St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - July 13, 2023

The St. Petersburg City Council and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) met on July 13, 2023, to receive the Mayor's FY24 recommended budget, issue proclamations, and act on numerous housing, transportation, and infrastructure items. All votes were unanimous, with some members absent or recused from specific items.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously with no discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public signed up for the open forum, and there were no Zoom participants.

Awards & Proclamations

• Mayor Ken Welch proclaimed July 26, 2023 as Americans with Disabilities Act Day in St. Petersburg, recognizing the city's Committee to Advocate for Persons with Impairments (CAPI), established in 1972. Councilmembers praised CAPI's advocacy and impact.
• Mayor Welch proclaimed July 20, 2023 as Sunrise Sale Day, marking the 50th anniversary of the Downtown Business Association (DBA) and its annual Sunrise Sale. Speakers including Jose Martin Martinez and Tammy Sims highlighted the event's importance to small businesses. Councilmember Driscoll noted it often exceeds Black Friday in supporting local merchants.

FY24 Recommended Budget

• Mayor Welch presented his recommended FY24 budget, structured around five pillars: housing opportunities for all; environment, infrastructure, and resilience; equitable development, arts, and business opportunities; education and youth opportunities; and neighborhood health and safety. He highlighted investments including $1 million for youth employment (a $500,000 increase), $500,000 for literacy and STEAM programs, $400,000 for rapid rehousing, $260,000 for the Childhood Homelessness Project, and $500,000 for the arts program.
• Budget Director Liz McCossey provided technical details: a proposed millage rate of 6.4675 mills, a reduction of 0.0575 mills from FY23, saving approximately $1.7 million. The total recommended operating budget is $826.934 million, an 8.8% increase, with general fund revenue projected at $363.844 million. The capital improvement program totals $164 million. Public hearings are set for September 14 and 28, 2023 at 6 p.m.
• Councilmembers expressed strong support, praising the administration's responsiveness. Councilmember Gurtis raised concerns about rising commercial insurance costs; Councilmember Montanari preferred an even deeper millage cut and added reserves; Councilmember Hanowitz questioned the $1 million contingency for the historic Gas Plant redevelopment; Councilmember Driscoll welcomed new PSTA partnerships to keep SunRunner free ($200,000) and buy down fares for transportation-disadvantaged riders ($175,000).

New Ordinance: Vehicle for Hire Regulations (E1)

• The council considered Ordinance 547-H, which would remove Chapter 28 (Vehicle for Hire) and create a new Article 9 in Chapter 26 for non-motorized and low-speed vehicles. Transportation Director Evan Morey and City Attorney Heather Judge explained that the program has declined from roughly 600 customers to 20 due to state preemption, and that removing the annual $95 sticker will reduce administrative burden and liability.
• Councilmember Mohammed asked about the geographic boundaries for non-motorized vehicles and the potential for trail access; Morey said those boundaries are legacy code and could be adjusted. Councilmember Driscoll suggested studying future trail-related for-hire uses. The ordinance passed unanimously.

Power Design Traffic Signal Agreement (F1)

• The council approved a resolution for an agreement with Power Design and Pinellas County to install a traffic signal at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street N and 116th Avenue. The project is funded with $135,000 from Power Design, approximately $382,000 from Pinellas County, and a city contribution of $382,500 plus a $100,000 contingency from impact fees. It passed unanimously (Councilmember Driscoll absent).

Obama Main Library Renovation (F2)

• The council approved GMP Proposal #2 for the renovation of the President Barack Obama Main Library, in the amount of $14,078,157 from Biltmore Construction. The total appropriation is $13,043,549, funded through unallocated bond funds, energy fund, interest earnings, and Penny for Pinellas allocations. The project had a previously identified shortfall of $7.2 million, which grew due to market escalation and the discovery of asbestos requiring a full interior gutting.
• The renovation includes a full fire sprinkler system, life safety upgrades, ADA improvements, technology hub, and a new 33-space parking lot with handicapped access. The library is expected to reopen in spring 2025.
• Councilmembers voiced strong support, acknowledging cost increases but citing the importance of the main library. Councilmember Montanari asked about the timeline; Mike Jeffries noted the team had reduced costs by $1 million. The resolution passed unanimously.

Community Redevelopment Agency Actions

The council recessed to sit as the CRA for several items, then reconvened.

• CRA4 - Affordable Residential Property Improvement Grant Program: Approved amendments to raise the threshold for council approval from $20,000 (single-family) and $60,000 (multifamily) to $75,000, and to allow administrative updates to income limits. Since 2020, the program has invested $474,000, leveraging $1.298 million in renovations on 24 projects and 54 units. Passed unanimously.
• CRA5 - Kobe Coleman Agreement: Approved a $98,950 grant to renovate two affordable units, with total renovation costs of $247,375 and a 15-year affordability period. Passed unanimously.
• CRA6 - Commercial Corridor Planning Program: Approved a new program to fund planning and project implementation on eight commercial corridors in South St. Petersburg, covering beautification, mobility, safety, and other improvements. Passed unanimously (Gertis absent).
• CRA2 - Budget Reallocation: Approved the reallocation of $2.15 million in housing and neighborhood revitalization funds to the Affordable Housing Incentive Program to support 45 units across multiple projects, including Habitat for Humanity and other developers. Passed unanimously (Gabbard recused, Gertis absent).
• CRA3 - Namaste Homes Additional Funding: Approved an additional $770,000 for Namaste Homes to complete 11 townhome units, bringing total city subsidy to $1.056 million ($96,000 per unit). In exchange, the AMI restriction was lowered from 120% to 100%, and the developer will provide 5.5% fixed-rate 30-year mortgages. Councilmember Floyd expressed frustration over the subsidy increase but ultimately supported the deal. Passed unanimously (Gabbard recused, Gertis absent).

Other Unanimous Items

• F4, F5, F6, F7, and F8 were approved unanimously as part of the CRA and city council agendas; F4 and F5 were approved with Gabbard recused and Gertis absent.
• G1: Referral to the Housing, Land Use and Transportation Committee (or other relevant committee) for a discussion on a city-owned land policy. Passed unanimously.
• H1: Approved an action item from the June 15, 2023 Budget, Finance and Taxation meeting to move discussion of water/wastewater rate structure and strategic financing to the September Committee of the Whole. Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• The FY24 recommended budget was formally received; public hearings will be held September 14 and September 28, 2023.
• Ordinance 547-H passed on first reading/public hearing is set for August 3, 2023.
• Contracts approved for the Power Design traffic signal and Obama Main Library renovation.
• CRA amendments and funding approvals will be forwarded to City Council for final action.
• The next steps include one-on-one budget meetings and the September Committee of the Whole.