City Council

>> Welcome to the city of St. Petersburg City Council meeting and your elected officials our mayor Ken Welch district one hopefully burdis. >> District 2 Council vice chair Randy Gabbert district 3 and not marry. He's worked for with that kind of way. Deborah big Sanders. And Council chair Gina Driscoll district 7 Lisa Wheeler Bowman. And district day Richie Floyd. >> Good afternoon, everyone will call to order the 6/16/2022 meeting of the Petersburg City Council coming to get we begin with a roll call please just go you're really moment, floored Curtis your effort here. Martin narey I know it's here. 6 senators. Our invocation today, I'm delighted to welcome pastor Clarence Williams from Graham at 10:00am each church. Iran could please stand and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance. >> Members of Council MADAM Chair, thank you for inviting us let us lift the Godfather with thankful. And great for yet again. The manifold lessons you've given us. Thank you now for the United States of America. For elected government free speech and all of the difficult components of our society that make it great. Thank you now that you are containing and eradicating the evils of tyranny and oppression in our world. Go we pray with the people of Ukraine we pray oh GOD that the leaders of this country and the world to be leaders that follow be. They will lift up the fallen heal, those that are hurting provide for those that are sick and afflicted among us. Go with the members of this chamber, we pray and the families from which they come. Give us a compassionate heart for those that are hurting around us. Let us be advocates for that which is right in jus and what stripping us to defeat, racism and hatred empower us to overcome that twitch and slaves us give us we pray for ballot. So that armed with that powerful hey we will establish a justice among nations and ultimately the world a met. >> Thank you pastor really is that beautiful indication for joining us today. Council members we have an agenda before us for today's meeting I'll entertain a motion for approval. Move approval, second. We have a motion is second to approve the agenda. The clerk please a punishing for voting council members present your votes saying present council members have voted with the clerk please telling announced the votes. Months near being absent. Thank you. Council members, we have a consent agenda before us, I'll entertain a motion for approval. Move approval. We have a motion is second to approve the consent agenda. There's no request for discussion will the clerk please open the machine for voting. One moment when chair. And do we have any requests for public comment. No comment. Council members please and your votes. In the present council members have voted by the clerk please telling announce the vote. Sure the motion passes unanimously with council member Mary absent. >> We'll get next to open form. Do we have any members of the public wishing to speak today. We do read the script. If you wish your dress. >> City Council on subjects other than public project additional items listed on the agenda. Police cited with the clerk. Only the individual wishing to speak please sign the open forum seat only city residents owners of property business owners in the city or their employees MAY speak. Always use this customer open for him must be limited to issues related to the city of St. Petersburg government. If you're speaking to an item on the agenda. You MAY only speak wants to in the open form are we on comes up on the agenda in order to provide an opportunity for all citizens to address Council. Each individual will be given 3 minutes to speak. And after which the microphone will be muted. If you wish to address City Council to the zoom meeting, you must use the raise hand feature button and the zoom app we're into star 9 on your phone at the time the agenda items discussed. What is your turn to speak you'll be and needed an extra state your name and address at the conclusion of your comments or when you reach the 3 minute time limit you will be needed all raise hands will be lured after each agenda item regardless of the method of participation use normal rules apply, including the 3 minute time limit and comments the requirement that any presentation materials must be submitted in advance of the meeting and the rules of the court. If like public comment is disrupted by violations rules of decorum the chairs authorized to accept public comment. My what it means including by email only. We have 3 speakers and chair. The first speaker is then bar him. Are you missing boy it, yes. If you will and give us your name and address. With and they're 70 to 88 18th Street Northeast St. Petersburg Florida, 3, 3, 7, 0, 2, In cue up. Thank you Cafe for the introduction and thank you for giving me the time to speak to bites kites bsa as a new resident of the area have been moved here just a few years ago being involved in the community has been very rewarding for me and continues to be a very important part of my and my family's life as we believe being active in the community as much more gratifying satisfying and rewarding then merely living in the community. It's also why I'm a firm believer that get involved in organizations like skies. Bsa it's so important to the communities. We serve I've seen firsthand how it affects young people as an organization that is focused on leadership development, I'd or activities and fun for the entire family brothers sisters, mothers fathers, it can be life changing, especially in a world where there are they're only things where the only things that a lot of children a lot of youth know our cell phones and computer screens which is studies have shown. And some of us have experience with all own children. Can be very damaging. Long before this was an issue skies bsa understood the many challenges that young people face and how important their developmental years already preparing them for adulthood not skies bsa focused on chart character development but one of the most important objectives is to help prepare our youth for the future leaders to be future leaders in the communities in which they live. The young people that are involved in skies bsa learn to work as a team they they also learn what it means to get back to their community and worked very hard to accomplish what they have said it today as an example recently skies from true to 19 a very active and vibrant group right here in St. Petersburg spearheaded and secured $45,000 in donated money to purchase and pay for the installation of the Terri Tomlin picnic Pavilion at the Boyd Hill nature preserve which was as you know approved by this Council. They have also spearheaded raise the funds and personally bill fire pits benches swings and picnic tables. I encourage you to consider recommending skies bsa to any used between the ages of 1117 that you can think or that you think would benefit from being involved in what I believe is an organization that changes lives, especially if they are struggling and could use a team of their peers to learning grow to learn and grow with at a very pivotal and probably one of the most critical times of their life. Thank you. Thank you. Christine Brewer and Kerry mulan. >> Well City Council chair and council members my name is Christie burner. I'm the new vice PRESIDENT Of advocacy with the St. Petersburg area Chamber of Commerce. I'm here today to express the chamber's support for the return of the cross Bay Ferry and continued partnership between all parties including Hillsborough County city of Tampa Pinellas County and city of St. Petersburg the recently announced framework allows both our our County partners to remain engaged. Maule region moves forward with this project. The ferry is a huge success and provided a great economic impact Pinellas County during the operation. The ferry keeps cars off of our roadways provides a safe and fun and unique experience that delivers day trippers to our local businesses and gives our residents alternative means to attend events without the need to drivers find parking. The long-term goal of the ferry service is to provide options for commuters which will take an additional burden off the roadways. The chamber believes that a continued partnership between all municipalities to provide the modest subsidies necessary to bring the cross Bay Ferry back this year is imperative as always we thank you for your leadership to our great city. And your service to our community. Thank you. >> I'm Kerri Miller, I live at 1125 James Avenue South and I just want to thank you for this opportunity to speak to City Council and today I just want to speak in support of home ownership and the city's down payment assistance, assistance funds as well as the home Street heroes program that's going to make home ownership more affordable we're our frontline workers and I just wanted to share my personal experience of being a homeowner. For the last 20 years and this is my heart when I bought my home. In 2003. It was a $183,000 and at the time it took more than half of my pay check to pay that mortgage and have roommates to help pay it. It was a real struggle. But I just wanted to speak a little bit about my personal experience and then recommend supporting home ownership here in the city of St. Petersburg this is the first John to hand out of college. When you first start working for a construction company for $37,000 a year is working about 60 hours a week. I bought a home that was a $183,000. It was more than double the that my parents old about 7 years ago it was a very tiny home. So I just wanted to say that I really empathized with people that are frustrated with the fact that they cannot afford to buy a home like the one that they grew up and kuz I experience the same situation in Denver about 20 years ago. But I would want to still strongly encourage people to consider purchasing a home if they're in their 20's to try to do everything possible to look into financing options in down payment assistance. At the time about my home with the 7% fha loan. Now to put 3 have percent down. Like I said it took more than half of my paycheck and he had 2 roommates that were help me pay. The mortgage at the time. I've been paying that mortgage for 20 years and I $90,000. I only pay down 90,000 because you pay so much interest and those first years that unit pain to have times the price of a home when you purchase it takes 30 years to and also I more than half 20 years later. But the bottom line what I'm trying to say is that home ownership. It's extremely challenging and it's extremely expensive. However, it's the only real way for us is working class people to build our own wealth by eventually owning our home and to 30 years so that we can retire and have our Social Security and still have a home that's paid off that we can live in. And I just wanted to say I think St. Petersburg is a lot like with Denver used to be and before dinner really gruesome much and I think that Petersburg is going to continue to grow I rents are going to continue to unfortunately increase and I think our housing prices. Unfortunately you're going to continue to increase. So I wanted to encourage people to look into the city assistance programs for down payment as well as the hometown heroes program it's offering down payment assistance to make home ownership affordable for frontline workers such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, health care professionals in military veterans. Thank you. Thank you, MADAM Chair, we have 3 speakers in zoom wish to speak also. All right, thank you. John bout please state your name and address for the record you have 3 minutes to address Council. John Bell. What about a new juror self. The next person is Alvin Quinones please state your name and wreck your name and address for the record you have 3 minutes to dress Council. It was only 2 we have. >> If you feel if you find that a technical issue on our side could you please let me know is that we can give them the opportunity to be heard. All right, thank you for now close up in farm. And we'll go to our proclamation today for juneteenth for that I welcome our very American well and good afternoon Sir. MADAM City Council. Our staff members of the public great to see all the day. I'm today to bring a proclamation for juneteenth before I do that I want to send a shout out and healing vibes to our city clerk. Shanshan of we wish you godspeed in your cover, I know he's probably watching. Shand we love you and looking forward to coming back to Kathi doing a great job in your stead. This is the first year that juneteeth is being recognized as a federal holiday and represents a milestone in our nation's MARCH towards equity and justice. And I'm honored to be joined by several folks from our community saw asked them all to come up and join mean this is Terry lipsey Scott executive director of the Woodson African American Museum of Florida. Watson Haynes co the Pinellas County urban League. Reverend j c Pritchett PRESIDENT Of the interdenominational ministerial alliance Esther Matthews PRESIDENT Of the St. Petersburg branch of the naacp and from our staff Leon mccray and reverend Ken. And I've got half the room standing with me so that's great too. Juneteenth celebrated each year on JUNE 19th represents the Dayton which in slave Americans in Galveston Texas learn of the Emancipation proclamation signed 2 years earlier by PRESIDENT Abraham Lincoln. And officially received their freedom. It's imperative that we as a city take this opportunity to remember our history history does still matter even the most troubling parts of it without this knowledge will be doomed to repeat the wrongs of our past and less effective and our ability to eliminate systemic racism. Heal and move forward as one nation as one community. This holiday is also an opportunity to celebrate progress, especially here in Petersburg where we value diversity and we are intentional in our embrace of equity. We've come far and I'm confident that is one Saint Pete our progress will continue with that in mind like to offer the following proclamation. Whereas nearly 2 years after PRESIDENT Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation proclamation on 6/19/1865. Nearly 90 years after our nation's founding and slaved Americans in Galveston Texas. Finally received word of their newfound freedom. And whereas those who were formerly enslaved well recognized for the first time the citizens, black Americans began commemorating juneteenth with celebrations nationwide. Honoring a tradition that lives on today. And whereas juneteenth represents our ongoing commitment to honoring history. Remembering our troubled past and celebrating are hopeful future. And whereas juneteenth is an opportunity to remember the evils of slavery and the lasting told he's taken on our country and our people including a dreadful legacy of systemic racism inequality and if humanity. And whereas we know that as a nation and as a city of inclusivity we possess the ability to heal. And to emerge with purpose and resolve. And whereas we are committed to further establishing and improving equity and justice. Through pathways forged by abolitionist educators civil rights advocates and everyday Americans. And whereas we continue to work for progress as black Americans and people of color continue to face disproportionate burdens and negative outcomes despite their numerous contributions to society. And whereas juneteenth in its first year being recognized as a federal holiday is a call to action. And now therefore I to Welsh mayor of the city of St. Petersburg Florida. Do hereby proclaim 6/19/2022. As juneteenth day in the city of St. Petersburg and acknowledge the emancipation of black Americans acknowledging the wrongs of the past and committing to our collective work for an equitable future free of the vestiges of systemic racism. Madam chair, I will not have everyone speak. But we'll have some words from MISTER Live to Scott. Wonderful. Thank you. Thank you. MISTER Mayor MADAM Chair, vice chair and members of City Council. But the opportunity to stand before you and the residents of this great city. Accepting this proclamation as a part of the history that we celebrate not only in our nation. But inner city. As a little black girl growing up in Savannah. Regrettably the American history that I was taught and others who attended school with me was absence so much of the history representative of the people of color. Like myself and so many others and with that absence we celebrate JANUARY one is a day of emancipation. But that was only the beginning. As we continue to learn and grow in this space. We came to learn that here in the state of Florida. It was MAY 20th. 1865. That the residents of Florida received word of their emancipation. And it wasn't until JUNE it that those in Texas received word of their emancipation. And it wasn't until the some of the 6 1865. The 13th amendment that abolish slavery across this nation. And with that we stand before you today with so many others who believe and who lead and who are determined that this history will no longer be suppressed. Not only will we honor it commemorate it, but we will celebrate it because indeed we are Saint Pete is for. Thank you. >> And MADAM Before any comments in the photo I did MISS 2 people, I'm Alyssa Gardner of 3 generations. And brandy gurgle of the place here boutique want to make sure I recognize. >> We have any members of Council who wish to speak. It looks like yeah, I'll call on council member fig Sanders, thank you I was looking a line on him, but no lies the allies today. Well first of Hello and greetings everyone that I haven't had a chance to speak to today and thank you mayor for presenting a proclamation. Indicating the need for still not to forget. Where we've come and how much we still have yet to go. Thank you MISS It see Scott with those words what I count. In these 10 or 12 people standing near representing a small number of those of us they still need to continue to carry the torch and to get it done. I want to thank all of you reverend Haines you're right. Esta Matthews you're out sustaining a jcps chief Kenneth Erb e we have she championed over need there we still have yet to me here we are 2022, although I know the mayor proclaimed today. As a day to celebrate juneteenth I wish you could declared the entire year. Because it's going to take has just that long to get more done is going to take more of us to get the work done and I as a black elected official could not sit here without bringing cooler lows and thank You's to all of you data out there that are proving in fighting the fight against in equities in all the isms that black people face and will continue to face until we band together as a community we can't wait for events like this. In Florida lots like this to say what we've done. I need you to show me what we're doing. I need us to keep it moving to make sure that there are advances that are sustainable and there are real. So as not for the moment is not just for JUNE 16th is for us to move forward as a community but those that are fighting that fight that are standing there and those that are not there. I think you and I appreciate the mayor for warning to publicly thank those of you all doing work. I still can't wait to be an african-american history museum so we can show. Because we have so much history and so much legacy here in this beautiful city of St. Petersburg yes, we are Saint Pete, but we need to be about Saint Pete and only way we're going to show what we've done is to provide the data the stats and the input in the effectiveness of everything that we claim him to do anytime I need to send somebody somewhere has to their early because they do so much for our community and I thank you for that as well. So thank you for the opportunity to thank you personally thank you for the opportunity for you to be here in to hear us appreciate you personally give you your flowers. Well you can still and I think this is another call to action is expecting you know to keep it moving because we do have so much more to do but he is placed it in good hands. He's given the current the knowledge means to those well deserved and I appreciate everything that you are doing. Thank you so much, thank you chair. Thank you so very well said and thank you mayor for bringing this forward and for who joined. The mayor at the podium today. A group of leaders. Represents so much progress and just reminds us of how fortunate we are to have. Leaders like uaw. The rest of us how to help move all of this forward. If we can continue to work together and move things forward together. It's going to make Petersburg shine so brightly and really pave the way and set the example for other cities to follow. That's how I want us to be known as the southern city. So thank you thank you for everything you're doing in your part and Mayor Wells thank you. 4. Your leadership and and for being you. Let's do Photo. We can stand up here. Yes, it can be done. We can do to Roseanne. >> We see just enough. Our full terms. What the governor does know wrongs do that I don't believe that. I love you need to get out. All right. Thank you so much everyone that was that was wonderful. Our next item report item that I have brought forward to. It appropriately follows the juneteenth proclamation. We're going to receive a presentation from the Phyllis Wheatley rise to read campaign. In honor JUNE 18th. As we hear the the story behind. The campaign and a Phillis Wheatley's life. You'll see the connection and how it relates to just one of the many things that we can do today. Advance the quality of life for our children. And for our own future. For And for today's presentation by to welcome Maria Scruggs. Good afternoon good afternoon good afternoon. MADAM Chair and vice chair and all members of the council. I'm going to end. The director of community relations our am public defenders office era Milos representative is here to stand Sarah and I share our love for the criminal justice system and certainly represent the importance. Having the criminal justice it system as one of our major partners and she was not able to break away to be here today, but she wanted to make sure I deliver her purse in a letter and then sent her director of community relations here to support the campaign as well. There are school board in the Caprice it was also here and to speak and I'm not sure where she will get it should get an opportunity at some point. Okay, yes, you know, okay. All some well thank thank you again in a MADAM Chair for inviting to make this presentation on behalf of City Council today will somebody be doing the ready we're ok, ok cool cold and one of the things I want to piggyback off COUNCILWOMAN Deborah feyerick Saunders comments bout the fact and showing could you know put in the rubble weather where it meets the road and recognizing that when this city comes together. And support something that is going to move the needle for african-american children in the city of St. Petersburg it is the time that we can really be at a point where we can celebrate. The difference is that we all bring to the table when we're able to see results. >> And it is our belief that when African American children between the ages of k through 18 can read. We have certain that they will be able to succeed in is that point we began to celebrate our diversity for real in this city. The first we're asked to recant her first of all I want to acknowledge chance we will not all be speaking. Members of the Phyllis Wheatley rise, 3, 3 collective better in the House as well as our literacy partners that are in the chambers as well and I think that we do also have some that are tending virtually. The fellas we're asked to recant paying celebrates juneteenth freedom day because the fact that our babies will be able to read certainly is the day that we can celebrate. The day if they can read is a day that we can ultimately know that they can succeed which will ultimately be a sign and symbol of freedom in this country. The Phyllis Wheatley rise to re campaign. Primary program consists of family navigators who are the individuals that actually implement the program itself. There are families navigate is assigned to our 4 palette at schools which will all launched in our On Aug. 15th. 2 of those family navigators will be at the arak loves happy workers learning center 2 at Campbell Park elementary want to at John Hopkins and want at Gibbs high school. The primary role of those family navigators are to conduct a parent orientations enroll scholars in the Phyllis Wheatley rise 3 campaign corden a literacy assessments vision and hearing screenings and mental health screenings because what we always know is that while we have children that are challenged in the panel's County school system that cannot read what that feels weak the Ross 3 campaign is about it's coming together. And addressing some of those various every moving some of those areas. We simply have children that cannot see that have not been properly assessed. We have children that cannot hear that have not been properly assessed. One of advisers to the campaign is a psychologist and her personal story was what really drove the p this piece of the campaign. She said growing up. She her parents did not know that she could not re and I'm sorry that she could not hear. And it wasn't until somebody recommend it to her mother that she be tested her vision hearing be tested. Now that person has now become a ph d but because of someone recognizing that barrier early on. She was able to call on and have a successful academic career. And while the kind of County school system is a partner and while they already do the vision and hearing screenings and will take care of the vision hearing screenings that will occur for those children in the pond that are tuning cows kind of schools. What we have not done is had a court made an approach to ensure those screen isn't being done and then making the appropriate referrals. One of the other issues that we have to address and this is what came about as a result of the e they've all Phyllis Wheatley was our early learning communities partners were at the table and we're saying that they were starting to experience mental health issues with african-american children in preschool. This was in 38 while I was still serving as the PRESIDENT Of the naacp and I really thought this can not be that same provider is to the table at came to the table at 2020 and said guess what Maria. It is not only that we're seeing children in preschool with mental health issues, it's no longer an exception. It is now warm that we're starting to see children then recognizing this right we realized we had to include that as one of the assessments that we would be doing at the beginning of this process. So that we can begin to address those issues earlier our partners in this and every will be diverse behavioral health. Consist of doctor are currently at East and mental health. Councilors the new Alice and our major partners in the mental health screenings. The other roles of family never navigators on the coach parents are reading techniques with their children recognizing that if our babies are to be successful in school. We've got to get parents engage in a substantive way and that we believe one of the roles of one of the matters and we would do that is through the family never gave us that will work directly with parents to gaze to give them those tools Phyllis Wheatley Ross to scholars with literacy instruction activities within the community. One of the things that is crude crucial to the success of this campaign is the partnership that we have with folks that are already doing the literacy instruction. Phyllis we're at 3 campaign is not a literacy program. It is a campaign that is koin aiding the work of literacy instructors that are already providing support to children in the african-american community and our current partners consist of the boys and girls Our club. The show the prop to pull a foundation and then of course making sure that we're aligned with what is going on in the Pinellas County school system who has walked this long us with this project since 38. Next supporting parents and their involvement with children schools activities, one of the things that we've talked about in the meetings with these principles that we've hacked at this point that there is very little parent involvement on a day-to-day basis. One of the things that we want to do is cordon 8 that work with the Phyllis Wheatley Ross 3 campaign as well as our other partner organizations like the Saint Pete little Devils and the PRESIDENT Of the think below that was here to speak on behalf of their support of the full suite, the rest of the campaign and what we believe is by working collaborative Lee. We're able to engage parents in what they need to do in school as well as engage them in activities that their children are involved in like new football. Lastly add family navigators and plan literacy event Santa tradition african-american celebrations. We recognize that is not only important for our children to be able to read we have to the does aft to Walter Reed and one of the manner in which we do that is by infusing literacy with in traditions that are already a part of the community like our juneteenth celebration that we've just heard a proclamation like our emancipation proclamation services like our holiday celebrations. So that they become familiar and recognize that is an expectation to succeed in this country you must be able to re. One of the things that the public administrator that I think all of us to do is trying to make sure that whatever we swear we spend public dollars is it they're strategically with the mission. So our presentation today is brief is very brief. But what we want to do is highlight for the council as well as the members in the audience and to have how the Phyllis Wheatley Ross 3 campaign is directly aligned 9 with the 5 pillars of progress number one and the and the 6 other pillars that the City Council has identified the city of St. Petersburg has one of its populace of progress education and youth opportunities. The Phyllis Wheatley rise, 3 campaigns mission is to ensure African American children living in St. Petersburg Henry and above grade level in this generation and beyond and it's directly aligned with the city's vision of providing educational youth opportunities. Next we want to talk about how does feel a sweetly alive 9 with the mayor's initiative talking for accountable and responsible government. The mayor has identified 60 years with in that alignment in touch inclusive innovation intentional being informed and impactful and in his vision that is what will create a great Saint Pete. The city of Saint Petersburg's approach will be hands on active in the community and collaborative with constituents. The Phyllis Wheatley rise 3 campaign utilizes collective impact as a strategy for the african-american community to partner with 13 governmental and youth serving organizations, the city of Petersburg has identified 2 parks and Recreation MISS My son Neil and MISTER Mayor. Men from the library services I went blank and this are about that from the library services and what's more for the staff are many more and more snow to participate. It's the also have the sup Court of their administrators and Micah Nelson and Mike Jeffries have been very very instrumental in saying not only saying but demonstrating the support of their staff participating on the collective for the Phyllis Wheatley rise 3 campaign. The city of St. Petersburg believes everyone should have a seat at the table every constituent will be heard and every employee will be value. The Phyllis Wheatley rise 3 campaign is representative of members of the african-american community who have historically been left from the table. However today we represent a group of african-americans who are not only talking about and that the table we're talking about setting the table and that's a very different distinction from somebody else inviting you to take care of your own we're taking the lead and working with folks to help take care of our own. The city of St. Petersburg will embrace new technologies new ideas and creative partnerships to implement implement effective solutions and improve constituent services. The Phyllis Wheatley rise, 3 campaign represents new ideas and creative partnerships to implement effective solutions based on African traditions, African traditions, culture and values what we've also done for the council is at some of the research behind and strategy so that you can see that this is not just and idea that we're coming up but we are certainly using the literature and the resorts research to support our campaign design. Intentional equity. The city of St. Petersburg will incorporate equity into all of its policies to ensure that our city's growth benefits our entire community. Closing the black white test score gap. What probably do more to promote racial equity in the United States then any of the strategy. Now and a serious discussion. This is not a Maria Scruggs says quote this is a quote from the Brookings Institute because what tends to happen in where we're looking at this live when we talk about the number of strategies when we talk about closing equity. It's time that we bring solutions that people can touch and feel and that's what the fields with you fellas we the rise 3 campaign is about and recognizing that we could actually have a very varied huge impact on our children's history. Inform decision-making the city of St. Petersburg will be guided by best practices fat science and our city's history. The Phyllis Wheatley Ross Reid campaign design is based on the facts. During the spring of 2021 only 14.5 African American children. Tending our target schools who were administered the we're reading on grade level the Phyllis Wheatley rise 3 campaign design is African centric based and what that 14.5 percent represents that in spring of 2021. There were 805 African American children that were administered the fsa e la at our target schools and of that 805 only 123 were reading on grade level. The city of St. Petersburg will ask the question will it improve the quality of life for the people of Saint Peter's part in 37 policy link and I'm sure most of you all are familiar with this study concluded that time Ellis County lost an estimated billion in gross domestic product as well as a result of the economic gap between black and white students. What we know without a doubt is that if our children can read. They have a greater chance of succeeding economically and as a result we have an opportunity to close the economic gap and as a result of that we have an opportunity to decrease to increase our gross domestic product in this County. The next slide just represents a short snapshot of our budget. We estimate that at one 0.9 million one million budget. The administrative costs right quite to about 19% of our budget. The assessments that we talked about represent about 290 proper 28%. Our circle number 3 our community-based literacy interventions the this is actually the work that the family never Gators will be doing with the families and with and organizations within the community. And then parent engagement strategies represents about 35% of our budget because what we dollars represent where our focus is we've got to get our parents engaged. 2 in order for this work to be sustained. Most of our work has to be about not only ensuring our babies can read on the short term but making sure that we have engaged families in a strategic way to ensure that their children are able to read and they are invested in their poll ledge occasion. The mayor in his initial days of all. His election several community conversations and members of the community including board members from the fields with the rise 3 cam pay we're part of those conversations and as you can see circled in red one of the recommendations was to expand the Phyllis Wheatley Ross 3 campaign and it sincere hope that this Council will also see the value in that. This the Phyllis Wheatley Ross 3 campaign is requesting that this Council and this administration support a $700,000 which represents an estimated $47 per 15 per chat of the 5th of the 15,000 African American children in St. Petersburg between the ages and kept between k and 18 years old. And as I've said before african-american children who can really can succeed. Thank you very much and at this time will be happy to enter entertain any questions comments or concerns. >> Thank you so much that a fantastic. Where we're at as a community. This particular campaign the Phyllis Wheatley rise Reid campaign is doing its part to move the needle and get our children leaving. So that they can get to succeeding. Thank you for the work the that I know that there quite a few partners and. Who have joined us. Today as part of your group I was wondering if you all can stand if you you're part of the Phyllis Wheatley riser e campaign and I want to. Expressly thank you for the tireless work that you're doing to get this campaign going. It is something that I have come around to being a strong believer in because they see the data I see those driven by facts and I see that it's powered by passion and a real commitment to our children and our future and so I want to thank each and every one of you for the time and energy the you're putting into this are going to go in with a very soon. So thank you thank you for being here. Any other council members wishing to speak on this item and 2 we do have 3 cards okay If you could go ahead and call the first 2 speakers please the pre sandmann and Kevin Johnson. >> You give us your name and response. Caprice at men p o box 3, 5, 2, 9, 5 St. Petersburg Florida. 3, 3, 7, oh 5. Good afternoon. Vice chair chair council members community members. Thank you Maria Scruggs and the Phyllis Wheatley rise to re campaign. Community organizers who have been doing this work for quite some time. I'm proud to be here in support of the work that the Phyllis Wheatley rise to re campaign is doing as missus Krug mentioned they are in they are planning to work within our school systems and we all know the importance of family and community engagement. And white. What impact would it be to have our city really supporting are getting behind a campaign that's going to just do just that empower businesses people invested in our children. Teachers families to all come together on one accord for one cause supporting reading and the literacy of our children. So again I am proud to be here in support of the great work and the great progress that has been made through the campaign under the leadership and guidance of missus Scruggs and again we know that there is literacy challenge within our community. Missus credits to share a lot of the data we know that mental health and all of that outside forces that play from lack of housing. Lack of employment and all of those components impact education. So if we could do one thing to support our students and focus on education. I think that would be very impactful so thank you very much for your time. Kuz me can him. Yes it's my name is Kevin Johnson a little bit 2861 for families South. Vice PRESIDENT Fins dustbins library which musician for 30 years and also a board member for this week new grads program. One of the themes of the friends. Don Smith is live as Reid is our lead we have we lost in the community every year and by supporting. For the sweeping grass program. We will mate readers leaders. Readers are leaders. And I'm livin product because I'm one of those kids who couldn't be and I got Hill back in the stingray now got a massive movie. Readers are leaders. And also if we reading if you invest in education is a correlation between in costs ration. This is to sticks. Inmates in the criminal justice system who participate an educational program. They're really this is the rate is low. We must support this program and remember really is Arlington thinking. Thank you. >> Next text or talk or 3. >> Hello my name is that's the Daughtry I love that 15 oh 8 13th Avenue, South Petersburg Florida, 3, 3, 7, 0, 5, I like to thank you off a llama sansa speak before you on behalf of the Phyllis Wheatley rise the re campaign. I'm the PRESIDENT Of the Saint the little Devils youth football organization. We have about 300 kids out there right now. And I was approached by MISS To partner up with her to help get some of those kids on the right reading level. Melrose elementary and a middle I interact with a lot every day I know some of them are not on the right reading level. Definite question that you asked why the filling out and stuff like that. But I just want to know well to say that I think that this would be an excellent We had those kids 5 days a week right now from 06:00pm 02:08:09pm. So we have we can find time sit down and teach them how to read I'll have someone come in and it struck them give them proper guidance on how to read and and just make them better students in understand that the challenge is a tough with some of them in a live situation. So what we do The little Devils we at end of the night it if you don't have food at home you can come to get a meal before you leave. And I think that's small things like that and and partner with reading helping them growing Youth and students as student at the it will benefit them in the long run. We're not just out there to teach them football lot to teach them life skills. So they can move on and become productive citizens. I myself, I'm retired Navy seabee and in 20 and enact a move back home to take him a grandmother. I don't know how but can the PRESIDENT To say if you look that GOD's will but I'm I'm doing stick to it and long as I can and I just want to thank MISS Strongsville Scruggs for inviting us to partner with the and we're looking forward to see what could happen on. But the Phyllis Wheatley rises reprogrammed and I knew thank you. Thank you. All Thank you any council members wishing to speak on this. All right well thank you again for the excellent presentation. For those who. >> unaware of of the story behind the name of this organization Phyllis Wheatley was a slave who learned how to read on her own early on. And went on to become the first African American to have her work published as an author. That serves as great an inspiration as we look to the celebrations of JUNE teen. And. >> The. The work ahead that has to keep driving us to do better when we think of of people like her. And really just look for ways to show support for organizations such as this one that are truly working to move the needle. All save the funding and the budget discussion for our budget workshop. But as you can see. The funding there that is out there right now versus the funding that is needed in order to truly make a difference is a gap that I believe we can address and I look for in those conversations as we move forward in our in our budget process this year. Yes, council member figs 6 and yes. Thank you I want to in hearing that the gentleman in Saint Pete green Devils can you send a 4 minute. You said you don't know how you assume that room because your greatness lead you there that is a purpose and I want to thank you for taking on that role gladly but more importantly I was impressed us to move time to take care of your grandmother, which means you understand the value of elders and those that come along with that, so let me thank you continue to do that as long as you can because you said that you have 300 students there to just make an impact on one with the holistic approach that you're providing for them Whitney hearing that I was so impressed and I'm so grateful for you for doing that so thank you dear Sir, thank you take care. Thank you. >> All right and council member riller Bowman. Thank you MADAM Ever you know we started something haha I want to thank all of you out there did a taking your time to be a part of Phyllis Wheatley s I I actually enjoy the presentation. You know and me having grandkids know the challenges that they are going through in school. But I want to point out one lady. He sdsu haha and I know what your passion is because her son and now a very very good friends. And every time I see her I can't walk So that's what I'm saying it and I think Denver said something early about giving your flowers while you're here. So I want to let you know that I'm glad you came down I love you thank you for being involved. All right thank you all. We knew it. Thank you anyone else. >> Thank you everyone for joining us. I hope everyone is in spite as inspired as I am from that wonderful presentation. All right and with that going to make a brief return to open form because it appears that we MAY have had some technical difficulties, resolved what say you MADAM Clerk. The call their names an excellent needs and sells again. It's ok we'll give it another whirl. MADAM Chair, we a person by the museum. And please. Please state your name. In addressed the record you have 3 minutes to dress Council. >> Hello can you hear me. Yes. Hi I'm Carol back to me and I am a board member of the Phyllis Wheatley Rice Street campaign. I didn't know if you could see me there I just want to add to. To do the ideas that are here and that is that the missing piece at the parcel that Pa can move the needle on the reading ability of the African American children is the fact that we're using a collective impact framework, I don't I don't want that just slide by him because it is not the same as collaboration. I once was the founding over the executive director to success by 6 community collaboration so I know from that what happens and that was in 1993 and we're almost 2023. Collaboration is when you get a group of people together and in that case it was elected officials had to jwb United Way and so on and so forth and and I really believe that we're going to be able to move the needle. I was very sad to say that people have their individual agenda. Sen. It can get in the way. This is different. This is a collective impact framework which says that instead of just getting together in a collaborative mode and speaking in working on it. A goal. We then go back to our individual organizations and we do things differently with in that our organizations, whatever that might be and in doing that we're doing systems change that is what will change moves the needle and that is what I am are all these years of participating have not seen and I'm really really really looking forward to their son I just I'm just can't say enough about it I just think it's a it's going to work and I'm happy but all the partners that are working with us and I thank you I thank you Council so much and. All of the us are far been willing to listen to this and take it back and remember this is collective impact. Meetings that you make changes in your own individual ways and then bring it back so thank you thank you thank you and I'm very happy each that is connected to to mayors JUNE teeth. JUNE teen out. Proclamation thank you very much. >> We have any other speakers on. >> Anyone from the zoom. If you wishing to address Council please use the raise hand feature button. >> All right, thank you. We will closed open forum. Again and move on to our them which is a legal item. Item I one. Good afternoon to you know. Good afternoon council members. Danielle Weaver Rogers from legal. I'm here regarding this dispute. Standby pay. From a former public information officer Sandra been till us and you've been to was employed from MAY of 37 to AUGUST of 2021. The city was able to obtain a settlement of 44,500 dot $500 excuse me inclusive of her and attorneys fees and costs. All right, thank you, I'll entertain a motion for approval. Second the motion and and a second too approved this item. Sue there's no request for discussion with the clerk please open machine for voting. Council members please enter your votes. Saying PRESIDENT Council members have voted with the clerk please telling announced the votes. And I'm sure the gender. Item number. I won passes unanimously with council on to marry being absent. Next we have new ordinances. There's one item. For that today. I didn't even one. Ending The city code city code providing an updated press reference. And for that item we have I believe we have Michael Dunn from City Attorney's Office do we have staff or presentation. No there's no presentation to the paper chair read the title. Oh yeah, all he wants to end, sorry. The one proposed over than 7.51 dash l an ordinance of the city of St. Petersburg Florida amending section 16.0 6 0, 1, 0, What one d of the city code for the sole purpose of providing an update cross reference and providing an effective date the public hearing for this item is JULY 7 and we have the cart. All right, thank you so we have Michael the move from the City Attorney's Office to answer any questions or all in a movie or approval. Second we have a motion a second to approve this item saying that there's no request for discussion with the clerk please open the machine for voting. Before we go to the one car that was just so here I was just an appetizer This one says cre. All right sorry about that good afternoon MISS Reid. Good afternoon council members my name is Robin Reid and I love it 7 oh 5 16th Avenue Northeast. And I'm representing today preserve the Burg I just want to make a few comments about Proposal because I somehow it kind of went was under the radar for us. So we're concerned about the changes that were made in JANUARY to reverse the order in which development projects reviewed in the cra before the drc review. Doesn't seem very logical to us. Well the dia will the drc be likely to disapprove a project that has already been approved by city count but and the City Council acting is the cra if the decision is appealed it goes to the Council for resolution with City Council members be likely to reverse their ad ritual decision acting as a cra if the cre continues to be that the first body to review projects. Then it seems to us that it would make sense for the process to be quasi-judicial so that wider notice would be required and an opponent of the project would have an opportunity to make an extended presentation at the outset of the review process. Perhaps we're missing something but the revised order seems problematic. As we expect to take positions on future development projects we would appreciate your consideration of our concerns. Thank you very much. Thank you and good afternoon. Good afternoon. What a sight. It first came up. What we saw was our name is bill, hermela the one 34th Avenue North. You know life does not give you Mulligan's in legislation, but you've got one right now. You pass the ordinance 7.48 l in DECEMBER. When I saw her about this item coming up I sent a rather lengthy email to try to explain some of the concerns I had. And I'm sure you've all read that committed that memory. But in summary Roberts touched upon part of the with the change in the rotation. The problem with the quasi judicial. The problem where you're going to have to recuse yourself technically if this was a judicial setting for you d'arcy you would have to recuse yourself if it. DR. Say d'arcy item was appeal to you because if you do use it as a cra you can see that on fairly to people of the drc so going to suggest you do is vote no to this. When you vote no to this direct staff to come up with an agenda item to repeal 7.48 have put their review process back where it was where drc is first the appeal of drc a second and cra becomes 3rd. Thank you very much. Thank you to the other chair have nor the car. Thank you we have a motion a second ago device your gathered. Thank you just wanted to see if legal could what MISTER Herman just brought up with a potential conflict that could arise in the future. Yeah. >> Again we discussed this we have 5 meetings last year. We report item City Council workshop at the rc the adoption or the the hearing at the rc first reading and second reading here on Dec. 16th 5 innings and we discussed all of this and I think we came collectively to the opposite conclusion that was more problematic to have the legislative act kind of the broader 30,000 foot view to occur after the granular look at the site plan level first of all they're 2 different reviews. And the quite them. It's very problematic. In terms of the scope that you all apply when do these 2 different reviews. More importantly from a legal aspect we're concerned over having a legislative act after a quasi judicial act frustrate the vested rights of an approved site plan. So kind of by answering this threshold question is it even consistent with the intown redevelopment plan we kind of get that out of the way and build this analysis brick by brick and of course you wouldn't have to recuse yourself on an appeal of a quasi judicial item because this is done in the sunshine. This isn't some kind of ex parte communication that's occurring behind the scenes, you're showing your work every step along the way. So we kind of kind of the exact opposite conclusion last year and this and we purposefully but the cre a first for those reasons. Thank you you're welcome. MADAM Chair. We thank you. Any other questions. I they should ever question and your response. It was something that I was considering as well that I'm hearing your explanation. I agree that it does make sense to proceed in this I think for reasons even beyond what you've what you've laid out there, right now so. I look forward to I'm voting for this to move forward so that we can have further discussions. >> Right with you and really we're just adding word is adding numbers to the the resolution number to the ordinance anyway Ri right really a scrivener's error on an admittedly yeah, I'm a steak and yeah, I understand. So so this would be for the public hearing on JULY 7th and correct that's correct. Okay thank you we have a motion is second in saying that there's no further requests for discussion. The clerk please open machine for voting. And council members please enter your votes. Present council members have voted with the clerk please telling announced the votes. >> Item e one passes unanimously with Council, a member of the front an eerie being absent. >> Thank We'll go back to our report items with the next report being item f 2 and for that we welcome. MISTER Pre men. >> But a city called pleasure to be here today. British rim engineering cop improvement, start and just to clarify West who is the West central streetscape improvement full. I do want to and rich that we do have a presentation. I'm prepared that I would like to walk you through this. So today we had accepting the bad on improving the award of the construction contract requesting for the coming to an red fits for the West central streetscape improvements project. This project develop. This project was developed with extensive public engagement. Marking community stakeholder group each one of those numbers you see in the print the seas is the amount a meeting South yeah she conducted into and each one of those categories. We did want to do outreach program public cities as well as public workshops public meetings resulting in over a 600 participants into 2. We will together with fdot does County psd as we worked to develop this project. The project objective really draws to what's to aims of equitable development on some business opportunities to neighborhood and health safety environment infrastructure resilience and how do we accomplish this by improving the pedestrian safety roadway safety. The aesthetics of the environment as well as the infrastructure upgrades when I walk you through a little bit of how we achieve this but more important and wanted to set that expectation of where this project is as do for this and that the city when you look at the West central. But he's also the gateway for general public. All residents has to end to the city from the West and limits. So again it's really I get me and we have all driven that section of road. It's a pretty wide empty spots section of pavement. It it encourages high speeds. So we're trying to create that environment that's more welcoming as you progress don't into. Saint Peter's bid. So again the project limits as from Park Street to 58 Street. Overall school put a little bit looking at sidewalk and accessibility improvements as well as a replacement of despite my system storm systems at Park Street 66 and 50th the road will also consist of landscape meet in improvements signage segment and striping improvements as well as and Hans pedestrian crosswalk at several locations. It will also be a dedicated by clean throughout the project limits. The breakdown into this pedestrian crosswalk locations again that's from several locations within the card off tough also supplement existing. Pinellas trail crossing along Central Avenue. The want and replacement is how we can infrastructure upgrades. We're going to go in there and improved entire road we're going to be a sidewalk within a half up of meant. It's the best time to get in there and improved aesthetics as well as aging infrastructure by replacing that what I mean throughout the entire extent of the project and that's one of the more complicated elements of the project. The construction coordination overall once we get started with a construction. Other than the prelim a coronation we did we will now move forward Michelle pump another round of public engagement. It's going to for the pre construction. Notification that the to the anyone affected within the project limits. Construction is expected to be 504 tds now the 3rd bullet is really long. But I'm going to simplify it and the fact that it's a long project this quite a bit of work to be done along the entire project. So as a general resident or member the public or business owner you MAY see people in front of your property. Today, you see them tomorrow. And then you MAY not see them for the for 5 weeks again. I'm that's what we'll be trying to expand as we go through this process again. Them quite a bit of it. But because of that link to the project you MAY not see people looking in from property for probably several weeks into the project. Now let's get gone that the real death of to construction elements that will have to be done at night. The traffic volume is going to be law. As well as what a service to mind are going to be law. That's when we can do those essential tie-ins to minimize the impacts all residents. And of course we will be coordinating with all businesses because their restaurants on that section want to make sure they're not impacted. And we you know we MAY have to do that at times during the day. So we're going to have to just we're going to have to work with the with the services that we do provide. Just a general outlook of how that typical cross section is going to look as much more appealing again as you enter this is a good reception as city coming in from beaches. It released we're going to set expectation of how you drive into cities, he beat now, you know those landscaped medians you traveling and so much more conducive to see for speed. But you also going to have the pedestrian and bicycle lanes as well. And as you go for the past this is 70 63th Street, another typical section. So that school approval before this construction contract. Council members. >> We