[{"_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",6508713,"mediaKeyId","5503165-0ec96c878266cbd67197f33eb85989ef","parentId",5503165,"title","Residents press council for more complete-streets funding, public-power feasibility study; SPIFFS seeks cultural-arts support","audioSeconds",455,"startMs",294000,"endMs",749000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5503165-0ec96c878266cbd67197f33eb85989ef&start=294&end=749","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5503165-0ec96c878266cbd67197f33eb85989ef/thumbnail_294000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6508713/St-Petersburg/Pinellas-County/Florida/Residents-press-council-for-more-complete-streets-funding-public-power-feasibility-study-SPIFFS-seeks-cultural-arts-support","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508713-8f6cadafc7d84ccd59de96179ed3a248/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174424&Signature=fOb0BuSzg8J9ULDC-KdtyXlgwn5CMZuMxUgsIN8iupMsPBSY~i8ECJgOmtywlwzW0WUzw1-txClw9kBgUweu3-JdDLc6SasFTM6Ny7ugwNoiyB~-ySjgtReF5o67ABN98B9ACQ4Sy4vbGDFyeIzpJDCBec8NtxBaAwVdM-wVIOPFh~gwc-0FKOQioT500o9egu8lUKGU-k3WzhwmmxG-i1uwPR5eWrDoUgQtVA349Z4BxTlt84QcHnQoFMmE1y0YTnIari7eUWZQqib7zu3slV0t4gj18939wvsHzxeGvcpMumSIMtrw4qSkRkVRWAlacq16n66M-n8NjjtszFwdrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Petersburg City","date","2025-07-17T00:00:00Z","article","Several residents used the council's open forum Thursday to press on transportation, energy and arts funding ahead of the FY26 budget.

Speakers advocating for Complete Streets funding described pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements as cost-effective ways to reduce traffic injuries. Max McCann (2648 Third Avenue South) said sections of MLK Boulevard with bike lanes were the only stretches not on the city's high-injury-crash network and asked the council to increase the city's Complete Streets budget. Justin Conway, speaking for Campbell Park, noted a crosswalk funded at Seventh Avenue South and MLK as the first Complete Streets project in the South CRA and requested that TIF dollars be available for neighborhood-level Complete Streets and greenway projects. Garrett Marple urged a large increase to the line item, noting the current allocation of about $600,000 and suggesting a doubling or more to reach $1 million or higher.

Separately, several speakers urged council to pursue a feasibility study for public ownership of local electric infrastructure. Marley Price recounted the county's decision to withdraw from Duke Energy's Clean Energy Connection program and called on St. Petersburg to end its participation and instead fund a study of public power ahead of upcoming contract negotiations with Duke. Elizabeth Winter and Alex Schechter also urged support for a feasibility study; Schechter framed the review as a routine end-of-contract procurement evaluation.

Steven Barefield, president of SPIFFS (Saint Petersburg International Folk Fair Society), said recent changes to the cultural-arts application process excluded SPIFFS from applying through the standard cultural-arts grant this year. Barefield asked council and the mayor's office for \"special consideration funding\" ahead of SPIFFS's 50th annual fair. Later in the meeting, during the budget presentation, Barefield returned to clarify that he understood a $40,000 line in the mayor's recommended budget was marked for sister-cities programming and not the cultural-arts grant SPIFFS historically received.

Why it matters: Public comments signal priorities for residents ahead of final budget decisions: safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists, exploration of alternatives to investor-owned utilities, and preservation of long-running cultural events. Those requests intersect with the mayor's proposed budget, which contains line items for arts grants and transportation projects but may not match the increases callers sought.

What's next: Speakers requested the council direct staff to consider these topics during budget deliberations; council members said they would follow up during the budget workshop and committee meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","St. Petersburg City Council\t\tJuly 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During open forum, residents urged the council to increase funding for Complete Streets projects, to study public ownership of electricity, and SPIFFS asked for special cultural-arts funding.","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},6508718,"Council receives ADA compliance report; longtime ADA coordinator to retire",7338,3303000,10641000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5503165-0ec96c878266cbd67197f33eb85989ef&start=3303&end=10641","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5503165-0ec96c878266cbd67197f33eb85989ef/thumbnail_3303000.jpg","/articles/6508718/St-Petersburg/Pinellas-County/Florida/Council-receives-ADA-compliance-report-longtime-ADA-coordinator-to-retire","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508718-73099a4285d2347a35dc8dccc349499f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174424&Signature=GFZgq0LvHeO~~VCFQ1XlmGOf0pVyJKkuF5iONSc3YdubIhEE0DQKyvW7Q1ZtR2qwcbCRjMiQ7cfccBwx0X13WkljkdHDKFvI80q2nOut469tiKmgx0ez5ayxZuJnpaHVPUZhPoouPB5WYo9zLBaXeHLqZBpG3OsBHxIZPLEp1e57h0HsnV5K2sAYdBBznmp6KqBObB4gXkk40spv6CBculSLJpY4QueI1ewfO7cf0cTb3YJYX9Rxqs1O1PC7duN1KVhD-~mnr7Ldy2BFeda-HVBcJTLp7YkNYAXb4Mm7LoWXsyHUmc~Xp6tmXH8izsNRu5~9twT2Y1TvR-y3T7mnCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lindell Bright, St. Petersburg's Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator, delivered the city's annual ADA compliance report Thursday and confirmed he is retiring after 10 years as the city's ADA coordinator and 17 years of city service.

Bright described the city's self-evaluation and transition planning work, including a multi-year self-evaluation report prepared in 2014\t\t6 and the role of departmental accessibility liaisons across city government. \"When we started initial process... we actually went to mayor Christman and talked to him that we needed this to get done,\" Bright said, describing the development of the city's ADA compliance roadmap.

Bright urged continued investment in Title II (state and local government obligations) and Title I (employment accommodations), noting that city employees sometimes hesitate to request accommodations. He also emphasized outreach to communities of color and other groups that may be reluctant to use disability services. Assistant Anita Dreyer and CAPI vice chair Ross Silvers spoke in support of the committee's work; longtime CAPI members praised Bright's leadership and urged continued engagement after his retirement.

The council voted unanimously to adopt the ADA compliance report. \"This work is not in vain,\" Council Member Corey Givens told Bright during remarks thanking him for his advocacy. Council members and staff highlighted services the city has funded and supported, including closed captioning for city meetings, beach wheelchairs and ADA training for staff, and they called for maintaining institutional knowledge and training for a successor.

Why it matters: The ADA compliance report documents the city's obligations and progress under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and sets priorities for accessibility in city facilities, programs and employment practices. Bright called for continued training, department-level accountability and attention to Title I employment accommodations for city staff.

What's next: Council adopted the compliance report and acknowledged Bright's retirement; staff and the mayor's office will continue work on ADA training, transition planning and identifying a successor for the ADA coordinator role.","City ADA coordinator Lindell Bright delivered the annual ADA compliance update and announced his upcoming retirement after a decade in the role. Council unanimously adopted the report.",{"_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},6508722,"Pinellas Hope outlines shelter operations, medical respite and housing outcomes to council",896,7135000,8031000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5503165-0ec96c878266cbd67197f33eb85989ef&start=7135&end=8031","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5503165-0ec96c878266cbd67197f33eb85989ef/thumbnail_7135000.jpg","/articles/6508722/St-Petersburg/Pinellas-County/Florida/Pinellas-Hope-outlines-shelter-operations-medical-respite-and-housing-outcomes-to-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508722-fb71a0eea6f877431b88d281fecf4e52/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174424&Signature=j3QOtko91WnbR8b1e1lqvAVfmu2IcQqrdgINiC8bj~I25--0xcjVcUnv2N73Q8CWMx9lQqQRfx05~-4XkedoFzuL~my7DtqeQa5CJwddTjT33FDv3zzN1Z9qRDDZTxgLIgym2CTcPONZ7xPVZeubmla0ithOL9b-~No7kf2RyrHTCsvqurjM-0AWIli9NHGXWOkcPTAscI0SvODz9c9i0boEXYwoFiZ9Xqzado1-tJlBv01YuwL-TJtP8JbulrMZuVrfC-E-8fbYEGTzu~xzD5i3Zad1FtOAu-5rsG8ZC~J8bZk70OUTfZwvwFVhXevKMwHs3gaJ9hSaVDY6i3GZvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Joe Pandolfino, director of Pinellas Hope, briefed the St. Petersburg City Council on Thursday about the nonprofit's shelter and supportive-housing operations, describing a program that combines temporary shelter, medical respite and permanent supportive apartments.

\"We serve a capacity of 255 homeless individuals in our shelter at a time,\" Pandolfino told council, saying that figure combines 96 renovated shipping-container cottages and 159 tent platforms. He said the program targets a 90-day engagement window but that the actual average length of stay was about 117 days; some residents remain longer because of complex medical, behavioral-health or housing-barrier issues.

Pandolfino described a medical-respite building that serves people recently discharged from hospital care and a mobile medical unit partnership that brings primary-care services on-site. He said the operation also manages 156 permanent supportive apartments on site, many filled with formerly homeless residents; 48 of those apartments use vouchers, and the St. Petersburg Housing Authority provided about 40 vouchers.

Pandolfino said Pinellas Hope's operating budget is about $3.1 million annually, of which roughly $1 million is funded directly and the rest is covered through in-kind donations and partnerships. He said Pinellas County is the organization's largest public funder, contributing just over $500,000, with additional municipal and private support. \"Three hundred sixty-five days a year every meal is donated,\" he said, describing the broad network of congregations and volunteers who supply food and services.

Council members praised the program and asked questions about storm recovery and demand. Vice Chair Hanowitz asked about the shelter's recovery after the 2024 storms; Pandolfino said the site was displaced for about three weeks after fallen trees and flooding, but that he could restore operations quickly with county support and volunteer help. Pandolfino said the cottages fared far better than tents during the storms.

Council members pressed on access and outcomes. Council Member Deborah Fig Sanders asked about residents who do not seek housing services; Pandolfino said engagement and motivation vary, and that case management, rules, chores and referrals to treatment programs are part of efforts to support people ready to pursue housing. Council Member Corey Givens asked for data on repeat use and chronic homelessness; Pandolfino said he prioritizes first-time entrants when shelter capacity is limited and that the shelter maintains follow-up calls and case management to track housing retention.

Pandolfino invited council members to tour the site and praised the network of partners, including BayCare, USF and several social-service agencies, for medical and housing supports. \"We're part of the solution,\" he told council, citing collaborations with Volunteers of America, BOLI and other agencies that manage permanent supportive housing units.

Why it matters: The update frames Pinellas Hope as a central shelter and transitional-housing hub for the county, with operational needs (funding, storm resilience, staffing and donated meals) that bear on the city's response to homelessness. Council members discussed ways the city and diocese might support capital needs such as shade, shower facilities and repairs.

What's next: Council members committed to follow-up visits and further conversation about municipal and diocesan support; the council indicated continued financial support through the budget process and additional coordination with county partners.","Pinellas Hope Director Joe Pandolfino updated council on operations, describing a 255-person capacity shelter that combines tents and renovated shipping-container cottages, a medical respite program, and a $3.1 million operating budget largely supported by donations and county funding.",{"_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},6508725,"St. Petersburg mayor recommends $970M budget; council sets tentative millage and public hearing dates",1497,4231000,5728000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5503165-0ec96c878266cbd67197f33eb85989ef&start=4231&end=5728","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5503165-0ec96c878266cbd67197f33eb85989ef/thumbnail_4231000.jpg","/articles/6508725/St-Petersburg/Pinellas-County/Florida/St-Petersburg-mayor-recommends-970M-budget-council-sets-tentative-millage-and-public-hearing-dates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508725-bc476638560a970db6c89c10817509f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174424&Signature=VlcQBweSYtng536lf~-y2kXOp~pjoghPgPF0zfIyjPTinDSv-~UlkptvshCG1AVIRB42u3HdJRgVYkTazdJN-PudaTu1YXOGnUuCBygQEDYJjHkWEILrnhWPyuTU2oHwHZIHSn2PaNuGLB5~A312pkOigFfXDFechU~E-APcpNN0UYU789PrbtgB-ZZI~uCXN3CQcu2vFx41xMsJr2RV-R9AsOAwGdZYBjBtzWNxYsPDc8dlrEx8IHkIeD8XQp3v5UhXy~Yoz~kxaDxTwqrD6EuNNHNdoHX6596xaqFRRmVXdawiHzN~~9UcJ8jCdRRMdgZkbk3EobyDNiPfSz1fiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Kenneth T. Welch on Thursday presented his recommended fiscal year 2026 budget to the St. Petersburg City Council, proposing an operating plan that holds the millage rate flat at 6.4525 mills and sets a total recommended budget of about $970.4 million.

The recommended general fund operating budget is $411.763 million, Welch said, and the proposal preserves the current millage rather than cutting it after three years of reductions. \"The proposed budget is a celebration as well,\" Welch said, adding the budget reflects work across five pillars: housing, environment/infrastructure/resilience, equitable economic development/arts/business, education/youth, and neighborhood health and safety.

The budget highlights Welch stressed include continued housing investments (including tenant eviction assistance, residential rehab and employee housing programs), a new Saint Pete Agile Resilience (SPAR) program to accelerate stormwater and water-system upgrades, $2.0 million in capital projects in FY26 with a five-year CIP totaling roughly $1.049 billion, and increased support for arts and cultural grants. Welch said the FY26 CIP includes transfers and new commitments for affordable housing and infrastructure; the mayor noted that SPAR will require additional funding sources such as bonds or grants to be fully implemented.

Liz Makovsky, the city's director of budget and management, presented technical details. She said property values used for calculations were $36.949 billion (with 96% used for levy calculations), and the FY26 rollback rate — the millage that would generate the same tax dollars as the prior year after accounting for growth — is 6.2083 mills. Using the city's proposed ad valorem need, the recommended rate is 6.4525 mills, 3.9% above the rollback rate. Makovsky said total recommended operating revenues are $970.4 million and that charges for service make up 43% of citywide revenue, with taxes at roughly 31.1%.

The recommended budget lists dozens of program allocations and grant amounts, including items cited by the mayor: social action grants at $700,000; rapid rehousing at $400,000; the childhood homeless project at $260,000; Pinellas Hope at $215,000; Pinellas Safe Harbor at $150,000; Saint Vincent de Paul at $149,000; Westcare Turning Point at $125,000; Meals on Wheels at $100,000; and funding for arts programs including $40,000 for SPIFFS (noted as a new arts allocation) and continued multi-year commitments for institutions such as the Palladium ($250,000 in year two of a four-year commitment).

On resilience and capital investments, the mayor and Makovsky emphasized the city's need to accelerate water and stormwater projects after a severe 2024 storm season, and noted the CIP includes $42.9 million for water reclamation facility improvements and $7.5 million for street and road projects. Makovsky said the five-year CIP (FY26\t\t6 to FY30) totals about $1.049 billion.

Council members asked for detail and context. Vice Chair Hanowitz and Council Member Gina Driscoll noted federally and state-funded program changes that affect local planning. Council Member Corey Givens pressed administrators on how federal cuts — including possible FEMA and other program changes — could affect local services; Welch said the administration is engaging with state and federal partners and industry associations to advocate for continued funding. Council Member Brandy Gabbard asked for scenario planning tied to possible state changes to property tax collection rules; administration said legal and bond counsel can provide scenarios to the PSNI committee.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda approval: motion to approve the meeting agenda passed unanimously (recorded as \"passes unanimously\" with Council Member Driscoll absent at that vote).

- Consent agenda: motion to approve the consent agenda passed unanimously.

- F2A (Resolution setting tentative millage rate of 6.4525 mills): passed unanimously (council vote recorded as approval of the proposed rate).

- F2B (Resolution setting public hearing dates on the FY26 budget for Sept. 11 and Sept. 25): passed unanimously.

Why this matters: The FY26 budget sets the city's spending priorities, funds public safety and infrastructure projects, and frames tax collections for the coming year. The mayor and administration emphasized housing and resilience spending but warned that SPAR and other capital priorities will require additional resources beyond standard revenues.

What's next: The city will mail TRIM notices based on the proposed millage and hold two public hearings at City Hall on Sept. 11 and Sept. 25 before adopting a final budget. Makovsky said the first public hearing is Sept. 11 and the final budget hearing will be Sept. 25.","Mayor Kenneth T. Welch presented a $970.4 million recommended FY26 budget that holds the millage flat at 6.4525 mills. Council voted unanimously to set the tentative millage and public hearings on Sept. 11 and Sept. 25.",{"_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},6508708,"City proclaims July as 'Get Ready for Back to School' month; local nonprofits outline giveaways and events",626,1046000,1672000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5503165-0ec96c878266cbd67197f33eb85989ef&start=1046&end=1672","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5503165-0ec96c878266cbd67197f33eb85989ef/thumbnail_1046000.jpg","/articles/6508708/St-Petersburg/Pinellas-County/Florida/City-proclaims-July-as-Get-Ready-for-Back-to-School-month-local-nonprofits-outline-giveaways-and-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508708-9827d0c26f6902d97202159262aabee4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174424&Signature=YbpEtYm1CS4BavdpOi0II-gz0DdZCzaT0mNd1tVI1kMVXz-diLmBwzJXMSodjlyz7P6eLhqEcOvWAQex2bQRuuE647Tw3A5BPj710hkKHd8sXtbh8xGAz7ydt6LrxUSMbTzcylvbMPNLDB18YUd0eRC42bdcHOqJzzUVEy4UV7b5KSYwyjcsFItG~f1E4iEoC1vwCDPafnuJLNHcil2BWXI~VQ1m3arJWowOKFBVkRgFOqq4uFwmrHbrpH6XoToDI5L5LGhFjEaBkZpTgNFf-ui~NMmkqPCVuzDW7VZYRLkx--DdBViX6aGW1lnZ1EhWe-Vkl6ZOOs8e7vxxbdSsAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Petersburg city officials on Thursday proclaimed July 2025 as \"Get Ready for Back to School\" month and recognized community organizations that run school supply and clothing drives.

Dr. Sharon Brown, director of Education and Youth Opportunities, read the proclamation on behalf of Mayor Kenneth T. Welch and invited nonprofit representatives to the dais. Multiple organizations described upcoming events and long-running programs: the Junior League of St. Petersburg said its 29th annual Care Fair will be held Saturday, July 26, at the Johnny Ruth Clark Center and has provided tens of thousands of backpacks and thousands of medical and dental exams over the years. Knight Riders Van Club, Clothes to Kids, Saturday Shops, Bay Vista Recreation Center and neighborhood associations also described giveaways on August dates and recurring neighborhood block parties that collect supplies for nearby Woodlawn Elementary.

Jennifer Jacobs, executive director of Clothes to Kids, said the nonprofit will serve more than 7,800 children this year and described the scope of clothing items distributed. Donnie Williams of the Knight Riders described 41 years of service and longtime backing of backpack drives. City staff and council members noted a range of dates and locations: the Knight Riders and several partners will host August 2 events at Tropicana Lot 1 and Bay Vista Recreation Center will hold a giveaway Aug. 2 with registration required (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

Council members thanked volunteers and emphasized outreach so families can access services. Council Member Deborah Fig Sanders described operating two back-to-school events each year in the past to close gaps in supplies through the school year; Vice Chair Hanowitz and others highlighted neighborhood-based events and asked residents to help spread word of the giveaways.

Why it matters: The proclamation highlights ongoing public-private efforts to provide school supplies, clothing and health screenings to students and signals municipal recognition of the role of community groups in addressing resource gaps.

What's next: City staff and nonprofit partners said they will continue outreach and volunteer recruitment for August distribution events and for the July 26 Care Fair.","The council read a proclamation recognizing back-to-school efforts and local nonprofits described upcoming giveaways and programs that provide clothing, backpacks and services to students.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press council for more complete-streets funding, public-power feasibility study; SPIFFS seeks cultural-arts support

Council receives ADA compliance report; longtime ADA coordinator to retire

Pinellas Hope outlines shelter operations, medical respite and housing outcomes to council

St. Petersburg mayor recommends $970M budget; council sets tentative millage and public hearing dates

City proclaims July as 'Get Ready for Back to School' month; local nonprofits outline giveaways and events