During the meeting, the Commission approved a legal settlement related to the city’s contentious short-term rental ordinance. The settlement agreement involves a fine of $155,000, part of a larger $333,328 fine imposed in 2022. This resolution will lead to the release of liens and voluntary case dismissal by the plaintiffs, with prejudice, preventing future litigation on the matter. Over the years, disputes involving multiple plaintiffs and appeals have culminated in this settlement, which was largely covered by the city’s insurance carrier, PRM. Legal expenses incurred by the city were estimated to be around $16,000 to $17,000. The Commission authorized the settlement with a unanimous vote, concluding a long-standing issue that has impacted local governance since 2019.

Public commentary took a prominent role in the meeting, reflecting deep concerns over the Commission’s representational effectiveness and handling of civic discourse. Will Lawson, a resident, voiced frustration over the appointed nature of the current City Commissioners. Lawson emphasized the importance of elected representatives and expressed hope for a return to such practices, stating, “the city commission does not serve its residents.”

Another resident, Deborah Schner, raised alarms about infrastructure issues, particularly in the wake of recent storms. Schner highlighted severe flooding and sewage concerns, questioning the feasibility of new hotel developments given existing infrastructure challenges. She argued that investments appeared skewed towards large hotel developments at the expense of community needs, stressing the financial burden on residents.

The Commission also heard from Lisa Robinson, who expressed gratitude to the new city manager for their efforts in discussing the small business site improvement grant. Robinson underscored the need to prioritize residents’ needs, aligning with broader community sentiments about focused local governance.

Jennifer McMahon presented updates on an interlocal agreement with Pinellas County concerning parking and concession services. The city has been receiving roughly $102,000 annually from concessions and around $681,000 from parking fees in the previous fiscal year. The agreement maintains a 50/50 revenue-sharing split after state sales tax deductions. The Commission discussed various financial details, including monthly payments from Sand Dunes, the county lot vendor, and the city’s expenses in managing these areas. The motion to authorize the city manager to execute the agreement was approved unanimously.

The meeting also addressed procedural and ethical concerns, particularly regarding the conduct of commissioners and the handling of public commentary. A resident criticized divisive statements made by commissioners on YouTube, calling for unity and professional conduct

The Commission engaged in a debate about balancing free speech with respectful discourse, with varying views on the appropriateness of personal attacks. The conversation extended to social media policies, emphasizing the need to revisit guidelines on the appropriate use of social media by elected officials.

Further discussions revolved around the city’s seawall ordinance. The building official proposed retaining certain concrete cap standards and requiring corrosion-resistant steel for seawalls unless certified otherwise by an engineer. This measure aims to address corrosion, a significant failure point for seawalls. The ordinance includes provisions for maintaining seawalls in good repair, with any overflow onto adjacent properties or public right-of-way considered evidence of disrepair. The Commission acknowledged the complexities of property elevation variations and the necessity of tailored solutions to address flooding concerns.

The meeting also highlighted the need for better tracking and compliance of conditional use permits (CUPs) and other approved ordinances. A commissioner expressed frustration over the lack of clarity on how to monitor these approvals. The city manager mentioned a new operational report to enhance the Commission’s ability to stay informed on departmental activities.

Lastly, the city manager provided updates on several initiatives, including an after-action storm meeting and the small business grant program. They addressed concerns about a $6 million project related to Golf Boulevard undergrounding, confirming that the project is progressing despite some cost overruns.