St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - March 26, 2026

The St. Petersburg City Council met on March 26, 2026, at 6:30 PM. The meeting included a consent agenda, awards and presentations, public hearings, and a quasi-judicial appeal of a 21-story development project. Councilmember Gabbard was absent for the entire meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously with Councilmember Gabbard absent. Councilmember Driscoll highlighted two items: CA5 (additional funding for the fire training complex, following a groundbreaking for Fire Station No. 2) and CB8 (an amendment to the city's agreement with Ready for Life Inc., a pilot program for foster youth aging out of the system).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Open Forum (resident concerns):

  • Fonda Sabin (Old Southeast) expressed concerns about the city's flood protection plans, asking for transparency on infrastructure maintenance, updated post-storm studies, and proof that proposed projects will not worsen flooding in her neighborhood. She requested the city show maintenance history and modeling before accelerating structural solutions.
  • Sheila Monaghan (Old Southeast) echoed the call for accountability, citing a professor's analysis that the Basin C solution could increase flooding in Old Southeast by 2–5 feet during hurricanes. She demanded release of the city's models, updated studies, and neighborhood-level impact maps.
  • Tony Smith (District 4) complained about noise and nuisances from events at the St. Pete Pier, citing 62 instances of booming noise and a fireworks show on March 9 at 9 PM. He argued the city's contract chain failed to mitigate the issue.

• Public Hearing for J4 (Pelican Project Appeal): Over 20 speakers, both in support and opposition, addressed the council. Key positions:

  • Appellants (Preserve the Burg, represented by Peter Belmont and Manny Latezo): Argued the 21-story building is incompatible in mass and scale, does not taper, demolishes more historic resources than any recent project, and is overparked by 50%. They cited the comprehensive plan and compatibility criteria, urging denial.
  • Applicant (represented by Don Master): Countered that the project is a no-variance application, meets all code requirements, contributes $1.5 million to workforce housing and $50,000 to public art, and has been approved by all city departments. He argued the height map and FAR bonuses are entitlements, and the building is compatible with the area.
  • Supporters (including St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Partnership, and residents): Emphasized the project's alignment with growth, housing supply, economic vitality, and adherence to the established review process. They urged council to uphold the DRC's approval.
  • Opponents (including residents from Historic Uptown, JUNA, and preservation advocates): Cited concerns about scale, traffic, destruction of historic buildings, displacement of affordable housing (including 33 multifamily units and 41 beds), and negative impact on Round Lake Park. Many called for a more compatible design.

Discussion Items

• Awards & Presentations:

  • Distinguished Citizen Award presented to Janie Johnson, a retired nurse and veteran, by Councilmember Givens.
  • CFY Scholarship Recipients recognized: 10 seniors from Gibbs, Lakewood, Northeast, and St. Petersburg High Schools, receiving scholarships totaling $47,500 from CFY (which distributed over $1.5 million countywide).
  • Women's Sanitation Drivers recognized: eight women, including the first female driver, Andrea Archer Waller (33 years of service).
  • Women's History Month Proclamation (March 2026) read by Councilmember Fig Sanders, with theme “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.”
  • Do Good Day Proclamation (March 28, 2026) presented by Mayor Welch, recognizing the Do Good and Shine Brightly Foundation.
  • Transgender Day of Visibility Proclamation (March 31, 2026) presented by Mayor Welch, with remarks from community leaders emphasizing joy, resilience, and visibility.

• Legal Settlement: I1 – Approved a $90,000 settlement for an employment discrimination claim (Wheaton Williams v. City).

• Insurance: H1 – Approved property insurance coverage effective April 1, 2026, with Brown & Brown of Florida, noting increased coverage at savings.

• Ordinances: E1 and E2 – Set public hearing dates for April 2, 2026, on a cone of silence ordinance and a vacation of a 20-foot alley.

• F1: Excelsior University BSN Program – Presentation on a hybrid nursing program to address a shortage of 60,000 nurses in Florida. Open houses scheduled for March 31–April 2.

• F2: BMS Cat Contract – Approved a second amendment (up to $25,653.91) for additional sanitation services at Tropicana Field, with the stadium substantially complete for opening day. Councilmembers praised the project team.

• F3: PSTA Transportation Disadvantaged Program – Approved increasing the annual subsidy from $175,000 to $250,000 to expand free transit passes for residents below 200% of federal poverty level. Usage increased 58% from FY24 to FY26, with 2,000 rides in February 2026.

• New Business Referrals:

  • G1: Referred Connecting South St. Petersburg CRA mobility study to HLUT committee.
  • G2: Referred discussion on a vessel exclusion zone (motorized boats) in the lagoon at Kokina Key Park to an appropriate committee.
  • G3: Referred discussion on designating the city as a bird sanctuary (per Florida Administrative Code) to the Health, Energy, Resilience, and Sustainability committee.

• Committee Action Items:

  • H2: Approved support for grant proposals for the Maritime and Defense Technology Hub (HUB2).
  • H3: Approved appointments of Mark Vigiano and David Harbiter Bitner to the Community Benefits Advisory Council.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda, Ordinances, and Routine Items: All passed unanimously (Councilmember Gabbard absent).

• J3 – Science Center Rezoning: Approved unanimously to change zoning from NS-1 to ICI for a 3.84-acre parcel at 7701 22nd Avenue North, allowing revitalization of the Science Center.

• J4 – Pelican Project Appeal (21-story building at 434 4th Street North):

  • Motion to grant the appeal (overturn DRC approval) failed 4-3. Councilmembers Driscoll, Fig Sanders, Floyd, and Hanowitz voted to grant the appeal; Councilmembers Gerdes, Givens, and Harding voted against. (A supermajority of 5 votes was required to overturn.)
  • Result: The DRC's approval of the site plan is upheld. The project will proceed with conditions, including a $1.5 million contribution to workforce housing and $50,000 to public art.
  • Next Steps: The quasi-judicial cone of silence remains in effect for 30 days pending potential appeal to circuit court.

• Adjournment: The meeting closed with a reminder from Councilmember Driscoll about fire safety, urging residents to install free smoke detectors via the fire department.