Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Dunedin public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
46 issues with medium priority
City Manager Compensation and Morale
Commissioners praised City Manager Jennifer Bramley but split 3-2 on her raise, approving 3% rather than the 3.5% given to other managers. Two residents publicly opposed any raise while the city plans layoffs under Amendment 3.
Accumulated debris and overgrowth on Fairway Drive
A single-family property has been cited twice for grass exceeding 10 inches and spilling over the public sidewalk and into the street. The front has been mowed, but the backyard remains overgrown, with a November 13 deadline to fix it.
Damaged fence at 1440 Wildwood Court
A fence post and panel at the same property have been missing since Hurricane damage, cited under the accessory structures code. The owner lacked funds until his November social security check, so the board gave a 30-day deadline.
Dunedin Golf Club maintenance contract
The city is switching course-maintenance contractors to BrightView at about $868,000 a year — slightly cheaper — after member complaints and staff site visits to nine BrightView courses. The golf fund turned a profit last fiscal year and must keep paying for itself.
Sunrise Townhomes redevelopment
Eight townhomes in a two-story building are planned for 0.59 acres across from the wastewater treatment plant. The same design was approved in 2024 but expired when permits weren't pulled in time, so it had to start over. The project would add roughly $11,500 a year in property taxes.
Howell Street neighbors' privacy and the city easement
A last-minute letter from neighbor Bill Faulkner asked for mature trees along the project's southern border. A 15-foot city-owned right-of-way sits between the site and the Howell Street homes, and the LPA asked staff to explore letting the HOA plant trees and a fence there. Neighbor Deborah Mobourne also came with concerns that her fence would be removed — the developer clarified it won't be.
Resident Appeal over Demolition Permit and Building Board Access
A resident told the commission the city refused to let the Building Board of Adjustment and Appeals hear her appeal of a denied demolition permit; the city attorney explained the dispute involves a state statute, not the building code, so the board has no jurisdiction.
Final ARPA Funds Disbursement
With $382,508 left and a December 31, 2026 deadline, the plan is to shift it to the General Fund — effectively covering a month of the sheriff contract — plus $555,265 in flexible interest earnings still uncommitted.
Grants Program Performance
The two-year-old grant specialist program brought in $11.5 million with only ~$700,000 in match, but the specialist position was cut in the contingency budget and the city manager is weighing outside administration versus future applications.
Potential Dissolution of the CRA
Commissioner Jeff Gow floated having the city consider dissolving the CRA as a contingency, which would send about $1.1–1.2 million in tax increment money back to the general fund. Staff countered that the county's share and downtown's broader economic engine would be lost. No action was taken.
Bayshore Water Main Replacement
State Representative Kim Berfield delivered $1.5 million in state money to replace aging water lines along Bayshore Boulevard — better fire protection and fewer main breaks.
Library Saturday closure
The library loses 4.2 positions, closes Saturdays, cuts $25,000 from books, and reduces programming — saving $372,050. Friday and Saturday are its lowest-attendance days, but the director admits closing hurts.
Business Survey Action Plan and small-town character
Of about 800 businesses surveyed, the top concerns were traffic, affordable housing and losing small-town character. Staff laid out a seven-category action plan, including a business academy, a permitting data dashboard and possible code changes for downtown sidewalk displays during special events.
New Amberlea Park production well for hurricane resiliency
The city is spending $326,672 to drill its 30th well — built for hurricane resilience after storm surge knocked out wells, not for growth. Above-ground work will cost another $300,000–$400,000.
20-day Fine Cap Limits Code Enforcement
Fines stop accruing after 20 days per order under a City Commission policy, which board members say blunts their leverage. Chairman Stone wants the City Manager to consider declaring problem properties chronic nuisances.
$4.7 million in state appropriations for Dunedin projects
Dunedin secured $4.7 million from the state this year: a $200,000 high-water rescue vehicle for fire rescue, $1.5 million to replace the last unlined water main along Alt. U.S. 19 (a project pushed since the 1990s), and $3 million for marina hurricane repairs.
FY 2025 CRA audit results
The CRA's tax increment financing dollars get a full independent checkup every year, and this year's audit found zero problems — no internal control issues, no compliance findings. That means the money collected and spent downtown is following state law and the CRA plan.
Aid to organizations and civic partners
The city recommends $222,000 for civic partners and non-profits — but every grant would be cut in half if Amendment 3 passes, and disbursement would wait until December.
Credit card convenience fees
The city eats about $330,000 a year in credit card fees residents incur paying bills and golf greens fees. Commissioners directed staff to start passing fees on at the golf course and study the rest.
Grand Oak Park Construction and Grant Street Two-Way Question
The park project is on track for mid-August site completion with restrooms by early December. Officials sparred over a new paver sidewalk on Grant Street — some worry it pre-commits the city to converting the street to two-way and eats park green space — but staff says it fits within the existing contingency and the two-way decision will come separately.
Skinner Boulevard Landscaping and Maintenance
FDOT will spend about $1.1 million landscaping the newly rebuilt Skinner Boulevard corridor, and the city takes over maintenance (~$15,000/year) after a two-year establishment period. Commissioner Gow objected that shade trees for pedestrians and cyclists are limited by tight right-of-way and utilities.
Downtown parking at Edgewater Drive lot
The 32-space lot across from the marina stays available under a new 3-year lease with owner Deborah Bushnell, who charges the City only her costs. Downtown visitors and marina users keep convenient, economical parking.
ADA accessibility of the WWTP breakroom renovation
An eCommenter said the breakroom renovation design doesn't meet ADA accessibility guidelines and urged the city to re-bid a compliant design.
Gas tax fund squeeze as EV adoption grows
County gas tax revenue is down and projected flat — the fund is so strained the city is shifting pavement management and sidewalk costs to other funds. Commissioners noted EV growth will make it worse and called for state action on EV registration fees.
Fisher Field fence replacement
The city is spending about $200,324 to replace chain-link fencing at Fisher Field Little League Complex, matching fields 1–3 to field 4's black vinyl style with new safety rails.
Voluntary annexation of 1991 Spanish Pines Drive into Dunedin
A couple who has lived in the area since 1971 is formally joining the city of Dunedin, picking up city trash service and paying city property taxes. Neighbors in the 47-lot subdivision may follow, since the enclave is pre-approved for annexation under the county interlocal agreement.
Restrictive covenant protections for the surrounding neighborhood
The covenant limits the property to a short list of uses — service industry, homes, group home, religious, or educational — with no manufacturing, and requires wall and fence repairs. Board member Kynes pushed on whether the covenant is airtight enough, and the board added a six-month repair deadline as a condition.
Trailer and unregistered vehicle violations at 1670 Country Lane
A homeowner has been storing a utility trailer and an unregistered military vehicle in his front yard for months, citing illness and cost. The board gave him until July 21 with fines of $150/day for the trailer and $50/day for the vehicle.
Solid Waste Truck Fleet Replacement with State Grant
Two aging garbage trucks get replaced early thanks to an $800,000 FDEP Volkswagen grant. The city's share is just $74,610 from the Solid Waste Fund.
November Statewide Referendum Impacts
Commissioner Dugard wants staff to analyze how the November property tax referendum could reshape city finances and even building heights if it passes.
Speeding on Highland Avenue
A Highland Avenue resident says drivers blow past tiny 15 mph signs at 45-60 mph, endangering people getting their mail. He's been told by the Sheriff's Office it's a city issue and wants bigger signs and enforcement.
Grant Street two-way conversion
Converting Grant Street to two-way would take a few feet of Grand Oak Park, require diagonal parking, and stretch the timeline three months. It still needs Commission approval, and Chair Freaney is skeptical.
Dilapidated fence enforcement — 1396 Overcash Drive
Peter Karoub's fence has missing slats and the owner hasn't responded despite repeated notices and a voicemail exchange. The board ordered repairs by July 2 or $150/day fines kick in.
Dilapidated fence enforcement — 1776 Pasadena Drive
David Ritter's fence is leaning on his neighbor Phil Stone's fence and propped with a two-by-four; Ritter told the city he considers the case closed. The board disagreed and ordered repairs by July 2 or $150/day fines.
Storm debris removal and flood protection
Dunedin signed onto Crowder-Gulf for post-hurricane debris collection by piggybacking on Largo's competitively bid contract — pre-staging hurricane cleanup capacity.
Repeat code violations at 1518 Fairway Drive
Sean Hubner promised last month to clean up his property within two weeks but missed the April 21 deadline, so the board hit him with $250 per day until the offensive accumulation is cleared.
Filling Board of Adjustment and Appeal vacancies
The BAA had three empty seats — one regular and two alternates — and filled all of them by recommendation. These members decide variance requests, which affect what homeowners and businesses can build or change on their property.
Red Star City designation
Two veterans urged the city to become only the second 'Red Star Community' in the country, supporting families of service members lost to suicide. They offered to personally cover the $1,000 application fee.
FY 2026 Third Budget Amendment
Resolution 26-06 would appropriate roughly $31.4 million across various city funds, including carry-forward items.
Dark-sky outdoor lighting standards
The city's lighting rules haven't been updated in over a decade. The rewrite adds modern fixture, height, and color-temperature standards to cut light pollution and spillover — with questions raised about how the rules balance downtown safety lighting with protecting nearby homes.
Beltrees Safe Street Plan Implementation
The bike month proclamation came with sobering numbers: Pinellas County has one of the state's highest pedestrian and bicycle fatality rates. A community safety event is planned for March 14 on the Pinellas Trail.
Skinner Boulevard corridor completion
Dale Cox called the new Skinner Boulevard road project Dunedin's 'doormat' — 20 one-way signs and bare medians. The City Manager says FDOT landscaping is coming this summer.
Flats on Main Affordable Housing Loan Restructuring
The $610,000 city contribution to the 78-unit Flats on Main affordable housing project became a forgivable loan instead of a grant, avoiding about $250,000 in taxes so the full amount builds housing.
Old City Hall Park — Name and Restroom
The former City Hall site got its official new name and a $454,679 prefabricated restroom. Commissioners debated the cost-per-square-foot and whether the restrooms should be unisex or men's/women's, landing on unisex with automatic nighttime locks and a possible change later.
FY26 Fleet Replacement — 23 Vehicles and Equipment
The city was scheduled to spend nearly $1.8 million replacing 23 aging vehicles and pieces of equipment across departments. Keeping the fleet current avoids costly breakdowns in police, public works, and utilities service.
E-bike safety downtown
The advisory committee keeps flagding growing e-bike usage around downtown as a safety concern. The Sheriff indicated many communities share it, and clearer state legislation may be within 12 months.