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. District 3 Mike Harding district 4 Council vice chair, Liz said Hannah with district 5 never take Sanders. District 6 Gina Driscoll in districts, 7 warri Givens junior. And district day Richey Floyd. >> Okay we will have our indication given today by pastor Paul Gibson from Trinity Lutheran Church, then please remain standing for a moment of silence and the pledge of allegiance please stand. >> GOD of love. We thank you for the diversity of your creation. That you embrace everything and everyone that you have made and called them blessed and good. Strength in the pride each one of us hold in being a completely unique part of your creation. And help us to know the purpose for which you made us. GOD we do not understand why the way a human being understands their own gender or why the person they love can be the cause of fear and hatred. But we pray for those people for whom it does their understanding of you is so limited and so small. But remind us GOD that all of us to come to fear at times. All of us can be made uncomfortable by difference. All of us have ways that we must grow in our love and acceptance of all your children. We pray that this month dedicated to pride to the eradication of shame. We'll help all of us to better understand respect and honor people who are not like us who do not look like us. I think like us. In a year when so many are being driven to acts of violence. We pray that people will be safe. During our city's celebrations of pride. We are grateful for the members of law enforcement who are working toward that goal. Bless the leaders of this city as they persist in their commitment to making it a place of welcome and of opportunity for all. Bless the speaking and listening that will take place in today's meeting and in the days to come. So that all of us can work together for the common good. We asked this in the name of all that is holy all that is beautiful and all that is true. >> Please join me in a moment of silence for the repose of the soul of events Cox who passed away this week. Serving to St. Petersburg and a friend to all. I pledge allegiance The United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One of the nation. With liberty and justice for all. Thank you. >> Thank you pastor for that beautiful invocation that thank you for joining us this morning. Okay council members before we get into the approval of the agenda just a couple of quick things. As you've probably noticed we're having some some technology difficulties so for those that are speaking during open forum. The only clock you're going to see is the clock you see up on the screen. The clerk will give you a 12nd heads up when your 3 minutes is coming to an end and at the end of that 3 minutes I will say thank you and your microphone will be shut off you won't hear a beep like normal. So I apologize about that, but just be patient with us give us a little grace. Council members also are buttons are not working and so we will do a roll call on each vote. Council member driskell I'm sorry, but that means you start each quarter roll call because it's and so no pressure there. And then also council members as we wish to speak because it is a little hard to to have an angle to see all of you if you'll just raise your hand the clerk will then put your name up on the speaker list and I will go from the list up on the screen. All good any questions there councilmembers and if anything changes as this meeting goes on we'll let you know I think I covered everything we could to go there. Okay clerk good. So council members we have an agenda in front of entertain a motion for approval of a second. Okay let's do a roll call please. All right, yes, it is. Yes, yes, all right, yes. That's yes, Sanders Inc okay. The agenda is approved now we'll move on to the consent agenda clerk do we have any comments on the consent agenda. We do not okay, I'll entertain a motion for approval on the consent. We have a motion a second. Let's do a roll call please. Yes, it is, yes, yes, Hardin. Ok now we're going to go into open forum clerk could you please read the rules. >> If you wish to address City Council on subjects other than public hearing quasi judicial items listed on the agenda please sign up with the clerk. If only the individuals wishing to speak recently opened for an sheet. Only city residents owns the property business owners in city for their employees MAY speak. All issues discussed under open form must be limited to issues related to the city's impeachment government. If you're speaking to an item on the agenda youmail speak once during the open forum. When the Ivan 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 muted. If you used to dress City Council through zoom meeting you must use the raise hand feature button app or interest are 9 on your phone. At the time of the agenda item is addressed. What is your turn to speak you'll be unneeded and asked to state your name and address at the conclusion of your comments when you have reached a 3 minute time limit. You will be needed. I'll raise hand will be lowered after each agenda item regardless of the method participation news, normal rules apply, including the 3 minute time limit on comments. The requirement that any presentation material must be submitted in advance of the meeting and the rules of decorum its like public comment is disrupted I violations of the rules of decorum the chair is authorized to accept public comments. Alternate means you can buy email only. MISTER Chair we do have some speakers okay. What's called to a time please. The first 2 speakers is Karen Carmichael and Jason Mathis these go to either podium state your name and address for the record. You'll have 3 minutes to address Council. >> Karen Carmichael 404th Avenue South I am the PRESIDENT Of the Sage condominiums and the PRESIDENT Of the downtown neighborhood Association good morning. Downtown St. Petersburg gives the impression of being almost like a pristine Disneyland to many who visit from other states other countries and even other parts of our city and county. The building's the roads are smooth. The infrastructure, let's clean and modern and on the surface it feels like an ideal downtown. But recent incidents have reminded us that the reality is more complex just a short time ago a man lost his life at the corner, 3rd Street and First Avenue North. It was a tragic moment, but also a powerful reminder that there are many people in our city, especially in our downtown who was struggling with serious mental health and substance abuse issues. We see it every day individuals living on the streets or in temporary hotel housing exhibiting behaviors that reflect deep unmet needs children on school field trips to museums and parks are exposed to people yelling. Using disturbing language or acting in ways that are frightening and unpredictable. Parents and teachers are left trying to explain situations, the children simply cannot understand senior citizens many living in our 55 plus affordable housing communities, depend on city services like assessor right and public transportation. These residents regularly encounter people in a mental health crisis often being screened that were harassed while they wait for a ride. Homeowners are faced with regular intrusions to their garages and courtyards and in some cases their lobbies and their hallways by people who present this dangerous. They're afraid and they shouldn't have to be. I do want to acknowledge that the city has taken important steps programs like path and Cole are already helping these are vital programs and they are a solid foundation. We appreciate the addition of another evening downtown police unit. And the recent addition of an evening path unit. But the reality is their services are still over stretched. We need more boots on the ground we need more clinicians more outreach teams more consistent engagement these teams are doing the her open with work but they can't keep up with a need at the current level of staffing and support. This is no longer a housing issue. It's a public safety issue. It's a public health issue and its community quality of life issue for residents for tourists for business owners for families and for those who are in need of essential mental health services. So I'm asking the council to prioritize increased funding for this issue and to explore new scalable solutions that help address the root causes of what we're seeing on our streets. We can allow the image of a clean thriving downtown to cover up a growing crisis. Let's do better not just for appearances sake, but for all of our residents including those who are less fortunate. Thank you and thank you for hearing You know we appreciate your understanding. What's happening downtown. I'm my name is Jason Mathis, I'm the ceo of the St. Petersburg downtown partnership. And I wanted to start by thanking you all for your service you don't make a lot of money on City Council and you put up with a lot and have to make big decisions and I want each of you to know that your service is genuinely appreciated and I'm I'm sincerely grateful. As Karen mentioned I think people are concerned I think the recent incidents created some new light on this. But this is an issue that's been going on for a while the last 3 years we've seen an uptick in some challenges for the downtown. I do want to as as Karen mentioned I do want to thank our Police Department we have an extraordinary Police Department who are compassionate ethical they have high integrity and one reason downtown has not deteriorated like many other cities is because of the great work of our Police Department downtown really is a system and it only works if all of the parts of the system are working together and it's changing a lot in 2010 there were 3,000 units in downtown Saint Pete. In 2025 there almost 20,000 units in downtown Saint Pete, it's just changing dramatically. And when you have more people living downtown where people visiting downtown more people spending money downtown working downtown. It means we need to change the way that we think about managing our downtown area. A lot of ways downtown is an economic engine for St. Petersburg it represents nearly 20% of the property value for St. Petersburg even though it's only about 3% of the total landmass it's a gathering place for the entire community needs to be a place that everyone in the communities has a sense of ownership and feels comfortable visiting and it's a neighborhood. It is all of those things and the people who live downtown have a unique perspective in seeing how downtown is changing and some of the needs that downtown MAY be facing. It's important that we have a clean safe and vibrant downtown for everyone downtown belongs to a family living in Tyrone it belongs to a young couple in Riviera Bay. And launch of the children of Campbell Park. There were long so retired couple in Pinellas point. It belongs to professionals living in Crystal Lake. Downtown is the one place in our city that should belong to everyone and where everyone should feel safe and comfortable for the last few years we've been talking to some of you and members of the administration about a clean and safe program. We saw a lot of details to work out on that but I would urge you to consider that now is the time to think about adding this element to really help ensure that downtown remains a place that is safe welcoming and clean for everyone who wants to visit thanks very much. Next to speaker says rana Wally and Kerry. I'm sorry here again make it lasting. These go to either podium state your name address for the record. >> Hi Monica Wally. Let me tell you about my last 2 weeks could you please give it could you please give us your 2 to one 1st Avenue North right next to Williams Park. In the past 2 weeks after notifying the city that they are in noncompliance a bill 1365. I have been Pete on pooped on death threats saying that the homeless man was going to come back in slip me from behind my throat. I have had 6 gun threats that they were going to come back and murder me. I have been broken into in one of my restaurants. I have been as you need to look at some of the snow I have called the police multiple occasions with the police not being able to do anything because they say if I remove this property if I remove this homeless person if I do this I will be sued. The police will not abide by the code and the city is not abiding by House bill 1365. So this police are not able to do their job when the city is not in compliance. I am in fear on a daily basis by these homeless people in our area I am stocked at my restaurant on 14th and central at the she so crispy their I have a homeless person showing up there on a regular basis. Every single day actually we have a homeless person there either robbing us taking our my employees tips stealing stuff from the inside stealing stuff from the outside taking all of the food from the trash and throwing it coming up and taking the food and throwing it in our faces I have restaurants next to me that have homeless people coming up and taking customers drinks and throwing it in their faces and smashing it on the ground taking their food and flinging it into the streets. I have homeless people sleeping on my property. 2 alright, we can't even open doors. And when you call the police they come and they say even with video even with witnesses there's nothing we can do they're not on property when I Stanley's people to jail. They show up right back on my property. Mia Moore you sent me to jail. Now you'll pay. This means war. I have a gang of homeless people right now that no that I am trying to make a difference on my block and they're all they have all come to my property and told my employees that they declare war. There are homeless people sleeping all over our sidewalks all day there are homeless people taking up our parks. Covering our benches with their homes covering our streets with their homes making our beautiful white sidewalks black because they pooped in pee all over them and you call the police and they will do nothing you call code and they do nothing. I am I'm at a standstill of where to what to do. When there's no help and there's no way for the police to be able to do what they do it in the city is an abiding by the law with shelter for d with registered with dcf for the homeless people to go where they have to have water. Restrooms and security the city has not done that and that law has been in place by the governor since the first of JANUARY. So my time. Since the first of JANUARY and it's not abided by so when we don't have a place to thank you. Mary studies. Thank you. I carry in Boca I live at 2, 2, 5, 1st Avenue area. Downtown Saint Pete. I'm here to speak today in regards to the city about 1365 and I stand before you today, not just as a concerned citizen and this summer it somebody who believes deeply in the power policy. And the policy and and in policy backed by meaningful action we're fortunate to live in a city that has passed the progress of the legislation but with the aim to improve lives. But what that is about if it if the right that is the bill or what good is any lot if it isn't enforced city about their teens have the 5 was passed with intention of per improve public safety. But months after the passage, the reality on the ground is telling a very different story. Let's be clear the building and fell. You dead. You failed to follow through you fail to enforce that ensure agency has a responsibility to enforce that funding to staff and to do their jobs. He failed the community. And that was counting on you. White House and the belt 1365 been properly enforced is a lack of accountability or is it absolutely do regret. The public deserves answers and more importantly we deserve action. 2 weeks ago a business owner was forced to take some of these life in order to save his own. This happened directly in front of where I live in the middle of the day. Some MAY say it's isolated incident but that's untrue. The same individual has has been complained about several times in the past and if it would have happened on the next corner. It would have been my friend that was forced to murder him our worst have her own life taken. Why is this being ignored. We cannot we cannot allow policy to be symbolic. We cannot allow city how to treat legislation like it's a press release and Forsman is what gives bill its backbone and without the city built their teen 65, it's just think on a paper. Another broken promise to the people that live in the great this great city. Let us remember that trust in government. Indoors not from what they failed to say, but what they fail to do. So today, I'm asking you to take action to Pat it, applause city about their teen 65 and asking for transparency and the agency's performance, public reporting of informants metrics and a timeline to cracked. That's. >> It's 2 speakers is Aaron Peter. And Peter and Sandra Mitchell upon these go to either podium please state your name and address for the record. You'll have 3 minutes to address Council. >> My name is Aaron Peter, 5800 12th Street South. Today I am representing the ovation condominium located the beach drive Northeast in downtown St. Petersburg I have a letter from the board of directors. Addressed to Mayor Welch in the us team council members on behalf of the homeowners of the ovation condominium Association in downtown St. Petersburg we are writing to express our growing concern regarding the increased presence of homelessness in our city parks and surrounding downtown areas. Many of our residents have reached out to us directly sharing their discomfort and concern for personal safety. As well as for the long-term well-being of our downtown community. The issue appears to be escalating is beginning to resemble conditions. We witnessed in years past before Petersburg became the vibrant and thriving downtown that we are also proud of today. We recognize that homelessness is a complex issue appreciate the city's ongoing efforts to provide compassionate and sustainable solutions. However, we urge the city to give renewed immediate attention to the matter. The current situation is beginning to have a visible impact on public spaces, small businesses tourism and the overall sense of safety and pride in our community. There's also affecting property values and the confidence of residents and visitors, alike. We respectfully ask that the city explore enhanced measures and resources to address this growing concern particularly in our parks in high traffic downtown corridors we are eager to support efforts that maintain the balance between compassionate outreach and the continued vitality of downtown St. Petersburg thank you for your time leadership attention to the serious matter. We're hopeful for a swift and thoughtful action that reflects the values and vision we all share for the city sincerely ovation condominium Association board of directors, Holly common Jean Hartman Ray Murphy, Andrew and Janice parts. Thank you for your time. You. Yes, my name is a center to I live in the 3, 7, 1, 7, 53 yourself in St. Petersburg so I was unaware of the rules but I would like to talk about an issue that's going to impact all the seniors in our community and St. Petersburg hence a lot of senior citizens. And I'm here to urge all the citizens of St. Petersburg to call the senator and let them know what's in the budget reconciliation bill. Medicare that's what I mostly want to talk about the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office report states that the House bill has passed will blow up the deficit and that's going to trigger Peco the statutory paygo law that will make an estimated billion in mandatory cuts to Medicare the seniors in St. Petersburg most of us are not aware that this is happening and that we will be negatively impacted by the spill. There's also state rights that are going to be impacted by the spill. They're being taken away from the state, the state will have no right to regulate artificial intelligence for 10 years and that impacts everyone in this room and everyone in St. Petersburg because they can misuse a high in any way they want as long as the states can't regulate it. There's also sections in the budget bill that are non budget. They have taken away anyone's right to sue the federal government for any by a lot I mean for any environmental damage. They are not allowed to go to court for that and that will and that's retroactive so it's going to impact all the court cases currently under review. That are trying to protect our environment. And certainly that's a major concern here in the city of St. Petersburg with direct telling everything that we have we want to protect our environment and we want to protect our wildlife. So that takes away our state right to sue and a citizen's right there's also section 7 oh 3 oh 2 which takes ready. Anyone's right to hold court sing the administration in contempt of court. All these are non budget items and they're not allowed be in that bill so I just wanted to stand up today and hopefully make some residents of St. Petersburg where what's in the budget reconciliation bill that they might want to call their senators and discuss how they feel about that especially Medicare and the senior citizens because most of them are not aware that that's in there. That's all I have to say thank you thank you. Next to speakers please. The sun keys them. Jean Baptiste and Michael. I think its Michael d do. Let's go to either podium state images for the record. We do have 3 moves to this Council. >> My name is a runs on but to some the pros at the sbc downtown center and just as to 46nd Avenue North. Sbc downtown sun is located steps away from Williams Park, the silver with 1000 students each semester offering a full range of academic and student services also located at the downtown center is the spc stem collegiate high school. We also share space with American stage Florida officer and sent the partnership. Takes the safety of the students faculty staff and community partners very seriously. While we are proud of our longstanding record of safety we did experience 3 notable incidents in 2004. To involve homeless individuals pushing pedestrians to the sidewalk. And one involved authorize use the virus runs. These incidents is an intimate isolated under school. The need for perect though and collaborative safety measures measures. In my closing we are committed to being a part of the solution and helping make downtown St. Petersburg a place where everyone feels safe and supported and inspired. Thank you for your time. If you. >> I do my name is Michael Tito manager su so crispy and 1421 Central Avenue. >> Basically my day consisted of walking to work since it's so close every day that I pass by there is. At least abruptly without even like a overestimate and the 15 people that I walk by and in just the snow is just wretched on its handing out food, sometimes you know me because I'm not I'm not on compassionate person. I get to work and then throughout my day at some point in time my employees tips or stolen my tips or stolen, we've got the chairs thrown at us. I'm handing out literally like some time to have extra work clothes or whatever like there be people that like naked half naked and I'm handing out clothes like Mike do here take my clothes put this on. Its its getting really rough night over the time it's just been getting worse and worse, I also used to work as you saw Saint Pete and it was the same situation walking walking past or so the only reason why I brought that up it's like an on its in 3 years and on I'm I'm 4 and a half years in recovery so with programs or some kind of outreach things some some kind of way that we can reach out to these people things will change. They I mean sometimes they have to want to change but if the police is not important things and taking an active the bill in getting these people off the streets of the city's Council is not like making the things in effect that of course these people aren't going to go anywhere. I mean I was homeless for 10 years of my life and doing things aren't changing at all. All in all we have to do is have some kind of some kind of people on the ground making sure that this bill's intact is homeless people are going somewhere up these people are off the streets of you see people laying down doing something you're not doing anything about it or you're assault and burglary assaulting people and where throwing things at people and then we make calls and these people come out and nothing is happening. It makes no sense whatsoever how come if I were to physically assault, somebody and somebody called on me had video footage in the there's police knocking on my door and I'm going to jail. There's no reason for it at all. And it's taking a hold of businesses is taking hold of people's homes. And it's it's taking one of our streets every time when I walked home, there's I mean people had beds set up in the roads in the sidewalks and they're posted up sleeping like it's it's nothing using the restroom right they're not not going into a gas station or showing up somewhere know they're going right there in the sidewalk. And that's how we want our city of Saint Pete I've been here all my life even through my homelessness now 4 and a half years overnight change my life around I can do it anybody can do it. We need to do is have some kind of system where these people have somewhere to go some kind of situation where they're going to jail and said it coming right back out they have some kind of place that they can go get a part of program something anything thank you. Thank you. MISTER Chair, the next 2 speakers as Emily MAY and Stephen Sullivan Overstreet. Please state your name and address for the record please. >> Remember stay Street under 1433 central ave I just want to speak on the safety of workers can we all have the right to be severe safe at work that we don't that's because she's so crisp air. We don't feel safe at all. On 2 occasions, 1 one employees have in mind for Don owner I would on a walkouts and had to go in your product. People are coming out from truck. I had to go in the restaurant the morning for somebody building here. I don't think people want to give me what I want to work and nobody's doing anything about it. So I do hope this time, but you got to do more. The police have to patrol the area they have to do more go to work we don't know if we're going to be killed. Stabbed, we don't know what happened just not right. We're citizen. We deserve better. Thank you. >> I'm a I'm a manager to so crispy assemble for you to address an issue that has a major impact on the way I feel about going to work every day. I feel my life it's story and more every day with the violent act that the outreach homeless people. We have coming around the business of she's a crispy I've dealt with walking into work always checking behind me to make sure I'm clear of any harm that could come my way we need to recognize homelessness is not a choice. It's the result of systematic failure, lack of affordable housing mental health issues and substance abuse or just a few factors that contribute to the situation we go to. Thank you thank you. The next. Speaker says people too state your name address for the record you'll have 3 minutes to address Council. Good morning people in from 2, 9, 3rd Street, 2, 7, 4 Street in 3, 7, 4, Street. Jayson Williams Park in. I've spoken with several of you and thank you so much for your leadership and your genuine compassion and trying to serve our community and help solve these problems these problems are not unique to Saint Pete. They're just being exacerbated in Saint Pete. And you know that the incident that happened right before Memorial Day that can happen one of us it could have been one of our staffs, they could have been any of the any of the staff's downtown. I think that it's a multifaceted problem that has a real difficulty of solving. But it that's gonna start with a lot of little things it's going it's going to be a lot of those little bites the Apple. We need to work with the with the circuit courts to improve things when we talked to leadership in place first force one to talk to lieutenant Hills done when I speak with a start to Sequoia they tell us hey Pete we get these people arrested for ordinance violation and they're back out 8 hours later they're being released on our or repeat ordinance violations so we need to work with with the court system to these repeat violators need to be addressed. There is there is a lack of of in implementation of the new sp law that went into effect Jan. First the sit lie, law there is there is a lack of enforcement are I know some people MAY not agree with with the scenario that law but we have to go forward we have to carry forward with this stuff. I think there's enough police officers to when I talked to rank and file police officers but you know, Pete hey we have a stabbing here we have a domestic violence issue we can't go address Jordan, some time that the drive-by violations because they have to prioritize their a huge call volume. So we need to we need to work on that we need to get more support their I think we probably need at least another 20 officers from what I'm hearing. So there needs to be more support on on that front and also the clean and safe program that so many downtowns do throughout America. These are things that could supplement those services that can help support that you know it's the broken window theory when things are in disrepair when there's litter everywhere we have problems on saw on the central have an ally that I've been you know famous for advocating getting cleaned up those things invite these types of difficult situations. A property in safe program will help supplement police force help clean up some of this these areas make things you know this is that things are inclement going to be treated that way it seems that we've been talking Williams Park so please consider these solutions advocate for real changes and continue your your tired leadership. Thank you so much COUNCILMAN Driscoll for helping move that path program into the evening time. I know all of you have been really great at taking Colin are a concern and just continue to to go fight for these positive changes. Thank you. >> My name Shawn that resident at 100 peach arrive. I'm also a member of the Saint Pete presidents condo Association and I emailed all and I brought with me here copy of the petition for a clean safe program that I sent to you we've sent this out on Mon. Kind of on an informal basis and I've got 300 signatures so far in over a 100 I guess I'm speaking for at least 3, 3, 100 people. Following up on the peaks point about the implementation of the program and some of the other speakers with the state law just going to give one example because people give hundreds. So still them starting on Oct. 28th. The person in front of the noi condos. The started living on 2 to park benches that went on for somewhere between 6870 days they finally left are removed in mid-JANUARY so out laws are not being followed implementation is not occurring. There's a whole variety of reasons for that and we think that resources. A major component in that is why we're proposing the clean and safe program. Just as another I've been living downtown for 10 years and I just noticed over the last couple years. When my visitors come from out of state and I've actually witnessed this because I go running along. Downtown along the pier probably 5 times a week. And visitors come back to me and they say oh I love Saint Pete, this is great, but you have a real problem with they say homeless and I want to make a distinction here because I think when we say homeless. I think that's just the character I think that that's a misnomer I think the problem we have it's what I'm using the term social disrupters and those are people that are choosing their lifestyle over the greater good of society where our community. So there are collections of people that sit on benches and aggressively Panhandle or you know, of course there are people with mental illness and I wake up a couple times a week with people screaming of the sidewalk in front of me and I think we have to separate that and I think if we can bifurcated our efforts towards supporting the homeless which need to be supported. But then aggressively going after the social disrupters who are choosing who are choosing they're personal lifestyle over the greater good of the community. I think we I think we go along way to solving this so we look forward yet we look forward to working together with you guys to help solve this. >> It's just you're the last speakers, Christopher Pitts. Please state your name address for the record you have 2 minutes to address Council. Yes. Thank you. My name is Christopher Pitts and I am the general manager of one St. Petersburg in downtown Saint Pete. And good mornings. Mayor City Council. It's good to see some of the familiar faces and some faces I haven't seen before. As the general manager of one St. Petersburg where the high rise in the heart of downtown Saint Pete and I'm here today and follow up of what MR. Mcnamara just explained in strong support of the proposed clean and safe program and to speak candidly about the challenges we face on the ground every single day. Our building has 253 units we have approximately 600 people that live in our building. So I'm speaking on behalf approximately 600 people. In addition to the residents and neighbors of downtown St. Petersburg it's a beautiful and a thriving community but over the past few years the conditions have steadily declined. We're experiencing what is not just a nuisance but it's becoming a real concern of safety cleanliness and long-term vitality of our in culture. At a at the one St. Petersburg we've had what MR. Mcnamara describe this. So so disrupters found sleeping in our Bush's with that rocks thrown at her property. We have triple. Pain hurricane it's really a hurricane resistant windows that were shattered because someone. Who was walking by or property decided that they wanted to throws the rocks that we have in our Planters at our building. And we're very fortunate that they didn't strike an individual during that process. Clear act of vandalism threat of safety track trash is picked up daily bar staff, not just from our property but from the streets and sidewalks surrounding it and our team has become the official cleanup crew for the city early mornings. What's worse the dumpsters from neighboring properties are often overflowing and up on cap. That sending a message of decay and not care. These conditions drag down not only our property values, but the spirit of the community. We work hard to maintain your car to maintain as well. The clean and safe program is a practical much-needed response. We need cleaning crews dedicated to restoring the beauty and sanitation of our public spaces safety ambassadors to support a welcoming and secure environment. The homeless liaison team to Pat compassionately address public safety concerns and connect people with the services that they need and most importantly financial commitment from the city to sustain this effort. On behalf of the downtown stakeholders of which I represent I want to stress. We are major contributors to the city's tax base as well as everyone else. And the residents and businesses downtown fund city services, yet we are not seeing the real value reinvested back into our streets. We love St. Petersburg we wanted to shine. But we need your leadership and we thank you for your time. Thank you. >> Okay we'll go ahead and close open I'm gonna turn it over to share. Thank you chair. So we're starting with our awards and presentations at this time, the first up is the one which is going to be presented by our own chair. >> Curtis it's the distinguished citizen award for Henry Peter. >> Thank you MADAM Vice chair, and I'd like to invite Henry. And I believe his mom his dad his grandpa and a few of these teachers are here as well. I'll tell you what I don't think any of my high school teachers will show up for me. So that tells you something right there. And as I make these comments vice chair you're going to see some of Henry's art. Rotating up on the screen. So today we're here to celebrate an amazing young artist Henry Peter. A rising senior at Gibbs high school. I'm waiting for councilmember Givens Who who has won you a us representative Kathy castor is 2025. Congressional art competition. Out of a 105 incredible entries from all over Tampa Bay Henry's Photo. When you see over here and you'll see it rotating as well. A hurricane days, stood out. His picture shows a real wrong moment, his family dealing with the aftermath of hurricanes Helene and Milton it's a reminder that no matter how hard life. It's us. No matter how exhausted we feel we fight back. We keep moving forward. Henry started taking photos when he was just 8 years old I didn't know how to use a camera at 8 inspired by his grandfather and encouraged by his teacher Brian mcallister. Now his artwork will hang in the us Capitol for a whole year representing not yeah. Representing not only his talent but the strength and spirit of our community. It's important to remember that art just isn't isn't just beautiful. It's powerful. It helps us heal it brings us together and its port and it supports thousands of jobs right here in Tampa Bay. Pumping millions of dollars into our local economy. So today. We're proud to honor Henry Peter with this distinguished citizen award celebrating his creativity. His courage and the message in his art that no matter how hard we get knocked down. We always fight back and we're going to play a We do have Marcia from Kathy Castor's office also joining us, but we have a video from congresswoman castor that we're going to play now. >> Yes, thank Petersburg is truly city of DR. Im so proud that Henry Peter was the congressional art competition winner. Of course from give spinal Center for the Arts. They've now won 2 years in a row, but Henry really captured the trauma of hurricane season last year and I'm so proud that he's going to represent our congressional district in Washington dc for the National competition, this artwork will hang in the United States Capitol and I look forward to seeing you next week in dc. >> So council members I give you our distinguished citizen Henry Peter. I just want to reiterate what I said at the actual ceremony that we were all affected by the hurricane in some way shape or form and where community came together was truly amazing. I have to think the city of Saint Pete for giving me this war and I think my teachers must purchase friend mcallister. For this for all the help they've given me throughout the school year. It has been a great honor receiving these multiple awards for my own work and never thought that my shots of the hurricane of my family of my friends would get this attention I was just documenting what my life was at that moment and to see our lowest point shown so high is say I could never imagine. So thank you all for presenting me with this award and hope you have a good day. >> Don't leave just that we have some council members. First stop of councilmember gabbard then councilmember fix Sanders. Thank you vice chair and congratulations on your award much much deserved a at the minute. I saw it pop up over here, I felt that choke in my throat because I think our entire city I can feel what we all felt in those days after and it is incredibly powerful. Thank you for having the the courage to express our entire cities trauma through your art. Because it's more healing than you know. And and I think that it is very important that it hangs in the halls of Congress to remind the people at the federal government of the people who need them to support us now more than ever and you will do that. Advocacy looks like a lot of things and I hope that you know that your art will stand there as a testament to the city and that we will come back with or without their help. But we sure could use it so thank you for who you are. Congratulations to your parents as the mother of a teen I know how proud you must be feeling. In these moments thank you to congresswoman Hastert she is listening to this. Definitely happy that she recognized you and thank you for being here today with us thank you. >> Good morning and give those to accolades. We do have our class of gives 1955 here as well as I am a gives class of 1983. And and all of my family has graduated from gives high school and now you guys referred to it as Jonathan c gives high school but either way gives us the best. No matter how you want to call it gives us the best, but it was such an honor to hear of your recognition and to know that I can't follow what council member Garrett said because she summed it all up. You took. You are I your vision and you reflected what all of us were feeling during that time. And so young right and so young to be able to have that vision that you had and that you captured in your photos, but not even more impressed, you know your grandmother came up to introduce yourself to me to makes sure that we recognize the fact that you have a legacy and your family is here in strong support I agree with chair girders don't know how many teachers in the Cone that for me, but this is such a wonderful wonderful show of support that you have Harry and i am so proud that you thought it not robbery to make sure that you told. Our story, not just your story. But our story because that really was a difficult time for a lot of us, I mean I'm still getting repairs done so that's out that whole thing played out. But with those of you that came support Henry. Thank you. You did not have to. But I know today was not the only day that you've been present for Henry in the of the students that need are educators and administrators, thank you principal Brown becoming we appreciate you being here. You have a true village young man. Chu Villa de for that I want to thank you and I want to thank those that are here to support you and Grandma me you have a right to be proud. Council member driskell. Thank you and congratulations that we can see that this is so well deserved and and I love seeing the other examples of your work as especially the wildlife because that is not easy. And it takes a lot of patients to catch spree at the right moment when it's and finally with a fish and that is really extraordinary work. I I had chills. I have just not just thinking about it. >> You are. >> The reason that the city has been working on strengthening its support for arts community. It's about you. And others like you who are just it's still learning their craft. And taking it to the next level if you have here councilmember fix. Sanders is right, you have a village. I hope that you'll recognize that that village includes the city. That we are standing with you I mean take a look at some of the the grants that were offering now to help our artists. I hope you know that you are supported by us and we're going to keep working to make sure that if you decide that your path or part of your path in life going forward includes continuing to hone your art and grow that. We are here for you. Celebrate this moment. I love the you're going to be in the House of Commons is that is just amazing and councilmember Gabbert is right it really makes a strong statement about I'm about to remind everyone there. What a hurricane is and what it does to actual people right here in St. Petersburg so thank you for doing that. Congratulations and I can't wait to see what you put out there next. Thank you MADAM. >> I wanted to finish off first shared or does thank you for so much for bringing this recognition to Henry Peter. My colleagues have said it best and so eloquently. You found beauty in the world when we most need it. And we applaud you seriously if you don't feel the love here today, you have to feel the love that the city has for what you're doing. And parents and teachers and MISTER Does your school everyone in your support system is there behind you hearing you won, and so are we so is our city and you know what I would say it's great that you're in the House of Congress you know where I want to see your art hearing City Hall. So hopefully with that we are citizens can see some of you are too so hopefully that comes in a future. Thank you and like council member Jessica says we want to see what the future brings. And we can't wait to see it, thank you. Item d 2 and it's a Awareness month proclamation is going to be presented by here Curtis. Thank you MADAM Vice chair and I'd invite Derby owns and Laura hardly Fay to join me. I had the pleasure of of. Sharing this proclamation last year. And as my time on Kathy, I've shared with you in the past. A couple of organizations and frankly just the work that copied does has really shaped my time here on Council and this is one of the that has done the same of voices for aphasia and and not because of just that the work that they do, but frankly very personally my grandfather struggled with aphasia after after some medical issues and so I kind of lived this for a little bit and for this organization to give a voice for people that do not have one or have lost theirs. It is critically important. Debbie was sharing a story about encounter with. Police officer and somebody dealing with aphasia and the ability not to be able to communicate what the problem was and and it it was just so impactful the story and so I just want to thank them for the work that they do on a daily basis and and frankly. It's quite an honor to share this proclamation both with the organization and with the city. So the proclamation reads whereas aphasia is a language disorder caused by injury to the brain most commonly because of a stroke. But can also occur with other neurological disorders such as traumatic brain injury. Tumor, progressive disease. And whereas aphasia MAY affect a person's ability to access language needed to speak comprehend read or write while intelligence remains intact. And whereas many people with aphasia also present right hand right sided weakness due to the damage on the left side of the brain. However many have no visual impairments and whereas it is estimated that a stroke occurs every 40 seconds in the United States. Accounting for over 795,000 people per year approximately 30 to 40% of strokes result, enough Asia. And whereas approximately 34% of those people are living with chronic aphasia 1924 to 2200 of the residents of the city say of St. Petersburg are living with aphasia due to stroke today. And whereas stroke accounts for 72% of the cases of aphasia so as many as 3,000 people MAY be living in our city with aphasia due to all La g's. Now therefore I cope leaguer is chair of the City Council on behalf of the mayor Kenneth t Welch of the city of St. Petersburg Florida. Do hereby proclaim JUNE 20 25 as aphasia awareness month in St. Petersburg and encourage all student students, citizens and students to increase awareness Avenue c for resources and to provide support for those and their families and our communities living with aphasia due to stroke or other neurological disorders thank you. >> Thank you so much chair greatest thank you to the entire City Council. I'm thank you. For recognizing us for for bringing this to light. JUNE is nationally aphasia awareness month and I am so grateful that our city as well recognizes the need to increase awareness and I am grateful for your continued commitment to making our city accessible to everybody including communication disorders so on behalf of Lauren and I and the rest of way says of hope for aphasia thank you very very heartedly. >> Well thank you chair Curtis for always being an advocate on this issue for your service on happy and you for being a voice also on this issue and always being there for our community and making sure that we are aware of what's happening and please keep us posted as to what you're doing and how we can help so thank you. Thank you. >> The 3 and he is the juneteenth proclamation prevented by councilmember fake Sanders. >> Thank you all that are here too to see the proclamation for juneteenth if you would please join me. At the podium. It normally when it comes down to having such an honor and I'm so grateful to be able to. Present this proclamation and for the first time, I'm kind of speechless because what I want to see at Kingston. So I want to make sure you know in the effort of time that I read the proclamation and I'm going to ask here that's the sky and at the Esther Wilson MAY MISS It sign sign signed yet to have a couple of minutes to speak on our behalf in the celebration of juneteenth. Whereas nearly 2 years after PRESIDENT Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation proclamation on 6/19/1865. Nearly 90 years after our nation's founding enslaved Americans in Galveston Texas. Finally received word of their newfound freedom about that. Whereas those who were formerly enslaved were recognized for the first time as citizens. African-americans began commemorating juneteenth. >> Rights advocates and everyday Americans and I'm gonna have to and I have a mayor and whereas we continue to work for progress as african-americans and people of color. As we continue to face disappoint disproportionate burdens and negative outcomes despite their numerous contributions to society. And whereas juneteenth in his 3rd year being recognized as a federal holiday is a call to action. Now therefore I councilmember Debora fix and his own behalf. Can it he Welch mayor of the city of St. Petersburg Florida. Do hereby and proclaim Thu. JUNE 19th 2025 as juneteenth day. In the city of St. Petersburg and acknowledge the emancipation African Americans acknowledging the wrongs of the pass committing to our collective work for an equitable future free. The vestiges of systemic racism and for that happy juneteenth day. >> First we're gonna have Esther sunny. I get it eventually to give us a few words. Joy. >> Good morning. Jason Mathis said it earlier, but I don't think any time I stand before them, I don't think I've ever say thank you for your service. I haven't I know. So thank you, thank you for your service. >> Newly married so yeah still still Esther look softer on my purse inside still very militant. As it relates to the naacp that will not change. Thank you vice chair. Thank you for your words earlier. While we gather together today to celebrate progress. We must also confront a sobering truth. In many ways we're not moving forward we're moving backwards. We're witnessing the erosion of hard fought civil rights. The rewriting of history and I classrooms and the silencing of collective voices. And I know often times we live in a bubble. So we can sit back and say that's not my issue. But today, I'm making sure. I look forward to the day when we can shift from symbolism to systemic change. Thank you. Bice here. >> Mayor and his absence. Never fixed Enders councilmember. >> I remain humble to represent what's an African American Museum of Florida. Preserving presenting interpreting celebrating in educating others. Thank you. Regarding African American history. And the culture. I am sent me today. In a way that I have never this state during my lifetime. Where we're revisiting so much. What I thought we do for calm. I'm grateful. Grateful to live in a city. And in grace. The essence of each in every resident of our community. It is my prayer. Will hold the light. And always be the Beacon. To recognize the importance. Of who we are individually and collectively. Juneteenth sadly enough. A celebration that occurred as a result of not knowing. And here we are still not knowing. I applaud the strength and the courage. Each of you have. And standing in the face of adversity and that clarity it indeed. We are Saint Pete. I love you and I'm grateful to you all. Thank you. >> And before we go to failed to recognize the juneteenth community event organizers. And if you're here please stand. Paula in Paula Jones. Renee Edwards. Jake are divine with the banyan tree in Sandra Allison with the Irvine during Curry. Councilmember Givens thank you so much chair. And thank you so much councilmember Vick Sanders are bringing this you know. Thank you MISS Terry lipsey Scott said it best we are living in a time. When our history is under attack. Our stories are being forgotten. Our history is being a race books of being banned. It's important that we acknowledge our stories tell our stories because if we don't somebody else might. And they MAY not tell our story with the same level of truth and accuracy. So thank you so much for preserving those stories and it's important that we continue to preserve our stories and our history with our African American history museum that we will be directing one day in the historic gas. >> I want to recognize the young lady who is not here with us today but she was with us at the very beginning when Saint Pete started celebrating juneteenth and that is MISS Juneteenth herself misty blue. So I want to speak her name and i want to recognize her. Her legacy because as you all know, we wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for her so thank you as blue GOD bless you all thank you. >> Well I just want Quickly sank. I'm gonna personally think Esther and Terry and councilmember fix Sanders, thank you for bringing this forward, but my time on Council. I last week I spoke about leaning in both Esther and Terry have given me the opportunity to lean in. In the last 4 years and I just want you to know how appreciative I am of that and I'm very glad councilmember Givens you brought up the woods and Museum. Because when I was elected. The first time. One of the first things one of the first calls I got was from Terry lipsey sky and I told her we were going to get that Museum and we're going to get it and we're going to get it. Tdc on it, I know the city is behind it. And that has not changed and so thank you for bringing that up. And so I just wanted to personally say thank you to both of you for giving me the opportunity to lean in to to not only. In our community but the history of our community and just so very much appreciative and Terry what I would tell you is known now I love you and thank you, okay. Thank you very much. Okay we're going to move on to d 4 our pride month proclamation given to us by councilmember Floyd. Thank and died, you know like to be joined by what I have listen, here's the Saint Pete pride crew. >> Darrius Travis Trent Nathan. >> Erik clear Lorelei Jane. And anyone else he's an lgbtq advocate or a member of the community feel free to join us as well. I don't think the whole room will fit. Yeah that's true, yeah. Okay so I have some comments but I'm going to go off script first just to say a little bit about solidarity solidarity between communities of people facing a I guess disparate impacts of. How I say this politely the just meanness that's coming out of some corners of state government to be quite Frank and how it's nice that we get to honor different communities and their history. At the same time and show that while we MAY not have everything in common. We're going to be stronger when we stand together. So keep it brief, I'm incredibly honored to give this year's pride brought a pride proclamation and the city. I know that a lot of ways it feels like we've taken a step back as a state over the last few years when it comes to inclusion and honestly just basic decency. But I truly believe it's nothing more than top down bigotry pushed by those who seek to divide us in order maintain their grip grip on power. I believe the majority of people in the state are decent people who care for who care for and respect their lgbtq family friends and neighbors. And nowhere I don't believe it's more visible than right here in St. Petersburg all of us to City Hall MAY not get along 100% of the time it's politics after all. But I rarely feel more unified and when we're standing for the dignity of our lgbtq residents. I'm incredibly grateful for the city's culture of inclusion a culture fostered and maintained by wonderful advocates like those joining me today. And with that I'll read the proclamation. Whereas the city of St. Petersburg has a diverse bisexual transgender and questioning community and this committed to supporting intentional equity for all people throughout our city and whereas many of the residents students city employees and business owners within the city of St. Petersburg who contribute to the enrichment of our city are part of the bisexual transgender and questioning community and whereas it is our vision that St. Petersburg will be a diverse vibrant city guided by principle progress unintentional inclusivity where innovation partnerships and ingenuity create opportunities for all and whereas this year we celebrate the 23th anniversary of Saint Pete pride, Florida's largest pride parade and festival and recognize this is substantial economic impact of the event of this size has had on St. Petersburg and the surrounding areas. And whereas we partner with our neighboring cities. And cities across the United States to recognize and celebrate JUNE as lgbtq pride month. Now therefore I councilmember Ritchie Floyd on behalf of Kenneth c Welsh mayor of the city of St. Petersburg Florida to hear right. Proclaim the month of JUNE 2025 is lgbtq pride month in St. Petersburg and invite everyone to reflect on ways we all can live and work together with a commitment to mutual respect and understanding and further recognize pride month by flying the Rainbow flag at City Hall during the month of JUNE. >> Good morning. My name is Darius lights in the board secretary for Saint Pete pride and I want to say on behalf of board PRESIDENT DR. Byron green College in his absence to Mayor Welch and his absence and to you all the City Council and all of St. Petersburg we thank p pride, thank you all for your continued support of the lgbtq community we thank you. 4 helping us Foster a community of inclusion diversity in love in our theme this year is the banyan tree and were rooted in all these things that so many more and that is because of the support that we received from you all so we want to thank you and know to my fellow board members are here today from Saint Pete pride and I'm also going to pass the mic to MISS The Nathan Brewer at this time. What a glorious day. Chair vice chair members. The people of St. Petersburg on behalf of the Board of Saint Pete pride that the hundreds of volunteers. The hundreds of businesses that are already leaning in and making events enjoy happened in our city this JUNE. Thank you. This year, Saint Pete pride theme. If you haven't seen it yet is my pride is rooted in. My pride is rooted in whatever the thought in your head was history joy resistance struggle, freedom family music. Celebration, whatever your answer. Your personal intersectional answer that is your truth. It gets to the heart. The route. Yes pun intended of why we celebrate pride. And today we also celebrate and honor juneteenth and if Asian awareness month and that gives class of 1955. And as I looked behind with my friends.