St. Pete Beach City Commission Meeting - July 14, 2026

The St. Pete Beach City Commission met on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Commission Chambers. The meeting included a recreation fee study presentation, public comments, consent agenda approvals, discussion and action on a parking prohibition and a disaster procedures plan, first reading of an ordinance to change recreation fee adoption from ordinance to resolution, and a lengthy quasi-judicial hearing on conditional use permits for an off-premise parking lot. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 PM.

Presentations

• Recreation Fee Study: A consultant presented the results of the recreation fee study, recommending a tiered cost recovery approach (0% for parks, 70% for mixed-benefit programs, 100% for individual-benefit services). The study proposed a 3.1% annual inflationary increase for resident rates and larger increases for non-resident rates to move toward full cost recovery. Current cost recovery was 29%; projected to reach 47% with increases. The study also suggested consolidating and removing certain fees. Commissioner questions focused on the use of YMCA as a benchmark and the feasibility of the timeline.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Kurzman (address not stated) expressed strong opposition to the recently passed sign ordinance, arguing it would lead to privatization of the beach, increase liability, and create enforcement issues. He referenced similar problems in Walton County and provided examples of current sign misuse.
• Deborah Scheckner (Boca Sega Isle Drive) opposed the sign ordinance and criticized the recreation fee study for using YMCA as a benchmark, noting that YMCA requires expensive memberships. She also urged improvements to LEDO Park and creation of a resident review board for commercial construction.
• Kathy Garchell (St. Pete Beach resident) urged postponing rate decisions to allow public comment, highlighted that the proposed wastewater and recreation increases translate to $22.42 per month total, and noted the city’s millage rate is half that of St. Petersburg. She emphasized the need to fund drainage and stormwater projects.
• During the conditional use permit hearing, several residents testified against the expansion of parking on the Bayou residential lot, citing 15 years of broken promises, illegal beach parking, noise, light, and safety concerns. Speakers included Jack Martinell, Amanda Davis, Vicky Pullin, and Deborah Scheckner. They requested strict conditions: valet-only operation, no self-parking for special events, enforceable penalties, and mitigation of light and noise.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved with the exception of Items 4C and 4H, which were pulled for separate discussion.
  • Item 4C (Resolution 2026-21): Establishing a parking prohibition on 46th Avenue between Gulf Boulevard and Boca Ciega Drive. Assistant City Manager Poyer reported that a survey of residents showed 44% first-choice support for no parking at any time on both sides. The resolution was approved unanimously with a correction to change “Gulf Way” to “Gulf Boulevard.”
  • Item 4H (Substantial Damage Administrative Procedures Plan - SDAP): Building Official Luke Curtis presented the plan, updated per state law. Key changes include issuance of a demolition permit via placard after damage assessment, allowing immediate cleanup without waiting. Commissioner Robinson expressed concern that the wording implied residents must wait for the placard before beginning demo. The commission clarified that the intent is to allow immediate work and that wording would be revised. The plan was accepted with the clarifications stated on the record. Vote: unanimous.

Ordinances

• First Reading Ordinance 2026-14: An ordinance to remove recreation fees from Appendix A of the City Code and allow fees to be set by resolution (rather than ordinance), providing flexibility. The ordinance passed unanimously on first reading. Second reading will be held concurrently with adoption of the new fees as a resolution.

Action Items

• Item 6a (Approval of Settlement Agreement for Merry Pier): The city attorney presented a proposed settlement to terminate the existing lease and resolve unpaid rent. No public comments were received. However, the commission did not take a vote; the item was deferred or not acted upon as the discussion moved directly to the conditional use permit items.
• Items 6b, 6c, 6d (Conditional Use Permit 26107 and related rescission resolutions): These three interrelated items involve an off-premise valet parking lot at 3815-3861 Gulf Boulevard (Bayou residential zoning). The applicant, Miramar Property Holdings LLC, sought authorization for up to 200 spaces (phase 1: 113, phase 2: 87) for a three-year term, replacing existing 2021 permits that were out of compliance. Staff presented 15 conditions, including valet-only operation, self-closing gates, landscaping, and seawall repair. The applicant requested 120 days to implement conditions and modifications to seawall timelines. After extensive public testimony and commission discussion, the commission expressed preference for valet-only operation (no special event self-parking) and stronger light mitigation. A motion was made to continue all three items to July 28, 2026, at 6:00 PM to allow staff to refine conditions. The motion carried unanimously.

Items for Discussion

• Short-Term Rental Registration and Fees: Commissioner Causey suggested exploring a registration fee to offset code enforcement and administrative costs for short-term rentals, potentially generating revenue. City Attorney noted that any fee must be justified by a study to create a nexus to cost recovery. The commission agreed to continue this as a discussion item at a future meeting without committing to a study at this time.
• City Commission Agenda Timelines: Vice Mayor Robinson proposed moving agenda distribution to Tuesdays instead of Thursdays to allow more review time. The city manager noted it would take about six cycles to change. No consensus was reached; the matter was deferred for further discussion.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved (except Items 4C and 4H).
• Resolution 2026-21 (46th Avenue parking prohibition) approved unanimously.
• SDAP Plan accepted with clarifications that immediate demolition may proceed without waiting for a placard; wording to be revised.
• Ordinance 2026-14 approved on first reading.
• Conditional use permit hearing (Items 6b, 6c, 6d) continued to July 28, 2026, at 6:00 PM.
• Short-term rental fee discussion deferred; no action taken.
• Agenda timeline discussion deferred; no decision.