The City of St. Petersburg City Council convened on January 9, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including community initiatives and infrastructure improvements.

The meeting began with a public comment from a resident advocating for the cleanup and repairs of hangars at Albert Whitt Airport. The speaker urged council members to support item three on the agenda, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the airport facilities.

Following this, Beatrice Ferrell, the director of digital inclusion, presented an initiative aimed at increasing digital literacy in the community. She announced a "Gadget for Good" drive scheduled for Saturday at the Foundation for Health, where residents can donate old devices for recycling. These devices will be repurposed to assist individuals in the community who lack access to technology. Ferrell highlighted that this initiative is supported by the City of St. Petersburg and the Foundation for Healthy St. Pete.

Councilmember Driscoll expressed gratitude to Ferrell for her efforts and shared exciting news about a significant grant of $6.9 million awarded to the city by the U.S. Department of Commerce. This funding aims to enhance digital inclusion efforts in St. Petersburg, a project that Ferrell has been instrumental in since its inception.

Councilmember Givens also commended Ferrell's work and emphasized the importance of addressing the digital divide, particularly as technology continues to evolve. Givens encouraged the sharing of information about the device recycling initiative on social media to increase community participation.

The meeting concluded with a strong focus on community engagement and the importance of digital access, highlighting the council's commitment to improving infrastructure and supporting residents in need.