COMMISSION WORKSHOP

DUNEDIN, FLORIDA MINUTES OF THE CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP SEPTEMBER 1, 2026 9:00 A.M. PRESENT: City Commission: Mayor Maureen "Moe " Freaney and Commissioners Jeff Gow and Steven Sand bergen Vice Mayor Robert Walker and Commissioner Tom DugardAbsent: Also Present : Deputy City Manager Jorge Quintas, City Attorney Jennifer Cowan , City Clerk Michelle Wells , Communications Director Sue Burness, Library Director Phyllis Gorshe , Strategy & Sustainability Manager Nicole Delfino , Sustainability Program Manager Natalie Gass, Library Senior Administrative Assistant Andrea Nazzaro, Assistant Library Director Kari Calicchio , Library Manager Kathryn "Katie" O'Connell , Library Secretary Katherine Kastanis , Librarian Jennifer Davis , Senior Library Assistant Carolyn Ross , Library Administrative Coordinator Tina Geyer, Library Manager Kimberly Barbour , and approximately six people in the audience. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Freaney called the September 1, 2026 , Workshop to order at 9:00 a.m. MOMENT OF SILENCE and PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE City Attorney Cowan led the moment of silence for former City of Dunedin Mayor Bob Hackworth and the Pledge of Allegiance. Absences: Mayor Freaney advised of the absences of Vice Mayor Walker and Comm issioner Dugard. Motions to excuse the absences to be called at the Regular City Commission Meeting on Thursday. 1. PRESENTATIONS 1.a. Library Card Sign Up Month Commissioner Sandbergen read the proclamation designating September 2026 as Library Card Sign Up Month , encouraging all residents to sign up for a library card. Library Director Gorshe accepted the proclamation expressing appreciation. She recognized members of the Library team as well as the Friends of the Library , the Library Foundation , and the Library Advisory Committee that were present. She advised: Library Card Sign Up Month is their big month to promote getting a library card and that library cards do expire every 3 years. When people sign up for their card , they have library bags filled wit h goodies. This also marks the Library 's 30 th Anniversary in their building . Winston Churchill has a quote that we shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us. Dunedin has a very special library , and they are thankful for the support from the City and all the residents who visit. Please stop in and get a library card if you do not have one . They will be recognizing their 30 th Anniversary on Friday, October 2, 2026. There will be a display of photographs of the building demo , and the Blue Jays field can be seen right next door as well as the trailers the staff worked out of for about a year. There will be treats for all residents who stop by. CITIZEN INPUT Mayor Freaney advised now was the time for anyone in the audience to speak on a topic that is not already on the agenda. Seeing and hearing no one wishing to speak , she moved to the next agenda item. 26-1

Workshop Minutes September 1, 2026 2. WORKSHOP ITEMS Dunedin City Commission 2.a. Forward Pinellas Update on Tri-County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Merger Presentation Whit Blanton , Forward Pinellas Executive Director , referred to the PowerPoint presentation attached to the Staffing Memo and provided the following information and highlights: The organization is a bit of an outlier na tionally because the norm is to have a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) authorized by Congress that serves a single urbanized area . Here, there are three serving our single urbanized area; not many places do that. Atlanta has 20 counties in their MPO , Ch icago has many , and Dallas has about 15. Forward Pinellas: Who We Are - History of merger with the MPO - Page 3 Forward Pinellas is actually the Pinellas Planning Council (PPC) created by a special act of the Florida Legislature and the MPO designated by federal law and reinforced by state statutes . Coordination of 25 local governments . Together , the PPC and MPO have a single governing board that covers land use and transportation decision-making countywide that is unique in Florida . It is important that since the merger of the organization it has evolved significantly , to keep that in mind in discussing the merger of MPO . Forward Pinellas Governing Board - Page 4 19 elected officials representing the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) , 24 municipalities , and the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority . As the MPO , the board makes transportation planning decisions independently . As the PPC , the board is advisory to the BCC (acting as the Countywide Plann ing Authority ) for land use plann ing to fulfill the Pinellas County Charter for countywide planning. PROPOSED MPO REGIONAL MERGER - Page 6 The regional MPO merger is significant because the Legislature has become involved and has a preference for how local governments do things. One of the Legislature's intents seems to be that Florida should have fewer MPO 's; there are 27 currently . Not only does the Tampa Bay area have this legislative mandate to consider the feasibility of merging, which was done in response to 2023 legislation, it is now covering Charlotte , Lee , and Collier Counties as well. There are multi-county MPO 's in the State of Florida ; however , there are a lot of County-based MPO 's. The three MPO 's are building on those earlier efforts by establishing a proposed implementation framework and organizational strategy for consideration and adoption by local officials and the Governor 's office. PROJECT NEED AND MOTIVATION - Page 7 The motivation for creating a single Regional Transportation Planning Organization is that this region is growing and the organizations that serve the region need to evolve with that growth . For years it has been requested by the Governor of the State of Florida , going back to 1999 , that the organizations should merge . Since that time , they have always said Pasco is different. Hillsborough is different. Pinellas is unique . There were so many differences, it did not make sense to merge. There are still many differences in the counties and how they work ; however , the traveling public cares less. As housing becomes less affordable , people are moving to Pasco County and st ill working in Pinellas County. People are moving to the fringes of Hillsborough County and still working in Pinellas County. 26-2

Workshop Minutes September 1, 2026 Dunedin City Commission No more beaches are being created ; people are still com ing and even 2 million people will be added over the next 25 years to the region ; they are still coming for entertainment , fun , and all the things that attract people . This is important when it comes to funding. There are formula-based funds based on population. The really heavy hitting dollars that can move a region 's needle are going to be in the grants that are competit ive , federal or state. 75% of Flor ida 's Transportation Trust Fund , which is about $15 billion , is allocated to the Strategic lntermodal System , that is U.S. 19 in Pinellas and the Interstate system. Pinellas competes aga inst every region for those dollars ; there has to be a really good project , a good ask , and it needs to be unified that it is a wanted project. When there are three MPO 's serving three counties , sometimes it is difficult to be unified in saying this is the #1 or #2 priority . ACTIVITIES COMPLETED - Page 8 Over the past year a consultant was hired , working to guide them through the evolut ion of the organizations . MPO Employee (Culture ) Survey Summary They have looked at the culture of each organization . Summary of MPO Operations They have looked at the organizational structure and decision-making process and developed a full suite of reports, by-laws , and interlocal agreements that will now be presented next week to the Forward Boards at a workshop . Today , it is being presented at the Hillsborough MPO and later this afternoon at the Pasco MPO. Pr incipals Workshop (November 14 , 2025) Overall Sentiment POSITIVE ON THE FENCE NEEDS RSASSUR ce ~------ 7% ._SKEPTICA_L _ __ _ ~ MPO Operational Comparison Report Governing Board and Advisory Committees Contractual Agreements Organizational Management Financial Statement Review 2020 Population - Page 9 Population information for the Hillsborough TPO , Pasco County , and Forward Pinellas. This is important because by federal and state statutes , the governing board of the MPO must be apportioned by population. It can deviate a little ; however , it has to be fairly consistent with the population allocations . 26-3

Workshop Minutes September 1, 2026 Dunedin City Commission Pine llas is the second largest county in the region; however, the slowest growing . Over time , Pasco County is expected to get closer to 1 million and Hillsborough to be at 2.5 million in the next 25 years ; that affects the allocation of seats. DRAFT APPORTIONMENT PLAN - Pinellas -Page 10 P mellas 8 Board of County Comm is sioners (BOCC ) City of St. Petersburg City of Clearwater City of Largo City of Pinellas Par1< Rotating Smaller City ( Al l) Hillsborough Pasco HIiisborough County Aviat i on Auth . Port Tampa Bay FOOT Tra nsit Agencies 2 2 10 5 3 *This presumes each population apportioned seat will determine their representation , including those for smaller cities with approx. <50 ,000 population. ** Non-voting advisors sit on the dais , provide comments and feedback , but do not participate in votes. Hillsborough County seats are already voting members so that would not be taken away or adding new. Those seats would not be represented by elected officials , but by their CE O's or designee. The remaining 23 seats would be represen ted by populations. The rationale is that those two organizations are regional organizations. Gas comes through Port Tampa Bay and 44 % of the in-planes at Tampa Airport have an origin or destination in Pinellas County. The rotating smaller city seat would have an implication for Dunedin that has a seat today on the Forward Pinellas MPO Board; it would not have an "as of right " seat on the Regional MPO ; however , may have a voting seat , because of being one of the smaller rotating cities. There are some other mechanisms that could be considered as well. That decision has not been voted on; it is still a tentative recommendation. Transit agencies today do vote on the MPO's. The non-voting advisors was a decision made early on main ly to ensure staying under the 25-member cap according to Florida Statutes. Next Steps - Page 11 A draft of bylaws , interlocal agreement service offering options , and organizational alternatives have been completed as well as a Memorandum of Understanding , staffing plan, and financial plan for the organization. Today , Forward Pinellas is hosted by the Pinellas Planning Council (PPC), the other land use agency. Rarely is an MPO a standalone agency . All the funds coming to an MPO are federal, not local funds. Forward Pinellas receives the federal funds every quarter and , in the meantime , staff has to be paid as well as ren t and other expenditures ; therefore , there is a float that comes from the millage levy that the PPC has on countywide residents , which is not very much ; then the federal funds reimburse the PPC. 26-4

Workshop Minutes September 1, 2026 Dunedin City Commission The Hillsborough MPO is hosted by the Planning Commission , and the Pasco MPO is hosted by Pasco County Government. Mr . Blanton expla ined : Proposed is a more independent MPO that would not be hosted by any of the three counties or by any city . The goal would be an independent organization that contracts out certain services such as Human Resources , Benefits , poss ibly IT , and other back-office functions with the board having oversight of the Executive Director and the Executive Director having oversight of an independent staff. He thought this to be crit ically important because there is a bit of a tug of war in Tampa Bay about responsibilities , roles , and leadership . An organization hosted by Hillsborough County , is it a merger or is it a takeover ; he thought they would think the same if it was hosted by Pinellas County. They have sort of settled on making it an independent organization. It could be hosted by an independent Special District. For example , the airport is an independent Special District as well as the Hillsborough Aviation Authority , Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority , and the Pinellas Planning Council. It has not been determined how that would function. This all ties into the PPC Special Act. PPC SPECIAL ACT Steps that Led to the PPC-MPO Merger - Page 13 Steps shown from 2010 - 2015 to the PPC/CPA Approval Mr . Blanton explained: It is an act of the Legislature and when the two organizations were merged , it said the MPO for Pinellas County shall have the same board as the Pinellas Planning Council. If the MPO 's are merged and de- designated , the Pinellas MPO would no longer exist and now there would be no governing board for the PPC to consider land use cases . He has been working with the Legislative Delegation to find a sponsor to amend the Special Act. In 2010 , it took 5 years to accomplish what he is hoping to pull off in 1 year. PPC Purpose & Author ity (Special Act) - Page 14 They have been working with a subcommittee of the Board that wrapped up its final meeting last week and that has developed a set of recommendat ions that would address the merger of the MPO and also a few streamlining issues related to the PPC. Purpose & Intent: Develop a broadly defined, policy-based countywide plan focusing on future land use, transportation, and intergovernmental coordination-with PPC coordinating the MPO 's transportation planning functions , fulfilling the County Charter Requirement. Membership & Governance: PPC's board membership is the same as MPO; officers elected in concert; quorum and meetings governed in the Special Act. ·opolilan l'lanni They have come up with an "if then " statement that says if the MPO is merged , then the Pinellas Planning Council would revert to a 13-member board representing the cities in Pinellas County. It would be 1 seat for the County Commission, 1 for the City of St. Petersburg, Dunedin would have a 26-5

Workshop Minutes September 1, 2026 Dunedin City Commission voting seat on the board directly, not a rotating seat, and then there would be rotating seats for the much smaller cities and the beach communities , for instance. - The PPC provides significant services , and some have been provided to the City of Dunedin working with City staff on the Downtown Master Plan Update now. The PPC provides a lot of technical assistance around the county to help people visualize development changes. The Board has recommended a series of streamlining steps so that the organization evolves with Pinellas County. Previously, the PPC was a very regulatory-minded organization. They have moved away from that over the last ten years and really tried to let cities be cities and , rather than requiring, for example, unless the city does these five things , they have asked how they can help. They hope to continue that and expect to continue the linkage formally between the PPC and the Regional MPO to address land use issues and transportation linkages going forward , which they have not figured out exactly how that will take shape . They do look at the PPC as potentially being a formal advisory body to the Regional MPO on issues affecting Pinellas County. He thinks there is support for doing that regionally . Mr. Blanton advised : He does have a potential bill sponsor and by November, they need to have that language drafted and ready for the Legislative Delegation at their session in March. He would like to compare this with anything moving forward on the Regional MPO . Today, at the Hillsborough MPO meeting , State Representative Michael Owen was in attendance and issued a statement he read this morning that says he is prepared to file a bill to force the merger if the local entities cannot agree on doing that , but he would prefer the locals make the decision. How that decision is made : there are 4 principals involved, including the Governor of the State of Florida, the 3 Board of County Commissions , and the City of Tampa, as the largest organization; all have to say yes to this merger. The timeline is their workshop next week where there will be feedback from the three MPO 's, then a leadership group of the regional entities on October 2, the TMA Leadership Group, where they will present the feedback and see if there is a desire to make any changes in response to that feedback. Then they will present this to the 4 principals and ask them to take it up whenever they are willing to do so. They are not sure if that will happen before the March election in the City of Tampa or after that; it will happen sometime in 2027. When that happens , and if they vote in favor , it is transmitted to the Governor to either approve or send back for more work. If the Governor approves, they have 6 months by law to stand up the MPO. They have already created a set of personnel policies and all the things to grease the wheels to make it easy, the by-laws for the MPO. Some provisions are important to share: One concern he has heard consistently is that the growth and population are in Tampa and Hillsborough County and there are concerns those will make a power play to take the money and put it on projects that benefit Hillsborough and Tampa. They cannot do that. The Florida Department of Transportation (FOOT) is required to make sure its 5-Year Work Program is equitable according to the population in each county. In the course of that 5-year period, they have to ensure that Pinellas gets its fair share of dollars for transportation projects, even if the top ten priority projects are all in Tampa ; FOOT will skip over 1-9 and go to 11 for Pinellas to make sure it is equal. In any one year, there may be a skew. In addition, provisions have been added to the interlocal agreement that would require not only a majority vote of this regional board , but a majority vote of each delegation so that everyone is in 26-6

Workshop Minutes September 1, 2026 Dunedin City Commission support. That would require a State Statute change , and they are keeping a running list of where the Legislature should be involved . In add ition , he has heard some concerns with the apportioned plans they have settled on with 8 Pinellas and 5 Pasco that would give 13 combined and that outweighs the 10 or 12 , if counting the Port and Airport as Hillsborough ; therefore , it does sort of give a little buffer assuming that Hillsborough and Tampa vote in lockstep , which they really do not. In add ition , they have created an Executive Committee in the by-laws that looks like Tampa Bay Water , which is a concern he has heard from some that there needs to be equal representation among the three counties. They have a Chair , Vice Chair , and Treasurer that would all be from the three different delegations and then added an at-large member from each county, totaling 6; 2, 2, and 2 that would be equal like Tampa Bay Water . One of those representatives on the Executive Committee must represent the City of Tampa and another must represent a city in Pinellas County, irrespective of size that , for example , could be Dunedin. The 2, 2, 2 he thinks gives a balance to those who say they should create a board that is more like Tampa Bay Water. The timeline of this is sometime in 2027 to ask for a vote , ideally before the Legislature starts meeting in March or take it during the session before any bills get passed . The expectation is for the MPO to begin functioning July 1, 2028. No one has made any decisions about who the Executive Director will be , and he is certainly not making any assumptions. The organization chart does call for an Executive Director and two Deputy Executive Directors. He thought that would be a good way to transition into this . He does not know Pasco that well and only knows Hillsborough a little , and they do not know Pinellas. That would provide a seamless transition . Strategic Projects & Innovation - Page 15 List of projects . forwardpinellas .orgltechnical assistance Board Subcommittee Scope & Approach - Pages 16 - 17 Detail list of steps and timeline for the bill. Commission questions, concerns and comments were addressed to include : o In terms of regional MPO 's and how well those different municipalities or regions represented work together . Mr. Blanton referenced Orlando , which has a 3-county MPO , as an example , and commented on the trip their board members took there and how impressed they were with how much trust and confidence there was that voices would be heard and respected in the process . He explained Orlando 's creation of a Municipal Advisory Committee comprised of elected officials representing all local governments of cities not in a voting position on their board. Forward Pinellas has chosen a little different model but has not precluded the notion of a Municipal Advisory Committee important to Pinellas with so many smaller cities. Tallahassee was also cited as a multi-county MPO of 4 counties. Without that many cities outside of Tallahassee , they get really small. He has told people , generally , the need is for an organization that can telescope between the big regional issues and the small granular issues. For example , what was done for Skinner Boulevard , not necessarily a regionally significant project even though it is a state road , but it is very significant for the City of Dunedin . 26-7

Workshop Minutes September 1, 2026 Dunedin City Commission They have also created in the organization chart , he recalled , county liaison positions , one for each county and that person would be responsible for work ing with the local governments and ensuring the MPO has the pulse of what is going on in each community . o Regarding the Draft Apportionment Plan and who would make the decision of whether there is really representation or is there a way for Dunedin to get a permanent seat , Mr. Blanton explained they are recommending that the Pinellas Planning Council board make that decision. Dunedin would have a voting seat on that Board and only 1 seat for the County Commission. He really does not want the Pinellas County Commission to determine who the one small city seat is; that would be another model , which they have not even considered. He thought an independent organization representing all 25 local governments would be the best venue for that. o Regarding the Executive Committee , which might be a place for Dunedin in the process , Mr . Blanton thought first Dunedin would have to be on the Board and then the Executive Committee typically would be appointed by vote of the full board ; that would be a determination of the next board; he is not even sure the by-laws are specific enough yet about how the Executive Committee would be appointed . o In terms of the reason for one of the seats being Port Tampa Bay : The rationale is that Port Tampa Bay and the Hillsborough Aviation Authority , or Tampa International Airport , are already regional entities and voting members of the Hillsborough TPO Board and they feel very strongly in that role , and both have written letters indicating they need to be on the regional board. He understood that Hillsborough County feels that it is absolutely essential to have them on the board . They are transportation providers, while Port Tampa Bay maybe does not have the same impact as TIA on Pinellas County, it is still a main conduit for freight and goods distribution in the region . There is concern in the proposal that the CE O's , staff , be voting members of those entities; he thought staff tend to be regionally minded looking for what is best for the region and not really beholden to politics. They do have a governing board and that is comprised of the Mayor of Tampa , a County Commissioner , and gubernatorial appointees , noting all the gubernatorial appointees must reside in Hillsborough County. He has requested the Legislative Delegation members to consider if those are truly regional entities and have a seat on the Regional MPO Board , then open their gubernatorial appointments to people who live in Pinellas or Pasco County , as well , or expand their board to include that. Those are additional considerations they are looking at. o In terms of should this go forward , the impact on other smaller committees or boards, such as the Pedestrian Advisory Committee , is still in flux and needs to be worked out. His sense is that the citizens committee , which meets at 7:00 p.m. on a Thursday , and the Bike /Ped Committee , which meets at 8:30 p.m. , many of those who arrive by bicycle are not going to want to go across the bridge and meet at the airport or someplace like that. He thought probably those committees would still function in each county , and a subset of the committee members get together maybe twice a year to talk about regional issues related to those modes of transportation or citizen input in the transportation process , but that has not been determined yet. When the Citizens Advisory Committee was asked how they saw themselves in a regional MPO, they would prefer to have the ability to meet and vote virtually without a physical quorum present. That is another one of those statutory changes that would need to be made. o Regarding the list of cities and counties on the member list and the minimal representation in terms of transportation in any manner other than car focused , and the concern that as it goes regional, the car-centricity will play a stronger role when diversifying the transportation system , losing that focus and progress ; Forward Pinellas MPO and Pinellas County have done a good job. 26-8

Workshop Minutes September 1, 2026 Dunedin City Commission Pinellas County is different in the sense that there is not a lot of land to continue to build and widen roads ; there has been some. We need to be more multi-modal in this county just by the geography and density. He thought those same concerns have been echoed by the City of Tampa wanting to see 8 allies on the board , looking at St. Petersburg , Dunedin , and Largo as allies and wanting to see that representation before they are comfortable with this. They have been pushing for investments in transit , bicycle , and pedestrian safety for years , having been largely thwarted by Hillsborough County and the way that board is comprised. Tampa sees more alliances being formed. He noted also alliances on this issue in Pasco County. Not that it will be an immediate project ; however , it is something they are very interested in , which will not be done without a concerted regional effort. He would not recommend this if he thought it would be giving up all the progress and had an automobile- oriented focus ; however , they are pushing against some very significant state and federal headwinds in terms of policy which need to be recognized. Five years ago , there was a very different policy framework from today ; he is confident there will be change and more receptiveness at those levels for those kinds of initiatives. He provided information regarding state and federal funding , as well as local funding and continuing operation. o Pinellas County 's population is holding steady at about 960 ,000. There was a dip reported in the media. Mr. Blanton thought that was hurricane-related for people who had to relocate and that population would come back because homes are being rebuilt. He did not anticipate significantly adding population to Pinellas . o Roles of Forward Pinellas , other than transportation , include that they are not beholden to the County Commission or any particular local government and can be independent thinkers. They provide land use technical assistance and policy guidance and ensure consistency among the comprehensive plans and land development regulations with the Countywide Plan. They also provide a lot of guidance on transportation analysis. An example is traffic patterns on Clearwater Beach that might result in changes to the Clearwater roundabout. o In response to the impacts on Dunedin , should they lose their seat, Mr. Blanton stated as long as he is there , he will work to ensure building a culture where they are doing the telescoping and being responsive to the local issues. He thought the avenue for that would be simply to make a phone call , have a conversation , or work with the liaison identified in the organizational chart to ensure understanding that those issues work with the City on advancing those. They have just awarded some planning funds to Kenneth City , one of the smaller cities ; previously , they have never received any funds from the MPO in the history of the MPO in Pinellas County since about the 1970 's and that has changed . Deputy City Manager Quintas asked about the rotation cycle for the smaller cities. Mr. Blanton thought they were calling for 2-year terms. Currently , it is a 3-year term for the rotation; it takes a year to get up to speed. It is an important question that has been heard. He noted also the challenge of a process for keeping everyone who might be in a rotating seat informed; a big challenge for Pinellas County. Public Input Mayor Freaney opened the item to public input. Hearing and seeing no one wishing to speak , Mayor Freaney closed the public input. 26-9

Workshop Minutes September 1, 2026 Commission Comments/Direction Dunedin City Commission Mayor Freaney and the Commissioners expressed their thanks to Mr. Blanton for coming to make the presentation . Commissioner Gow reiterated the concern for Dunedin continuing to have the seat they have had from the beginning , noting the benefits of them actively participating , their experience , and not being shy about being an active member of the board . He expressed his thought that a better member than the Tampa Bay Port would be an organization such as the Florida Bicycle Association to unify and have a voice . Mayor Freaney commented : She does believe in a well-organized merged MPO ; it makes sense . She thinks there is a lot to gain by controlling our own destiny by working together for bigger projects . In the distance is how Pinellas County apportionment happens; she does not like the current way it is laid out, which Mr. Blanton was aware . She brought it up at the Board meeting and she thought there was some support. Her concern is there are 20 small cities out of 24 that are just lumped together , which she considers not representative. She thinks there is plenty of representation for the unincorporated area and for some of the big cities ; that is just too many cities lumped together. She noted specifically in north county there is some under representation. She thinks being the largest city of 20 that are thrown together , one seat is not enough. Even an alternating seat with Pinellas Park would be better than planned . BREAK 10:01 A.M. -10:06 A.M. 2.b. Legislative Discussion - Reviewing the 2026 Session Staff Presentation Strategy & Sustainability Manager Delfino advised : This is a post-Legislative update and attached to the agenda item are: The Bryant Miller Olive (BMO) memo relates to how the legislation affects the City in any operation, specifically , and they have already been working with City staff to get that information out , so any changes made at the state level are reviewed and amended as needed for operations . The Florida League of Cities ' very comprehensive update on every bill and Preemption Tracker, as discussed previously , about what legislation has been passed over the past several years that preempts the cities or municipalities from certain actions . That document was created by the Florida League of Cities and is not currently up to date; it only goes through 2025. There will be amendments and , once they receive an updated preemption document, a copy will be provided to the Commission . Laura Boehmer , Lobbyist , The Southern Group was present. Thereafter , Ms. Delfino referred to the PowerPoint , 2026 Legislative Session Recap - City of Dunedin (Attachment A) , and provided the following highlights and comment: 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION STATISTICS- Graphics- Page 2 Despite nearly 1,900 bills filed, fewer than 13% reached passage - underscoring the importance of strategic advocacy and early positioning. This was a unique year in that so few bills , only 237, passed. There were a few wins for the City with bills that failed. SPECIAL SESSIONS - Details/Graphics - Page 3 STATE BUDGET May 11 - 29 , 2026 - Signed June 29 , 2026 CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING - April 20 - 24 , 2026 PROPERTY TAX REFORM - June 1 - 2, 2026 26-10

Workshop Minutes September 1, 2026 Dunedin City Commission Florida 's Approved 2026/2027 Budget Was Signed by the Governor on June 29 th - Page 4 Graphics and Detail Information The State has $18 billion in reserves , up from $15.7 billion in 2026. There is an expected state budget deficit in future years ; therefore , they are doing what the City is in terms of right-sizing future year budgets. Budget Highlights - Detail Information provided on each topic listed - Page 5 Ms . Delfino noted much of what is discussed about priorities are not accomplished through a bill or legislation , but rather through the budget. Highlights include : Affordable Housing Department of State Environment Tour ism & Economic Development Ms . Boehmer continued this portion of the presentation . Legislative Leadership Pipeline - Page 6 House and Senate listed with terms and a map indicating their districts . In this election cycle, there are seats on the ballot. It is already known who the leadership will be for the next few years. Next session in March , Senator Jim Boyd from Manatee County will be the Senate president and House Representative Sam Garrison from north of Jacksonville will be the House president ; these are very different personalities than the previous leadership . Ms. Delfino continued: 2026 City of Dunedin Appropriations - Page 7 1. City of Dunedin High Water Rescue Vehicle $200 ,000 House Sponsor : Adam Anderson - Senate Sponsor: Ed Hooper 2. City of Dunedin Bayshore Water Main Replacement $1,500 ,000 House Sponsor : Kimberly Berfield - Senate Sponsor: Ed Hooper 3. Dunedin Marina Hurricane Damage Repair and Restoration $3 ,000 ,000 House Sponsor: Adam Anderson - Senate Sponsor: Ed Hooper Total - $4 ,700 ,000 Top Issues for Local Government - 8 Issues Detailed - Pages 8 - 9 These are a few of the bills listed. The attached Florida League of Cities summary provides greater detail. 1. FY 2026-27 Budget 2. Property Tax Reform - HB 1F 3. Sovereign Immunity- HB 145 - Vetoed This is considered a success. 4. DEi Prohibitions - SB 1134 5. Municipal Utilities - HB 1451 6. Local Government Spending - HB 1329 7. HB 803 - Building Permits and Inspections 8. SB 290 - Farm Bill (Biosolids) 26-11

Workshop Minutes September 1, 2026 Summary Comments Dunedin City Commission Ms . Delfino noted the discussions in terms of looking ahead to the Commission 's priorities for next session. Those will be scheduled for a future meeting in order to have the full Commission present and to have that discussion after the election , as prior ities might shift depending on November . Commission questions, concerns and comments were addressed to include: o Appropriation requests were filed for all the items on the Commission list and were able to successfully work through the budget process and special session to secure the funding for the City of Dunedin High Water Rescue Vehicle , City of Dunedin Bayshore Water Main Replacement , and Dunedin Marina Hurricane Damage Repair and Restoration. o Janice "Nan " Bennett of 1990 Saddle Hill Road N. advised the Bayshore Water Main Replacement is along Alt. U.S .19. It is the last remaining part of unlined pipe in the water system that has been attempted to be replaced since the 1990 's; it is in the brick streets a little north of Wilson , not as far as Palm , a couple of thousand feet and goes into some of the brick streets a little further south than Palm Boulevard . o In terms of the logic of the Sovereign Immunity- HB145 being vetoed : The assumption is that the Governor 's Office was not in favor of giving trial lawyers more room to file suit. Commissioner Gow noted over the past several sessions the Legislature has been attempting to increase the limits significantly ; however , he thought the numbers here seemed reasonable and thought that would resolve the issue ; but now it vetoed , it will come back and be back to the millions and trillions. Ms. Delfino explained that , while in Tallahassee , they did work very hard with various organizations to get the House and Senate bills to align. It did become a little more than what they hoped; however , from a per person claim it was more manageable than the larger claim . Likely, they will have to work the bill again. Ms. Boehmer noted the positive votes in the House and Senate , with everyone being comfortable with the language. Mayor Freaney , from her experience in Risk Management, noted the attorneys will go straight to the cap, whatever that is will be their demand and government is an easy target. She understands next session , if it comes back , it could be much worse. o In terms of the decreased state budget and how that compares to prior budget decreases and what it is they are doing to decrease the budget , Ms. Boehmer explained they have not actually reduced the budget yet ; they have added more reserves and have said they are going to do an exercise in all departments and state agencies to look for efficiencies. A previous Legislature cannot mandate a future Legislature to do anything ; however, in talking with future leadership , they have told their members they are going to clamp down on member projects next year and to expect less and so forth ; that has been said for the past few years with knowledge of the impending expected deficit. She thought if Amendment #3 passes , it will be a very different conversation in Tallahassee. o Regarding the Local Government Spending - HB1329 and what the City will be doing differently . Ms. Delfino thought one of the components was enabling the budget to be in a searchable format so even with the way the City 's budget has been prepared with the software that Finance is working with now that allows for a bit more of that. There are components that many cities and municipalities might have just posted their budget in a Word or PDF document that has searchable components. Dunedin has several years of budgets posted on the website , so it is already meeting the requirement ; however, there are some little details as to how it is posted and how it can be searched and compared that they need to ensure are worked out. Potentially , there could be a cost to the City as some of the programs 26-12

Workshop Minutes September 1, 2026 Dunedin City Commission required to meet the requirements or items in this bill would require municipalities to purchase different software. She thought Dunedin is in a different position because of having software that manages the budget; that is being worked through. For a municipality that does not have that , the cost of software researched was millions of dollars. City Attorney Cowan added there is a different process next year when the budget analysis is reviewed. It will need to be a fiscal year budget that has a reduction of 10% to compare with the current year . It would be a different analysis than normally done with the budget. With regard to adding additional things onto the website , there is a laundry list and those have to be kept , she recalled , for four years on the site ; that , in itself, might be a little labor. One of the other items coming in place is the different ADA requirements with regard to the website . Budgetary information is sort of notorious for being difficult to put in ADA format to be easily seen and used , unlike Word documents and so forth. This additional requirement coupled with when the ADA requirements go into effect might require the City to either get additional services or expenses in putting the required information on the website in the required manner. It is not directly from this bill; however, it is this bill coupled with what else is coming down. o Regarding the DEi Prohibitions - SB 1134 and the impact on the City . City Attorney Cowan explained: Basically , the DEi bill , in particular , cities and counties are not allowed to fund , promote, or take any official action , which includes adoption of ordinances , programs, policies , rules , or anything as it relates to DEi , defined as Diversity Equity and Inclusion. When it comes to not spending money , not only on a DEi Officer , but also not in promoting anything that relates to DEi that can impact the events the City has. One of the things done in working with Ms. Delfino , Parks staff, and everyone , is to identify all of the events as some are supported by the City . Also, it could be groups the City supports that have a DEi event or program. She confirmed that DEi includes Scottish Culture . Language has to be added to all the City contracts because it affects the contractors in what their policies can be because of the certifications City staff has to make in stating they are in compliance with the requirements. There are , notably, several different exemptions provided for certain holidays designated by federal law , certain state holidays , and a litany of monuments and celebrations identified in state statutes , which have been reviewed to ensure the City is in compliance with the law . In terms of whether the City can still say it is an inclusive community , even after January 2027 , City Attorney Cowan responded that it is not prohibited per se, as she does not believe it is an "activity ". In terms of events , such as Halloween , DEi is specifically identified as anything that could influence competition of employees or is a special benefit or preferential treatment or recognition of groups based on race, color, sex, ethnicity , gender identity , and sexual orientation. Scottish Heritage is an ethnicity , a cultural heritage that would be implicated by this. With regard to Christmas and the others , each one had to be reviewed ; some are identified in state law as holidays that can be celebrated ; therefore , they would meet the exemption criteria . The distinction is that those holidays and events have been recognized in state statutes . This applies to each of the members of the Commission as public officials , in particular , as well as what the City can do as a whole . That means when acting in their official capacity on January 1, 2027 , they will be limited by compliance with this law and if they are found to have violated this law , she recalled , this is the one where it is considered malfeasance or misfeasance of office . As a public official, if they promoted activities in opposition to the law , they could be found to be malfeasance or misfeasance of 26-13

Workshop Minutes September 1, 2026 Dunedin City Commission office ; she acknowledged that it is as a sitting elected official , not as a Commission , but a single elected official is correct, which could jeopardize their position. There has been a significant review , and they have identified the events and groups sponsored and discussed what could be impacted. They are reviewing the exemptions . Additional research is being performed with regard to many of the Scottish festivals that a memo from the City Attorney 's Office will be forthcoming on, prior to the law going into effect. In terms of groups renting City facilities , which has been discussed in terms of promoting activities and supporting events and allowing the public to use facilities , there are certain facilities the City would rent to anyone and there is no discriminatory basis to rent. If someone wants to be in the park or use the tennis courts and so forth , she did not believe the City has any kind of requirement for that person and that would not change with this . Right now , she believes Parks either has this in place or is working on it , but just that there are policies the City is not asking what they are renting it for , beyond understanding. She would say with some of the City 's event permits , depending on the number of people who are going to be at the event, there could be other needs , such as additional garbage or security or any of those types of items ; for those events , it is more about asking how many are attending than what the event is really about. It was acknowledged should any place do a legal challenge to this it would have to be after it goes into effect. o In regard to the question related to Property Tax Reform - HB1 F should Amendment #3 not pass , Ms. Delfino explained , in 2027 , there is going to be a Taxation Commission Review at the state level ; it is mandated in the Florida Constitution that occurs every 20 years and that is on the schedule for 2027. She thought if Amendment #3 does not pass there will be in place what was intended to review the finance and taxation structure of the state at that Constitutional level. She thought that opportunity to review and rea ll y understand the financial impacts really drill down into what cities or counties are going to be significantly impacted and how those changes can be made. She thinks there will be recommendations that come from that and that is where there could be some discussion with elected officials as far as, again , this one-size-fits-all if this passes, wh ich does not necessarily work for every community . While there are communities that could absorb that sort of increase on the table now, there are others that would be completely bankrupted . She thinks there is a lot of opportunity for those discussions to take place with the City 's own officials and the Suncoast and Florida leagues through the Commission. Ms. Boehmer added she thought with new leadership in the House and Senate , and whoever wins the Governor 's office , there is not going to be such a rush to just go redo this next session. There will be more of a thoughtful discussion on what property tax reform should look like . Mayor Freaney inquired if staff could put together the top 10 - 15 Home Rule intrusions that have occurred that make sense to citizens that are really impacting everyday citizens to use as talking points . Commissioner Sandbergen suggested also some clarification of "Live Local ". Public Input Mayor Freaney opened the item to public input. Hearing and seeing no one wishing to speak , Mayor Freaney closed the public input. Commission Comments/Direction The Mayor and Commissioners commended City staff and all those involved in this report, noting much time and effort. Commissioner Gow commented that so much could be done if the state legislature would work with local municipalities and compromise . 26-14

Workshop Minutes September 1, 2026 Dunedin City Commission Mayor Freaney echoed the comments by Commissioner Gow for the state , counties , and cities to work together ; the best government is local. 2.c. Strategic Plan: Dashboard Review Staff Presentation Strategy & Susta inability Manager Delfino referred to the PowerPoint presentation , Strategic Planning Dashboard Update (Attachment A to the Staffing Memo) with the following highlights and comments regard ing the plan developed throughout 2023 and 2024 : Strategic Themes - 7 Themes listed - Page 2 All themes had goals , objectives , and action items . Plan Overview: Themes & Goals - Details - Pages 3 - 4 Summary and how the plan was developed ; once developed , the plan was to post it onto a dashboard. City Services Communications and Technology Commun ity Amenit ies Multi-Modal Transit Environmental Res iliency and Sustainability Infrastructure , Planning , and Growth Internal Dashboard Ms. Delfino explained staff settled on a dashboard called ClearPoint. Strategic Plan - Internal Dashboard - Screenshot - Page 6 - 9 The dashboard offers many tools as far as reports and summaries . There are approximately 120 action items , each is assigned to a staff member or lead employee responsible on a quarterly basis for updating the item , providing information , indicating how far along the process is completed , and then marking the item as complete . All the components of those action items are then able to be filtered in various ways and built on getting to the external dashboard . Strategic Plan - External Dashboard - Screenshot - Page 11 Screenshot of the page on the City website . Direct Access : https:l/dunedin .clearpointstrategy.coml Measures and Dashboard Rollout - Screenshot - Pages 12 - 14 Ms. Delfino explained : The process was first to upload the entire Strategic Plan , moving on to uploading the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and Business Plan Initiatives (BPI) that are tied to a theme, and then a goal or objective within the theme . This allows for running numerous reports and understanding how many items are assigned to which theme . Now that staff have been using the system for over a year , there is beginning to be some good data . Moving on , it was important to bu ild up the data and get staff comfortable using a new system to then create the external dashboard . She provided a live presentat ion of the dashboard. 26-15

Workshop Minutes September 1, 2026 Dunedin City Commission Commission questions, concerns and comments were addressed to include: Ms. Delfino has worked with Communications Director Burness on a blog post or story that will be included in the newsletter for citizens to know where to find the information. Then , with it going live , it can periodically be referenced in social media , other articles written by other departments , and so forth . In response to the suggestion of including somewhere more detailed financial information so residents are more aware of the costs , why a project is being done , and the funding source which might not be Dunedin money; it could be County , state or federal , Ms . Delfino advised with the Communications team they have transitioned the project pages and many times, questions about particular projects , residents can go to the website and access project pages and see a lot of that information , including the funding . Res idents can even sign up for notification of changes to a project page, and it is more interact ive . Ms. Delfino explained, through the Community Development team , they work with the Sheriffs Office and other agencies tracking accidents and incidents. In this case, the target is zero fatalities , accidents , or incidents when it comes to pedestrians , bicyclists , and golf carts . In the past , there have been incidents and those are tracked and reported. The hope is that the projects that have happened , for example , on the Pinellas Trail , will help to reduce incidents, especially where there is contact between vehicles and other individuals . Discussion ensued regarding the dashboard and the information included on the first page , including not overwhelming with too many items. The intent is to refine moving forward . Currently , there are high-pr iority items that are being tracked and measured so that staff can start to report out. More work is being done with departments , as well , in terms of tracking and reporting. Public Input Mayor Freaney opened the item to public input. Hearing and seeing no one wishing to speak , Mayor Freaney closed the public input. Commission Comments/Direction Commissioner Sandbergen commented it would be nice if the public would go to the dashboard to find their answers rather than going out on social media or some other way . He noted the importance of keeping it up to date . Commissioner Gow suggested also reaching out to the residents for input on how the dashboard could be better. Mayor Freaney commented it is a good start but definitely needs work. Her concern is what is the most important data someone wants to see. One of her suggestions, if not already done, is to have a few resident focus groups for inputting key data that tells the story the best. Ms. Defino advised the plan is to revisit in 2027 when the dashboard will be a few years old; it is a 3-5-year plan . They are not looking to make significant changes; however, things happen that might shift pr iorities . They want to revisit with not just the Commission, but some community forums for feedback. 3. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None 26-16

Workshop Minutes September 1, 2026 ADJOURN MEETING The Workshop adjourned at 11 :14 a.m. Dunedin City Commission NOTE: The meeting was completely recorded , and the recording is in the official file. Maureen "Moe " Freaney Mayor 26-17

1. PRESENTATIONS 1.a Library Card Sign-Up Month Proclamation 2. WORKSHOP ITEMS 2.a Forward Pinellas update on tri-county MPO Merger 2.b Legislative Discussion - Reviewing the 2026 Session 2.c Strategic Plan: Dashboard Review 3. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING COMMISSION WORKSHOP DUNEDIN CITY HALL, 737 LOUDEN AVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2026 9:00 AM AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Share proclamation recognizing September as Library Card Sign-Up Month, and upcoming Library programs, including celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Library in the current building. EXHIBIT: A. Library Card Sign-up Month Proclamation (2026).pdf CITIZEN INPUT Informational presentation EXHIBIT: A. 2026 MPO Update by Forward Pinellas.pdf Reviewing 2026 legislative session impacts EXHIBIT: A. 2026 Legislative Session Recap_City of Dunedin.pdf EXHIBIT: B. 2026 FLC Final Legislative Report.pdf EXHIBIT: C. BMO Full Memo Dunedin 2026 New Legislation.pdf EXHIBIT: D. Express Preemptions As of 08.01.25.pdf Review Strategic Plan Dashboard EXHIBIT: A. 2026 Strategic Plan Dashboard Update 9.1.26.pdf ADJOURN MEETING Dunedin Public Participation & Decorum Rules Note: Please put cell phones and pagers on silent or vibrate during the meeting. This meeting is televised; therefore, you may appear on TV at any time. 1

Public Appearance: CITIZEN INPUT is for comments from members of the audience regarding items not listed on the agenda for this meeting (please give name and address and limit all comments to a maximum of three minutes). AS FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA individual speakers are limited to a maximum of three minutes. A representative of a group consisting of 5 or more individuals who are present during the meeting may speak on behalf of the group for up to 10 minutes at the Chair's discretion. To do so, the individuals must have waived their time to the representative by providing their name and address on the back of the comment card. Public Hearings: During public hearings the Chair will open the agenda item to the public for comment. If you wish to comment come to the microphone at the podium and give your name and address for the record. This meeting is for agenda items only. Other issues should be presented to the City Manager or City Clerk for discussion at a future Commission meeting. Appeals: Per section 286.0105 of the Florida Statutes - If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the board, agency, or commission with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, he or she will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, he or she 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. Disability Provisions: It is the policy of the City of Dunedin not to discriminate against disabled persons in employment or the provisions of services. If you have a disability that requires accommodation, please notify the ADA Coordinator 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting at (727) 298-3042. COPIES OF THIS AND ALL COMMISSION AGENDAS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AT THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK, 737 LOUDEN AVENUE, ON THE MONDAY PRIOR TO THE MEETING DATE. COPIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE CITY’S WEBSITE AT WWW.DUNEDIN.GOV. 2

>> GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO THE SEPTEMBER 1st, 2026 -- HOW DID IT GET TO BE SEPTEMBER 1st? CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP. I WANT TO CALL THEPETING TO ORDER -- CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER. AND BEFORE WE START, I'LL LET JEN DO THIS. YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A MOMENT OF SIWILL KNOWS. YOU'RE GOING TO DO THAT? OKAY. AND OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. AND I'LL GO TO JEN. IF WE WOULD JUST STAND. >> LET US BEGIN THIS MEETING BY TAKING A BRIEF MOMENT OF SILBS AND TURNING OUR -- SILENCE AND TURNING OUR THOUGHTS TO THE FAMILY OF FORMER MAYOR BOB HACKWORTH. [MOMENT OF SILENCE] AMEN. [PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE] >> MAYOR FREANEY: OKAY, AND JUST TO REITERATE, OUR THOUGHTS CONTINUE TO GO OUT TO FORMER MAYOR BOB HACKWORTH'S WIFE GWEN AND HIS SON BOBBY AND HIS DAUGHTER MADDIE THAT CHI THEY D OF GO A NEW WAY AND WE'RE WITH THEM AND I KNOW A CELEBRATION OF LIFE HAS BEEN SET, SO THAT'LL BE OUT THERE, SO OKAY. WE HAVE, WE'RE MISSING TWO OF OUR COMRADES TODAY. AND ONE IS OUT OF TOWN ON A CONTRACT THAT HE HAD TO BE AT, AND THEN THE OTHER ONE I THINK IS RETURNING FROM OUT OF THE COUNTRY, SO HE MIGHT BE IN FLIGHT RIGHT NOW SO IF I COULD HAVE A MOTION TO EXCUSE VICE MAYOR WALKER AND COMMISSIONER DUGARD. >> SO MOVED. >> I JUST WANT THE DRAMATIC EFFECT. [LAUGHTER] IS ALL. YEAH. SECOND. >> JEN, THERE'S ACTUALLY, THERE'S NO MOTIONS OR ACTION TAKEN I. WELL, THAT'S TRUE. >> YOU DON'T EVEN NEED TO. >> WHY ISN'T THERE ONE? >> I MEAN, BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO -- >> CAN WE DO IT ON THURSDAY. >> MAYOR FREANEY: I GUESS WE CAN DO IT ON THURSDAY BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO HAVE THE EXCUSE OR OTHERWISE THEY GET DINGED. OKAY, WE'LL DO IT THURSDAY. OKAY, WELL THANKS A LOT FOR THAT THEN, AND -- YEAH. [LAUGHTER] AND YEAH. THE JOKE WAS ON YOU I THINK. SO YEAH. AND, AND, AND WE DON'T HAVE OUR CITY MANAGER THIS MORNING, BUT WE DO HAVE OUR DEPUTY CITY MANAGER, JORGE QUINTAS, SO WE'LL TRY TO BE BRUTAL ON HIM. THAT'S, YOU KNOW, KIND OF -- THAT'S ALWAYS OUR STRATEGY. OKAY SO WE GOT PRESENTATIONS. LIBRARY CARD SIGN-UP MONTH. AND COMMISSIONER SANDBERGEN IS GOING TO, I'M GOING TO TURN THAT OVER TO HIM FOR PROCLAMATION AND -- >> PHYLLIS, CAN WE BRING THEM ?UP. >> MAYOR FREANEY: GOT THE WHOLE TEAM HERE TODAY, LOOK AT THEM: SHE'S GOT THE FAMOUS DRESS ON TOO. >> SHE DOES. >> YOU'RE GOING TO BE BY YOURSELF THEN. WE'LL RECOGNIZE ALL OF THEM. I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ TODAY'S PROCLAMATION. IN THE RAST YEAR THE LIBRARY I KNEW IT WAS IMPORTANT BUT IT'S EVEN BECOMEMORE IMPORTANT TO ME PERSONALLY. AND AS A CITY COMMISSIONER, ON JULY 30TH, I HAD A CHANCE TO READ THE END OF SUMMER WITH THE DUNEDIN BLUE JAYS, AND I THINK IT WENT ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. YOU KNOW, THOSE LITTLE KIDS GET TO SEE THESE PRO BASEBALL PLAYERS AND REALIZE AUGUST 15th I GOT TO GO TO THE SUMMER READING CHALLENGE AT TD BALLPARK, AND AGAIN, TO RECOGNIZE THE KIDS FOR WHAT THEY'VE DONE AND TO, YOU KNOW, GIVE OUR THUMBS UP TO THE LIBRARY. AND THEN ON THE 19th OF AUGUST, KIMBERLY WAS FORTUNATE YOU KNOW WILLING TO COME ON TORONTO BLUE JAYS PODCAST WITH ME AND TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THE LIBRARY MEANS IN THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BLUE JAYS AND NOT JUST BASEBALL ON THE FIELD AND IT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE CITY NEEDED. AND LASTLY, OVER THE WEEKEND, I GOT TO GO READ AGAIN WITH THE JUVENILE WELFARE BOARD. IS THAT WHAT JWB? AND FIREFIGHTER JOEL RAY AND I AND KIMBERLY READ TO THE KIDS. AND I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT THIS LIBRARY AND YOU ALL DO FOR THIS COMMUNITY. >> MAYOR FREANEY: SO BEFORE YOU READ -- SO IS HIS WRITING SKILLS GETTING BETTER WITH ALL THIS OR IS THAT HELPING HIM? IT'S GETTING BETTER? OKAY. >> I HAVE TO SAY THANK YOU TO KIMBERLY BECAUSE SHE GIVES ME EACH PAGE HAS ABOUT 10 WORDS ON IT. [LAUGHTER] SO I DO, AND I DO, I APPRECIATE IT EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO AND YOU KNOW BEFORE I READ THIS, I HEARD A WORD MENTIONED DOWN THERE THIS WEEKEND THAT REALLY STUCK WITH ME, AND I BELIEVE IT WAS SAID BY ONE OF YOUR STAFF MEMBERS AND IT WAS TO JOE AND I. TROPHIST A YOUNG LADY IN -- THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY THEREIN THAT WAS ASKING QUESTIONS AND IT WAS REFERRED TO AS A SPOT WHERE SHE FEELS SAFE. AND YOU KNOW THAT REALLY LANDED WITH ME. AND I SAY IT'S BIP DISCUSSED BACK THERE. IT REALLY MADE ME FEEL SOMETHING IS AS A CITY COMMISSIONER THAT THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF OUR CITY CAN GO IN THERE AND BE SAFE. SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, WHEREAS, LIBRARIES, LIBRARIANS, AND LIBRARY WORKERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE JOINING TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE LIBRARY CARD SIGN-UP MONTH FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER. AND WHEREAS, LIBRARIES ARE FOUNDATIONAL TO EDUCATION, IMAGINATION, AND OPPORTUNITY, OFFERING EVERYTHING FROM EARLY LITERACY PROGRAMS TO DIGITAL TOOLS THAT SUPPORT LIFE LONG LEARNING AND PERSONAL GROWTH. AND WHEREAS, LIBRARIES WELCOME ALL PEOPLE SERVING AS A COMMUNITY HUB THAT CONNECTS INDIVIDUALS ACROSS CULTURES, GENERATIONS, AND EXPERIENCES. AND WHEREAS, LIBRARIES CONTRIBUTE TO THRIVING LOCAL ECONOMIES, BY EQUIPPING JOB SEEKERS, ENTREPRENEURS, STUDENTS, AND CREATORS WITH TOOLS AND TRAINING TO SUCCEED AND WHEREAS IN TIME OF BOTH CRISIS AND CALM, THERE WE GO, LIBRARIES AND THEIR STAFF REMAIN STEADFAST IN SUPPORTING AND STRENGTHENING THEIR COMMUNITIES. AND WHEREAS, LIBRARIES PROVIDE PROGRAMMING FOR KIDS, TEENS, AND ADULTS FROM STORYTIME TO BOOK LUBZ CLUBS TO CRAFTS AND ENTERTAINMENT. AND WHEREAS A LIBRARY CARD OFFERS A FRONT ROW SEAT TO EVERYTHING THE LIBRARY OFFERS, FROM BOOKS AND TECHNOLOGY TO LIFE LONG LEARNING AND ONLINE RESOURCES. AND WHEREAS, THIS MONTH IN 1996 MARKS THE OPENING OF THE CURRENT LIBRARY BUILDING A PLACE THAT HAS SERVED A AS CORNERSTONE OF OUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER 30 YEARS. NOW I STEVEN SANDBERGEN AND ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE SILTY COMMISSION HERE PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 2026 AS LIBRARY CARD SIGN-UP MONTH AND ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS TO SIGN UP FOR A LIBRARY CARD. ALL YOURS, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> OKAY, I WILL SAY A FEW WORDS. AND I JUST WANT TO RECOGNIZE SO THANKFUL I HAVE A LOT OF OUR STAFF HERE. WE'RE GOING TO TRY AND GET BACK IN TIME TO OPEN THE BUILDING, AT 9:30. BUT I WANT TO THANK THE WHOLE TEAM FOR BEING HERE TODAY YOU KNOW, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING AND ABOUT MAKING OUR LIBRARY FEEL SAFE AND WELCOMING IS THE PEOPLE THAT WORK AT THE LIBRARY. AND WE ARE SO LUCKY TOO BECAUSE WE HAVE FRIENDS AND WE HAVE FOUNDATION MEMBERS AND WE HAVE ADVISORY MEMBERS, SOME OF THEM I TELL THEM WE DON'T PAY FOR OVERTIME FOR VOLUNTEERING BUT THANK YOU FOR THEIR TIME SO I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE. WE HAVE SOME OF OUR MEMBERS IS INNED AUDIENCE, AND WE'RE SO LUCKY -- IN THE AUDIENCE, SO WE'RE SO LUCKY TO HAVE ALL OF THEM DEDICATING THEIR TIME TO THE LIBRARY. SO LIBRARY CARD SIGN-UP MONTH THIS IS OUR BIG MONTH TO PROMOTE GETTING A LIBRARY CARD AND JUST IN CASE SOMEONE HASN'T BEEN THERE IN A WHILE LIBRARY CARDS DO EXPIRE EVERY THREE YEARS, AND SO IF YOU'RE OVERDUE FOR A LIBRARY CARD, PLEASE STOP IN AND GET ONE. AND COMMISSIONER GOW HAS HIS. I WAS GOING TO CARD EVERYBODY THAT WALKED IN BUT WE'LL LEAVE THAT FOR LATER AND WHEN THEY DO GET LIBRARY CARD, WE HAVE THESE LOVELY BAGS, LIBRARY BAGS FILLED WITH GOOD AS SO WE REALLY WANT TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE. THIS ALSO MARKS OUR 30th ANNIVERSARY IN OUR BUILDING AND WINSTON CHURCHILL HAS A QUOTE THAT WE SHAPE OUR BUILDINGS AND AFTERWARDS OUR BUILDINGS SHAPE US. WE'VE A VERY SPECIAL LIBRARY, AND WE'RE SO THANKFUL FOR THE SUPPORT FROM OUR CITY AND FROM ALL OUR RESIDENTS THAT DO VISIT SO IF YOU DON'T HAVE A LIBRARY CARD, PLEASE STOP IN AND GET ONE. WE'RE SO EXCITED TO WELCOME EVERYONE, AND THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING US TODAY. YOU ALL ARE WELCOME TO READ ANYTIME, SO WE DON'T ALWAYS HAVE TO PUT COMMISSIONER SANDBERGEN ON THE SPOT BUT THANK YOU AGAIN FOR RECOGNIZING US. AND AGAIN, THIS IS A BIG ANNIVERSARY YEAR, OUR 30th ANNIVERSARY IN OUR BUILDING. IT'S ALSO THE 30th ANNIVERSARY OF OUR CONTRACT WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND WE ALSO HAVE A FIRE STATION THAT WAS BUILT 30 YEARS AGO TOO, SO THAT WAS A BIG-YEAR, 1996. WE ARE GOING TO RECOGNIZE OUR 30th ANNIVERSARY ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2nd, SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A DISPLAY OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE BUILDING, THE DEMO, AND YOU'LL SEE THE BLUE JAYS FIELD RIGHT NEXT DOOR SO WE'RE SO EXCITED WITH THEM AS OUR PARTNERS NEXT DOOR. THE TRAILERS THAT THE LIBRARY WAS IN FOR ABOUT ONE YEARS REALLY FUN FOR THE STAFF TO WORK IN THAT. AND THEN JUST SOME TREATS FOR ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS THAT STOP BY ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2nd. SO THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING US, EXPWR HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL -- AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL AT THE LIBRARY. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE LOVE OUR LIBRARY SO I THINK WE NEED RAPICTURE. WHY DOESN'T EVERYBODY COME UP, SO WE CAN TAKE A PICTURE. EVERYBODY INVOLVED WITH LIBRARY. >> STAFF? >> MAYOR, WHILE WE'RE DOING THAT, MAY I. >> SURE. >> PHYLLIS, I'M WONDERING IF THIS WAS INTENDED FOR JENNIFER NOT ME, I HAVE A STICKER THAT SAYS I LIKE BOOKS MORE THAN PEOPLE. [LAUGHTER] >> ME TOO. >> I KNOW QUITE A FEW PEOPLE LIKE THAT ACTUALLY. [LAUGHTER] >> WOULD YOU LIKE US ALL TO STAND HERE. >> MAYOR FREANEY: YEAH COME ON UP HERE. >> CAY, EVERYBODY. LET'S GET CLOSE. >> YEAH, LET'S GET A FEW PEOPLE IN THE FRONT. A FEW PEOPLE IN THE FRONT. LET'S SEE. SCOOT IN A LITTLE BIT. >> GETTING COZY ON THE LEFT. YOU BETTER DO IT ON THE RIGHT. >> ALL RIGHT, EVERYONE, READY? SAY LIBRARY. >> OKAY, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> GO GET THAT LIBRARY OPEN. WE LOVE YOU GUYS THOUGH. YOU DID AWESOME JOB, AND WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO. I THINK THAT'S THE YEAR WE STARTED EMS TOO, SO LIBRARY, SHERIFF, AND EMS WE TOOK BACK EMS, SO. >> 30 YEARS. >> 30 YEARS, YEAH, THAT WADS A BIG YEAR. YEAH. I THINK THERE'S A FEW PICTURES OF ME LOOKING A LOT YOUNGER. [LAUGHTER] HOPEFULLY NOT TOO BAD, YEAH. ALL RIGHT. WELL, I'M FEELING BETTER NOW THAT I KNOW THAT COMMISSIONER SANDBERGEN'S GETTING A LOT OF GOOD READING SKILL TRAINING, YEAH. [LAUGHTER] >> YOU READ THAT PROCLAMATION VERY WELL. >> YEAH, YOU READ THAT VERY WELL SO IT'S OBVIOUS YOU'RE. >> WELL, THEY'VE BEEN WORKING WITH ME DOWN THERE. [LAUGHTER] >> YOU'VE PROBABLY HAD THAT FOR LIKE A MONTH, GOING OVER. [LAUGHTER] WELL YOU KNOW IT'S KIND OF FUNNY BECAUSE I, YOU KNOW, DARE I SAY, BECAUSE IT'S THE TALK OF THE NEWS, IS DOLLY PARTON, AND HOW IMPORTANT SHE WAS TO LITERACY BUT YOU KNOW LET'S FACE IT, THE MORE LITERATE OUR KIDS ARE, THAT'S EVERYTHING. >> I WASN'T MAKING THAT UP ABOUT THIS YOUNG GIRL THAT CAME IN AND SHE WAS KIND OF TROUBLED AND SHE, AND THEY SAID THAT THIS IS WHERE SHE FEELS SAFE AND THAT REALLY HIT HOME WITH ME. SO I'M SORRY TO HAVE INTERRUPTED. >> MAYOR FREANEY: NO, I THINK THAT'S SO IMPORTANT. AND WE HAVE GREAT LIBRARY STAFF, SO. ALL RIGHT, SO LET'S MOVE ON TO CITIZEN INPUT. ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WISH TO SPEAK ON A TOPIC THAT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA? OKAY. ALL RIGHT,. [LAUGHTER] OKAY, SHE'S TRYING TO HIDE TOO. BECAUSE SHE'S LIKE -- HEY, OKAY. ALL RIGHT. SO WE'LL MOVE ON FROM THAT. YOU DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE 30th YEAR OF THE SHERIFF OFFICE JULIA OR -- [LAUGHTER] OKAY. OKAY WE'RE GOING TO GO TO SOMETHING REALLY EXCITING, RIGHT, WHIT. WHICH IS FORWARD PINELLAS UPDATE ON TRI-COUNTY MPO MERGER. AND WE'RE GOING TO DO I GUESS NICOLE YOU WANT ME TO GO RIGHT TO WHIT BLANTON IS HERE OF FORWARD PINELLAS. AND SO I'M GOING TO LET YOU TAKE IT. WHIT. >> ALL RIGHT. >> MAYOR FREANEY: THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME. WHIT BLANT BLANTON, EXECUTIVE R OF FORWARD PINELLAS. I APPRECIATE A LITTLE TIME ON YOUR AGENDA TODAY BECAUSE I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT SOME FAIRLY BIG ITEMS THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH, BOTH REGIONALLY AND COUNTY-WIDE. AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE CITY OF DUNEDIN TO WEIGH IN AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK AND GIVE ME SOME GUIDANCE AS WE MOVE FORWARD. SO I DO HAVE A POWERPOINT PRESENTATION THAT I THINK'S SET UP AND I CAN JUST QUICKLY GO THROUGH. THERE WE GO. THERE WE GO. SO WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE PROPOSED MERGEN OF OUR THREE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE THE TAMPA BAY AREA. AND I WANT TO SAY BEFORE WE START THAT WE'RE A LITTLE BIT OF AN OUTLIER NATIONALLY BECAUSE THE NORM IS THAT YU HAVE A METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS THAT SERVES A SINGLE URBANIZED AREA. WELL WE LIKE THEM SO MUCH WE HAVE THREE SERVING OUR SINGLE URBANIZED AREA, AND NOT MANY PLACES OTHER THAN A COUPLE DO THAT SO IN FACT ATLANTA I THINK HAS 20 COUNTIES IN THEIR MPO, AND CHICAGO HAS MANY AND DALLAS LIKE 15 SO WE ARE DIFFERENT. SO I THINK I PUSH DOWN. THERE WE GO. SO JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOUT FORWARD PINELLAS. WE ARE UNIQUE ORGANIZATION. WE HAVE TWO LEGAL ORGANIZATIONS UNDER US, FORWARD PINELLAS IS A FICTITIOUS NAME, WE ARE THE PINELLAS PLANNING COUNCIL, WHICH IS CREATED BY A SPECIAL ACT OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE WHICH HANDLES LAND USE, DECISION MAKING COUNTY-WIDE. SET A FRAMEWORK THAT ALL 25 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE TO FIT WITHIN. AND THEN WE ARE THE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION DESIGNATED BY FEDERAL LAW AND REINFORCED BY STATE STATUTE. AND TOGETHER WE HAVE A SINGLE GOVERNING BOARD THAT COVERS LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION DECISION MAKING COUNTYWIDE, AND THAT'S PRETTY UNIQUE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. NOBODY HAS A SETUP EXACTLY LIKE THIS US. AND IT'S BEEN 11 YEARS SINCE I WAS HIRED TO FACILITATE THE MERGER OF THIS ORGANIZATION AND WE HAVE EVOLVED A LOT. AND I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT POINT TO KEEPIND MINE AS WE TALK ABOUT THE MERGER OF THE MPO. THIS IS OUR BOARD WE HAVE 19 MEMBERS, THANK YOU, MAYOR FREANEY FOR SERVING ON THIS BOARD. WE ACTUALLY ARE DOWN TO 18, COMMISSIONER EISNOR RESIGNED. SO WE, WE'LL NEED A NEW TARPON SPRINGS APPOINTMENT AND THEY'LL MAKE THAT IN SEPTEMBER. SO THE REGIONAL MPO MERGER IS A BIG DEAL BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE HAS GOTTEN INVOLVED AND LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT THE LEGISLATURE HAS A PREFERENCE FOR HOW WE DO THINGS. AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE LEGISLATIVE INTENT SEEMS TO BE IS THAT FLORIDA SHOULD HAVE FEWER MPOs IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WE HAVE 27. NOT ONLY DOES THE TAMPA BAY AREA HAVE THIS LEGISLATIVE MANDATE TO CONSIDER THE FEASIBILITY OF MERGING, WHICH WE, WE DID IN RESPONSE TO 2023 LEGISLATION, IT'S NOW COVERING CHARLOTTE, LEE, AND COLLIER COUNTIES AS WELL. AND THERE ARE MULTICOUNTY MPOs IN THE STATE OF FLORIDAY BUT THERE ARE ALSO LOT OF COUNTY BASED MPOs. THE MOTIVATION FOR CREATING A SINGLE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION IS THAT THIS REGION IS GROWING, AND THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE THE REGION NEED TO EVOLVE WITH THAT GROWTH OF THE REGION. FOR YEARS, WE'VE BEEN REQUESTED BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA GOING BACK TO 1990 THAT WE SHOULD MERGE. AND SINCE THAT TIME WE'VE ALWAYS SAID WELL PASCO IS DIFFERENT, HILLSBOROUGH IS DIFFERENT, PINELLAS IS UNIQUE, WE HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENCES, IT REALLY DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO MERGE. AND WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENCES IN THE COUNTIES AND HOW WE WORK, BUT THE TRAVELING PUBLIC CARES LESS AND LESS AND AS HOUSING BECOMES LESS AFFORDABLE PEOPLE ARE MOVING TO PASCO COUNTY AND THEY'RE STILL úWORKING IN OUR COUNTIES. PEOPLE ARE MOVES TO THE FRINGES OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AND THEY'RE STILL WORKING IN PINELLAS COUNTY AND WE ARE NOT CREATING ANYMORE BEACH. PEOPLE ARE STILL COMING HERE AND EVEN THOUGH WE'RE ADDING TWO MIFFIAL PEOPLE OVER THE -- MILLION PEOPLE OVER THE NEXT 25 YEARS TO OUR REGION THEY ARE STILL COMING FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND FUN AND ALL THE THINGS THAT ATTRACT PEOPLE THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE TRANSPORTATION IS COMPETITIVE WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO FUNDING. WE HAVE FORMULA BASED FUNDS THAT ARE BASED ON POPULATION, BUT THE REAL HEAVY HITTING DOLLARS THAT CAN MOVE A REGION'S NEEDLE ARE GOING TO BE IN THE GRANTS THAT ARE COMPETITIVE WHETHER IT'S AND 75% OF FLORIDA'S TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND WHICH IS $15 BILLION OR SO, IS ALLOCATED TO WHAT WE CALL THE STRATEGIC INTERMODAL SYSTEM. AND THAT'S U.S. 19 HERE IN THIS COUNTY, IT'S THE INTERSTATE SYSTEM, AND WE COMPETE AGAINST EVERY REGION FOR THOSE DOLLARS. WE HAVE TO HAVE A REALLY GOOD PROJECT, A REALLY GOOD ASK AND WE NEED TO BE UNIFIED THAT'S A PROJECT WE WANT. WHEN WE HAVE THREE MPOs SERVING THREE COUNTIES, SOMETIMES IT'S HARD TO BE UNIFIED SAYING THIS IS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY OR THE NUMBER TWO PRIORITY. OVER THE LAST YEAR, WE HAVE HIRED A -- CONSULTANT THAT HAS BEEN WORKING WITH US TO GUIDE US THROUGH THE EVOLUTION OF THE ORGANIZATIONS. AND WE HAVE LOOKED AT THE CULTURE OF EACH ORGANIZATION. WE HAVE LOOKED AT HOW EACH ONE OPERATES. THE STRUCTURE, THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS, AND WE'VE DEVELOPED A FULL SUITE OF REPORTS AND BYLAWS AND INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS THAT WILL NOW BE PRESENTED NEXT WEEK TO OUR BOARD AT A WORKSHOP AND TODAY IT'S ACTUALLY BEING PRESENTED AT THE HILLSBOROUGH MPO AND LATER THIS AFTERNOON AT THE PASCO MPO FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION. SO WE GET TO HEAR WHAT THEY TALK ABOUT FIRST. THIS IS THE POPULATION BASED ON 2020. AND THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE BY FEDERAL AND STATE STATUTE, THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE MPO MUST BE APPORTIONED BY POPULATION. AND YOU CAN DEVIATE A LITTLE BIT BUT YOU NEED TO BE PRETTY CONSISTENT WITH THAT POPULATION ALLOCATION. WE ARE THE SECOND LARGEST COUNTY IN THE REGION, BUT WE ARE ALSO THE SLOWEST GROWING COUNTY IN THE REGION, AND SO OVER TIME, WE DO EXPECT PASCO COUNTY TO GET CLOSER TO A MILLION AND HILLSBOROUGH IS GOING TO BE AT 2.5 MILLION IN THE NEXT 25 YEARS. SO THAT DOES AFFECT THE ALLOCATION OF SEATS. SO AS WE LOOK AT THE APPORTIONMENT PLAN, WE HAVE RECOMMENDED A BODY THAT HAS 25 MEMBERS COMPARED TO 19 THAT WE HAVE TODAY IN FORWARD PINELLAS, THAT WOULD INCLUDE THE PORT AND THE AIRPORT. PORT TAMPA BAY AND THEN THE TAMPA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AS VOTING MEMBERS. THEY ARE ALREADY VOTING MEMBERS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, SO WE WOULDN'T BE TAKING ANYTHING AWAY OR ADDING ANYTHING NEW. IT WOULD JUST BE KEEPING THAT CONSISTENT. AND THEY WOULD NOT BE REFLECT -- REPRESENTED BY ELECTED OFFICIALS. THEY WOULD BE REPRESENTED BY THEIR CEOs. OR DESIGNEE. AND THEN THE REMAINING 23 SEATS WOULD BE ALLOCATED BY POPULATION. THE RATIONALE IS THAT THOSE TWO ORGANIZATIONS ARE REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. IF YOU GET YOUR GAS AT A GAS STATION, IT COMES THROUGH PORT TAMP OBEY AND 44% -- TAMPA BAY, AND 44% OF THE EMPLAINMENTS AT THE AIRPORT HAVE A ORIGINATION AT PINELLAS COUNTY SO THAT'S SIGNIFICANT. THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY DELEGATION WOULD HAVE 10 REPRESENTATIVES COMPRISING TAMPA, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, TEMPLE TERRACE, PLANT CITY, THE EXPRESSWAY AUTHORITY. PINELLAS WOULD HAVE EIGHT REPRESENTATIVES. THE WAY THAT ALLOCATION IS CURRENTLY SHOWN IS TWO FOR THE COUNTY COMMISSION, TWO FOR THE CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG, AND THEN ONE SEAT FOR EVERY CITY OVER 50,000 POPULATION, AND THEN ONE ROTATING SEAT FOR SMALLER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. THAT DOES HAVE AN IMPLICATION FOR DUNEDIN BECAUSE YOU HAVE A VOTING SEAT TODAY ON THE FORWARD PINELLAS MPO BOARD, YOU WOULD NOT HAVE AN AS OF RIGHT SEAT ON THE REGIONAL MPO BUT YOU MAY HAVE A VOTING SEAT. AND THEN PASCO WOULD HAVE -- >> CAN YOU SAY THAT AGAIN? BUT WE MAY HAVE A VOTING SEAT? >> YOU MAY BECAUSE YOU MAY BE ONE OF THE SMALLER ROTATING CITIES. >> HMM. >> AND THERE ARE SOME OTHER MECHANISMS THAT WE COULD LOOK AT AS WELL. >> MAYOR FREANEY: YEAH, BUT THAT DECISION HASN'T BEEN TOTALLY MADE. >> IT HAS NOT BEEN VOTED ON. >> MAYOR FREANEY: I JUST WANTED TO. >> THAT'S STILL A TENTATIVE DECISION. >> I DON'T WANT MY HAIRS TO START POPPING OUT. >> STAFF RECOMMENDATION. I UNDERSTAND. WE HAVE HAD THIS CONVERSATION. >> YES, WE HAVE. >> AND THEN WE WOULD HAVE THE TRANSIT AGENCIES AS NONVOTING ADVISORS, TODAY THE TRANSIT AGENCIES DO VOTE ON THE MPOs. THAT WAS A DECISION WE MADE EARLY ON MAINLY TO ENSURE WE STAY UNDER THE 25 MEMBER CAP BECAUSE THAT IS ENSHRINED IN FLORIDA STATUTE SO WE CAN'T GO OVER THAT WITHOUT CHANGING STATUTES. SO AS I MENTIONED, WE HAVE PUT TOGETHER THIS IS NO LONGER UNDER DEVELOPMENT. WE HAVE ACTUALLY COMPLETED A DRAFT SET OF BYLAWS INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT, A MEMRANDM OF UNDERSTANDING -- MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, A STAFFING PLAN, AN ORG CHART, AND A FINANCIAL PLAN FOR THE ORGANIZATION. WHAT'S INTERESTING IS TODAY WE ARE HOSTED BY THE PINELLAS PLANNING COUNCIL, THAT'S MY OTHER LAND USE AGENCY, AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE THINK ABOUT HOW THE MPO OPERATES AND FUNCTIONS BECAUSE RARELY IS AN MPO A STAND ALONE AGENCY. IT DOES HAPPEN, BUT ALL THE FUNDS COMING TO AN MPO ARE FEDERAL FUNDS. SO IT'S NO LOCAL FUNDS, IT'S ALL FEDERAL. BUT THE PINELLAS PLANNING COUNCIL IS THE HOST AGENCY BECAUSE I ONLY GET THE FEDERAL FUNDS EVERY QUARTER AND IN THE MEANTIME I HAVE TO PAY STAFF, I HAVE TO PAY RENT, I HAVE TO DO THOSE THINGS SO WE NEED A FLOAT AND THAT COMES FROM THE MILLAGE LEVY THAT THE PINELLAS PLANNING COUNCIL HAS ON COUNTY-WIDE RESIDENTS. IT'S NOT VERY MUCH BUT IT DOES PROVIDE THAT FLOAT SO THALT WE CAN OPERATE, AND THEN THE FEDERAL FUNDS REIMBURSE THE PINELLAS PLANNING COUNCIL. THE HILLSBOROUGH MPO IS FUNDED -- IS HOSTED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION, AND THEN PASCO IS HOSTED BY PASCO COUNTY GOVERNMENT. WE ARE PROPOSING A MORE INDEPENDENT MPO THAT WOULD NOT BE HOSTED BY ANY OF THE THREE COUNTIES OR BY ANY CITY. THE GOAL WOULD BE IT WOULD BE AN INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION THAT CONTRACTS OUT CERTAIN SERVICES LIKE HR, BENEFITS, MAYBE I.T. AND OTHER BACK OFFICE FUNCTIONS, BUT THAT THE BOARD WOULD BE, HAVE OVERSIGHT OVER THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WOULD HAVE OVERSIGHT OF AN INDEPENDENT STAFF AND I THINK THAT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF A TUG-OF-WAR THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON IN TAMPA BAY ABOUT RESPONSIBILITIES AND ROLES AND LEADERSHIP, AND IF YOU HAVE AN ORGANIZATION HOSTED BY HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, IS IT A MERGER OR IS IT A TAKEOVER? AND I THINK THEY WOULD THINK THE SAME THING IF IT WAS HOSTED BY PINELLAS COUNTY. SO WE HAVE KIND OF SETTLED ON LET'S MAKE AN THIS INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION. IT COULD BE HOSTED BY AN INDEPENDENT SPECIAL DISTRICT SO THOSE ARE OPTIONS. THE AIRPORT IS AN INDEPENDENT SPECIAL DISTRICT. THE HILLSBOROUGH AVIATION AUTHORITY. PSTA IS AN INDEPENDENT SPECIAL DISTRICT. THEY COULD BE A HOST AGENCY. THE PINELLAS PLANNING COUNCIL COULD BE A HOST AGENCY SO THAT HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED HOW THAT WOULD FUNCTION. SO THIS ALL TIEINIZE TO AND I'M GOING TO COME BACK TO THE MPO MERGER IN A MINUTE. I KNOW YOU HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT IT. THIS TIES INTO THE PINELLAS PLANNING COUNCIL SPECIAL ACT BECAUSE IT IS AN ACT OF THE LEGISLATURE AND WHEN THE TWO ORGANIZATIONS WERE MERGED IT SAID THE MPO FOR PINELLAS COUNTY SHALL HAVE THE SAME BOARD AS THE PINELLAS PLANNING COUNCIL. SO IF WE MERGE THE MPOs AND WE DEDESIGNATE THE PINELLAS MPO IT DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE, AND NOW THE PINELLAS PLANNING COUNCIL TO CONSIDER LAND USE CASES. SO I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION TO FIND A SPONSOR TO AMEND OUR SPECIAL ACT, AND LAST YEAR, OR LAST TIME, IN 2010 IT TOOK FIVE YEARS TO ACCOMPLISH THIS AND I'M HOPING TO PULL THIS OFF IN ONE YEAR. SO WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE BOARD THAT WRAPPED UP ITS FINAL MEETING THIS WEEK OR LAST WEEK, AND HAS DEVELOPED A SET OF RECOMMENDATIONS, AND THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD ADDRESS THE MERGER OF THE MPO AND ALSO A FEW STREAMLINING ISSUESS RELATED TO THE PINELLAS PLANNING COUNCIL. SO THE PPC SETS BROAD POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR LAND USE IN PINELLAS COUNTY. ITS GOVERNANCE AS I MENTIONED IS, IS THE MPO. SO WHAT WE HAVE COME UP WITH IS A, AN IF THEN STATEMENT THAT SAYS IF THE MPO IS MERGED, THEN THE PINELLAS PLANNING COUNCIL WOULD REVERT TO A 13-MEMBER BOARD REPRESENTING THE CITIES AND THE COUNTY HERE IN PINELLAS COUNTY. IT WOULD BE ONE SEAT FOR THE COUNTY COMMISSION, ONE SEAT FOR THE CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG, D UNN -- DUNEDIN WOULD HAVE A VOTING SEAT ON THE BOARD, DIRECTLY NOT A ROTATING SEAT, AND THEN THERE WOULD BE SOME ROTATING SEATS FOR THE VERY SMALLER CITIES AND THE BEACH COMMUNITIES FOR INSTANCE. BUT A 13-MEMBER BOARD. THE PINELLAS PLANNING COUNCIL PROVIDES LOT OF SERVICES AND WE HAVE PROVIDE SHOULD HERE TO THE CITY OF DUNEDIN. WE'RE ACTUALLY WORKING WITH YOUR STAFF ON THE DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN UPDATE SO THAT'S HAPPENING NOW AND WE PROVIDE A LOT OF TECHICAL ASSISTANCE AROUND THE COUNTY TO HELP PEOPLE VISUALIZE DEVELOPMENT CHANGES, WHETHER IT'S INCREASES IN DENSITY, OR A NEW PARKING STRUCTURE OR CHANGES IN YOUR TRANSPORTATION NETWORK. SO WHAT THE BOARD HAS DONE IS ALSO RECOMMENDED A SERIES OF STREAMLINING STEPS