St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - June 6, 2024
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St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - June 6, 2024
The St. Petersburg City Council met on June 6, 2024, beginning at 9:30 AM. The meeting included a lengthy public comment period, multiple proclamations and awards, public hearings on zoning and land use changes, and votes on several major development agreements, including the approval of the Tangerine Plaza redevelopment with Sugar Hill Group.
Consent Calendar
- The agenda was approved unanimously with additions of items D7 and F6.
- The consent agenda was approved unanimously with no public comment.
Public Comments & Testimony
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Open Forum – Several speakers urged unequivocal support for the Rays/Heinz partnership redevelopment of the historic gas plant district. Speakers included:
- Madeline Anderson (resident) – voiced support for the project, citing economic development, affordable housing, and relocation of the African American Museum.
- Will Conroy (resident) – urged support, representing the business community.
- Eric Eisenberg (USF Sr. VP) – offered university support, highlighting workforce housing and educational opportunities.
- Dave Morgenthal (resident/small business owner) – supported the deal, emphasizing skilled trades and community benefits.
- Ryan Alderberg (St. Pete Young Professionals) – supported the project, noting baseball's role in community building.
- Domerie Slid (business owner, 11 Chicks) – expressed gratitude for the Rays' partnership.
- Peter Kent – argued the city must obtain a new appraisal before voting, citing a 21% larger acreage and higher comparable sales.
- Phyllis Young (FAST) – urged affordable housing for families below 80% AMI, noting a family of four making less than $69,000 cannot afford to live in the city.
- Kathy Philippelli (FAST) – suggested using SHIP funds, live local tax credits, and HUD funds for affordable housing.
- Eli Gonzalez (Hispanic Chamber of Commerce) – expressed hope for inclusion of Hispanic business owners in the project.
- Esther Matthews (NAACP) – supported both the gas plant and Tangerine Plaza redevelopments, highlighting economic benefits and community safety.
- Jason Spears (SBE owner, Chamber of Commerce) – supported the gas plant district for its job creation and regional competitiveness.
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Public Hearing on E3 (Sunrunner comprehensive plan) – Speakers supported the upzoning, including:
- John Tyler – supported reduced parking mandates.
- Robert Caposta (Warehouse Arts District) – endorsed the zoning change.
- Mike Harding (Three Daughters Brewing) – supported the project.
- Duncan McClellan – supported the overlay.
- Joseph First – reserved comments for E5.
- Maureen Stafford – supported but raised concerns about stormwater infrastructure.
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Public Hearing on E5 (Sunrunner TEC overlay) – Only Joseph First spoke, thanking staff and noting minor adjustments needed.
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Public Hearing on CRA2 (Tangerine Plaza) – Speakers included:
- Karen Ray (Positive Impact) – opposed the Sugar Hill agreement, citing the need for a grocery store sooner and lack of communication.
- Pastor Lewis Murphy (Sugar Hill) – expressed confidence in delivering the project.
- Corey Gibbons (via Zoom) – urged council to consider the community's immediate food needs.
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Public Comment on F5 (Tangerine Plaza resolution) – Similar comments as above, with additional support from Pastor Murphy and Oliver Gross.
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Public Comment on H3 (Bear Creek Gateway) – Jeff Williams (Pasadena Bear Creek) supported the initiation of the historic landmark application.
Discussion Items
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Proclamations and Awards – The council honored:
- Project Hero Honor Ride (80th anniversary of D-Day, over 500 riders, over $1 million raised).
- Bob Devin Jones (retiring from Studio at 620, proclaimed June 30, 2024 as Bob Devin Jones Day).
- Juneteenth (June 19, 2024, proclaimed as Juneteenth Day).
- LGBTQ Pride Month (June 2024 proclaimed as Pride Month, celebrating 22nd anniversary of St. Pete Pride).
- National Home Ownership Month (June 2024; city provided $8.5 million in assistance to 199 homeowners since 2020, with $2.3 million in FY2024).
- I Love the Berg Month (June 2024, founded in 2009).
- Distinguished Citizen Award to Deontay Thompson (for his Dream Faith Foundation and community work).
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E1 – Naming Aviary at Boyd Hill – Ordinance passed unanimously to name the aviary the Dr. Gabe Vargo Birds of Prey Aviary in honor of a longtime volunteer.
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E2 – Charter Park Change of Use Criteria – Ordinance passed unanimously clarifying when active uses trigger charter requirements.
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E3 – Comprehensive Plan Text Amendment for Sunrunner – Passed unanimously on first reading. Includes updates to population growth projections, creation of Sunrunner Activity Center, and increased densities along corridors outside coastal high hazard area.
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E5 – LDR Text Amendments for Sunrunner TEC Local Overlay – Passed unanimously on first reading. Creates a new overlay district with base FAR of 1.5, bonuses up to 5.0, workforce housing requirements, reduced parking, and design standards. Council discussed raising base FAR to 2.0 or 2.5 but staff recommended 1.5 to incentivize bonuses; the motion passed as-is with further discussion expected.
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E4 – Future Land Use and Zoning Map Amendments for Sunrunner TEC – Quasi-judicial items passed unanimously. Two separate votes for land use map and zoning map.
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F1 – Primary Election Resolutions – Passed unanimously. Resolutions for August 20, 2024 primary election and agreement with Supervisor of Elections.
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F2 – Hidden Voices Report – Report presented by Esther Matthews and Michael Gilazzo. Program has reached over 400 families, provided case management, and held multiple community events. Emphasis on supporting returning citizens and those affected by gun violence.
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F3 – Phyllis Wheatley Rise to Read Campaign Report – Presented by Maria Scruggs. The campaign has 44.6% of scholars at Campbell Park reading on grade level; 100% of John Hopkins scholars showed learning gains. Raised over $133,000 in community support. Challenges include follow-through on mental health and vision screenings.
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F4 – ARPA Funding Reallocation – Passed unanimously. Reallocating $5.94 million from Ed White Senior Apartments (delayed) to two shovel-ready projects: Archways Flats on Fourth (80 units) and Palm Lake Urban Sanctuary (86 units), both deeply affordable.
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CRA3 – Consistency Resolution for 357 3rd Street South – Passed unanimously. A five-story building with 36 dwelling units and 24 parking spaces, found consistent with the In-Town Redevelopment Plan.
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CRA2 – Tangerine Plaza Option Agreement and Lease/Development Agreement – Passed 5-3. The agreement with Sugar Hill Group includes 115 affordable rental units (average 80% AMI) and 10,000 sq ft of retail including a grocery store. Key terms: 18-month option period, 75-year lease with $100,000 annual rent (abated first 24 months), option to purchase for $1.5 million. Council discussed parking, FAR, grocery store requirements, and risk of delay.
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F5 – Resolution Authorizing Mayor to Execute Agreements for Tangerine Plaza – Passed 5-3 (same split as CRA2). Authorized the mayor to sign the option and lease agreements.
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G1A and G1B – Land Use and Zoning Change for 920 20th Avenue South – Passed unanimously. Quasi-judicial items to change from PR-R to PR-MU and from NT-1 to CRT-1.
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H2 – Referral to PSNI for 2024 Community Survey – Passed unanimously.
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H3 – Resolution to Initiate Historic Landmark Application for Bear Creek Gateway – Passed unanimously. Staff will initiate the quasi-judicial application.
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H4 – Referral to HERS for Grocery Store Study – Withdrawn by Councilmember Floyd; item had been filed in September 2023 but not on referral list. Will be brought forward later.
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I1 and I2 – BFT Committee Actions – Both passed unanimously. I1 authorizes presentations for external audit services; I2 adds Northwest Park Lighting Project to the Wiki Wachi project list.
Key Outcomes
- Agenda and Consent Agenda – Approved unanimously.
- E1, E2, E3, E4A, E4B, E5 – All passed unanimously (first readings, public hearings).
- CRA2 and F5 (Tangerine Plaza) – Approved 5-3 (Fix Sanders, Floyd, Gabbert, Gerdes, Mohammed yes; Driscoll, Hanowitz, Montanari no).
- G1A, G1B, H2, H3, I1, I2 – Passed unanimously.
- ARPA Reallocation – Approved unanimously.
- All proclamations and awards – Unanimously approved.
- New business items – H1 pulled; H2 referred; H3 initiated; H4 withdrawn.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to the City of St. Petersburg City Council meeting. Your elected officials are Mayor Ken Welch, District One, and Council Vice Chair, Copley Gurdis, District Two, Brandy Gabbert, District Three, Ed Montari, District Four, Leset Hanowitz, District Five, and Council Chair, Deborah Fake Sanders, District Six, Gina Driscoll, District Seven, John Mohammed, and District Eight, Richie Floyd. Good morning, everyone. We will call to order June 6th, 2024, City Council meeting beginning with the roll call. Risco, Mohammed, Lloyd. Curtis. Montaneri. Hanowitz. Here. Alexander's here. Thank you. We would this morning be blessed with our invitation by Pastor Paul Gibson from the Trinity Lutheran Church. And that will be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Will everyone please join me in standing? God of justice, of love, and of joy. You have created a universe that teems with delight. Stars, nebulae, singularities, an unfathomable emptiness to cross and to explore, and in the midst of it, a fragile planet for us to call home, on which there are flowers of every shape and color imaginable, creatures great and small, and those as delightful as the platypus and the Ardvark. A diverse human community in which gender and sexual orientation exist on a spectrum far more nuanced than we once imagined. At a time when our society is fractured into walled camps that allow for no conversation or compromise, no seeking or working for a common good. Help us to cultivate a sense of personal pride in how we were created by you and shaped by our family, our culture, and our life experiences. A pride that grants honor and respect to those who do not think as we do, who do not look like us, act like us, or love as we love. A pride that allows differences of opinion, but rejects the degradation of persons. Remind us of our common bonds and the common ground on which we live and move. Set us free from the power of shame and fear. Help us to make a safe haven for the misunderstood, a home for everyone in our community, and a place of opportunity for all. Bless this city during our celebrations of pride, keep our citizens and our visitors safe from physical violence. Inspire law enforcement to be vigilant and to know how to defuse a situation of potential danger. Give us all opportunities to draw closer together and to seek deeper understanding. Bless the deliberations of today's meeting. Bless us in our listening and in our speaking of the truth. Bless the work of our city government and its efforts to create safe and affordable places to live, a place of prosperity, of peace, of possibilities, and of pride. We ask this in the name of all that is holy and just and true. Amen. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with a liberty of justice for all. Thank you. Thank you, Pastor Gibson, for that inspiration. Thank you so much. Council members, we have an agenda before us with the additions of items D7 and F6. I'll entertain a motion for approval with those additions. Now that we have a motion and it's been seconded, can you please open the machine for voting? Council members, please cast your vote. Now that all present council members have voted, can you please tally and announce their votes? Madam Chair, motion to approve the agenda passes unanimously. Thank you. Council members, we have a consent agenda before us today. Do we have any cards or public comment? We do not. Do not we do not.
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