Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners  
333 Chestnut Street, Palm Room  
Clearwater, FL 33756  
Hybrid In-Person and Virtual Regular Meeting Agenda  
Tuesday, February 11, 2025  
9:30 A.M.  
Regular Meeting  
Brian Scott, Chair  
Dave Eggers, Vice-Chair  
Rene Flowers  
Chris Latvala  
Vince Nowicki  
Kathleen Peters  
Chris Scherer  
Barry A. Burton, County Administrator  
Jewel White, County Attorney  
Ken Burke, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller  
ROLL CALL  
INVOCATION  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD  
1.  
Citizens To Be Heard - Public Comment.  
PUBLIC HEARINGS  
AUTHORITIES, BOARDS, CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS AND COUNCILS  
Countywide Planning Authority  
2.  
Case No. CW 25-01 - Pinellas County  
Countywide Plan Map amendment from Retail & Services to Residential  
Low Medium, regarding 0.26 acre more or less, located at 1310 Gooden  
Crossing.  
Recommendation:  
Sitting as the Countywide Planning Authority, adopt an ordinance  
approving Case No. CW 25-01, a proposal by Pinellas County to amend  
the Countywide Plan Map from Retail & Services to Residential Low  
Medium, regarding 0.26 acre more or less, located at 1310 Gooden  
Crossing.  
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The site includes two vacant parcels totaling 0.26 acres in  
unincorporated Largo and was previously used as a place of  
worship.  
Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County, Inc. plans to develop the  
property with two single-family affordable housing units, one on  
each parcel.  
This amendment aligns the land use classification with the  
proposed residential development and ensures compatibility with  
the surrounding low-density residential neighborhood.  
Forward Pinellas and the Planners Advisory Committee each  
unanimously recommended approval of the proposal.  
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS  
3.  
Amendment by resolution supplementing the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget  
realigning reserves and recognizing unanticipated fund balance for  
requesting departments (Hurricanes Amendment).  
Recommendation:  
Approval of the amendment by resolution supplementing the Fiscal Year  
2025 Budget for expenditures related to Hurricanes Helene and Milton.  
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Realign $78,436,130.00 in General Funds from reserves and  
appropriate to personnel services, operating expenses, and  
transfers to Emergency Events - General Fund and constitutional  
offices.  
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Recognize $1,500,000.00 in fund balance and realign  
$1,200,000.00 from reserves and appropriate to personnel  
services and operating expenses in the Building Services Fund  
for Building Development and Review Services.  
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Realign $53,930.00 from reserves and appropriate to personnel  
services and operating expenses in the Tourist Development Tax  
Fund for the Convention and Visitors Bureau.  
Realign $1,956,190.00 from reserves and appropriate to  
personnel services, operating expenses, and capital outlay in the  
Airport Revenue and Operating Fund for St. Pete-Clearwater  
International Airport.  
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Realign $1,472,000.00 from reserves and appropriate to  
personnel services, operating expenses, and capital outlay in the  
Solid Waste Revenue and Operating Fund for the Department of  
Solid Waste.  
Realign $7,776,440.00 from reserves and appropriate to  
personnel services and operating expenses in the Water  
Revenue and Operating Fund for Pinellas County Utilities (PCU).  
Realign $6,146,000.00 from reserves and appropriate to capital  
outlay in the Water Renewal and Replacement Fund for PCU.  
Realign $5,591,700.00 from reserves and appropriate to  
personnel services and operating expenses in the Sewer  
Revenue and Operating Fund for PCU.  
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Realign $7,866,000.00 from reserves and appropriate to capital  
outlay in the Sewer Renewal and Replacement Fund...Body  
4.  
Amendment by resolution supplementing the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget  
recognizing unanticipated fund balance and unanticipated revenue and  
realigning reserves for requesting departments (Carryforward  
Amendment).  
Recommendation:  
Approval of the amendment by resolution supplementing the Fiscal Year  
2025 Budget by recognizing unanticipated fund balance and  
unanticipated revenue and realigning reserves for requesting  
departments and funds.  
Operating Budget:  
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Recognize $2,041,120.00 in unanticipated fund balance and  
appropriate to personnel services, operating expenses, and  
capital outlay in the General Fund.  
Recognize $29,014,870.00 in unanticipated fund balance and  
appropriate to operating expenses and capital outlay in various  
requesting funds.  
Capital Budget  
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Recognize $345,000.00 in unanticipated fund balance and  
appropriate to capital outlay in the General Fund.  
Recognize $155,308,000.00 in unanticipated fund balance and  
unanticipated revenue and appropriate to capital outlay in the  
Capital Projects Fund.  
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Recognize $55,228,000.00 and appropriate capital outlay in  
various requesting funds...Body  
5.  
Amendment by resolution supplementing the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget  
realigning reserves and recognizing unanticipated revenue for  
requesting departments and constitutional offices (Omnibus  
Amendment).  
Recommendation:  
Approval of the amendment by resolution supplementing the Fiscal Year  
2025 Budget realigning reserves, and recognizing unanticipated  
revenue for requesting departments and constitutional offices.  
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Recognize $4,387,410.00 in unanticipated revenue and  
appropriate to personnel services, operating expenses, capital  
outlay, reserves, and transfers to various departments and  
constitutional offices in the General Fund.  
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Realign $2,163,130.00 in reserves to personnel services,  
operating expenses, capital outlay, and transfers to various  
departments and constitutional offices in the General Fund.  
Realign $1,250,240.00 from the County Administrator to  
Construction and Property Management for the operations and  
funding of the Construction Services Division in the General  
Fund.  
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Recognize $294,850.00 in unanticipated revenue and appropriate  
to capital outlay and grants and aids in the Emergency Medical  
Service Fund.  
Recognize $2,030.00 in unanticipated revenue and appropriate to  
operating expenses in the Emergency Communications E911  
System Fund.  
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Realign $3,168,000.00 in capital project funding in the Sewer  
Renewal and Replacement Fund.  
Recognize $440,000.00 in unanticipated revenue in the Fleet  
Management Fund...Body  
6.  
Ordinance amending the Pinellas County Code, Chapter 2, Article V,  
Division 2, Purchasing, Sections 2-156 through 2-198.  
Recommendation:  
Conduct a public hearing and approve the ordinance amending Pinellas  
County Code, Chapter 2, Article V, Division 2, Purchasing, Sections  
2-156 through 2-198.  
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These Code revisions provide efficiency and productivity  
improvement in purchasing procedures and policies providing for  
increased expediency of routine purchases.  
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This ordinance amendment, by itself, has not fiscal impact on  
Pinellas County.  
Updates include the following:  
a.) Increase the formal bid threshold from $100K to $150K,  
thus creating additional opportunities for small businesses  
while also expediting the contracting process.  
b.) Increase Purchasing delegated authority from $100K to  
$150K to align with the bid threshold providing greater  
expediency in the contracting process.  
c.) Increase the small purchase threshold from $5K to $25K  
to secure goods and services faster for routine operational  
purchases under $25K.  
d.) Clerk of Court encumbrance policy, a best practice  
defining transactions that require encumbrances.  
e.) Establishes a purchase order policy enabling the issuance  
of purchase orders in place of written agreements for basic  
operating commodities and services.  
f.) Housekeeping - remove from the Code the construction  
prequalification process, which has not been utilized for  
several years. This process was deemed restrictive,  
requiring 1 1/2 positions to manage and 8 external  
volunteers meeting on a quarterly basis. Contractors now  
qualify through the Florida Department of Transportation  
(statute-driven) and/or a County 2-step bid process which  
provides ample due diligence and protection while  
reducing overall County resources and improved  
efficiency.  
CONSENT AGENDA - Items 7 through 14  
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT AND COMPTROLLER  
7.  
8.  
Minutes of the regular meeting held December 17, 2024.  
Vouchers and bills paid from January 5 through January 18, 2025.  
Reports received for filing:  
9.  
Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Financial Statements, Year  
Ended September 30, 2024, with Summarized Financial Information for  
the Year Ended September 30, 2023.  
10.  
Pinellas County Sheriff Financial Statements, September 30, 2024, with  
Summarized Financial Information for the Year Ended September 30,  
2023.  
11.  
12.  
13.  
Pinellas County Property Appraiser Financial Statements, September  
30, 2024.  
Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Financial Statements,  
September 30, 2024.  
Pinellas County Tax Collector Financial Statements, September 30,  
2024.  
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR DEPARTMENTS  
Public Works  
14.  
Ratification of the approval by the County Administrator of the  
Sub-Recipient Management Cost Request for the Hazard Mitigation  
Grant Program Application with the Florida Division of Emergency  
Management for construction of McKay Creek Operable Lake Controls  
and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Project.  
Recommendation:  
Ratification of the approval by the County Administrator of the  
Sub-Recipient Management Cost (SRMC) Request for the Hazard  
Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Application with the Florida Division  
of Emergency Management (FDEM) for construction of the McKay  
Creek Operable Lake Controls and Supervisory Control and Data  
Acquisition (SCADA) Project.  
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County originally applied for $3,000,000.00 HMGP funding for  
construction, with a $1,000,000.00 County match in August 2023.  
SRMC increased grant amount, through additional Application  
submittal, by $200,000.00 for Fiscal Years (FY) 2025-2027 to  
manage and administer HMGP award with no match requirement  
in December 2024.  
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County Administrator approved the submission of the second  
Application through Legistar Item 24-1192D. Due to the  
submission deadline, the County Administrator's approval was  
necessary with the understanding that the item would be ratified  
by the Board of County Commissioners at later date.  
McKay Creek Operable Lake Controls and SCADA, Project No.  
004134A, is funded by Local Infrastructure Sales Tax (Penny for  
Pinellas) and local grants. FDEM HMGP grant would offset  
Penny for Pinellas funding.  
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No signatures required.  
REGULAR AGENDA  
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA  
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR DEPARTMENTS  
Administrative Services  
15.  
Purchase authorization and agreements for requirements of heavy and  
light duty vehicles and equipment pursuant to the pricing of each  
cooperative contract.  
Recommendation:  
Approval of the purchase authorization and agreements for the  
requirements of heavy and light duty vehicles and equipment pursuant  
to the pricing of each cooperative contract.  
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The agreements are pursuant to the pricing of each  
cooperative contract (Omnia Partners, Sourcewell, Florida  
Department of Transportation, State of Florida, and Florida  
Sheriff’s contract).  
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This purchase authorization is for the replacement of heavy,  
medium, and light duty vehicles that have exceeded end of  
life capacity. Factors to determine end of life include but are  
not limited to age, mileage/hours of operation, and overall  
condition due to application such as beach use, etc.  
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This request contains (1) Golf Carts, (4) SUVs and Vans, (51)  
Pick-ups, (23) Utility Trucks, (6) Message Board, (32) Mowers,  
(2) Offroad Equipment, (1) Pump (120 total units).  
Funding for this agreement is included in the Fiscal Year  
2025 Operating Budget for Parks and Conservation  
Resources, Public Works, Airport, Solid Waste, Pinellas  
County Utilities, and the Department of Administrative  
Services.  
Contract No. 25-0101-PB in the not-to-exceed amount of $8,691,664.28;  
Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk of the Circuit Court to  
attest.  
Economic Development  
16.  
State of Florida Department of Commerce Defense Grant Agreement for  
funding professional services for the STAR Center redevelopment  
Public Private Partnership planning and proposal.  
Recommendation:  
Approval of a $250,000.00 Defense Grant Agreement with the State of  
Florida Department of Commerce, for execution by the County  
Administrator, to provide funds for the development and execution of a  
Public Private Partnership Request for Proposal (RFP) for a real estate  
redevelopment plan for the Young Rainey STAR Center.  
It is further recommended that the Board of County Commissioners  
delegate authority to the County Administrator to negotiate and execute  
all agreements and documentation associated with the funding.  
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The grant is funded through this cost reimbursement agreement  
effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 that requires a  
$75,000.00 County match.  
The funding is for professional services to assist the County in  
the research, development, planning, and execution of an RFP  
for the redevelopment of the STAR Center.  
The Scope of Work includes Market Analysis and Concept  
Refinement, Assessment of the Transaction Structures, Project  
Financial Analysis, RFP creation and response review, and  
Negotiation of the Final Agreement,  
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The County will engage with Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc.  
(JLL) to perform the Scope of Work in the Defense Grant  
Agreement. ..Body  
Housing & Community Development  
17.  
Resolution approving a Substantial Amendment to the 2024/2025  
Annual Action Plan for the purpose of receiving Emergency Solutions  
Grant Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing funds.  
Recommendation:  
Adopt a resolution approving a Substantial Amendment to the  
2024/2025 Annual Action Plan for the purpose of receiving Emergency  
Solutions Grant (ESG) Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH)  
funds and authorize submittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and  
Urban Development (HUD).  
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The Substantial Amendment to the 2024/2025 Action Plan  
contains the application for ESG-RUSH funds.  
The County will receive $512,336.00 in ESG-RUSH funds to  
address the needs of the homeless and at-risk affected by  
hurricanes Helene and Milton.  
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Eligible ESG-RUSH activities include emergency shelter  
(congregate and non-congregate), rapid re-housing,  
homelessness prevention, rental assistance, relocation and  
stabilization services, financial assistance for move-in costs,  
supportive services, street outreach services, and Homeless  
Management Information System.  
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The County will use 7.5% of the allocation administration costs.  
This is not included in the Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget for  
HCD in the Community Development Grant Fund and will  
generate unanticipated revenue when received. A budget  
amendment to recognize this new grant funding will be proposed  
for approval.  
Authorize the Chairman, or designee, to sign and the Clerk of the Court  
to attest applications, certifications, HUD Grant Agreements, and  
Subrecipient and Land Use Restriction Agreements, including  
Amendments; Authorize the County Administrator to implement  
ESG-RUSH Programs; Authorize the Housing and Community  
Development Department Director to serve as Certifying Officer for HUD  
Environmental Responsibilities; and Authorize the Housing and  
Community Development Department Director, or designee, to sign and  
file necessary forms, reports, and other administrative documents  
related to the administration of the Annual Action Plan.  
COUNTY ATTORNEY  
18.  
Proposed settlement in the case of Wrenn Smotherman v. Pinellas  
County; Workers’ Compensation Case No. 21-012773RLY.  
Recommendation:  
Consideration of the proposed settlement in the case of Wrenn  
Smotherman v. Pinellas County.  
19.  
County Attorney Reports.  
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR  
20.  
County Administrator Reports.  
COUNTY COMMISSION  
21.  
Appointments to the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area  
Advisory Committee (Board of County Commissioners as a whole).  
Recommendation:  
Approve one appointment to Lealman Community Redevelopment for a  
three-year term beginning on the date of appointment.  
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Only one application was received for this position.  
Applicant’s name: Tyler Payne.  
Staff reviewed Mr. Payne’s application and determined he’s  
eligible since he owns land/ business within the limits of the CRA.  
22.  
County Commission New Business:  
Pertinent and timely Committee/Board updates, policy considerations,  
administrative/procedural considerations, and other new business.  
ADJOURNMENT  
Special Accommodations  
Persons with disabilities who need reasonable accommodations to effectively participate in this meeting are  
asked to contact Pinellas County’s Office of Human Rights by e -mailing such requests to  
accommodations@pinellas.gov at least three (3) business days in advance of the need for reasonable  
accommodation. You may also call (727) 464-4882.  
Public Participation Procedures  
Persons wishing to comment regarding a specific agenda item should do so:  
In person - by preregistering at https://comment.pinellas.gov or by filling out a comment card with the County  
staff person in the meeting room; or,  
Virtually - in advance in accordance with the instructions in the notice of this meeting, or on the virtual platform  
or phone after preregistering.  
Members of the public wishing to make comments on the virtual platform or by phone must preregister by 5  
p.m. the day before the meeting. At the scheduled section of the meeting when the item is before the Board of  
County Commissioners (Board), the Chairman or Clerk will call on each individual, one by one, to be heard.  
Each individual may speak for up to three minutes as may be modified by the Chairman. Comments or  
behavior that violate Pinellas County Commission Public Participation and Decorum Rules will be  
disconnected. Members of the public who cannot attend at the time an agenda item is before the Board may  
offer comments during the Citizens to Be Heard section near the beginning of the meeting. More information is  
available at https://pinellas.gov/participating-in-a-BCC-meeting or by calling (727) 464-4400.  
Public Hearing Procedures  
The procedure used by the Board in conducting Public Hearings is to have a staff presentation followed by the  
applicant presenting the specific proposal. The Board will then hear comments from the proponents, the  
opponents and a staff summary. The applicant will then be given an opportunity to close and the Board will  
decide on the matter. Public Hearings before the Board are governed by the provisions of Section 134 -14 of  
the Pinellas County Land Development Code as may be modified by Pinellas County Emergency Order. That  
code provides that at the conclusion of each person’s presentation, any speaker may seek the Chairman’s  
permission to ask questions of staff.  
Specifically:  
1. At the conclusion of the presentations by the applicant and any proponents, all affected parties may  
seek the Chairman’s permission to ask questions of or seek clarification from the applicant and/or the  
proponents.  
2. At the conclusion of the presentation by the opponents, all affected parties may seek the Chairman’s  
permission to ask questions of or seek clarification from any opponent.  
The applicant’s closing comments will address testimony subsequent to his or her presentation. Continuing  
rebuttal of other than directly preceding testimony will not be allowed. Because much testimony has already  
been submitted in writing, the following guidelines accommodate efficient presentations:  
1. The applicant should present his or her entire case, including rebuttal, in no more than 20 minutes.  
2. Persons wishing to speak regarding a Public Hearing item may speak for up to three minutes each.  
3. Persons wishing to attend virtually must preregister at https://comment.pinellas.gov by 5 p. m. the day  
before the meeting.  
Appeals  
Persons are advised that, if they decided to appeal any decision made at this meeting/hearing, they will need  
a record of the proceeding, and, for such purposes, they may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the  
proceeding is made, which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.  
If a Board meeting beginning at 9:30 A.M. has not concluded by noon, a recess will be taken from noon to  
12:30 P.M., and the remainder of the meeting will continue at 12:30 P.M.  
If a Board meeting beginning at 2:00 P.M. has not concluded by 5:30 P.M., a recess will be taken from 5:30 to  
6:00 P.M. The remainder of the afternoon agenda will resume at 6:00 P.M., followed by Public Hearings.