St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - February 15, 2024

The St. Petersburg City Council convened on February 15, 2024, at 6:30 PM. The meeting included approval of routine items, a police department quarterly report, a resolution for the 2024 Firestone Grand Prix, discussion of a street vacation ordinance, and a lengthy debate and vote on a resolution supporting peace and security in Palestine and Israel. The meeting also covered several land use and zoning changes and a historic landmark designation.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda approved unanimously.
• Consent agenda approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Open Forum: Speakers addressed a wide range of topics. Frank Cirillo requested an independent review of the city's investment policy. Pastor Oscar Banks expressed strong support for affordable housing and criticized the city's focus on higher-income housing. Several speakers addressed a proposed ceasefire resolution, with Eric Reiner, Janet Hammer, and Tiffany Robinson opposing it, arguing it was outside the council's purview and would harm Israel. Tatiana Haverkamp, Amanda Dodie, Dr. Chelsea Rivera, and Jay James spoke in favor of the ceasefire resolution, citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Walt Driggers thanked the council for supporting the Barrington Irving scholarship event. Dr. Chelsea Rivera urged support for Council Member Floyd's resolution.
• Public Comment on Police Report: William Kilgore criticized the police department's enforcement of a daytime sleeping ordinance, stating it criminalizes homelessness and that the PATH unit is insufficient.
• Public Comment on Vacation Ordinance (E2): Roger Curlin (Edge Business District) and Debbie Reeser supported the project but opposed a required east-west pedestrian easement, citing safety concerns. Don Mastery, representing the property owners, argued the easement would create security issues and that similar vacations elsewhere did not require such easements.
• Public Comment on Ceasefire Resolution (G5): Over 30 speakers testified, split between support and opposition. Supporters (e.g., Rabbi Jen Mangold, Marla Setkick, Dr. Christy Faust, Sam Obaid, many others) called for an immediate ceasefire, citing the high casualty numbers (over 30,000 Palestinians, including 11,000 children), the humanitarian crisis, and the need to align with other cities. Opponents (e.g., Ken Sherman, Eric Passman, Craig Sher, Stuart Berger, Rabbi Ed Rosenthal, Rabbi Philip Weintraub, Karen Lieberman, Michael Eagle) argued that a ceasefire would leave Hamas in power, endanger Israel, and that the resolution was one-sided and anti-Semitic. Several speakers noted the absence of condemnation of Hamas's October 7th attack.

Discussion Items

• F1: Police Department Quarterly Report (October-December 2023): Chief Anthony Holloway reported that overall crime was up 1% but down 1.5% compared to the previous year, with violent crime down 4.5% and property crime up 2.4%. Homicides were down 18% compared to 2022, and all homicides in 2022 and 2023 were cleared by arrest. Auto thefts were up 9% (five-year trend up 24%) but trending downward in recent months. The department's community liaison program and PATH unit were highlighted. Council members discussed auto theft repeat offenders, gun thefts from vehicles, and the need to continue public education.
• F2: Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Resolution: Chris Villestra presented the 20th anniversary of the race, highlighting an economic impact of $61 million, $37 million in direct spending, and $3.3 million in tax revenue from the 2023 event. The resolution establishing race days (March 7-10, 2024) was approved unanimously.
• E1 & E2: Street Vacation Ordinances: E1 (vacation of 20 feet on 23rd Avenue) passed unanimously. E2 (vacation of alley and Commercial Avenue South) involved extensive debate over a proposed east-west pedestrian easement. The applicant and Edge Business District opposed the easement, citing safety and operational concerns. The Transportation and Parking Management Department requested it for pedestrian connectivity. Council Member Floyd supported the easement, asking what the city gets in return. Council Member Montanari and others supported the developer's request to delete the easement requirement. The motion to approve E2 (with the easement condition included) passed unanimously on first reading, with further discussion scheduled for second reading.
• G1, G2, G3: New Business Items: These items passed unanimously. G1 referred a property acquisition to the budget committee. G2 discussed amendments to alcoholic beverage rules for the Edge District. G3 referred discussion of floor area ratio bonuses for workforce housing to the housing committee.
• G5: Resolution Supporting Peace and Security for All in Palestine and Israel (Ceasefire Resolution): Council Member Floyd presented the resolution, which called for an immediate bilateral ceasefire, release of hostages, and humanitarian aid. After lengthy public comment, Council Chair Fig Sanders offered a substitute resolution titled "Supporting Global Peace and Security for All," which removed specific references to ceasefire but included language about diplomatic approaches. Council Member Hanowitz proposed an amendment to change "support ceasefires" to "a diplomatic approach." The substitute resolution was passed 5-3, with Council Members Driscoll, Fig-Sanders, Gabbard, Gurdis, and Hanowitz voting yes, and Floyd, Montanari, and Mohammed voting no.

Quasi-Judicial Items

• J1-J3, J4: Approved unanimously.
• J5A & B: Land Use and Zoning Change for Housing Authority Project (2300 31st Street N): Amendments to allow affordable housing (80 units, 100% affordable at 80% AMI or below) were approved unanimously. Council Member Floyd praised the project.
• J6A & B: Land Use and Zoning Change for Workforce Housing (7045 Burlington Avenue N): City-initiated amendments to allow 105 workforce housing units, with 30% for St. Pete College staff/students, were approved unanimously.
• J7: Historic Landmark Designation (Will Cressy and Blanche Danes Cressy House, 625 20th Avenue NE): Unanimously approved. Council members commended the owners for their preservation efforts.

Key Outcomes

• Police Report accepted with appreciation.
• Firestone Grand Prix Resolution approved unanimously.
• Street Vacation E2 passed first reading unanimously; final reading set for February 29, 2024.
• Ceasefire Resolution (G5): Council Chair Fig Sanders' substitute resolution "Supporting Global Peace and Security for All" passed 5-3, replacing Council Member Floyd's original resolution.
• All quasi-judicial items (J1-J7) approved unanimously.
• Meeting timeline: The meeting started at 6:30 PM and adjourned after several hours, including a 30-minute dinner break around 6:30-7:00 PM.