St. Petersburg City Council 2025 Swearing-In and Organizational Meeting - January 2, 2025
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St. Petersburg City Council 2025 Swearing-In and Organizational Meeting - January 2, 2025
The St. Petersburg City Council held its annual swearing-in ceremony and organizational meeting on January 2, 2025, at 4:15 PM, to swear in new and returning council members, elect council leadership, and recognize outgoing members and staff. The meeting began with an invocation by Bishop Emeritus Robert Lynch, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and remarks from Mayor Ken Welch.
Swearing-In Ceremony
- Judge Pamela Campbell administered the oath of office to the following council members:
- District 1: Copley Gertis (re-elected)
- District 3: Mike Harding (newly elected)
- District 5: Deborah Fix Sanders (re-elected)
- District 7: Corey Givens (newly elected)
Recognition of Outgoing Members and Staff
- Outgoing Council Member John Mohammed (District 7): Mayor Welch presented him with a Distinguished Service Award. Council members praised his integrity, willingness to serve, and community advocacy. Council Member Mohammed passed a baton to incoming Council Member Corey Givens, symbolizing the transfer of community trust and the hopes of District 7.
- Cindy Shepard, City Council Administrative Officer, was honored for her decades of service and leadership. Council members credited her with guiding the council through challenging times, including the 2024 hurricane season. Shepard announced her retirement, effective after the meeting.
Election of City Council Chair and Vice Chair
- The council unanimously elected Copley Gertis as Chair and Council Member Hanowitz as Vice Chair for 2025. Both were sworn into their leadership roles immediately after the vote.
Remarks from New and Returning Council Members
- Incoming Council Member Corey Givens delivered a speech reflecting on his family history in the historic Gas Plant District, his mother’s sacrifice, and his commitment to serving all of St. Petersburg. He emphasized unity and hope.
- Incoming Council Member Mike Harding thanked his family and acknowledged the weight of responsibility in representing over 300,000 residents.
- Outgoing Chair Deborah Fix Sanders thanked her colleagues and the public, noting the challenges of 2024 (including Hurricanes Helene and Milton) and her gratitude for the council’s collaboration.
- New Chair Copley Gertis thanked his wife, Cecily, and his family, and expressed optimism for the year ahead.
Key Outcomes
- Council Members Copley Gertis (District 1), Mike Harding (District 3), Deborah Fix Sanders (District 5), and Corey Givens (District 7) were sworn into office for the 2025 term.
- Copley Gertis was elected Chair and Council Member Hanowitz was elected Vice Chair of the City Council.
- Cindy Shepard retired as City Council Administrative Officer; Janie was named her successor.
- The meeting adjourned at the conclusion of the ceremony, with the council set to resume regular business at future meetings.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning. Happy New Year. This is such a beautiful sight to see you and to be seen. Welcome to the city of St. Petersburg's 2025 swearing in ceremony. Welcome. And before we get started being in a place of policy in in protocol, we do have some elected officials that are here today that I would like to acknowledge. And if I miss anyone, so I'm gonna ask you to please stand. And who I have listed is the honorable Charlie Gertis. Where are you, honorable Charlie Gertis, former city council member? Probably talking to somebody. Is he outside somewhere talking? Probably in your office. Then we have Representative Lindsay Cross. Pinellist County Commissioner, Brian Scott. The honorable Ed Motonier couldn't stay away, could you? The honorable Leslie Waters. Representative Bernie Jacques. Did I miss anyone? I did good. Oh, there's Charlie Gertis. He was outside talking. He's getting my mother in law. So with that being said, again, I want to welcome you to today's swearing in. And this is where we transition out with the old and in with the new. And we're looking so excited for all of the new accomplishments that we have yet to get done for the beautiful city of St. Petersburg. And we're gonna go ahead and start, and I'm gonna ask the council members that we're gonna go down at a time, and we're going to do council member uh Copley Gertis for District One first. And joining us is Judge Pamela Campbell, who will be administrating the oath of office. Councilmember Gertis. No. Can we get it a little higher? A little bit higher. There you go. Okay, raise your right hand. Hi, Copley Gurtis. Do solemnly swear. Do solemnly swear or infirm. That I am a citizen of the city of St. Petersburg. That I am a citizen of the city of St. Petersburg. The state of Florida. The state of Florida. And the United States of America. And the United States of America. And as an officer of the City of St. Petersburg. That as an officer of the City of St. Petersburg.
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