[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6198498,"mediaKeyId","3846570-bfc8b44faccc63f8c43b79f01fb49d53","parentId",3846570,"title","Council reviews scooter‑share procurement; staff recommends Lime and Spin and tighter indemnity language","audioSeconds",48,"startMs",8068000,"endMs",8116000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846570-bfc8b44faccc63f8c43b79f01fb49d53&start=8068&end=8116","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846570-bfc8b44faccc63f8c43b79f01fb49d53/thumbnail_8068000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6198498/St-Petersburg/Pinellas-County/Florida/Council-reviews-scootershare-procurement-staff-recommends-Lime-and-Spin-and-tighter-indemnity-language","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198498-bc5e7bc22d9a40ae29cf694c2a96eb2b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170853&Signature=XUlo3FLN3krgQpd7LOi1oSlnMT-n3K2Nv9Jt8Zi1QnKpoG7LQTh-7iNJdSShiziuekJwhIBPhr8VgGEFC0hQmIvw9dmy9tGnCupOTisoapc2Eka2R2vGD5sI2dR-WmWI3GHzmxDu5E8xIYcrq26eyZSGjEtG~nLzvFKcSW73hVAvSmrOF2hCjDHMJCbU335~2lYAzwsSzeTMfeur2QWypKd0m6pSJcMRb5Gy5iTS~poSWB74y6atuTDdmfXa2u1OnSK4smw6wetB1oyCQWwenp~sFwshCn0HfrSfztoB~F6TAT~eEl3RF1obrH60ptqQMF-f6swuVbtfYdhhvuiD7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Petersburg, FL","date","2025-05-22T18:07:50Z","article","The Committee of the Whole reviewed staff’s recommendation to award the next municipal scooter‑share program to two vendors, Lime and Spin, and discussed safety, enforcement and the legal protections included in forthcoming contracts.

Why it matters: shared micro‑mobility is a visible, widely used transportation option that affects downtown mobility, pedestrian safety, and the city’s public right‑of‑way. Council members weighed vendor selection, enforcement success and how to preserve access for low‑income riders.

What staff proposed: staff recommended dual operators with an initial combined fleet of approximately 900 devices and capability to expand as additional corrals are added. Both recommended operators pledged features designed to reduce sidewalk riding and unsafe behavior: Lime intends to use camera‑based sidewalk‑detection that slows devices and pushes rider alerts; Spin plans telemetric/sensor detection for sidewalk riding and has turn indicators and a seated device option. Staff said both vendors proposed robust access programs (Lime offering automatic enrollment for certain low‑income riders with 70% discounts and Spin offering three free 30‑minute trips per day in its access program).

Safety and enforcement: Police and the transportation team reported that road and sidewalk incidents from rental scooters were higher in the program’s early years but have fallen substantially following education and enforcement operations; privately‑owned high‑speed scooters remain a problem. The city’s police traffic sergeant said the department has issued roughly 100 citations related to rented devices and several hundred for privately owned scooter violations in the past year and stressed that current enforcement is in an active phase rather than purely educational.

Legal and contract protections: city legal staff said previous indemnity enforcement required litigation and that the new agreements will add a liquidated damages clause (proposed $10,000 per claim) if an operator fails to timely indemnify or defend. Council members asked for continued data sharing; staff said Spin and Lime will provide telemetry and ridership data and that Lime’s bike‑share integration may ease multi‑modal access.

Next steps: staff will seek direction to place the vendor awards on the May 15 city council committee report. If approved, staff will finalize agreements with the enhanced indemnity provisions and bring the contracts to full council as required.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of St. Petersburg Committee of the Whole Meeting 2025-05-22","oneSentenceSummary","Council reviewed the city’s scooter‑share RFP results. Staff recommended awards to Lime and Spin, highlighted new sidewalk‑detection tech and an income‑qualified access program, and noted stronger indemnity/liquidated damages language will be added to new agreements.","taxTitle","St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida","taxId",3508,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6198504,"Marina redevelopment talks continue; city prepared $26M back‑up plan if private deal stalls",163,5034000,5197000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846570-bfc8b44faccc63f8c43b79f01fb49d53&start=5034&end=5197","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846570-bfc8b44faccc63f8c43b79f01fb49d53/thumbnail_5034000.jpg","/articles/6198504/St-Petersburg/Pinellas-County/Florida/Marina-redevelopment-talks-continue-city-prepared-26M-backup-plan-if-private-deal-stalls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198504-afe20538c02a5eff890d2ae3628131df/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170853&Signature=KNuVsOQLYSh91apEuM14njBrdoksyyyOO77H6QqYMcyfasGEE8GZY5dVHMO4MAaOivZXeveS7nuH~rhLgQRD4tj99d45ekBeqbpVG1Tg3tuWwQGWLZtGxBXcy7w1R0M7ufKQZCIH971pqziR-eVPK7WQuqFVKjjcy7NZPVpj97uSlQaOifZs5vA2In8oHUYVLFnOHrnHb3qTyI2~QPx~58dhTC99WuQudATcrcSJt83C77Ongnzjgs-P10KoA-3ZN7XWQuG8mXTVsIr-bTmCsZYi1QnkvAkchJLdatwAuCIPfCAD2cmDBpAy529qIaE95kixEh67pG~hPUr7jkWydQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff briefed the committee on ongoing negotiations over the redevelopment of the municipal marina following the Safe Harbor transaction. Administration said it has provided a draft agreement to the marina operator’s legal team and expects a red‑lined response in the coming week. Staff also said they were preparing a contingency budget in the Marina Capital Projects Fund that would let the city proceed with redevelopment work if a private operator arrangement is not finalized.

Why it matters: the marina sits in downtown waterfront and represents both a revenue‑generating enterprise and a significant capital asset. Council members said they want certainty and expressed concern over the new private equity ownership reported in the marketplace.

Update and options: staff said they have submitted a draft agreement to Safe Harbor and are awaiting a marked‑up version; as of the briefing an updated response was expected the following week. Administration reported total FY26 resources in the marina fund could include $26,000,000 in bond proceeds for a Marina rebuild in an internal contingency scenario. Staff stressed that the city prefers a private partnership but must be ready to preserve and rehabilitate marina assets if the private deal falters.

Council reaction: some members urged swift movement to conclude a private operator agreement; others said the city should avoid taking on large redevelopment costs and continue pressing for a private operator solution. Members asked to be notified promptly when a counterproposal is received; staff committed to send a status update to council when the red‑line reply arrives.

Next steps: staff said they will review any operator red lines, bring proposed revisions back to council, and in parallel continue preparing a city‑led option that could be advanced if needed. No formal appropriation or contract award was requested at the committee meeting.","City staff told council negotiations with Safe Harbor (new parent Blackstone/BlackRock reported) are ongoing; the city has drafted an agreement and would pursue a $26 million marina redevelopment option if a private operator deal does not finalize.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6198508,"Council hears update on K‑9 facility and separate fire training plans; design funding expected next steps",119,1534000,1653000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846570-bfc8b44faccc63f8c43b79f01fb49d53&start=1534&end=1653","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846570-bfc8b44faccc63f8c43b79f01fb49d53/thumbnail_1534000.jpg","/articles/6198508/St-Petersburg/Pinellas-County/Florida/Council-hears-update-on-K9-facility-and-separate-fire-training-plans-design-funding-expected-next-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198508-c5aa5fcc197ad77dbd0fdf54cc43a44f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170853&Signature=gijtMvFgKbO0BIUPobr4RfstaVm8L1Vc5rk4ehHjQ-Bb~j2W-m1ZO4rAZ7Wv22pu3u4I6F1KyJvZ-FD76ltCiUwhI~fiiieN56UULa2MGpyOhvL0x7nlSjXR1zEhoPFkLKZbMsZJC5JfkaBfJ2iMuraOLKDbsDFI1PWCkpSf8YiU~cMV3ePk6PF2VZzRqc5VStUliFWatjusOQDrfIXL87Bg~R1VVfSgGkEkUki-rh93qQNTvZ3otaTd0IFJMOAeXc8dml365yewgv0zbTJoRMHbzJtsS7vJkdDSHk-mLFmXShR8V~uoudJ5Sramfw2~CLcpAWKvBk0fgXWJvVQ51g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City administration updated the Committee of the Whole on progress toward separate new facilities for the police K‑9 unit and a replacement fire training center. Staff said they had identified a potential property at 20 Fourth Street South in the Old Commerce Park area for the K‑9 training compound and were conducting a test‑fit to confirm space and access. That site, if finalized, would free the Lake Maggorry site for a phased fire training facility.

Why it matters: both facilities have been council priorities as part of public safety capital improvements. Council wanted to know how projects will be funded and sequenced and whether combining projects remains feasible.

What staff said: the administration stated the K‑9 site appears suitable, noting it is “relatively high” and unencumbered and may require an alley or street vacation. Staff expect to obtain a cost estimate for site work and return to council to request design services. For the fire training facility, administration said the plan now is to advance to a master plan level to clarify phasing and constructability on the Lake Maggorry site once the K‑9 location is moved.

Funding and timing: FY26 includes a funding assignment in the Penny for Pinellas plan to support public safety training facilities ($4,147,000 across five years cited for training facilities and $650,000 assigned for fire station 2 in the FY26 plan). Staff said design funding for the K‑9 facility should be affordable from those assignments, with construction funding likely to require additional transfers or later appropriations. Council members sought clarification on why FY27–FY28 appeared light in the draft plan and were told allocations in later years are subject to annual budgeting and prioritization of Penny resources.

Council direction: members asked staff to return with more detailed cost estimates, the test‑fit results, and a clear timeline showing how design and construction funds will be requested so council can consider scheduling and possible state/federal grant or legislative requests.","Administration told council staff believe they have identified a K‑9 facility site in Old Commerce Park and plan to advance a separate master plan for the fire training center once the K‑9 is relocated; council asked about phasing and funding across FY26–FY30.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6198511,"Council presses administration on funding plan for SPAR resilience projects and potential bond options",80,6494000,6574000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846570-bfc8b44faccc63f8c43b79f01fb49d53&start=6494&end=6574","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846570-bfc8b44faccc63f8c43b79f01fb49d53/thumbnail_6494000.jpg","/articles/6198511/St-Petersburg/Pinellas-County/Florida/Council-presses-administration-on-funding-plan-for-SPAR-resilience-projects-and-potential-bond-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198511-e0e02a451157f4f824822edbb443d66b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170853&Signature=IoICGyD16bSuarPCqkU8c6WKjmEHNHLSai-A7LbtasGjmCtlBWTocx8NQcSNHE7lpk2hXN7EXgjf6OeIqNMEXQD9SvxRllK5AAA~FIKF1qVrumdDZf6ul0-y~m7WLflIk0-hfgPmQq9uA1Q6goMQ61sCjYsAiTJ5O4ugNqHyhpy8ffuiix7N-dodyXlggnUVQWjmlAKRnWn61b0m~zOPTU6A0VF1w-nTryW96o7cBWY~aMKm8XtSZVrqZ~MEIKEGf--LbV90DuSmvKSNZQvCkmFRF3zJqHuXBma~IwvEEaSCm84ycopvrjZMOrTYMuPNgvbwz3sxioMfD4LOG1Hj1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members used the CIP briefing to press administration for specifics on financing the proposed St. Pete Agile Resilience (SPAR) program for water and stormwater projects, saying they want public clarity on trade‑offs between utility rate increases, bonding, and other funding sources.

Budget and utilities staff told the committee they had included large SPAR project portfolios in the out years (hundreds of millions for both water and stormwater) but have not yet identified all revenue sources for the two temporary SPAR funds. Staff said FY26 water resources and stormwater projects will be shown in the respective enterprise CIP funds and, where appropriate, supported by the rate study and a target 50/50 cash‑to‑debt funding ratio for FY26.

Why it matters: Council members expressed concern that accelerating decades of planned CIP work into a short timeframe will strain operating budgets and administrative capacity. Several members urged the city to present a transparent plan — including a timeline and rate impact analysis — and to discuss whether a voter‑approved general obligation bond should be used to accelerate SPAR projects.

Key points from the discussion: staff described SPAR as a program to advance projects already planned over a 20‑year horizon into the first five years, to respond to recent storm damage and resiliency needs. Administration said it will return with detailed rate impact information (staff estimated <1% rate impact in one exchange but could not provide the exact number on the spot) and recommended that bond options be discussed with the Budget, Finance & Tax (BF&T) committee and with council. Counsel and finance staff explained that a general obligation bond would typically require a referendum and that, if approved, the associated debt millage would begin to generate revenue in later budget cycles (staff noted revenue would appear in the 2028 budget if a bond referendum ran in 2026, though bonds could be issued earlier and secured by the future levy).

Council response: members from multiple districts said residents are already experiencing service impacts from storm and water issues and urged staff to bring options sooner rather than later; several requested an immediate briefing on the operational impacts of accelerating CIP work, and one asked specifically that staff model the operating cost implications as well as construction management needs. Administration said a program management line for SPAR was included in the FY26 plan (roughly $2,000,000) to cover program management and staff augmentation needs if projects are accelerated.

What’s next: staff committed to provide a detailed analysis of rate impacts, a plan for program management capacity, and options for debt financing — including an explanatory session for council and BF&T that would lay out timing, potential levies, and the mechanics of issuing bonds ahead of revenue receipts if council chooses that path.","Council members pressed staff about financing for St. Pete Agile Resilience (SPAR) projects, asking whether utility rates alone can fund accelerated work and requesting a public discussion on general obligation bond options to cover major stormwater and water resources needs.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6198516,"City presents $248 million FY26 preliminary CIP, highlights resilience and Penny for Pinellas shifts",593,312000,905000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846570-bfc8b44faccc63f8c43b79f01fb49d53&start=312&end=905","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846570-bfc8b44faccc63f8c43b79f01fb49d53/thumbnail_312000.jpg","/articles/6198516/St-Petersburg/Pinellas-County/Florida/City-presents-248-million-FY26-preliminary-CIP-highlights-resilience-and-Penny-for-Pinellas-shifts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198516-865ff627412fae0567a86d7a0b3280b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170853&Signature=IueH3f2vEjEQsR~gUeDucWjQ~p1s7dS72FcUKEKAPNlnu1wjtJq8HiKUEAha-DJQDBGgLDvja75YRB4is4vDSX1sEab8UG9TuehcoqvWkaQ5jMStCdLW8-~mQyjFw2BBhjoLKjR~lDACYDg0BM-huix46AhT3MTwf4PZsBO~Oo5Hq3AXQKUq0m2E0JUGEhp9mPBNlX1I9Pkb03JPlOK4PxjLMmEXvSjkB6v4osCPwpUePSTsfHwmK2yh8ymXjN74H6gXX~ECGLhjfPc1Ih8KVqbpaAN1roLIN3dKBZZGpgkNIQ32rv~m9rjzoHfgnWSHPJoKgKZKlygjg1cOGmUkJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City budget staff presented the city of St. Petersburg’s preliminary FY26 capital improvement plan (CIP), telling the Committee of the Whole the five‑year program totals $248,272,000 for FY26 projects and places a renewed emphasis on resilience planning. The presentation reviewed how the plan was developed, major fund totals, and items staff plans to return to council for appropriation later in the year.

The budget director said the presentation “is based upon information contained in the workbook,” and walked council members through the CIP process, timelines and key funding assumptions for Penny for Pinellas and other funds. The Water Resources CIP fund is the largest single fund in the FY26 plan — roughly $126.12 million and just over half of the FY26 projects — while the stormwater drainage fund is the second largest, at about $52.5 million.

Why it matters: the CIP sets project priorities and shows which projects staff expects to seek appropriations for next fiscal year. Council members used the committee review to press staff on timing, revenue assumptions and how the emerging St. Pete Agile Resilience (SPAR) program will be funded.

Most important details: staff described the CIP as a five‑year planning document with the first year subject to appropriation and the remaining four years indicative and subject to change. Penny for Pinellas revenue for the 10‑year plan was revised modestly to $385 million from prior estimates; allocations include $6 million for affordable housing land acquisition and multi‑year investments in stormwater and water resources. The presentation noted a decline in the Penny revenue estimate compared with the prior plan and that two SPAR funds are not yet balanced because staff is still identifying revenue sources.

Council members asked for more granular information on several priorities: sidewalk and complete‑streets increases, specific park and recreation projects (including the Sunshine Center), and whether projects listed in later years could be advanced. Staff said some projects — for example final funding for Fire Station 2 and Williams Park — will be brought back later in FY25 or early FY26 for council consideration. On Penny for Pinellas uses, staff explained some flexibility was intentionally preserved in the five‑year plan to allow shifting to higher‑priority projects as revenues and needs evolve.

Funding and trade‑offs: the city stated it is targeting a roughly 50/50 cash‑to‑debt funding mix for several enterprise CIP funds (water and stormwater). That goal, incorporated into policy in recent years, was described as a deliberate tool to manage long‑term leverage and rating agency perspective; council members said they want public conversations about whether and how to use general obligation bonds, rate adjustments, or other sources to deliver major resilience investments more quickly.

What’s next: staff said they will return with more detail on particular projects (including project fact sheets and a GIS view to let council and the public toggle projects by district), report back on Penny revenue updates in the summer after certified values are available, and bring requests to appropriate funds for specific projects as design or procurement advances.","Budget staff presented a $248.3 million FY26 preliminary five‑year capital improvement plan that front‑loads resilience work and shifts Penny for Pinellas allocations; Council and staff flagged open questions about funding for SPAR projects and requested follow‑ups.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council reviews scooter‑share procurement; staff recommends Lime and Spin and tighter indemnity language

Marina redevelopment talks continue; city prepared $26M back‑up plan if private deal stalls

Council hears update on K‑9 facility and separate fire training plans; design funding expected next steps

Council presses administration on funding plan for SPAR resilience projects and potential bond options

City presents $248 million FY26 preliminary CIP, highlights resilience and Penny for Pinellas shifts