[{"_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",6583299,"mediaKeyId","5503131-a476c2aabe0fe618026382bd34be6d22","parentId",5503131,"title","Council adopts Pinellas County five‑year mitigation plan update to preserve FEMA grant eligibility","audioSeconds",333,"startMs",6137000,"endMs",6470000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5503131-a476c2aabe0fe618026382bd34be6d22&start=6137&end=6470","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5503131-a476c2aabe0fe618026382bd34be6d22/thumbnail_6137000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6583299/St-Petersburg/Pinellas-County/Florida/Council-adopts-Pinellas-County-fiveyear-mitigation-plan-update-to-preserve-FEMA-grant-eligibility","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583299-33c9312f72f99b8acc5c45c7bda93cbf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770433097&Signature=CIH-6PmgLLkKKQ8b8krLuePnuDQydABoU9xkj73vwTSe9ly7aZB9dx4NvdrB-wzLGN8bYo1bvRR-xN9Xw~wIBy015oHrhaKMaEnkE9MAGMZe25seRigJqrauIlYdop2GLJup-tS3Orvw3cXsDHXq~sfDNSm8tVXHaQxA2XFgJ9CdOpKX8i~YLgq23A5QSm-FFuVs7yapeaNECewJVJqFaKvUR~fYMna4o3TE3iydB2W-eBS~mXCVwGKQStfVO-3OA16inZy8h~VWCt5eFe3Rh6tFzZyGFz4JcA0MsuRLENismUWjLYyWcV~j0sRQzkOiT~6I454ugbk3cQdzxggVzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Petersburg City","date","2025-05-01T00:00:00Z","article","The City Council unanimously adopted the 2025 update to the Pinellas County Multi‑Jurisdictional Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS), a five‑year hazard‑mitigation plan required to maintain eligibility for FEMA mitigation grants.

Hannah Rebholz, the city’s floodplain manager, explained that the LMS compiles countywide hazard risk assessments, mitigation strategies, funding sources and a public‑information program to coordinate mitigation across municipalities. “The LMS provides actions and updates to programs that are happening that we can use to reduce our hazards and the consequences from those hazards,” Rebholz said, and she noted the update focuses on coastal and riverine flooding and on improvements to public awareness and education.

Rebholz described the LMS as necessary to retain access to FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding and to maintain Community Rating System points that affect flood insurance discounts. She told the council the city is a major contributor to the countywide public‑information program and that adopting the five‑year update preserves opportunities for state and federal funding for residential elevations and other mitigation work.

Council member Brandy Gabbard thanked staff and stressed the value of countywide collaboration following last year’s storms; Rebholz said the countywide approach reduces duplication and provides broader outreach and technical resources to the city.

Why it matters: Adoption keeps the city eligible for federal mitigation funding and coordinates city and county efforts to reduce flood risk and improve resilience.

Speakers quoted in this article: Hannah Rebholz (floodplain manager) and Council member Brandy Gabbard.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","St. Petersburg City Council\tMay 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council adopted the countywide Local Mitigation Strategy five‑year update, a FEMA‑required hazard mitigation plan that preserves grant eligibility and coordinates county and municipal mitigation actions.","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},6583303,"Council approves city acquisition of Salt Creek parcel for park, creek restoration and pump‑station work",125,6585000,6710000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5503131-a476c2aabe0fe618026382bd34be6d22&start=6585&end=6710","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5503131-a476c2aabe0fe618026382bd34be6d22/thumbnail_6585000.jpg","/articles/6583303/St-Petersburg/Pinellas-County/Florida/Council-approves-city-acquisition-of-Salt-Creek-parcel-for-park-creek-restoration-and-pumpstation-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583303-90106a782b8daf9f0e74fba15bf3ca57/orig.mp4?Expires=1770433097&Signature=Vo0EU3kMp5opNfPqMny2n8nE1UwBD~4LyxWDZYyg4v1zNcI1~lRlNI6fUc3ZrEaez3GWNgVagg04QcnnONdPsDV4QjGR8IJDUwB5WMwrekJ5Hub08yats6YsbUYdor4ysX3896x5rLbpt1YxvyWQyB8gNwrdywUbC4yfjpyF4EH9pMZ5mB598W7d2GJgw~sTUkueW3PsgjRDunKbPdOsJMr3~EsvjUjpd8l3oVAyeMYjCBj8UgZBB5XI94cz7TVuhmlG8-kGofsuiiy8jsadRMLvqSaYFU0Tyj0vAcxckQO4cA8QQTaXyHiVF~AqxFw44oEWtJxKJwMHxn7UjNCf~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council voted to authorize acquisition of a vacant property at the northwest corner of Fourth Street South and 18th Avenue South to support Salt Creek restoration, a pump‑station project and a new park‑like open space.

Council member Gina Driscoll described the project as the culmination of a multi‑year effort. “This Salt Creek property, once it is in the city hands, is going to undergo a transformation that will create a park‑like setting… and a pump station project that’s actually going to help to reduce flooding at Lake McGorry,” Driscoll said. She highlighted opportunities to restore the creek, improve water quality, refurbish an existing historic footbridge, and add natural areas that help limit runoff into nearby properties.

Council members moved and seconded approval; the clerk announced the motion passed unanimously. City staff said the acquisition will be paired with public‑works infrastructure work on drainage and with long‑term maintenance and programming to provide educational and recreational benefits.

Why it matters: The parcel is intended to couple flood‑mitigation infrastructure with open‑space restoration to improve neighborhood resilience and water quality in the Salt Creek watershed.

Speakers quoted in this article: Gina Driscoll (council member) and city staff who presented the item.","Council approved purchase of a vacant parcel at Fourth Street South and 18th Avenue South to support Salt Creek restoration, a pump station to reduce flooding, and creation of a park area with environmental benefits.",{"_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},6583308,"Council updates local code to align with state ‘Live Local’ housing changes",178,5622000,5800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5503131-a476c2aabe0fe618026382bd34be6d22&start=5622&end=5800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5503131-a476c2aabe0fe618026382bd34be6d22/thumbnail_5622000.jpg","/articles/6583308/St-Petersburg/Pinellas-County/Florida/Council-updates-local-code-to-align-with-state-Live-Local-housing-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583308-1575320b2e14d05d028ea4346ce46b89/orig.mp4?Expires=1770433097&Signature=NLigrODRiGNKqd0mH5rTwkXThbxunG4jpC-Bmoe3hf1AtiskcV0pdsaDBnPM93FpTaihulKyjsHZSagbIn4GigR4ELkcG22FssgXQfX08J1XtEfLDq~DvYnd8-yf7SljOtNguroZtWBdxiCeJ1-J3OmJxx59KeYZjVOAqzTmr7vH8SjkLzJAJwtAd2mLijcoibrslshMOlJKGd2mJ-wEgJ-cujAzSlHl0gZ4QBEhw6W3CiiyTTZzhTCoxMdjLziXnKh12BkiM1YosCl5MRXdFw3D1oVOaUXoBPp7FxgSjG2p8Pj9qqVmIZn8HK-K2sCxdlqoUqeBiJCYdasVbwhm7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council approved amendments to City Code Chapter 17.5 that revise the city’s affordable‑housing site plan approval process to match changes in state law.

Derek Kilborn, manager of Urban Planning and Historic Preservation, told the council the revisions incorporate changes adopted in Florida’s recent legislative cycle, including adjustments tied to the Live Local Act and follow‑on updates in Senate Bill 328. “What we’re doing now… is incorporating those changes into our local code so that we can utilize some of those changes,” Kilborn said.

Kilborn described four principal changes in the ordinance: synchronization of floor‑area‑ratio (FAR) language with state law while preserving units‑per‑acre density limits; exclusion of airport‑impacted areas from the program and new requirements for transit‑oriented development (TOD) areas; new references for parking regulation within TODs (including identifying SunRunner as a TOD area); and revised conforming/nonconforming provisions.

Kilborn also listed four projects that had used the city’s prior affordable‑housing procedure, noting construction activity at Fairfield Apartments and other approved projects including Palm Lake Christian Church, the Raytheon site on the city’s West Side, and a Hanover project at the JB Carpet site on 20th Street North.

Council members did not request further action beyond approval at this meeting. The clerk announced the ordinance passed unanimously with Council member Richie Floyd recorded as absent.

Why it matters: The amendments are intended to keep local code consistent with state statutory changes so developers and staff can continue to use the city’s affordable‑housing streamlined process. The council said it would monitor further state legislation and return with any necessary adjustments.

Speakers quoted in this article are cited from the meeting record: Derek Kilborn (city planning staff).","City staff presented code changes to Chapter 17.5 to align with state updates to affordable‑housing law (the Live Local Act and subsequent Senate Bill 328); council approved the amendments unanimously (one member absent).",{"_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},6583313,"Council accepts FDOT grant for Albert Whitted electrical‑vault rehab and generator",293,5223000,5516000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5503131-a476c2aabe0fe618026382bd34be6d22&start=5223&end=5516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5503131-a476c2aabe0fe618026382bd34be6d22/thumbnail_5223000.jpg","/articles/6583313/St-Petersburg/Pinellas-County/Florida/Council-accepts-FDOT-grant-for-Albert-Whitted-electricalvault-rehab-and-generator","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583313-8c5943e145044861e1a8e5f8a2d1dd04/orig.mp4?Expires=1770433097&Signature=g2lIxpKUyM0CvMvTTxVQZUe6-PbZ~SNZKdwZT4AkbSybQSQmqeZJWdOS824fiyXDAARoi8AfKxL6tKhXn6yuT1nyQqBlPViljlNFymL1W3q8732LrqWqyjWdnkKVglZmkvpg7-d6YrQ0iCfnZyNCE6q622rU0bXhjHsT9oQRqeloLICwsiTnl3N~imfD-3TXm~-NLc0pQowRQG0OErBJmEj2gS8wlNMGE0bKahajOyYquOmw0x3JYd~-wcPAT8sZV1b34ROHwiASyWxqffrrdxgXSvHNPVxULHQByNWY54ynt-Gm0ONDlz~ZCOnbAONrI9JxSZ7yxJL8NaCZWneL-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council voted to accept a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) grant that will help fund the construction phase of the Albert Whitted Airport electrical‑vault rehabilitation project.

Rich Lesniak, city staff, presented the ordinance authorizing execution of the Public Transportation Grant Agreement and attached assurances to receive up to $134,800 from FDOT for the construction phase of the Rehab Airfield Vault project. “This grant is for the construction phase of the rehab airfield vault project,” said Barbara Hedge, an active airline pilot and member of the Albert Whitted Airport Advisory Committee, during public comment. Hedge said the project will reduce the airport’s cost for the work and that users support the city accepting the grant.

City staff and speakers said the overall project cost exceeds $1.6 million, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) providing roughly 90% of the cost for the project’s design and construction phases; Lesniak and commenters said the city’s net contribution for this phase would be about $33,700 after FAA and FDOT participation.

The project will rehabilitate aging electrical switchgear that serves airfield lighting and add a diesel emergency generator so lighting remains available if utility power is lost. City staff said the equipment will be raised where needed for future resilience and to reduce flood risk for sensitive components.

Council member Richie Floyd asked for clarification about commitment to airport use and the effects of accepting grant funding; staff said acceptance of FAA or FDOT airport grants follows long-standing practice and does not, by itself, change previously established airport obligations beyond the grant’s standard terms. The council approved the ordinance by voice vote; the clerk announced the motion to approve passed unanimously.

Why it matters: Keeping airfield lighting and electrical systems resilient is a safety concern that enables airport operations. Grant acceptance reduces the city’s capital outlay for a facility that serves general aviation and community activities.

Speakers quoted in this article are drawn from the meeting record: Rich Lesniak (city staff), Barbara Hedge (Albert Whitted Airport Advisory Committee) and Council member Richie Floyd.","City council approved a Florida Department of Transportation grant to help fund rehabilitation of the Albert Whitted Airport electrical vault and installation of an emergency generator to power airfield lighting; city share will be reduced to about $33,700 after FAA and FDOT funding, according to speakers.",{"_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},6583317,"St. Petersburg police report falls in major crimes, outline youth and crisis-response programs",2769,2392000,5161000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5503131-a476c2aabe0fe618026382bd34be6d22&start=2392&end=5161","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5503131-a476c2aabe0fe618026382bd34be6d22/thumbnail_2392000.jpg","/articles/6583317/St-Petersburg/Pinellas-County/Florida/St-Petersburg-police-report-falls-in-major-crimes-outline-youth-and-crisis-response-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583317-78e5db23391e8264b1152fca79856bfb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770433097&Signature=YIDjN0cMKd4X-ugo0WSAzWpNLydzutMKMvT5-0rFW4-hVmORYQjvSJRwV3jZSdQOJRiPIbQoNFRziK-vIfkpEjx~YJdIjtyn8TfIIfdkXpyJHo2Xe-T4SgpE1829PXRRKeAJsRh28hIombD-UYdqXdXxzKUCGgk-bsuCJSDDW5JTiMbkm45-k8AkcFToSD7nXBB9M8A1IhSBHbWVCEA83M6KGiETHSc3l-TlaGL2Lt9g1bsIZiNpTfNc~KpdEpR8oRwAkQFx~8ihZc2n8hodFrCiWIzzHJ3qaBEz-AJLh4Js0Ac1uuupvDEnxTH3GQdD2JxyK4pTxl3Ou5rcvMA-3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Holloway, chief of the St. Petersburg Police Department, told the City Council on the first-quarter report that auto thefts, burglaries, property crimes and violent crimes fell compared with the same quarter last year.

“Auto thefts are down by 19%. Burglaries are down by 17%. Property crimes are down by 17%. Violent crimes are down by 36%,” Chief Holloway said. He also reported five homicides in the quarter, the same number as the previous year, and gave a breakdown of the five cases: one by hand, one by handgun, two by knives and one by a vehicle.

The report framed declining major-crime totals alongside city programs aimed at prevention and crisis response. Chief Holloway described the city’s “call” program, a non‑police crisis-response approach that sends trained navigators and counselors to many calls that do not require armed officers. “97% of the call, the officers are not responding to,” Chief Holloway said, attributing part of the program’s success to navigators and partners who respond without law enforcement when appropriate.

Holloway and other presenters said the department’s youth-focused efforts are central to reducing juvenile offending. He described a second-chance program for low-level juvenile offenders that provides community service, education and coaching within about a week of an incident, rather than months in the court process. “That child will be enrolled into a program that Saturday,” Holloway said, adding that roughly “73 percent of these kids…have not reoffended” in a program tied to Gulf Coast partners, and that another program has a 68 percent non‑recidivism rate among participants.

The chief also gave quarterly figures for weapons removed from circulation, saying the department received 65 guns for safekeeping and recovered 24 firearms during the quarter “so that was 98 guns taken off the streets for this quarter.” He also reported that the department’s PATH team and related outreach had collectively logged hundreds of contacts and referrals to services.

Council members asked how the department will sustain outreach during the summer months, whether transportation barriers limit youth participation in programs, and how non‑emergency and “quality of life” calls are tracked. Council member Brandy Gabbard asked about bus access for youth; Chief Holloway said city staff are in conversation with Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) and other partners to explore options.

Megan McGee, the city’s program lead for the call team, told council members the call team had experienced temporary staffing turnover but is “fully staffed” as of the meeting, and that a recent transition to Gulf Coast partners involved onboarding new personnel. Council members and the chief discussed marketing and outreach to increase participation in the Eagle Eye (camera‑registration) program; Holloway said the department aims to grow signups and encouraged neighborhood associations to assist.

Why it matters: City leaders framed the report as evidence that a mix of enforcement and community‑based prevention — including rapid second‑chance interventions, sports and scholarship programs, and non‑police crisis responses — is helping reduce major crimes while addressing juvenile and quality‑of‑life concerns.

The council recognized law enforcement appreciation month before the report and thanked officers and department staff for daily service. Several council members used their remarks to press for improved outreach, transportation access for youth programs, and stronger communication to ensure residents know available services and grants.

Speakers quoted in this article are identified from the meeting record. Chief Holloway provided the crime and program statistics; Megan McGee briefed the council on call-team staffing. Council members who spoke about program expansion and transportation include Brandy Gabbard, Gina Driscoll, Mike Harding, Deborah Fig Sanders and Corey Givens Jr.

The department and council members said follow-up work will address program marketing, possible transportation solutions with PSTA, and quarterly updates that incorporate quality‑of‑life and non‑emergency call metrics.","Chief Holloway told the City Council that major crime categories fell in the first quarter, and he described juvenile diversion, call-team and community programs backed by a $1 million city initiative to reduce reoffending and improve outreach.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adopts Pinellas County five‑year mitigation plan update to preserve FEMA grant eligibility

Council approves city acquisition of Salt Creek parcel for park, creek restoration and pump‑station work

Council updates local code to align with state ‘Live Local’ housing changes

Council accepts FDOT grant for Albert Whitted electrical‑vault rehab and generator

St. Petersburg police report falls in major crimes, outline youth and crisis-response programs