St. Petersburg City Council Meeting – July 23, 2026

The St. Petersburg City Council met on July 23, 2026, beginning at 6:30 PM. The meeting included approval of the FY27 budget, referral of multiple new business items, a resolution to place a $600 million general obligation bond for storm resilience on the November ballot, and a contentious vote to remove nine vacant lots from the parkland map for affordable housing. Public comments addressed transparency, audits, and the bond referendum. All votes were taken with Council Member Gina Driscoll absent.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda and consent agenda unanimously, but later Vice Chair Floyd moved to reconsider and pulled item CB6 (contract with Pride Enterprises for paper and envelopes). The item was deferred to a later meeting after discussion about prison labor wages.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Open Forum: Kristen Robinson (League of Women Voters) supported the GO bond but urged greater transparency and public engagement. Brad Falbo criticized the city's auditor independence, demanding audits be released without mayoral approval and that the auditor report to council. David Harbitner (Sierra Club) supported the bond referendum and resolutions G6–G9.
• On the GO Bond (F2): Kathy Harrelson recommended including nature-based solutions in referendum language. Vanessa Paglisi (Riviera Bay Civic Association) asked for guarantees that general fund investments would continue and for clear cost impacts if state property tax exemption passes. Joe Craig and Will Michaels (CONA) supported the bond, citing economic benefits and urging storm surge planning.
• On J5 (Methodist Town lots): Isabel Muir (co-president, Methodist Town Neighborhood Association) expressed disappointment that the neighborhood was not consulted earlier. Cheryl Weisenberg asked for green space preservation. Michael Tortora urged postponement for community input.

Discussion Items

• FY27 Budget (F1): Finance Director Liz presented a proposed millage rate of 6.4525 mills, same as last year, generating $243.7 million in ad valorem revenue. The rate requires a two-thirds vote under new state law. Councilmember Givens questioned why the rate was not reduced given increased property values; Administrator Tom Green explained that the budget was tight due to hurricane recovery needs. The millage rate and public hearing dates were approved unanimously.
• Flood Cameras (F3): Councilmember Gabbard highlighted a new license agreement with USF to fill gaps in flood camera coverage. Approved unanimously.
• New Business Referrals (G1–G5): All referred to committees: private lateral rebate program (G1), data center regulations (G2), e-bike/e-scooter safety (G3), building height for drive-under homes (G4), and tenant support after mass evictions (G5). All passed unanimously.
• Resiliency Items (G6–G9): Vice Chair Floyd introduced a package: G6 (natural stormwater solutions), G7 (citywide resiliency plan), G8 (citizen advisory board), and G9 (resolution for transparency). Councilmember Gabbard noted existing work from the Resilient St. Pete Action Plan. G9 was amended to include specific planning documents (St. Pete Water Plan, Stormwater Master Plan, Seawall Vulnerability Assessment, Vulnerability Assessment, Resilient St. Pete Action Plan). All passed unanimously.
• GO Bond Resolution (F2): After public comment, the council approved the resolution to place a $600 million general obligation bond for storm resilience improvements on the November ballot. Discussion clarified that the bond language is broad enough to include nature-based solutions and surge mitigation. The city cannot advocate for the bond but can provide information.
• Methodist Town Vacant Lots (J5): Ordinance to remove nine vacant lots from the charter park map to allow future affordable housing. Council debated alternative language to include community uses. Ultimately, the original language was approved 6-1 (Chair Hanowitz dissenting). Council acknowledged the neighborhood's concerns but emphasized the long history of planning for housing.
• Other Charter Amendments (J6, J7, J8): Approved unanimously to place on ballot: Harborage lease extension, port lease term increase, and election cleanup.
• Ballot Order (I1): Resolution to set order with GO bond first, over supervisor of elections' objection. Council approved unanimously, with legal expecting a division opinion by August 6.

Key Outcomes

• FY27 Budget: Approved millage rate of 6.4525 mills (unanimous). Public hearings set for September 3 and 17.
• New Business Referrals: All 9 items (G1–G9) referred to committees (unanimous).
• GO Bond: Resolution authorizing a $600 million general obligation bond referendum for storm resilience passed unanimously.
• Methodist Town Lots: Ordinance approved 6-1 to place referendum on removing nine lots from park map for affordable housing.
• Harborage, Port, Election Amendments: All three charter amendment referendums approved unanimously.
• Ballot Order: Resolution adopted (unanimous) to list GO bond first among city referendums.
• CB6 Deferred: Contract with Pride Enterprises deferred to August meeting for further discussion.
• Acknowledgments: Council recognized the death of a city employee and recent violence in Child's Park, extending condolences.