901 Ponce de Leon Blvd.

Belleair, FL 33756

Town of Belleair

Meeting Minutes

Town Commission

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

5:30 PM

Town Hall

Meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm 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

24-0243

Presentation by Duke Energy

Jeff Baker-Government Relations Manager, Duke Energy-spoke on Taylor Avenue

substation investments; The Town is served by Largo and Belleair substations as well,

work in the community over the next few years to improve reliability.

Kelly Swango-Senior Public Engagement Manager, Duke Energy - part of the Taylor

Avenue project touches town; spoke on grid strengthening improvements; installation of

self healing technology; spoke on how grid improvements improves reliability and

resiliency; discussed what residents will see, multi-year project; signage will be posted

at various construction sites providing information; spoke on scope of current project

and customer notification methods; provided contact information.

Commissioner Kelly questioned signage and initial notification; Ms. Swango addressed

questions and timing of notification.

Chris Glenny-Duke Energy - spoke on lines not tied to this project, but there will be some

undergrounding in future years; Commissioner Kelly spoke on project.

Mayor Wilkinson spoke on the Town not informed regarding project start; needs

heads-up to police as well as other departments.

Ms. Swango commented on work tidiness, urges Commission to reach out if something

is not up to standards.

24-0242

McKim & Creed Presentation

Dan Keck-Regional Engineering Manager with McKim and Creed-here to provide a

funding update regarding RO treatment plant; spoke on funding background; planning

and design approved; Belleair was first community in the State of Florida state to get an

application in to get approved for funding; spoke on DEP funding allocations; spoke on

chemical litigation lawsuits that will be generating additional funding sources; potential

for PFAS limits to be changed by incoming Administration, unsure of impacts; spoke on

EPA funding has been prioritized to small disadvantaged communities; plan continues

to be ready to go to submit an updated RFI; will be in attendance at DEP hearing,

funding unknown; will submit RFI to be first even without current funding.

Deputy Mayor Shelly questioned qualifying; Mr. Keck spoke on average median

income level to qualify; the Town is above that income.

Commissioner Kelly questioned litigation; unable to speak on all aspects; possible

class action lawsuit or groups pursuing; Commissioner Kelly questioned clarification on

grant money funding; Mr. Keck seeking a meeting and requesting legislative basis for

what is going on with funding.

Commissioner Jennings questioned if issues were dealing with EPA and DEP policies.

Mr. Keck spoke on change for free monies being handed to communities; administration

change is trying to cut government spending, the State has not weighed in yet; dynamic

and changing situation; addressed question regarding funding, DEP has not disbursed

all funds.

Commissioner Barris spoke on PFAS potentially being removed as contaminant; Mr.

Keck addressed Pinellas County water is larger entity that can pick and choose wells,

keep numbers low.

Deputy Mayor Shelly questioned if lead pipes have been found in Town; Allyson

Mauck-McKim and Creed-stated none have been found, lines are lead free.

Mr. Keck will be in attendance at the hearing in February to represent Belleair.

Ms. Lancaster spoke on being disadvantaged because of size; Mr. Keck affirmed and

stated now a double bar with income requirement.

Ms. Lancaster spoke on capacity to fund big projects; limitations as a tax base with

limited to no commercial; will follow up.

Commissioner Jennings questioned who is making the decision; Mr. Keck stated the

state legislature administration of DEP assigned to oversee and manage emerging

contaminants program; spoke briefly on hearing format.

Commissioner Kelly questioned if all paperwork is done; Mr. Keck affirmed it will all be in

by this Friday; in compliance. .

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.

24-0233

Second Reading of Ordinance 583 Athletic Fields

Jay Daigneault-Town Attorney-read Ordinance 583 into the record by title only.

Ms. Lancaster stated this allows to have greater control of our athletic fields.

Deputy Mayor Shelly moved approval of Ordinance 583 on seconded and final reading.

Seconded by Commissioner Kelly.

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

Commissioner Jennings

Aye:

CITIZENS COMMENTS

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

No citizens comments.

CONSENT AGENDA

Special Relief Permit Request - Dog N' Donuts 2025

Special Relief Permit Request - 2025 Community-Wide Garage Sale

Special Relief Permit Request - Thompson Park Wedding

Approval of December 10, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes

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

Kelly..

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

Commissioner Jennings

GENERAL AGENDA

24-0228

Major Event Special Relief Permit Request - 2025 Clearwater Marathon and Running

Festival - Second Hearing

Ms. Lancaster stated this is the second hearing; supports request.

Deputy Mayor Shelly moved approval of the Major Event Special Relief Permit Request for 2025

Clearwater Marathon and Running Festival. Seconded by Commissioner Kelly.

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

Commissioner Jennings

24-0241

Renewal of Contract for Trask Daigneault LLP

Ms. Lancaster spoke on contract which expired December 31st; staff is recommending

an additional 2 year contract.

Deputy Mayor Shelly in support of the renewal.

Deputy Mayor Shelly moved approval of the contract with Trask Daigneault LLP. Seconded by

Commissioner Kelly.

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

Commissioner Jennings

Aye:

24-0234

Resolution 2025-01 Amending Commission Procedures Manual

Attorney Daigneault read Resolution 2025-01 into record by title only.

Ms. Lancaster stated the resolution changes meetings to the 3rd Tuesday of the month.

Deputy Mayor Shelly moved approval of Resolution 2025-01. Seconded by Commissioner Kelly.

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

Commissioner Jennings

Aye:

24-0235

Resolution 2025-02 Police Pension Board Member Confirmation

Attorney Daigneault read Resolution 2025-02 into the record by title only.

Ms. Lancaster noted it is elected position on the Police Pension Board.

Deputy Mayor Shelly moved approval of Resolution 2025-02 to reappoint Thomas Kane to the

Police Pension Board. Seconded by Commissioner Kelly.

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

Commissioner Jennings

24-0239

24-0240

24-0244

Resolution 2025-03 Ratifying Emergency Proclamation Due to Hurricane Helene

Attorney Daigneault read Resolution 2025-03 into the record by title only.

Ms. Lancaster stated this closes out emergency declaration for Hurricane Helene.

Deputy Mayor Shelly moved approval of Resolution 2025-03 Ratifying the Emergency

Proclamation due to Hurricane Helene.

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

Commissioner Jennings

Resolution 2025-04 Ratifying Emergency Proclamation Due to Hurricane Milton

Attorney Daigneault read Resolution 2025-04 into the record by title only.

Ms. Lancaster noted this resolution closes out Hurricane Milton.

Deputy Mayor Shelly moved approval of Resolution 2025-04 Ratifying the emergency

proclamation due to hurricane Milton. Seconded by Commissioner Kelly.

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

Commissioner Jennings

Aye:

Approval of POs $30,000 or greater - FY2025

Ms. Lancaster stated these are the POs prospectively going into 2025.

Deputy Mayor Shelly moved approval of the list of purchase orders $30,000 or greater.

Seconded by Commissioner Kelly.

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

Commissioner Jennings

Aye:

24-0237

Appropriations Discussion

Ashley Bernal-Assistant Town Manager-spoke on project rankings to be submitted for

funding requests; seeking to confirm order.

Deputy Mayor Shelly approves of order presented.

Commissioner Kelly requested phase clarification; Ms. Bernal addressed.

Mayor Wilkinson requested clarification of phase 2; Ms. Bernal addressed.

Ms. Lancaster spoke on funding and importance to get it underway due to costs.

Deputy Mayor Shelly questioned level of bonding that may be needed; Ms. Lancaster

addressed. Deputy Mayor Shelly requested that Florida League of Cities be included.

Deputy Mayor Shelly moved to prioritize as per Ashley's list; Seconded by Commissioner

Jennings.

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

Commissioner Jennings

TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT

24-0245 Town Manager's Report 1.14.2025

Ms. Lancaster - Deputy Mayor Shelly and Commissioner Jennings were unopposed so

there will be no March election; floors in the gym needing repair, will provide details as

able; rec needs to be closed temporarily on Saturdays due to staffing shortages, it is the

least used day of the week; spoke on size and competitiveness, will provide rates to the

Commission; $206,000 check received as a donation for a claw truck, thank you

reception in Winston Park for town employees.

TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT

Attorney Daigneault thanked everyone for their confidence, good to be back; spoke on

legislative session coming up.

MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS

Commissioner Kelly had nothing to report.

Commissioner Jennings had nothing to report.

Deputy Mayor Shelly appreciative to be elected to another 3 year term as well as

Commissioner Jennings; thank you the staff for their great work during the hurricanes.

Commissioner Barris had nothing to report.

Mayor Wilkinson congratulated Deputy Mayor Shelly and Commissioner Jennings on

reelection; next meeting is February 18th at 5:30 PM.

OTHER BUSINESS

ADJOURNMENT

No other business

No further business; meeting adjourned in due form at 6:29 PM.