City of St. Petersburg City Council Meeting – July 24, 2025

The St. Petersburg City Council met on July 24, 2025, beginning at 6:30 PM. The meeting covered a consent agenda, public comments, a hurricane season analysis, an economic development update, actions related to Tropicana Field repairs and license agreements, a CRA redevelopment plan, and a resolution on federal healthcare tax credits. Several public comment periods addressed utility concerns, youth programming, and public power.

Consent Calendar

• Consent Agenda (B): Unanimously approved. Discussion clarified that consulting contracts with Southern Group and Capitol Council are for the City of St. Petersburg, not the Mayor's Office. Councilmember Floyd noted a lack of alternative evaluation criteria regarding client ethics, but did not oppose.
• Consent Agenda items included routine approvals. Motion passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

First Open Forum (Duke Energy, water bills, clean & safe program):

• Multiple speakers urged the city to fund a feasibility study for public power, citing high Duke Energy bills, lack of reliability, and the desire for local control. Examples included residents with solar panels still facing high bills, rising base fees, and distrust of Duke's profit motives.
• Several residents described extraordinary water bills (e.g., 30,000 gallons for a vacant home) and criticized the Stantec report for measuring anomalies without explaining causes. They called for further investigation.
• Supporters of a “Clean & Safe” program argued it would improve downtown safety and cleanliness through ambassadors and cleaning crews, not criminalizing homelessness.
• One speaker from the Chamber of Commerce cautioned against creating uncertainty by pursuing public power during recovery from hurricanes, and emphasized Duke's local jobs and history.

Second Open Forum (Youth programs, public power):

• Representatives from Bay Area Dream Defenders requested increased funding for youth programs, especially in the Trail Park area, and better outreach so residents know about existing programs. They noted a proposed $10M police budget increase and urged investment in prevention.
• One speaker via Zoom supported a feasibility study for public power, citing sustainability and cost benefits.

Discussion Items

• F1 – St. Pete Economic Development Corporation Update (Mike Swayze): The EDC reported 36 new companies in the pipeline, 18 new projects, and 12 site visits. Successes included Foot Locker (Champs Sports) relocating, Arc Invest, Dynasty, and Weebly. Lack of office space was cited as a barrier. A national PR campaign launched. Councilmember Givens raised minority business collaboration; Vice Chair Hanowitz inquired about updated target industry analysis and data-driven planning.
• F2 – Analysis of 2024 Hurricane Season (Amber and team): Presentation covered three storms (Debbie, Helene, Milton) over 67 days, with EOC activated 57 days. Damage: 12,000 residential structures flooded, 2.1M cubic yards debris collected. Strengths included staff dedication, use of tiger dams, and communications. Lessons learned: need for better resource management, debris coordination with county, streamlined permitting, flood risk education, and pre-identified debris sites. Council members offered input on communication, permits, and community partnerships.
• F3A & F3B – License Agreements & Termination Agreement (Tropicana Field): Approved unanimously. Two license agreements for parcels near the stadium (annual rent $400,000 for parcels 1-3, $12 for parcel 4) allow the Rays to use parking and storage through 2028. Parcel 4 has an early termination option for the city. The termination agreement ends the 2024 Gas Plant redevelopment and vesting development agreements, which had not included a clear termination clause.
• F4 & F5 – Tropicana Field Repairs (Raul Quintana): Approved unanimously. F4 amended the design-build agreement for insurance updates. F5 approved a $5.26M GMP for sports lighting and catwalk electric repairs. Roof work is on schedule: netting installed, first panels expected August 2025. Two additional GMPs for interior finishes and video production will come in August/September. The city is legally obligated to repair the stadium under the existing use agreement.
• J1 – Historic Landmark Designation (Ruel Gilbert House): Approved unanimously. Owner-initiated, the house at 1027 38th Ave N meets three criteria and is a work of master builder Cade Allen. The property is in Allendale Terrace.
• CRA2 – Redevelopment Plan Modification (322-344 4th St S): Approved 7-1 (Councilmember Givens dissenting). Modified previous approval to increase from 25 to 29 stories, 165 dwelling units, removing condo-hotel and rooftop bar. Ground floor commercial, three levels of parking. Applicant contributed $700,000 to workforce housing trust fund. Some council members expressed concerns about density and parking.
• G1 – Resolution on Enhanced Premium Tax Credits: Unanimously approved. Resolution supports continuation of federal enhanced premium tax credits set to expire end of 2025. Councilmember Gabbard committed to transmitting the resolution to federal delegates.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
• E1 (Soliciting hours restriction): Approved unanimously.
• F1 (EDC update): Received as information.
• F2 (Hurricane analysis): Received as information; after-action report due October 2025.
• F3A & F3B: Approved unanimously (license agreements and termination agreement).
• F4 & F5 (Tropicana Field repairs): Approved unanimously.
• J1 (Historic landmark): Approved unanimously.
• CRA2 (Redevelopment plan): Approved 7-1.
• G1 (Resolution on tax credits): Approved unanimously.
• Council adjourned after announcements, including a reminder of a town hall on July 30 and Councilmember Floyd's birthday.