St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - November 27, 2023
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - November 27, 2023
The St. Petersburg City Council met on November 27, 2023, at 10:00 AM. The meeting included an invocation, pledge of allegiance, roll call, and approval of the agenda. The main item was the second reading and public hearing of Ordinance 562H, which addressed budget adjustments for fiscal years 2023 and 2024. A significant discussion centered on reallocating $300,000 from an Albert Whitted Airport economic impact study to an urban tree planting program.
Discussion Items
- Budget Cleanup Ordinance (562H): Budget Director Liz Mikovsky presented an overview of the FY23 cleanup and FY24 budget reconciliation. Key highlights included:
- Estimated FY23 general fund beginning balance of $57.631 million, with an estimated $13.735 million added to fund balance.
- FY24 budget entries will use $8.611 million in general fund balance, resulting in an estimated net increase of $5.124 million in fund balance (ending at $62.756 million).
- Detailed changes from first reading: revenues increased by $1.865 million, expenditures increased by $431,000, and various fund adjustments were noted.
- Debate on $300,000 Transfer: Councilmember Montanari proposed moving $300,000 appropriated for an Albert Whitted Airport economic impact study to the urban tree planting program. Councilmember Driscoll supported the move, citing benefits citywide. Councilmember Gabbard initially made a motion but withdrew it to allow separate consideration. Councilmember Floyd expressed concern about the readiness to spend the money, suggesting alternatives like the contingency fund. Councilmember Fix Sanders recalled previous issues with tree planting. After discussion, a motion to transfer to the urban tree planting program was made by Councilmember Montanari and seconded.
Key Outcomes
- Vote on Transfer: The motion to transfer $300,000 from the Albert Whitted Airport economic impact study to the urban tree planting program passed 4–3 (Councilmembers Driscoll, Gurtis, Hanowitz, and Montanari voting yes; Councilmembers Fix Sanders, Floyd, and Gabbard voting no; Councilmember Mohammed absent).
- Vote on Ordinance as Amended: The amended Ordinance 562H (including the $300,000 transfer) passed unanimously (7–0, with Councilmember Mohammed absent).
- The meeting concluded with no other public comments or announcements.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to the City of St. Petersburg City Council meeting. Your elected officials are Mayor Ken Welch. District 1, Copley Gurtis, District 2, and Council Chair, Brandy Gabbert. District 3, Edmontonary. District 4, Leseth Hanowitz. District 5. And Council Vice Chair, Deborah Fig Sanders. District 6, Gina Driscoll. District 7, John Mohammed. And District 8, Richie Floyd. Good evening, everyone. We will call to order the November 27th, 2023 meeting with a roll call, please. Montaneri. Here. Hannawitz. Here. Sanders. Here. Chris School? Here. Mohammed. Floyd. Here. Gurtis. Here. Have her. Here. Okay. This evening's uh meeting. We'll begin with an invocation that will be given by Vice Chair Fig Sanders. And following that, we will have the Pledge of Allegiance. Please stand. Maybe we please bow our heads and come to peace. As we stand before you with our heads bowed in our hearts humble, we come with you carrying the weight of power on our shoulders. We pray that that power brings us peace and resolve to handle the business of the city of St. Petersburg. We pray to you that that power comes with commitment and understanding for the constituents in the communities that we serve. We also pray to you that that power comes with the understanding that we have the best interests of our constituents at heart and that there is no problem too large for you to solve. And together, the unity that we share on the diocese, one that we want to be blessed, graced, and approval of your mercies. Lord, we just come to you wanting you to just continue to take care of those that have experienced times of trouble as well as smile with times of joy during this season of Thanksgiving. We want to bless those that have gone without and those that have gone short. And with those of us that have been in abundance, we continue to spread your word and your goodness and mercy. As we come to our holiday season for Christmas, remember this is not always a blessed time for everyone, and that we continue to find the kindness in our hearts, the willingness in our emotions, and our powerness of being able to share your love with others less fortunate. Again, we sit here doing the business of the city of St. Petersburg, and we just ask you to go before us to lift us to bind us to provide merciful boundaries within us to do what is right. Lord, these blessings we ask in your mighty matchless name. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible of liberty and justice for all. You may be seated.
openpublica.com