City Council

>> Welcome to the city of St. Petersburg City Council meeting and your elected officials our mayor Ken well. District one Council chair. Hopefully Curtis. District 2 Brendan Barber. Is to 3 Mike Harding district 4 Council vice chair, Liz said Hannah with. Never take Sanders. District 6 Gina Driscoll in district 7 warri Givens junior. And district day Richie Floyd. >> 4/10/2025, City Council meeting. We do a roll call please and what's here. Sanders in this goal Givens here Lloyd for this year gabbard Harding. Okay we'll have our indication given today by Rabbi Philip Weintraub congregation, but night Israel and then please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance. 3500 years ago. The Israelites the Jewish people left their indigenous home and went down to Egypt during a famine. They are welcomed as guests and many made their lives. There is immigrants. Farrell came into power that saw them not as assets to the broader society, but potential enemies and persecuted them. He enslave them and made their lives miserable and for over a 100 years they accepted their fate. But then they cried out to GOD to their creator who sent the Moses to assist in bringing them out of the land and returning them to their home in Israel to this day the Jewish people reenact this journey celebrating a seder with symbolic foods, refusing all 11 products for a week eating matzah flatbread to remember that we did not have time to let our bread rise and that's Harry journey. We remember that we were slaves and now we are free people. As we do that we look around the world and see that far too many people are not yet free. And we know this time of year is sacred to so many as Passover begins Sat. Night. Easter is coming bringing the vision of redemption through the resurrection in the Christian tradition for Muslims Ramadan and aid are celebrations of receiving their holy teachings and all of these festivals remind us of our own potential of the positive choices we can make on the world around us just as so many wonderful honorees are here celebrating their service to the community. So our divine parents heavenly father as we stand here and serve our beautiful city. Let us continually aim. Let us continue least work to aim higher. Let us strive for excellence and fairness equity and the greatest challenge of all compassion. As we see the darkest moments of so many. To light up this world. What I serve as beacons of light through the work that we do and let us build the world of love and then. >> It is the fly of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under GOD, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Rabbi thank you so much for joining us this morning and that beautiful invocation. Okay council members we have an agenda in front of us with the addition of h one and h 2 from this morning's be a fun team meeting all entertain a motion for approval of approval back in because we have a motion a second or the council members wishing to speak clerk could you please open machine for voting. Council members please enter your votes. Seeing is all present council members have voted clerk could you please tell me and announce the vote. MR. CHAIRMAN motion to pass approve of the agenda passes unanimously with council member driskell being absent. Okay and then we'll go ahead and move into open form clerk could you please read the rules. If you wish to address City Council and subjects other than public hearing, Rick was I did items listed on the agenda please sign up with the clerk. Only the individual wishing to speak myspace I'm open sheet. Well, the city residents owners of property business clues in the city for their employees MAY speak all issues discussed in open form must be some must be limited to issues related to the city of St. Petersburg government. If you're speaking to an item on the agenda you MAY only speak once during the open form. Well when it comes up on the agenda in order to provide an opportunity for all citizens to address Council. Each individual be given 3 minutes to speak and after which the microphone will be needed. If you wish to address City Council to the zoom meeting. You must use the raise hand feature button. In the zoom app interest are not on your phone at the time the agenda item is addressed. What is your turn to speak, you will be a new didn't asked to state your name and address. At the conclusion of your comments you have reached a 3 minute time limit. You will be muted. All raised hands, we will be lowered after each agenda item regardless of the method of participation used normal rules apply in including the 3 minute time limit on comments. The requirement that any presentation material must be submitted in advance the meeting and the rules of decorum its like public comment is disrupted by the violation of the rules of decorum the chairs often rise to accept public comments. I alternate means including by the male only. MR. Cho we do have some speakers called to the time please. We have doctor ph d. He's come to the podium state your name and address for the record you have 3 minutes to address Council. Please state your name address or. >> My name is redacted from Harry. He Washington. This head. United States Army. I will get one said the fact. This bill am it will read now. DR. Washington that's not going to work we need your address please. I will not it might feel the go ahead run to put fear of cool Cook Cain. And the Cowboys. Coming to my house. Give us the the intersection and please DR. Washington. >> Central Avenue. And first Street. Every call. My father bill today. I put their will to monuments day. Is that okay. Please continue not wow say to you. Simply because I told you I built this building. And you don't believe me don't make it so. >> My family with in Florida. Before in a u what ball. I'm here today. Because in the video. Appearing on tv. >> Can't thing dished ever t. On my people. The people that rage. I want to tear you. Built the White House. So why it impossible. Well my. Meet heavy Paul and Bill in its bill. I told you things I should not have known. Those paintings. All they really paintings or isn't someone behind. They wrapped this Holsey kuz why. Downstate is that's a number of Police Department down stated they have been up gongs. Any rat about 15 seconds DR. Washington. MR. Turner more speakers, okay. Thank you we'll go ahead and close open form and move into awards and presentations we're going to start with d one the essence of ebony pearls 2025 honorees brought to us by councilmember fix. Sanders. I moved quick on you there councilmember I'm sorry. >> Young ladies. I love you doing me at the podium please. So it brings me first of all good afternoon everyone. It brings me such on if you want to it will be in somebody's door to enter dues. The essence of every any pearls honorees the 13th biennial essence of any pearls devry Tesco the ship it to you was held. I don't know when it was almost a Mar. 15. The community was more than a celebration of beauty elegance and tradition. It was a milestone marking the debut debut of 20 remarkable young ladies into 6 it. It was a joy working with each of you and I'm going to ask the 2 onions chair to please come is Cassandra Williams in her misread near boozy. As it does in just so that you all know this was a scholarship organization orchestrated by the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority Zeta whose a good chapter. And I was actually the chairperson of the can tell you from 2001 to 2019. So I have experience with his blood. Each year it keeps getting better and better and I just thought it necessary to recognize. >> Our PRESIDENT This year said then a scare for who is at after PRESIDENT. But I just thought it was necessary to none. Thank these young ladies warning to participate will mourn 2 more importantly warning scholarship this. The oldest is expensive. But Cassandra I want you to come is say a few words as the chairperson. >> Thank you councilmember Sanders and thanks to the Council for having us today. I just want to say that we're very proud of our young ladies. We started working with them back in OCTOBER of 2024. So everything culminated on Mar. 15. And we're just so very proud of them and as MS. Big Sanders mentioned this was a scholarship cotillion so they were able to earn dollars for college. Again thank you for the opportunity. So of course I'm going recognize them with our City Council distinguished citizen award and the first one goes to MISS De view times joining more. Sycamore Liz take a peak year, let's take a peek. What next the first run a business and bricks and. A business person and I was left. You come on over here. This is MISS Congeniality and he MISS Congeniality us actually voted on by the other deputize the night of the can tell you and that shows that she's displayed kindness us week to want to if you didn't help bad you didn't see anybody who just showed up yes War the us in this community service this home is the new 30 that meant that she gave that. >> We always knew that he needs to volunteer and give back to their community. Now he's left but definitely not news. I started. Scholarship my husband is business just a media coup. But as I was the chair person I saw that there was a standout every year of someone that just display this supreme spirit. So MISS Supreme spirit for this can tell you is MISS Sabina met. This is no supreme spirit. We have all seen that. Thank you, ladies. >> Thank you so much chair and thank you so much councilmember fake Sanders for bringing this to Council chambers today I want to congratulate each and every one of you young ladies on this auspicious occasion on this great accomplishment. My sister was a Debbie time there was a huge supporter of her and she wrote letters of recommendation of hers all the way until she joined the sorority on but these ladies that stand alongside you these are mentors these are role models continue to do what they do blaze new trails continue to shatter glass ceilings continue to break new records and b she rose in your own right. As you go on to college because remember this is about service. This is about scholarship. It's not about parties. You can go to college you have a lot of phone. But remember what this day and you're good till was all about it was all about. >> Service in scholarship. And so go out in change the world and then come back to Saint Pete. But as they have an idea in trying to change Saint Pete impact change in and try to try to be history makers in your own right and I and the last thing I want to mention is is honor that history. My sister and my mom they were debutantes that the call us and just like you are, but my grandmother, she was a debutante in 1945. At the Millrose clubhouse by the Federation of color women misstep you know about this, but you all MAY not so I encourage you to do your homework know about the Federation of color women, the Society of women who in this community. They gave bank. They encourage the next generation to continue giving back and so that's why we're here today, so congratulations to you all and thank you MR. >> And to me as a defeat at back in 1983. Yeah, I did the math but thank you so much for coming in too. Appreciate you all willing to participate in that, but it is our honor. Really to recognize you in to present you to society so thank you so much. Thank you councilmember for bringing bringing this forward and helping us celebrate these young women our community. Okay we're going to move to d 2 black maternal health we proclamation also given to us by councilmember fix. Sanders. >> This is such an honor for me to stand here in. To be able to talk about the black maternal health week, especially one who was a minute to minute rake away from being one of the statistics of black maternal health. So I'm gonna ask doctor was shower. Frost. Doctor Vicki do that. The care of people's Alissa but DR. To join me. As they are here representing the Florida black maternal health initiative. As I read this proclamation. Whereas annually during minority health month Apr. 11th through the 17th is recognized nationwide as the black maternal health week to raise awareness and improve the desperate, desperate birth outcomes. Among african-american in black mothers and babies and whereas black maternal health week is a crucial component to advancing black maternal health in the state of Florida. We're in twenty-twenty blackberry thing babies were 4 times more likely to pass away to pregnancy related complications. 2 times more likely to experience a severe Obst district event in nearly 3 times more likely to have an infant pass away before their first birthday and whereas each maternal death is a tragedy with devastating impacts on your family community and society as a whole and according to the Florida more the Florida maternal mortality review committing. Nearly 70% of these deaths were considered preventable. Imagine that. And whereas Tampa Bay black maternal health week initiative was created as a mechanism to improve black maternal health outcomes through education. Advocacy and community support through the development of a week-long health campaign black maternal health week of Tampa Bay comprised of several events in a formal recognition celebration and acknowledgement of black maternal health and therefore I councilmember Debora fix Sanders on behalf of can to Welsh mayor of the city of Saint Peter's Square do hereby proclaim Apr. 11 through the 17th 2025 as black maternal health week in St. Petersburg and encourage all women, mothers parents and supporters to promote health injustice in their families and communities. I'm going to allow. You got to say a few words for you do that before. >> I just want to say thank you to the city of St. Petersburg for continuing to acknowledge this cause and it's very important and that we continue to raise awareness around black maternal health, specifically in the United States. We are considered one of the worst in terms of not maternal health. When you compare us to other nations. Similar backgrounds and so and and that is largely driven by the racial disparities in maternal health outcomes and so and improving maternal health for black mamas and but babies we can improve outcomes for us all and really and make change in our communities. So thank you all for having us today, I'm not to blame. Okay, thank you. >> Okay we're going to move on to the 3 fair housing month proclamation given to us by councilmember gabbard. >> Thank you chair and thank you to the mayor for this opportunity to give this proclamation I think it's fitting that we would be celebrating fair housing month on a day when we had our housing for opportunities for all update this morning. We get an annual update every year and it really discusses the remarkable work that not only our city team, but the group of stakeholders who work in the housing space bring to our city to provide the most vital piece of anyone's life which is housing and housing in our city is a right for all individuals and that's why I really I'm happy that we're here today to bring this recognition. I want to invite our housing advocates and are causing staff up to join me for the proclamation. So we have DR. A priest like her and her team Hill I will let introduced because I don't want to MISS Anyone. All from our housing community development administration department and then we are also joined please come join me by Colin Riemer and then Hendrickson from the Pinellas realtor Foundation. The Pinellas realtor Foundation does work throughout the community not only in assisting with charitable housing opportunities. But also it's created a fantastic down payment assistance program that really bridges the gap for individuals and so they have been able to put over $12 million of housing stability into the community through the work that they do. So thank you for being here with all of us today. And with that I will go ahead and read the proclamation MAY give you both a copy. Thank you. All right. The proclamation reads whereas in honor of the 57th anniversary of the signing of title 8 of the 1968 Civil Rights Act also known as the Fair Housing act APRIL is designated as fair housing month to bring attention to the landmark legislation that guarantees fair housing and equal opportunity for our nation's citizens and whereas by supporting promoting and enforcing fair housing laws as well as equal opportunity. We are contributing to the quality of our state city and nation by encouraging others to abide by the letter and the spirit of the National fair housing act and whereas providing fair housing opportunities for all citizens is an essential goal of the city of St. Petersburg and it joins with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, concerned citizens and the housing industry and working to realize the dream a fair and affordable housing for all city residents and whereas the city of St. Petersburg is proud of its efforts to further fair housing and recognizes that this can only be accomplished. They're forging partnerships and other government agencies corporations for-profit non-profit entrepreneurs and all persons interested in furthering fair housing. Now therefore I councilmember Brady gathered on behalf of Kenneth t Welsh the mayor of the city of St. Petersburg do hereby proclaim Apr. 2025 as fair housing month in the city of St. Petersburg Florida and urge all citizens to observe this month by preserving and promoting each person's right to housing without regard to their status to celebrate the Fair Housing act and protect these rights under law. Thank you for being here today, everyone and thank you again for the work that you all do DR. Psych or would you like to say anything and introduce your team, yes absolutely thank you so much councilmember. Share Council. The housing team. We have a mixture here of administrative staff. We have single family. We have our outreach team and we have multifamily here with you know that the high in a moment. But on behalf of the housing and community development. I would like to extend a deep gratitude for the fair housing proclamation. This recognition is a testament to the hard work dedication and collaboration that's gone into creating in more accessible and just community for all of our residents. We're expect grateful for the opportunity to highlight the vital contributions that our residents make and helping us support and able our efforts each and every day. Our heartfelt thanks to our partners. Together we share a goal of creating safe and affordable housing opportunities and this proclamation acknowledges that power of partnership and achieving this mission. I'd also like to express my sincere appreciation to the city's code compliance assistance department who is currently at a fair housing event right now for us. Their diligent work in ongoing efforts to ensure housing standards are upheld help guarantee that all residents have safe and quality how and lastly I want to recognize the people who live and breathe fair housing every day. The team behind me and the team that's back an embassy still working. I am endlessly inspired by your dedication and the care that you show. This proclamation is not just a recognition but a reminder of the importance of continued collaboration and the ongoing commitment that we do have to fair housing in our community. And we look forward to working together to further these efforts ensuring that every resident has an opportunity to thrive. So I thank you again for this honor and I ask you to please join us on APRIL 23rd for the 21th annual for housing symposium that is being held at the Pinellas Ritter organization. Thank you. There you know, I'm APRIL I just read outreach. >> Casandra senior housing development coordinator. Jonathan cotto finance. Mallard King housing development specialist for multi-family. >> j 6 finance officer. Eleanor and social services planning manager. And if I MAY I'd love to ask Manuel Hendrickson on behalf of the Pinellas realtor Foundation to come up and say a few words as well. Thank you all for having us here fair housing month is an absolutely fabulous month. We love it we all know, I'm I'm I will tell 31 years dealing with the Pinellas wheelchair Foundation where we not only make sure that fair housing is always at the forefront. But we also to provide grants for first-time home buyers. The housing market right now is the toughest that it's been in 30 years we all know that but we don't want to throw in a wrench on top of it to have discrimination issues. It's hard enough to have financial issues. So I want you to know just in case you don't know that all Realtors are obligated it on a regular basis to do fair housing training and if there ever is any situation where you run into perceived discrimination please reach out to our realtor Association. We have a very large Association we take this very seriously. Thank you for a I just wanted to take a second and say thank you the housing team. I know I can be difficult and give you a hard time all the time. But it's because I care and I really appreciate the work that you do and I want to see it be as good as possible and so I'm very grateful. I mentioned a little bit this morning. I really do think we do more than a lot of other places and I believe we can continue to do even more so I just want to say thank you. Councilmember fix. Sanders. I concur, that difficult I just want to. I just wanted to say thank you so much because what you do is valuable. It is so important and I wish we can clone you to have twice as many because we do have a concern that the issues out there, but you all have done a great team make a call you alright on it. So thank you thank you, thank you please know your work is noticed as well as appreciate it, thank you so much. >> Thank you chair, and I just want to thank each and every one of you publicly for the work that you do I know that housing is a human right. And you all are proving just that so I appreciate the boots on the ground proactive work that you're doing to fight a crisis that is real I'm in a crisis that is raging across our country. But I agree with councilmember Floyd that we are taking the right steps and we are enacting the right policies and taking the right measures to combat this issue, so I certainly appreciate you all for the work you do so thank you chair. Thank you councilmember heart. Thank you chair. Moore specifically >> we encountered young lady. Last Thu. Last Thu. Night. It wasn't a very horrible situation and and the team had her out of there and into a safe place Mon. Morning. Could not be it at any more grateful any more proud of what you all do thank you very much and that that young lady is is it is a phenomenal lady with 2 small children and the worst part of her life. And She couldn't be any more grateful for your efforts as well thank you. >> It says we have the larger group here can we do a quick photo with worse yet. Since you're here with us would you please join us is your proclamation after all a new poll. >> Just quickly to our team, thank you so much for me. It was incredible to get a comprehensive update this morning on just all the work that's being done when I when I went through that packet. A bit dumbfounded it was it was. 7200 other spreadsheets that we don't get to see and so I'm just very appreciative of the work and then thank you to the Pinellas Realtors Foundation for all the work you're doing both behind the scenes and on the front lines that's very appreciated. But just lastly to our team. Thank you so much for what you do for all of our residents. You know, I know. I know it can be a very thankless job sometimes and so thank you for everything that you're doing for for all the thank You's that you don't get. Thank you for keeping up the good fight. It's very appreciated. I hope you know that thank you so much. Okay we're going to move into d 4 water conservation month that we're joined by run mayor County Welch thank you MR. CHAIRMAN and council members of the safety team and a great community. Let me first just echo. Your great comments on Watch the meeting this morning we've got so much to be proud of of in our city for innovating and leading on housing. Today I have the pleasure of reading to proclamations and recognize and city positively impact the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. The first proclamation for water conservation month as an opportunity to educate our community about the importance of conserving water which is one of our most precious resources. And we all recall we were reminded how important access to clean water. It's so important last year doing historic weather events. One of our public works director Claude Tankersley face we're very familiar with announcement from a water conservation team to join me at the podium for the reading of proclamation show. And it reads whereas water is a basic and essential needs of every living creature and whereas the state of Florida water management districts, Tampa Bay water in the city of St. Petersburg are working together to increase awareness about the importance of water conservation and whereas St. Petersburg and state of Florida have designated APRIL typically a dry month when water demand increases as Florida's water conservation month. And whereas St. Petersburg is always encourage and support of water conservation through various incentive programs educational presentations and special events and whereas every business employee industry school in citizen can make a difference when it comes to conserving Florida's precious water resources. Now therefore I can t will to mayor of the city of St. Petersburg Florida. We hereby proclaim the month of Apr. 20 25 as water conservation month in St. Petersburg and there's every citizen visitor and business to help protect our precious resources by becoming more aware of your use of water and using water saving appliances and practices. And Claude you want to give for some pointers thank you observations all right Sir. I actually will be very brief. I do have Al Smith with this and he with Chris clause run our water conservation program and so I would like to have him speak to one of the things that I thought about the other day. It is pretty incredible I think the last time we had to expand our water supply was back in 1971 1971 the last time we had to expand it. Our Saint Pete water plan shows that we will not have to expand it. At least until 2050. And so we might end up going close to a 100 years without having to expand our water supply in large part because of water conservation and how well this community has done with that so I just want to share that with you guys and out please come on up. Thank you mayor to the council. But making this proclamation St. Petersburg joins other municipalities and organizations water management districts in the state of Florida recognizing the value, protecting our environmental resources. This is a 27 year bringing attention to water conservation. With the permission I would like to provide information for customers who wish to learn more about the city's water conservation programs. This year, it's is on assisting our residents and businesses with outdoor water efficiency measures St. Petersburg and our partners are offering the following educational opportunities. And it's in the programs. The popular sensible sprinkling program provides eligible customers to free sprinkler system checkup, rain since the installation and detailed irrigation system drawing and efficiency report. Residents get email since bill sprinkling at Saint Pete that worker call 7, 2, 7, 8, 9, 2, 5, 6, 1 one for application and more information. The water conservation team continues to provide information. Informative online classes. Subjects include collecting rain water in rain barrels and gardens water was living getting to know your sprinkler system and my career shun to view the class scheduling register visit Saint Pete dot org. For us that's water workshops. The city put his face in a regional program that offers many different rebates for eligible Saint Pete single-family multi-family commercial and government properties related items include toilet shallow Wells in cooling towers. 2 new items are free installation of a smart irrigation controller, every base for installing high fence, the sprinkler components customers can find details unchecked eligibility at Tampa Bay water wise that work. And of course for information on all these topics residents can call 7, 2, 7, 8, 9, 2, 5, 6, 8, 8, or visit Saint Pete dot org. For us that's water conservation. Thank you. Thank you. And before I turn it over to vice chair here, just I just want to say vice chair and what's thank you for all the work that you do a Tampa Bay water. I know every time we have a water conversation your a fierce advocate I think that's a gentle way of saying it and I just want to thank you for all the work that you do there and they take it very seriously and thank you for representing us so well. I do we all know how important water is a to us whether we have too much of it or too little of it. The site is one of the family I was honored to represent the city of St. Petersburg on the board of Tampa Bay water for those who do not know with Tampa Bay water is that's a regional utility before the existence of Tampa Bay water guess what their water wars. We see a fight about water I like the leaders back then it's crazy to think what happened back then happened I can't imagine that happening now, but they got together and did something great and build a regional utility utility and said others differences aside, and that includes Hillsborough County Pasco County Pinellas County the city of St. Petersburg city of Tampa and >> we are. Excited to every time that I go to those meetings and we look at what we use in terms of our water in our city even with all this growth our numbers. >> Are constant and I think this is important because I know every bit of seriously a toilet does it really matter that much. It actually diets and people have no idea because everybody's like well yeah all this growth of people in the city and that's why there's so much water being used know we are using less water than we did in Clive I know you probably know these numbers off the top of your head. I do. But seriously what was the usage before like per person you have these numbers and every time I hear this shocks me. It was approximately a 150 gallons per person back in 1971 is now 75 we've cut it in half. That's on real. That is the type of information that most people don't realize that even with all our population growth. The the usage that we have has is less and less and that's because we know more about water conservation. We think about it we're thoughtful in the city of St. Petersburg we were pioneers back in the day with reclaimed water which there are cities that wish they had our reclaim water system cause to actually build a system of reclaim water now days. The cost would be astronomical. And you see all the girls that have been the Hillsborough County. They wish they could do it they can't. And so this is a type innovation that we've had in our city so large in part to people. Claude and out and others that are in the city that think about the things and plan for the future so we're very fortunate to have them. And as a board member in Tampa Bay water. I'm always honored to represent the city of St. Petersburg we cause we do lead the way innovation and in matters so thank you very much. Thank you I just quickly say I I know I've told this story before but every time this proclamation comes in front of us I think about like 4th grade class. And we've got Tampa Bay water and the city of Saint Pete sponsoring draw this thing and they'll put it on the front I don't even remember they made a poster out of it I think and because of little things like that and by the way I was terrified ever widening in coming. 100th but. Going through that. I remembered to turn my Fossett off wow brushing my teeth too and you know to not have it run to not have the rod or water be running in the backyard, which by the way I did it a lot as a kid. Okay, and so but because of those things now my kids turn off their water while they brush their teeth when they brush their teeth. And. But they do and they didn't need they didn't need. The spark like that because it just became normal. It wasn't that and I think that's the council members. Vice chairs point is that we were ahead of the game creating good habits with water and I'm so thankful when I hear stats like that in mind that's amazing. And so just Claude out team, thank you so much, you know those those little ideas that you might not think go a long way well there's 2 generations right there they've gone a long way and so thank you so much for what you do every day. Thank you. MADAM Vice chair can use went down here. I would love to yeah. It's trying to get your attention. >> Okay we're going to move into d 5 national library week proclamation also given to us by Mayor watch. Thank you. MR. CHAIRMAN. >> As you said the second proclamation is in honor of national library week highlighting the incredible work that our library team does daily and the incredible. Resources that are available to our residents who are lovers. I want invite our community enrichment administrator Mike Jeffries and our new library director Beth Lindsey to join me at the podium, you have other staff. Chris, from the lab or team as well thank you all for joining us. And it reads whereas the Petersburg library system provides free and equitable access to more than 360,000 books, the books and he audio books. In addition to digital services and innovative programming ensuring all St. Petersburg residents. And visitors regardless of background have the support they need to be informed connected and empowered and whereas all 7 libraries within the Petersburg library system service vibrant community hubs connecting our community members with knowledge technology and resources while fostering civic engagement critical thinking and learning opportunities. And whereas the St. Petersburg library system nurtures young minds through story times stream programs and literacy initiatives, including our summer reading program. We saw more than 8,000 participants last year. Foster in curiosity and a love of learning that last a lifetime and whereas the St. Petersburg library system protects the right to read. Thank and explore protecting intellectual freedom and free expression for all St. Petersburg residents and ensuring access for all and whereas the St. Petersburg library system is librarians and library workers provide welcoming spaces to all the 502,000 people that visited our libraries last year. Inspiring discovery collaboration and creativity for each of them. Now therefore I can of tea well as many of the city of St. Petersburg you go back to claim Sun. Apr. 6 through Sat. Apr. 12th. As national library week in St. Petersburg and encourage all residents to visit their local library. Explore all the system has to offer and celebrate all the ways a library draws us together as a community and to the theme for your great work. We appreciate it. So Mike you always say it starts in Park, so we need something for the latter's what we're okay like next coming all are. Thank you. Mayor, we appreciate those comments and thank you Council for all of your support. >> It is really refreshing to be able to stand here before you today as chair of the ppl see for Pinellas County. And tell you that I am proud of the city of St. Petersburg and the support that our library system gets as you can imagine nationally locally libraries are under attack right now. And I'm happy to report that here in Saint Pete that is not the case. As mayor indicated we provide access to all we provide information of to everyone regardless of what information they're seeking and I think that's critical. You heard me say this in the past libraries are the great equalizers they don't care what your annual income is they don't care where you graduated from care if you graduated. The library system is there to uplift to teach to answer questions and to move people forward. Last month I was able to participate in a graduation program that occurred because of our library system. And we have a program that is free that doesn't offer a ged but offers an actual high school diploma for those that go through the program and I will tell you right now it was all inspiring to see single mom single dads to see grandparents stand up and to get their high school diploma after working for 2 years to earn it and you know we're looking to move the needle and all different areas. This right here is a program that we should all be very very proud of I do want to introduce our new library director I'm very excited. I am. Actually very disappointed that I have to report that you graduate from Lakewood high school. I'm not I'm not exactly sure how that happened I don't think i look to the resume very carefully. When Beth gave me her some notes at home and mayor is going to remain on Yes as a Northeast, a Viking graduate I have to have to give props where their where their due. But Beth has been with us for 19 years now, she's been in almost every one of the areas of our library system. She started a new service is I think most people know from you services circulation reference and then management. We are so excited to have Beth here she graduate from Florida Southern and then work to know Lee County library system for 15 years before we were able to steal her so as you know we we lost our previous alive or director Micah had to had to leave the city unfortunately and I know mayor Rob Tom and I really worked hard to figure out who the right person would be to replace Mika and I'm happy to report that we have absolutely found that in bath. I will turn the mic over to Beth. She is not Superfund of speaking publicly so I told her she'll do an amazing job and that you guys are harmless so if you can keep that in mind as we move forward that would be fantastic. He said. >> Thank you mayor City Council members and city administration with so much going on libraries on the national state and local levels right now national library week is more important than ever to shine a light on what libraries and library staff do every day for their communities. Libraries are so much more than a quiet place to read. We also offer e-books audio books programs for people of all ages, computer and wireless Internet access, including hotspots Museum passes and so much more. I want to thank our staff for all that they do for our community every day just want to thank our city administrators and City Council members again we're so grateful for your support and look forward to continuing to work with you to make sure libraries have the services and resources necessary to help our community members to arrive. Thank you councilmember Givens. >> Thank you so much chair appreciate and thank you all for the work that you're doing too create more equitable communities to to close that Digital divide a lot of folks don't realize it on even though millennials I grew up in a time where everyone didn't always have the Internet in their home. So Council Floyd's tp public Library now barack obama library where I would go to fill out that fafsa application to fill out my financial aid applications must stollar ships in school applications all of that stuff so I appreciate you all for being in that place where doors were open for me I remember going there to get story time our Roger Clemens. It's always a great time coming to our libraries that thank you all so much for the work that you do I'm thinking about MISTER Mayor the gas plant district, you know a lot of folks don't know the first black library was in the historic gas plant district so as we recognize our history, let's honor that as well and the doors that are being open every day so welcome to Saint Pete we would appreciate you coming back home, Beth and go Spartans Vice chair handled see here. When the proclamation on story time came up I can think of with wheels on the bus go round and round because I remember holding my daughter. The soon-to-be open obama library and doing that with her and it was such a wonderful time I think in a parent's life when your child is growing and you go to story time in the library and now I go with her to pick sunshine state books. It's crazy how quickly that happens and so to me the libraries are such an important part of my life not just for my daughter when I was growing up we didn't have a lot of money we couldn't go buy books we have to go to the library to borrow books we didn't have money to go by the books and so that was central to getting an education and seeing what's happening how the libraries are under attack, you know the bottom line is when I think about library think about First Amendment. I think about protecting our freedoms, our freedoms of expression, allowing diverse points of view because that is a cornerstone of a free society and that's what you all do and you provide to us and that is extremely important and for everyone that's out there go out and get your library card and visit the library because they have so much to offer so thank you. Mike that's Chris. Thank you for all the work the I have my lab record. Good. >> I got to meet Beth at the event at out laying on the field and I got schooled with all the things that I didn't know about the library's very quickly and so I appreciate that because now I will never forget those. And so just thank you for everything you're doing I mean I think everybody up here can talk about fun, memories and libraries. And just just so happy to continue to celebrate all the work we're doing and I know I probably speak for all of us we're all very excited to. Reopen obama library. And that'll be that'll just be one more. One more thing to celebrate during the year when it comes to library so thank you for all the work that you do. >> We're going to move we're going to switch gears now we're going to move into. I want a resolution providing for settlement authority limits for liability and workers comp we've got Ken mccallum I think we're up yeah, I'm sorry can I expected to down there. It will space appear today. Good afternoon, everybody. And I'm not here for the settlement today wouldn't hear about is our process is internally and this is something the legal department has been discussing for the last a couple of years we finally decided this is probably a good time to bring it as many of you will recall. The authority that the. Legal department has to settle cases as $25,000 anything over that we come to Council in you get briefed and then we have a vote on a and then for our workers compensation cases that limit had been 35,000. Well, the interesting thing to note is that prior resolution those figures go back to 1993 I was in my first year law school when that happened. That's how long ago was in so if we plug $25,000 into inflation calculator and run it through to today that would be over $55,000 in terms like value. And so we are seeking from Council resolution to increase our authority to $50,000 in that would also provide authority to the risk management department up to 25,000 without having to come to the legal department in just a couple other items of background and all this as to why we're doing this. There's a couple different reasons. One thing that you never see his property damage involving automobiles and a number of cases that happened within the city. And by making this change will allow the risk management department to deal with people whose cars have been damaged without forcing them to go through their own insurance and with the values of vehicles that have gone up so high that will make the city a little more responsive to people that are in those situations. The other thing that I would add is there's been a change in the rules of civil procedure in Florida. As of JANUARY one cases are moving in Circuit court much more quickly and as part of that tool the judges here in our local jurisdictions are sending. Plus 2 non binding arbitration on a fairly regular basis in the timelines involved in that and how quickly things are moving. We're not nimble enough in terms of notice requirements for the council to get something in front of you. So we end up in an arbitration and then we have to react quickly under the rules to respond to the award. In our hands are a little bit Ty Duffy had a little bit more authority we might be able to resolve more cases at a lower number than what we end up with the non binding arbitration award. So that's some of the rationale behind it. And then just in terms of the big picture and we have a couple of council members that are newer since we've been doing this just as interesting historical viewpoint which I find interesting the sovereign immunity cap and Florida began in 1973, it was $50,000. It has changed over the years and went to a $100,000 in 1981. The current cap is $200,000 that went into effect in 30. And that's where we are today obviously every year we here in Tallahassee theirs a movement afoot to increase the amount. There's currently a bill in front of the House companion bill in the Senate that doesn't have much movement but as we all know things happen rapidly at the last minute. This is threatened every year might be a little different this year because it appears the plan as far as giving money to the other side of the aisle that they've never done before because they realize that's the only way to get things done. So we'll just have to see how that plays out the next few weeks but be that as it is that's what we're asking for if anybody has any questions or I sure haven't. Thank you. Well, first of all I'd just like a menu that was a very long and broad overview for this which I think is fantastic as a good attorney you are ready and you answered every question before anybody can ask the question. So I thought that was extremely good and I just am amazed that we've gone from 1993 10 now and haven't done this so with that move approval. >> Nothing ever gets. Thank you so much having been someone we talked about this Khan who was affected. By the city's high speed chase pursuit policy before that change I was hit. By an individual who was fleeing from police and the city settled with me and that was a $1000. Even though I needed to buy a brand new car that have in total to get back to Florida State to be able to finish school and I had medical bills and all that stuff it wasn't much. So I say all that to say this is the time has come to adjust for inflation. There are costs that people incur as a result of accidents that don't happen. You know so on their account so I think it's just time for us to do this it's long overdue so that's why I'm supporting it so thank you chair, thank you. Okay we have a motion and second seasons no other council members wishing to speak clerk could you please open the mission for voting. Council members please enter your votes seeing is all present council members voted clerk could you please tallying announce the vote. MR. Chaired the motion to approve agenda item I one passes unanimously with council member driskell being absent okay. Thank you everybody, thanks Ken. Okay we're going to go into reports now we're gonna have a presentation from Johns Hopkins all Children's Hospital. We have Alicia show off a couple other members of her team all of her introduce them the PRESIDENT Of the hospital and just before we start I've been very fortunate enough to be on the foundation board of the hospital now I think 4 years. And this place is very very near and dear to my heart and I'm sure I'll have comments at the end, but just Alicia thank you for everything the hospital's done has gone through this year. And I'm very excited for my colleagues here this update. Thank you, thank you chair, Curtis and thank you to City Council it is a delight to be with all of you today and I am joined by our chief operating officer Justin Olsen joined by Anita Barry and also tabler delo with our fees are vice PRESIDENT For government affairs so we really appreciate that opportunity to join you. And it is been a minute since I've been with you all just about 3 years and we have at that point in time I was a new resident here in St. Petersburg and now I am pleased to share that we are all friends. We have raised kids together among us and we have survived 2 Hurricanes or such that so we will jump right in and I just wanted to say thank you for your true partnership and leadership. This slide hasn't changed too much since we've joined, but I just wanted to level set and remind you a little bit about the Johns Hopkins all children's system. So we are the most recognized academic leader and pediatrics with the highest acuity meaning the highest level of care demanded by our patients and also the highest Medicaid utilize are in the state of Florida. We are proud to serve as the number one Children's Hospital by us News and World Report and I think that's something that we can truly all celebrate. The number one Children's Hospital in the state of Florida right here in Saint Pete. Offering again the highest specialized services as I mentioned I think the points on Medicaid are really important for all of us recognize over 60% of our patients are on Medicaid. And we all recognize that Medicaid typically pays about $0.70 on the dollar so you can see that that and the the calculus there really creates a situation where we have a short fall and that is why we rely so much on supplemental funding and also on our philanthropic giving. This slide has changed however this really represents our regional care network. And we recognize that inpatient care is only a small piece of the equation Johns Hopkins all children's here in Saint Pete is a 259 bed facility and I might add that it has been very full be have been near capacity for the last several months actually we continuously have the highest census on record. And the 2 50's out of those 259 bed so we definitely appreciate the community's need for our services. This slide, however, also recognizes the other areas on the West coast of Florida where we are located again in patient care those 259 beds that I alluded to are very full, but we know typically care is given in more than inpatient settings and that's actually the majority of the carries and an outpatient setting. So what you see on this slide is the number out patient care centers as well as the affiliations we have with other hospitals in the area. We are truly the provider for many others in the area when they come or need pediatric care as you can see on the slide represented in green, those are hospitals that so we not only have the 259 beds here in Saint Pete, but we cover about a 100 beds throughout the West coast of Florida again represented on the slide. In addition to that what I will speak about in a few minutes is that we are also opening a new campus with Justin's incredible leadership and with that initiative opening up in Wesley Chapel that will add about 56 pence to our total. So our mission as we approach our one 100th year I heard a lot about spoken about today with a 100 years here in Saint Pete. Our mission is grounded in these 4 areas treatment education research and advocacy so I want to take a moment and walk you through each of the pillars of our mission. Just a showcase a bit about what our teens are doing on a daily basis. I think when we talk about treatment the best way that I can describe our treatment in our care and services to you is through some stories from patients. So let's begin with she is in the upper left-hand corner Maya is an example of our cardiac program. This is an incredible program that we have again one of the largest heart transplant programs in the area and Maya represents her story is really powerful Maya came to us first when she was about 7 months old for her first heart transplant and then came back to us about 7 years old. I as a dear friend of mine I might add she is a spunky as can be and she was adopted by the most beautiful family who has loved her and cared for her. I often times can be found playing hide and go seek. I'm with doctor q and or DR. Ak and I think she has an effect stolen our hearts At while we have healed hers. The next slide is as raw and has right isn't that upper right hand corner there as a represents our maternal fetal and neonatal Institute that is our 97 bed nicu and again about a 100 beds throughout the West coast of Florida. Here you see as raw and this particular story resonates with me see those balloons right there at the head of the bed. They showcase 529 and that was 529 days the as Roe was under our care before going home for the first time and so as a as picture there with the care team. That took care of as right and I think really showcases our commitment to research and education and and again all of the care and compassion I think as a mom of 4 children about taking my child home for the first time and how that was even a little unnerving and I can't imagine not taking my child home for the first 529 days of life and knowing that specialized care that is required so it's just a beautiful Testament. I think to that specialized care that we provide. In the bottom left-hand corner I have the pleasure of introducing you to Joe Joe and pictured in the back he kind of blends in with his brother but is also jayden's so you can see the back of jayden's had and the 5 Joe Joe's and this is a beautiful story because I think one of the differentiators for pediatric care is the wraparound services that we are able to provide truly that family care and so Jo Jo Ann javen are ringing that chemotherapy, Powell together and what I would love to share also I've gotten to know this family very well as well and the beautiful thing here is that that family was so touched by our team that in turn every Fri. Afternoon particularly just a backdrop for our hematology oncology kids oftentimes, those kids are with us for an extended period of time right. Potentially a 30 day chemotherapy treatment. But every Fri. They would host a coffee stand with us and so Joe Joe and jayden would turn back to our team members to give them snacks and coffee and I think that is just another example of how our services are unique and different and how we really become family. And then finally, Jay then represents our and Institute for brain protection Sciences, this is a top program in Florida for pediatric neurology and neurosurgery and this service also includes our behavioral health program which I know we all no and recognize is so critical for services these days. Jayden came to us after a very traumatic boating incident and the care team is there with jaden as well I think this story is really powerful because doctor Gallo he's pictured in the upper right hand corner talks about when he met jayden's mom how he could only promised her that he would do his very best, but he wasn't sure jayden was going to get off of the operating room table but look at jaden right there just as Smiley as could be alongside again the team that took care of him from the er and with DR. Megan Martin to DR. Tallow and the rest of the team. But these are 4 very specialized services that we provide with hundreds and thousands of children that are in our care each and every day I think what really constitutes and bring to life our mission and particularly that quarter the one component of our mission that I alluded to for treatment. In addition to these 4 Institute's represented by these 4 patients we also have some really significant what we call nice or pioneering program where Johns Hopkins all children's is truly one of the only hospitals in the country if not the world offering the level of care and service and the example, I give there is our congenital diaphragmatic hernia program that is a mouthful and this is truly where the diaphragm doesn't go all the way across the baby's abdominal region in cavity this is oftentimes diagnosed about 20 weeks by ultrasound in utero and and if you are diagnosed with this anywhere else across the country you might have somewhere between 4060% survival rate. Johns Hopkins all children's has the only the only it's fun to say when you have the only in the world that the only dedicated unit to this disease state. This is under the leadership of DR. David Kay's an incredible team of care providers, including Stacy Stone and many others who come together to take care of this patient population and remember those statistics I share these kiddos have over 90% survival rate in our unit and that's even with the most complex of care. So that is one example are eats or asafa jail airway treatment program is just another but I share that to really emphasize that while we can definitely take care of the bumps and bruises, you all have helped us for almost a 100 years provide that specialized care in the community and we are so grateful. So moving on to the second of our pillars this is our education mission and I think this is near and dear to all of our hearts as well. We are home to 2 pediatric residency programs it's our commitment to really the next amazing providers in the country and then the world so those 2 pediatric programs we have a longstanding relationship with usf University of South Florida and then also our Johns Hopkins all Children's Hospital residency program. And between those 2 we have 15 fellowship programs in addition to those 2 residency programs and I want to call out in this slide you can see on the left-hand side that is the picture out of our simulation center and by all means I always welcome that anyone wants a tour of our campus, we'd love to provide that this simulation center is again one of a kind where we are helping to put folks in that situation that hopefully they never half but we will train them as if it were real and again because of our highly level high level of specialization oftentimes we have that once in a blue Moon situation that we have to train for and this is where oftentimes that happens. And we've also use that to apply for the line funding which I think you all are familiar with out of the state of Florida and that is one example of how we bring our learners together and a very controlled environment that environment is also used to help prepare patients and their families to go home as I was describing as a situation earlier center is also used to bring parents and so they can practice and be prepared for when they take their child home, we have one room that simulates a a bedroom or your television room or whatever you call it your den and those simulations examples have been known to save a child's life. Several times over because they have had the chance to practice and are some center. I should also mention before I go on education is not just limited to our physicians and our Johns Hopkins all children's environment. We also have extensive training programs with our nurses, we have a very unique and specialized nurse residency program because we know that that's an area of opportunity for us especially with covid how many of our nurses had condensed training are nurse residency program gets the gives them the opportunity to have more clinical environment time as well as that specialized care that they need specialized environment. The penny. Research is anoth