St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - April 11, 2024
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St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - April 11, 2024
The St. Petersburg City Council met on April 11, 2024, at 20:00 UTC. The meeting began with an invocation, pledge of allegiance, and a tribute to former councilmember and school board member Bill Dudley, who recently passed away. Councilmembers unanimously approved the agenda with an added item (F1) to change the start time of the April 18, 2024 meeting to 4:30 PM. Public comments covered the proposed Rays stadium redevelopment, tree protection, municipal utility feasibility, sidewalk accessibility, and remembrance of Bill Dudley. Several proclamations were presented for Arbor Day, Small Business Week, Fair Housing Month, Earth Day, Water Conservation Month, and Black Maternal Health Week. A new business item (G1) to explore a universal basic mobility pilot program was referred to committee.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the agenda with the addition of item F1 (resolution to change the start time of the April 18, 2024 council meeting to 4:30 PM). Motion passed unanimously, with Councilmember Mohammed absent.
- Approved item F1 (time change) unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Peter Kent (address not stated) opposed the Rays stadium deal, arguing it gives Heinz over $1 million per affordable housing unit, the city is paying $25 million to take control of land worth over $650 million, and the deal does not meet fiduciary duties.
- Martha Bowden, CEO of SPCA Tampa Bay (address 3250 Fifth Avenue North), expressed wholehearted support for the new ballpark and redevelopment, citing the Rays’ contributions to SPCA through grants, volunteer work, and community partnerships. She urged council to sign the contract.
- Owen LaFay, Pinellas County Market President for Bank of Tampa (address 200 Central Avenue), supported the stadium deal, noting the Rays-Heinz proposal provided 72% higher net benefit than other proposals, potential gross property tax revenue of $1.4 billion over 30 years, and community benefits including affordable housing, parks, and equity initiatives. He warned against losing the team.
- Lee Allen (address 18th Avenue Northeast) initially came to discuss public transit but instead praised Bill Dudley’s public service. He also supported transit for affordable housing.
- Ben Connor (address 66th Avenue South) advocated for St. Petersburg becoming its own municipal utility, citing high Duke Energy bills compared to Tampa Electric and other Florida utilities. He argued profits could fund city programs.
- Kathy Harrelson (address 32nd Avenue North in St. Pete Heights) spoke in favor of “Stop the Chop” – a subcommittee of the Urban Forestry Committee – to save large shade trees. She noted over 36,000 permits to cut or trim trees and asked for a presentation at the HERS committee and creation of a task force.
- Zion Roland (four-generation native of St. Petersburg) expressed excitement about the Rays development but asked for affordable housing and compensation for natives displaced by eminent domain, referencing his grandfather’s loss of property.
- Erica Fulton (address 7960 2nd Street North) described hazardous sidewalk conditions near Gateway Mall that are impassable for wheelchair users, with high curbs, debris, and dog feces. She reported code compliance inaction and requested a commission to address sidewalk issues.
Discussion Items
- Tribute to Bill Dudley: Councilmember Montaneri delivered a remembrance of former councilmember and school board member Bill Dudley, detailing his education, career as a teacher and coach, and public service. Other councilmembers and public speakers shared memories.
- Kids and Cubs Trophy Presentation: The Kids and Cubs senior softball club presented a trophy to the City Council. The club has supported 10 charities this year and has a history of community giving.
- Arbor Day Proclamation: Mayor Welch proclaimed Arbor Day and highlighted St. Petersburg’s 37th year as a Tree City USA and new Tree Cities of the World designation. Councilmembers discussed storm damage assessment and tree canopy restoration.
- Small Business Week Proclamation: Mayor Welch proclaimed April 28–May 4, 2024 as National Small Business Week. Tracy Smith and co-manager Rennell Montgomery previewed the Greenhouse Open House (April 30–May 3) and recognized microfund program participants and small business partners.
- Fair Housing Month Proclamation: Councilmember Gabbard proclaimed April 2024 as Fair Housing Month. Housing director Joshua Johnson and Pinellas Realtor Organization VP Joe Farrell highlighted the April 17 Fair Housing Symposium and ongoing fair housing challenges.
- Earth Day Proclamation: Councilmember Gabbard proclaimed April 22, 2024 as Earth Day. Speakers from St. Pete Youth Farm and Eckerd College Community Farm celebrated urban agriculture and environmental education events, including the April 20 Earth Day celebration at the Youth Farm.
- Water Conservation Month Proclamation: Councilmember Hanowitz proclaimed April 2024 as Water Conservation Month. Water resources director John Palinshar and Al Smith reported that St. Petersburg uses about 30 million gallons per day (vs. 62 million projected in 1971), thanks to conservation programs including rain barrel rebates, sensible sprinkling, and free classes. They reminded residents of mandatory weekly watering restrictions through July.
- Black Maternal Health Week Proclamation: Chair Fig Sanders proclaimed April 11–17, 2024 as Black Maternal Health Week. Dr. Michara Frost noted Black mothers in Florida are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes. Doula Alyssa Love Bedard shared a story of a Black woman who lost her baby due to medical dismissal and called for equitable maternal care.
- New Business G1: Universal Basic Mobility Pilot Program: Councilmember Driscoll moved to refer discussion of a Universal Basic Mobility pilot program to the Housing, Land Use, and Transportation committee. The program would provide a monthly transportation stipend for non-car mobility options (bus, bike share, scooters, rideshare). The motion passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Agenda approved unanimously (with addition of F1).
- Item F1 (reschedule April 18 meeting to 4:30 PM) approved unanimously.
- Item G1 (referral of universal basic mobility pilot program to committee) approved unanimously.
- Councilmember Gabbard announced a medical emergency with his mother and thanked the community for prayers.
- Meeting adjourned at approximately 21:30 (estimated from transcript flow).
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to the City of St. Petersburg City Council meeting. Your elected officials are Mayor Ken Welch, District 1 and Council Vice Chair, Copley Gurdis. District 2, Randy Gabbard, District 3, Edmontonary, District 4, Lesett Hanowitz, District 5, and Council Chair, Deborah Fake Sanders, District 6, Gina Driscoll, District 7, John Mohammed, and District 8, Richie Floyd. Good afternoon, everyone. We call to order the April 11th, 2024 City Council meeting beginning with the roll call. Henowitz here. Alexander's Driscoll? Here. Floyd. Here. Curtis. Here. Gabbard. Montaneri. Here. Thank you. Now we will have our invocation given by the Reverend Elizabeth Sippling, the pastor of New Faith Free Methodist Church. Please stand as she gives the invocation and remains standing following for a moment of silence. Thank you for this opportunity. Let us bow our heads. Dear Heavenly Father, we gather here today seeking your guidance and your blessings for our beloved city of St. Petersburg. We ask for your protection over our citizens, our elected officials, our law enforcement officers, emergency services personnel, faith leaders, and all those that tirelessly serve our communities. Grant us the strength and the wisdom to navigate challenges and embrace opportunities so that our city may prosper and experience continued positive economic growth. We pray for an end to violence and crime, and that our streets may be safe for all and for a resolution to our housing and our homeless crisis, that every member of our community may have a place to call home and to live in harmony. May your divine light shine upon us as we work together for the betterment of our city of St. Petersburg. Amen. Please join me in a moment of silence. Thank you. Pledge of Legion. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Please be seated. Thank you, Pastor Siffling, for those words, and I do appreciate you being here and blessing us today. And we're going to ask our council member Montaneri, who will say a few words because you worked with him, you served with him, and we would love for you to grace his honor with us today. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. I uh met uh Bill Dudley when I was in high school at in at Northeast High School. Uh and uh we called him and everybody that uh knew him, loved him, and called him coach. And uh he was a uh a wonderful, kind, caring man that cared very much for our city and our community and it and valued education. He graduated from Northeast High School in 1963 and earned a associate of arts degree from St. Petersburg College. He then went on, continued his education and earned a Master of Arts degree from USF in 1968, and then uh went on and got a Masters of Science degree in administration from Stetson University in 1980. From 1965 to 1966, he served as uh U.S. uh on the U.S. Capitol Police Force, and he was appointed by Congressman William Kramer.
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