St. Pete Beach City Commission Meeting - December 2, 2025

The St. Pete Beach City Commission met on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Commission Chambers. All five commissioners were present: Mayor Patrilla, Vice Mayor Marriott, and Commissioners Robinson, Rasnicki, and Maldonado. The meeting included a proclamation honoring volunteers, a legislative update, a hurricane recovery and capital improvement plan presentation, approval of several consent items, first readings of five ordinances, and commissioner discussion items on resiliency, FEMA regulations, short-term rentals, and sewer lateral lines.

Consent Calendar

• Approved as amended (items G and I were pulled):
  • Approval of October 28, 2025 Executive Session Minutes, October 28, 2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes, and November 3, 2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes
  • Authorize interlocal agreements with Pinellas County for post-storm recovery services, debris collection, water quality monitoring, and Fire Station 22 state appropriations amendment
  • Authorize renewal of the 2025 Helpdesk Tech agreement with Jamie Burdine ($39,936)
  • Authorize amendment to Insight Global Contract ($69,000, total $138,000)
  • Approval of holiday pay for Fire Department Captains and District Chiefs
  • Authorize services agreement with Hydro-Klean, LLC for stormwater cleaning and inspection (up to $800,000 annually)
• Item G (city-sponsored bonfire event) was pulled and will not be city-sponsored; the Pass A Grille community will continue the tradition independently.
• Item I (IWorks contract) was pulled for discussion; commissioners questioned the software's future and were told it may be replaced within 24 months.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Deborah Scheckner (Boca Sega Isle Drive) expressed support for a proposed $1 toll to benefit residents, criticized what she called a manufactured frenzy by opponents, and urged residents to research facts.
• Deborah Scheckner (on Ordinance 2025-22) voiced concern about potential spot zoning for recovery residences and asked that it not extend to commercial properties.
• Kelly Lee McFrederick (3612 East Maritana Drive) shared her experience with a large cell tower placed near her home, thanked the commission for addressing the issue, and urged the city to be a leader in regulating telecommunications infrastructure.

Presentations

• Proclamation Recognizing Volunteers: The mayor read a proclamation thanking nearly 40 volunteers who helped the building department after the hurricanes, recognizing their selfless service.
• Legislative Update – Jim Taylor, Shoemaker Advisors: Reported on the state budget ($114.7 billion), successful appropriation of $3 million for Fire Station 22, and ongoing work with Representative Cheney and Senator DeSigley. He noted the upcoming session may be a lean year and discussed potential constitutional amendments on ad valorem taxes. He answered questions on SB 180 glitch fixes and the need for local revenue alternatives.
• Hurricane Recovery & Preparedness Update – Laura Canary, Community Development Director: Provided a comprehensive update on permit processing statistics (6,186 applications submitted, 4,758 issued, 2,353 closed; demolition permits average 9 days to issue; elevation permits average 12 days). She reported over $375 million in total permit valuation, $3.7 million in fees waived, and $4 million collected. The Elevate Florida program cap was raised from $220,000 to $375,000 per project. She noted that 41 elevation permits were applied for, with 15 issued and 1 closed. She also reviewed the timeline of recovery actions since the hurricanes.
• Capital Improvement Plan Update – Camden Mills, Public Services Director: Presented the five-year CIP (FY2026-2030) totaling about $213 million, with $58 million budgeted for FY2026. Outer years are currently unfunded. The force main project is crossing fiscal years; design in FY2026, construction in FY2027-2028. Staff will provide regular CIP updates moving forward.

Ordinances

All five ordinances were approved on first reading unanimously (5-0).

• Ordinance 2025-23 (Procurement Regulations): Increases micro-purchase threshold from $2,500 to $5,000 and formal bid threshold from $25,000 to $50,000, aligning with state emergency management policies.
• Ordinance 2025-22 (Certified Recovery Residences): Establishes procedures for reasonable accommodations as required by new Florida statute, effective January 1, 2026. The ordinance is intended to meet minimum statutory requirements.
• Ordinance 2025-21 (Accessory Structures, Nonconforming Uses, etc.): Amends multiple LDC sections to allow stair encroachments, retention of nonconforming balconies and accessory structures, clarify rebuilding standards, and provide front setback alternatives for cul-de-sac lots.
• Ordinance 2025-25 (Appeals): amends LDC Section 3.14 to make the city commission the hearing entity for appeals, with an option to delegate to a special magistrate.
• Ordinance 2025-24 (Wireless Communication Facilities): Updates Chapters 131 and 132 to add design criteria, fall zones, and environmental protections while complying with state and federal preemption. A contractor will be retained to review technical applications. Fees will be charged to the extent allowed by law.

Discussion Items

• Resiliency Group – Commissioner Rasnicki proposed creating a citywide resiliency advisory group of residents to address flooding, infrastructure, and other neighborhood issues, modeled on the Don Cesar neighborhood group. Commissioners discussed the idea; Vice Mayor Marriott suggested starting with library-hosted forums. The city manager noted ongoing studies (fee study, CRA, revenue team) and will map community outreach efforts to see if a new group is needed.
• FEMA 2025 Letter – Commissioner Robinson requested that the city invite expert Mike Twitty to explain the implications for homeowners who have not yet done repairs and may face reduced benefits in a future storm. The commission agreed.
• Substantial Damage Procedures – Commissioner Robinson noted inconsistencies in the city’s substantial damage administrative procedures, including language about contractor estimates and overhead/profit. Staff will correct these administratively.
• Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb) – Commissioner Robinson raised concerns about increasing short-term rentals and suggested requiring a business tax receipt for all rentals, adopting volunteer monitoring, and redirecting code enforcement resources. The city manager will explore options, including learning from other programs.
• Sewer Lateral Lines – Commissioner Robinson proposed replacing laterals on new builds and waiving permit fees as an incentive, noting that St. Petersburg offers rebates. The idea was well-received; the city manager will consider including it in the list of potential TDT repurposing uses.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved as amended (items G and I removed).
• First readings of Ordinances 2025-23, 2025-22, 2025-21, 2025-25, and 2025-24 all passed unanimously (5-0).
• Staff will invite Mike Twitty to speak on the FEMA 2025 letter.
• City manager will map community outreach activities and assess the need for a formal resiliency group.
• Staff will correct substantial damage procedures and consider options for short-term rental enforcement and lateral line replacement incentives.