St. Pete Beach City Commission Meeting - Tuesday, October 27, 2026

The St. Pete Beach City Commission met at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, in Commission Chambers at 155 Corey Avenue. The agenda was amended to pull consent items 4C and 4G to a future meeting, pull consent item 4E into discussion, and add discussions on mosquito control and appeals of building official decisions. No meeting minutes were available; this summary is based on the agenda and the meeting transcript.

Presentations

• Civil Air Patrol recognition: The Commission recognized the Clearwater Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol, for supporting the city's 250th Fourth of July celebration.
• Forward Pinellas: Staff presented regional transportation planning, including the proposed MPO merger with Pasco and Hillsborough counties, a recommended 25-member board (Pinellas 8, Hillsborough 10, Pasco 5), and a streamlined process for local land-use amendments. They also presented waterborne transit opportunities, citing Clearwater Ferry and the upcoming Sunshine Ferry (formerly Cross Bay Ferry), and suggested Merry Pier as a potential hub.
• Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) quarterly report: Public Services Director Mills reported that at the end of FY2026, design/procurement projects dropped from 33 to 24, while active implementation/construction rose from 11 to 16. FY2027 CIP totals over $61 million, with about $192 million planned over five years. The City has already encumbered $3.7 million, plans to encumber $46.2 million, and reappropriate $10 million. Stormwater pipe cleaning is 95% complete, wastewater pipe/camera inspection 99% complete; a draft report is due in December. The Gulf Boulevard undergrounding phase one is substantially complete; 29 of 50 phase-two easements are executed. Fire Station 22 replacement (a $10.5 million project with $6.5 million in state appropriations) broke ground September 16 and is scheduled to open in early 2028. The force main replacement is estimated at $21.5 million; a new connection to South Cross Bayou was estimated at over $60 million, so staff recommended retaining the $21.5 million project. Commissioners requested future quarterly reports compare budgeted versus actual spending.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously: October 13, 2026 minutes (4A); FDEP Grant Agreement No. L0550 for the St. Pete Beach-Pass-a-Grille wastewater inflow/infiltration project in the amount of $2,000,000 (4D); Corey Avenue Business Association Veterans Day special event for November 14, 2026 (4F); and the FY2027 Pay Plan amendment addressing pay compression in the Fire Department's Captain/Paramedic classification (4H).
• Pulled for future consideration: ParkMobile/Flowbird parking agreement (4C) and Total Parking Solutions service/maintenance agreement (4G).
• Pulled into discussion and approved separately: the 2027 meeting schedule (4B) and Merry Pier boat slip agreements (4E).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Deborah Scheckner (Boca Siega Drive) criticized the pace of campaign promises, asking what new revenue streams would close a $200 million-plus gap, and urged the Mayor to reinstate pre-commission open house meetings and improve transparency.
• An unidentified public commenter on the fee ordinance said large hotels and large projects should pay more, noted the city's rapid development, and expressed concerns about water and sewer capacity during drought conditions.
• Belle Vista resident Greg Primer said the Belle Vista neighborhood is 'taking one for the team' for regional resiliency, supported staff recommendations and the enhanced landscaping/wood fence/monument sign, noted the initial cost was $850,000 and moving the facility saved $160,000, and called for the beautification enhancements.

Ordinances

• Ordinance 2026-24 (final reading) was adopted unanimously, authorizing the City Clerk or designee to receive, review, and process candidate qualifying documents and petitions.
• Ordinance 2026-22 (final reading) was adopted unanimously, establishing tiered planning and zoning fees. Conditional use permit fees: Tier 1 $1,000 (no new construction), Tier 2 $1,500 (smaller new construction/additions), Tier 3 $3,500 plus $900 planning board fee (large projects). Hardship variance fees: Tier 1 $750 plus $250 per additional request for small sites under half an acre/under 7,500 sq ft; Tier 2 $1,500 plus $250 per additional request. Staff said Tier 1 rates provide partial cost recovery.

Action Items

• Penny IV interlocal agreement: Approved unanimously, authorizing the Mayor to execute an interlocal with Pinellas County for continued Gulf Boulevard Undergrounding funding not to exceed $3,632,120.97.
• Resolution 2026-27 / CUP 26069 - Lift Station #7 (Belle Vista Triangle Park): Approved unanimously. The Commission included the neighborhood-requested wood fence and enhanced landscaping, and directed staff to return in June 2027 to discuss beautification items (bench, shade structure, monument sign, estimated at $16,000 and $13,000-$14,000 respectively), subject to separate funding from the general fund.
• Resolution 2026-28 / CUP 26070 - Lift Station #10 (Fisherman's Park): Approved unanimously, with the intention to revisit beautification options, including possible art wraps, in June 2027.
• Resolution 2026-29 / CUP 26117 - Lift Station #4 (20th Avenue): Approved unanimously with staff recommendations: eliminate the fence, shift the curb, remove a section of raised median/tree, relocate signs, and coordinate with Duke Energy to improve marina access.

Items for Discussion

• Mosquito control: Commissioner Maldonado requested proactive city code-enforcement follow-up on abandoned pools and better public information on county mosquito control. The City Manager said Pinellas County handles mosquito treatment through Click2Fix and the mosquito control hotline (727-464-7503), while the city can pursue code enforcement for standing-water violations.
• Appeals of building official decisions: Commissioner Marriott noted the city has no local appeals process. The City Attorney explained appeals go to the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board under Code Sections 98-30 and 103.8. The Commission agreed that determination letters should clearly communicate this county appeal process, and no local appeals board is needed.

Reports & Announcements

• City Clerk: Qualifying period for the March 9, 2027 city election for Districts 2 and 4 is November 2-13, 2026. November 2026 commission meeting dates were changed to November 17 and November 30.
• City Manager: No significant new updates on the Publix redevelopment; the last fall concert is Friday, and the Trick-or-Treat Trail is Thursday.
• Commissioners announced local events, including a Vino del Mar trunk-or-treat on October 31, District 3 pothole reporting efforts, progress on reopening Woody's and Willie's, and Veterans Day events on November 8 and November 14.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda amended and approved unanimously.
• Consent items A, D, F, H approved unanimously; items C and G deferred.
• 2027 commission meeting schedule approved as amended, moving June 8 to June 15 and June 22 to June 29.
• Merry Pier boat slip agreement with Offshore Hustler approved on a month-to-month basis at $700/month, 4-1 (Vice Mayor Robinson dissenting).
• Both ordinances and all action items were adopted.
• Staff will continue Gulf Boulevard easement acquisition (21 of 50 remain), bring construction agreements with Duke Energy and Spectrum to the November 17 meeting, and present stormwater/wastewater inspection reports in December.
• Lift station #7 and #10 beautification discussions are scheduled for June 2027; lift station #4 fence/art options may be discussed around April 2027.