Clearwater council gives consent on multiple budget, procurement and development items; Penny for Pinellas transfer proposed

Clearwater councilmembers on June 1 approved a series of routine but consequential financial and procurement items and heard updates on development proposals and events.

By unanimous consent the council filed the April 2026 financial statement after Anne Lopez, CRA assistant director, reported year‑to‑date expenditures and an available balance of $1,213,172 as of April 30. Lopez said staff reallocated under‑spent event funds to the unallocated special events grant line.

Kailene Castle, the city budget director, briefed council on a requested transfer of $750,000 in Penny for Pinellas funding: staff proposed eliminating a previously approved police equipment facility project and using the funds for a "main PD parking expansion" to provide secure spaces that will support operations and incoming city hall staff. Castle said the request must follow the ordinance process and the item will return for the required public hearings.

On procurement and contracts, council consented to multiple items including:

- a purchase order for an Osage Warrior Type 1 rescue vehicle (2027 Ford F450 chassis) at $387,920.45 for Clearwater Fire and Rescue (Scott Baber, deputy chief explained funding in the CIP and anticipated EMS tax reimbursement);

- a one‑year contract (with optional renewals) for dry blended polyphosphate corrosion control chemicals with Shannon Chemical Corporation estimated at $141,094.77 for the initial year to support the city’s three water treatment plants; unit cost $3.43 per pound; and

- awards for potable and reclaimed water meters (initial estimated annual amount $400,000) to Badger/Consolidated Pipe Supply and Ferguson Enterprises; staff noted work toward advanced metering infrastructure (AMI).

Jared Barton, IT manager, requested and obtained consent to renew the city’s Microsoft enterprise enrollment with SHI for a three‑year term (07/01/2026–06/30/2029) covering Microsoft 365 and security/compliance tools.

Mike McDonald (marine and aviation director) presented the second phase of marina slip rate adjustments for recreational tenants, effective Oct. 1, 2026. Staff said the phased increases move rates closer to market and that a small number of long‑term tenants left ("7 or 8"), though a waiting list remains.

Planning staff described several land‑use items that will return for formal decisions at agendized public hearings: voluntary annexations and future land‑use/zoning amendments for parcels on Pineapple Lane (to add to Moccasin Lake Park) and Owen Drive for sewer extension; and a pending development agreement for a hotel at 10 & 18 Bay Esplanade seeking allocation of 91 hotel density reserve units (combined project up to 144 rooms) that staff found conceptually consistent with Beach by Design criteria and that will require additional review by development committees.

Council also heard staff updates about upcoming events and DDB grants, approved a revocable license agreement to continue beach amusements provided by All Around Amusements LLC, and authorized purchase orders for roll‑off containers and compactors to ensure solid‑waste operational continuity.

Most consent items were approved without roll‑call votes at the work session; several items will appear on the formal council agenda for Thursday night action or for required public hearings.