St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - November 7, 2024

The St. Petersburg City Council met on November 7, 2024, at 6:45 PM UTC (afternoon local time). The meeting included the approval of a consent agenda, a Veterans Day proclamation, public comments, multiple ordinances, reports on crime, hurricane recovery, infrastructure repairs, and personnel appointments. Several key votes were taken, and extensive discussions were held on pension benefits for retired firefighters, storm damage recovery, and community programs.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously (Councilmember Mohammed absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Therese Hilliard (Edge Moore neighborhood resident of 56 years) spoke about potential use of Purrier Park as a debris management site, expressing concerns about hydrogen sulfide gas effects on health and environment. She was cut off at three minutes. Mayor Welch clarified that Purrier Park will not be used as a DMS site.
• Princess Brown (St. Petersburg College student) presented her senior capstone project on affordable housing tenancy turnover rates and a code of conduct she created for Tampa Bay Neighborhood Housing Services. Councilmembers thanked her.

Discussion Items

D1: Veterans Day Proclamation & Honored Veteran Award

• Mayor Welch and Councilmember Gabbard presented a proclamation to Captain Mitch Lee (U.S. Army veteran, West Point graduate, retired Raytheon executive). Lee has contributed over 10,000 volunteer hours and chairs the Florida Honor Ride (5,000 cyclists). The proclamation declared November 11, 2024 as Veterans Day in St. Petersburg.

E1: FY24-25 Budget Reconciliation Ordinance (First Reading)

• Budget Director Elizabeth Meccoughs presented the ordinance. Public hearing set for November 21, 2024. Approved unanimously.

E2: Supplemental Firefighters Retirement System COLA (First Reading)

• HR Director Chris Guell proposed a permanent 1% annual COLA for pre-October 1, 2008 retirees (149 members), at an estimated cost of $479,000 per year. Previously, ad hoc COLAs were given (seven times since 1998). Extensive council discussion centered on:
  • Equity vs. precedent and impact on future collective bargaining.
  • The group is not union-represented; other pension groups have no similar split.
  • Funding ratio improved from 94.94% to 111-112% but concerns about long-term liability.
• Motion to approve passed unanimously, with final vote scheduled for November 21.

F1: Police Department Quarterly Report (July-September 2024)

• Chief Anthony Holloway reported:
  • Crime down 4.8% (5-year trend down 7.1%).
  • Homicides: 13 this quarter (up from 10 last year), all cleared with arrests.
  • 68 guns removed from streets; 25 guns taken from cars (trending down).
  • New federal reporting system (NIBRS) will show higher numbers for comparison.
  • CALM program (non-police crisis response) at 96% success, zero injuries.
  • Eagle Eye camera program: 813 registrations.
• Council discussed park walk-and-talk coverage and canal debris issues.

F2 & F9: Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation Presentation and Funding

• Bridget Heller (volunteer CEO) presented the foundation's literacy programs:
  • Serves 83% from South St. Pete zip codes; 235 scholars annually.
  • Master Kids program: from 27% reading at grade level to 70% in 12 months.
  • High School Master Plan program: average GPA 3.4.
  • Requested $250,000 from city to expand to a third site at Gibbs High School (opens January 13, 2025).
• Councilmember Hanowitz recused herself (volunteer board member). After presentation, motion to approve F9 (funding) passed unanimously (Hanowitz recused, Mohammed absent).

F4, F5, F6: GMP Approvals for Storm Repairs

• Engineering Director Brajesh Prajapati presented three projects:
  • Fifth Avenue North Seawall: 310 linear feet failure, $3.5 million (TIF funds). Permanent steel sheet pile, 75-year service life.
  • Bear Creek Canal: wall rotation due to oversaturated soils.
  • Eden Isle Culvert: wall failure from hydraulic restriction.
• All three GMPs approved unanimously. FEMA reimbursement expected.

F7: Hurricane Helene & Milton Recovery Update

• Multiple presentations:
  • Debris Operations (Mike Jeffries): 655,000 cubic yards removed; 80+ trucks active; new DMS site at Toy Town (northeast quadrant). Target completion January 11, 2025.
  • Tree Damage: 100 trees lost on waterfront, 600 at Boyd Hill, totals across parks.
  • Housing Assistance (Amy Foster): State non-congregate shelter program active; hotels with kitchenettes; case management; no trailers in flood hazard areas.
  • Crane Site (James Corbett): Crane removal completed; building B needs shoring; road repairs pending; developer responsible for all costs and fines ($1,500/day for lane closures).
  • Pier & Facilities: Playground reopened; 40 trees lost; net gain of 500 trees from pier project.
• Council discussed canal drainage, street sweeping schedules, and damage assessment process (60-day FEMA scoping).

F3: Appointment of Janie Omen as City Council Administrative Officer

• Mayor Welch recommended Janie Omen (former legislative aide, 7 years with city). Councilmembers praised her professionalism, trustworthiness, and dedication. Appointment effective January 4, 2025. Approved unanimously.

G1: Referral on Minimum Requirements for New Construction in Floodplain

• Councilmember Hanowitz requested a referral to HLUT committee to discuss minimum elevation and floodproofing standards. Approved unanimously.

G2: Referral on Tropicana Field Damage Report

• Councilmember Gabbard requested a report for November 21, 2024 meeting on storm damage costs at Tropicana Field. Administration expects a report from the developer tomorrow. Approved unanimously.

J2: Ordinance Amending City Code on Right-of-Way (Second Reading)

• Ordinance 596H removes subsection D to comply with state law. Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Approved unanimously: Consent agenda, E1, E2 (first reading), F1 (received), F9, F4-6, F8A/B, F3, G1, G2, J2.
• Directives: Administration to provide written tree damage inventory, continue debris pickup enforcement, schedule HLUT discussion on mid-term housing programs, and share Tropicana Field damage report upon receipt.
• Next Steps: Final vote on E2 on November 21; public hearing for E1 on November 21; recovery resource meeting on November 13; hurricane recovery sessions on November 8 and 13.
• Fines: Developer of 400 Central site faces $1,500/day for delayed lane reopening (expected to miss November 8 deadline).