St. Petersburg City Council Meeting Summary – February 8, 2024

The St. Petersburg City Council met on Thursday, February 8, 2024, in a regular meeting that included an invocation by Reverend Don Warden, the Pledge of Allegiance, unanimous approval of the agenda, public comment, several mayoral proclamations, a report on the city’s tree inventory and planting programs, and unanimous referral of Rays/Historic Gas Plant development agreements to two Committee of the Whole meetings. Mayor Ken Welch joined councilmembers for the presentations.

Proclamations & Presentations

• Therapeutic Recreation Month (February 2024): Mayor Welch proclaimed the month in recognition of the Parks and Recreation Department’s Therapeutic Recreation Division. Program staff noted the division began in 1970, hosts over 100 participants monthly, and serves ages 5 to 72. Councilmember Driscoll praised the program and urged efforts to reduce waitlists.

• Localtopia Day (February 24, 2024): Mayor Welch proclaimed the day for the 11th annual Localtopia festival at Williams Park, organized by Keep St. Petersburg Local. Olga Boof thanked the city and Parks and Recreation, and Councilmember Driscoll encouraged sponsorships and donations.

• St. Petersburg Science Festival Days (February 9–10, 2024): Mayor Welch proclaimed the days, held with Marine Quest. Festival representative Howard Rutherford reported more than 250 volunteers, 1,100 fourth and fifth graders from Title I schools for a sneak peek, 15,000 expected Saturday, 77 exhibiting organizations, and 55 junior scientists.

• Black History Month (February 2024): Mayor Welch proclaimed February 2024 as Black History Month. Representatives of the Woodson African American History Museum discussed preserving Black history and future redevelopment of the Tropicana Field area; they affirmed their work would continue despite recently reported state action regarding flag displays over government entities.

• Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month (February 2024): Councilmember Hanowitz presented the proclamation with Hope Villages of America Vice President John Long. Long said one in three adolescent girls experiences dating violence, only 33% of teens tell anyone, half of affected teens attempt suicide, and 43% of teen violence incidents occur on school property.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ron Diner (Snow Isle resident) opposed the current Rays/Heinz development proposal, saying it is unfair to St. Petersburg and that a fairer deal could provide $1.6 billion in resources that would be lost under the current deal. He urged the council to table approval and conduct independent due diligence beyond presentations from the team or the city.

• Ben Winder (Pastor, First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg; FAITH) called on Mayor Welch to create 5,000 affordable housing units for households earning 80% of area median income or less by the end of his first term. He invited the mayor and council to the Nehemiah Action on April 30, 2024, at 7 p.m.

• Jessica Eysterman (St. Pete Chamber board member and land use attorney) expressed support for the Rays/Heinz proposal, emphasizing the importance of mixed-income, mixed-use development; she clarified she is not the project’s attorney.

Discussion Items: Tree Inventory and Tree Planting Programs

Sustainability and Resilience Director Alison Mihalich reported on tree canopy efforts. Key points included:

• The city’s tree canopy goal is 30%; a 2022 analysis estimated 27%, while preliminary 2023 desk analysis suggests just over 30%, pending field validation.
• Funding includes two $100,000 tree mini-grant rounds, a $49,000 Florida Forest Service grant matched by $49,000 for 350 trees in Child’s Park, and a $300,000 supplemental appropriation.
• Round one of neighborhood tree mini-grants drew 23 applications and awarded eight; more than 135 trees are expected. Round two received seven applications.
• In 2023, more than 4,500 trees were mapped by volunteers; over 175 residents participated; citizen foresters volunteered 650+ hours; 306 bald cypress seedlings were distributed.
• The city received its 38th Tree City USA certification and a Tree City Growth Award, plus Tree Cities of the World recognition.

Councilmember Montaneri expressed frustration that his annual request to fund 1,000 new trees has not been fulfilled and said the city needs to exceed that number, given 1,300–1,400 tree-removal permits per year. He indicated he would seek BP and WikiWanchi funds to plant more trees.

Councilmember Gabber asked about replanting damaged trees near 83rd Avenue after flooding; staff said they would follow up on the city’s replanting commitment. Councilmember Driscoll raised concerns about excessive process burdens and asked whether business districts and non-neighborhood groups could participate. Neighborhood Relations Director Susie Ahawk responded that business associations are eligible and that the city is adding pre-application meetings and a reverse-letter opt-out approach to expand participation.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda approved unanimously.
• Committee of the Whole referral (G1): Council unanimously approved Councilmember Montaneri’s motion to schedule at least two Committee of the Whole meetings — one covering the Rays stadium operating, development, and funding agreements and financing, and one covering the Historic Gas Plant development agreement and financing. Council members are to receive final proposed draft agreements at least two weeks in advance. The motion was approved unanimously; no decisions on the agreements were made at this meeting.