St. Petersburg City Council Meeting Summary - August 6, 2026

The St. Petersburg City Council met on August 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. (EDT) to consider a range of items including consent agenda approvals, public comments on flooding and utility infrastructure, discussion and votes on affordable housing loan modifications, the five-year consolidated plan, utility rate proposals, special event shuttle contracts, a controversial contract with PRIDE (prison labor), a construction services master agreement, ballot order for November referenda, and referrals for AI strategy and trails planning. Councilmember Hanowitz was absent for most of the meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda approval (motion/second, vote: unanimous, Hanowitz absent).
• Consent agenda (motion/second, vote: unanimous, Hanowitz absent). Councilmember Driscoll asked about Rowdies soccer agreement (CB5) — administration noted the one-year term is due to timing, hopes for longer-term agreement.
• Committee report I1A (management evaluation of Building and Collections Department): motion/second, vote: unanimous, Hanowitz absent.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jason Jensen (WJ Architects, representing Bergbid for historic gas plant redevelopment) expressed full support for the project, highlighted partnerships (Power Design, St. Pete College, 30,000 jobs, 3,600 affordable housing units off-site), and noted a design award from AIA. He emphasized community collaboration: "We want the fingerprints of the community to be all over it."
• Ruth Ann Harrison (4151 Sunrise Drive) described repeated seawater flooding from Bonita Bayou on sunny days, which has been unaddressed for four years. She requested referral to the PAS program (Army Corps of Engineers). Administration (Tankerslee) confirmed ongoing contact.
• Maya Ragsdale (Miami, FL) was not permitted to speak in open forum due to residency requirements; directed to speak later under item F5.
• Lexi (10th Avenue South and 47th Street South) complained about utility contractor encroachment on her lot, lack of city responsiveness, and safety concerns (power line proximity to stormwater). She urged a "dig once" policy and conduit raceway.

Discussion Items

F2: Sky Isle (Viridian) Senior Affordable Housing Loan Modification

• Presentation (Carly Pinella, Housing & Community Development): Request to assign, assume, and modify loans for 188-unit senior affordable housing complex (83 studios, 105 one-bedrooms, all at ≤60% AMI, 1.5-year waitlist). No new city funds; loan maturities extended from July 1, 2044 to July 1, 2049; affordability covenants extended to June 1, 2075. Rehab includes modernizing units, windows, roof, boiler. No relocation of residents; units renovated by natural attrition. Tax-exempt bond financing of $27M with 4% tax credits. Staff recommended approval.
• Councilmember Driscoll expressed strong support, noting the building's importance for seniors aging in place. She asked about relocation process during renovation — residents move within building via professional movers. Deborah Kaler (Sage Partners) confirmed 100% UFAS accessible units, walk-in showers, telehealth services.
• Councilmember Harding asked about the company's financial health — assured by Kaler; credit underwriting by Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
• Vote: unanimous, Hanowitz absent.

E1: FY2026-2031 Consolidated Plan and FY2026 Annual Action Plan

• Presentation (Dr. Avery Sliker, Housing & Community Development): Five-year consolidated plan addresses housing, homelessness, neighborhood revitalization, economic opportunity. Draft available for public comment. Annual action plan allocates CDBG ($802,857 capital, $261,155 public service), HOME ($405,741 rental assistance, $108,374 CHDO, $90,000 city funds), ESG ($61,338 homeless services, $80,505 public services), and new HOPWA award (~$1.7M for housing for people with HIV/AIDS). HOPWA is new; first-year contracts managed via MOU with Tampa.
• Councilmember Givens asked about allocation process — explained committee review and ranking.
• Councilmember Driscoll raised concerns about St. Vincent de Paul's neighbor relations (litter, public urination). Staff said current contracts lack good-neighbor stipulations; future contracts can include such language. Driscoll insisted on accountability and said she would not stop until resolved. She voted yes but urged changes.
• Councilmember Floyd supported the plan but noted broader conversation needed on homelessness services and funding effectiveness.
• Vote: 5-0 (Hanowitz absent; Girdis and Fixanders abstained due to conflicts).

F1: FY2027 Utility Rates Presentation (Informational)

• Presentation (Lance Stanford, Public Works): Proposed average monthly increase of 6.86% (without reclaimed water) and 7.71% (with reclaimed water). Overall 8.5% increase across utilities. Affordability analysis shows city in low-to-medium burden range. Communications plan in development.
• Councilmember Gabbard asked whether the increase is for maintenance or new capacity — clarified by Claude Tankersley: increase covers cost-of-living inflation without adding staff or projects; zero increase would require service cuts.
• Councilmember Curtis praised staff for adjusting away from 50:50 cash-to-debt ratio to maintain services.
• Councilmember Floyd suggested shifting base rates to encourage conservation and reviewing payments in lieu of taxes; noted cumulative increases over past decade place burden on current residents.

F4: Renewal of Special Event Shuttle Service Agreements

• Presentation (Ted Sivill, Parking Manager): Renewal of existing agreements with three vendors for shuttle services for major special events (e.g., Rays games, Grand Prix). City covers 50% of cost; shared with event promoters. Additional revenue from parking more than offsets city’s share. Requested $360,000 spending cap for next two years.
• Councilmember Harding asked about cost-sharing rationale for for-profit events — administration confirmed 50:50 is longstanding policy; only two of ~10 annual events are nonprofit (Florida Orchestra, Main Sale). He expressed concern but supported renewal.
• Councilmember Floyd suggested different rates for nonprofit vs. for-profit events in future.
• Vote: unanimous, Hanowitz absent.

F5: Contract for Paper Products with PRIDE Enterprises (Prison Labor)

• Presentation (Tom Green, Assistant City Administrator): PRIDE proposed lowest bid for paper products. Councilmembers had questions from prior meeting; Blake Brown (PRIDE president) and Randy Fisher attended.
• Public Comments: Alec Leskowski (AFL-CIO) urged rejection, citing 25-95 cents/hour wages, lack of labor rights. Alfredo Patino (Beyond the Bars) argued PRIDE's model depends on virtually rightless workers; Gainesville and Alachua County ended such contracts in 2019.
• Discussion: Brown explained PRIDE pays 30 cents to $1.05/hour for traditional work, plus prevailing wage for commercial out-of-state sales; recidivism rate 13% vs. state 21% and national 40%; training includes certifications. Councilmembers Gabbard, Driscoll, Floyd opposed due to low wages, moral concerns about 13th Amendment exemptions. Councilmembers Gibbons, Harding supported, citing rehabilitation and voluntariness.
• Councilmember Givens praised programs for second chances but urged PRIDE to do more on wages. Councilmember Floyd argued the city should not participate in a system that relies on "remnants of slavery."
• Vote: Failed 5-2 (Driscoll, Fixanders, Floyd, Gabbard, Girdis no; Gibbons, Harding yes; Hanowitz absent).

F6: Construction Services Master Agreement (Up to $60M)

• Presentation (Brajesh, Public Works): Master agreement to streamline project delivery for shovel-ready capital projects ($60M cap). No funds immediately appropriated; projects >$100K still require council approval. Saves 60-90 days per project.
• Councilmember Gabbard emphasized need to communicate large infrastructure spending to public. Councilmembers supported efficiency.
• Vote: unanimous, Hanowitz absent (Gabbard and Hanowitz absent initially, but Gabbard later returned? The transcript shows Gabbard absent for G1 & G2, but present for F6. Final vote list: all present voted yes).

G Ordinances (First Readings)

• G1: Amendment to alley vacation ordinance (1833 First Ave S & 1850 Central Ave). Approved unanimously, Hanowitz absent.
• G2A & G2B: Land use and zoning changes for 3.89-acre parcel at 3010 58th Ave S (Rural to Residential Medium, Zoning NS-1 to NSM-1). Approved unanimously, Hanowitz absent (Gabbard also absent).
• G3: Ordinance adding arts funding development bonus to FAR bonus table. Approved unanimously, Hanowitz absent.

J1: Resolution Regarding Ballot Question Order

• Legal Counsel (Brett): Dispute with Supervisor of Elections over order of municipal ballot questions (charter amendments vs. Go Bond and other). Three options: A (stubborn with backup), B (adopts supervisor's order but preserves city's position), C (full capitulation).
• Discussion: Councilmember Curtis favored A, then B. Driscoll worried about timing (deadline is next day). Gabbard and Floyd preferred B for clarity and to ensure questions get on ballot. Harding and Gibbons initially favored A.
• Vote: Option B approved unanimously, Hanowitz absent.

H1: Resolution Supporting Federal YIGBY Act

• Councilmember Floyd moved approval. Councilmember Harding asked about federal preemption — David Thompson (Gov't Affairs) clarified federal version provides funding/technical assistance, does not overturn zoning. Unanimous approval, Hanowitz absent.

H2: Referral for Citywide AI Strategy

• Councilmember Harding requested referral to Public Services & Infrastructure Committee for discussion on AI adoption, data governance, risk management, budget implications. Councilmember Gabbard noted her parallel permitting AI work will be ready in fall. Councilmember Floyd raised concerns about existing AI policy being too permissive and accuracy issues. Unanimous approval, Hanowitz absent.

H3: Referral for Trails Crossing Master Plan Update

• Presented on behalf of Chair Hanowitz. Request for update. Motion/second. Unanimous approval, Hanowitz absent.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda, I1A: Approved unanimously.
• F2 (Sky Isle loan): Approved unanimously.
• E1 (Consolidated Plan): Approved 5-0 (two abstentions).
• F4 (Shuttle renewal): Approved unanimously.
• F5 (PRIDE contract): FAILED (5-2). Contract not renewed.
• F6 (Construction Services Master Agreement): Approved unanimously.
• G1, G2, G3 (Ordinances first readings): Approved unanimously.
• J1 (Ballot order): Approved option B unanimously.
• H1 (YIGBY resolution): Approved unanimously.
• H2 (AI strategy referral): Approved unanimously.
• H3 (Trails master plan referral): Approved unanimously.

Next Steps: August 13 first reading of utility rates; August 27 public hearings for G ordinances and other items; ballot question order submitted with option B; PRIDE contract to be re-solicited; AI discussion to occur in committee; ULI Tampa Bay update to be scheduled.