City Council

City Council — December 7, 2023

>> Welcome to the city of St. Petersburg City Council meeting and your elected officials our mayor Ken Welch district one hopefully district 3 and not marry. He's worked for with that kind of way. 5 and Council vice chair Debra big spenders. Gina Driscoll. John Muhammad. And district day Richie Floyd. >> Good afternoon everyone. We will call to order the Dec. 7th 2023 City Council meeting beginning with the roll call and with us here 6 Anders year Driscoll and air Lloyd here Curtis, here gabbard your mountain areas here. We'll begin our meeting today with an invocation which is going to be given by councilmember cope with haha followed by a moment of silence for fallen first responders and then the pledge of allegiance please join me in standing. Please join me in bow your heads. That's alone. Ian's rejoice always pray without ceasing in all circumstances give thanks for this is the will of GOD for you. For 2000 years ago you send your son your son to live among us. Let us not forget that he walks this Earth still he walks this Earth inside each of us in each of our neighbors. We will find his love. Please reveal yourself to this Council this administration all city employees all of our residents and all who visit here in every interaction we have with each other. Please bless us during this Christmas season. Remind us that it is not the lights nor the decorations but the love and empathy we share with each other that defines this season. Guide our decisions in this room today, not with our interests in mind. But with those of our neighbor. As this year comes to a close in a few weeks. Bless all those we encounter, bring them peace and joy during this season of celebration. Celebration of your birth of your sacrifice and of your on the ending love for us. This Christmas. Let us rejoice always pray without ceasing and in all circumstances for this is the will of GOD Amen Amen. >> We please join me in a moment of silence as we honor our fallen first responders chief of police James j Mitchell end of watch Dec. 25th, 19 oh 5. Police officer James j Goodson end of watch Dec. 25th 1947. And firefighter George w Ludwig last alarm Dec. 19th 1966. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag. The United States of America and so the real has one nation. It is cool with it and justice for all. >> Thank you councilmember does that beautiful indication I appreciate you know. Alright council members we have an agenda before stud a letter to the motion for approval to move approval, second. And we have a motion is second to approve the agenda. Clerk please open machine for voting. Council members in your votes seeing all council members have voted clerk please telling announce the vote. MADAM Chair, the motion to approve the agenda passes unanimously. And we next have our consent agenda. Clark are there cards for the consent agenda. And sure there's not need a motion to approve the consent agenda for approval. Second and a motion and a second saying no request to speak clerk please open machine for betting. Council members in your votes. Seeing all council members about a clerk please tie announce the vote. They're just one moment, we can't. Motion to approve the consent agenda passes unanimously. Okay next we will move to open forum car can you please read the rules for open forum. If you wish to the City Council and subjects other than public hearing quasi judicial items listed on the agenda. You missed sign up for the clerk. Only the individuals wishing to speak recently opened sheet. Only city residents owners of property business owners in the city for their employees MAY speak. All issues discussed and are open for MS. Be limited to issues related to the city of St. Petersburg government. If you're speaking to an item on the agenda you MAY only speak once during open form when the item comes up on the agenda in order to provide an opportunity for all citizens to address Council each individual be given 3 minutes to speak and after which the microphone will be needed. If you wish to address City Council through zoom meeting, you must use the raise hand feature been in the zoom app was interest are 9 on your phone at the time the agenda item is addressed. What is your turn to speak you will be a new did and asked to state your name and address at the conclusion of your comments when you have reached 3 minute time limit you will be muted are raised hands will be lowered after each agenda item regardless of the method of participation used 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 like public comments is disrupted by the violation of the rules of decorum the chair is authorized to accept public comments by alternate means including by email only and MADAM Chair we do have some speakers, okay great please call the speakers to the time and when the clerk called please go to either podium. >> The first speaker is windy Snyder and Karen. William state your name and address for the record. We have 3 minutes to address Council. >> Respectfully I would like address the council when the most when the relevant matter comes up to him and state your name and address for the record please oldies Wendy Snyder sny the er 64 oh 7 Sandpiper way South man which item are you coming to any any item dealing with the cba c whether it's the crew the nominations or any other resolution that will actually be much later in the So if you would like you can fill out a yellow card with the clerk for that particular item and then we'll call you whenever that item comes up. Okay, yes, thank you. Hearing Mueller and I will and do the same thing in putting out the All right very good. All right. So are there any other speakers and turn anyone in zoom. Now ok, we'll go ahead and close open farm will take over legal item item it's a class on sorry item I one a previous settlement of a lawsuit and we're joined by assistant city attorney can mccollum good afternoon, everyone. >> But you see everyone again I'm here on a proposed settlement on an auto action case involving city This is the rhondda Gary Jackson the beginning this particular file for close to 3 years this point. This accident happened on 22th Avenue Northeast and Bay Street when one of our Parks Department vehicles. Essentially ran a stop sign and was kind of a head-on collision with some significant damage. The plaintiff has incurred over $400,000 in medical bills to do a couple of surgeries to her cervical region. So liability unfortunately this case looks clear and the bills are excessive. We ended up in the Second mediation. A couple of months ago. And were ultimately able to resolve this case then the sovereign immunity cap of $150,000 pending Council approval. And I would that this summit we approved as a good resolution to the south approval. And we have a motion a second seeing no request to speak clerk please open the she preventing. Council members and your votes saying all council members voted clicked his tiny announce the vote. I'm sure the motion to approve agenda item I one passes unanimously. All right very good. Thank you. MISTER Mayor, thank you very much everybody have a great day happy holidays, too. All right next we're going to go into new ordinances and take up item e one clerk can you please read the title the proposed ordinance number 5.68 dash each and ending divisions, 1, 2, 3, 6, of chapter 2 article 5 of the city code related to purchasing contracts, etcetera moving the puck your echo to to Division one modifying the Times of purchases exempt from the pick your money code modifying and adding definitions provisions regarding approval authority. The mayor for certain contracts and renewals modifying the criteria for sole source. The tournament. Setting forth process is first for request for qualifications small purchases requests for information and protests, establishing provisions permitting Sir, certain Communications during competitive competitive solicitation clarifying provisions Creek creating a new division to establishing a new equity advisory committee business equity. The Disney business equity. It advised committee reserving division 3 Dilley division 6 in its entirety related to government to grant opportunities through Grant writers and providing for an effective date. The public hearing for this item is Jan. The 4th 2024 and we do not have any cards on this to rule. And can we take a and b together. Okay and what your motion for a and b. We need to read the title for be ok, so just for a manager okay. So Council do we want to presentation because I saw comes member might marry was going to push this button council member Jessica first her so do we want to presentation first we want to go straight into questions. I don't need a presentation okay. We're joined procurement and supply management director Stephanie Spence in Columbus one son. Council member just go. Thank The concern that I have is with changing the threshold for purchases from 75,100 thousand. It was just a few years ago the City Council lowered that 2 75,000. All right yes. For Council approval I don't recall there being discussion. About changing it. I don't know what the circumstances are that have caused as too agree to raise that limit. >> So in our presentation in our one on ones we wrecker raising that money about 200,000 due to just the amount of work that's being added to staff and we feel that based on other entities that this is in line with the other agencies in our area and our size. Is there anything in particular. Would you like to. The the other thing you know we did present this to budget finance and taxation. A couple of weeks that committee approved the bringing it here to a full Council. So in addition to having our one-on-one discussion with each council member. We did it was vetted by the dft Thank you. My reasons for these $75,000 threshold of not changed since then so I'll be voting no on this ordinance thank you. >> That's a memory card us thank you MADAM Chair. Council member just go I just thought I provide a little bit more context we did discuss some of the reasoning that it was lowered to $75,000 a few years ago with the previous administration it's a very it has become very cumbersome the 75 the difference between 7500 it's creating I think on average 9 items if I remember correctly. Too to bring to a consent agenda and so. It did pass unanimously and bfm tv so I just thought I provide not trying to change your vote but just for providing a little bit more context. Thank you. Council member Mary. And I did want to mention that both in my one-on-one meeting with administration and at the be a fun team. A meeting we discussed this at length and the in my opinion have we have changed and I understand the workload that the administration has when it comes to. The $75,000 threshold. So I voted and they have to be a fun t to raise the threshold back to a $100,000 and I'll be supporting this ordinance I would like to have 2 separate votes on these these 2 ordinances. Thank you our motion is for so speaking just with you privately in our was not able to you know be at the be a fun team meeting and not a voting member either. But I do support and I think one of the things that really stood out for me in our conversation was understanding that I mean over that time period of you know from where we lowered it before and now where we are today. Things become much more expensive so that threshold in my opinion needs to adjust based upon what we've seen with you know the various cost overruns and things like that. So for me I because as COUNCILMAN Vermont Neri said circumstances have certainly changed. And so I'm very comfortable with us moving this forward I think we have a very good process evaluate ing our procurement report at our agenda review. And I feel very comfortable with that and appreciate the professionalism of what you and your staff handle all of these matters so thank you so much, I appreciate you. >> All right so we have a motion in the second item e one a seeing no further requests to speak clerk please up in the Xi for voting. Council members in your votes saying all council members voted quickley's tie announce the vote. MADAM Chair, the motion to approve tonight and he won a pass a 7 to one with councilmembers fig Sanders Floyd gabbard Curtis hand what's Monson area momma putting asked and councilmember a critical voting. No. A clerk can you please read the title for the want. I'm sorry. F sorry the one b I'm having a problem with my letters today I apologize my eyes are failing me. We pose or DECEMBER 5.69 dash Beach and Florence amending chapter 2 article 5 division 4 related to the small business enterprise assistant program modifying thresholds from $50,000 to $100,000 for big discounts sheltered market and required participation percentages removing references to the sbe committee and establishing the authority and responsibility of the pond. Clarifying provisions and I'm Adam clerk to is that revise ordinance that you have in front of you. Yeah. >> I know he's trying to find where you are as well. There is a sentence. I think. Pause for just a moment. The Eagles going to bring you another copy clerk. Thank you so much. >> Where does the proposed ordinance for 5, 6, 9 dash Beach importance amending chapter 2 article 4. Article 5 division for related to the small business enterprise assistance program updating finding setting forth the procedure for modifying annual goals for small business enterprise participation in the contracts modifying threshold on tracks. The city contracts modifying threshold from $200,000 for big discounts sheltered. Market and require participation percentages removing references to the sbe committee and establishing the authority and responsibility of the pond clarifying provisions and providing for an effective date. Public hearing for this public hearing is scheduled for Jan. The 4th. Second. We have motion a second for the one be saying no requests to speak and we don't have any cards on this item either ensure we do not ok for police to punish him for voting. Council members and your votes seeing all council members voted click police telling announce the vote. MADAM Chair, the motion to approve agenda item b one b passes 71, with councilmembers Driscoll fix Sanders Floyd gabbard hurt his hand what's a mom and voting, yes. Councilmember Martin, everybody know. Very good. Thank you so much MISTER Munson thank you MISTER Green. All right let's move into our report don't go away MISTER Green. We have our agreement between the city and inner circle sports llc and we are joined by assistant city administrator Tom Green. Good afternoon City Council in. Last week we had a vigorous discussion of this agreement between that time and now I think each of you who wish to have a one-on-one visit with MISTER Abrams of inner circle sports have we have indeed concluded those discussions. Additionally have provided the information that council member Hannah what a desk for with respect to net present value calculation of certain. Revenue streams things related to the overall gas plant redevelopment of the stadium program. I'm I'm here to answer any additional questions you might have in addition, I could run through the presentation again of if Council so chose but I would just remind you the impact you know there are certain actions. You took last week that you some of the resources of the a contingency this action would use about 274,000 of the general fund contingency for the gas plant, another 274 would be appropriated from the general fund to to go into to coincide with the resources we've get from the county with respect to our inner local agreement with them to help fund the contract with inner circle sports. Thank you Council did you feel the need for the presentation again. No alright councilmember flood. Thank you. I don't need to go over anything I said last week, but I want to take him to some of the stuff my colleagues were on last week which was. Specifically surf about started co. I met with MISTER Abrams and I felt that he was and he was helpful for me. And it seemed interesting I know this isn't directly related to this contract. It came up in this conversation. Seems like stucco was just a stand-in name for the llc the rays are project. It's interesting though because it kind of brings into focus it's not necessarily the rays that are going to be doing the project it's affiliate corporation that's going to shield them from some of you know downsides that go along with it as well as silo it off so that a cleaner business deal I think the shielding I think is what gave me some pause but I understand that's how business is done I just wanted say out loud I kinda so are my colleagues are coming from it's an interesting perspective got brought up and last week's discussion that I'm came out for us to focus on. Thanks. Councilmember what's thank you chair, and well first of all I think aministration for setting up the meetings. For those that don't know the meetings are set back immediately I think my meeting with him with the Mon. Afterwards. And as I mentioned that meeting David Abrams is the first time I spoke with him and I met with him he was I'm very helpful in terms of providing the information I had some issues it wasn't with him specifically. And I do appreciate MISTER Green for providing the calculations for he it's a lengthy 3 page memo which is a very helpful and it's what I was asking for so that's very much appreciated. And with that I will say that in terms of this agreement. I have no problem voting. Yes for this I understand the need for David Brent expertise going forward, whatever issues and whatever discussions we MAY have on issues that I have with the deal. I do believe that the city is going to benefit from his expertise. Thank you. Council member Matt Mary thank you well I I had a very good meeting with David Abrams yes he's a he's just a. >> a true pro in this area. And just needed to understand. >> These concepts in these new entities that were being formed and I was uncomfortable last week in moving forward with this agreement but after my conversation with him. It was it was time well spent and that led to that we have him on board and I'm supportive of this agreement also so that we have a motion little Second. All right. We have a motion a second and a MISTER Green I just want to thank want to thank all the administration, I hope MISTER Abrams is listening I definitely want to thank him for the one-on-one that I I left that meeting just feeling like I don't even know how we would move for the betterment of our city and the betterment of our residents and making sure that we really have that expertise without him. He is we're very very lucky to have him on our side working on our behalf. So I'm I'm very glad to hear that the council colleagues that had concerns last week we're able to clear those up. And as far as the llc goes. I mean certainly I understand you know being in business this necessity you know you want to divide liabilities you want to make sure that you have certain entities running certain parts of your business that very much make sense to me and so you know very simple explanation on that alleviated all of my concerns around that so I'm very happy with the way that this is moving forward and seeing that we have a motion and a second with no further request to speak clerk please open the shame for voting. Council members of the votes. Seeing all council members voted clerk please tell I announce the vote. I don't share the motion to approve agenda item f one pass a 7 to one with council members to school fix Sanders Gabbert card is hand what's mountain area and we'll have a voting yes and councilmember Floyd voting now. Very good. Thank you. All right, thank you MISTER Green. Okay next we're going to go to item h one which is a council committee report from last week's committee of the whole. So I will need a motion on this action item which approval of a resolution appointing to ad hoc members. And one City Council member to the community benefits Advisory Council for the historic gas plant district project and we have 2 cards on this item so we'll go ahead and go to public comment. Wendy Snyder. And Kerry. Mueller. We step up to a podium state your name and address for the record you have 3 minutes to address Council. Wendy Snyder sny the er 71 Sandpiper way South. I want to speak in favor of this In having both members appointed I'm particularly in favor of care and Mueller's appointment. She is a resident of the area. She has studied this proposal with a group of of other citizens who are inte have no vested interest in any party or any outcome. Other than the best interest of the city and the city's residents I know that she will be a super a member of the cba c please pointer thank you. Thank you. The ceiling. I thank you very much for the opportunity. My name is Kerry. Mueller I love the 12th and James in Campbell Park and I just wanted to speak today a little bit about Campbell part in the South side neighborhood community. That I'm a part of and how much I've enjoyed living there. And some of the accomplishments over the last 2 years. I just wanted to talk about the community resources that we tried to get out to our neighbors and other community outreach that we have done door to door to really build relationships between some of the members of the neighborhood and some of the members of the neighborhood who had lived there for quite some time and really build some bridges in builds community with our community and we've really seen some great results over the last 2 years and we continue with that with the point said a program. We it Christmas to get out points as to some of our senior residents who we call rbi peas so this will be our 3rd year. And we're really looking forward to that effort and in regards to community outreach we do quite extensive work with community resources that we like to distribute to people so that they're aware of all the different programs that are available to them and I just think that there's 3 areas of community resources that are super important to be knowledgeable about to be a good neighbor and the first one would be all the Housing resources that we have available especially in the South side. Cre to be able to fix that homes that need repairs as well getting some help to purchase a home is a first-time home buyer there's a lot of great programs out there. So that people can start building equity in building generational wealth. So I'm a big advocate for the home ownership and assistance programs in the South side Siri and also wanted to talk about some of the equity initiatives in employment and job opportunities and business ownership I've seen quite a bit of opportunity that I'm really hoping to continue to be a part of. After attending a Antonio Brown had a black excellent summit at the p Tech and some of the organizations that were there was procurement technical assistance center, the small business development Council Pinellas County small business enterprise and so I'm really looking forward to some of these equity initiatives, benefiting our neighbors and there's so many different organizations I try to promote to our residents in the South side, including call Casa the Saint Pete you from urban League police enter cohort of champions pace Center for girls careersource Saint Pete works Suncoast dinner. Bay area and Gulf Coast, legal services. Par this a free Saint Pete Creek clinic. And the Campbell a part Resource Center. So we've accomplished quite a bit in Campbell Park over the last 2 years we've won numerous awards for neighborhood and from Pinellas County and from the state of Florida for this beautiful as