City Council

>> Welcome to the city of St. Petersburg City Council meeting your elected officials are mayor Rick kriseman district one Robert black money. District 2 Brandi Gobert district 3 and Council chair, and mountain areas. District 4 garden right. A district 5. Deborah big spenders a district 6 and Council vice chair Gina Driscoll district 7 Lisa Wheeler Bowman. And district date Foster. >> For Feb., the 18th 2021. We begin with roll call please Everett mountain areas here price. 6 Sanders. Driscoll here really Bowman, Foster they're like man there. Thank you Madam Clerk, good today, the implications. Going to be given by the honorable mayor Rick kriseman followed by the pledge of allegiance in a moment of silence will everyone please rise. >> Help us to look past to the past with gratitude and to the future with hope. We remember this day, those who've served here before us. Hu labored not for themselves alone. But with a vision of building for the future a city better than they had known. Inspiring us all so alike vision that we too May labor for things beyond ourselves that our lives May be dedicated to high purposes in grand horizons make us afraid of hopes and dreams. Release us from cynicism and despair. Teach us to be realistic about our limitations but never to lose hope and our potential to transcend them. Help us realize the significance of these moments together that they May open our eyes to the blessings of the past and the promise of the future. But look at our own aisle. He Milla follow him shots and the sea level tainted by a meme him by his mom has that bless that are you Lord our God king of the universe. Hu performed miracles for our forefathers in those times. And at this time. >> Everybody remain standing. Let's have a moment of silence for Pinellas County sheriff's deputy Michael magley was killed tragically yesterday afternoon. By a drunk driver. He survived by his wife. Too young children and its parents. Council members we agenda before us. We want to 2 item e 7. And item f East a black History Month the given by a council member. Deborah Fink Sanders f 6 is a letter read resolution, I'll entertain a motion to approve the agenda with the changes or entertain any other additions or deletions. Move approval of changes. Second we have a motion a second on the floor singer request to speak with the clerk please open machine for voting. Council members please cast your votes. Seeing all council members have voted with the clerk please tally announce the vote. >> Mister Chair, the motion to approve the agenda. And we have consent agenda before us. Entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda. We have a motion to have a second. We have a motion a second to approve the consent agenda do we have any cards. Any electronic participation on the consent agenda. Andres Mr. Thank you Mister Clerk. The clerk please open the she the machine for voting. Council members please cast your votes. You know council members have voted with the clerk please Kelly announced about. Mister Chairman motion to approve the consent agenda passes union. Moved to East 6. Mayor kriseman for sending a key to the city. Afternoon again mayors. Good afternoon Mister Chair members of City Council. The key to the city is the highest honor a mayor can bestow on someone. Usually given to someone who's very accomplished. Ers made significant difference or impact on our community. It's really going to someone's meeting people. So let me tell you a little bit about this man whom I have the honor of recognizing today. Well coming up. Robert Bob Devon Jones first came to St. Petersburg in 1996 from Los Angeles. At that time St. Petersburg was a very different city. Bob came here to direct a Harlem Renaissance rendition of the play Miss Julie 4 American stage. One of Florida's premier theater companies. While here he met Jim his life partner over a first date breakfast of pancakes. They eventually settled down in their home in Old South East. Bob is an accomplished playwright. Director as well as actor having written more than a dozen plays and performed countless times in many ways. In 2004 with his friend the late David Ellis, he opened studio 6.20 where he remains the artistic director. The studio, it's 6.20 quickly became a creative hub in the city where words you are quote entertained educated and challenged by art heritage history song literature, theater moving pictures and moving bodies through space close quote. Indeed part of the reason Petersburg is recognized as the city of the arts is Bob. Through these past 15 years. Bob has helped transform St. Petersburg into an arts center where creativity and artistic expression are encouraged and enjoyed by the residents of and visitors to St. Petersburg. Bob has mentored countless creatives in St. Petersburg and has served on a great number of boards and committees always giving of his time and talent to help create of causes. He has served on the city's public arts Commission as well as numerous artists selection Committee's of that commission. St. Petersburg is a better place because of Bob and he helps make it a better place each and every day through his actions and interactions. And often say one of the things I love the most about Saint Peter's the people. We are a diverse tolerant. Friendly welcoming community. That's why I love Bob Devin Jones because I just described him. He is the person that we want Saint Pete to be known for and known. He represents everything good about Saint Pete. I would be remiss if I didn't include the words delicious somewhere in this as a nod to Bob's passion for food and cooking. The fact. Bob's being here makes Saint Pete, just a bit more delicious I'm told that there's somewhere around 50 or more people that are outside right now you would love to have been in here. Well we were doing this today. And I know that he knows that they're there in here right now even though they're not physically in here. So council members and residents of the city of St. Petersburg or to present a key to the city. With thankfully very healthy. Devin Jones. Thank you very much. And thank you for those kind words. Hope I resemble and embody them. That wonderful I from Los I love Los Angeles the way New Yorkers love New York. But I love Saint Pete and it's been my home for almost a quarter of a century now. This is so much. So thank you very much. I could quote Shakespeare August Wilson. But I do with my Mama since you know she saying got to do something to tell us what you did. And so I came to Saint Pete. Nothing but opportunity and acceptance. And somehow. And right now 66 years on the planet. I rose to that challenge. And I'm deeply deeply grateful for this. Thank you St. Petersburg I would just say one. Thank you and shout out to my partner. Hu is the force behind all the power. But I think I have so thank you. Thank you. Mister Jones we've got snow. Please don't don't go anywhere quite Vice chair driskell floor. Thank you chair thank you mayor kriseman for. For honoring Bob have engines. This way I can't think of a person more deserving. Today. Having the key to our city because Bob you have been the key to making St. Petersburg a city of the arts. There are so many hands that have been involved in developing. Saint Petersburg's spot on the map as an arts destination is a place for artists can grow and thrive and do business. But you have been truly at the forefront of that cause for many years. And so when I look around our city and see this environment culture of the arts that has been nurtured over the years, your name is written all over it. So you absolutely should be proud of the work that you've done we are also grateful for you you're a gift to our city and when we think about. What you've done and where we're going from here because of the path that you've created for us. i don't know the only word I can think of is your favorite word which is yes. >> Thank you vice chair we've got a couple members of the public that want to speak when we go to the public next and then we'll with our elected officials. First speaker is Philip Tim's. >> Mister Mister tips you want to come to this podium over here please. Mister Members of the City Council my name is Philip Tibbs and I reside in your city and I am a recent transplant from the great state of Ohio. Mister Last year actually before that. In my presentation of a lecture that I have developed based upon my fathers time in the Army Air forces. Howard Arthur tubes. Was a member the group since cajas later on referred to as the so-called Tuskegee airman and I had the distinction and also because of the covid 19 being the final. Presentation or live. Presentations at Mister Jones's facility. Last March and difficult that we all have experience because of that this pandemic but I'm just here to support Mister Jones. Is As you mentioned before a native of a Los Los Angeleno and I adore that tickle city also I have relatives that are from there. But I'm glad he's here going on able to know him more and I appreciate what the city is doing for Mister Jobs, I applaud him. Thank you. Mister Jones. You can. >> Oscar fell calling in. Hello good afternoon. I was told that in order for me to be up here and watch Bob receive the honor. Coli be up here. Both the speakers to hear him speaking. Unfortunately wasn't able to The speech for Bob, but I can say that if we take a minute to think about our favorite cities. And the whole world. We think about what we love about them. It's the art always comes down to it with their architecture food music. Cuisine, it's all the art and it's the fact that they reflect the art of the places they're from by Bob Dylan Jones have an open the suit is 6.20 over 16 years ago and yes to artists are just beginning. The city has been able to reflect the art from within. And it's made it what it is today and for that we think about on behalf of the artists of Saint Pete. Thank you Mister Pumped out County very very well set. Devin Jones. I've been no new really matters. To kind of try and make that so I wrote a few things down. I'm reading from my hand, but it comes from my heart because this is is it mentioned that I send it to you when birthday on Beach drive, yes, and that's what this is all You know this comes a with such significance. I want to be measured in meet this moment for what it is for the greatness that you are. I imagine that the history of awarding a key to the city dates back to officials desire to acknowledge the extraordinary excellence in contributions of those 2 have decided through their advocacy and action. Tamika placed great to enjoy all the responsibility and privileges that flow there and in that truth in tradition. This is so well deserved as the mayor said the city is made great by its people. It is there that you'll find the city's possibilities. It's in her people that you'll need a city Seoul. And in no place is this more true than our beloved St. Petersburg we have a city that is full of such a special special people. Bob Devin Jones in a sea of luminaries, you are stunningly bright light. Stan, you're evidence of what is possible. For so many little black boys and black girls, boys came in artist people with the jury. Your evidence of what is possible in testimony that the bridge to possibilities paved with the resounding series of yeses so for your courage and for your conviction in for your on the field in yes. Thank you. Thank you for helping us to be a wonderful great city. When somebody does things great and lives in a great way it is not enough to just say thank you to them. It is appropriate to let the world know how truly wonderful they are and so that is what the mayor saw fit to do today and I'm so pleased and privileged and honored to be a part of it. Thank you for whom you are. Thank Deputy mayor. Bob Devon Jones You Serving our city 21 years ago and you continue to make it better today. Your love of Petersburg is is so evident to everybody that crosses your path and sees you in action. I truth I too want to thank you for everything you've done for for St. Petersburg Mayor kriseman thank you for. But Devin Jones for all the work that he's done for us. Congratulations. Move next to East Black History Month, the council member. Thank you to hear. I'm honored to. The world as we celebrate Black History Month. In as we celebrate all year long. But I thought it was appropriate as Council as the city to celebrate too. Great African American Center for made a difference in the city of St. Petersburg so Ow read these quickly. 52 years ago in 1969 see bit wimbush was the first african-american elected to our City Council. She's also held the role of vice mayor from 1971 to 1973. Prior to her work on Council she practiced law graduating from Florida agricultural and mechanicals School of Law. She applied to other universities as well but was not accepted at the time. Either based of the color of her skin or civil rights efforts. In 1916 attorney when Bush ran for an at-large seat on the Pinellas County Board of public instruction and was the first black candidate to run for this seat. Although she was not elected she received 10,000 votes. 3800 of those from black voters. It was a testament to her efforts to desegregate and in vision and integrated community. Later in her year in her career. Wimbush was assistant secretary of commerce making her the highest ranking woman in state government at that time. She was also deputy secretary of commerce in ran for the state Senate. She never stopped trying to break ceilings when Bush was working for change and opened the door for individuals like me. Let our members of her serve as a reminder of how far we have become have come and that our work is not yet done. In 1991. Earnings feel you. A professional photographer and a teacher Hu was elected to and served 2 four-year terms for St. Petersburg City Council. He had a long time. He had been a longtime resident, varsity and that is what drew his passion to get involved in the decision-making for his community. A graduate of gives high School. A bachelor's in sociology and criminal jesters. And I'm a master's in supervision and administration in adult education. Philly was a photographer for the city recreation department. He had his own photography studio. It was a teacher all while staying engaged with his community. He proposed resolutions to address to blank world, it's city home and its history. He was the first manager in chief lifeguard for the Jimmy home swimming pool at Wildwood. A former Perkins elementary school pta President Member of the ambassadors cologne member of Kappa Kappa Alpha psi fraternity has President Of the Federation of inner city organizations and the list goes on. Philly you also served in the Air Force and gone and was a member of the veterans of foreign wars. He was considered a great leader. In our community. And another African American city resident to work toward change. Please take a moment with mean to recognize and honor. These 2 pairs African American trailblazers Hu one said in our seats. Thank you chair for the time. Thank you councilmember fix Anderson, thank you for honoring these these 2 Leaders in our community. Move next to open for him. The clerk please read the rules for hoping for. If you wish to address City Council on subjects other than public hearing, Rick wise an additional items listed on the agenda. Please sign up with the clerk and conference room 100. Only the individual wishing to speak, they fill out the yellow card. Only city residents owners of property business owners in the city or their employees May speak. Always just discussed on the open for 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 once during the open form when the item 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 needed. If you wish to address City Council do the zoom meeting. You must use the raise hand feature but none in the zoom app or interest or 9 on your phone at the time the agenda item is addressed. When it is your turn to speak, you will be on me with it and next to state your name and address at the conclusion of your comments or when you reach the 3 minute time limit. You will be muted o Reis hands will be Lord after each agenda item regardless of the method of participation news, normal rules apply, including the 3 minute time limit on comments. The requirement that any presentation materials must be submitted in advance of the meeting and the rules of the court. If live public comment is disrupted by violations of the rules of decorum the chair is authorized to accept public comment. Overton it means including by email only we have no cards for open for. >> We have no hands reasons. >> We'll close open form. And we'll move to reports and take up item he won the Police Department quarterly report. Good afternoon chief Holloway that didn't share. Also a member of. We have a policy to wear In Council chambers please. >> The score report is going to be 4 year of 2024. October November and December before I get into the quarterly report also like to address. The is that happened the past 7 days here in a city which is very unique so over the past 7 days the swat team had to be called out twice to address to subject their want for homicide. The first as it was last week were swat team was called out to make an arrest of the subject would kill 2 people or 2 people in our city. This past week the swat team had to be called on again to take a subject into custody. We'll have killed one person wrote an upon arrival at the scene in clearing House. It was thought killed 3 more people as saw the home. Again it's very unique for our city but I just want to make sure brought that to your attention. Last year the swat team was only called up twice for the whole year but within the past week they were called out twice. But for a good 4 to subject that were wanted for homicide. Thanks to his city this administration excellent work but his Police Department what you're going to see is that crime and the city is still trending downward in a fear crime is still trending downward. But you can see from our drug status. They're both continue to trend dollar both would incident in both would arrest. Robbery stayed about the same for the month. But again trending downward and I should also state crime for overall crime for the year of 2020 was down by 15%. And the 5 year trend crime is down by 33%. Berger Seth again still trending downward. Although we think some people are really paying attention or saying locking their cars and taking their values up. That's also trending downward. All of us since we saw that peaked couple years ago, we're still trending downward as you can see and also our juvenile per start a trend over again exit work our police officers that are going out locating the vehicles in locating the subject that are involved in auto theft in our city. Monitor inforcement is still going well both were all the agencies in Pinellas County. Our second chance program as you know we had to stop it doing covid but we started back up thanks to our partners with parking wrecks. We have had a June off go through the program and 8 has successfully completed the program. Up afternoon, it's still having a great success up their bills that he also their side to work with the homeless population throughout the city. And as you see they're still making good contact and making sure that we're finding the right assistance for the homeless people in our city. Homicides for 2020. As you see we only have one open case the rest are close right now are or click closure rate for homicides about 75%. Our 5 year trend for homicide is down by 16%. A homicide for last year were down by 11.8%. Our heat team does maybe focus on human exploitation is doing an outstanding job as you can see they've. At 39 cases open up the open 39 cases. Cases still remain open for human trafficking. The cases that we're seeing there be made in our city are adults traveling to our city to make contact with minors between the ages of 14 to 16 a line. So we're still working those operation. We're getting good kipp good tips from the community and we say 3 victims during this period of time. This is a Bateman legal still working very those. Pursuits we only had one pursuit during this quarter. Are you so forth continue to trend downward. 20 in 39 we had over 225 use of force in 2020 we only had a 183. Are complacent and accommodation as you can see we had 0 citizen complaint. But we have 5 complaints by the Police Department that means a supervisor or some within the department filed a complaint against someone in the department. He still received tips from our community so it's still going quite well and thanks to him again that's what we can see again a dollar trend in our crime. Park walk and talk program. We're trying to ease back into that as covid still trying to get out to make contact where citizens in the community. Our response time we're still staying with in the national recommendations arrived on the scene where the party won 2 or 3 called as you see. Well below that. Traffic so made about the same. Again we're still exceeding our standards as far hard minorities. We're probably going to says they're probably going to re evaluate that to see what the new But right now as the national trends are we're above everything seemed to have recalculated anything in those areas. Off-duty we're still operating in the black what will probably have to do is look at come October one of this year. As you know the officers will be getting raises their step so we will have to probably raise the race to our If that does come into effect so the city does not have to subsidize the off-duty work. Police overtime again remains under budget. Our call program had been very successful in the week that we just started opening. So I'll give you a few numbers on that. So since Council has approved a contract with call. We've made over 40. In person contact. But that we've also had 6 in person. In person to contact follow-up. One via phone. We have done over 10 speaking engagement getting information out to the community. And as of yesterday the call you started being dispatched to calls you know those call there were 5 mental health care calls. Within that break down to or homeless individuals that were spoken to and got into a shelter. One was a juvenile to correct. It dealt with that, but he also gave the family to wrap around services that they would need it. As of the last week every uniform also know as a body camera here. She is worried at all times is starting this week. We've actually start putting the in-car cameras in the vehicles. But that opened up for any questions. Always great to have you here before us. Council members any questions councilmember Blackmon thank you very much Just one follow-up from the presentation on the the Heat stats. Where we talked with a 31 total arrests off of 14 tips are we doing sting operations for that are they all coming off tips. The arrests. Doesn't make sure bowl so we are doing says sting operation where we're online and that's where we're making a lot of our cases were people are coming into the city trying to find milk and female between the ages of 14 to 16 in front of with them. So we're getting tips and we're also align with along with their online and trying to make the arrests. >> So we're doing still proactive as opposed to just reactive in terms of getting them both Sir thank you. Thank you very much and yeah great stats in here seems like crime is down. Please. Councilmember will live on. >> Keith Holloway thank you for the presentation I just want to comment regarding the incidents I want to thank you for your leadership. And our men and women of our Police Department. And also what teen. And I want you all to know that you have more support. For the way that you guys. Handled this situation, then you know I have had many comments conveyed to me I am happy that. No one and I mean the officers and the suspects or injured or hurt. Because those situations could have really turned badly. I am so grateful. That the 2 year-old little girl was stable to get out safely on her on her. I just want you all to know that. That you're truly appreciated. And that worked out well done. Thank you. Thank you I want to see a bill offered for 35 years in the incident happened Fri. Assistant chief going with involved in the swat Major Gerardo when they brought the suspect though that the see people in the crawl applauding the office for the job they've done. That means a lot of people stood behind they want to go or doing so thank you. >> Back on Feb. 10th we had to a memorial service for the 3 officers that we lost both in January and February of 31. Incident where we chef yes, what's in town danger. It was a. Another situation where spot called in just a very scary and sad situation and officer Crawford a month later which was a very sad time for city, so I'm I'm always so thankful that one, whenever we have police responding to violent. What happened when the swat team was called out here a couple days ago. Our police officers are safe. As as our community saw yesterday things could go south in a hurry. When it comes to our law enforcement officers so. Your strong leadership. Please keep up the good work they do have a couple questions for you. On your a off duty assignment slide the and the last 3 months are in yellow one. Why did different color. I think it is hard to show it to you for those 3 months of those that were still working we resume positive. No okay, you know I wasn't sure if that was because of fiscal year. The new fiscal year. There are some reason that that was highlighted. Also in a question on the the body camera operation. When when it was first presented to us it was supposed to be a very limited use of the body cameras. I think when an officer pulled out of there. The weapon or Taser or when the lights of the vehicle were returned on. The cameras were supposed to go on and then when we got closer to implementing them in October we expanded that list of when the cameras were supposed to be turned on by our officers. And it just seems like they're turning on the cameras all the time. I'm a little concerned about. The effect that it has on policing and then that time required by police officers to do the reports. They have to do a report every time. One of one of the if every time they have to turn on their body cameras is that just that trigger report. No Sir does not so and again though as we went for we we spoke to you also as the community and this is what else is out with the suspect or subject. When they pull their weapon or tasers is activated of course when you turn your lights, nothing else has changed there is having a regular conversation. The officer does not have to turn the cameras what we're seeing is the officer turned on more because they want to capture more just so they can show the people to work that they're doing so nothing has changed on that because of the also if he or she uses force that automatically have to document report any time to use force and it means to go hands on. >> From from that presentation and over. There is a list of times when the body cameras need to be turned on and. The list included when a rest is anticipated to tame the team in this anticipated. A field interview report a traffic stop a pedestrian stop. Arrival of the call to service. Any interaction with a known or potential suspect or any other circumstance which the officer seeks to record. And interaction. It just seems like it's expanded tremendously between what was but we were told early on and then back in October when we. Approved the contract. The biggest thing with that to make sure we captured the incident would Neal says when he or she is doing a good job that we have evidence showing it to the community. So really nothing has changed that look we just look at the categories. That should be that should be cover in the little ones that we're covering okay all right. Thank you for that. I just wanted to mention President Biden what was up Milwaukee on Mon.. He he had a town hall and he had a question funding police departments and made it clear that part of his criminal justice plan was to. A million investment to. Hire more police officers. I made budget request when we started our budget priorities this year to have a goal of getting back on track of hiring those 25 officers that we we did not hire last year. I suggested that we use the cops dot doj grant fund those officers site. I specifically wanted like a three-year implementation because I know we can't afford to do it all at once, but I I do want to make sure We are that that is a priority for for our city and our Police Department. Is there as the city grows in as we can do it we would bring that back up again trying to. Try to get more resources into the city but again we would have to look at. We're going to her lawsuit or do we need those also for things like our primary concern as well as on the chief is to make sure all says a safe and our community safe and we need more officers be the first one to come back and say we need more officers out there Sir. Well I. I know a year ago we had. We had a goal to have a sworn strength of 600 in our Police Department we decreased it to 5.45. And I want to get back to. 600. So that's that's where I'm going as our city continues to grow our Police Department and our Fire Department needs to continue to grow also. So remember if I if I May Sir here our storm strength as 5.75 when you see I'm sorry 5, 5, I think correct. May 5.75. We will it was 600 we had a goal to get to 600 yes Sir. Well thank you very much chief. >> Move next to the 5 a covid update. Good afternoon. >> So the data today was full of and so is hoping to have numbers out. Today's I could give you and a look at what we're seeing today and and with today's trends. But it's not out yet so everything today is from yesterday's numbers. So total in Florida. Right about one 0.8 million cases. I mean 29,311 deaths. This is about a 100,000 more cases in our update. A couple weeks ago. That's a lot of cases but it's actually a. A decreasing rate so. Under previous reports we saw 143,000 and a 191,000. I'm respectively the to update so it is a decrease. But but still pretty high. And Pinellas County 63,871 total cases. This is an increase of 3,549 over last update. This is a decreasing Trent so before we saw an increase of 5,007 thousand cases respectively over the last 2 updates. So we're still climbing, but reclaiming much slower. New cases reported by week in Pinellas County. So we've been talking about that the peak after the holidays. We saw were our highest peak yet ever since and it's it's been dropping so from the new cases reported this the past 4 week as compared to the previous week, it dropped 20%. And that's one of the biggest drops that we've seen in a while. So 20% was about 352 cases that puts our 14 day average at 248 cases a day. When we met on Feb. 4th that was 359 cases a day was or 14 day average so all in the right direction here. Pinellas are the St. Petersburg 23,000 total cases very much the same trends so we've been seeing that decrease since the the spike right after the holidays. We dropped about 14% in cases this past week. Under 14 day average is 80 cases a day at our last update we're at a 129 cases a day. These are the new deaths reported by week. We've seen 70 additional deaths in the last 2 weeks. Even though that is too It is again a decreasing rate of change. So the last. The 2 previous updates of the past 4 weeks we've seen just over a 100. Deaths in that 14 a time so now we're seeing 78. So we hope to see that continue I'm to go down. New cases by zip code. So the the green in the purple there on the left and that was the post holiday increase that we saw and for the most across all the zip codes. That the cases this past week have decreased. There's a few exceptions at 3, 3, 7, 0, 5, had. 6 more cases than the previous week, 3, 3, 7, 1, 3, had 19 cases over the previous week and 3, 3, 7, 1, 5, so 5 additional cases and 3, 3, 7, 1, 6, oh 8 additional cases. So those tickets to see a slight rise and that full week's data but none of them were a significant rise. So trends that we like to see her these decreasing numbers. Percent positivity this has been a metric that we really looked at. The life of covid 19 and right now it's it's looking better than we've seen in awhile highways but that red arrow the 5% in the last you know several months we haven't even seen the red arrow because it was just so far outside of what we're looking at. Their last update or lowest the positivity rate was 7.3 3. As of yesterday were up 5.8 4 so we're getting to that closer to that red line that 5% which is our goal. I'm hopeful if you know trends continue to keep wearing a mask. We continue with vaccination I'm hopeful that we'll get even closer if not meet that 5% by our update in 2 weeks. Long-term care facilities again like to show this one just so we can see the improvements in our facilities and we continue to see that improvement. So the left out of all the cases in Pinellas County 10% of the cases are found in our long-term care facilities and. They're on the right facility deaths. This number keeps decreasing each update. So. Out of all the deaths in Pinellas County 60% are found in our facilities and this is decreased. Each update. And the beginning of January. We were about 67. Right they did in December we are about 67% of all deaths from facilities and now it's down to 60. So that just means that we're not. The deaths that are occurring in the county we're not seeing those in the nursing homes. Hospitalizations have improved. This one kind of shows a little yoyo up and but for the most part we are trending down and we picked up 404 after the holidays. At our last update our lowest hospitalization was to 92. So you can see as of yesterday right to 54. So we definitely a downward trend since are up to 2 weeks ago. So the little higher right but capacity is a little lower than we were but. We're hopeful that those aren't the more severe cases and will continue to see that number decrease. So this is staffed beds available. In Pinellas County right 20%. The total beds. Of all the beds, 5% our covid occupied. And then total staffed icu beds available. I'm worried about 17% the beds are available and out of all the icu beds 15% or covid occupied. This is a lower percentage than we have been seeing the last 2 updates we're at 21% and 18.2% respectively that number has gone down. And we have 287 ventilators available which is about 66% and out of all the ventilator about 6.7%. Those are covid occupied. Quick vaccine on the numbers so in Florida we're almost at 2.5 million people vaccinated that breaks down. Into 1.3 million getting at least the first dose nearly 1.2 million have completed both doses. In Pinellas County a 112,952 people vaccinated that breaks down into 56,000 have gotten at least the first dose and 50 almost 57,000 have completed the whole series. And this is this gives us now the 4th highest, it is the 4th highest County in the state. For total vaccines completed. I put on their doses administered. So if you count all the shots be put into arms, it's I'm right at a 170,000. The a county site has opened this week. They opened on Mon. With a softer opening in Tue., they You know full force of they're doing about 2000 vaccines today out there on top of what we had been doing so just across our 4 d o h sites that we operate. It's about 4,000 vaccine today. The Johnson Johnson vaccine goes to the fda advisory committee later this month on Feb. 26. Are hopeful the will issued and then distribution could be gained. Hopefully you know soon as the end of February. We've talked about that's a game changer to one vaccine. Our one dose vaccine. So it will be one and done for folks and it doesn't have the. Freezer requirement that the other vaccines do so that can be spread much further. And I wanted to add this table how to get a vaccine in Pinellas County. We talked about this on last week it was a little murkier. On the county's website on there. Their covid 19 page. It's basically for the general public there's 3 3 avenues. One is through the vendor portal which is the patient portal f l dot com. Before the struggle was they would open up. That portal for appointments and you would have 200,000 people trying to get an appointment at the same time and just lots of issues with that system. I'm with the vendors doing starting this week. For all the appointments this week was they're going in and they're texting and e-mailing everyone who's registered in the portal that hasn't been able to get an appointment with fair unique appointment link that says and appointments available for you click here. To set your and your appointment. So that's how they've been scheduling that make County site. All weekend. It's going great said they've got about 2000 people scheduled every day from contacting people in that portal so if you don't have an appointment yet. I mean you're 65 or over go ahead and go register into that portal and then you'll be contacted as spaces available. In addition Publix walmart Sam's Club or all of those have come online. They're not included in that patient portal so you need to go to those individual Web to wait for appointments to become available. And then hospitals and other health care centers also have a vaccine. And we don't have numbers on for the most part the way those hospitals are operating they're contacting patients directly only hospitals have the authority to make the determination and if you're under 65 you have a you know a vulnerability of some sort health care and ability that makes you. More susceptible to a bad case of covid then. They have the authority to vaccinate you there. And again you can go to the different hospital Web To get more information or as I said they're they're supposed to be reaching out to their patients directly. All right and that that I have for my reports, I'm happy to take any of your questions. Thank you amber for the. >> The Council members any any questions. I just had one on that last slide. The veterans have. >> To vaccinations through the v a yes and I apologize, I don't have the employment front of me from that from what I've heard from colleagues the va so an excellent job. I'm getting back since there and I council member Garrett has a great story. With that is often a family for our veterans and they were contacted by the va to come in and get their vaccine. Okay. Maybe. The next time you give an update we can have a website up and for them to me. That would be that would be good very is just very helpful to get this information up in front of the public. So that people know where where to go. >> I just wanted kind of give a little bit more detail to the via So essentially when you go into the va benefits program you are signed up and if you are a veteran that is not taking advantage of those benefits you May not get contacted. It's not like there's a website that as a veteran you can go to the Bay pines website and you know sign up for your vaccine. You have to already be in their system. They will call you directly if you meet their eligibility, I'm not sure but last time or when when I went through it for my family member. It was 75 and up because originally they did all of their staff. They did everybody who's in the facilities that were long-term care residents and then they started opening it up for 75 and up. When I went for the second dose for my grandfather, it looked like the age might be a little bit lower. So I don't know that it's 75 anymore, but you do already have to be signed up for those benefits and so I encourage people if you are a veteran and you have not taken advantage of the va benefits, especially here in Pinellas County. The Bay pines hospital is an amazing resource and I would highly recommend people get signed up. Ok thank you thank you for sharing sharing that information. Good thank you for the update. Council will now move to eat 3. Pinellas beautiful update, vice chair Driscoll to do when introduces. Yes thank you and we're joined today by had to pass through the executive director of keeping Ellis beautiful and. Many of you May recall they do join us annually for an update on the work that they're doing here in St. Petersburg. Especially as it relates to the contract that we have with key Pinellas beautiful to assist in power. Our own litter management and beautification efforts so without further ado I will introduce Mister Pasco. Good afternoon and welcome thank you for joining us today. Thank you so much. I'm so excited to be here. I good afternoon. Everyone. It's my pleasure to be here today to talk to you about keeping else beautiful and share. All the all the beautiful things that we've been doing in your neighborhoods. Keep those beautiful is your local keep America, beautiful affiliate where one of almost a 1000 and one of 45. Here in Florida. Our mission. To conserve and beautiful our natural environment by means of community engagement and education. But we've also added we have 3 e's of environmental sustainability engagement meaning pull people together educate them. It's okay the residents talk to him about what the problems are why the problems are here and how we can solve them and then we empower them, we train them to do what we need to do to take on without us to do it independently or for focal Ariz our litter prevention waste reduction conservation beautification and community greening. One of the things we do is you know we believe that it takes a village we partner with cities and neighborhoods and businesses and churches in all different types of civic organizations to achieve a larger impact and to share our sustainable message. But I'm here today to say thank you. Thank you to the Department of neighborhood relations for your $10,000 that you've given us to provide programming within your city and thank you to the stormwater department farm and so for the $10,000 that you've given us and I just want to show you what your money has gone to. Some examples if you're looking up had the power point. Or you know we as I mentioned before we combine education with everything we do. The black one Park was a cleanup. But we also. Encourage waste reduction methods. And the gentleman that is overseeing that particular site to site captain is the owner of 4. Our world be filler e and it's a it's am. Refill or e company that the travel to doesn't stay still so we partnered with them. So then only a voluntary with us. We support what they do reducing the amount of plastic waste that The next one up on the 18th Avenue is a sample of some community members out stewing of a street. So weak. We do have a number of community members that work with us from around the 18th Avenue, different communities. And we do in a number of cleanups a year there. The next one is 4th Street. For St. We isn't it. This This is where 4 straight into 75 meet. And there's a really tremendous litter problem in that area. And we've had complaints from residents. So we we engage the residents to help calm and join us in helping keeping this clean. So we not only have residents that we also have high school students working because it is is a pretty we can guarantee this will put at least a couple 100 pounds from that that one side free to clean up. The next one is keep Florida beautiful people are beautiful word and I'm so proud as I mentioned before we partner we don't do things along. And the reason why building the things alone is because the with the purpose of us is to engage the community and get them involved so they can take responsibility for what they do. So we're partnering with friends of Crescent Lake. We work with them for a number of years. They won a state award this year. For the wonderful program that programs that we we combine to work together on and that is invasive removals from Crescent Lake. The next one is maximo Park. And I don't know if the if I know some of you know that bear his name is one Moriarty and he's the director of tree Inc. One of the things that I truly believe in is the fact that you know we help one another so we partner a lot of different projects and we bring are environmental expertise and they bring their environmental expertise and it just makes for a more wholesome event this is maximo Park over a year ago we partnered with the Florida aquarium. They donated mangroves we plan to of oh gosh. I think like 500 mangroves that day and the last picture. It's icc international coastal cleanup and then I think that's a block on as well. But that's an example of all of our programs were working with. Volunteers in the not only picking up trash to become a citizen scientist. So again and dust and why they're doing what they're doing and the impact that they're making. I mean we let them know that that information is shared with the ocean Conservancy. The different programs that we have brought to the city community cleanups and adoptions and I would not go into detail with those because you'll see them in the stats. But the one thing I wanted to say, but the adoptions is you know I can clean up some volunteers to come and go. You know they they come to one cleanup maybe 2, 3 cleanups a year but our adoptees sign a contract with us. They make a commitment to work with this particular site for 2 year period of time. So these are the adoptions that we have. That that that that just stand in the city of Clearwater. I mean the city Petersburg us on the phone the city clearer to start at that. The programs we've done, but the me think about this is the the volunteers to come back year after year to year. And they really have a of a commitment to our organization and to the environment. This 2 new programs. That we're bringing to St. Petersburg this year. And as part of our stormwater agreement we are overseeing some of the water goats that are already here and In Saint Pete, but we're adding some more the part we are partnering with the Tampa Bay estuary program keep Tampa Bay beautiful. Spree. Anyway a company that deliver get her and the litter Gator a form of a Marine debris removal. So we are pretty a number of water goats see bins and they're bringing in the live in the in the litter get her to to help removed. Debris from our our water. One is going in right down the road Hart bridge. Arena that's the sea been in the water goat is going down there at Bear Creek. Education is my specialty, I was a teacher I was a teacher for 25 years as I volunteered all of that time with keep America beautiful affiliates, wherever it lived. So it's near and dear to my heart and you know it. The the covid covid 19 and it is an awful lot of women's. And what we decided to do during this time. Is we decided to make lemonade instead of wallowing our pit and what are we going to do oh my goodness we evaluated the situation. We figured out different ways to do smaller. Activities safely. And then we also modified or education program. So we not only do presentations now in person. We do presentations virtually. We did into neighborhoods to schools and 2 different businesses. We created a video series and dissent that out to all the schools in Pinellas County. And it's 18 videos with in this series. And we're providing teachers with these free of charge obs of them as we let the let us know it felt the survey when they're finished bottom line. We're just very with grilled about the different medication opportunities that we have to offer with this year was kind of squash a little bit and beautification but we did a number of projects. The prior year except for the Arctic arts exchange we parted with the warehouse art exchange they had gotten a grant to beautiful I get for the property. We came in with professional landscapers that actually drew the designs and we ordered the plants for them and we were there to support them with some volunteers and we did did this all. With safe distancing. And I have you guys been down there and seen how beautiful, it looks it really does look very very nice. Again up top is one of your parks. Replant trees. We the sea Oats that we've done we have Chris at Lake with the water levels that we've removed. Warehouse We plant. We we clean up and we beautify the areas. And we do it and we'll have lots of fun while we're doing it. Impacts you know at first at first. Yeah at the beginning of covid I was I was getting a little nervous. I was thinking to myself oh my goodness what are we going to do. We're talking people working people. What you know how we get it. We came up with so many different programs like. Pick up. It will rip. If the individual people going out and sell or have small groups. He loved so they want to do. They let us know the neighborhood they want to be fun with this up loss. We educate us why they're doing what they're doing and send them on the way. >> So we didn't have that we have heard option programs since they are smaller groups working together. Still working we don't have the numbers that we had in 19 and that's why put out both of them 2019. We conducted a 184 to patient presentations we participated in 15 outreach events therefore 40,000 a 140 individuals were educated. And the affiliate engage 4,399 volunteers. Our organization coordinated 226 community projects and as a result, the combined efforts. A baby the 123,385 pounds of litter. As well as an invasive and also to be becoming recyclables but when you multiply 20 to 50 by the number of the volunteer hours in 2019 we saved St. Petersburg the city of St. Petersburg taxpayers. 304,000 $508 and 40. >> So then you come into 2020 you have to be like oh my goodness everything shut down. We got to the end of the year we counted the Dumbarton boy was I thrilled. In 2020 just for the city of St. Petersburg you'll see the other things in the annual report sent to the whole County. In 2020 kpd conducted a 128 educational presentations right here. We participate in the 5 outreach events you couldn't see the high was on 5. Therefore 2,200 97 individuals were educated. And we engaged. 1416 volunteers. Our organization coordinating the 173 community projects and as a result, the combined efforts. They did. 30,054 pounds of litter. We multiply now you'll notice is a difference in the fees. It was 20 to 69 in 20 it went up in value of the volunteer our it went up to 2543, according to keep America beautiful. So when you multiply 2543 times all the volunteer hours. You get 121,000 $52 that we see the city and our service. Oh wait a minute I went there for that damage over on the side and you know why would Susie. A couple years ago was a 2018 to see. We started 2019 and have we've been talking about this for years. Kurdish will idea was to start the Pali adoption. Let's bring it in as a as we mentioned people are making a commitment. You know we get them to help he built the alleyways clean. Well prove the alleys. Well we weren't getting many bites on that. You know people I don't know with the problems I'm not saying that we stop it. Community adoption. The adoption now we do adopt a community we have a spot. And you you dot the area around that they spot so it includes the out. So hopefully you know we went from 0 to 8. We just pretty community adoptions we've we have the the doctor mile program we have 26 miles that are adopted our shorelines of 3 and our trail is completely full of adoptees we have between 2, 3, doctors per spot. We have troubled option option in the city of St. Petersburg. Now this is what I'm excited about. Well the side of that. Detectives to a program grant the epa grant is $20,000 for 3 years and what they're doing is we're bringing in those programs we're working with this Marine debris devices. And we're partnering with those other organizations to really make a huge impact. This year we were very I do have a lot of. I can come to Tampa Bay beautiful I was development director and. Community liaison for their 4 years. So when it came time to the nfl approached keep Tampa Bay, beautiful. They said hey wait a minute can we do some stuff on the other side of the day as well. They gave us $8,000. So I called up the Parks Department and I said hey guys I have a $1000 to spend. Probably close to There was a lot of fun. We did it with small groups but we have a great time doing it. Yes we also received a series grant a movie working on mlk corridor. The number of the number of projects. Some of the things that are in the works. Our current grants in waiting. And in progress or the Florida beverage Association we asked for $15,000 to work on. Bartlett Park. So Creek community is a number of different different mission is again partnering with the city we talked about the different initiatives and then went for to hopefully we'll get that. Yesterday was it was I think it was just it was it some time to just said I is the day's will. He met with the Parks Department able to relations and to discuss with hdr which is an engineering company. One of our board members is an engineer and they're very interested in partnering with us to do a large Grant. So we're looking at $75,000 a year that will be invested if we get this grand keep your fingers crossed. Invested in the I just went Boyd Hill Lake mcgorry area there's a strip of land that's called a park area. That's called new hope and it's kind of like a linear Park along the roadway with there's it backs up to del homes. So we're looking to do there in partnership with the Parks Department and neighbor relations and storm water is create. A welcoming environment safe. Welcoming environment for the residents in that area. We'll be able to to get that that's in the works. Yeah, I think it's in the works is a partnership Grant with tree Inc and the city of St. Petersburg for part of the park. And it's in the planning for the 22 2020 to 10 biggest ration. I've sent out of packets and then in the packets there's a letter and kind of like a a list of flyer. And on the list coming events and on the bus a qr code. So if you're interested in finding out more information about them and being a part of these events please please come join us and I heard to the people to do it as well just to see what we do. Feb. 12th through the 14th of kids can now typically we kids can activity with the kids in person, but obviously we can't do that. Now with 200 kids now you know during covid so what we've done is we made it a virtual to board. It do 3 projects to 3, in a row. Also do a pickup in Alice activity. And it's for elementary to middle school students and when they receive when they do this when the complete this they receive prizes from power office just as a little bit of incentive. In Feb. 24th. We're we have another grant with the temp issue a program to the regional planning Council and for hospitality, equal partnership. And what we're doing is we're partnering with hotels to educate the staff and provide opportunities for their guests. So that we do really good job educating what President. But some residents that pollute make a mess of of our of our beautiful. This is due to so that we can providing opportunities for them to participate in some activities with us and learn how did these better stewards of an eye. Mar. 1st, I hope everyone received my my invitation is our leaders against litter. Event you can Councilwoman Driscoll up there for last year and I'm so grateful that she came she she jumped in commissioner justice normally does this ended up sick that day so she jumped in and did a phenomenal job. And talk to the press and hold everybody so this is happening on. Mar. First it's on a Mon. Morning at 08:00am and we asked if we don't we don't need a breakfast, but I'm afraid I don't want to do that this year because of the germs. So we just having a meeting will have water. You know May come to but what will meet. We'll have a brief discussion after the discussion will ask everyone to sign. A pledge that they will help the leaders will lead to stand up. Pick up. Pick up and moved. I'm going I could ever think did the environment. To help he helped lead the way to a cleaner and greener community. And Mar. First to May 31th is the great American cleanup and I had a conversation Councilman Bachmann but yesterday was yesterday I think that will blend into one day. And we talked about you know different projects that we could do we have a number of sites that are you know But we don't know a lot of the site so we're asking you if you can tell us pick up the phone give us call shoot me an email say hey this is a problem area can you do something about it. We know about the site so we can. We can put together a team of volunteers to get out there and clean it. I want to say thank you I want you all to know how much we appreciate your support. And we're hoping that together will we will help keep St. Petersburg and Pinellas County and the United States of America and the world beautiful for generations to come. Thank you very much does anybody have any qualms to you. We do have some questions. Thank you Miss That lasko. >> I thought to myself you Thank you so much Pat for that excellent presentation. I know a little pressed for time so just be quick. I absolutely love the work that you do it's a meaningful and the way that you engage the community is really second to none your energy is so contagious. It's no wonder you get so many people to volunteer. It's wonderful. So thank you for all you do. Some of you May recall that in our budget priorities meeting in January I brought up the contracts that we have and the partnership that we have already with key Pinellas beautiful. Where we have contracts for. $10,000 for them from storm water and 10,000 from neighborhoods. I did request. That we do an additional contract for just $5,000. That would be designated to the Parks Department so that our parks staff which we know can be a little bit strained. You know can get the help that they need to make sure that our parks are mean beautiful so and I hope that the. Administration and everyone else will take that into consideration as we work on our budget process for this year. And then thank you again for all you do and I can't wait the out with you for the next couple of events we've got a few things that will be doing together next month, so I can't way thank you. To mention just quickly I put enough of looks like a business card but some business card it's a it's a information about our hotline. So that anybody can help keep else beautiful. If they see illegal dumping. They can call that number and within 24 hours 24 hours we'll be out. It comes in a Fri. Doesn't happen. >> So we're hoping that you can share that information as well so everybody can vote. Thank you so much, thank you don't dump totally don't go don't go We're we've got a council members councilmember Blackmon. Thank you very much Just that to go off of Vice chair just go just said about. Funding I think this councilmember fig Sanders stepped out I guess for a moment, but you know I think was a week ago she had the results the pilot we did about picking up litter and we just saw the different values that are created based on relatively low amount of money that was given to keep it as beautiful and how much the return was for taxpayers