St. Petersburg City Council Meeting Summary: July 18, 2024

The St. Petersburg City Council convened at 16:00 UTC (noon local) on July 18, 2024, in a historic session to consider and ultimately approve the landmark Historic Gas Plant redevelopment and new stadium project. The meeting included public comment, presentations from city staff, the Mayor, the Rays owner, and community leaders, followed by a series of votes on agreements, ordinances, and financing resolutions. After extensive deliberation and a 30-minute recess, the council approved the package by a 5-3 vote, with Councilmembers Floyd, Hanowitz, and Mohammed voting in opposition.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda was approved unanimously.
• The consent agenda, with the addition of CV6, was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Peter Kent (retired engineer, resident) opposed, claiming the deal would drain $1.6 billion from the city and $600 million from Pinellas County, describing it as a "reverse socialist deal" and urging a no vote.
• Robin Davidoff (League of Women Voters) opposed, citing Florida Tax Watch's findings of uncertain public benefits and the need for clawback provisions. She referenced a Mason-Dixon poll showing 83% of voters want the Rays to share revenues to offset subsidies.
• Ash Alonzo (resident) opposed, arguing $417 million in taxpayer money could fund free school lunches for 1,588 years, and that the deal exploits the community.
• Mary Katock (Church of the Creator minister) offered prayers and quoted state ethics statutes.
• Bradley McCoy (resident, District 5) called for the resignation of Council Chair Fix Sanders, citing integrity and transparency concerns.
• David Harbner (Sierra Club) requested adding "and implement" to sustainability language in the redevelopment agreement.
• Tom Tito (resident) opposed, questioning the financial structure and lack of guaranteed benefits.
• Chris Steinaker (St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce) supported, calling the plan a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
• Paul Carter (resident) supported, praising the process.
• Trenia L. Cox (NAACP) supported, highlighting the need to deliver on promises to the Black community.
• Aretha Pope (NAACP Economic Development Chair) supported, citing the economic potential.
• Terry Lipsy Scott (Woodson Museum Executive Director) supported, referencing her 1986 shovel and the museum's inclusion.
• Jason Mathis (St. Pete Downtown Partnership) supported, emphasizing the project's transformative potential.
• Pete Boland (resident) supported, saying "my money's on St. Pete."
• Mike McGrath (Sierra Club) opposed, calling the agreements a "missed opportunity" to secure strong sustainability commitments.
• Esther Matthews (St. Pete NAACP President) supported, reaffirming the NAACP's unanimous endorsement.
• William Van Orman (resident) supported, drawing comparisons to Wrigleyville.
• Teresa Jones (former city employee, Rays box office) supported, recalling unkept promises from the past and praising the $50 million intentional equity.
• Dylan Dames (Faith in Florida) opposed, objecting to the land sale below fair value and lack of transparency.
• Mike Sweezy (St. Pete Economic Development Corp) supported, calling the project the largest in the region's history.
• Christy Bruner (St. Pete Chamber) supported, focusing on opportunities for youth.
• Clayton Brody (resident) supported, citing job creation and the Woodson Museum.
• Matt Lettler (resident) supported, sharing personal history and asking to "keep the team."
• Sarah Jane Vatilo (architect) opposed, stating the deal is "lopsided" and that there is "no requirement on performance."
• Robin Miller (Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber) supported, citing bed tax benefits.
• Melissa Rutland (resident) supported, having been part of the DRC.
• Jabbar Edmund (resident) opposed, citing lack of accountability and unknown financials of the new entities.
• Miranda Floyd (public school teacher) opposed, saying the deal sends a message that "you care more about propping up a billionaire's corporation."
• Frank Peterman Jr. (former public official) supported, emphasizing the project's importance for South St. Pete.
• Jeremy Tolberg (resident) opposed, calling the deal "theft of financial security" and "an absolute and embarrassing lie."
• Andrew Mordecai Walker (gas plant descendant) supported, calling it "the best chance to honor the folks that were displaced."
• Frank Carrillo (resident) opposed, questioning why there was no referendum.

Discussion Items

• Budget & Millage Rate (Item F1): Budget Director Liz Fakehoff presented the proposed FY25 millage rate of 6.4525 mills, a slight reduction from last year, which would generate $218.4 million in ad valorem revenue. Councilmembers Floyd and Mohammed opposed, citing regressive impacts, while others supported the reduction. The item passed 6-2.
• Time Limits: Council debated waiving the standard time limits, ultimately granting 10 minutes per council member for the main item.
• Historic Gas Plant Overview: City Development Administrator James Corbett outlined the project: 8 million sq ft of mixed-use development, 1,250 affordable/workforce housing units, $50 million intentional equity, and a 30-year term. Mayor Ken Welch, Rays owner Stu Sternberg, and Gwendolyn Reese (African American Heritage Association) spoke in support.
• CRA Items (CRA2A/B): The council, as CRA, approved the interlocal agreement and IRP amendments to extend the TIFF through 2042, add $212.5 million for the stadium and $130 million for infrastructure. Councilmembers Floyd, Hanowitz, and Mohammed opposed.
• F3 Resolution: After adding "and implement" to two sustainability sections (unanimous), the council approved the 12-agreement package 5-3. Councilmember Hanowitz detailed fiscal concerns; Councilmembers Floyd and Mohammed expressed opposition; others voiced strong support.
• Ordinance J1 & J2: Second readings of the IRP amendment and development agreement were approved 5-3, with the same no votes.
• CRA3: As CRA, the council approved the consistency resolution 5-3.
• Bond Resolutions (F4-F5): Authorized non-ad valorem revenue bonds: up to $77M (2024A) and $214.5M (2024B) for the stadium, and up to $140M (2024C) for infrastructure. Both passed 5-3.
• Owner's Representative (F6): Approved Skanska USA Building Inc. as owner's representative for $250,000 initial authorization, passing 5-3.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the Historic Gas Plant redevelopment and stadium package, including the 12 agreements, by a 5-3 vote on July 18, 2024. Approval included amendments to incorporate "and implement" into sustainability sections.
• Set FY25 proposed millage rate at 6.4525 mills and scheduled public hearings for September 12 and 26, 2024 (passed 6-2).
• Extended the TIFF for city contributions to 2042 and added new eligible projects (passed as CRA, 5-3).
• Authorized bond issuances for the stadium and infrastructure, up to $77M, $214.5M, and $140M respectively (all passed 5-3).
• Selected Skanska as city's owner's representative for the stadium project (passed 5-3).

Dissenting Councilmembers: Floyd, Hanowitz, and Mohammed voted no on all major approvals, citing fiscal risks, lack of enforceable commitments, and concerns over the public subsidy.

Next Steps: The project moves to the Pinellas County Commission for approval later this month; any substantive changes would return to City Council. Staff will manage contracts and permitting, with a budget workshop scheduled for August 1, 2024.