St. Petersburg City Council Meeting: April 18, 2024
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St. Petersburg City Council Meeting: April 18, 2024
The St. Petersburg City Council met on April 18, 2024, to address routine approvals, public comments, a street co-naming, a park expansion, a street vacation ordinance, and a referral for short-term rental regulation. The meeting opened with an invocation by Rabbi Philip Weintraub, a moment of silence for former Governor Bob Graham, and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Consent Calendar
- The council approved the consent agenda unanimously (motion by Councilmember Hanowitz, second by Councilmember Montanari).
- The consent agenda included routine approvals such as warrants and other administrative items.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Rays/Heinz Stadium Deal (Open Forum): Ten speakers addressed the proposed Rays/Heinz stadium redevelopment of the Gas Plant District. Multiple speakers expressed strong opposition, arguing the deal is a "monumental rip off" of public resources (e.g., Ron Diner, Carrie Mueller, Lynn Wilkinson, Jeremy). Key concerns included: the $1.6 billion public subsidy vs. $5 billion in needed water/sewer/stormwater infrastructure repairs; insufficient affordable housing (calls for 60-80% AMI guarantees and more than 1,000 units on-site); the discounted land value; and prioritization of stadium over pressing city needs. Some speakers voiced conditional support (e.g., Ryan Ellenberg, Tara Hubbard) citing economic growth, talent attraction, and historic acknowledgment, but still emphasized the need for fair terms, community benefits, and housing guarantees. The Sierra Club (Michael McGrath) called for net-positive building standards, climate resiliency, microgrids, a 50-foot buffer along Booker Creek with native vegetation, and increased affordable housing beyond 10%.
- Street Co-Naming (J2 - Curtis Long Avenue): Pastor Elizabeth Siplin spoke in support of co-naming Urbana Avenue South between Yale Street and 24th Street as "Curtis Long Avenue South," honoring the late Reverend Curtis Long and his wife Alice Long. She highlighted his 33-year leadership at New Faith Free Methodist Church and his profound community impact.
- Harbordale Park (F1): Franklin Alves, a neighbor, spoke in favor of the city purchasing the property at 127 42nd Avenue S to expand Harbordale Park, citing safety and security improvements.
Discussion Items
- Good News Report – Harbordale Park Purchase (F1): Community Enrichment Administrator Mike Jeffers presented a proposal to purchase a residential property (9,600 sq. ft.) adjacent to Harbordale Park. The property currently obstructs the park entrance, creates sight-line and safety issues, and deters appropriate park use. The plan includes demolition, sodding, irrigation, signage, and tree plantings to integrate the lot into the park. Councilmember Driscoll co-sponsored. Councilmember Montaneri and the neighbor spoke in strong support, noting the rare opportunity to expand parkland in a built-out city. The item was approved unanimously.
- Short-Term Rental Regulations (G1): Councilmember Hanowitz introduced a new business item to refer discussion to the Public Services & Infrastructure Committee on exploring the city’s ability to issue super fines and establish a short-term rental registry. Councilmember Floyd co-sponsored. Councilmember Gabbert noted that state legislation (Senator DeSigley's bill) may be vetoed and requested the committee discussion be delayed until the governor's action is known. Councilmember Montaneri questioned the bill's status; staff clarified the governor has not signed it yet. The motion to refer passed unanimously, with understanding it will not be scheduled until after the governor's decision.
- Street Vacation Ordinance (E1): Ordinance 1166-V was introduced to vacate 9,723 sq. ft. of 42nd Street South in Fairmont Park. The public hearing was set for May 2, 2024. The ordinance was approved unanimously.
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
- Street Co-Naming (J2): Resolution approved unanimously to co-name Urbana Avenue South as Curtis Long Avenue South.
- Harbordale Park Purchase (F1): Approved unanimously to purchase the property at 127 42nd Avenue S for park expansion.
- Street Vacation (E1): Approved unanimously to vacate a portion of 42nd Street South.
- Short-Term Rental Discussion (G1): Referred to the Public Services & Infrastructure Committee with the caveat that discussion will wait until the governor acts on the related state bill.
- **No votes were taken on the Rays/Heinz stadium deal; it was discussed only during public comment.
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, Hopley Gurdis. District 2, Brandy Gabbert, District 3, Ed Montaneri, 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 afternoon, everyone. We'll call the order, the April 18th, 2024. I'm sorry, did I miss that? 2024 City Council meeting beginning with the roll call. Hanowitz? Here. Floyd. Here. Gurdis. Here. Advert. Here. Montaneri. Thank you. We will have our invocation given today by Rabbi Philip Weintraub from the Congregation Bene Israel of St. Petersburg. This will be followed by a moment of silence to honor former Governor Bob Graham, who served as the 38th Governor of Florida from 1979 to 1987, and was a U.S. Senator from 1987 to 2005. He passed at the age of 87. Following that, we will remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Will everyone please join me in standing. Esteemed Council members. The springtime is a time of hope, of opportunity, of consideration. Western Christians recently celebrated their Easter. Muslims recently concluded Ramadan. Orthodox Christians will celebrate Easter in the coming weeks. Sikhs had Vaiskay and Hindus celebrated holy. So whatever our faith, we see the seasons change and the flowers bloom and the possibility of cooperation, collaboration, and new life. God willing, we can see the holiness of each other's traditions regardless of one another's faith. In the Jewish tradition, Monday night begins Pesach, Passover. We remember from the book of Exodus the journey from slavery to freedom. And we see today the violence of oppression and a reminder of the words repeated so many times through the Hebrew scriptures and the Christian Bible to love our neighbors as ourselves, to remember that we were strangers and to care for the stranger among us. Monday and Tuesday nights, Jewish communities will gather for festive meals, opening with the words, let all who are hungry come and eat. We'll think of those in our city who go to bed hungry and work towards a future where everyone has enough to eat. We'll speak of the journey from slavery to freedom. While thinking of our brothers and sisters who were kidnapped 194 days ago and were made captive by the Hamas terrorists in Gaza. One of the most challenging lines of the Seder is that in every generation there have been those who rose up to destroy the Jewish people, and the Holy One, blessed be God, rescues us from their hands. Until October 7th, my rose-colored glasses deny that the present included such threats. And after those threats against Jewish lives on college campuses and around the world, I've sadly taken off those glasses. But I am grateful to live in a city that recognizes the dignity of all peoples, the humanity of all peoples, and the possibility of hope for all people. So I pray today for the well-being of all. I pray for the end of violence.
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