St. Petersburg City Council Meeting – January 11, 2024

The St. Petersburg City Council convened on January 11, 2024, at 3:00 PM EST. The meeting included the swearing‑in of Vice Chair Copley Gurtis, several proclamations, a legal item, two report presentations, two new business items, and public testimony on community concerns and the Rays/Hines redevelopment proposal.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lynn Morris (2709 1st Ave S) and Jimmy Elwell (2725 1st Ave S) complained about excessive noise, vibrations, and other nuisances from the Wild Child venue – including late‑night outdoor parties, blocked alleys, unsealed dumpsters, and drainage issues. They asked the city to enforce noise and sanitation ordinances.
• Wendy Snyder (6407 Sandpiper Way S) spoke against the proposed Rays/Hines redevelopment. She questioned why the city would sell land below current appraisal, spend $130 million on infrastructure, issue bonds that could hamper borrowing after a disaster, and forgo stadium‑related revenue (gaming, streaming, ticket shares). She urged the council to slow down and strengthen its negotiating position.
• Unnamed speaker (1534 16th St S) described delays caused by the building department’s new requirement for change‑of‑use applications even without construction, citing a 55‑day wait for a simple restaurant‑to‑event‑space reclassification. He said this is hurting small businesses, especially on the south side.
• Ross Pravell (Chamber of Commerce, 225 1st Ave N) expressed strong support for the Rays/Hines partnership, calling the site a potential “crown jewel” for the city. He noted the group’s local commitment and the success of similar projects (e.g., Camden Yards). He urged the council to move forward.
• Dylan Dames (Faith in Florida, 1201 Dr. MLK Jr. St N) urged the council to maintain democratic processes, especially the Community Benefits Advisory Council (CBAC). He said the city and developer use different definitions of affordability, and that the CBAC should continue to inform decisions on the historic gas‑plant redevelopment.

Awards & Proclamations

• E1 – Distinguished Citizens Award: Presented to Dominique Polk Jr., a 16‑year‑old who earned his private pilot’s license on November 10, 2023, after training at Albert Whitted Airport. He was a recipient of the Friends of Albert Whitted Scholarship. Councilmember Fig Sanders and Mr. Walton Driggers (Friends of Albert Whitted) praised his achievement and the scholarship program’s role in diversifying aviation.
• E2 – National Mentoring Month Proclamation (January 2024): Presented by Councilmember Hanowitz, with remarks from Shine Ferguson (Pinellas County Schools Office of Strategic Partnerships). The district has 1,500 active mentors serving about 3,500 students, but a large gap remains. Mentors commit 30 minutes per week. The proclamation encourages residents to become mentors.
• E3 – 100th Anniversary of the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club: Councilmember Driscoll read the proclamation, noting the club’s history (founded January 24, 1924) as the world’s largest shuffleboard facility (82 courts, 2,600+ members). Executive Director Christine Page accepted, saying the club is using the centennial to welcome all St. Petersburg residents.

Legal Item

• J1 – Resolution for Final Payment to Outside Counsel: Assistant City Attorney Joe Patner requested approval of $3,213.55 as the final payment to Jones Hurley for work on the Miranda labor dispute case. The police department was satisfied with the work. The motion passed unanimously.

Report Items

• G1 – Project Prosper: Executive Director Faye Steinhauser presented the organization’s work supporting St. Petersburg’s immigrant population (27,000+ immigrants, 11% of the city). Project Prosper offers financial literacy classes (13 courses in English/Spanish, 132 classes in 2023) and a 0% interest loan program (max $2,500, with savings component and credit reporting). They currently serve two sites in St. Pete and are expanding into Manatee County. Councilmembers praised the program and its impact on financial inclusion.
• G2 – January Unnamed Storm Report: Emergency Management Manager Amber Boulding reported on the January 9–10, 2024, severe weather event. The city activated the Emergency Operations Center (Level 2 partial activation) on Monday, January 8. Preparations included clearing 3,000+ storm drains, sweeping 384 miles of streets, distributing 13,550 sandbags, and deploying variable message boards. The storm brought a confirmed EF0 tornado (82 mph winds) in the Bartlett Park area, causing a tree through a roof and some apartment damage. Total storm tide was 2.8 feet (vs. 3.97 feet in December); sustained winds 30 mph, gusts to 46 mph. No homes were flooded, and all power outages were restored quickly. Councilmember Gabbard raised concerns about the cumulative financial impact of such events (overtime, tipping fees, etc.) and suggested creating a contingency fund. Administration agreed to consider it during budget discussions.

New Business Items

• H1 – CBAC Appointment Process: Councilmember Gabbard moved to add a discussion on the appointment process for the Community Benefits Advisory Council (both standing and ad hoc members) to the referral item approved on November 2, 2023. The motion passed unanimously.
• H2 – ISAP Energy Consumption & Renewables Report: Councilmember Floyd moved to refer a request for a report from administration on the city’s energy consumption, renewable goals, and progress to the Health, Energy, Resilience, and Sustainability Committee. The motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of Agenda: Unanimous vote to approve the agenda with additions E2, E3, and G2.
• J1 – Resolution for Outside Counsel Payment: Approved unanimously.
• H1 – CBAC Appointment Process Referral: Approved unanimously.
• H2 – ISAP Energy Report Referral: Approved unanimously.
• Swearing‑in: Vice Chair Copley Gurtis took the oath of office.
• Public Comment: Council requested follow‑up on the Wild Child noise complaints (contact information was taken). The city will continue to monitor the Rays/Hines process and engage with the CBAC.