City Council

>> Welcome to the city of St. Petersburg City Council meeting your elected officials are mayor Rick kriseman district one Robert black money. District 2 Brandi Gabbert district 3 and Council chair, and mountain areas. District 4 garden right. A district 5. Deborah big spenders a district 6 and Council vice chair Gina Driscoll a district 7 Lisa Wheeler Bowman. And district date Foster. >> Good afternoon and welcome to the St. Petersburg City Council meeting for Feb. The 11th 2021. We begin with a roll call please ever on a dairy air Rice. Fix Sanders. Driscoll here. The Lobo men Foster. >> This Giving our invocation is the reverend Kenneth f or b. He's the pastor of a historic battle african-american if this couple church and he also serves the city as the community intervention and juvenile outreach director for the St. Petersburg Police Department. Pastor or b you have the floor, well everybody please stand for the invocation and pledge of allegiance. >> Good afternoon to this distinguished Council of servant leaders. Air deputy Mer. Into Chairman To marry. The council and to all this prayer, I'm to invite you to meet this moment with me. Meditative Lee in Thanksgiving and prayer as a step of accountability. Most intentional create a and We pause this day surrendering these proceedings of this body to your sovereign authority. I pray your blessings upon this city and all of our leaders and this nation and all of the citizens alike sacred text of many instructs us to give thanks and praise and all things a lot in the midst of multiple pandemics when burdens all the boundless we should surrender. Thanks to you. And remember your blessings. We trust that your healing will be manifested in the face of adversity pain and hurt. We pray today for more love and accountability accountability. As you keep us safe. Help us Lord to root out racism hatred and inequity and I systems and in our city and elevate out thoughts and actions to be more just and letting your beloved community become a reality through hope and grace and resilience reminded of the words of the reverend doctor Martin Luther King, this is the kind of love that May be the salvation of assimilation civilization. And now let those willing to manifest set such love. So demonstrate by saying 8 men. Thank you pastor or before the indication and thank you for that your service to our community. Both you're here. Faith >> growing our Lord's Kingdom and also your service to the St. Petersburg Police Department. Council members we have an agenda before We do have some changes we're going to lead to easy for the covid 19 report we're going to add a legal item h one. And we're going to a resolution that was passed that the budget finance and taxation committee. Meeting this morning. It's g one. With those entertain a motion to approve the agenda. We have a motion a second to approve the agenda seeing no request to speak with the clerk please open machine for voting. Council members please cast your votes. President Council members have voted for the clerk please tell me the most about. The motion to approve the agenda passes unanimously with council member will boom and the absence. >> We will move to the it. Approval of the consent agenda. Mister Clerk do we have any cards on the consent agenda. All right Mister Chair. Okay. Thank you, I'll entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda. Second we have a motion a second to approve the consent agenda. Seeing no further requests to speak with the clerk please open the sheep are voting. Council members please cast your votes. Seeing a President Council members have voted by the clerk please tally announce them. Sure the motion to approve the consent agenda passes unanimously with council member were born in the absence. >> We'll move to open for him. The clerk please read the rules for open for him. If you wish to address City Council and subject certain public Kwan judges, your items listed on the agenda. Please sign up with the clerk in conference room, 100. Only the individual wishing to speak May feel out the yellow card. Only city residents owners of property business owners in the city or their employees May speak all issues discussed in an open forum must be limited to issues related to the city of St. Petersburg government. If you're speaking to an item on the agenda. You May only speak once during the open forum. 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 through the zoom meeting us use the raise hand feature but none in the zoom app or into store 9 on your phone at the time the agenda item of interest. When it is your turn to speak you will be unmuted and next to state your name and address at the conclusion of your comments or when you've reached a 3 minute time limit. You will be needed. Hands raised. Raise hands will be lowered each agenda item regardless of the method of participation use normal rules apply, including the 3 minute time limit on comments the requirement that any presentation materials must be submitted in advance of the meeting and the rules of decorum if live public comment is disrupted by violations of the rules of decorum the chairs authorized to accept the public comment. By watching it means including by email only. Mister Chair we have no cards. No hands Thank you Mister Clerk. Close open form and will go to reports and take up the 5 local pd a day proclamation. Good afternoon mayor kriseman good afternoon. At the run from my office. Some comments. My honor to be with you here today. I have the honor of presenting it to proclamations the first before me that I will be presenting to you is for local coffee a day. I think Petersburg our small businesses our really our life what it is what makes our city different than virtually any other city I think only in the state of Florida in the country. And. Buff and keep Saint Pete local. It has been their mission to make sure that we do everything we can the city of St. Petersburg to help our local businesses are small businesses thrive. Not merely survive to highlight them to feature them to showcase them to do everything that she can in her organization can to make sure everybody knows how special these businesses are to us here in Saint Pete. Obviously with the pandemic the challenges that our small businesses have faced is unlike any that they probably ever face from the time they open their doors. And so a local coffee a day this year which is always an incredible event, and well attended and special takes on a higher meaning I think that it probably ever has before the last thing, I'll say before I read this proclamation as I just want to thank all of them because I know how much work she has put into this and she always does into this event but to create an event this year that will be safe. That those 2 are as small businesses and those 2 are attending. Can feel safe in doing so even with the pandemic so this one say thank you. Let me read this proclamation. Whereas our cities locally owned independent businesses are in trouble to the unique flavor of St. Petersburg and make it a place we want to live work and play and whereas the health of Saint Petersburg's economy depends on our support businesses owned by our families friends and neighbors. And whereas the individual decisions every community member makes today affects the future of St. Petersburg and whereas arcing p grown businesses have experienced the toughest year they've ever faced during this pandemic need our support right now more than ever to endure. And whereas the independent business alliance keep St. Petersburg local is working to build a thriving local economy and a unique community and whereas keep Saint Pete local will commemorate its 9th year anniversary by presenting the 8th annual local Tobia at Williams Park. Our city's first Park, purposefully selected by the alliance as the venue for the festival and whereas local Tapia is to be held from 10:00am to 05:00pm on Sat. Feb. 20th in Williams Park. And as our city's favorite community celebrations of all things local. And whereas local Tobia has helped change our communities mindset about Williams Park has become the biggest event to be held in the park in recent times has been an agent for changes to the park and has inspired others to hold events in the park. Now therefore I Rick Rice, the mayor the city of St. Petersburg Florida. Do hereby proclaim Feb. 20th, 2021 as local trophy a day in St. Petersburg and I encourage all of our residents to attend the celebration wear your masks savor local flavor support the participants and continue to support all of our locally owned independent businesses all year round. >> Thank you Council for the proclamation the honor to address you today. I just wanted to share a little bit about what this year's local Tokyo will look like and why it's important that it take place. If you can keep the map up that would be the one that you had that awesome. Last year's local Tokyo was the biggest ever we had staged. A few short weeks after was when our world changed local to be 2020 was one of the last night's special events to take place before the pandemic began. Thankfully we were still able to put on the festival at which vendors experience a record sales day. Many have shared that their participation that day is what has kept them in business. As many of local to appease vendors are makers. They did not qualify for ppp loans and or grounds and any assistance that they did receive to not actually kick in until months later. Every year I come before you to proudly say that this year's local Tobia will be bigger than and better than last year's festival. This year that is not the claim I can make. Even if it is not the biggest one ever. This year's local Tokyo will be the most important one we have ever presented if ever there was a year that it needed to happen. It's this one. Many of this year's participants livelihoods depended upon markets and events which have not taken place this past year due to spikes in our area's covid 19 case numbers after the holidays. Many events at which they were hoping to participate have been canceled. Planning one of our city's largest events under the best of circumstances is challenging enough. When you add in a pandemic it creates a whole new layer of complexity. Our extensive covid 19 plan was already taxing our limited funding and resources. But if we were going to proceed with the event. We wanted to ensure that it would be the safest event we could put on track community following all of the cdc County and city I didn't we already before the county order went into effect on Jan. 21th. Any other event organizer would have chosen to cancel. But it is keep Petersburg local that puts on local Tokyo. As a mission let event rather than one that is purely profit lead. We know how important this state is for our vendors. Local Tobia is not a super flu is event. It is a vital economic stimulus for our community. Last year's festival had an economic impact of nearly 4 million dollars on just locals hope your day. The results of the 2020 economic impact study which was commissioned by visit Saint Pete Clearwater. This year's presenting sponsor. Only included non residents that figure only includes non-resident it would have been much higher if it included are locals to the majority of those to attend. It also did not reflect the events impact post-pandemic how many of our participants, not only were able to stay in business. But that are locals are seeking them out months after the festival. It is because of all of this that keep Saint Pete local has a responsibility. An obligation to do everything we absolutely can to put this event on this year. It's going to be exceedingly difficult to do it. But it is our duty to do so for vendors for independent business alliance as members. And for our city. We also know that we're operating in the safest way we possibly can. There are other events that have already happened that did not operate in the manner in which local to a p a we'll be manage that day. We completely understand but not everyone will feel comfortable attending this year. But those 2 do feel comfortable attending this outdoor mask event are asked to adhere to all of the measures in place for everyone's benefit. Despite the challenges and covid measures. We have still planned a very very special festival with new elements, including a new arts area as we still want to provide engaging or experiences this year. Just like we have done every year since locals. Hope you began. Local to appeal will still feel like Saint Pete best community celebration of all things local. We hope that everyone will still bring their best 5 they've always brought out on local to be day. We do hope to put on the big his local to ever to make up for this past crazy year. Even bigger than last year's was. But many of those participating won't be around. If we don't support them. Right now. Whether you choose to come to the festival visitor brick and mortars or you're still only comfortable buying online. Please do all you can to help keep Saint Pete local right now more than ever. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you for. >> Being here and thank you for the work that you've done to put this on every year, but especially this year and as you mentioned if there's ever a year to support our local businesses. This is the year to do it. They're all struggling, we know that going above and beyond the call of duty to put this on this year. Very very important too to our community. Thank you mayor for the. If I might add. It's a great opportunity to buy a mother's Day or father's Day present. Your early shopping now folks. The next track or a proclamation I'd like to read is for the junior League of St. Petersburg. Before I read this proclamation as the proud husband of a of a junior leader. I can tell you this for 4 every spouse of a junior later there's 2 things that you know. You know number one. That you're going to be really proud of the work that they do in the community. Most s the other thing that you're going to know is there's going to be a lot of times you're not going to see your spouse because they're going to be working on junior early projects. This is an organization that just does so much in this community to make a real very thankful. Let me read this. The foundation of a humane and just societies, the people's willingness to work together for the common good. And whereas experience teaches us. The government by itself cannot solve all of our nation's social ills and then we must rely on one of our country's greatest treasures. Volunteer. And whereas the junior League of Petersburg has served this community or 90 years. And whereas the junior League of St. Petersburg benefits the quality of life in our community by empowering women, providing valuable leadership training and providing volunteer opportunities, lots of them for its members to positively impact the community. And whereas it is the duty of all citizens to honor our dedicated volunteers and celebrate the volunteer programs which contribute to the life of our communities. Now therefore I Rick Rice, the mayor the city of St. Petersburg do hereby proclaim Mar. 4th of 2021 as junior League of St. Petersburg day in St. Petersburg and I encourage citizens to recognize the endeavors of this where the organization. >> Thank you I didn't know I was going to be able to speak today, but my name is Megan Roche and I am the President Of the junior League of St. Petersburg as mayor kriseman said we are celebrating our 90th anniversary this year in St. Petersburg so we are. Honored to celebrate junior League of St. Petersburg day on Mar. 4th and. >> Work to continue the work that we do empowering women in our community and training volunteers to help serve the kids in our schools, South. Thank you so much make. Megan thank you so much for being here it's good to see you here at City Hall. I don't know if I've ever seen here before. Well welcome welcome. Can you can you everyone you're with please. Community vice President Jack Levant early and our public affairs share elect Veronica Hickey. Good in both, thank you, thank you very much and that's good good to see see you all here. And Jackie haven't seen you for a long time now. Yeah, it's good good to see so many friendly faces I I just wanted to say and I'll are my colleagues on City Council weigh in. Thank you for for what you would you do to serve our community make our community a better place for all it's very important for the junior league in and your organization has been doing this for a long time. And we really appreciate everything you do. Gap you're you're up next. >> I echo all of those sentiments, I'm so proud of all of my interactions with all of you have always been so wonderful just the support that you give to the communities amazing as you Dyess filled with women i think it makes all of us very proud to look at all of you and know that you are the future leaders of the city and how well represented that we will be and you had some fun experiences with you all you all did a little lot Easter hiding in my front yard once upon a time for my son and I think my husband scared you all to death. He was not aware they were going to be coming and that was a fun experience. Yeah, it was you know you guys are so special use a special to all of us entire community. So thank you thank you for everything you do. >> Thank you make in Lori Alicia Jacqueline and Rhonda it's really great to see you guys here. And you know sometimes we might. Sort of take for granted what our longstanding traditional service organizations do offer community. But I think one of my favorite stories about the organization. The you guys wear and working with your other affiliates for really responsible for campaigning for and bringing the line item budget for the jwb. As a separate attacks. Into t that turns around and im provides so much. Good service to our community and not many other counties have something like the jwb and the way that it's funded. But the junior league was one of the early champions for that and will always be a long-lived victory for your organization. So thank you very much for what you do and thank you for being here today. Thank you. Councilmember Blackmon thank you very much Congratulations to you guys on 90 years of of the junior league. Councilmember gathered right this is a does to women and I just was getting kind of nervous. I hope many guys live on the West Side are. And you never going to be on the street jobless. No thank you so much for all you guys do in my office, I have old poster from from a science Center. Renovation project you guys or list as one of the sponsors for that there's so many different ways and which the organization does. Help to support different. Charities and other nonprofits within the city as we know. You know it's so difficult to to to run any of these organizations and you guys help and volunteer hours and support has been measurable over almost a century now to every aspect of our city. Plus the Organization of course keeps civic involvement and builds great character so thank you so much for all you guys doing a big congrats. >> Thank you all for coming in and seeing us today mayor thank you for the proclamation to a very worthy organization. Where we've got sunshine and passer Ward. That's going to presented Council member Rice. Good afternoon everyone. It is so much of our work is informed by civic advisory groups that listen and provide feedback and bring ideas and sometimes we don't always hear the individual names of those boards stand out. But they do so much work and every once in a while we are just so blessed to have an incredible dark star who's a part of transportation advisory boards and so I wanted to present a sunshine investor war to Leigh Allen and I did have a few things to say the for the forward Pinellas board recently recognize Mister Allen for his commitment to improving Pinellas County's transportation network. And today here and City Council chambers I'd like to echo the sentiments expressed by forward Pinellas and to recognize these contributions to a safer more inclusive transportation network right here in St. Petersburg so we is an active community advocate for better and safer streets in Saint Pete and he's worked as an advisor and the liaison to advance transportation projects. He served on both the citizens Advisory committee and the mayor's bicycle pedestrian advisory committee and as an avid cyclist Lee has contributed to several successful campaigns. She's made programs aimed at improving mobility in Saint Pete and Pinellas County using his business ak human and finance background, he served on the evaluation committee to select the bikeshare operator in to establish coast bikeshare in Saint Pete and the first in Pinellas County. Lee has been a valuable advocate for the city's complete streets implementation plan and the micromobility ordinance both of which were successfully adopted in 2019. Most recently Lee stepped up to serve on the evaluation Committee for the city. This time for scooters a Saint Pete set out to launch its first scooter share program. And I think most of us would say that our scooter ordinance is probably one of the best in the country. Finally Lee is a member of the Saint Pete Chamber of Commerce's Transportation Committee and was a prominent advocate for the city's implementation of a protected bike lane on Martin Luther King Street. A project for which forward Pinellas provided the city with their partners in action award in 2018. His constant attention to detail. Lead to better buffers and Planters along the bikeway along first Street South in downtown Saint Pete. And in this instance along with so many others we helped to keep the city accountable and in doing so help to create a picturesque and functional protected bike Lane. We Al and is simply the best kind of citizen advisory one could hope for he continually provide sound and thoughtful Council that elected officials seek from community members he's approached his roles with an attitude of cooperation. This is not afraid to challenge ideas and push for better policies. So Mister Lee Allen from me and my colleagues and administration sunshine acid or a word. And a big thank you for the work that you do for St. >> Thank you very much I do this without into space of any recognition do it. As you said I like to push the envelope that Dolce for being a internal auditor I always think there's better way of doing things as some of you in the room know it and I don't like status quo. Do want to say that working Evan morian Sheryl stack son Lucas ncaa the pleasure to work the city staff and I think that the administration and Council showed quite good backbone when it was pushed back on the mlk. In taking up travel lanes and I don't think people realize it wasn't about. People it's about safety. It's about safer streets and I think that's getting to most of the citizens of this County. You have to take the point of personal privilege and just say on this select Committee for the selection committee for scooters I brought up The first meeting I said, so you know we're going to have these devices don't you think we should and you know as as a as a committee member to try these devices before we bring them into the city. Well that went over with legal and insurance Department like a lead balloon. >> I said on the waiver you want, but that was not going anywhere. I'm so we're making a selection on these devices without trying. Okay just thought you to find some humor in that. Then I think you very much for the presentation. Thank. >> thank you Lee, don't if you can just stand stand right where we council member Denver. >> When I saw this on the agenda. I was so happy thank you Council woman writes for bringing this forward could not think of a better person to give this to you just came off of your very long tenure with forward Pinellas so proud of the work that you've done there as a board member. But just knowing you and as you discussed seeking your counsel on things I mean you never go to breakfast with Lee without coming back with like for new ideas. You are a wealth of but you are always so logical and straightforward about those conversations and I've always appreciated that I thank you so much for everything you've done for city what I know you'll continue to do for city happy to call you a friend and I just want to congratulate you and thank you for your years of service. Thank you councilmember Gabbert that vice chair to school. Thank you chair and thank you councilmember ice for. Bringing bringing this up and congratulations we. You have then just such a a fantastic asset to our city and whether it's from Pinellas or our scooter ordinance for first night more of the same people of history. I mean you're everywhere which is why I love our. You know periodic meet ups where I can just pick your brain and see what you see out there happening in our city and I just really I appreciate all that you have have given and all that you continue to give in in terms your friendly advice. As we move forward, thank you for all a first for everything you've done for being a great friend. >> Billy I I echo all of those sentiments from from my colleagues on on City Council we've been friends for a long time and I've I've seen the involvement that you have had on on our city and such a good way you're one of super volunteers steps up without people needing to ask and put your your your heart soul and mind into making our city a better place I'm very appreciative. And that we we put out yard signs for Albert whitted >> yeah that was that was just one of I've got a list here that you're you're a Jack Jack of all trades when it comes to that issues that are important to our community. I too wanted to. Thank council member Rice for recognizing. Lee leave eu also married well. I wanted to for sharing you with us and making our city a better place for all. Thank you very much Lee. Again thank you. Council member Rice. Next we have going to go to the one which update doctor Michael the Pinellas County school superintendent. This. Year I know I'm not the only City Council member that is interested in education but I want to make education. A focus of the city of St. Petersburg my my goal is that our city and our County is recognized as the best. The best city in Florida when it comes to education. Doctor Welcome I also want to welcome that parenting back to City Hall is good good to see you doctor welcome and you have the floor. Thank you so much and thank you. Chairman Mountain area and for inviting me here to. City Council to give you an update on how we're doing as a school district talk about our strategic plan deputy mayor thank you for your Mayor kriseman and all of the City Council and all the employees of this of this great I first of all want to start out by saying It's been said many times It's been a heck of a year in terms of what we've gone through, but let me also pivot and say we need to do this and really really repeat this we need to do this together and so I'm very pleased to be here. Last spring I shared with all my principles, this particular article from Thomas Friedman you see on the screen. In times like we're testing all leaders from the school House to the White House, the City Hall such as the one I'm standing in here to corporate suites and and also in a time of crisis like we're in now with people feeling frightened and uncertain leadership just as a matter of matters a whole lot more matters exponentially more and I want to say in my opening a good vote of gratitude and common gratitude to leadership that In this room as a district we refuse to hit the pause button you see news stories all over the United States and in Pinellas County and the state of Florida. We have absolutely neck. I can only speak for our district we but we've refused to hit the pause button. Things are different. But we are still educating we're educating differently perhaps not optimally we all understand that would not doing a lot of things optimally but we're not hitting the pause button. Every child every use every senior every kindergarten student every 3rd grader deserves the They don't get do overs. Adult sometimes feel like that was a year but children and youth. They have this is their only year as we move forward. So we started to launch this journey back in March, one of the smartest things we did as we assembled a group of medical professionals were blessed not only in St. Petersburg that Johns Hopkins but but then they care and many of the other of community members that made me look awfully smart to assemble this group but but one of the first calls I made was timing is zena the presidency obey care and he offered up and they Robert c-pac doctor koh packed who's an infectious disease doctor and Christine Kennedy and whose and works in the area pediatrics and doctor Cho lead this group along with myself and doctor Allison Messina who's the chair and division of infectious disease right here in our home on Johns Hopkins hospital. This group has and continues to be critical to the mission of our school district. Why things early on you saw was an Pinellas County we didn't waver in terms of our our protocols we didn't say temperature yes temperature no face mask s face mask know we lead, but this was a medical pandemic and we we senator selves and surrounded ourselves around very smart people in the field that we needed. We then were able to though concentrate with the medical team were able to concentrate on what really mattered to this community. I know it's hard to imagine, but we serve over half a million meals just in the summer and there's the latter part of the last 9 weeks of last year and some are 500,000 meals. But we also handed out over 32,000 laptop computers and again we partnered partner partner with with so many of our weather whether it be spectrum offering free hot spots or or devices whether be Pinellas community Foundation. Allegheny for a skin ministries, the foundation for healthy Petersburg the United Way Suncoast all one of the things we noted the one where there was a need or and there's a gap in Pinellas County people stepped up. And that's always been the flavor of our school district in our in our community. So we use this is a dive as a time to pivot we use this is the time to say what can we learn from this even coming out of the summer. And we started an initiative called pcsk next where we we employed and we over 42 46,000 laptop computers we use that as an opportunity to eliminate the digital divide of students he did not have the devices, the technology at home and also the connectivity at home. What better way to spend some of the cares funds that we were receiving from the from the federal government. We also use that as an opportunity to improve that. Home instructional and we started in the early summer to develop that reopening plan. You all heard about and we open schools extremely successful. We learned a lot through the latter part of the year we learned a lot in the summer. And we learned a lot in the beginning this is been a learning journey, not only from the medical doctors but also from education is a sure as it has been for you. We learned a couple of things some of the very obvious that there's nothing the substitute classroom, teachers with life teachers in the classroom, this the most effective means of of instructing students and our students are struggling. That are not back in the classroom and it's better than not being engaged at all, but let us be clear the students are not engaged in not getting the same amount of academic excellence as if they were back into our school buildings. But we have to leave with safety. We have to leave with the consideration of the safety of our communities and our families and our elders and and everyone else that that that needs to to remain safe. We leave with safety and we do the very best that we can we can do. The beginning of the year you see on this chart you see the swing of students as they became more comfortable a lot of parents said I don't know whether you can carry this off I really didn't I didn't know either when we came back to schools, everyone's going to be wearing face masks to cleanly the cleanliness of your schools, the social distances so forth and you see what happened the very beginning of school to the November about 9 weeks. One of the scripts Morris things we did was we allowed parents and students to transition, not it will but or an organized fashion almost like a schedule change it would be for a high school. And you see that we want for 51 to 60 to 7070 72 and will probably be closer to 75. Overall now and the yellow bars what we call my pc s online where students are having live instruction real-time with an online and instructor. As we know, though this doesn't look all for all grade The elementary grade levels are far more comfortable with the youngsters coming back we're actually the 3.85% of all students in elementary schools. Back into our buildings followed by 6865 high school are comfortable with online learning. I mean if you even if you look at the universities say they really embark on a lot of this but are elementary students are far are back in far far greater numbers, we've worked very hard and we've kept tremendous contact with all students and families we've offered targeted supports along with them and we've really truly pivoted and ways that we we've learned so much that we we probably won't go back to some of the practices that we were doing put up on the slide a few examples for example, the college fair every year and one or 2 of our high schools geographically located. We invite major universities from throughout the United States and throughout this wonderful state and they do come they like our students they love to recruit our students from Pinellas County. And we make them in a 1,1200 students with their families and where and you've probably been to some of them were you trying to get to a table and you're trying to get a flyer and you're trying to get a question answered. Instead of canceling it we pivoted and we said you know we're going to have a virtual college fair we had over 2600 participants and instead of the crowds. We you going to university. Area conference Hall you missions officer you have some bonafide really substantial conversations with them, look at the positivity rate and parents loved it and we can do this far less cost and far greater advantage to our students are colleges or universities and to and to their parents. This is just one example I can I can list off 10 or 15 that we learn from a virtual choice fair even a fastball which is a very complicated if you if you have children going into post-secondary education. Just the other night we had 700 parents and students on a assistance where we walk parents each of the steps we would never have. It's just a wonderful example of how we need to learn from this in fact even more exciting is we offered a fast for. Online is solely in Spanish. And we had 400 parents and families is a 400 parents and families to would not feel comfortable going to an English spoken, because that's not their primary language and they were so grateful for the respect that we provided them to to truly on or where they're at and really try to break down some of the language barriers there. So I know that the Chairman Talked about a strategic plan everything is guided by our strategic plan I want to help and say in guy de to our Web site is a little wealth of of information namely one of which is a strategic plan and direction. Everything we do most everything we do is really guided through these areas of student achievement and learning in a safe environment equity and excellence wrong College and career readiness efficiency and effectiveness. Resources and and part new that we've learning even through this past year's how to better communicate with stakeholder in have for greater engagement. We tie our budget development with our strategic plan every single step of the way the strategic plan doesn't move at the budget doesn't move in so we can never use is a reason or excuse why we can accomplish something if we tie the budget to it. We also provide quarterly updates not only to the board but to the community to make ourselves accountable. A copy of our strategic plan was placed on your desk earlier so. Just free for your perusal and I want to thank you for asking about it and thank you for inquiring about it want to highlight a couple of things that our strategic plan one that a few years ago we set a goal for 90% graduation rate in Pinellas County schools and we made it this past year we had in 91.5 graduation rate in our school district this is a huge accomplishment and and to say that if you take a look at our Latino or Hispanic students. Actually bypass the overall graduation rate of Earth's district and that's a population 92.5 that is unbelievable and I'm so proud of them and even our students with disabilities have done such a phenomenal job of 80 to 81.9%. Yell stands for English learners these are students to their first language is not English and look at their graduation rate we're not using it as a barrier. I'm particularly excited about though are subpopulations I came in as a superintendent said we need to do something about the gap between black and non-black students in Pinellas County and this is where we started it 56 in African American and 62 and are spending students are Latino students, look where we're at now. This is something for our communities celebrate. Yes. I recognize we're not done yet when never this is never done. But it is something to celebrate as we reduce the gap especially especially with our bridging the gap plan between when we started 16 almost 17% down to 7.2% and this is continued to shrink at this rate we will absolutely eliminate the graduation yeah be between all of our supply populations within next 2 years. The one that I'm very proud of because it wasn't always this way is that if you take the largest 10 largest school districts in the state of Florida here is where we're here is where we're at and not that I'm competitive, but we are and the fact is that Pinellas County wasn't always in this place it was actually with second from the bottom in the past when we started this this journey. And so I'm very proud of it is nothing to do and we've all rising tide lifts all boats were all moving in the right direction is just that we're getting it right at a faster and more accelerated pace. I I thank you for wanting to know about these types of things and truly. And accentuate and really promote that the work of our district. There are middle school some of the things that our strategic plans that were put placing in. Well let me let me let me jump back of one of the other things are strategic plan is a real emphasis on early literacy we know without a doubt that if if if we have a strong vpk 4 year-old and even earlier than that program would literacy or we would eliminate any sort of struggles in schools as as students really are learning to read and such a early age. These are some of our partners. The last under center and University of Florida does a tremendous amount of training with us our own educational Foundation has taken upon themselves to work tirelessly to work with the major problems in heavy lift of our school district. But letters to literacy and reading recovery which is a nationally recognized research base reading program is helping so many of our struggling students in high poverty. Poverty areas so I couldn't be more pleased with the progress and focus in our strategic plan. Middle schools where we're working to really try to introduce is an example I can go on for a long time about the many examples. But this is a partnership of junior achievement that we are the largest employee employer in Pinellas County. So we also have a booth along with hundreds of other businesses and this is a means of virtually where students can explore careers throughout the Pinellas County Kent County area. The other area, I'm very proud of in middle schools is we are introducing in partnering with the College Board. Most of you know what an advanced placement or a p classes at the college level class in high school. We're one of few districts that the College Board is piloting and advanced place a pre advanced placement in our middle schools were elevating that rigor and our middle area. One very exciting area when we talk about advanced placement and you could put the next slide please when we won very exciting area when we talk about advanced placement dual enrollment Cambridge ib programs and so forth. The economic impact to families and communities is staggering. So this is last year, 22,357 college level courses were earned that that's through those areas that what you see the footnote there as they took an average of 3 credit classes in the public four-year universities in Florida. These are dollars that parents do not have to then spend but rather could spend another things the 13.3 this is a reoccurring figure so every years students are earning over 20,000 college level. Courses we are raising the bar of or middle school and high school students are tremendously prepared for higher-level courses or or any other occupation to maybe technical schools or maybe the military, but what they are prepared if they so choose to challenge themselves. One of the high Areas that you've heard a little bit about you can see some of the partners up there he Leo's Tampa The Pinellas educational Foundation where we've been very much supported by the philanthropic groups because they believe in this particular area. You see on the right-hand side of that that slide the various components of college elevating excellence. We recognize several years ago the difficulty and the complexity of moving students from high school to some level of post-secondary education, not only are things becoming more competitive with us 80 scores in a seat he scores. But it's becoming more complex is even as I mentioned before with the fast fund and the entry into that I mean times have you ever heard of I had it reentered the university College I went to I probably wouldn't get in. And so as things are getting more and more competitive. We are providing a college and career location for families and parents and counselors and students we're making this is a partnership with everyone involved and parents have just been so overwhelmingly thankful that that we're helping them kind of holding their hands. Getting the right people to them so everything doesn't follow up on that one counselor. At at at at the high school. As a result of you walk into our building you see or pride you see our students are entering the military you see our students entering technical College, but you also see our getting into Yale and Stanford. Mike big called me yesterday is to students getting into Princeton one student getting into Yale. It is important to understand that if you want to reach for these types of stars that these opportunities are here in all of our schools. We've had students getting into Notre Dame this year Howard mit, Penn State, Michigan the us Naval Academy. And I want to say all of our state universities and colleges here in Florida. But this economic impact as you saw before is absolutely tremendous. The other thing I speak a little bit about in our strategic plan is are tremendous choice plan and what we have in our district and many people do not recognize the national recognition that schools like Douglas Jamison received James be sandal and receive and Perkins received these these are just 3 schools that were recognized on a national forum for excellence in providing magnet programs and and a high quality of education and I've listed the schools because of not only because I'm speaking to this is Saint Pete City Council be there in St. Petersburg and I'm very proud of that and with it also we've added midtown Academy for this cultural arts and gifted studies here and Lakewood is opening up elementary schools, opening up a magnet program and John Hopkins is opening up a gifted studies at the middle school level and we've done a tremendous job in our transformation zone of of exiting any kind of state turnaround from when I started here as superintendent to where we're at now with one school that will of would have exited last year if it wasn't for this pandemic and I'm so grateful for the visitors have come here to use that as a model school. All the way up to the assistant secretary of education Frank Brogan used to be a Florida person body still has I guess at heart the he wanted to see the work that we're doing there. We are gaining the attention of top international leaders. And in doing so. Turn attention to some of the investments that outside the classroom but really inside the classroom and that is we are investing a lot in our strategic plan and academics and programming but we're also trying to invest in a world class facilities to our districts economic impact for this community. I want to focus on and thank the mayor for his his attendance here but we used. We one school to to really 10 schools that we're eliminating portables these schools. Known elementary battered Gulf beaches. Pasedena plum sanderlin Seminole and sure acres we did ceremony in North Shore elementary school. This will eliminate about a 100 portables since I started we have eliminated 500 portables from this school district on if you can visualize 500 portables but it would not be a pretty sight. And in terms of that and we are placing students and safe. It clashes replacing them and better classrooms connected to the technology and so forth want to highlight a couple here that I'm very proud of one know rose Elementary School in which we is probably the best looking well design elementary school I've seen in over you know I mean my 40th year of education. This school is a jam. And we have people now wanting to come back to the school from where it was we have a waiting list on this school, the schools, not only great is continues to elevate but the but it's becomes a hub or traction of our community we're doing a major project major project that Tyrone to be a complete remodel complete overhaul of Tyrone a middle school. We have to make our school state of the art and they'll be become the magnets of of our of our community. Many of you have passed by Northeast. In northeast high We did a fairly significant a facelift on Northeast high school there are areas of the auditorium and some of the vocational technical labs that needed to be and then the what the gym, I'm really waiting to Finishes St. Petersburg high school. Long overdue long overdue historic school in this community, one of the most beautiful schools have ever seen but needed work and I want to thank Roe Hu really specialize in historic buildings. They've done phenomenal. Work here and so is the cma and I'm very excited. You haven't done by the school please please get by that we've had tremendous community support also it's wonderful to see the community coming out Lakewood high school is to phase. Renovation we finished the first phase that we're in the middle of the second phase and the which will include a major renovation of the cap program. They computer program the magnet program. There and then the last thing I think we're we're we're working with David just like with the ymc partnership middle school. I'm excited about this project and you probably heard more times than you care to but it is all about partnerships and and the ymc partnership school open up where we have a y m c a and a middle school jointly operating at the same time. Day and night all the time and we're excited about the themes and and they're the rich curriculum and that the facility that that are our students will have. I think you can certainly see with all of this is that we're investing in our community. I mean just the projects I listed here about a $165 million it. We make it a priority that people are hiring a local contractors. We make it a priority they're hiring women and minority contractors we make it a priority that we're turning these dollars over here in Pinellas County in St. Petersburg in closing I want to say thank you because this past year. And it was a turbulent year, but we went out for a referendum which was approved by the highest margin ever since 2004 with 80% approval. Hu knew what was going to happen on this, but we never so any resistance and we always saw people are supportive of public education is supportive of our district and the job we're doing we always have room to improve. But we're we're on this journey together I can't say thank you enough to this Council and for all of the work that we're doing it's going to take us all not only this year, but I think if there's anything that we learn from this year is that we work better together and that will weatherbee legislative platforms as you see on the slide weatherbee challenges in the community. This is our community and if we work together we're going to accomplish great things. Thank you for the time today. Thank you doctor for the. Presentation we do have some council members that have some. >> when we begin with the council member Blackmon. Thank you very much chair, I'm going to be really brief I want to thank you for bringing this up in doctor Diego, thank you so much for your leadership. For the school system, especially during an unprecedented time. This presentation was great shows how quickly you guys have pivoted now successfully during the pandemic graduation rates being up. I think everybody agrees is a wonderful thing. And I was also very impressed by the portable reductions so through the school you highlighted Tyrone is in my district in desperate need of of updates so we're very thankful for that. A Melrose elementary I lived across the street from literally for for 3 years. Obviously we know that a big problem is when the failure factories and now it's going to be one of the leading schools. The whole district so we're thankful for that and then Saint Pete high my alma mater when you put up the slide. I some one of my old classrooms looking pretty for Lauren so I'm excited to see that done as we say thank you how this is all wonderful news and you know is it is Chairman Areas is always said you know education is the way to a brighter future so. Thanks again for violating this underscoring banks for you. Thank you Sir. Thank you councilmember black, let's go next to deputy mayor Tom. >> Thanks for a great information. Just want to ask about what we always talk about that you make happen the way it shrinking. It just kind of double click on to what you attribute that in mundaring so I know in Pinellas County. That's the rate for black students is certainly moving forward in a meaningful way but wondering if there's. >> The St. Petersburg reflects that as well of St. Petersburg students are completely achieving. Thank you for for bringing that I attributed to the accountability of all of us they attribute to establishing a plan with this thing goals every single attributed to to truly making those goals aspirational. When when we set up for the bridging the gap land people kind of said are you serious and it is the only planned long we also belong to Council of great city schools by the way where I get to see and visit with 76 large urban school districts, United States. I asked them in a presentation when we presented this how many of you have bridging the gap plans. Yes, I mean you have your board approve them and really are held accountable every 9 ways not to hand raised. I want to be I want to be out there and be bold in terms of our community but also need the community. There are the best way to raise the educational. Results and communities to continue to have us all raise the housing ability the job market ability the health care ability of families and not see it as a separate silo but rather really work together because our families our children and babies they they they need good health care they need good food they need they need good jobs. The parents they need they they need stable housing they need. I mean all of those things that's so in a related and when I worked in systems that it's all moving education continues to take off it can't be one or the other and that's what's so beautiful about. Well we could do we have the opportunities to do now is thing people throughout Pinellas County. >> So we're seeing that performance in St. Louis is. We are we are seeing with seen that the measures that we wanted to is seeing in reduction of of behavior infractions and speak specifically of our black but extensively because that's what what I'm so focused and on we see in the reduction of behavior infections by since we see reduction of of out of school suspensions reduction of a rest. We did see it in the reduction drastic reduction of identification. And yes, the categories instead of just categorizing student says. Mostly that this order or something like that let's get at the root of the problem we're seeing these reductions that were also set a goal to increase the number of of African American. The teachers and so our diversity of our student population looks like our work population looks like a student population, we're getting there too. And now we need to also increase the Hispanic teachers too. And I know you have a speaker coming next teacher preparation and the university so leave it to him, but we need to work together on this whether it's universities and school districts and so forth but I am seeing it and I'm saying it and and we need to engage parents so that everyone's knowing the importance of of education. It's not a sidebar conversation has to be a everyday conversation with their students. To today and one of the question. Have you had a chance to assess whether there have been any deficits to the digital divide with so many kids with home and yeah been talking to Liam Curry about the ways we can assist with that. But is there anything you'd like to share with Council as relates to the need. Well, I was there and how that's going to be addressed. It's all about engagement. We've done a phenomenal job as you saw the elementary we about 85%. I want to speak about some what what I'll call some real you know more severe cases but thankfully less number but that is as you know there's there's an issue throughout the state of not being able to find students is not being able to locate students students of becoming an engaged those are things that I'm most worried about most worried about students that are not engaged at this time where they're in a household that that's not the engage muntz not important. I'm describing the most people and individuals but they're they're serious and I'm very concerned about that working with law enforcement working with social workers child. Psychologists and we're making home visits principles for the first time in the making of his own of on a zoom call today with the principal in Pinellas Park, she's gone to a single home 5 times trying to find and trying to engage students. I sent 2000 letters to parents that I want your kids back to school. I mean I was pretty bold on and you know me is that this isn't working. So less is a health reason get him back of also talked to judge more about issuing truancy notices and she's fine. We have to not allow. Our son our community to accept the fact that that that students are going to suffer for some adult decisions along the way and where we can do that and how we can help I certainly welcome that this is overwhelming it's a variable that we've never had to really deal with with this pandemic. We'll continue that conversation and help is I would appreciate that. Thank you Michael next to councilmember fix and. >> Doctor you know that this is a pleasure to see you high even through all as know through the glass I am extremely excited right now when I saw that you were actually coming to me a presentation on Pinellas County schools. Especially considering the years of involvement that Afghan on all levels with Pinellas County schools in knowing how intimately involved you are involved in making it go to the next level so I was really excited. I'm even more excited that our cheer invited to you. Because one of my number one platforms with education. It is just so valuable to make sure that that is the focus, especially for our children and with something that I was engaged and in to make sure that our african-american students are still provided the same playing field. I just want to congratulate you your pay his board. New board members as well for continuing to take the charge on that and so I'm even more grateful that now education will be a focus of the city of St. Petersburg. That was one of the major things that I really wanted us to see. Move forward with working with our students because with me coming from the y in working with the academic piece with the smaller ones it starts very early. It starts very early in still for all of the and of the box thinking these that you fill out. Your teachers, your board members your staff to actually worked to try to reach those. And also celebrate those that have done well I want to congratulate you and thank you and I was so excited to see you and continue to do the good work in also continue to lead to support our because they are truly frontline workers truly I could not do it. With me having children in Pinellas County schools. They are heroes as well so again thank you that degree going is really good to see you again. Thank you thank you, thank you so much Can I say one short there, no running a no-go right and just coming off a I'm used to it. But the thank you for mentioning our You know they know a lot of true heroes in the community, none more than others, sometimes teachers and principals, you left out of the mix I talked to them in the evening times I talked to him in 9.10 o'clock I was telling one last night laden. Just to support them and it means a thank you means more than and thank you for supporting a teacher of the You know our show that a great job, but we believe it or not you know I I wrote a little editorial piece things they want 20,000 people to take a pause. Celebrate and they said have if we get 20,000 we had over 40,000. And you believe that area just him but all of it not only Pinellas County but even in the United States, the people are tuning in everywhere. So that's one of those things will probably go back to the happy theater but we're still going to live stream and good but we did live close 35 40,000 people stop and celebrate. All of our that that evening was great. Thank you for mentioning teachers, it's so important to thank them. >> Doctor and I wanted to. Thank you again for for coming in. And 4. All all of us here in the city of St pier 4. We we want to partner with you and I I'm so glad that you came in and shared with us. Part of your strategic plan and gave us. A briefing on what you've been working on. As Edmund Burke. One said education is the cheap defensive nations. It not only. The individuals, but it helps society. What we're trying to build here in St. Petersburg and we've got a wonderful city and we we've got so many