Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Dunedin public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
17 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.