[{"_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",6494829,"mediaKeyId","5656391-178e2cb3b54226fecae78a5c8d1027ef","parentId",5656391,"title","Votes at a glance: key City Council actions Aug. 20, 2025","audioSeconds",2657,"startMs",1763000,"endMs",4420000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5656391-178e2cb3b54226fecae78a5c8d1027ef&start=1763&end=4420","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5656391-178e2cb3b54226fecae78a5c8d1027ef/thumbnail_1763000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6494829/St-Petersburg/Pinellas-County/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-key-City-Council-actions-Aug-20-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6494829-080945ab4b794a8f82129a5a12dc3964/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108192&Signature=nTD15nWyKulMfzf3Z1K9m3x5eaOMUCHlgkVn0BZcMETcLoGBo4GfmJsbRURY394blNSfCAjepiPT9jCirA32h-8wnqnjD5Ba7WLHpxWcggyvdsi1j4b7bS3lucv6WmzI4q9KQQoTcM0S89RNCQnW9rRL586NQPmX3H1S9gShX3Fa3gzK1oz2C2eEUZAWRzgAl31INkuY6wBVpt68hK7C3tlKk9oDpDokGCMyazqkGUhUXtiqJvnCGzVwM0uf8MvGrEIdtohatOBT0t-mFM-rwpGu2AnsW22FHxCFa5m1UUcRL-3RGD9R-xMBv2cBV1cA7YBFCjKlhYQDSnwiRJxxtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of St. Petersburg, FL ","date","2025-08-21T00:00:00Z","article","Here are the principal formal actions taken by St. Petersburg City Council on Aug. 20, 2025.

- H-4 (Feasibility study RFP): Motion to issue an RFP for a municipal electric-utility feasibility study — PASSED 5–3 (Fitz Sanders, Floyd, Gabbard, Gertis/Curtis, Givens yes; Driscoll, Hanowitz, Harding no).

- F-5 (CDBG‑DR vendor agreements): Authorize consulting services agreements with Horn LLP and ICF Incorporated and appropriate $12.9 million from the CDBG‑DR fund — PASSED unanimously.

- F-3 (Rowdies agreement): Approve a one-year extension for the Rowdies to manage Al Lang Stadium through November 2026 — PASSED unanimously.

- E-1 (FAA grant acceptance for Albert Whitted Airport airfield rehab): Motion to accept grant and authorize mayor to execute documents — PASSED unanimously.

- J-5 (Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church): Designate the main sanctuary as a local historic landmark — PASSED 7–1 (Hanowitz no).

- J-6 (Tenth Street Church of God): Amend local landmark boundary, staff recommendation adopted — PASSED unanimously.

- CRA-2 / J-4 (Property dispositions): Approve sale/lease to Bright Community Trust for two infill lots in the CRA for community land trust homes — PASSED unanimously.

- Consent items and other routine ordinances (alcohol licenses, street vacations, historic boundary adjustments) — PASSED unanimously unless otherwise noted.

Full vote tallies and motions are recorded in the official minutes and on the city clerk’s meeting record. Council requested follow-up briefings and staff reports on several items (notably the municipal feasibility RFP and the Mahaffey Theater capital needs).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of St. Petersburg, FL - City Council August 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved a mix of vendor contracts, property actions and authorizations: notable unanimous approvals included CDBG‑DR consultant contracts and the Rowdies stadium extension; the municipal utility feasibility RFP passed 5–3.","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},6494832,"Harshaw neighbors press city for stormwater maintenance as flooding increases",194,318000,512000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5656391-178e2cb3b54226fecae78a5c8d1027ef&start=318&end=512","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5656391-178e2cb3b54226fecae78a5c8d1027ef/thumbnail_318000.jpg","/articles/6494832/St-Petersburg/Pinellas-County/Florida/Harshaw-neighbors-press-city-for-stormwater-maintenance-as-flooding-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6494832-43f4b408bccf5650e26e439711557f76/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108192&Signature=PbZ3ga9QVRumQrlYAGXUn6I3NjYTq7tsTbxwaP-3W5aUF4xEeAvofbNaa8kH70eLiAKY96AuvKm~ccFGVY386v2nv7mfvsgXPXGeMONVfmnq6RBWiBpbjeGYrS4YRuLYeMEhBJhfCIiyFJZ03YKpY2VBtpSfParLKGEB2Nm3BZINC~F9h1H5lXwYPayogO~WyqQZe91MQ8Xj-VvPFl5CTsWBLDKZYB4rLWrNNbyJEIE-HsPKpqVbV4iHnCWa89jWSWwh4LefwRCKvHKTgwegNjYToQutk36zkOZkVhNG0sCROxyTZCpXqt4JvseoDyzb~32PKrk3AYQ2ntwMrDcqfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two Harshaw neighborhood residents told City Council during open forum that long‑established pond and creek drainage systems are clogged with debris and construction detritus, causing streets to flood during heavy rain.

What they described: Residents Jen (Jan) French and Heidi Stiller said multiple sections of the drainage system between interconnected lakes are blocked, pointing to debris tied to a nearby Duke Energy development as one source. They said the problems have grown worse in recent storm events, increasing property and driveway flooding even during routine thunderstorms.

Requests to council: Residents asked that the city step up routine maintenance now — clearing pipes and removing fallen barriers — rather than relying solely on long‑term capital improvement projects. They also asked for clearer timelines on planned stormwater upgrades so households can make informed decisions about insurance and preparedness.

City context: St. Petersburg staff and council members said a Stormwater Master Plan is being developed and that the FY26 capital improvement plan includes some projects (Jorgensen Lake near the main library) that could affect connected ponds. Residents said they need both quicker maintenance responses and clearer schedules for larger projects.

Next steps: Administration has been asked to follow up with affected residents on maintenance requests and provide updated timelines for any projects that will mitigate flooding in the neighborhood.","Residents from the Harshaw neighborhood told City Council that blockages and debris in interconnected retention ponds and drainage pipes have caused frequent street flooding; they asked the city to prioritize maintenance while larger capital projects proceed.",{"_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},6494838,"Mahaffey manager Bill Edwards seeks longer term certainty as storm repairs continue",3333,7349000,10682000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5656391-178e2cb3b54226fecae78a5c8d1027ef&start=7349&end=10682","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5656391-178e2cb3b54226fecae78a5c8d1027ef/thumbnail_7349000.jpg","/articles/6494838/St-Petersburg/Pinellas-County/Florida/Mahaffey-manager-Bill-Edwards-seeks-longer-term-certainty-as-storm-repairs-continue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6494838-4c6cb388db936a917c8f0e472661cc7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108192&Signature=EHgyUYhpIeiXbkKfh-vgh4AMIrZJ4DHQfV6AB72QTejel2~UBMuSlQZczRa3gz9YPnyA-d54WweKnuAOR~4ypn6hBUI~TqR2EIXrnkC9FwbJVCJragjC2u1D-ppdCXRQ4BVbvzCjfkx5wfKKnShC6Ao5VRKCcEdYYpqguHx10dqQQ7ag1lpFEugpg5MbHJupEp3QVY6RHNg2yahZEc3U-V525C~Blh1g96Mcx0HyPaDnFAvYmbWiC1M9twMJ78QUHpyqBozqXy3063Bu-vd2RCvELsRA27DT8yWOaaA~C8Li~GEuFIf4X-FmN5tN9IbkBR1cAUSE6nzCEIA7zeVUtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a council presentation on Wednesday, the city’s contracted operator for the Mahaffey Theater, Big 3 Entertainment, outlined the venue’s recovery from storm damage and asked City Council and administration for more time and funding certainty while capital repairs continue.

Key points: Bill Edwards — who has operated the Duke Energy Center for the Arts, Mahaffey Theater, since 2011 — said the theater welcomed more than 225,000 visitors last year and has been a major driver of downtown cultural activity and economic activity. The theater sustained damage in recent storms; Edwards thanked the city and engineering staff for repairs to the orchestra pit and roof but said that additional systems (sound, lighting, speakers) are 20+ years old and need investment to keep the venue competitive.

Contract timeline: Edwards said the current management agreement expires in September 2026 and requested a multi‑year extension (he described asking for two additional years beyond a city-proposed one‑year extension). Administration said it had discussed a one‑year extension to allow the manager and the city to work through capital repairs; staff also noted that an RFP for a future operator would be appropriate if an agreement cannot be reached.

Florida Orchestra and public benefit: Edwards and city staff emphasized the Mahaffey’s role as home to the Florida Orchestra and the venue’s arts-education reach, including Class X programming for students. Council members stressed the need to preserve and modernize the Mahaffey to support the orchestra and downtown arts ecosystem.

Funding options: Council and administration discussed potential funding sources including CRA funds, Tourism Development Council (TDC) support, and state or federal grants; staff said they would pursue multiple funding sources and that a capital package will be considered alongside other city asset needs.

Public comment: Supporters of Edwards and the Mahaffey — including patrons, arts leaders and local business groups — addressed council in favor of extending Big 3’s management and investing in the venue. Several speakers stressed the theater’s economic and community value.

Next steps: Administration will continue discussions with the operator, pursue external grant opportunities (county and state), and return to council with options for any extension and a proposed capital plan.","Big 3 Entertainment CEO Bill Edwards updated council on the Mahaffey Theater’s recovery from storm damage and asked for more certainty on a contract extension while noting capital needs for sound and lighting upgrades.",{"_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},6494843,"City moves ahead with $159M CDBG-DR program; council approves consultant contracts",2917,7943000,10860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5656391-178e2cb3b54226fecae78a5c8d1027ef&start=7943&end=10860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5656391-178e2cb3b54226fecae78a5c8d1027ef/thumbnail_7943000.jpg","/articles/6494843/St-Petersburg/Pinellas-County/Florida/City-moves-ahead-with-159M-CDBG-DR-program-council-approves-consultant-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6494843-c39cc63a03048f527b9a2a377ffa4e99/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108192&Signature=O9DPRFuo9YQyL7rVWNqNV5faWx9psqLd9XKA7U1CQ3MXrV-KTMhEPWTVHo2gJzPQGHUf6F9QhkN~9tpIgTM771mqoPGZeJN8ilo46astmqPyHeq6LseYI3YKSM19uFmNQQVUSiJu-rVBuzWrFFC4VofodWGd81ElzbrEObAazWSfn8KY1XRtH7Vv9VQpaAA13USyVXtzkzEORRpA15N75z3sXZP3iXaob00Gd28Sw1dT1yIvaBzPHPlrajhkdodEGrbt8Ez9EmWedKgpzjIwrOcLfjvgtI1h~NfjSt76644GkPeg~-jAeQVcfQHxlSe5o2bdhliAjzpoluKIqspyAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Council unanimously authorized consulting agreements to help implement a six‑year, $159 million CDBG‑DR disaster recovery program aimed at storm recovery, housing repairs and public‑infrastructure mitigation. The council approved two vendor agreements — Horn LLP and ICF Incorporated — and supplemental appropriations of about $12.9 million to cover consultant services that will be billable to the grant.

Why it matters: The CDBG‑DR award will fund residential recovery (rehab/reconstruction/elevation), emergency reimbursements to affected households, rental housing and mitigation projects. Federal CDBG‑DR programs carry complex compliance rules, and the vendors will provide capacity, program administration, intake infrastructure and technical assistance so the city can distribute money quickly and compliantly.

What council approved: Horn LLP will provide program management for residential recovery and public‑infrastructure mitigation programs; ICF will provide technical assistance and capacity building. The consultant work will include intake center design, a “no‑wrong‑door” customer approach, bilingual case management, an intake call center, and environmental reviews required by HUD. Council also approved a supplemental appropriation to the CDBG‑DR fund to cover the vendor agreements. Vote: unanimous.

Public outreach and prioritization: Administrative staff said the programs prioritize households earning below 80% of area median income and will provide expedited disaster relief reimbursements (up to $15,000 per household, short‑term), while also standing up longer‑term recovery programs for elevation, reconstruction and mitigation. Staff plans in‑person intake centers, bilingual staff, evening/weekend hours and online tracking for applicants so households can see application status.

Next steps: Staff expects HUD action‑plan approval from federal officials around the HUD 45‑day review deadline and will return to council in September with the full grant agreement, staffing plan and appropriation details. The city expects program launch in early 2026 after hiring, intake center selection and portal development.

Funding notes: Some consultant costs will be billed to a 5% administration cap; other costs will be direct activity delivery charges within the grant programs. Staff emphasized that the vendor support reduces compliance risk and helps get funds to households faster than the city could alone.","Council unanimously approved consultant agreements with Horn LLP and ICF Inc. to support implementation of a six‑year, $159 million Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG‑DR) program for storm recovery and mitigation.",{"_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},6494848,"St. Petersburg council votes 5-3 to seek feasibility study on municipal electric utility",2335,12541000,14876000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5656391-178e2cb3b54226fecae78a5c8d1027ef&start=12541&end=14876","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5656391-178e2cb3b54226fecae78a5c8d1027ef/thumbnail_12541000.jpg","/articles/6494848/St-Petersburg/Pinellas-County/Florida/St-Petersburg-council-votes-5-3-to-seek-feasibility-study-on-municipal-electric-utility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6494848-5cda1f9939a07dfc83805803cf04d9bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108192&Signature=J3G0XJZAB0Qw5ji4XbKKP8MofSo75~r0YSLxDkUQIMLkbOQaPvKjPbdq61~ZcL~o1FvqU67IPQFks12KaA1d1DlEHjpZSOrHKxxuJ3ovn7oEFI9js9RnX0nozj2F9Fb4amUnJcCGZDvjeTKWo0wAoFxxLrERd9uZiY8VuW07MwdnTuHMmIttCbeNd~FlQ3UQXUj7kzhaMdoRFs8uuWyZ7uasgNGIMhwB8k981Pyuno5qROiNg99~yf5N-5KkXbDHpDeIfUgsNeeXwNzYgJ6CqOyrl9eO9UqMg5xjgH6Ur87ILE2vPEY-pkJxlPlyB3Fwl97tQHco8n568-Et9j9kCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Council on Wednesday approved a resolution asking the city administration to issue a request for proposals for a feasibility study on creating a municipal electric utility. The motion, introduced by Councilmember Corey Givens Jr. Floyd and seconded by another councilmember, passed 5–3.

Supporters of the study — including multiple residents who described frequent outages, steep bills and difficulty getting accountability from Duke Energy — urged the council to explore options, saying a local public utility could give the city more control over rates and reliability. Opponents and some council members cautioned that creating or acquiring a utility would be a large, complex financial undertaking and urged more information and a review of the separate Clearwater study before committing resources.

Why it matters: The franchise agreement with Duke Energy is scheduled for renewal next year. Residents and council members said they want to be better informed about alternatives before any long-term contract is negotiated. The RFP is designed to produce a more detailed, city-specific cost-benefit analysis than the studies being produced elsewhere.

What council decided: The motion directs administration to draft and release an RFP for a municipal electric-feasibility study. The vote was 5–3 (Fitz Sanders, Floyd, Gabbard, Gertis/Curtis, Givens yes; Driscoll, Hanowitz, Harding no). Council members who supported the move said the RFP itself carries no immediate procurement cost and would simply provide information the city does not have. Opponents called for additional time to review outside findings and to consult administration and legal on acquisition and operational feasibility.

Public comment: Dozens of residents spoke during open forum and during the council discussion in favor of studying a public option. Several described high bills, outages during recent storms, and difficulty getting satisfactory responses from Duke Energy. A caller on Zoom, Christie Ibrahimovich, told council she had been injured and repeatedly denied compensation by Duke Energy and urged the council to move forward with the study. Others warned of the high costs and legal risks of trying to acquire or replace an incumbent utility.

Next steps: Administration will prepare and release the RFP. The council discussion made clear members expect further briefings on legal issues (including eminent-domain and valuation implications), the city’s ability to operate or acquire utility assets, and the budgetary pathways if a municipal option proved feasible.

Council tally: Motion passed 5–3.","City council authorized administration to issue an RFP for a municipal electric-utility feasibility study after weeks of public comment and a divided committee debate. The motion passed 5–3 amid public calls to explore a public option from constituents affected by rising power costs and repeated outages.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: key City Council actions Aug. 20, 2025

Harshaw neighbors press city for stormwater maintenance as flooding increases

Mahaffey manager Bill Edwards seeks longer term certainty as storm repairs continue

City moves ahead with $159M CDBG-DR program; council approves consultant contracts

St. Petersburg council votes 5-3 to seek feasibility study on municipal electric utility