City Council

>> Welcome to the city of St. Petersburg City Council meeting and your elected officials our mayor Ken well. District one hopefully Curtis. District 2 when the governor. District 3 my party. Its strict for and Council chair Lisette can away. Ever think Sanders. And Gina Driscoll. Were you given studen year and and Council vice chair reaching Floyd. >> One afternoon everyone and welcome to the Aug. 13th 2026 City Council meeting clerk I please have a roll call Lloyd goodness. Today we're going to have our invocation by pastor Michael Hawkins of Mount Calvary missionary Baptist Church if you could please stand and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance. >> Thank you for the opportunity to come before you go to this day that is for 8. Our father in heaven we come now. You want to first say thank you for this day. Thank you for the opportunity and GOD I want you to say thank you for the city of St. Petersburg we ask that you bless everyone that is here those of us citizens. But just to Council mayor and everyone is involved and make a decision. A cooler heads prevail, and that will be able to do the business that you have said before so we thank you for this opportunity in this we s in Jesus name we pray. Amen Amen. What really is it Thank you MAY be seated. Thank you pastor for that view from the Haitian. Council members we have an agenda Sandra Dee in a motion for approval approve. We have a motion a second clerk if you can open the sheen from voting and council members please if your vote seeing that all pressing council members to clerk please tally announce the vote. MADAM Chair, the motion to approve the agenda passes unanimously councilmember Greg is being absent. Thank you. Clark are there any speakers for open for him. Yes, there is if you can please read the rules. If you wish to address City Council and subjects other than public hearing a quasi-judicial items listed on the agenda. The sun up with the clerk. Only the individual should to speak my son MAY sign up. They signed the open forum sheet. Only city residents owners of property business owners in the city or their employees MAY speak. All the issues discussed under open form must be limited to issues related to the city cp's Rick government. If you speak into an item on the agenda. You MAY only speak once during the open form when the item comes up on the agenda. Applause is not permitted except in connection with awards and presentations in order to provide an opportunity for all citizens to dress Council. Each individual be given 3 minutes to speak and after which the microphone will be muted. If you wish to address City Council through the zoom meeting. You must use the hand raise feature button in the zoo and the zoom app we're interest are 9 on your phone at the time the agenda item is addressed when it is your turn to speak you'll be a need it and asked to state your name and address at the conclusion of your comments when you have reached the 3 minute time limit you will be muted. Andres hands will be lowered after each agenda item regardless of the method of participation news, normal rules apply, including the 3 minute time limit on comments the requirement that any presentation materials must be submitted in advance of the meeting in the rules of decorum if like public comments is disrupted by the violations of the rules of decorum the chair is authorized to accept public comments. Alternate means a clean by email only as chair we do have one speaker, There are 2 zip speakers as well and the college bigger that's here. PRESIDENT Will call this in speakers. >> Alexander West West lead. He's got the other podium state your name address, Rick Ross Street for the record you'll have 3 minutes to address Council. >> And went into Alexander Celica I'm here today to to get with a flock cameras in Saint Pete end of the force the ppd to discontinue its relationship with ice. In case unfamiliar with flock. The flock cameras. Can you give your address you can give no 3.44 some Street North. So this case and we are unfamiliar with flock there coming to start producing cameras for Asia ways in twenty-twenty the beginning relationships with police all across the us and essentially the way the companies allow the cameras allow the police to actor to circumvent warrants so used to be if they spend someone committing a crime in the wooden the footage of someone wouldn't give it up willingly they'll get warrant and they would attend this footage, the problem now is the they run 31 their encrypt their in green with ai they read license plates. And there's no. There's a there's no procedure for many any police Police Department across the us first in the who which officer gets to go into these could then go into the camera I'm going to compete and get. And the live footage from the cameras all across the us. Currently we have dozens of cases of cops, stalking ex-girlfriend stalking people they don't like for political reasons and one big thing that's because of the ai you don't actually have to put in a license plate you can put in a bumper sticker and it will literally give you every car in the us with that bumper sticker on it so the implications that especially where the us is heading with her at a precipice of mass surveillance right now the idea of having cameras that we already know for a fact, cops are abusing and stalking people that they don't like or other significant of people used to be a significant other and the thing with that is that the police central get away with everything they do in the us. They don't really get charged very often so the idea that we have dozens right now of kind of cases right now is cops getting cause stalking ex girlfriends are actually having charges brought against the means we might have thousands 10's of thousands of cops abusing this. Second off the idea. There's also I think a 100 city so far that have already sworn off the cameras because they've caught the police abusing these cameras and stalking people and then as far as the it's forcing us ppd to canceled religion, but I really don't feel like I have to go into much detail about that with American civilians are just human beings in general being shot and then every single time they say they were trying to ram them with a car that every single time we find out that wasn't the case. We just canceled tps which made 3, 1, 0.3 million legal citizens illegal and we have a lot of Haitians that work here in the medical field that are now being made illegal people who went to college here lived here paid taxes had children here had lives here. And we're probably gonna start to see a very heavy ice presence here and I would love to see us not use the flock cameras to help ice. Grab people who don't have and there's no reason to they should have to leave in the first place I would like to Listen the relationship with ice as much as possible and try to deter that deporting Haitians as much as humanly possible. >> Next his speaker's plan have another speaker Jason Scott. These go to either podium. State your name address or prices up. >> Good to see you all again today, I'm just speaking regarding you give us year. Oh yes, it is a since kayaker 4636 redfish Lane. I'm coming here today to talk about the rate increases on our water utilities. I believe that we need to look at other creative solutions for our residents. Right now we have pilots which is payments in lieu of taxes on our water utility bills. I think the city can take a reduction on those revenues to benefit the residents to lessen the the rays on those rates. We move forward. And then also want to and one other item which is around Duke energy. Right now they're pushing really hard on the administration and City Council and I think we need to have a firm stance. The pushback about there misinformation here. Thank you. Thank you. Next 2 speakers please. I have to work hard. Yes that's fine. Gary Wallace. And Thomas Hodge is that correct. Well the idea podium state your name address for the record I think it's going to be you can start Sir that name and address name and address, yes please. Gary also on fore Street North. >> So yeah, I'm not familiar with all the ins and outs of the utility. In Greece but I do I'm a resident and it's hard enough as it is and I'll just like the city Kenny thing they can do to keep rates from going up. That's you know it's been a rough couple of years. And it's going up for. Good Thomas at 4, 9, 2, 7, 13th Avenue North. What's your last name. Thomas gross yarrow ss. I just want to repeat some of the comments on the water utility bills and just on up. Stuff I've heard of. While talking about the 2 Kenner Duke energy and the possibility of taking of the city taking it over a lot of the concerns have been about how the city has handled the the publicly owned water utility. And I so I do think like why do you think a publicly own power is definitely necessary we do need to up our money where our mouth is and actually like address concerns from residents in terms of our increasing water rates and addressing the affordability crisis through much more progressive plans for a billing rates. One thing I've had I have heard from some people is in relation to the pilot and pie off payments money collected through water bills being transferred to the general fund through payments in lieu of taxes and fees these function like tact. These function like taxes but are not necessary if rate increases are needed because of infrastructure utility department cost Council should consider reducing or eliminating these transfers. So the money residents already pay stays within the utility. I do think again. I do the city taking over. Our energy grid would be overall massively beneficial to residents but we do need to address concerns from residents who are skeptical of the city's ability to take care of the sun. One of the main benefits for city owning these utilities is accountability to the residence. >> The first zoom speaker Marley Marlin going into into the meeting space please unmute yourself state your name and address for the record your 3 minutes to address City Council. Marla can you hear us. >> Yes can you hear me, yes we can. Awesome thank you marlee price 5034 32th ave North. I'm also speaking today about the water bills. I know our water and wastewater sistani ate a lot of investment and I fully support making those investments. But another across the board increase on residents. I really don't think that should be the automatic answer every year I would really like to see the administration and then Council look at some more creative alternatives before these rates are finalized. One is the pilots the payments in the taxes like others have brought up today. They get transferred from the utility and to the general fund if the utility is struggling to catch up on the infrastructure or any other department costs I think I'm asking Council again to consider even just temporarily reducing or eliminating those transfers so more money residents pay right now stay with the utility. Even if that only reduces the burden of the increase this year that is something and especially science. The city has talked about reducing the franchise fee for Duke energy. I just think it would be a lot. More beneficial for the city to do that for its own utility before doing at for a for-profit utility that is making billions of dollars a year and paying no taxes federally usually so just really something to consider it to the benefit of those citizens here. The other thing is looking at the sewer capacity fee for new developments and if that is changing this year. It would be really cool and if Council like and yelling that and the rooftops because people are really fresh and with the development and I think that would really just how people stomach this even better if that is changing because I have not heard that yeah, I yeah it would be nice if development is paying at least the full cost and not putting more of a burden on the existing rate pairs again I know we need more investment in the system and i really hope the administration is looking at every possible creative option before another across the board increase. Thank you whew. >> The next speaker is. >> Yeah, yeah Amanda and tune in to the meeting space. Please unmute yourself state your name address and cross Street or I'm sorry your name and address for the record you have 3 minutes to address City Council. My name is Lana and has done a parking is going to state of Gandy and I'm here to talk to City Council about the Sabres streets proposal this is something that the Bay Area dream defenders has been advocating for year after year. I do want to thank council members gathered in Floyd for having as part of their priorities for this budget cycle. Because they clearly recognize the need to prioritize children and being proactive about their safety. Too often our young folks right here in St. Petersburg into impacted by gun violence whether it's from community or from the police themselves and neither of these should be the reality. So if we want to actually address gun violence at its root. If we want to address the compost scare around teen takeovers if we want to address the challenges that young people experience we really need to be proactive about creating safe spaces for them. Staver Street says one part of that puzzle by making sure that families are aware of the programs that exist and making as transparent and easy as possible to register. The youth in their household for these programs, there's absolutely no reason that any programming in this city should have any vacancies. But there's too many barriers that people experience whether it's a complicated registration process or transportation challenges or inadequate childcare for different age kids or simply being unaware of the their existence. So the savory streets proposal addresses some of these concerns and we know that we need more and this is one way to move us toward a holistic approach where our city is transformed to a place where kids get to be kids without fearing for their lives. So I ask that as we near the final decision around the upcoming budget cycle you prioritize save our streets and pressure that mayor who claims to care about kids to incorporate it. In the next fiscal year. I also want to second previous constituents about removing flock cameras dissolving the as ppd real relationship with ice be the 2.87 g agreement and dropping do. Thanks. Thank you. Any other speakers we're speaking. Kate we close up and form and we move towards and presentations which I believe is a reason why most of you are here today. So we will start off with the wind and that is the proclamation in recognition of jwb 80th anniversary and councilmember gabbard will be presenting. This proclamation. So I think for those that are here on the jwb if you want to join her at the podium. You're well of great joy in her. Thank you MADAM And so thank you to jwb for coming out and volumes this is fantastic and of course. My Jeffries our community and Richmond administrator and our entire team here with the city. >> I'm very honored as a mom of a school-age child who sees the direct impact of jwb. Within our programs within our schools. I am so honored to be able to present this proclamation today. There has been a long rich legacy of jwb that has stood strong for over 80 years in our community and you're going to hear a lot of names mentioned in the proclamation today and that's very intentional because I think a lot of times you know we talk about the legacy that people leave behind. And you can thank over 80 years time there have been a lot of people who have played a part in making sure not only that jwb was created but that it has stood strong and so with that I want to go ahead and start reading the proclamation but whenever I'm finished I'm gonna turn it over to Mike Jeffries I don't want to MISS The opportunity where did she go there. She is you've got to stand right on up in here. That jwb has a new leader and a new person to carry forward the vision so I am joined as well today by the new interim ceo Karen boggess Bo just sorry, I knew I was gonna butter that's I apologize. But she is here with us today I think for the first time City Hall, yes, so very excited to have her with us. So I will go ahead and hyunjoo the proclamation and I'll read my big types out there we go. >> And the proclamation reads. >> Whereas in the early 1940's, few alternatives existed for troubled and dependent children in Pinellas County other than adult jail. A need recognized and championed by juvenile Court Judge Lincoln bog and whereas attorney Leonard Cooperman drafted legislation supported by the Pinellas County legislative delegation to create an independent taxing district governed by an autonomous board to guard the rights and needs of our children and whereas Senate bill 6.18 sponsored by senator Henry Maynard and co sponsored by representative s Henry Harris passed both legislative chambers in MAY of 1945. And whereas on Nov. 5th 1946 Pinellas County citizens ratified the juvenile welfare board creating the nation's first independent board dedicated to improving the lives and futures of children and whereas in 1947 the juvenile welfare Board of Pinellas County jwb chaired by millaine Alan Barton adopted its first budget distributed funds to 3 agencies and served 1500 children. And whereas today jwb strengthens our community by funding 87 quality programs across 49 agencies providing cradle to career prevention and early intervention services that reach more than 83,000 children and youth every year. And whereas jwb also serves as a convener for forging partnerships and leading initiatives to prevent needless childhood deaths. Nurture early childhood development, championed children's mental health, promote grade level reading fight childhood hunger, sure youth development and college readiness and support fathers and grandparents in their caregiving roles reaching 10's of thousands more annually. Now therefore I councilmember Brandi gabbard on behalf of Kenneth t Welsh mayor of the city of St. Petersburg Florida. Do hereby recognize and express congratulations to the juvenile welfare board for 80 years. And for their dedicated service to the citizens of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County. Partnerships that our city has with jwb I think it's only fitting that Mike Jeffries take it from here and so I'll turn it over to you. Thank you councilmember I really appreciate that and I will be brief, I know that we've got a lot of folks standing waiting for me to finish. And I definitely want to give care an opportunity to speak as well and and Rick raft but I want to be perfectly clear with our community and with the council members here on the on the dias and I know that each of you know this. Our department our city would not look like the city that it is right now without the support of the juvenile welfare board when it comes to partnerships the parks and Recreation Department, the library department the Fire Department aquatics the list goes on and on we work so closely with the juvenile welfare board to make meaningful intentional changes in our community. We have partnerships that. Are limitless as far as the number of organizations we work with when I was preparing for my comments for today. I sincerely cannot think of an organization that has been a better partner has been more meaningful and has helped us move the needle here in St. Petersburg more than the juvenile welfare board when we celebrate 80 years, it is important that we know that not only is the juvenile welfare board funding organization for us. But they also force us to improve our self and we constantly talk about accreditation and how many of our departments are credited and how we hold ourselves to a higher standard. I can tell you that you know it's it's great that. Karen is the interim ceo care and I worked together for decades now and different roles. But its interesting because many times when we've had conversations with the management staff of parks and rec libraries aquatics fire. We want to position our self so that we are exactly as councilmember gabbard said a quality organization is offering quality programs. It's one thing to have a program it's another thing to have a measured a quality program with deliverables and that's where the juvenile welfare board requires and demands. I can tell each of you that we don't take that lightly. We get a report card we get an audit from the juvenile welfare board every year we are very very proud of the results that we get and again, you know we hear all the time iron sharpens iron, and it's one of those situations where because they're forcing us to improve and to do better each year. We have become a department that is outstanding and I think the visitors and the citizens and the children, especially in this community benefit greatly from that relationship so again, I know it's normal to have organization speak after the proclamation, but I I asked for a point of privilege from Council were gathered if I could speak because I just want to set the stage without the support of the partnership with the juvenile welfare board we would not look as we look today so without further ado I will turn it over to our our new interim ceo Karen a boat just. >> Good afternoon. Cmp to Pittsburgh City Council members community leaders and residents. It is it my honor to be before you today as we celebrate a remarkable milestone in the history of Pinellas County, the juvenile welfare boards 80th anniversary my name is Karen villages and on the interim ceo with me 2 of our board members judge Patrice Moore and as well as a number of our South County community council member race. And professional staff. For 80 years jwb has been guided by a simple belief. When we invest in children we invest in the future of our community. We are special taxing district established by a special act of Florida Legislature and solely funded by property tax. Our annual impact budget is a 128 million and last year we had the privilege to serve over 83,000 children and families County wide. Every investment we make is informed by community needs guided by data and focused on creating lasting impact for children and families. From a child's first days of life through adolescence and into adulthood our goal remains the same. Helping every child reach their fullest potential and that is the one reason being here in Petersburg is especially meaningful. Your city leaders embrace our mission and partner with us to strengthen opportunities for children and families. Mayor well City Council members and city leaders regularly support our programs and initiatives. They program ribbon cuttings help kids pick out books on our book bus. Support our children's mental health initiatives fatherhood collaborative grand families events and so much more. Your library serve as a vital hub for families. They are dynamic pit stops for a turbo Bibi's campaign educating families on early brain development and distributing free pick crew bags to families. They've served as a sum summer break spots, providing nourishing food. 2 children as part of our childhood hunger initiative and they are important partners in our early readers, future leaders of a level reading campaign and thanks to the collective work with partners like you. 70% and Ellis County 3rd graders are now reading proficiency outperforming the state average. Like the leaders and citizens of Petersburg we understand that investing in children early and often is not just the right thing to do. It is one of the smartest investments any community can make and today about half of all households with children in St. Petersburg an estimated 48% benefits directly from a jwb funded program and across your great city and impressive a 117 program sites featuring 47 programs are funded by jwb to help children learn grow and thrive. And this includes the out of school time and pull sights of the city of St. Petersburg program a long-standing and cherish partnership, the jwb has with the city Tesco is the youth development program program offering vital before and after school and summer programming that keeps you productively engage support student academics and enrichment and affords parents peace of mind while they work. And it also includes swim, lessons and water safety. Jwb also invest in a host of other programs within your city, including quality early learning and child care for working parents of little ones, mental health and behavioral health services for children and families out of school time programming to support student academic some working parents, shelters and services for survivors of domestic violence neighborhood family centers for out of school time and family support services, early childhood home, visiting and maternal health supports and other much-needed services to include skills school-based health care, mentoring leadership kinship vision screenings family stability and more. We are out of our 80 year history of putting children first milestone made possible by your partnership. Thank you for sharing our commitment to the children and families who call St. Petersburg home and in your packets at each of your seats in the orange Boulder. You'll find information about our investments in the community the outcomes we are achieving together and resources available to support children throughout every stage of life. And we also have here a map that you to keep with all the funded program sites within your city. As we look ahead to the next 80 years we see tremendous opportunity to deepen our partnership with the city of St. Petersburg together we can continue identifying needs expanding opportunities and ensuring that more children and families have access to the support they need to succeed because the greatest legacy any community can leave is not the buildings it constructs or the road it paves it is the future it creates for its children. For 80 years jwb has stood alongside communities that share that belief and we are proud to stand with St. Petersburg to celebrate the impact we're making today and work together to build an even brighter future for generations to come. Thank you for your partnership your leadership and your on wavering commitment to the children and families of St. Petersburg thank you again. And now I don't have to. >> The afternoon chair, vice chair City Rick craft and I serve as the recreation programming superintendent for the parks and Recreation Department and on behalf of our department I want to congratulate jtb on 80 years of service. Jb has been a partner with parks and Recreation per significant part of that history. In fact this year marks our 25th anniversary that we partner with them. 2 red Grant funded programs to the children St. Petersburg our partnership began primarily with after-school programs and summer camp programs over the years we've continued to grow and level of investment and our service to the community. A great example is the academic enrichment that component that we've recently employed we employ education specialist who are certified teachers and certified education specialist a behavior specialist they work directly with our young people on homework tutoring academic goal setting responsibility and skills that can serve them throughout their careers. And I know Karen already mentioned the safety around water program that provides swimming lessons for children ranging from infants to 14 helping young people in our community develop an important potentially life-saving skill. I think this really demonstrates the impact of what we've been able to accomplish together we're helping young people succeed academically gain meaningful work experience learn important life skills and develop into leaders we're extremely grateful for a partnership with jwb and also want to thank you. The City Council for your longstanding and ongoing support of these programs and the young people that they serve and while I'm here I want to point out some of our staff that's here Rob Lovelace recreation programs. Manager who oversees our recreation centers in our grand operations for the date of the grant brandie door son who is our aquatic center athletics manager who would say is does this all program, then Gordon is in the back there. She oversees our citywide teen programs and Mandy Moore from the library's is here somewhere she's in the back that worked for j to be in library. So thank you very much. Councilmember Givens. I just want to thank each and every one of you so much of for all your hard work this is truly a team effort and thank you so much Karen for stepping up and taking the reins of an organization has a longstanding history of serving our most vulnerable. Residents and that's where you when you think about where the highest concentration of youth in Pinellas County existence. Right here in St. Petersburg and so you all are really practicing what you preach by taking this was a judicial body in putting property taxes, the best use and so when people ask me where's our money going this is a good example in a worthy cause. And so I want to thank you all for allowing me to be a product of your labors, a benefactor of your efforts having attended some of our after school care programs and youth in summer camp youth programs myself I've seen the work that you do and I just want to thank you all for the impact that you make you you've already list of those programs can I don't have to go down the list, but so many of them from your fatherhood program's your academic programs you are nurturing the whole child from the womb to workforce, and we are so grateful for your labor because your labors not in vain. So thank you so much it really does take a village I appreciate you all thank you chair, you. >> Do you all something I am so thankful for you all I want everyone here in this room to see look at this group here. These are the experts when it comes 2 children and families and the youth in our community period end of story. Right here. Everything you need to know about our children and our youth in Pinellas County. They deal with and they know all the problems in our society and they try their best with what they have coming in property taxes which is a million and it's still never enough right because you have programs that have wait lists and you have programs for children can't get in because there's not enough money to serve them and I will tell you I'm on the board of the Shirley Proctor polar Foundation I've been on the board for a few years and I went to one of your board meetings many years ago. When Charlie Parker Poehler was a very young organization and people in the room, especially board members were like who is this group right they were. Sure are. About Shirley Proctor polar Foundation. >> But they believed in Bridget. Howler and her team to deliver. And you have been the biggest supporters and you know why because they you look at the data you actually hold like you hold the city, you hold these organizations accountable because there is only so much money and you want to make sure that we're the public money goes it is effective. It's not just random Oprah comes in and you're like oh sure we'll give you money that's not how it works and I want everyone to understand that. It's you put in a lot of flavor to make sure that those dollars go to serve the children not just for salaries to serve those family and children and I will tell you I am so thankful for you I work for bringing McKay. Before and he was the biggest cheerleader and Bruce an end every board member knows. The work that you do and what you get back to the community and the employees and I just want you know how thankful. We are and I'm so thankful that you work with the city of St. Petersburg so thank you. >> And like I say you're welcome to stay and you're welcome to leave if you have other things to do because we're going to go on with other proclamations so I know everyone is busy and has other work to do and will give you a minute to be able to walk out of the room. And the next proclamation that we're gonna be presenting its going to be councilmember fix Sanders who's going to be presenting this proclamation. It's a proclamation honoring black business month. And for those who are here for this proclamation, you're welcome to stand up enjoying councilmember fix. Sanders up at the podium. Okay, you know those my favorite words I know, yeah. That meant business. So I am councilmember Debora fig Sanders and I am so on to stand here and honor black business on or what you contribute of just a couple of notes. This annual observance started in 2004. To recognize the economic impact innovation and resilience of black entrepreneurs and so some of the ways that are jotted down that I hope everybody supports black business shop intentionally. Do business intentionally with black businesses and black entrepreneurs. You know you have to have that you up and do you. You know your reviews, y'all be positive. And make sure that they can give you a positive. You as well as other black businesses support each other. We can do it all. If you can do it referred to somebody else that can don't let another black business news business because you don't want to for support 2 so I'm gonna go ahead and start and read the back in MAY shun and I do understand he's glad you're going to speak on behalf of small business. Is he issue we Whereas national black business month celebrated annually in AUGUST is the time to recognize the resilience innovation and vital contributions of black owned businesses and whereas the impact of black owned business. Is United States and most are fascinating dynamic and translates into real economic impact creating jobs. Innovation well reshaping the future comer's and whereas during black business month. We encourage all residents, businesses and community organizations to learn about his support black owned businesses through patronage. Partnerships and advocacy thereby contributing to the growth and prosperity of our entire community. And whereas we also shine a light on the vine organizations supporting black on businesses such as the Pinellas County urban League next level urban alliance. A powerful network of entrepreneurs, professionals in development leaders driving equity and opportunity throughout our community. And the Tampa Bay black business investment court. Also known to us as tv bse financial and business development organization helping black entrepreneurs in our region. Turn division it's into prions and whereas as we celebrate celebrate black business month. We invite minority and women-owned businesses to register for our minority and women-owned business and enterprise programs to take apart in our inclusive government in contrast opportunities, networking and collaboration opportunities and business development support. Now therefore I councilmember Debora fix Sanders on be have of can of 2 Welch mayor, the city of St. Petersburg Florida. Do hereby recognize Argos 2026 as black business month in St. Petersburg and invite all businesses to take part in the city's inclusive for cure many opportunities and business development support. And as I stated before we're going to have fewer service They don't a description to get up here so MR. Smith George Smith is actually going to speak now and he will introduce MISS Class. Thank you. >> Good afternoon. Thank you councilmember big Sanders. MADAM Chair. Vice chair of council members and George Smith chief impact officer for the city. It is an honor for us to join together today with the city of St. Petersburg recognizing. AUGUST is Black History Month, black business month. This observance dates back to 2004. When it was established to advance a policy agenda facing black owned businesses across the country. Generations black entrepreneurs have built businesses created jobs and generated opportunity. Often wow overcoming significant barriers to capital contracts and property ownership that other business owners did not face. Here in St. Petersburg that legacy runs deep, especially in South St. Petersburg where black owned business is remain part about economic and cultural fabric. Strengthening neighborhoods and building generational wealth. The city supports that spirit through officers working in partnership. The Office of supplier development opens the door to city contracting opportunities, helping black owned businesses compete for. And when municipal work. The Office of community impact and best directly in South St. Petersburg and through the South St. Petersburg cra it's provided funding behind the microphone program putting capital directly in the hands of local entrepreneurs. And the greenhouse rounds out to support through counseling. Training, technical assistance to help those businesses grow. This month, the greenhouse is once again. Ringing that commitment to life with a full calendar of programming workshops and marketing and media panel discussions on building blocks of business success and opportunities for residents to connect directly with black businesses across our neighborhoods. So today. As we adopt this resolution. We do more than recognize a national observance re from Saint Petersburg's commitment to equitable economic development to making sure that every oxygen or in every neighborhood has a genuine path to opportunity. We think the greenhouse the Office of supplier development and every black business owner who is back on themselves. And on the city of St. Petersburg I think you. We will have comments from to business owners if we MAY. Good afternoon and good afternoon Council. CHAIRMAN. I would like to thank you for this opportunity and I like to thank my family and I have a former student who started with that and I like to thank all of these bat like this is that we are standing behind me because truly 2 we are significant. What Starling school is significant because we have been in the city since 1974. And we served his community for more than 50 years. We have served over 20,000 children. According to the early learning Coalition. And we are proud to continue doing business in this wonderful city. What has kept starting school resilient throughout the years. His family leadership. Community involvement and a steadfast commitment to helping children become better citizens. Our motto is rooted in proffers 22th 6 train up a child in the way he should go. And when he is old he will not the parts in it as Starling we believe that character is the foundation of a child's success when a child have a good nurturing place lawn, the academics will come. We strive to providing an environment where children are in urgent guided encourage and prepare not only for academic success. But also for life. One of our greatest joys is that we are now serving the children of students who had once attended start the school. We are proud that former students have grown up started family and chosen to bring their children back to starting. This is a powerful statement to the trust families have place. Ennis over the decades. Today for generations are working in his family business continuing a legacy built on love. Education character and service Starling school in day care center remains committed to the children and families of St. Petersburg and 2 building a stronger community. One child at a time. And I like to thank the city for the partnership, the greenhouse and COUNCILMAN Sanders is perfect Sanders 4 starting. Pops week cops where the city of St. Petersburg Police Department comes into our center with cops where these children have learning about. Police voted not to be afraid of them and then do serving pops who pops up Popsicles and greenhouse for their commitment to us so we are in partnership with the city and thank you. Thank you. >> And if we could like to have a few words from chef mail from love 22. But a new business is on the deuces. Hello how are you guys doing today. So I am a self now I am the owner of kohli says restaurant and bar in Tampa Florida. And then I am back in Petersburg on the dew says I just opened have loved 22. I'm super excited. I was in Saint Peter's Square before with my food truck and it was great, I mean we put it right in the food is as you know it's a lot of food as it's in South Saint Pete. We put it there and we created a space for business and then you know we went to Tampa we wanted to grow a little bit more and then we came back so I'm excited to be here today. Good evening mayor councilmembers city leaders and members of our community my name is Melissa and I don't love 22. It's located at 9 to 9 22th Street South in St. Petersburg Florida. First of all I want to sincerely thank you guys for honoring black businesses I live eat and breathe, but businesses I've been on some nurses have been 19 I graduated from St. Petersburg college. What a degree in information technology management supplant Analytics and I did not do anything with that I went right in the business and I think everything I want and I decided to you know of no businesses from there. At my restaurant, we serve breakfast and lunch. And then at my restaurant in Tampa we do the same thing. We serve breakfast and lunch and so full, but what we're really building is a place that belongs to the community. We want our neighbors to walk through the doors and feel welcome. We want our young people to see a black owned business operating in their neighborhood understand the entrepreneur sit ownership are possibilities for them as well. This morning, a celebration of our children going back to school. My business love 22 we partner with the nose Cone Everly and we gave away free breakfast for the kids in the community. You know they're they're the heart behind you know my business and what I do you don't simply want to operate in the community we want to be a part of bills and the dew says has a powerful history of black entrepreneurship generations before us bill restaurants, shops, professional businesses entertainment venues. And gathering spaces often during a time when black businesses have very few opportunities elsewhere. So Lake legacy matters. And today but entrepreneur I have the responsibility to honor that history by creating the next generation of businesses jobs opportunities on this quarter. 35 of employee over a 100 50 people. It is not easy. You know I wrote this but it's more personal to me because I did this all my home. I made the money and are constantly read this and I do this over and over and over. I did not know a lot about loans and autos thing so I learned that came a little bit later because I went to Tampa and I realize wow this is huge right any more money for this so after that I'm like okay wanted to get deeper into what I was doing. I make sure you know my paperwork was right, I a cpa in all those great things and I could have went anywhere in the world. Opened up more restaurants, but I came back to deuce is because it meant a lot to me people to want to come back to say if you aren't coming to Saint Pete. Well when around Saint Pete. So Saint Pete, it feels like and need something more. I don't see coffee shops. I don't see co-working spaces. I don't see with free wi-fi I just don't see these things I you know. This ranch retired she was at the restaurant for 35 years purchase to space from her immediately. Within 3 weeks we flip the building and we made it a restaurant. >> And. We got the opportunity to take over the whole space so then the next or space I decided to call You know love Cafe. This car love 22 because I feel like the South side needs love. And this on the deuce is the 20 say you know, this is the 22nd quarter. So that's what we called the love 22. So now we're open up. It's a love Cafe. So it's a co-working space for people to just come in and pop in to get free wi-fi so often is warm outside in Florida on from Miami Florida. And it's it's it's hot and I see people just come into my restaurant like catching air and things like that so is that you know what I thought I had a the big idea for this space I want to create a loud and all that and then what well just turn this into coffee co work in you know wifi give people the opportunity to come in and you know truly enjoy themselves. So I was at you guys too. Make sure you put a light on black owned businesses in St. Petersburg Florida. It is not many I travel everywhere and I see so many great business is for sure and other cities and I think that what a little more information in the community. And showing people the resources and access. They have 2 things I think it can spread like I mean you don't have to be like me and like you know what are we all so thank you guys for hearing me out. When I say here are represented other black owned businesses. I think it's super powerful when we come together collaboration is me mean everything to me as a business. I will collaborate with Huntsman or as fast as I can to make sure that we're all pushing each other, you know for it and what we're doing so appreciate you guys thank you guys for for hear my story. >> MADAM Chair back and do it one more moment please I like to introduce some of the businesses that have John is we have Roy and his vote James with James insurance. What you meant to scare and the clout ready sentiments of some of its investment. Doctor Leakey do what works from play it forward pediatrics. And Whitney Sanchez sons all those who lose solutions and also like to recognize how team that does to work and without the managing director of economic development. I think it's a crisp refund right now. Montgomery, Brittany Koegel any other staff around very good. Thank you so much. Councilmember give Inc thank you so much chair and thanks to each of you who took time out of your busy day. And away from your business is to be here with us today at City Hall. Prior to my time counts I ran my own business so I know that it's not easy and I understand the sacrifices that you make. But I do want to thank so much of MR. George his teammate Andrea and her team. The greenhouse specially the greenhouse out out to you. There have been multiple times that I have sent multiple businesses, your way and you all have helped them. So I hope I appreciate you all so much for the help that you provide to our community. You know the greenhouse really does help to create pathways to upward mobility for a lot of people on and I really thank you all for doing that regardless of what the zip code MAY be in set out to the district said and businesses in the House starting school love 22 so good to see you all thank you so much Sir, you. >> Councilmember fake Sanders, thank you I was honored to be able to present a proclamation but now I can actually speak to you all from the high. And in so do know that black businesses has always been focus and a passion to actually help celebrate you. My husband has a business and thank you for those that actually utilize his business. I have a business. My insurance agent is here every day this year is Isabel mail it thank you for coming back to Saint Pete MISS Clout thank you for embracing the pops program for our babies that you know did the whole intent. Again was to get rid of not only the fear of our babies but also to improve the relationship of the adults in their household when it comes down to the men and women in uniform, and that has been a phenomenal program and thank you so much for you and the other childcare centers that have done that but I just want to say thank you to the black businesses for not being defeated. Right I've been on Council for a while and I was not the biggest supporter of the greenhouse I was not because that felt as though there was something missing when it came to be intentional with black business we've come a long way and i think it's because we've been introduced to a different mindset, a different way of thinking and not only that we've placed a higher value to the contributions of black business and so for that I thank you and I'm going to continue to promote black businesses as I've asked you to support each other, but you know give us something to support. Make sure that you know you're going to be over so you will be open if you're going to provide a service mission as service is a less service because you know where he wrote a high standard ad just go ahead put it out there we are held to the highest standard and we have to make sure that we produce and that we actually give the products that we say that we're going to give and so far I have not been disappointed with how we have represented. I have not been disappointed as how we have supported each other and I have not been disappointed in the fact that I've been able to advocate for black business small business woman owned businesses and we have definitely held the rain as far as excellence is concerned so again thank you so much for that thank you to the greenhouse and just the way that you all have embraced black business just a little bit more than when I initially Cain into this position but again for you all congratulations and happy black business month again in Aug. 2026. Thank you chair. >> I thank all of you for being here representing because you're just a small slice of the black businesses that we have here in an important part of our city and sharing your stories and having the car courage to be entrepreneurs because it's not easy being an entrepreneur or especially in this economic environment, so I just want to make sure that you know that we understand the sweat equity that you put into it and frankly what I see is to me, I'm inspired hearing the stories because I know that you're going to be paying it forward and building that ecosystem. Here in St. Petersburg that we already have but making it grow because that's what I would love to see is continue to grow and whatever the city can do to help you whether it is a greenhouse or you have an idea of something we're not doing. We're listening. So I hope that we get to see more of you all not just here but kind of at the greenhouse at events because I think we need to get those stories out there as much as we can so that way the community knows where our businesses are and where they should be going to spend your money. Well thank you all for being here. And we are up. To the 3 right now which is wellness month proclamation, our vice chair. Is going to be presenting this proclamation. It's going to have I think Mike Jeffries joined him and those who are here for the proclamation they also could join him at the podium. Yeah, I think wait a second, but we do have a number of people joining us. All right. Thank you everyone for joining us today for this honor to be able to read this wellness, one proclamation. Specifically emphasizing mental health awareness I'm honored that the administration asked me to read this. I feel like it's an important topic to myself like so many millennials I have plenty of anxiety about the future of the world and so I really through my own mental health struggles as well so I'm grateful to everyone who has come here today. 2 celebrate and with that I'll read the proclamation. So whereas the city of St. Petersburg recognizes that the well-being of every resident, a central a thriving, resilient and compassionate community. And whereas mental health is a cornerstone of overall wellness and the city affirms its commitment to supporting accessible resources reducing stigma and encouraging every resident to seek support when needed. And whereas stress affects individuals, families workplaces, and neighborhoods and the city encourages practices that promote stress reduction through mindfulness healthy routines and community connection and whereas trauma including trauma resulting from violence deeply impacts individuals families and communities. And the city is committed to fostering healing expending supportive cervix banding supportive services and advancing efforts to prevent violence and promote safety for all residents and whereas the city of St. Petersburg acknowledges that wellness is not an individual journey alone. But a shared responsibility that flourishes when neighbors uplift one another organizations, collaborate and leaders champion inclusive people centered policies. And whereas coming together as one community strengthens our collective ability to face challenges, celebrate achievements and ensure that St. Petersburg remains a place where every person feels valued supported and heard. And whereas the unity is the bin with community partners neighborhood groups nonprofits and local institutions work alongside residents to build connection. Expand wellness opportunities and uplift those most in need. Now therefore I City Council member Ritchie Floyd on behalf of Kenneth the Welsh mayor of the city of St. Petersburg Florida. Do hereby proclaim Aug. 20 26th as national wellness one in St. Petersburg and others residents to participate in activities that promote mental health, reduce stress Foster peace and strengthen our bonds as United community. Let us commit to showing up for one another lease listening deeply and building a future rooted in wellness dignity and hope. >> We we have we have a couple of speakers as well I believe we're going to start with doctor Brittany Peters. >> Okay alright mistake and we're going to start it came >> Thank you vice chair appreciate that. So happy to be here today, thank you so much Ken lay do. Courtney healthy see Peter parks recreation department. Thank you for having us martis council members and our residents and are fellow wellness partners. We have several here today that I would love to recognize we have doctor Brittany Peters Clint clinical director for the center of for wellness and clinical developments. DR. Le Quito works. 4 play it for pediatrics and one of our healthy kids partners for family flowing movement. Whitney Sanchez owner Zola Zulu solutions, sorry and and I also want to recognize that one of the best managers and parks and Recreation MISS Lynn Gordon. Who coordinates are healthy Saint Pete division and also Sarah we were our very best health plan or so thank you guys so much for having us here today, we're proud to recognize national wellness month and celebrate the importance of health and wellbeing and building a stronger healthier and more vibrant community and as that proclamation states wellness is more than just the absence of illness. It's about opportunities to be active to eat well to connect with others to learn to care for mental health and to live in a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive in our city departments members of City Council businesses health advocates and the city's healthy Saint Pete division have been working to advance that vision through education, wellness programs health services initiatives. And initiatives that truly make living healthy the center of our city's quality of life and I can say without a doubt. Across the nation. Our city does health. It prioritizes health, it is a quality of life here and for that I'm thankful we are thankful the citizens and residents are thankful. 4. What our leadership mayor Welch and City Council doesn't wreck you recognizing that a healthy community is a stronger community. And we're grateful to the many residents and organizations businesses and community partners to contribute every day behind the scenes we don't see them to make cpa healthier place to live. So during national wellness month. Let us celebrate our collective progress and continue working together to make wellness a priority and an opportunity for everyone to thrive in our city. So thank you I would love to introduce and bring up DR. Brittany Peters. For a few words. >> Thank you just want to say the podium was lifted for the a new study. i am doctor Brittany Peters I'm a licensed clinical social workers. Well as a qualified supervisor for those who are pursuing licensure here in the state of Florida. I also have a certification in addictions and so I have been blessed to be in this field for almost 20 years and I love what I do with me is one of my amazing clinicians and my practice to tell you Jordan said just want to honor that she's also on the ground doing the work and I just thank you to you because this work cannot be done without those who do it. Also thank you to City Council in our mayor we're also blessed my practice to be one of the providers under the hub and what that means is that if you are struggling with you know someone who's struggling you just need to vent that you can get 15 free sessions right and that's important and that's special because a lot of times people go on saying hey I have a high deductible or hey I can't afford therapy right now, but I needed. Our mission at center for wellness and clinical development has been to address community mental health needs and not just addressing them for the residents here in Saint Pete, but ensuring that those who want to pursue licensure are competent to serve those who don't always get service that means our bipoc community and we operate under the philosophy of lead clinically that means we trained well so that we can serve well. What I will say is that one in 5 individuals live with a mental health disorder. That means if we counted often hear many of us are also living with a mental health disorder. I also want to honor that because it's national wellness month. That we recognize that many individuals don't just live with a mental health disorder, but also living with a chronic help. This letter. 8 and sometimes those diagnoses are what bring people to therapy have recently been diagnosed with cancer. I've recently been diagnosed with diabetes and I don't know how to manage it. I've recently been told that I have high blood pressure and I need to learn and to come. And so the call a currents between mental health and our overall body help is ranging between 29 to 68 percent. So we do operate in a vacuum, the body the mind and the body is fully connected. It is Oprah Winfrey that said you have to feed yourself with love and loving thoughts in order to show up more fortified and complete. And with that when I hear the word wellness I want us to think the on our mental help mental health does matter deeply. But so does our relationships so does our community so does our environment and our sense of purpose. And so for me when we think about wellness really what it means is that we are returning to ways and practices. That have always existed in many of our communities where no matter where we are from that means getting outside in the sun. Moving our bodies sharing a good meal, not by a 7 o we like to eat lunch in the car by ourselves so we can breathe. But she a good meal with our loved ones. That also means pouring back into others in creating space for people to reflect. There is power in our community. There's power in gathering around food music and storytelling and healing does not always have to happen in a therapists office. It can also happen week reconnects with others and with ourselves. In so doing this month I hope that you all will give yourself permission to be intentional about your whole health, not just the mental health. >> College eyes. I forgot one of our partners are valuable partners. I apologize for that and invite House Pa. We have coast as an ad on >> She's going to get put on. I would like to bring up DR. Lucky to work. Real quick to tell us. Where her first job was found yes and this is over 1000 hard. Hi thank you fo