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News From the City of Treasure Island • March 4, 2026
City Hall • 10451 Gulf Blvd. • 727-547-4575
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 On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Treasure Island voters will decide a key charter referendum at the Community Center. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The question on the ballot:
Solely for beach renourishment and dune maintenance, should the City Charter be amended to let the City Commission — by a simple majority vote — grant easements (longer than 3 years) on city-owned property to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or Pinellas County?
✅ Yes, means the Commission can more quickly approve these easements to support vital beach restoration projects.
✅ No, keeps the current restrictions in place.
This change would help enable timely beach renourishment and dune work — critical for protecting our shoreline, preventing erosion, and maintaining our beautiful beaches after recent storms.
Follow THIS LINK to learn more details about the referendum, including background and the full ballot language.
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 On April 21, 2026, registered voters in District 3 will be asked to decide whether to recall City Commissioner Arthur Czyszczon.
Ballot Language
Shall Arthur Czyszczon be removed from the office of City of Treasure Island District 3 City Commissioner by recall?
___ Arthur Czyszczon should be removed from office.
___Arthur Czyszczon should not be removed from office.
¿Debe Arthur Czyszczon ser destituido del cargo de Comisionado de la Ciudad del Distrito 3 de la Ciudad de Treasure Island mediante destitución?
___Arthur Czyszczon debería ser destituido.
___Arthur Czyszczon no debería ser destituido.
Who can vote in the election?
Registered voters in District 3.
What happens if Commissioner Czyszczon is recalled from office?
In accordance with Section 3.06 of the Treasure Island City Charter, the City Commission must choose a successor within 30 days. Whoever is selected will serve the remainder of Commissioner Czyszczon's term (March 2027).
Why is Commissioner Czyszczon being recalled?
A group of Treasure Island residents initiated the recall process in December 2025. The Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections verified the group had obtained sufficient petitions to qualify for a recall election.
What rules govern the recall process?
Florida Statutes 100.361, Municipal Recall Elections
Recall Election Information
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Date of Recall Election: April 21
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Polling Location: Treasure Island Community Center, 154 106th Ave, Treasure Island, FL 33706
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Polling Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Visit the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections website for information about voter registration requirements.
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There’s a brand-new sidewalk along the Tern parking lot on Sunset Beach, and it’s already paving the way for safer, easier beach days.
The city’s Public Works crews really put in some work to make this happen!
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At the March 3 City Commission meeting, Mayor John Doctor officially declared Flood Awareness Week: March 9-15. The city will share tips, tricks, and essential information to keep homes, businesses, and beaches safe and dry. Knowledge is our best flood insurance.
Thanks to Clyde Smith and Brian Ford for their dedication to flood risk reduction and for involving our entire community.
Stay tuned next week for helpful posts and resources.
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 Big thanks to Run for the Beaches 5K. They presented a $16,000 check to the City of Treasure Island at a March 3 City Commission meeting, all from last December’s run/walk on Treasure Island Beach. Proceeds from the race help fund real environmental improvements to keep our shores clean and thriving.
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 Construction continues on the Sunset Beach Pavilion to restore this beloved structure to its former glory. Crews are out there every day, working their magic to bring this iconic landmark back to its original stunning beauty after hurricanes severely damaged the structure. The city is eyeing a reopening in just another month or so! Hang in there. Soon we'll all be back under this classic pavilion, watching those epic Treasure Island sunsets together
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 At the March 3 City Commission meeting, Lauren Quinto, Safety and Risk Management Consultant for Preferred Governmental Insurance Trust (PGIT), presented a $5,000 check to Human Resources Director and Risk Manager Jessica Zamora, Treasure Island Fire Chief Trip Barrs, and the city of Treasure Island for its ongoing participation in the TIPS program, sponsored by PGIT.
The TIPS reimbursement program helps municipalities improve workplace safety and expand training efforts. Treasure Island has been a regular participant for several years, and this year the city sought assistance to buy new gear-washing equipment for our firefighters. This specialized equipment is essential in protecting firefighters from long-term exposure to harmful, cancer-causing contaminants.
The total cost of the equipment was $46,000, but thanks to state grant funding combined with PGIT’s support, nearly the entire amount was covered. As a result, the city will pay only $4,500 for equipment that will be installed in the new fire station and used daily to keep our first responders safe.
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 The State of Florida has declared a State of Emergency (Executive Order 26-33) because Mother Nature is clearly auditioning for the lead in “Extreme Weather: The Revenge.”
First, a frigid cold snap rolled through that had iguanas falling out of trees, and now we're baked into a drought. Over 95% of the state is drier than yesterday’s leftover pizza crust.
Here in Pinellas County, we're right in the crosshairs. That means NO OPEN BURNING. Pinellas County Ordinance Sec. 58-206: Burning yard debris (leaves, branches, brush, etc.) has always been a hard no here. But right now? With everything tinder-dry, even your innocent little backyard fire pit is basically auditioning for "Florida's Next Top Wildfire." One rogue spark + gust of wind = faster fire spread than tourists snapping pics of the sunset.
Quick safety recap:
- Yard waste (leaves, branches, brush) - Permanent nope.
- Trash, construction debris, household junk - Big nope.
- Recreational fires (fire pits, bonfires, s'mores sessions) - Hold off for now.
Thank you!
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 During a Special City Commission Meeting on February 24, the City Commission, acting as the evaluation committee, selected its top three consultants for the city’s master plan. These top contenders are:
- Cotleur & Hearing,
- Raftelis Financial Consultants,
- Calvin, Giordano & Associates.
Each team will present its proposals to the city commission at a special meeting scheduled for March 10 at 5 p.m., in the Commission Chambers.
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 The City of Treasure Island currently has several openings on its advisory boards and committees. These include two vacancies on the Code Enforcement Board, one vacancy on the Local Planning Agency/Planning and Zoning Board, and two vacancies on the LIFT Board.
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 The city of Treasure Island, in partnership with Treasure Island - Adopt A Beach, Keep Pinellas Beautiful, and Volunteer Florida, is offering a few environmental education classes beginning next month to help you better understand our local ecosystems. The following classes are offered free of charge:
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April 10: Natives and Invasive Plants
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April 24: Plastics/Microplastics
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May 8: Shoreline/Coastal Resiliency
Each class will be at Sunset Vista Park from 10 to 11 a.m.
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 Due to below-average rainfall and declining water supply throughout the region, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) has issued a Phase II Water Shortage Order that includes Pinellas County and other surrounding counties under its jurisdiction.
Pinellas County Utilities will move to one-day-per-week watering for all customers. Customers should monitor Pinellas County Utilities’ water restrictions webpage at pinellas.gov/watering-schedule-and-rules for up-to-date information, as restrictions can change at any time.
- Order remains in effect through July 1, 2026
- One-day-per-week watering restrictions issued countywide
- Customers should reduce unnecessary water use to conserve resources
Customers south of SR580 (all of Treasure Island)
- Addresses ending in even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, 8): Tuesdays
- Addresses ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9): Thursdays
- Mixed or No Address (such as common areas, entry areas/office complexes, shopping centers and other “no address” locations): Thursdays
- Watering using either potable or reclaimed water is not permitted between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
For more watering schedule and rules, visit pinellas.gov/watering-schedule-and-rules
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Four commissioners were present; Commissioner Chris Clark was absent.
The City issued several proclamations and accepted donations related to flood awareness, beach events, and fire department safety equipment.
Public comments were taken, and the minutes from previous meetings were not up for approval.
All items on the consent agenda were approved 4–0. These included:
- Donating equipment to a First Responder Magnet Program
- Renewing license agreements with PADL and Suncoast Beach cams
- Annual agreements for the Run for the Beaches 5K and the Tampa Bay Sports Fest
ITEMS OF BUSINESS
- Variance Request – 9980 Gulf Blvd (Fence for Pool)
- The Commission agreed the applicant had a valid hardship and approved a 6‑foot open fence along the waterfront side of the pool.
- Vote: 4–0
- Ordinance 2026‑07 (First Reading)
- Approved on first reading and scheduled for second reading on April 7.
- Vote: 4–0
- Resolution 2026‑02 – Commission Rules of Procedure
- A long discussion focused on:
- Whether commissioners should use the City Attorney to review ideas before bringing them forward.
- How often can the public comment?
- How many future agenda items can a commissioner add?
- Consensus reached: each commissioner may add up to two items per meeting.
- Decision postponed until March 16 for final revisions.
- Vote to continue: 4–0
- Task Order for Public Works Facility
- Approved hiring Kimley‑Horn to design and permit the new Public Works facility.
- Vote: 4–0
- Design‑Build Contract for New Public Safety Facility
- Approved awarding the contract to CORE Construction Services.
- Vote: 4–0
MANAGER & ATTORNEY REPORTS
- The City Manager requested direction about the Local Planning Agency’s interest in revisiting height/density rules for the Thunderbird Hotel. The Commission agreed the city should stick with its plan to complete a comprehensive master plan first.
- A commissioner raised concerns about insurance coverage for two former City Attorneys, but the majority felt the issue was resolved since they no longer serve the city.
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