St. Petersburg City Council Meeting – February 13, 2025

The St. Petersburg City Council met on February 13, 2025, beginning at approximately 1:30 p.m. The meeting included an invocation, pledge of allegiance, approval of the agenda, public comments, several awards and presentations, reports from city departments and external organizations, and a new business item. Key topics included utility billing complaints, code enforcement monitoring of storm-damaged properties, support for the Arts Conservatory for Teens (ACT), and updates on the Firestone Grand Prix and regional resiliency efforts.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Approval: The agenda was approved unanimously (Councilmembers Floyd and Givens were absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Open Forum (first session):
  • Mark Glover (Keys Claims Consultants, Orlando) offered public adjusting services to the city on a contingency basis.
  • Michelle Knight (former resident, now in Largo) attempted to speak about city negligence regarding water treatment but was ruled out of order because she no longer lives in St. Petersburg.
  • Matt Widener (1201 Eden Isle Drive) criticized the city’s utility billing system, citing excessive estimated charges (e.g., 9,000 gallons at an office, 20,000 gallons at home). He urged council to investigate faulty meters and improve the UBRC (Utility Billing Review Committee) process.
  • Kevin Batdorf (1801 Nevada Ave NE, Shore Acres Civic Association president) echoed Widener’s concerns and also criticized the city for opening codes cases on approximately 11,000 homes in the high-hazard flood area, regardless of actual flood status.
  • Bob Glazer (506 17th Ave NE, Smith & Associates Real Estate) expressed strong support for the Arts Conservatory for Teens (ACT) and its work with over 15,000 youth.
  • William Edwards (547 First St S, HOA president) described his water bill spiking from 36 gallons in August to 1,576 in October after Hurricane Helene, attributing it to a faulty meter and city line flushing. He proposed estimating October bills based on prior usage.
  • Sherry Jubet (via Zoom) was unable to be heard due to technical issues.
• Public Comments on ACT (Arts Conservatory for Teens):
  • Deborah DeBerry Long (301st St S) spoke in support of ACT, noting its national exposure through the Grammy Museum and the importance of arts funding.
  • Regina Parks (880 Village Dr N, parent of an ACT student) praised the program for increasing her daughter’s confidence and providing pre-professional development and transportation.
  • Deborah Semmler (5858 Central Ave) highlighted ACT’s role in building confidence, self-esteem, and job readiness.
  • Tim Malkowitz (261 1st Ave S, ACT board chair) emphasized ACT’s mission of education, empowerment, and enrichment, aligning with the mayor’s pillars for progress.
• Public Comments on Code Enforcement:
  • Joseph Sowers (via Zoom, 5601 Hobson St NE) expressed frustration that it took 6–7 weeks to receive a letter about permits, and that he was not informed that finished work (drywall, trim) required a permit after the city changed the exemption. He felt punished for being proactive.
  • Rachel Tenpenny (1684 Watermark Circle NE, real estate agent) thanked the city for its code enforcement efforts, stating that the monitoring protects buyers and prevents unsafe flip-and-sell practices. She criticized media coverage bashing the city.

Awards and Presentations

• Radio St. Pete Day Proclamation (March 5, 2025): Mayor Welch read the proclamation, recognizing the listener-supported community radio station. Councilmember Driscoll praised its hyperlocal programming and events.
• Black History Month Proclamation (February 2025): Mayor Welch proclaimed February 2025 as Black History Month. Speakers included Esther Eugene (NAACP president), Chase Temple (youth council president), and Terry Lipsy Scott (Woodson Museum CEO). They highlighted local civil rights history and ongoing equity challenges. Councilmember Fig Sanders and Gabbard emphasized the importance of celebrating black history year-round.
• Localtopia Proclamation (February 22, 2025): Mayor Welch proclaimed February 22 as Localtopia Day. Olga Boff (Keep St. Pete Local) thanked the city for supporting the 12th annual festival, which only features St. Pete-based businesses and is a critical economic lifeline, especially post-hurricanes.

Feeding Tampa Bay Annual Report

• Thomas Mance (CEO) presented an update. Key statistics: Feeding Tampa Bay provided nearly 17 million meals in Pinellas County last year, working through 52 local partners. They operate 17 school pantries, job training programs (5.4 million in economic value), and partner with healthcare clinics (Food RX). They are part of Pinellas County emergency services, distributing food during hurricanes. Mance noted that 50% of those served are employed, not just at poverty level. The organization aims to expand services and has received grants for transportation and housing repairs. Councilmembers praised the rapid response after the hurricanes and the comprehensive approach.

Reports and Discussion Items

• Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (Resolution F2A): Chris Ballestra (City Development) and Kevin Savory/ Kim Green (Green Savory) presented. The 21st consecutive race will take place March 2, 2025, as the IndyCar season opener. Economic impact: $61 million overall, $37 million direct spending, $3.3 million in tax revenue. Track build time has been reduced to 15 days, race event 4 days, dismantle 5 days. The race will be broadcast on Fox Sports. Councilmember Gabbard moved approval; the resolution passed unanimously. Ballestra was recognized for his retirement after 17 years.
• Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (TBRPC) Update: Ren Kral (Executive Director) presented. TBRPC serves 6 counties and 23 municipalities, focusing on economic development, emergency preparedness, environmental planning, and resiliency. Key initiatives: Clean Air Tampa Bay (completed first greenhouse gas inventory), a $2 million coastal master plan for climate adaptation, and a Resiliency St. Pete Action Plan pilot in neighborhoods. Councilmember Gabbard, the city’s representative on TBRPC, was thanked for her leadership.
• Arts Conservatory for Teens (ACT) Update: Dr. Alex Harris (CEO) provided an update. ACT has grown from 1 location to 19 satellite locations, serving 860 students weekly. 100% high school graduation rate, 90% matriculation to higher education. Students receive 10,582 core curriculum contact hours annually. ACT is requesting $500,000 from the city to expand its footprint and continue research-based programming. Councilmembers expressed strong support; Councilmember Driscoll offered to bring a new business item for budget discussions. Councilmember Fix Sanders noted a $100,000 initial request is already in the works. The program aligns with the mayor’s pillars for progress.
• Code Enforcement on Storm Damage Property Update: Joe Waugh (Codes Enforcement) and Administrator Rob Foster presented. After Hurricane Helene and Milton, the city initiated monitoring cases for approximately 11,000 properties in flood hazard areas (quarter of 40,000 total in flood zones). As of the meeting, 4,500 inspections were completed; 806 cases transferred to active permits; 59 closed; 23 invalid; 65 violation notices issued for work without permits. The process is required to maintain FEMA compliance and the Community Rating System discount. FEMA provided positive feedback and indicated it may be a best practice. Councilmembers acknowledged the staff’s hard work but criticized the lack of proactive communication to residents. Councilmember Gabbard verified that monitoring cases do not affect title or real estate closings. Councilmember Driscoll stressed the need for better communication, especially given the multiple stressors on residents. Councilmember Floyd shared his own positive experience with the permitting process. The city is transitioning to a Tyler system to improve data integration.

New Business

• G1 – Referral of Prayer Park Expansion Project to Committee of the Whole: Councilmember Harding moved to refer the project to the Committee of the Whole for discussion. The motion passed unanimously (Councilmember Hanowitz absent).

Key Outcomes

• Votes:
  • Agenda approved unanimously (Floyd and Givens absent).
  • Resolution F2A (Firestone Grand Prix race days) approved unanimously.
  • G1 (Prayer Park expansion referral) approved unanimously (Hanowitz absent).
• Directives:
  • Staff will continue code enforcement monitoring and begin outreach to properties outside flood hazard areas.
  • The Arts Conservatory for Teens’ funding request will be further discussed in budget and new business items. Councilmember Driscoll will bring a proposal.
  • The Prayer Park expansion project will be discussed at the next Committee of the Whole meeting.
• Next Steps:
  • FEMA will conduct additional meetings to review the city’s code enforcement process.
  • The city will improve communication on codes monitoring cases, including an FAQ on the website.
  • The transition to the Tyler permitting system will continue to streamline data sharing.
• Meeting Adjourned: Approximately 5:30 p.m. after final announcements about the Collard Green Festival and the Kids and Cubs game.