Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Dunedin public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
29 issues with low priority
Easement Vacation at 1768 Santa Barbara Drive
A leftover 1920s-era utility easement running through a Santa Barbara Drive lot was vacated so the owner can build a home centered on the parcel — no utilities objected.
Fine-setting procedure moved to second hearing
The city attorney's office changed the board's template so fine amounts are now set at the second hearing, after members see whether owners actually made progress — inspectors no longer recommend a dollar figure up front.
Homeowner cleanup rewarded with no fines
Terry Zervos painted his hurricane-flooded Mira Vista house and hauled away construction debris just in time — the board found him in violation but waived all fines, with a five-year repeat warning.
2026 St. Patrick's Day Celebration
Mayor Freaney pulled the road closure list to ask when the festival returns to March 17. Pub owner Jason Seibert supports it but says sales dip on the actual holiday — he wants to try it next year.
Rear setback variance for new Bay Street home
Cory and Gina Orzak want to rebuild on their grandfathered 88-foot-deep lot on Curlew Creek, but the code requires 100-foot depth and a 20-foot rear setback. The board agreed the 10-foot variance is the minimum needed and matches the neighborhood's irregular lot patterns.
Storm-damage insurance disputes delaying repairs
Two homeowners (Bella and Ficken) told the board their roof and fence repairs are stalled by ongoing insurance and litigation battles. The board gave both 60-day windows to November 1.
Public Access to Strategic Plan Progress
The city launched a public dashboard tracking everything from fire response times to street sweeping and solar production. Commissioners like it but want resident focus groups to figure out what data actually matters to people — and they flagged a graph error on the pedestrian safety metric.
Alternate member vacancy on the LPA
The board filled its ranks by recommending Tim Young for a full seat and architect Dan Massaro as a new alternate. An interested applicant, Caitlin Hembry, was turned away for now because she lives in Palm Harbor and her business is in Clearwater.
Marina Bulkhead Repair Contract Growth
The vice mayor flagged that marina repair bills keep adding up; this addendum adds $43,230 for extra inspections and design changes, bringing that contract to $341,313.
CRA Advisory Committee appointments
Two new members join the CRA Advisory Committee: Dr. Terry Zervos (regular seat) and Anne Bokneberg (alternate seat), serving through March 2028.
Amended CRA by-laws and Executive Director designation
The CRA changed its by-laws to meet quarterly instead of every two months and to make the city's Economic & Housing Development Director the CRA's Executive Director, reporting to the City Manager rather than being hired by the CRA. Members debated whether this shifts power away from the commission but concluded the arrangement matches how the agency has always operated in practice.
ATMS/ITS interlocal renewal with Pinellas County
A 20-year extension of the traffic signal and intelligent transportation systems agreement with Pinellas County, running 2027 through 2046.
Advisory committee efficiencies
The city sunset its Youth Advisory Committee and Public Relations Advisory Action Committee — two of what had been 26 boards — citing declining participation and cost, with youth engagement moving to the Teen Leadership Program.
LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Dunedin
Dunedin proclaimed June as Pride Month; the new Dunedin Pride nonprofit reported record event turnout and business support, and commissioners highlighted the community's inclusive spirit.
Pinellas Trail maintenance concerns
A resident flagged trash, dog waste, and faded lane markings on the Pinellas Trail from Orangewood to Beltrees. The County, not the city, is responsible there — and staff promised to call them that day.
Summer quorum concerns for the board
With only five members present, Vice-Chair Ballard warned that summer absences could leave the board unable to reach the four-vote quorum it needs.
Golf Club Advisory Committee
Dunedin seated its new nine-member golf club advisory committee to advise on running the Dunedin Golf Club as a self-sufficient enterprise.
S.R. 580 corridor improvements
Forward Pinellas is advancing quick-hit safety fixes on State Road 580 — pedestrian yield signs, striping and mid-block crossings at several intersections — with bigger visioning for a full 'enterprise corridor' still to come.
Foreclosure of code enforcement liens
A board member asked when the city will foreclose on a roughly $20,000 lien at Trade Winds Drive; staff will report back on whether it's homestead property and who must sign off.
Delco's operated without a Business Tax Receipt
A Main Street restaurant did business for months without the city receipt that ties into fire and life-safety checks, but fixed it the day before the hearing and got no fine.
Bayshore Boulevard vehicle and grass cases
A family whose home flooded in Hurricane Helene faced two code cases over an untagged VW Bug and overgrown grass. The board softened the fine to $150/day with a May 19 deadline after hearing the owner's testimony.
Unregistered vehicle at 2243 Harbor View Drive
A red SUV sat unregistered for months, but the owner's relative got it tagged by April 2, so no fines were imposed — just a five-year repeat-violation warning.
Arbor Day and Tree City USA recognition
Dunedin marks its 37th year as a designated Tree City USA, with a proclamation naming April 18, 2026 as Arbor Day and a free tree giveaway for residents that morning.
Downtown paver maintenance
Chair Freaney raised concerns about worn or damaged brick pavers downtown. City Manager Bramley said staff will inspect the downtown specifically, with a full overhaul from the Pinellas Trail to Broadway planned starting around June.
Market sustainability and Green Vendor Program
The Dunedin Downtown Market is phasing out plastic bags, straws, and Styrofoam through its Green Vendor Program, partnering with Dunedin-based BioBag and a weekly composting station with the City. Distributing 15,000 reusable totes helped shift vendors and shoppers away from single-use plastics.
Library carpet replacement
The library's main areas, Teen Room, bookstore and circulation desks get new carpet tiles — $181,764.73 paid from the Machan Estate Bequest, not the general fund.
2026 Mardi Gras Celebration
Mardi Gras was at risk of cancellation after the merchants association folded into the Chamber. The license agreement on the agenda would keep the 33-year downtown tradition alive.
LPA leadership and membership for 2026
The volunteer board that reviews downtown designs elected new leadership and picked a new alternate member — a seat that shapes future development recommendations.
Theater space programming downtown
The Dunedin Public Theater Foundation questioned whether the project's 'theater' marquee matches a space that can actually host professional live performances.