St. Petersburg City Council Meeting January 22, 2026

The City Council met on January 22, 2026, with Mayor Ken Welch and Council members present (Councilmember Gabbard absent). The meeting included invocation, pledge, agenda and consent agenda approvals, open forum, presentations, committee reports, housing authority appointments, public hearings, and announcements.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda approved unanimously (with Gabbard absent).
• Consent agenda approved unanimously (with Gabbard absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Brad Falbo (1856 Al Mario Way South) criticized the city's public records compliance, stating he will file another lawsuit. He alleged inconsistent fee demands, exemption claims, delayed responses, and withholding of records such as last three Amazon purchases by the mayor (invoiced ~$11, below the $20 threshold) and employee email addresses. He claimed the city changed its fee policy after his first lawsuit, now charging for requests that previously were not charged.
• Walt Driggers (1 Beach Drive SE, on behalf of Friends of Albert Whitted Airport) reported the scholarship program: since 2023, 78 flight scholarships totaling $425,000 have been awarded. For 2026, 34 scholarships will be awarded (8 starter at $1,000, 12 intermediate at $5,000, 14 advanced at $10,000). He noted a 50% increase in applicants, with 10 awardees from Pinellas County schools, four from USF, two from St. Pete College. He invited council to the January 31st award ceremony.
• Sean Wilson (President, Blue Sky Communities, 180 Fountain Parkway North) expressed support for affordable housing, noting the city's robust funding programs and alignment with city priorities. He mentioned six properties developed in St. Petersburg, including a recent ribbon cutting in the Skyway Marina District. He stated his company is part of a team looking at the gas plant redevelopment and committed to incorporating affordable housing into mega multi-use developments.
• Peter Van Warner (100 2nd Avenue North, Blake Investment Partners) and Donald Odom Jr. (100 2nd Avenue North, Suite 205) spoke regarding the historic gas plant redevelopment. Van Warner noted his firm's 23-year history in St. Pete and commitment to a listening process. Odom stated that any bidder must have a track record of excellent performance, capacity to perform for a decade+, a well-funded plan, and knowledge of all community groups (African American, arts, business, LGBTQ+). He asked for council's help in ensuring these criteria are applied. They announced a February 3rd vision delivery to Mayor Welch.
• Christy Bruner (866 40th Avenue North, on behalf of working moms coalition) asked council not to remove the child care benefit item from the referral list. She argued it is an economic and societal issue, not a personal problem. She noted potential costs: $500,000 annually for a modest subsidy, and $62,000 for backup care via Bright Horizons serving 4,000 families. She also mentioned a company called MERSA that could streamline benefit access. She supported surveying employees, engaging labor unions, and exploring local partnerships.
• Melissa (no last name given, resident 37+ years) expressed concern about loss of affordable housing, referencing the Hollander development and COVID-era apartment demolitions. She pleaded for preserving character and housing for service industry workers and young graduates.
• Jason Scott (4636 Red Fish Lane) urged council to ask why an RFP approved in August for utility-related matter hasn't been released. He supported tenants at the Morgan and said the city should not allow the building to end up with another slumlord.
• Patrick Granny (7901 36th Avenue North) said out-of-state landlords are a problem because they don't pay attention to citizens. He urged the city to take over the Morgan and help other properties where slumlords milk people.

Reports

• Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay (F1): Freddie Williams (CEO) gave a one-year progress report on the $250,000 city investment for the Prosperity Pathways program. Dr. Sharon Brown (City Administrator) introduced the presentation, noting 100% high school graduation, 82% reading on grade level, 99% avoiding negative law enforcement interactions, and 150 paid internships. Williams stated the organization serves 24,000 kids regionally (half in Pinellas), with 64 locations. The program serves youth up to age 24, providing stipends, technology, certifications, and paid internships (e.g., $23/hour at Bank of America, internships with BayCare, Habitat for Humanity). An independent study found the $250,000 investment generated over $2.5 million in societal and economic savings. Councilmembers praised the work and the merger. The item passed unanimously (Gabbard absent).

Discussion Items

• Council Committee Reports (H1): Councilmember Gurtis moved to remove three items from the PSI committee referral list. Councilmember Driscoll objected to removing a discussion on crane safety notifications, noting she was absent from the committee meeting. The motion was amended to keep the crane safety notification item on the list. Passed unanimously (Gabbard absent).
• Council Committee Reports (H2): Councilmember Gurtis moved to remove from the BFNT referral list: a comprehensive update of all hurricane-related expenses and a discussion regarding potential child care benefit for city employees. After public comment and Councilmember Driscoll's request, the child care item was left on the referral list. The motion to remove only the hurricane expenses item passed unanimously (Gabbard absent).
• Affordable Housing Priority (H3): Councilmember Floyd moved adoption of a resolution establishing that creation of housing for households at or below 80% AMI is a priority when subsidizing affordable housing that is not publicly owned. Passed unanimously (Gabbard absent).
• Housing Authority Appointments (H4): Three resolutions approved: appointment of Christina Luciana to complete unexpired term (ending April 3, 2027); reappointment of James Dates for a new four-year term; reappointment of Terry Lipsy Scott for a third term. Passed unanimously (Gabbard absent).
• Street Mural Referral Removal (H5): Councilmember Floyd moved to remove from the HLUT referral list a discussion regarding prohibition of street murals and potential alternatives. Councilmember Driscoll noted councilmember Gabbard had initiated the item and said discussion would occur in a Committee of the Whole. Passed unanimously (Gabbard absent).

Public Hearings

• J1 and J2: Approved together on motion. Passed unanimously.
• J3: Vacation of a 10-foot wide dead end alley on Burlington Avenue North. Passed unanimously (Councilmembers Sanders and Gabbard absent).
• J4: Ordinance amending City Code Chapter 16 (land development regulations) to create new subsection 16.50.055. On motion to approve; council requested to see the presentation.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously (Gabbard absent).
• Boys and Girls Clubs report accepted and item F1 approved unanimously (Gabbard absent).
• PSI referral list items partially removed: two items removed; crane safety notification discussion retained on list. Passed unanimously (Gabbard absent).
• BFNT referral list: only hurricane expenses item removed; child care benefit discussion retained. Passed unanimously (Gabbard absent).
• Affordable housing priority resolution (H3) adopted unanimously (Gabbard absent).
• Housing Authority appointments (H4) approved unanimously (Gabbard absent).
• Street mural discussion removed from referral list (H5) unanimously (Gabbard absent).
• Open forum: Multiple speakers addressed public records compliance, affordable housing, the Morgan building, and child care benefits.
• Next steps: Administration to provide update on crane safety notification procedures; child care benefit discussion to remain on referral list; Blake Investment Partners to deliver vision for gas plant redevelopment on February 3rd.