City Council approves consent agenda including annexations, procurement contracts and appointments

Clearwater City Council unanimously approved a broad consent agenda at its Oct. 15 meeting that included annexations and zoning ordinances, multiple purchase orders and contract awards, the donation of a city parcel for affordable housing, and several board appointments.

The council approved first-reading ordinances to annex two single‑family parcels and set future land‑use and zoning designations for both addresses. The annexation items (ordinances 98-42-25 through 98-47-25) were presented by Lauren Maskey of the Planning and Development Department and carried without public comment. Mayor Bruce Rector read the ordinances aloud before the council moved and unanimously approved each item.

The council also authorized multiple procurement actions and purchase orders across departments for goods and services needed for city operations. Items approved included: a purchase order to Port Consolidated Inc. for oils and lubricants (not to exceed $600,000 through 7/31/2028); cumulative vehicle parts purchase orders (up to $1,250,000) for fleet maintenance; bunker gear, hoses and firefighter uniform purchases for the Fire Department (part of a $940,000 authorization across vendors); polyethylene and steel pipe fittings for Clearwater Gas ($2,000,000 annual authorization); library books and materials through cooperative contracts ($425,000 annually); park amenities and engineered wood fiber for playgrounds; mulch services; TriTech CAD/dispatch software support renewal ($246,320.40); LexisNexis/Accruent analytic tools renewal ($59,567.57 over two years); and multiple construction and improvement contracts, including work for stormwater repairs and forcemain improvements awarded to Keystone Excavators (force main $3,971,526.35; stormwater repairs $1,522,824 annual contract). Each of these procurement items was introduced by department staff and approved by unanimous council vote.

Also on the consent agenda: the city declared surplus property at 1164 LaSalle Street and approved a donation agreement with CIMHZ Management LLC for development of an affordable housing unit subject to deed restrictions (see separate article on the donation). The council approved a not‑to‑exceed guaranteed maximum price to Toban Construction for removal of six underground trash vaults, and authorized multiple additional maintenance and utility contracts described on the agenda.

Appointments and board actions approved included the mayor’s appointment of Sam Wilson to the Clearwater Housing Authority Board (term ending 10/15/2029), and the appointment of Timothy Hughes to the Environmental Advisory Board (term expiring 9/30/2029). The council confirmed these appointments by unanimous vote.

Votes at a glance

- Annexation and zoning ordinances 98-42-25 through 98-47-25 (2714 Woodring Drive; 2743 Morningside Drive): approved on first reading, unanimous. - Purchase orders and renewals (multiple vendors; Fleet, Fire, Utilities, Parks, Library, TriTech CAD, LexisNexis/Accruent): approved, unanimous. Specifics listed in agenda attachments. - Keystone Excavators — Lift Station 9 and 10 Forcemain Improvements: award $3,971,526.35: approved, unanimous. - Keystone Excavators — 2025 stormwater repairs contract (unit-price annual term): approved, unanimous. - Guaranteed maximum price for demolition/removal of six underground trash vaults (Toban Construction): approved, unanimous. - Surplus property donation: 1164 LaSalle Street to CIMHZ Management LLC with deed restrictions (15-year affordability covenant): approved, unanimous. - Appointments: Sam Wilson to Clearwater Housing Authority Board; Timothy Hughes to Environmental Advisory Board: approved, unanimous.

Council members who spoke briefly during consent items repeatedly noted that staff review and weekly internal questions help ensure appropriate procurement and due diligence. Several department presenters provided brief summaries of scope, vendors and procurement method before each vote.

Ending

The council moved on after the consent agenda to discuss capital projects, grants and other business on the regular agenda. The unanimous vote record for consent items indicates broad council support for the city’s recommended administrative and procurement actions.