St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - February 7, 2025

This meeting of the St. Petersburg City Council on February 7, 2025, covered a wide range of topics including routine approvals, police department performance, Tropicana Field repairs, stormwater improvements, and a controversial quasi-judicial appeal regarding adaptive reuse of a historic church. The council heard extensive public testimony on utility billing issues and the Euclid Church project. Key outcomes included a tie vote on the adaptive reuse appeal, a motion to refer utility billing code changes to committee, and unanimous approval of several other items.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Approval: Motion passed unanimously.
• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously. Councilmembers highlighted CB13 (Tampa Bay Regional Council collaboration) and CB1 (artwork for the Obama Library).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Open Forum: Multiple residents expressed frustration with unusually high water bills after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Speakers reported bills jumping from ~$125-$200 to $400-$1,800 despite no known leaks. They criticized customer service and the utility billing process. One speaker noted over 11,000 liens recorded without proper notice.
• J5 Quasi-Judicial Public Hearing: Dozens of residents spoke for and against the Euclid Church adaptive reuse proposal. Supporters emphasized historic preservation and the need to save the building; opponents cited parking, noise, and incompatibility with the residential neighborhood. The registered opponent, Michelle Garrick, provided detailed slides and testimony.

Discussion Items

• F1: St. Pete Police Department Quarterly Report: Chief Holloway reported a 4.6% overall crime reduction in 2024, with auto thefts down 36%, burglaries down 22%, and property crimes down 7%. Homicides increased 38% (13 to 18) but all were cleared with arrests. The CALL program now handles 97% of non-criminal calls. Council discussed use of force and immigration policy impacts.
• F2 & F3: Tropicana Field Emergency Repairs: Raul Quintana presented an update on roof and non-roof repairs. F2 was a $55,000 change order for Glow Global Rope Access. F3 was an $896,000 pre-construction services agreement for non-roof repairs. Council expressed concerns about vague cost estimates and the definition of "suitable for playing home games." Both items passed unanimously.
• F4: Salt Creek Pump Station Project: Brajesh presented a comprehensive overview of the basin C stormwater project, including a flood control gate and wetland restoration. The project is funded in part by $2.9 million from WikiWachi funds. Approved unanimously.
• F5: Utility Billing Update: Candace Winter and Tom Green reported on billing issues post-hurricanes. Highlights: 1,200 bills backlogged, 2,400 bills embargoed, and ongoing code review. Council discussed a temporary halt to shutoffs and late fees. A motion to refer the issue to the earliest Committee of the Whole passed unanimously.
• F6: GMP for Transmission Main Remediation: Approved unanimously.
• New Business Referrals (G1-G6): All referrals to various committees passed unanimously. Topics: Arts fund, legacy business program, clean and safe downtown program, employee child care benefit, PSTA bus network, and WikiWashi project list.
• H1 & H2: Removal of items from referral list and approval of Salt Creek land purchase ($2.9 million) passed unanimously.
• J4: Solid Waste Ordinance Amendment: Updated definitions and permit fees; passed unanimously.

Quasi-Judicial Item: Euclid Church Adaptive Reuse (J5)

• J5A (Adaptive Reuse): Motion to grant the appeal failed 4-4. Councilmembers Driscoll, Curtis, Givens, and Hanowitz voted no; Fig-Sanders, Floyd, Gabbard, and Harding voted yes. The tie vote means the CPPC decision to deny the adaptive reuse was upheld.
• J5B (Map Amendment): The motion was made and seconded, then withdrawn. The item died for lack of motion.

Key Outcomes

• Police Report: Accepted.
• Tropicana Field Emergency Repairs: F2 and F3 approved unanimously.
• Salt Creek Pump Station: Approved unanimously.
• Utility Billing: Council directed administration to cease shutoffs and late fees while code changes are developed. A Committee of the Whole meeting will be scheduled.
• Euclid Church Appeal (J5A): Denied, upholding CPPC decision. J5B map amendment died.
• All new business referrals (G1-G6) and other items: Approved unanimously.
• Open Forum: Additional resident raised concerns about contractor fraud related to storm permitting; council advised contacting fraud authorities.