St. Petersburg City Council Meeting, January 23, 2025

The St. Petersburg City Council met on January 23, 2025, at 6:30 PM (ET) to address a range of agenda items including consent calendar approvals, public hearings on land use and zoning, updates on post-hurricane emergency measures, and budget priorities. The meeting featured public comments on traffic safety, youth programs, and a proposed car wash development. Key decisions included approval of a $3.6 million hurricane repair contract for Al Lang Stadium, denial of an alley vacation for a car wash expansion, and designation of a historic landmark.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the meeting agenda and consent agenda unanimously (Councilmembers Driscoll and Gabbard absent).
• The consent agenda included $432,000 in disaster relief funding (ship money) for hurricane recovery, celebrated by Councilmember.
• Approved a $60,000 settlement in a civil case (auto accident) unanimously.
• Approved a resolution amending the self-funded health insurance program for 2025-2026, with an 11.9% premium increase and total plan cost of $73.8 million, unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• First Open Forum:
  • Don Walling (7421 1st Ave N) spoke in support of an adaptive reuse and zoning amendment for 919 10th Ave N (former Euclid Church), advocating for compromise to preserve the historic structure while allowing a bed-and-breakfast and event center.
  • Kevin Bell (474 34th Ave N) described dangerous speeding (70 mph) on residential streets, requested speed bumps and stop signs to improve safety, citing a fatal accident he witnessed.
• Second Open Forum:
  • Multiple speakers from the Bay Area Dream Defenders and community members advocated for the "Save Our Streets" campaign, urging the council to allocate more funding to youth programs, community outreach, and violence prevention rather than increasing the police budget. Speakers included Daniel Camerdola, Kirsten McConnell, Lama al-Hassan, Octab Mojae, Dylan Dames, Yardana Smola, and others. They emphasized the need for accessible, well-advertised youth activities and proactive community engagement specialists.
  • Sarah Peacock and Dr. Christy Faust (via Zoom) echoed support for the campaign, citing the importance of community-based safety solutions.

Discussion Items

• State of Emergency Update (F1): Administrator Rob Gerdis reported that the state of emergency remains necessary for code enforcement flexibility (debris, RVs) and procurement. The city used it to contract Lighthouse Advisors Inc. ($80,000) for Tropicana Field issues. The administration expects to lift the debris provision within 30 days, but the RV allowance may continue longer. Councilmember Floyd requested the emergency be ended as soon as possible.
• Al Lang Stadium Repairs (F2): Presentation by Brajesh on hurricane damage to Al Lang Stadium. The $3.6 million guaranteed maximum price (GMP) contract with Create Building Company will restore the facility to operational capacity by March 2025, focusing on player facilities, restrooms, and field-level repairs. The project will be delivered in phases, with some work requiring permits. Councilmember Floyd noted insurance will offset costs over time. Approved unanimously.
• Post-Hurricane Tree Canopy (G1): Councilmember Gabbard’s referral to the Health, Energy, Resilience, and Sustainability Committee to discuss establishing an interdepartmental program to replace trees removed under the city’s disaster assistance program. Approved unanimously.
• Neighborhood Traffic Calming (G2): Councilmember Floyd’s referral to the Housing, Land Use, and Transportation Committee for a discussion on traffic calming measures. Approved unanimously.
• Committee Report Items (H1-H6): Council approved removal of several items from referral lists for Budget Finance and Taxation, Public Services and Infrastructure, Housing Land Use and Transportation, and Economic and Workforce Development committees. All passed unanimously.
• Public Hearing J1 – Alley Vacation for Car Wash: The council considered a request to vacate alleys to allow redevelopment of the Mariner Car Wash (3338 4th St N) into a larger express car wash with 900 vehicles per day (up from 400-600). Staff recommended approval, citing improved traffic flow and alley reconfiguration. Public speakers (Joshua Schulman, Kevin Bell, Eric Monaco, Todd Bogner) opposed, citing traffic congestion, safety concerns, and inadequate traffic study. The applicant argued the vacation was necessary for the approved site plan. Council discussion focused on the vacation criteria, not the site plan. Motion to approve failed 1-5 (Floyd yes; Fix Sanders, Gerdis, Givens, Hanowitz, Harding no). The vacation was denied.
• Public Hearing J2 – Vacation of Easements: A vacation of two public access easements at 12000 Yanni Blvd N was approved unanimously.
• Public Hearing J3 – Historic Landmark Designation: The council designated the Coquina Rock entrance walls at 535 64th St S and 6354 Emerson Ave S as a local historic landmark. Staff presentation highlighted the 1924 walls as part of the Pasadena Estates development. No opposition. Approved unanimously.
• Public Hearing J4 – Zoning Map Amendment: A rezoning of 0.3 acres at 1847 1st Ave N from CRT-1 to CRT-2 to allow a restaurant and retail space was approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Alley Vacation Denied: The motion to approve the vacation of alleys for the car wash expansion (J1) failed 1-5, effectively blocking the project.
• Historic Landmark Designated: The Coquina Rock entrance walls (J3) were added to the St. Petersburg Register of Historic Places.
• Zoning Amendment Approved: The CRT-2 zoning for 1847 1st Ave N (J4) was approved.
• Emergency Update: The state of emergency continues for at least 30 more days, with possible extension for HUD-related procurement.
• Budget Priorities: Public speakers urged the council to prioritize youth programs and community safety initiatives in the upcoming budget, but no formal action was taken.