04/29/2025 - Town Hall City Council Meeting Minutes April 29, 2025
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
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Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
5:30 PM
Town Hall - for the purpose of receiving public comments.
Countryside Library — 2462 Sabal Springs Dr., Meeting Room
City Council
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City of Clearwater
City Council Meeting Minutes April 29, 2025
Roll Call
Present 5 - Mayor Bruce Rector, Vice Mayor Lina Teixeira, Councilmember
Allbritton, Councilmember Ryan Cotton, and Councilmember Michael
Mannino
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.
Martha Burke expressed concerns with the sand dunes on North Clearwater Beach's
residential area and suggested the City establish a sand dune restoration protocol that
includes signage and restoration efforts after catastrophic storms.
Lisa Lanza supported Ms. Burke's comments and thanked the City for the Arbor Day tree
giveaways and staff for the helpful planting guides.
Dennis McDermmott expressed safety concerns at the Clearwater Airpark and said he
believes city officials are misinformed of the aircraft and noise activity at the facility,
specifically light jet aircraft.
Mr. Holuba expressed concerns regarding Councilmember Mannino's former charity Finish
Line for Scholarships and requested, as a records request, a list of individuals and
organizations who donated or received funds from the charity.
Mike Taylor expressed a concern regarding the vessels the City purchased and provided
to Clearwater Ferry and requested the City bring back Citizens to be Heard on the council
agendas.
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City of Clearwater
City Council Meeting Minutes April 29, 2025
Larry said his emails and calls to Council have gone unacknowledged and opposed the
sale of Garden Avenue to the Church of Scientology.
Bill Jonson thanked the City for bringing the forum to Countryside and said he was
disappointed to see that the strategic planning session did not include a forward plan or
community expectations. He said Public Utilities is utilizing the Florida Sterling Evaluation
Process and suggested that other city departments adopt the initiative.
Sandra expressed concerns with the disruptive individual in the front row and hoped
individuals to be more respective.
Cheryl Fullerton, George LeBanca, Barbara Sorey Love, Tony Tellis, Karen Mayer, Jaimie,
Michelle Schaetter, and Steve Harris opposed the sale of Garden Avenue to the Church of
Scientology and supported the Save the Garden proposal.
Aaron Smith-Levin and Mark Bunker opposed the sale of Garden Avenue to the Church of
Scientology and requested that the Save the Garden proposal be placed on the May 15,
2025 council meeting agenda.
George LeBanca, Chris, and Emily opposed the sale of Garden Avenue to the Church of
Scientology.
Rev. Hippie expressed concerns with local governments restricting individuals rights to
speak.
Mike Mastruserio expressed concerns with leasing practices of Mr. Agami and opposed
the sale of Garden Avenue to the Church of Scientology.
Unknown Male said he is still being prosecuted by the police department for what he said
during a recessed council meeting and yet the disruptive individual in the front row is
allowed to remain disruptive.
Brooks Gibb thanked Council for extending the time to review the alternate proposal for
Garden Avenue and thanked staff for being responsive to his questions and meeting
requests. He opposed the sale of Garden Avenue to the Church of Scientology.
John Filax said he started attending the council meetings because Mike Taylor's rights
were violated, he supported removing fluoride from the City's drinking water, and he
questioned who will pay for the damage caused by the recent boating accident.
George Popolano supported the sale of Garden Avenue to the Church of Scientology.
Personality Check Audit supported bringing back Citizens to be Heard re Items not on the
Agenda and expressed concerns regarding Councilmember Mannino's charity.
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City of Clearwater
City Council
Meeting Minutes April 29, 2025
Rudy Michalek said that the Clearwater Beach Association wants to work with the City to
refurbish the north beach area as well as provide some of the funding for the
refurbishment efforts. He said the traffic pattern and flow on the beach is slow and he is
hopeful that citizen input is considered during the traffic study. He suggested widening or
expanding lanes on Ft. Harrison Avenue, between Chestnut Street and Court Street,
because the turn lanes have a tendency to back up through traffic.
Frank Russo said the Clearwater Police Department is doing a great job.
3. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m.
Attest
Mayor
City of C earwater
City of Clearwater
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