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Safety Harbor commission reviews 2025–26 goals; discusses marina design, parking pilot and creek work
Summary
At its March 3 meeting the Safety Harbor City Commission reviewed the draft 2025–26 goals and discussed next steps for a proposed transient boater capacity study, a downtown parking pilot, advisory board reforms and creek improvement planning. Staff will return with cost estimates and refined options on several items.
The Safety Harbor City Commission on March 3 reviewed staff work on the city's 2025'026 goals and directed staff to return with specific options and cost details for several projects, including a preliminary design estimate for transient boater capacity, a downtown parking pilot, and watershed planning for Bishop and Mullet creeks.
Commissioners heard that a consultant has estimated preliminary design and permitting costs for adding transient boater capacity at the marina at about $75,000; the project is currently unfunded and staff recommended postponing major work until pier and boat-basin reconstruction is underway. Staff said adding transient docks now would require re-permitting the marina and pier permits obtained in prior years.
The commission also discussed several downtown parking ideas. Public Works staff reported a one-year estimate for a shuttle service with the private operator Freebee at roughly $135,000; staff said costs would fall if a service were limited to a smaller area. Commissioners and staff agreed to further study engineering and education measures before pursuing large contracts. Staff proposed a small, paint-and-sign pilot on a two-block section (Third Avenue north of Main Street) to mark where to park and to test 30-, 60- and 90-day operational effects.
On advisory boards, staff said the city has uneven applicant interest across boards, with some boards routinely having little or no applicant pool. The commission discussed options to broaden outreach, hold annual board training that could also include people on applicant waiting lists, and standardize recordkeeping for terms and absences. Commissioners suggested a workshop or agenda item that compiles current board membership, tenure, waiting-list candidates and recommended policy changes so the commission can set consistent rules on term limits and reappointments.
Commissioners and staff discussed short-term rental regulations. Staff reported work reviewing existing local ordinances against state law and said state-level changes limit some local restrictions, particularly on frequency and duration; staff will return with the city's current ordinance and a map showing grandfathered areas and locations with licensing or other controls.
Public-works topics covered included: directing Public Works to merge the Bishop Creek and Mullet Creek tasks with an ongoing watershed management plan (staff scheduled a follow-up update to the commission on April 7); sidewalk improvements near the Elm Street property, which staff estimated could cost about $375,000 and is currently unbudgeted because the work would require coordination with the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection; and an ongoing discussion with Harborside Christian Church about a proposed trail adjacent to church property involving wetland areas.
The commission also heard that plans to install swings at Waterfront Park are awaiting final Community Redevelopment Agency budget approval; storm recovery and staffing impacts delayed several projects in the prior nine months.
No formal ordinances or votes were adopted on these items at the March 3 meeting; staff were directed to return with refined options, cost estimates, or draft language where appropriate.
