Tag: APP Local & State Politics

St. Pete residents tout youth programs at budget public hearing
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Petersburg City Council members unanimously passed a tentative budget Thursday night.

Residents got to weigh in on the $902 million spending plan, and the half-dozen speakers all said they think it falls short when it comes to programs for kids and teens.
What You Need To Know

The St. Petersburg City Council approved the first reading of the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget

The council also held a public hearing on the $902 million spending plan

A half dozen residents told council members they didn’t think the budget does enough to fund youth programs

Council members expressed frustration that the same group has been requesting funding for two years and have struggled to see results
“This is so important because not only is it dealing with the youth, it is also dealing with my community, where I live and work,” said Keesha Brundridge King, who lives in the city’s Child’s Park neighborhood. “I see every day as I wake up in the morning to get my child to school, hoping that he’s safe and he’ll return back to me. I’m looking every day at the rec center and the programs that we consistently are fighting for that we don’t have.”

Brundridge King was one of a handful of members from the group Dream Defenders who told council during the first public hearing on the budget that such programs are key to curbing youth violence and the tentative budget doesn’t do enough to support them.

The group made the same case at a budget open house in April. University of South Florida student Nathan Tout-Puissant was there, too, and has asked the council to consider spending $4 million during a five year period to create his Fund Our Futures after-school program in Child’s Park.

“Time and again, I’ve heard that there is a need for these programs in Child’s Park,” Tout-Puissant said. “And every person I’ve spoken to approaches the same consensus. Yet, there is little to no tangible action that we can see.”

Councilmember Brandi Gabbard asked if anyone from the city had met with members from the group, and interim Chief Equity Officer Carl R. Lavender, Jr. said he had.

“I assured them — we agreed that there’ll be other meetings to talk about what we can do together,” Lavender said. “The initial request of about $4 million is up for much considerable debate, if you will, but nevertheless, yes, we have met. We’ve chatted for a few minutes and looking forward to meeting again.”

A few council members pointed out that Thursday’s meeting was not the first time the group has made its case.

“I’m going to express some frustration,” said Councilmember John Muhammad. “When they were coming last year, they were informed, ‘You’re too late in the process. Get in the process earlier.’ So, they began in January — scheduling times, having conversations, having meetings.”

Muhammad said it seems those conversations are lacking follow-up.

“It’s becoming the symbolic, ‘Yeah, we met with them, we talked with them, and we’re scheduling another meeting,’” he said. “And so now, here we are in year two, scheduling another meeting, and it’s very unfortunate.”

Muhammad noted that Lavender, who was named to his position in November, wasn’t involved in that first round of talks.

Council Chair Deborah Figgs-Sanders said other organizations have had similar challenges seeking funding.

She suggested coming up with a process to ask other departments to find money in their budgets for initiatives proposed by local groups that are approved by council. Other members encouraged advocates to reach out to them one-on-one, which could help their cause get listed as a budget priority for the following year.

Brundridge King and Tout-Puissant said they’re not giving up hope.

“Because of where we’re at in the process, it’s not going to be the easiest ask, but I do extend that hope that we can at least get something within this upcoming fiscal budget,” Tout-Puissant said.

A second budget public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. in council chambers.
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Sarah Blazonis

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September 12, 2024
Dunedin residents hear from mayoral, commission candidates

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DUNEDIN, Fla. — Dunedin residents got a chance Thursday night to meet candidates running in the upcoming general municipal election.

Voters will decide on a new mayor and two commissioner seats.

Candidates for mayor are:
Maureen “Moe” Freaney
John Tornga
John Shine

Commission Seat 1 candidates are:
Tom Dugard
Shane Warth

Commission Seat 3 candidates are:
Steven Sandbergen
Kate Spangler

Several issues face Dunedin residents, including the proposal to develop state parks, recent sound and outdoor dining ordinances, parking and managing growth.

“You have two entities here, you have Dunedin as a whole city and then you have downtown Dunedin,” said Jody Pucello, Owner of Wild Iris Cafe, who says he’s seen a lot of change over the last 25 years.

“There’s people that want this to be that quaint little Dunedin that it used to be, but it’s not,” said Pucello.

Jason Seibert, who owns Rosie’s Tavern and Flanagan’s downtown, wants candidates with the right balance for everyone.

“I would like to see a candidate that will bring a vision that will cater not just to the businesses, but to the residents as well,” said Seibert.

“Parking has been an issue for a really long time and the money that we’re spending on other things should be focused on downtown parking,” said Seibert.

From managing growth in a variety of ways, to finding balance, the businessman says he hopes the future of the city continues to be built on synergy.

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Melissa Eichman

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September 12, 2024
City budget proposes pier celebration, cuts reading program
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — City leaders in St. Pete are close to finalizing the budget for the next fiscal year and one of the line items that has city council members buzzing is the celebration of the five-year anniversary of the pier.
What You Need To Know

City leaders in St. Pete are close to finalizing the budget for the next fiscal year

Budget proposal includes large pier anniversary celebration, cuts reading program for minority children

The Phyllis Wheatley Rise to Read Campaign was funded by the last fiscal year, but it may not be around for long if they don’t receive funding this upcoming year
In a recent meeting, city officials said they were planning to spend more than $700,000 on the celebration. Some city council members questioned that amount and how that money could be used elsewhere.

In a statement to Spectrum Bay News 9, city officials said:

“The original amount budgeted for the Pier’s five-year celebration was a placeholder to fund various events. Staff is reassessing anticipated expenses for the celebration and will bring a reduced amount to City Council for their approval.”

Spectrum Bay News 9 spoke with St. Pete City Councilmember Gina Driscoll, who says that amount needs to be lowered.

“I am all for celebrating the five-year anniversary next year, I’ll be there. Should we spend $750,000 on it? I’m not so sure. I think in a time when we really have to look at our wants versus our needs. I think we can still have a fantastic celebration and put some of that money towards our needs,” said Driscoll.

In that same meeting, city officials announced they won’t be funding a program meant to ensure African American children in St. Pete are learning to read.

The Phyllis Wheatley Rise to Read Campaign was funded by the last fiscal year, but it may not be around for long if they don’t receive funding this upcoming year.

The program partners with organizations like Habitat for Humanity. They make sure every home comes with a reading nook for each child.

“Habitat was an excellent partner because they were aiming to move the needle on housing,” said Phyllis Wheatly Rise to Read Campaign Founder Maria Scruggs. “Guess what? In south St. Petersburg, the majority of the homes that are dedicated are African American women, single, with small children.”

According to the Florida Department of Education, in the last school year, only 36% of African American students in grades three through ten were reading on or above grade level. Compare that to 61% of white students and 46% of Hispanic students.

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Scruggs said those achievement gaps are what made her start the Phyllis Wheatly Rise to Read Campaign.

“The Phyllis Wheatly Rise to Read Campaign is a solution-oriented nonprofit whose mission is to ensure that African children in St. Petersburg are reading at grade level or above,” Scruggs said.

The campaign uses a different approach with a literacy consultant monitoring in the classroom, several after-school program partners and a commitment from the families and the community.

“Typically, what we are accustomed to is funding that goes to a program. We have children reading. We have children being tutored. That’s been going on and on. We’ve spent millions of dollars in single funded programs. It hasn’t worked,” said Scruggs.

Last year, the campaign kicked off in a pilot program at Campbell Park and John Hopkins Middle School, where Shametra Green’s two children attend.

“For both of them, their reading scores have been a little low and my daughter math as well, but my son, Kamarion, his is improving since he’s been in the program — the Phyllis Wheatly program,” Green said.

But that’s now in jeopardy because of budget cuts in the city — something most city council members expressed serious concern about.

“It feels a bit wrong to have a line in the budget to spend that much money for a party for the pier when we have Black children who can’t read,” said Driscoll.

City officials said they provided seed money for the campaign — if they want more, they can present their program to city leaders a third time to see if they qualify for possible grant funding.

Scruggs says with their funding in limbo, the children will ultimately pay the price of losing the program.

“We’re asking for the same level of funding, which was $250,000. What we have had to come to the hard reality with if we do not get the funding, we will not implement Phyllis Wheatley,” Scruggs said.

The city is holding public meetings to discuss the upcoming budget. The first one is on Thursday at 6 p.m. at St. Pete City Hall.
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Saundra Weathers

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September 12, 2024
St. Pete Beach leaders to consider 12-month development moratorium
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ST PETE BEACH, Fla. — After another shift among elected officials in St. Pete Beach, the city is poised to discuss putting a 12-month moratorium on development during a scheduled meeting Monday night.

During a city commission meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 27, the board voted to fire the city attorney and agreed to hear from both land use attorneys and city staff about what a building moratorium would entail.
What You Need To Know

Land use attorneys and the firm working on the city’s comprehensive plan will brief city commissioners Monday

Mayor wants fellow commissioners to consider a development moratorium

City attorney fired during August meeting

Moratorium would have to be formally voted on by city commission, could take 60-90 days
According to Mayor Aidan Petrila, the moratorium would be so the city could make changes to its comprehensive plan. Petrila says he wants to hold town hall meetings, workshops, and survey the city’s roughly 9,000 residents on their thoughts regarding what height and density requirements should be for future development.

“One of the things that they wanted was for us to reopen the comprehensive plan,” he explained. “They wanted to have community involvement, they want to have a say in what the future of our town looks like for the next 10, 20, 50 years from now so we can determine what is right for the residents in this town and the people who live here.”

Petrila first proposed a building moratorium when he was sworn in as mayor in early 2023, but the effort failed to get any traction among fellow commissioners.

Since then, four commissioners stepped down due to changes in the state’s financial disclosure requirements. The group was replaced with four new commissioners, two of which only held the spot for eight months.

District 1 Commissioner Karen Marriott voiced in the late August meeting that she was skeptical of a possible development moratorium, with the city already facing a number of lawsuits.

“From a legal aspect is it defensible to essentially say, ‘We don’t want the hotels to do anything but anybody else can?’” she said, “Because I think that’s what we’re getting at.”

While the city will hear reports on the repercussions of a potential development moratorium during Monday’s meeting, Petrila says the whole process could take place 60-90 days to reach a final vote.
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Angie Angers

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September 9, 2024
Inverness bar owners look to change city ordinance on open alcohol use
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INVERNESS, Fla. — Bar owners in downtown Inverness are looking to change a city rule for the use of open alcohol in the city’s entertainment district.
What You Need To Know

Bar owners in Inverness are looking to change a city ordinance for the use of open alcohol in the city’s entertainment district

The Inverness City Council voted to reverse an earlier decision, limiting the sale and consumption of alcohol at outdoor events to only beer and wine

The ordinance was adopted in 2022, but as time has gone on, paying customers and owners are calling for an extension

A public forum will be held at the Sept. 17 Inverness City Council meeting, with a final vote taking place afterward
This week, the Inverness City Council voted to reverse an earlier decision on downtown alcohol sales at outdoors events. The ordinance limits the sale and consumption of alcohol to only beer and wine, not liquor.

Businesses selling alcohol say this puts a limit on the drinks they can serve and profit off of. One distillery owner is looking to change that rule.

Back behind the bar of his distillery stands owner David Mohr, pouring out a fresh glass of one of his signature cocktails, an old fashioned.

“I started messing around and playing with distillation,” he said.

His establishment, Storm Distillery, has become his passion project.

“It’s just everyday coming in and creating something new and coming up with a new formula or figuring out how to do the math on calculations for grains and malts and spirits to make a certain spirit or flavor profile,” said Mohr. “It’s just really exciting.”

Only he’s trying to make it more accessible for his customers — specifically, part of Inverness’ entertainment district. An ordinance that allows paying customers to openly drink their beer or wine in a cup.

“Our entertainment district uses this cup, which is provided by the city at a cost,” said Inverness City Manager Eric Williams.

The ordinance was adopted in 2022. But as time has gone on, paying customers and owners have started to ask for the city to allow liquor as well.

“When we adopted that ordinance, originally, the council really looked at it and said, ‘We’d kind of like to take a paced approach where we’ll start it and we’ll create a geographic area which includes this area that you’re looking at,’” said Williams.

Mohr said there are four other businesses serving full liquor in the district. Under the current ordinance, those establishments cannot participate in the entertainment district.

“By that being able to change, it gives a lot of different benefits, not only for the business owners but also for the public,” Mohr said. “One of the concerns from the City Council members is that people are sneaking liquor into the entertainment district.”

Williams said the city has not experienced any negative impacts from the ordinance, but said there is some hope for change with a vote on the horizon.

“I think it’s going to be a positive change,” Mohr says. “It’s going to be great for the local businesses, it’s going to be great for the tourism and it’s going to be overall a better experience inside the city.”

A public forum will be held at the next Inverness City Council meeting on Sept. 17. There will also be a final vote to make the change to the ordinance at that meeting.
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Calvin Lewis

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September 6, 2024
Parents of Parkland shooting victim create AI app to send message to lawmakers

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RALEIGH, N.C. — In the wake of yet another mass shooting in our country, relatives of those who have died in past shootings are calling for an end to gun violence.

What You Need To Know

The parents of a Parkland mass shooting victim use AI to send a message

The Shotline app uses AI to recreate the voices of loved ones killed by gun violence

162,000 calls have been made to lawmakers using The Shotline

Two parents of a child who died in the Parkland mass shooting were in Raleigh Thursday hoping to make a change. They were inspired to travel the country and share their story after their son was killed in the 2018 shooting.

It wasn’t so much about their message as it was about their son’s and other victims of gun violence.

“I was a senior at Parkland. Many students and teachers were murdered on Valentine’s Day that year by a person using an AR-15,” said Joaquin Oliver’s voice using AI.

Manuel Oliver listens to his son’s voice in a way he wishes he never had to.

“You don’t care, you never did. It’s been 6 years, and you’ve done nothing,” Joaquin Oliver’s voice said using AI.

With the help of artificial intelligence, Oliver’s late son Joaquin delivers a message to any lawmaker who’s willing to listen.

“And I’m just gonna send it to one of my reps, send the call, and that phone is gonna… and that phone is ringing now,” Manuel Oliver said.

That app is called The Shotline and it uses AI to recreate the voices of people who died as a result of gun violence.

The Thursday visit brought their project to N.C. State’s campus as part of a summer tour involving a school bus they purchased three years ago.

“It represents kids, the future,” Manuel Oliver said.

But it’s not just their story.

Six other families have shared their loved one’s voice for The Shotline.

Since the app launched earlier this year, about 162,000 calls have been made to lawmakers with the voices of victims on the other end.

“I made calls myself, thousands of calls, and I was ignored. So I decided, let’s see if you’re going to ignore the voice of my son,” Manuel Oliver said.

The AI messages were produced in close partnership with the families of victims.

Yesterday’s stop in Raleigh was the final stop in the Olivers’ 15-city, 13-state tour.

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Evan Sery

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September 6, 2024
Florida marijuana amendment in spotlight heading into November
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TAMPA, Fla. — Both sides on Amendment 3 are reaching out to voters and ramping up their campaigns to reach voters in the Sunshine State.

It comes as former president Donald Trump threw his support behind the measure – which could legalize marijuana in Florida for adults over the age of 21.
What You Need To Know

Both sides on Amendment 3 are reaching out to voters and ramping up their campaigns to reach voters in the Sunshine State

Republican State Senator Joe Gruters also supports the amendment saying it’s “long overdue”

Dr. Jessica Spencer with Vote “No” on 3 – says it’s a bad idea, worrying about the fact the amendment allows smoking anywhere and that it wouldn’t allow for home growing
Trump wrote in a “Truth” post online over the weekend saying, “Whether people like it or not, this will happen through the approval of the voters, so it should be done correctly.”

Republican State Senator Joe Gruters also supports the amendment.

“Its silly, it’s long overdue – and I think if you do it the right way, it’s a winner,” Gruters said.

He says it can be a strong revenue driver and in turn – that money could be used to boost law enforcement and drug prevention and treatment programs.

“How can we make it safer and to me it was really about getting the product out of these legacy markets – first and foremost – trying to make sure we have a safer product that’s regulated,” Gruters said.

But those against it worry that Amendment 3 – which would be a constitutional amendment – is too vague in its language. Dr. Jessica Spencer with Vote “No” on 3 – says it’s a bad idea.

“This amendment allows smoking anywhere. There are no provisions that say you can not smoke in apartment buildings or condos or restaurants or areas of children’s play,” Dr. Spencer said.

She also worries that it would allow a person to carry upwards of 85 grams of marijuana. Also, that it wouldn’t allow for home growing. She says it’s only to boost major corporations and could have negative impacts on people’s health.

“We are already seeing the influx of marijuana edibles and the increase of youth exposed to these edibles and our ER visits go up in other states that have legalizations,” Dr. Spencer said.

Senator Gruters disagrees – saying all of this can be worked out in the legislature. He supports home growing and banning smoking in public places. He thinks it will pass – especially with Trump throwing his support behind the measure.

“We’ve had numerous conservations on this and look, he wants to see this done right – he knows Florida can do it right and at the end of the day it’s about common sense reforms that’s really broad in nature,” Gruters said.

Democratic Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris has previously voiced her support for legalizing marijuana as well. Both sides plan to continue pushing their points and at the end of the day – it’ll be up to the voters to decide.
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Jeff Van Sant

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September 4, 2024
Meetings next week: Manatee County residents still dealing with flooding
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MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Some Manatee County residents are still mopping up after Debby. They say flooding continues, and now they are appealing to the county for solutions. An upcoming meeting is planned to address the problem.
What You Need To Know

Manatee County residents are still getting flooding from rainfall and other factors

On Saturday, September 7, residents are holding a meeting to discuss the flooding problems it will be held at the Parrish United Methodist Church and starts at 5 p.m.

Then, on Tuesday, September 10, Manatee County commissioners are expected to discuss this topic at their regularly scheduled meeting
Dalton Nelson, who has lived near Jim Davis Road in Parrish for more than 20 years, has seen many storms come and go, but he says he hasn’t seen anything like the water left by recent storms.

“We have seen water before, but not this bad,” he said.

Nelson owns more than 50 acres of land near Jim Davis Road, and most of it is flooded.

“The developments and all the rain, I mean, look at the water. It’s saturated; there’s nowhere for it to go,” he said.

He says that whenever it rains, the area floods.

A flyer created by Michele Schmacker and Carol Feltz advertising the community meeting.

“Amazing that it was just a one-day storm, not even a couple of hours, and this was the result,” he said.

He’s had to board up his horses, cows, and other animals since Debby because the ground is so saturated.

“This area right here is normally dry after a major storm. Maybe a couple of days, and it’s dry. It’s super horrible,” he said.

At the height of the storm, the water was really high, and he’s worried it could happen again.

“When you see the bottom box of this feeder, it was all the way at the top—it was at my chest. The water was at my chest,” he said.

The flooding has cost him more than just the displacement of animals.

“That’s at least $20,000. And the tools and everything else are probably creeping up to $30,000 or $40,000, somewhere in there, depending on, you know, every day prices now. Everything’s so expensive. It’s horrible,” he said.

He’s hoping the county will do something about runoff from developments and the Lake Manatee Dam.

“I tell everybody—I hate to keep beating a dead horse, but if we don’t talk about these issues, if we don’t have real conversations, we’re all going to lose. We’re not going to win this fight,” he said.

Nelson says he’ll continue pushing for solutions while waiting for the water to recede.

On Saturday, September 7, residents are holding a meeting to discuss the flooding problems. It will be held at the Parrish United Methodist Church and starts at 5 p.m. Then, on Tuesday, September 10, Manatee County commissioners are expected to discuss this topic at their regularly scheduled meeting.

Going back to August 27 Manatee County commissioners meeting the County’s Natural Resources Director Charlie Hunsicker responded to the issues with the Lake Manatee Dam, saying this:

“My answer to all this is 17 inches of rain. I don’t mean to reduce the anger and suspicion that the Manatee River somehow created a backwater effect on the Braden River but it’s absolutely untrue it did not,” he said.

The Deputy County Administrator Evan Pilachowski addressed both flooding and the Lake Manatee Dam during Tuesday, August 27 Manatee County Commissioners meeting.

“First, I do want to really reinforce we are fully sympathetic and we know there is real suffering for many other residents who experience flooding throughout the storm and subsequent rainfall events I do not want to minimize that if there is anything I said during videos or in person with anyone that has caused offense or interpreted as gaslighting I sincerely apologize for that,” Pilachowski said.

“It is not a flood controlled structure. It is a flow of river water supply reservoir for the majority of the drinking water for Manatee County residents and part of Sarasota County. It is a 6 billion gallon reservoir,” he continued.

“During all of Hurricane Debby we released 18 billion gallons of water that flowed through the reservoir so the 6 billion gallon reservoir is simply not big enough to act as both the water supply reservoir and a storm retention reservoir there is no way to put 18 billion gallons into a 6 billion gallon container so In those cases we have no choice but to allow the water to flow through and protect the infrastructure of the dam so we make sure the counties continue to have water supply.”
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Julia Hazel

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September 2, 2024
St. Pete Beach mayor: Residents deserve voice in commercial development
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ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — The city of St. Pete Beach may soon hold town hall meetings and workshops, as well as send out surveys to residents, about proposed development.

Mayor Adrian Petrila this week proposed a 12-month moratorium on all commercial development, which could put the brakes on a recently approved half-billion dollar development project.
What You Need To Know

Mayor Adrian Petrila says more community involvement is needed to learn what residents – those who live and work in the city – want for the future of St. Pete Beach.

Plans are proposed for 1,000 hotel rooms combined in two projects: Tradewinds Resort and Sirata Beach Resort

The commission will hear from land use attorneys and the firm working on the city’s comprehensive plan at a Sept. 9 meeting.

ABOVE: Watch the full report
The mayor says more community involvement is needed to learn what residents – those who live and work in the city – want for the future of St. Pete Beach.

The pause could affect two of the city’s biggest development projects, Tradewinds Resort and Sirata Beach Resort.

Those plans include nearly 1,000 hotel rooms combined, along with restaurants and retail space.

Petrila was the only city commission member who voted against those expansion projects earlier this year.

And in a controversial move, all of the other city commission members who supported the projects resigned at the same time, due to a financial disclosure requirement from the state.

“I was a lone voice for a long time,” Petrila said. “I don’t know why that is, because, again, my philosophy is the residents, the voters should dictate what the agenda of the commissione is and the commission’s agenda should always reflect what the voters want,” Petrila said.

“So I don’t know why that’s taken so long to get this implemented again. I’ve been asking for this for a year and a half. I’m happy to see that it’s finally happening.”

The city is facing several lawsuits revolving around these issues.

The commission will hear from land use attorneys and the firm working on the city’s comprehensive plan at a Sept. 9 meeting.

They’ll provide the framework for the proposed moratorium.

The mayor says the whole process could take 60 to 90 days for the city commission to reach a final vote.

Spectrum News reached out to the owners of Tradewinds Resort, and they declined to comment. The owners of Sirata Beach Resort did not respond to our request for an interview.
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Erica Riggins

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August 31, 2024
LGBTQ+ advocates react to removal of section from Visit Florida site
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — State officials are facing criticism from members of the LGBTQ+ community after a section that was dedicated to LGBTQ+ travel was removed from the Visit Florida website.
What You Need To Know

The website change started to get attention in recent days and came up during the Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Tampa on Wednesday.

Rachel Covello, owner and publisher of OutCoast.com, said she was surprised to learn that the LGBTQ+ page was gone.

Dana Young, President and CEO of Visit Florida, addressed the change at Tampa conference

Visit Florida says there are more people visiting the Sunshine State than any other time in history.
Visit Florida is a public-private partnership between the state of Florida and the state’s tourism industry.

It receives nearly $80 million in state funding.

The website change started to get attention in recent days and came up during the Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Tampa on Wednesday.

“Our marketing strategy and our materials, our content must align with the state,” said Dana Young, President and CEO of Visit Florida.

“Florida has always been and will continue to be a very, very welcoming state That is evidenced by the incredible tourism numbers that we presented, last week and at this board meeting, and Visit Florida is committed to continue that message of being welcome to everyone,” Young said.

Rachel Covello, owner and publisher of OutCoast.com, said she was surprised to learn that the page was gone.

“I noticed about five or six weeks ago, while I was at another tourism trade show, that the website was not there,” she said. “I was actually trying to show a colleague that Visit Florida had an LGBTQ landing page, so I was kind of surprised to see that it wasn’t there.”

Visit Florida says there are more people visiting the Sunshine State than any other time in history.

“If we want to keep those numbers going, we really have to truly welcome everyone. And this was not a welcoming decision,” said LGBTQ+ advocate Maryann Ferenc.

Use the video link above for more details.
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Spectrum News Staff

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August 29, 2024
Commissioners halt Holmes Beach parking garage negotiations and design
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MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Manatee County commissioners have put the brakes on the design and negotiations of three parking garages.
What You Need To Know

Commissioners put halt on design and negotiations of the Holmes Beach parking garage

Residents feared it would have changed the “charm” on Anna Maria Island

In May 2023, Morgan Bryant started a petition to stop the process

Holmes Beach city officials say there are 100 parking spaces available at any given time
One commissioner estimated the project would have cost taxpayers $3 million. The decision comes after a year of back-and-forth debate.

It all started when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation authorizing the county to build parking facilities at Holmes Beach.

Morgan Bryant, who has lived in the city of Holmes Beach since 2015, has owned Cool Beans A.M.I for three years. In May 2023, Bryant started a petition to stop the building of a parking garage on the lot of Bradenton Public Beach.

“I’m so excited,” she said of the county commission’s decision.

She also started peaceful protests, hoping to stop the process.

“It seems so surreal because we felt so defeated at that point,” she said.

She is referring to the thousands of residents who signed the petition she started last year. They opposed legislation passed by both the House and Senate authorizing the county to build a parking garage on the Manatee Public Beach parking lot.

“We did this, the whole petition, and it caught on so fast. Everybody just got on board so quickly, and I didn’t think my little petition was going to go anywhere. But it just shows you the voice of the people,” she said.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Manatee County commissioners unanimously voted to halt the process.

“We got this bucket of taxpayer dollars to potentially design parking garages,” commissioner George Kruse said. “And I don’t like spending money on design for things we’re not going to build. We still technically have the bill out there. I talked to somebody from our Tallahassee delegation yesterday. That bill doesn’t go away.”

Kruse also clarified they can’t stop a state bill, which is what the parking garage is, but they can halt negotiations and design

The parking garage would have filled the lot with hundreds of new spaces and, according to city officials, would have put some people out of business. Bryant says that was one of her concerns.

“Concerns about business, about life here — you know, owning a business out here. People come here and they go, ‘This place is amazing. There’s just something about it.’ And you’re going to drive onto an island and see a parking garage, and that’s going to take away all the charm,” she said.

While the decision might be temporary, Bryant hopes her city will stay the way it is, with no parking garage.

Holmes Beach city officials say there are 100 parking spaces available at any given time. Kruse says they have no power to stop the new law and welcomes any future board members to take a look.
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Julia Hazel

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August 28, 2024
Riverside Village Estates homeowners win 40-acres of green space, but at a cost
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NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Homeowners at the Riverside Village Estates in Pasco County say they are rejoicing after winning a decades-long battle to preserve more than 40-acres of land in their community.

The discussion of turning a wooded area into a multi-story development has ended after county commissioners and homeowners reached an agreement.
What You Need To Know

Riverside Village Estates in Pasco County won their fight to keep 40 acres of land in their community from being developed

According to information from Pasco County, the deal will cost each resident $143 a year for the next 15 years, and then $25 a year after that, to keep the green space

The money during the first 15 years will go toward paying back the $3 million purchase price of the land, plus 0.05% interest; the $25 per year thereafter will fund overhead costs estimated to be around $43,000 per year

Original plans for developing housing were struck down after dozens of residents spoke out against the idea
Pasco County commissioners voted unanimously on Aug. 21 to approve a plan to keep the property undeveloped, but it will cost the residents in the area to keep the green space.

Miriam Butler, the president of the Riverside Village Estates Homeowners Association, said she has been fighting to keep a 40-acre plot of land untouched for more than 10 years.

In her home, she reflects on fighting for a piece of nature outside her front door.

“That natural area — the conservation area — it really enhances the neighborhood and the quality of life that we have,” Butler said. “It’s quieter than it would be if it was fully developed.”

Original plans for a housing development on the property were struck down after dozens of residents spoke out against the idea.

“We see people from all the surrounding neighborhoods that do come into this neighborhood to walk and walk past the field and forests over there and some of them walk in it, too,” she said.

The land will now stay in its natural state, but it will cost each resident around $143 a year for the next 15 years, and just shy of $25 a year after that. According to information from Pasco County, the money collected will go toward paying off the $3 million purchase price of the land, with 0.05% interest, over 15 years.

The approximately $25 per year after that will fund overhead costs for maintaining the property, which are estimated to be around $43,000 per year.

Butler said it’s a price she’s willing to pay.

“Well worth it not to have the additional traffic, the cars going faster,” she said. “All the problems that could’ve come in with more congestion. And we had drainage issues.”
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Calvin Lewis

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August 27, 2024
Asheville’s Community Reparations Commission asks for more time
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ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Asheville has gone through many changes in the past 50-plus years, and Priscilla Robinson has watched as her city transform.

“This space is where the three-story apartment, my three-story apartment that I once lived in, used to be,” Robinson said.

That lot is now vacant but used to house an apartment building until the 1960’s when Robinson and her family were told by Asheville’s Housing Authority they needed to move.
What You Need To Know

Two years ago, Asheville and Buncombe County made the historic decision to create a Community Reparations Commission

The commission recently made 38 recommendations on how reparations should be allocated to Black residents

The commission is going before Asheville’s City Council Tuesday, August 27 at 5 p.m. to ask for a six-month extension to adequately address all of the areas where reparations are needed
“My family was told that we were going to be relocated to better living conditions because many of the apartments were blighted,” Robinson said. She said it was a positive experience to move into a new apartment, but that quickly changed.

Robinson’s family and many other Black families, Black homeowners and Black businesses were uprooted during a process called “urban renewal.”

Urban renewal negatively impacted many aspects of life, including education, economic development and housing.

“It took away unity. It took away community. We were forced to move – and I say we as a whole – to other communities. For those who could go out and repurchase, [they] were forced to move into communities where they were not accepted,” she said.

Priscilla said reparations is about making amends. “Urban renewal was like a big wound and the wound has never healed. Reparations would actually begin the healing process,” Robinson said.

Dewana Little is a fourth generation Asheville native and the Community Reparations Commission chair. Her great-grandparents lost their home during urban renewal and that impacted intergenerational wealth.

“There was a real economic impact. My mom’s generation was in public housing, and I even spent some time in public housing,” Little said. “I was fortunate to have opportunities and people that opened doors for me to be able to transition out.”

She said everyone doesn’t have those opportunities, which is why reparations is about breaking down barriers.

The commission is looking for a six-month extension to address all areas where reparations are needed.

“There has not been enough time for us to really dig deep into the policies and practices that continue to perpetuate harm on Black people,” Little said. “The marginalization, the issue, has been far greater than a two-year time line.”

The Reparations Commission recently made 38 recommendations to the city and county of how reparations should be allocated. A few of those recommendations include settlements of $148,000 given to families and businesses negatively impacted by urban renewal, establishing a health care subsidy fund, requiring mandatory training of public servants in criminal justice, and providing job training and educational support for Black students after high school.

Asheville Community Reparations Commission meetings are every third Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Banquet Hall.
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Melody Greene

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August 27, 2024
TECO set to ask state to approve rate rike

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Tampa Electric Company officials are meeting with the Florida Public Service Commission Monday to request a raise in utility rates.

According to TECO, the customers’ utility bills would increase about $20 a month in 2025.

There are slightly more than 800,000 TECO customers spread across Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk and Pinellas counties.

TECO officials said they need the extra income to meet growing demand, prepare for extreme weather and potential cyber attacks.

Monday’s meeting is at 1 p.m.

A decision from the PSC is expected by November.

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Spectrum News Staff

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August 26, 2024
Final vote on Citizens Insurance rate hike proposal

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FLORIDA — More than a million Floridians could face a major increase in the price of their homeowners insurance.

Citizens Property Insurance proposed raising its rates by about 14% to reduce the amount of insurance holders by the end of the year — which could increase average prices for policy holders by more than $500.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation will meet Monday to decide on whether to approve the proposed rate hike for all personal lines policies.

That includes homeowners, condominium unit owners, renters, and mobile homes.

Some insurance companies left the state as rates soared, forcing people to use Citizens — the state insurer of last resort.

The company says the new rate would be within 20% of private carriers, making some people no longer eligible for Citizens, which would reduce financial risks.

According to the National Association of Realtors, the state has the highest rates in the nation at nearly $11,000 a year — that’s four times the national average.

“Secondarily, as those prospective homeowners are facing an even tighter challenge, you look at, say, pre-pandemic monthly costs have more than doubled in just about any fashion. So this only exacerbates the challenges that prospective homeowners face,” said Colin Rice, a Land Use & Real Estate Attorney with Older Lundy.

The Citizens’ governing board passed the recommendation in June, and it now needs approval by state regulations.

If approved, the rates would go into effect for renewal policies after Jan. 1, 2025.

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Destiny Wiggins

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August 26, 2024
Final decision on Citizens Insurance rate hike expected Monday
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TAMPA, Fla. — A deadline looms in that more than a million Floridians could face a major increase in the price of their homeowners insurance.

Citizens Property Insurance is proposing raising its rates by about 14 percent to reduce the amount of insurance holders by the end of the year. This could result in an average price increase for policy holders by more than $500.
What You Need To Know

Citizens Property Insurance could see close to a 14 percent rate increase

The increase could average out to more than $500 more

This could affect more than 1 million Floridians

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation is meeting Monday to decide on approving the hikes
Some insurance companies left the state as rates soared, forcing people onto Citizens — the state insurer of last resort. The company says the new rate will be within 20 percent of private carriers, making some people no longer eligible for Citizens and to also reduce financial risks.

Colin Rice, a homeowner in south Tampa and an attorney involved in land use, says this could create a ripple effect across the economy.

“We’ve got existing homeowners that will see their purchasing power diminish, so that has a knock-on effect with the economy — discretionary spending, restaurants, movies, things with your kids — you have less available, so something has to go and you can’t leave your home,” Rice said.

He also said it could hurt developers, affecting the construction of new homes.

“If supply isn’t catching up yet, the purchasing power of perspective owners is also diminished. It’s less incentive to build more, it kind of feeds upon itself,” Rice said. “That makes me a little worried for our market.”

For Rice, he is worried about the future and what this will mean for the housing market in Florida.

According to the National Association of Realtors, the state has the highest rates in the nation at nearly $11,000 a year – that’s four times the national average.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation is meeting Monday to decide on approving the hikes.
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Jeff Van Sant

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August 25, 2024
Florida delegate returns home from DNC excited, optimistic
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Democratic National Convention may have wrapped Thursday, but the experience is sticking with Florida delegates, including USF professor Judith Ann McLauchlan.
What You Need To Know

The experience of the Democratic National Convention is sticking with one Florida delegate

It was the eighth DNC Judith Ann McLauchlan has attended, but the first as a delegate

McLauchlan said the atmosphere at this convention was much different from years past
She said the four-day is experience is something she’ll never forget.

Returning to her Madiera Beach home Friday night, she described each day of the convention as better than the last, not just because of her duties as a delegate, but because of the people she got to see and hear speak from Oprah Winfrey to Democratic Presidential Nominee Kamala Harris.

“I have never experienced the energy and the enthusiasm and the unity behind a nominee as we felt for Kamala Harris and Coach Walz,” she said.

This was McLauchlan’s eighth convention, and she said it’s unlike any she’s been to in years past.

Since President Biden dropped out of the race, McLauchlan said she’s throwing her support behind Harris with full commitment.

“The energy in that area, thousands of delegates from across the country, it was just electrifying,” she said. “I’ve never experienced anything like that in all the other conventions I’ve been to. We always will say this is the most important election in our lifetime and mean it at the time … but this truly is the most important election in my lifetime.”

With all the mementos she brought home and the lingering energy from the convention, McLauchlan said she is hopeful for what the future holds.
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Matt Lackritz

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August 24, 2024
Residents get second chance tax holiday heading into peak storm season

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OLDSMAR, Fla. — It’s been a few weeks since several parts of the state saw impacts of Debby. Residents can prepare for the rest of storm season by stocking up and preparing emergency kits now.

Saturday kicks off the second chance to take advantage of the Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday.

It might be bright and sunny this Saturday, but when it’s not, Cameron Day knows it’s best to be prepared for severe weather.

“What I usually do is get a bin, and I’ll put all the stuff in the bin and then that’s in the garage, so I know all my stuff is in there and I collect the flashlights,” he said.

He’s been living in Pinellas County for four years now and knows the dangers hurricanes can bring.

Day is taking advantage of the Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday and stocking up on items like batteries, lights and more.

ACE Hardware in Oldsmar they’re keeping residents like Day informed.

They’ve set up a table with items that fall under the sales tax holiday.

“We have our flashlights, we have our flood barriers, our window and door protection kits, extra batteries, gas cans,” says Herb Dell, floor manager for the store.

Dell said the items that go fast in any emergency are flashlights and batteries, but he says it’s also important to think about your pets.

Pet carriers, cat litter and dog food all fall under the tax-free items this holiday.

Dell also says the biggest mistake anyone can do this hurricane season is to wait until the last minute to purchase items.

“When the hurricane gets closer, you see more people come in and again, it’s a last-minute thing, but we want to make sure we have a good amount of hurricane supplies in,” he said.

Dell said the first tax holiday season that happened earlier this year brought a lot of families into their store.

Now, a few weeks after Debby, he encourages more people to stock up now.

For Day, shopping for items also comes with a lot of planning.

“There’s a lot of things here and a lot of good ideas, and (it) helps me out and that’s what I like to do,” he said.

Rain or shine, Day is prepared and hopes others will take the time to do the same.

This disaster preparedness sales tax holiday runs until Sept. 6.

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Lizbeth Gutierrez

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August 24, 2024
St. Pete mayor discusses city employees’ rescinded bonuses
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Mayor Ken Welch says finalizing a multi-party agreement to make the $6.5 billion redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District happen was no small task.

He told Spectrum News that’s why bonuses totaling $250,000 were given to 17 staff members who worked on that effort.
What You Need To Know

Mayor Ken Welch said bonus talks began in July and he was told he had the authority to issue them

Welch confirmed the city’s human resources director, Christopher Guella, was suspended as a result of the mistake

The mayor said he and city staff relied on Guella to be their subject matter expert and let them know if the bonuses violated any regulations
“The bonuses, at about $15,000 each, were meant to acknowledge almost a year’s worth of work — nights, weekends, holidays, you name it,” Welch said.

The mayor said if that had come in the form of a pay raise, it would have fallen within all regulations. But City Administrator Rob Gerdes told city council members at Thursday afternoon’s Committee of the Whole meeting that the one-time payments weren’t in line with a state law on bonuses.

Welch said the payouts were first discussed in July with his chief of staff, Doyle Walsh, before council or the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners voted on agreements to move the project forward.

“The first question that I asked when this was brought to me by Rob was, No. 1, do I have the authority, as mayor, to do this? Do I have the budget authority, and do we have the budget capacity to do that?” Welch said. “The answer to all three of those questions was, ‘Yes.’”

Welch confirmed that Human Resources Director Christopher Guella was suspended for five days without pay as a result.

“Both Rob and myself, you know, depended on information from our subject matter expert that these bonuses were authorized, in line with all policies and regulations, and they were not,” Welch said.

The city provided Spectrum News with an email from Guella to the mayor, which reads, in part: “As the City’s Human Resources Director, I am ultimately responsible for employee compensation. While state law permits one-time payments, Human Resources’ policies failed to comply with required elements. I should have consulted with the City Attorney’s office but failed to do so. The City Attorney’s office had no involvement with the payments nor did it have the opportunity to evaluate the process.”

“He did the professional thing in acknowledging his role and his responsibility, and we’re going to move forward,” said Welch. “We’re not going to crucify somebody for a mistake. It was a big mistake.”

At Thursday’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Gerdes told council members the bonuses and negative reaction to them caused morale issues with employees. Welch said based on conversations he’s had, morale is good. He said his administration has always been employee-focused.

“From the day we came into office, we’ve always made sure that we rewarded our employees and the work they do,” he said. “Got the SEIU contract signed, the fire contract signed, the PBA contract. All had significant increases built into those, as well.”

Welch said city policies and procedures will be analyzed to make sure they comply with all regulations going forward.
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Sarah Blazonis

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August 23, 2024
St. Pete city administrator addresses rescinded bonuses
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Petersburg City Administrator Rob Gerdes told City Council members Thursday that current city policies and procedures are “inadequate” for $250,000 in bonuses recently awarded to 17 employees who worked on the deal for the redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District.

The mayor rescinded those bonuses earlier this week, citing an “unintended response.”
What You Need To Know

St. Petersburg City Administrator Rob Gerdes addressed recently rescinded bonuses Thursday at the City Council’s committee of the whole meeting

Gerdes said a review found the city’s compensation policies don’t align with a state law on bonuses

He said the mayor has directed staff to conduct a full review of all city compensation policies and procedures

Read previous coverage here
“We always want to learn from our mistakes. We did make a mistake in this case by not ensuring that our policies were aligned,” Gerdes said during the council’s committee of the whole meeting.

Gerdes said the intentions behind the bonuses were good: to reward employees for a job well done.

“Many of your employees gave very much of their lives to that work, and the mayor and I felt the amount of work that was done, the amount of time that was spent, that in this case, really, a thank you, or a thank you card was not enough,” Gerdes said.

He told council members one-time payments were chosen because they’d have a more direct impact on employees and are more financially responsible for the city.

But concerns about how city compensation policies line up with a state law on bonuses prompted a review. During the meeting, council member Lisset Hanewicz mentioned Statute 215.425, dealing with extra compensation claims, bonuses, and severance pay.

It reads, in part: “No extra compensation shall be made to any officer, agent, employee, or contractor after the service has been rendered or the contract made.”

Gerdes said he, the assistant city administrator, and the city attorney’s office found the city’s policies are “inadequate” for the bonuses provided.

“I don’t like that a lot of the information that I’ve gotten has been through the media and through social media,” said council member Gina Driscoll.

While the St. Petersburg City Council normally has to approve expenditures of more than $100,000, a member of the city’s legal team said that didn’t apply to the bonuses because the individual payments were for smaller amounts.

Members noted transparency with the public is important, especially when it comes to the Gas Plant redevelopment, which has been touted as the largest economic development project in Tampa Bay history. The project saw pushback from the community due, in part, to its use of public funds.

“There were folks out there that weren’t reading very closely and thought that we, those of us who voted yes, got something, too,” said Driscoll. “I have to deal with that, and I didn’t get a dime.”

Gerdes told members that talk of bonuses came up before council and the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners voted on the project. He said Mayor Ken Welch has directed staff to conduct a full review of all city compensation policies and procedures.

“I’m still troubled by it,” said council member Ed Montanari. “I wish it didn’t happen. I have so much respect for the people who work in the city, and I understand what the administration was trying to do, but this just was not a good idea.”

Council members stressed those who received bonuses did nothing wrong. Gerdes said several have already written checks to pay back the city.
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Sarah Blazonis

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August 22, 2024