12/04/2025 City Council Meeting Minutes December 4, 2025
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
e
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, December 4, 2025
6:00 PM
Main Library - Council Chambers
City Council
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City of Clearwater
City Council Meeting Minutes December 4, 2025
Roll Call
Present: 5 - Mayor Bruce Rector, Vice Mayor Lina Teixeira, Councilmember
David Allbritton, Councilmember Ryan Cotton and Councilmember
Michael Mannino
Also Present: Jennifer Poirrier— City Manager, Daniel Slaughter—Assistant City
Manager, Alfred Battle —Assistant City Manager, David Margolis —
City Attorney, Rosemarie Call — City Clerk, and Nicole Sprague —
Deputy 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 6:00 p.m.
2. Invocation
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Special recognitions and Presentations (Proclamations, service awards, or
other special recognitions. Presentations by governmental agencies or groups
providing formal updates to Council will be limited to ten minutes.) — Given.
4.1 Storm Water Resiliency Update
Deputy City Engineer Jeremy Brown said the design of the pump station
is near completion. Staff anticipates presenting the CMAR to Council
during the first quarter of 2026. Public Works staff continue to clear ditches
across the city to ensure flow is maintained. He said the department
continues to pursue potential grant opportunities.
5. Approval of Minutes
5.1 Approve the minutes of the November 20, 2025 City Council meeting as submitted in
written summation by the City Clerk.
Vice Mayor Teixeira moved to approve the minutes of the
November 20, 2025 City Council meeting as submitted in written
summation by the City Clerk. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
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City Council Meeting Minutes December 4, 2025
6. Consent Agenda — Approved as submitted, less Item 6.9.
6.1 Approve the Reimagine Clearwater Library Call for Development Concepts Process
and authorize staff to implement a targeted marketing and outreach strategy to
support the Call for Development Concepts for the Downtown Clearwater Library.
(consent)
6.2 Approve a Firm Transportation Service Agreement with Florida Gas Transmission for
the transportation of natural gas supply under Rate Schedule FTS-1, Contract No.
107352 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
6.3 Approve Supplemental Work Order Two to AtkinsRealis USA, Inc., of Tampa, FL, for
Lower Spring Branch Stormwater Improvements (Project No.14-0048-EN), an
increase of$177,052.00 for a new work order value of$626,346.00 per Request for
Qualifications (RFQ) 18-18; and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same.
(consent)
6.4 Approve a purchase order to ParkMobile LLC, of Atlanta, GA for reimbursement of
transaction fees for mobile parking in an amount not to exceed $1,097,454.00, from
January 1, 2026 through November 30, 2029, pursuant to Clearwater Code of
Ordinances Section 2.563 (1)(c) Piggyback and authorize the appropriate officials to
execute same. (consent)
6.5 Approve the request to convey a perpetual easement over city-owned land to the
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in support of a pedestrian overpass on
SR 55 / US-19, further defined as a portion of Northside Drive to the NE '/4 of Section
19, Township 28 South, Range 16 East, located within Pinellas County, Florida, and
authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
6.6 Authorize an increase to Communications International of Vero Beach, FL for citywide
two-way radio maintenance, replacement, and repair parts in an amount not to exceed
$426,941.00, and extend the term through September 30, 2026, pursuant to
Clearwater Code of Ordinances Section 2.563(1)(a), Single Source, and authorize the
appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
6.7 Authorize a purchase order to Municipal Emergency Services (MES) of Pinellas Park,
FL, for the purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and related
add-ons in an amount not to exceed $2,181,450.55, pursuant to Section 2.563(1)(c),
Piggyback, 2.563(1)(a), Single Source, and Section 2.563(1)(d), Non-Competitive
Purchase (Impractical); authorize lease purchase under the City's Master Lease
Purchase Agreement, or internal financing via an inter-fund loan from the Capital
Improvement Fund, whichever is deemed to be in the City's best interests; and
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City Council Meeting Minutes December 4, 2025
authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
6.8 Authorize purchase orders to JPI, Beryl Project Engineering, Willdan Engineering, and
CAP Government, Inc. for emergency services related to inspection and plan review
services for initial term of December 1, 2025, through November 30, 2026, with three,
one-year renewal options pursuant to Invitation to Bid (ITB) No. 38-25 and authorize
the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
6.9 Approve a professional service agreement with Ardurra Group, Inc. of Tampa, FL as
the Water Reclamation Facilities (WRF) Maintenance and Repair Program Consultant
(24-0058-UT) in the not-to-exceed amount of$11,100,000.00 for a five-year term
pursuant to Request for Qualification (RFQ) 05-25 and authorize the appropriate
officials to execute same. (consent)
See below.
6.10Approve a retainer agreement with Banker Lopez Gassler Law Firm P.A. in Sonia
Rada-King vs. City of Clearwater and authorize the appropriate officials to execute
same. (consent)
6.1lApprove a retainer agreement with Banker Lopez Gassler Law Firm P.A. in John King
vs. City of Clearwater and Duke Energy Florida LLC and authorize the appropriate
officials to execute same. (consent)
6.12Approve a renewal agreement with the law firm of Weidner, P.A., for representation in
lien foreclosures and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
6.13Approve a Fifth Amendment to a purchase and sale agreement with Clearwater Bluffs
LLC and an underlying Promissory Note. (consent)
Councilmember Allbritton moved to approve the Consent Agenda
as submitted, less Item 6.9, and authorize the appropriate officials
to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
6.9Approve a professional service agreement with Ardurra Group, Inc. of Tampa, FL as
the Water Reclamation Facilities (WRF) Maintenance and Repair Program Consultant
(24-0058-UT) in the not-to-exceed amount of$11,100,000.00 for a five-year term
pursuant to Request for Qualification (RFQ) 05-25 and authorize the appropriate
officials to execute same.
In November 2024, RFQ 05-25 Consulting Services - WRF Maintenance and
Repair Program, was issued seeking qualified firms to provide consulting
services for maintenance and repair projects throughout the City's three Water
Reclamation Facilities.
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City Council Meeting Minutes December 4, 2025
On February 7, 2025, the RFQ selection committee, consisting of
representatives from the Engineering and Public Utilities departments, carefully
reviewed each of the submittals received from five qualified firms. Each
submittal was ranked based upon the RFQ criteria and overall responsiveness
to the RFQ requirements. Ardurra Group, Inc. was selected to provide the
requested WRF Maintenance and Repair Program Consulting Services.
Services include, but are not limited to, general project management for WRF
related projects, consulting services in planning and policy of WRFs, condition
assessment of WRF infrastructure to develop a list of required projects; design
services, permitting, construction engineering and inspection services for WRF
projects, and construction management and contractor oversight services over
a five-year term.
The City of Clearwater's Public Utilities Department owns, operates, and
maintains the 3 Water Reclamation Facilities in the City.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
3217321-530100-96664
Funding is available in capital improvement project 96664, Water Pollution
Control R&R, funded by Water and Sewer Fund revenues.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
To further the Council's Strategic Plan to achieve High Performing Government
by upgrading current services related to Water Reclamation Facilities through
systematic management efforts.
One individual spoke in opposition.
Councilmember Mannino moved to approve a professional service
agreement with Ardurra Group, Inc. of Tampa, FL as the Water
Reclamation Facilities (WRF) Maintenance and Repair Program
Consultant (24-0058-UT) in the not-to-exceed amount of
$11,100,000.00 for a five-year term pursuant to Request for
Qualification (RFQ) 05-25 and authorize the appropriate officials to
execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
Public Hearings - Not before 6:00 PM
7. Administrative Public Hearings
7.1 Opt out of providing the 80%-120% AMI Missing Middle Property Tax Exemption to
developments that would otherwise qualify pursuant to the Live Local Act for calendar
year 2026 and adopt Resolution 25-14.
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Staff recommends adopting a resolution to not exempt developments from the
80%-120% AMI Missing Middle Property Tax Exemption under the Live Local
Act Property (The Act) for calendar year 2026.
• Section 196.1978(3)(d), Florida Statutes, allows for rental properties
with 71 units or more that provide housing to people earning between
80% and 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI)within a Metropolitan
Statistical Area (MSA) to be exempt from ad valorem property taxes.
• Beginning with the 2025 tax roll, local taxing authorities have the option
to 'opt out" of this exemption. This opt-out provision is available if the
most current Shimberg Center for Housing Studies Annual Report
(Shimberg Report) identifies a surplus of affordable and available rental
units in the area and requirements are met.
• The most recent Shimberg Report indicates that there is a surplus of
affordable and available units within the Tampa-St.
Petersburg-Clearwater MSA, which includes Pinellas County, for
households that meet the income requirements for the 80%-120% AMI
tax exemption.
• Based on this finding, the City of Clearwater, being located in Pinellas
County, is eligible to and wishes to exercise the opt-out option under
Section 196.1978(3)(0), Florida Statutes. If this resolution is approved,
the City will choose not to grant the exemption for eligible properties
and will request that the Pinellas County Property Appraiser does not
provide the exemption.
• This resolution will apply to all ad valorem property taxes levied by
Pinellas County for property located within the City of Clearwater
municipal boundary. If adopted, the resolution will take effect on
January 1, 2026, and will expire on January 1, 2027. It may be renewed
prior to that expiration date in accordance with the provisions of Section
196.1978(3)(0), Florida Statutes.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
Strategic Plan: 1.3 Adopt responsive levels of service for public facilities and
amenities and identify resources required to sustain that level of service.
Economic Development and Housing Division Manager Dylan Mayeux
said staff has determined that opting out of the Live Local Act tax
exemption does not impact current projects.
Resolution 25-14 was presented and read by title only.
Councilmember Cotton moved to opt out of providing the 80%
-120% AMI Missing Middle Property Tax Exemption to
developments that would otherwise qualify pursuant to the Live
Local Act for calendar year 2026 and adopt Resolution 25-14. The
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motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: 5 - Mayor Rector, Vice Mayor Teixeira, Councilmember Allbritton,
Councilmember Cotton and Councilmember Mannino
7.2 Accept the 2025 Local Housing Incentive Strategies (LHIS) Report developed by the
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC).
Florida Statute Section 420.9076 states that counties and cities receiving State
Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program funds are required to appoint
an Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC). The statute further
provides that the committee be made up of members from specific industries
or groups as identified in the statute. The requirement was largely met through
the use of the City's existing seven-member Neighborhood and Affordable
Housing Advisory Board (NAHAB). City staff recommended council
appointment of four additional committee members.
The duties of the AHAC included reviewing policies and procedures,
ordinances, land development regulations and the City's adopted
comprehensive plan and recommending specific actions or initiatives to
encourage or facilitate affordable housing.
Per state statute, at a minimum, the AHAC is required to review and consider
recommendations on the following:
1) The processing of approvals of development orders or permits,
as defined in F.S.163.3164 (7) and (8), for affordable housing projects is
expedited to a greater degree than other projects.
2) The modification of impact-fee requirements, including
reduction or waiver of fees and alternative methods of fee payment for
affordable housing.
3) The allowance of flexibility in densities for affordable housing.
4) The reservation of infrastructure capacity or housing for very
low-income persons, low-income persons, and moderate-income persons.
5) The allowance of affordable accessory residential units in
residential zoning districts.
6) The reduction of parking and setback requirements for
affordable housing.
7) The allowance of flexible lot configurations, including
zero-lot-line configurations for affordable housing.
8) The modification of street requirements for affordable housing.
9) The establishment of a process by which a local government
considers, before adoption, policies, procedures, ordinances, regulations, or
plan provisions that increase the cost of housing.
10) The preparation of a printed inventory of locally owned public
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lands suitable for affordable housing.
11) The support of development near transportation hubs and
major employment centers and mixed-use developments.
In addition to these eleven required criteria, the 2023 AHAC continued five
additional types of incentives in the following areas:
12) Adaptive reuse
13) Land Development Code
14) Communication and Marketing of Affordable Housing
15) Financing
16) Partnerships
Throughout the fall of 2025, consultant Wade Trim, along with Economic
Development and Housing Department staff and Planning and Development
Department staff, facilitated discussion at four meetings of the AHAC. The
meetings centered around reviewing the 2024 LHIS to discuss whether any
changes should be made as well as to consider new strategies to incentivize
development of affordable housing. The LHIS encompasses the definition,
vision, strategic focus areas and incentive recommendations in order to
facilitate the development and preservation of affordable housing in the City of
Clearwater. The AHAC convened on four separate occasions to develop and
identify the value of affordable housing, identify the principles for Clearwater's
affordable housing and develop/confirm a vision statement to be included as
part of the LHIS.
The AHAC members focused on the values that affordable housing brings to
the City of Clearwater. The AHAC recommended the continuation, with slight
modifications in some cases, of recommendations made by prior AHAC
committees. This year's committee recommended several language changes
to incorporate more affirmative language in the document. The committee also
made several recommendations that will require additional staff resources.
The following list contains excerpts incorporating substantive changes from the
previous report to produce the 2024 LHIS Report:
1.2 Adjustment to the language of expedited review, reassigning the points of
contact to the housing manager and the development services division
manager, when submitting single family and multi-family affordable housing
project.
1.5 Adding accessory dwelling unit frequently used plans to a prescreened list.
13.1 Consider adding accessibility features to affordable housing design
standards.
16.1 Direct persons seeking information about affordable housing development
in the City of Clearwater to the City's affordable housing webpage:
www.myclearwater.com/housina.
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The LHIS report is due annually. The staff recommendation is for City Council
to accept the 2025 LHIS Report. Staff will submit the report to the Florida
Housing Finance Corporation no later than December 31, 2025. Per State
Statute, the city shall update its Local Housing Assistance Plan to incorporate
the recommended incentives it desires to implement. This year's LHIS update
includes recommendations that were approved by the AHAC on November 11,
2025.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
2.4 - Supports equitable housing programs that promote household stability
and reduce the incidence of homelessness within Clearwater.
Vice Mayor Teixeira moved to accept the 2025 Local Housing
Incentive Strategies (LHIS) Report developed by the Affordable
Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC). The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
7.3 Approve of the City of Clearwater's Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Consolidated Annual
Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). (APH)
The Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) is the
principal administrative report documenting the City's expenditures for
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment
Partnerships (HOME) programs to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD). In FY 2024-2025, the City anticipated receiving
$2,617,994 in CDBG entitlement funds, program income from revolving loan
funds, and prior-year resources, as well as $4,897,672 in HOME program
funding to support eligible housing, community development, economic
development, and public service activities for extremely low-to
moderate-income residents. The City also expected $1,898,317 in SHIP
funding for the program year, as reflected in the FY 2024-2025 Action Plan.
Actual receipts for FY 2024-2025 differed from projections. The City received
$940,482 in new CDBG entitlement funds and $400,221 in new HOME
entitlement funds. For CDBG, the City received an additional $834,503.79 in
prior-year resources and $218,319.15 in program income from revolving loan
funds. For HOME, the City received $2,591,861 in prior-year resources and
$993,803.00 in program income.
In total, the actual amounts available were $1,993,304.94 for CDBG and
$3,985,885 for HOME. At the close of FY 2024-2025, the City also maintained
three CDBG revolving loan funds with a combined balance of$389,124.80. In
FY 2024-2025, the City expended a total of$1,043,672.27 in CDBG funds and
$377,610.89 in HOME funds. In FY 2024-2025, the City expended a total of
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$1,169,975.58 in SHIP funds and $15,000 in PCHTF.
Not included in the report's section CR-15 table 4, the City managed an
allocation of$1,351,560 in CDBG-CV funds and $1,637,567 in HOME-ARP
funds. Of the CDBG-CV funds, $95,150.98 was expended in FY 2024-2025,
resulting in cumulative total expenditures of$1,238,806.28 in CDBG-CV. Of
the HOME-ARP funds, $41,022.68 were expended in FY 2024-2025. Funds
not expended from this year's budget will be programmed in future years.
In addition to reporting activities carried out with federal money, a summary of
activities conducted with the Florida State Housing Initiatives Partnership
(SHIP) Program and Pinellas County Housing Trust Fund (PCHTF) Program is
also included in the narrative section.
The report provides HUD with necessary information for the Department to
meet its requirement to assess each grantee's ability to carry out relevant
Community Planning and Development programs in compliance with all
applicable rules and regulations. It also provides information necessary for
HUD's Annual Report to Congress, and it provides grantees an opportunity to
describe to citizens their successes in revitalizing deteriorated neighborhoods
and in meeting objectives stipulated in their Consolidated Planning document.
The City of Clearwater's FY 2024-2025 CAPER contains information on the
City's assessment of the following activities:
- Assessment of Five-Year Goals and Outcomes
- Resources and Investments
- Affordable Housing
- Homeless and Other Special Needs
- Public Housing
- Other Actions to Address Barriers to Affordable Housing
- Monitoring
- CDBG
- HOME
A list of notable accomplishments utilizing federal, state, and local funds for FY
2023-2024 include:
- Provided eight down payment and closing cost assistance
loans/grants, exceeding the goal of seven, and provided an additional ten
through SHIP.
- Assisted 2056 homeless persons with public facility or
infrastructure activities including 196 homeless persons with public service
activities, and 1860 homeless persons with public facilities or infrastructure
activities.
- The City assisted 3,485 special needs persons with public facility
or infrastructure activities which equates to 3485% of our goal.
- Provided funding to nonprofit partners to administer
microenterprise and entrepreneurial technical assistance to 42 businesses
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[100% of goal].
- The City activated its emergency response goal and funded
eight activities through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP)
program (non-Federal source) to support emergency/disaster response efforts.
This goal is implemented only in response to urgent needs.
- The City used State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP)
program funds to support affordable housing efforts, including ten Purchase
Assistance Loans, totaling $663,700.00; 11 owner-occupied rehabilitations
through the Home Preservation Program totaling $477,075.58; and
Homeownership Educational and Counseling services for 176 households
totaling $29,200.00.
On November 18, 2025, the Neighborhood and Affordable Housing Advisory
Board recommended City Council approval of the CAPER as written. If
approved, staff will submit the CAPER to HUD by the submission deadline of
December 29, 2025.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
2.4 Support equitable housing programs that promote household stability and
reduce the incidence of homelessness within Clearwater.
Councilmember Allbritton moved to approve of the City of
Clearwater's Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Consolidated Annual
Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
7.4 Amend Clearwater Code of Ordinances Sections 2.063, 2.411, 2.412, 2.413, and
2.425 relating to the Clearwater Employees' Pension Plan and pass Ordinance
9858-26 on first reading.
The City of Clearwater Employees' Pension Plan governs the payment of
retirement benefits for City employees. In 2024, the process to determine
whether a plan member meets the criteria for awarding a disability pension was
changed. The Pension Advisory Committee (PAC) no longer determines
whether an applicant is entitled to a disability retirement benefit. The current
duties of the PAC are now ministerial in nature and non-substantive.
This ordinance will eliminate the PAC, and the Pension Trustees will now
perform these ministerial duties. This Ordinance will not impact pension
benefits, employee contributions, or the actuarial soundness of the plan.
Ordinance 9858-26 was presented and read by title only.
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Councilmember Mannino moved to amend Clearwater Code of
Ordinances Sections 2.063, 2.411, 2.412, 2.413, and 2.425 relating
to the Clearwater Employees' Pension Plan and pass Ordinance
9858-26 on first reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon
roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: 5 - Mayor Rector, Vice Mayor Teixeira, Councilmember Allbritton,
Councilmember Cotton and Councilmember Mannino
7.5 Amend Clearwater Code of Ordinances Section 2.561 relating to Public-Private
Partnerships; repeal Sections 2.581 - 2.587 relating to Public-Private Partnerships;
and pass Ordinance 9859-26 on first reading.
The City's Procurement Code establishes fair and equitable methods of
administering purchases of commodities, services, and construction to
maximize the purchasing value of public funds. In 2013, the Florida
Legislature enacted the P3 Statute. Public-Private Partnerships (P3) are
commonly recognized as contractual agreements between a public body and
the private sector that allow for greater private sector participation in the
delivery of public projects. P3's have demonstrated that they can meet the
needs of the public by improving the schedule for project delivery, lowering
project costs, and providing other benefits to the public.
In 2021, the City adopted Ordinance 9502-21 which created the P3 method of
project delivery and uniform procedures to be used by both the City and private
entities for the procurement of such projects. In 2024, the Florida Legislature
amended the P3 statute. Rather than amend the City's Code after each
statutory change, this ordinance will repeal Subdivision V in its entirety.
Section 2.561 will be amended so that the City will follow the same processes
and procedures as set forth in Florida Statutes 255.065, as may be further
amended from time to time.
Ordinance 9859-26 was presented and read by title only.
Councilmember Cotton moved to amend Clearwater Code of
Ordinances Section 2.561 relating to Public-Private Partnerships;
repeal Sections 2.581 - 2.587 relating to Public-Private
Partnerships; and pass Ordinance 9859-26 on first reading. The
motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: 5 - Mayor Rector, Vice Mayor Teixeira, Councilmember Allbritton,
Councilmember Cotton and Councilmember Mannino
8. Second Readings - Public Hearing
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8.1 Adopt Ordinance 9856-25 on second reading, updating the city's platting process to
address statutory changes pursuant to Senate Bill 784 (2025), An Act Relating to
Platting.
Ordinance 9856-25 was presented and read by title only.
Vice Mayor Teixeira moved to adopt Ordinance 9856-25 on second
and final reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll
call, the vote was:
Ayes: 5 - Mayor Rector, Vice Mayor Teixeira, Councilmember Allbritton,
Councilmember Cotton and Councilmember Mannino
8.2 Adopt Ordinance 9857-25 on second reading, updating certain development review
processes and timeframes to reflect current processes and address statutory changes
pursuant to Senate Bill 1080 (2025), An Act Relating to Local Government Land
Regulation.
Ordinance 9857-25 was presented and read by title only.
Councilmember Allbritton moved to adopt Ordinance 9857-25 on
second and final reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon
roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: 5 - Mayor Rector, Vice Mayor Teixeira, Councilmember Allbritton,
Councilmember Cotton and Councilmember Mannino
9. City Manager Reports — None.
10. City Attorney Reports — None.
11. Other Council Action
11.1Attorney General Letter of November 14, 2025 - Mayor Rector
The Mayor said he did not wish to further debate the matter but wanted
closure and to provide other councilmembers an opportunity to share
their thoughts. He said he also questioned how the collegial body would
handle the response provided to Councilmember Allbritton.
In response to questions, the City Attorney said if any Councilmember
came to him with a letter that was similar to the one sent, he would
encourage that come before the collegial body for review. Although not
required by law, he said seeking attorney general opinions would be
best serve if it came to the dais. The City's past practice has been to
present requests for attorney general opinions to the dais. He said that
precedence was established by his predecessor and established that
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City Council Meeting Minutes December 4, 2025
expectation with the public and external stakeholders. The City Attorney
said anyone can send a letter to the Florida Ethics Commission to ask
how they can or should vote or handle a specific issue ethically. It is also
appropriate to send an individual letter to the AG, as it happened here,
but the content of the question can affect others. He said there is an
expectation when topics are discussed in the public that further
discussions will remain in the public.
Discussion ensued with comments that there is no application or formal
request before the City and Council should move forward.
One individual questioned the number of letters received by the Florida
Attorney General.
It was stated that the City received two letters.
One individual expressed concerns with the Church of Scientology
lobbying tactics at the state level and supported the City Attorney's
stance outlined in his memo.
Seven individuals spoke to items unrelated to the agenda item.
One individual said the request made by the Church of Scientology was
not unusual and he supported Councilmember Allbritton seeking a legal
opinion from the highest legal authority in the state.
One individual questioned why Councilmember Allbritton questioned
the City Attorney's memo and sought an opinion from the Florida Attorney
General, who has been lobbied by the Church of Scientology.
One individual said that just because the vacation request is legal does
not make it right.
One individual said Councilmember Allbritton's request for an opinion
from the Attorney General lacked transparency and weakened the
public's trust.
One individual said Councilmember Allbritton's letter was not
appropriate.
Three individuals submitted emails supporting the Church of Scientology's
vacation request (see pages 16-19).
One individual submitted an email supporting Councilmember Allbritton's
request of the Attorney General (see page 20).
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No action taken.
12. Closing comments by Councilmembers (limited to 3 minutes)
Councilmembers wished all Happy Holidays and a Happy new Year.
Councilmember Cotton thanked all those who came to speak tonight. He
said he was going to discuss with staff regarding publishing all Attorney
General opinions received by the City on a dashboard. He said religious
organizations do pay tax; the only portions that are not taxable are those
rooms in which worship services are held or the parishioner lives in. Per
the county tax roll, the Church of Scientology is the highest taxpayer in
Downtown.
Vice Mayor Teixeira thanked all those who attended and said she looks
forward to seeing everyone at the holiday events.
13. Closing Comments by Mayor
14. Adjourn
Attest
City Clerk
City of Clearwater
Mayor Rector reviewed recent and upcoming events and wished all a
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
The meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.
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