02/25/2025 - Town Hall City Council Meeting Minutes February 25, 2025
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
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Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
5:30 PM
Town Hall - for the purpose of receiving public comments.
East Library - 2465 Drew St., SPC Community Room
City Council
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City of Clearwater
City Council Meeting Minutes February 25, 2025
Roll Call
Present 5 - Mayor Bruce Rector, Vice Mayor David Allbritton, Councilmember
Ryan Cotton, Councilmember Michael Mannino, and Councilmember
Lina Teixeira
Also Present: Jennifer Poirrier— City Manager, David Margolis — City Attorney, and
Rosemarie Call — City Clerk
To provide continuity for research, items are listed in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
1. Call to Order— Mayor Rector
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Public Comments
2.1 Public Comments - Each person who wishes to address the Council shall complete a
comment card and submit the card to the City Clerk (right-hand side of dais) before the
speaker will be permitted to speak. Individuals will limit their comments to a maximum of
three minutes.
Bryan Beckman requested consideration to start a program to help residents lower their
energy bills by using a small portion of the savings from city programs related to energy.
He said the city of Dunedin offers several programs that assists residents with lowering
their energy bills via appliance replacement, weatherization, or solar panels.
Laurie Meggesin expressed safety concerns with Drew Street and requested that
neighborhood safety for the residential segment of Drew Street be a priority as DOT
completes the redesign. She said the neighborhood has not received any information
regarding the safety improvements being implemented in the redesign.
Glenna Wentworth, Trisha Kirby, and Kelly Goehl expressed concerns with flooding in the
Morningside Meadows neighborhood after Hurricane Milton, which impacted 44 homes.
They said the stormwater pipe was not inspected for years and urged the City to prioritize
stormwater overflow and mitigation in the upcoming budget.
Tony Teller said he invested his savings in the 400 and 500 blocks on Cleveland Street
and requested the City to allow the Downtown merchants to have events and be the
cultivators of a new narrative.
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City of Clearwater
City Council Meeting Minutes February 25, 2025
Jake suggested bringing back annual events that will attract individuals back to Downtown.
He said he will be presenting an annual plan that will engage the public monthly.
Mr. Holuba expressed concerns with city leadership and the Clearwater Police Department
and opposed the use of city funds for the Clearwater Ferry.
Mike Taylor commented on how full the room was and said allowing public comment is
what the people wanted. He described his experience with Clearwater Police Department.
Sean Berry opposed censorship and draconian rules that shutdown free speech.
Edgar Garcia and Pastor(did not provide his name) requested city assistance with
identifying a facility for UNIMEX to host their meetings and plan events.
Erica Escamilla supported removing fluoride from the City's drinking water and requested
consideration to dedicate two baseball fields at Sid Lickton for UNIMEX/LULAC to use as
a basketball court and soccer field.
Sam Quinto requested a meeting with Council and the Clearwater Police Chief to discuss
how the new immigrations laws will impact the local Hispanic community.
Sam Hutkin thanked Council and staff for their efforts after the storm. He said Council and
staff are always at one's disposal to address concerns and make things better.
John Felix expressed concerns regarding the Clearwater Police Department and
requested a public record regarding the total cost associated with investigating free
speech activists for over a year(igIlL�tIL;@_glnail.com
Eleanor Lyda said the Downtown Gateway community are pleased with the Mercado and
beautiful streetscape, which was more than the community dreamed of. She thanked
Council and staff for their efforts. She said she looks forward to the official grand opening
and upcoming events at the Mercado.
Marianna Arvizu requested security cameras be installed near the site of Emmanuel
Perez'accident.
Ray Plumb said the Sand Key Civic Association partnered with the Clearwater Fire
Department for a live high-rise fire training. He thanked the City and the Clearwater Fire
Department for their participation and commended all city employees for their efforts.
Jenny Nevin opposed the new pier being installed near Edgewater Drive and expressed
concerns with the impact the increased vehicular traffic will have on residents between
Sunnydale Drive and Sedeeva Street.
Dennis McDermott thanked Council for having tonight's forum.
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City of Clearwater
City Council Meeting Minutes February 25, 2025
Unknown Male (did not identify himselo said he was prosecuted for speaking his mind and
defended the First Amendment Auditors.
George said elected officials work for the people and provided information regarding Smith
v. City of Cumming.
Patrick Raftery said tonight's town hall was well attended and worked out well. He
suggested that it may be time to pause Beach by Design due to the traffic congestion on
the Beach in order to better facilitate traffic entering and leaving the beach area.
Unknown Male expressed concerns with the inability to post comments on the City's
YouTube channel, which is a First Amendment violation. He said he lives in Largo but tries
to support the Downtown businesses and is disheartened to see the many vacant
buildings. He suggested the City buy the vacant buildings.
Allison Dolan reviewed recent renovations at the Clearwater Historical Museum and
reviewed recent and upcoming events.
Chris Michalek thanked the City for all of the work done to make the Beach normal after
the recent hurricanes. She expressed concerns with vehicular traffic in Clearwater beach
and requested consideration be given to implement floating lanes on the weekends and
the creation of a task force to brainstorm ideas for staff's consideration.
Unknown Male said he is being prosecuted for something he said during a recess of a
public meeting.
Austin said he hosted an after party this past weekend after the Of The Trees event at the
BayCare Sound. It was the only after party held in Downtown Clearwater. He said he
polled guests regarding Downtown and The Sound, guests provided positive feedback. He
requested to meet with Council to discuss ideas to further engage individuals.
Heather Young requested the City partner with Pinellas County Schools to open running
tracks after hours and expressed concerns with the lack of city communications with
residents regarding sand bag availability before a storm.
Daniel Amend expressed concerns with the City's efforts to limit free speech at council
meetings.
Frank said he is proud to live in Clearwater and thanked the Mayor and Clearwater Police
Department for their efforts.
Mike Mastruserio thanked Council and staff for doing their job and said he supports free
speech, but individuals must be respectful.
Unknown Female expressed concerns with the narrow lanes on Drew Street and
supported enlarging the lanes.
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City of Clearwater
City Council
Meeting Minutes February 25, 2025
Rudy Michalek said the North Beach area was hit hard by the recent storms and
requested consideration to support beach renourishment.
3. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
Attest
c" City Clerk
Mayor
City of Clearwa
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City of Clearwater