St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - June 1, 2023

The St. Petersburg City Council met on June 1, 2023, to address a range of agenda items including a resolution for a memorial highway, a proposal to regulate rabbit sales, and a controversial sidewalk ordinance. The meeting began with an invocation and pledge, followed by the approval of the agenda and consent agenda.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Renee Rivard and Susan Hall spoke about the unwanted pet rabbit problem, urging a ban on retail rabbit sales. Rivard provided statistics: the Pinellas SPCA took in 345 rabbits in 2022 and euthanized 61; over 1,200 rabbits were taken in over the past four years. Hall emphasized the burden on volunteers and noted that two rabbits can produce 3.7 million offspring in four years.
• William Kilgore opposed the proposed sidewalk ordinance (G4), arguing that it removes a written warning requirement, reduces the storage period for seized property from 90 to 30 days, and could negatively impact homeless individuals, street performers, and activists. He also noted that the ordinance would restrict non-commercial activities near City Hall.
• Dr. Liz Curry highlighted the homeless issue, showing a photo of a homeless woman, and urged the council to take a more social approach rather than a sweeping ban.
• Katie Nolan (In Defense of Animals) spoke during the discussion of H2, supporting a ban on rabbit sales and noting that rabbits are often impulse purchases and require specialized care.

Discussion Items

• F1: Resolution for Deputy Sheriff Michael Hartwick Memorial Highway – Councilmember Montaneri highlighted the resolution to rename a portion of I-275. Deputy Chief Holly spoke on behalf of the sheriff's office. The resolution passed unanimously.
• H2: Regulation of Rabbit Sales – Councilmember Hanowitz requested referral to a committee to discuss potential revisions to city code regulating rabbit sales. The motion passed unanimously after public comment from Katie Nolan.
• E1: CDBG Amendment for Park Cottages – Administration requested a $26,430 transfer from undesignated CDBG funds to cover construction costs for Park Cottages, a facility for adults with developmental disabilities. The amendment passed unanimously.
• G1, G2, G3: Ordinance Vacations and Land Use Changes – Three ordinances were approved unanimously: vacation of alleys (G1, G2) and a land use and zoning map change for a parcel at 118 66th Street North (G3A and G3B).
• H3–H6: Referrals to Committees – Various referrals were approved unanimously: H3 (MOK day update), H4 (Greenhouse presentation on LGBTQ+ businesses), H5 (impact of SB 102 and SB 250 on city code), and H6 (ARP youth investment update).
• I1: Police Pension Fund Prepayment – A supplemental appropriation of $3 million from the general fund to prepay the FY24 police pension contribution was approved unanimously.
• G4: Sidewalk and Right-of-Way Ordinance – This ordinance restated regulations on tables and expanded the prohibited area. Councilmember Floyd expressed concern about reliance on police interpretation and voted no, joined by Councilmember Fig Sanders. The ordinance passed 6-2.

Key Outcomes

• All agenda items were approved except G4, which passed 6-2 (Councilmembers Driscoll, Gabbard, Gurtis, Hanowitz, Montaneri, and Mohammed voting yes; Councilmembers Fig Sanders and Floyd voting no).
• Referrals were made to the Public Services and Infrastructure Committee (H2), Youth and Family Services Committee (H3, H6), Economic and Workforce Development Committee (H4), and Committee of the Whole (H5).
• Public hearings for G1, G2, G3, and G4 were scheduled for June 15, 2023.
• The meeting concluded with a flag-raising ceremony for Pride Month at 10:00 AM.