SEMINOLE — City Council unanimously approved $359,995 for New Vista Builders Group to construct a stage gazebo at Waterfront Park, 10400 Park Blvd., moving closer to completing the park project.

The Oct. 14 council vote leaves just two elements unfinished: the gazebo and a Veteran’s Memorial.

“We’ve been looking forward to this,” Mayor Leslie Waters said. “This will be a great addition to our beautiful Waterfront Park that we have seen come from the ground up.”

The city will contract through a cooperative purchase agreement with Sourcewell, a Minnesota-based government agency that provides preapproved contracts to help public agencies save time and money on services such as construction.

The proposed gazebo will include a built-in stage and ADA-accessible ramp for concerts and community gatherings.

The city’s fiscal 2025 budget originally allocated $350,000 for both the gazebo and Veterans Memorial. The city received a $150,000 grant through the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program, raising the combined project budget to $500,000 in September.

The Public Work Department reviewed two quotes earlier this year.

A proposal from Rep Services, Inc. for $355,258.20 was not recommended because it lacked a stage and ADA ramp.

“We can’t have the gazebo without that,” City Manager Ann Toney-Deal said.

New Vista Builders Group was recommended because its proposal met project requirements, and the department had worked with the vendor previously. Though the $359,995 quote was slightly higher, it included both necessary features.

The city will pay the full amount upfront and seek reimbursement from the state for the $150,000 FRDAP grant portion.

“Basically, you get a grant, you spend your money, and then they reimburse you,” Toney-Deal said. “They want to make sure it’s spent for the purpose that grant was given.”

Vice Mayor Chris Burke asked whether remaining funds could go toward the Veterans Memorial.

“That was the intention,” Toney-Deal said. “You have that one amount in your budget for those projects.”

Seminole honors Kirk

The City Council recognized Oct. 14 as a day of remembrance for Charlie Kirk during its meeting, with Waters honoring the late activist on what would have been his 32nd birthday.

Waters said the proclamation was drafted by Pinellas County, presented to the County Commission and then shared with municipalities.

The proclamation recognized Kirk’s activism, family and contributions to civic engagement and free speech. Kirk, who had a residence in Florida, posthumously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Waters called upon residents to “reflect on Kirk’s contributions, celebrate his legacy and continue the work of strengthening our communities through civic engagement.”

EMS contract amendment

The council also approved an amendment to the Emergency Medical Services Advanced Life Support First Responder Agreement with the Pinellas County Emergency Medical Services Authority.

The agreement allows Seminole Fire Rescue to provide ALS first responder services within the city’s EMS district and was originally signed in October 2024.

Under the contract, any annual budget increase exceeding 3% requires an amendment. The city’s proposed fiscal 2025-26 EMS budget is $551,159, or 14.7%, above the prior year.

Toney-Deal said the county provides additional funding to cover the increase, which does not affect the city’s budget.

“With the union contract, equipment purchases and just the cost of doing business, we have been lean in our EMS budgeting and fire budgeting for many years, but in this year, it will exceed 3%,” Toney-Deal said.