BELLEAIR — In a town as small and close-knit as Belleair, the police and public works departments are woven into daily life. On May 19, the Town Commission made a point of saying thank you.
The commission recognized National Public Works Week and National Police Week, along with Peace Officers’ Memorial Day, presenting proclamations to members of both departments.
Mayor Mike Wilkinson started with a proclamation for the 2026 National Public Works Week, noting that public works professionals “focus on infrastructure, facilities and services that are important to all of our lives.” The proclamation also said the department helps Belleair residents “gain knowledge and understand the importance of public works and public works programs in our town.”
Wilkinson noted that 2026 “marks the 66th annual National Public Works Week” and designated May 17-23 as Public Works Week in Belleair before the commission posed for photos with department members.
“Thank you for all you do,” the mayor said.
Town Manager Gay Lancaster then read a letter from Public Works Director Ryan Womack. “As the commission recognizes Public Works Week, I want to express how thankful I am to work with this team every day,” she read. “No job ever seems too big, and no resident concern is ever too small. They respond and take action daily and are a huge part of what makes this town such a great place to live.”
Womack’s letter added that the crew is “small but hardworking,” Lancaster said, and closed by thanking the commission “for recognizing the team, and for everyone’s support.”
“Well said,” Wilkinson replied before welcoming Police Chief Rick Doyle and several officers to the front of the auditorium for the recognition of National Police Week and Peace Officers’ Memorial Day.
“This is in recognition of National Police Week 2026 and to honor the service and sacrifice of those law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty while protecting our communities and safeguarding our democracy,” the mayor read, noting there are more than 800,000 law enforcement officers in the U.S.
“That includes the dedicated members of the Town of Belleair’s police department,” Wilkinson said.
He noted that May 15 marks Peace Officers’ Memorial Day, which honors all fallen officers and their families, and said U.S. flags should be flown at half-staff. He then proclaimed National Police Week to coincide with the observance, and the commissioners posed with Doyle and the officers as the audience applauded.
Housekeeping items dominate agenda
The May 19 agenda featured a handful of housekeeping items, including the final reading of an ordinance updating the town’s right-of-way regulations. The measure had passed unanimously on first reading last month.
Town Attorney Jay Daigneault told the board he had received a last-minute request to postpone the final vote but said the decision remained with the commission.
“I received an email earlier today from a representative of AT&T asking that the second reading be postponed due to legal concerns expressed by AT&T’s legal counsel,” Daigneault said, noting the message arrived about 20 minutes before the 5:30 p.m. meeting.
“So there was not really a lot of time to review these concerns,” he said. “But we have been through this before with providers scrutinizing ordinances of this nature. It’s not new to us.”
During the first reading of Ordinance 595, Daigneault had called the town’s right-of-way code “a bit outdated” and recommended changes to align it with federal and state laws. Lancaster said the updates included minor requirements, such as door hangers and a 72-hour notice to residents before companies work in affected areas.
At the second reading, Daigneault said the telecommunications company raised two main concerns: coming changes to state regulations in the fall and some “abstract constitutional issues.”
“All of those were considered in drafting the ordinance,” he said. “So it’s up to you to do with it as you wish.”
Lancaster urged the board to proceed. “Given the number of complaints that we’ve had regarding the cable company and their work in the public right-of-way, I think we should move forward with the ordinance, and we can make amendments or changes as the legislation may dictate,” she said. “Now is the time to act.”
The board then voted 5-0 to approve Ordinance 595 on the second and final reading.
Official recognized for savings, leadership program
Ashley Bernal, Belleair’s assistant town manager, was recognized during the meeting for two accomplishments: saving the town hundreds of thousands of dollars and completing a prestigious leadership program.
“Credit where credit is due — Ashley graduated from the ICMA Leadership Program, which clears the way for her candidacy to be credentialed as a manager,” Lancaster said, referring to the International City/County Management Association. She added that Bernal deserved “kudos” for the achievement.
“It was a year’s worth of very hard work,” Lancaster said. Wilkinson congratulated Bernal as she drew applause from the room.
Minutes earlier, Lancaster had praised Bernal for helping the town save $100,000 on a contract for the final scope, design and engineering fee for the second phase of the Indian Rocks Road project.
“Ashley has engineered this through the process and gotten us a very good price for phase two,” Lancaster said. Deputy Mayor Tom Shelly thanked Bernal “for getting a bid for almost $100,000 less than what was in the budget.”