OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - November 21, 2024

City Council — Thursday, November 21, 2024
BodySt Petersburg, Florida
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, November 21, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:04

Welcome to the City of St.

0:06

Petersburg City Council meeting.

0:09

Your elected officials are Mayor Ken Welch.

0:13

District 1 and Council Vice Chair, Hopley Gurtis.

0:18

District 2, Brandy Gabbard.

0:22

District 4, Lisseth Hanowitz.

0:26

District 5 and Council Chair, Deborah Fake Sanders.

0:31

District 6, Gina Driscoll.

0:35

District 7, John Mohammed.

0:39

And District 8, Richie Floyd.

0:49

Good afternoon, everyone.

0:50

We'll recall the order the November 21st, 2024, City Council meeting beginning with the roll call.

0:57

Hannawitz.

0:58

Here.

0:59

Here.

0:59

Driscoll.

1:00

Here.

1:00

Mohammed.

1:00

Here.

1:01

Floyd.

1:01

Here.

1:02

Curtis.

1:02

Here.

1:03

And Gabbard.

1:04

Here.

1:04

Thank you.

1:06

As we get started, I'm going to ask Pastor Dr.

1:10

Carolyn Rubaker, who is the pastor of Positive Impact to please come forward.

1:15

And we're going to have the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:18

Can you please stand with me?

1:21

First of all, I want to say it is my honor.

1:27

It is my honor to stand before our city council at all the great men and women of our city to pray today.

1:36

Father, I thank you.

1:39

That you are El Shadai.

1:41

The God that is more than enough.

1:44

I thank you, God, that you open doors that no man can open.

1:48

You make away where there seems to be none.

1:51

So Father, I ask that you go before each one of us, Scott.

1:56

Lead us, guide us, and direct us.

1:58

And Father anoint our city council to make the decision that you would have for them to make.

2:06

May we follow your prayer.

2:09

Our father, which art in heaven.

2:12

Hallow it be thy name.

2:18

As it is in heaven.

2:20

Give us this day.

2:21

Our daily bread.

2:23

Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors and lead us not into temptation.

2:30

But deliver us for April.

2:32

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever.

2:38

Amen.

2:40

Thank you.

2:43

I pledge the flag of the United States.

2:48

And to the Republic for which it stands.

2:51

One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

2:59

Thank you, Pastor Brewbreaker, for that.

3:02

You actually had some participation in that prayer, which is what we need right now, is collaboration and unity and prayer.

3:10

So thank you so much for that.

3:12

Council members, I have an agenda before us with the addition of F6, a resolution acknowledging the 2024 general election results.

3:21

New changes out and chain of motion.

3:24

Second.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Stadium Management█████████████████████████████████33%
Procedural███████████████████19%
Water And Wastewater Management████████8%
Public Engagement██████6%
Legal Matters██████6%
Personnel Matters█████5%
Budget Equity Analysis████4%
Fiscal Sustainability████4%
Historic Preservation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - November 21, 2024

The St. Petersburg City Council met on November 21, 2024, addressing a wide range of items including Tropicana Field repairs, stadium bond financing, historic district designation, and post-hurricane recovery. The meeting featured extensive public comment and several key votes, notably the deferral of stadium bonds and the reconsideration of roof repair funding.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the consent agenda, including routine items, unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Bob Grenling (resident) urged council to delay the vote on stadium bonds, questioning the value of taxpayer money and whether the Rays would still get land if the stadium is not built.
  • Will Conroy (Mirror Lake resident) opposed the Mirror Lake Historic District, citing concerns over third-party designation process and lack of property owner consent.
  • Peter Kent (retired city engineer) gave four reasons to reject or postpone stadium bond resolutions and roof repair, citing the Rays' November 19 letter, unknown costs, and lack of specifications.
  • Jeremy Tolberg (resident) applauded the county commission's stance and criticized the Rays' behavior, calling the stadium deal a misuse of funds.
  • Matt Widener (resident, homeless due to hurricane) opposed the Mirror Lake Historic District and argued the city should focus on permit and inspection issues for storm recovery.
  • Ron Diner (resident, affordable housing advocate) opposed bond approval without confirmation that the Rays can meet cost overrun guarantees.
  • Chris Steinacher (Chamber of Commerce) delivered a positive report on the local economy, noting 60 ribbon cuttings and entrepreneurial activity.
  • Terry Hamrick (resident) requested financial spreadsheets for the gas plant redevelopment and opposed stadium bond expenditures without a solid deal.
  • Susan Evans (resident) expressed sadness over the planned stadium rectangle, urging a different design.
  • Esther Matthews (NAACP president) urged the city to repair Tropicana Field as landlord, with an equity lens and minority-owned business participation.
  • William Herman (Preserve the Burg) supported moving the Mirror Lake Historic District forward to a proper public hearing.
  • William Kilgore (St. Pete Tenants Union) urged delay on stadium repairs due to uncertainty over FEMA and insurance.
  • Carrie Mueller (resident) opposed stadium repairs, arguing the city should prioritize infrastructure for residents over a stadium that may be demolished.
  • Michelle Dyson (Tropicana Field concessions worker) spoke emotionally about the human impact, asking council to work together to keep the Rays.
  • Pete Bolin (business owner) urged approval of bonds, stating the city must honor its commitments.
  • Michael McGrath (Sierra Club) called for delay to ensure stadium and district projects meet climate resilience standards.
  • Tom Rask (citizen reporter) asked legal whether the Rays' letter constitutes anticipatory repudiation.
  • Andy Oliver (pastor) reported a police response failure regarding threats to his congregation, calling for change in policing procedures.

Discussion Items

  • E1 - Mirror Lake Local Historic District (First Reading): Ordinance to designate the district passed 4-3 (Driscoll, Fix Sanders, Floyd, Mohammed yes; Gabbard, Gerdes, Hanowitz no). Public hearing set for December 12, 2024.
  • I1 - Litigation Settlement (Florida Gulf Coast Trade Association): Approved unanimously to pay $215,000 in attorney fees, a reduction from over $250,000.
  • I2 - Lawsuit Settlement (Walter Reed vs. City): Approved unanimously for $46,000 settlement for injuries from a pothole.
  • F4 - Arts Grants Report: Approved unanimously; arts advisory committee funded 37 organizations (most ever) with over $500,000 in operational support.
  • F1 - Tampa Bay Water Update: General Manager Chuck Carden presented; reservoir filled after drought; PFAS compliance and new supply projects discussed.
  • F6 - Election Results Resolution: Approved unanimously, acknowledging results for Districts 1, 3, 5, 7.
  • F2/F5 - Tropicana Field Damage and Roof Repair:
    • City Architect Raul Quintana reported damage estimated at $55.7+ million, including $23.726 million for a new roof. Hennessy/AECOM Hunt assessed structural integrity.
    • F5A&B initially approved 4-3 (Driscoll, Fix Sanders, Gabbard, Gerdes yes; Floyd, Hanowitz, Mohammed no).
    • After new information (Rays' letter and statements), Council reconsidered F5 and the motion to approve failed unanimously, effectively rejecting the roof repair funding.
  • F3 - Stadium Bond Series (2024 A, B, C): After debate, the item was deferred to no later than January 9, 2025, on a 5-2 vote (Driscoll, Fix Sanders, Floyd, Hanowitz, Mohammed yes; Gabbard, Gerdes no). Mayor Welch stated he would not bring back higher city contributions.
  • CRA2 - Development Approval: Approved unanimously for a 13-story mixed-use building at First Avenue South and 17th Street South.
  • G1 - Post-Storm Housing Referral: Approved unanimously to refer discussion on housing recovery programs to the December 5, 2024 Housing, Land Use, and Transportation Committee.
  • J1 - Year-End Appropriation Adjustments: Approved unanimously.
  • J2 - Firefighter COLA Ordinance: After debate, no motion was made; the ordinance died.
  • J3 - Seagrass Mitigation Bank Extension: Approved unanimously to extend the conservation easement deadline.

Key Outcomes

  • F5 Roof Repair Rejected: After reconsideration, the motion to approve the design-build agreement with Hennessy for roof repair failed unanimously. Administration will pursue alternative approach within the 90-day contractual window.
  • F3 Stadium Bonds Deferred: Deferred to January 9, 2025 City Council meeting (5-2). Mayor committed to not increase city contribution beyond the July 2024 agreement.
  • J2 Firefighter COLA Dies: No motion was made; the ordinance failed, but administration may explore ad hoc COLA options or bring revised proposals.
  • Mirror Lake Historic District: Passed first reading 4-3; public hearing December 12.
  • Tampa Bay Water Update: New supply projects in design phase; PFAS compliance by 2029.
  • Public Safety Concern: Pastor Andy Oliver reported police failure to respond to threats; council noted the issue.

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, Hopley Gurtis. District 2, Brandy Gabbard. District 4, Lisseth 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'll recall the order the November 21st, 2024, City Council meeting beginning with the roll call. Hannawitz. Here. Here. Driscoll. Here. Mohammed. Here. Floyd. Here. Curtis. Here. And Gabbard. Here. Thank you. As we get started, I'm going to ask Pastor Dr. Carolyn Rubaker, who is the pastor of Positive Impact to please come forward. And we're going to have the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Can you please stand with me? First of all, I want to say it is my honor. It is my honor to stand before our city council at all the great men and women of our city to pray today. Father, I thank you. That you are El Shadai. The God that is more than enough. I thank you, God, that you open doors that no man can open. You make away where there seems to be none. So Father, I ask that you go before each one of us, Scott. Lead us, guide us, and direct us. And Father anoint our city council to make the decision that you would have for them to make. May we follow your prayer. Our father, which art in heaven. Hallow it be thy name. As it is in heaven. Give us this day. Our daily bread. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors and lead us not into temptation. But deliver us for April. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen.

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