OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - September 25, 2025

City Council — Thursday, September 25, 2025
BodySt Petersburg, Florida
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, September 25, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 5:53:00

Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

Welcome to the City of St.

0:07

Petersburg City Council meeting.

0:10

Your elected officials are Mayor Ken Welch.

0:14

District 1 and Council Chair Copley Gurtis.

0:19

District 2, Brandy Gabbert.

0:23

District 3, Mike Harding.

0:26

District 4.

0:27

And Council Vice Chair, Leseth Hanowitz.

0:31

District 5, Deborah Fake Sanders.

0:34

District 6, Gina Driscoll.

0:37

District 7, Corey Givens Jr.

0:41

And District 8, Richie Floyd.

0:48

Good afternoon.

0:49

Welcome to the September 25th, 2025 City Council meeting.

0:53

If we could do a roll call, please.

0:55

Curtis.

0:56

Here, Abbott.

0:57

Anowitz.

0:58

Fix Anders.

0:59

Driscoll.

1:00

Here.

1:00

Gibbons.

1:01

Here.

1:01

Lloyd.

1:02

Here.

1:02

Okay, this morning we will have our invocation given today by our own Councilmember Corey Givens Jr.

1:09

And then please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:11

If you join me in standing, please.

1:15

Thank you, Chair.

1:17

Let us pray.

1:19

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, thou who has by thy might let us into the light, keep us forever in thy path.

1:29

We pray.

1:30

We come this afternoon, God, to say thank you.

1:34

If we had 10,000 tongues that said thank you 10,000 times, it still wouldn't be enough for all that you do and continue to do.

1:41

We have so many blessings, so many blessings that we do not have room enough to receive them.

1:48

We live in one of the greatest cities on earth, and for that we are grateful.

1:52

We are grateful for our leadership, Lord.

1:55

We ask that you cover and protect each and every one of them, each and every one of us, from local elected officials all the way to the White House.

2:03

Let us lead, Lord, not by our will, but by your will and by your way, so that the greater good of humanity may be accomplished.

2:12

We ask that in all we do that you be glorified.

2:15

Lord, we ask that you hide us and that you continue, Father, to get the glory out of all that we do and all that we say.

2:23

Let it be about you and not about us.

2:26

We ask that you touch each and every person in this city from the least fortunate, Father, to the biggest corporation.

2:32

Look over us as we endeavor to do good, to walk humbly, and to love mercifully.

2:37

In Jesus' name we pray.

2:39

Amen.

2:39

Amen.

2:41

Pledge allegiance to the God of the United States of America and Cesar Republic for which it stands.

2:48

One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

2:54

Thank you.

2:55

Please be seated.

2:57

Councilmember Givens, thank you so much for the invitation.

3:00

Council members, real quick before we get to the uh agenda.

3:03

Obviously, um, I have a neck brace on, and so if I'm not looking at you, I apologize in advance.

3:10

Um, I'll probably get it be getting up and down just to stretch.

3:14

Um, but uh I'm here with you for the evening, so no, I'm not going anywhere, but just uh I know I've asked for this a lot over the last few weeks.

3:21

Just give me a little grace and uh just appreciate appreciate it so much.

3:25

So just wanted to give you a heads up.

3:26

This will be on and off, and I'll probably be standing up and stretching.

3:29

Okay, council members.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████10%
Water And Wastewater Management██████████10%
Parks and Recreation████████8%
Community Engagement████████8%
Public Engagement███████7%
Youth Programs██████6%
Historic Preservation██████6%
Budget Equity Analysis██████6%
Transportation Safety█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - September 25, 2025

The St. Petersburg City Council met on September 25, 2025, at 1:00 PM to discuss a range of topics including the revitalization of the St. Petersburg Science Center, floodgate studies, lawn bowling club lease, budget approval, and community concerns. The meeting included public comments, committee reports, and a public hearing on the FY2026 budget and millage rate.

Consent Calendar

  • Agenda approved unanimously.
  • Consent agenda approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Multiple speakers urged the city to save the St. Petersburg Science Center, citing its historical significance, STEM education benefits, and fully funded revitalization plan by St. Pete for STEM. Speakers included Jamie Hoke, John Hoke, Dr. Ed Carlson, Dr. Lynn Sennett, Steve Elfman, Amy Posadente, Dr. Julie Mastery, Brianne Hopla, Jenna Byrne, and Senator Darryl Rouson. They noted the project has secured millions in state, federal, and private funds and would not require city funding.
  • Marley Price and Jason Scott spoke in support of public power feasibility study, citing Clearwater's study showing potential rate reductions for residents.
  • Eileen Carey expressed frustration with the city's permitting process for home repairs after Hurricane Milton, noting a 21-week wait for a permit.
  • Dr. Perry Washington raised concerns about city procedures regarding property rights.

Discussion Items

  • F2 - Northeast Tidal Gate Feasibility Study: Brajesh (Capital Improvements) presented a study on installing tidal gates near Shore Acres to improve stormwater management for multiple neighborhoods (Edgemore, Placido Bayou, etc.). Councilmember Gabbert raised concerns about miscommunication regarding floodgates and emphasized the need for public education and equity across districts.
  • F3 - Child Care Food Program Grant: Approved. Mike Jeffries reported a $262,000 Florida Department of Health grant for after-school snacks at recreation centers, serving over 181,000 snacks last year.
  • F4 - St. Pete Lawn Bowling Club License Agreement: Approved 7-0 with a commitment to increase public access and an update in one year. Councilmembers Harding and Driscoll supported renewal, while public speakers criticized limited access (only 7.5% of time) and lack of ADA compliance.
  • F5 - Pavement Restoration Contract: Approved. Brajesh explained the contract aimed to accelerate road paving through bundled bids.
  • F1 - Science Center Update: Extensive discussion. Councilmember Driscoll requested a report after administration decided to cancel the sale for utility expansion. Councilmember Hanowitz raised concerns about a discrepancy in the timeline regarding legal advice. Councilmember Gabbert noted prior knowledge of the study. Councilmember Harding emphasized the value of the center for children. Councilmember Floyd highlighted economic development. Councilmember Givens shared personal memories. Councilmember Fix Sanders preferred housing but supported keeping options open. Councilmember Driscoll made a motion to request administration reconsider and move forward with the St. Pete Group agreement. Motion passed unanimously. Administration to provide an update on October 2, 2025.
  • G1 - Public Revenue Bonds Referral: Approved unanimously.
  • G2 - Lincoln Cemetery Joint Meeting: Failed due to lack of a second. Councilmember Fix Sanders noted ongoing work by administration and other council members.

Public Hearing: FY2026 Budget and Millage Rate

  • Final millage rate set at 6.4525 mills (3.93% increase over rolled-back rate of 6.2083 mills).
  • Budget and CIP approved with votes of 6-2 (Councilmembers Driscoll and Givens voting no on budget; Driscoll and Givens voting no on CIP; Givens voted no on millage).
  • Public comments included requests for funding for SPIFS (international folk fair), mobile grocery store for Jordan Park, safe streets/complete streets, youth programs, and main streets events.
  • City staff reported $3.075 million in FY26 CIP for bike/ped/complete streets projects, and $3.39 million for youth programs.

Key Outcomes

  • Science Center: Council voted 8-0 to request administration reconsider the sale and develop alternative utility plans; update due October 2.
  • Lawn Bowling Club: License renewed; city to work on increasing public access; progress report in one year.
  • FY2026 Budget: Millage rate, budget ordinance, and CIP adopted with 6-2 votes.
  • Tidal Gate Study: Approved; analysis to include environmental and community impacts.
  • Child Care Food Program Grant: Approved.
  • Pavement Restoration Contract: Approved.
  • Bonds Referral: Approved.
  • Lincoln Cemetery Joint Meeting: Item failed (no second).

Announcements

  • Councilmember Driscoll announced the reopening of the President Barack Obama Library.
  • Councilmember Fix Sanders thanked NAACP and police for an open carry forum.
  • Councilmember Givens announced Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, Dream Defenders books & breakfast, and Sickle Cell Disease Association events.
  • Council recognized birthdays of staff members and adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

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 Gabbert. District 3, Mike Harding. District 4. And Council Vice Chair, Leseth Hanowitz. District 5, Deborah Fake Sanders. District 6, Gina Driscoll. District 7, Corey Givens Jr. And District 8, Richie Floyd. Good afternoon. Welcome to the September 25th, 2025 City Council meeting. If we could do a roll call, please. Curtis. Here, Abbott. Anowitz. Fix Anders. Driscoll. Here. Gibbons. Here. Lloyd. Here. Okay, this morning we will have our invocation given today by our own Councilmember Corey Givens Jr. And then please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. If you join me in standing, please. Thank you, Chair. Let us pray. God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, thou who has by thy might let us into the light, keep us forever in thy path. We pray. We come this afternoon, God, to say thank you. If we had 10,000 tongues that said thank you 10,000 times, it still wouldn't be enough for all that you do and continue to do. We have so many blessings, so many blessings that we do not have room enough to receive them. We live in one of the greatest cities on earth, and for that we are grateful. We are grateful for our leadership, Lord. We ask that you cover and protect each and every one of them, each and every one of us, from local elected officials all the way to the White House. Let us lead, Lord, not by our will, but by your will and by your way, so that the greater good of humanity may be accomplished. We ask that in all we do that you be glorified. Lord, we ask that you hide us and that you continue, Father, to get the glory out of all that we do and all that we say. Let it be about you and not about us. We ask that you touch each and every person in this city from the least fortunate, Father, to the biggest corporation. Look over us as we endeavor to do good, to walk humbly, and to love mercifully. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. Pledge allegiance to the God of the United States of America and Cesar Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com