OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - March 6, 2025

City Council — Thursday, March 6, 2025
BodySt Petersburg, Florida
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, March 6, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

Where's that agenda?

0:06

Welcome to the City of St.

0:08

Petersburg City Council meeting.

0:11

Your elected officials are Mayor Ken Welch.

0:15

District 1 and Council Chair Copley Gurtis.

0:20

District 2, Brandy Gabber.

0:24

District 3, Mike Harding.

0:27

District 4, and Council Vice Chair, Leseth Hanowitz.

0:32

District 5, Deborah Fake Sanders.

0:35

District 6, Gina Driscoll.

0:38

District 7, Corey Gibbons Jr.

0:42

And District 8, Richie Floyd.

0:50

Good afternoon.

0:51

We will call to order the March 6, 2025 City Council meeting to order.

0:57

If we could do a roll call, please.

0:58

Harding.

0:59

Hanowitz.

1:00

Here.

1:00

Fix Anders.

1:01

Your school?

1:02

Here.

1:02

Gibbons.

1:03

Here.

1:03

Lloyd?

1:04

Here.

1:04

Gerdis.

1:05

Here.

1:05

Gabber.

1:07

Okay.

1:08

Today we'll have our invoc by Imam Abdul Ali from the Tampa Bay Muslim Association, followed by a moment of silence to all on to honor our fallen first responders.

1:19

Then please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:22

Everyone, please stand.

1:29

Greeting to all.

1:31

Before I um uh make uh the uh prayer, I would like to make an announcement and invite you all to uh seventh annual St.

1:41

Petersburg Ifta Dinner March the 18th uh at 6 p.m.

1:47

at the St.

1:47

Petersburg College Center.

1:49

Uh the theme, the theme uh for our dinner is breaking bread together with peace, justice, love, and compassion for all.

2:00

And if ever there was a time for us as a people to sit down and come together, we're living in that time.

2:07

So you all would please come and be with us.

2:10

At this time, I'd like to pray, and I'd like to begin.

2:14

This is the month of fast and amongst the Ramadan.

2:17

So we greet you in peace.

2:19

As salam alaykum, which means God peace be with you.

2:24

And the next time we come, that would be a test to see y'all have all of you learned that.

2:30

May we pray with our Lord the Creator's name, the merciful benefactor, merciful redeemer, the Lord, our Lord of all world, and a system and all the systems of knowledge, and it's his servants, and there were many, but they are all up from one family.

2:52

The praise belong to him, our Lord, and we beg for your mercy, and we beg for your forgiveness.

3:01

During this holy month of Ramadan, the month of fasting, may we continue, may you continue to bless and guide the mayor of our city, uh the members of city council, this administration, and all who work for the betterment of us all citizens and this wonderful city of St.

3:24

Petersburg.

3:26

Ramadan called for us to address the poor, those who are in need, those who are suffering.

3:34

So we asked all to join in with us as we reach out to those who need our help and our support.

3:43

We all was created to know one another, not to despise and reject one another, and we will all create it as one human family for peace and justice for all.

3:56

We ask you, our Lord, to continue to bless the women and men who protect us, who wear uniform, who serve us locally, who serve us in this country and abroad.

4:10

The first time, the first responders, may you continue to bless us, oh Lord, and bless all of those who working for our safety and for a better country and a better America as we pray in your name.

4:24

We say Amen.

4:27

Please join me in a moment of silence for firefighter Abner L.

4:31

Daughtery, last alarm, March 4th, 1954.

4:42

Thank you.

4:44

I pledge to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under our indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

4:58

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Environmental Protection██████████████████████████████████34%
Parks and Recreation███████████████15%
Procedural███████████11%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Economic Development█████████9%
Community Events███3%
Legal Matters███3%
Public Safety██2%
Community Redevelopment Area██2%
Summary of Proceedings

St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - March 6, 2025

The St. Petersburg City Council met on March 6, 2025, at 6:30 PM UTC (afternoon local time) to address a wide range of items including consent agenda approvals, public comments, a flood awareness proclamation, a state of emergency update, a major trails crossing presentation, and multiple new business referrals. A notable debate occurred over a proposal to discuss lifting the city's single-use plastic straw ban, which was ultimately withdrawn by the sponsor.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda passed unanimously. Public speaker Pete Bowland (293rd Street North) urged support for a St. Patrick's Day street closure permit, highlighting cultural and economic benefits. Councilmember Floyd highlighted two items: furnishings for the library (District 8) and a painting bulbouts agreement in the Grand Central district.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Dr. Perry Washington (1960 Fairfield Avenue South) expressed frustration with the St. Petersburg Police Department for failing to act when his fence was destroyed by an individual, and criticized the "Proud Boys."
  • Kathy Harrelson (26th Street and 32nd Avenue) advocated for a livable city task force to address the urban heat island effect, preserve existing trees, and improve stormwater management.
  • Multiple speakers testified on the plastic straw ban (G5): Will Shedon, Kathy Harrelson, Anico Ola (Sands Market owner), Olivia Mustain, Jenna Byrne (Water Warrior Alliance), Thomas Patrick, Christian Leon, Laura Hume, Mike Norton, and Chloe McKenna all opposed any effort to lift the ordinance, citing environmental benefits, microplastic pollution, and business adaptation. They also noted a 700% reduction in plastic straws since the ban.

Discussion Items

  • Flood Awareness Week Proclamation: Councilmember Harding presented a proclamation designating March 3–9, 2025 as Flood Awareness Week, emphasizing the city's recovery from severe weather and the importance of flood insurance. Floodplain Manager Hannah was recognized for her work.
  • State of Emergency Update: City Administrator Gertz reported that the state of emergency has been extended to June 30, 2025, primarily to maintain permit fee waivers for storm-damaged properties. The emergency procurement provision was eliminated to respect council appropriation authority. Councilmember Harding inquired about waiving code enforcement for damaged boats and RVs; staff will review on a case-by-case basis.
  • Trails Crossing Master Plan (F2): Transportation Manager Cheryl Stacks presented a proposal for a public-private master plan to activate underutilized land under I-275, connecting the Pinellas Trail with adjacent districts. The city and Friends of Trails Crossing would each contribute up to $150,000. Public comment from John Barquett (co-founder) emphasized community connectivity and cultural benefits. Council discussion focused on preserving parking for Vertical Ventures (a climbing gym). Councilmember Fix Sanders expressed concern about potentially harming the business, but after assurances of phased implementation and ongoing stakeholder engagement, the motion passed 7-1 (Fix Sanders dissenting).
  • Plastic Straw Ban (G5): Councilmember Givens introduced a referral to discuss lifting the city's regulation on single-use plastic straws, citing concerns about enforcement and potential legal exposure from a federal executive order. After extensive public testimony and council debate, multiple colleagues (including Driscoll, Gabbard, Floyd, Fix Sanders, Hanowitz, and Harding) opposed the word "lifting" and argued for maintaining the ordinance. City Attorney Michael Dima clarified that the ordinance includes ADA exceptions, is complaint-based with educational enforcement, and is not affected by the federal executive order. Councilmember Givens withdrew the item, stating she would bring a future referral focused on enforcement and community education.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda – Passed unanimously.
  • E1 (Utility Rates First Reading) – Passed unanimously; public hearing set for March 27, 2025.
  • Trails Crossing Master Plan (F2) – Approved 7-1 (Councilmember Fix Sanders opposed).
  • G1 (Arts Conservatory for Teams Act referral) – Passed unanimously.
  • G2 (Center for the Art Study update referral) – Passed unanimously.
  • G3 (Workforce housing density bonuses along Pinellas Trail/Sunrunner corridor referral) – Passed unanimously.
  • G4 (Temporary shade structures regulations referral) – Passed unanimously.
  • G5 (Plastic straw ban discussion) – Withdrawn by sponsor after debate; no vote.
  • G6 (CDBG-DR funds update referral) – Passed unanimously.
  • H1 (Small business enterprise goal set at 10%) – Passed unanimously.
  • H2 (Federal priorities resolution) – Passed unanimously after debate on the term "equitable development," which was retained as a compromise; council members to use the unified document during the National League of Cities conference.
  • Attorney Client Session – Announced for March 27, 2025, regarding a lawsuit against the city.

Meeting Transcript

Where's that agenda? 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 Gabber. District 3, Mike Harding. District 4, and Council Vice Chair, Leseth Hanowitz. District 5, Deborah Fake Sanders. District 6, Gina Driscoll. District 7, Corey Gibbons Jr. And District 8, Richie Floyd. Good afternoon. We will call to order the March 6, 2025 City Council meeting to order. If we could do a roll call, please. Harding. Hanowitz. Here. Fix Anders. Your school? Here. Gibbons. Here. Lloyd? Here. Gerdis. Here. Gabber. Okay. Today we'll have our invoc by Imam Abdul Ali from the Tampa Bay Muslim Association, followed by a moment of silence to all on to honor our fallen first responders. Then please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Everyone, please stand. Greeting to all. Before I um uh make uh the uh prayer, I would like to make an announcement and invite you all to uh seventh annual St. Petersburg Ifta Dinner March the 18th uh at 6 p.m. at the St. Petersburg College Center. Uh the theme, the theme uh for our dinner is breaking bread together with peace, justice, love, and compassion for all. And if ever there was a time for us as a people to sit down and come together, we're living in that time. So you all would please come and be with us. At this time, I'd like to pray, and I'd like to begin. This is the month of fast and amongst the Ramadan. So we greet you in peace. As salam alaykum, which means God peace be with you. And the next time we come, that would be a test to see y'all have all of you learned that. May we pray with our Lord the Creator's name, the merciful benefactor, merciful redeemer, the Lord, our Lord of all world, and a system and all the systems of knowledge, and it's his servants, and there were many, but they are all up from one family. The praise belong to him, our Lord, and we beg for your mercy, and we beg for your forgiveness. During this holy month of Ramadan, the month of fasting, may we continue, may you continue to bless and guide the mayor of our city, uh the members of city council, this administration, and all who work for the betterment of us all citizens and this wonderful city of St. Petersburg. Ramadan called for us to address the poor, those who are in need, those who are suffering.

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