St. Petersburg City Council Meeting – September 4, 2025

The St. Petersburg City Council met on September 4, 2025, at 6:30 PM to discuss and vote on a wide range of items, including utility rate increases, a housing authority update, flood forecasting technology, property valuation impacts from the 2024 hurricanes, collective bargaining agreements, and referrals for food truck regulations and water meter replacement. The meeting included public comments, a proclamation honoring a local business, and several unanimous votes, with one split vote on the stormwater rate increase.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the agenda (passed unanimously, 7-0, with Councilmembers Driscoll and Gertis absent).
• Approval of the consent agenda (passed unanimously, 7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Traffic Safety (Open Forum): Daniel Marasaras (Mystic Lake Drive resident) urged the city to lower speed bump criteria, citing dangerous speeding near his neighborhood.
• Utility Rates and Flooding (Open Forum): Shannerie Barnes (318 72nd Street South) expressed concern about flooding and sewer backups, questioning the city's historical decisions on development and green space. She did not take a formal stance on the rate increase but emphasized the need for proactive solutions.
• Utility Rate Public Hearing (J4): Multiple residents spoke:
  • Will Michaels (6215 Bahama Shores Drive South) supported the stormwater rate increase, noting the need to fund the SPAR plan and accelerate flood prevention projects.
  • Philip Tibbs (1247 Monticello Boulevard North) opposed elements of the rate increase, proposing incentives for recycling and reduced service for low-waste households.
  • Joe Craig (1931 Kansas Avenue NE, Venetian Isles) strongly supported the rate increase to fund the SPAR program.
  • Elka Zwick (6457 23rd Street North) opposed the rate increase, demanding a moratorium on growth due to infrastructure strain.
  • Donna Babcock (8071 Causeway Boulevard South) opposed the constant rate increases, citing fixed income and the burden of repeated utility hikes.
  • James Hennessey (3309 29th Street North) echoed opposition to rising rates and unplanned growth.
  • Mecca Surfistini (4518 25th Avenue South) supported investment in stormwater but urged the city to explore stormwater impact fees on new development before placing the burden solely on existing residents.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation – Ferg's Sports Bar and Grill Day: Mayor Welch presented a proclamation declaring September 4, 2025, as Ferg's Sports Bar and Grill Day, recognizing the business as USA Today's #1 best local sports bar in America. Councilmembers offered remarks praising the Ferguson family's community contributions.
• Ordinance E1 – Alley Vacation: Unanimously approved (7-0) an ordinance to vacate a 20-foot-wide dead-end alley at 7925 4th Street North, with a public hearing set for October 2, 2025.
• Ordinance E2 – Future Land Use Map Amendment: Unanimously approved (7-0) a first-reading ordinance to change the land use designation for two parcels (17.25 acres) at 3200 34th Street South from Institutional to Planned Redevelopment Commercial, with a public hearing on October 16, 2025.
• F1 – St. Petersburg Housing Authority Update: Mr. Lundy reported that the Housing Authority is the largest affordable housing provider in the city, serving 4,000 families, with a combined waiting list of 15,000 people. Key highlights: 22 families assisted into homeownership in three years, renovations underway at Gateway Place and the Ed White Hospital site (71 senior units, opening 2026), and a new partnership to develop 75 family units at the Hartford site. Councilmembers praised the leadership and asked about food insecurity programs and the use of the Live Local Act.
• F3 – Coastal Flood Forecasting System: Councilmember Gabbard pulled this item from consent. Brajesh (Engineering) presented a GIS-based coastal flood forecasting system that will model storm surge, rainfall, and tide data in real-time to predict flood impacts. The system will cost $216,297.20 and is designed to improve emergency response. The resolution passed unanimously (7-0).
• F2 – Pinellas County Property Appraiser Update: Mike Twiddy presented on the FEMA 49% rule, property valuations after the 2024 hurricanes, and the calamity provision. He explained that the 2025 FEMA letters reflect January 1, 2025, property conditions, and that homeowners can request a Building Value Reconsideration if needed. Key deadlines: September 12, 2025, for homestead exemption late-filing and VAB petitions. Councilmembers discussed the impact on constituents and the need for clearer data from the city to the appraiser's office. The item was informational; no vote required.
• F4-F7 – Collective Bargaining Agreements: Resolutions approving three-year agreements with the St. Petersburg Police Department (Suncoast PBA) and the St. Petersburg Association of Firefighters were presented together. The mayor thanked the negotiating teams. The items passed unanimously (7-0).
• G1 – Referral on Food Truck Regulations: Councilmember Fig Sanders requested a referral to the Economic Workforce Development Committee to discuss the city's policies and regulations for food trucks, including partnerships with the fire department and environmental services. Passed unanimously (7-0).
• G2 – Referral on Water Meter Replacement: Councilmember Givens requested a referral to the Public Services and Infrastructure Committee for an update on replacing water meters citywide to improve customer usage data and leak detection. Passed unanimously (7-0).
• J1-J3 – Public Hearing Ordinances (Combined): Three ordinances were approved unanimously (7-0) as a group.
• J4 – Utility Rate Public Hearings: Three separate ordinances were presented and voted on individually:
  • J4A (Sanitation Rates): 7% increase. Passed unanimously (7-0).
  • J4B (Stormwater Rates): 17.5% increase. Passed 5-1, with Councilmember Floyd voting no. (Councilmembers Driscoll and Gertis absent).
  • J4C (Water, Wastewater, Reclaimed Water Rates): 7.25% overall increase (6.25% for water, 7.75% for wastewater, 9.75% for reclaimed water). Also included a restructuring of potable water irrigation rates and an accelerated phase-in of the sewer capacity fee. Passed unanimously (7-0).
  • Discussion included extensive analysis of affordability, project prioritization, and the need for a general obligation bond for the SPAR plan. Councilmembers noted state preemption (SB 180) limiting the city's ability to impose impact fees or moratoriums.
• J5 – Airport Grant Authorization: An ordinance authorizing acceptance of an FAA grant for up to 95% of the cost to rehabilitate the airfield vault at Albert Whitted Airport. The city's share is approximately $12,000 out of a $1.2 million project. Passed unanimously (7-0).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda and Agenda Approval: Passed unanimously.
• Ordinances E1, E2: Passed unanimously.
• Resolution F3 (Flood Forecasting): Passed unanimously.
• Collective Bargaining Agreements (F4-F7): Passed unanimously.
• Referrals G1, G2: Passed unanimously.
• Public Hearing Items J1-J3: Passed unanimously.
• Utility Rate Ordinance J4A (Sanitation): Passed unanimously.
• Utility Rate Ordinance J4B (Stormwater): Passed 5-1 (Floyd dissenting).
• Utility Rate Ordinance J4C (Water/Wastewater): Passed unanimously.
• Airport Grant J5: Passed unanimously.
• Next Steps: The stormwater rate increase takes effect as approved; the SPAR plan funding discussion will continue, with a potential general obligation bond referred to voters. The food truck and water meter referrals will be scheduled for committee meetings.