Pinellas Park council adopts two land‑use ordinances and approves contracts, disaster payments

Pinellas Park City Council on second and final reading approved two amendments to the city’s Land Development Code and unanimously adopted a consent agenda that authorized several contracts and final payments, including hurricane debris and tree‑removal bills.

The code changes removed a static fee table from the LDC and restored final survey requirements that had been unintentionally removed in an earlier amendment. The consent agenda approved contracting actions and final payments, among them an $88,656 contract to remove an obsolete CSX signal arm, a $398,880 sewer‑lining contract, a $942,268.47 purchase of a fire training tower and simulator, and final payments to Phillips and Jordan Inc. totaling $2,905,853.52 for Hurricane Milton debris and dangerous tree removal.

Todd Byron, planning coordinator for the city, presented the two ordinances. About the fee change, Byron said, “staff recommends approval of this case.” He explained the proposed amendment would remove the LDC’s detailed fee table and instead reference the city’s administrative fee schedule adopted by resolution 24‑26 and any subsequent revisions. The other ordinance reinstated final survey requirements that were removed unintentionally in a prior LDC amendment; staff described that item as a code “clean up.”

Both ordinances — listed as ordinance number 2025‑03 (amending section 18‑15‑01.31, fees and charges) and ordinance number 2025‑04 (amending section 18‑9‑03, surveys required) — were read by title only, opened for the public hearing on second and final reading, and then passed on unanimous council votes following staff presentation. Council members registered their votes electronically; the record shows the motions carried without opposition.

The consent agenda (items C1–C11) covered a mix of first‑reading LDC items (C1–C3) scheduled for public hearing on Feb. 27, 2025, and several contract and payment approvals: authorization to transfer a utility easement with Pinellas County; a CSX contract to remove a signal arm for $88,656; authorization to contract under the interlocal purchasing system (TIPS) for sewer lining and manhole coating services for Lift Station 31 with Vortex Companies, LLC in the amount of $398,880; purchase under Sourcewell RFP 011822 of a Pinellas Park Fire Department training tower and simulator for $942,268.47; final payment to Phillips and Jordan Inc. for Hurricane Milton debris removal in the amount of $2,732,383.52; and final payment to Phillips and Jordan Inc. for Hurricane Milton dangerous tree removal of $173,470. The consent package also included receipt of resignations from the Firefighters Pension Board (John Moore) and the Board of Adjustment (Charles Murray).

Before the votes, a resident used the public‑comment period to complain about a master‑meter billing arrangement at a local park, saying that some park users were not charged while others were and asking, “So where is the fairness to these people?” City staff directed the resident to the utilities department and to staff member Kelly for billing records and to discuss meter details in person.

Council business also included approval of regular council minutes from Jan. 23, 2025, and brief council comments praising city staff and announcing upcoming community events and free permit periods for homeowners in March.

Minutes, ordinance texts and resolution 24‑26 are on file in the city clerk’s office; the city advised residents with billing questions to contact the utilities department for specific meter and rate information.