Council and CRA approve series of grants, contracts and interlocal amendments on consent

The City of Clearwater's Community Redevelopment Agency and City Council approved a package of grants, procurement orders and interlocal amendments at their Nov. 17, 2025 meetings, most by consent.

The CRA approved a downtown commercial grant for 45 Sports Bar and Lounge LLC at 1409 Cleveland Street. Staff reported a total project cost of $222,615 with the applicant requesting $122,438.25; the applicant will provide a reported 45% match ($100,176.75). The improvements described included an extended bar area, floor and kitchen renovations, upgraded ductwork and lighting, storefront glass replacement and restroom renovations. Trustees moved and approved the grant by voice vote.

Council consent items included procurement and capital projects: authorization of a purchase order to Benchmark VA LLC for gas-leak surveys, corrosion inspections and meter maintenance (a three-year contract with an annual amount not to exceed $230,000); a unit-price resurfacing contract with Gator Grading & Paving for the city's annual street resurfacing program (unit-price contract not to exceed $3,000,000 annually with up to three one-year extensions through Sept. 2029); a construction award to Bandus Construction Company for renovations and structural repairs to the North Greenwood Recreation Center pool (scope described as play-feature replacement, decking, new filters and pumps, resurfacing and drainage work); and a purchase order to a vendor for tennis- and pickleball-court cleaning and resurfacing covering three facilities (eight courts total).

Public safety and technology purchases were approved by consent: a five-year agreement with Axon Inc. for Sky Hero interior drones and associated equipment ($96,760.80 total, to be spread over five years) for use by SWAT and patrol for structure clearing and risk mitigation; and acceptance of a Florida Department of Transportation speeding and aggressive-driving grant (staff noted an indemnification clause and discussed enforcement and education elements).

Interlocal and program agreements approved by consent included a five-year extension to the county surface-water monitoring program (NPDES-related) in which Pinellas County conducts most monitoring and the city pays a pro rata share; and a first amendment to the Duke undergrounding project local agreement to accept and pass through PSTA's roughly $15,000 portion related to CSX-requested tweaks (the city will execute and be reimbursed by PSTA). Council also approved the proposed 2026 council meeting schedule with agreed accommodations for religious observance and conference travel.

Many items were presented with staff conditions or clarifications: grant-funded renovations must obtain permits, pass inspections and be maintained for a minimum period (for the 45 Sports Bar grant staff specified a 365-day certificate-of-occupancy requirement and three-year maintenance); resurfacing scope was tied to pavement-condition analysis and coordination with utilities; and the Prime/dispatch technology item noted earlier (see separate article) described reimbursement mechanics and project delays. Where staff offered additional detail in response to public questions, those clarifications are reflected above.

Next steps: most items were placed on consent and completed; staff will return with any follow-up implementation steps or agreements as required by the grant or contract language.