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Record of Proceedings

St. Petersburg City Council Meeting October 12, 2023: Proclamations, Water Plan, and Israel Resolution

City Council — Thursday, October 12, 2023
BodySt Petersburg, Florida
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, October 12, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:06

Welcome to the City of St.

0:08

Petersburg City Council meeting.

0:11

Your elected officials are Mayor Ken Welch.

0:15

District 1, Copley Gurdis, District 2, and Council Chair, Brandy Gabbard.

0:23

District 3, Edmonton Mary.

0:26

District 4, Lasset Hanowitz.

0:30

District 5.

0:31

And Council Vice Chair, Deborah Fig Sanders.

0:35

District 6, Gina Driscoll.

0:38

District 7, John Muhammad.

0:42

And District 8, Richie Floyd.

0:49

Good afternoon, everyone.

0:51

We will call to order the October 12th, 2023 City Council meeting, beginning with a roll call, please.

0:56

Gabbard, here.

0:57

Montanery.

0:58

Here.

0:58

Hannah Witz.

0:59

Here.

1:00

Six Anders.

1:00

Here.

1:01

Driscoll?

1:02

Here.

1:02

Mohammed.

1:03

Floyd.

1:04

Here.

1:04

Gurtis.

1:05

Here.

1:06

All right.

1:07

We will begin our meeting today with an invocation.

1:09

Today's invocation will be given by Miss Sepida Escadara of the Baha'i Faith St.

1:15

Petersburg Center.

1:16

And then after that, we will do the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:19

Please stand.

1:24

Oh thou forgiving God.

1:27

These servants are turning to thy kingdom and seeking thy grace and bounty.

1:35

Oh God, make their hearts good and pure in order that they may become worthy of thy love.

1:44

Purify, excuse me, and sanctify the spirit that the light of the Son of Reality may shine upon them.

1:55

Purify and sanctify the eyes that they may perceive thy light.

2:01

Purify and sanctify the ears in order that they may hear the call of thy kingdom.

2:10

O Lord, verily we are weak, but thou art mighty.

2:17

Verily we are poor, but thou art rich.

2:23

We are the seekers, and thou art the one sought.

2:28

O Lord, have compassion upon us and forgive us.

2:51

That we may drink deep of the water of life, may be enkindled by the fire of thy love, and be resuscitated through the breaths of the Holy Spirit in this radiant century.

3:11

Oh God, my God, cast upon this gathering the glances of thy loving kindness.

3:19

Keep safe each and all in thy custody and under thy protection.

3:26

Send down upon these souls thy heavenly blessings.

3:31

Immerse them in the ocean of thy mercy and quicken them through the breaths of the Holy Spirit.

3:41

Oh Lord, bestow thy gracious aid and confirmation upon this just government.

3:51

This country lieth beneath the sheltering shadow of thy protection, and this people is in thy service.

4:00

O Lord, confer upon them thy heavenly bounty, and render the outpourings of thy grace and favor copious and abundant.

4:14

Suffer this esteemed nation to be held in honor and enable it to be admitted into thy kingdom.

4:23

Thou art the powerful, the omnipotent, the merciful, and thou art the generous, the beneficent, the Lord of grace abounding.

4:49

Thank you.

4:52

I pledge allegiance of the United States.

5:00

One nation under God.

5:02

Indivisible the liberty and justice for all.

5:07

Thank you so much, Ms.

5:08

Eskinary, for your beautiful invocation.

5:10

We appreciate you as always.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
International Relations█████████████████17%
Procedural██████████████14%
Youth Programs█████████████13%
Public Safety████████████12%
Water And Wastewater Management████████████12%
Public Engagement███████████11%
Public Health███████7%
Community Events██████6%
Community Redevelopment Area███3%
Summary of Proceedings

St. Petersburg City Council Meeting October 12, 2023

The St. Petersburg City Council met on October 12, 2023, at 2:00 PM (estimated) to consider a full agenda including proclamations for Fire Prevention Week, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Clergy Appreciation Month, as well as presentations on youth baseball achievements, master swimming, and a water supply update from Tampa Bay Water. The council also debated and voted on a resolution supporting Israel and condemning Hamas. Open forum included public comments on the Israel-Hamas conflict and the Rays stadium deal. Councilmember Mohammed was absent. Mayor Ken Welch was also absent, sending regrets.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Craig Scher (Chairman of Backstreets Capital) thanked the council for their support of Israel and urged passage of a resolution supporting the state, calling the attack a 'difficult week' for the Jewish community.
  • Eric Ludin (St. Petersburg attorney, wife a Holocaust survivor's daughter) described the personal meaning of Israel to his family and expressed gratitude for the council's resolution, noting it provides comfort amid the 'brutal' attacks.
  • Dan Harvey Jr. (resident) urged the council to scrutinize the Rays/Heinz development deal, emphasizing the need to ensure fair value for the 86 acres and to direct funds to the black community. He stated, 'We should do whatever it takes to keep [the Rays].'
  • Karen Lieberman (resident) provided historical context on Israel, the Balfour Declaration, and the Holocaust to counter claims that Israel has no right to exist. She quoted the Hamas Charter and its explicit calls for Jewish death.
  • Michael Eagle (Board Chair, Florida Holocaust Museum) recalled his grandparents' Holocaust survival and family in Israel. He stated this is a 'moral issue, not a political issue' and thanked the council for adopting the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism, which he said must now be used.
  • William Kilgore (resident) expressed mourning for all victims but dissented from the resolution, arguing it ignores Palestinian civilian casualties, connects Iran without clear evidence (citing U.S. intelligence), and risks escalating conflict like the Iraq War. He called for peace.

Discussion Items

  • Proclamations: Councilmember Montanari presented a Fire Prevention Week proclamation (Oct 8-14, 2023) with Fire Marshal Womack highlighting cooking safety, 209 public education programs, 250+ smoke alarm installations, and the Oct 14 block party. Vice Chair Fig Sanders presented Domestic Violence Awareness Month with CASA CEO reporting 23,044 bed nights and a new Family Justice Center serving 2,500+ people. Councilmember Gurtis presented Breast Cancer Awareness Month, noting his wife's survival and urging early detection. Vice Chair Fig Sanders presented Clergy Appreciation Month with Rev. Pritchett and other clergy present.
  • Youth Baseball All Stars: Sean Dronen introduced Cameron and Diego, who won a national STEM-based baseball competition at MLB All-Star Weekend in Seattle, representing St. Pete. They brought the championship home.
  • St. Pete Masters Swimming: Bob Beach (world record holder), Coach Gary Basty, and Dr. Peter Betzer celebrated St. Pete Masters achievements, including national champions and world records. They thanked the city for North Shore Pool support.
  • Tampa Bay Water Update: General Manager Chuck Carden presented the state of Tampa Bay Water, noting the agency's 25th anniversary, current wholesale rate of $2.60 per 1,000 gallons, and the 2023 long-term master plan. The system is 60% groundwater/40% alternative sources. A stage one water shortage was declared due to an 8.3-inch rainfall deficit over 12 months. He also reported PFOS levels at 4.1 parts per trillion in two locations (slightly above EPA's proposed limit of 4 ppt) and outlined seven project concepts to meet 2033 demand, including surface water, desalination, and groundwater.
  • Resolution Supporting Israel: Councilmember Montanari introduced the resolution, stating 'we need to stand against evil' and citing the Oct 7 Hamas attack as the largest single-day murder of Jews since the Holocaust. Councilmember Hanowitz called Hamas 'no better than al Qaeda' and condemned the 'indiscriminate killing.' Councilmember Driscoll emotionally described Hamas posting a video of a woman's murder on her Facebook page. Councilmember Floyd dissented, arguing the resolution's condemnation of Iran 'feels eerily similar to 2003' and could escalate conflict; he called for peace and an end to the Gaza siege.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda: Motion to approve the agenda passed unanimously with Councilmember Mohammed absent.
  • Resolution Supporting Israel (Item F4): Passed 6-1 (Councilmembers Driscoll, Fig Sanders, Gabbard, Gurtis, Hanowitz, Montanari voting yes; Councilmember Floyd voting no; Councilmember Mohammed absent).
  • Tampa Bay Water: Council received the presentation and thanked Councilmember Hanowitz for her service on the board.
  • Youth and Swimming Presentations: Recognized with appreciation; no formal vote required.
  • Proclamations: All adopted by acclamation or as presented.
  • Future Meeting: Councilmember Driscoll announced she will invite PSTA CEO Brad Miller to present transit awards at a future meeting.
  • Meeting Adjourned: No further business.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome to the City of St. Petersburg City Council meeting. Your elected officials are Mayor Ken Welch. District 1, Copley Gurdis, District 2, and Council Chair, Brandy Gabbard. District 3, Edmonton Mary. District 4, Lasset Hanowitz. District 5. And Council Vice Chair, Deborah Fig Sanders. District 6, Gina Driscoll. District 7, John Muhammad. And District 8, Richie Floyd. Good afternoon, everyone. We will call to order the October 12th, 2023 City Council meeting, beginning with a roll call, please. Gabbard, here. Montanery. Here. Hannah Witz. Here. Six Anders. Here. Driscoll? Here. Mohammed. Floyd. Here. Gurtis. Here. All right. We will begin our meeting today with an invocation. Today's invocation will be given by Miss Sepida Escadara of the Baha'i Faith St. Petersburg Center. And then after that, we will do the Pledge of Allegiance. Please stand. Oh thou forgiving God. These servants are turning to thy kingdom and seeking thy grace and bounty. Oh God, make their hearts good and pure in order that they may become worthy of thy love. Purify, excuse me, and sanctify the spirit that the light of the Son of Reality may shine upon them. Purify and sanctify the eyes that they may perceive thy light. Purify and sanctify the ears in order that they may hear the call of thy kingdom. O Lord, verily we are weak, but thou art mighty. Verily we are poor, but thou art rich. We are the seekers, and thou art the one sought. O Lord, have compassion upon us and forgive us. That we may drink deep of the water of life, may be enkindled by the fire of thy love, and be resuscitated through the breaths of the Holy Spirit in this radiant century. Oh God, my God, cast upon this gathering the glances of thy loving kindness. Keep safe each and all in thy custody and under thy protection. Send down upon these souls thy heavenly blessings. Immerse them in the ocean of thy mercy and quicken them through the breaths of the Holy Spirit. Oh Lord, bestow thy gracious aid and confirmation upon this just government. This country lieth beneath the sheltering shadow of thy protection, and this people is in thy service.

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