City Council

>> It. >> Welcome to the city of St. Petersburg City Council meeting and your elected officials our mayor Ken well. District one hopefully Curtis. District 2 Brendan Gallagher. District 3 Mike Harding district 4. A council chair Lisette can away. District 5 ever think Sanders. And Gina Driscoll. Were you given Stu year and and Council vice chair reaching Floyd. >> Everyone to the Sept. 10th 2026 City Council meeting clerk please have a world class. MISTER Ever hear Harding and what's your bigs Anders your school Givens here all right there. Today we're going to have our invocation given by pastor Anthony Langhorne astore Isom Memorial cme church followed by a moment of silence in remembrance of 9.11. And then please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance if you can please stand. Good afternoon Sir. Good afternoon. Let us free. Oh GOD we are so grateful to be in your midst we thank you GOD for this Council Lord, you brought them together according to your will and right now in the name of Jesus we ask that you would place peace within their hearts as they make decisions so that that peace MAY flow out throughout the city and that we MAY find evidence of you everywhere that we go in St. Petersburg we give you honor and glory in Jesus name Amen. Now if you can please remain standing for a moment of silence in remembrance of 9.11. >> I like it is the lag well the United States of America and to top it, which is stands one nation. Individual with that energy and justice for all. Thank you MAY be seated and thank you so much pastor for the beautification. >> We have an agenda before us owned retain a motion for approval. And the motion second clerk if you can open the machine for voting council members please enter your votes seeing that all present council members have voted clerk please tally announce the vote MADAM Chair motion to approve the agenda passes unanimously COUNCILMAN Burgess school being absent. But we have any card for the consent agenda. Jeremy down. We have a consent agenda for approval approval, thank you in the motion a second clerk if you can open the machine for voting. What. Council members please enter your vote seeing that all present council members that voted clerk please tally announce the vote and chair motion to approve the consent agenda passes unanimously councilmember to school being absent thank you. Parker, there any speakers for open form. >> If you wish to address to the council on subjects other than public hearing request, additional items this is on the agenda. Please sign up with the clerk. On the individual wishing to a sign the open form she only city residents on his property. Business owners in the city or their employees MAY speak. Issues discussed on the open for must be limited to issues related to the city of St. Petersburg government. If you're speaking to an item on the agenda you MAY only speak once during open form when the item comes up on the agenda. The cause is not permitted except in connection with awards and presentations in order to provide an opportunity for all citizens to address Council each individual be given 3 minutes to speak. And after which the microphone will be muted. If you wish to address City Council to the zoom meeting us use the raise hand feature button. And the zoom app or interest are not on your phone. At the time the agenda items address when it's your turn to speak up and you did and next a state your name and address at the conclusion of your comments or when you reach the 3 minute time limit. You will be muted. All raise hands will be Lord after each agenda item regardless of the method participation use normal rules apply, including 3 minute time limit on comments. The requirement that your presentation materials must be submitted in advance of the meeting and the rules of decorum live from the comment is disrupted by violations of the rules of the core the chair is authorized to accept public comment. The alternate means including you know only we have 2 speakers, MADAM Chair, Beth actions, Felder and Robert Costa please go to I the point podium state your name and address or cross Street and you have in Sturgis of the counts. Thank you very much. >> Hello everyone, my name is Beth Ashley folder for the past 26 years and give us your address please. I'm sorry your address I came in at to say yes for the past 26 years, I've lived at 5.30 to 6 Avenue North which is 2 blocks directly north of the Mir Lake recreation complex and I was here this time last year to talk with you about. Something we share in common which is coming down that I 3.75 off-ramp and we all get that stopped light and history and we all look to the right and we see the lawn bowling courts there that's what I'm here to talk about those empty lawn bowling courts. It's been a year since I've been here, I'm still stopping at that light and I'm still looking to the right and I'm still seeing vacant. Lawn bowling courts there. And I can see where the say with a pretty a good amount of certainty that nothing has changed in the past year. And that's why I'm back here today. And you all took the time to learn about long boiling last year and thank you for doing that you ultimately did vote to renew the license agreement. >> For governing the operation of the club in the facilities in the courts. And at that time then share COUNCILMAN Garrett East it's a council is paying attention now and that you hope to see things change and he even has submitted a request for one year and report and thank you for doing that. And one year is up. So this is the time. I sent all of uni know yesterday asking you to please support that report get that report to come forward, but don't take it just as a regular committee report dive in really ask questions want to know what's happening and look for opportunities to make some change and there are 3 things that I strongly encourage you to ask about investigate number one is access. How much are those courts actually being used how many hours a week whether it's for structured play time or for open practice time, especially for athletes. Number 2 membership in growth has the club ground. And how many of those members are actually St. Petersburg residents and what has the club done to expand membership to promote the sport promote the courts in the facilities. Number 3 is stewardship of the facilities. What has the club done too improve or planning to improve. Accessibility safety maintenance and preservation of that historic facility kind you learn that lawn bowling is increasing in popularity. Both recreationally and competitively. We do have the opportunity to see something different when were stopped at that light. You have the opportunity to make that happen. And when you get this report soon please do what you can. So we don't have another year of no change it's time for some change. Thank you. >> Go ahead, Sir. Robert kasia 5.30 to 6 Avenue North. You just heard my wife asked several straightforward questions about what has happened that Saint Pete lawn bowling club since we appeared before you year ago, I'd like to give you some answers access and discrimination. Full year has passed an ada accessibility deficiencies brought to the mayor's office result remain on is resolved. A city-owned facility that is supposed to serve the public is not accessible to everyone discrimination I was personally told by a club board member that I would never be allowed to play there again and was referred to as a greasy Italian. This is occurring at a facility operating on city-owned property, public access. A year ago public access in a lockbox was discussed the full year later there's still no lock box and no meaningful public access. Membership and utilities ation this multimillion dollar public property serves approximately 24 members. Most of whom are seasonal on non-residents the lease permits operation from 05:00am until 11:59pm 3.65. The facility remains utilized only about 7% of the available time generally 3 mornings a week from approximately 8.30 until noon. Could you use that those times I work 50 feet away the St. Petersburg shuffleboard court has approximately 2600 members. A lock box system and meaningful public access. Why can one city-owned recreational property serve thousands will just few feet away serve approximately 2 dozen. Costs the Alice Springs to city a whopping $36 income for 3 years. Well, the city bears substantial expenses, including electric water major building repairs. And significant building electrical rewiring accountability we spent the first year going through the mayor's office parks and Recreation and proper channels when that failed we came before this Council that was a year ago we were told these issues would be follow up on and the appropriate department would become involved to fix an update. The report and that slows regenerated a meeting with the mayor's office was scheduled and then canceled certified letters received by the city's attorneys office went unanswered. The director of code enforcement personally told me the code enforcement will not investigate violations on city properties. So I have one simple question who home who holds a city owned facility accountable. When the city will not hold itself accountable. We're asking you to make this public asset serve the public after 2 years we shouldn't still be having the need to be asking this. Thank you. Any more speakers were speakers matter. It goes up and form. Now we move to reports of one. We have chief Watson deputy chief is coffee here. Good afternoon tea. Good afternoon. In Council. So our strategic 2026 2031 strategic plan was developed through rigorous rigorous risk mitigation financial stewardship. And objective data from the matrix consulting group that did the study we also included. Internal stakeholders from some of our new people all the way up to myself. And we also included some of our external community partners. So our strategic plan excuse me as a road map for the next 5 years. It optimizes our emergency response enhances community risk reduction and secures long-term public safety resilience. Years one into focus, mostly on the urgency for our baseline readiness. Officer development immediate. Operational efficiency gains years 3 through 5 focus on some of the capital. Moore capital heavy or non emergent objectives into some of the later windows of the of the plan. Making them contingent upon alternative funding mechanism grants or phased a more fiscal phased approach. I'll bring up deputy chief cestkowski he can give you more details about the about the plan and. Any questions you MAY have. Good afternoon and thank you Council and ministers for having us here today. Thank you for the opportunity. >> To be here today as we look to adopt a St. Petersburg fire rescue 2026 to 2031, strategic plan. The plan represents months of collaborative work with our community stakeholders as chief said we had 20 external stakeholders throughout the community participate and 40 internal stakeholders including members from St. Petersburg police and the human resources department. It provides a clear road map for how Saint Pete fire will meet the evolving demands of our rapidly growing city while sustaining our national reputation for excellence and as we work through the plan and the initiatives and goals just so you know we've already started implementation of some of these processes. So this plan was built from the ground up using the community driven strategic planning model. We gauge residents business owners service present for riders and internal staff to identify expectations. Concerns strengths and priorities. Community expectations were very clear. They want to rapid professional emergency response. They want competent well trained personnel. A strong community partnership in visibility. Kindness professionalism and equitable service delivery across neighborhoods. Some of their concerns were also highlighted and those are downtown high-rise growth and fire safety. The need to enhance fire prevention for seniors and the vulnerable populations. Not a wellness support for firefighters and resource needs to keep pace with citywide development. So during this planning process we updated our mission vision and values statements. So our our updated mission statement. St. Petersburg fire rescue is committed to protecting lives and property of our community through preparation courage and exceptional service. Our values were updated. They include wellness. Service and accountability. And our vision statement was also also updated and I'll read this because I think it's it's basically gives us that road map of what we're looking for St. Petersburg fire rescue will be internationally recognized leaders in all hazards response through innovation advanced training and operational excellence as a premier agency with a mission-driven culture will be trusted by our community respected by her peers and desired by professional seeking excellence strategically implementing an organizational structure. Well accurately meet the needs of our growing city while prioritizing the health safety and wellness of our workforce. Our organization will provide high-quality services through engagement, compassion and professionalism we will maintain strong partnerships and strive to enhance the welfare and safety of all through education and community risk reduction efforts. So in the strategic planning process we identified 6 goals that we're going to work towards for the next 5 years. Those goals include improved community engagement. And I think from our can be seen that we've really engage with the community and we're going to seek to improve that strengthen health and wellness programs for personnel. Enhance workforce, development and succession planning. Improve internal communication and transparency Aline and hands resources to port support city growth and the evolving risks. And advanced training education and certifications to elevate service delivery. And as I said earlier we have begun towards working and implementing these goals are ready. So key upcoming needs to meet these goals. Construction of a new headquarters in master fire station. On the historic gas plant redevelopment site. And in that we've had planning meetings with city leaders to be involved early in that modernizing stations training grounds logistic areas and apparatus lifecycle replacement plans and supporting our specially teams including technical rescue hazmat and marine rescue to meet increasing call complexity. In that redevelopment we don't just focus on the downtown area we focused on district 2 where the chief and I've been involved in early planning meetings for additional fire stations in that area and then rebuild and reconstruction of existing facilities. So it's not just new growth, but it's maintaining those buildings that we already have. These investments can ensure the St. Petersburg fire rescue maintains are iso class one rating and our international accreditation. While meeting these rising service demands. So we clearly heard from our personnel that income continued investment in our workforce culture wellness and leadership development is essential. So in our plan we include expanded mental wellness and resiliency programs enhance fitness standards and nutrition support. A clear pathway for leadership development and succession planning and improved internal communications across all ranks and divisions. Just an example of some of the things that we're working on here we've instituted a daily Communications call across staff Schiff leadership to communicate daily initiatives. We've got a fitness initiative that we are currently in the planning stages of with the rollout expected. JANUARY of next year. And then the fire chief is instituted a quarterly update. We caught on scene which tackles different initiatives throughout the Fire Department, including Fire Department personnel in that development. So those are just a few examples of that communication. The expansion that we're working on. St. Petersburg fire rescue will continue extent expanding programs that have a direct impact on community safety. Our youth engagement into cadet programs will continue and expand. We're going to look at senior fall prevention and fire prevention initiatives for those underserved n populations in need. We'll look to community paramedicine partnerships and then outreach and those underserved communities. These programs will reduce risk strengthen trust and improve long-term community resilience. In closing the strategic plan is not just to document its a living road map that aligns St. Petersburg fire rescue with the expectations of our community and the future of our growing surf city. With your continued support. St. Petersburg fire rescue will remain a premier nationally recognized all he hazards emergency service agency. One that delivers exceptional service protects our residents and advances safety and the well-being of citizens throughout St. Petersburg thank you and I'm happy to answer any questions. Thank you councilmember captured. Thank you MADAM Chair I just very quickly wanted to push my button and say thank you so much reading through this I could really see what I think is a reflection of the work that you and the entire team have been doing over the course of the last few years. All the way from the management evaluation and how you took that and you have started to implement things that came forward in that. Into this strategic plans so that it lives passed just that management evaluation. But into the next generation of Saint Pete fire and rescue. I just I cannot say enough good things working with you over the last few years has just been such a joy. >> And I want to thank you specifically and you pointed out about. Your. I guess proactive way and the vision that you look at for how we grow as the city and how I've never really seen before your leadership, either one of you that being taken into consideration the way that it is now. This morning in our h o ut committee we had ally Tampa Bay update for the historic gas plant study and I just want to make sure I failed to mention it and that meeting but we talked about the stakeholders who have been around the table and who will continue to be around the table. I want you all know that the Chiefs have both been there and that really shows that it's not just about how we as the city determine our growth but it is about how you all engage with the community as a part of that growth and really setting the tone and setting the vision for where the future will be and then you mentioned district to so selfishly I will mention that as well because from day one on the master planning sessions, both of the chiefs were there. And I just think that that shows just your commitment to making sure that every corner of our city is touched as it continues to grow and that the needs continue to be addressed. So from the bottom of my heart and has been a pleasure to work with both of you and see how all of this has come together and on behalf of District 2 I just want to thank you for your service. Thank you. Thank you to the entire team who put this together. Thank you. Thank you for your comments and just to reinforce that. So we did fall back on the management study for a lot of this but the collaboration that we have with counsel and all city departments. It really is working towards us achieving these goals being PRESIDENT, not just for the new initiatives but making the were for stronger pushing the department you know to the cutting it so we appreciate all the support on MADAM Chair, if I could I do just want to make a special mention of that as well. As I was reading through this the constant mentions of the health and well-being of our men and women who do the job every single day that really stood out to me as well and I want to commend you for that because without them without them feeling them around without them feeling the support. They couldn't get up and do the incredibly difficult job that they do every single day. So that did not escape me so thank you very much. Thank you MADAM Chair, thank you. Councilmember Givens thank you chair and thank you so much to each of you chief watch she cestkowski you keep us in the loop with everything that's happening in our community within our districts and we appreciate that ongoing communication in the engagement. I think any good strategic plan focuses on you know updating our operations making sure that it's modernize making sure that we have inclusive recruitment pipeline. So that we are getting the cream of the crop. But also getting folks from within our own community. I want to speak for a moment to just our recruitment and our training and our education can you speak to that for just a moment specifically leadership because I think to my colleagues point you know we have seen management evaluations. You've also heard says council members as far as what we want to see from the department even when it comes to diversity and equity. So can we speak a little bit to the links that you all have taken the measures that you've made to ensure that leadership is reflective of the community that you all are served. Can I just say one thing this starts at the top and she fought so speak to this but without his leadership and his initiatives. We wouldn't have the directions so I let him touch on a but he's not going to. Tell us what a great job. He's been doing but he really that. Thank you thank you councilmember Givens. So for me I was very fortunate throughout my career to have mentors and people who saw something in me even when I didn't see it in myself to encourage me to get to the next level. So we we do that on a consistent basis. We have invested in our people. We send them to different types of classes all throughout the state and even throughout the country which is something that we scarcely did in the past so it has been a priority of mine to again invest in the people so that we have to I'm going to use a sports analogy. So that we have a deep bench, so that when we leave because we're not going to be here forever. We have a plan in place to bring the next group of leaders up into the organization so that they can in fact in fact lead the organization into the next and into the next multiple years. So we have not changed our standards or criteria for promotion and I've been here for going on 9 years that has remained the same. There was a time like for me for example I used to go to the National fire Academy in Emmitsburg Maryland to get classes. We have now started bringing those classes to write in our headquarters. So that our people can meet those standards and those requirements for promotional opportunities again the educational requirements have not changed we we have a leadership development guide that was I think we put that out either this year or last year that walks people step by step I mean it it gives them. A very basic layout of the steps that they need to take in order to promote through the ranks in the department. We did a one day, I'm sorry we did 3 day internal job fair at the local 7.47. Where we just again walk people through all of the steps that they need in order to progress through the ranks and it will take time cultural changes take time. I wish I could wave a magic wand and all of a sudden have you know new recruits in diversity at all levels. But those those initiatives in those goes take time but we are working hard behind the scenes to make sure that everybody has an equal opportunity that everybody takes advantage of it and I find myself and some of my staff at times at some of the stations when we see those people that have those potential we pull them to the side and say hey you want to be part of the change, here's your opportunity to do so and so we've been very proactive with that it hasn't been where we were just sitting around. You know waiting on the next fire or ems call to come we've been very proactive in engaging the community. We have a recruitment team that goes out to multiple events each and every week they're out there stumping for us making sure that we have a diverse group of. Recruiters out there and we ourselves are actually our best recruiters because they see us and they want to be a part of this organization. With that I think you said this change takes time. But you are shifting the narrative you're changing the culture it's no longer the good old boy system. You have put the tools and the resources there. For the men and women who served and fire and emergency personnel to be able to make those advancements if they so but as you said it's up to them to want to get there so I appreciate you being a willing partner because again you you are a testament that anybody can can accomplish their dreams that they're willing to put in the work so I just want to come in you and your whole team each and every one of you for the hard work that you put in every chance I get I try to support fire and police had an opportunity to go back to school and welcome some back to school friends. So I definitely appreciate that I appreciated the job fair that you are hosting an opportunity to stop by that so again I see the work you are being proactive so I want to say it publicly. Thank you. And I definitely see the effort that is being made to change the culture in to shift the narrative I think our future looks really bright because you all are I'm being proactive in trying to recruit the best and brightest. I've had an opportunity to attend some of those recruitment events that some of the high schools. So I just want to say keep up the good work and thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thanks thank you. Victor. Thank you bite your flight. Thank you. Thanks for the presentation. I like to be I guess reporter strategic plan. >> It was a straight to the point gave me the information I hope to see. I'm grateful for the really excited to hear. The considerations around the redevelopment of the store gas plant and the new hq I think I feel like this is the most explicit I've heard like this is what we want to see there. So that's great for me, although I know of. Sort of heard it for a while now. Really just have one quick question. >> About ems specifically just to see what you'll have to say about your relationship with our outside provider for transport Sen. How you're feeling that's going and you know hopefully what you'd like to see in the future. >> Is stronger than it's ever been with our ems partners in the county and then with some We collaborate on a lot of things you know rules and regs we have so many committees and you know that we look at data and dissect things and how we can bore be more efficient and more effective and obviously as we look towards the future. We're going to have to to collaborate even more on realizing where we can find system efficiencies how can we be more effective and you know possibly do more with less. So I think at this place in time our relationship with the county. And with ems providers stronger than it's ever been so we do look to collaborate while we look to make sure that St. Petersburg is well spoken for and our citizens are protected at the highest level. I appreciate that I'll just say that you know any support that I can provide to make life easier. On you all in that respect in any other. Just let me know, appreciate it thank you. Thank you chair, yet. Chief say aye. Couldn't be any more impressed. I simply will follow on that on the bandwagon that that councilmember Gavin started for us and waving that flag. That the pardon the pun until we want to we want to got but but organizations start with the very basic level just fighting fires and every day we get up and we just try to get through the day we just try to get through the day and as you as you get to watch bigger organizations eventually they get to the point where where they can get to a second there they can plan a week and they can start thinking about equipment and they can start thinking about it in the very end of this the pinnacle of this leadership to me. >> It is when the the. Senior leadership team starts to think about than just the one person and that's what struck me in year in your plan is that you have elevated this program. 2 where where what is of concern what we talk about today. It is holistically what can we do for that one firefighter just that one firefighter and and you can clearly see in this plan that your concern with with the well-being of that one firefighter with the training of that one firefighter, the leadership of that one firefighter with the the the the concept of how do we advance this person or how do we not advance this person or how do we let this person know that this is refitting the organization and what let's let's let's let's make this the best for your career. I couldn't be any more impressed with with with how how you all have thought pass through that one that one day we're going to get up. We're just going to try and keep this organization going by fighting the fires of today too we're past 5 years now. Now now we're really thinking about how do we improve the lives of the people who are here. So that that the culture becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy and it in even the short year and a half I've been here too. To watch your department in particular. You have my admiration and I greatly appreciate both of you and the leadership team that you do. Thank you Sir. Thank you. >> So first of all thank you. For the presentation and this report. I know this is a 2026 3 2031 strategic plan that's community driven we have a referendum on the ballot. The amendment 3. That is going to. Property taxes which funds public safety. So this plan and all the things that our community wants is dependence on how they are paid for and I say this because I think it's important to understand the basis of this plan it was community-driven I want to thank the community members from all our districts because we all reach out to us to find out people in our district that could participate in this plan. So it was citywide there was internal stakeholders to but I want to mention some things I know they were mentioned, but given that framework of where we are what's going to be on the ballot come in NOVEMBER. And you know community expectations include expediency responding quickly and professionally having knowledge being well trained having the equipment that. That they need to keep them and us safe meaning you all in the community. Firefighters having every resource they need to fulfill that call. They will make sure there's disaster response, especially during hurricane season. They have areas of concern including does the Fire Department have the proper equipment. Our our firefighters receiving compensation could keep them housed during the increase of development in the city. They want to make sure that our first responders have the support for their mental health and their families. They want to make sure there's funding we want the firefighters have all the equipment needed this is from the report this is from literally are community stakeholders they want to have ample resources in support to support areas of need. Being up today on technology and resources and one of the comments that really struck me was. And positive community comments was in the wake of the fire at the College of marine Sciences, I'm in awe the Fire Department what they do. This is the same community that is gonna be voting in NOVEMBER. On this ballot measure and I want everyone to understand these are the expectations of our Fire Department this is what we want for our community and we pay for these services through the property taxes that we collect period end of story. And if we can't fund in that way they're going to have to be funded somewhere else because at the end of the day. Our community not only want need and expect the services and if anyone has any questions as to what those expectations are they can read that 20 26 through 20. 31 strategic plan. And see exactly what is expected and wanted from our fire departments, I wanted to put that out there because you know these plans are extremely important in planning, but you know what's also important the funding for them because a plan without funding is nothing. With that being said and I thank you all for all your work that you do and there's nothing better that can do the net to advocate for the funding. 4 the work that you do so with that being said council member and then I'll entertain a motion also for the approval of this plan councilmember gathered. Thank you quick question for administration so in our last but it was our last budget Committee of the whole where we have the conversation about supplemental funding and we talked about the fire feet we talked about the extensive process by which that would need to go through. We did receive the memo from outside counsel. And so I wanted to see if administration could give us an update or maybe provide an update in an email if you're not prepared to do it today. As to where you all are with those initial steps to even have that conversation. Because I mean. The polling is still looking very positive for amendment 3 regardless of you know who continues to try to speak facts to the matter. I'm feeling as though we need to get ready. And you know worst-case scenario it's all for naught and we don't have to do anything but there was a process and so I would like to know where administration isn't exploring moving those steps forward. >> Absolutely and I MAY have to supplement. With an e-mail yeah that's a cat there are certain dates I MAY get incorrect but we have on the street and rfp to select the assessment methodology provider who would do kind of the the map of and coming up with us the assessment methodology that would as a step to muster under state statute. It's cetera. So that's kind of the next step in the process that we need to do internally as as counsel is well aware you know we have adopted an ordinance just never enacted or levied fire readiness fee. So that's kind of where we are and I'll follow up with the date. I'm I'm feeling like the responses are due later this month and then we would do an evaluation of the middles select that provider. So that's kind of one piece of it. The other piece of it and legal MAY want to chime in on this is if we are going to take action. We counsel we would have to bring in action 4 to alert the tax collector that we wanted to utilize the uniform if a method of collection. So that's that's kind of the other piece that is. But MR. Green said it is act. Right and so that is why I'm urging us to continue to move forward recognizing that you know again. We don't really know what's going to happen. But let's say it does pass on Nov. 3rd with a very short time period to make that notification and so I would like to see us moving that forward I don't want to take a wait and see approach but it doesn't sound like that's what the administration is doing so. Thank you, MADAM Chair just wanted to get quick update on that thank you thank you. Move approval. Second. We have a motion and second clerk the can open the machine for voting council members please enter your votes in the Depression council members a vote a clerk police telling us bill. MADAM Chair motion to approve agenda if one passes unanimously Council mergers school being absent thank you and thank you for the report, thank you all for being here. >> Next up we to this is a St. Petersburg college update. I am gonna turn this over councilmember fix Sanders who asked for this. Thank you. Yes. I did good afternoon, everyone and as you see we do have our PRESIDENT Of St. Petersburg college DR. Tanya Williams, but also joining her today is MISS Rebecca Brown, her chief of staff. Jesse turtle who's the vp of institutional advancement and director of the foundation. Doc to carry on and at that say that right Karen Kerr on Jane back tees who is the provost of downtown and midtown and drd analyst as Dana for it who is the acting provost at the St. Petersburg in gives campus. I did see that it's not doctor Williams because Saint Pete college means so much to the city of St. Petersburg it is the one institution other than say Pete high school that bears their name. St. Petersburg college. St. Petersburg junior college gave me my first degree they actually do walk me through that process but every time I see doctor Williams is always what's going on and even when I don't see her there's always something very positive in a very progressive going on with St. Petersburg college so she thought it not robbery to want to come and give us an update as to all the wonderful things that have happened over the last 99 years as they prepare for their 100 the year. For you know you know look 99 at all, but you have the pleasure. Of sharing a lot of those accolades to have earned. This is the years so it gives me great cause you to introduce Dr. Time to Williams. Thank you Council woman fix Sanders. >> I am just so proud to be here. Thank you chair hand weights for having me and members of City Council. You know on behalf of St. Petersburg College's board of trustees chair. Katie Cole and vice-chair Thomas Kidd will I am so proud to be here with you today, I'm here to break, I'm here to talk. I'm here to have fun so bear with me how much time I guess. Okay all right. So I want to say as we prepare for our 99th year anniversary I really want to share some information with you about St. Petersburg college economic mobility. In our partnership with the city of St. Petersburg you know as we prepare. I think about Saint Pete college back in 1927. When it first opened its doors at least St. Petersburg high school. And about 30 years later gives junior college which was the African American junior college opened its doors for african-american students. But then in 1965 the 2 institutions came together and became St. Petersburg College. And so when we really look at this we are creating a legacy of access and opportunity we give junior College in St. Petersburg Virginia College and I do my best to make sure we don't lose that fact because it is s p j c affectionately known as j c and g j c which is gives junior college they came together to make us a great institution today. Did you guys know St. Petersburg college sirs almost 35,000 students. Did you know that we are the 5th the largest of the great 28. In Florida. Okay yeah, I don't know nothing This really you know you know our students are not a one size fits all the average age of a St. Petersburg college student is 26. Meaning that we have a lot of students who are working who are parents who are second careers who are coming back to level up and so our average age is 26. Did you know that we prepare students for transfer for workforce. We also prepare students to actually stay at sbc and get their baccalaureate degrees. We are that institution that serves the community, especially the city of Saint Pete so I want to tell you a little bit about your students who reside in the city of Saint Pete already. All right so I'm going to read these so I don't MISS A. Today 22% of the students enrolled at St. Petersburg college reside in the city. St. Petersburg nearly one quarter of those students who live in Saint Pete are 18 or younger you guys have the youngest population, 33% of our students from Saint Pete are under the age of 18 meeting those collegiate high schools in those Dew enroll students in the city of Saint Pete to a 10 year for high schools in the city of Saint Pete are ending their credentials earlier. Does that mean anything to you guys the City Council you have been a part of that. This matters for every college course completed high schools is saves families a lot of money and a lot of time a man right I heard you I heard you but that is about who we serve 57% of our students who live in the city of Saint Pete reside in the poverty zone zip codes. Let me read that a good 57% of the spc students who live in the city. St. Petersburg reside in zip codes identified as poverty areas compared to the overall poverty area heroes students for Saint because just 28%. So the city of St. Petersburg has a higher population of students who are trying to level up who are trying to change the trajectory and a lot of that has to do with this city Council who has been focusing on making sure that all boats rise right that everyone has an opportunity to learn and and return and that's what you've been doing together we've been working to create pathways out of poverty. So I tell my team and spc we don't teach students into poverty and we don't care we programs. We want students to earn money that's why they go to school. No student goes to college to be broke. At least no student that I am aware of and that work is especially important when we consider that among our St. Petersburg residents who fill out the fast for that your application application your application form 78% of the city of Saint Pete individuals are eligible for Pell Grant. What does that mean for City Council 29% who reside in Petersburg are first generation students going to college. In this day and age we still have students who are the first in their family to ever go to college, 29% of those enrollees who attend spc reside in the city. St. Petersburg it's 68% of the students who attend St. Petersburg College who reside in St. Petersburg are also part time. And what does that mean they're working. They are trying to earn a living while they're trying to educate themselves. And so this really falls in line with why access matter but access alone is not enough. Students have to finish an Arctic are intentional. And you'll hear me say over and over you hear people say college is not for everyone. I do not call sign on that. College is for everyone, a degree might not be. That is why St. Petersburg college over the last 5 years has increased a lot of short-term credentials where students are doing lineman work it making $60,000. So they're doing semiconductor they're doing all different types of short-term programs to make good money so over the past 2 years nearly one out of every 5 spc graduate is a resident of the city of St. Petersburg your folks are finishing. They're starting in their finishing. Approximately 32% of those graduates who actually finished not the ones who started we're first generation. So with the city of Saint Pete you are changing the trajectory of generations, folks are changing because of the work that you're doing and we're just proud to be a part of it that's what economic mobility looks like. That's why we're so proud to be a partner with age. The program that is helping individuals who are not prepared get prepared, who are not thinking of education get educated to move forward and so the way that the city of Saint Pete is spending its money is definitely helping as residents grow and get out of poverty. So I'm very very very proud of it what's interesting about this partnership is that we share the same people Saint Pete College in the city of St. Petersburg worst brush and the same people we share the same neighborhoods. Many of us share the same employers. And that's why we have to work together and we're very very proud of that their success strengthens the city of St. Petersburg and at St. Petersburg college our promise is simple. We are there to provide programs to help students get better jobs. Better jobs bring on what better lives and better lives do what Bill better communities is that not what this city Council is all about that's what I've seen over the years. So now we need to celebrate. These 99 years St. Petersburg college has been in existence because of the partnerships that we have had with many of you the concerns that you have expressed about our residents being able to live good lives to be self-sufficient to move forward and help their families get a better trajectory. So for 99 years we've stood in the gap for folks to learn. For 99 years we've been innovative creative and willing to step out and do something that no one else is done. For 99 years we continue to expand free education support for our younger students letting them get their credentials earlier, opening up 3 collegiate high schools being the champion for aerospace programs in aviation bringing on short-term programs partnering with Jay bill circa doing everything we can to make sure that we leave no owner behind that everyone has an opportunity to grow and move forward that's why I've been near 39 years, I just love it I think that what we are doing is changing lives and because of that my life is change because someone tested in the gap for me I want to make sure I do the same so this Sat.. We will be at our midtown center. We will shut down the streets just to do we get the permission to do that. And so we're going to be at the midtown campus on the deuces and we're going to have actually a party. We're going to celebrate those 99 years, we're very excited. We're going to have COUNCILMAN Cory Givens is going to give us some words of encouragement. Maybe some of the money will come with that. It will be good to have you there. But next year's the 100. We're the oldest state College out of the great 28. A 100 years. And we want to raise the flag. We believe Saint Pete college deserves a flag being raised for a 100 years of serving the community so we'll bring you the flag. We're gonna bring all the city Council's the flag because it is a big deal to be a 100 years and still be relevant. Still be impactful and making sure that people have the opportunity to grow and its ap college if you have a high school diploma. And first for our workforce programs you don't even have to have that or ged and warm blood in your veins are excepted because we work on potential. We're not looking for you to have a 4 point oh we are grinders were here to work and we want to make sure students can learn. So next year. Together we're going to ensure that every zip code in the city of Saint Pete least opportunity we're going to make sure that every resident can rise and shine through education and we are your college. You have a lot of data. I hope it surprised you about what sbc is done our economic impact. And when my team tells me that we are bringing billions of dollars to the Tampa Bay community and we are building the workforce. Then we have met our goal. We have reached what we had to reach. So we're looking forward to continue to partner with you if you really want to get deep down and dirty when you talk about data we live it every day. We review it every week we just heard, you cheese talk about data. We're in a data world and so we love to entertain you guys in a time you have a couple as you want to sit down and really dig the I'm happy to do that. So that you can see the impact that the city of Saint Pete Saint Pete College in this community has made over the last 99 years. So I hope I take too much time I try to go really famous. Vice chair Floyd you any questions. >> I don't have any questions I just push my button to say thank you and that your energies into a. I I went to state colleges started school at Northwest were sirens and. I'm proud to support. The state College system and the day to the you brought and the energy that you brought was wonderful and thank you councilmember think senators reconoce happen that's all ahead next. As a member think Sanders is so now I'm speaking as a council member was again Doug first of all I feel to say. Doctor Williams, I know you haven't been there for 99 years. But the progress you've made is approval, I'm just as PRESIDENT You do. I just cannot thank you enough when I look around on campus in India does help to buy has been worse. It is the sea so we're at as we see family. But every time I look around and you introduce a new a family member to cause you all are like a family every time I see you're like a family. So I want came with you to please stand up because we know that doctor Williams yes we given her cool toes. But you all need to be acknowledged as well. Because she has really circles herself with the phenomenal and a phenomenal faculty. And you all are always out there doing some phenomenal thing so doctor Williams again I hurt you when you say you want us to raise a flag I heard that all I did hear that what else can we do for you you are you know, thank you okay, so here's what's happening. In JANUARY we will be opening a new manufacturing training center on the do says. We took the join Park gym and we got it that and rebuilt that so we'll have things like megatron Dixon my conductor cleanroom technology things of that nature to help the community get closer to short-term training that leads to high wage paying jobs and we're partnering with a lot of groups of individuals who are bringing us equipment and things of that nature helping us encourage the community come out you can't get that kind of training anywhere. But we're right here in Saint Pete, and so we're going to need some support and making sure individuals take advantage of that. I think that's going to be very very helpful to us, I'm very excited about it we are going to have one of the first dual enrollment manufacturing trainings for dual enrolled students in cleanroom technology which is not been done. And so we're we're still the first we like to be if you know me I I like the win. But I do think that having your support as we continue to move throughout the city of St. Petersburg and continue to grow things. Coming together would be very helpful for us. And you've done that. I would like to see the city look collegiate middle school. I kid you not I have a lot of ideas so if you get time, I'll be happy to share that but I think being able to celebrate with us to be visible with us is going to be important for us next year were named after the city of St. Petersburg where St. Petersburg college. I hate to have our sneaker ball on Sept. 12th of next year, none of you are there. So being active and involved would be very helpful to us. And if you have some more money. If you go all in that that we were going to stay prayerful for their right to stay forever, but again thank you so much for the wonderful presentation and all that you continue to do because as I said I got my first degree from Saint Pete to new college. So you know. The opportunity to provide the local students in especially those as you say first generation college students because that would have that is me in my family, so I do appreciate all that you've done and thank you for coming and again thank you fit faculty family. Thank you chair. The other thing you guys have u s if they here. Saint Pete Kyle k. So you want to ask the cia. Okay, I hear you loud and clear doctor renew its pc day okay right that an MR. Green isn't ready right now is species We did have its pc they join me to talk has been that long to 2. It's Okay little you we would and we did and so I'm sorry it's been that long been that long. Why the okay if someone is okay. Thank you Betty. But next year is a 100. >> Councilmember Givens thank you chair and thank you so much DR. Williams into entire team that came today. Saint Pete college is stories a lot like America's story. You know we. Really converged at an interesting time in 1927, we decided to create such an institution. We really see this school was really created by visionaries people who are able to see a brighter tomorrow. And so between Gibson you're colleges to my grandmother is a proud alumni of and St. Petersburg junior college we have this great institution that we know today is St. Petersburg College and and I really think that a lot of what we are is because of the leadership. And that's a credit to you. Doctor Williams I can attest to I can remember when you. It came down to the St. Petersburg college downtown campus. And we are greeted you we welcome the community to this new role and you took it on. And you took it on full throttle. You have not slowed down you have not let gas and I'm so glad that it's been all gas. No brakes because. All of this because of you and that team behind you and I'm just so excited to see what the future has I'm gonna keep my comments brief and say that for Sat. Because I'm excited to get the block party. I was at the meadow Park last night not about it the entire neighborhood to come out to celebrate with us because it's gonna be a party. We've got a lot to celebrate after 99 years, you know I think about people like the great Johnny Ruth Clark. You know those trailblazers who shoulders we stand on today if they could see where we are now I think they'd be very proud so kudos to you all and I've been working with a doctor Jean Baptiste all on China brain Jordan Park Jim back to life and I'm really so excited to see what the future holds for us because what Saint Pete college does as you're not just training our future workforce, you're not just preparing them by giving them education certifications but you are leading them to industry demanding jobs. Jobs where they're not just getting a paycheck, but they're making a living wage and you're pulling people out of poverty and it's the folks in the South sea who we should be benefiting the most and that's what Saint Pete works edge is doing. So kudos to you and your team, thank you so much to you and you know, it joined part Jim we did take the center gym floor. And we put it on the wall it's embedded in the wall of that building to commemorate the gym. It is beautiful, you you feel like I love that my dad used to work it has its first job out of high when I told him about that and he said thank you for saving that because again history matters and as we are on the precipice of a 100 years a century of education this community I think it's important that we preserve that history for future generations, the common and to your point of the school board just had a meeting the other day and unfortunately we're looking at maybe about 7 schools possibly consolidating or closing so you MAY get your wish when it comes to that collegiate middle School talk to MISTER Hendrix. Thank you chair. Councilmember Curtis thank you very much, MADAM Chair. Thank you so much DR. Williams for the presentations great to see you. The rays had as pc there last week. So we're we're behind. Those great to see it's great to see everybody there we talked about just quickly we talked about because you know selfishly I've got Gibbs campus in my district. And so we talked about some of the things happening in and the dew says there some construction going on right now on the Gibbs campus can you tell us a little bit about that. You know we are bringing our line worker program to the gives campus. And so they are getting everything ready to have the law the polls and the trucks and everything there because we're disposing of the Allstate center. So we're starting to build there and we are probably a year away from adding some more programs at the gives campus restructuring some of the facilities to prepare for those programs. Awesome. Thank you so much for the update. It's been. It's been fun to watch. You know, I feel like there was this kind of. Title moment with safety college words and a lot of it was covid right where a lot of kids word not going to clap not physically going to class and so traffic that didn't float in the West Side. Now I'm going down 5th Avenue to take my kids to school and you know there's where we've got students walking across 5th Avenue from the multi families across the street lots of cars pulling in it's just great to see it activated and how I remember it growing up it's just amazing and then to just to see the work going on a very excited about. The utility program and so thank you so much to everybody for what for what you do and very excited for the future and celebrate 100 with you thank you. Thank you, MADAM Chair, thank you councilmember covered. Thank you, MADAM Chair and thank you all poor on the thanks and congratulations for all of the success that you're showing 99 years is nothing to laugh about and so congratulations on that and just everything that you have moving forward, you know, I've got a teenager that hopefully will be in that dual enrollment program next year on pushing for it. And so just what you do for our community and you know kind of looking into the future she's not here with us today unfortunately, but DR. Blunt the bury her work in the workforce development portion. I just want to give a special shout-out to her and thank her. She has been an incredible partner in the dream of bringing a resilient mitigation work force to St. Petersburg we're going to have a presentation on that at our hers committee next week with the National flood mitigation Industry Association who will be here and that partnership has just been incredible and so I want to thank her for her leadership and look forward to continuing to work with all of you on that and making that realization. Climate mitigation to absolutely does it work for you, we would have known. Thank you. Well, I mean we are ground 0 for you know climate vulnerability and there's a real economic opportunity that exists in these spaces with these blue green jobs that can be created and these while this is construction industry this is high like almost 6 figure construction jobs. These aren't the construction jobs of old right and so just thank you for being willing to kind of step out on that and especially DR. Barry and her vision for where we can take that program it's very exciting. So we'll have more conversation about that next week but I did want to MISS The opportunity to say I will make pass it along to yes, yes, you so much absolutely thank you and thank you all. Thank you councilmember fix. Sanders. Thank you doctor Williams quick question I couldn't find the date that we did sbc day in 22. Though the majority of your events for the 100 going to be in SEPTEMBER. Right because on Sept. 12th is our actual birthday. So we try to have most of the vents on that well do believe the 100 is the mall on. The 2 ball will be on the 10th. The sneaker ball. That's right 30 get is outman c. You know your councilmember go to the us. Okay, I just wanted to still out follow back up with you ok. Thank you. Thank you. Well I have to agree with a by share on his infectious energy that you have you I mean it's been a joy hearing you and how much you care not just about. The college your students and our community. And I have to say y'all look really good in your blue and black I mean when it's like you got to take a picture today out of the yes, y'all dressed so nice. i thought wow Maria should be here to take a picture them >> How you can go you can take a picture. And but when you started going Year student profile and the percentages of students first ever go to college and part time and all that look I did not go to Saint Pete college, I went to Miami they community school. Thank thank and I think it pretty much all those boxes and that was the first in my family, I worked full-time, which is a reason why went to Community College and the other reason is because it's affordable you said. No student goes to college broke I will say that's probably not true their student to end up going to college and the broke depending on the college to go to and the pro because it's very expensive if they choose to and it's true their their their degrees in places that they go and they get and you end up cracking hundreds of thousands of dollars. You know and I will tell you that's not in Community. C