St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - December 14, 2023
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St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - December 14, 2023
The St. Petersburg City Council met on December 14, 2023, at 6:45 PM (start of meeting). The agenda included awards, proclamations, public comment, new business items, and approvals of several ordinances and resolutions. Key topics included a request to consider renaming the Tampa Bay Rays, a referral to name a baseball field after a local volunteer, and approval of the South St. Pete CRA budget for FY2024.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the agenda and consent agenda unanimously.
- Item E1: Ordinance granting a utility easement to People's Gas System for the St. Pete Pier (passed 7-0).
- Item F2: A report item passed unanimously.
- Item J2: Annual update to the Capital Improvements Element for FY2024-2028 (passed unanimously).
- Item J3: Amendments to land development regulations for large multi-phase projects and civic uses (passed unanimously).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Pamela Adams (resident, 767 54th Ave S) voiced frustration with the St. Petersburg home development program, alleging incomplete repairs and discrimination. City Administrator Rob Gurdis assured follow-up.
- Vince Cox (resident, 2950 63rd Ave S, PSTA board member) expressed support for Commissioner Renee Flowers and opposed the proposed PSTA bill, urging the council to pass the resolution.
- Christian Hardegree (Regional Chancellor, USF St. Pete) spoke in favor of the historic Gas Plant development, the EOS building, and the Veterans Success Center, urging leadership.
- Domenico Pontoriero (resident, 670 10th Ave S) supported the resolution opposing the PSTA bill, citing that the bill reduces St. Pete's board representation and is fueled by misinformation.
- Second Open Forum: Franklin Perez was not a resident, so he was not allowed to speak. Cindy Shepard (City Council staff) thanked Chair Gabbard for her leadership.
Discussion Items
- D1 – Distinguished Citizen Award: Councilmember Mohammed presented the award to Roosevelt “Bubba” Swinton for 50 years of coaching and mentoring youth through the Wildwood Dodgers. Speakers encouraged naming the baseball field after him.
- D2 – Proclamation: Mayor Welch proclaimed December 15, 2023 as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Zeta Upsilon Omega Chapter Day, celebrating 68 years of service. President Janae Skipper noted over half a million dollars in community donations.
- Special Announcement: Suzy Ahawk announced the 2023 CareFest results; District 1 won the Care Cup with 25 projects.
- G1 – Team Name Discussion: Councilmember Driscoll requested administration to include a team name change to “St. Petersburg Rays” in stadium negotiations and report by January 4, 2024. Mayor Welch and Rays President Brian Auld opposed, stating the name is not in the term sheet and a change would jeopardize the deal. Public speakers were divided. The motion was amended to request a report on “options to elevate St. Petersburg’s profile” rather than specific name change. Passed 6-2 (Fix Sanders and Gabbard dissenting).
- G2 – Baseball Field Naming: Councilmember Mohammed’s resolution to refer naming the field at Thomas “Jet” Jackson Recreation Center after Roosevelt Swinton to the appropriate committee passed unanimously.
- H1 – Legislative Agenda: Councilmember Hanowitz requested approval of the 2024 state legislative agenda with amendments (added homeownership language, broadened water systems language). Passed unanimously.
- H1B – PSTA Resolution: Councilmember Driscoll’s resolution opposing the proposed bill altering the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority’s special act. Passed 7-1 (Montanari dissenting).
- CRA2 – South St. Pete CRA Budget FY2024: Brian Caper and George Smith presented a $18.9 million budget (66% housing, 23% business development, 6% workforce education). Highlights include new ADU construction program ($500,000), additional staff for housing processing and engineering, and cleanup funding for the Sancofa site. Councilmembers discussed measuring poverty reduction and workforce readiness. Approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- G1 (Amended): The administration will provide a report by January 4, 2024, on discussions with the Rays about elevating St. Petersburg’s presence in the stadium deal. Vote: 6-2.
- G2: Referred to committee for naming the baseball field after Roosevelt Swinton. Unanimous.
- H1B: Adopted resolution opposing the PSTA special act changes. Vote: 7-1.
- CRA2: Approved the FY2024 South St. Pete CRA budget. Unanimous.
- All consent items and ordinances passed unanimously.
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 Gabber. District 3, Edmonton Mary. District 4, Leseth Panawitz. District 5. And Council Vice Chair, Deborah Fig Sanders. District 6, Gina Driscoll. District 7, John Mohammed. And District 8, Richie Floyd. Good afternoon, everyone. We will call to order the December 14th, 2023 City Council meeting, beginning with a roll call, please. Trisco. Here. Mohammed. Here. Lloyd. Curtis. Here. Abbott. Here. Martin Ari. Here. Okay. We will begin our meeting with a invocation. Today we are joined by Pastor Bobby Messengua from Maximo Presbyterian Church. And we will follow this with the Pledge of Allegiance. Please rise. Let us pray. Good and gracious God. Thank you for the opportunity to gather here today. Assembled in unity, we humble, we humbly seek your guidance and wisdom as the city council of St. Petersburg convenes today. Grant all our elected leaders, the mayor and city councillors, along with their staffs, clarity of mind, compassion in decision making, and a shared commitment to the well-being of our beloved community. May their deliberations be marked by understanding, cooperation, and a vision for a thriving and inclusive city. Bless each member present and empower them to serve with diligence, integrity, and a great sense of urgent justice. In your holy name, we pray. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. You may be seated. Thank you, Pastor, for your invitation. We appreciate you being here with us today. All right, Council members, we have an agenda before us. We do have the addition of one item, which is item H1, which is our committee action items from our lair committee, which happened earlier today. Move approval. Thank you. Okay, we have a motion and a second to approve the agenda. Seeing no request to speak, Clerk, please open the machine for voting.
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