[0:14] >> Welcome
[0:15] to the city of St. Petersburg
[0:18] City Council meeting and your
[0:21] elected
[0:22] officials our mayor Ken Welch.
[0:25] >> District one Council chair.
[0:28] Hopefully Curtis. District 2
[0:31] Brendan Barber. Is to 3.
[0:33] My carving district
[0:36] 4 Council vice chair, Liz said
[0:39] Hannah with us District 5.
[0:42] Deborah take Sanders. District
[0:44] 6 Gina Driscoll a district 7
[0:48] warri Givens junior. And
[0:51] district day Richie Floyd.
[0:58] >> Noon everybody welcome to
[0:59] the OCTOBER night 2025 City
[1:00] Council meeting if we can do
[1:03] roll call please clerk and
[1:06] heard here party here.
[1:09] What's your if Sanders here
[1:12] fiscal year. Given this year.
[1:15] Today we will have our
[1:17] indication given by pastor
[1:19] Louis Murphy senior from Mount
[1:19] Zion progressive missionary
[1:21] Baptist Church.
[1:22] Followed by a moment of
[1:23] silence, then please remain
[1:26] standing for the pledge of
[1:29] allegiance.
[1:39] >> Heavenly father.
[1:39] Create a tool of the heavens
[1:42] and the Earth. Create of all
[1:45] mankind.
[1:49] Law you on awesome GOD.
[1:52] It got uoi healer.
[1:54] We store
[1:54] you the Prince of peace and
[1:57] we're just so grateful and
[2:00] thankful. That we
[2:03] can be College of children.
[2:05] And will we thank you for
[2:07] the men and women who have put
[2:09] they hands to the plow to serve
[2:12] community. Blessed to City
[2:13] Council. Bless our mayor.
[2:14] We thank you for the men and
[2:17] women who are laboring in your
[2:20] Vineyard as we celebrate
[2:22] clergyman but
[2:25] we need you not only in a city.
[2:28] We need to win a state in a
[2:31] nation. We know
[2:33] that you all love help us to
[2:34] share that love with one
[2:38] another in your holy name I
[2:41] pray, and then.
[2:42] >> Excuse me there is no
[2:44] moments also please join me in
[2:44] the pledge of allegiance.
[2:47] I pledge allegiance to the flag
[2:53] of the United States of America
[2:57] I'm the guy indivisible
[3:00] if the Justice for all.
[3:05] Thank you please be seated.
[3:06] Hasta Murphy that's what he's
[3:06] talking about I needed it.
[3:07] Thank you. Okay cast members we
[3:08] have an agenda in front of us,
[3:11] I'll entertain a motion for
[3:12] approval.
[3:13] Move back in. We have a motion
[3:14] a second season or the council
[3:14] members wishing to speak clerk
[3:17] could you please over machine
[3:20] for voting.
[3:22] Council members present your
[3:23] votes. Seeing is all present
[3:23] council members voted clerk
[3:26] police telling announce the
[3:29] vote.
[3:34] >> Sure the motion to approve
[3:37] the agenda passes unanimously,
[3:37] okay.
[3:40] We don't have a consent agenda
[3:41] today. So we'll move into
[3:42] open form clerk could you
[3:42] please read the rules.
[3:43] If you wish to address City
[3:44] Council and subjects other than
[3:44] public hearing. Rick was Ida
[3:46] digital items listed on the
[3:46] agenda please sign up with the
[3:48] clerk. Only the individuals
[3:49] wishing to speak they send it
[3:52] open sheet. Only city residents
[3:53] prop
[3:56] owners of the property. His
[3:59] owners of the city where the
[4:00] employees MAY speak all
[4:00] issues discussed and open form
[4:02] must be limited to issues
[4:05] related to the city of Saint
[4:06] Peter's Rick government.
[4:09] If you speak into it tonight
[4:09] I'm on the agenda.
[4:12] You mainly speak once during
[4:12] the open form when the time
[4:15] comes up on the agenda in order
[4:16] to provide an opportunity
[4:19] for all citizens to address
[4:19] Council. Each individual be
[4:21] given 3 minutes to speak and
[4:22] after which the microphone will
[4:26] be muted. If you wish to
[4:26] address City Council through
[4:29] the zoom meeting. If you must
[4:30] use the raise hand feature
[4:30] button in the zoom app or
[4:32] interest are 9 on your phone at
[4:35] the time to adjust to it is
[4:39] addressed when it is your turn
[4:39] to speak, you'll be a
[4:40] new did and asked us take your
[4:41] name and address. But the
[4:41] conclusion of your comments
[4:44] when you have reached a 3
[4:45] minute time limit. You will be
[4:48] muted. I'll raise his will be
[4:51] lowered after each agenda item
[4:51] regardless of the method
[4:54] participation used normal rules
[4:55] apply including the 3 minute
[4:57] timely comments. The
[4:58] requirement that any
[5:01] presentation materials must be
[5:02] submitted in advance of the
[5:04] meeting and the rules of
[5:05] decorum it's like public
[5:08] comment is disrupted violation
[5:08] of the rules of
[5:09] decorum the chair is authorized
[5:11] to accept public comments by
[5:12] all means including by email
[5:13] Hooley and MISTER Chair we do
[5:16] have a speed okay. Thank you
[5:19] very much.
[5:25] DR. Perry Washington.
[5:26] He's come to the podium state
[5:27] their name and address for the
[5:29] record. We'll have 3 minutes to
[5:33] dress Council.
[5:48] >> My name is Harry g
[5:52] Washington. I will not give my
[5:55] address the cut that
[5:58] that that Cain
[5:59] I will not be assassinated.
[6:01] I'd say it did many times do we
[6:04] have
[6:07] to goal with it again.
[6:08] Please give your cross streets
[6:08] DR. Washpost first re in mine.
[6:10] There is no for Street and
[6:14] main.
[6:17] Street in central.
[6:23] Okay proceed. DR. Washington.
[6:30] I would risk.
[6:34] For planning. Concrete
[6:34] in my all y'all.
[6:35] >> You can mark a moment not
[6:35] only in.
[6:36] To get to the Manning concrete
[6:37] in my own yard. Biden saying
[6:38] Peter Bernard Foley's the
[6:42] caught that didn't want that
[6:44] count next to be panic. Fit
[6:46] fans in my yard, he told up my
[6:48] fan, what that permeates
[6:51] watching. I asked him to stop
[6:54] it. They say it
[7:02] we don't know that to you.
[7:02] I'll shoot DR. Washington
[7:03] please address us into the
[7:05] microphone and not the audience
[7:06] thank you.
[7:06] >> When I last 7 months.
[7:10] I didn't telling everybody and
[7:13] then Miami.
[7:16] >> I want to go to trial.
[7:19] I had 3 attorney that
[7:22] interview. They wanted me to be
[7:25] guilty. So what.
[7:31] I came and told you all because
[7:35] you have a pseudo.
[7:38] Dead no thank
[7:44] They are left to do.
[7:54] And put them in time would know
[7:57] it and people in the town.
[8:03] When it did have a row.
[8:06] dead people.
[8:16] You can send about this.
[8:19] That building downtown.
[8:24] You have a good thing about the
[8:27] bodies.
[8:36] I go to
[8:39] everybody and
[8:49] Look at home and around the
[8:52] state.
[8:55] >> Thank you DR. Washington
[8:56] anymore, speakers, former
[8:59] speakers. Okay we're going to
[9:02] move on from open forum.
[9:03] And we're going to move
[9:04] into awards and presentations
[9:06] and we're going to start with d
[9:07] one our student ambassador
[9:08] program student presentation on
[9:09] the turn it over to David
[9:11] Thompson who's going to
[9:15] introduce the item.
[9:21] David welcome.
[9:23] Good afternoon council members.
[9:23] I am very. I am very pleased to
[9:27] welcome our student ambassadors
[9:27] to
[9:28] to for their presentations as
[9:31] many of our council members
[9:34] knocks I think even our
[9:37] new councilmember did this
[9:38] himself.
[9:38] We.
[9:38] Sponsor 3 students to go to
[9:41] talk to my to our sister city
[9:42] in Japan and as part of
[9:44] sponsorship they agreed to a
[9:45] presentation for you all to
[9:46] talk about their experience.
[9:48] What they learned and how they
[9:51] were able to represent the city
[9:52] so gives me great pleasure
[9:53] to introduce our students
[9:55] Rachel from Osceola fundamental
[9:58] high school Jared Jackson from
[9:59] the Lakewood
[10:00] high school I know mayor is
[10:00] listening and Jada from St.
[10:02] Petersburg collision but all
[10:02] proud to represent St.
[10:06] Petersburg small turnover.
[10:09] Thank you welcome.
[10:15] Thank Still
[10:18] I'm Jada
[10:24] and I'm Jared.
[10:25] Of the caucus in Japan. So I
[10:26] want to start by saying thank
[10:28] you to the city and dispense
[10:29] for providing us with such a
[10:30] life-changing opportunity.
[10:32] Today I want to talk about
[10:32] family life while abroad
[10:33] because it was most impactful
[10:36] part of my trip. My family was
[10:38] solid.
[10:41] I wanted to highlight the
[10:42] dinners we shared because the
[10:42] depth they added to my
[10:44] experience, a dinner every
[10:44] night my host moment Cook
[10:46] dinner, and we'd all sit around
[10:46] the table and even after dinner
[10:49] is finished and the place for
[10:50] put away. We sit around the
[10:50] table and talk for hours.
[10:51] It was during these
[10:53] conversations that I got closer
[10:54] than I ever could imagine with
[10:55] the family in such a short
[10:58] amount of time and it's on my
[10:59] greatest honors that
[10:59] even miles away, I know
[11:00] someone's American daughter.
[11:01] On the rare occasions we did it
[11:03] out I was lucky enough to try
[11:06] conveyor belt sushi and the
[11:07] picture you can see and it just
[11:08] as fun as it looks on mine.
[11:11] I open only aqui featured above
[11:11] and even on the
[11:12] last night I cooked chicken
[11:13] parm and let's just say my host
[11:15] family was very shocked by the
[11:19] amount of cheese in the dish.
[11:20] Next I want to talk
[11:21] about excursions that my host
[11:22] family took me on. As you can
[11:25] see there I went to a high
[11:26] school
[11:26] baseball game which their
[11:27] stadiums are insane and any
[11:31] time our team which was high
[11:31] school was on the field you are
[11:32] standing and moving and doing
[11:35] these chairs and I just think
[11:35] that the energy we need
[11:37] to bring to my high school
[11:40] football games. Next is too of
[11:40] the jury took some beautiful
[11:42] photos in the reflection pool,
[11:44] and the future photos me and my
[11:46] host family. We also did candy
[11:47] making with jade and her host
[11:48] family and friends and we made
[11:49] was on bond which is a special
[11:52] type of sugar that was crafted
[11:52] by
[11:53] the handmade wooden tools were
[11:54] holding in the picture. We even
[11:56] had a fluffy pancake breakfast
[11:56] because my family knew that
[11:58] that is my favorite meal and
[11:59] last through into a bonsai
[12:02] nursery which had the trees
[12:03] that have been growing for
[12:04] years and they also the hefty
[12:06] price tag. But I bought my a
[12:07] little bonsai tree and which is
[12:08] seeing the picture and we
[12:09] decided to name it. Peter
[12:10] after St. Petersburg to
[12:10] represent the strong bond we as
[12:13] a family and the 2 cities have
[12:16] forms.
[12:21] >> So next I'll be talking
[12:23] about cultural differences that
[12:24] I noticed while in Japan, but
[12:27] for someone to acknowledge that
[12:29] these are pictures of
[12:30] me and my host family that I
[12:31] stayed with so nearly every
[12:32] house in Japan. There's a
[12:33] designated room at the entrance
[12:35] of the home where you remove
[12:35] your shoes before you enter the
[12:38] main part of the home and they
[12:39] MAY offer slippers
[12:40] to guess or you can just wear
[12:41] socks. My host family's home
[12:44] there was a smaller version of
[12:45] this room on the side
[12:47] entrance and then we removed
[12:48] our shoes. Coming from outside
[12:50] from the back yard. The second
[12:50] thing I noticed was that Japan
[12:54] is a very welcoming culture and
[12:54] they are
[12:58] very big on giving gifts Jared
[12:58] Leto and
[12:59] I had disappeared from our host
[12:59] family will once we arrived.
[13:02] I was able to meet 2 of my host
[13:03] sisters friends and they had
[13:05] gets prepared to give me one of
[13:07] which was a lot of Japanese
[13:07] snacks and I definitely did not
[13:10] expect to receive the mountains
[13:11] gets the I did receive.
[13:15] So the next and I'll be talking
[13:18] about school and sports day.
[13:19] Every year schools and
[13:20] to participate in the sport
[13:21] stand. We did sports. Stay with
[13:23] the Daiichi high School and the
[13:24] talk of months the city
[13:26] gym where we played volleyball.
[13:27] But it was a very popular sport
[13:28] in Japan and there were a whole
[13:31] bunch of different tournaments
[13:33] with in the talk about the city
[13:34] gym. The next day we went to
[13:36] die too high school to
[13:37] experience a full day of school
[13:40] in Japan in English class Jared
[13:41] written
[13:42] I did a presentation about St.
[13:44] Petersburg didn't I had pe and
[13:45] played volleyball in Dodge ball
[13:48] in Japanese Dodge ball is very
[13:50] different from the American
[13:51] Dodge ball. And at the end of
[13:53] the day the students have a
[13:54] cleaning period where they
[13:55] clean the classrooms, I also
[13:57] saw some of the students clean
[13:58] the
[13:58] stairs hauling even the
[14:01] bathrooms and after the
[14:01] cleaning period. They have
[14:02] after-school activities were
[14:03] I'm a leather bracelets and
[14:06] Jared and Rachel participated
[14:09] in can do.
[14:12] And I will.
[14:18] And I will be talking about
[14:18] food.
[14:22] If anyone knows me I'm a very
[14:22] big foodie and the food
[14:23] in talk about who is certainly
[14:24] something to talk about.
[14:26] The very top is sort of temper
[14:29] and beef cut let that we had at
[14:32] as we were making soba noodles
[14:33] at a at a making someone else.
[14:36] And the top right is a tune up
[14:39] cupcake that Rachel has that
[14:41] region ahead as we were hiking
[14:42] is yes to a mountain. Below
[14:42] that is the sort of Japanese
[14:46] cooking that jada's host family
[14:47] made for. Well that is the
[14:49] years, the specialty of the
[14:50] neighboring city that me and my
[14:51] host family went to go see one
[14:55] of the 13 remaining wouldn't
[14:56] castles in Japan and their
[14:57] specialty bone-in chicken to
[14:59] the left is that me and my
[15:03] husband other can we made
[15:03] together
[15:06] next to that is the charge to
[15:08] done that but that me and my
[15:08] husband can went to a ramen
[15:09] restaurant to enjoy. Next is
[15:12] the coffee dealing with ice
[15:13] cream and a shrimpton for a new
[15:16] Guinea that both me and my host
[15:16] family went
[15:18] to conveyor belt sushi which
[15:21] again is as just as fun as the
[15:22] videos and pictures make it up
[15:24] to me and to the left is to
[15:25] pour a soda and a bowl of green
[15:25] onions that I very much enjoyed
[15:28] after the sports day at school.
[15:31] Not only is food important but
[15:33] eating dinner with the host
[15:35] family in our families and
[15:37] dinner in it. In general are
[15:38] important and the top right is
[15:41] me and my house by their Ken
[15:42] cooking together below that is
[15:45] me and my host family enjoying
[15:47] Japanese barbecue and open to
[15:49] key together as one to the left
[15:50] is me my host further can and
[15:52] one of his friends enjoying
[15:53] ramen at one of his friends
[15:55] ramen shops and above that is
[15:56] me and my host brother who came
[15:59] over here trying to do enjoying
[16:00] the bone of a stake.
[16:02] Eating dinner with a host
[16:03] family was not only way to
[16:04] enjoy each other's company, but
[16:06] also a way to get to know each
[16:09] other better.
[16:15] >> So along with our personal
[16:15] experiences. We also want to
[16:18] share all the amazing things
[16:19] that the city
[16:20] of talk about who prepared for
[16:22] us. So this slide is all about
[16:23] mountains gardens and more and
[16:24] more the natural things we did.
[16:27] And the top left you can see
[16:28] return garden, which
[16:29] is a Japanese national garden
[16:30] were we had a authentic
[16:31] experience in a beautiful tee
[16:33] also looked out into the lake
[16:36] and then you can also see a
[16:37] very large bonsai tree sitting
[16:40] atop a rock which are guy
[16:41] described as a fluttering
[16:41] crane, a sitting on the back of
[16:43] a turtle. Our guide was also
[16:44] one of my favorites and he was
[16:45] kind enough to let us practice
[16:48] or Japanese introductions on
[16:48] him
[16:50] and give us a stamp of
[16:51] approval. And the 3rd vote over
[16:52] its are and you can see
[16:53] probably the best view from the
[16:54] garden and even though is rain
[16:56] on the day when it was just as
[16:57] beautiful as it would have been
[16:59] on a sunny day. On the right
[16:59] you can see magazine the island
[17:02] and this is a special Island
[17:05] that holds the tale of moment
[17:06] or peach boy who led the
[17:07] leftist family to go fight
[17:07] demons but he beats the demons
[17:09] in a battle ultimately wins
[17:10] said that maybe as the island
[17:13] motor fall on which is why it
[17:13] is also known as Devon Island.
[17:16] It is home to the only guy
[17:17] schmuck cavern which the
[17:18] opening of it can be seen
[17:21] above. We also want to talk
[17:22] about to Castle. We also
[17:24] received a tour inside the
[17:25] Castle. And lots of the council
[17:26] structure been rebuilt or
[17:27] restored such as the tower
[17:29] that's a guard tower you can
[17:30] see far back in the photo and
[17:30] that's also a photo of the
[17:33] garden which was very
[17:36] beautiful.
[17:42] >> When we were spending time
[17:42] with her host family we
[17:43] participated in a city of tents
[17:44] in the middle is we don't
[17:46] making where me Rachel nj to
[17:47] all got to have our hand at
[17:49] making good on. Although we did
[17:51] not make good food on it was
[17:54] still a lot of fun, giving it
[17:55] our best and making wooden
[17:58] to the theme of ymca one of the
[17:59] first things that we did was
[18:00] the prefecture Museum where
[18:02] Rachel in jeddah got to try on
[18:05] a traditional 12 later Japanese
[18:06] kimono and I got to
[18:06] try on a traditional Japanese
[18:07] samurai helmet and also
[18:08] pictured is the 2 swords that
[18:10] me and Rachel fought each other
[18:13] with.
[18:16] Along with that we also got to
[18:17] play with dep Japanese toys
[18:17] and a traditional Japanese
[18:18] instrument. And that's a very
[18:20] right is the city dinner where
[18:21] we got to present our
[18:22] presentations on Rachel's
[18:25] natures and preserves jada's
[18:29] downtown and by for that.
[18:30] After
[18:31] giving up presentations to the
[18:32] City Council and our host
[18:34] families we got to enjoy a
[18:37] dinner hosted by by the City
[18:37] Council. 2 each
[18:41] with the City Council and our
[18:44] host families.
[18:47] >> And lastly I'll be talking
[18:48] about our experience hosting
[18:49] the Japanese students. Mitchell
[18:51] had the same student but she
[18:54] went to go visit saawan endured
[18:55] and I had
[18:56] 2 different students, and high
[18:57] So we went to the Duncan
[19:00] maclean glassblowing where we
[19:01] got to make paper weight
[19:02] and we got to design places.
[19:02] Well.
[19:05] And we were also able to go see
[19:08] the glass exhibit, I was there.
[19:09] We also went to the Dali Museum
[19:10] which the students definitely
[19:12] loved and they were very
[19:13] interested in seeing all the
[19:15] artwork that was there. We also
[19:17] are able to go to Saint Pete
[19:18] Beach in the evening where we
[19:21] got to eat plan the water and
[19:22] play in the sand and we also
[19:24] got to watch the sunset.
[19:26] We also went to Busch gardens
[19:27] and had a nice movie night at
[19:30] Beatles House and a barbecue
[19:34] night at heriot House.
[19:46] >> goes I've got.
[19:48] >> Jeff I MAY just why quick
[19:49] and for that you guys ask any
[19:50] questions just want to
[19:50] acknowledge that this really is
[19:53] a community effort and a labor
[19:54] of love for the city and want
[19:57] to thank Council for allocating
[19:57] the
[19:58] funds to allow the students to
[19:59] go suspense and their parents
[20:02] who do all the work to get them
[20:02] there in the trust that place
[20:05] in the city in sending their
[20:06] students for
[20:07] 14 days across the other side
[20:08] of the world and also to the
[20:09] community partners you heard
[20:13] some of the places they went to
[20:14] Dolly
[20:15] Duncan McClellan studio, some
[20:16] of those things are given by
[20:16] these places because they
[20:19] believe in the mission of the
[20:21] program, some of them we do pay
[20:22] for and I do want to emphasize
[20:25] to any student who is listening
[20:26] that if you the that this
[20:27] presentation was interesting to
[20:30] you do not let price be a
[20:31] factor. The city pays for the
[20:34] travel the lodging even if your
[20:35] home is not one that you
[20:36] might want to buy the family
[20:38] into we have former host
[20:41] families say I want another
[20:41] child to experience this I
[20:43] would be happy to be the House
[20:47] that that person stays in so
[20:47] that child can go to talk him
[20:48] out so in experiences so we
[20:49] really do want. All of our
[20:49] residents to feel like this is
[20:52] something that's accessible to
[20:55] them.
[20:57] Congratulations what at what an
[21:00] absolutely phenomenal
[21:01] presentation. So here's my
[21:03] here's my question for you with
[21:06] everything that you got see
[21:06] over there and everything
[21:07] experienced over there.
[21:08] Give me something that you
[21:08] brought back the you would like
[21:10] to incorporate into your
[21:10] family, what about that culture
[21:11] just moved you enough be
[21:14] brought back your parents and
[21:17] said we need to do this.
[21:21] >> And out say I guess the
[21:23] schools how they have cleaning
[21:26] period at the end it makes it a
[21:26] lot easier and it
[21:27] teaches them like a nice like I
[21:28] guess it's they have lots of
[21:29] discipline in them so I think
[21:31] it would be nice for us to like
[21:34] book okay don't want to clean
[21:37] the school.
[21:44] >> It's a it's a good concept I
[21:44] think it's really good that
[21:45] they do that.
[21:46] For me I definitely think that
[21:47] the sitting down the dinner
[21:48] table something in my family
[21:51] need to do more maybe less and
[21:53] from the tv Trez of so that was
[21:53] like honestly is the time to
[21:54] reflect and talk to your family
[21:55] members. I think that's
[21:58] something I want to instill in
[21:59] my family more in so it's a it
[22:00] was a great moments actually
[22:00] get to know them even though
[22:03] you know staying with strangers
[22:06] so.
[22:10] >> I am what I am with Rachel
[22:11] in that spending more time with
[22:11] family talking with each other
[22:13] and. Experiment with new types
[22:15] of cooking definitely. Thank
[22:16] you to the 3 of you for
[22:17] representing Saint Pete we
[22:19] greatly appreciate it. Thank
[22:20] you chair letting us
[22:22] councilmember get in. Thank you
[22:25] Rachel thank you Jerry thank
[22:28] you Jada for
[22:28] representing St. Petersburg so
[22:29] well.
[22:31] I have no regrets j to reading
[22:32] your letter recommendation
[22:35] because I think you shine so
[22:35] brightly
[22:36] you represent the sunshine to
[22:37] the so well, you know one of
[22:39] the things that I remember when
[22:39] I went to represent the city
[22:41] of St. Petersburg as a student
[22:44] ambassador to talk him out to
[22:44] 2009
[22:45] was the similarities. You all
[22:48] highlighted a lot of the
[22:51] differences that we have with
[22:52] our.
[22:54] Here's overseas in Japan.
[22:54] But while you were there did
[22:55] you notice any similarities
[22:57] between you and your peers, you
[22:59] know in a world that seeks to
[23:01] divide us based on Billy's race
[23:02] nationalities, religious
[23:03] origin. Did you notice that you
[23:04] had anything in common with
[23:07] those he went to school with
[23:10] and who you live with.
[23:17] >> I think because I feel like
[23:17] Japan's up a very smart country
[23:20] and you know how an American
[23:21] the students that
[23:22] don't like certain subjects.
[23:22] I was able to speak to a few
[23:25] students in this so just that
[23:26] they don't
[23:28] like either think one of them
[23:29] was it was like ancient
[23:30] Japanese they did not like
[23:33] learning and writing about the
[23:36] new like the old it's like a
[23:36] are like.
[23:37] Unlike Shakespearean like old
[23:38] English but it's there like all
[23:40] Japanese and they do not like
[23:43] that class.
[23:47] I think that's like some way
[23:51] to like within the youth there.
[23:51] >> I can think of you thank you
[23:53] for that Jay to appreciate it.
[23:53] Another thing I've noticed what
[23:54] we're inching our interests my
[23:57] host brother in Japan was
[23:57] interested in computers and
[23:58] cooking.
[23:59] I too am interested in
[24:02] computers and cooking so a lot
[24:02] of our interests are very
[24:03] similar same thing with the
[24:06] kids at school were interested
[24:07] in various hobbies or subjects
[24:10] sports. All of us had were very
[24:14] similar in that regard.
[24:17] >> I'm kind of 2 things one is
[24:19] deeper ones, not these.
[24:20] So in the first So like one
[24:23] thing is you still communicate
[24:23] with your eyes a
[24:24] lot like something would happen
[24:24] means all of that. Like you
[24:27] know when they look at each
[24:28] other and like it's like you
[24:29] can see you can talk without
[24:32] speaking. But on a goof your
[24:33] level the
[24:33] high school kids still love to
[24:34] gas up there like to have a
[24:35] boyfriend. How many dogs you
[24:35] have to measure something and
[24:36] they want everything like they
[24:40] were just like asking a million
[24:43] teenage questions, I'll
[24:47] just say that the same in that
[24:47] way.
[24:48] Thank you for sharing that and
[24:48] you just remind us that there's
[24:49] more that unites us than what
[24:51] divides us. And that's what I
[24:51] learned when I went overseas
[24:52] we had very fact bin and it was
[24:54] very popular and so my hose
[24:55] brother and I we bonded over
[24:57] Anna Mae and as a matter of
[24:58] fact we still maintain contact
[25:01] to this day so I encourage you
[25:01] to maintain those bonds
[25:02] that you've established with
[25:05] those families overseas and
[25:06] then lastly just remember
[25:07] wherever you go from here these
[25:10] international relations that
[25:11] you farm,
[25:12] those are transferable skills.
[25:14] So whether you decide to go in
[25:16] study political science
[25:16] Communications international
[25:17] relations whatever it MAY be
[25:19] just know that the training
[25:20] guard ground started right here
[25:21] for you in St. Petersburg so if
[25:22] there's anything that we can do
[25:23] to support in your future
[25:24] endeavors. You have a City
[25:25] Council that back she said
[25:29] thank you so much I got to
[25:32] thank you.
[25:40] >> Well I just before we move
[25:41] just want to quickly. Thank.
[25:42] >> Steps and the city and my
[25:43] colleagues for the continued
[25:46] investment in our youth and
[25:47] then
[25:48] 2 or 3 students.
[25:50] I just I'm always blown away by
[25:51] the presentations that come
[25:54] back to Council and just so
[25:54] proud of the 3 of
[25:57] you and thankful for the 3 of
[25:58] you and and
[25:59] very excited to see the future.
[26:01] For all of you and so thanks
[26:02] for everything you do thanks
[26:04] for representing us in excited
[26:07] to see what's
[26:07] next for you guys, thanks so
[26:08] much.
[26:08] Okay we're going to move on the
[26:10] deed to our clergy appreciation
[26:13] month proclamation and for this
[26:17] we're joined by our
[26:20] mayor mayor County Welch.
[26:23] Thank you MISTER CHAIRMAN and
[26:23] Council.
[26:24] The safety team and all members
[26:24] of our community and students
[26:25] you'll make us proud. I'm
[26:26] honored to present the
[26:27] proclamation for
[26:28] clergy appreciation month.
[26:28] To those in the faith
[26:31] community, the importance of
[26:32] one's
[26:32] faith and its impact on our
[26:35] personal growth and our ability
[26:35] to
[26:36] manage life challenges cannot
[26:39] be overstated close your key
[26:41] partners in building a
[26:42] caring uplifting community.
[26:42] I like to invite in a
[26:45] nomination, a ministerial
[26:46] alliance of Florida
[26:47] PRESIDENT Reverend j c
[26:47] Pritchett and other us team
[26:48] members of the clergy to please
[26:54] join me in voting don't come up
[27:09] Afternoon APRIL. Well it.
[27:14] Thank you all for your
[27:15] leadership.
[27:17] The proclamation reads whereas
[27:20] the city of St. Petersburg
[27:21] includes a thriving faith
[27:23] community led by faith leaders.
[27:25] His contributions help ensure a
[27:28] better life for residents and
[27:29] for future generations and were
[27:31] asked for the faith community
[27:32] faith is a guiding light in
[27:35] every season. Both in times of
[27:36] uncertainty
[27:36] and challenge and in times of
[27:37] prosperity. And whereas our
[27:40] clergy teach guide minister and
[27:43] help us.
[27:47] Build a compassionate and
[27:48] caring community exemplifying
[27:50] respect and love for others
[27:52] despite our differences and our
[27:55] believes and whereas our clergy
[27:56] dedicate their lives to
[27:57] supporting their congregations
[27:58] investing their time and
[27:59] energies to help ensure their
[28:01] congregations can be purposeful
[28:05] purposeful
[28:06] lives that are comforted.
[28:08] In times of adversity and
[28:11] whereas the month of OCTOBER
[28:12] has been recognized worldwide
[28:14] as clergy appreciation month.
[28:15] Our city is proud to celebrate
[28:16] our diverse faith community.
[28:19] And those leaders who are
[28:20] important in our
[28:21] lives and communities across
[28:22] our city. Now therefore I to
[28:24] wilt mayor of the city of St.
[28:27] Petersburg Florida do hereby
[28:30] proclaim Oct. 20 25
[28:31] as clergy
[28:31] appreciation month in St.
[28:34] Petersburg and urge all
[28:35] citizens to observe
[28:37] this month with appropriate
[28:38] activities. Celebrations and
[28:39] acknowledgements that honor the
[28:41] compassion dedication and
[28:43] energy faith leaders in our
[28:46] city. Thank you all for your
[28:49] great work appreciating them.
[28:55] Thank you
[28:56] mayor and Council.
[28:59] 2, 2, things I want to lift up
[29:00] this is year 100 for the inner
[29:03] denomination minister light so
[29:04] we're celebrating a 100 years
[29:06] so we are grateful for this
[29:07] recognition secondly I want to
[29:08] introduce a new pastor to our
[29:10] city. The new past it who's
[29:10] been here too much at first
[29:13] Presbyterian Robert Galloway
[29:14] has joined us Robert and then
[29:15] especially for us to have one
[29:18] of our power in 2 years in
[29:19] ministry
[29:20] with us today. Bishop players
[29:23] Pennington she's going to give
[29:26] our comments for our clergy.
[29:35] >> Good morning good afternoon.
[29:36] This is a day
[29:39] that the Lord has made. Let us
[29:42] rejoice and be glad in it.
[29:45] This is such and honor
[29:48] and week Sept
[29:51] with gratitude and humility
[29:52] to carry on the work. That got
[29:53] his assigned us to do. Thank
[29:56] you so much for this
[29:59] recognition.
[30:10] >> Pennington so good to see
[30:14] you as always into each of you
[30:15] thank you so
[30:16] much welcome past Galloway my
[30:19] good friend fits Connor over in
[30:20] Tampa passes that first
[30:20] Presbyterian so we welcome you,
[30:22] I'm so happy to have each of
[30:25] you here today as we recognize
[30:26] the work that our clergy.
[30:27] Do in our community. We
[30:30] recognize as members of the
[30:30] clergy nicely on the cloth with
[30:34] you that the job is not easy.
[30:34] a lot of times it's a daunting
[30:35] task that you don't get paid
[30:38] enough to do. But we certainly
[30:40] appreciate you, we know that
[30:41] the work is plentiful. But I I
[30:43] thank GOD for the labors that
[30:43] he has planted here in the
[30:46] Vineyard. Thank you so much
[30:46] faster or the for your
[30:47] leadership and for your mentor
[30:48] ship and MAY GOD bless you each
[30:51] of you in the work that you do
[30:54] thank you so much Sir.
[30:56] Thank you.
[30:56] >> I'm just so thankful the
[31:00] proclamations that it really
[31:01] best, I mean I'm just so
[31:02] thankful for the diverse just
[31:03] plethora of faith leaders that
[31:06] we have in our community and
[31:07] getting to know.
[31:08] Almost all of you personally
[31:12] has been just one of the true
[31:12] blessings of my life and so
[31:14] thank you for what you do each
[31:14] and every day each and every
[31:18] minute for our community for
[31:21] your.
[31:22] For
[31:23] your churchgoers just just know
[31:26] that we share in the joy of
[31:26] those
[31:27] moments and then the tearful
[31:30] ones too. And we're just so
[31:32] very
[31:32] thankful for your calling and
[31:34] you're even more important your
[31:35] willingness to listen to the
[31:36] call. And so thank you so much
[31:39] and we're celebrating you
[31:43] today.
[31:50] >> Okay we're going to move on
[31:51] to deep 3 are domestic violence
[31:52] awareness month proclamation
[31:53] and then be given to us by our
[31:56] vice chair, vice chair him
[31:59] once.
[32:13] >> Thank you chair. I would
[32:15] like to invite Larry on the
[32:17] foresight with the ceo of Casa
[32:21] i think he is somewhere you
[32:24] there she is and John long the
[32:28] vp of abuse services for hope
[32:30] villages of America
[32:30] to join me here at the podium.
[32:31] >> You know before I was a City
[32:34] Council member I worked for
[32:35] many
[32:36] years as a prosecutor. When you
[32:38] work at the prosecutor's office
[32:40] and you start as a young
[32:40] prosecutor and the misdemeanor
[32:44] division. They're 2 path you
[32:44] can take
[32:47] at some point when you're there
[32:48] you can handle domestic
[32:49] violence cases along with the
[32:50] other cases because the
[32:51] handover it cases but the
[32:54] method violence cases are go to
[32:57] traffic court and
[32:58] a lot of the attorneys that go
[32:59] and star at the state
[33:01] Attorney's office go to the
[33:04] domestic violence unit, the
[33:05] fact that there is
[33:07] a domestic violence unit.
[33:08] That handles cases at the state
[33:10] Attorney's office tells you
[33:13] what you need to know. Because
[33:17] it is something that is among
[33:20] us everywhere
[33:20] you MAY not see it. But I will
[33:23] tell you if you go to the
[33:24] courtrooms if you go to the
[33:26] agencies that provide the
[33:27] services you will see those
[33:29] victims out there and and there
[33:29] are many victims out there that
[33:32] their voices are never heard
[33:34] that they never make it to a
[33:36] courtroom. And so today's the
[33:40] day to bring awareness to that.
[33:41] I want to thank
[33:44] all the agencies here both
[33:45] present and not present that
[33:48] provide prevention and to raise
[33:51] intervention support. In
[33:52] domestic violence area also the
[33:55] law enforcement agencies that
[33:56] work closely with
[33:59] the agencies with the state
[34:01] attorneys. This is truly
[34:02] an area that it's not just one
[34:05] group of people that's going to
[34:07] work it's a lot of people.
[34:09] So this affects not just the
[34:12] victim. But it affects families
[34:14] it affects a community.
[34:15] So with that being said I would
[34:18] like to read the proclamation.
[34:22] Each OCTOBER we come together
[34:23] as a community to observe
[34:24] domestic violence awareness
[34:26] month recognizing the profound
[34:30] impact think violence has
[34:31] on individuals families
[34:33] businesses and society. Whereas
[34:36] domestic violence is a pattern
[34:37] of abusive behavior in any
[34:38] relationship that is used by
[34:40] one partner to gain or maintain
[34:44] power and control over their
[34:44] intimate partner and whereas
[34:45] domestic violence is pervasive
[34:48] issue that affects millions
[34:49] regardless of age gender race
[34:51] or socioeconomic status, and it
[34:52] requires a collective
[34:53] commitment to raise awareness
[34:55] provide support and seek
[34:59] justice for victims. And
[35:00] whereas we honor the strength
[35:01] and resilience of survivors and
[35:04] acknowledge the tireless
[35:05] efforts. Virgin of
[35:07] organizations and advocates who
[35:10] worked to end domestic violence
[35:11] and provide safety and support
[35:12] for those affected. And whereas
[35:14] the city of St. Petersburg
[35:15] supports organizations that
[35:17] provide resources. Safety and
[35:21] advocacy to domestic violence,
[35:24] survivors and
[35:24] their children. Now therefore I
[35:26] share with that hand with some
[35:28] behalf of the mayor Kenneth t
[35:30] watch of the city of St.
[35:33] Petersburg do hereby proclaim
[35:34] Oct. 20 25 as domestic violence
[35:35] awareness month and urged all
[35:37] citizens to actively
[35:38] participate in scheduled
[35:39] activities and programs
[35:42] sponsored by local agencies to
[35:45] work towards the elimination
[35:46] of personal and institutional
[35:49] violence against people.
[35:52] Thank you for all you do.
[35:59] >> Thank you MR. CHAIRMAN and
[36:03] council members thank you for
[36:03] having us here and for the
[36:06] Pa Commission we appreciate the
[36:09] awareness to a very big
[36:10] issue in our community. We
[36:11] talked about some of the
[36:12] numbers and 70% of domestic
[36:13] violence cases are never
[36:16] reported so they're happening
[36:17] in our community.
[36:19] All the time for those that are
[36:20] reported Casa were one of the
[36:22] largest domestic violence
[36:24] agencies in the state of
[36:27] Florida. Last year we served
[36:30] over 3,000 people at our agency
[36:31] we served about
[36:34] 540 people in our shelter, half
[36:36] of that is always children.
[36:36] One of the issues that we have
[36:39] with domestic violence because
[36:42] the numbers are so big for
[36:46] every 25 people that call our
[36:47] hotline. We are only able to
[36:48] shelter one of those people.
[36:48] So it causes we started a
[36:51] family Justice center will be
[36:52] can offer wrap-around services
[36:55] for survivors even if we can't
[36:58] provide the shelter because we
[36:59] are always full, we can
[37:02] still help with other types of
[37:03] services, including rehousing
[37:04] 906 people 2 housing programs,
[37:05] some of which she well-funded
[37:08] so thank you for that
[37:11] additional assistance,
[37:12] the issue here is large federal
[37:13] funding for services like ours
[37:16] is being cut and so we ask that
[37:18] you do remember us and think
[37:20] about how critical these
[37:21] services are as we move forward
[37:21] into the coming years so thank
[37:24] you to anybody have any
[37:27] questions for me.
[37:32] Are you gonna make any
[37:32] comments.
[37:33] Yeah we'll do comments and then
[37:34] we'll go to questions. Thank
[37:34] you very much. Sure and I just
[37:37] echo it and say thank you for
[37:38] the support from the city.
[37:39] Has shared we know that this is
[37:42] an issue that continuously
[37:43] grows. So how do we stop it.
[37:45] One of the things that we
[37:46] really focus on is that
[37:49] prevention key. We have a
[37:50] program that goes in
[37:51] the vp case in elementary
[37:53] schools. Last year alone they
[37:55] served us all about 3500
[37:56] students. During that time
[37:58] there in that classroom they
[37:58] they sing goofy songs and
[38:01] they've got this goofy puppet.
[38:02] But they're just teaching these
[38:04] kids that its not ok to use
[38:07] your hands use your words not
[38:08] your hands find a safe
[38:08] place of things are happening
[38:09] to your house. We do this
[38:10] project with them where we show
[38:13] them a picture of a house and
[38:13] we say if some at the adult in
[38:16] the House are fighting where
[38:18] would you go to a safe place.
[38:19] It's the kids often in my
[38:20] bedroom or the kitchen is a
[38:21] very popular place that they
[38:24] pick. But we've had kids that
[38:26] say I can't go hide.
[38:28] I've got to break up the fight.
[38:29] And so we've got 5 year-old 6
[38:30] year-old that think that
[38:32] they're the referee at the
[38:36] family. Of the family. They
[38:36] have to get
[38:37] involved they have to stop the
[38:39] violence. And so we started
[38:42] that very young age just making
[38:42] sure that kids understand that
[38:45] there's a different way to
[38:46] settle things we've
[38:46] really focused lately and in
[38:47] Jordan Park and just now
[38:48] joining Park area we've seen
[38:50] about a 70% increase of the are
[38:53] in takes that are seeking help
[38:53] that are victims of domestic
[38:56] again I appreciate the support.
[38:57] The ongoing support. There's
[39:00] more work to be done. So thank
[39:03] you thank you.
[39:05] >> And thank you so much Larry
[39:08] for the work that you and costs
[39:09] are doing.
[39:09] For years even before you know
[39:12] my time here on Council I've
[39:12] had the opportunity
[39:16] to volunteer there. Your thrift
[39:17] store and I just know all the
[39:18] work of a patron so thank you
[39:19] so much and I want to know how
[39:20] can those who are listening
[39:22] both here in the audience and
[39:23] at home if they want to be an
[39:26] ally and lend a helping hand if
[39:29] they want
[39:30] to stop the violence how can
[39:30] they help.
[39:33] Many many ways you talked about
[39:34] volunteering we
[39:34] have many different volunteer
[39:35] opportunities, a fun way to get
[39:36] engaged with costs as actually
[39:39] we have a scavenger hunt in
[39:41] downtown St. Petersburg
[39:44] shop local right on Oct. 25th,
[39:45] that's a fun way to
[39:45] spread information about
[39:46] domestic violence and make sure
[39:49] that people who have a need for
[39:49] our
[39:50] services can get in touch with
[39:51] us but we do have lots of
[39:53] volunteer opportunities are you
[39:54] need to do is reach out tests
[39:54] at any point in time and it
[39:57] runs the gamut of working
[40:00] directly with survivors
[40:01] in the shelter. 2 working in
[40:02] the thrust or so plays to reach
[40:04] out to us if you'd like to get
[40:04] involved and humanitarian
[40:05] donations, I'm guessing you're
[40:06] accepting those as well always
[40:07] yes, thank you, thank you
[40:09] chair.
[40:12] Thank you.
[40:13] >> Well downstairs I I I'm not
[40:16] sure that you've got to hear my
[40:19] comments Mike my comments to
[40:20] the group.
[40:21] Before we came upstairs were
[40:22] we're celebrating a few things
[40:22] and then there's a few things
[40:24] that I love to eradicate off
[40:25] the face of the planet that
[40:28] we're talking about today, this
[40:28] is one of them. And so.
[40:32] Although we haven't gotten
[40:33] there yet.
[40:34] Thanks for fighting. The good
[40:37] fight. Both of you and so and
[40:39] your organizations and all of
[40:42] I know that the breath of those
[40:43] is wide from
[40:46] employees the volunteers
[40:47] contributors. And if we want to
[40:47] do that if we want to eradicate
[40:48] it and we're not gonna be able
[40:51] to do without partners like
[40:52] you. And so. Just for me, I'm
[40:53] very thankful for both of you.
[40:56] Thank you so much for being
[41:00] here. Thanks.
[41:10] Okay we're gonna move to d 4.
[41:13] Fire prevention awareness week
[41:14] proclamation and
[41:14] back with mayor Welch.
[41:15] Back MR. CHAIRMAN and Council
[41:16] we continue with the community
[41:16] safety theme and I'm honored to
[41:19] bring a proclamation in
[41:20] celebration.
[41:24] A fire prevention week. This
[41:24] year's campaign
[41:25] is quote charge into fire
[41:28] safety. Lithium ion batteries
[41:29] in your home
[41:30] end quote works to educate
[41:31] everyone about simple but
[41:33] important actions they can take
[41:36] to keep themselves and those
[41:37] around them safe.
[41:41] From home fires. I'm joined by
[41:44] chief deputy chief breast
[41:45] cestkowski chief was headed to
[41:45] some emergency travel. So he's
[41:46] not with us. And members of our
[41:48] Saint Pete fire rescue team,
[41:48] the very best in the business
[41:51] yacht show them some love
[41:54] please.
[42:00] >> Fire marshal Womack will
[42:02] share some information about
[42:03] Saint Petersburg's fire rescues
[42:04] efforts to prevent fires in our
[42:05] community through education and
[42:07] outreach and details about
[42:07] their upcoming block party
[42:11] event taking place this Sat. At
[42:14] Walter Fuller recreation.
[42:15] And the product and the
[42:18] product keep it down West West.
[42:19] You know sort of make sure you
[42:20] knew or what and the
[42:21] proclamation reads whereas the
[42:22] city of St. Petersburg is
[42:23] committed to ensuring the
[42:26] safety and security of all
[42:27] those living in and visiting.
[42:31] And whereas fires a serious
[42:31] public safety concern both
[42:32] locally and nationally and
[42:35] homes are the locations where
[42:35] people
[42:37] are at the greatest risk from
[42:38] fire. And whereas most of the
[42:41] electronics using homes daily,
[42:44] including smartphones tablets
[42:45] laptops power tools e-bikes
[42:48] e-scooters and toys are powered
[42:51] by lithium ion batteries
[42:52] which if
[42:55] misused damaged or improperly
[42:56] charged can overheat start a
[42:58] fire or even explode. And
[42:59] whereas the National fire
[43:01] protection Association nfpa
[43:02] reports an increase in battery
[43:04] related fires, underscoring the
[43:08] need for public education on
[43:08] the safe use of looking in ion
[43:11] batteries and whereas residents
[43:14] should follow 3 key calls to
[43:17] action. By only listed products
[43:20] charged battery safely and
[43:21] recycle them responsibly to
[43:22] prevent battery-related fires.
[43:25] And whereas lithium ion
[43:28] batteries store large amount of
[43:28] energy in a small space and
[43:31] improper use such as
[43:32] overcharging using off-brand
[43:33] Chargers without safety
[43:34] certification or exposing
[43:37] batteries to damage can result
[43:39] in fire or explosion.
[43:43] And whereas the proper disposal
[43:43] and recycling of lithium ion
[43:46] batteries help prevent
[43:47] environmental hazards and
[43:47] reduce fire risk in the home
[43:50] and community. And whereas the
[43:54] 2025 fire prevention week theme
[43:54] charge into fire safety.
[43:55] Lithium ion batteries in your
[43:57] home serves to remind us of the
[43:59] importance of using charging
[44:00] and recycling lithium ion
[44:03] battery safely to reduce the
[44:03] risk of
[44:04] fires in homes and communities.
[44:05] Therefore I can into Welsh
[44:08] mayor of the city of St.
[44:10] Petersburg do hereby proclaim
[44:13] Oct. 5th through the 11th 2025,
[44:16] as fire prevention week
[44:17] throughout the city and I urge
[44:19] all citizens to check their
[44:20] homes for fire hazards, you
[44:23] safe practices and to support
[44:24] the many public safety
[44:26] activities and efforts of the
[44:26] great St. Petersburg fire
[44:30] rescue department. Thank you
[44:33] all for being here.
[44:40] Appreciate that the fcpd fire
[44:40] rescue. Members of Council for
[44:43] giving us an opportunity to
[44:44] reinforce this message
[44:47] publicly and focus on fire
[44:47] prevention month. Started as a
[44:50] national recognition years ago
[44:50] when America was literally
[44:51] considered to be burning.
[44:54] So the effort of focus time
[44:57] stand down to really focus on
[45:00] fire safety. And this year
[45:01] focusing on lithium batteries
[45:02] who has won in their home.
[45:08] Everybody is it's an android
[45:18] >> The man known that you might
[45:19] not be the one speak Prowler.
[45:22] >> You we're seeing less
[45:23] frequency with android's yeah
[45:24] us not validated those quote me
[45:26] on that. It's a real issue and
[45:27] it's a real safety problem just
[45:29] to share with the community of
[45:32] the fires we've investigated so
[45:33] far this year 28%
[45:35] have been battery related.
[45:36] So it's a real issue we're
[45:37] seeing an increase in a lot of
[45:38] that increase is being driven
[45:41] by the use and the
[45:42] proliferation of
[45:43] lithium ion pipe devices.
[45:44] So that safety message is very
[45:47] very important some things to
[45:47] restate that
[45:49] you mentioned in the
[45:50] proclamation use only the the
[45:53] charging equipment and supplies
[45:54] charger cables that
[45:55] come with the device from the
[45:58] manufacturer. Oftentimes when
[45:59] charges go bad people replace
[46:00] them on Amazon and you have to
[46:03] remember the charger has to be
[46:04] properly calibrated to the
[46:06] battery in your device or it
[46:07] will overcharge it and it goes
[46:08] into a condition called thermal
[46:09] runaway, but you can't stop at
[46:11] home and it's going to end up
[46:14] in a in a more catastrophic
[46:16] event for you e-scooters
[46:19] e-bikes store those outside
[46:20] please don't put the hose in
[46:23] your home find summer away from
[46:24] the House outside the store
[46:25] them if at all possible, don't
[46:26] leave these devices unattended
[46:27] when you're know don't plug
[46:30] your phone and by the bed at
[46:34] night and go to sleep. You want
[46:34] to pull these devices off of a
[46:37] charger once they've once they
[46:40] fully charged charging 2 on
[46:41] non combustible surfaces.
[46:42] It's a very very prolific
[46:45] problem right now, but it's
[46:46] also very solvable problem with
[46:47] a couple of these simple steps
[46:50] we can really make an impact
[46:51] think about that reduce 28%
[46:52] incident of local fire the
[46:53] communities right here in
[46:54] Petersburg with an awareness on
[46:54] that so we appreciate the
[46:57] opportunity to highlight that.
[46:59] I do want to take a moment to
[47:02] thank this being fire
[47:03] prevention week. All of Saint
[47:04] Pete fire rescue participates
[47:07] in fire prevention every single
[47:09] day all 400 plus members of our
[47:10] organization there are some
[47:12] members that it is all they do
[47:13] every single day and I think
[47:14] it's important to draw
[47:15] attention to those. We have our
[47:16] public education outreach
[47:17] specialist folks here what
[47:20] you're very familiar with as
[47:22] well our deputy fire marshals
[47:23] are we got some of ours field
[47:24] inspectors here that go out and
[47:28] do thousands of inspections in
[47:30] the community. Every year
[47:31] looking for fire safety issues
[47:33] to help solve those. We've got
[47:33] plans examiners that review
[47:36] plans to make sure that things
[47:37] are built constructed.
[47:40] According to the fire code and
[47:40] also a team
[47:41] of arson investigators. And
[47:44] fire investigators and helped
[47:45] us to find cause and origin
[47:46] identify issues like battery
[47:47] issues and help us to craft
[47:47] code that then can overcome
[47:50] that so I appreciate the team
[47:51] in all the work they do daily
[47:54] hoping to actually prevent
[47:55] fires in the community and
[47:56] thanks for your time and I will
[47:56] restate again the block party.
[47:59] This is our big comeback party
[48:01] because we had to cancel last
[48:01] year because of the storms so
[48:02] we invite everybody in the
[48:04] community come out and help us
[48:05] relaunch our annual block
[48:05] party. It's this Sat., 10 to 2
[48:09] at Walter Fuller Park. Thank
[48:12] you.
[48:21] Councilmember Givens.
[48:21] Thank you so much and happy
[48:22] fire. Prevention awareness week
[48:23] to each of you thank you so
[48:24] much chief your presence and to
[48:24] each of you all and your
[48:27] rightful places. Back in MARCH,
[48:30] I had the opportunity to go out
[48:31] with a few
[48:32] volunteers and some of our fire
[48:33] personnel and we went out into
[48:36] the child's Park neighborhood
[48:39] which I believe ranks 17th
[48:40] nationally and number one
[48:41] in the state of Florida for the
[48:44] highest homers home virus and
[48:45] so what that means is because
[48:47] of the socioeconomic conditions
[48:48] in the proximity to a fire
[48:50] station child's parks homes
[48:51] have a higher risk of catching
[48:54] fire. And so we went out there
[48:57] and we
[48:58] installed over a 170 lithium
[48:59] power batteries which have a 10
[49:00] year lifespan. And so what i
[49:03] think you all are doing every
[49:04] day is you're being proactive
[49:07] about saving lives and I thank
[49:08] you so much for all that you
[49:09] do you risk their lives to save
[49:09] other lives and for that we say
[49:10] thank you so we're grateful for
[49:13] each of you thank you very much
[49:16] Sir. Thank you.
[49:19] >> Thank you, thank you.
[49:20] Mayor for the proclamation and
[49:23] to our Fire Department for all
[49:26] that you do. And
[49:27] I'm very happy that lets him
[49:30] that the that the batteries are
[49:34] the focus this year because.
[49:38] As he says cusk it's I've asked
[49:38] about this before.
[49:39] >> It is a growing concern and
[49:42] 28% of the incidents this year
[49:45] related to that.
[49:52] >> I'm hoping that this is
[49:52] going to launch a big
[49:55] communication effort because I
[49:56] think it's really just
[49:58] about knowing. Some of the
[50:01] things that you mentioned
[50:04] you've omak and and
[50:05] understanding what needs to be
[50:07] inside what needs to be outside
[50:11] you know the phone charger
[50:12] thing and
[50:15] then also disposal that's
[50:18] something
[50:19] that is really important so I
[50:20] have so couple weeks ago I
[50:22] changed out. 2 of my air tags.
[50:25] Yes chief a Mike there will be
[50:28] Apple. Tags.
[50:29] So I've got the old batteries
[50:30] and they're like still sitting
[50:31] on the counter because I'm like
[50:34] I got to remember where I'm
[50:35] supposed to take these.
[50:38] Do we have can you drop them
[50:39] off at any fire station kind of
[50:43] like the police station has the
[50:46] drop-off for old
[50:48] prescription meds.
[50:49] That kind of thing do you have
[50:49] The great question and thank
[50:51] you for highlighting that that
[50:52] was a keyboard player for a
[50:54] disposal writes oh, yeah oh to
[50:57] call to the number 2
[50:59] recycle all one word call 2
[51:02] recycle dot org and find out
[51:02] your closest spot to properly
[51:03] dispose of lithium ion
[51:06] batteries. And that's actually
[51:09] currently on the group.
[51:13] >> Great yeah, maybe we can get
[51:15] that out there and then I'm
[51:18] wondering and I'm sorry I
[51:19] should have looked before.
[51:21] But the Saint Pete collects app
[51:22] that many people have on their
[51:23] on their phone did remind you
[51:24] when you have to take your
[51:26] recycling out and things like
[51:26] that there's a like a waste
[51:30] wizard or you can look this up
[51:32] is that do you happen to know
[51:33] if that I'm not gonna look all
[51:34] we're sitting here but don't
[51:36] know that that's on there but I
[51:37] will tell you it is an issue of
[51:37] the.
[51:40] Few recycling facility fires
[51:43] that we have had over the years
[51:47] generally leads back to
[51:47] better disposal issues. Yeah.
[51:48] So that staff needs to go
[51:51] somewhere else and so I'm just
[51:54] wondering if someone whoever
[51:54] handles that
[51:55] the app because so many people
[51:58] have it and I just want to make
[52:01] sure that that's listed
[52:02] on there as as for for that
[52:02] information that that would be
[52:04] perfect and the touch on your
[52:07] earlier point to as we continue
[52:10] to identify
[52:12] the hazards and risks to the
[52:12] community.
[52:13] Those public safety messages
[52:14] will We've communicated
[52:15] throughout this year about the
[52:16] with him on fire son. The issue
[52:19] that's growing and as chief
[52:22] Mike identified so
[52:22] we will continue those efforts.
[52:25] >> I can't wait to see you guys
[52:26] in the videos
[52:27] that will run on Saint Pete tv.
[52:30] >> Mack the you said something
[52:32] about e-scooters and
[52:32] e-bikes should be kept outside.
[52:35] If you could give a little bit
[52:36] more
[52:36] context to that because I I
[52:39] don't think they necessarily
[52:42] have to be outside all the
[52:42] time. And when they're being
[52:43] charged where it should they be
[52:46] because I'm thinking about them
[52:49] being outside in the rain,
[52:53] not such a great idea.
[52:53] Yeah so what I don't want to
[52:54] see them is in a bedroom, our
[52:55] department. You know the
[52:56] reality is is that has the
[52:57] potential to catch fire and
[52:59] because of that thermal runaway
[53:01] win that device starts to
[53:04] smoke. There's nothing the
[53:06] homeowner do can do to stop it.
[53:07] It's going to end up going into
[53:08] an explosion it's going to
[53:10] release toxic gases and it
[53:11] contained room a small
[53:13] betterment will make it
[53:14] untenable very dangerous from
[53:17] the health and survivability
[53:17] standpoint and also the fire
[53:18] conditional escalate very
[53:20] quickly so it is we're seeing
[53:21] that is somewhat common
[53:22] practice, right people people
[53:25] are relying on these a lot and
[53:26] they live in
[53:27] apartments and they're bringing
[53:28] them inside the House with
[53:30] them. So it just increases the
[53:31] risks I don't have a good
[53:31] solution, but I think it's
[53:32] important the public knows what
[53:33] type of risk there assuming
[53:36] when they bring those devices
[53:39] into the home.
[53:41] >> It'll be interesting to do
[53:43] some research and see if there
[53:44] are other cities. That have
[53:47] come up with some. A brilliant
[53:49] idea that we just haven't
[53:49] thought of yet.
[53:50] Yeah there's quite a bit of
[53:51] code development work being
[53:52] done across the country right
[53:54] now to try to address the
[53:56] lithium ion issue some local
[53:57] jurisdictions have have even
[53:58] created a local ordinance where
[53:59] you can store those devices
[54:02] inside. Specially when it's
[54:03] apartment building stuff.
[54:06] I don't know if those are good
[54:06] solutions. I will say this
[54:07] sprinkler protected buildings
[54:08] can help contain that event to
[54:11] the area of origin. So those
[54:12] are
[54:15] absolutely lifesaving features
[54:17] as well and and there's
[54:18] manual studies and laboratory
[54:18] studies show far to indicate
[54:19] the sprinkler can't can't make
[54:21] the fire not occur, but it can
[54:22] keep it contained in the area
[54:25] in which it occurred. So those
[54:29] are very effective as well.
[54:30] All right well.
[54:30] You just keep working to make
[54:31] sure it doesn't happen in the
[54:32] first place. Thank you so much
[54:33] for thank you all for all that
[54:34] you do thank you chair, thank
[54:38] you.
[54:43] >> Chief I'm going to I'm going
[54:46] to be the shining example of
[54:47] what not to
[54:50] do in 2 instances because over
[54:53] the last year and
[54:55] I have had to lithium battery
[54:58] experiences. One was during
[55:00] hurricane Helene
[55:01] my best friend went out of
[55:02] town. And he wasn't here the 2
[55:03] days before the storm the day
[55:04] leading up to the storm I went
[55:07] to his house my wife dropped me
[55:08] off down the block because
[55:10] there was already a foot of
[55:11] water. In the streets, I went
[55:12] and the energized his home
[55:14] because we were worried
[55:17] obviously needs got all the
[55:18] things right. And so we come
[55:19] back. I think 2 days after the
[55:20] storm because it took him a
[55:22] couple of days to get back into
[55:23] town.
[55:27] Get into the house to all these
[55:28] things
[55:29] we re energize the House with
[55:32] actually f the treasure Island
[55:33] ft there to make sure
[55:34] that we're doing it safely and
[55:34] get all the stuff out of his
[55:38] house because House is ruined
[55:39] at this
[55:40] point right took on 3 and a
[55:42] half feet and left the House
[55:43] they Wed. At a buddy South that
[55:46] night came back in his house
[55:47] was destroyed burned down.
[55:47] Because that left one thing
[55:48] plugged in a children's toy
[55:51] that had a lithium ion battery.
[55:56] It's crazy granting like you do
[55:57] all the right steps up to the
[56:00] last one and something bad
[56:01] happens. Now
[56:03] I couldn't make fun of my best
[56:05] friend and feel good about it
[56:08] without making fun of me.
[56:10] So talk about air tags
[56:11] I have never had one before.
[56:12] I got one as a gift and it
[56:15] wasn't popping up on my phone.
[56:16] And I'm like oh what must be
[56:20] dead. So I put it on my watch
[56:22] charger got into the shower.
[56:25] That blew up my watch charger
[56:28] and so up this is.
[56:30] This is a girl this
[56:33] guy problem we need to read
[56:34] directions more. And so I'm
[56:36] just very appreciative of that
[56:39] campaign and highlighting this
[56:41] because just
[56:41] the simplest little thing
[56:43] right. I mean you make a lot of
[56:44] really really good decisions
[56:47] and one okay one not you know,
[56:48] let just less than ok and it
[56:49] could be catastrophic. And so
[56:52] my my point in bringing these
[56:55] stories is. It can happen
[56:57] anywhere anytime to anybody.
[57:00] And so I'm just very thankful.
[57:01] I totally read reiterate
[57:01] councilmember Givens comments
[57:03] about the work that you guys do
[57:06] every single day and making
[57:09] sure that dumb bombs like me.
[57:10] Make it through to the next
[57:12] day. And so thank you so much
[57:13] for everything that you do and
[57:14] and just know that you continue
[57:15] to have our full faith and
[57:18] support so thanks so much for
[57:21] being here.
[57:27] They were
[57:28] clapping for you not my
[57:29] decision making.
[57:30] Okay we're going to move on to
[57:31] the 5 we're going to talk about
[57:31] national lead poisoning
[57:35] prevention week councilmember
[57:38] Harding thank you chair.
[57:40] >> For those of us who have
[57:42] been around long enough to gain
[57:43] the wisdom that I have chair
[57:44] Gerson a para administrator to
[57:47] Santa Fe that second time
[57:49] getting picked on.
[57:50] It is nice to be able to talk
[57:54] about things that that we have
[57:55] made enough progress on that
[57:57] have the ability to go away.
[57:59] We talked about we talked about
[58:00] domestic violence and that's a
[58:01] battle that will fight forever
[58:05] and will do our best to to to
[58:06] to to
[58:07] make ends and to make progress
[58:07] some things are are a little
[58:10] bit are a little bit easier if
[58:12] they have champions and in this
[58:15] case they do back in the in the
[58:16] 40's and 50's
[58:17] and 60's Weise to build houses
[58:19] would let him. They were it was
[58:21] a cheap metal and pliable and
[58:22] we built it into moldings we
[58:24] built into window cells.
[58:26] And it turns out that that's a
[58:27] really bad idea. But it takes a
[58:30] champion or it takes a group of
[58:31] champions to to really bring
[58:33] this to light and then do the
[58:36] work to to change the way that
[58:36] we do things
[58:40] and in this case. The city has
[58:41] been the city like
[58:42] other municipalities has been
[58:43] as as held a hand in this the
[58:43] building code is how the hand
[58:45] in this and in groups like the
[58:48] healthy homes coalition have
[58:49] held a hand in this. So I so
[58:50] our Park our proclamation today
[58:51] whereas lead exposure in
[58:52] children, especially those
[58:55] under the age of 6 even at very
[58:55] low levels MAY damage the brain
[58:56] and the nervous system
[58:59] resulting in hearing speech and
[59:00] behavior problems and
[59:02] whereas lead exposure to
[59:02] children can result from
[59:05] multiple sources, including
[59:06] drinking water from corrosion
[59:06] of lead service lines and a
[59:09] variety of everyday consumer
[59:11] and commercial goods and
[59:13] whereas lead based paint and
[59:14] the contaminated dust that
[59:15] generates and homes and soil
[59:17] represents one of the most
[59:18] dangerous widespread sources,
[59:20] the exposure affecting children
[59:21] and whereas lead poisoning is
[59:22] preventable. The key is to keep
[59:23] children from encountering
[59:26] lead. And there are simple
[59:28] steps that can be taken to
[59:29] protect all family members from
[59:30] lead based paint hazards in the
[59:32] home and where is education and
[59:33] awareness about the dangers of
[59:36] lead can help protect the lives
[59:38] of children living in St.
[59:39] Petersburg now for now
[59:41] therefore I Mike Hardin
[59:42] councilmember on behalf of
[59:43] candidate. He was mayor of the
[59:44] city of St. Petersburg Florida,
[59:47] hereby proclaim Oct. 19 through
[59:48] the 25th 2025.
[59:49] His national lead poisoning
[59:51] prevention week and urge all
[59:52] citizens to actively observed
[59:54] this week to enhance public
[59:55] awareness of lead poisoning
[59:56] prevention and the ways we can
[59:59] protect our families from lead
[1:00:00] poisoning and encourage all
[1:00:01] citizens to support lead hazard
[1:00:04] prevention efforts throughout
[1:00:07] the city and year-round.
[1:00:19] >> Thank you on behalf of the
[1:00:19] cities. Housing and community
[1:00:21] development Department I'm
[1:00:22] honored to accept this
[1:00:25] proclamation recognizing
[1:00:26] national lead poisoning.
[1:00:29] Prevention week. Lead poisoning
[1:00:29] is entirely preventable.
[1:00:33] Get it continues to threaten
[1:00:34] the health and the
[1:00:35] future for children and
[1:00:36] families in our community.
[1:00:39] South Petersburg is within the
[1:00:42] 95 to 100% percentile
[1:00:43] for lead paint pollution.
[1:00:45] This proclamation affirms our
[1:00:49] city's commitment to education,
[1:00:51] early detection safe housing
[1:00:53] and coordination action to
[1:00:56] eliminate these lead hazards.
[1:00:57] I want to thank the mayor City
[1:01:00] Council. And our city's healthy
[1:01:02] home coalition.
[1:01:06] Our community partners such as
[1:01:06] the Department
[1:01:07] of Health for their leadership
[1:01:07] in support together we're
[1:01:10] advancing the goal of ensuring
[1:01:11] that every child in St.
[1:01:14] Petersburg grows up in a
[1:01:15] healthy
[1:01:16] safe and thriving environment.
[1:01:18] We hope that you will all join
[1:01:20] us at our get the lead out kick
[1:01:23] out event Sat. Oct. 25th, you
[1:01:26] can come there.
[1:01:28] The slay have some fun think
[1:01:29] a shopping downtown for pasta
[1:01:30] from noon to 4 will be a
[1:01:32] child's Park recreation center
[1:01:35] where there's going to be
[1:01:37] family fun, community resources
[1:01:38] and it is finally the
[1:01:41] opportunity to learn about our
[1:01:43] lead paint remediation grants.
[1:01:45] Thank you again for this
[1:01:46] recognition for your
[1:01:46] partnership in building,
[1:01:49] healthier future for all of her
[1:01:52] residence.
[1:02:05] >> Thank you doctor sliker.
[1:02:06] >> Cancer awareness month
[1:02:07] proclamation, and it's going to
[1:02:09] be presented by your own chair.
[1:02:11] Here Curtis.
[1:02:14] Thank you MADAM By Cher and
[1:02:14] joining us. We have
[1:02:15] some representatives from a
[1:02:16] couple local hospitals from Bay
[1:02:18] front Orlando health. We've got
[1:02:21] Jamie hershberger the
[1:02:24] associate. The associate chief
[1:02:24] nursing officer and
[1:02:25] Matt let we're there in a
[1:02:28] governmental and then from Bay
[1:02:29] care more implant we've got
[1:02:29] Peter Blume and DR. Peter Blum
[1:02:31] Krantz who is the medical
[1:02:32] director of the Bay care cancer
[1:02:34] Institute and Tim McMahon who's
[1:02:36] the director care cancer
[1:02:38] Institute and also joining me
[1:02:41] this. This afternoon as my wife
[1:02:45] Cecil eagerness. So.
[1:02:48] 5 years ago yesterday. Our
[1:02:51] lives changed very drastically.
[1:02:53] My wife was diagnosed with
[1:02:56] stage 4 lobular breast cancer.
[1:03:03] She's my hero.
[1:03:04] And before I get into a
[1:03:05] little bit of that story.
[1:03:07] I want to talk about our
[1:03:08] heroes. The doctors, the
[1:03:11] nurses, the researchers who
[1:03:14] have
[1:03:15] supported us along this
[1:03:15] journey.
[1:03:16] Let me tell you there are a
[1:03:16] couple of them that we would
[1:03:18] not have been able to get
[1:03:20] through the way we did without.
[1:03:22] Our team has been amazing and
[1:03:24] so to all of the doctors and
[1:03:26] nurses here and those that are
[1:03:27] listening you're changing the
[1:03:31] world and you're changing mine.
[1:03:34] On a daily basis.
[1:03:40] Breast cancer is one of those
[1:03:44] things that in my opinion.
[1:03:47] Not only changes you.
[1:03:50] Emotionally
[1:03:51] physically not not just
[1:03:54] physically inward but
[1:03:55] physically outward and so.
[1:03:58] Going through this process with
[1:04:01] my wife.
[1:04:02] It was clear to me that this
[1:04:05] not only would we be dealing
[1:04:05] with this for for certain
[1:04:08] period of time but we'd be
[1:04:11] dealing with it for the rest of
[1:04:12] our lives.
[1:04:13] And that's just because of
[1:04:16] frankly the the emotional and
[1:04:19] the physical scars that come
[1:04:22] along with it. And.
[1:04:26] I need her to know.
[1:04:29] She is loved
[1:04:30] and cared for. And we'll
[1:04:33] continue to be until the day I
[1:04:36] take my last breath.
[1:04:38] And I don't want to make this
[1:04:40] about me. But I think sometimes
[1:04:41] who we don't talk about are the
[1:04:44] spouses the families the
[1:04:47] friends, the kids that affects
[1:04:48] as well. You're going to hear
[1:04:51] in a minute some stats about
[1:04:52] one in 8 women is that has as a
[1:04:55] breast cancer diagnosis in the
[1:04:57] last 5 years we have had 3
[1:04:59] close friends in our world be
[1:04:59] diagnosed a 4th just wrote a
[1:05:02] stakeholder in this community.
[1:05:06] And so it it's amazing.
[1:05:12] What still lies ahead of us.
[1:05:15] One of those friends.
[1:05:21] And so she was diagnosed just a
[1:05:32] few months after my wife.
[1:05:33] She she received amazing care
[1:05:33] and is in remission today.
[1:05:34] Thank the mayor for bringing
[1:05:35] this forward I want to thank
[1:05:35] Council for giving me the grace
[1:05:37] to celebrate my life and being
[1:05:40] a be a little selfish.
[1:05:42] But anytime I
[1:05:43] can get her up here and talk
[1:05:44] about what an amazing woman she
[1:05:46] is and I'm going to go one step
[1:05:49] further because as you know
[1:05:50] just over a month ago she lost
[1:05:51] her dad. And so not only is my
[1:05:55] wife a breast cancer survivor,
[1:05:58] a mom of 2 a husband to me or
[1:05:59] excuse a wife to me
[1:06:00] which that should be at the top
[1:06:03] of the list of things that are
[1:06:06] difficult.
[1:06:09] She is an accomplished human
[1:06:10] resources director for a local
[1:06:12] company. And right now she's
[1:06:13] the defacto ceo of Len Thi
[1:06:15] liquors after her dad's
[1:06:17] passing. And let me tell you
[1:06:21] just 2 or 3 of those things is
[1:06:24] enough to have all of them.
[1:06:25] His incredible a miraculous.
[1:06:26] And I'm not going to look at
[1:06:29] you Cecil eagerness but I love
[1:06:30] you very very very much.
[1:06:33] And thank you for everything
[1:06:35] you do for me in our family
[1:06:39] and your family. And I am on
[1:06:40] this journey with you.
[1:06:43] Till the very end. And I love
[1:06:46] you very much. Here's the
[1:06:49] proclamation.
[1:06:58] 833 American men will develop
[1:06:59] breast cancer at some point in
[1:07:03] their lives or one person.
[1:07:06] Every 2 minutes.
[1:07:07] Breast cancer touches. So
[1:07:08] many lives in our city and
[1:07:11] county. From our loved ones and
[1:07:12] friends to our neighbors and
[1:07:12] co-workers who have survived or
[1:07:16] lost their lives to breast
[1:07:19] cancer. And whereas thanks to
[1:07:20] earlier detection and better
[1:07:23] treatments. Mortality rates for
[1:07:24] breast
[1:07:26] cancer have decreased in the
[1:07:27] last decade. And whereas
[1:07:29] affordable access to screenings
[1:07:30] and early detection for all
[1:07:34] women is an essential component
[1:07:36] in the fight against breast
[1:07:38] cancer. And whereas the state
[1:07:40] of Florida recognize the need
[1:07:43] to provide uninsured low-income
[1:07:44] women ages 50 to 64 with access
[1:07:47] of to lifesaving cancer
[1:07:49] screenings such as mammography
[1:07:50] and cervical cancer screenings
[1:07:53] through its breast and cervical
[1:07:55] cancer program or be ccp and
[1:07:57] whereas the Florida Department
[1:08:00] of Health and Pinellas counties
[1:08:01] be ccp performs life-saving
[1:08:01] screenings yearly and has been
[1:08:05] recognized as one of the state
[1:08:08] the state's top programs.
[1:08:12] We stand with our mothers.
[1:08:14] Our daughters.
[1:08:17] Our grandmothers, our sisters
[1:08:18] and our friends.
[1:08:21] And our wives. Supporting their
[1:08:23] struggle after a breast cancer
[1:08:24] diagnosis. As well as
[1:08:28] recognizing the doctors.
[1:08:30] The nurse ers the researchers
[1:08:31] and all other health
[1:08:32] professional whose care and
[1:08:32] dedication gives hope to those
[1:08:35] living with Brett breast
[1:08:38] cancer.
[1:08:40] Therefore I Gehrke hopefully
[1:08:40] Curtis on behalf of Kenneth t
[1:08:43] Welsh the mayor of the city
[1:08:46] of St. Petersburg do hereby
[1:08:47] proclaim Oct. 20 25 as breast
[1:08:47] cancer awareness month
[1:08:50] throughout the city and I urge
[1:08:51] all residents.
[1:08:53] To educate themselves on
[1:08:54] prevention and treatment
[1:08:58] options of this devastating
[1:09:01] disease. Thank you.
[1:09:06] I'm gonna ask doctor bloom in
[1:09:07] grants to come up and say a few
[1:09:10] words, MADAM Vice chair, thank
[1:09:12] you.
[1:09:14] Thank you so much. It's an
[1:09:18] honor to be here and I want to
[1:09:21] thank mayor
[1:09:22] chair and council members for
[1:09:23] having us.
[1:09:23] It's really wonderful to
[1:09:24] celebrate with all of you.
[1:09:24] On behalf of a care in the
[1:09:25] camps into it I can tell you
[1:09:27] that you've got Anthony has
[1:09:30] your back yard here since 19 31
[1:09:30] in glad to have that
[1:09:31] contribution to community
[1:09:32] health care of everyone around
[1:09:35] here on a personal note.
[1:09:37] Having take care of close
[1:09:39] friend. I can tell you I've
[1:09:40] been surgical practices that
[1:09:40] hurt my colleges for over 40
[1:09:43] years of operation, thousands
[1:09:45] of women and then in
[1:09:46] important and then don't forget
[1:09:49] male breast cancer in this
[1:09:50] County
[1:09:52] and I will tell you that one
[1:09:53] thing never cease to amaze me
[1:09:54] and that's the strength of the
[1:09:57] human spirit because in the
[1:09:57] worst adversity no one wants
[1:09:59] to hear that c word and the
[1:10:01] strength that women and their
[1:10:02] family show to get through this
[1:10:04] is remarkable in the worst of
[1:10:05] circumstances. The wonderful
[1:10:07] news is things are getting
[1:10:08] better when I started my
[1:10:09] training up in New York, it's
[1:10:09] on Kettering. We did radical
[1:10:11] mastectomies everybody have
[1:10:11] their removed they were
[1:10:13] terribly disfigured and now if
[1:10:15] you catch it early and you do
[1:10:18] good screening. We have over
[1:10:19] 95% cure rate and you can have
[1:10:20] an outpatient small on taking
[1:10:20] out maybe a lymph node and go
[1:10:23] home the same day go back to
[1:10:23] the committee's next day.
[1:10:24] That's remarkable. It won't
[1:10:27] take too much time at the one
[1:10:27] new thing we're doing. There is
[1:10:30] evidence of the past couple of
[1:10:32] years that
[1:10:33] women of young age under 50.
[1:10:34] The incidence of breast cancer
[1:10:35] is increasing we're not sure
[1:10:38] why it MAY be something genetic
[1:10:39] or environmental, and by
[1:10:39] mental, but we are starting a
[1:10:40] new program just launching
[1:10:43] which have been a pet project
[1:10:45] of mine as a high risk
[1:10:49] assessment project. This is
[1:10:49] powered by software, something
[1:10:52] called cancer iq where patients
[1:10:53] or anyone in the
[1:10:54] community can go on a tablet or
[1:10:55] phone scan a qr code answers to
[1:10:56] the questions and then a few
[1:10:58] minutes, we'll know if they're
[1:10:59] at high risk for any one of 9
[1:11:00] candidates, including breast
[1:11:02] and then we can get at them
[1:11:04] early and the goal of that is
[1:11:07] instead of the presenting
[1:11:07] disease MAY be some states 2 or
[1:11:09] 3 or even 4 when it's
[1:11:10] metastatic if we can find the
[1:11:12] people at risk before they have
[1:11:13] the disease we could start
[1:11:17] screening sooner. We can often
[1:11:18] of its breast cancer detective,
[1:11:18] a bracket mutation which leads
[1:11:19] to increased risk. They can
[1:11:20] have preventive surgery never
[1:11:22] do with cancer in their lives.
[1:11:23] Our goal.
[1:11:24] Sheens that curve we're going
[1:11:25] to move the curve of stage
[1:11:28] disease back. So that's really
[1:11:31] good.
[1:11:37] Councilmember Harding
[1:11:41] thank you chair.
[1:11:42] Look it's thank you you mention
[1:11:45] that the. Talked about human
[1:11:48] spirit.
[1:11:50] And and I think that that
[1:11:52] we saw that that's been around
[1:11:53] forever. You also and not to
[1:11:54] diminish and but but we've
[1:11:56] always had the fighting spirit.
[1:11:56] He said things are getting
[1:12:00] better and they're getting
[1:12:03] better because of you.
[1:12:06] That I appreciate the efforts
[1:12:09] that they care makes it in
[1:12:09] making
[1:12:10] this an important part of their
[1:12:13] business model. I appreciate
[1:12:13] all the
[1:12:14] support that goes into what we
[1:12:16] do. But it is it is your
[1:12:20] profession and as you that that
[1:12:21] is
[1:12:22] is fighting this problem and
[1:12:22] making this something that the
[1:12:25] next generation doesn't have to
[1:12:28] face.
[1:12:36] >> Thank you all for everything
[1:12:39] you do honestly shared earnest.
[1:12:40] Thank
[1:12:40] you for your heartfelt words.
[1:12:43] Definitely you are seriously a
[1:12:44] hero
[1:12:45] and amazing and I agree with
[1:12:48] everything you're has been said
[1:12:49] I can understand why he would
[1:12:52] not turn around. I can barely
[1:12:52] sit up here like
[1:12:55] some of us and hold back tears
[1:12:58] but the work that doctors do
[1:13:01] you have a a group of people
[1:13:02] that are behind you
[1:13:02] and and everyone here honestly
[1:13:06] wants to see this erratic hated
[1:13:07] just like here. Curtis said and
[1:13:09] and I know that we're on our
[1:13:11] way be fun with doctor Saint.
[1:13:14] So thank you. Thank you.
[1:13:17] Okay.
[1:13:26] >> And next up we have the 6.
[1:13:27] >> The preschool officer
[1:13:28] program updates. And this is
[1:13:31] going to be presented by Earth
[1:13:36] Williams for kids world
[1:13:37] preschool and Jackie
[1:13:39] Lang imagination station
[1:13:41] daycare and and I will hand it
[1:13:43] over to councilmember fake
[1:13:44] Sanders, this is her item I
[1:13:47] believe this is first of all
[1:13:47] good
[1:13:48] afternoon, everyone and thank
[1:13:51] you for all that was presented
[1:13:53] today and they saved the
[1:13:53] best for last are young people.
[1:13:54] >> So we are going to have our
[1:13:56] pups program as well as MISTER
[1:13:59] Devine Miller, but I'm going to
[1:14:02] ask. This author Ian Williams
[1:14:05] as Jack Elaine, and I know I'm
[1:14:08] going to say this wrong.
[1:14:09] Officer Noor rachna and I
[1:14:10] was told to just say officer
[1:14:14] Meng to come on up with this
[1:14:15] program is is back in
[1:14:18] 2021. We had a rash of gun
[1:14:18] violence and we had an enough
[1:14:21] is enough movement. What we
[1:14:22] wanted to teach our community
[1:14:23] about the importance of gun
[1:14:26] violence but one of the things
[1:14:29] that we found is that.
[1:14:32] A lot of the ease in the
[1:14:32] anxiousness
[1:14:35] started with our babies started
[1:14:38] with our young households in so
[1:14:39] they understood the fact that
[1:14:41] police officers we're in
[1:14:44] control but they didn't have
[1:14:45] the correct
[1:14:46] understanding of why they were
[1:14:50] there. So we started the police
[1:14:50] officer
[1:14:53] program affectionately call
[1:14:54] pops where they had strong
[1:14:56] interactions with our men and
[1:14:59] women in blue and every time I
[1:14:59] get to go and see
[1:15:01] them have don't just going read
[1:15:03] books they actually go and have
[1:15:06] fun and I've noticed over the
[1:15:09] past 4 years, the relationships
[1:15:10] have changed with not only the
[1:15:13] children in our men and women
[1:15:14] in uniform with the parents as
[1:15:16] well. So with that I'm going to
[1:15:19] open it up to the south region
[1:15:20] Williams to showcase
[1:15:21] what our police officers are
[1:15:23] doing without preschoolers and
[1:15:24] they have been doing an awesome
[1:15:25] job and I want to think Saint
[1:15:28] Pete Police Department on think
[1:15:29] chief for saying
[1:15:30] yes when I called to ask but
[1:15:31] MISS Out 3 and then have a she
[1:15:33] has a waiting list of officers
[1:15:34] that are willing and I'm so
[1:15:38] excited about that. Is Williams
[1:15:44] Good afternoon mayor Welsh
[1:15:45] City Council members and
[1:15:46] guests. I'm often going
[1:15:48] Williams owner and
[1:15:49] administrator of kids were all
[1:15:52] preschool and learning Center.
[1:15:55] And this is.
[1:15:58] Missed decade, laying owner and
[1:15:59] administrators of imagination
[1:16:02] station preschool. We would
[1:16:03] like
[1:16:03] to thank council member big
[1:16:04] Sanders, but giving us the
[1:16:07] opportunity to share with you.
[1:16:10] The story
[1:16:14] and the impact up a program
[1:16:16] that has truly touched the
[1:16:19] lives and hearts of our
[1:16:22] children, our families and
[1:16:25] staff and would not have become
[1:16:28] a reality without the diligence
[1:16:30] of councilmember big Sanders.
[1:16:32] The program and she said his
[1:16:35] preschool office of program
[1:16:38] that we call
[1:16:41] pops Potts was launched at kids
[1:16:44] whirl imagination station and
[1:16:47] 11 other preschools in AUGUST
[1:16:50] of 20 21 with one
[1:16:53] simple
[1:16:54] go
[1:16:57] to build positive relationships
[1:17:00] between our youngest learners
[1:17:03] and Saint Pete's fine us.
[1:17:05] The police officers who serve
[1:17:08] our community since its
[1:17:10] inception.
[1:17:14] Over 100 of at kids world vpk
[1:17:17] students have participated
[1:17:19] in this incredible program
[1:17:23] and imagination station has but
[1:17:25] 80 to participate.
[1:17:29] The concept is simple. Yet
[1:17:30] powerful.
[1:17:33] Once a month. Our police
[1:17:35] officers visit at preschools
[1:17:36] there's no script. No structure
[1:17:40] of mess and plan and no the
[1:17:43] malady just
[1:17:44] button and up
[1:17:45] take interaction on the
[1:17:48] playground. Our children see
[1:17:51] them laughing being silly
[1:17:53] and enjoying being a part
[1:17:55] of the every day world. That's
[1:17:57] what makes it so meaningful.
[1:18:01] Our children get to see that
[1:18:04] officers people
[1:18:06] just like them. They have
[1:18:09] families that much they like to
[1:18:12] play and they care deeply
[1:18:15] about our community. Example of
[1:18:18] that is they here.
[1:18:19] They don't have to be.
[1:18:22] They are here because they want
[1:18:24] to be. But some of that
[1:18:27] children. They have only known
[1:18:29] police offices through
[1:18:32] negative. A stressful situation
[1:18:36] involving mostly
[1:18:37] their family members.
[1:18:41] Pops gives them a new
[1:18:44] perspective. Children
[1:18:45] who wants was hesitant
[1:18:47] and now they have the biggest
[1:18:50] brand they went up to the
[1:18:50] offices, the hoods and I always
[1:18:53] ask the question. Police
[1:18:57] officers coming today.
[1:18:58] I t's
[1:19:00] the offices because we're
[1:19:03] actually assigned one officer.
[1:19:06] One office the net. But we end
[1:19:09] up with full of bags.
[1:19:13] And I tell them.
[1:19:16] It is so so say that you all
[1:19:18] have
[1:19:19] to call back up 4.5.
[1:19:20] I don't see I tell him I don't
[1:19:24] see that many cruises it crams
[1:19:27] The beauty of pops doesn't stop
[1:19:29] with
[1:19:32] the children. They have become
[1:19:35] an inch of coal pot
[1:19:38] about kids world family.
[1:19:39] They do not just visit once
[1:19:43] a month and then disappear
[1:19:45] until the next month. They
[1:19:46] have participated in that
[1:19:47] annual trunk or treat. We also
[1:19:48] had a day of fun in the day of
[1:19:50] fun was really fun. They
[1:19:53] brought the horses they wrote
[1:19:54] the Cayman. They brought the
[1:19:57] Dick staying what you see now
[1:19:59] that Dick
[1:20:02] that Mustang and Camaro and the
[1:20:03] police officer
[1:20:04] who had that car. Police
[1:20:05] officers came to me and say you
[1:20:08] know what he'll make nobody
[1:20:09] touches cop I know that
[1:20:12] I mean to tell you it was
[1:20:15] Shannon. It was said,
[1:20:16] they said do me a favor.
[1:20:19] Take-home kids over there and
[1:20:21] then put the hand.
[1:20:23] I said now you want to get me
[1:20:24] in trouble and this in no
[1:20:28] please do it. So that's exactly
[1:20:31] what media but
[1:20:34] the bottom and was. He had
[1:20:35] a spray bottle and awake.
[1:20:38] So when they finished he got
[1:20:41] his spray bottle and his red.
[1:20:44] And they
[1:20:47] did bass the cooling helmet
[1:20:49] giveaway the officers there was
[1:20:53] a grant and plat for the grant
[1:20:54] and they were
[1:20:56] able to get the grant. So every
[1:20:59] one of the p k students last
[1:21:03] Christmas got bass tickles
[1:21:04] and the helm and also
[1:21:04] they've done the car seat
[1:21:06] giveaway because that too yeah
[1:21:09] parents it increased the lotion
[1:21:11] did not have custody. They
[1:21:11] statement maps. They just
[1:21:14] didn't caught just in the seats
[1:21:16] so
[1:21:18] we had the giveaway also they
[1:21:21] are at all about the pk
[1:21:24] graduations cheering our
[1:21:27] children on and
[1:21:28] there is this. There's this a
[1:21:30] stash closet. They have it the
[1:21:32] station. They fenced up in the
[1:21:33] stash clouds it and bring it to
[1:21:36] the school as well. So dep
[1:21:40] presence, their presence.
[1:21:42] Cnn's a strong message
[1:21:44] that police offices aren't only
[1:21:48] bear when something goes wrong.
[1:21:51] They also there to celebrate
[1:21:54] with us point everything is
[1:21:54] right. Our parents over the
[1:21:58] years its share how meaningful
[1:22:01] this program has been with them
[1:22:02] too. They have see it
[1:22:03] that their children come home
[1:22:06] excited to talk with them about
[1:22:09] the officer friends.
[1:22:10] The pops
[1:22:13] program has strengthen the
[1:22:14] connection between kids world
[1:22:17] and our Police Department.
[1:22:20] It has fostered a sense up
[1:22:24] partnership. We at
[1:22:24] kids world, a grateful to the
[1:22:27] dedicated offices who make 10
[1:22:31] children. Each month
[1:22:33] and then some.
[1:22:34] They show up eager to connect
[1:22:36] and that commitment is truly
[1:22:39] making a lasting impressed
[1:22:43] impression. On behalf of
[1:22:46] kids world's kids staff
[1:22:47] families
[1:22:50] I would like to say. Thank you
[1:22:53] city councilmember Debora Feig
[1:22:56] Sanders again sheep Holloway
[1:22:57] sergeant Beatty
[1:23:00] officers murdered though when
[1:23:02] caught and others or the
[1:23:05] support and for believing in
[1:23:07] the of connection
[1:23:10] together we are making a
[1:23:13] difference. One preschooler and
[1:23:16] one positive experience
[1:23:17] at a Ted. At this 10 I would
[1:23:20] like to bama whites to come up.
[1:23:48] We have something for each of.
[1:23:51] The City Council members and
[1:23:54] what you get your bag.
[1:24:14] >> over here, yes.
[1:24:15] >> That 2 young ladies is
[1:24:19] sporting the 2 Vaness those are
[1:24:22] my 2 teachers vpk.
[1:24:29] And we want to
[1:24:36] group picture with these as
[1:24:39] >> I has said it all, but again
[1:24:43] greetings from imagination
[1:24:46] station preschool.
[1:24:48] Like a parent
[1:24:51] it warms the heart to see your
[1:24:51] children are
[1:24:52] students social and emotional
[1:24:52] growth florish their
[1:24:55] interaction with these officers
[1:24:59] built trust
[1:25:00] memories
[1:25:01] Mark's curiosity and lots of
[1:25:03] conversation. One specific
[1:25:04] interaction vividly recall was
[1:25:06] one of the officers, pushing
[1:25:07] one of the children on the
[1:25:11] swing. I don't think he
[1:25:12] realized that
[1:25:13] his gym workout was spot on.
[1:25:15] After about 3 pushes I'm not
[1:25:16] sure if it was the officer's
[1:25:19] physical strength. The fight
[1:25:20] and the child. But the child
[1:25:23] and the swing seat started to
[1:25:24] separate. But the officer and
[1:25:27] a split second caught the child
[1:25:29] and the world of a preschool.
[1:25:31] The lesson plan is only on
[1:25:34] paper because this was a
[1:25:35] perfect description
[1:25:38] of a trust lesson. Really we
[1:25:38] again would like to thank
[1:25:40] council member Debora fix
[1:25:42] Sanders for your shared vision.
[1:25:44] I'm building bridges between
[1:25:46] law enforcement and our
[1:25:49] youngest citizens and again
[1:25:50] officers and council members.
[1:25:53] Thank you and we're grateful
[1:25:57] for you and your service.
[1:26:03] >> Both of us would like group
[1:26:06] pitchers with just shirts, you
[1:26:09] know make sure you send it to
[1:26:12] Jackie.
[1:26:16] Not now me go.
[1:26:22] Know that this is about to get
[1:26:25] council member Vincent.
[1:26:27] We have one of the I'm sorry go
[1:26:27] ahead.
[1:26:28] Good afternoon. My name is Nora
[1:26:29] Brock and I've been with the
[1:26:31] Police Department for almost 11
[1:26:31] years. Currently signed a
[1:26:32] community service division and
[1:26:35] avert been participating in the
[1:26:36] pops program at imagination
[1:26:36] station preschool since the
[1:26:37] beginning of this year
[1:26:39] participating in this program
[1:26:40] is honestly one of the most
[1:26:42] rewarding part of my job.
[1:26:43] It's a chance to connect with
[1:26:46] young members of our community
[1:26:46] and a fun positive and relaxed
[1:26:49] environment. Kids at their age
[1:26:49] are still forming ideas about
[1:26:52] the world around them by
[1:26:52] playing with them not just
[1:26:55] talking at them. We show the
[1:26:56] police officers
[1:26:59] are approachable kind and safe.
[1:26:59] We're not just
[1:27:00] people the scene emergencies
[1:27:01] were part of their community
[1:27:03] too. These children are gaining
[1:27:03] trust and learning that the
[1:27:04] police officers are here to
[1:27:07] help those small moments of
[1:27:07] connection MAY shape how they
[1:27:10] view law enforcement for years
[1:27:10] to come. Pops isn't just about
[1:27:12] playing on a playground.
[1:27:12] It's about planting seeds of
[1:27:15] trust building relationships
[1:27:16] and strengthening the bond
[1:27:17] between police and community
[1:27:19] starting with our very youngest
[1:27:20] citizens. Thank you all for
[1:27:21] supporting programs like this,
[1:27:22] they MAY seem small but they
[1:27:25] have a very big impact. Thank
[1:27:28] you. Thank you.
[1:27:34] Good afternoon council members.
[1:27:35] >> My name is Earth when I've
[1:27:37] been with the city St.
[1:27:38] Petersburg Police Department
[1:27:39] for over 2 decades. I'm also a
[1:27:42] veteran of the United States
[1:27:43] Army with the 26 years, a
[1:27:44] service. Thank you for the
[1:27:47] opportunity to speak about the
[1:27:47] program that's shaping both
[1:27:51] parts and communities. This
[1:27:51] program brings
[1:27:52] together our youngest learners
[1:27:54] community law enforcement
[1:27:54] officers in a way that builds
[1:27:58] understanding respect trust and
[1:28:01] air. In the very
[1:28:04] beginning when children sees
[1:28:05] officers, 9 uniforms but has
[1:28:06] been tur's helpers and friends.
[1:28:09] It changes the way to view
[1:28:11] safety and community service
[1:28:14] for the rest of their lives.
[1:28:14] The program those more than
[1:28:17] 2 children it strengthens the
[1:28:17] bond between families the
[1:28:20] preschool and those who protect
[1:28:21] us. It reminds all young once
[1:28:23] that leadership is by caring
[1:28:25] for others and that every act
[1:28:28] of service. No matter how small
[1:28:30] makes a difference. Together we
[1:28:31] are helping too not just grow
[1:28:32] better students but better
[1:28:32] citizens neighbors and future
[1:28:36] leaders. Thank you for your
[1:28:39] support. Thank you.
[1:28:48] >> And some are fixed centers.
[1:28:49] Thank you again I just want to
[1:28:49] say thank you, but I also want
[1:28:50] the other men and women in view
[1:28:52] to place to do so that we can
[1:28:55] acknowledge you as well.
[1:29:03] As we always have so much fun
[1:29:03] whenever we're there and you
[1:29:06] always show up so again.
[1:29:07] Thank you, thank you, thank
[1:29:08] you to follow is not here
[1:29:10] because he did not have to say
[1:29:13] yes, but he did so I am so
[1:29:14] grateful for you I'm so
[1:29:15] grateful for missed out their
[1:29:18] Marine is Jackie that Deeks
[1:29:19] enough of your children
[1:29:19] to want to give them positive
[1:29:22] experiences with our St.
[1:29:25] Petersburg Police Department so
[1:29:27] thank you so for the parents
[1:29:28] as well so I do appreciate that
[1:29:29] thank you chair, thank you.
[1:29:29] Councilmember given thank you
[1:29:30] chair and thank you to my
[1:29:31] colleague for bringing this
[1:29:31] forward thank you MISS Laying,
[1:29:33] thank you so much MS. Williams
[1:29:37] for being here good to see MS.
[1:29:40] Vicki. And
[1:29:45] it's so nice to see the kids
[1:29:45] here.
[1:29:46] I am. Anytime I get to see
[1:29:47] positive rapport being created
[1:29:48] amongst our police officers and
[1:29:51] children in our community.
[1:29:52] I had the opportunity
[1:29:52] park walk and talk with
[1:29:55] sergeant Matthews and a couple
[1:29:56] of rcs owes this past week
[1:29:58] through Jordan Park and one of
[1:30:01] the things that I noticed was
[1:30:03] that we had a group of kids
[1:30:04] who were willing to speak to
[1:30:07] police officers to approach the
[1:30:08] police officers without fear or
[1:30:11] intimidation. And then there
[1:30:12] was the group
[1:30:12] of kids who did not want to
[1:30:13] approach the officer because
[1:30:14] there were adults standing
[1:30:17] behind them saying don't talk
[1:30:19] to them.
[1:30:20] This Lane, thank you MISS
[1:30:23] Williams, thank you, thank you,
[1:30:24] thank you to all of the
[1:30:27] educators in the different
[1:30:27] preschool directors who have
[1:30:30] opened their doors. So that we
[1:30:32] can Foster truss
[1:30:33] and we can work to prevent
[1:30:34] crime because I believe that
[1:30:36] when you have proactive
[1:30:39] measures like programs like
[1:30:42] pops. These proactive measures
[1:30:43] help to combat crime
[1:30:44] because now you have children
[1:30:46] who trust our officers they see
[1:30:50] our officers as resources
[1:30:51] in this community
[1:30:51] as people who can be trusted
[1:30:54] mentors and so I think the men
[1:30:55] and women in blue
[1:30:56] who sacrificed their lives who
[1:30:57] put their lives on the line
[1:30:59] every day you're not just
[1:31:00] raising your children but
[1:31:01] you're raising the villains and
[1:31:02] I thank you so much because it
[1:31:03] takes a village to raise a
[1:31:06] child. Thank you so much chair.
[1:31:11] >> White who just want to
[1:31:14] quickly say thank you to MISS
[1:31:17] Williams.
[1:31:18] It's letting up.
[1:31:19] All of our officers and cpd
[1:31:21] representation from Saint Pete
[1:31:24] pd this is awesome update so
[1:31:25] happy to see the
[1:31:26] work that's being done. I'm
[1:31:26] just going to stop there
[1:31:27] because everybody said it so
[1:31:28] I'm not going to hit the repeat
[1:31:31] button but says the massive big
[1:31:31] thank you and thanks for the
[1:31:32] continued working looking
[1:31:33] forward to seeing some more
[1:31:34] kids next year when we get
[1:31:37] another update. Thank you so
[1:31:39] much.
[1:31:41] >> Okay we're going to move in
[1:31:43] 2 d 7 an update from the von
[1:31:43] Miller, a local children's
[1:31:46] author and I'm gonna turn it
[1:31:49] over to
[1:31:50] councilmember fix Sanders for
[1:31:51] this one too.
[1:31:51] Thank you I wanted to bring a
[1:31:52] lot of good news the day
[1:31:53] everybody and so it also gives
[1:31:55] me honor to introduce is young
[1:31:56] man who has been quite busy.
[1:31:58] You know we always think about
[1:32:00] our young men and what they
[1:32:01] don't do what I just want to
[1:32:03] showcase and celebrate this
[1:32:04] young man young man for
[1:32:06] everything he has done. He
[1:32:09] wrote his first book at 11
[1:32:10] years old and he has a book
[1:32:11] series he has different animals
[1:32:13] and I'm going to let him talk
[1:32:17] about MISTER Taking the Todd
[1:32:17] clock. But I want
[1:32:21] us to celebrate. This success
[1:32:22] is in the positive
[1:32:23] energy in the positive
[1:32:25] experiences that our young men
[1:32:26] in our teens bring to us now
[1:32:29] he's no longer teen Devine
[1:32:31] around you. Currently I'm
[1:32:33] 23. He's 23 Stabenow in to help
[1:32:36] with just that long and I was
[1:32:39] introduced to him but MS.
[1:32:40] Author Ian Williams, who
[1:32:42] actually help showcase the
[1:32:43] divine because we had him come
[1:32:43] in read his book to some of our
[1:32:46] children and he's going to tell
[1:32:47] you how many books he has and
[1:32:50] what he's been doing. And we
[1:32:52] were successful in getting him
[1:32:55] in the rays activity book so he
[1:32:55] has really really really been
[1:32:56] visible in I'm so proud of
[1:32:57] divine so I want to make sure
[1:33:00] that you also just why I was so
[1:33:03] proud
[1:33:04] of his accomplishments, MR.
[1:33:04] Miller.
[1:33:05] Good afternoon everyone.
[1:33:06] Thank you so much for allowing
[1:33:06] me to be here with you all
[1:33:09] today. It's a pleasure and an
[1:33:11] honor to speak in front of all
[1:33:12] City Council members that
[1:33:14] really warms my heart to see
[1:33:16] family. Friends and supporters
[1:33:17] of my work, I've known as the
[1:33:20] perfect Sanders for quite a
[1:33:21] while now some saw 2020.
[1:33:23] Around the starting a campaign
[1:33:25] to help other black authors
[1:33:26] also assisting and providing
[1:33:28] books to children in the area.
[1:33:31] I'm truly thankful for support
[1:33:32] as well
[1:33:32] as community support as I
[1:33:34] succeeded with a goal of mine.
[1:33:35] For those of you don't know why
[1:33:37] I'm my name is the von Miller.
[1:33:38] I was born and raised in St.
[1:33:39] Petersburg Florida. Ever since
[1:33:42] I was a young kid I loved
[1:33:44] reading books before I was born
[1:33:45] my mom would read to me was in
[1:33:48] her womb which our tribute to
[1:33:51] my love of reading. Eventually
[1:33:52] as a young child and I was in
[1:33:52] preschool elementary, start to
[1:33:54] write my own little books based
[1:33:56] on the stories and world that I
[1:33:58] would gravitate towards on
[1:33:59] television books, various other
[1:34:01] media. Eventually got to the
[1:34:04] point of my elementary school
[1:34:07] years but I was writing and
[1:34:08] drawing so much but I would
[1:34:11] start writing 100 page stories.
[1:34:12] Always share them with my
[1:34:13] friends, they're always a lot
[1:34:13] of by them because I was always
[1:34:14] seen with a notebook in my
[1:34:15] hand, someone suggested to my
[1:34:19] mother but I should think about
[1:34:22] having a book published.
[1:34:22] Entry school. We have a
[1:34:24] substitute teacher name is
[1:34:27] Linda. Mobley that turned out
[1:34:27] to also be an author. I was
[1:34:29] super excited to hear that and
[1:34:30] I eventually told that I like
[1:34:32] to write as well. She
[1:34:33] eventually connected me with an
[1:34:34] author of hers in Vernon
[1:34:36] County. And I presented him
[1:34:36] with the idea of MISTER
[1:34:38] Typically talk clock which
[1:34:40] became a series about a
[1:34:40] right-wing both clock, let's
[1:34:43] read and talk time as you can
[1:34:47] see areas right here.
[1:34:50] So not too soon after, I'm not
[1:34:51] from the Spalding another
[1:34:53] children's author, this plane,
[1:34:55] the publishing process and help
[1:34:58] me to find a publisher
[1:34:58] published my first book, MR.
[1:35:01] Tiffany talk look tonight, MR.
[1:35:02] Clarke at the age of 11 Apr. 24
[1:35:03] team. The original book will be
[1:35:04] followed up with 4 more books
[1:35:07] before I graduated high school.
[1:35:12] Series I wanted to try
[1:35:14] something different which
[1:35:17] eventually became my first and
[1:35:17] on both of us can't t and off
[1:35:18] the liberation of voucher.
[1:35:21] This book originates from 6th
[1:35:21] grade we had a lesson on
[1:35:23] figurative language and the one
[1:35:24] that I gravitated towards was
[1:35:27] alliteration so I felt that it
[1:35:27] was such
[1:35:30] a playful and fun language.
[1:35:31] So I decided to write an alert
[1:35:33] of sentence for every letter of
[1:35:33] the alphabet and eventually
[1:35:34] that process is what led me
[1:35:35] into writing the story of this
[1:35:38] bus driver, hoping these 3
[1:35:38] zeroes I see here
[1:35:39] journey back home. This was my
[1:35:42] first book to be published on
[1:35:43] my own publishing company Petra
[1:35:46] novels. Another fun fact, my
[1:35:48] editor for this book also
[1:35:50] edited for the hunger games.
[1:35:51] When I was an infant I was
[1:35:51] diagnosed with severe asthma
[1:35:53] which caused me to be in and
[1:35:55] out of the hospital constantly
[1:35:59] because of doctors and nurses
[1:35:59] were always there for me.
[1:36:00] I wanted to give back to the
[1:36:01] hospital and whenever I did a
[1:36:01] book signing part of the
[1:36:02] proceeds would always go to
[1:36:06] John Hopkins all Children's
[1:36:07] Hospital
[1:36:07] and benefit of awesome.
[1:36:08] Something that was important to
[1:36:09] me than ever that a book
[1:36:12] signing was always giving back
[1:36:16] to the hospital. At the age of
[1:36:16] 17. I partnered up with
[1:36:17] Chile's for the good news for
[1:36:18] the good cause initiative we're
[1:36:20] 20% of the proceeds will go to
[1:36:21] John Hopkins all Children's
[1:36:24] Hospital from dined at the
[1:36:24] restaurant. And last year I
[1:36:26] have the pleasure of continuing
[1:36:28] to invest in the lives of
[1:36:30] children Dawkins all Children's
[1:36:31] Hospital. So is able to do a
[1:36:33] live read a lot of my book that
[1:36:37] was broadcast at the patients
[1:36:37] and hospital and during that
[1:36:38] event I donated money to the
[1:36:39] hospital as well. Continuing on
[1:36:42] with my impact we have actually
[1:36:43] had imagined twenty-twenty
[1:36:44] children's stories a campaign
[1:36:45] to help end the African
[1:36:46] American authors during the
[1:36:50] rise of the hashtag black lives
[1:36:50] matters movement.
[1:36:53] Raise over $2020 and donated
[1:36:54] the books purchased a local
[1:36:55] elementary schools with in St.
[1:36:56] Petersburg Florida. Received a
[1:36:57] wonderful community support to
[1:36:58] this initiative, including from
[1:37:01] us to perfect Sanders where we
[1:37:04] first got connected.
[1:37:07] In NOVEMBER of 2021 got to
[1:37:08] assist Magic Johnson Marlo
[1:37:09] Hampton with their Thanksgiving
[1:37:09] events they help to feed our
[1:37:12] local community in St.
[1:37:13] Petersburg Florida.
[1:37:16] In 2021. I partnered up with
[1:37:16] the Tampa Bay rays and
[1:37:19] participated in the reading
[1:37:22] program reading with the race
[1:37:22] during that here. I read my
[1:37:23] books love virtually, and it
[1:37:26] was shared on the rays website
[1:37:28] on their socials that same year
[1:37:29] a few of my books were seen on
[1:37:30] display at Tropicana Field and
[1:37:33] the reading with the reception.
[1:37:36] Those even highlighted
[1:37:36] and the Tampa Bay times
[1:37:39] newspapers in education with
[1:37:40] the Tampa Bay rays. As of
[1:37:41] publication highlight of my
[1:37:42] first book work has also been
[1:37:45] published in the Tampa Bay rays
[1:37:46] magazine inside pitch. In 2022,
[1:37:49] the rays assisted me in giving
[1:37:50] back to the Ronald McDonald
[1:37:51] House during the holiday
[1:37:54] season. Since 2023. I've been
[1:37:54] the opening reader for
[1:37:56] in-person reading with the
[1:37:57] reasons as I read alongside
[1:38:01] Tampa Bay rays players. One of
[1:38:02] the readings my book was even
[1:38:02] translated in sign language so
[1:38:05] everyone could join the story.
[1:38:07] And 2020 for 2025
[1:38:08] had the honor of being a judge
[1:38:08] for the regional spelling bee
[1:38:11] sponsored by the Tampa Bay
[1:38:14] rays. A
[1:38:15] few other recognitions
[1:38:16] and athletes have had during my
[1:38:19] include the following. In APRIL
[1:38:20] twenty-twenty myself my
[1:38:20] book MR. Took the top clock,
[1:38:23] the magic library was
[1:38:23] highlighted in a promo
[1:38:24] for has but stories which was
[1:38:27] an initiative created by
[1:38:30] actresses Jennifer Garner and
[1:38:31] Amy Adams which celebrities
[1:38:31] would read books on social
[1:38:32] media to raise money for
[1:38:35] children that don't have access
[1:38:35] to meals during my team.
[1:38:37] I've also received letters from
[1:38:38] barack and Michelle obama well,
[1:38:38] a middle school after they
[1:38:41] heard and learned about me as a
[1:38:43] young children's author.
[1:38:44] And finally I became a sunshine
[1:38:46] about Sir for the city of St.
[1:38:49] Petersburg because of my work
[1:38:52] in the community. Thank you so
[1:38:52] much to my mom and died for all
[1:38:55] their support and my other
[1:38:56] journey truly thankful to
[1:38:58] everyone who supported me over
[1:38:59] the years. Also thank you so
[1:39:02] much to GOD. I'm incredibly
[1:39:03] grateful that I get to share
[1:39:03] stories with children and
[1:39:04] families. I'm incredibly
[1:39:05] touched and moved by the sauna
[1:39:06] here today. Of course happy
[1:39:09] National book month everyone.
[1:39:13] Thank you.
[1:39:16] All the outside we actually
[1:39:19] have a few gifts for all the
[1:39:21] City Council members here.
[1:39:22] And of course we also have a
[1:39:24] very special gift for that's
[1:39:30] terrific Sanders as well thank
[1:40:04] >> Both the van while we're
[1:40:05] getting those handed out I just
[1:40:06] wanted to quickly just they won
[1:40:08] thank you for the update and 2.
[1:40:11] It's pretty a pretty incredible
[1:40:14] what you've achieved. At 11
[1:40:17] years old.
[1:40:19] I'm not sure I read a
[1:40:22] full book yet rather than rent.
[1:40:25] Rather than written one, and so
[1:40:28] just what an accomplishment and
[1:40:30] to see the growth and what
[1:40:31] you've done over that if you're
[1:40:37] looking for Smith's affair.
[1:40:40] Just so proud of everything
[1:40:41] that
[1:40:42] that you've achieved and you've
[1:40:44] done and can't wait to see
[1:40:47] what's in store next whether
[1:40:48] it's a new
[1:40:48] book or the next iteration of
[1:40:49] one of the books but thank you
[1:40:51] so much for coming and sharing
[1:40:52] your story and all the
[1:40:52] successes and we're wishing you
[1:40:53] the best of luck you can't wait
[1:40:57] to hear what comes next man,
[1:41:00] thank you so much.
[1:41:05] Okay council members we're
[1:41:06] going to move into
[1:41:09] new business for the day.
[1:41:12] We're going to go to
[1:41:15] g want to referral to hers from
[1:41:15] council member driskell.
[1:41:16] Thank you chair for this new
[1:41:17] business item I m.
[1:41:18] Respectfully requesting or
[1:41:19] referral to the health energy
[1:41:20] resilience and sustainability
[1:41:23] Committee for a discussion on a
[1:41:23] new citywide
[1:41:25] energy efficiency and clean
[1:41:26] energy initiative, providing
[1:41:29] cost savings to in reducing
[1:41:31] energy consumption for St.
[1:41:32] Petersburg residents to add to
[1:41:33] that I just want to make it
[1:41:35] clear that this is something
[1:41:38] that I see having a discussion
[1:41:40] on.
[1:41:42] >> Panic in parallel with the
[1:41:44] discussion about municipal
[1:41:47] electric. So it's not an or
[1:41:50] it's an a and.
[1:41:51] So I just wanted to clarify
[1:41:53] that in case anyone was
[1:41:53] wondering if this is a
[1:41:57] suggestion of an alternative.
[1:42:00] It is not
[1:42:01] and this is I mean
[1:42:03] we can have the committee
[1:42:05] discussion and with more
[1:42:08] detail. But this is along the
[1:42:11] same lines of.
[1:42:12] The rebates
[1:42:15] that we've we've done for and
[1:42:16] low flow toilets things like
[1:42:19] that in the past and then maven
[1:42:20] is working on on
[1:42:23] and insulation initiative that
[1:42:25] I think will be very
[1:42:26] interesting to add to that
[1:42:29] conversation. So with that I
[1:42:32] move approval.
[1:42:35] >> Thank you chair, so
[1:42:36] councilmember Driscoll I was
[1:42:39] curious I had a one-on-one
[1:42:40] earlier this
[1:42:42] week with maven well one on for
[1:42:44] I guess it was with MAY even
[1:42:47] about the new energy roadmap
[1:42:49] Grant
[1:42:50] and so you know I've seen your
[1:42:51] new business item obviously
[1:42:53] before that and then I had this
[1:42:56] meeting and so I was just kind
[1:42:59] of curious about
[1:43:04] the intersection between.
[1:43:04] Those 2 programs how they might
[1:43:05] work together is. There could
[1:43:06] be a conversation including
[1:43:08] maybe an update about how
[1:43:09] that's
[1:43:10] going at the time just because.
[1:43:11] >> There's a lot of different
[1:43:14] initiatives going and I think
[1:43:15] that this one is
[1:43:16] going to move pretty quickly.
[1:43:18] No funding needed from the city
[1:43:19] of chief Pete, but a lot of
[1:43:20] engagement with the city of
[1:43:21] Saint Pete specifically our
[1:43:23] residents and our business
[1:43:24] communities. So we're
[1:43:25] very excited about that and I
[1:43:26] just want to make sure that
[1:43:27] we're not duplicating efforts
[1:43:30] gifts. If there was some
[1:43:33] synergies between that. Terrify
[1:43:35] me absolutely.
[1:43:38] Thank you well.
[1:43:39] And I do have the perhaps the
[1:43:42] same kind of meeting. Scheduled
[1:43:45] for for next week to learn
[1:43:49] more about that. But in in in
[1:43:52] some initial communication.
[1:43:54] It was agreed and identified as
[1:43:57] something that can all come
[1:44:00] together. So
[1:44:01] rather than having a million
[1:44:04] different programs out there I
[1:44:06] want to see how my is can can
[1:44:07] synergize with what they're
[1:44:10] working on. Though this would
[1:44:13] all and if.
[1:44:17] We have an ideal situation will
[1:44:18] talk
[1:44:19] about all of that in the same
[1:44:19] meeting.
[1:44:20] Okay all right so you would be
[1:44:22] planning and obviously
[1:44:23] recognize you
[1:44:25] haven't had that meeting yet.
[1:44:26] You would be planning on having
[1:44:27] as a comprehensive
[1:44:27] conversation. Okay that is
[1:44:30] correct okay all right, thank
[1:44:33] you.
[1:44:36] >> We have a motion a second on
[1:44:37] g one seeing is no other
[1:44:37] council members wishing to
[1:44:40] speak or could you please she
[1:44:40] for boating councilmember
[1:44:41] sleaze and your votes seems all
[1:44:44] present council members a vote
[1:44:47] a clerk please telling announce
[1:44:48] the vote.
[1:44:50] If your motion to approve
[1:44:53] agenda item g one passes
[1:44:54] unions. Ok, thank you.
[1:44:54] G to assure him once.
[1:44:56] Thank you chair, my item.
[1:44:59] I think most of you know the
[1:45:00] public records act covers
[1:45:00] virtually all state and local
[1:45:01] governments and basically the
[1:45:02] goal is to have transparency in
[1:45:05] government so recently I had a
[1:45:08] public records request and I
[1:45:10] thought it would be good to
[1:45:11] have a conversation and how we
[1:45:13] handle public record requests
[1:45:14] in general and understand the
[1:45:15] processes involved so with that
[1:45:19] being said I respect fully
[1:45:20] request a referral to
[1:45:20] the public services and
[1:45:21] infrastructure Committee or
[1:45:22] other relevant Committee for a
[1:45:23] comprehensive report on the
[1:45:25] city's procedures for complying
[1:45:26] with public records requests
[1:45:29] from initiation to fulfillment
[1:45:32] and with that I so move.
[1:45:32] >> We have a
[1:45:33] motion is second on g 2.
[1:45:33] Seeing is no other council
[1:45:35] members wishing to speak clerk
[1:45:38] please could you please open
[1:45:39] machine for voting. Council
[1:45:42] members because any votes it
[1:45:45] seems all present
[1:45:46] council members have voted
[1:45:47] clerk please start announce the
[1:45:47] vote.
[1:45:48] If you have a motion to approve
[1:45:51] agenda item g 2 passes.
[1:45:51] Okay we're gonna go to g 3
[1:45:52] we're gonna go back to council
[1:45:52] member driskell.
[1:45:55] Thank you with this one we have
[1:45:58] a resolution that is attached
[1:46:01] and so I'm actually introducing
[1:46:04] that resolution tonight for
[1:46:07] today. This one is.
[1:46:10] A little story behind it.
[1:46:13] You know earlier this year and
[1:46:16] I was really I was inspired by
[1:46:16] the
[1:46:17] City Council's Salt Lake City
[1:46:20] who past an ordinance to adopt
[1:46:23] additional officials city
[1:46:29] flags.
[1:46:32] >> And.
[1:46:33] To be fun to various times of
[1:46:33] the year. And I thought that
[1:46:36] that was. This is an
[1:46:39] incredibly.
[1:46:39] Bold move that they
[1:46:42] made because it was 10 hours
[1:46:43] before their state Legislature
[1:46:46] passed a ban on specific flex.
[1:46:51] And so having that in the back
[1:46:54] of my
[1:46:54] mind and then in JUNE. Our
[1:46:56] wonderful Johnny in the
[1:46:57] marketing department created a
[1:47:00] very special flag for pride
[1:47:03] month. That
[1:47:04] just flew off the shelves.
[1:47:07] I mean. I think we could have
[1:47:07] ordered twice as many Andrew,
[1:47:09] so wouldn't have had enough.
[1:47:10] It was so popular so well
[1:47:14] received an seeing the smiles
[1:47:14] on people's faces. With that
[1:47:17] flag was really quite touching.
[1:47:23] And a couple of months ago of
[1:47:26] course we had and.
[1:47:26] The
[1:47:28] array sure of our Street murals
[1:47:29] and of course everyone was
[1:47:32] talking about things that that
[1:47:36] we should do.
[1:47:40] I went to the
[1:47:42] administration with an idea
[1:47:45] because I said now now is the
[1:47:48] time to act on this
[1:47:51] and and so
[1:47:52] I brought the idea of having
[1:47:54] 2 additional city flags.
[1:47:57] Variations on the city flag to
[1:48:01] be brought forward.
[1:48:03] And I knew that we needed
[1:48:04] to work quickly and quietly
[1:48:05] because their levels of the
[1:48:08] government where they have a
[1:48:08] tendency to squash certain
[1:48:11] things in the dead of night and
[1:48:13] squash things
[1:48:13] as a work in progress. But the
[1:48:16] administration wanted to take a
[1:48:19] different approach and was not
[1:48:20] able to move quickly so I
[1:48:22] knew that I was going to be on
[1:48:23] my own with this without any
[1:48:27] city resources. But fortunately
[1:48:28] I have
[1:48:31] a lot of great people out there
[1:48:32] in the community who are
[1:48:38] interested in this and working
[1:48:38] My my
[1:48:40] wonderful legislative aide
[1:48:44] Brian. On this idea working
[1:48:46] with
[1:48:49] and and my friend and just said
[1:48:50] to love our
[1:48:51] community. The artist Andrea
[1:48:53] Palos working with your lives.
[1:48:54] He's got at the Woodson Museum
[1:48:57] and others who gave their input
[1:49:00] and worked with me too. Come up
[1:49:04] with ideas for the flags.
[1:49:04] There are 2 images
[1:49:08] of the flags that are included
[1:49:09] in the backup material.
[1:49:13] The harmony flag. It is of
[1:49:16] course and the flag that we
[1:49:17] that
[1:49:20] we used in JUNE this year.
[1:49:21] Replaced in the middle with
[1:49:22] our official city seal. So
[1:49:25] that's the main difference
[1:49:28] between the 2.
[1:49:29] The lines were just a just a
[1:49:32] little bit so that they would
[1:49:35] match. The history flag, which
[1:49:38] we wanted to be have a
[1:49:41] consistent design. And.
[1:49:44] Once Terry some of the.
[1:49:47] The idea and we worked on it
[1:49:48] too together and
[1:49:49] she said it was good, I knew I
[1:49:51] knew that we had a a winner
[1:49:52] with that one for the history
[1:49:55] flag. And again you'll see that
[1:49:56] the official city seal is in
[1:49:59] that. Now I do understand that
[1:50:03] the administration is working
[1:50:06] to.
[1:50:09] Working too. Get additional.
[1:50:12] Pride
[1:50:14] flags along with a new black
[1:50:15] history matters flag that would
[1:50:18] be given out. 2 residents from
[1:50:20] I think that was on the
[1:50:21] I think that's been
[1:50:24] communicated as part of a list
[1:50:24] of ideas that the
[1:50:27] administration was considering.
[1:50:29] Yeah, I would have to check on
[1:50:32] that yeah. So those are like
[1:50:33] the ones that we give out.
[1:50:36] The the flags that I am
[1:50:37] bringing forward for
[1:50:38] your consideration today are
[1:50:39] the ones that would actually be
[1:50:42] flown at City facilities and
[1:50:45] certain times of the year.
[1:50:48] There are some who think that
[1:50:52] this might be a small thing.
[1:50:56] The flag of the city is a
[1:50:57] representation of its values.
[1:51:00] It really speaks to our
[1:51:02] identity. Our identity. It is
[1:51:03] seen as something that brings
[1:51:06] us together and gives everyone
[1:51:09] a sense of belonging.
[1:51:12] Seeing the response
[1:51:13] that I got having to having to
[1:51:16] work with quickly and quietly
[1:51:20] on this. And now sitting
[1:51:23] here and telling you.
[1:51:26] The City Council has received
[1:51:29] e-mails of support
[1:51:30] from equality Florida, Saint
[1:51:33] Pete pride. The woods and
[1:51:35] Museum tig live.
[1:51:39] The Tampa Bay lgbt chamber.
[1:51:39] And many many individuals
[1:51:42] who have expressed strong
[1:51:46] support. Adding these flags.
[1:51:50] As symbols of who we are in St.
[1:51:51] Petersburg.
[1:51:54] I'm really proud of the work
[1:51:57] that was done.
[1:52:00] By the community.
[1:52:01] For me it was just an idea I
[1:52:04] threw it out there. And people
[1:52:06] ran with it. And.
[1:52:08] Just the way that this came
[1:52:12] together really showed me.
[1:52:13] What a flag really means.
[1:52:16] And I hope that my colleagues
[1:52:19] will agree with me. And you'll
[1:52:22] join me in.
[1:52:25] Voting to pass this resolution.
[1:52:29] Which reads whereas the
[1:52:31] official flag of the city
[1:52:33] of St. Petersburg was adopted
[1:52:36] in 1927. And then redesigned in
[1:52:40] 1951 1984. And whereas the city
[1:52:41] should 5 variations on the
[1:52:44] official flag to represent a
[1:52:46] shared sense of local identity
[1:52:49] fostering a spirit of unity and
[1:52:52] belonging and whereas
[1:52:52] specifically the city should
[1:52:53] find the variation attached to
[1:52:54] this resolution as exhibit a to
[1:52:58] signify harmony among all
[1:52:59] in St. Petersburg.
[1:53:02] Whereas that variation should
[1:53:06] be known as the harmony flag
[1:53:06] and flown
[1:53:07] had city facilities at
[1:53:08] appropriate times of the year.
[1:53:11] And whereas specifically the
[1:53:12] city should also fly
[1:53:15] the variation attached to this
[1:53:15] resolution as exhibit b to
[1:53:16] signify the importance of
[1:53:19] history. And whereas that
[1:53:21] variation should be known as
[1:53:21] the history flag and flown at
[1:53:22] Citi field its facilities at
[1:53:25] appropriate times of the year.
[1:53:28] And now therefore be it
[1:53:29] resolved that the City Council
[1:53:32] this evening to use it for us.
[1:53:34] St. Petersburg Florida
[1:53:36] hereby request that the mayor 5
[1:53:37] variations on the official flag
[1:53:40] as described in the foregoing
[1:53:43] race idols.
[1:53:44] If this is passed today.
[1:53:46] The images will then be
[1:53:47] transferred to the marketing
[1:53:47] department to create these
[1:53:50] flags that would be flown Evers
[1:53:53] city facilities.
[1:53:54] The other flags that will be
[1:53:56] given out to everyone we're
[1:53:57] still we'll still be in
[1:54:00] progress so it doesn't change
[1:54:03] anything about that.
[1:54:07] I think that I want to say.
[1:54:07] Again I just think everyone
[1:54:10] who was a part of bringing this
[1:54:11] together to bring it forward
[1:54:13] and to all of those who have
[1:54:14] shown their support for this
[1:54:17] work. Thank you chair. Thank
[1:54:20] you.
[1:54:21] >> So we're going to want to
[1:54:22] put you on the spot, but I know
[1:54:25] you have to leave early or want
[1:54:26] to give you a chance if you
[1:54:27] linger for public comment, okay
[1:54:27] all right. We're going to
[1:54:30] public comment let's call to
[1:54:33] time please and Avila.
[1:54:35] >> Please go to either podium
[1:54:36] state your name and address for
[1:54:38] the record. We'll have 3
[1:54:42] minutes to dress Council.
[1:54:45] MR. Vila had to
[1:54:48] they have.
[1:54:51] Good afternoon members. Thank
[1:54:55] you. I rise to speak in favor
[1:54:59] of the resolution offered.
[1:55:00] As g 3 and today's agenda and I
[1:55:00] speak today as a human and as a
[1:55:02] citizen. He's grateful for the
[1:55:04] people of our city.
[1:55:06] Thank you councilmember
[1:55:10] Driscoll for your leadership in
[1:55:10] bringing this
[1:55:11] resolution forward and today
[1:55:11] reminds me again of my why we
[1:55:14] are Saint Pete as we celebrated
[1:55:15] so many amazing humans and
[1:55:16] efforts and witnessed so much
[1:55:20] joy here in the chambers today.
[1:55:22] Thank you all for that symbols
[1:55:24] and cities and communities are
[1:55:27] crucial because they embody
[1:55:29] shared values define collective
[1:55:33] identity and Foster belonging
[1:55:33] as acting. As powerful and
[1:55:36] communicative representations
[1:55:37] of who as a
[1:55:39] community we are and what we
[1:55:40] stand for these symbols
[1:55:41] transform abstract ideas into
[1:55:42] meaningful images and help
[1:55:42] create shared understandings of
[1:55:46] the community's history.
[1:55:47] PRESIDENT And future.
[1:55:48] I appreciate especially today's
[1:55:52] resolution that brings forward
[1:55:55] history and harmony together
[1:55:58] I recognize our city like many
[1:55:58] others have not always
[1:56:00] recognized Nora had both.
[1:56:03] Today's resolution is a moment,
[1:56:05] however of our city's
[1:56:07] acknowledgment. Our collective
[1:56:09] work together and of our
[1:56:12] aspirations. Of our cities
[1:56:15] tomorrow, a future rooted in
[1:56:16] our history. Celebrating our
[1:56:18] shared identity as a city that
[1:56:19] fosters unity and belonging and
[1:56:20] that does so in harmony and
[1:56:24] that is something truly unique
[1:56:25] and special to St. Petersburg
[1:56:26] I urge all City Council members
[1:56:29] to the favor of the resolution.
[1:56:32] Thank you.
[1:56:36] Thank u next season, next.
[1:56:37] Injury apologies. And Trevor.
[1:56:38] Mallory is go to a podium state
[1:56:39] your name and address for the
[1:56:42] record. We'll have 2 minutes to
[1:56:45] dress Council.
[1:56:59] >> I'm Andrea Paulus I live in
[1:57:00] greater Pinellas point
[1:57:02] and I have for 23 years.
[1:57:02] I'm a self-employed artist and
[1:57:04] are prepared or handling arc
[1:57:06] for most of the local museums
[1:57:09] like the Dolly the James mf and
[1:57:12] more I designed the flex
[1:57:13] thanks Geena.
[1:57:14] I'm in favor of approving them.
[1:57:17] I designed and led the team to
[1:57:19] paint the intersection at
[1:57:20] Central 25th 5 years ago.
[1:57:23] It was important to me to
[1:57:23] design these flags when the
[1:57:26] intersection was centered in
[1:57:27] erased. Our city is changing
[1:57:28] our country changes. And if we
[1:57:30] truly want to be called the
[1:57:32] city of the arch we need to
[1:57:33] support artists. We need to
[1:57:34] provide Foundation for
[1:57:37] individual artists not
[1:57:39] censorship. Art has power.
[1:57:42] Artist or documentarians art is
[1:57:44] a great communicator of culture
[1:57:45] in value. Artist in Saint Pete
[1:57:48] made this the city of the arch
[1:57:49] we have created
[1:57:52] the vibe. And we were here
[1:57:53] before the Dali expansion
[1:57:54] before the James before that
[1:57:57] you Hooley in fact Dale Tooley
[1:57:58] when he was in town
[1:58:00] and 2003 to get ready to have
[1:58:03] his first show at the mfa he
[1:58:03] told me the art scene here was
[1:58:07] so great. He ended up bringing
[1:58:10] us a museum. These
[1:58:13] 2 flags are uncomplicated their
[1:58:15] colors the history Fleck has
[1:58:17] read for bloodshed, black for
[1:58:17] heritage and green for
[1:58:20] abundance and hope for the
[1:58:23] future. That's what those
[1:58:24] colors mean the harmony flag
[1:58:25] has red for life orange for
[1:58:27] healing, yellow for sunlight
[1:58:29] green for nature blue for
[1:58:30] serenity and violet for spirit.
[1:58:34] The other colors represent
[1:58:36] people of color and genders
[1:58:36] there's nothing nefarious about
[1:58:39] any of these colors or the way
[1:58:41] that their range on the flag.
[1:58:44] As the current mayor wrote the
[1:58:45] 5 murals
[1:58:48] painted over were collaborative
[1:58:49] loving and transform the spaces
[1:58:52] that they were in. You can just
[1:58:52] ask Liz Cooper and Jorge viewed
[1:58:54] all from the museum. They lost
[1:58:54] their pattern on their
[1:58:57] intersection didn't have
[1:58:59] anything to
[1:58:59] do with politics. They resent
[1:59:02] represent all of us and they
[1:59:03] will continue
[1:59:06] to represent us in new ways.
[1:59:08] Nguyen resilient waste that's
[1:59:08] exactly what he said. He's
[1:59:09] flags are that Nguyen resilient
[1:59:11] way so personally and
[1:59:12] professionally. I will
[1:59:15] appreciate your support on
[1:59:18] this. Thank you. Thank you.
[1:59:22] >> Trevor Mallory here and
[1:59:25] I'm here in support of this
[1:59:26] line item. I just think this
[1:59:28] is a prime example of what
[1:59:31] practice what you preach right,
[1:59:34] we always say
[1:59:35] that we want Saint Pete.
[1:59:36] To be a seamless cities to
[1:59:38] mount a case that you're
[1:59:41] addressing stated for
[1:59:41] I'm sorry your dress. 45 a 1,
[1:59:45] 6, 3, South 3, 3, 7, 0, 5,
[1:59:48] Thank you for fun. So
[1:59:49] when we always say Saint Pete
[1:59:52] is a seamless city, this is the
[1:59:53] prime example of what that
[1:59:56] looks like these 2 flags
[1:59:58] represent so much history.
[2:00:01] That's under attack at this
[2:00:04] time. So COUNCILWOMAN Driscoll
[2:00:07] I appreciate you
[2:00:08] for your bonus in your
[2:00:12] strategic way of making this a
[2:00:15] seamless back action item.
[2:00:18] These flags represent not only.
[2:00:24] African Americans.
[2:00:25] But it represents
[2:00:28] a tremendous amount of citizens
[2:00:32] that need to see someone stand
[2:00:35] up and support them in this
[2:00:36] manner. And I definitely
[2:00:38] feel comfortable about the but
[2:00:42] history flag when you mention
[2:00:45] you work with this with Terry
[2:00:48] lipsey Scott who is a curator
[2:00:49] of the DR. Carter g
[2:00:49] Woodson african-american
[2:00:52] Museum. So for me to know that
[2:00:53] you took the time
[2:00:55] to collaborate with someone.
[2:00:58] That's we call a pillar in our
[2:00:58] african-american community to
[2:01:01] come up with this design.
[2:01:03] It shows your courage to me
[2:01:06] and to the community as well.
[2:01:08] I've always heard. In the
[2:01:10] community because I mean the
[2:01:12] community that and I want to
[2:01:13] say it that council member
[2:01:16] driskell doesn't care about the
[2:01:18] black community.
[2:01:21] When news hit the news. I got
[2:01:25] some phone calls that were
[2:01:25] in reverse now
[2:01:27] because you didn't have to do
[2:01:30] this and for you to take the
[2:01:32] time You said Salt Lake.
[2:01:34] So that means you did your
[2:01:37] research and you found a way to
[2:01:37] make this acceptable and I
[2:01:39] appreciate you for that and not
[2:01:40] only do I appreciate you for
[2:01:43] that but I appreciate all of
[2:01:46] you on this diet is because we
[2:01:49] say we are seeing Pete
[2:01:50] we are seeing the city. This
[2:01:51] will prove this to the
[2:01:52] community and the constituents
[2:01:55] that you are represent so thank
[2:01:58] you.
[2:02:03] Thank you.
[2:02:04] The last 2 speakers is Kendra
[2:02:05] darling, and Halloween, Please
[2:02:05] state your name address for the
[2:02:07] record you have 3 minutes to
[2:02:10] this Council.
[2:02:19] 8, 7, 3, Newton South.
[2:02:22] As stated my name is keandre
[2:02:23] darling. Today I speak is a
[2:02:24] 4th generation and order of St.
[2:02:26] Petersburg a proud descendant
[2:02:27] of the historic gas plant
[2:02:30] district. And a mother raising
[2:02:30] a now 9 year-old son in this
[2:02:33] city. First I want to say thank
[2:02:36] you to councilmember Gina
[2:02:39] Driscoll my councilmember
[2:02:40] for presenting this thought for
[2:02:43] resolution and for your
[2:02:43] leadership in ensuring that St.
[2:02:46] Petersburg continues to stand
[2:02:49] for
[2:02:50] unity inclusion and love.
[2:02:51] Recently our city watched as
[2:02:53] our beloved Street murals
[2:02:55] symbols belonging symbols of
[2:02:58] belonging and pride. We're
[2:02:59] sloppily
[2:03:02] spray painted over and a gross
[2:03:02] misuse of power
[2:03:06] by order of the governor.
[2:03:06] Those
[2:03:09] murals were not just art.
[2:03:12] They were reflections of our
[2:03:14] values. A message that everyone
[2:03:17] who lives works and plays
[2:03:20] in St. Petersburg is seen
[2:03:24] valued and welcome here.
[2:03:25] To say that their
[2:03:28] removal was about safety was
[2:03:30] not just disingenuous
[2:03:32] it was insulting. Every day
[2:03:33] residents here drive over
[2:03:36] potholes packed roads and
[2:03:40] fading cross walks.
[2:03:40] Yet somehow colorful murals
[2:03:43] celebrating unity were labeled
[2:03:45] as dangerous.
[2:03:48] Let's call it what it is a
[2:03:50] distraction from the real
[2:03:51] issues, a political stunt aimed
[2:03:54] at erasing what our city stands
[2:03:57] for.
[2:03:59] On this
[2:04:01] bright day in St. Petersburg
[2:04:03] this resolution reminds us that
[2:04:06] while pink can be stripped
[2:04:07] away.
[2:04:10] Our spirit cannot. The harmony
[2:04:13] flag in the history flag or
[2:04:14] more than designs.
[2:04:18] They represent who we are the
[2:04:20] harmony flag celebrates our
[2:04:21] diversity and reminds us that
[2:04:23] our differences make us
[2:04:26] stronger. The history flag
[2:04:29] grounds us in the struggles and
[2:04:31] triumphs that shape the city
[2:04:34] and ensure that we never forget
[2:04:35] how far we've come.
[2:04:38] I think this Council for
[2:04:42] standing up for what's right
[2:04:43] and I urge
[2:04:45] both the council and the mayor
[2:04:47] to keep finding bold in
[2:04:50] creative ways to resist hate
[2:04:52] and division
[2:04:53] in this city. Let us continue
[2:04:56] to show that St. Petersburg is
[2:04:59] a city where unity is our
[2:05:00] language where
[2:05:02] inclusion is our practice and
[2:05:05] where progress is our promise.
[2:05:06] And no executive order can
[2:05:10] change that. Thank you all.
[2:05:13] Thank you.
[2:05:16] Hi there. My name is Holly no
[2:05:17] 8, 1 one Placido
[2:05:17] a Northeast St. Petersburg
[2:05:19] pheben us 3, 3, 7, oh 04:00am I
[2:05:21] appreciate the opportunity to
[2:05:24] be here today. And it just
[2:05:27] unity and inclusion.
[2:05:31] Councilmember Givens
[2:05:33] said were asked a wonderful
[2:05:34] question of those 3 bright
[2:05:36] students that got to travel to
[2:05:37] Japan.
[2:05:38] And it was a really smart
[2:05:41] question. What did you have in
[2:05:43] common with those kids in
[2:05:46] Japan or with the cultural
[2:05:47] components of your tedder and I
[2:05:48] thought really it's a brilliant
[2:05:51] question and it's really really
[2:05:51] true.
[2:05:54] And so I stand up here before
[2:05:57] you today just as an ordinary
[2:05:58] Petersburg citizen, I have
[2:05:59] lived here sense. The early 2
[2:06:00] thousands in fact I think we
[2:06:04] bought our house in 1999.
[2:06:07] So 25 years. I love
[2:06:09] this town I love
[2:06:10] being here but I I think
[2:06:12] there's something really really
[2:06:15] important. We use words like
[2:06:19] unity and inclusion
[2:06:19] but we're not actually
[2:06:21] demonstrating unity include and
[2:06:22] inclusion because not
[2:06:26] everybody's included. And so I
[2:06:29] just want to suggest that.
[2:06:30] In this world
[2:06:34] today in our country in our
[2:06:34] cities. All across the
[2:06:35] country we see division and the
[2:06:37] stoking of in the framing of
[2:06:41] that division and I would just
[2:06:44] ask that week consider
[2:06:47] the actual meaning
[2:06:48] of unity and the actual the
[2:06:50] reason that we all live here in
[2:06:52] our wonderful town and the
[2:06:55] things that we actually have in
[2:06:58] common we're all citizens here.
[2:07:00] You know
[2:07:01] we enjoy beautiful, sunsets and
[2:07:03] the freedom to you know walk
[2:07:05] along the water's edge and all
[2:07:07] of the wonderful restaurants
[2:07:11] and there's so much in this
[2:07:14] town. In this city and
[2:07:17] I just feel like.
[2:07:18] >> The.
[2:07:18] You know terms harmony and
[2:07:21] history are not inclusive
[2:07:21] actually
[2:07:23] of everybody and in fact.
[2:07:25] I love our flag with just
[2:07:28] the St. Petersburg seal that
[2:07:28] was I guess most recently
[2:07:29] adopted are edited in 1984.
[2:07:31] So we just put that out there
[2:07:34] to that let's look at actual
[2:07:36] terminology and consider
[2:07:39] really whether or not it is
[2:07:41] inclusive unifying etc I love
[2:07:44] my neighbors and I want to see
[2:07:45] us all.
[2:07:48] You know link arms and we don't
[2:07:50] need to be called out for
[2:07:52] you know what we are in in one
[2:07:52] way shape or form why don't we
[2:07:53] just all say we live here in
[2:07:56] Saint Pete and were neighbors
[2:07:59] and that's I think enough.
[2:08:02] Thank you thank you.
[2:08:04] If you are speakers.
[2:08:04] We had 1, 1, to speak or worse
[2:08:05] is here. All right. All think
[2:08:06] Fonteyn once you enter into the
[2:08:07] meeting space please state your
[2:08:07] name and address for the record
[2:08:10] and you have 2 minutes to
[2:08:13] address to the council.
[2:08:17] Yes, so can you hear me, yes.
[2:08:25] My name is Paul fronting 36 to
[2:08:28] 22 Haines road.
[2:08:28] Magnolia Heights.
[2:08:29] I'm a game in St. Petersburg I
[2:08:33] was one of the coordinators of
[2:08:35] the sidewalk shocking event
[2:08:38] the day that the mural 25th in
[2:08:41] central was around.
[2:08:43] The emotion that
[2:08:46] we had that day was a mix of
[2:08:49] joy in being able to to bring
[2:08:50] callers back to the city.
[2:08:53] But also a lots of frustration
[2:08:56] and the angst.
[2:08:57] As we saw a very visible symbol
[2:09:00] of acceptance and love in Saint
[2:09:03] Pete disappear
[2:09:05] and I just want to say that I'm
[2:09:09] in favor of this resolution
[2:09:12] thank you COUNCILMAN Driscoll
[2:09:13] as a side note
[2:09:14] during that day I purchased 10.
[2:09:15] And gave flags that I was
[2:09:16] planning on bringing to
[2:09:19] businesses and Central Avenue
[2:09:20] to to put up.
[2:09:23] I think get to it because the
[2:09:24] event was so busy. So I decided
[2:09:28] to post on facebook to give
[2:09:31] away 10.
[2:09:33] Flags and I gave away all the
[2:09:34] flags too tall strangers
[2:09:37] there's no one that I knew and
[2:09:38] to my surprise.
[2:09:39] Almost half of the requests and
[2:09:42] I know it's a small sample of
[2:09:44] 10. But almost half
[2:09:47] 4 out of the 10 flags were
[2:09:50] requested by straight
[2:09:52] families. And I was very happy
[2:09:56] about that and it does surprise
[2:09:58] me so the flags
[2:10:00] that represent certain
[2:10:01] communities are important but
[2:10:02] also know that you know is that
[2:10:05] lgbt flag doesn't just
[2:10:08] represent people that
[2:10:09] our lgbtq it also represents
[2:10:10] those allies which I'd like to
[2:10:13] think are quite a large number
[2:10:14] in the city.
[2:10:16] I moved to Petersburg for years
[2:10:19] ago because of the visible
[2:10:20] symbols acceptance,
[2:10:22] the world a lot of my friends
[2:10:23] in Philadelphia said I can't
[2:10:26] believe you moving to Florida.
[2:10:27] And I said, but look,
[2:10:30] yeah there's a mural on the
[2:10:32] street with a rainbow flag, the
[2:10:35] City Hall raises the pride flag
[2:10:39] in JUNE. They're visible
[2:10:39] evidence acceptance
[2:10:40] and that was part of the reason
[2:10:41] that brought me here and has a
[2:10:43] real estate agent I bring a lot
[2:10:46] of lgbtq people
[2:10:47] into this city to relocate and
[2:10:50] part of my marketing is to show
[2:10:51] that is visible signs and I
[2:10:51] would love to have them back.
[2:10:54] I appreciate you listen to me
[2:10:56] today, thank you. Thank you.
[2:11:00] The council member hurt.
[2:11:03] Thank you chair. I
[2:11:04] I greatly appreciate the
[2:11:06] passion.
[2:11:07] That council member driskell
[2:11:10] brings and I appreciate the
[2:11:10] folks who came and talked today
[2:11:13] and they literally hundreds of
[2:11:15] of citizens who reached out.
[2:11:16] Over the past week. I will I
[2:11:19] will not be able to support
[2:11:22] this item and.
[2:11:25] And the reason very
[2:11:27] simply is
[2:11:30] we open this this meeting every
[2:11:31] week. But the pledge of
[2:11:34] allegiance in the last 2 words
[2:11:34] are for all and
[2:11:37] that flag like this body in the
[2:11:39] mayor's office represent the
[2:11:42] 280,000 people who are citizens
[2:11:42] of St. Petersburg we're a
[2:11:44] diverse group worst diverse it
[2:11:47] as as the rest of the country.
[2:11:47] And in the city you'll find all
[2:11:50] religions you'll find all
[2:11:53] races. You'll find a
[2:11:54] veterans you'll find wounded
[2:11:56] veterans you'll find folks in
[2:11:59] wheelchairs and we represent
[2:12:01] them all equally. It doesn't
[2:12:04] mean that we don't support.
[2:12:04] Parts of our community. More
[2:12:07] than others when necessary.
[2:12:07] And I appreciate candor
[2:12:10] darlings words about fighting
[2:12:11] boldly and we do that as a city
[2:12:14] but the identity of the city
[2:12:16] belongs to the 280,000 people
[2:12:17] who make up the city and that
[2:12:20] flag is a representation of
[2:12:22] that.
[2:12:24] So that the idea that we're
[2:12:24] that we're going to address
[2:12:27] current events and what
[2:12:27] happened with the murals in the
[2:12:28] streets have slowly week.
[2:12:30] We're going to find the right
[2:12:32] thing to do we're going to find
[2:12:33] the right statement to make.
[2:12:35] But the flag a St. Petersburg
[2:12:38] it is the identity of the body
[2:12:38] that
[2:12:41] is the government of St.
[2:12:44] Petersburg and it and it it
[2:12:45] needs to in my opinion be
[2:12:46] representative of all 280,000
[2:12:46] of us. So those are my thoughts
[2:12:49] Sir, thank you for your time.
[2:12:52] Thank you vice chair Harris.
[2:12:53] Thank you I like to also thank
[2:12:56] everyone who's reached out
[2:12:59] who's here
[2:13:01] and council member driskell for
[2:13:01] bringing this item.
[2:13:02] A couple weeks ago I am the
[2:13:03] council member that sits on the
[2:13:04] art advisory committee we had a
[2:13:05] joint
[2:13:05] meeting with the public arts
[2:13:06] commission to actually discuss
[2:13:08] ideas of how to respond to the
[2:13:12] state that the state could not
[2:13:15] come back turn around
[2:13:16] and take away from us
[2:13:17] and at that meeting just for
[2:13:17] those who MAY not know what the
[2:13:19] art advisory committee is for
[2:13:21] the public arts Commission
[2:13:24] there are lots of community.
[2:13:27] Members who are artists who
[2:13:29] know the space who have
[2:13:31] fantastic creative ideas,
[2:13:33] frankly I went there as the
[2:13:34] City Council member that's
[2:13:37] there for the art advisory
[2:13:40] committee. But I wanted to
[2:13:42] listen to them because they had
[2:13:43] a ton of ideas and at the end
[2:13:44] there was a whole Board of
[2:13:45] different things and how we can
[2:13:47] respond as a city and there was
[2:13:50] it was a collaborative process
[2:13:53] in terms of that meeting
[2:13:54] and from that meeting they were
[2:13:57] going to continue getting ideas
[2:13:58] and then talk about those ideas
[2:13:59] again at another committing so
[2:14:02] we could get all the input from
[2:14:05] these committees I know that
[2:14:06] councilmember Floyd is the
[2:14:07] council member who is assigned
[2:14:08] for the public arts Commission
[2:14:09] he wasn't there and I told them
[2:14:10] you you fortunately had a
[2:14:13] another you're traveling and
[2:14:14] couldn't be there because he
[2:14:15] would have definitely enjoyed
[2:14:19] being part of that meeting but.
[2:14:22] Having said that
[2:14:24] going back to having a response
[2:14:25] that the state cannot turn
[2:14:28] around and do what they did
[2:14:32] with the murals and
[2:14:33] I will say I don't like it.
[2:14:36] Now think anyone here like that
[2:14:37] to be clear
[2:14:40] and I think we also got a lot
[2:14:42] of criticism for weather.
[2:14:45] The mayor got criticism for the
[2:14:46] response.
[2:14:47] We got legal advice from our
[2:14:50] attorneys and in terms of what
[2:14:53] can be done in response to fdot
[2:14:54] I will tell you
[2:14:57] that the advice was there's not
[2:15:01] going to be much you can do.
[2:15:02] >> And I will tell you Delray
[2:15:03] Beach who stood very firm has
[2:15:04] now gone back and said they're
[2:15:07] not going to fight it because
[2:15:11] they don't see a legal path.
[2:15:12] Legal issues are important
[2:15:15] and I bring that up because
[2:15:17] emotion and believing it thinks
[2:15:18] is great. But then we have to
[2:15:21] deal with legal issues and how
[2:15:24] this goes forward so I want to
[2:15:28] asked legal because I know
[2:15:31] there was a 2 article that said
[2:15:36] that legal vetted yes
[2:15:37] Brett if you can just what was
[2:15:40] exactly league ul's role.
[2:15:44] In this. Council member
[2:15:47] chair members of Council.
[2:15:50] Are.
[2:15:51] Office assisted in the
[2:15:51] preparation of this resolution
[2:15:52] and the same would way we would
[2:15:54] any other that we've been
[2:15:54] requested to prepare whether
[2:15:57] its administration Council is a
[2:15:58] body or an individual council
[2:16:02] member. The role of our offices
[2:16:03] to provide legal advice,
[2:16:05] not policy direction. We work
[2:16:06] to ensure that the form of the
[2:16:09] item accurately reflects the
[2:16:10] substance coming
[2:16:12] from the requester you know
[2:16:14] legally permissible manner so
[2:16:15] for example when our office has
[2:16:15] requested to prepare a
[2:16:18] resolution supporting state
[2:16:20] legislation. The recitals in
[2:16:21] the statement of report of
[2:16:24] support represent the direction
[2:16:26] that we receive
[2:16:27] and we package that and
[2:16:30] communicate it and write it in
[2:16:30] a manner that we
[2:16:31] believe request the will of the
[2:16:33] body. So the preparation of
[2:16:34] this item was quite ordinary it
[2:16:35] was a collaborative effort
[2:16:38] involving multiple attorneys,
[2:16:39] not something that I did
[2:16:42] specifically are individually
[2:16:43] and our role was the usual
[2:16:46] one to prepare a resolution
[2:16:50] that convey the substance
[2:16:51] that we receive from
[2:16:52] councilmember just won this
[2:16:52] case.
[2:16:53] Okay so in terms of the La
[2:16:53] galaxy what can happen with it.
[2:16:54] You know I think conversations
[2:16:56] typically happen based on.
[2:16:59] What is there. But
[2:17:02] what I want people to
[2:17:03] understand what is the power of
[2:17:04] the state in the areas that we
[2:17:07] are discussing both on the
[2:17:10] flags.
[2:17:14] >> So. Municipalities are
[2:17:17] created by the state can be
[2:17:18] abolished by the state
[2:17:19] use ballot is to not have First
[2:17:21] Amendment rights of their own.
[2:17:21] So the state can require the
[2:17:24] city from stating certain
[2:17:25] things were prohibited
[2:17:28] from stating certain things
[2:17:30] state law currently
[2:17:30] allows local governments to
[2:17:33] adopt a seal and control the
[2:17:37] use of that sealed the city
[2:17:39] adopted its seal in 1921.
[2:17:39] We're also empowered to there's
[2:17:42] not a specific state law about
[2:17:43] the flag
[2:17:44] but to serve as general
[2:17:46] home-rule powers. We adopted
[2:17:49] the first flight in 1927
[2:17:50] revised it in
[2:17:51] 1951 and then again in 1984.
[2:17:52] There's been legislation in the
[2:17:53] past 3 legislative sessions
[2:17:56] that would restrict the flying
[2:17:59] of municipal flags. Bills are
[2:18:01] starting to file there's not a
[2:18:02] bill yet. But it was the same
[2:18:05] bill filed 2 sessions in a row,
[2:18:06] if that bill
[2:18:07] was adopted it likely would
[2:18:07] present and prohibit the city
[2:18:11] from flying the 2 flags that
[2:18:14] are proposed here.
[2:18:15] >> In terms of the.
[2:18:15] Official seal because there is
[2:18:16] a Florida statute that allows
[2:18:20] us to use an official seal they
[2:18:20] can also
[2:18:22] change that statute and limit
[2:18:25] the use of the seal correct
[2:18:28] that's correct. Okay. So
[2:18:32] the other.
[2:18:35] Question I have in terms
[2:18:36] of the flag. Can you
[2:18:39] have more than one official
[2:18:40] flag.
[2:18:41] That's not a question presented
[2:18:41] here.
[2:18:42] Because these are variations on
[2:18:43] the same way if the city to
[2:18:46] celebrate the to commemorate
[2:18:47] its
[2:18:50] its or its founding were to fly
[2:18:53] the 1927 flag of the 1951 flag
[2:18:56] that would not replace the 1984
[2:18:59] flag that we could enjoy just
[2:19:00] because we used an alternate.
[2:19:01] Who has the authority over the
[2:19:01] flag.
[2:19:02] That's not something that was
[2:19:02] presented by this because it's
[2:19:03] a request from Council to the
[2:19:04] mayor and that's not a question
[2:19:05] that we've determined at this
[2:19:06] time. So those are at this
[2:19:10] point not the tournament.
[2:19:13] That's correct.
[2:19:16] I just have
[2:19:18] some real concerns in terms of.
[2:19:19] >> Doing something that the
[2:19:20] state's going to turn around
[2:19:23] and completely preempt and not
[2:19:25] only priya go for a year.
[2:19:27] The conversations that we're
[2:19:30] being had at the art advisory.
[2:19:33] And the public arts commission
[2:19:34] was to find path.
[2:19:35] That we could do things that
[2:19:38] wouldn't destroy something
[2:19:39] again.
[2:19:40] And to me that is a concern I
[2:19:43] would love to hear from other
[2:19:45] council members if they have
[2:19:45] any fights but that's a real
[2:19:47] concern I have because I want
[2:19:50] to see a path that we can do
[2:19:50] things
[2:19:52] where it's not as easy as going
[2:19:53] to the Legislature right now
[2:19:53] they've got tried to do it 3
[2:19:56] times now you're going to give
[2:19:57] them.
[2:19:58] One more thing where in MAY
[2:20:00] take it over and they're gonna
[2:20:01] say okay now it's it and now
[2:20:04] we're going to preempt it and
[2:20:04] once they preempt it
[2:20:06] you're not getting it back.
[2:20:09] Right now we can fly flags, we
[2:20:10] do flight. The pride fact, and
[2:20:13] we do fly. The Carter g Woodson
[2:20:15] flat that's allowed and we're
[2:20:19] doing it. So that that to me is
[2:20:22] a real concern. Thank you.
[2:20:25] Thank you chair.
[2:20:26] So.
[2:20:29] This whole conversation is
[2:20:29] about unity. This whole
[2:20:32] conversation is about history.
[2:20:35] And so let's kind of dig into
[2:20:36] that as it comes
[2:20:37] to these flags a little bit.
[2:20:38] All right so councilmember
[2:20:39] handle its are vice chair
[2:20:41] Hannah it's I'm glad you
[2:20:42] brought
[2:20:43] up the joint meeting.
[2:20:44] I wanted to be a fly on the
[2:20:47] wall at that meeting was unable
[2:20:48] to but did
[2:20:49] sit through it and give me some
[2:20:53] pretty detailed notes. There
[2:20:54] was a lot
[2:20:55] that was brought forward.
[2:20:57] And every conversation that I
[2:20:59] have had within the community,
[2:21:02] including a meeting that I went
[2:21:03] to very well attended
[2:21:04] last week pride in real estate
[2:21:07] where it took several of the
[2:21:10] flags that we redesign this
[2:21:11] summer and gave them out
[2:21:12] everyone was very excited.
[2:21:15] Everyone was very happy and
[2:21:18] then we had a very robust
[2:21:19] conversation about the street
[2:21:22] art the a Rea sure what is
[2:21:23] happening in the state of
[2:21:23] Florida, how it is affecting
[2:21:25] really the trauma that our
[2:21:29] residents feel around this
[2:21:30] issue. But the real kind of I
[2:21:33] guess common denominator in all
[2:21:34] of that conversation
[2:21:38] was that they wanted to see our
[2:21:40] city leadership come together
[2:21:42] and have cohesive conversations
[2:21:43] as all of us that represent
[2:21:46] them about how we move things
[2:21:49] forward. I brought
[2:21:50] forward a new business.
[2:21:53] Us to take a committee meeting
[2:21:54] 2 h o u t to have
[2:21:57] a cohesive unified
[2:22:00] conversation.
[2:22:02] There was left little time
[2:22:05] for that conversation. And the
[2:22:05] day before we were going to
[2:22:08] have that committee meeting the
[2:22:09] administration went ahead and
[2:22:11] rolled out an entire plan
[2:22:14] without consulting City Council
[2:22:17] without having a conversation.
[2:22:18] I heard you say
[2:22:18] councilmember just cold that
[2:22:20] you did this alone that you you
[2:22:22] felt like you had to do this
[2:22:26] alone like for whatever reason
[2:22:27] you didn't have to
[2:22:30] do this alone. You left that
[2:22:31] committee meeting before we had
[2:22:33] this conversation. I sat there
[2:22:36] and asked my colleagues share
[2:22:37] talk with us like
[2:22:40] have you been having
[2:22:43] conversations trying to get
[2:22:46] a unified front on this
[2:22:47] yet here we are being asked to
[2:22:50] look at something that was done
[2:22:53] in a silo.
[2:22:53] If we don't vote for it, then
[2:22:55] it's going to be pitted as
[2:22:57] though we don't support our
[2:22:58] community and that is unfair
[2:23:01] every single person up here
[2:23:04] support.
[2:23:07] Single part of our community.
[2:23:08] We are all about unity. We are
[2:23:11] all about recognizing our
[2:23:12] history. We have shown
[2:23:16] that time and time again.
[2:23:16] But this working in
[2:23:20] silos is starting to appear as
[2:23:22] though it is pitting
[2:23:23] Council against administration.
[2:23:24] >> Against council members MAY
[2:23:25] not help yes today and I am not
[2:23:28] going to stand for it any
[2:23:30] longer. We have all got to get
[2:23:32] on the same page. So if this
[2:23:35] passes today. Can you share
[2:23:36] with me Rob.
[2:23:39] What the mayors response is
[2:23:40] going to be because this
[2:23:43] is a request of him. And he
[2:23:47] obviously is running in his
[2:23:48] own direction on this issue.
[2:23:49] What's going to happen if this
[2:23:50] passes. I don't think I can
[2:23:51] answer that directly
[2:23:52] councilmember I think the mayor
[2:23:54] will have to think about that
[2:23:57] what I what I will say is that
[2:23:58] you know I
[2:23:59] think our intentions together.
[2:24:00] >> All in the same place I
[2:24:03] think that we all want to show
[2:24:04] our values through
[2:24:05] art or symbols to the
[2:24:06] community. And what the mayors
[2:24:08] said is that he wanted to do
[2:24:09] some public outreach to look
[2:24:10] into that so we've had the word
[2:24:13] with Welsh we've done the
[2:24:14] online survey which ended
[2:24:17] yesterday we had the art
[2:24:18] advisory in the public arts
[2:24:21] Commission meeting. So we're
[2:24:22] gathering that input Siletz
[2:24:25] Davis is working on this we're
[2:24:25] going to look
[2:24:26] kid immediate short-term things
[2:24:27] we can do. And then
[2:24:29] longer-range things we can do
[2:24:30] and then you know we plan to
[2:24:31] partner with counsel come back
[2:24:33] to Council with with the
[2:24:36] information that we gather and
[2:24:38] go from there that's
[2:24:38] how we're trying to approach.
[2:24:39] So with the online survey, I'm
[2:24:40] glad that you mentioned that
[2:24:43] those that ends today so when I
[2:24:45] was at this meeting last week
[2:24:47] it happened to be the day that
[2:24:50] the survey was ending and no
[2:24:51] one knew about it.
[2:24:53] Everyone said. There's a survey
[2:24:54] you want my input I didn't know
[2:24:57] you want to my input so that
[2:24:58] evening
[2:24:58] I sent an email to
[2:24:59] administration and thank you
[2:25:02] for honoring that request to
[2:25:03] extend that. So it
[2:25:05] was extended to today and I was
[2:25:08] going to ask tomorrow because
[2:25:09] it's on my calendar for
[2:25:10] those results.
[2:25:11] Because we need to see all of
[2:25:12] that information we need to let
[2:25:15] the joint committees do their
[2:25:19] work we need to
[2:25:21] quote.
[2:25:21] >> In the news that.
[2:25:23] All of these suggestions and we
[2:25:25] need to do that in a
[2:25:27] collaborative way if this is
[2:25:30] about honoring history and this
[2:25:30] is about identity and this is
[2:25:34] about unity. Then we all need
[2:25:35] to be on the scene
[2:25:36] page. And I don't want to sit
[2:25:39] here any longer and continue to
[2:25:40] feel
[2:25:41] like were pending one
[2:25:42] councilmember against
[2:25:44] administration pitting the
[2:25:45] administration against all of
[2:25:48] Council and pitting our
[2:25:49] community against each other
[2:25:52] because I speak we're very
[2:25:55] close to teetering on you're a
[2:25:58] sure starting to cause divide
[2:25:59] between all of us
[2:26:00] and I'm not going to stand for
[2:26:02] it. So I was supposed to leave
[2:26:03] about 30 minutes ago for an
[2:26:05] appointment that I need to get
[2:26:06] to that is a personal
[2:26:09] appointment. So I am going to
[2:26:10] go ahead and go to excuse
[2:26:11] myself from the rest of this
[2:26:12] meeting and I want all of you
[2:26:14] to know this has nothing to do
[2:26:17] with the fact that I support
[2:26:17] you I
[2:26:18] support every single one of you
[2:26:22] and where you stand in your
[2:26:22] place in history and in unity
[2:26:26] and I will always support you.
[2:26:29] But these flags today
[2:26:30] are not it. These flags today
[2:26:31] get us no closer to that and if
[2:26:33] the mayor turns around and says
[2:26:36] he's not going to Then where we
[2:26:38] at we're just that much more
[2:26:40] divided. So I want this process
[2:26:41] to play out. I want the survey
[2:26:44] results I want you all to
[2:26:47] continue to do your work.
[2:26:55] >> I know you have to leave,
[2:26:56] but since you made some
[2:26:57] accusations I just want to set
[2:27:01] the record East. We responded
[2:27:01] to the
[2:27:02] issue that was happening in our
[2:27:05] community to get input from the
[2:27:05] community
[2:27:06] we had a word with Welsh
[2:27:07] already scheduled and we had
[2:27:09] folks from throughout the
[2:27:10] community, including equality
[2:27:12] Florida at that meeting.
[2:27:15] There is no plan move forward
[2:27:17] with the plan
[2:27:20] and the Sept. 10th memo that
[2:27:21] receive showed
[2:27:24] what was happening in the
[2:27:24] community,
[2:27:25] including art adviser in the
[2:27:26] public arts meeting that was
[2:27:26] scheduled. We were showing you
[2:27:27] that folks were moving in
[2:27:28] different parts of the
[2:27:31] community. This is what
[2:27:32] happened and our plan.
[2:27:35] It's a let the process move
[2:27:37] forward and hear all the ideas
[2:27:37] that are out there. There was
[2:27:38] no plan that I was going
[2:27:41] forward with other than getting
[2:27:44] the input from the entire
[2:27:44] community. On how we move
[2:27:45] forward in a sustainable way.
[2:27:49] A way that can't be preempted.
[2:27:52] But the state and county or
[2:27:53] City Council input is certainly
[2:27:56] a part of that process we want
[2:27:57] to hear what city councils
[2:27:59] ideas are so the pushback when
[2:28:01] you say I'm one with the plan
[2:28:03] only plan was to listen to the
[2:28:06] community. Listen to the ideas
[2:28:09] listen to counsel when that
[2:28:10] meeting happened and find the
[2:28:11] most sustainable way forward.
[2:28:14] So what you said was not true.
[2:28:14] We're listening.
[2:28:17] And we look forward to building
[2:28:21] a sustainable response.
[2:28:23] So what we've all gone.
[2:28:23] And I appreciate that mayor
[2:28:26] perception is reality. And my
[2:28:28] reality looked very differently
[2:28:29] at that committee meeting so
[2:28:30] we're going to leave it where
[2:28:32] with that the committee meeting
[2:28:35] that we had the h o u t meeting
[2:28:36] where there with
[2:28:36] the memo was released the day
[2:28:39] before that meeting. And there
[2:28:41] was no
[2:28:42] real conversation at that
[2:28:42] meeting.
[2:28:43] And I don't I don't want to
[2:28:43] argue with you know with a
[2:28:46] certain out there and now you
[2:28:47] talk
[2:28:48] about it well should be okay.
[2:28:48] We have already had worked with
[2:28:52] Welsh scheduled we had 20 folks
[2:28:52] in the
[2:28:53] room from around the community
[2:28:54] and they put out ideas about
[2:28:55] what we could do one of them
[2:28:59] was a flag. But there are many
[2:29:01] other ideas that we all
[2:29:02] accumulating we thought we'd
[2:29:04] set up the job for him to get
[2:29:05] done community-wide response.
[2:29:07] And that's what we're doing so
[2:29:10] we're not running for with the
[2:29:10] plant we're trying to get all
[2:29:11] the ideas and move forward and
[2:29:15] again youve got my phone number
[2:29:15] we've talked many times
[2:29:17] if you want to talk about this.
[2:29:20] Give me a call and we'll do
[2:29:22] that. But the theatrical
[2:29:24] appear. I'm not gonna deal with
[2:29:25] it ok you're setting up
[2:29:28] division. We're trying to move
[2:29:31] forward and make our city
[2:29:32] sustainable and respond to this
[2:29:32] strategically so if you're
[2:29:33] going to call out the
[2:29:36] administration with something
[2:29:39] that's false.
[2:29:40] I'm gonna count.
[2:29:41] Fair enough so if this passes
[2:29:42] today, what is your intention
[2:29:45] with this right. What Council
[2:29:48] discuss this because this
[2:29:51] is not here to a process.
[2:29:54] So Council can discuss that
[2:29:55] and then out.
[2:29:56] Talk to you that ministration
[2:29:57] knows my position on the city
[2:29:58] flag, the official flag versus
[2:30:02] the pride and Woodson flag that
[2:30:03] I've raise above city all
[2:30:05] every year and will continue to
[2:30:05] do that. But we'll have that
[2:30:06] conversation after Council has
[2:30:08] your discussion very good.
[2:30:11] Thank you Sir. MR. CHAIRMAN
[2:30:14] thank you thank you.
[2:30:18] >> We're going to go to
[2:30:19] councilmember Floyd first
[2:30:21] councilmember just go for it
[2:30:27] come back to you oh okay.
[2:30:30] >> Just one of the mayor
[2:30:30] Lightfoot did request a
[2:30:33] one-on-one to discuss this and
[2:30:36] did not get information back.
[2:30:38] From administration so i
[2:30:39] realize it's an ongoing issue
[2:30:40] would love to have that
[2:30:43] one-on-one is what I would say.
[2:30:49] >> And then.
[2:30:52] >> I have some stuff here
[2:30:53] obviously us to want to hear
[2:30:53] from everyone else. But my
[2:30:54] perspective is been a little
[2:30:56] bit different than what's been
[2:30:56] presented first want to
[2:30:57] thank council member driskell
[2:30:59] for bringing forward a creative
[2:31:00] idea I understand people's
[2:31:00] concerns and the like you know
[2:31:03] we would be great if we all get
[2:31:04] together but you brought this
[2:31:08] tree here analyzing what I was
[2:31:11] brought
[2:31:11] I'll just say you
[2:31:14] know it's a creative idea that
[2:31:18] continues to push forward
[2:31:18] representation for the
[2:31:19] lgbtq and african-american
[2:31:20] communities in the city.
[2:31:22] And we're in a dark place in
[2:31:24] our country and say right now
[2:31:25] specifically when marginalized
[2:31:28] communities in her attack
[2:31:28] constantly
[2:31:30] go into detail as to how so
[2:31:31] some really horrific things
[2:31:33] from the federal government
[2:31:34] today on lgbtq rights actually
[2:31:37] but we'll watch the news saw
[2:31:39] spare us the Payne really
[2:31:42] and because of this situation,
[2:31:43] I'm ready to support almost
[2:31:44] anything. Anyone in city
[2:31:47] government puts in front of me
[2:31:48] that
[2:31:49] makes marginalize communities
[2:31:50] feel more welcome the city
[2:31:53] almost anything as long as it's
[2:31:56] reasonable.
[2:31:57] You know it can come
[2:31:58] from the mayor can come from
[2:31:59] city literally anything yes it
[2:32:00] would be ideal if we all got
[2:32:03] together and decided how we
[2:32:05] move forward best
[2:32:07] but what you put in front of me
[2:32:07] and what I put forward I hope
[2:32:08] we'll get a hearing what you've
[2:32:10] heard of for me will get a
[2:32:14] hearing. I don't care where it
[2:32:14] comes from
[2:32:16] I don't care how it gets in
[2:32:17] front of me. There's
[2:32:18] horrifically evil things going
[2:32:18] on in this state in this
[2:32:19] country right now and I'm ready
[2:32:23] to push back any way that I
[2:32:25] can. So
[2:32:27] the last thing, I'll say those.
[2:32:27] To a couple of the comments
[2:32:30] that are made councilmember
[2:32:32] speakers.
[2:32:35] My perspective is I don't think
[2:32:36] that the existence of these
[2:32:39] flags. Allies as anyone else's
[2:32:42] identity. One we put
[2:32:43] forward that a marginalized
[2:32:45] community has been attacked
[2:32:46] that has been attacked is
[2:32:48] important to us we're not
[2:32:49] singling them out because
[2:32:52] they're more important to us
[2:32:54] we're singling them out because
[2:32:57] they've been attacked. So
[2:32:58] that's that's a perspective
[2:32:59] that I bring you this. You
[2:33:00] know, obviously we've heard
[2:33:03] from our colleagues and it's
[2:33:05] been frustrating for everyone
[2:33:06] involved. I think our
[2:33:07] frustration is not necessarily
[2:33:10] with each other our frustration
[2:33:13] is with a state that doesn't.
[2:33:16] Slipped out of character and
[2:33:17] what the
[2:33:17] state know what I really
[2:33:19] thought the state that doesn't
[2:33:20] seem to care about people as
[2:33:23] much as he cares about
[2:33:24] continuing to
[2:33:25] moreover us and make sure that
[2:33:28] you know their corporate bosses
[2:33:29] can continue to profit off of
[2:33:32] our existence and they can rule
[2:33:34] with hate and division.
[2:33:38] That's that's really what our
[2:33:39] frustration is and so.
[2:33:40] I hope that you know having
[2:33:41] said that we can all come to
[2:33:44] conclusions that work together.
[2:33:47] But on generally
[2:33:48] supportive of the council
[2:33:49] member driskell but you know
[2:33:49] what based off the
[2:33:50] conversation. We've had today I
[2:33:54] think people want to see this
[2:33:55] happened in a different way.
[2:33:56] I understand where they're
[2:33:56] coming from, but I appreciate
[2:34:00] you bringing this forward thank
[2:34:03] you.
[2:34:03] Thank you. Councilor
[2:34:04] just going to go to
[2:34:07] councilmember guests, thank
[2:34:08] you. Thank you chair, I
[2:34:09] think is a prime example of and
[2:34:12] isolated process becoming
[2:34:14] siloed conversations on I
[2:34:17] certainly appreciate the
[2:34:20] passion. I understand. This is
[2:34:24] this is what passing get you.
[2:34:26] >> And I certainly feel like
[2:34:28] this is deja vu because I
[2:34:30] certainly understand why one
[2:34:33] would want to step up to lend
[2:34:36] their voice. Too making sure
[2:34:39] that everyone has a voice
[2:34:41] to making sure that communities
[2:34:44] are erased and communities
[2:34:45] aren't silence. I want to be
[2:34:48] clear, I don't support fdot ski
[2:34:49] racer of our murals.
[2:34:50] And I also want to be clear
[2:34:54] that I support us finding a
[2:34:56] solution
[2:34:57] to that however, I know I also
[2:35:00] have been having conversations
[2:35:01] with artists and
[2:35:02] with the same members of the
[2:35:03] community that my colleagues
[2:35:06] that conversations with then
[2:35:07] and I just want to know you
[2:35:10] know if we were to move forward
[2:35:11] with
[2:35:12] this conversation today.
[2:35:13] What happens with the
[2:35:17] submissions from the community
[2:35:18] that will be received
[2:35:20] or that have been received with
[2:35:21] this will we be able to tie the
[2:35:22] 2 together would ideas from
[2:35:25] other council members be able
[2:35:27] to be incorporated
[2:35:27] is this a.
[2:35:30] Either or type situation or we
[2:35:31] can do all of the above.
[2:35:33] I mean our position is that
[2:35:34] we're going to continuing
[2:35:35] reviewing the feedback that we
[2:35:37] got we're going to look at it
[2:35:38] and see what we think it's
[2:35:41] we're going to approach City
[2:35:41] Council with some ideas and
[2:35:44] concepts that we think can show
[2:35:46] our values
[2:35:48] through artistic worker symbols
[2:35:51] that can last in a legal manner
[2:35:52] and be there so that's that's
[2:35:53] what we plan to do moving
[2:35:54] forward appreciate that MISTER
[2:35:56] Curtis and I was thinking you
[2:35:58] know next week.
[2:35:58] We have this on your own
[2:35:59] festival and much of that runs
[2:36:00] through district 7 throughout
[2:36:01] the warehouse arts district and
[2:36:01] that could be an opportunity
[2:36:04] for us to get feedback and
[2:36:05] maybe
[2:36:05] even top the private property
[2:36:06] owners.
[2:36:09] Who MAY be willing to provide
[2:36:10] their
[2:36:12] property as an opportunity for
[2:36:13] us to. Express our values
[2:36:15] through Kansas. So I just want
[2:36:16] to you know make sure that
[2:36:17] we're cognizant of that that's
[2:36:17] happening that we connect the
[2:36:20] opportunity again for us to get
[2:36:20] more feedback from the
[2:36:23] community and then I do have a
[2:36:27] question for legal say we do
[2:36:28] move forward with
[2:36:28] with their be anything aside
[2:36:30] from preemption is there
[2:36:31] anything that the state could
[2:36:34] thinking about those right if
[2:36:34] we were to
[2:36:35] allocate city resources for
[2:36:36] these flags could do is come
[2:36:38] back and slaps on the hand for
[2:36:41] doing so.
[2:36:44] >> Councilor Givens sewing as I
[2:36:46] understand that the doge effort
[2:36:47] is to call out what it
[2:36:48] considers wasteful spending it
[2:36:51] doesn't actually have any
[2:36:54] regulatory authority. So
[2:36:54] they could sit and certainly
[2:36:57] identify this and say yes, this
[2:36:58] is another example
[2:37:01] of wasteful spending but they
[2:37:03] could do
[2:37:03] that with anything at this
[2:37:04] point so.
[2:37:04] And I appreciate that
[2:37:07] clarification that they can do
[2:37:08] this with anything so
[2:37:09] I share vice chairs concerns
[2:37:10] what repercussions but as you
[2:37:11] said attorney Pettigrew they
[2:37:14] can do it with just about
[2:37:15] anything this is big brother
[2:37:16] micro-managing little rather so
[2:37:18] it's either we flex our muscles
[2:37:20] and we use our voices and we
[2:37:21] wait until they tell us no or
[2:37:24] will sit here in you know
[2:37:24] wallowing
[2:37:26] rpd and wish that we did
[2:37:28] something I do want to ask the
[2:37:29] question to administration is
[2:37:31] there anything that prevents us
[2:37:32] from raising the Carter g
[2:37:34] Woodson flag or the pride flag
[2:37:37] year-round aside from just
[2:37:38] those designated months.
[2:37:39] I I don't.
[2:37:39] I deferred to the City
[2:37:43] Attorney's Office on that I
[2:37:46] can't give you any
[2:37:47] legal interpretation on that
[2:37:47] I'm not aware of prison.
[2:37:48] Right now there's no
[2:37:49] restriction in state law on
[2:37:49] raising that and if there was
[2:37:52] to be one of the future.
[2:37:55] It would depend on. What form
[2:37:57] it took.
[2:37:58] So the PRESIDENT Know.
[2:37:59] Appreciate that and again I'm
[2:38:00] just looking for solutions said
[2:38:01] this not move forward today
[2:38:03] again I'm supporting it simply
[2:38:06] because I support making sure
[2:38:06] that minority vote voices are
[2:38:07] silenced or oppressed, but at
[2:38:08] the same time I want to make
[2:38:12] sure that we have a logical
[2:38:14] idea
[2:38:14] that won't be preempted.
[2:38:15] So thank you chair appreciate
[2:38:18] it, thank you councilmember fix
[2:38:21] Sanders. Thank you I think.
[2:38:23] Right you actually in certain
[2:38:25] my question in theory and in
[2:38:28] concept. I don't have a problem
[2:38:31] with it. But my question was
[2:38:32] what was just asked. We can
[2:38:35] still fly those flags now
[2:38:37] because
[2:38:38] still fly the cards he was in
[2:38:40] the still.
[2:38:44] Pri, pride flag. So I guess
[2:38:45] my.
[2:38:46] The question is what us.
[2:38:47] The rush. If we can still do
[2:38:51] these things now in concept we
[2:38:52] can still fly these flags now
[2:38:55] while we change this cities
[2:38:58] Leigh too.
[2:39:03] How do they are our time as
[2:39:07] designated I guess I'm trying
[2:39:07] to understand
[2:39:09] if we can still do it right
[2:39:12] now. What is the hurry because
[2:39:13] I really do I didn't know
[2:39:14] about the survey ending today.
[2:39:17] I would really love to see what
[2:39:20] our constituents have to say
[2:39:25] before we chase the official
[2:39:25] flay.
[2:39:26] And I do know the Americans say
[2:39:26] he's not going to do this.
[2:39:27] i do understand that and that
[2:39:28] will be you know his his
[2:39:28] approval to do so I guess I'm
[2:39:30] just trying to figure out.
[2:39:33] If we can still fly both flags
[2:39:36] now what's the issue as far
[2:39:40] as hearing, everyone's boys.
[2:39:41] Again I have to agree
[2:39:41] with councilmember Gavin on
[2:39:42] that you know we we want to
[2:39:45] make sure that our constituents
[2:39:48] know that we support them and I
[2:39:51] don't think biased not
[2:39:52] approving a new flag design
[2:39:55] indicates that we don't I've
[2:39:57] seen so many of us make so
[2:39:57] many bold and brave moves.
[2:40:00] For african-american community
[2:40:04] for lgbt community
[2:40:04] are we being attacked
[2:40:06] absolutely I'm a black woman
[2:40:07] standing here that can feel it
[2:40:09] each and every day. But I guess
[2:40:10] I'm just trying to find the
[2:40:12] relevance as to why we are in
[2:40:16] such a hurry without getting
[2:40:16] constituents back.
[2:40:18] I need to be back as to what
[2:40:18] they want to see because once
[2:40:21] you start setting a precedence
[2:40:22] and you all know I'm being on
[2:40:23] citing PRESIDENT Says once we
[2:40:25] started setting a precedent is
[2:40:28] how we move forward from here
[2:40:30] on out. So I don't know if.
[2:40:33] Councilmember to school you
[2:40:34] have
[2:40:37] to have this today or would you
[2:40:38] be willing to find out with the
[2:40:40] constituents are saying instead
[2:40:41] of
[2:40:44] it just showing up and I pay
[2:40:45] cut because
[2:40:47] we I had not had any
[2:40:48] conversation. Every guy is to
[2:40:49] completely switching out the cd
[2:40:50] flay I just wanted to make sure
[2:40:53] that we're not being prohibited
[2:40:54] from flying any flay
[2:40:57] that indicates though so that's
[2:41:00] where my confusion in Milan
[2:41:01] readiness lies because we are
[2:41:03] in full support of cp being the
[2:41:05] welcoming city of by all means,
[2:41:08] I'm just trying to and just
[2:41:09] they did. If
[2:41:10] we can continue still fly that
[2:41:11] with other flags. Well we want
[2:41:12] to change the city's flag.
[2:41:15] Is this just my question thank
[2:41:18] you Jen thank you.
[2:41:21] Council member driskell.
[2:41:22] And counselor Givens I'm sorry
[2:41:25] but I just want to jump I want
[2:41:25] to jump in before we go into
[2:41:28] around 2. So I I appreciate
[2:41:32] your we're grace both of you.
[2:41:37] I guess my first question
[2:41:38] council member driskell I'll
[2:41:41] just go to you all just go
[2:41:44] right to it.
[2:41:47] I think you I
[2:41:53] think we've all heard it right.
[2:41:56] >> I think we all want to
[2:41:57] move forward somehow.
[2:41:57] And and be loud and and.
[2:41:58] I'll put it this way. I want to
[2:42:00] throw a haymaker I don't want
[2:42:03] to throw a jab.
[2:42:04] I'm wondering if you would be
[2:42:08] open and I can't make the
[2:42:10] motion.
[2:42:10] If you if we put the sick cow
[2:42:12] on the 23th, so we're not
[2:42:16] waiting report, I'm just asking
[2:42:19] what the back.
[2:42:20] That way.
[2:42:20] And then the ministrations this
[2:42:23] is free to do you think in 2
[2:42:27] weeks you
[2:42:29] would be prepared to.
[2:42:30] By that by to give us result.
[2:42:30] Possibly have some
[2:42:32] conversations about what those
[2:42:33] results are in and be able to
[2:42:36] discuss on what you think are
[2:42:38] options that could
[2:42:38] go forward that have weight.
[2:42:39] I think we can certainly put
[2:42:40] the results together we could
[2:42:41] we could put together some
[2:42:42] potential options for City
[2:42:45] Council to consider in the next
[2:42:47] couple weeks ago.
[2:42:48] So.
[2:42:48] I want to hear your feedback.
[2:42:49] I think I know where you're at
[2:42:52] but I think it's important
[2:42:54] because listen. Hear hear.
[2:42:54] Here's where I'm at.
[2:42:55] I'll go right back to what I
[2:42:56] just said I want to throw a
[2:42:58] haymaker which seems like all
[2:42:59] at once like let's come out
[2:43:00] with multiple different ways
[2:43:02] that we stand up to what has
[2:43:03] happened.
[2:43:07] Certainly could be a part of
[2:43:09] that but
[2:43:12] I said this morning said it
[2:43:13] before like want to
[2:43:14] have all the information in
[2:43:14] front of me. Still like I have
[2:43:16] some quite like some questions
[2:43:18] that I hesitate to even come up
[2:43:19] here on the dias because I I
[2:43:20] just believe it's a committee
[2:43:21] level conversation about like
[2:43:21] procurement and things like
[2:43:24] that.
[2:43:27] And so
[2:43:29] I know that's.
[2:43:29] Secondary to what we're trying
[2:43:30] to do but still in my opinion
[2:43:31] important question. I want to
[2:43:33] give you the opportunity to
[2:43:36] respond.
[2:43:43] >> And thanks to all you on.
[2:43:44] We have weighed in on this.
[2:43:45] It is you always take a chance
[2:43:45] when you bring something
[2:43:48] straight to Council. All right.
[2:43:52] You guys take a chance when
[2:43:53] you're going to do something
[2:43:57] bold. And that's what this is.
[2:43:59] These flags are different.
[2:44:02] The pride flag that's raised
[2:44:03] that
[2:44:04] in JUNE. They Woodson flag
[2:44:07] that's raised for Black History
[2:44:10] Month. In FEBRUARY.
[2:44:14] I wanted these to be.
[2:44:18] Evergreen all encompassing
[2:44:18] showing
[2:44:22] that I mean this isn't even
[2:44:25] actually a pride flag.
[2:44:27] It was created. Originally by
[2:44:28] Johnny and marketing to give
[2:44:31] out to everyone has a variation
[2:44:34] on that.
[2:44:39] And I think every single person
[2:44:42] can see themselves in this
[2:44:45] flat.
[2:44:48] That's what art does to you.
[2:44:52] >> So it's not about replacing
[2:44:52] our official city flag. It's
[2:44:55] about having variations on that
[2:44:58] flag.
[2:44:59] In an official way because look
[2:45:02] we also have a grand Prix
[2:45:05] flank.
[2:45:07] Race flag I don't know what's
[2:45:10] going to happen with that now.
[2:45:12] We have tried and we have like
[2:45:15] the treatment, this makes him
[2:45:19] special this this takes it to
[2:45:19] the next level where it's not
[2:45:20] just about one group of people.
[2:45:23] These flags have been have been
[2:45:24] created to be about everybody
[2:45:28] to be about everyone in our
[2:45:28] city. And
[2:45:31] so that is that is why. I would
[2:45:32] like to
[2:45:33] have these used instead that
[2:45:36] certain times of the year at
[2:45:39] City facilities.
[2:45:41] But the
[2:45:44] city seal mean something and it
[2:45:46] means something to.
[2:45:49] The folks who have seen this it
[2:45:51] really just takes it a step
[2:45:53] further. It's a bolder step and
[2:45:54] that's what this moment calls
[2:45:57] for we're at a critical time
[2:46:01] right now.
[2:46:23] I understand that we want the
[2:46:26] other information and have
[2:46:29] committee
[2:46:29] meetings and bureaucracy and
[2:46:32] and focus groups and surveys.
[2:46:35] But the people I've been
[2:46:38] talking to ever since
[2:46:41] this melting started happening.
[2:46:41] >> They want something
[2:46:44] something right now. We're not
[2:46:47] giving them anything.
[2:46:48] So when I go to
[2:46:49] an administrator and say hey
[2:46:52] I've got this idea. This is
[2:46:52] what we can
[2:46:53] do it I saw it happen in MAY.
[2:46:57] I thought about it when Johnny
[2:47:00] the flags in JUNE.
[2:47:03] >> And it was like oh wow we
[2:47:03] there's a process so rather
[2:47:04] than having this get caught in
[2:47:06] the Bermuda Triangle of
[2:47:10] bureaucracy.
[2:47:12] I decided to
[2:47:13] putin idea together on my own
[2:47:14] and no one can tell me that no
[2:47:14] other council members that
[2:47:15] there and come up with
[2:47:17] something on their own before.
[2:47:23] It's not working in a silo is
[2:47:24] being an independent thinker
[2:47:26] and it's being a representative
[2:47:30] for our city.
[2:47:33] We can choose to be a city
[2:47:34] Council members is back and it
[2:47:35] gets fed things and makes
[2:47:38] decisions on them. But none of
[2:47:41] us does that.
[2:47:43] Some other city can do that
[2:47:46] we do things here. We come up
[2:47:50] with ideas.
[2:47:53] This is one.
[2:47:55] I couldn't take the chance on
[2:47:56] having it sent to come in I
[2:47:59] couldn't even take that chance,
[2:48:00] I'm putting it on
[2:48:01] the agenda originally. I
[2:48:03] purposely waited to get on ads
[2:48:07] and believes that they would
[2:48:07] only be out there for a week
[2:48:09] because guess what happened
[2:48:10] when I believe is councilmember
[2:48:13] Floyd a few years ago who
[2:48:15] brought a resolution forward.
[2:48:16] Lots of feedback from the
[2:48:18] community lots of support for
[2:48:19] it.
[2:48:22] Just before we had the meeting
[2:48:25] to vote on it. We received.
[2:48:29] I'm not so nice letter. From
[2:48:33] the state level.
[2:48:34] Losing funding if we passed
[2:48:37] that particular resolution that
[2:48:40] day.
[2:48:41] When that happens you don't
[2:48:44] forget it. When you work on
[2:48:45] something like this.
[2:48:47] You have that in mind you have
[2:48:50] to be very strategic about it.
[2:48:53] And so I do apologize that I
[2:48:55] was not able to give.
[2:48:56] A two-week notice to ask for
[2:48:59] something to be put on
[2:49:01] committee and put on a referral
[2:49:04] listen maybe one day. Get a
[2:49:05] discussion on it. I
[2:49:06] knew what I wanted to do.
[2:49:07] I put it together he's my own
[2:49:09] money to pay the artist to
[2:49:10] create these images for you all
[2:49:14] to look at and hopefully to
[2:49:16] support and approve.
[2:49:16] I have a feeling of the mayor
[2:49:19] came through that door right
[2:49:20] now. I think he
[2:49:23] might say that he likes these.
[2:49:33] I'm willing to take that
[2:49:36] chance.
[2:49:42] Whoever thought this would come
[2:49:45] from St. Right girl. You know.
[2:49:51] This is for me.
[2:49:54] Like a sense of pride that I
[2:49:58] get from this is from
[2:50:01] expressing myself as an ally.
[2:50:02] But even greater than
[2:50:03] that, I'm expressing myself as
[2:50:04] a resident, and the leader
[2:50:07] of St. Petersburg because
[2:50:10] that's what this is about.
[2:50:12] These slides are for everyone.
[2:50:12] That's why they have the names
[2:50:15] that they have it reflect who
[2:50:18] we are.
[2:50:22] The people told me that they've
[2:50:23] been one person in particular
[2:50:26] said the people have been so
[2:50:28] hungry for something and
[2:50:29] this answers to that. I know
[2:50:32] that it doesn't fix everything.
[2:50:35] Certainly not.
[2:50:39] But I have a feeling.
[2:50:40] That no matter what else we
[2:50:40] come up with no matter what
[2:50:42] else the administration comes
[2:50:43] up with in how we work
[2:50:44] together.
[2:50:47] These will fit in just fine.
[2:50:50] I'm pretty sure.
[2:50:53] I want I want these.
[2:50:56] A part of our city.
[2:51:05] And willing to answer any
[2:51:06] questions any one Hannah's.
[2:51:07] If you just tell me what it
[2:51:10] will take to get you into this
[2:51:13] car today. And I will move
[2:51:17] approval.
[2:51:19] Thank you chair.
[2:51:23] Just one of them raise a
[2:51:26] morsell make a statement.
[2:51:27] Based on.
[2:51:28] Comments have been made if we
[2:51:31] open Pandora's box on this o
[2:51:32] where does though
[2:51:35] where is the line drawn where
[2:51:38] do we
[2:51:39] stop requests for flags, I mean
[2:51:39] if.
[2:51:40] Christian group came to me and
[2:51:41] said hey we want to put the
[2:51:42] Christian flag on the same
[2:51:42] piece seal can we do that
[2:51:45] neo-nazis asked for that if
[2:51:47] Matt is one of
[2:51:48] the coming year and do that
[2:51:48] where do we draw the line.
[2:51:49] So again this is a great
[2:51:50] concept, but I just want to be
[2:51:53] clear that we could be opening
[2:51:56] Pandora's box.
[2:52:03] >> Thank you and I'm I'm in the
[2:52:06] same. Councilmember Jessica
[2:52:07] said wherever we whatever
[2:52:08] we come up with the flags will
[2:52:11] fitting so that's where I am
[2:52:11] let us find
[2:52:13] out where that is in that them
[2:52:14] feeding and what I don't want
[2:52:17] to happen is for this not to
[2:52:20] pay is. Today
[2:52:21] and then
[2:52:24] there's no further conversation
[2:52:26] because I do want to see
[2:52:27] additional conversation I do
[2:52:29] want to see us make this strong
[2:52:33] bold move but I do want to know
[2:52:33] that our constituents
[2:52:35] have to say, so I agree with
[2:52:36] chair go to sequester now make
[2:52:38] that motion if you need to read
[2:52:40] that now make it if that needs
[2:52:44] to happen, but. I just don't
[2:52:45] want to see it not.
[2:52:48] Thank you chair, thank you
[2:52:51] council members. Thank you
[2:52:55] and first
[2:52:58] if someone.
[2:53:01] Had some type of flag
[2:53:02] that they would. So there's a
[2:53:03] lot of what about They happens
[2:53:06] when you bring forward
[2:53:09] something like this.
[2:53:10] Any person.
[2:53:11] Could contact a City Council
[2:53:13] member of the same process.
[2:53:14] Any person kid ask a City
[2:53:17] Council member. Get them on
[2:53:21] board.
[2:53:22] And and propose and have the
[2:53:25] City Council member propose it
[2:53:28] that can happen.
[2:53:32] It doesn't stop me from
[2:53:33] putting for
[2:53:34] what I believe in what I would
[2:53:37] like to have. But there is no.
[2:53:45] There's no rule against someone
[2:53:45] asking the City Council member
[2:53:47] to sponsor a different kind of
[2:53:49] flag and having everyone vote
[2:53:53] on it. So it's all the same.
[2:53:55] No matter what.
[2:53:56] The flag looks like
[2:54:00] councilmember fig Sanders
[2:54:03] question about. Or
[2:54:05] request about
[2:54:09] waiting. The reason that I have
[2:54:12] as I mentioned before.
[2:54:15] 2 reasons number one every
[2:54:17] our that this is in public.
[2:54:20] When there is the opportunity.
[2:54:25] And you know even if we didn't
[2:54:29] pass I mean since this became
[2:54:32] public. It has been at risk.
[2:54:36] So that could it could
[2:54:38] something could happen any
[2:54:41] time. This is one where even if
[2:54:44] we only had it for.
[2:54:44] You know a week a year,
[2:54:47] whatever and telecom the bill
[2:54:50] gets filed again in Tallahassee
[2:54:53] we will have had it.
[2:54:56] But I think it was dunk
[2:54:57] councilmember fig Sanders who
[2:55:00] said not too long ago in a city
[2:55:02] Council meeting.
[2:55:04] I will not walk in fear.
[2:55:08] I would not live in fear is
[2:55:11] something like that and I.
[2:55:15] I think of of and the video
[2:55:16] that was made by James comey
[2:55:19] and when he was just recently
[2:55:22] indicted.
[2:55:24] Stood strong talked about how
[2:55:27] his family is going to say stay
[2:55:28] strong and he said we will not
[2:55:31] live at 9 on we will not live
[2:55:34] on our knees.
[2:55:37] And that really that really hit
[2:55:38] me and I thought
[2:55:41] about what councilmember fig
[2:55:45] Sanders has had said before.
[2:55:47] And so I wanted to.
[2:55:50] Continue with this and be
[2:55:52] strong.
[2:55:53] I can't control what the state
[2:55:56] does I can't you know control
[2:55:57] what
[2:55:57] happens what happens next with
[2:55:58] this someone can decide that
[2:55:59] I'll be removed from office
[2:56:02] tomorrow just for bringing this
[2:56:05] forward.
[2:56:05] I'm not afraid
[2:56:08] of this because I believe in
[2:56:11] it.
[2:56:14] i would love to talk about this
[2:56:18] in committee along with all of
[2:56:21] these other things.
[2:56:21] But it does mean that
[2:56:22] there's a chance that it too is
[2:56:25] going to be a race sooner than
[2:56:28] later.
[2:56:31] Damn shame.
[2:56:40] What's great to hear
[2:56:40] my colleagues in all it very
[2:56:43] thoughtful conversation.
[2:56:46] A lot of issues brought up.
[2:56:49] I do want to say in terms of
[2:56:52] having a committee meeting as
[2:56:54] was offered.
[2:56:54] A couple of weeks at all think
[2:56:55] changes anything because the
[2:56:56] reality is I mean spectrum.
[2:56:57] Bay news 9 contacted the
[2:57:00] governor's.
[2:57:04] Be quick.
[2:57:07] The had a quote one of the
[2:57:10] articles, it's not like.
[2:57:12] This is not already getting
[2:57:15] to the people who would b MAY
[2:57:18] be motivated to erase it.
[2:57:19] So.
[2:57:21] I understand those concerns.
[2:57:24] But at this point it's there.
[2:57:27] Already
[2:57:27] and.
[2:57:28] Having a committee meeting to
[2:57:28] have a thoughtful conversation
[2:57:31] about what the options are I
[2:57:32] think doesn't change that back.
[2:57:34] I thought that was a good
[2:57:38] compromise. That's all I one
[2:57:41] thing thank you.
[2:57:45] I mean it is a risk either way.
[2:57:46] And it sounds
[2:57:50] like the beak there are some
[2:57:53] wood mind. A greater
[2:57:56] level of comfort in
[2:57:57] having a couple of weeks too.
[2:57:58] We speak with the community as
[2:58:00] councilmember fig Sanders said
[2:58:02] and. Maybe
[2:58:05] give everyone more time to
[2:58:08] digest this.
[2:58:15] I think we can get to a good
[2:58:18] place on it.
[2:58:23] >> And so I will withdraw my
[2:58:26] motion. And I will move to have
[2:58:30] of this item
[2:58:31] referred to a committee of the
[2:58:33] whole.
[2:58:34] To take place on Oct. 23th,
[2:58:34] 2025 already spoken to Jamie so
[2:58:37] thankful here, thanks for
[2:58:38] thankful for your willingness
[2:58:39] to do that and it'll be on the
[2:58:41] agenda on 23th of already make
[2:58:44] sure second.
[2:58:48] >> Okay we have a motion and
[2:58:49] second councilmember Driscoll I
[2:58:51] just want to thank you one more
[2:58:51] time for your willingness to
[2:58:52] have the conversation this is
[2:58:53] exactly what I have I have made
[2:58:56] this comment multiple times.
[2:58:56] So thank you. And I want
[2:59:00] to thank my colleagues for
[2:59:03] their comments.
[2:59:04] We have g 3 refer to a cow
[2:59:05] seeing is no other council
[2:59:08] members wishing to speak clerk
[2:59:08] could you please over the
[2:59:09] machine for boating council
[2:59:09] members please enter your
[2:59:10] votes, seeing is all present
[2:59:11] council members a vote a clerk
[2:59:13] please talent announce the
[2:59:16] vote.
[2:59:17] >> In your view then like a
[2:59:20] soggy end. Please re-enter your
[2:59:23] votes councilmembers
[2:59:26] sitting in. He is a present
[2:59:30] council members a vote a clerk
[2:59:31] please timing out the vote.
[2:59:31] Sure the motion to approve
[2:59:32] agenda item g 3 passes 6, 2,
[2:59:33] One with councilmember Harding
[2:59:35] Bono and councilmember Gabbert
[2:59:35] being absent from school
[2:59:36] Sanders Floyd Curtis it gives
[2:59:39] you your hand was voting.
[2:59:42] Yes, okay, thank you.
[2:59:44] >> We'll go to open for a
[2:59:45] speakers on open for him do not
[2:59:47] have. Okay councilmembers
[2:59:50] announcements.
[2:59:53] If you're thinking about it by
[2:59:56] share. Now I will.
[3:00:03] >> Any any and the nonverbal.
[3:00:08] >> And that's something I mean
[3:00:08] a number I was real sensitive
[3:00:11] to nonverbal communication
[3:00:14] after our student and
[3:00:16] that is Sat. Afternoon.
[3:00:16] Now number of all communication
[3:00:17] for me thank you for or for
[3:00:19] what this point thank you very
[3:00:20] much. Well listen just quickly
[3:00:21] just wanted to thank all of you
[3:00:24] for the presentations and
[3:00:27] proclamations this morning or
[3:00:28] this afternoon and then again
[3:00:31] just wanted to. Just reiterate
[3:00:32] my thankfulness for my
[3:00:35] colleagues in the
[3:00:37] administration both for your
[3:00:37] willingness to make some
[3:00:41] compromise some good
[3:00:42] compromise. I think today and
[3:00:43] then personally councilmember
[3:00:44] fix Sanders go ahead. That was
[3:00:45] non-verbal councilmember in
[3:00:46] don't forget you have put your
[3:00:47] shirt on and take a picture and
[3:00:48] send the Southeast that we can
[3:00:51] share those okay we can do a
[3:00:54] self we can do selfie time.
[3:00:56] And then
[3:00:56] just quickly again just I just
[3:00:58] wanted to thank you for all the
[3:00:59] support with the girl this and
[3:01:01] going t family just one last
[3:01:02] time being today what it is so.
[3:01:03] >> If there's nothing else for