City of St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - October 20, 2023

The St. Petersburg City Council met on October 20, 2023, at 6:15 PM (the meeting began on October 19 but continued into the evening) to consider a variety of agenda items including consent items, a grant award, a major theater update, several public hearings, and a controversial community benefits program amendment. The meeting also featured extensive public comment regarding the city's recent resolution supporting Israel.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Open Forum (early): Lolita Campbell, a public policy student, expressed full support for Ordinance 561H, which creates a tax abatement for affordable housing projects under the Live Local Act. She argued it would provide safe housing, foster economic growth, and make the city more inclusive.
• Public Hearing on J3 (Community Benefits Program): Multiple speakers, including representatives from labor unions and the Community Benefits Advisory Committee (CBAC), expressed concerns about the ordinance. Speakers urged council to strengthen language regarding best faith efforts, apprenticeship requirements, and equitable inclusion of small, minority, and women-owned businesses. They noted that the CBAC had not met recently and requested more dialogue before approval.
• Open Forum (late evening): A large number of speakers (approximately 20) addressed the council demanding repeal of a resolution passed on October 12, 2023, that expressed support for Israel. Speakers argued the resolution was unbalanced, ignored the history of Palestinian displacement, and risked fueling Islamophobia. They called for a ceasefire and criticized the city's use of taxpayer dollars in support of Israel. Several speakers identified as Jewish, Palestinian, or allies and emphasized that criticizing Israel is not anti-Semitic.

Discussion Items

• Good News Item F3 – CAD RMS Grant: Assistant Police Chief David Gerardo and Administrative Services Assistant Director Megan McGee presented a $750,000 federal technology grant from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. The grant will fund enhanced data storage for a multi-jurisdictional computer-aided dispatch and records management system, improving response coordination among Pinellas County agencies. Councilmember Gurtis celebrated the grant. Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance E1 – Affordable Housing Tax Relief (First Reading): Housing Administrator Amy Foster presented the first reading of a new chapter 28 in the city code, creating a tax abatement for affordable housing projects. No presentation was given; the item was previously heard in committee. Approved unanimously.
• Item F1 – Reallocation of ERA2 Funds: Housing Assistant Director Avery Schuyler requested approval to accept $156,923.83 in additional U.S. Treasury funds for emergency rental assistance, combined with existing ERA2 funds. The resolution obligates funds for homeless prevention contracts with local agencies and utility arrear agreements. Councilmember Floyd asked about the utility arrear process. Approved unanimously.
• Item F2 – Mahaffey Theater Update (Big Three Entertainment): Development Coordination Director Chris Ballestra introduced a report on the theater's progress. Bill Edwards, head of Big Three Entertainment, presented a video showcasing investments of over $10 million, a new restaurant (Sonata) with chef Ted Dorsey, and the Class Acts youth education program that has served over half a million students. Councilmembers praised the partnership and Mr. Edwards' contributions. Councilmember Montaneri raised concerns about needed capital repairs (electrical, sound system, fountain) and suggested the city should budget for maintenance. Mr. Edwards noted the city needs to invest in its own asset. The item was a report, not a vote.
• Item F4 – Vanoy Golf Club Canal Dredging: Engineering Director Brajesh Prayman presented a resolution for construction phase services to dredge a canal and improve drainage in the Snell Isle neighborhood. The project aims to increase hydraulic capacity and reduce flooding. Councilmember Montaneri highlighted the long-standing flooding issue. Approved unanimously.
• Item H1 – Council Committee Report: Councilmember Gurtis moved approval of a scope of services for a management evaluation of St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue, authorizing a request for proposal. Approved unanimously.
• Public Hearing J1 – Right-of-Way Vacation: Deputy Zoning Official Scott Board presented a vacation of 332 square feet of right-of-way on 8th Street North, with a condition to replat the abutting property. No opposition. Approved unanimously.
• Public Hearing J2 – Development Agreement Amendment (Gateway J Bill): Planner Britton Wilson presented a first amendment to a development agreement due to unforeseen subsurface soil conditions. The amendment reduces the concurrent industrial space requirement from 200,000 to 143,000 square feet, but increases total industrial space to 290,000 by February 2025. Staff recommended approval, noting that leaving 412 multifamily units (including 83 workforce units) empty would be contrary to public interest. Approved unanimously.
• Public Hearing J4 – Special Events in Edge District: Assistant City Attorney Michael Dima presented an ordinance creating a council waiver process for the 60-day lead time for special events. A resolution approving a specific event was also considered. Roger Curlin of the Edge Business District Association spoke in support. The ordinance (J4A) and resolution (J4B) were approved separately, each unanimously.
• Public Hearing J5 – Special Assessment District (Alley Paving): Engineering Director Brajesh Prayman presented a resolution for alley improvements between 1st and 2nd Avenue North, leveraging existing utility work to reduce costs. The average assessment is approximately $35 per month. Councilmember Hanowitz asked about the process for notifying homeowners. Approved unanimously.
• Public Hearing J6 – Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing Grant: Assistant Director Avery Schuyler presented a resolution to apply for a $10 million HUD grant to remove barriers to affordable housing, focusing on the Deuces community and citywide strategies. The grant requires no match. Councilmember Gurtis praised the deliverables and tracking plan with USF. Councilmember Floyd noted the unusual requirement for a resolution before applying. Approved unanimously.
• Public Hearing J3 – Community Benefit Program Amendments (Ordinance 556-H and Resolution): Economic Development Director Brian Caper presented updated ordinance and guidance document changes. Key changes included bifurcating AMI levels (30% at 120% AMI in specified districts, 80% AMI elsewhere), increasing payment-in-lieu from $100,000 to $150,000 per unit, eliminating the "or" provision in the streamline process, and requiring written documentation of good faith efforts. The streamline process now requires developers to utilize apprentices, disadvantaged workers, and provide public parking in certain zones. A joint meeting with the CBAC and future discussion on apprenticeship language were requested by several councilmembers. After debate, the ordinance (J3A) passed 5-3 (Driscoll, Gabbard, Gurdis, Hanowitz, Montaneri yes; Fig Sanders, Floyd, Mohammed no). The resolution (J3B) also passed 5-3 with the same vote.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda and most routine items were approved unanimously.
• Item J3 (Community Benefits Program) was approved on a 5-3 vote. The council directed staff to consider further amendments, particularly regarding apprenticeship requirements and alignment with the city's procurement code. A joint meeting with the CBAC was suggested but not formally scheduled.
• Multiple speakers in open forum called for the repeal of the council's recent resolution supporting Israel. No action was taken on that request during this meeting, but the matter was noted.