OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

St. Petersburg City Council Meeting May 2, 2024: Proclamations, Land Vacation, and Public Comment

City Council — Thursday, May 2, 2024
BodySt Petersburg, Florida
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, May 2, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:07

Welcome to the City of St.

0:09

Petersburg City Council meeting.

0:12

Your elected officials are Mayor Ken Welch.

0:16

District 1 and Council Vice Chair Copley Gertis.

0:21

District 2, Brandy Gabbard.

0:25

District 3, Edmonton Mary.

0:28

District 4, Lesek Hanowitz, District 5, and Council Chair, Deborah Fig Sanders.

0:36

District 6, Gina Driscoll.

0:39

District 7, John Mohammed.

0:43

And District 8, Richie Floyd.

0:53

Good morning, everyone.

0:54

We're going to call the May 2nd, 2024 City.

0:59

Can you please start with a roll call?

1:00

Fig Sanders.

1:01

Here.

1:01

Driscoll.

1:02

Here.

1:02

Mohammed.

1:03

Here.

1:03

Floyd.

1:04

Here.

1:04

Gertis.

1:05

Gabbard.

1:06

Here.

1:06

Montanery.

1:07

Here.

1:07

Hannah Wiss.

1:08

Here.

1:09

Thank you.

1:09

We will now have the invocation by Reverend Mike Alfred, who is the curate at the Cathedral Church of St.

1:16

Petersburg.

1:16

Will we also have a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance?

1:20

Would you please join me in standing?

1:26

Good morning.

1:29

Let us pray.

1:32

Almighty God, our Heavenly Father.

1:35

We come to you this morning in all our beautiful diversity, yet united with one heart in the pursuit of justice, equity, and opportunity for all.

1:47

We ask your blessing on this assembly as we prepare to dialogue with those who have been called to serve the people.

1:55

Bless our elected representatives with a spirit of wisdom and discernment that with steadfast purpose, they may faithfully promote the well-being of all people.

2:06

Give them, we pray, the courage to answer their call with humility and genuine concern, paying special attention to those who find themselves on the margins.

2:17

May we all continue to advocate for those without adequate shelter, those who struggle with struggle with hunger, those who are vulnerable to abuse in all its pernicious forms.

2:30

Let us together give voice to the voiceless until all God's children are safe and secure.

2:37

May we ever strive to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, Lord.

2:44

All this we ask in your mighty and everlasting name.

2:48

Amen.

2:50

Please join me in a moment of silence as we honor our fallen first responders.

2:57

Detective Wayne M.

2:59

Berry.

3:00

End of watch, May 23rd, 1929.

3:05

Officer Frank A.

3:07

Pike, end of watch, May 19th, 1933.

3:14

Firefighter, Robert F.

3:17

Parker.

3:18

End of watch, May 10th, 1969.

3:28

Thank you.

3:37

And to the Republic for which it stands.

3:40

One nation.

3:41

Under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

3:47

Please be seated.

3:54

Thank you, Reverend Alford, for that invocation.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████22%
Community Engagement████████████12%
Affordable Housing████████████12%
Public Safety██████████10%
Public Works████████8%
Senior Services███████7%
Public Health█████5%
Zoning and Land Use█████5%
Personnel Matters████4%
Summary of Proceedings

St. Petersburg City Council Meeting Summary – May 2, 2024

The St. Petersburg City Council met on May 2, 2024, at 2:00 PM. The meeting included proclamations honoring seniors, public safety, and public works; a public hearing on a right-of-way vacation; several consent agenda items; and a lengthy open forum featuring public comments on affordable housing and the proposed Rays stadium deal. Councilmembers heard testimony from FAST (Faith and Action for Strength Together) members urging action on affordable housing, while other speakers debated the merits of the Rays-Hines redevelopment proposal. The council voted unanimously on all agenda items, with Councilmember Copley Gertis absent.

Proclamations & Presentations

  • Senior Hall of Fame & Older Americans Month: Recognized 10 inductees into the Senior Hall of Fame (including Jay Brew Baker, Fran Brucini, J. Carl Devine, Janie Johnson, Robert Muirler, James Franklin Oliver Jr., Ron Reagan, Norma Roberts, Ada Ward Timmons, and Ray Wonder) and proclaimed May 2024 as Older Americans Month. The theme was “Powered by Connection.”
  • Sunshine Ambassador Award: Presented to Kenyatta Rucker, founder of She Wins Totally Inc., for her work empowering women and serving the community.
  • Professional Municipal Clerks Week: Recognized May 5–11, 2024, as the 55th Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week, honoring the city clerk’s office and staff.
  • Safe Boating Week: Recognized May 18–24, 2024. Speakers included Sgt. Brian Andrews (SPPD Marine Unit) and Commander Gordon Hornby (U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary). Commander Hornby noted that in 2022, Florida had 735 boating accidents and 65 fatalities, and that falling overboard without a life jacket was the leading cause of death.
  • Drowning Prevention Awareness Month: Proclaimed May 2024. Speakers highlighted that Pinellas County had 33 non-fatal submersions and 4 deaths in 2023. The first annual Water Safety Day was announced for Saturday at Walter Fuller Pool, offering free life jackets, door alarms, 200 free CPR vouchers, and 200 free swim vouchers.
  • EMS Week: Recognized May 19–25, 2024, as the 50th anniversary of National EMS Week. St. Petersburg Fire Rescue has provided EMS for 50 years (since 1974).
  • National Public Works Week: Recognized May 19–25, 2024. Claude Tankersley shared statistics: public works has ~800 employees, a $250 million budget, ~7,000 lane miles of road, water and wastewater pipes stretching from St. Pete to Montreal, 162 miles of wastewater pipes inspected last year, 11 billion gallons of drinking water delivered, over 600 trees planted in 2023, and ~4,000 vehicles managed.
  • Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Proclaimed May 2024. Presented by Aliza Punzelin Randall, Managing Director of Communications and Community Engagement.
  • Farewell to Erica Riggins: Recognized Erica Riggins’ last day with the city; she is moving to Spectrum Bay News 9.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the consent agenda unanimously, with the deletion of item CB7.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Affordable Housing Advocacy (FAST members):
    • Reverend Jean Coley (FAST member) urged the council to support affordable housing for those making less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), citing children in homeless motels and families sleeping in cars.
    • Reverend Ben Atherton-Zeman (Unitarian Universalist Church) shared personal stories of constituents facing housing insecurity and asked for more housing for those below 80% AMI.
    • Sonia Kakonen (St. Paul’s Catholic Church) noted that she herself falls below 60% AMI and cannot afford market-rate housing.
    • Kathy Filipelli (FAST) declared that FAST will continue to advocate and warned that Mayor Welch may not win a second term if affordable housing is not addressed.
    • John Stewart (FAST volunteer) called on council to support FAST as an extension of their eyes and ears.
    • Phil Vestal, a three-year resident, urged the council to address affordability to keep the city livable for the next 40 years.
    • Oscar Banks (Palm Lake Christian Church) urged the council to take action, saying “Let’s show our people love.”
  • Rays Stadium Deal:
    • Paul Carter (resident) voiced strong support for the Rays-Hines proposal, citing $6 billion in investment and 37,000 jobs, and urged approval on June 13.
    • Peter Kint (resident) opposed the deal, arguing it gives the team control of 65 prime acres worth $650 million for only $105 million over 30 years, and suggested selling land at fair market value could net over $1 billion.
    • Jeremy Tolberg (Zoom speaker) rejected the deal, calling the economic study “nonsense” and urging rejection.
    • Mary Dowd and Lucy Trimarco (open forum at end) also opposed the deal, calling for the Rays to pay taxes and for a new property appraisal.

Discussion Items

  • E1 - Right-of-Way Vacation (42nd Street South): Public hearing for ordinance 166-B to vacate 9,723 square feet of unimproved right-of-way at 690 42nd Street South for redevelopment. Staff recommended approval with conditions: utility easement for stormwater facilities, private cross-access easement, and Duke Energy coordination. Councilmember Floyd raised concerns about the size of the vacation and staff time spent; he suggested a future committee discussion on the vacation process. Councilmember Mohammed noted the loss of an unpaved trail access and the need for future planning in the area. The ordinance passed unanimously.
  • G1-G4 - Ordinances on Consent: Approved various ordinances, including one regarding airport grant funding and one allowing alcoholic beverages at an event in Azalea Park.
  • H1 - Advanced Air Mobility Referral: Councilmember Montaneri requested a referral to the Economic and Workforce Development Committee for a presentation on advanced air mobility and vertiports. Passed unanimously.
  • Zoom Public Comment Option: Chair Figgers-Sanders raised the possibility of removing the Zoom option. Councilmembers Floyd, Hanewicz, Mohammed, Montaneri, Driscoll, and Gabbard all expressed support for keeping Zoom, citing equity and accessibility. No formal vote was taken; the chair said she would consider all feedback.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved the consent agenda with deletion of item CB7.
  • Approved the right-of-way vacation (E1) unanimously (with Councilmember Gertis absent).
  • Approved all ordinances on the consent calendar (G1-G4) unanimously.
  • Approved the referral for advanced air mobility (H1) unanimously.
  • Approved the time change for the May 16, 2024 council meeting (F1) unanimously.
  • Council decided to continue offering Zoom for public comment after discussion.
  • The council will revisit the Rays stadium proposal on June 13, 2024.
  • Staff and council acknowledged the need for affordable housing, with several members supporting FAST’s advocacy.

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 Gertis. District 2, Brandy Gabbard. District 3, Edmonton Mary. District 4, Lesek Hanowitz, District 5, and Council Chair, Deborah Fig Sanders. District 6, Gina Driscoll. District 7, John Mohammed. And District 8, Richie Floyd. Good morning, everyone. We're going to call the May 2nd, 2024 City. Can you please start with a roll call? Fig Sanders. Here. Driscoll. Here. Mohammed. Here. Floyd. Here. Gertis. Gabbard. Here. Montanery. Here. Hannah Wiss. Here. Thank you. We will now have the invocation by Reverend Mike Alfred, who is the curate at the Cathedral Church of St. Petersburg. Will we also have a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance? Would you please join me in standing? Good morning. Let us pray. Almighty God, our Heavenly Father. We come to you this morning in all our beautiful diversity, yet united with one heart in the pursuit of justice, equity, and opportunity for all. We ask your blessing on this assembly as we prepare to dialogue with those who have been called to serve the people. Bless our elected representatives with a spirit of wisdom and discernment that with steadfast purpose, they may faithfully promote the well-being of all people. Give them, we pray, the courage to answer their call with humility and genuine concern, paying special attention to those who find themselves on the margins. May we all continue to advocate for those without adequate shelter, those who struggle with struggle with hunger, those who are vulnerable to abuse in all its pernicious forms. Let us together give voice to the voiceless until all God's children are safe and secure. May we ever strive to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, Lord. All this we ask in your mighty and everlasting name. Amen. Please join me in a moment of silence as we honor our fallen first responders. Detective Wayne M. Berry. End of watch, May 23rd, 1929. Officer Frank A.

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