St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - February 20, 2025

The St. Petersburg City Council met on February 20, 2025, at 18:30 UTC. The meeting began with a roll call, invocation by Councilmember Corey Givens Jr., and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members present: Gabbard, Harding, Hanowitz, Fake Sanders, Driscoll (absent), Givens Jr., Floyd, Gurtis. The agenda was approved with additions of H2 and H3 (committee reports). The consent agenda was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Michelle Dutley (247 Miramar Blvd NE) expressed frustration with a $1,439.31 water bill after hurricanes, stating no leaks were present; she believed overcharges were due to storm damage, not deliberate gouging, and requested a manager contact her.
• Elijah Braboy (144 23rd Ave S) stated he is a property owner on the Deuces corridor who submitted a bid for the 951 Meriwether building RFP. He said his proposal, the only one focused on homeownership, was rejected by the mayor despite community support for homeownership. He urged council to reconsider.
• Carolyn Braboy (144 23rd Ave S) supported the homeownership proposal, emphasizing the need for stakeholders and generational wealth in the community, contrasting with rent-controlled housing.
• Robert Craven (995 Eden Isle Dr NE) received a $1,500 water bill post-Helene and questioned digital meter accuracy after submersion; he requested a more flexible city code for credits.
• Joseph Sowers (5601 Hobson St NE, via Zoom) asked for a timeline on substantial damage letters, criticized FEMA's approach, questioned pre-storm preparedness, and gave examples of billing errors.
• Larry J. Williams (1309 Rent Ave, Leesburg, FL, with businesses in St. Pete) spoke on infrastructure challenges and proposed a workshop with Van Ward to address aging systems; also expressed readiness to purchase the Gas Plant site for $1.5 billion if existing agreements fall through.
• Mark Glover (1245 Jordan Park South) represented the St. Pete Housing Authority, urged the city to recover insurance funds post-storms, and requested a platform to present a no-cost recovery contract.
• David Lance (615 MLK, CFO of Barcat Realty) described a water bill of $9,256 post-storms (30 times normal), said a plumber found a small leak but he hasn't heard back from the water department; requested assistance.
• Carlos Youpes (300 Beach Dr NE) declined to speak, said he would wait for an agenda item.
• Lou Brown (3767 30th Ave S) supported the homeownership project on the Deuces, criticizing rejection of the Braboy proposal and asked council to intervene.
• Jeffrey Jacob (Tyrone Blvd N) addressed a noise ordinance (later clarified by Chair as St. Pete Beach's ordinance, not St. Petersburg's) and argued the city lacked a required Business Impact Estimate; he was corrected and thanked the council.
• John Chin (718 93rd Ave N) spoke on water bill issues, suggesting meters were the culprit and should be replaced; he reported a usage of 13,000 gallons for a 4-person home, including during evacuation.
• David Soccal (325 Fifth St S) thanked council for a one-year lease extension for Fresco's restaurant, described storm damage costs, and asked to be included in marina redevelopment plans.

Discussion Items

F1: Opioid Settlement Grant Update (No Action)

Jess Ridel (Senior Operations Analyst) provided an update on the opioid settlement funding. The city will receive ~$6 million over 18 years; to date $1.089M received. A grant program awarded $532,000 to five organizations for peer support, harm reduction, recovery housing, anti-stigma campaigns, and medication-assisted treatment. Council thanked staff; no vote needed.

F2: We Are St. Pete Fund – Housing and Small Business Disaster Assistance (Approved Unanimously)

Jess Ridel, Dr. Avery Sliker (Housing Director), and Brian Caper (Economic Development) presented programs funded by the We Are St. Pete fund ($1.019M raised). The Housing Disaster Assistance Program ($400,000 for residents, $200,000 for city employees) offers up to $30,000 for storm repairs, $5,000 for insurance deductibles, and 3 months rent/utility help (80% AMI for state/federal funds, 140% AMI for We Are St. Pete funds). The Small Business Disaster Assistance Program ($200,000) offers grants up to $15,000 for businesses (brick-and-mortar, home-based, shared spaces) with 50 or fewer employees, in operation since Sept 15, 2024. Applications open March 11 and late March. Councilmembers Gabbard and Fake Sanders praised the inclusion of home-based businesses and oversight of contractors. The resolution passed unanimously.

F3: Azalea Gateway Housing Project – HCIP Funding (Approved 6-1)

Mark Van Lu presented: Phase 1 of the Azalea Gateway redevelopment (former Raytheon site, 1501 72nd St N) includes 340 units, 102 affordable/workforce (80% and 120% AMI, 50-year affordability). Total cost $109.8M; city subsidy request $6M ($17,647/unit overall, $58,824/affordable unit). The project uses HB 1339 (Live Local Act) for residential on industrial land. Developer Porter Azalea Land LLC and Falcone Group. Councilmember Floyd opposed, citing environmental concerns, subsidizing 120% AMI units, and the developer's role in lowering affordability requirements. Councilmembers Gabbard and Gurtis supported, noting the site's long vacancy, density need, and infrastructure benefits. Vote: 6-1 (Floyd no, Driscoll absent).

F4: Stantech Consulting for Water Resources Rate Study (Approved Unanimously)

Claude Tankersley presented a resolution to authorize a task order with Stantech for a rate analysis of water, stormwater, and sanitation utilities (FY26). Scope includes revenue sufficiency analysis, 20-year financial plan, bond calculations, and St. Pete Beach true-up. Cost $215,300. Councilmember Gibbons praised Stantech's expertise. Passed unanimously.

F5: Plat Approval – Terraces at 87th Townhomes Phase 2 (Approved Unanimously)

Scott Bulliard presented: Final plat for 20 townhome lots at 429 87th Ave N, part of a redevelopment of a former mobile home park (112 units reduced to 92). Phase 1 completed December 2024. Developer Carlos Youpes commented that the city's permitting process is broken, needs more staff, and causes delays. Councilmember Gabbard noted the project's resiliency after hurricanes. Passed unanimously.

F6: Advanced Air Mobility Task Force (Approved Unanimously)

Rich Lesnik (Airport Manager) updated on establishing a task force for advanced air mobility (eVTOL). A resolution was expedited to the March 6 meeting but moved up. 14 members confirmed, including one in advisory capacity (Jeff Brandis). Passed unanimously.

CRA2: 21-Story Mixed-Use Building at 446 4th Street South (Approved Unanimously)

Corey Melishka presented: Resolution finding the project consistent with the redevelopment plan. The 21-story building includes 2,250 sq ft commercial, 213 dwelling units, 230 parking spaces, contemporary design. Existing one-story office building will be demolished. Councilmember Floyd expressed disappointment about losing the architecturally interesting building but noted the developer's right to redevelop. Passed unanimously (Driscoll and Hanowitz absent).

G1: Referral to HLUT for Annual Housing Update (Approved Unanimously)

Councilmember Floyd requested a referral to the Housing, Land Use, and Transportation committee for an annual update on housing opportunities for all. Passed unanimously.

H1: Resolution Supporting Repeal of Preemption of Construction Crane Regulation (Approved Unanimously)

Council Vice Chair Hanowitz moved to support repeal of state preemption. Passed unanimously.

H2: Funding for Purrier Park Expansion ($300,000 from Wekiva Watchy Funds) (Approved Unanimously)

Passed unanimously.

H3: Three Resolutions on Water Bill Adjustment Policies (Approved Unanimously)

Resolutions establish policies for leak adjustment relief during flood events, mechanical water meter high read in absence of leak, and changes to the Utility Bill Review Committee. Passed unanimously. Councilmember Gabbard thanked staff for fast action.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent agenda and agenda changes unanimously.
• Approved F2 (We Are St. Pete Fund programs) unanimously.
• Approved F3 (Azalea Gateway HCIP funding) 6-1, with Councilmember Floyd voting no.
• Approved F4, F5, F6, G1, H1, H2, H3 all unanimously (with some absences: Driscoll absent for many; Hanowitz absent for CRA2).
• Approved CRA2 (21-story building) unanimously (Driscoll and Hanowitz absent).
• Referred annual housing update to HLUT committee.
• Public comments on water bills, Deuces development, noise ordinance (not city's), and Fresco's lease extension were noted; staff promised follow-up on water bill cases.