[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6382844,"mediaKeyId","2126129-7bfa13c622988242399e10f7f559803d","parentId",2126129,"title","At a glance: Council approves pension code changes and three land-annexation ordinances","audioSeconds",1809,"startMs",4281000,"endMs",6090000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126129-7bfa13c622988242399e10f7f559803d&start=4281&end=6090","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126129-7bfa13c622988242399e10f7f559803d/thumbnail_4281000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6382844/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/At-a-glance-Council-approves-pension-code-changes-and-three-land-annexation-ordinances","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382844-591af12093a2824a2f92f2917465b773/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191259&Signature=OPq150t1i~g-~Hxr2hQSvMVjC4bVm0nIFKf7u6k7DGw60MYINTqluM-YVrq1uKQ3IHOkvWn7-GEY6JPw1PFvIEoYhcoZ3oBmV0Qall2N1MxUNInL1DmZwGmdLEQOaKTQI3cXgUeogPDsyCjE50NIyjPUIua-6E-X4MROs79jRmDrISuw2PBISRsnyOVsSgeC6T~gVusfDKvzQ8bkF7cA1F36BoYTA08~uUtjtahaaMVowQTfqNFwz0GVbEoPcow5Nd6LyKOHuyXW1aISCKapcfai3osqt6Yx8JyhP2qVKeBE2UPPaalDoCCvyycVHc~ms2bGkRBT8E-stcsdPpndSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Clearwater, FL","date","2025-01-17T01:44:16Z","article","The Clearwater City Council at its Jan. 16 meeting approved several items with little public debate.

Ordinance on pension disability process: On first reading the council adopted changes to the Employees Pension Plan (Ordinance No. 9813-25) that incorporate bargained changes to the disability process. Under the new process the city manager may enter into stipulated approvals for disability benefits or schedule a hearing conducted by a State of Florida Administrative Law Judge; the Administrative Law Judge issues a recommended order that the trustees may adopt, reject or modify. The ordinance passed on a unanimous vote.

Annexation and land-use ordinances: The council approved three second-reading ordinances annexing property at 1755 Saint Anthony Drive (agenda items 8.1–8.3). The package included an ordinance to annex the property into the city corporate limits, an amendment to the comprehensive-plan future land-use designation to Residential Urban upon annexation, and a zoning change to Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR). Council recorded unanimous votes on the second readings.

Ending: These items were approved with minimal public comment and will be enacted according to the effective dates set in each ordinance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Clearwater - City Council Meeting - 1/16/25","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved amendments to the employee pension disability process and unanimous second‑reading ordinance approvals annexing a property and updating land-use and zoning for the same parcel.","taxTitle","Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida","taxId",4656,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6382850,"Council adopts updated rules limiting non-agenda comments; the move prompts heated public response",1275,4430000,5705000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126129-7bfa13c622988242399e10f7f559803d&start=4430&end=5705","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126129-7bfa13c622988242399e10f7f559803d/thumbnail_4430000.jpg","/articles/6382850/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/Council-adopts-updated-rules-limiting-non-agenda-comments-the-move-prompts-heated-public-response","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382850-ddb6569eeea2196c732f520a73d43af6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191259&Signature=APzNi6DZejaYgqMG-67GvCR9FKRNyn4o7iIms~r1dRcQyT6v5QJ99or6PNCd~FXFWERDEwk4S8RMm9s9OnK1ZIUY~K9fGOwtr7-QShgt0QabNrOprTJDIJEN0YRr6LbqP6n7wsStawA7E1CnjDytSlxZL8-BIJiDUe43A3wgf37OKL8u6oACrMFmA8qYuSTgDFyg~sVEWsKepefH9LDHuop6N82vLLClwmBSstuawBoSzIF5ICCS6VjpLMqiYWvAEVPyfbBGlW3mnQxnQOM7wNJcG4py-aSDz9xHpF5KA30UJ2kq4dYtiKt6HKqMJkOMJb5IGYOnQpAFM0HxxyQMyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Clearwater City Council on Jan. 16 adopted two resolutions, numbered 2502 and 2503, that revise council decorum rules and alter how the city will receive public comments not tied to specific agenda items. Both resolutions passed by 4–1 votes.

Council members debated the policy at length during the meeting. After a public-comment period that drew dozens of speakers and repeated references to the First Amendment, the council voted first to adopt Resolution 2502 and then Resolution 2503. The transcript shows the votes were recorded 4–1 on each resolution.

The changes sparked vigorous public outcry. Resident Christine Scott told the council plainly, \"You don't have the right to block public participation in these meetings. Guess what? You don't.\" Regular public commenter Mr. Haluba invoked constitutional tests used in free-speech jurisprudence, saying the record contains no speech that would satisfy the Brandenburg standard for restricting speech: \"Nothing that I'd ever heard anybody say up here, including mister Taylor ... satisfies the Brandenburg test for free speech denial.\"

Other speakers used stronger rhetoric. A frequent attendee who identified himself as Michael (Mr.) Taylor criticized the council and police for prior enforcement actions and urged the council to restore the prior public-comment format, offering an \"olive branch\" that would return 3 minutes of unscheduled comment at the start of meetings. Sean Berry, another speaker, referenced court precedents and argued vague restrictions on speech at meetings have been struck down by federal courts.

Council members said the new format is intended to balance orderly meetings and public access while also providing a separate opportunity for non-agenda comment. The council confirmed a separate public-comment session will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, at the East Library from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and staff described the event as an open forum where citizens may speak for three minutes in a meeting dedicated to public comment rather than during the regular city-council session.

Mayor Bruce Rechter and members stressed they will continue to receive emails and phone calls from residents and that the new format is an experiment to reallocate staff resources and create a different venue for public comments. Several council members urged citizens to try the alternate forum and said the council would revisit its rules if the approach failed to provide adequate public access.

Ending: The two resolutions were adopted 4–1; council members and staff said they would evaluate the February forum and may adjust procedures in response to feedback.","By a 4–1 vote the council adopted two resolutions that change decorum and the handling of non-agenda public comment; the vote and proposed changes drew extensive public testimony accusing the city of curbing free speech.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6382854,"Council approves $14.5 million guaranteed maximum price for Long Center renovation amid debate over indoor pool",219,3139000,3358000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126129-7bfa13c622988242399e10f7f559803d&start=3139&end=3358","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126129-7bfa13c622988242399e10f7f559803d/thumbnail_3139000.jpg","/articles/6382854/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/Council-approves-145-million-guaranteed-maximum-price-for-Long-Center-renovation-amid-debate-over-indoor-pool","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382854-9e0a1afb3321f86fd65f6fe7edc53452/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191259&Signature=Nz7atXwioV-CKLAWai0xPNjYPdsQBOKFl2jDnc93k9IUKzm2-ytGR8j65ygWm5MH4eNpNfVvH4goiyDmxBptaxgIj0uRqNHqM1dR8ZnUceGJxJ8rjeCI7joQ~bSf8ixKVeWb7ymAN0nNZlagpOH9BfqmADyK5zAvDx7tkKGJECVQhMJy2NHAYL~N~~vnFyoqzI6fNSgx4fXaaqA6ksH73UomxbDJpKrbp15WmAsuoiWZNFT0m-IO7EvhPN4e1iYuQ0UunmFVzaZoySGLcKz37vi1JwP8-LhBuZEOJ0~5rQH3xWjbAnCSSCr2oLBINQDl9Vah39O5g5ATEeHar0tn1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Clearwater City Council on Jan. 16 authorized a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) of $14,504,354 to Creative Contractors Inc. for the Long Center renovation project and approved a supplemental architectural work order of $298,380. Council members also directed staff to pursue private funding and review user fees as part of budget planning.

Marcus Williamson, Public Works director, presented the item and noted staff had provided supplemental information at the earlier work session. \"We did send some supplemental information in,\" Williamson said, and staff stood by to answer questions on design and construction.

The central debate concerned the facility's indoor pool. Several council members and public speakers discussed whether converting the pool to an outdoor facility would lower long-term costs and better match other Florida communities. Staff said a conversion would be expensive because the Long Center was inherited in its current configuration and many systems (electrical service and shared restrooms) are integrated across uses. Williamson offered a rough order-of-magnitude estimate that converting the pool to outdoor use would likely cost in the \"8 to $10,000,000 range\" because of needed demolition, rework and envelope changes.

Mayor Bruce Rechter and other council members said they did not want to close or dismantle the Long Center and urged staff to seek private contributions; the mayor said he hoped the Long Center Foundation's annual $200,000 support would continue but invited the swimming community to pursue philanthropy. Council member Lina Dechayo and others urged analysis of fee structures to recover more operating costs and suggested staff look for grants or community partners to offset capital expenses.

The council voted unanimously to accept the GMP and move forward with the renovation; during the discussion the council asked staff to evaluate removing a proposed sun deck to reduce costs, to explore private funding, and to reassess user fees for programming.

Ending: Council approved the construction contract and supplemental work order and directed staff to return with potential private funding options, fee changes, and any cost-savings that could limit taxpayer burden.","City approved a $14.5 million guaranteed maximum price for the Long Center renovation, including the indoor pool and related work; council debated whether to convert the facility to an outdoor pool and asked staff to pursue private funding and fee reviews.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6382859,"Council authorizes $254,188 payment for leased pumps damaged in Hurricane Helene",41,1699000,1740000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126129-7bfa13c622988242399e10f7f559803d&start=1699&end=1740","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126129-7bfa13c622988242399e10f7f559803d/thumbnail_1699000.jpg","/articles/6382859/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/Council-authorizes-254188-payment-for-leased-pumps-damaged-in-Hurricane-Helene","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382859-89c95af0412ce4b73e086eecc00a14e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191259&Signature=fIBK3z7ULuPrSXJ4GR1W9qp8Cc-SLsSkUMY8GOJdPjmODENDL1tFpOiz9knLEIGzJW3YuO6lLumeHo~ZRW9JJztAvmL-reAZMCcLpdh7RLcsd9fzwBf2CgVUJ17pL6UWQvVYBcggP09d0~U0QmVQSrbnY-xmeCyAMm6ae-hbBoDr3-Zd2rpDr~rvrXmRt1UGdmpKCi3vK7WW3WVaLGWOCup7rASsl85oyuGnNMG46fdoiRmkgDmq9wnjM9Ma-~cD455j57yX29PWIu5t6YVPgsCZAGb9DfhgZfyTIi4HqhUcATz9u-B0Jfs~dakgenDVfWSuDiIuzyXtHivKgu4G2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Clearwater City Council on Jan. 16 authorized a final rental and settlement payment not to exceed $254,188.40 to United States North America Inc. for a diesel-powered portable pump rented and used by the city from June 1 through Nov. 30, 2024, and declared eight flood-damaged motors and pumps surplus.

Marcus Williamson, the city's public works director, said the payment covers rental and loss of pumps that were damaged while deployed for storm response during Hurricane Helene. \"This item was, to pay for the pumps that were damaged out during Hurricane Helene,\" Williamson said, explaining the city will maximize salvage value where possible.

Several members of the public questioned why the city would pay when the equipment was leased. A commenter identified as Mr. Haluba said the city \"should have called up whoever this is and said, your pumps are damaged. Your pumps aren't working. They got damaged. We need some more,\" arguing the lessor should replace equipment under a leasing arrangement.

City officials responded that risk-of-loss for rental equipment is commonly borne by the renter and is typically defined in rental contracts; staff said the city sometimes self-insures for equipment losses. After discussion the council approved the payment; the vote recorded in the transcript noted two opposed voices during the vote on the consent/consent pull items, but the motion to approve the payment passed.

Ending: Staff reported they will continue to assess salvage options for the damaged equipment and proceed with surplus declarations and sale per city ordinance.","The council approved a final rental and settlement payment for leased diesel pumps damaged during Hurricane Helene and declared eight flood-damaged motors and pumps surplus.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6382865,"Clearwater Council approves Thursday ferry service funding, leases vessels amid public complaints about operations",483,1172000,1655000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126129-7bfa13c622988242399e10f7f559803d&start=1172&end=1655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126129-7bfa13c622988242399e10f7f559803d/thumbnail_1172000.jpg","/articles/6382865/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/Clearwater-Council-approves-Thursday-ferry-service-funding-leases-vessels-amid-public-complaints-about-operations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382865-d253297cd56d5b68c93544cadb63d3ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191259&Signature=NvYRVc430EXtzAKEMzfE4ZJ2SCk32tybMyeoe-FScKWDvgtq20rmebW9m3IjmBpo~HGxxR1bU4zs41weOdUTfsqi5XgeAOyP7bG5fbe7OUbN~sbvGMR0O4gX6ulQEesMQ8Bqi9Bo~Dv2jXWrN8c-2mCVFTaV3pJTZfbO5Ew6dGhj106ZsmH2F2w-3DGirtTyoAtJU1uI-RX2EK-ko44tHuTeDJUUYnaTl5zYSfqVH20NN3kWDMGAXdnmuRRtOWv5ykPcfvayhQOwNN5~3VHy3FRrG25NxSnpszzSGa9onN87Q0et7hirFHlOviKsAMn35n1J1ei-1Hr1o16I~FpWAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Clearwater City Council on Jan. 16 approved a funding amendment to expand ferry service to include Thursdays and separately authorized a lease agreement for ferry vessels, actions city officials said implement a multiagency grant arrangement intended to produce broader public-transportation access to the beach.

City Manager Dan Slaughter said the change adds a Thursday service to a grant the city pursued with the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority and the city of Dunedin and that the Thursday run increases costs by about $7,000. \"We're really only allocating money for a Thursday service, and it cost them about $7,000 additional,\" Slaughter said.

The council voted unanimously to approve the funding amendment (agenda item 6.1) and later, after public comment and discussion, unanimously to approve the lease agreement with Clearwater Ferry for vessel purchase under the cited grant agreement (agenda item 6.8). Council members said the grants and lease fit a larger PSTA effort to expand transit options for hospitality workers and other residents who rely on public transportation.

Why it matters: City officials and the transit partner framed the expansions as part of a countywide public-transportation program that helps workers reach jobs on the beach. Council member Ryan Cotton noted the underlying subsidy schedule is time-limited: \"Their new contract ... expires in September of 2028, ending all subsidies,\" he said, adding the agreement is designed so subsidies taper and the service is expected to become self‑sustaining in later years.

Public commenters, however, urged caution and criticized ferry operations and the use of public funds. A frequent critic who identified himself as Mr. Haluba told the council he could not \"see the merit in this whatsoever,\" described low ridership and multiple negative online reviews, and urged the city not to subsidize operations that he said appear unprofitable. Christine Scott, another commenter, questioned contracts with nonprofit partners and whether public money is being recouped, saying the city should ensure revenue from other municipal investments is used for downtown revitalization rather than supporting loss-making operations.

Council members and staff responded that the city's decision is narrower than some public characterizations: the council was adding a Thursday run to comply with the terms of grant funding and a prior council's commitments, not launching a wholly new program. Vice Mayor David Albritton, who serves on the PSTA board, said many public-transportation services nationwide rely on grant support and that ferry service can provide important mobility for workers who cannot afford cars.

Ending: The council accepted public comment and approved both items. Officials said they will monitor ridership and subsidy levels during the contract period and reevaluate if or when the ferry operator is unable to grow ridership to the point of self-sufficiency.","The City Council voted to add a Thursday ferry run under a grant partnership and approved a lease of ferry vessels to Clearwater Ferry, drawing sustained public criticism about service reliability and subsidies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

At a glance: Council approves pension code changes and three land-annexation ordinances

Council adopts updated rules limiting non-agenda comments; the move prompts heated public response

Council approves $14.5 million guaranteed maximum price for Long Center renovation amid debate over indoor pool

Council authorizes $254,188 payment for leased pumps damaged in Hurricane Helene

Clearwater Council approves Thursday ferry service funding, leases vessels amid public complaints about operations