St. Petersburg City Council Meeting: March 27, 2025

The St. Petersburg City Council met on March 27, 2025, to discuss and act on a range of items including proclamations for Women's History Month and Transgender Day of Visibility, a seagrass mitigation bank project, utility rate ordinance amendments, and several policy referrals. The meeting included public comments on water billing issues and the in-town Community Redevelopment Area (CRA). Council approved consent agenda items, property insurance coverage, and the seagrass mitigation bank, while deferring or withdrawing discussion on corporate ownership of homes and early CRA sunsetting.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously: Routine consent agenda items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Perry G. Washington (claimed real estate broker, veteran): Expressed frustration with perceived harassment by police and city regarding property issues; threatened legal action. No specific position on agenda items.
• Noreen Priest McClure (144 El Mito Way NE): Described a dispute over an $11,000 water bill for her mother's vacant home, alleging the Utility Review Board (UBRC) failed to follow protocol (no tag on door, no phone call). She stated there was no leak. She questioned the city's advocacy for residents.
• Peter Kent (8 Academy Way, retired public works commissioner): Supported sunsetting the in-town CRA, calling extension "taxation without representation." Also supported Councilmember Floyd’s suggestion to delay the Tropicana Field repair vote until a settlement price is negotiated.
• Matthew Wybner (1201 Eden Isle Drive): Criticized the city's handling of utility billing issues, stating six months have passed without answers. Cited 6,000 adjusted bills and 4,000 free-flow events in November. Accused administration of stonewalling and questioned the proposed ordinance as prospective only, not addressing root causes.
• Jason Mathis (St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership CEO): Opposed early sunsetting of the in-town CRA, arguing it is a valuable tool for blighted areas (86 acres in the CRA) and that the city should wait to see what resources are needed for the historic gas plant district before removing the tool.

Awards and Presentations

• CFY Scholarship Recipients: Kevin Dunbar (CFY executive director) and Hoyt Hamilton (vice chair) described CFY's 58-year mission to support youth athletics and education. They highlighted 39 scholarships awarded this year, including vocational/trade scholarships. Three Lakewood High seniors—Katrina, Milena, and Sanaya—received Distinguished Citizen Awards from Mayor Welch and Councilmember Givens. An additional student, Anaya, could not attend but was recognized.
• Women's History Month Proclamation: Mayor Welch presented the proclamation, noting the 2025 theme "Moving Forward Together: Women Educating and Inspiring Generations." Mae Thatch (NAPAWF) spoke on language access and immigrant protections. Councilmembers Gabbard, Driscoll, Hanowitz, Fix Sanders, and Harding shared personal reflections on women's progress, equal pay (noting Equal Pay Day on March 25, 2025), and the importance of mentorship.
• Transgender Day of Visibility Proclamation: Mayor Welch proclaimed March 31, 2025 as Transgender Day of Visibility. Eric Vaughn (LGBTQ liaison) and community members (Jane Haskell, Unity Joel, Andy Satino) emphasized resilience amid state-level attacks on transgender rights. Councilmembers expressed solidarity and commitment to inclusion.

Discussion Items

• F1 – Seagrass Mitigation Bank (Brajesh Prehman, Public Works): Presented a plan to fill a 178-acre dredge hole in Tampa Bay with material from Port Manatee, creating a seagrass meadow of approximately 147 acres (32 acres for dredge wall). The project will create 13.4 federal credits estimated at $750,000 (older estimate) for sale to offset seagrass impacts elsewhere. Costs include $1.1 million for planting and an $11,000 annual maintenance fund. Community engagement signage (up to 15 signs) will be installed. Councilmember Gabbard moved approval, noting the project's environmental stewardship and decade-long effort. Approved unanimously.
• F2 – Utility Rate Program Amendment (Claude Tankersley, Public Works): Requested amendment to a Stantec task order for billing analysis after storms, bond feasibility, and dual-register meter customer analysis. Vice Chair Hanowitz confirmed the work is already done; amendment is to pay for it. Approved unanimously.
• G1 – Scooter Share Program (Councilmember Gabbard): Motion to refer to HLUT committee for presentation and discussion, with staff ready by May. Councilmember Driscoll requested inclusion of a Universal Basic Mobility update. Approved unanimously.
• G2 – Unbuildable Surplus Lots (Councilmember Givens): Sought discussion on selling price flexibility for lots over 250 sq ft. Aaron Fish (Real Estate) and James Corbett (City Development Administrator) explained existing policy (just market value for lots >250 sq ft, $10 for smaller). Corbett noted no sales occurred under 2023 policy. Councilmember Gabbard argued the policy was carefully crafted; Driscoll suggested direct meetings with potential buyers. Motion died for lack of a second.
• G3 – In-Town CRA Sunsetting (Councilmember Floyd): Motion to refer to PSI committee for discussion on sunsetting the CRA (extended 10 years in 2024). Floyd cited a pending state bill that could lock in the extension. Discussion revealed legal complications (interlocal agreement with county prohibits termination while debt remains). Councilmembers Hanowitz and Gabbard noted the CRA generates $250 million through 2032 and supported a broader future conversation but not now. Floyd withdrew the item, agreeing to wait for more clarity post-legislative session.
• G4 – Single-Family Hybrid Housing Classification (Councilmember Givens): Motion to discuss limiting corporate ownership and creating owner-occupied zoning. Michael Dima (Legal) warned of equal protection concerns and advised waiting for state bill (HB 401) that could provide legal cover. Councilmembers Harding, Floyd, and Driscoll expressed reservations about legality and potential preemption. Councilmember Givens withdrew the item, intending to revisit after state session.
• G5 – Disaster Short-Term Financing (Chair Gurthie): Staff-requested referral to BFT committee for discussion. Approved unanimously.
• J4 – Utility Rate Ordinance (Candace Winter, Billing Director): Amended city code to provide water leak adjustment relief at Tampa Bay water rate ($2.64/ccf) instead of tier-one rate, added relief for abnormal events (up to 10,000 gallons), and relief for flood/storm emergencies (two-month adjustment period). Also corrected a typo in a previous resolution. Winter reported that all delayed bills (2400) are caught up, and staff proactively applied adjustments to customers identified from UBRC applications. Approved unanimously.
• J1-J3 – Preliminary Assessments for Lot Clearing (Joe Wall, Codes): Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda: Passed unanimously.
• F1 (Seagrass Mitigation Bank): Approved unanimously.
• F2 (Utility Rate Program Amendment): Approved unanimously.
• G1 (Scooter Share Referral): Approved unanimously – referral to HLUT committee scheduled for May.
• G2 (Unbuildable Lots): Died for lack of a second – no action.
• G3 (CRA Sunsetting): Withdrawn by Councilmember Floyd; will be revisited after legislative session.
• G4 (Single-Family Hybrid Zoning): Withdrawn by Councilmember Givens; will be revisited after state bill outcome.
• G5 (Disaster Financing Referral): Approved unanimously – referral to BFT committee.
• J1-J3 (Lot Clearing Assessments): Approved unanimously.
• J4 (Utility Rate Ordinance): Approved unanimously, along with related resolutions F3A and F3B (typographical correction and flood relief). Effective for meter reads starting May 27, 2025.
• Council adjourned at approximately 6:00 PM (after concluding public hearings).