City Council

>> Welcome to the city of St. Petersburg City Council meeting and your elected officials our mayor Ken Welch district one hopefully burdis. District 2 Council vice chair Randy Gabbert district 3 and not marry. He's worked for with that kind of way. Deborah big Sanders. And Council chair Gina Driscoll district 7 Lisa Wheeler Bowman. And district day Richie Floyd. >> Good afternoon everyone we will. Call to order the Mar. 24th 2022 meeting at the St. Petersburg City Council. We'll start with the roll call please on to marry your and what's here. Sanders and just go here real Bowman Floyd here it is they're gathered. Yeah. This afternoon joining us for our invocation is referenced a fun ground pastor at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church. If we'll all please rise and remain standing after word for the pledge of allegiance. Good afternoon. Father good afternoon. Thank you for inviting me to the due in prayer today. But to begin with a Jeremiah Tampa 29 versus 11 to 13. I know the plans I have in mind you or other more plans for your welfare not for well. So as to give you a future of hope. When you call to coming prey to me I will listen to you. A new look for me you'll find me. Yes when you see me with all your heart. Almighty and gracious GOD. Bless our City Council and all that the server we pray oh GOD that they be blessed by your divine grace as they have begun a new era with a new mayor and members of our City Council. We are strengthened your grace, the hearts of many are made whole your grace, people who are enemies can become friends. Most forgot we asked your grace be poured out upon our city. A true justice and equality be our goal. Abc is person having value and about every voice to be heard. GOD who created us help us to create a community that recognizes the gifts of all the immigrant the stranger. The citizen labor. But the halls of justice the places where all persons can approach and receive right judgment, unfair treatment. Those who put on uniforms, the love not fear, appreciated and cherished Macy in its citizen an opportunity to help right a wrong to serve integrity and to act with caution and regard all with respect and more are GOD. We seek to live and make the hope of justice become reality with all people are free. Treated with dignity and recognize chilly as persons put in your image. And finally gracious GOD. We come before you asking and pleading your grace and guidance. Our City Council members. Bless the women and men anoint them to bring forth your kingdom of justice love and peace for all help them to see your faith means person they serve. We asked this in your most holy name. For you are GOD for ever and ever and we all said and a man. >> And to Republic for which it stands one nation under GOD indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you Sir for that beautiful invocation so appropriate for today and for these times in which we live. >> Council members we have an agenda before us there is one change item c b 21 has been pulled to reports and now rests under new agenda item at 4 with that change I'll entertain a motion for approval. But for approval second. We have a motion in a second saying that there's no request for discussion the clerk please open the machine for voting. Council members please enter your votes. We hit in the council members voted with the clerk please telling announced the votes. MADAM Chair, the motion to approve the agenda passes unanimous. Thank you council members, we have a consent agenda before us all entertain a motion for approval. The move. I can do anything. We have a motion a second to approve the consent agenda seeing that there's no request for discussion with the clerk please open the machine for voting. I'm sure we have no cars are going to consent agenda. All right. Thank you. Council members please into your votes. Seeing that all council members voted by the clerk please telling announced the votes. I'm sure the motion to approve that is in the past as you know. We'll move to awards and presentations in our first. Item for today in that category is I didn't do one the Tampa Bay, regional planning councils, 60th anniversary proclamation and to deliver that proclamation. We have vice chair Brandi gathered. Thank you Good afternoon, everyone I'd like to Sean Sullivan, the executive director of the Tampa Bay, regional planning Council to please come forward join me here at the podium to receive this proclamation. So I have the distinct honor of being the 60 s chair of the Tampa Bay, regional planning Council. >> It is a amazing organization for anyone who is not familiar and I'll get into it a little bit with the proclamation but an organization that convenes our region. To work on issues of shared importance the region stretches from citrus down to manatee includes Hillsborough it's quite a read wide range geography and a very diverse, but there are a lot of issues that we share in common and moving us forward as the Tampa Bay region. 60 years ago in 1962. Mayor Herman Goldner from St. Petersburg if anyone knows that was the founder of the Tampa Bay, regional planning Council. So if I'm a MADAM Chair and take a moment of privilege before I read the proclamation to just read you a quick quote by Mayor gold there. He said it's sometimes hard to look 50 years ahead. Those old enough to look 50 years that can testify that time flies far more rapidly than is realized and there's nothing unrealistic in starting now to get ready for the needs of the 21th century. By that time there will undoubtedly be several million clustered around Tampa Bay. How well and comfortably they can live that depend on how wisely we act now. And so I think we can see what a visionary he was to really know what a jewel we had in the Tampa Bay area and really when you look around now and see where we are you can see that the founding of this important organization was critical to that. So with no further ado I'd like to read the following proclamation whereas Petersburg recognizes that over the past 60 years the Tampa Bay, regional planning Council has served our citizens and member governments by providing a forum to foster communication coordination and collaboration and identifying and addressing issues and needs regionally and whereas the Tampa Bay, regional planning Council with the first regional planning Council in the state of Florida. And it's recognized and Florida's only multipurpose regional entity that is in a position to plan for and coordinate intergovernmental solutions to growth related problems on greater than local issues provide technical assistance to local governments and meet the needs of the communities in each region. And whereas we recognize that the Tampa Bay regional planning Council represents 99% of the population in a 4 County region which includes citrus Hernando Hillsborough manatee Pasco and Pinellas counties as well as the following municipalities Bradenton Clearwater Dade city Denny drew Gulfport largo Madeira Beach new port Richey, oldsmar Palmetto Pinellas Park plant city safety Harbor St. Petersburg Saint Pete Beach Seminole South Pasadena, Tampa tarpon Springs temple terrace and treasure Island. I don't think we left anyone out and whereas these governments and represented by the Council of elected officials appointed by their local boards comprise 2 thirds of the council's membership and the governor appoints additional members making up the remaining 3rd of the council and with 3 x a members representing the Florida Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency and the Southwest, Florida water Management District. And whereas the Tampa Bay, regional planning Council is recognized both statewide and nationally as leaders in regional and resiliency planning and follows the strategic regional policy plan which is the guiding document providing regional goals and policies for the 5 subject areas required by Florida statute, including economic development emergency preparedness natural resources, regional transportation and affordable housing. Now therefore I Council vice chair bringing the gathered on behalf of Kenneth t Welch mayor of the city of St. Petersburg Florida. Do hereby officially recognize the 60th anniversary at the Tampa Bay, regional planning Council and they're significant an excellent contributions for 6 decades to the quality of life for the citizens of the Tampa Bay region. >> Thank you vice chair gathered and members of City Council. We look forward to the next 60 years. And we appreciate your support. Thank you very much. Thank you Sean. Thank you. >> Will go toward our next item which is a resolution that I'm bringing forward honoring Florida Highway Patrol trooper, Toni Schuck. We know that. Law enforcement officers and. Our firefighters our of our first responders you know they get up every day and they go to work. And. For sure if they're going to come home that they're not. They walk out the door. Go to their jobs which they have committed to a career of protecting and serving our community. When you least expect it that commitment can be tested. And that was tested on Mar. 6 during the Skyway 10 k with trooper Toni shot. Who put her life on the line to save the lives of many others. This is this is the reason I I and Meyer ours our first responders they always stand with them because at the end of the day they're truly the ones who are protecting us. And she's a true hero. In our community and someone that that we should all keep in mind as we aspire to serve the community ourselves. The Suncoast police Benevolent Association. Coins that they give out it's kind of challenge coin. On the back of it. A quote from the Bible it's Isaiah 6, 8, which reads and I heard the voice of the Lord saying who shall I send who will go for us. And I answered here I am send me. I've heard that 2% keeps a Bible in her in her car. And I just imagine her saying that here I am send me and GOD did send her that day and she saved many many lives, so many people from being injured or killed. I'm so grateful for her service and so I wanted to bring this resolution forward as a as humble gesture of our gratitude. Joining us today. To honor trooper Schuck we have several of our wonderful members of law enforcement and fire rescue here with us today. Course we have chief Holloway from St. Petersburg Police Department best police chief in the nation. Chief deputy Jorge Stephan from the Pinellas County Sheriff's office here today. Master sergeant Allen Carter from Florida high Highway Patrol. Who was also on the Skyway bridge that day and was part of the team. They they did all they could to to protect everyone and thank you Sir for joining us and for your service. We have John Jonathan Vasquez's the PRESIDENT Of the Suncoast pba with us today Sir, thank you from St. Petersburg fire rescue. We have district chief lack lieutenant Travis wood. Captain time crass. In division chief in Womack joining us today and if any of you Gentlemen would like to to say a few words once we vote on the resolution. You're welcome to approach the podium. I know that you all are are men of of great deeds heroic deeds. But few words most of the time, but I wanted to give you the option if you'd like say a few words with that. My colleagues I. Humbly ask 4 a motion to pass this resolution which reads as follows. Whereas members of law enforcement work together at all levels during special events to serve and protect our community. And whereas the 5th annual Skyway 10 k race took place on the Bob Graham sunshine Skyway bridge. On 3/6/2022 to support the armed forces families Foundation. And whereas on that morning 8,000 runners, we're gathered on the bridge for the Skyway 10 k race and whereas a driver recklessly sped past multiple road. Closure signs and barricades at speeds exceeding 70 miles per hour toward the runners on the bridge. And whereas trooper Toni Schuck a 26 year veteran of the Florida Highway Patrol was the last line of defense for the Skyway 10 k runners and whereas trooper Toni Schuck veered into the path of the car causing the vehicles to collide putting her own life at risk and enduring by the way injury to save the lives of others and whereas the Florida Highway Patrol and Skyway 10 k organizers. Credit, the heroic actions. And quick decision-making by trooper Toni Schuck for saving dozens if not hundreds of people from injury or death that morning. And whereas the actions of trooper Toni Schuck exemplify the unwavering commitment of every law enforcement officer to serve our communities with the integrity courage and honor that is found in a true servant's heart. Now therefore be it resolved by the City Council of the city of St. Petersburg that the City Council recognizes trooper Toni Schuck as a hero in the city of St. Petersburg and the City Council honors her dedication service and sacrifice to the state of Florida and our community. Be it further resolved that this city Council encourages others to follow her example of bravery selflessness strength and respect for human life. I'll entertain a motion for approval will prove haha climb MISTER >> We have a motion in a second. If there's no request for him for comment from our first responders I would respectfully ask that we wait until after the vote. 4 council members to give any remarks. So unless you have any questions and I see that there are none will the clerk please open the machine for voting. Council members please into your votes. Seeing council members have voted with the clerk please telling announced the votes. I'm sure the motion to approve the agenda item d 3 passes you. Thank you we have any council members wishing to speak at this time council member Hannah wits thank you share. First it's it's hard to add to the resolution because it really says everything that. Trooper Tony shut that that they but I will say that is an example of the bravery and selflessness that is panda me of law enforcement and first responders the split second decision that she took that day to put her life at risk to save lives. And I will tell you I'm a former prosecutor to someone who was 3 times I believe. Dui passing through multiple brode closures and barricades there is no doubt in my mind he saved lives. No doubt. A celebration that could have been a massive tragedy. For our County for Hillsborough County for manatee County. For all those families people that we know I'm sure that everyone here knows someone who's there that day. It's celebration that's to support our armed forces their families. Benefit families of our service men and women. Given community support. Everything that was happening that day that was positive could have turned into a negative and it was all due to the actions of the trooper. There was not one loss of life, not one injury. She suffered injuries and put her own life at risk. So for that we're forever thankful and grateful. Thank you MADAM Chair. Thank you councilmember fig Sanders. Thank you so much and good afternoon, everyone. You can't MISS This First of all I concur we do have the this police chief. >> In the nation's chief Holloway but you can not MISS This opportunity to think about every single day. How our officers in our first responders leave their homes to do a job. With the split. Second decision they changed their lives forever. And I am so grateful that this split decision saved many lives and at that moment. And so I just want to thank you. Officer seconds well as all of our first responders and our firefighters and our law enforcement for unselfish Ali leaving the sanctity of your home to protect. >> Those of others. So for this thank you so much. Thank you chair. Thank you councilmember mountain Arie thank you MADAM Chair. >> Resolution is so so powerful. That Scripture a verse from Isaiah. Here I am send me just says it all and I think it speaks to everybody in this room. And we're so blessed. As a community to have such heroes that live among us like officer shock. Puts on a uniform every morning. Leaves are children. And goes out and protect our community and what she did. I've I've watched the video video. From her dash cam and the internal one from from her. And it's just amazing. And that. It's not just the bravery that she had but it was this skill. The skill that she showed. Her vehicle in the path. The person driving the car. So was almost a year before this incident that we had a similar situation happened. Officer Michael manically from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Department. I was trying to stop a drunk driver. And he gave his life. The service of others. He survived by his. Wife and 2 daughters and a loving family. I went to his funeral. He wasn't just a great person. Great family. Taken from us way too soon. Brother of a of a former police officer. I think of our Police Department and other law enforcement officers every day. And I pray for them every morning because they never know. If they're going to return. One other thing that I just. Observe when I see a highway Patrol vehicle. I notice on the on the front bumper. They they have like a cattle car type for on it. I'm thankful that somebody. And some entity decided to make sure that those cars were equipped like that. And it speaks to our job as elected officials to make sure that these brave men and women that put their lives on the line have the equipment that they need to to do their jobs. MADAM Chair, thank you for bringing this resolution forward it's it's so appropriate to trooper szoke thank you so much for saving so many lives on on that day. Thank you MADAM Chair. Thank you. >> Council member Wheeler Bowman. Thank you MADAM Chair on the echo the sentiments council member month Mary. Fix Sanders and gather. Thank you for bringing this resolution forward. I had many France that was on that take a run. I've been invited every year add just climb. But that's just me though, but I knew many friends so I am so thankful to to to triple shock for putting her life on the line the way that she did. You know our loved ones people that we knew. Also want to say pastor. Reverend I'm sorry MISTER Brown. We started out with Jeremiah 29. You know and then you ended it You It was just so fitting for the day. It was so fitting for today. So many people look at our. Firefighters Police Department and as that people I look at them as my heroes because they took that pledge to serve and to protect. And I thank you all for that and I always will now will always speak up for you thanking you. For wearing the badge thank you. >> Thank you all so much for for joining us. For this today, I hope you'll stay we do have one more item before we move on to to our a fire Department. A Marine were any of you gentleman out there that morning. And so we have to do so thank you thank you so much. You know we we have this this incident that happened in these are these are the folks who respond to that these are folks that have to react in. We're so grateful for you as well and so glad that you joined us here today for this. >> All right we're going to go ahead and move on to our next item which similarly celebratory in full of mayor Ken Welch has joined us for a special presentation. 4 in honor of trooper Toni Schuck. Good afternoon mayor, thank you MADAM Chair, and we are on one accord this is just a continuation. Almost feel like this Sun.. Yeah, love the way you started this and I was just with pastor Brown the other day. And I would add to that a greater love has no man than this that you would lay down his life for a friend. Thank GOD. This didn't turn out that way, but it certainly could have. All the comments that you made in the council members. Also want to recognize a public safety officials leaders who are here today both in law enforcement and fire. Thank you for the job that you do every day of the week. I was just with and and I love chief Holloway's well, I'll just put that in. Just want to add a few comments. It's an honor to join you in recognition of a true hero. And fhp trooper Tony shook. And I thought she might be watching today maybe should watch it on on video. But I just want to speak directly to trooper shock we pray for your continued recovery and we're thankful for your selfless service and for placing yourself in harm's way deliberately and without hesitation to save countless lives. COUNCILMAN Every said your dash cam has allowed the world to see. And witness your actions that day. We saw what you saw as the oncoming vehicle sped toward you and you're action simply were hero. You place your life on the line. And you stop the runaway vehicle that would have surely cause great harm. And f. If it reached the runners on the Skyway bridge. For your bravery and service our community is eternally grateful. As a symbol of our recognition and thanks for the valor and master sergeant could you joining us. And will present this to you I don't know where the cameras on here, I'm still >> The best shot for the camera to see that. Want to present this key to the city. As a symbol of our recognition and thanks for your valor I wanted to present you with this key to the city of St. Petersburg along with the gratitude. The graceful grateful community MAY GOD bless you in your recovery. Thank you so much better. >> I just want to express a trooper struck condolences for not being able to here today because she is still recovering from her injuries. She very much appreciates recognition that you're giving airs today, I'm proud to accept it for thank you. >> And thank you all again for for joining us today as we honor trooper shock. Council members we will now move to. Oh I'm before we go to open for him because I did forget to make that little note before we go to open from we do have just a quick message from from their Welsh. With a quick announcement regarding a new member of our team. Thank you MADAM Chair, and this person is going to help us move forward. On purchasing diversity program in light of the disparity study I'm honored to present to you our director of procurement and management. The Chicago and Seattle. MISTER David Malone when introducing to the council. I like that he's missed along because in our first meeting there was just a tiny bit o'shea towards. Florida, am I just want to inform you that you do have a rather on the council said but. I just want to thank you so much as you think you thank you and welcome. Okay and quickly before open farm and council member gardens has to make a comment. Thank you very much share I appreciate that I just wanted to quickly thank father Brown for being Most of you probably don't know. I've known father Brown now for almost 20 years. He joins Saint Leo University why I was coaching there is our youth ministry director and I was part of the hiring board and this little big town got a nice jewel with father Brown when he joined Saint Joseph's I don't know how many years ago, but I just wanted to say thank you for me, it's been an honor knowing you and now I think everybody on this Council knows why it was very easy decision back in 2005 1. We brought you to Saint Leo University I think our community is very blessed to have you as a pastor at Saint Joseph's as well so I just want to say thank you very much for the ground. Thank you very much >> Other Brown is also very active with our night, my son campaign which is how I met him so thank you assisting us with that every year. >> now we will we'll go to open 04:00am. >> If you wish to address City Council on subjects of in the public hearing work was I did initial items listed on the agenda. You MAY sign up with the clerk. Only the individuals wishing to speak please sign the open form sheet. Only city residents owners of property business owners in the city or their employees MAY speak. All issues discussed under open form must be limited to issues related to the city of St. Petersburg never meant if you are speaking to an item on the agenda you MAY only speak once during the open for when the item comes up on the agenda in order to provide an opportunity for all citizens to address Council. Each individual be given 3 minutes to speak and after which the microphone will be muted. If you wish to address City Council through the zoom meeting you must use a hand or a speech urban on the zoom app or interest are 9 on your phone at the time the agenda item is addressed. When it is your turn to speak you will be a new dad and asked to state your name and address. At the conclusion of the when you have reached a 3 minute time limit. You will be muted. Andres hands would be lowered after each agenda item regardless of the method of participation used 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 or the rules of decorum it's like public comment is disrupted by violation of the rules of decorum the chair is authorized to accept public comments by alternate means including by email only and we do have some speakers me all right, thank you. Chair we have forced to call them to have a time. First 2 speakers doctor it cost of Carlson and Joe Lackey please state your name and address for the record and you have 3 minutes to address City Council meeting. Thank you and you can use both podiums which everyone is open. Good afternoon afternoon doctor at Carlson 7691, 30th Avenue North. I'm here to brighten your day. My red shirt and the thank each one of you for serving our City Council. It's a great thing that you do for us. All week long every year year in and year out. The official pickleball ambassador to Pinellas County from the us national usa pickleball Association. Healthy Saint Pete jungle terrace is a silver member healthy Saint Pete, and 3 times a week. We have a pickleball group the plays as part of our outreach to healthy Saint Pete. I'm here to appreciate you for passing in the consent agenda. The blanket. Sir court surfacing sports court package. We're desperately in need of more courts, equally important is that Council encourages parks and Recreation to do these courts right. In a tournament. Design protocol is PRESIDENT Lafayette Saint Pete pickleball Association. Billy mcgee our sports consultant and I met with 3 directors parks and Recreation and DECEMBER and they told us that up until this point they had kind of piecemeal together pickleball places just to play which is great because we needed them. But now we having more and more tournaments and so time to correct created tournament level facility. But the ball has become an economic driver in the last few years. Today I sent an e-mail of Argos new vision of a pickleball facility which you've probably seen on the news since he's been on lots of them with 16 indoor court 16 outdoor courts. Restaurant and more amenities. They're anticipating 35 tournaments a year and 11,000 hotel rooms a year. South Atlantic director of investors and sponsor of tournaments visited Walter Fuller pickleball site and he loves the potential with them all the movie theater, the restaurants, the shopping and the park amenities bill commits to 2 years of tournaments at a time. 1100 players for a week. Tue., he wrote still would like to bring the Atlantic South region tournament to Saint Pete and 2024 and 2025. So we have 2 years to prepare for that the blanket contract covers phase one which is redoing the existing courts and the pickleball courts. Phase 2 is the rehab the existing concession stand left over from bmx days and to create 46 new courts between that and the existing courts. That can be done with Weeki Wachee funds. These 2 phases but Saint Pete on the tournament's map. As a place to hold tournaments and we re the economic benefits from that. Thank you. That lack of please state your name and address for the record. I'm Joe Lackey 2609th Street North. >> Good afternoon, I'm Joe lacking a PRESIDENT Of Saint Pete pickleball Association. I'd like to speak in favor of the funding for the of the pickle of course that you have already passed apparently. And for expansion, a pickleball courts in the city. As you're probably aware pic ball now is the fastest growing sport in our country. And even worldwide popularity. As it being considered as a new Olympic sport eventually. Great exercise an expensive sport simple to learn. But challenging the master. It's great for kids for families for all age groups and especially for older adults like me. You want to stay active. It's a great social sport and so wonderful means of community bonding. You all might play a double so you probably know what I mean as you all know, and I think as we can said the the courts here in the city are packed. There are overcrowded. There's every court's full. And as many many people waiting. It's it's we need we need more pickleball courts obviously. The country are expanding courts to meet this demand. This fast growing sport. Saint Pete should do this well and I think you would agree. We need to keep up with everyone else. The villages in central Florida all probably know the villages. The 200 pickleball courts. 200. People center has 60 and host the us Open tournament for pickleball tournament. And it draws thousands of people and millions of dollars to the to the local economy. Which I visited one time made it a weekend out of it which brings tourism and money to the area has 24 courts and they're expanding double. They've got indoor outdoor. It's a beautiful complex. I think we need something like that here as well I know we've started with a resurfacing and adding I believe that the expansion of these court should be term it ready. To compete with other areas that are doing this there's tournaments as doctor and Carlson said all over the country and it just expanding Ensley it's a it's a great economic driver and a great tool for tourism of course we have great tourism, but just another tool and I said to bring more tourists in our area. And a lot more money. Our Association of myself I'm with my experience as a player and with my architectural. Experience. >> Thank you very much. Next peak next few speakers please Thanks to speakers, not to Washington and Lisa Blackshear please state your name and address for the record and you have 3 minutes to address it. Already MISTER Clerk dismissed is MISS Blackshear here. >> Who I am. St. Petersburg for or. This time yesterday walking on city property would I would to tag. By have Brown man. >> Because a security guard who would use it. We feel you should call the police. When they arrived at. I've heard in it by d and they started to call me my my first name I told you all it's I guess Mike colter. They better not I'm no way. I heard you all cry for all you crazy and I told you I don't give a about you cry. A white people and I told you white it's a coach. Stop being diluted different. I never say it I didn't care about the people. That war in Ukraine are you crying. It said that area on the map. That's a lie. You don't care about me walking around here. I am all about all you Christian. You have k a stole many people. But you cannot tail. Lamb on the ground on another front. Deb Grayson. On my kids that case. That Fire Department in the video call me at ball. Mcgraw as MAY. I will Jay you would you go caution. Of I like my right every time I gave me and yesterday when my dad got home. There were pleas. Allah. That's just stop. >> Good afternoon. Thank MISTER Clerk Jaleesa Blackshear 2510 10th Street South. Before I begin, I would like to. Send my condolences to MISS What Tanya Kate's. In acknowledge and celebrate the beautiful life of MISTER Elijah Kate's Mar. 10th 1981 to Mar. 20th. 2022. >> Several questions are 2 questions for the administration does the administration have the bandwidth to provide a mask, a map or statistics to all of Council and the general public of average median incomes per neighborhood. My second question is does the administration have the bandwidth to formulate a grand Marshall plan for public housing on city-owned land. A month. Officially, I I'm the understood that the city will not. Officially declare a state of emergency for housing. But has unofficially acknowledged it it was said by the city attorney that if the city were to declare a housing emergency, but it would be tested in the court of law when the measure of strict scrutiny which means you've done all you can to provide housing. Residents in the city of St. Petersburg I know there's going to be conversations with the mayor and the people's Council. We need a grand Marshall plan for public housing. I yelled thank you. To even more speakers. Speaker's chair. All right. >> Move on to our Council committee reports first item h one from the budget finance and taxation committee. >> Council member months Neri thank you MADAM Chair on Mar., the the budget and finance and taxation committee Mets and we re reviewed the city's. Property insurance needs with the Brown and Brown of Florida. We passed a resolution that's before City Council and I will make a a motion to accept the resolution. That's before a second. All right we have a motion in a second for the resolution. I think that there's no request for discussion with the clerk please open the machine for voting. Council members please enter your votes. Seeing that all council members have voted with the clerk please telling announced the votes and sure the motion to approve the agenda item h. One says u n. Thank you. Next is our committee report from youth and family Services council member fig Sanders. Just wanted to and I don't have it in front of me right now but do we actually have a. New business item and I wanted to speak on it then at that time. Yeah yeah, the resolution is attached to the day. Okay and that there is times part of this item on the agenda. One man and that the air. We were going from the resolution they're in the business they're in okay. I thought we improving doing the resolution approving a transfer and the amount of $50,000 from the balance of the general fund contingency to the mayor's office department urban affairs division to provide additional funding for cars and expenses related to the Jan. 2023 him okay first of festivities in St. Petersburg and providing an effective date approved by the committee to bring forth in the design for today. >> All right we have a motion to second to approve the resolution resolution. The council member Curtis thank you MADAM Chair. Councilmember fix Sanders or council member will Was anybody from MAY be able to attend today to just get some of some more specifics on costs and break down. I think it's ok okay. >> I did speak MISTER Parker. And he I wanted to see if he could that hand by zoom possibly. But it was last minute. So there was nothing that we could do but I can't I can't tell you. That they have already reserve rooms. That are requesting the causes and one thing that if it going to hopefully to. Police however that's okay with you know there are yes thank you. And one thing I wanted to state was the the hotels are already Deposits and if this money could be given. Now instead of waiting in OCTOBER because that's not going to help that the mlk Reserve the grounds right so as far as when you acts for anything else like a wish list or anything else that they could possibly need. I think this is a beginning step. All because we saw the budget and you services of what they had to do. And I think like all of a state id and you services as council members. We need to destroy reach out to now districts just to help this. Be successful. >> I appreciate that council Thank you. I I do think that there's an opportunity for us to continue to make sure we're I'm in support of this let me finally start there. I do think that there's an opportunity probably at youth and family services as we go into 20 really want to be 24. I guess. To come out and I know that MISTER Green and I've spoken about this to come up with a way that. Gets up there a little faster. All And it sounds like and correct me if I'm wrong time that this is it's just says OCTOBER because the agreement's not in place yet as soon as the agreement is in place then. We can disperse the money and I think that's why it was revised a little bit is that is that the tax plan that right. Don't have an agreement yet we we do not have the agreement executed with the Organization for the 2023 parade. The resources that we would be appropriating would before right. So come section inappropriate the resources, but they won't functionally be spent until we enter into the agreement until we understand how those resources will be deployed in. Which doesn't necessarily mean till OCTOBER it just means whether you have an agreement correct okay, I just want to make it because I agree with you I don't want. It's a wait until OCTOBER either and then we're in a whole different type of mask right and so I want to make sure we address that but I appreciate that I look forward to continuing to try to work on this and youth and family services and and really come up with a plan so we're not having to piecemeal it together like I kind of feel like we are not. And and thank you cope because of an inch of village Academy wants to record the city. Alright wants to make a successful so we could be great. Yeah, I totally agree with that and you hit on the head where its partner I want to be a partner in it and right and rather than feeling like they're the producer and where the. >> Subsys station you know I want to I want how do we do this together right that's where I want to get to because right now we're peace milling and that's not fair to a va it's not fair to our community. And so I look for to get there. Thank you, thank you chair, I appreciate I think that you I'm sure could I just have one additional. Getting up as council member Garrett is indicated there is no agreement yet I just wanted to add on that agreement once attracted welcome Council approval that will not just be done administratively say you will see that again. >> Councilmember Mohnton Arie thank you MADAM Chair, so I watched the youth and family Services meeting online. And in chapter 24 of our policy and procedures manual. We have a procedure on how to do this with the matrix that is supposed to be followed and I didn't see then done at the committee meeting. Why wasn't followed and do we can we just. A policy. MADAM Chair, do you want me to weigh in on that on these you discuss it. So council member Mike Mary obviously the manual was up to council to interpret so however you want to interpret at the end of the day if you feel like this should have been applied that's certainly their prerogative as a body to make that decision. I think the reasons that it wasn't is because this project had already been evaluated and that rubric based on how this is where it is intended to evaluate new projects. Also in the beginning it mentions if this happens outside of the annual budget. This is a line item in the budget so it's not a new project or a new line item it's an increase in the fund. So based on the totality of what is in chapter, 24. It did not appear that that process would be necessary again if Council wants to interpret it differently or go through that process regardless you're certainly entitled to do that. It's not a. Fort paragraphs. >> And I guess I didn't read it that way that is because it's additional funding that this policy doesn't need to be. Implemented right so what we would look at is the the first paragraph the introductory paragraph where it says outside of established brand procedures or annual budget requests. That's the first part and then the second sentence of that same paragraph says the following procedure must be followed in order for a project to be considered. Okay, so it seemed to be more project specific and project based. It was the combination of those 2 things that led to at least that initial conclusion that it did not appear to apply. But as I stated if you believe it does or you want it to that there's certainly no prohibition on going through that. And if you last mention too if you look at the rubric itself. There a lot of questions that need to be answered about the project. Due diligence on the project history of the project etcetera. So this type of funding increase again didn't really seem up a couple to the questions in the river. Or at least the majority of them. >> Okay well. Deferred of the chair of of the Committee on on this. Was because I didn't see even in any sort of discussion on on our policy. >> The legal did discuss it in advance of the youth and family Services meeting just among ourselves absent that question the attorney who represents youth and family Services raise the issue. We all looked at it and that was the conclusion that we came to pending Council determining whether or not that's how you look at it and if not then you can certainly go a different direction. But as a whole as we read it, it didn't seem to apply and the circumstance. >> All So let me let me kind of set that part aside. For now. Asked the question so we currently have $50,000 in the budget. And we're asking for an additional $50,000 and I and Anderson I saw some of the discussion about t tdc funding and I I believe that. Parade that was the first time we receive tc funding is that correct. I mean I that's the first time. >> and the reason I know this because I volunteer on the committee. And we have a plot several times and we are so grateful and thankful for t d c. doing because they're actually going to do it last year but now because of covid and we had to do virtual. And then they still turned around and gave it to us for this year. And that was the first act as the mlk parade, it is competing with so many other. Organizations you know trying to get it sponsorships and one thing with a mlk im talking about the parade, I'm not talking about 9 Street selling be very clear. The parade that we do. Is that. >> No. You can get income I mean there are something like that. But there's no monetary as for instance, we used to this time we were I believe it was Blue Cross Blue Shield and the sheriff's department came out real be it for the mlk. >> What is his name. Land law firm used to give 15 and he gave the 2,500 this year. So there's no guarantee that you're going to get that sponsorship money at all. It can change at any. Any point. But yes we are grateful to the tdc for this year. Just a couple couple things I just want to. Make sure I emphasize here first of all is going around the policy I don't like. And from what Jack you just said because of the way that this was brought there because it was an existing. >> It wasn't funding source that that this didn't apply it would have been nice at least to talk about that in the committee meeting. The other thing I I just want to be careful about is not using city funds is kind of the easy button. Go to go to continue to see and take funds out of our fund. I still want to have all the support that we can get whether it's from tdc or private donations. Totally on board and supportive of the mlk parade and I wanted to be the best parade in the region I and I know that Tampa has a parade also this kind of come competing with us. And like everybody here I want St. Petersburg to be first and everything but I I want us to be mindful of the policies that we have and not do an end around. The policies. So I'll leave it right there, thank you MADAM Chair. Thank you councilmember fix, Sanders. And thank councilmember might near and just to be clear. In going into the new business item for that dollar amount. Legal was consulted and one it was it required to use to break into we can not continue to refer to a simmer okay parade because that $50,000 edition is not just for the parade. We forget that they can move and it has to provide hotel transportation. Other things far beyond the parade in so legally we can't just use the term parade it has to be him okay event because that's where the funding comes from in trying to recuperate then and when we no easy button. It is not easy but in the $200,000 at the city actually contributes along than even cover the cost of the bans and then even current cover the cost of the transportation and hotels and again we looked at the expenses from the last parade. It doesn't cover feeding them and we have come as a community. 2 feet down as well as come up with in kind donations when I reached out to council chair over in Tampa. Day alone provide $300,000 in kind in just 2 also offer some insight we've asked the city prior in Years before they provided everything in kind. What these really parades now do you still a charge for policing there's still time for is still a lot of prices it's missus that they had in in current prior to so we're looking at if the monetary value that's a small donation. Well we're actually looking for additional in my defense of parks and rec is actually that they're going to look at how has the city. We could provide more in kind services to that $50,000 was a small guard ballpark figure in hopefully council member. I'm Garrett is I understand your in was how do we pinpoint that number that number along with just help us with some of the additional expenses of putting on the events not just the parade but we're looking at other options. To help fund that outside of the city of Saint Peter's Square. So when we look comparatively even with the county. Tampa's County to then over on the mlk parade in is council member might near stays we want to be first. You know we want to have the best free with a long-standing in the ok parade in the nation and I think the city of St. Petersburg should be honored and proud to want to continue that reputation ensuring that the organization that is hosting that event has the support from city to city officials. If there are any other questions and again CHAIRMAN Erin we're not going to discontinue the conversation because we do have to get the city's input in some of those in kind dollars that we have in moving forward with that so but that 50,000 now this isn't even then even really buy into what it costs to host the event with everything that we have because of the lack of of the the the organization is hosting that. If there are any other questions. Councilmember Hannah wits. So my comments are basically on the person on the procedural And but Council month an airy brought up. Here's what I see the issue clearly it's not clear. To me pretty straightforward chapter 20 as a matter of fact and this came up. I remember sitting went through the procedures manual in DECEMBER and everyone sitting there actually remember this. And reading it and then when this issue came up I'm like why does that not apply. And we did have a discussion about it. But if you have the attorney in the committee who asked you have to have attorneys have that discussion you have a City Council member that questions that whether or not it applies that means that it's ambiguous enough or we have to take it up and make it clearer so that way next time around it's not an issue whether it applies or not so I might my proposal of the next time we take up looking at the manual to make sure that we have a clear understanding of what chapter 24 applies to. Whether or not its intended for new projects because I I think it is a fair question. And when you have that many people questioning it. Then it means that it's not clear enough and it could be clear. So and I have no issue you know we're going to have to get the contract and how we're going to have to review the contract and we're going to have to see it and the funding request and all that so this is this is this is not a done deal because obviously there has to be a contract. We're going to review. But just as an aside I I think that when we do look at the menu again we have to look at that issue. Thank you. Councilmember Gert is thank you Just a couple of other quick comments. >> The reason I am interested in some of some of the details because I think it's important for our citizens to know where dollars are being spent that is my only concerned I obviously want them being spent on this event I agree by the way if you haven't figured out yet. I'm the most competitive for up maybe other than chair. Most competitive person on this dice. And trust me it runs deep so I I definitely want to be first and so but but my my tedious this of the numbers is one a the background of my career and to to make sure that we're being transparent and how the dollars are being spent. Second. And this is just me. $100,000 on $176,000 parade is. But a bigger deal than I think is it is and that doesn't include in kind. So I I agree that we can need to continue to partner we need we need to continue to help this be the best event it can be meaning the best event period. And so but I but I don't want to take away from from the amount of support either lastly I just wanted to quickly comment on on something council member Mount airy had said. The reason I am looking forward to continuing this conversation on youth and family Services I I agree with you I don't want it to be the fallback I don't want to be the parachute. And that's why we started the conversation in the last youth and family services and you probably saw some of it where how can we create this as a we get engagement from the community and that engagement then there's a there's a creates the activists from the city and so almost like a match program that's kind of where I think personally where where where it could go as we've got to have a va and us and the rest of the city engaging the community that engagement is both in kind and monitor and monetary. And when we see that happen. We then can execute these dollars that's how I see it in the future how I'd like to see it in the future because. We need to this isn't a city run. Parade. This is a partnership or event. This is a partnership and I and I think that helps create that partnership when when they're when both are coming to the table with equal amount of work equal amount of dollars. Amount of effort and that's that's we're really why I was talking about being excited about continuing the conversation. But if we don't do this now the my concern is that there's this big pause before we can create that and which is why I am in support of doing it because we need to keep the event continue to build on what's been good culture around the event. Overcoming some obstacles a few years back and this gives us the opportunity to get there. That's so I just want to make that that Thank you. Thank you councilmember really Bam and thank you MADAM Chair and I appreciate all you all caught on comments and and Devin thank you for because actually for getting because I keep saying crane. But it is actually event we discussed that youth services right because is not just the parade they do do. Events you know every weekend. Entranced with it and I just want to make this. Let's statement transportation alone this year cost $42,000 to get those bands here and back home. So that's a lot of money. But and this MAY be a question for Jackie and if a dish you can answer if this is approved today for the $50,000 on and I know have to come back with an agreement before Council before and because I say you know on a timeline how soon can we do that. I'm the agreement is relatively straightforward because we have the terms and conditions already in place are really it's simple from a legal standpoint I think it's just really when administration is ready with however they want to describe how the additional funding would be used or any changes and responsibilities or anything like that. But it it it's very quick for us to do it. >> Thank you and time you agree with that or from a legal perspective absolutely the government is it I think there's some things that we as the administration would like to work with advantage village Academy on 2. Get a better understanding how these Reese has as Jackie is mentioned how these resources will be deployed in and really review. The plan of action going forward and they. >> Telling me they are available via zoom or if they have to come in it was just last minute and so. MISTER Parker couldn't the to attend end zone. Self. >> Council member month Mary thank you MADAM Be very brief. I just wanted for the public watching at home just to So I'm I'm going to support this. I do want to do a review of this. This policy so that there. It's it's clear and everybody's mind of. How we go about doing this and when there is. A loophole. And it doesn't I want to make that clear to everybody also People watching to know that besides the. Direct financial support we have over $88,000 in in kind services that we put forward for the for the parade and. For the defense. It does say prayed. Year and it says parade here. >> I have to say events like a 100 times. So I just want the public to know where the how much should direct financial support we're going to be putting forward for the mlk event. And how much. In in kind costs that the city puts puts forward to put on the best mlk parade. Event event in the region. Thank you to get to we thank you. You know I this has been brought up during our budget priorities work Shaw. >> a couple of us talked about it. Because we're so supportive of this event and every year. Any time, there's a short fall, we feel it because we all know how important it is to make sure that this is successful we're also proud of it and so grateful for the group that makes it happen every single year. And because of these deposits because of the all of the front end payment that has to be made. It makes sense to that we would need to. Help help out I know I know we're looking at putting this into our budget every year but to get in the line. We've got a hat we've got to make this one. We've got to push this one through after this I feel like it's it's going to be even now you know provided the past that in the budget to give more consistent and adequate funding. Starting with next year in and then going beyond that so I'm glad that this was brought forward and I'm glad that this will help to strengthen our relationship with a v a so that we continue to dream big. That sounds a member fig Sanders. And thank you chair and I just want to also enter Jake, you've heard the reference to the the agriculture and mechanical University fired too. Our mayor is also an alumnus of Florida am and we loss. Florida and then this year we did not have them participate they went across the water because Tampa had the money and events and we did not so we are going competitive councilmember mine near we're going to try to do everything we can to bring them back to the city of St. Petersburg and hopefully with the resources and partnerships that we Garner moving forward we will have that as well as we're going to have to sell its solicit. The credibility of our that color along this mere world's to see what we can do to out. Address a shortfall that we had its you ha ha. Thank you chair approval. Thank you. >> I believe in a motion a second to approve this item. We already have the mps I believe council member feel we already have a Now that sounds fun and thank you. Okay. All right see that there are no further requests to speak with the clerk please open the machine for voting. Council members please enter your votes seeing that up council members have voted with the clerk please telling announced the votes. And sure the motion to approve it or not h 2 passes. Thank you. Good to new ordinance is next. And if you want a vacation of 20 foot wide section of 6.70 South located between 7 to the South and 6th Street South. And I believe. Joining us today for that item. We have Liz Abernathy good afternoon. Ordinance afternoon. Council and so before before and go to your presentation could we have are a reading of the title please. Ordinance number 1, 1, 4, 2, dash v in order to prove in a vacation every 20 foot wide section on 6th Avenue South that is a 155.43 feet in length, located between 7 ce Street South and 6 Street South setting forth conditions for the vacation to become effective in providing for an effective date and we did. And sure we do not have any cards okay thank you good afternoon. MS. Abernethy good afternoon Elizabeth Abernethy director of planning and development services here for Scott Boneyard. I would counsel care for pre a presentation at first reading or Shelley wait till second move approval. Thank you we have a motion a second and no less to speak with the clerk please open the machine for voting. Do we have any public comment requests we do not. Her fate will the clerk please open the machine for voting. Second span. Thank you. Council members please enter your votes. Not present council members voted with the clerk please. That's right telling announced the votes. Mitch your some other time haha and share the motion to approve the agenda item d one passes unanimously, the council members Floyd Gabbert being absent. I was a lawyer and you MISS Have run at the. Next is reports. Beginning with item f 3 formerly known as ca 3. An agreement with Saint Vincent depaul joining us for this item is MR. Rees a Jones good afternoon. Good afternoon council members in one moment MISS Jones. Good afternoon council members, I'm Teresa Jones. The manager for social services and I'm here today asking for your acceptance of a proposal and approving the award of us every cyprian agreement what Saint says this Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, South Saint South Pinellas incorporated for homeless scattered site. Family shelter services. And an overview this is an rfp that was released back in Dec. 20 21. For the purposes of soliciting an agency to provide scattered site. Emergency shelter for homeless families see families who are literally homeless, this means they are living in cars or other places that are not meant for human habitation. Agency that actually submitted a proposal although several agencies were made aware of the opportunity and only the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul actually responded. They again will be assisting families who are literally homeless and they will be providing emergency shelter through master leases for apartments or homes as well as placing them in hotels to be utilized for shelter. There will be 4 staff members who will be assisting these families be a supervisor, 2 family coordinators and a housing specialist at any given time we anticipate will they will accommodate 25 families. Basically the need has been identified because there's an increasing number of families who have been calm homeless. And the shelter space is available to them has been decreasing all the shelters are currently full as well as there's a number of families who have been placed in hotel rooms from Street outreach and other agencies as of Mon. There were 74 families on a wait list we need to be place emergency shelter and of that now and I should mention that the homeless leadership allies of Pinellas is the agency that maintains that waitlist. And all of those 74 families, 44 of them were in fact families who have been frequency House and St. Petersburg and are now homeless. And as recent as at lunchtime, I got an e-mail from Amy Foster letting me know that that number since Mon. Has now risen to 80 for families who are currently on shelter. They had 10 is that the intake of those families, I'm sorry that approximately 10 families per week are. Calling the 2, 1, 1, Tampa Bay. Cares and letting them know that they are need in need of shelter and on House. Families are waiting on interventions to become permanently House and those intervent