St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - July 11, 2024

The meeting began with an invocation, followed by approval of the agenda and consent agenda, which passed unanimously. The council then presented proclamations for ADA Day (July 26) and Duke Energy Day (July 18), accompanied by public comments on various topics. Major discussion items included the FY2025 mayor's recommended budget, purchases of an aerial fire truck and repaving of 62nd Avenue, amendments to the South St. Petersburg CRA affordable homeownership program, and the repeal of apprenticeship, disadvantaged worker, and wage ordinances due to state preemption (HB705) and a circuit court ruling. Public comment featured strong opposition to the Tampa Bay Rays/Hines development deal, calls for increased funding for the CAL program, criticism of Duke Energy, and concerns about landscape code restrictions. The council voted on several referrals and scheduling items.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda – Motion passed unanimously.
• Consent Agenda – Approved unanimously after a brief public comment from Marcus Davis (Blue Sky Communities) expressing support for a new community project at 3951 34th Street South.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rays/Hines Development Deal – Multiple speakers (Carrie Mueller, Tom Tito, Madison Rice, Warren Willingham, James Scott, Brad McCoy, Sierra Clark) urged the council to vote no, arguing the deal provides inadequate community benefits, excessive taxpayer subsidy (up to $686 million in debt), and insufficient affordable housing. Carrie Mueller referenced a Mason-Dixon poll showing public opposition. Susan McGrath spoke in support, citing Feeding Tampa Bay's endorsement and the potential for positive community initiatives.
• FY2025 Budget – William Kilgore (St. Petersburg Tenants Union) criticized a flat budget for the CAL program while police funding increased by $12 million, calling for a boost. Councilmember Gabbard echoed concern.
• Duke Energy Day – James Scott and Dylan Dames (Faith in Florida) opposed the proclamation, citing high rates, lobbying, and misalignment with the city’s climate goals.
• Landscape Code – Darla Austinson and Janine Lesman (Alliance for Sustainable Landscaping) requested the removal of a code provision requiring homeowners to hire a landscape architect to practice Florida-friendly landscaping, calling it a financial barrier and contrary to state law.
• Legal Ordinances Repeal – Union representatives Brian Nathan, Jim Janeco, Randall King, Mark Viggiano, and Teresa King urged the council not to repeal apprenticeship and wage ordinances, arguing HB705 does not explicitly preempt them and supporting an appeal of the recent court order.
• Other – Loretta Riemann shared stories of rent-burdened families and urged prioritizing housing for those earning 80% AMI or less. Abdul Karim Ali introduced NFA Tampa Bay.

Discussion Items

• F1: Mayor's FY2025 Budget Presentation – Mayor Welch and Budget Director Liz McCaffey presented a $901.5 million recommended operating budget. Key highlights include:
  • Reduction in millage rate to 6.4525 (saving $500,000+).
  • $500,000 contribution to Economic Stability Fund; increasing general fund reserve target to 14.67% (toward 16.67%).
  • Housing: $500,000 for employee and residential rehab programs; new code compliance repair program; continued eviction assistance.
  • Stormwater: additional personnel and capital projects.
  • Economic development: $300,000 in small business grants, $150,000 for Greenhouse, $100,000 for Grow Smarter.
  • Arts: $550,000 total ($50,000 increase), plus new $250,000 for Palladium, $50,000 microgrants, etc.
  • Youth and safety: continued funding for My Brother's Keeper, youth employment, literacy; new Forward Together youth crime prevention program (winner of participatory budgeting).
  • Public safety: 8 new fire paramedics, 1 lieutenant positions (county-funded).
  • Nine new city positions across departments.
  • Capital improvement budget $198.74 million for FY25; five-year plan $994.13 million.
  • Councilmember Floyd advocated for keeping millage steady to lower utility fees rather than property taxes. Councilmember Driscoll requested a committee-of-the-whole meeting to discuss budget changes; this was later scheduled.
• F3: Fire Rescue Aerial Truck Purchase – Acting Operations Chief Rick Gomalek presented a resolution to purchase a 2024 Pierce tractor-drawn aerial truck for $2,343,918, funded by a $300,000 state grant and fleet replacement fund. Early payment saved $355,408. The truck will be stationed downtown. Approved unanimously.
• F4: 62nd Avenue North Resurfacing – Engineering Director Brajesh Prayman explained a phased approach to repave 62nd Avenue from 1st Street to Bayou Grande Boulevard, accounting for ongoing projects (40th Avenue bridge, Shore Acres Rec Center, water main work). Paving to begin late July, weather permitting, taking about 2.5 weeks. Approved unanimously.
• CRA2: Affordable Single-Family Homeownership Program Amendments – Economic Development Manager George Smith presented amendments to increase rehab assistance from $45,000 to $60,000 and add a Rapid Roof Replacement pilot program (up to $20,000 for owner-occupied homes with code violations, income ≤120% AMI). The pilot is a $400,000 partnership with the Foundation for a Healthy St. Pete ($200,000 each). Approved unanimously.
• Legal: Repeal of Apprenticeship, Disadvantaged Worker, and Wage Ordinances (First Reading) – Chief Assistant City Attorney Janine Williams and City Attorney Ken McCollum explained that House Bill 705 (effective July 1, 2024) preempts local requirements on contractor hiring, wages, and apprenticeships. Additionally, a circuit court order on July 8, 2024, declared the ordinances null and void. After extensive public comment and council debate, a motion to move the ordinances to the August 8, 2024, Public Services and Infrastructure (PS&I) committee passed 7-1 (Councilmember Montanari voting no).
• New Business Items –
  • G1 (Vice Chair Gertis): Referral to PS&I for an update on the city sign code. Approved unanimously.
  • G2 (Vice Chair Gertis): Referral to BFT to review BP settlement fund expenditure requests. Approved unanimously.
  • G3 (Vice Chair Gertis): Referral to committee-of-the-whole for the Northwest Park Lighting Project. Approved unanimously.
  • G4 (Councilmember Montanari): Referral to Economic and Workforce Development Committee for an update on the ARC innovation center. Approved unanimously.
• Additional Items –
  • Time change for July 18 meeting: Moved from 1:30 PM to 11:00 AM (with break expected to resume at 1:30). Passed 5-3 (Councilmembers Floyd and Mohammed voting no).
  • Budget committee-of-the-whole scheduled for August 1, 2024, at 2:30 PM. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda and routine items approved unanimously.
• FY2025 Budget – First public hearing set for September 12, 2024; second hearing September 26. Committee-of-the-whole on August 1.
• Fire truck purchase approved (unanimous).
• 62nd Avenue repaving approved (unanimous).
• CRA housing program amendments approved (unanimous).
• Apprenticeship/wage ordinance repeal referred to PS&I committee for August 8 (7-1).
• New business referrals all approved unanimously.
• Time change for July 18 meeting approved (5-3).
• Budget committee-of-the-whole scheduled for August 1 at 2:30 PM (unanimous).