[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6088450,"mediaKeyId","2880340-209613bfaeeea64a097e52185c419a14","parentId",2880340,"title","Votes at a glance: council approves budget and utility contracts, moves consent items","audioSeconds",885,"startMs",1750000,"endMs",2635000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880340-209613bfaeeea64a097e52185c419a14&start=1750&end=2635","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880340-209613bfaeeea64a097e52185c419a14/thumbnail_1750000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6088450/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-council-approves-budget-and-utility-contracts-moves-consent-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088450-8e8b37c569beca0d0dc1038ab0e2e51f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151808&Signature=K6NUusf85ZuSeJlevCL-zUBTygbR7XQbWozHCHOasRtmVLEboQLBJK2o7Kn~3W8-ioKxt~~4A9gMtUnCRiAkyuoL9BJRna63RBYBR6W292HBIHoy4LkOBfIA3pcFRHa5JNLN3o22ZmJ1AqEKjjwTZSmPyXpIDpL5YKAqm1Y-tZJ4MFJJmRQSTxQXMO-YZda6ZXgZxnuQiRfv5xK7ezdgTembfnx62ICCFltoZ5ERsJ9TQUY0jlzUsRTFjQWg8kYRd4hrvJ45woXInMjN3u35w3vlrjHNNG6ihin5Vw-tNkMyHzCY8Sfk8cxBsiJYBUucSBFBSufia4qnNvZ6PXXjwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Clearwater, FL","date","2025-04-05T04:54:05.28Z","article","The Clearwater City Council handled a series of consent and ordinance items on April 3. Below are brief summaries of formal council actions and the recorded outcomes.

Key votes and outcomes
- Event license agreement for a shred/medication take-back event at Countryside Mall (Agenda 6.2): Motion to approve passed unanimously.
- Duke Energy underground conversion and utility relocation agreement for Myrtle Avenue from Cleveland Street to Court Street (Agenda 6.4): Council approved an agreement in the amount of $671,431.56 to replace overhead power lines with new underground distribution; vote unanimous.
- Purchase of fire apparatus (Agenda 7.1): Council approved the $4,378,595.86 purchase (see separate article).
- Second reading — operating budget ordinance amendment (Agenda 8.5): Ordinance number 9819-25 (as listed in the agenda) amending the operating budget for FY ending 09/30/2025 to reflect revenue and expenditure changes for several funds was approved on second reading, unanimous vote.
- Second reading — capital improvement budget amendment (Agenda 8.6): Council approved an increase of $10,723,638 in the capital improvement budget on second reading; unanimous vote.
- Annexation and zoning (Agenda 8.3 and 8.4): Second readings approved annexation of property at 2039 Poinsettia Avenue and corresponding future land-use and zoning changes (LMDR) on unanimous votes.

Consent procedure and pulled items: Council moved the consent agenda with two items pulled earlier in the meeting. Several speakers asked that certain items be pulled for discussion; staff and council addressed technical questions before votes.

What this means: The votes advance approved budget adjustments and capital work and authorize specific contracts. The approved Duke Energy undergrounding agreement is intended to move overhead lines underground on a defined downtown block; the budget ordinances formalize adjustments cited in staff reports.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Clearwater - City Council Meeting - 4/3/25","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 3 meeting the council approved consent and budget items including event license, Duke Energy undergrounding agreement, budget amendments and annexation read ordinances. Several items were approved unanimously; one consent item was pulled for discussion.","taxTitle","Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida","taxId",4656,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6088455,"Council recognizes scholarship recipients and proclaims Donate Life Month, National Library Week",641,486000,1127000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880340-209613bfaeeea64a097e52185c419a14&start=486&end=1127","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880340-209613bfaeeea64a097e52185c419a14/thumbnail_486000.jpg","/articles/6088455/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/Council-recognizes-scholarship-recipients-and-proclaims-Donate-Life-Month-National-Library-Week","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088455-e468a17657d138cbe4c6c15e32d5ea31/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151808&Signature=Y7Qwke7H9surulV~1yLBc~-92-NOhMU9g6M3HkvrUgXeVmGw2qdzCvtQi-U9FjI~SmedbA7Whx~kIKbTVWrcaKCxbjXWJUZ6Y7NDKZl~gyurmV8FZAsrdmWZvwHM7daGEOHUZnRBxHjQ6h0Chv2ipQocS0kuZiY0uJt4fO-3mGNG~Fq9OsLidgxptQryz18QvpN~U09MwVWzdsb2r9AAx3xDEfLHxuO~tOyFgERWvyCME-cULBwp6IxKwzqdYcVV1g5zqTsJMeN3DbnsRaLD6jBVoqSccA~YTcyQ9wwW9cZDOdR6FhWxqeAQaf2Eia~IX4otG3qYCi-6cbeFtiK07Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Clearwater City Council recognized local scholarship recipients and issued two community proclamations during the April 3 meeting.

Clearwater For Youth: Eric Harris introduced representatives from Clearwater For Youth, and vice chair Hoyt Hamilton presented the organization’s 2025 scholarship winners. Staff and board volunteers reviewed more than 300 applications and awarded over $320,000 in scholarships this year to students attending community colleges and four-year universities. The mayor and council members invited winners forward and thanked volunteers and scholarship donors.

Proclamations: Ray Rodriguez from LifeLink accepted a Donate Life Month proclamation; the mayor noted Florida’s organ and tissue donor registry and encouraged residents to register. Rose Stein, assistant director of the Clearwater Library, accepted a proclamation for National Library Week, with the mayor encouraging residents to visit the library and use its resources.

The council recessed from recognitions into the regular agenda after presentations and a group photo of scholarship recipients.

","The council presented Clearwater for Youth scholarships and issued proclamations for Donate Life Month and National Library Week. The scholarship program awarded more than $320,000 in scholarships this year; several students were called forward and briefly introduced.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6088460,"Council approves $4.38 million purchase of three fire apparatus; funding adjusted to avoid future general fund commitments",340,2187000,2527000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880340-209613bfaeeea64a097e52185c419a14&start=2187&end=2527","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880340-209613bfaeeea64a097e52185c419a14/thumbnail_2187000.jpg","/articles/6088460/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/Council-approves-438-million-purchase-of-three-fire-apparatus-funding-adjusted-to-avoid-future-general-fund-commitments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088460-8f54e268ef225803c9028ba68accd13b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151808&Signature=Is5jJE09ZA5ZFjjwcISwYjHKuG7-kDkvsJgVEhTO6G9XkZhcqFBn7gfFTVPpL1f5kek14r9x5I8hcXl-uyLJAPTmRTyrYntpGiWNlChX66YeJ~2drxNE6CTjeM~Wrpy1f1DQAgPKc48yWCZhvH3djQH5BmEhNLFSXw8WwNLi6qxAdID6i1yOU8z-VAeuwJe41YjTAmuHegogzGeEPnFyb9YKHaGcMImfpPabDDq~PvBcMiw2VoT6rGYqwqoRVnXNXPOV00HuPrbPvEk9GVQRfHho~u8Advi6xNnL2yz0lRaLNDyyr-wX-sig~GBYyfh2AwgHIdDOW29t3nowd3xBGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Clearwater City Council authorized a purchase order on April 3 to buy two Pierce Velocity pumpers and one Pierce tractor-drawn aerial from 10-8 Fire Equipment, Inc., for a total price of $4,378,595.86.

Interim Fire Chief Marvin Pettengill told council staff revised the funding plan after concerns about using future general-fund dollars; the department will instead use current general-fund revenues, the Penny for Pinellas capital program and the county fire tax to pay for the apparatus. Council approved the purchase unanimously.

Public comment included requests for more transparency on the condition and mileage of apparatus the city plans to retire or trade; a few speakers asked whether the interim chief would be promoted and whether purchases should wait until a permanent chief is in place. Chief Pettengill and staff said the fleet replacement schedule and funding sources were reviewed in prior work sessions and that a work-session memo and vendor details had been shared with council earlier in the week.

What the ordinance says and next steps: Council authorized disposal of surplus apparatus by auction or trade-in as deemed in the city’s best interest and directed appropriate officials to execute the purchase order. Staff said the new apparatus will be accepted only upon receipt and verification. The council recorded the vote as unanimous in favor.

","Council authorized a purchase order for two pumpers and one tractor-drawn aerial from 10-8 Fire Equipment for $4,378,595.86, funded from Penny for Pinellas, county fire tax and current general-fund revenues. Interim fire chief and public commenters discussed transparency on fleet condition.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6088466,"Council rejects immediate removal of fluoride from city water after split vote",5451,14069000,19520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880340-209613bfaeeea64a097e52185c419a14&start=14069&end=19520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880340-209613bfaeeea64a097e52185c419a14/thumbnail_14069000.jpg","/articles/6088466/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/Council-rejects-immediate-removal-of-fluoride-from-city-water-after-split-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088466-dd2dcb926e84f8d3908fd06182a304c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151808&Signature=cBUj4gveGg83i~wDpBeAnZAudq~bX0uyhImXOBVwwjMpBpgJ36zHAl688~q2O9DdnyhvNQN-pKYLuvwaTOhqDFEe9i7scL~6GPm1qrf-e~T3C5agVU2DTRRmsQnxvDeGEq617f8YFZw1ohvt8M5I9DFS2i7SYaYSo6dmlQ4V5lFS6YYADHo68UkJjtur2Tco~VM2h3D8EGNlOumCdO5Rv113U3qOkwNfJBrk6cudO5yQlTHEMjg3gTgSRvxiDw0PC12aqNgauzW06Fthx1atTApc6frOMEkKbAahzs21eLOwWTkXZ0fH3vWPoaTQUCXn26sj1peXfoxCkO2Dvszmlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Clearwater City Council considered a motion on April 3 to end the city-funded addition of fluoride to the municipal water supply that serves a majority of Clearwater customers. After about two hours of public testimony and a long council exchange, the motion to remove fluoride failed by council vote (motion did not pass).

Councilmember Ryan Cotton, who introduced the proposal, described fluoride in drinking water as \"mass medication without consent,\" saying the city can remove the additive for residents it controls and that those who want fluoridated water could still purchase bottled or otherwise treated products. Cotton argued the city should not force medication into all residents’ drinking water, especially pregnant women and infants; he pointed to recent studies raising neurodevelopment concerns.

Supporters of continued fluoridation — including some health and dental professionals who submitted written comments — said large public-health organizations still recommend community water fluoridation at controlled levels as an effective measure to reduce tooth decay among children who lack regular dental care. Those speakers and commenters said the city’s action would remove a low-cost preventive benefit for lower-income families who are less likely to receive routine dental services.

Council debate focused on three practical issues: (1) the city supplies approximately 63–67% of the water used by its customers (the balance is purchased from county systems), meaning a city-only decision would not immediately change water delivered to all people with Clearwater addresses; (2) the state Legislature was considering related bills that could set a statewide standard; and (3) the differing weight council members gave to studies cited by both sides.

Outcome and next steps: A procedural motion to remove fluoride did not pass; the council recorded a narrow split on the question (two council members voted in favor of removal, three opposed). Staff and council members said the conversation would continue and that any future action would likely come with technical analysis on how county-supplied water and state legislation would affect local implementation.

","A council motion to remove fluoride from the city’s water supply failed on a 3–2 vote after hours of testimony from residents, dentists and public-health advocates. Supporters called the practice mass medication without consent; opponents cited public-health organizations and protections for at-risk children.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6088470,"Council postpones decision on sale of Garden Avenue after hours of public comment",5630,2678000,8308000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880340-209613bfaeeea64a097e52185c419a14&start=2678&end=8308","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880340-209613bfaeeea64a097e52185c419a14/thumbnail_2678000.jpg","/articles/6088470/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/Council-postpones-decision-on-sale-of-Garden-Avenue-after-hours-of-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088470-50f251b915724a84d9830ba85250a70e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151808&Signature=FFDhpttXempCUcn2vM0yYvAt5SkdDkQB3BZ9WRyA1aO7YzamMH~Sf3oyrfm3GQME7DzmNSuv42~q0WTTevupKtAcD70tLC8NYUlUSN01j6wVjk88QxrcSPFboIxFmCgZcVE-ucoVx0QhfPI8qQY~TEpQGVWOsfygvS3jRqaPM3YhqAd~JwMaFRHTDoAcXKG1lUr13lXYLijANdgID~wb1IqGP0EsLhQCg82CkA645C78gsmFFcdJk153wZ1e2ya40Wm-6MJnG--Xfw-1aha0WoxeMRLbHhZINrQ14WbdbZa3sKu0oSduHZJ3PmD6O0JhRrr0ak2Q1BpERJZkhSZ9fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Clearwater City Council postponed consideration of a proposed sale of the vacated one-block portion of Garden Avenue to the Church of Scientology, voting 3–2 on April 3 to continue the item to the council meeting on May 15.

Council members said they had received an alternative proposal for the same parcel on short notice and wanted time to examine community input and staff analysis. The council also directed City Manager Jennifer Poirier to continue negotiations and serve as the point person on Garden Avenue matters during the extension period.

Why it matters: The parcel at issue sits adjacent to the Church of Scientology’s Flag Building and has drawn months of community attention because of questions about how a transfer would affect downtown public space, protest rights and long-term downtown activation. The proposal on the table would convey the city-owned right of way after conditions are met and after the church completes its planned building; opponents say the terms are too favorable and lack sufficient enforceable activation commitments.

Public comment filled the dais for more than four hours. Speakers who opposed the sale argued the transfer would cede a public street to a private organization and could reduce access, harm downtown vibrancy and set a precedent for selling city right-of-way. Several callers urged the council to require stronger activation terms, more upfront payment, penalties with “teeth,” or to pursue alternative uses proposed by community groups.

Supporters of the church’s proposal said the Church of Scientology has invested in downtown buildings and would create an event hall that could generate hotel and restaurant demand. Tom Mahoney of Public Works told council the draft agreement sets a purchase price of $1,375,000 and preserves utility easements; the city would not convey title until the church completes the building and obtains a certificate of occupancy.

Council action and next steps: Council voted 3–2 to continue the matter to May 15. The council then passed a separate motion authorizing and directing City Manager Jennifer Poirier to conduct and lead negotiations on Garden Avenue-related matters during the extension period. The manager and city attorney said the city required statutory advertising under the Community Redevelopment Act and that the city had already received appraisals and a draft contract for council consideration.

What to watch: Council members said they expect staff to report back with analysis of the recently submitted alternative proposal from community groups, details on enforceable activation milestones, proposed guarantee instruments, and a clearer schedule showing when funds, certificates of occupancy and title transfer would occur. If the council ultimately approves a conveyance, staff said title would not transfer until the developer completes the agreed building and closing conditions are met.

","City council paused action on a proposed sale of a one-block portion of Garden Avenue to the Church of Scientology after several hours of public comment and a split council debate. The council directed the city manager to continue negotiations and postponed final council action for 30 days.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: council approves budget and utility contracts, moves consent items

Council recognizes scholarship recipients and proclaims Donate Life Month, National Library Week

Council approves $4.38 million purchase of three fire apparatus; funding adjusted to avoid future general fund commitments

Council rejects immediate removal of fluoride from city water after split vote

Council postpones decision on sale of Garden Avenue after hours of public comment