OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

St. Petersburg City Council Meeting Summary: January 9, 2025

City Council — Thursday, January 9, 2025
BodySt Petersburg, Florida
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, January 9, 2025
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 Chair Copley Gurtis.

0:18

District 2, Brandy Gabbert.

0:22

District 3, Mike Harding.

0:25

District 4.

0:26

And Council Vice Chair, Leseth Hanowitz.

0:30

District 5, Deborah Fake Sanders.

0:33

District 6, Gina Driscoll.

0:36

District 7, Corey Givens Jr.

0:40

And District 8, Richie Floyd.

0:48

Good afternoon.

0:49

Welcome to the January 9th, 2025 City Council meeting.

0:54

Let's start with the roll call, please.

0:55

Curtis.

0:56

Here.

0:57

Here.

0:58

Harding.

0:58

Eric Hanowitz.

0:59

Here.

1:00

Sanders.

1:00

Driscoll.

1:01

Here.

1:02

Here.

1:03

Here.

1:04

Okay.

1:04

We will have our invocation given today by Reverend JC Pritchett the second, followed by a moment of silence to honor our fallen officers as well as a moment of silence.

1:15

For former President Jimmy Carter, and then please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:20

Please join me in standing.

1:24

Let's pray.

1:26

In this new year, we are grateful for the opportunity to see new things.

1:32

Remove scales of tradition and complacency from our eyes that we may see new ways to work together to serve your people.

1:38

Council, administration, staff, and first responders throughout the city.

1:42

They represent the best gift, talent, and skills in public service.

1:46

Let our diversity of backgrounds, views, and experiences be used to magnify what we can accomplish together.

1:52

With present and unknown challenges before us, remind us of the accessibility of you, something bigger, our creator to guide us and lead us.

2:03

Thank you for using us for these tremendous life-changing opportunities.

2:07

Is our prayer.

2:08

Amen.

2:09

Amen.

2:10

Please join me in a moment of silence.

2:13

Sergeant Thomas Batinger.

2:15

End of watch, January 24th, 2011.

2:24

Canine TAC Team Officer Jeffrey A.

2:28

Yaswitz.

2:29

End of watch, January 24th, 2011.

2:38

President Jimmy Carter, December 29th, 2024.

2:49

Thank you.

2:52

I pledge a little bit.

2:57

And to the Republic for which it stands.

2:59

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

3:05

Thank you.

3:06

Please be seated.

3:08

Rev, thank you for being here.

3:12

Okay, council members.

3:13

We have an agenda in front of us.

3:15

I'll entertain a motion for approval.

3:17

Approval.

3:17

Second.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████████████31%
Coastal Development█████████████████████████25%
Water And Wastewater Management█████████9%
Healthcare██████6%
Transportation Safety██████6%
Community Engagement█████5%
Aviation Infrastructure████4%
Public Health███3%
Technology and Innovation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

St. Petersburg City Council Meeting Summary: January 9, 2025

The St. Petersburg City Council met on January 9, 2025, to approve the consent agenda and new ordinances, receive annual updates from Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital and PSTA, address hurricane recovery and flooding repairs, and approve new business referrals. The meeting began with an invocation, a moment of silence for fallen officers and former President Jimmy Carter, and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Calendar

  • The Council unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda.
  • New Ordinances (E1-E4): Unanimous approvals were granted for the vacation of alleys (E1, E2), designation of a local historic landmark at 6354 Emerson Avenue South (E3), and a zoning map amendment for 1847 First Avenue North (E4).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Open Forum:
    • Walt Dreggers (1 Beach Drive SE) expressed support for approving the cleanup and repairs of hangars at Albert Whitted Airport (Item F3).
    • Fietrice Farrell (Director of Digital Inclusion) announced a "Gadget for Good" electronics recycling drive. Councilmembers Driscoll and Gibbons expressed full support for digital inclusion efforts, with Driscoll highlighting a newly secured $6.9 million federal NTIA grant for the city.
  • Public Comment on Albert Whitted Airport (Item F3):
    • Liam Hawkins (26 21st Avenue North) strongly criticized the lack of cleanup 91 days after the storm, reporting 32 hangars destroyed, 10 aircraft destroyed, ongoing safety hazards, and a beam that nearly struck a person. He expressed concern that the Grand Prix setup would further restrict airport access.

Discussion Items & Reports

  • Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital Annual Update (John Moore): The presentation detailed improved quality metrics, including a 41% reduction in RN vacancies, over 600 nurses hired since 2020, the Leapfrog safety score moving from D to B, and construction of the Institute Square. Moore reported on lessons from the 2024 hurricanes, including a partnership with the city to secure water and fuel, leading to the installation of wells for future resilience. Councilmembers unanimously praised the hospital's leadership, community partnerships, and ongoing investment in the city.
  • Sunrunner Enhanced Frequency (Evan Morey/PSTA): Staff requested approval to enhance Friday and Saturday night service from 30-minute to 15-minute frequency for $75,000 from the parking fund. Councilmembers expressed strong appreciation for PSTA's responsiveness during the year (hurricanes, Cross Bay Ferry, fire emergencies). PSTA Director Abhishek Dayal was recognized for his partnership as he departs for Broward County. The resolution was approved unanimously.
  • Lake Vista Recreation Center Water Intrusion (Brajesh Prehman/Claude Tankerslee): Staff presented a plan for repairs following flooding from Hurricane Milton's 1,000-year rain event. Councilmembers Gabbard and Floyd raised questions about future mitigation strategies given the potential for more extreme weather events. The project, targeting a March completion, was approved unanimously.
  • Albert Whitted Airport Repairs and Funding (F3A & F3B): The Council unanimously approved $750,000 from the BPF fund for storm debris cleanup and demolition. Staff explained that the delay was due to the scope and the need for proper FEMA documentation, and work will proceed immediately to clear the airport ahead of the Grand Prix.
  • Dry Flood Proofing and Deployable Flood Wall (F4 & F6): The Council unanimously approved a $1.15 million contract increase for coatings to dry flood-proof water plants (F4) and a $618,000 purchase of a deployable Aqua Fence barrier for Lift Station 85 (F6). The aqua fence will protect critical downtown wastewater infrastructure worth over $26 million.

Key Outcomes & Referrals

  • G1 (Affordable Housing Referral): Referred to the HLUT Committee to discuss affordable housing and mixed-use in CRT-1/2 zoning and Live Local Act updates. Approved unanimously.
  • G2 (Hurricane Expense Update): Referred to the BFT Committee for a comprehensive update on hurricane-related expenses at the January 23, 2025 meeting. Approved unanimously.
  • G3 (Coastal High Hazard Area Review): Referred to the HLUT Committee to review development regulations in the Coastal High Hazard Area. A related referral on a shelter mitigation fee strategy was announced by Councilmember Gabbard. Approved unanimously.
  • J1 (HUD Funding Amendment): Approved transferring $39,345.50 in CDBG funds for a roof replacement project at the Owl's Nest. Approved unanimously.

Announcements & Adjournment

  • Councilmember Givens recognized the founding day of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.
  • Chair Curtis outlined a flexible 7-minute speaking limit for council members, receiving general support from the body.
  • The council celebrated the 25th anniversary of City Administrator Gurtis's service and several January birthdays. The meeting was adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome to the City of St. Petersburg City Council meeting. Your elected officials are Mayor Ken Welch. District 1 and Council Chair Copley Gurtis. District 2, Brandy Gabbert. District 3, Mike Harding. District 4. And Council Vice Chair, Leseth Hanowitz. District 5, Deborah Fake Sanders. District 6, Gina Driscoll. District 7, Corey Givens Jr. And District 8, Richie Floyd. Good afternoon. Welcome to the January 9th, 2025 City Council meeting. Let's start with the roll call, please. Curtis. Here. Here. Harding. Eric Hanowitz. Here. Sanders. Driscoll. Here. Here. Here. Okay. We will have our invocation given today by Reverend JC Pritchett the second, followed by a moment of silence to honor our fallen officers as well as a moment of silence. For former President Jimmy Carter, and then please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Please join me in standing. Let's pray. In this new year, we are grateful for the opportunity to see new things. Remove scales of tradition and complacency from our eyes that we may see new ways to work together to serve your people. Council, administration, staff, and first responders throughout the city. They represent the best gift, talent, and skills in public service. Let our diversity of backgrounds, views, and experiences be used to magnify what we can accomplish together. With present and unknown challenges before us, remind us of the accessibility of you, something bigger, our creator to guide us and lead us. Thank you for using us for these tremendous life-changing opportunities. Is our prayer. Amen. Amen. Please join me in a moment of silence. Sergeant Thomas Batinger. End of watch, January 24th, 2011. Canine TAC Team Officer Jeffrey A. Yaswitz. End of watch, January 24th, 2011. President Jimmy Carter, December 29th, 2024. Thank you. I pledge a little bit.

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