The St. Petersburg City Council meeting on February 1, 2024, began with an invocation, a moment of silence for fallen officer David S. Crawford, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting proceeded with agenda adjustments, consent agenda, a public hearing, open forum, new ordinances, committee reports, and new business items. Council Members Driscoll, Gabbert, and Mohammed were absent.
Welcome to the City of St. Petersburg City Council meeting. Your elected officials are Mayor Ken Welch, District One, and Council Vice Chair, Hopley Gurtis. District 2, Brandy Gabber, District 3, Edmonton Erie, District 4, Leseth Hanowitz, District 5, and Council Chair, Deborah Fake Sanders. District 6, Gina Driscoll, District 7, John Mohammed, and District 8, Richie Floyd. Good morning, everyone. We will now call to order on February 1st, 2024, City Council meeting, beginning with a roll call. My apology. Hannah Witz. Here. Curtis. Here. Thank you. Joining us this morning, we will have our invocation given by the Reverend Dr. Wayne G. Thompson, the pastor of First Baptist Institutional Church, my church since I was eight years old. And followed by a moment of silence to honor Officer David S. Crawford. End of watch, February 21st, 2011, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Please join me in standing. Let us pray. Oh God, our Creator Eternal. We are grateful for this day which thou has sent to us. We can gather to attend to the affairs of our city and to ask you for the continuance of your care upon all of our lives. We ask today, your blessings upon our city of many cultures, upon our council, which manages the affairs and lives of all those cultures and our mayor who presides over all of these affairs. We are humbled today because we are here to remember those who have preceded us on this journey to make us realize that your hand of mercy has been grateful and gracious unto us for a long time. The contributions of its ancestors and the continued presence of its descendants, that we are part of the fabric of your creation. And we celebrate this city of diversity, which makes us a greater place in numbers and presence. But also we celebrate our diversity, which makes us stronger in our collaborations. Thank you, oh God, for the opportunities that you lay before us. Opportunities to recognize our differences and reach out across lands and hands, making us realize that we are better together. Opportunities that will let us know that there's much work yet still to be done, and there are lives who need to be helped, miles to be fed, bodies to be clothed, and to make homes for all who are in need. Oh God, prepare us for the obstacles that are sure to show themselves to us. But don't let these obstacles divide us. Help us to embrace them, that we might erase them, that we might know, God, that your hand is guiding us into a better place, and then improve our outlook upon which you have provided us in this city. This city has grown so much since I was a little boy, seen so many changes and seen so many challenges, and yet you've proven to be good to all of us. Because we are a reflection of your goodness. Reflection of your change and reflection of our challenges where we meet. Now, God, allow us to lift up our heads and join hands together as we recognize your power, your grace, and your mercy. And even help us to be as children who sing the song that you love us all, red and yellow, black and white. We are all your creation. We ask you to do all these things as you bless all of the celebrations this month and this year, in whose name you may pray, and in whose name I pray, Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen. Thank you so much for that, Pastor Thompson. Please join me now in a moment of silence as we honor fallen police officer David S. Crawford. End of watch, February 21st, 2011. Thank you now for the pleasure of allegiance. We pledge the allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.