St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - August 15, 2024
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - August 15, 2024
The St. Petersburg City Council met on August 15, 2024, at 6:30 PM to discuss a range of items including public safety, infrastructure, arts funding, and housing policy. The meeting began with an invocation and pledge, followed by unanimous approval of the agenda (including a time change for the September 5 meeting to 3 PM) and the consent agenda. The council heard public testimony, received quarterly reports, approved several ordinances and resolutions, and voted on a resolution regarding tenant rights notifications in affordable housing agreements.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of the agenda, including the addition of item F10 (time change resolution for Sept 5 meeting).
- Approval of the consent agenda.
Public Comments & Testimony
- David Ramsey (50+ year resident) urged emergency and ongoing funding for the arts, comparing the arts to a critical city asset.
- Andrea Hosley (former arts educator) appealed for arts funding, emphasizing benefits for creativity, motor skills, and community aesthetics.
- Tony Armer (founder, Sunscreen Film Festival) supported the 1% for arts initiative, citing the festival's $40 million economic impact.
- John Whitner (KW Commercial) argued that arts and culture are the “magic element” driving property value increases and urged permanent funding and developer contributions for local artists.
- Christy Brunner (Vice President of Advocacy, St. Pete Chamber) highlighted the detrimental impact of state arts funding cuts ($2 million for city grants) and urged sustained or increased funding, citing Austin's $13 million Thrive program.
- Sean Kennedy (Creative Clay) noted that the nonprofit lost nearly 10% of its budget due to state cuts and requested greater city funding for arts.
- John Shaw (principal percussionist, Florida Orchestra) supported the 1% for arts proposal, stating the orchestra is the largest arts employer in the area and provided healing during the pandemic.
- Alex Kaufman (artist, MGA Sculpture Studio) expressed concern that without increased arts funding, artists will leave St. Pete for cities like Santa Fe or Asheville, and urged council to invest in the arts to retain talent.
Discussion Items
- Police Quarterly Report (F1): Chief Anthony Holloway reported that crime continues to trend downward (3% three-year average). Homicides are at 10 year-to-date, all closed with arrests. The CALL program now handles 90% of calls without law enforcement, and a new $1 million grant will fund “life coaches” for youth. The department also received a $450,000 NFL grant for juvenile specialists. Council members asked about the PATH team, enforcement of sleeping in public, and the Eagle Eye camera program.
- Sanitation and Utility Rate Changes (E1 A,B,C): First reading of ordinances to adjust sanitation rates, stormwater utility fees, and water/wastewater charges. Passed unanimously.
- Police Officers Retirement System (E2): Ordinance amending service requirements for disability benefits. Passed unanimously.
- Right-of-Way Vacation (E3): Ordinance approving vacation of two partial rights of way on Third Avenue South. Passed unanimously.
- 40th Avenue Bridge Project (F2, F7, F8): Engineering director Rajesh Preyman presented the construction contract (Coon & Graham), construction engineering inspection (Lochner), and post-design services (Kissinger Campo) for replacing the 1957 Sonovoid bridge. The bridge is functionally obsolete. Construction is expected to begin winter 2024 with a single-phase closure and detour. Councilmember Montaneri asked about driveway access, utility impacts, and navigation closures. Items passed unanimously.
- Stormwater Master Plan (F3): Resolution adopting the updated plan. Passed unanimously.
- Local Mitigation Strategy (F4): Resolution adopting the 2023-2024 Pinellas County LMS and PPI annual update. Floodplain manager Hannah Rebholz noted the city is working toward a Class 4 CRS rating, with a site visit audit on August 22. Councilmember Gabbard discussed the importance of maintaining CRS compliance and the new mobile permitting program for post-storm response. Passed unanimously.
- Safe Streets Grant (F5): Resolution accepting a $125,000 USDOT grant for a Complete Streets Implementation Plan update, with a $150,000 city match. Transportation manager Cheryl Stax explained the plan will update the high injury network, incorporate equity criteria, and include a traffic safety plan. Passed unanimously.
- Code Compliance Assistance Program (F6): Resolution establishing a new program to help homeowners with code violations related to driveway disrepair, accessory structure disrepair, and hazardous tree removal, with up to $5,000 per property (possible $7,500 with approval). Eligibility: homestead property, owner at or below 100% AMI, no other properties. Passed unanimously.
- Greenwood Town Homes Plat (F9): Resolution approving the final plat for seven townhomes at 2203 16th Street North. Deputy zoning official Scott Boyer explained that a median on Greenwood Avenue North will be modified to accommodate emergency vehicle access. Councilmember Hanowitz raised concerns about the impact on the neighborhood's historic granite curbs and the lack of flexibility in the code. Councilmember Gurtis noted he pulled the item to ensure due diligence. The developer, Trevor Burgess, was present. Passed unanimously.
- Time Change for Sept 5 Meeting (F10): Resolution to move the start time to 3 PM. Passed unanimously.
- Arts Ordinance Referral (G1): Councilmember Floyd requested a referral to the Budget, Finance, and Taxation Committee to discuss revisions to the arts and public places ordinance, including increasing funding for public art, addressing maintenance, allowing developers to both contribute to the art fund and create art, and expanding geographic requirements. Councilmember Driscoll added interest in prioritizing local artists. Passed unanimously.
- Notice of Rights in Affordable Housing Agreements (H1): Resolution from the HLUT Committee requesting city administration to negotiate inclusion of a notice of rights for tenants in affordable housing agreements and report back. Councilmember Floyd emphasized it is non-regulatory and voluntary. Councilmember Montaneri opposed, arguing it is an end-run around state preemption. Councilmember Driscoll noted the resolution explicitly states it is not requiring inclusion. Passed 7-1, with Montaneri voting no.
- Public Hearings (J1-J4): Confirming preliminary assessments for lock clearing. Passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Votes: All items passed unanimously except H1 (7-1) and items where councilmembers were absent (Montaneri absent for initial agenda and consent; Driscoll absent for F2/F7/F8 vote; Gurtis absent for J1-J4).
- Directives: Administration to negotiate notice of rights language in affordable housing agreements and report back (per H1). The arts ordinance will be discussed in committee after referral.
- Next Steps: The September 5 council meeting will start at 3 PM. The final plat for Greenwood Town Homes will be recorded. The Complete Streets Implementation Plan update will proceed with consultant selection. The CRS audit for Class 4 rating is scheduled for August 22.
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 Gurdis. District 2, Brandy Gabbert. District 3, Ed Montaneri. District 4, Lesette 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 would now call to order our August 15th, 2024, City Council meeting, beginning with the roll call, please. Lloyd. Gurtis. Here. Gabbard. Montaneri. Hannawitz. Here. Fixanders. Driscoll. Mohammed. Here. Thank you. Today we are blessed to have our invocation given by the elder Dr. G. Greg Murray, who is the pastor of Mount Zion Primitive Baptist Church. Following that, we will have our Pledge of Allegiance. So will everyone join me in standing. Let us pray. Dear God, I come to you this afternoon with a humble heart and a righteous determination. Thank you, dear God, for one more day. Well, I'm asking you for your divine direction for my life. I'm asking you for those who seek out your love and your light that you unite us all under the umbrella of your divine will and under your blessed hope for all of us. I humbly ask your blessings over our honorable mayor, my brother and my friend Ken Welch and his leadership. I humbly ask your blessings for our City Council's chair, my sister and my friend Deborah Fake Sanders and her leadership. God, we humbly ask your blessings and your guidance over this city council and the work they do for the residents of St. Petersburg. I humbly ask your blessings over this city and all of its residents. I pray for every faith leader throughout our city, every synagogue, every mosque, and every church. Please, dear God, guide us through these turbulent times. Guide us toward even greater economic development and opportunities for everyone. Show us the way to even more affordable housing, strengthen our local businesses, and lead us toward an even healthier St. Pete. Protect our youth and our seniors and everyone in between. God bless the work that will be done here today. Empower us to be all that you have created us to be. It is in the name of Jesus that I pray. Amen.
openpublica.com