[{"_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",6226676,"mediaKeyId","3504014-e6eef7f1a158e8a1363a77a6e20569ad","parentId",3504014,"title","Commission authorizes nearly $940,000 increase to debris-removal contract; FEMA reimbursement anticipated","audioSeconds",1728,"startMs",6870000,"endMs",8598000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3504014-e6eef7f1a158e8a1363a77a6e20569ad&start=6870&end=8598","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3504014-e6eef7f1a158e8a1363a77a6e20569ad/thumbnail_6870000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6226676/Dunedin/Pinellas-County/Florida/Commission-authorizes-nearly-940000-increase-to-debris-removal-contract-FEMA-reimbursement-anticipated","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226676-3c62f18e0c8ed92289ad21616ea59637/orig.mp4?Expires=1770423375&Signature=ACXtqNNui0vUts2ER0a6FDq16smsqacR0Yxk5T-bekM8ukMnknOGUZOvZEKShD-zwYZyoO2YcMPW11sRRCMdrF0gkvMU0nElggbADrI4VOPQpSjFu2Ka8t232eg5j3WCq22jdH3mY7~d7~6BxG4vVDGBVDOE1TZiwIX-Bu5QFl~unrPpapz3L8hcYqQrPcviTPWhG23cgV4d9Lpv8RyeU8WEL-vuKiyQ5DT74nt3I6hkxhjm2G8r0guxsKy-hACjHTziGV74sW-PYLqcD3zt~~ZdMCTUKxQmlOT9tJPTu4IM7yYrGpHWB7kfyUQhdKAM5xKdNINW661VxAzZ5f-EpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Dunedin, FL","date","2025-05-25T08:58:55.85Z","article","The commission approved an amendment May 22 to increase the city's purchase order with Crowder Gulf Joint Ventures Inc. by $939,926.30 to a total not-to-exceed amount of $5,250,776.30 for disaster debris collection and removal tied to Hurricane Milton.

Public Works Director Sue Bartlett said the additional funds reflect final reconciliations after multiple storm events this season and the time required to complete removal. She told commissioners the Crowder team fulfilled an urgent need after the city changed vendors during the response and that the contractor's work has been reviewed by the city's debris-monitoring consultant, Tetra Tech.

\"They did a great job,\" Bartlett said of the contractor, and added the work is expected to be reimbursable by FEMA and the state. Staff noted some expedited debris-removal payments were received earlier in the recovery and that the remaining invoiced costs will be submitted for FEMA/state reimbursement under the applicable program rules.

The motion to increase the purchase order passed unanimously during the meeting. Staff said that debris operations were largely direct-haul and that the city's quick lay-down and removal operations limited putrescible contamination and accelerated cleanup in neighborhoods.

Commissioners thanked public works and the contracted crews for the speed and thoroughness of the cleanup; staff said reimbursements could take several months to materialize based on federal and state processing timelines.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Regular Meeting 5.22.25","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved an increase to the Crowder Gulf joint-venture purchase order to cover additional debris-removal work after Hurricane Milton. Staff said the work has been reviewed and will be submitted for federal and state reimbursement under FEMA rules.","taxTitle","Dunedin, Pinellas County, Florida","taxId",50865,"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},6226683,"Dunedin names Beth Reynolds 2025 Environmental Hero; city wins Tampa Bay Macintosh award for resilience rebate program",535,1836000,2371000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3504014-e6eef7f1a158e8a1363a77a6e20569ad&start=1836&end=2371","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3504014-e6eef7f1a158e8a1363a77a6e20569ad/thumbnail_1836000.jpg","/articles/6226683/Dunedin/Pinellas-County/Florida/Dunedin-names-Beth-Reynolds-2025-Environmental-Hero-city-wins-Tampa-Bay-Macintosh-award-for-resilience-rebate-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226683-58bc8fe010ca9f817404e2c53ab172cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770423375&Signature=FecuoHj5ybLKC9Y6S5RaL3BrB66-tDva5fRaGp9DpZ6YywtaqlYR8fZ53oCfrFd2w7gvS0Q921rVGuXJEbGErHeo-JbQYzrA5JFh6om00BSWeywZpAZL5ejHlS8fR4z-p3jYAlGHUt2XcLfUQMQFe-sqZ1BrOsSDJ-p3hDuzhD1vG04OlRArhPTVlziCFuyVwoiXxTAs4TyvDLluc0JXPnBFi8YuZmyoZvWLheGEVnmTv1vu9iFObtAJJ~Z-TqP7yHmlpByG9b46p4FIcH5tRsM8yoXa-v2TNHFWSfehnfC8vf-88O0cY2ziv9~M3kpfVANx7sbJu1LgItgb3Rw0lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Commission heard two environmental recognitions on May 22: Beth Reynolds, an interpretive ranger at Honeymoon Island State Park, received the 2025 Dunedin Environmental Hero Award, and the city's Resiliency and Sustainability Rebate Program earned the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council's MacIntosh Award.

Natalie Gass, the city's sustainability program manager, and David Graves, committee chair, presented the Environmental Hero Award on behalf of the Committee on Environmental Quality and Sustainability. The committee selected Beth Reynolds for her work rescuing and educating about injured wildlife, launching a \"FreePlay\" initiative to collect and reuse abandoned beach toys, and leading restoration work after the 2024 hurricane season.

\"Her voice, whether on the beach, in classrooms, at community events, or through social media, reaches thousands,\" the committee said when presenting the award.

Separately, commissioners also recognized that the city's Dunedin Resiliency and Sustainability Rebate Program won the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council's top Macintosh award at the council's annual Future of the Region Awards. The program provides rebates for homeowners and businesses who harden structures for hurricanes and invest in sustainability measures.

Natalie Gass accepted the award and credited a cross-departmental city effort: \"This is a really great program that allows residents, homeowners and business owners to be able to come forward and be incentivized to harden their home for hurricanes and make their homes more sustainable,\" she said, and thanked staff across departments who helped implement and process rebates.

Commissioners lauded both the volunteers and staff work as examples of community resilience and stewardship. No formal action was required; both items were ceremonial and informational.","The Committee on Environmental Quality and Sustainability honored Beth Reynolds of Honeymoon Island State Park as the city's 2025 Environmental Hero. Staff also announced Dunedin won the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council's top Macintosh award for the Dunedin Resiliency and Sustainability Rebate Program; Natalie Gass accepted the award.",{"_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},6226688,"Dunedin Highland Games draw estimated 21,000 across two days; foundation reports $73,200 in community donations",451,95000,546000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3504014-e6eef7f1a158e8a1363a77a6e20569ad&start=95&end=546","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3504014-e6eef7f1a158e8a1363a77a6e20569ad/thumbnail_95000.jpg","/articles/6226688/Dunedin/Pinellas-County/Florida/Dunedin-Highland-Games-draw-estimated-21000-across-two-days-foundation-reports-73200-in-community-donations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226688-7fd49a7774d198d1a575ecde92bdb041/orig.mp4?Expires=1770423375&Signature=UPQtYP6nqFJm6cX8-nO8V1zjfFhycw-tNer8~e5L-AhB4XX-PvYbC70LVAmgII-zLC1Xt9fciIEb9TSRzn4N~YTvJiAY~PPW2YmlfJM~DmQEKhPQgAhhpagp61yCsjkGwGF195l9kHKAVlNNbvbexd8M0IyybY6c1XMIu82nbeD79MZvxrIXaFVohEEU-1rs70itdmS-DsabiXf8T6hfkHwJkfXnZT47dY55qpSxgoZntkP-9E-k8cr1loVPOEwZzkPtIo~1imQ6~4htcJOFBDginhgNcWIvYUngeTtaFJ~2EqKf3kHk3JJ2GEnkegcBbPQxHQ03hCyC8Zfi9MvX3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dunedin Scottish Arts Foundation reported to the City Commission on May 22 that this spring's Highland Games and an associated Celtic Festival drew strong attendance, economic impact and community donations.

\"Our total estimate of attendees between both days is approximately 21,000 people,\" said Eric McNeil, president of the Dunedin Scottish Arts Foundation. McNeil credited heavy marketing and collaboration with city staff and volunteers for the turnout and noted attendance dipped somewhat from last year because of extreme heat during the Saturday event.

McNeil said the foundation spent about $92,000 on marketing in the last 12 months to promote the Celtic Festival and Highland Games, with much of that targeted outside Pinellas County. He said the group relied on roughly 465 volunteers, including 43 volunteer committee members and 11 board members.

The foundation told commissioners the event budget totaled just under $250,000. McNeil said local and regional businesses benefited: the foundation did business with more than 50 firms and a regional economic-impact estimate provided by VISTA St. Pete Clearwater placed the event's total regional economic impact at about $10 million.

After expenses the foundation reported it would distribute $73,200 in proceeds back to community programs. \"The largest checks of that pot were for $12,000 each to the city of Dunedin pipe band, middle school pipe band, and high school band program,\" McNeil said. The foundation also distributed funds for scholarships (15 awards this year, up from seven in 2024) and to instruction and community groups.

Commissioners thanked the foundation and volunteers; Vice Mayor Jeff, the city liaison to Scottish Arts events, said he was proud of the cultural and economic contribution. The foundation previewed upcoming events, including a week-long piping and drumming camp and plans for competition travel by the city pipe band.

The commission did not take formal action on the presentation; the item was an informational update.","Eric McNeil, president of the Dunedin Scottish Arts Foundation, told the commission the Highland Games weekend attracted an estimated 21,000 attendees and generated proceeds the foundation is returning to local bands, scholarships and community groups.",{"_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},6226692,"Residents press Dunedin officials on pickleball court noise, lights and storage of court chemicals; city staff vows mitigation",875,2653000,3528000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3504014-e6eef7f1a158e8a1363a77a6e20569ad&start=2653&end=3528","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3504014-e6eef7f1a158e8a1363a77a6e20569ad/thumbnail_2653000.jpg","/articles/6226692/Dunedin/Pinellas-County/Florida/Residents-press-Dunedin-officials-on-pickleball-court-noise-lights-and-storage-of-court-chemicals-city-staff-vows-mitigation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226692-e4cfc799c7806248d19a269747f120ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1770423375&Signature=ledC9zIsOe~rEq8vKoOrv3Xth2dN5A0CfLwVlicK29uLcj9hdVULshOuxO8k-6EXi~rfpfm2jmLeYs0PbIZoSJ40GvffGmOPaTh06ZS1M5nAYapXgroub-S~LmcUVg0ds-g22HlUOBjV4l4OahlnbbywvyyizlKUvy6yMAG4RFgiHjKCM1hXqKZlW8tBgYwCyJkhK6qSS5SB0YO457UZgjjgcRsc4iqw2vDLfZst99orwdPpnL3caKvbr25SG9pIxMScl3d1GZ6wh8GclwfHmi6QYQMrBR9m3-fUWtF~et6SG-9E5RRhqMjVKvOZlCbBtjgR3brjBXlRPzwAKKw3Rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a packed City Commission meeting on May 22, residents from Heather Lakes and nearby neighborhoods urged commissioners to restrain pickleball operations at Eagle Scout Park and address chemical storage near homes.

Joanne Holiday, a nearby resident, told commissioners that barrels of a court-coating chemical had sat \"less than 80 feet from my bedroom windows\" and said she understood the containers \"are highly toxic, cancer causing.\" The barrels were present while maintenance work was ongoing; staff said they are removed when not in active use.

Multiple neighbors also complained about evening hours, loud play late into the night, overflow parking and lack of direct communication from city staff. \"There is no quiet enjoyment,\" Heather Lakes resident Vicki Stevens said, asking the commission to enforce an 8 p.m. curfew for the courts.

City staff and the city manager described specific mitigation steps under way. Staff said they have ordered four shields for the court lights closest to Heather Lakes and will deploy them to reduce light spill. The city has also directed patrols to monitor hours, is manufacturing signage asking players to be respectful of neighbors, and is exploring additional landscaping and mature trees to provide sound buffering.

\"We're gonna put [the shields] on, see how they perform, and then make adjustments as necessary,\" the city manager said. Staff also offered to meet directly with Heather Lakes leaders and other stakeholders and to add interested residents to a distribution list to keep them informed as plans are refined.

Officials emphasized the need to balance neighborhood livability with public access to popular recreation facilities. The parks director said many city parks remain open with lights until 10 p.m. and that the city is attempting to limit hours at sites adjacent to residences while coordinating with user groups. Staff said acoustical barriers were unlikely to be effective but that a combination of landscaping, light shields, signage and patrols should reduce impacts.

Commissioners asked staff to follow through quickly with the neighbors and to return with a stakeholder plan. No formal policy or ordinance was enacted that night; staff were directed to continue outreach and to report back.","Residents near Eagle Scout Park and Heather Lakes told commissioners barrels of a court-coating chemical were stored too close to homes and raised complaints about late-night hours, parking and noise. City staff described steps including light shields, signage, directed patrols and stakeholder meetings.",{"_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},6226698,"Dunedin commission approves first reading of water, sewer rate increases to shore up utility fund",4497,2843000,7340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3504014-e6eef7f1a158e8a1363a77a6e20569ad&start=2843&end=7340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3504014-e6eef7f1a158e8a1363a77a6e20569ad/thumbnail_2843000.jpg","/articles/6226698/Dunedin/Pinellas-County/Florida/Dunedin-commission-approves-first-reading-of-water-sewer-rate-increases-to-shore-up-utility-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226698-756d90e9ecc8acc75dce5d55bb9df3a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770423375&Signature=FGSwV5XSxYThC-U45yMuxCqyxiqe4LAGe-UzEY95eaO4VdQ0RfD8coyFoYiQJEvO4xSSp0lNPSN90x0ubA8Uy4Ul4zOIKiUgbi82fuLEH2~m7c1EE5YMbdRwW6ek3BMteAd28OHLA4Dc4td4McjT8OgnHUMJYPpZF1X~mPjF-MbZcMYTVhKk0RWK4jGnhS5UcCO45ClTRPyXm9Bads5l2wqVAH3haHRMUSAnxzirdic~RhVMpmNsIDDDs0CNjdPHlKP75NmtA78hVkjHspPsXgVRY-H~BT1vbiyqralgOwTgbY9l3hRVgbd2ZP7scklMiU4RF6SXTnALyWgrOg~o~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dunedin City Commission voted unanimously on May 22 to approve Ordinance 25-04 on its first reading, a plan to raise water, sewer and reclaimed-water rates through fiscal 2030 to stabilize the city's utility enterprise fund.

A consultant from Raftelis told the commission the utility's revenues have not kept pace with operating-cost inflation, major capital needs and the regulatory changes that will limit surface-water discharges. \"We need to take more immediate action to raise rates to fully fund the cost of operations,\" said Terry Bilvary, vice president at Raftelis.

The study, commissioned last year, sized a shortfall driven by higher-than-expected electricity, repair and construction costs, workforce-market pressures and an upcoming timeline to reduce or eliminate certain surface-water discharges under Senate Bill 64. Raftelis presented a multi-year financial plan that mixes phased rate increases with targeted debt (including State Revolving Fund loans) and pay-go funding to rebuild capital reserves and meet projected debt-service obligations.

Nan Bennett, utilities operations manager, said the fund had dipped into a negative net position under the current rate structure and that the Board of Finance and a May 6 workshop with commissioners had reviewed the consultant's recommendations. \"The water and sewer fund operates as an enterprise fund. We operate independent. We don't get taxes,\" Bennett said, explaining why the utility must cover its own capital and operating needs.

Under the proposal commissioners approved on first reading, rates would be phased in beginning Oct. 1, 2025, with larger increases in the first two years and smaller steps thereafter; the city would revisit results annually through the budget process. Raftelis and staff said the plan tries to balance the immediate need to avoid technical defaults on debt with mitigation of bill impacts for customers.

The consultant also recommended raising the reclaimed-water (purple-pipe) price closer to its cost of service. That recommendation is intended to reduce cross-subsidies between potable and reclaimed customers and to better reflect the infrastructure costs of treating and storing reclaimed water, while still keeping reclaimed irrigation cheaper than potable irrigation.

Commissioners pressed staff on bill impacts and equity. Several requested additional analysis of rate structure options (including whether an added high-use tier might better protect low-usage or fixed-income households) and asked staff to return with clearer bill-impact tables and an affordability plan. \"We have to make sure our financial position is solvent,\" Commissioner Walker said, adding that the commission also must continue to pursue grants and low-cost debt.

The ordinance passed on first reading by unanimous roll-call vote (Commissioner Walker, Vice Mayor Gall, Commissioners Dugard and Sandberg and Mayor Freaney all voted Aye). A second reading and final vote is scheduled for the June 5 commission meeting. Until then the ordinance's exact effective dates and the final tariff schedule remain subject to that final vote.","On first reading the City Commission approved an ordinance to raise water, sewer and reclaimed-water rates after a Raftelis study found rising operating costs, deferred capital needs and new regulatory requirements made the utility fund financially unsustainable without rate action.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission authorizes nearly $940,000 increase to debris-removal contract; FEMA reimbursement anticipated

Dunedin names Beth Reynolds 2025 Environmental Hero; city wins Tampa Bay Macintosh award for resilience rebate program

Dunedin Highland Games draw estimated 21,000 across two days; foundation reports $73,200 in community donations

Residents press Dunedin officials on pickleball court noise, lights and storage of court chemicals; city staff vows mitigation

Dunedin commission approves first reading of water, sewer rate increases to shore up utility fund