St. Petersburg City Council Meeting February 5, 2026: Gas Plant Planning Resolution Passes, FDOT Updates, and Public Comments on ICE
St. Petersburg City Council Meeting February 5, 2026
The St. Petersburg City Council met on February 5, 2026, to discuss a range of topics including a resolution to pause developer selection for the historic gas plant site in favor of a planning-first approach, an update from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) on major infrastructure projects, and public comments calling for an end to the city's 287(g) agreement with ICE. The meeting also included a recess for a Black History Month flag raising ceremony. The council voted 6-2 to approve the gas plant resolution.
Consent Calendar
- The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included routine approvals and unanimous actions.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Gas Plant Development (Item H2): Multiple speakers addressed the council. Mark Ferguson expressed support for moving forward with development, specifically endorsing the Ellison Group's proposal, and suggested renovating Tropicana Field instead of building a new stadium. Robin Davidoff (League of Women Voters of St. Petersburg area) urged a 'yes' vote on the resolution, arguing that a city-led master plan is needed before developer selection. Reverend Ben Atherton-Zeman spoke on ICE and also supported inclusive planning for the gas plant. Maria L. Strouss supported the resolution, emphasizing the need to include gas plant descendants in planning. Andreas Calabries (Tampa Bay Ventures) opposed the resolution, stating it would cause inaction and that the groundwork for development is already laid. Jeff Evans (technology company founder) also opposed the resolution, urging the council not to delay development. John Stewart (retired teacher) and Jane Payne raised concerns about ICE but also addressed the gas plant; their comments are noted under ICE. Ron Diner urged support for the resolution, questioning the financial value of proposals. Michael McGrath (Sierra Club Florida) supported the resolution, advocating for sustainability and community input.
- ICE 287(g) Agreement: Several speakers urged the council to end the city's agreement with ICE. Reverend Ben Atherton-Zeman recounted abuses and called for defunding ICE. Jane Payne detailed ICE's warrantless arrest policies and asked the city to end the agreement. John Stewart described a night with police lights and expressed distrust. Karen Berman (Jewish faith) remembered victims and called for ending the agreement. Reverend Andy Oliver (Allendale United Methodist Church) argued the agreement makes the community less safe and urged the mayor to tear it up. Mary Ann Holtz (via Zoom) read the police department's response and pressed for a stance against ICE sweeps. Charles Rogers (Progressive Jewish Coalition) shared his experience at the state capitol and asked the council to reconsider the agreement. Jamaica Williams also urged ending the ICE agreement alongside her gas plant comments.
Discussion Items
- FDOT Update (Item F1): Brian Hunter, FDOT Modal Development Administrator, provided an update on major projects: the Howard Franklin Bridge (98% complete, new express lanes opening in spring 2026, demolition ongoing), I-275 capacity projects (from 38th Ave N to 4th St, completion in 2030; 37S to 38th Ave N in design, unfunded; lane continuity from 37S to 54th Ave S in design, unfunded), Skyway toll conversion (all-electronic tolling construction in next few months, full removal by fiscal year 2030), I-175 action plan (study on safer transition from interstate to city streets, recommendations by fall 2026), 4th Street median modifications (23% reduction in bike/pedestrian crashes after 2024 project, further improvements to construction in 2027), and 3rd/4th Street downtown conversion to two-way (funded for design in 2029, construction in 2031). Councilmembers asked about specific projects and received responses.
- Yes in God's Backyard (YIGBY) Update (Item H1): Council Chair Floyd requested a referral to the Housing, Land Use, and Transportation Committee for an update on YIGBY legislation, focusing on technical assistance to faith-based organizations. The motion passed unanimously.
- Resolution on Gas Plant Planning First (Item H2): Councilmember Gabbard introduced a non-binding resolution requesting that the administration pursue a planning-first framework for the historic gas plant district before advancing developer selection. She argued that the city needs a comprehensive plan rather than reacting to proposals. Councilmembers debated extensively: Harding supported the resolution, noting no rush and the need for a city-led plan; Floyd supported the resolution but emphasized evaluating future proposals regardless of process; Driscoll supported the idea but wanted the study to run parallel to ongoing conversations with proposers; Fig Sanders opposed the resolution, fearing parcel-by-parcel sales would harm descendants and argued the city should not pause; Gurtis opposed, stating the process should remain with the administration and that council can vote later; Givens supported the resolution, citing lack of transparency and need for inclusive planning; Hanowitz supported, stressing that planning is a core government function. The resolution passed 6-2, with Driscoll, Floyd, Gabbard, Givens, Hanowitz, and Harding voting yes, and Fig Sanders and Gurtis voting no.
- Outside Legal Counsel for P3 Statute (Item J1): The council approved a resolution to retain Bryant Miller Olive for specialized legal services regarding the public-private partnership (P3) statute, specifically to review an unsolicited bid for automated metering. The motion passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Vote on Gas Plant Resolution (H2): Passed 6-2. The resolution requests the administration to pause developer selection, negotiation, and advancement until a planning framework is established. Councilmembers expressed intent to hold a committee discussion on the study (ULI) soon.
- FDOT Update: Acknowledged. Councilmembers raised specific district concerns, and FDOT agreed to follow up on timing and communications.
- YIGBY Referral (H1): Approved unanimously, scheduling a committee discussion.
- Legal Counsel Retention (J1): Approved unanimously. A meeting with Bryant Miller Olive is scheduled for the week after next.
- Consent Agenda and Routine Items: All approved unanimously.
- Public Comments: No council action taken on ICE 287(g) agreement, but Councilmembers Floyd and Givens indicated they are working on the issue.
- Next Steps: The council recessed for a Black History Month flag raising and will continue discussions in future committee meetings.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to the City of St. Petersburg City Council meeting. Your elected officials are Mayor Ken Welch. District 1, Copley Gurtis. District 2, Brandy Gabbard. District 3, Mike Harding. District 4. And Council Chair Leseth Panowitz. District 5, Deborah Fig Sanders. District 6, Gina Driscoll. District 7, Corey Givens Jr. And District 8 and Council Vice Chair, Richie Floyd. Morning, everyone. Welcome to the February 5th, 2026, St. Petersburg City Council meeting. Clerk, you please have a roll call. Dabbert Harding, Eric Hanowitz. Here's the givens. Here. Lloyd. Here, Garness. Here. Please stand today for our invocation, which is going to be given by the Reverend Tracy Ashley of the Clearview United Methodist Church. Followed by a moment of silence. And then please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Good morning. Good morning. Let's pray together. Holy and living God, source of justice, mercy, and hope. We pause in this chamber of public trust, remembering that leadership is a sacred calling, a calling that mirrors your command to love our neighbors. This morning I give you thanks for the gift of neighbors, not neighbors who look like us or vote like us, believe like us, but all neighbors. Teach us again what it means to be good neighbors, to not only care for our own backyards, but for the whole shared yard of this beautiful community. Where flourishing is one, flourishing of one is bound to the flourishing of all. Lord, we give thanks for wise and practical ways of living into this calling, including the yes in God's backyard law. A reminder that faith is not only something we profess but something we practice by making room. Room for shelter, compassion, room for solutions rooted in love of neighbor, so that dignity has an address and hope has a front door. Bless the faith leaders who step forward into this service of common good. Bless the neighbors they serve. God bless the council members who choose to lean into these laws for the good of neighbors and neighborhood alike. Bless those willing to lead with courage, compassion, and foresight, who see not just policies on paper, but people in real places with real needs. Grant them the resolve to lead the way, not only for this city, but as an example for communities all across Florida, showing what is possible when leadership is guided by the common good and love of neighbor, which remains at the center of every decision. May our decisions reflect not what is convenient but what is compassionate, not what protects privilege, but what protects people. Let this city be known as a place where neighbors do not turn away from one another, but where goodness is measured by how the most vulnerable are treated, and where love takes shape in policies, partnerships, and daily acts of care. Remind us that policy can be pastoral and that budgets reveal our deepest values, guide us, ground us, move us, strengthen us, soften us, and unite us so that together we live into a vision of community rooted in dignity, belonging, and the common good for all. Amen. Now a moment of silence for Officer David S. Crawford, February 21st, 2011. End of watch. Thank you. I pledge allegiance to the fly of the water for original distance.
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