Council approves $145,904 design work for Clearwater Harbor Marina North Basin repair amid public questions about project costs and boat safety

The Clearwater City Council on May 15 approved a work order to Moffett and Nickel of Tampa Bay for design and permitting of repairs to the Clearwater Harbor Marina North Basin in the amount of $145,904.

Mike McDonald, director of Marine and Aviation, presented the item and said the request followed discussion at the prior Monday work session. He described the work order as a design and permitting phase needed to move the repair project forward.

Public comment during the item included residents and others who questioned the project’s incremental costs and asked why additional design work was needed when larger allocations already exist. One resident said the marina project budget had grown substantially over time and urged stronger cost controls. Another commenter criticized visible conditions of vessels in the marina, raised questions about lighting on passenger boats and safety for people who fall from vessels, and cited a recent accident; that speaker asked why vessel lighting and safety protocols were not addressed more urgently.

Christine Scott, speaking during public comment, raised concerns about department roles and said she believed Marina and Aviation staff had at times operated beyond their jurisdiction, asking the council to ensure responsibilities align with departmental authority.

Council members voted unanimously to approve the design work order. The motion authorizes the city to execute a contract with the consultant and proceed with the design and permitting phase; construction and additional allocations were not part of this vote.

The council’s approval permits staff to finalize design deliverables and pursue required permits before returning to council for construction authorization and any required budget increases.