City Council

>> 5 and Council vice chair Debra fixed and. >> Welcome to the city of St. Petersburg City Council meeting and your elected officials our mayor Ken Welch district one hopefully Curtis. And Council chair, Randy Gabbert district 3 and not kind of way. 5 and Council vice chair Debra big spenders. Gina Driscoll. John Muhammad. And district day Richie Floyd. >> Good afternoon everyone. We will call to order the Dec. 14th 2023 City Council meeting beginning with the roll call place and what's your big Sanders in fiscal And here all right. Curtis, here ever here my tenure there. And we will begin our meeting indication today we're joined by pastor, Bobby missing got from maximo Presbyterian Church and we will follow this with the pledge of allegiance please rise. Good and gracious GOD. The thank you for the opportunity to gather here today. Assembled in unity. We humble. We humbly seek your guidance and wisdom as the City Council. All St. Petersburg convenes today went all out on elected leaders as the mayor and City Council is along with this towns, plenty to of mind compassion in decision-making and a shared commitment to the well-being of 5 beloved community. Made that deliberations be mocked by understanding corporation and a vision for a thriving and inclusive city. Bless each member present and empower them to serve with diligence integrity and a great sense of agent. Justice in your holy name we pray, Amen. >> night this is America. Instead the Republic, which it stands one nation under GOD, indivisible with liberty and justice. >> Thank you pastor for your invocation we appreciate you being here with us today. Alright council members we have an agenda before us we do have the addition of one item which is item h one which is our committee action items from our lair committee which happened earlier today. Move can can we have a motion is second to approve the agenda seeing no requests to speak clerk Lisa pollution for voting. Council members and your votes. Seeing all cut council members voted clerk please telling announced about that. >> Hulu gender passes unanimously. All right and we have a consent agenda before us I want a motion to approve the brutal second all right we have a motion a second to approve the consent agenda. Seeing no requests to speak to any cards on the consent agenda. We did not ok clerk please open she for voting. Council members and your votes seeing all council members a vote a clerk please tying announce the vote. >> And I'm sure the consent agenda passes unanimously. We can for a second I'm going to turn this over city attorney Jackie Cove alerts to make an introduction. Thank you MADAM Number one thank you for this to City Council for proving confirming our new assistant city attorney this is Joe Kelly who I think you're going to be really excited to work with I know that Joan can are going to be people that super excited to work with him because he's going to be doing a lot of litigation work. As you know there's been a uptick. And they've been working extremely hard but we're really happy to have Joe to be able to lighten the load some and I think your he's going to be an excellent addition to the team very well qualified murder, very fortunate to have. Welcome would you like to say a few words. I would love chair MADAM CHAIRWOMAN a thank you all so much for a letting me be part of this team I was born and raised in St. Petersburg and I'm very excited to get to work in and for the community that raised me. So thank you for the opportunity. Welcome welcome to the team and I know the team is excited to have you and you're very welcomed addition, and we wish you all the best and look forward to working with you thank you thank you. All right, let's move into our awards and proclamations and let's start with item d one which is a distinguished citizen award that would be presented by council member Mohammed. Too much for the politicians to. Yeah. You've got friends and family in the building Thank you MADAM Chair. MADAM Vice chair members of Council. 16 guests and fellow community members. Thank you all for being here. Today. I'm happy to stand before you as we gather to honor a true local hero. Someone who's impact on our community transcends the boundaries of time and generations. So during the process of asset map an inning and engaging with stakeholders in district 7 I was actually introduced to the work of a man who embodies the meaning of this acknowledgment. That's why you to set up that cause half a meter Reynoso more full. As such it is my distinct honor to present the distinguished citizen award to MISTER Roosevelt Swinton who's here with us today, let's give him a round of applause. Operating in the heart of our community. He is a man who has dedicated hold on hold on to your seats. 5 decades of his life to the betterment of our youth. A man whose commitment to the wire with Dodgers. And the well-being of our children has left an indelible mark on the fabric of our city. Mister swennes stories not just one of the local baseball legend. But also the selfless coach to win beyond beyond the call of duty for 50 years he served as the backbone of this organization, a mentor and a friend to countless individuals young and old. His commitment to creating an inclusive space for every child regardless of their financial circumstances has exemplified the true spirit of community and generosity. It is not only in the dugout where MISTER Swennes impact has been felt. He's rolled up his sleeves and embraced every aspect of the mission from prepping the field to managing the concession stand cleaning the facilities and ensuring that every child has a means of transportation to and from the practices and games. His dedication extends far beyond the game creating a positive and safe environment for the youth in our city. I think we all understand the transformative impact and the power of organized force in the lives of are you. Participation in youth sports provide some valuable life lessons teaching our young children, the importance of teamwork discipline and perseverance through the challenges of the game are you learn resilience in but the industry to overcome obstacles. But the swing through his coaching and mentorship has been instrumental in instilling these values and the countless lives of those he's touched. In 1959. Some of you MAY remember. In 1959. MISTER Flynn unknowingly laid the foundation of his legacy by helping to build the Wildwood community center. He literally order on the pitch of land that would become 3rd base. Little did he know that he was little did he know that this act of community service will become a symbol of his unwavering commitment over the years he's become a cornerstone of this community center offering his term dedication and wisdom to his programs again for over 5 decades. It is a testament to MISTER Swennes character that many of the thank you notes and letters of the knowledge that we receive spoke not only of his coaching prowess, but also his humility, his integrity and his exemplary example overruled model and a mentor. Particularly again in his impact on the lives of young children from single parent households is another thing that's been in measurable so today as we present this distinguished citizen award to MISTER Roosevelt's win. Let us celebrate not just based of baseball legend. But a community build a mentor and a guiding light for the youth the Saint Pete and beyond his selfless contributions have created a lasting legacy and we're privileged to witness the impact that he's had an extraordinary community service. So I want to have you come on up with this win over redistricting. He's a man of few words and so Saint Pete, the city of St. Petersburg city of City Council distinguished citizen award. Whereas a great city is only as great as those persons who give example it exemplary service to their communities whether through participation in voluntary programs through unique personal achievement in their profession or other endeavors or simply through a lifetime of good citizenry and whereas such service that is truly the lifeblood of the community and the city. So often goes unrecognized and and rewarded. Now therefore as a member of the St. Petersburg City Council I do hereby recognize that MISTER Roosevelt once went in. We hit we have an outstanding citizen who was worthy of the us team in both community the great city of St. Petersburg congratulations MISS This winter. I really don't have words. Thank you thank you. Tomorrow my staff is coaches and the pay is. Thank you very much. We do have to yeah Veronica robbers to want to come on come And she told me to call her 2 haha this yes my name is Monica Roberts for those who don't know because everybody know me bad news to me so if you said one of the most time. Nobody knows you talking about, I've been working with MISTER Barber. Well actually I met him when I was 12 years old. Why not allow what part the play. And that thing some ladies playing softball and that's the bubble and I was looking through the fence and he said. A minute ago you want to come over and play softball and that's a no Sir because I don't know how to play. He said come on in I'll teach you. And I believe him every since has been over 47 years so now. That I work so hard trying to get. Day for MISTER Mother because he has impacted my life my husband and I and my kids life and I think you need to be recognize. Also we are. So I am too get the baseball field named after him, and no there are. I know there are policies and procedures. But who do you know gave 50 plus years of a life to anything. So I feel like well what baseball fish should be named at the MISTER Wills of that swing and thank you guys what the distinguished citizen award for him. Thank you. >> Thank you. We have some council member Council vice chair fix Sanders. Thank you, thank you, thank you to Lee. And you know I am always honored when we give our flowers while we can still smell them and so thank you for being for the writing commuted in making sure that we honor MISTER Swing fall that he's done especially for our community for our babies when they need to see that positive role model and we giving positive things to do. So thank you for that and not to mention well, what is now named after another great man it is giving more then 50 years to our community so we just need to keep that momentum going so that we do not lose a legacy. So that we do not forget now 1959, I was a year. >> Ahmed time but for him to have been contributing for that amount of time this is long overdue and very well-deserved and thank you councilmember mom it for taking this a fun seeing all the way through so we don't we're we'll work on that field. Thank you thank you chair councilmember guard us. Thank you, MADAM Chair. MISTER William MISTER, I I had the pleasure of meeting MISTER Biden and MISTER Lee. I think about 7 years ago when I joined a police athletic League board and was able to spent quite a bit of with the kids there and got to work on some of the baseball camps, and you could see the impact immediately that frankly both of you have had in our community and our children and especially on the baseball field. MISTER Swanson and so I just wanted to say my from somebody that grew up on on those baseball fields, including that one playing as a little kid. All across the city and then being able to come back and coach on that field with you and MISS To Lee and some of my. Some of the people I played with and coached with throughout my career here, it was an absolute honor and this is long overdue and well well well deserved and a big thank you for me for all that you've done and all that you continue to do because I know it's not done yet. So thank you so much for all of your service heartfelt for me. Thank you MADAM Chair councilmember Mount airy. Thank you MADAM Chair and I want to begin by thanking councilmember Muhammad for for putting this forward and MISTER Swinton thank you for 50 years. Of making our our city of a better place. My legislative aide found a newspaper article from 1999. That that told your story and your commitment. 2. To baseball in to changing lives of our of our youth in it talks about how you just put your your heart and passion and into And that you would your pickup truck was out there all the time you would prepare the fields you would Car washes in fundraisers and put on a banquet and give out awards and. As you know for youth that changes, people's lives and that makes our city better. Thank you so much for everything you've done to make St. Petersburg a better place. >> Well thank you councilmember Muhammad for bringing this forward I have a feeling. There's a new business item in your futures well for park MAY be we'll look forward to having that discussion in the future. Thank you so much for your commitment to our community and to our I'm a proud baseball mom and I know that baseball make such a difference in the lives of kids, especially kids who you know maybe don't have the support system that they need at home and then they come and they join the team and they have experience with coaches and volunteers and it changes their lives and so I am sure that there are countless children who have now grown up to be productive adults because of their experience with you so thank you so much for everything that you do glad that we could honor you today. Thank you for being here. >> All right we have item d Well, I guess maybe before I go on to de to mayor to do and say anything about the us. The singer citizens award that just got given. I just want to thank MISTER Swing for point in 2. And I am not 1959 either got to bust your. 1964, you poured in the generations of our young people and I think it's a well-deserved honor and I'm looking forward to. Observing the new business items coming forward. Thank you for your service we really appreciate. Thank you MADAM Chair, absolutely I'll go ahead and turn it over to you for item d 2. Thank you to a City Council to our city team to all members of the public who are here today. Want to wish you merry Christmas and happy Hanukkah happy holidays or what 9 days left. If you haven't done the shopping like It gets exciting the last few Live for. But I'm pleased to present a proclamation for the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority incorporated Zeta salon Omega chapter in honor of their charter day. Now if you don't already Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority incorporated is the first Greek letter sorority established but african-american college educated women. And so today we have members of the Zeta salon Omega chapter with us including PRESIDENT. Skipper a special assistant Rita Wesley. Our own County commissioner Rene flowers. Our chair elect MISS Deborah fix ask you to come down for the proclamation. As well as PRESIDENT Skipper and commissioner flowers. And we also have a very special Lady misses moselle Davis we'll MISS Beazley restoration and you don't stand up the whole MISS Davis became a member of they didn't slow in Omega chapter shortly following the chapter chartering in 1955. She recently celebrated her 90th birthday. And there's a longtime community leader has contributed countless hours of service and charitable donations to causes that support women and children. MISS Davis is also the mother of our arts culture and tourism director Celeste Davis. We're excited to have the members here to celebrate their 68 years of service to our community and I like to present the following proclamation MADAM PRESIDENT. And it reads whereas in 19 oh wait out the Kappa Alpha sorority incorporated was founded for him by college educated african-american women at Howard University to serve the community through the arts education health family and scholarships. And whereas 415 years and with 355,000 members and 1064 chapters. Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority incorporated blaze new trails trails with the theme soaring to greater heights of service and sisterhood and maintains a progressive interest in serving all mankind. Through a nucleus of women in the United States, the Caribbean. Europe Asia, the Middle East and Africa and whereas a local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority incorporated say to plow no make it chapter was chartered on 12/15/1955, and maintains an ongoing commitment to youth development mentoring education through scholarships service projects and charitable donations to community organizations and whereas the to say to use a make a chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority incorporated is celebrating its 68th anniversary in the city of St. Petersburg and the city of St. Petersburg takes great pride in recognizing. The statements on Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority incorporated efforts to make a difference in the lives of women children and families in our community. Now therefore I kinda to Welsh mayor of the city of St. Petersburg Florida. Do hereby proclaim Fri. 12/15/2023. As Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority incorporated Zeta hoops a lot a good chapter day haha. To help thank those that have sought to make a chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority incorporated for the difference they continue to make in the city of St. Petersburg thank you MADAM Chair, we like to mix. Comments MADAM PRESIDENT. >> Asked the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority Zeta looks like a big chapter to please stand with me. Again my name is janay skipper and I'm the PRESIDENT Of the sago mine to make a chapter here in St. Petersburg mayor Welch and City Council members. We the ladies of the Zeta sought to make a chapter here in Petersburg would like to thank each of you for this special recognition while all of our charter members have departed s today we have the special guests joining us as we are thrilled to have missus moselle Davis here who joined our chapter in 1957 founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington dc in 19 oh 8 Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority is as mayor indicated the oldest Greek letter organization established by african-american college training women. Since 1955, there's a lot to make a chapter has served the citizens of Petersburg consistently by impacting our community through service and sisterhood it. By continuing the legacy of our charter members and I am going to name him any Barton did Ruth Batson Pauline this Ali Lina Brown Mary Brown, Claire, and they'll Griffin Bertha James Ruby, why singer Dorothy Johnson Elizabeth Jones and im a clan. Willie mcmurray. Louise Perkins for your Robinson and Florence Williams. Our continuous goal is to strengthen the community through mission-driven efforts and by upholding the vision of our beloved founders which is service to out me and can we are honored to say there's a side to make a chapter has donated over a half a million dollars to this community throughout charitable donations. Service projects and educational scholarships today. And to culminate this year's charter events we will be celebrating with a holiday party in partnership with the 8 chapter of Omega psi Phi fraternity on this Sat. DECEMBER, the 16th at the usf activity Center and you all are welcome to join us. Again mayor Welch and council members it is an honor to accept this distinguish recognition, thank you for the invitation to be here. >> Thank you. The mayor asked me if I want to say anything with that to yell about a I have not found one that I'm afraid of I want to first of all. Thank you for this. Thank you my sisters. Because we have so unselfishly and MAY I remind you all isn't pay to do so much for our community and to be recognized here today just means so much. I'm not only to myself but to those that we work tirelessly to support so we always we have to always give our flowers while we still can and I'm going to ask you to join us on behalf of community service thanking in honoring our legacies, our elders are torch bearers our volunteers in the name of community service in sisterhood. Sometimes those closest to you and not born in Uganda. And so I think you for all you do specially what you've done for me dump of the city before me have that thought it not robbery to bring this forward to acknowledge just on the day that we would chart it. And we have our own So I want to thank you for that thank you so much mayor. Thank you and thank you Mayor Richard bring this forward today and I I do want to express my deep gratitude for all that you stand for and all that you do for our community. It is inspiring. And it is really so reflective of what our city is all about. I'm proud to have you in these chambers today and have the opportunity to honor you. Everyone Hugh represents a sorority here today has made. Their own unique contribution. They have this moment. I wanted to you specifically. Address commissioner, Rene flowers. >> your service to our city to the county and also to the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority. So admirable and it is something that we are also grateful for. This morning in our. Legislative affairs and intergovernmental relations Committee we have a robust discussion about psta. The local bill that is making its way through Tallahassee right now. I wish that you could have been there to put in your $0.2. We I understand that you will not rejoining the Board of psta for next year. So I just thought I'd still this opportunity. 2 let everyone know how much I appreciate the hard work that you did on that board. The difference that you made and the voices that you represented. You are extraordinary and I thank you for your service and I look forward to talking with you about it because now we can because we won't be done by sunshine law. >> And so on. Your voice on that board has not been silence exactly thank you thank you chair, thank you so much if I MADAM CHAIRMAN MADAM Vice chair. Council just going to each and every one of you as well as the mayor and everyone here this attending thank you so much for those heartfelt words being an elected official as you all know sometimes can be very trying. And sometimes you feel like you just want to throw in the towel. But is that an action as my grandmother used to say that causes you to continue to move on so you are exactly right not only do I get to talk to you I get 3 minutes at the podium on in out why. >> Haha. And I'm not going in where I'm going to continue to fight for public transportation. It was by no happenstance that traveling to Washington d c with Brad Miller and others that we brought back $18 million for public transit, it's by no happenstance that we will have a light rail expansion included in the Howard frankland it's not happenstance that we have the express roadways. So there are buses can get people moving expeditiously and effectively and efficiently between Hillsboro and Pinellas County so so thank you for those kind words, my work will not stop it will continue. And it is most unfortunate, but I will say this. We have to serve as the example, it doesn't matter about what other people do or say what matters is what we do. And what we say. Well thank you all so very much I felt and I'm not going to crack haha. Thank you commissioner for being I would have recognized at the top of the meeting as I always like to do, but you are heightened back there so very glad that you're here with us today as always nice to Councilmember Floyd thank tough to follow those kind words, but I just want to briefly to thank you all for your service and the way that you create community is really inspiring I I just look forward to everything that you accomplished going forward so thank you. Thank you. All right before we move to open We actually have MISS Susie, a hawk with us for a very quick special announcement so this is a little off script but I thought with this being the last Council meeting of the year. It was important to MISS Susie, a hot come and talk with us real quick about the results of care fest. >> Gabbert yes Council thank you very much and actually in the in the same vein of who our community and I want to say thank you to. Are those that have recognized this morning for your service. But this is an opportunity for us to celebrate what's been happening in our neighborhoods in just a little bit of a back around. Well one of your predecessors. We came up with the idea because the city would receive a care Cup. For the Projects and pollen number of volunteers that we would get and the council member at the time thought it would be appropriate to challenge his peers and have a council care Cup so today I wanted to give you the results from the 2023 care fest event or months SEPTEMBER and OCTOBER of this year. So. >> I think the the I think it was it's probably very appropriate mayor in terms of. >> The location or which district because we started our City Hall and 2 are on the West Side, the West Side is the best in 20 now. 23 just district one had 25. Care fast projects, 9 of his neighborhoods, we're very involved. We did want to say thank you to our other Council numbers so our top 3 districts district one district 7. And district 6. Our other council members are other Council districts are represented and I would encourage the rest of Council to be sure to ask your neighborhoods to report their projects and let us know that they are part of it but for 2024 until we get to SEPTEMBER and Oct. 20 24. COUNCILMAN Curtis I am going to bring you the care Cup, >> Congratulations West Side. Yahoo. I remember going to switch you like to kindly except on behalf of your residents. Yeah, thank you very much, MADAM Chair again for for the second time today very humbled this the credit goes to our neighborhoods in our leadership. They did an amazing job answering the call as they always do I'm very proud of our neighborhoods across the city but certainly in district one. They continue to do Throughout the year in fact we have a food going out starting tomorrow on the West Side of St. Petersburg and so this really is a credit to them and their hard work I was able to attend I think. 5 or 6 of the of the 25 events I mean they included part cleanups late cleanups. Neighborhood food drives. It really was all across the board and I'm very very appreciative my dad has already sent me a text saying that's mine, not and so. He I'm sure he'll take the credit very humbled and and it's a big congratulations all the neighborhoods in district one. Thank you MADAM Chair, congratulations council member driskell. Thank you I am very happy to see the coming return to district one I been very proud to b the hold or of the cup since 2020, I'm so he did. And if we had one this year I wouldn't hold Susie just engraved district 6 on it and let's be done with this. But I will point out that it was given to me. It was passed to me by council member Charlie guard us from district one and so it now goes back. And and I really love seeing. All of the community work that's being done on the West Side. Those are some strong neighborhoods over there who have really rolled up their sleeves to not just how beautify the community but to reach out and help others who need it so it's very well deserved. I'm I'm very happy to the passing it along and gearing up to get it back next year. Thank you. All right, we will now move into open form part can you please read the rules for open forum. We wish to address City Council on subjects on of the public cause additional items listed on the agenda. Please sign up with the clerk. Only the individual wishing to speak MAY signed the open form scene. We city residents owners of property business owners in the city or their employees me speak all issues discussed in open form must be limited to issues related to the city of St. Petersburg government. You're speaking to an item on the agenda you MAY only speak once during the open former 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 muted. If you wish to address City Council to the to meeting you must use the raise hand feature binding assume have Renner star 9 on your phone at the time the agenda items addressed when it is your turn to speak you will be a needed and asked to state your name and address. At the conclusion of your comments are when you reach the 3 minute time limit will be muted. All raised hands will be lowered after each agenda item. Regardless of the method of participation used normal rules apply, including a 3 minute time limit on comments the requirement that any presentation materials must be submitted in advance of the meeting and the rules of decorum 5 public comment is disrupted by violations of the rules of corn. The chairs authorized to accept public comment by alternate means including by email me and we do have some speakers okay please call 2 at a time when the clerk calls you please go to both podiums. And do we have anyone in Sam. We do not okay. Pamela Adams invents Cox please go to an open podium state your name and address for the record you have 3 minutes to address City Council. >> Hi good afternoon everybody. Well campaign meant to them had the river then to myself today and I know how an ef 3 minutes to address please. Yeah I address 7.67, 54 5, 4, Avenue South St. Petersburg Florida. Tree tree 7, 0, 5, Yes and I'm here to represent myself I've been taken disadvantage job with the defense to St. Petersburg home development yea I have sign all 25,000 all. Omar gudrid my home and they have not been used even by the way that they supposed to do a party they blaming me so that time had you know and all staff off to our society all after I signed the agreement does would not true, whatever the city do and how they do their business I don't know, but I've been taking his advantage all the call they charged me $25,000 to I know home repair and they repair some of the repair that the top stories to love not being done. I can see to my door outside I can see that coming into my house and I'm living in a home that they charge you $25,000 far and no homes to not not the full repair is not really fully Don. They all rehabilitation car came down to look at my home several times then does start time to calm. She said you don't know why. The city is not doing our reach out to Ron desantis's office our reach reach out to the governor general's office and I reach out to all the all the department, the discrimination but all that discrimination now with the city all home development, I'm not going to file a discrimination at this time of course not Ron desantis's office and the governor general's office. Tony this is a problem that can even a fix and almost reach out to the all the government office in this era. And that's what I'm here for for them to determine that the in team and team they have something called the n team reach out to mean one here one here, nobody showed up to me. The last into the offseason knee all monitor which you can use to draw she was something don't you want to speak to me. I thought it would be the runners which would be addressed this problem. You know, but you do not want to speak to me I was gone by I didn't want to speak to me dying in the leg, Tony. All I must stop coming to fees and made up by a stormy caught at second mile that are attached mobridge to fix what they did not do I'm not happy. And that's what I'm reaching out to the different offense the the government often is why I'm here today they told me to come to attend all the Colin salute attendees meeting and bring up these each of them run to scientists say because these above a no they been a problem with the cd. You cannot taken Dodge and that's almost reach out to these Yesterday because of these people have been taking it had been turned off. I can still apartment highs and see outside I can see rain coming into the doors. I can see inset coming in and I'm not happy at all. And I am yes so your 3 minutes is a power bank City administrator Robert us would like to say something so just hold on one moment to thank you ma'am administrator Foster's watching she's going to be looking into the issue and will contact you directly okay, thank you very much. Thank you ma'am. >> Good afternoon, MADAM Chair. Members of Council staff. Mayor well tonight here at the moment, but I'm like I come before you as a citizen or would you place state your dress. I'm sorry it's not me missus in Petersburg I resided 2950 63rd Avenue South in Pinellas point and I welcome this opportunity to speak to. Also a member. The psta Board of appointed by the county Commission. And it was appointed in first a 38 reappointed in 2021. And I'm hopeful to be reappointed in 20 24 GOD, willing. Commissioner Driscoll's sentiments about commissioner flowers removal from all that board. I've learned so much from commissioner You know she's a product of the Grew up in Jordan Park. Paint a master's degree and public administration he's always been their 4th. The most vulnerable and that's why you all are here that's why I'm hit. I remember when we've shared he found out this was happening Childress coast. This is again a chair pca she says a couple seats down to meet he openly wept and on. What the inside. And I still do. So what's happening right now as I see it is that the removal of so much representation in the city. And we're 37% of the transportation rise there come from St. Petersburg Petersburg has been such a wonderful funding source for psta. He is a son runner is hopelessly PRESIDENT All these here today from the race pieces cooperated with the race to hope make transportation to those games. And parking as well. I believe wrestling wb's coming in JANUARY in pca is working also with them with with the summer but all that being said folks I just want to say that I'd I don't want to see psta disassembled as its food happening right now. It's not for the. What St. Petersburg stands for which is equity and inclusion and so I'm thankful we all will be going forward. But the resolution to not support the Florida Legislature. I'm sorry local legislative delegation. With The proposal that they have but that's all I have to say I really appreciate you on. Thank you so much. They are speakers. Our Fauci speakers are. Hardegree and the minute co Conte Oreo please go to an open podium. State your name and address for the record you have 3 minutes to address City Council. Good afternoon Christian her degree 80 to 61 28th Avenue North St. Petersburg MADAM Chair, MADAM Vice chair council members. Is on the board of Governors for the chamber, I'm also the chair of the future of work committee. And the regional chancellor for usf Saint Pete's I come here with a couple of different hats and what I wanted to chat about which is really the historic gas plant district proposals that are before you will be the coming before you. For for raise Hines development as well hopefully your support for the ios building as well as our veterans success center. Over at Saint Pete I think about the 2 proclamations we just saw today and I love coming here is new the commit community. I learned so much more about the deep roots in history. The 2 proclamations we had today are really rooted in the audacious committed tenacious bayesian Aires who've been committed to this community is one of the things I love about Saint Pete people are committed. You locked arms to gather about how we move forward. COUNCILWOMAN Flowers it referred to a grandmother's and we have that option. And when I think about this development. This is a rarefied and unique opportunity for this community you know it it has that function element and much like the proclamations that went forward today. When I think of the words of Warren Buffett he said that someone is sitting in shade today because someone planted a tree long ago, we're planting trees. Right and it's going to provide the type of shade that has the impact for for generations that that provides for social mobility that brings new businesses grows businesses Spurs innovation that not just creates the jobs for a short immediate outcome, but for the long term that generates opportunities for our community to come together and to celebrate together. I'm Tom Peters I love leadership by I also love quotes but Tom Peters you know said that if a window of opportunity appears you don't pull down the shades and so when I think about what we're doing and whether it's for the environmental issue graphic science and Research Institute for our veterans success center or for our historic gas plant district. In the words of Gwendolyn Brooks the first black Pulitzer Prize winner. Do not desire to fit in desire to oblige yourselves to lead. So thank you for leading as we have these conversations as a community and for having the North star of how we do this together. Thank you. Yeah, Sir. >> The medical 0.6 70 10th Avenue thank you MADAM Chair and members of City Council. I'm here to go on record in support of the psta and the resolution that I believe is being presented today that opposes and cheney's psta a bill I moved to Saint Pete 15 years ago and I immediately recognized it as a of a walkable city which is a rarity in in Florida and the nation and 2 years ago I am notice outside I became car-free I rely on the pst as many do here in Saint Pete. The this bill is fueled by misinformation about what the psta is what it can do. How it gets funded. It hands of citizens of Saint Pete, a disservice by reducing the board representation from 3 to one. And the pc needs to remain collaborative to plan for the area's And I commend and thank my city Council was an attorney to just going for a spot in the resolution and I encourage that what you've been doing psta which is really important to me I encourage all the leadership in including the mayor to be more vocal against. The kind of legislation Cheney her supporters are putting out there. It is attack on the regular people of Saint Pete and Pinellas County. I'd also like to go on record that started a support psta dot us that currently has 250 signatures but opposes cheney's bill and encourage anybody else who supports the pst to add their name and stay informed and be a vocal about what's happening to our great little city. Thank you. >> There were speakers numerous speakers, okay we will go ahead and close open forum and that this time we're going to take up our new business and go to item g one council member Jessica. Thank you just to introduce this item I just want to give a little bit of background I I like many others I I read with interest the pieces on the opinion page of the Tampa Bay times. One from for mayor, Rick Baker and one from the Times editorial board. I'm suggesting that we. Look changing the name of our home team to the St. Petersburg raise. I heard from different people and I saw online as well that there is a lot of discussion about this and I thought I you I see good points on both sides of it and I think we really owe it to our residents to have that discussion. It's not that I and specifically in favor of changing it. What I'm in favor of it is a fair and open discussion in our public forum. About this I wondered what my colleagues think and of course because of sunshine like couldn't ask them unless we're in this meeting and so that is why I have brought this forward today so that we could hear from the public and discuss it ourselves therefore I am respectfully requesting. And the administration include in-stadium negotiations at t name change from Tampa Bay rays to St. Petersburg raise and present a report on the subject to City Council during its scheduled meeting on Jan. 4th 2024. This should give enough time for some conversations to be had if we decide to move it forward between the administration and the rays and see what we might be able to come up with. Thank you. And. So that was your motion and a second okay the motion a second I know we have cards on this before we go to public comment, however I have invited American Welsh and PRESIDENT Of the rays Brian all to speak on the So if gentleman you want to go ahead and go to both podiums up please go ahead and share your comments. Thank you MADAM Chair and Thank you for the invitation to discuss this issue as you know the issue of renaming the Tampa Bay rays is not included. In the term sheet and I appreciate the opportunity to discuss why that is. This is not a new issue in fact it was an issue that was. Discuss some 15 years ago when I was a a county Commission member actually had some here at that time. As a county commissioner I didn't support the idea then and as mayor today. Still believe it's an idea of a pastor at a time of a smaller. Saint Pete. And today, it's a notion that undermines our progress towards an agreement with the rays and I think would distract us from our primary goal which is redeveloping the historic gas plant. A renaming the team is simply not a priority. 4. Our broader community. For my administration or our partners in the Heinz Res group and Pinellas County. And it most certainly has nothing to do with the promises that were made to the gas plant communities. In the last 3 years of this conversation, including a year on the campaign trail with a few of you all. In 2 years as mayor we've engaged thousands of citizens and community conversations. Both in-person and virtually we talk with business and community organizations we've had regular briefings with counsel intentionally having that. Inclusion of counsel from the start. And renaming the team simply has not been mentioned as an issue much less a priority. As a terms sheet stated we are exploring however strategic and I think effective ways to raise the profile of St. Petersburg in branding and uniforms and I've asked for more than one game. With the Saint Pete brand uniform and signage and other promotions. Visit Saint Pete Clearwater is also in discussion with the rays to increase the marketing of the county. So I would ask Council that we just and breathe for a minute consider where we are today. We important point in our city's history is the closest we've ever been to securing the equitable redevelopment of historic gas plant. This route. And honoring those promises made to the community and building a long-term multi use home for the rays and for our community. And that will provide decades of return on investment to our city and our County and I think we ought to remain focused on that overarching goal. My last point speaks to how we got to this point after so many decades of failing to get there. We achieved through partnership and building trust. The county which is investing more than the city. In this stadium. Is not calling for this change. The rays who are paying more than half the stadium costs. And that's something that some folks said would never happen. They are strongly opposed to this name change for some very valid business reasons. Major league baseball which is supportive of a new stadium in St. Petersburg would have to weigh in as well. And so because we're focused on the goal in the equitable redevelopment of this story gas plan district in because we respect the partnership that has brought us this far and because of my confidence in Saint Pete's ascension as a vibrant community to compete with any community in Tampa Bay in Florida. A request for changing the name of Tampa Bay rays is not something that's in the term sheet. We'd be happy to get to that report that you request, but I'm kind of giving you now how we got to this point. In my administration is I'm not supportive of asking for the name change we think would be detrimental to the progress we made if not fatal to this redevelopment effort so thank you MADAM Chair. Thank you mayor. This route. Thank you it is always great to be at these Council always always leave with my heart a little bit COUNCILMAN Mom and if you don't mind we'd like to connect to many years MISTER Swindle MISTER Annika some time not familiar enough with the with the nicknames but to have a throw first pitch in and out of the game and take care of them so let's make sure we take care of for all that support. Thank you chair gabbard for inviting me to speak tonight regarding name for baseball team and thank you to all members of Council for the continued efforts to understand our business and its future. We are the Tampa Bay rays for more than 25 years the Tampa Bay rays have probably called St. Petersburg our hometown and that's what we want for the next 25 years and decades beyond our name is deliberately inclusive. Our fans live throughout Tampa Bay West central Florida and they come to St. Petersburg to watch their raise play. One of our first priority is when we began running what was then the Devil Rays was to expand our reach we played regular season games in Orlando. We built a spring training facility in Charlotte County. We reached out to be able to draw more people into our hometown and to our ballpark. Tampa Bay rays fans are also fans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the Tampa Bay Lightning and our own Tampa Bay rowdies in 2020 as we grapple with covid and its impact the whole region rally around our sports teams and their amazing seasons. We're nationally recognized as champ Abe with the rays proudly representing St. Petersburg the rays are committed to our region and to our fans and we cherish our hometown St. Petersburg as someone who grew up bouncing around never having lived anywhere for more than 5 years at a time. I can tell you that Petersburg is my only hometown. I've been here nearly 20 years. I got married here that all 3 of my kids here. I send them to our public schools participate and support all the businesses and community organizations in St. Petersburg that I can I love this city which is exactly what I can understand the ambitions of some for the team to change its name. It's also why you've already heard about our intentions to regularly where Saint Pete raise uniformity ballpark. It's why we're having extensive talks with visit Saint Pete Clearwater about how to raise the profile of our city and county in that new ballpark. We firmly believe that a new home for the Tampa Bay rays and the development project that accompanies it our wonderful things for the city. The on the job creation and the tremendous impact on our local economy. The Ballpark in development will raise the profile of Saint Pete nationally and internationally. It will be transformative for a downtown and the city as a whole. As we shared with you all individually in our one-on-one meetings we have tremendous respect for the role you play in this incredibly important decision for Petersburg and its future. We appreciate that you can and should discuss anything and everything relevant to your decision-making process. But please understand that when the within the context of this particular issue. There will not be a new ballpark nor development project if there's a requirement to change our franchise his name. We are the Tampa Bay rays. We proudly call St. Petersburg our hometown and we're so excited about the energy the excitement and the impact we can create here with this ballpark and neighborhood development. We're thankful for all the support voice for the project from businesses community groups and individuals throughout St. Petersburg overwhelmingly they want the Tampa Bay rays here to stay. We want the Tampa Bay rays here to stay of course whether we do is ultimately in your hands and the hands of the Board of County commissioners. >> We go to public comment is cut you could see the time. They want to call your name please go to an open podium state your name and address for the record. You have 3 minutes to address City Council. Robert cupp who stent and Abdul as easy. >> Good My name is Robert I reside at 1410 45th Avenue North St. Petersburg Florida. Thank you for this opportunity and thank all of you for your service to the city. You know takes a lot of time and effort acting as a council member and hearing matters like this. I would like to support my a strong support of renaming the team the St. Petersburg raise. There's a lot of discussion about it, but to me it does not make sense to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to promote Tampa. Because in reality, Tampa Bay. The public perception of the name Tampa Bay in Tampa are one and the same. And that's for it's a false narrative I think to say that it's a regional name. It is not. Evidence by the fact that what is the Tampa chamber call itself. They've changed their name to the Tampa Bay chamber. Tampa Tampa Bay or one of the same. You've heard speakers up here saying we're going to raise the profile approach other methods of raising the profile will put the names on the uniform. If you want to raise the profile of St. Petersburg I mean the St. Petersburg raise you want to get national international attention named in the St. Petersburg raise. It just doesn't make any sense to me that we have this golden opportunity now and to blow it by not naming them. The St. Petersburg raise I economic development will happen there regardless. We've got a prime spot when a different position now than we were 30 years ago, we've got all kinds of people that would love to develop it. The development won't go away. It will remain and the benefits that we can drive as the city by naming at St. Petersburg are incalculable thank you. Thank you. >> When it was a bill as easy ago ways the fronts come easy. My address is 166 in a state known 3 to 4 support 3, 3, 7, 0, 5, And I want to say that the ownership of phrase. We love Saint Peter's up to we loved and night. Since 10 years I called some pieces of my home. I'm originally from Afghanistan from Kabul and the city gives my new home and now even when I go when I come back, I'm like I'm back and back home. So anyway. I believe in him and Tampa Bay rays to simply as a graze. What not only beneficial to give us that the commission nationally but that would be internationally. Most mlb teams. The PRESIDENT's their city and since St. Petersburg is providing boat land on financial support forest for the stadium. It is only fitting that the team carries our city name. I understand concerns about neighboring cities. But what term attracts visitors all over. Appreciate the unique uniqueness off St. Petersburg let's embrace thus a portion of the for the commission's our city and its residents. Truly deserve. St. Petersburg race. It is not that hard let's do it. Thank you. Thank you. Speakers Shaun Gallagher and vents know whiskey please go to an open podium state your name and address for the record you have 3 minutes to address Council. >> I'm Sean for 33rd Avenue South. First off I want to thank you guys all of you for the opportunity to come here and talk about this issue. I've been a problem resident here of St. Petersburg for around 14 years. And I'm also a local business owner and a professional athlete. And this issue is really at heart to me being an athlete. You know I you know came here as an athlete and as a business owner and I really think that our city is an amazing city. You know and and hearing the issue about what we're doing with the new stadium. How are city is going to be putting our tax dollars. Our land into a new stadium is amazing. But that is a very significant financial investment from our city inland investment and with that I you know had some concerns with the fact that it doesn't bear our team name. Because of that of concern for that in the future of our city and how this really does impact us economically. In our our vision of what our city is going to be in the future. I decided that the right thing to do is create a a group here locally in our city. So I started a group about a week about 10 days ago we have overwhelming support for changing the city name we have over a 150 people who have already signed on and that's growing hourly and daily of people in the city who want the name changed. I think it's it's everyone I talked to that's the majority of people really want that for our city we really feel that that is the right thing for us. You know, there's a lot of reasons why. And obviously that financial aspect is a big thing. And our group called name at Saint Pete dot com. Is is really it's been growing and anyone who wants to support that can go ahead and come on our site and support that. Lastly you know I wanted to talk about myself as a professional athlete, I you know run marathons I'm training to hopefully qualify for the Olympic trials. And one of the things I did this past week is Iran, a local race here in The boils 5 k for Christmas and holiday. Our mayor was there and he with sort of like the officiating or for starting the race and I was happy to have him there. He said something that really struck me that was you know in Saint Pete we have a saying in that scene is br Saint Pete. And that is so true we are Saint Pete and I feel we are seeing Pete our team should also say we are Saint Pete. So I thank you for your time and consider vote thank you. Thank you. Hey good afternoon Vincent know if the 2 to 5 1st Avenue North unit 2000. First off and I'd like to apologize to a lot of folks up here on the on the diocese, I know I've been at this with a lot of you at times. And with the Christmas season upon us and the message of Christ. It gives you time to reflect and I think all of us have something in common is that we love our city above everything else and that's why we're all here today. You know, Peter demon's you know came here in 1888 because he had pride for his hometown St. Petersburg and that's why we're called St. Petersburg here today is because somebody had a vision. Somebody believed and what they live for and where they came from and want to make a better place for themselves and their family. I know there's not much I can say to change up most of your minds that probably already have it made. But we do all have that in common is that we love our city. We have pride in where we live. And if we talk about elevating our city raising our profile you know what better way than to give national and international recognition recognize ation to our city from one of the greatest baseball teams in the country. You know you took that talk about the chamber, the St. Petersburg chamber, he go to the St. Petersburg store, I went there today. There's only 2 things in the entire store that's it that's l Tampa on it and the way he's looking at me and said you have anything in here that says Tampa and she says no one and found 2 little Christmas ordinance at a Tampa Chuck what he wants and that's a stamp on it we're in Saint Pete we have our own identity. I said oh well, you know I don't know but and then I walked down and. And want to come here and and talk to us today. Let's be committed to Saint Pete. Let's be committed to that pride of why we all volunteered why you'all volunteered to serve to constantly put up with public scrutiny. Harassment complains emails text messages. Phone calls 31. And run for reelection and you know run for office, but you all did it because we have pride in our city. And so we're not voting on changing the name today we're not voting to you know kick out the razor to stop development. All we're doing all you are doing today is voting on having a discussion bringing it open and involving more people so that we can continue to have a world-class baseball team as somebody said earlier today, baseball changes lives. And the rays have changed a lot of lives here in the city. So let's continue that pride for our city let's continue the lot of that we have and elevate the whole city because as it says outside these doors. We are Saint Pete. Thank you, GOD bless and happy New Year to all. Speakers in the final 2 speakers are can Mac and Rick Baker please go to an open putting up state your name and address for the record you have 3 minutes to address Council. Good afternoon. My name is Kenneth Mack, my address is 1837 20th Avenue South. I was here in 1959 I was born in 1958 at mercy Hospital I live down that Avenue South and I now have retired after a 42 year career in Texas and some of the talk about the profile of the book of the Bay of the rays. And so I went to good oak Southside Madeira Beach graduated from Boca ciega so this is home. I just happen to come back now with retiring so what I can tell you is a perspective about the Tampa Bay rays. In Houston. A lot of fans for the Tampa Bay rays. They wear the uniforms, the hats they're all there. So the profile is there and we're talking about raising it. There are tons of fans that lovely Gloria and all the other players for the race. I don't think we really need to change the name when I go to a Dallas, I lived there for the last 10 years and would have to go to the stadium and see them play. The Rangers. The profile this morning. Plenty of fans sitting in the stands wearing their gear. The hasta jerseys and so I don't really think that there's a need to change. The name of of the baseball team. It speaks for itself, it speaks for the region and if you think about it. The Texas Rangers that stadium sits in Arlington Texas. But you also have Grand Rapids but not great at this, you have Arlington you have a Dallas, you have Grand Prairie you bunches of cities around that area. But they all represent. The Texas Rangers, you go back down to Houston where live for 30 years. And you have the Astro's there you have Katie you have Houston Sugar Land. All of those other cities around it, but Houston is what it represents so I would say. Let's all get behind supporting this initiative to build this new stadium. Support it. And let this initiative really help revitalize its downtown area I've seen it happen in Houston, I saw it happen in Dallas said that last night at the event and I really support this initiative. I do not support renaming the stadium or we name the team or anything for that matter because the brand is already there I see it in in Texas for the last 40 years. Everybody knows who the Tampa Bay rays are. Thank you. MADAM Chair members of City Council. Good to see you I was around in 1959 had I wasn't here in 1959. >> As surely young back then but I want to first thank you all for your to the city. I I know that that's a very time consuming job with a lot of hard work that you all do it I want to thank you for that one. Thank you for Mir and the effort he's put to thank Brian all for being here today too and we don't always agree, but I do thank him for the hard work he puts in. Both for the team and for his living in the city and and being part of the city for all these years. And just because you sometimes disagree on an issue doesn't mean that that you don't appreciate what other people were doing and I do so I I guess my position on this is pretty well-known I. The the call but I for the Times. In the end the call that actually the Times editorial board wrote and this subject I still agree with both of those I think the editorial board did a very good analysis of it and in And so I continue to support. The idea today. I think what this is really this is about is not making that decision. Today is a personal. I want to thank council member Gina Driscoll you note it takes courage to bring in bring up an issue like this which maybe not everybody is going to agree with when you bring it up. But you did and I but I believe that you did it because you're hurts for city. And you really believe that that St. Petersburg if it's going to put in. Hundreds of millions of dollars and incredibly valuable property into the enterprise. Then at least we ought to have a discussion about whether the team name could be St. Petersburg right. And there are 2 sides of any negotiation right t