St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - September 11, 2025

The St. Petersburg City Council met on September 11, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. for a full agenda including proclamations, a legal settlement, committee reports, and the first public hearing on the fiscal year 2026 millage rate and budget. The meeting began with an invocation by Reverend Frank Peterman, a moment of silence for the 24th anniversary of 9/11, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilmember Copley Gurtis (District 1) was absent due to a family loss. All other council members were present. The meeting extended into the evening for the budget hearing, which drew significant public comment and council debate. The budget was approved on first reading by a 5–2 vote, with Councilmembers Driscoll and Givens voting no.

Proclamations and Presentations

• Northwest Tenue Freedom Softball Team: Honored as distinguished citizens for winning the Babe Ruth World Series Championship with an 8–1 victory over Puerto Rico. The team played 68 games, scoring 275 runs and allowing only 65. Councilmember Gabbard presented on behalf of Councilmember Gurtis.
• Hispanic Heritage Month: Proclaimed September 15–October 15, 2025, as Hispanic Heritage Month. Councilmember Hanowitz, the first Hispanic on city council, read the proclamation in English and Spanish. Community members from MiGente Mi Pueblo and the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg spoke.
• Literacy Month: Proclaimed September 2025 as National Literacy Month. Councilmember Givens highlighted the work of the Friends of the James Weldon Johnson Branch Library, noting that 9% of the city’s population is Hispanic. Student participants in the library’s celebration were recognized.
• National Service Dog Month: Proclaimed September 2025 as National Service Dog Month. Councilmember Gabbard recognized Canine Companions (50th anniversary), former First Lady Carrie Chrysman, and therapy dog Snowbird. Statistics: over 70 million U.S. adults have disabilities, but only 16,000 service dogs exist from accredited programs.
• Senior Center Month: Proclaimed September 2025 as Senior Center Month. Councilmember Floyd noted the Sunshine Senior Center is the first nationally accredited senior center in Florida. The theme “Powering Possibilities” challenges aging stereotypes.
• Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month: Proclaimed September 2025 as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Councilmember Driscoll shared her personal health journey. Statistics: 20,890 new cases expected in 2025, 12,730 deaths nationwide; Florida has 1,820 new cases and 1,050 deaths. Black women have higher late-stage diagnoses and lower survival rates.
• Suicide Prevention Month: Proclaimed September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Month. Mayor Welch and Julie Rocco (What Would I Have Missed? initiative) spoke. Pinellas County’s suicide rate is 33% higher than the Florida state average, with higher rates among youth (15–19), adults 35–54, and adults over 75.
• 9/11 Day of Remembrance: Proclaimed September 11, 2025, as Patriot Day. Mayor Welch honored first responders with Police Chief Holloway and Fire Rescue Chief Watts.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the agenda (unanimous, Gurtis absent).
• Approval of the consent agenda (unanimous, Gurtis absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Open Forum: No speakers.
• Budget Public Hearing (6:00 p.m.): 12 speakers addressed the council.
  • Stephen Sherwood (155 Alameda Way NE): Criticized road conditions, streetlights, sewer system, and utility rates. Questioned the $202 million capital project budget and requested an extension for review.
  • Yur Donis Mola (2000 Gandy Blvd N): Supported the Safer Streets campaign, calling for more youth programming funding. Noted that only 0.02% of the $967 million budget goes to youth grants, while police funding increased by $10 million (17% of budget).
  • Jay James (2042 27th St S): Used split peas to visually represent the budget, arguing that only “pennies” go to children. Said pleas for youth investment have been ignored.
  • Franklin (1026 9th Ave S): Emphasized youth programs as a public safety issue, citing recent violence in Campbell Park. Called for better outreach and resources.
  • Stephen Bearfield (5036 Casillaway S): Concerned about SPIFs losing arts grant eligibility due to new rules. Requested funding for the 50th anniversary of the International Folk Fair.
  • Gwendolyn Bowles (Deuces Live Executive Director): Noted the current $55,000 annual allocation is insufficient. Requested an additional $45,000 for salary, part-time assistant, and a small business fund to maintain Main Street accreditation.
  • Alan (student at St. Petersburg College): Supported the recommended budget, citing discussions with budget director Liz McCalsey.
  • Rena Lester (2142 Oakley Ave S): Addressed property tax burdens, affordable housing, and poverty in Midtown. Asked council to review property tax valuations.
  • Kathleen Spann (3800 29th Ave N): Criticized rising water rates, requesting grandfathering for long-term residents. Noted her water bill exceeds her electric bill.
  • Max McCann (2648 3rd Ave S): Advocated for increased safe streets funding, highlighting that St. Petersburg has five times the pedestrian fatalities of Arlington, Virginia, despite similar populations. Cited a recent crash involving his family.

Discussion Items

• Legal Item I1 – Workers’ Compensation Settlement: City Attorney McCollum presented a settlement for former firefighter Matthew Davis, who developed a pulmonary lung issue and now requires a heart transplant. The settlement of $175,000 (including fees) was negotiated from a full claim value of over $2.4 million. Approved unanimously.
• Council Committee Reports:
  • H1 – Flood Insurance Relief Act Resolution: Councilmember Gabbard moved approval of a resolution supporting the Flood Insurance Relief Act. Passed unanimously.
  • F1 – Fiscal Policy Amendments: Tom Green presented amendments, including a new section organizing financial response to disasters. Approved unanimously.
• Budget Public Hearing and Council Deliberation:
  • Budget Director Liz McCalsey presented the FY2026 tentative budget. Key points:
    • Proposed millage rate: 6.4525 mills, a 3.93% increase over the rollback rate of 6.2083 mills.
    • Ad valorem revenue increase: $10.452 million year-over-year.
    • Total operating budget: $976.071 million (7.6% higher than FY25).
    • General fund: $412.285 million, with 53.1% for public safety.
    • Water resources operating fund up 12.3%.
    • Five-year CIP plan: $1.049 billion.
  • Council members raised concerns and requests:
    • Councilmember Driscoll: Moved an amendment to transfer $150,000 from the “infrastructure TBD” penny fund to bicycle/pedestrian facilities. The amendment failed 2–5 (Driscoll and Givens yes). She also expressed strong concerns about cuts to fire department bunker gear funding, cadet positions, and the PIO position, citing the 9/11 anniversary and firefighter safety.
    • Councilmember Givens: Requested increased funding for main street programs, child care, after-school tutoring, food insecurity (noting only $1.2 million allocated), youth programs, digital equity, SPIFs, and ACT conservatory. Criticized lack of utility bill assistance.
    • Councilmember Floyd: Supported the fire department’s leadership and union input. Asked for continued focus on tenant assistance and legal aid. Noted that youth outreach can be done with existing resources.
    • Councilmember Gabbard: Suggested council members forego salary increases to fund youth stipends. Requested a future committee discussion on youth programming. Supported the fire chief’s decisions.
    • Councilmember Fig Sanders: Asked for increased funding for main streets, youth programs, homelessness services, and small business entrepreneurship (especially food trucks). Supported the $400,000 summer youth program reimagining.
    • Councilmember Harding: Thanked administration for stormwater projects, noting three projects in District 3 that will benefit thousands.
    • Councilmember Hanowitz (Vice Chair): Explained budget pressures from pensions ($12 million increase), inflation, and storm recovery. Emphasized legal constraints on impact fees and utility rates. Noted that the city’s portion of a typical homeowner’s tax bill is 30%.

Key Outcomes

• Millage Rate Resolution (J1A): Approved unanimously (6-0, Gurtis absent) – 6.4525 mills, a 3.93% increase over rollback.
• Tentative Budget Ordinance (J1B): Approved on first reading 5–2 (Fix Sanders, Floyd, Gabbard, Hanowitz, Harding yes; Driscoll, Givens no).
• Tentative Budget Resolution (J1C): Approved 5–2 (same vote).
• Amendment to move $150,000 to bicycle/pedestrian facilities: Failed 2–5.
• Next Steps: Final public hearing on the FY2026 millage rate and budget will be held on September 25, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers.