John Gray

The City Council meeting included presentations such as the Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Classic Weekend Proclamation and the City Manager's State of the City Address, where vision statement priorities were reviewed. Key actions involved unanimously adopting ordinances related to annexing property at 1310 Parkwood Street, redefining city boundaries, designating the future land use as Residential Low (RL), and zoning the property as Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR). The Council also adopted an ordinance changing the name of Chautauqua Park North to Enterprise Dog Park and modifying park hours. The Consent Agenda approvals covered authorizing settlement for a workers' compensation claim, ratifying a change order for the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Filling Station Project, awarding the contract for the 2011 Sidewalk Project, and authorizing a supplemental work order for storm water pond design on Otten Street. Additionally, the Council adopted resolutions supporting the Tampa Bay Partnership Regional Business Plan Initiative, designating an underwriting team for future negotiated bond sales for a three-year period, authorizing the negotiated sale of up to $22,000,000 in Stormwater Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2011, and authorizing the City to take over maintenance of signage for Dunedin Pass and Mandalay Channel Aids To Navigation from the Coast Guard.

Key discussions during the meeting included presentations of service awards and proclamations for U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Day and Safe Boating Week, along with recognition awards for business and neighborhood beautification efforts. Administrative public hearings addressed the continuation of a request to vacate alleys and street rights-of-way for the First Baptist Church of Clearwater expansion and the approval of annexations for properties on Arbelia Street and S. Missouri Avenue, including initial land use plan designations and zoning changes. The Council also approved amendments to 'Beach by Design' guidelines to reduce building massing along Coronado Drive and adopted several ordinances on second reading related to Comprehensive Plan amendments, including school facility element corrections and land use changes for specific addresses. Furthermore, the Council addressed citizen concerns regarding the Harborview Center demolition, closure of the North Greenwood Library, and budget deficits. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the proposal to transition law enforcement services from the Clearwater Police Department to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, ultimately resulting in a decision to direct the City Manager to work with the Police Department staff and bargaining units to find cost savings within 30 days. Other actions included directing staff to proceed with Phase II of the Cleveland Street Streetscape project, discussing the impact of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, and directing staff to schedule future budget meetings.

The meeting commenced with special recognitions, including the May 2021 Employee of the Month and a presentation on the Sea Turtle Friendly Lighting Initiative. The Consent Agenda was approved, excluding Item 7.3, covering topics such as the sale of real property, an amendment to the Ventiv Technology software agreement, a revocable license for Pier 60 Park concessions, co-sponsorship of special events, pool renovations at Ross Norton Aquatic Complex, gymnasium flooring installation, and a work order for FDOT Utility Relocation services. Item 7.3, concerning upgrades to the Compressed Natural Gas Filling Station for $2,264,431.00, was discussed separately and subsequently approved. Administrative Public Hearings involved declaring surplus 450 public parking spaces for sale with a minimum bid set at $12 million, and approving multiple vacation requests for right-of-way and utility easements related to the property at 1551 Flournoy Cir. W. Additionally, the declaration of three parcels of property (704 Court St., 710 Court St., and 701 Franklin St.) as surplus for conveyance to PSTA for a new Multimodal Transit Facility was approved. Annexation requests for properties at 1732 Evans Drive and 2248 NE Coachman Road were continued to July 15, 2021. The contraction of the Clearwater Cay Community Development District was continued to July 15, 2021. Second readings were adopted for ordinances amending the Fiscal Year 2021 Operating Budget and the Capital Improvement Budget. The City Manager's report included the acceptance of a Sidewalk Easement for 604 Lime Avenue.

The Pension Trustees meeting addressed several key items. New hires were approved for acceptance into the Pension Plan across various departments including Parks and Recreation, Police, Engineering, Library, Public Utilities, and Planning and Development. Approval was granted for regular pension requests for four employees from the Fire, Police, and Library Departments, detailing their service credit and projected annual benefit amounts based on different annuity selections. The meeting also included the annual review of the Employees' Pension Plan investment performance for the calendar year ended December 31, 2016, noting an investment return of 6.63% against an assumed rate of 7.00%. It was noted that despite underperforming the benchmark, the plan remains fully funded.

The meeting commenced with presentations including a promotion of 'Dolphin Tale' and proclamations for National Friends of Libraries Week and United Way Month. Key administrative public hearings involved the approval of a voluntary annexation for 1310 Parkwood Street, designating it for Low Density Residential use, and the first reading of associated ordinances. Another agenda item requested the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners to extend the ambulance services agreement with Paramedics Plus, LLC, but this was tabled after discussion due to concerns about the lack of comparative financial data. Subsequent agenda items involved second readings and adoptions of ordinances related to land use changes (1020 North Hercules Avenue), zoning changes, and modifications to vessel operation regulations in the Clearwater Harbor Marina boat slips. The Council also approved a large consent agenda, covering contract awards for library materials, engineering services for trail crossings, concrete repairs at the Long Center, funding for digital cameras through a JAG grant, utility infrastructure projects, and engineering services for the Groundwater Replenishment Project Pilot and Testing Phase.