St. Petersburg City Council Meeting – September 10, 2026

The St. Petersburg City Council met on September 10, 2026, at 6:30 PM. The meeting began with an invocation and a moment of silence in remembrance of 9/11. Council approved the consent agenda, heard public comments regarding the St. Pete Lawn Bowling Club, received a presentation and unanimously approved the St. Petersburg Fire Rescue Strategic Plan 2026–2031, received an update from St. Petersburg College, and unanimously approved a resolution certifying the results of the August 18 primary election. Council Member Gina Driscoll was absent.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda unanimously (7–0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Beth Eschenfelder (resident of 532 6th Avenue North for 26 years) requested that the Council require a one‑year annual report on the St. Pete Lawn Bowling Club, which she said has remained largely vacant since she spoke a year ago. She urged the Council to investigate: (1) access and actual usage hours; (2) membership growth and the number of St. Petersburg resident members; and (3) stewardship of the facilities, including accessibility, safety, and maintenance improvements.
• Robert Kashia (same address) asserted that ADA accessibility deficiencies remain unresolved after a year, that he was personally discriminated against by a club board member, and that no lockbox for public access has been installed. He stated the facility serves approximately 24 members (mostly seasonal or non‑residents), is utilized only about 7% of the available time (generally three mornings a week), generates only $36 in lease income over three years, and incurs substantial city expenses for utilities and repairs. He contrasted the club with the nearby Shuffleboard Court, which has about 2,600 members and a lockbox system, and asked who holds a city‑owned facility accountable when the city will not.

Fire Rescue Strategic Plan 2026–2031 (F1)

• Chief Watts and Deputy Chief Siskovsky presented a five‑year strategic plan developed through community and internal stakeholder engagement, a risk assessment, and a management study. The plan updates the department’s mission, vision, and values and identifies six goals: improve community engagement, strengthen health and wellness for personnel, enhance workforce development and succession planning, improve internal communication and transparency, align resources with city growth and evolving risks, and advance training and certifications. Key upcoming needs include construction of a new headquarters and master fire station on the Historic Gas Plant site, modernizing stations and apparatus, and expanding specialty teams. The Council commended the chiefs for their leadership, focus on personnel wellness, and proactive engagement. Council Member Panowitz noted that the plan’s success depends on funding, referencing the November ballot measure (Amendment 3) that would reduce property taxes. Council Member Gabbard asked for an update on a potential fire‑readiness fee; Administrator Tom Green responded that an RFP for an assessment methodology consultant is due to close September 22, 2026, and that the city has adopted an ordinance but never levied the fee. The Council voted unanimously (7–0) to approve the strategic plan.

St. Petersburg College Update (F2)

• Dr. Tonja Williams, President of St. Petersburg College (SPC), presented data on the college’s impact. SPC serves nearly 35,000 students; 22% reside in St. Petersburg, of whom 57% live in poverty‑zone zip codes. 78% of St. Pete resident FAFSA filers are Pell‑Grant eligible, 29% are first‑generation college students, and 68% attend part‑time. The college has not raised tuition since 2012. Over the past two years, nearly one in five SPC graduates lived in St. Petersburg. Dr. Williams highlighted partnerships (e.g., St. Pete Works/Edge) and upcoming initiatives: a new manufacturing training center in the former Jordan Park gym (opening January 2027) and planning for SPC’s centennial celebration in 2027. Council members praised SPC’s work and discussed potential future collaborations, including a collegiate middle school and an SPC Day. No formal action was taken.

Resolution Acknowledging Primary Election Results (F3)

• The Council unanimously approved (7–0) a resolution acknowledging the August 18, 2026 primary election results, declaring nominees for the November 3, 2026 general election (including mayor and Council Districts 2 and 6), and confirming that no primary or general election is needed for Districts 4 and 8.

Announcements

• Council Member Givens invited the community to a health event at Child’s Park Rec Center on Saturday, September 12 at 10 AM, and also noted SPC’s 99th‑anniversary block party and the Enoch Davis Center’s 45th anniversary.
• Council Member Curtis reminded everyone of the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and invited residents to join first responders at fire stations for a moment of silence. He also promoted a Vanilla Ice and 2 Live Crew concert in Burks.
• Administrator Tom Green confirmed the RFP for the fire‑fee assessment consultant closes September 22, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously (7–0).
• St. Petersburg Fire Rescue Strategic Plan 2026–2031 approved unanimously (7–0).
• Resolution acknowledging primary election results approved unanimously (7–0).
• No formal action taken on lawn bowling concerns or the St. Petersburg College update.