City of St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - November 2, 2023

The St. Petersburg City Council met on November 2, 2023, beginning at 2:00 PM UTC, with all eight members present. The meeting included approval of consent items, multiple public hearings, and new business items concerning affordable housing, community development, and a proposed straw poll on the Tampa Bay Rays stadium development. Key speakers included council members, staff, and members of the public. The meeting lasted approximately several hours, concluding with announcements and adjournment.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Approval: Added item CB20; approved unanimously.
• Consent Agenda: Routine approvals and unanimous actions approved without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Street Flooding: George Cassidy (3130 10th St N) and Sean Gretsch (921 32nd Ave N) described chronic flooding in Magnolia Heights and called for improved stormwater infrastructure. Cassidy stated pipes are inadequate, and Gretsch cited a city supervisor confirming pipes are too small.
• Stadium Straw Poll: Multiple residents spoke in favor of placing a non-binding straw poll on the March 2024 ballot regarding the Tampa Bay Rays stadium deal. Speakers included John Stewart (who cited economic studies showing subsidies do not benefit communities), William Kilgore (St. Pete Tenants Union), Peter Kent (detailed cost breakdown of $1.3 billion taxpayer burden), Andy Oliver (asked for the straw poll as a data point), James TriMarco, and Carrie Mueller (raised concerns about developer concessions). All urged the council to let the public vote.
• Israel-Gaza Resolution: Marella Setkick (4200 25th Ave N) expressed disappointment with the council's October 12 resolution supporting Israel, asking for a resolution supporting Palestinians and advocating peace. She noted over 8,800 Palestinian deaths, including 3,600 children.
• Final Open Forum: Gerald Broadbent (715 64th Ave S) complained about overnight campers at Maximo Park and requested better enforcement from police.

Discussion Items

• F3 - Good News: Tree Planting Grant: Councilmember Mohammed presented a $49,000+ grant for tree planting in Child's Park, with city match. Councilmember Driscoll and others praised the initiative but questioned the need for a proposed $850,000 tree mapping study. Staff (Alison [last name]) said alternatives are being explored. The item passed unanimously.
• E4 - Affordable Housing Tax Abatement (Liv eLocal Act): Administrator Amy Foster presented an ordinance creating Chapter 28 to provide tax relief for developments with 50+ units where at least 20% are affordable at 60% AMI or below. The exemption applies only to city taxes and sunsets in 2026. Councilmember Gabbard thanked staff for rapid implementation. Passed unanimously.
• F2 - St. Petersburg College Property Acquisition: Director Aaron Fish described the purchase of 5.23 acres at 7045 Burlington Ave N for $4.2 million, to be rezoned for up to 105 townhomes at or below 120% AMI, with 30% first right of refusal for SPC employees/students. Councilmembers expressed support and discussed affordability targets. Passed unanimously.
• F4 - Final Plat for YMCA/Mangrove Middle School: Elizabeth Abernathy presented the final plat for the joint campus on 62nd Ave N. The project, substantially constructed, includes a 600-student health/wellness magnet middle school and a YMCA. Councilmembers praised the collaboration. Passed unanimously.
• G1 - Affordable Housing Ordinances: Two ordinances related to Live Local Act implementing regulations for administrative approval of affordable housing. Passed unanimously.
• H1 - Straw Poll on Rays Stadium Agreement: Councilmember Floyd requested a referral to the Committee of the Whole (COW) to discuss a non-binding straw poll on the March 19, 2024 ballot. After debate, the motion failed 5-3 (yes: Driscoll, Fix Sanders, Floyd, Hanowitz, Mohammed; no: Gabbard, Gerdes, Montanari). Opponents cited complexity of the deal, low turnout in a presidential primary (72% of St. Pete voters are Democratic/NPA/other), and the advisory nature of a straw poll on a non-binding term sheet.
• H2 - Joint CBAC/City Council Meeting: Council Vice Chair Fix Sanders requested a COW meeting with the Community Benefits Advisory Committee to discuss the community benefit program. Passed unanimously.
• H3 - Flood Mitigation Strategies: Chair Gabbard requested a COW by Q1 2024 to discuss flood strategies, including permitting, FEMA grants, community rating, and a climate-informed zoning study. Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Unanimously: Consent agenda, E1-E3 (preliminary assessments), E4 (affordable housing tax abatement), F2 (SPC property acquisition), F4 (YMCA/school plat), G1 (affordable housing ordinances), H2 (joint CBAC meeting), and H3 (flood mitigation discussion).
• Failed 5-3: Motion to refer H1 (straw poll discussion) to COW.
• Staff Directives: Staff to convene a meeting with CBAC members before any further changes; staff to explore alternatives to the $850,000 tree mapping study.
• Next Steps: The straw poll idea is tabled; tree grant to proceed with volunteer hours tracked; SPC property to be rezoned and RFP issued; YMCA/school set to open in December 2023 (YMCA) and fall 2024 (school).

Announcements

• Birthday wishes for Paul Tracy (Clerk's office).
• Condolences for Ambassador Mel Sembler (passed away) and Reverend Robert DePew (affordable housing advocate).
• Council Chair Gabbard addressed concerns about Sunshine Law compliance at an Albert Whitted Airport event, noting two council members spoke and minutes were requested. Other council members assured no violation.