St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - February 19, 2026

The St. Petersburg City Council met on February 19, 2026, to discuss a range of issues including the approval of a one-year lease extension for Fresco's Waterfront Bistro, the final report from the Advanced Air Mobility Task Force, the acquisition of a CSX rail corridor for trail development, and the approval of numerous co-sponsored community events. The meeting included public comments, committee reports, and several votes on resolutions and referrals.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously: Renewal of Fresco's lease (item CB5) and selection of Wanamaker Jensen for A&E design of the new police canine compound (item CA1). Councilmember Driscoll highlighted both as positive developments, noting Fresco's legacy status and the long-awaited canine facility.
• Approved the consent agenda in its entirety.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Fresco's Lease (Consent Agenda): David Socol (owner, Fresco's) and Brandon Scharf (GM) thanked council for the one-year extension. Jennifer Bunt and David Socol Jr. also spoke, sharing personal stories and stressing Fresco's role as a community institution. All expressed desire to be included in future marina redevelopment discussions.
• Booker Creek Trail: Mark Ferguson (resident) and Jordan Starr (Ellison Development) spoke in favor of the trail project, thanking staff and urging council support for the CSX corridor acquisition.
• MLK Street Complete Streets: Justin Cournoyer (Campbell Park resident, transportation activist) urged council to fund complete streets conversion for MLK South, citing higher crash rates (32% more crashes on north vs. south segment) and serious injuries/deaths (17 people on MLK South). He requested city and CRA funds.
• Edge District Support for CSX Acquisition: Nicole Waters (Edge Board) and Debbie Reeser (Edge Board past president) spoke in favor of the rail corridor purchase, calling it beneficial for the community and businesses.
• One Community Grocery Co-op: Four speakers (Leslie Bauman, Erica Hardison, Alan Sievertson, Jerome King) urged support for a $50,000 resolution to assist the co-op, citing its potential to address food deserts and build community wealth. Hardison noted membership grew 140% to over 185 members.

Discussion Items

• Police Department Quarterly Report (Q4 2025): Chief presented crime statistics: overall crime down 16% year-over-year, homicides at lowest since 1967 (10 total, 9 closed with arrest). Use of force incidents: 404, with one complaint under investigation. 354 commendations vs. 16 complaints in six months. Second Chance program moving to broader partnership with sheriff's office. Council discussed path unit geography, park walk-and-talk quality, and use of technology (Eagle Eye program, doorbell cameras). Councilmember Givens suggested investing CRA funds in cameras for crime-prone neighborhoods.
• Advanced Air Mobility Task Force Final Report: Former councilmember Ed Montanari presented recommendations: designate parking spots for AAM aircraft at Albert Whitted Airport in the short term, build dedicated vertiports in the long term, conduct an alternatives analysis study, create minimum standards for standalone vertiports, update city codes, and establish the "Janus Center for Aviation and Innovation." Council praised the work. A motion to sunset the task force immediately passed unanimously. Council agreed to discuss next steps at the March EWD committee meeting.
• Co-Sponsored Event Applications (F5A–F5J): Staff explained the package includes 10 events (two new: One Of Us concert at the Pier, Cliff Diving event; others returning). The discussion focused on fallout from December's "We Belong Here" concert (noise complaints, perceived lack of enforcement). Councilmembers expressed frustration and called for policy changes. Staff confirmed a comprehensive event policies review is underway, and the problematic event is on hold. Councilmember Driscoll voted against the package, citing need to prioritize residents. The motion passed 7–1.
• CSX Rail Corridor Acquisition (F3): Evan Morey presented the $7 million acquisition of the Booker Creek Trail corridor, leveraging $4 million from Fergus, $2 million from Ellison, and $1.2 million from TIF and parking funds. Council praised the long-sought project and passed the resolution unanimously.
• CDBG-DR Consulting Agreement Amendment (F4): Aubrey Phillips requested approval to amend contract with BDO (formerly Horn LLP) from $11.6 million to $59.7 million for residential recovery and infrastructure mitigation services. Costs are reimbursable under HUD grant. Council approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
• Police Quarterly Report: Received and filed.
• Advanced Air Mobility Task Force: Report accepted; task force sunset immediately.
• Co-Sponsored Events (F5A–F5J): Approved 7–1 (Driscoll opposed).
• CSX Rail Corridor Resolution (F3): Approved unanimously.
• CDBG-DR Consulting Agreement Amendment (F4): Approved unanimously.
• Referrals:
  • G1: AI Permitting Software Discussion – Referred to PS&I committee (unanimous).
  • H1A: Expand HERS referral to include "municipally supported" grocery stores – Approved unanimously.
  • H1B: Resolution supporting One Community Grocery Co-op with $50,000 – Approved 6–1 (Harding opposed, Givens recused).
  • H2A: Remove redundant HERS item – Approved (with two members absent).
  • H3: 2026 Federal Legislative Agenda resolution – Approved unanimously.
• Public Hearings (J1, J2): Approved unanimously.
• Next Steps: A committee of the whole discussion on event policies is being scheduled; the EWD committee will discuss next steps for Advanced Air Mobility in March.