City Council

>> Welcome to the city of St. Petersburg City Council meeting and your elected officials our mayor Ken Welch. >> District one Council vice chair, hopefully Curtis. District 2 Randy Gabbert district 3 and Mary. District 4 with that kind of wind. And Council chair ever take Sanders. Gina Driscoll district 7 John Muhammad. And district day Ritchie Floyd. >> 18,020 for City Council meeting beginning with the roll call Sanders, your school. I meant. >> Your on to marry you. Analysts here. Thank you so much and welcome we are going to start today's meeting by having invocation by pastor Ricardo well to prayer tower Church of GOD in Christ followed by the pledge of allegiance with everyone please join us in staying. But here's what the police. >> For that we thank you for this opportunity to come before you for your presence. We the seat you to grant and demand of with them. Grace and mercy upon this body of Council and the organs. Give them the with the men. The understanding of King Solomon give them the compassion of Ruth the protection of Keane David and let all of our needs today. In the message this name of your son who is our creator. We aksed that you do all that is required today to give understanding with them. Compassion and grace. We aksed these and all of your blessings in the mess is name our savior a man. >> I pledge allegiance. The lab. The United States of America and to the Republic, which it stands one nation, I'm your guy invisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you pastor. Well as for that moving indication, you know I always appreciate you. Council members. We have the force an agenda where we have 2 items to be deferred f 5 and f 6 to a future meeting if there are no changes are entertain a motion for approval move through. We have a motion has been probably second can you please open the machine from voting. Now that are present council members there voted can you please talent announce the vote. MADAM Chair, the motion to approve the agenda passes unanimously with council members. And mom is being absent. All right. Thank you. Council members we also have the consent agenda where c 18 was pool to report says the good news item f 7 if we have no changes. Do we have any cars on the consent agenda. Have a comment. We do not okay and entertain a motion for approval approval second. Now that was been moved and seconded can you please open the machine for voting. Now that are present council members there voted can you please tallying announce the vote. Madam chair, the motion to approve the consent agenda passes unanimously with councilmember stress going momma being absent. Thank you. Now we have open form can you please read the rules. You MISTER Address to the Council on subjects other than public hearing. Work was as you dish items listed on the agenda please sign up with only the individual wishing to a sign a sign the open form she on the city residents. Owners of property business owners in the city or there. Employees MAY speak. All issues discussed and 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 agenda you MAY only speak months 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 be given 3 minutes to speak and after which the market from will be muted. If you wish to address to the council through the zoom meeting, mis use the raise hand feature button in the zoom app or into star 9 on your phone. At the time the agenda item is address. When it's your turn to speak up on you to access state your name and address. At the conclusion of your comments or when you're each 3 minutes time will be muted. All raise hands will be lowered after each agenda item regardless of the method of participation use normal rules apply, including the 3 minute time limit on comments requirement that any peace imitation presentation materials must be submitted in advance of the meeting and the rules of the court if life of the comment is disrupted by the violations of the rules of the of the Koran. Shares authorized to accept public comment by alternate means. Coming back. It MAY only and ensure we do have some speakers. Our call the 2 at a time. It's going to put him I said call your name please go to a podium state your name and address for the record. You have 3 minutes to address City Council. Peter Kant and revenue Ben Winder please go to I the podium. >> Good afternoon. I'm Peter Kant retired commissioner of public to get anyway St. Petersburg council member and with its Mon. To Tampa Bay times article accurately summarize part of what's wrong with the proposed raise Heinz deal. If it is approved stood Stu Sternberg is likely to immediately so the Res re billion dollars more than before the approval and take the over the rays Hines Development corporation. He will have sole control of 65 prime acres for a half billion dollars under his current fair market value with no money down and 30 years to pay. The city is obligated built most of the required infrastructure. His goal is to sell parcels and increasing price to builders and make another billion dollars. If you received the additional grants and tax write offs from the local state and federal government. He MAY build 200 portable housing units for people earning under 80% of am I in additional 450,450 units also. If something bad happens like. The 2008 financial crisis or a hurricane strike. In the next 30 years he can walk away were partially finished developed and no laws. If the probe pros raise Heinz deal is not approved. The rays should build their new stadium near the high speed rail connection with Orlando. The city will start building the development infrastructure and Sela parcels after the rays fifty-fifty split expires in 2027. The city could take that billion dollars in property. Sales profits and investment for programs. A quarter of a billion dollars in 2, 0 interest second mortgage affordable House program to help 10,000 families. Obtain and renovate and private from owning homes. Second of quarter billion dollars. In the most impactful elements of the unfunded tree quarter billion dollars stormwater program to reduce flooding and hard in the city from hurricane's damage. 3rd quarter of a billion dollars into enlarging the city's water and sewer system to handle the population increase in reduced water rate increases. For a full quarter of a billion dollars in the property tax reductions to continue to attract people and businesses to Saint Pete. Also the city and county should end the downtown in city development districts that will contribute $20 million annually to pay for citywide expenses. If we're all a family of 4, we'll be at least $24,000 better off. Thank you. >> I'm Dan wind 7.65 85th Avenue North and the pastor of First Baptist Church of Petersburg in 1900 Gandy Boulevard North. I'm here today as a member of faith in action for strength together and it will come as no surprise to you other we are here again making sure that you hear from us our desire. The during the mayor's first term he builds 5,000 units of new housing, affordable for those making 80%. Or less as you probably remember. He hosted an event at first Baptist. Sanctuary was full of. Folks wanting to hear from the mayor and hear from their city about what the plans were. Most everyday hear from someone in our needs an affordable option for. And I'm not here. >> But I am here to remind you that we need to do what we can to help those who are the least of these among us who need an affordable place to live and 80% the area median income are the folks who should. Be getting these things that we can use from the state and the federal government and the city to help them have affordable housing rather than helping folks who like me might be at a higher income level and sure we'd love to help. But it's not as important for folks are making a 120% of the area median income for more to get that support as it is for those making 80% or less. So again. Hoping that the city will be able to your leadership is to come together to create 5,000 units of housing. >> That each of you will make plans already on your schedule. When you're invited next year the company of my action if you're still in office. But you'll come and be a part of that and just quickly to councilor Gary who is both my representative of where I live and of my church. I hope that you will make efforts to be there would mean a lot. >> Cooper and John even Nelson. We go to either. >> Could we have them fix the microphones before anyone else speaks okay. Thank you, thank you. We want to turn out one on you said just okay, go down. I'm sorry I missed the names of who who says Scott Cooper in Geneva, Nelson. >> My name is Jean, even Nelson I live it. 1,049th Street North in it will seek St. Petersburg Florida and a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church in St. Petersburg which is also a member of fact asked. You know we have an affordable housing crisis in Saint Pete, not just here but we do have it here for anybody who's not wealthy. But the most. And burst Lee people who make more less than 80% of the area median income we all know that paying more than 30% of your income for your house and is pretty much unworkable both for most people unless you're wealthy 90% of the more than 90% of the people in Saint Pete you pay more than 50% of their income for housing are people who make 80% below of a month. I know people who have left the state to go live with relatives. They went full time, but they can't afford a place to live here. I know people who have doubled up 7 people in it tiny 2 bedroom House. It's just not workable I know there's been a lot of people moving into Saint Pete if the wealthy in the luxury high-rise how long that can continue when they find they can't plant health care workers. You can find people to clean the buildings. They can't find people to manage the amenities and all the buildings. The mayor has made it clear he's going to build some affordable how has and he's willing to do. A tiny tiny amount of what's needed. He's not going to step up. We asked you to step up because he won't. There are lots and lots There's lots funds out there to help with affordable housing. But you but the city has to its money to 2. Helping people who are low-income have a place to live does not just help them and helps the city we have a more stable population. Many people who live in their cars because they can no longer afford to have a place to live our home was live on the street. How many more those people you want to be here. I don't think that's what we want to happen city. And you can do something about it. >> Good afternoon. It's so. And a privilege. And stand up with a fastball he's speaking the Mike for us please Sir. You sure show. You can hear me now right. Doctor Martin Luther King junior Street South. Hartman 4, 1, 6, St. Petersburg 3, 3, 7, 0, 5, To make the short quick. Because that get back to work. There's a dire need for 4 housing. And the city of Saint Pete. The average resident as running an apartment in the city of Saint Pete is paying an average of $1500 monthly. The average individual residing in city of St. Petersburg earns $39,375. The pay scale in the city ranges from 33,000 65 which 25th percentile to 61,000 94 which is the 75th percentile so hold our room. And a lot of households here there's over. The 3rd one and a 3rd of ones in combat is paid out. One money doesn't mean that your place of residence will be clean and safe. Case in point. I paid $1500 and I live at the wailing apartments which are 100 yards from where the proposed stadium is going to be built. I was watches I've dealt with various to issues from maintenance and management. Which led me to hire an attorney 2 legal way. For people who are unable to to deal with the mental health financial and the inability for to obtain resources in our community and state has become increasingly more difficult that Has a lot to do with affordable housing stress of not being able to find adequate place to live. We're being able to financially sustain their living situations. Ways have. Par residents in the community. The lack of grocery stores on the south side of Petersburg is more disturbing. It's been an issue since I moved here almost 9 years ago. You can do anything productive you don't have food. Housing and mental health. With all due respect please step up. The put un office you could be voted out. It's 2 speakers, MADAM Chair. Bradley believes mccoy and William Kilgore people to the podium on my right, your left. An address for the record you have 2 minutes to the City Council. >> I mean it's Brad mccoy and from area way South. Council members and leaders of Saint Pete I'm deeply concerned with the proposed 3 Heinz deal. It doesn't represent the needs and wants of our community concerns that that council members are representing the people for which they were elected to represent. And topping in talking with district I councilmember last week I was told the reasons for their intention to vote. Yes to include the following items in the following order from the most important to least important number one the black history museum number to her grandchildren and number 3 to get this approved before another a year before another potential mayor. What I didn't hear was that the Springs, a large amount of affordable housing. This is what the needs of District 5 want are the people of District 5 one and their needs meets their needs. This will benefit the community as a whole or that this will be a net positive project that provides more than you tend to spend. Here are my remarks of the whole project we can build a black history museum without giving money to a bunch of old rich white men. They lack, there's a lack of affordable housing and a lack of accountability for affordable housing and it's beautiful. Saint Pete is losing its greenery and this project has very little to add overall this project does not consider all of the necessary and final environmental concerns that we will be facing over the next few decades. And this doesn't align with the city's green plans. This is robbing taxpayers and sending too much money to someone that doesn't deserve it you're accountable to the people of the city and the still doesn't represent what the people need it represents what it's like if you want a deal this big shouldn't be pushed through for the sake of getting it through please do what's right for Saint Pete as a whole. Thank you. >> Everybody thank you My name is William Kilgore I'm not a 2550 28 Avenue North. I'm with the St. Petersburg tenants union. I'm here right. Yeah I stand with all of these folks. We're speaking out against the rays Heinz deal. You know it was funny to restate that cow meeting that happened I wasn't out here. But there is a a protest outside and you know and during that meetings I watch the recording afterward you had the race PRESIDENT. Co PRESIDENT Brian Auld. Blasting critics of the deal and his opening comments saying it you know criticizing the deal is a it's a simplistic cynical and counterproductive view of the world. You know I thought that was quite smug and I in my my view. You know, I'm sorry but you know trade demanding transparency accountability and equity in a deal where we're getting hundreds of millions of dollars the giant corporation is is not simplistic cynical are counterproductive. You know, it's called being a good citizen, it's called you know demanding more from it from your elected officials. You know and those comments that you made are just fundamentally undemocratic I'm sure he'd crown himself King it's a you know key had you know ability to you know. I think it's immoral to be giving big handouts to corporations when there's so much suffering in this community. You know is it cynical to be against. You know these corporate handouts with no benefits. You know when people are sleeping out on the streets. You know sleeping in on the sidewalk. You know it exposed to the elements. Homeless individuals having a life expectancy 30 years lower the rest of the public. You know that that is that is a crime to be giving that much money when you got that kind of thing when you have little kids who are living in motels in hotels like we do in Pinellas County. You know because they their parents and the families can't afford. Housing in kids have to grow up like that when you have hundreds of evictions being filed every month in Pinellas County and you've got. Writ of possession. You know and having to tell their kids hey you know we're going to have to we're going to have to move we're going to have to move out of the area you're not going to be able to see your friends anymore. You've got old folks living in the golden years of their lives and they're not able to enjoy it they're not able to enjoy the fruits of their labor everything that they could contributed to this community because they don't have a place to live and they're forced to live in their car where they're forced to live out on the street or in a homeless shelter and it's wrong. Thank you. >> Thanks to speakers, MADAM Chair, James Scott and Kathy Harris and please go to the putting on my right, your left state your name and address for the record you have 2 minutes to address to the council. >> Good afternoon Council good to see you again. So 5324 Street South. Saint Pete resident for over 16 years now. Good to see you guys again I have not been of the dice in a while. I'm here to talk about the Heinz. Am I missing something. I named James Scott I apologize, it's it's been a minute. So I'm here to have us your club about the the race Heinz deal. Back in 39 I think 3 energy he's not here right now, but 3 of 8 of you voted in favor of the integrated sustainability action plan. That was the city's commitment to transition its energy supplied 100% clean power. Yesterday Ron desantis signed a bill striking climate change from Florida law. Taking climate change seriously or not. You'll see in the news later we just had a press conference outside of 2 30 about the deal different perspectives your club perspective we like the rays, the rays have been a good part of this community. The tax part of it there's people living in their cars, there's hungry kids this homeless kids so the idea that the finances the taxes there's a lot there's a lot to this. i'm coming at this from an environmental perspective. Are we a leader on climate change or not I popped into the hearse committee meeting and I heard councilmember Gabbert estan really good questions as you can or g. Duke energy is not going to get us to where we need to be if we take climate change seriously. The fact that this project has proposed is not have serious tangible accountable measures. Around removal energy is a dereliction of duty. It's a breaking a promise. Saint Pete is a progressive thoughtful forward thinking city because of this really remarkable coalition of downtown Chamber of Commerce types, neighborhood Association types hippie environmentalist types. All right that coalition is why we have such a cool Council in such a cool city. But we keep finding again and again that a lot of its talk. The substance is in there. If this project does not have a key. To be powered by renewable power to transition our city to clean power. That is a litmus test if you think the climate change. It's an issue of our time just like poverty and homelessness are if you take that seriously. This project has got to reflect that and and I know that you know it's your club part of our role is in our advocacy is endorsements of being involved in politics and elections. And we elected a lot of you folks understanding that you took this really seriously. The project has proposed is not reflect that climate change is happening Google nasa climate change and look what's coming our way we're ground 0. The Sierra Club asked to take us seriously. We want to work with you to make that happen this deal should not be of there's a lot of reasons why the Steelers problematic. But the climate issue in the energy issue. You all have the power to make Saint Pete a leader in the state in the nation. Other cities that do to other cities have done it please do the right thing. >> Good afternoon. I'm Cathy Harrelson and governor desantis if you're listening my address is 2, 5, 7, 7, 32th ave North just saying now ok what James said I agree with all of that I did want to let you know that I understand that this is a tough funded deal. And I can tell you is working for William are half on the bond us with tips were invented. You know and also farms but Funding never makes it into the community and it is one of the problems we have here. That's been true pretty much of this downtown tif all along for us to this is not really a deal. If we get no tax funding, no tax dollars. No revenue dollars including tv. My little monthly Bally app that I pay for cause. I'm a fan of the rays. And we're giving away hundreds of millions of dollars from the get on the market value, which you can't get that back the opportunity cost of the city is is massive overtime. So I say keep the rays and fix the deal. I did send over my staff to chop task force in APRIL and I did want to please ask you all you all got it. Did want to ask you to please move this forward as soon as possible. I noticed it was not a new business for today you are moving some things forward into committee but that was not on there so I would love to see that happen. We do want to savor being shade trees cause I think we all know the Heat is on I did also want to mention that we're having a citizen Forester listening sessions and various rec centers around the city. Last night was the first one at Davis to which Bay Vista by the way has an oak tree out front that is older than the United States. I recommend checking that out it's pretty impressive. If I could still climb trees and definitely be climbing that one. But there is one tonight injury occurs in several next week you can look on the website but they started 6.30 we love was a great discussion. We're currently also talking there about the problem of insurance companies telling homeowners that they have to cut trees down in order to have coverage that's another whole discussion I think that probably needs to be above my pay grade but that needs to get done. So I think you all for what you're doing climate change is real writing in on the laws doesn't make it go away thank you. >> Speaker MADAM Chair believe is the co Morris please go to put him right state your name and address for the record you have 3 minutes to address City Council. I'm Nicole Morris said 2, 8, 7, 5, 23rd Avenue North. I'm coming here on environmental issues but I can rip it back into what everybody's talking about that there are a stadium. Good afternoon. My name is Nicole Morrison, a 5th generation, Saint Pete native. If you know my last name than you know my family's bookstore Wilson spoke world which we haven't done operated for 55 years. And this time that's I loved growing up, here's a child in embracing the wonder that our environment has to offer us here in or 6. The immersive experiences that last a lifetime working from home has enabled me to open space to explore the city more in with open eyes. I like a lot of the community frequent Benoit Park multiple times a day not just to enjoy the scenic beauty but to engage with the local and diverse wildlife that lives there. I'm saddened today to present an 80 court to visit ties that the city leaves on the ground after every event that was the top of that I had with me that I had to take downstairs so I apologize if that put a bit of a ruffle in the committee. When I called the parks and rec division for the county to inquire about the mess the only alternative was to use metal wire national events like tacos and tequila come into our home and trash it with no penalize stations. No environmental standards of operation or care for wildlife which I walk with a dolphin on that seawall everyday his 9 feet long and is live there for 15 years, a lot of the community engages with them. Today I ask that this changes and we show environmental stewardship as we grow to one of the top operating cities in this country and I ask you to think of those who lived here before us for thousands of years which we have parks that barely get any acknowledgement for like Queen Island people. Thousands of years and stewardship with this land as preserving it for generations that will inherit what we leave unattended. Thank you for your time and listening with your pets. >> It was only one just outside someone just friends. >> Jay what users enter into the meeting space peas you just tell state your name and address for the record you have 2 minutes to address City Council. Please state your name and address for the record and you have 3 minutes to address City Council. My name is Jeremy tober go with it for 17 lead away Northeast in St. Petersburg I you know the understatement to call last week's q and a with the teen disappointing. It's really hard to decide which is worse the complete lack of solid answers coming from the teen or the apparent lack of concern that's caused by some officials. I know there's some of this Council said they won't support this deal unless it's changed to better protect the interests of citizens. But we've seen 0 compromise on any of these demands. There's been no serious commitment to affordable housing there's been no profit sharing with the city. There's no binding agreements even to stay in the area. Even something as simple as that proposed name change from one of the council members was ridiculed that denounced by team representatives. So let's stop pretending like this is some sort of a negotiation instead of a complete surrender if we approve it and we need to also stop pretending like this project would be good for the people of the city. I mean this project only promises to be a fiscal sinkhole for generations to come. For those local businesses in the area, this richly guarantees economic hardships. There's a looming financial downturn ahead of this country. I think the people who can afford to attend an expensive ballgame in the next coming years will not have the money to support local businesses and those businesses are already struggling. We can also know that this private is almost guaranteed to harm families. I think most of the speakers have already presented figures representing how much money will be taken away from parents and those parents also need it now more than ever. Those funds gets taken away from generations of children and those kids are already severely lacking in educational and community support in this area. Instead we can already see this project will only Seattle those children with 30 years of debt and a deteriorating infrastructure to build an unnecessary stadium for a business it could easily afford it right now. The best interests of the parents and the children St. Petersburg should be the only concern of everyone sitting on this Council. I mean I know their well-being has been completely ignored by supporters trying to rush this deal through but everyone on this Council who cares about protecting future generations. The city could not approve this project in good safe have to vote it down until a better agreement could be reached. >> We speak is thank you to all of our speakers now we will close open for and we will move to awards and presentations in presenting our first clock proclamation the 2 is the military appreciation month proclamation by our mayor, you know what. >> Thank you, MADAM Chair members of Council are great Saint Pete team members of the public. MADAM Chair, we're actually going to start with the law enforcement officer, a proclamation will do the military. The first proclamation a is for law enforcement appreciation month and acknowledges the dedicated men and women of law enforcement including our own Petersburg Police Department whose commitment to duty insurers. Our community safety with professionalism and accountability. We commend their selfless service and the sacrifices that they and their families make every day to keep our city safe. As you see chief Holloway and his team have joined me at the podium. Thank you all for the work I do every day. And the proclamation reads whereas the safety and security of our community are Paramount. And whereas law enforcement officers dedicate themselves to protecting and serving our citizens with courage integrity and professionalism and whereas these brave men and women risk their lives daily to uphold the laws that safeguard our neighborhoods our businesses and our families. And whereas law enforcement appreciation month provides an opportunity for us to express our gratitude and our admiration for their unwavering commitment to public safety. And whereas their dedication often goes unrecognized yet their contributions are invaluable to the fabric of our society. And whereas their sacrifices and selfless service deserve our utmost respect and support. And whereas we honor their bravery sacrifice and unwavering dedication to the protection of our community. Now therefore I can into Welsh mayor of the city of St. Petersburg do hereby proclaim MAY 20 24 as law enforcement appreciation month in the city of St. Petersburg and I call upon all citizens to join me in recognizing the invaluable contributions of our law enforcement officers and expressing our deepest appreciation for their service. Thank you all for your service. >> Thank you mayor and a half men with the Petersburg Police Department and law enforcement throughout the United States. Well thank you for the park mission and recognize the work that these men and women do each and every day putting their lives on the line for others so thank you good. >> We do have a few speakers councilmember mountaineering. Thank you MADAM Chair >> don't want to be too repetitive every every morning. Or get out of bed. I might I have my prayer time I pray every every morning for that safety of our. Our Police Department. Also Fire Department 10 everybody in the military, so I'm glad that we're honoring. Law enforcement today. And also our military members. All have a tough job. Every day you put on your uniform and your badge and your weapon and you just never know what you're going come up. But what sort issues you're going to have to deal with that day. I know I stand in awe of everything you do. I did want to just share just a little bit of Scripture. And I carry. A challenge coin with me everywhere I go the pba gave me and on it is a word from the prophet Isaiah and it says in heard the voice of the Lord saying, who shall I send we will go for us, you know answer here I am send me. That's what you all do every day. Thank you for standing up. And protecting our community. As our Police Department goes so goes to our city. So thank you very much. Thank you MADAM Chair. Thank you Council, vice chair during this thank you MADAM Chair. Certainly I echo counselor Martin narey sentiments. The one thing he didn't mention is you guys have to put up with us. So when I when I was reading this proclamation I said where's the whereas that they have answer text messages and phone calls and from the 8 of us and so I I just want to I just wanted to communicate my my thankfulness my sentiment every time I reach out to handful of you here and then it another probably doesn't that are here. It's almost an immediate response. It's helpful it's not full trying to fix a problem. And it just I tell you what it trickles down in the community sees it too they see it they feel it. It's just amazing and so. This appreciation month, I have the deepest appreciation for all of you I hope we communicate that enough to you but I'm certainly happy we get to celebrate the month with you and so thank you for everything you do. Thank you for continuing to want to do it every day that does not get lost on me thank you for continuing to keep our community safe. Thank you so much, thank you MADAM Chair. Thank you councilmember hand and it's thank you. So before it became a councilmember I was a prosecutor and I worked with the city of St. Petersburg Police Department on cases in a different capacity, right. >> They'd worked the case MAY be in the community that have to deal with all that bring it to the state Attorney's office and then we saw their work product and we had to make a decision whether to go forward and I did that not just with the Saint Pete Police Department but I did that with every agency in the county because the state Attorney's office works with every agency and it was at that time that I learned how fantastic the cp Police Department s and some of you work with me when I was the prosecutor. And now I get to see it from the other side from being a council member and seeing how you respond with the community and when I call and their issues and you immediately answer that call. And it goes from the top all the way to the bottom. From the officers on the reedy to this users, everyone and that level of professionalism should always be acknowledged and I am so proud of what you do. So thank you very much. Councilmember gather. Thank you chair and thank you chief for being here today and to everyone took time out of your very busy schedules to be here to receive some kind words, you know a month is never enough to say to all of you how much we appreciate you I've worked with so many of you individually as council members I call many of you friends and I just respect you so much you are heroes among us you are angels among us. The things you do for the residents of our city. Me as a council member I rest well at night knowing that you are all the ones who are protecting us keeping us safe. We have the best best police force in the country I believe you know you have a lot of scrutiny. That goes with the job that you take on and I know that you care yourselves in a way that many other should emulate and I have no concern about the interactions that you have with our residents. You know that you do it right you do it with your heart and you do what is best for the residents of St. Petersburg and I just want to personally thank you for that. Thank you chair. Thank you Sohn going around this off by just saying thank you. I don't have a whole lot of experience with police forces the guy but the experience I do have with this ap Police Department and I'm going to I have to we give kudos that he following. I have definitely noticed and it's seen a difference and your leadership. I am definitely appreciative of you are out of the box thinking you're open news doing different things to reach all of the city of St. Petersburg is everything perfect no nothing news. But eu is perfect it's perfect can get when it comes to community involvement in listening and being able to take some of these because I know when I call you came out you know you your yard can you grasp the answer my phone so I know how convenient you've made yourself. 2 council members, especially to myself and you surround yourself with a really nice team I love the support that you have and support that you've given us. Every day every time I see an officer no matter where they I always say thank you for your service and be safe out there because everybody wants to come home, everybody wants to go home and so thank you mayor Welch for this proclamation will mourn we're doing. Thank you thank you, thank you to our fine men and women in uniform in 4. What I've seen you doing a lot of things that don't know that you do. You have quite an operation I know that we can all be proud of someone and think well for that thank you so much. Now we have our military appreciation month proclamation. So. Thank you MADAM Chair before chief leaves I just want to echo the comments from Council long on the quality of our Police Department. We have folks no secret is out and folks want to come from all over to join the Police Department we've had folks as far away as New Zealand. Welcome to join a force now we do screen for Yankees fans and Reza thank but with 6 new officers will be sworn in more and also caused some of the mountain area There's one gives gladiator among that bunch MADAM Chair. But I just want to thank you chief and your entire team for a job to do every day. Now we also. >> We also want present a proclamation declaring MAY as military appreciation month. And as you know a lot of our officers our veterans and a lot of our city employees and veterans as well. And this month we want to recognize the courage sacrifice and unwavering dedication of our military personnel past and present lay the foundations of peace and freedom that we stand up on. I'd like now to invite city employees Bryant her real of security. Lisa Wheeler Bowman, our new community impact and safety liaison. Marine Corps veteran Gershon Faulkner's direction with this day. Deep wrangle junior commander of the vfw post 6827 to join me at the podium and all of the members of the military if you would to a stand where you are as I read the proclamation. >> So like spouses known. >> For as military appreciation month is a special time to recognize the contributions. Sacrifices and service of the members of all branches of the military. And whereas for generations, our military. We have proudly served our nation during times of conflict and peas and whereas our brave service men and women. Their families and loved ones have made a measurable sacrifices to protect the freedoms. We enjoy daily. And whereas during military appreciation month, we are reminded of this central role that the United States armed forces have played in the history and development of our city our state nation. And the world. And whereas their dedication often goes unrecognized yet their contributions invaluable to the fabric of our society and whereas we owe a debt of gratitude we could never pay for their bravery sacrifice and unwavering dedication to the protection of our country. Now therefore I can that he will smear the city of St. Petersburg do hereby proclaim MAY 20 24. As military appreciation month in St. Petersburg I call upon all citizens to join me and recognizing the invaluable contributions of our service men and service women. Veterans and their families and expressing our deepest appreciation for their service published. Thank you. This fall, I like to thank everyone. First of all I like to think everybody this year. Here we have to say. Well as a veteran. We also heard. Some gave all. Some some gave some and some gave all. We all took an oath to the Constitution of the United States of America to defend our country. Both domestic and far thank you. Thank you your honor, thank you mayor. Thank you City Council very very proud to be American. And it's a blessing is on to serve the greatest country on Earth. Thank you so much. >> I'm Lisa Bowman. Chair vice chair members of Council. Thank you so much mayor for that proclamation. Being a veteran myself. We experience a lot of things. are regular people yet when we at 18 years old I think back on my life that I make the best decision in my life at that time and that was to join the United States army. That is what has made me who I am today so MAY I want to thank you for your proclamation. And let us remember this Memorial Day. And woman this served and lost their life in the military. Thank you. >> Obligated to say something this one. Thank to the council thank you to mayor and as all of my fellow veterans have stated. So eloquently, you know we as bettors just thank you and it's honor to serve. I just think of all the veterans that live in the city than this this municipality that aren't here today we stand on their behalf as well so thank you. >> Councilmember mountaineering. Thank you MADAM Chair I I wanted to all the. Veterans that are that are here from all over the city, I know we we have a lot of veterans that in the city of St. Petersburg and it's very appropriate and thank you mayor for a. The proclamation. So that we can recognize people that served in the military. I able to go and in the right out of college it changed my life in it set me on a on a path I still do things When it comes to just basic things like shining my shoes and keeping things that I can in certain order it was all the talk to me from from the military. Sometimes I think I have ocd because everything is really what lined up perfectly. I my father was it was a veteran. My brother, Tim, and my son in is serving a in Air Force and like I said I say a prayer every day for for everybody that puts puts their life on the line whether it's in our Police Department Fire Department are in in our military, we have a lot to be thankful in this country. And it it MAY sign sound cliche but it's not freedom. It's never free. People have to pay a price. And if you go. Any time you go visit a cemetery you'll see you see the price that was paid to make our country such a great. Nation the greatest nation on Earth. Thank you MADAM Chair. Thank you. Vice chair gardens, thank you MADAM Chair. First I just want to say thank you to everybody and thank you for your service. It's an amazing amazing thing that you you've done for us in our country. I want to specifically say thank you to you councilmember Mount airy for bring that experience. That thoughtfulness to this tie us. I I I talked to a counselor Mount airy often about his value system. And I'm sure some of that came from your time in the military and I'm very from that perspective. Here on the dice on a daily basis. The the word that comes to mind when I think about military and military services selflessness and Brian I'm going to embarrass you for a second. At the doctor's office, 3 and a half weeks ago. And there's Brian sitting there with a loved one. And he's got his own stuff going on right, I got my own stuff going on. I'm going in for a procedure, his loved ones going in for a procedure. And he takes the time out to grab me. Right before I'm about to go in. And say a prayer. >> I was blown away. I'm like this guy's got so much other stuff to worry about. In in the middle of a workday there are with the loved one they've got their own thing going on. You know. I think he's got to watch this crazy guy upon the diocese, what I mean what what's he doing. And that is the epitome. In my opinion of those who serve I don't think that is in a and everyone unfortunately. To be able to go and serve our country it wasn't me and you and you continue to have that selflessness today and I want you know it doesn't go unnoticed it you you affected me that day. And that I will never forget that it blew me away I was I was literally guys putting a needle down my neck and I'm going what just happened. I needed that by the way because I didn't want to think about the me too. But I'm just I'm thankful for all of you. >> Thank you for your service. >> And Brian. Thank you. Thank you councilmember him I want to thank you all. Special counsel member mountain area, my fit with who is always reminding us of the importance of service. And he said freedom is never free. Our Constitution. Our Bill of Rights. The United States of America does not exist without a military period. My family had to leave Cuba. And came here and as a child I was always reminded to never take freedom for granted. People have no idea but people suffer everywhere and they don't have the freedom that we do here in this country. And that freedom is because it's the offended. And you guys are that line. So I think you and I thank you for the service that you provided our country. Thank you so much. Thank you. So I'm going to go somewhere completely new with this I think all of our military there's no doubt how important have valuable you are. But it those spouses of those in the military those of those that are in the military they free a price as well. And I want to thank all of you for what you've done because like I said I'm the wife of a veteran a mother of a veteran, a daughter of a veteran Denise a veteran and a grand grand daughter of a veteran. Those that Darden not robbery to put their lives on the line in foreign countries places where they they were born 8 they went to fight for us in in his unfortunate was still fighting for some of those freedoms. But the fact that this spouses the children the families they held it down. Why you're going I want to acknowledge you as well. So to our military. You rock you're here to continue to tell the story and to continue to shine that light on what the military has. Pretty much invite the pine you in and when they inked COUNCILMAN Erie and he wants to know COUNCILMAN Near where the suit every where he goes and so that's that military. Clearly is that he has and we absolutely love him for that. So we see it in those that have served in the military, I know I do there's just there's just something there about those that have been in the military that you can see it. Brian thank you pre issue something that we just don't do And I want to continue to ask you to please pray for all of us. Please do thank you so much anyone else. Thank you. >> So now we will have our employee recognition committee presentation by our human resources. Director who is Chris q a the one. >> Thank you chair, the afternoon Council good afternoon administration. My pleasure to discuss the great work. The team play recognition committee has done this past year punctuated by the employee appreciation week last year the party in the park, it was a great hit. And we're really looking forward to doing that again. This year before I get too far want to take the time to introduce the members. I'm not all of them could be here but I will certainly read the names. A few we get to the next wind would be me. So our chair is Jennifer join from neighborhood relations, vice chair, Margaret wall and budget and then our members in no particular order that on your Barnes human resources. Linda Ross human resources. Our mc and a great member from. For many years, Sean your own. Heather Leigh from the Saint Pete Police Department, not part-time we from Department of technology, Brittany Harris parks and Recreation district chief on your heart from the Saint Pete fire rescue Julie littlewood storm water pavement traffic. Jessica Taylor water resources. Patty city clerk term blackwood's sanitation. Lanier waters, golf course and last but not least Rebecca moisture. Transportation and parking management. What I want to do now is just discuss a little bit about the makeup of the committee and what they do. We have members they're all volunteers employees from each of our administrations. So we cover a wide variety of employee groups different perspectives across the city. The group meet once a month except for JULY's and various city facilities at those meetings that's when they plan the events they planned. How to make the city better. The culture better more team oriented. It's also that the time to address the nominations that they get 4 awards. And of course to plan and implement the ceremonies and I know met many of you have been to our ceremonies that meet 3, 3 times a year JANUARY mates amber. And of course we do have one next Wed.. If you plan to attend would love to see there. That's just a quick look what they do. So the backdrop though what they do of course is always to encourage appropriate recognition of service which exceeds expectations. That's what we want to be known for here. We don't just do what our job description say we want to deliver the best service that we can and we like to also promote individual an organization pride and that's really as I said the backdrop of what this committee is there to do. Now we have awards that we give out to employees not quickly run through those before we get into some of the statistics. First up we have the kudos Ward. And that is to recognize employees. For for really doing Justin excellence in their work. Every day. Employees can nominate their fellow co-workers it's also a great platform for citizens to nominate employees when they received that excellent work. And of course and Foster stronger relationships among teams increases employee engagement really just builds a strong sense It's a reward intrinsically a working for the city. The next step up is the sunshine award and the is given to employees who have received 2 kudos awards. 2 or more within the past 6 months. Stepping up from there we have the bench early impactful service award and that is for employees who really have perform something maybe a little bit extraordinary. Still within their job job related but it was just of such excellence in and had a great impact on it. The department employee citizens. It's just a really a great award. And very gratifying to to get out. Then sort of at the top of the heap is the servant leadership award and that is for employees to have gone well above and beyond their job description these are just great citizens, great human beings who have done something extraordinary. And we've had several of those are a few of those this year and enough. Perhaps we can highlight some of those and then last is the innovation award and that is a monetary award for employees who have up with it a great idea they've implemented something that's really improved. Efficiency processes or as a result and even increase revenue decrease costs something really tangible related to innovation and we like to reward those. Employees individually or in groups when that occurs. So those are the awards. But right now I want to focus on what we've done. The past year in what we're continuing to do this year and at this time of like that. They come up I want to make sure she gets recognized she is the chair of the committee and really does the heavy lifting. Turn it over to you. Thank you all Jennifer jorn and yes, I'm humbled and honored to be the chair of the employee recognition committee, however. Yes I might do some heavy lifting but we've got 2 members of our team here we have our vice chair Margaret wall we've got just Taylor's water resources and I councilmember gerda says this a lot of teamwork makes the dream work. We are a strong team of 14 and we do a great job. These so last year we had a year in review with Kristen for those of you who don't know the employee recognition committee rolls up through to hr. So recognize a fellow employee if you go to the Internet site hopefully 21th the 4 pages when you sign in the morning or the evening and you will see across the ticker recognize a fellow employee. So we worked with genius tozzi who is technology services representative who helps her kudos Internet page when I asked for it could this be done. Yes, it can and it was done I kid you not about 30 seconds so needless to say I sent her She was recognized last year. We updated our bylaws something that we found important as we started to get more. Employees interested in joining the team to cast our net a little wider as opposed to making it a departmental. Group we extended to administration based. So for example, one of our longest serving members. Lisa Butler who I hope will be attending next week. She is with in city development and planning planning and development services. So if we just limited it to pds we MAY have had a hard time back feeling her role we opened it up and that's how Rebecca moister joined our team so administration based really helps us. We also for our words a quick guide. We didn't have anything to recognize our 5 year employees. So 4 year for an anniversary for one year and employee will get a pen and a letter from the mayor and then nothing for 5 and then starting at 10 years they will get a plaque. So we want to do some a little different and we agreed on a Saint Pete branded Penn cause hopefully everybody needs a penny even though in this digital age we still do take notes. So that is something that we started last year as well. Let's see revamped our logos award logos. Again I mentioned the genuine interest in the rc members. Again we have Cowell coffee who we all love who sponsored our employee recognition ceremonies last year with coffee. They are doing it again this year. And for those of you who drink decaf I don't know. But there will be decaf at a ceremony. And then working with Jim Nixon and the mayor service center. If you have see click fix app you'll see that we are actually on there. And what you see circled it's a citizen or Saint Pete staff members employee just clicks and they will take you right to the employee recognition external website and someone comes conveyed nomination to that. Ok so this is super exciting. This is a lot of numbers on the page but this is what really really really gets me pumped. So this is year over so. It's a year-over-year so what we're What you see on the right side is what we're presenting year-over-year from when we presented last year which I would I would be remiss if I did not recognize councilmember mountain area for continuing to support us and allowing us to presented Council meeting so thank you for that. So as you can see the number 162, we have recognized a 162 people which includes up through MAY of this year because we do need the second Wed. Of every month. Take a look at the left side number you guys 163. We recognize the 163 in calendar year last year we're at a 162 through MAY. So we are going to easily exceed 200 I think Margaret you guys what was my goal to 50 to 50 so we put a goal for calendar year 24 to recognize 250 employees. And recognition defined as the different awards that Chris went through so kudos sunshine been Shirley servant leadership and innovation. So you can see the breakdown there. We already have 12 been shirley's. 11 of them 11 of them will be recognized next week at our MAY 22nd ceremony, super exciting we also have an outstanding number of rsvp yeses so of the 72 invitees and for the employee recognition ceremony, we invite those 20 years and above so 2025 3035 etc 72 or extended invitations 35 has reaped have responded yes, so as part of my notes that I have here. I recommend if you do attend which encourage everyone to attend I recommend that you car pool because I think parking MAY be a little tight at sunken garden, so I do recommend you carpool. And another reason. I strongly recommend you attend is the erc has worked very upping our brand kind of given us a little more jurors so we will be unveiling new awards. So new looking very modern looking plaques for the 2025 and 30 years of service. We have a new 35 years of service award as well. But super exciting are 40 45 in 50 odes to Saint Pete. And I'm just going to leave it at that I have a pelican pen not use your imagination there MAY be some pelicans involved. We're it we're very very excited to be unveiling these new awards and something that is really is is a good is it as a citizen, I of course you know I live here. I want to see our city save money where we can as a good employee and is the steward of fiscal responsibility we actually found. 2 new vendors as we're having challenges with our current awards vendor and we're working with 2 women on businesses right here in Saint Pete and were probably saving about 40%. So we are being a good fiscal stewards as well. So that's all I have to do have let's see whole time. I now all right so of course, how you can nominate an employee. And I'm going to leave this to Krista to close this out for nominations has that okay okay get me all right super. Thank you want to make sure you've got some recognition up. So if there are several ways as we mentioned to nominate employees. We are on the Internet easy way for employees to recognize each other, but we're also on the city website. The sea click fix, there's an e-mail so there were various ways for citizens to also nominate our employees. So I don't want to spend too much time on that. And the presentation with some photos of recognition ceremonies as you can see. We've we've given out servant leadership awards bench early awards recognizing years of service. We're really proud of that. That we're able to continue that year-over-year and also I want to say we are planning. Another employee appreciation week will have another party in the park. We're still working on the details. We plan to exceed even last year's and it was a great event hopefully you were able to make it I strongly encourage you to to come if you can it's really a great time and great to see employees outside of just the normal work day. So with that I will. I will have one more comment on the board so do I cut course not. So with party in the park are super excited for this to celebrate our employees and their families as well so because we know our family support us in every way they can and some of the challenges that we've with last year is it to Fri. We're going to host it again on Fri. And getting people to have their families come either were conflicts school conflicts. So where we host our employee recognition ceremonies at sunken gardens. They have really stepped up and I don't know if I can announce that I am going to announce we're going to do family days as part of we're Saint Pete week but it will be JULY 13th. In JULY 20th, both dates those are Saturday's in which something gardens will be open for city staff and families at no charge. So I don't know if I was closer than that. But I've been announced it so so we hope to see you Both those days, we know it's going to be warm of course is I like to say too warm to hot, it's just warm. But for those of you who've been to sunken gardens that time it's 10 degrees cooler, so it'll be all right. So thank you and will be here if you have any questions he said was council member Hannah would sink you share and thank you so much for the presentation. And the work you do with your committee I will tell you I try to make the employee recognition ceremonies in what I love about them is I get to learn so much about the wealth of knowledge and experience in our city. And then you hear the stories behind the awards. And what are employees have 9 and I don't know about other council members. We've got some complaints sometimes. But we also get who does. And I've got in that. You know from good work that employees have done and I 40 Don and those employees have a $9 for for their outstanding work and I think that is fantastic kuz sometimes that goes on notice and it's important that people know the everyday employees are doing the work out there and going above and beyond and that's the work that you're doing you're putting those stories out your letting people know now I want to also think the citizens and the piers that are nominating these employees. That are taking the time out of their day to write that e-mail saying this employee made my day because of this this and that and I think that's important so if you have something good to share about what someone has done for the city of St. Petersburg please do that because I think they deserve to be recognized so thank you. Thank you councilmember mountaineering. Thank you. We just start by saying that. Our most important asset it in our city is our people >> glad that we've got strong leadership of the imp employee Jennifer thank you for for leading Margaret that all the other members of the You all do wonderful wonderful work, recognizing in helping Thank you. To our most important asset that we have and we could have the best facilities we could have the best too. Police cars fire equipment