901 Ponce de Leon Blvd.

Belleair, FL 33756

Town of Belleair

Meeting Minutes

Town Commission

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

5:30 PM

Town Hall

Meeting called to order at 5:30 with Mayor Wilkinson presiding.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

COMMISSIONER ROLL CALL

Present: 5 - Mayor Michael Wilkinson

Deputy Mayor Tom Shelly

Commissioner Patricia Barris

Commissioner Thomas Kelly

Commissioner Todd Jennings

PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

25-0156

Epilepsy Awareness Month Proclamation

Mayor Wilkinson stated the representative was unable to attend, will provide her with the

Proclamation; November is Epilepsy Awareness Month.

25-0160

Confirmation of Daniel A. Carpenter as Finance Director

Ms. Lancaster-Town Manager- introduced Mr. Carpenter, spoke on his background and

experience.

Dan Carpenter-thanked the Town Manager and Commission; appreciative of the

opportunity to work with everyone.

No additional comments.

Deputy Mayor Shelly moved approval of the confirmation of Daniel A. Carpenter as Finance

Director. Seconded by Commissioner Kelly.

5 - Mayor Wilkinson, Deputy Mayor Shelly, Commissioner Barris, Commissioner Kelly, and

Commissioner Jennings

Aye:

SCHEDULED PUBLIC HEARINGS

Persons are advised that, if they decide to appeal any decision made at this meeting/hearing, they will need a record of the

proceedings, and, for such purposes, they may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which

record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

25-0157

First Reading of Ordinance 589 - Amending Land Development Code Section 74-332

Jay Daigneault-Town Attorney-read Ordinance 589 into the record by title only.

Ms. Lancaster spoke to purpose of ordinance; provides for owner permission.

Sophia Cozzie- resident and St. Petersburg College student- spoke to case study

project; required to speak at a public meeting; commented on importance of property

owner consent, collaboration.

Commissioner Kelly moved approval of Ordinance 589 amending land development Code

Section 74-332. Seconded by Deputy Mayor Shelly.

Aye: 5 - Mayor Wilkinson, Deputy Mayor Shelly, Commissioner Barris, Commissioner Kelly, and

Commissioner Jennings

25-0158

First Reading of Ordinance 590 - Adopting Official Seal

Attorney Daigneault read Ordinance 590 into the record by title only.

Ms. Lancaster spoke on purpose of update.

No comments.

Deputy Mayor Shelly moved approval of Ordinance 590 on first reading. Seconded by

Commissioner Jennings.

Aye: 5 - Mayor Wilkinson, Deputy Mayor Shelly, Commissioner Barris, Commissioner Kelly, and

Commissioner Jennings

CITIZENS COMMENTS

(Discussion of items not on the agenda. Each speaker will be allowed to speak once for a maximum of 3 minutes.)

Ric Feinberg-resident-commended obtaining bluff survey and report; spoke to

limitations of scope being at base; requests addressing erosion and vegetation at the

top of the bluff.

CONSENT AGENDA

Deputy Mayor Shelly moved approval of the Consent Agenda. Seconded by Commissioner

Jennings.

25-0159

Approval of September 26, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes and September 23, 2025

Special Meeting Minutes

25-0155

25-0161

Special Relief Permit Request - 2025 Silver Coffee

RS&H Engineer of Record (EOR) Contract - Request for Rate Adjustment

Deputy Mayor Shelly moved approval of the Consent Agenda. Seconded by Commissioner

Jennings.

5 - Mayor Wilkinson, Deputy Mayor Shelly, Commissioner Barris, Commissioner Kelly, and

Commissioner Jennings

Aye:

GENERAL AGENDA

25-0154

Major Event Special Relief Permit Request - 2026 Clearwater Marathon and Running

Festival

Ms. Lancaster stated this event has occurred for a number of years, John Mortimer is the

event director.

John Mortimer-event director-thanked Commission for allowing to hold event in the

community; available for questions.

No further comments.

Deputy Mayor Shelly moved approval of the Major Event Special Relief Permit for the 2026

Clearwater Marathon and Running Festival on first hearing. Seconded by Patricia Barris.

Aye: 5 - Mayor Wilkinson, Deputy Mayor Shelly, Commissioner Barris, Commissioner Kelly, and

Commissioner Jennings

25-0162

Largo Fire Services Draft Agreement

Ms. Lancaster showed an old Town of Belleair volunteer firefighter badge that belonged

to her husband; spoke to great service of Largo Fire; supportive of quality of services

we are receiving; Largo City Manager requested a large increase of 25%, long

negotiations ensued; Belleair Bluffs requested the county engage and provide

mediation; new agreement is a four party agreement composed of us, Belleair Bluffs,

Pinellas County and Largo; population based cost agreement; our share of the

agreement going forward is a 25% increase over projected 5% increase of last year's

budget; it totals a 35% increase from FY 25; despite the significant increase, changing

providers is not recommended and would be far more expensive; recommends

approval of new contract which includes an annual audit based on a cost center specific

to station 43; spoke to minor changes made to draft version; provided overview of key

contract highlights.

Mayor Wilkinson spoke to lengthy negotiation process; the agreement replaces the

2015 agreement with a 4 party agreement; spoke to Largo actions and attendance at

their Commission meeting; spoke to the importance of Belleair paying fair share but

also knowing our costs; their services received are excellent, Belleair Bluffs approved

agreement last night; audit each year and potential for refund for unspent dollars; in

support of agreement; commended Gay for fighting for population versus just value

calculations.

Deputy Mayor Shelly spoke to excellent service of Largo Fire.

Commissioner Kelly commended Largo Fire; spoke to disappointment with Largo

management during negotiation process.

No public comments.

Deputy Mayor Shelly moved approval of the Fire Services Agreement among the Town of

Belleair, City of Belleair Bluffs, the City of Largo, and Pinellas County. Seconded by

Commissioner Barris.

5 - Mayor Wilkinson, Deputy Mayor Shelly, Commissioner Barris, Commissioner Kelly, and

Commissioner Jennings

Aye:

TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT

Ms. Lancaster spoke to excellent team efforts regarding fire. Spoke to library

reimbursement policy, request received to increase reimbursement amount; currently

reimburse $80 and $100 to military/veterans, if extended to all, approximate net increase

at 100% would be less than $2,000 annually; provided reimbursement rates of other

municipalities; requesting Commission to make a motion for a policy.

Mayor Wilkinson in support.

No additional comments.

Deputy Mayor Shelly moved that we reimburse 100% of the fees. Seconded by

Commissioner Barris.

5 - Mayor Wilkinson, Deputy Mayor Shelly, Commissioner Barris, Commissioner Kelly, and

Commissioner Jennings

Aye:

Ms. Lancaster continued her report regarding the ongoing research of creek

maintenance and repair responsibility; house side of legislature is proposing 6 items to

be on the ballot; Florida League of Cities has provided information to state what would

happen if we lose our ability to collect ad valorem taxes; pushing as constitutional

amendments, will keep updated; spoke on skeleton trail and Halloween bash; street

sign replacements and planter refreshing.

Ryan Womack-Public Works Superintendent-introduced Chuck Guara, the new Water

Distribution Manager.

Mayor Wilkinson requested to be updated on the bluff.

TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT

Attorney Daigneault had nothing to report.

MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS

Commissioner Barris - thanked Sophia for attending the meeting.

Deputy Mayor Shelly - thanked Sophia and her parents.

Commissioner Jennings - commended Sophia on public speaking as well.

Commissioner Kelly - commended Sophia and thanked staff for getting fire contract.

Mayor Wilkinson - spoke to St. Petersburg College being a great university and Belleair

residents who attend; thanked staff on fire agreement resolution.

OTHER BUSINESS

No other business.