St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - April 4, 2024

The St. Petersburg City Council met on April 4, 2024, at 9:00 AM, with public hearings beginning after 9:30 AM. Mayor Ken Welch and council members were present, except Councilmember Gabbard. The meeting covered consent items, open forum, a funding agreement amendment, a council committee referral, and two public hearings on ordinances related to public art and housing definitions.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda and consent agenda were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jane Cooley (clergy, guardian ad litem) urged the council to create at least 5,000 units of affordable housing for those making 80% or less of area median income (AMI).
• Kathy Philippelli (St. Matthew's Catholic Church, FAST) advocated for affordable housing at 80% AMI or less, in perpetuity, and criticized Mayor Welch for not attending the Nehemiah Action. She called on him to show leadership.
• Pat Fling noted that at least 16,000 people in St. Pete live under 80% AMI and urged an ambitious affordable housing goal. She encouraged council members and the mayor to attend the April 30 Nehemiah Action.
• Carrie Mueller (professional engineer, former Community Benefits Advisory Council member) opposed the stadium deal, stating that seven promises (e.g., no property tax impact, 1,200 affordable units, African American Museum, convention center) were not true. She urged the council to vote no.
• Jeremy Tolburg compared the stadium deal to Baltimore’s costly sports complexes, arguing it would lead to fiscal collapse. He noted the cost would be $5,250 per city resident and questioned whether residents would support that.

Discussion Items

• Item F1: Second Amendment to Funding Agreement (Namaste 616) – Special Projects Manager Mark Van Loon presented a second amendment to extend the timeline for the 11-unit townhome project to March 7, 2025. The extension allows completion of sales and replat for two additional units. The motion passed unanimously.
• Council Committee Report (Vacancy Filling Process) – Councilmember Hanowitz moved to refer the business item on filling city council vacancies to a committee of the whole, with proposed amendments requiring a supermajority vote and leaving a vacancy unfilled if it occurs close to or during the regular election. The motion also noted discussion on mayoral vacancies. The motion passed unanimously.
• Item E1: Ordinance on Works of Art (Chapter 5 Amendment) – The ordinance allows art acquired with Art in Public Places funds to be placed on county-owned land (e.g., the stadium site) if city council waives the ownership requirement, provided title vests in a government entity. It also requires art to be placed on city-owned property if not at the project site. Councilmember Driscoll opposed, arguing it changes a long-standing ordinance for one project and uses city funds that could be saved. Councilmember Floyd supported with concerns but noted a future broader review of the public art ordinance. The ordinance passed 6-1 (Driscoll no).
• Item E2: Ordinance on Housing Definitions (Chapter 28 Amendment) – Mark Van Loon presented amendments to clarify definitions of “new construction” (up to 5 years from certificate of occupancy) and “special circumstances” for the property tax abatement program. Princess Leani (St. Petersburg College student) expressed support, citing the high cost of living. The ordinance passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Approved unanimously: Agenda, consent agenda, Item F1 (funding amendment), council committee referral, Item E2 (housing definitions).
• Item E1 (public art ordinance) approved 6-1 (Councilmember Driscoll dissenting).
• The council committee on vacancy filling is scheduled for April 18, 2024.
• The meeting adjourned after announcements.