St. Pete Beach City Commission Meeting - October 13, 2026

The St. Pete Beach City Commission met on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Commission Chambers. The meeting included a detailed FEMA and insurance reimbursement update for Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the adoption of several ordinances and resolutions, and discussions on city contracts and a neighborhood parking survey.

Consent Calendar

• The Commission approved the majority of the consent agenda unanimously. Items pulled for discussion were Item E (Cybersecurity Insurance Renewal) and Item G (Merry Pier Bait Shack Rebuild).
• Approved items included: meeting minutes, Resolution 2026-34 (Historic Survey Grant), reappointment of Mayor Brooks to Forward Pinellas Board, property/casualty insurance renewal ($972,854), the Sip and Stroll event application, pension trustee reappointment, Builders Risk insurance ($59,544.36), and the Interlocal Agreement with Pinellas County ($31,000).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Vincent Arminia spoke about the need to dredge the inlet on Maritana (last dredged in 1983), argued that FDOT must reroute pipes originally supposed to be moved during the Bayway Bridge construction, and recommended the city hire a grant writer. City Manager Mills noted ongoing discussions with FDOT and maintained there is an existing grant analyst role.

Discussion Items

• FEMA and Insurance Reimbursement Update (Camden Mills, Public Services Director): Mills presented a comprehensive status update on 70 public assistance projects (61 from Hurricane Helene, 9 from Hurricane Milton) totaling about $11.1 million in gross costs. The federal share is roughly $8.5 million, with $6.64 million already dispersed. 54 projects are obligated, while 16 are still pending review. Two projects (Golfway and Pass-a-Grille Way) were initially denied by FEMA but are being redirected to FHWA funding. The recovery process was estimated to take 3-5 years. A discussion confirmed FEMA funding is secondary to insurance funding. Commissioners stressed the need for institutional knowledge capture regarding funding pathways.
• Item E: Cybersecurity Insurance Renewal ($40,350): Vice Mayor Robinson raised questions about the procurement process, noting it was single-sourced due to vendor delays. The City Manager acknowledged the issue and committed to starting the process earlier in the future to allow for competitive bidding. The item was approved.
• Item G: Merry Pier Bait Shack Rebuild ($80,137.94): Commissioner Maldonado noted the contract price was significantly lower than initial bids ($150k-$180k). Director Mills explained the fixed-price design-build contract with IntelliSite Inc. included longshoremen's insurance requirements. If the contractor cannot provide this insurance, the city will move to the next qualified bidder. The project is expected to take about six months, with a $500 per day penalty for late completion. The item was approved.
• Ordinance 2026-22 (Planning & Zoning Fees): Planner Brandon Berry presented the first major fee update since 2016. Several commissioners expressed strong concern that the proposed increases for hardship variances ($500 to $1,500) and conditional use permits ($500 to $1,500) would negatively impact small businesses. The Commission approved the first reading but directed staff to bring back tiered fee structures for the second reading to differentiate between small business requests and major developments.
• Resolution 2026-35 (Pass-a-Grille Height Interpretation): The Commission adopted a formal interpretation of the maximum height limits in the Pass-a-Grille Overlay District. The interpretation clarifies that only non-occupiable features (e.g., mechanical equipment, chimneys, spires) are permitted in the 4-foot space between the 28-foot parapet height and the 32-foot overall height limit. Occupiable features such as enclosed storage or elevator landings are prohibited above the 28-foot line. The resolution applies only to new construction submitted after the adoption date.
• 46th Avenue Parking: Commissioner Maldonado requested data on the 46th Avenue parking survey, suggesting the results may have been skewed because residents who were not directly impacted by changes were included. Commissioner Causey (district commissioner) stated she had received positive feedback from a recent neighborhood meeting. The City Manager agreed to provide the raw survey data to the entire commission for review.

Key Outcomes

• Consent & Resolutions: Approved Items E ($40,350) and G ($80,137.94) unanimously.
• Ordinance 2026-15: Adopted Final Reading (Commissioner Marriott abstained due to a conflict of interest).
• Ordinance 2026-22: Approved on First Reading with direction to staff to modify fee schedules to include a tiered approach for small businesses.
• Ordinance 2026-24: Approved on First Reading (Candidate Qualifying Documents).
• Resolution 2026-35: Adopted the height interpretation for Pass-a-Grille.
• Next Steps: Staff directed to provide analysis of the 46th Avenue parking survey data. Staff also directed to draft tiered fee structures for P&Z fees for the second reading. Commissioner Maldonado announced an open application for the Parks and Recreation Committee. Vice Mayor Robinson announced the appointment of Karen Keywood to the Finance and Budget Review Committee.