I said, Willie, First United Methodist Church, my church, has new beat by eight years.

Oh, wow. Okay? Okay. Thanks for that clarification. Somewhere I'd read Pinellas County. Okay, thank you for that. Councilman Menino? No, sir, thank you. Okay, Vice Mayor?

CHAIRMAN BRYANT TILLERSON. Okay. Council Member Teixeira. CHAIRMAN BRYANT TILLERSON. Move to Item 12, Closing Comments by Mayor. I just want to say I've been asked three or four people if I'm going to the Asian market this weekend. It's something that was interesting to me. I hadn't thought about having engagement. I know there's a very popular one in the county that takes place, I think, weekly during the summers. But a big event here in Coachman Park, and I hope everyone comes out for that this weekend. And with that, if there's nothing further to come before the council, we will adjourn the