City Council

>> Welcome to the city of St. Petersburg City Council meeting and your elected officials our mayor Ken well. District one Council chair. Hopefully Curtis. District 2 Brendan Barber. Is to 3 Mike Harding district 4 Council vice chair, Liz said Hannah with district 5 Deborah take Sanders. District 6 Gina Driscoll in district 7 warri Givens junior. And district day. Ritchie Floyd. >> To the Sept. 4th 2025 City Council meeting clerk could I please have a roll call Veritas Gabbert a party here and once here is Anderson Driscoll given this year boy here. Welcome everyone. We will have our invocation given today by own councilmember figs Sanders followed by a moment of silence them please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance. >> Before you today, we're just so grateful with the blessings that you've told us told upon us and that you provided more for us and we could have ever imagined. You surrounded us with people who always look out for us which is why we are here to say thank you in to serve. You have given us family and you've given us friends who you blessed us with every day. And we just want to ask you to continue to keep those around us safe in the. But then we also pray to the Lord for that the lines. We thank you for the gift of today. Your continue nourishment refreshments as you in that invite us to discover your presence in each and every one of us. Teach us that when we speak that we should always listen. Turn our hearts to the whispers of your wisdom. What are the days go well that we continue to rejoice. But when those days grow weary in difficult that you constantly surprise us with your new possibilities. Finally Lord jus teach us to love ourselves. You gave us his life. You gave us these blessings, you form to er. You've shown us what it means to live. Love and serve unconditionally. Continue to listen. This prayer is based on a self reflection that because we realize that we're not perfect. And without you there is no guidance and direction. As we continue to conduct the business of the city of St. Petersburg let has not put ourselves first. Before the business at hand that benefits the greatest the bone. Let us continue to walk into your guidance continue to look to use during our journey. These blessings we continuously ask you. You might imagine this name. A man. >> Thank you councilmember for the beautiful location please stay standing. For a moment of silence and then followed by a pledge of allegiance. Sept. 16, 19 oh 8. And officers Charles, we use this and the watch SEPTEMBER 24th, 1967. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag. You know, and the mayor. With Liberty. Thank you please be seated. >> Council members we have an agenda before you on 13 a motion for approval. Move approval. It. We have a motion a second. These open the machine for voting. Council members please enter the votes. Being that are present council members voted please. Palin announced the votes. MADAM Chair motion to approve the agenda passes unanimously with Council restrict school in Greece being absent. Thank you council members, we have a consent that care agenda before you click are there any public comments hurt. No public comments and retain a motion. Second we have a motion and the second clerk he please open the machine for voting. Council members please enter your votes in that I'll present council members have voted clerk please tally in the announce the vote. MADAM CHAIRMAN. Motion to approve the consent agenda passes unanimously we councilmembers Driscoll in greatest being absent. Thank you. Now we move on to open Clark, you please read the rules if you wish to address to the Council on subjects other than public hearing. We're across and you just items that's on the agenda please sign up with the court only the individual wishes to speak MISS On the open forum sheet want to see the red its residents on the property. Business owners in the city or the employees MAY speak all issues discussed on the open for must be limits issues related to the city of St. Petersburg government. If you're speaking to an item on the agenda MAY I speak once during open form when the item comes up on the agenda in order to provide an opportunity. All students is to address Council. Each individual be given 3 minutes to speak and after which the microphone will be muted. If you wish to address to the council to the zoom meeting us use the raise hand feature been in the zoom app for inter star 9 on your phone. And the time the agenda item is address. When it's your turn to speak up and up next a state your name and address. At the conclusion of your comments when you have reached a 3 minute time limit. You will be muted. Already hands will be lowered after each agenda item regardless of the method of participation use 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 and the rules of decorum it's life on the comment is disrupted by violation of the rules of decorum the chair is authorized to accept public comment on what it means including might you know only we do have some speakers, MADAM Chair. If American for those who have signed up every speaking. You can go up on 3 name is called to either podium and then state your name and address before speaking, thank you Clark. First 2 speakers. Well jurors and annual roster ours I think as I said MARCH. >> Well good afternoon. My name is what triggers live at one Beach drive Southeast number 1811 St. Petersburg Florida, 3, 3, 7, oh one. And I'm just here today, I'm not sure you'll be able to make it back for your 5 o'clock hearing on the airport. It's going to be on a public hearing at 5 o'clock the public comment has to be at that time. But does it have been active with that notion that Lee yes, even if I just wanted to encourage you to do it. You cannot you can you can always send an email to City Council members before that time. Okay. And a 3rd that afternoon. My name is Daniel Mark Saunders I live at 2, 4, 6, mystic Lake drive North in Saint Pete. 57 oh 2. I'm here today because I'm trying to get our neighborhoods safe and there's a map I think you all have a picture that were some of the roads. Right next to us have several stop signs mystic Lake drive is the only road that is pretty much a straight through from first Street to 4th or opposite for Street. The first. I've had I've been in touch with the traffic division and they said number we don't qualify for speed bumps. But yet you know the speeding still continues and the neighbors. I from my neighbor Mark here and they did walk your dog to kids that the change that Chinese people and live across Street and stopped right in banks around the lake because it's too dangerous that kids like 6. 89 in 14. The other neighbors have a hard time walking their dog to its just we dicuss everybody they avoid the light at 62th and enforced because it all gets backed up. So when they're coming East we're heading West. They hit for Street. They cut to our Street go to for Street and the head North and to work. It's the same situation on the way home in the afternoon. They'll use this to clay drive because they see the lights on backed up and forced to eat and 67 ending so they use our state ripped to their go to first to take a right and then they go on about their business. It's very unsafe in someone's going to get hurt. It's only a matter of time. Pleading to you all to the the curricular of criteria that they set to allow the speed bumps is way way too high in a situation like the need to curb it lowered or see that there's emergency situations and something needs to be done regardless what the statistics show because statistics don't save lives. Thank you you're welcome. I appreciate the time. >> Shani Barnes please go to the podium state your name and address for the record. You have 2 minutes to address to the council. >> Good afternoon Shannon Reed Barnes 3.18 72th Street South. I do not have a formal stance on utility rate increase, I'm just speaking about flooding as a whole. So I stand here today as a few different rules in my role as a real estate agent I have seen property values that belong to residents in flood zone x plummet through no fault of their own. In my role as a resident who has not yet flooded. I voiced my concern about the direction of the city as a friend to many people living in flood zone acts who did fled, I'm here to support them. I'm sure residents would gladly pay a few more dollars in their monthly bill to feel safer. However cp residents have dutifully pay their water bills and have just been handed issue after issue. I'm assuming the Pennington family of 56 Street has pay their water bills and yet the city of Saint Pete continues to fill them. For 7 years city of Saint Pete is allowed sewage to back up into their home. Well I understand that rising costs are inevitable and infrastructure needs to be financially supported the city of Saint Pete needs to take a good hard look at the decisions that have this historically been made and the decisions that keep the current examples being construction where it should not occur variances being granted gratuitously and the complete disregard for disappearing green spaces in trees. A quote from a recent cp catalysts article reads as follows quote council member Corey Givens said developers should should shoulder more of the burden. Administrator years plan to increase sewer capacity fees from 600 to $1000 per restroom. However, those revenues can only support sewers sewer projects Tankersley declines to opine on any other potential impact fees that the city could impose and developers during the utility rate to start the discussion. End quote. Developers will take everything they can get we know this and a few $1000 is often a drop in the bucket to them. We have in place City Council cppcc drc and permitting to review land development regulations and to ensure compliance with the appropriate city regulations yet more often than not they seem to accommodate developers in spite of pleas from longtime taxpaying residents who are worried for our city and their homes. Please remember that vegetation prevents erosion. One tree can draw up over 100 gallons of water per day and permeable greenspace mitigate flooding risks. All of the developer fees in the world won't magically save our water greens pastries or our homes. I wonder if the storm water rate is connected to impervious surface. Then why does the city keep reminding more impervious surface to begin with. I don't feel inclined to throw more money at the problem but rather ask where has the money gone and can we be more can we be making better decisions proactively. >> Informants close we move on to awards and presentations he won a proclamation honoring ferg's sport bar and Grill day. It's going to be presented by erland mayor. Good. Afternoon mayor Welch thank you MADAM Chair do just a glass is I'm not coping. Curtis is not and a lot of weight with them. It's an honor here honor a true Saint Pete icon is we all know before. We had a right wide range of choices for food and drink before the expansion of downtown there was for us. And we are here to to honor a recognition finally the nation knows what we've known all along that ferg's is the best a local sports bar in the nation. And we're proud to be joined today by Mark and sharie Ferguson, if you only join me. A customer gives mark was going to wear his Lakewood year, but he did not know why changes my whole against. Although the watches black and gold, so you do have a little bit on. And I do want to recognize that the chair sugars brought this forward he raves about for us. The blue cheese and chicken wings in that order. It's the blue cheese first to get to the chicken wings to get to the blue cheese, but you cannot be here today so I'm proud to present this on his behalf and it reads whereas in 1991 mark for Ferguson, a St. Petersburg native and former teacher purchased a whether gas station with a dream to create more than a restaurant. But a place where the community could gather connect and celebrate together. And whereas with hard work creativity and the support of family and friends that small property was transformed into ferg's sports bar and Grill, opening its doors in NOVEMBER of 1992 as a neighborhood spot known for good food. And local pride. And whereas first has grown into a St. Petersburg landmark expanding across nearly 2 blocks. Offering unique event spaces and welcoming thousands of patients to concerts. Charity events watch parties and countless celebrations that capture the spirit of our city and whereas marks vision has always been about more than tv's in game days. It's been about creating an atmosphere where everyone feels like family where newcomers are greeted with warmth. And longtime patrons visit regularly. And whereas that family focus vision has become a true legacy with Mark son, Jake Ferguson. Joining the team as general manager bringing new energy and ideas. Well honoring the welcoming spirit and community values his father bill and whereas on Aug. 28th ferg's sports bar and Grill was nationally recognized by usa Today as the number one best local sports bar in America. The distinction that celebrates the Ferguson family, their team and the unique atmosphere that is MAY 1st for a beloved St. Petersburg us to institution. Now therefore I can it's the will to mayor of Saint Pete St. Petersburg Florida do hereby proclaim Thu. Sept. 4th 2025 as for serves sports bar and Grill day. In Saint Pete to encourage all residents and visitors to join in celebrating this achievement. This family legacy. And this story, a vision and community brought to life. Thank you. >> I am so humbled and I am so proud. What we have done along with the city. I mean if you all think about where we've been the last 35 years and to see where we were and where we came this city. We have grown with the city. Dog friendly. Downtown is growing and you guys have led and got behind and doing it the right way. We are now on the map. We are on the map now. We are a major league city because the Tampa Bay rays around these everything else people know they can come here and have a good time and they've been coming year after year after year. And it's just I can't tell you how much support we have gotten from all over customers and fans and all the people voted for years. And we're just elated to be moving forward and to the next realm of things. I want you all to know one thing. We have had a lot of developers comes to us and say we want to pay a lot of money to build a high-rise and you can go back in the bottom and I listened to all of them. But I'm honest. My family. Maybe we believe Saint Pete needs and place a local place where people can gather watch music in sports enjoy their time. So luckily, we're in number one sports bar in the country because we live in the city in the country. Thank you very much. >> There we have a few council members will make some comments thank you councilmember Hardin thank you chair. Mark I couldn't be any more proud of you and grateful for your friendship that this is the industry that I grew up in and Ben been working in for quite some number of decades and I don't think that that folks really grasped the level of success that you've had coming from holder for an industry you didn't even this wasn't even your profession just decided one day to go do it that the this success that you had I would bet and you can opine with me I would doubt there are many restaurants in Austin peat that can do the kind of volume you do. And it's because of the heart that you and your team have put into it. The life cycle for those who who don't know of of places like like what Mark has is typically some around 10 years, sometimes you get to 15 years. Mark Mark you build a place generational it will it will outlive us and it will continue to be there and it's really truthfully. It is never the food in the end it is always the service and the commitment to community and and I'm sure that we can sit here for a long time and just talk about all the things that you've done for the community the charities that you've supported not only that the restaurant but the but your family. So yeah, I couldn't be any happier for you can be any more proud of you and and thank you very much. Thank you councilmember given. Thank you and first and foremost goal Spartans good to see art and I just want to congratulate you you know councilmember Hardin said it you are generational you all have built a legacy here in St. Petersburg that we can be proud of I think about you and I think about your family, you know we grew up with jade and you know, I'm just so impressed by the work that you have done especially in this past year Mark, I know it hasn't been easy for you, especially with everything right after the Hurricanes, but you guys have persevered and I think this is a credit to your perseverance the fact that not just the city. But usa Today the nation has recognize you in your efforts to really create a family friendly environment. Not only are you serving up good chicken wings, which even open up the doors to the church. My good friend MR. Ashley has service over their church or its giving on your property on Sundays and I really appreciate you again just creating outlets for the community to be a part of the community we really can go to for as we can have some good wings have some good church and just be a month's good friends and so I thank you for being a good value partner in this community. So thank you Mark. Thank you. And I want to say unfortunately chaired Curtis could not be here and I know that he absolutely wishes he could be here some sure you're going to hear from him. But you have a huge honor because when you hear ferg's it's synonymous with St. Petersburg and there are few businesses that get to that level. So congratulations to you and to everything that you've done for our community, it's super appreciated and I will tell you there is not one person here that I talked to in our city and in my district that doesn't mean for us. That says a lot to you what you've done. Thank you. Thank you. >> And I'm sure cut up the body to come down and take a quick photo with and get a chance to I decided to my steps. Many also. Now we move onto ordinances and we have easy one. An ordinance approving indication of a 20 foot wide that an alley located at 7925 for Street North. What we do or soreness number 1, 1, 7, 4, v. Enormous improving indication of a 20 foot wide did an ally generally located at 7 7925 Fort Street North setting forth conditions for the vacation to become effective and providing an affected date public hearing scheduled for OCTOBER to Oct. 2nd 2025. We have a carts. Thank you that could act we have a motion and a second clerk you open the machine for voting. Seeing that all cause I think council members have voted for Trump least how we can announce the vote. MADAM Chair motion to approve agenda item one passes unanimously with Council district school encourages being absent. Thank you for joining us and now we move on to eat to an ordinance amending the future land use map of the comprehensive plan by changing the designations for 2 parcels totaling 17.2 5 acres located at 3200 34th Street south from institutional 2 planned redevelopment commercial. >> Both ordinance number 7, 6, 4, l in ordinance amending the future land use map of the comprehensive plan for the city of St. Petersburg Florida by changing the future land use map designations for 2 parcels totaling 17.2 5 acres located at 1334 Street South for ms to shuttle I to plant redevelopment commercial. Pr dash see providing for repeal of conflicting ordinances and provisions thereof and providing an affected date. The public hearing for this item is on 10/16/2025, and we have no car. >> Unless there's a motion. This is the first reading it is really getting. We have a motion a second Kirk you play something imaging for voting. Now some better your vote. In that I present council members had voted but the tally in the Nance notes about. MADAM Chair motion to approve 2 passes unanimously co-anchors Driscoll and guard is being absent, thank you thank you for joining us. Ok we move on to reports f one which is a St. Petersburg housing Authority update and we have MISTER Lengthy here. Welcome. A few. Good afternoon afternoon. MADAM Chair and City Council members. Thank you for the opportunity to be able to appear before you this afternoon to give you an Safeties for housing for you today, I'm honored to have also in the PRESIDENT's mind. House and to the board CHAIRMAN Of the board and commissioners to more. Thank you. A commission sea Moon show dates for being here today and in support. A view. One forward the effect. So I'd like to begin my zone give you an update of the safest for housing Authority. And I to be can the presentation by highlighting a few housing facts. So the first house in fact is as you MAY know the St. Petersburg housing Authority is the largest affordable housing provider in the city of St. Petersburg serving 4,000 families. Number 2. In partnership with the private sector, the House authorities on the contract with approximately 500 it property owners. To House 3600 families. Section 8 housing choice voucher program. Fact number 3 with respect to the financial impact that the housing Authority has on the city. What you know that every year. We spend a little over $36 million. And housing assistance payments. To those 500 pop tunes man boards who provide housing services to see. Citizens of St. Petersburg. MR. Lindy just there's a clicker there if you want I think page ok just to make sure okay. I didn't know if you have them their baby. >> The. I would like to know also by the way. The those funds are reinvested in the local economy here. And so many of those funds of the 36. Of the $56 billion. It's really invested in local economy. Through purchases of building materials property. A man has been maintenance services. Mortgage payments. Another match and some of the the property owners on the way home from the office probably stop at Publix and spend a little money there as well. The whole point is that many of his of the funds of the House and food spin 2 House. Provide housing services for us customers. We invested right into the city of St. Petersburg into his local. Fact number 4. The House and Florida owned and operate about 500 affordable housing units. And to be specific is actually 458. And I'll share a little bit more in detail later about the specific units. In fact number 5 the affordable housing that is currently being provided through the St. Petersburg housing Authority. We curated maintaining readiness of citizens. One thing to access. Our programs and excess of not a 1000 people in the waiting this that even 5,000 people in the way of this. That's a significant number not even 10,000 people in the wake of this. But 15,000 people on our combined weight of this. Now that's a that's a large number I asked you to drone that fact for a moment. The current waiting this a 15,000 people was generated within a couple of days of opening the way to do this. And we have to close because we can manage any more than that having kept open. The problem could double that number. This gives you a sense of and that House. One of the House and he's here. But those are the facts. And so inquiring minds might as what is the St. Petersburg housing Authority doing to enhance affordable housing. So says once customers while expanding affordable housing opportunities. That's a fair question. I'm glad you asked. And you know Sir. I would like to take a moment so that share with you all with you of our current housing services as well as the House and through a strategic initiative to increase affordable housing supply. Here and our great city of St. Petersburg so first I'd like to provide you a quick overview of our real estate portfolio. So the the first property that we're. I think we have the problem with that. The first properties that that I don't know if you have a copy you have a copy of that. Yes ok so the first puppies that you see here is a clear view. Which is located on 37. We have a due North. And it has 22 units. Also remind you that the clearview property has about an acre in the rear of the property that we're looking to redevelop and additional that's a opportunity to add additional. >> I just want my staff to is there another presentation or do you want to make sure they have. You want to see if you can find it for him just to make sure that we council members. And follow what he's talking about is and the audience. >> Was the life of the way to Florida. If you want to just wait one 2nd just give them a minute. We're doing it on time. Technology. >> Okay so. Yeah, it is. >> Reagan gave them. All right so where we're at the clearview go back to clearview again that's the first property that 37 Avenue North, 22 units and in the rear that we point to do major. We're looking to do a major redevelopment of units there. Next pop it is Maine. And it's located a doctor in okay. Junior Street North. It has 20 units. That same slide we have gateway places on the same. Same Street. And we have 20 and is there and I would tell you that gateway place is scheduled for a major renovation the interior is the kitchens and baths and I would. Good news. That's already been approved And we've already identified fun. So that's that's good news. We expect to have the renovations completed within the next 12 to 18 months. With the distant place. Is located on. And has 33 apartments and about a year and a half ago under way. Interior renovation kids Paso we repositioned that property is it's good for the 20 years from 5 news. We're excited about that by using department complex that we have is located on first Street North 24 units there. Saratoga is on 32th Avenue North. And has 34 apartment. Scheduled for major renovation in connection with another win. Development do that we have I'll show that more about that and where they into my presentation. Sunset Oats. Yes so that is located on 21th Avenue North. And it is I think will impact us a senior senior complexes. 30 apartments. And then we come to Jordan Park which is Jordan part she's so. She recently redeveloped and the last couple years and I would be remiss if I didn't take the opportunity to thank this city Council and out of Mayor Welsh for your support and financial support and praying and we reposition into a park. John Park has 2 agenda 6 apartments. So we're very excited, happy that we've been able to the position that property. The legacy is the last property to share with you that's right up the street from the joint part 2 of the 6 units. It is located on the 9th Avenue South. Yeah, 60 units senior complex and again thanks to this. This Council to the mayor and Pittsburgh. And this administration. For assisting us and them. Dana find funding funding funded this is the funding to the legacy. So that can please a snapshot of of affordable housing units on operate about it. Safeties for housing, so I'd like to switch. Use a little bit. And share with you give you a day respect to the salt services. We provide to our customers. As a. As a means to enhance the quality of life for families we serve we have a small buddy effective social services Department which is very active. And results oriented. Our team collaborates with local organizations to provide quality services to affordable housing communities. Our team is currently assisting. A 147 affordable housing families to become you could economically independent from government housing assistance. Through a program called family self-sufficiency. This is a 5 year program. This is incentivize with an escrow account upon graduation funds can be used for educational pursuits. Home ownership. Cetera. You know one of the programs that just give me a highlight of some of our programs. One of the programs is noon due to me he's a homeownership program. And over the last 3 years we've been able to. 22 families to become homeowners. I think that's pretty phenomenal. And I can recall. I was at a conference. Not very long ago. And one of my colleagues as will lead the hook. How is it that that that's a Pittsburgh House and 3 with his size to help that many people in this economic environment because at a large House and 3 we we don't have those kind of numbers and that basically said to him it's it's how we think about the people we serve. We meet them where they are and connect with them to try to connect them to services and that right is too. The whole thought process that idea that yes you can become a homeowner. This is that pie in the sky. You actually can as part of marriage. We knew that qt this you've got to go through certain steps we're going to work with you to hold your hand and the work you through the process and so we have results. 22 families at this point to come home in 3 years. So I kind of it in our conversation with. Well you know friend kind of reminds you back grade school. It's a Pittsburgh House and 30 is that engine that could we just keep Chuck and then took Kentucky. Up to you. That's kind of you know that's that's that's how we feel about it we've got to we've got to. Remarkable teen very dedicated. Love those guys. So that a way to kind of brief you with some of the real state activities. Currently underway. Safeties for hasn't already. So let us begin with Ed white property which is located on 9th Avenue North. The former White House for those currently under construction. As you 3 component mixed. Use property with 71 affordable housing units we're seeing news. The sanctions were how's it going to also be moving it into the space to provide services to those residents and actually to be closer in to the city connected to the communities. We serve we're currently located is really disconnected. Bus stop is. Some farfan location. And so. So that's the second Cup on the 3rd component is the this equipment with a health provider. Over our health which will be in the properties that will be provided to be provided health care services health screenings for the residents and for the larger community show you 3 for one. So we're excited about that the renovation the scheduled to complete 2026. Thanks to the city's. Administration it's thanks to this city Council. Thanks to down mayor. Tim Welsh for you more financial. She wanted to your heart feel. Thank you. Thank you, thank you. For what you do you support the St. Petersburg housing Authority. Next it is the our fun site which is located on the 1.3 acre site. 32th Avenue North with the House and through is collaborating with the sky to redevelop and construct 75 unit apartment complex. A family complex and also as part of the redevelopment plan. You will one of a thesis to adjacent property. Of ours. Known as the Saratoga apartment. Which has 34 apartments. So we are currently right now we're currently undergoing a fair We do have a tent. Such as engineering architecture demolition. We're working through the permitting process in preparation for this year's funding applications. If we're fortunate to obtain funding this year. We expect to offer the 75 apartments. Family apartments into the marketplace within 18 24 butts of receiving the funding. Shifting gears a little bit and looking through when and to the future like to report. One of the House and for the strategic. To increase affordable housing supply here in St. Petersburg says we call that path for the future. You know I talked about and highlighted the sides of the Petersburg House and for the way to do this. And which underscores the affordable housing need here in St. Petersburg it is safe to say that that the lack of housing supply. Affordable housing supply does that major factor and the House and challenge. To that in. And AUGUST this year. The St. Petersburg for a housing Authority Board of commissioners approved a bowl resolution. Of the procurement of multiple qualified with the state development into these to contract with the St. Petersburg housing authority to increase the supply of affordable housing. Here in St. Petersburg Park. This strategy will provide the capacity to explore. And develop multiple affordable housing units, simultaneous. I hope that this day has helped to remind us with a powerful impact of partnership and collaboration and our collective efforts to address the significant affordable housing needs to Kuwait city. And finally I want you to know that's a piece for housing authorities working every day. Many of the families we serve to move beyond government assisted housing as we know it. Working to increase the supply of affordable housing. Here at the marketplace. On behalf of the same Pittsburgh. Housing for the Board of commissioners. Our entire staff and our customer base. I want to thank you for your service to this community. And the opportunities it provides you. An update. The program activities with the St. Petersburg housing. Thank you very much. Thank you. MR. Lundy, we have a few council members to speak first up is councilmember flowing. Thank you thank you for the Press my button before the end because I was excited to talk Edward white hospital redevelopment and Hartford Reid of Hartford development as well, I'm grateful to see those things moving forward glad to see it's my first time seeing a a rendering of the stuff at Hartford. So I'm excited by that and ys she just wanted to say I'm looking forward to hearing more about your the bold initiative Europe moving ahead with going to be here whenever you need so that we can talk about how we can get more affordable housing bill, but it's mostly wanted to say thank you. Thank you COUNCILMAN And thank you for your support. And throughout this process. You've been acessible and if actually come out to the sites and take a look so. Really appreciate the support that we get from this entire Council but in particular Dwight is in your district. We're appreciative I really appreciate your support and this is not been easy. It is not easy one is definitely MISS Her Tulsa but we're going to get there. And so which is thank you for your support along with my Board of commissioners day. They're just spectacular in terms of supporting and given ideas on how we get to the next step. You know we've all been great partners over the last few years I appreciate it. Thank you. >> Thank you chair. Thank you for coming to see us today. MISTER Lundy always a pleasure and commissioner dates and commissioner Seymour good to see you as well and thank you for your service to our community. You all were part of the driving force that really turned around the Saint Pete Housing Authority and so. >> Very glad that you're still there and that your leadership is still it's so important to how we move forward and the properties that are located in my district remain and Gateway place thank you for highlighting those and very excited to learn more I'd like to maybe schedule a one-on-one with you about the gateway place re renovation quick question on that though are you are they going to be moving everyone out to renovate all at once or will it be a phased renovate this is a phase and we have gotten approved. Through the apartment house urban development. We have just by attrition we have about 5 vacancies okay and so you know this is not a large site so we'll do 5 units. And then we'll move people to those 5 units and then create 5 vacancies and we'll do that it's going to take. 18 to inform. But the good news is that we have the funding and assuming that. The calls stay within you know reason. We don't go over costs we've tried to stay within the but Sir, it's strange. But we feel good about about that regard have conversations with the residents and they're excited about the upcoming renovations. And so they're working with us is a partnership. Freight will those both of those the ones sits at one entrance to my neighborhood once it's at the other entrance to my neighborhood and so I mean I think that when I talk about affordable housing developments in different parts of the city and people go oh you wouldn't want that in your backyard, they said no it's right in my backyard, and it doesn't bother me at all because you know I feel like those are really great examples of you know that they just kind of blend right into the neighborhood and they just fit right there along that corridor so thank you for continuing to invest in them and keep them up to speed and keep them nice and make them a good place for one of the one who one of the good things about. St. Petersburg and affordable housing Pittsburgh. You don't see as uses some cities. These this large concentration of public housing units that they're all the same people can drive down the street and identify and say ok this public housing. Those the properties rush showed you this afternoon. They've been right into the community right and so if you keep them up. And do you listen for Smit the same the sort of existence and so that's that is our the outcome. A man a lot of cities do have that benefit. Yeah we're very blessed to play and I just also want to real quickly, thank you for your leadership on the homeownership program. Very first time ever met you you told me that you were going to bring that program to St. Petersburg and i believed then and it shows now and so I just want to congratulate you on the success, 22. I believe you said. Homeowners who would probably have not been able to achieve that dream had it not been for your vision. So thank you thank you for doing what you for your support all right, thank you chair. If you. Councilmember Fink Sanders think you will again thank you for the presentation, you know I always look forward to having these conversations but I definitely want to publicly say. Thank you. I have been around long enough to have seen different leaderships and one thing that I will say from the heart and leadership matters. It definitely matters you can tell about an organization based on who your leadership, he is in with the commission's that you have now you have to change the perspective of public housing as they say from where we are. Now from what we were in the past so MISTER Lundy you have never not answer my call personally you didn't tell me to call someone knows. You didn't have any Windows call to return the call to me you spoke to me and so that says a lot about who you are in the organization that you are leaning and so I definitely want to say thank you for that. I also want to congratulate you on your cool those you already knew who to hate it when I saw the first lady in one of your slides. You knew what you were doing on the mountains, the for those that don't know you first lady. I love that thank you Sir. And then also I'm just so glad of the partnership you have a habit to you know have it it's like one of my most favorite organizations ever because it allows home ownership 0 interest loans can you imagine that and for your home ownership program too transfer what transition one to another. That is building not only the foundation of the homeowner, but of their children. The family's legacy. I always say land his legacy and so you are in stealing that Foundation and so I'm always going to thank you every time I see you for doing that as well so again. I have to publicly say need a ship matters. If you have come in and you've done exactly what you said you were going to do and that means a whole lot. Not only to those of us that are watching but to those to chief impacted on their lives. So again this inland, the and your view of commissioners. You also have an awesome board 2 completely different board completely different feel and they've made a difference with you and your leadership and you do have an awesome staff so I just definitely have to you could those on and I appreciate everything to do a new Council. Thank you thank you to hear arguments thank you very much vice chair. And thank you so much MISTER Lundy for being here, thank you to your commissioners commissioner dates and commissioner Seymour appreciate you both for your service. MR. Mon., you know we have many conversations of the highest concentration of your housing units are in my district and so this is near and dear to my heart having grown up in public housing I understand the importance of making sure that we have quality housing for all of our residents because that is a human right. I do have a couple of questions for you. You talked a little about your wait lists 15,000 people. On that number is just hard to believe but I believe it because I understand that we have a housing crisis in our city and across the country. We want to talk a little bit how long that that window stays open. How long on average two-year you open your what your application portals how long they stay open and then how long does it take to get that 15,000 applicants. So to get the. That amount of people in the waiting this. It's probably accommodation is probably a total 3 or 4 days each waiting this. All right so we have several waiting as we have section 8 waiting this which has about 10,000. And then we have public housing. It says quite a few and then we have a so some of our sight Basin so we have affordable housing so the the Saratoga apartments and palm by you. For the White House is so a person can make a little more than 80% in order to get to be there that they rent. So for probably to ad. That's less than a 100% area median income. So that's a way to us and then the legacy is aware of this and what happens is that the only way that we have movement is when people move out. And that's why it's important and you're not going to ever I can just tell you this you never ever have enough. Housing to says 5 of the car need the total in need. And I'm just that's been my experience, I don't care where you go with your New York. Chicago St. Petersburg you can always have more people who need affordable housing. Then the supply that you have and so the us sapiens for housing for what it is we want to do it's noon to us. How can we work with families to move in for the housing programs that we have and one way the way that you know we believe that's very effective is helping them to. And become economically independent. 2 do have a job to give them the kind of training get a job or start a business. They have a job to increase to grow and that and that and that profession and to receive increases right. So did you get to the point where you don't need. This is that housing. The longer then you create space. 4 people on the waiting is to come in who needs that we need a service been need about services. So that's one way of doing it the other way of course. Developable affordable housing to the extent that you can. But it's always you can always be chasing. That number you always try your dollars be chasing it. Unfortunately at this point time to think about our economy. You said no to things you know will never have enough MR. Want to but I do think you guys are certainly making a dent in the effort. So I commend you on that I'm excited about white property. I did have a question you With the live local act do you see any benefit of that to your organization and if so how can we support you in that effort and what do you see the future looking like because of that. >> So I didn't quite quite get the totality of your question. Live local act I was asking about if you saw any benefits out of that for your organization with creating more affordable housing are you familiar >> The dot said it benefited creating more affordable. Are you familiar with the live local act and the benefits are yeah yeah, the live local yeah so are there any organization development partners that we're engaging message development agreement with several months over 10. We've talked about live local act which gives us flexibility to Bill. Just about anywhere. And so what I've said to them is it put a new creative hats and come up with ideas and so our strategy is that we have a few parcels they we want to develop. One. Some of our developer partners. They have property as well. They want to develop and so the they bring those ideas some we think about we talk about it and then we and then 2 up a contract to move forward. But yes that act does make a huge difference and what you can do. The other thing is tough said to develop a part of this. Over the last few years have seen our peas in our keys. Quest for the polls and request full 12 patients come out of the city of St. Petersburg. Properties that you own and that you words asking you're asking. The general public to respond. While sitting at my desk. It was hard for me to respond we didn't have the capacity. It was something we wanted to do. We didn't have a team. We did we just didn't have capacity. Now that we have procure some of these develop a part of this we will be able to respond. More quickly to some of the most of the stations. >> To appreciate the Muslim day and another question for you you talked a little bit about partnerships I understand that the American Heart Association has been advocating for an increase in funding from the city to expand their groceries on the go program we know that food insecurity is a major issue specifically in my district and a couple of those properties are food insecure. And they don't have access to healthy and nutritious food and you know there have been a number of projects under that was a partnership with the boys and girls Club in Jordan Park. But can you talk a little bit about that effort and where we stand with the groceries on the go program and how those expansion efforts are looking. So. >> COUNCILMAN Thank you for your work and the community and to help spearhead it. Some of the Zephyrs in particular with the the food pantry wish that I think when I first met you you came to a ribbon cutting. Exercise through the House with a reception food pantry their joint part as you wait to expand you made your way from the beginning. They expressed the need to expand that to have more locations and since then which met with different providers across the the city in fact I think you coordinated a meeting or 2. And we move along with that we actually looked at a couple of eyesight to determine the feasibility of can vary some of that space into food pantries. I will tell you today. One of the ideas that seem too have a lot of traction are the the food lockers I hear about there's a a system where they have lockers and we the food and I guess there fridge to have you and all you need is just a piece of land that you could actually. And so we're looking at where on one of ice ice in particular joined part that we should actually and strong maybe some food lockers too. Curry says to increase the supply of food and the area so we're excited about that and you know sometimes or partnerships it takes a while to get through. We'll get to where you want to be as far as the operations of it because everybody's got rules and regulations they got to follow. You know if and if they get federal funds and state funds it there's the attachments to certain specific regulations that Hatch a rose those funds and said you've got 6 navigate all that this as well. Well I'm excited about the work that we've been doing care love it's been a great partner in this effort so want to give her her shout out as well. But as we look at it converting some of this site space into a pantry it's just amazing to know that you are so hands on this Mon.. I didn't have the privilege of working with has ceos but I know for a fact that you have been there every step of the way answering every question trying to make sure that we can have a conversation with all these partners that I brought away. I'm excited to know that feeding Tampa Bay is ready to partner with us with these food lockers that's an exciting concept. My last question for you MS. Lundy the have what you need and if not I really want to recommend that you consider the sunrise tp funds that are going to be coming out because I certainly think that is a great idea, and it could be funded through that effort so those dollars are there for projects like that so well thank you COUNCILMAN Appreciate that. We will be back. >> I've been in contact with my staff as stand that she's been invited to one of the committee means to speak about some of the programs that noon due to social services and so we're going to remain engaged. >> Thank you so much Masonic side of the bill together with you so thank you so much, thank you chair. Thank you. Well thank you very much for the update. MISTER Lundy obviously we're very excited about all the happenings that are happening whether Dwight hospital site the Hartford you're getting senior units online which is critical. So we're very excited about that you have great partners, blue skies, one of the partners and we're talking about people that know how to navigate kind of what's happening in Tallahassee and otherwise that's those are great partners. So you're checking all those boxes so thank you and thank you for the commissioners for being here and showing that support. We'll see you again soon. Thank you very much appreciate it. Thank you. >> ok now we move on 3 a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a tax order. To the professional services agreement between the city in Clearwater clearview land assigned to provide professional services, including but not limited to the development deployment and operation of a gis base coastal flood forecasting an impact assessment system related to the coastal conditions moderate monitoring project in an amount not to exceed 216 to 97.20 and that's a mouthful this was pulled from consent by councilmember gabbard Saleh are introduced and then we'll go over to Pradesh. Well thank sobre Jess thank you for entertaining need to have this come as a good news item today. You know we have a lot of conversations about flooding and resiliency impacts in all of that and so I really felt like this was an opportunity to kind of talk about something that's a little bit more forward thinking and the forecasting and all of that critical data that we need in order to be able to make our decisions so with that I'll go ahead and turn it over to you for a short presentation. Thank you comes from this was a pleasure British French and compean prove this apartment. And honestly. Thank you for the opportunity because this really starts the composition of follow thinking. You know you could have done a lot better. But you know what we've done in engineering above and as we do have some of these projects on these plans on these programs. It's how we leverage a will that data that we collect with that big a pitch a vision and actually come find it. So what this model is doing and we we've actually developed to be to and just let you know it was done at such a good level as presented nationally to as Ricci has conference inside a vehicle as best practices on hole to model in forecast impacts no the dea to that it is including in this morning for us is this storm want to twelve-thousand some pieces plus to light on ti time that we've collected so it's not that we collected at the time we're not going to use it it's how we leverage at foot if continuous steps forward. So what the model is going to do is actually taking all this information and every time. Well we're going to build it and have it ready. The intention is as a storm approaches the focus it to go live with. So it's almost like an dormant ready for us to use. Every time there's a storm alignment the comes that is taking that data from the normally plus to re-engage data then the alignment from the storm following all of that information with the Contour due to the storm want to be sons. I know infrastructure and projecting will actual impacts going to be what time since real-time monitoring of that one of the key elements in this is storm said always at the middle of the night on a weekend. So we need that support 2 run that model remotely I'm not put us at risk while way enhance we have we don't sacrifice all ability to response nobody does it comes out, is what will that push back from the engineering side and public works I didn't all response to provide information to all the departments by the police and that he shun fire. You know even damage assessments and community services. So it's again it's it's it's a forward thinking you had that right and how we take that information plus all the information we're getting on other sources and this is not the end of it. The sea wall of honor ability study that will be coming with. We've picked up seawall elevation is for the public Leon seawalls all 72,000 the new feet and just. So we'll be able to upload that as well. So you see how that information is compounding and right now we're continuing to work with. Usf and we will also be looking at and I'm not gonna try and pronounce the name of this title belief. I will still we from that. But it's the same believe that's utilized by Noel because what we noticed during Helene by example, a decision that was experience was drastically different. We had one buoy and it was one point in time that a buoy one down and of course GOD I think for 45 minutes and plot and I will be ready to run, I've owned. Police Department trying to figure out how we can get do that. What we notice is that on the northern part like a couple new blood at what in a cup. That pushes up on the other side. So what we saw was that the impacts of this it was pushed up on to the northeastern quadrant atop a b because we had that dominant win for over 24 loss. Even though the tights sewage happens in different ways they could happen this week, we'll get happened to dawn that would force. So we got both and what we notice is that Nick mullery the channel South Creek. In this particular instance of about 4.6 feet. But when you look up of the nation aisles they got almost 7 feet on any of it. So that's the dynamic will be looking to continue to evolve this bringing in more title Bowie locations across the city. So we can kind of break that information whitefish and me and then pull storm we also go out we have specific locations across the city and actually pick up what we call the rock lines off the storm. We use that data to for the kind of create a model. So I I appreciate you letting noodle to for a few minutes. Thank you councilmember gathered. Thank you chair, just one quick follow-up question version ash before him as approval is. >> In the backup it did ask it said that there was a map attached but I know that then you got back to us and said that there wasn't a map so I just want to understand that. >> The sensors throughout the city or like a guess I'm just kind of curious like the actual mechanics of it. So this is essentially a model. So it's a computer program that is taking. We have loaded up all us of history. In it. And with what people so that it is connection points to re-engage dita as well as didn't know a buoy as well as the projections that will come out from Noel for the alignment of the storm. So every time an alignment comes in the cup. The computer which simulates. Saint Pete under these conditions. Well then recalculate and so looking to storm shifted this much when the time it's anticipated at this time based on that the model, the title Bowie says its height should be at this level. So what's this it's okay. Now let's look at with the highlighted areas of the community impacted. So it's really a computer program that's digesting on that information dynamically and then pushing it out to us. Every time we get an update on the novel that takes honestly it takes a few minutes probably 2030 because of some 2030 minutes is a lot of information to digest. For that program to run, but it is helpful for us to understand all risk and be able to plant appropriate as well. So it's really a program. Okay understood so thank you for that clarification I'm very excited about you know us being able to see this play out and how this can be used for first responders and just kind of all the implications that will come from this so very excited about it. Thank you Council for letting us nerd out a little bit in this meeting on this these are the kind of things projection. I get way into in our one on one so I really appreciate you taking the time to do that summit that on the approval. We have a motion a second clerk you please open the machine for voting. Councilmembers these under votes. I think that all present council members have food and now. He please tallying and that's. >> Vote. MADAM Chair motion to approve the gym and 3 passes unanimously councilmembers Driscoll in Greece being absent. Thank you and thank you for that for the presentation. Thank you all for the support. F 2 we have Pinellas County property appraiser update on the fema, 49% rule and property valuations. MR. Mike twitty is here you have a presentation and I believe councilmember gabbard that's for this item. Thank you so thank you MR. 20 for being here with us today. You know this this conversation kind of came about a little bit because I was getting some outreach from some individual residents because as we all became very intimately aware last year after the storms. The fema letters on mr. 20's website have a lot of implications for individuals as it pertains to rebuilding after a storm. And so the 2025 letters came out. And people were quite sure how to interpret that and they were a little concerned a little confused. I reached out to Mike's office and immediately he and I were able to jump on a call and after about an hour and a half. I said okay. I will never be able to explain all of this to individuals so let's bring the source of the information to City Council have a transparent conversation make sure that everybody really understands what it is what it is and and really what the impacts to property values and some of our more vulnerable neighborhoods have been after the storms of last year. So that's kind of the setup for how we got here today and so with that I will go ahead and turn it over to MR. 20 and I just want to thank you so much for taking the time to be with us today. Thank you Randi I didn't realize I had to do an hour and a half today, but you don't please don't. And I will ask all the same question. >> No thank you MADAM Chair and thank you council members for for having me in. Yeah we want to add you know as much transparency as we can in this process, obviously you know are my staff done a yeoman's job trying to weather the storm so to speak and and help people. You know navigate through. What is our Lane that has seemed to have widened some from just you know assessment. And examples ins and we've been trying to help people because they come come in and you our trip having trouble navigating our 25 different building departments around the county and understanding the fema, 50% letters and not knowing what that really means and those implications and then of course, Florida statutes and interpreting that how that might affect their assessed. They're save our homes cap and their 10% non Homestead cap all those things. So we're answering all of those questions and I want to trying to go through some of those today. So first of all we we do have very robust accuse on our website. Not only related to the storms so we have a dedicated area for the storm damage information. But then we also have our general if a ques you know we have a top 10 which is kind of the