[{"_1":2,"_97":-5,"_98":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6366867,"mediaKeyId","2159296-bb2473492114fef815ad1d6339eca73e","parentId",2159296,"title","St. Pete Beach commission advances unified beach rules, new citation process and a revised noise standard after hours-long debate","audioSeconds",974,"startMs",974000,"endMs",-1,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159296-bb2473492114fef815ad1d6339eca73e&start=974&end=0","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159296-bb2473492114fef815ad1d6339eca73e/thumbnail_974000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6366867/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/St-Pete-Beach-commission-advances-unified-beach-rules-new-citation-process-and-a-revised-noise-standard-after-hours-long-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6366867-a635a1b62559da2f2563f61fd09a958c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153529&Signature=GJYBAKgxbua3j9v63xs8BncwrnPNoKV-OWysW4VrO8FUJ9hLEbJuzYYDnSer-Bii7dI2npeePFMZ5rbOHLd2YPbZKgdKzl3nv4ECs2o9xLr8jW5sIvjJtRHx~s~e4smFFF6BYyQA8QRpIddWtZIA8q~YOlvs-VBWgepusrCuyrGMuAAskPRwtWh0f6a3QwFnIUuatzQ~R5SmjV5CmfjgV-jUDPYj6MejP1rilf5PlM0CZkcxXo2ms1SNaFax3GTlE9LPhNwF5D6rJfB6tHH5SG1e2ECmeqm~oV1NzfNoQTgyAmCirukygk1pK6SR8B0qgUgTMVrbXW7MgO5B~QYKCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of St. Pete Beach, FL","date","2025-01-29T06:27:33Z","article","The St. Pete Beach City Commission voted on first reading Tuesday to consolidate beach rules, establish a code-enforcement citation process and adopt a revised noise standard after hours of public comment and debate.

The consolidated beach ordinance, which moves multiple existing rules into a single chapter and adds new requirements on commercial cabana and alcohol-service areas, passed on first reading 4-1 after commissioners discussed setbacks, nightly removal of temporary beach equipment and permit fees. Mayor Petrella said the rewrite is intended to “protect the city’s beaches” and to make enforcement clearer for staff and the public.

A separate ordinance creating a new code-enforcement citation procedure also won first-reading approval. That measure lets code officers issue a civil citation after a warning (with limited exceptions for immediate threats), rather than proceeding in every case to a notice-of-violation and special magistrate hearing. City Attorney staff suggested changing one phrase from “shall” to “may” to preserve officer discretion; the commission approved that change as part of first reading.

Commissioners debated a third ordinance, a new noise rule that replaces part of the city’s existing decibel-based enforcement with an objective “plainly audible” test. The noise ordinance as adopted on first reading includes an amendment setting clear distances for enforcement: a plainly audible disturbance measured at defined receiving points (the revised first-reading motion set a 200-foot standard for overnight hours and a 500-foot distance in the adopted amendment; the commission recorded a 3–2 vote on the ordinance). Supporters said the change gives sheriff deputies and code officers a practical tool for addressing chronic, quality-of-life noise complaints; opponents urged caution and asked for time to craft hour-and-zone limits and exemptions so routine daytime activities — markets, athletic fields, permitted events — are not inadvertently penalized.

Public commenters included hospitality operators and residents. Hotel managers warned the commission that nightly removal of chairs and stricter setback requirements would impose heavy operational costs while residents and beach stewards urged stronger enforcement of longstanding rules. Deborah Schechner, a frequent commenter, told commissioners the Florida Supreme Court has upheld plainly audible standards and urged the city to adopt enforceable rules now. Hotel operators including Travis Johnson (Tradewinds) and Tim Cannon (Don CeSar) said the city should refine details and assess business impacts before final approval.

Votes at a glance
- Ordinance 2025-04 (code-enforcement citation procedure): First reading adopted; vote recorded as unanimous on first reading (roll call recorded as “Yes” across commissioners). Outcome: first reading approved. (Discussion: new citation fines; “may” substituted for “shall” to preserve officer discretion.)
- Ordinance 2025-02 (consolidated beach ordinance, including cabana/alcohol-service rules): First reading adopted 4–1. Outcome: first reading approved; staff to return for second reading and a fee resolution tied to permits.
- Ordinance 2025-05 (noise / plainly audible standard): First reading adopted with amendment (commission approved an amendment specifying measurement distances); vote 3–2. Outcome: first reading approved with distance amendment; staff to draft final language and exemptions for second reading.
- Fee resolution (proposed; not yet adopted): staff to prepare a resolution to set permit fees for beach-related permits and bring it with the second reading of the beach ordinance.

What changes next
Staff must return with second-reading versions that incorporate the commission’s directions on setbacks, nightly removal and permit fees for the beach ordinance; the city attorney will also refine the citation and noise drafts to add the exemptions and procedural details commissioners requested. The commission asked staff to ensure the fee resolution is published in time for second-reading notice.

Ending
Commissioners said they planned to continue the conversation at follow-up workshops and to give affected businesses and stakeholders — including hoteliers and the Beach Stewardship Committee — an opportunity to comment on the second-reading drafts. The second readings, fee schedule and any accompanying resolutions will appear on a later agenda for final votes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Meeting - January 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The St. Pete Beach City Commission voted on first reading Tuesday to consolidate beach rules, establish a code-enforcement citation process and adopt a revised noise standard after hours of public comment and debate.","taxTitle","St. Pete Beach, Pinellas County, Florida","taxId",48406,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6366857,"Commission renews Kimley‑Horn contracts for a year despite criticism; staff ordered to pursue RFP and exit strategy",577,4519000,5096000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159296-bb2473492114fef815ad1d6339eca73e&start=4519&end=5096","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159296-bb2473492114fef815ad1d6339eca73e/thumbnail_4519000.jpg","/articles/6366857/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/Commission-renews-KimleyHorn-contracts-for-a-year-despite-criticism-staff-ordered-to-pursue-RFP-and-exit-strategy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6366857-176ecc0d8bbea6640e33497654d14567/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153529&Signature=GpQ-pEU1H97uozWZsdJHmchuEcIqtpOxFLDZIvN1~pLsLx05~WmDLkPWBAtNKOJ5TArhzBSyMGyViXf8BUGtvd2lKu5rWg~eH97k2O1nLUlW9lF3-RTe5epre9PVYDmX90jDbVTsPZq5JzUcnJk5QvO2vEM482qrv6qy3Eq7WGllJD8piOkRzYzzEev7nrIyxoMMwGG6YAOURhj95Zo-pUzLEHFebj6mHYA43WHJGK1FZfS77oB8z8q~KedCYGZBftbs5xyhvwohGffUEHoLLN4KOKQcd8q8bAIm~PXZoUlljonMZSnpdX7RE3WWBo0ZJ7p2EOVixBy1Iim5DTjOcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Pete Beach City Commission on Tuesday approved a task order and an amended one‑year renewal of Kimley‑Horn’s continuing professional services contract, each by 4–1 votes, while several commissioners and members of the public criticized the firm’s prior work and urged a plan to move away from reliance on a single consultant.

Commissioner Resznicki led the criticism, pointing to years of Kimley‑Horn involvement on sewer system planning and to recent storm-related failures that have exposed system vulnerabilities. He asked staff for an explicit “exit strategy” and for procurement action to reduce the city’s dependence on a single firm.

“There is a way for us to remove ourselves from this relationship,” Resznicki said during debate, adding that the city has spent “millions of dollars” with the consultant and that staff must present a plan to unshackle the city from a sole historic vendor.

Staff said the immediate renewals were necessary to keep projects on schedule — one vote approved a task order for bid support services on the Gulf Boulevard Phase 2 utility undergrounding project, and the second extended Kimley‑Horn’s continuing contract for another year to preserve continuity during procurement. Several commissioners said they supported a short renewal only as a pragmatic step while staff issues an RFP and identifies replacement vendors.

City Manager and Public Works staff were directed to prepare a procurement timeline and an “exit strategy” to transfer data and services to new contractors. Council members asked for a report on amounts paid to the firm and for a plan to export and validate historical data so another vendor can be engaged.

Ending
The task order and contract renewal passed 4–1. Staff will issue an RFP and return with a timeline and plan for reducing reliance on any single consultant; commissioners said they expect staff to brief the council on the exit strategy and procurement steps by the next meeting or in a special report.","The commission approved a task order and a one‑year renewal for Kimley‑Horn (4–1 votes) after a commissioner said the firm had conflicts and produced flawed recommendations for the city’s sewer system. Commissioners demanded an exit plan and a competitive procurement process to replace the firm over the coming year.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":44,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":50,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6366862,"City details permitting progress, volunteer intake and state grants as recovery work continues",839,1813000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159296-bb2473492114fef815ad1d6339eca73e&start=974&end=1813","/articles/6366862/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/City-details-permitting-progress-volunteer-intake-and-state-grants-as-recovery-work-continues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6366862-18c7d615f42742f37c7835f4f9ad60ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153529&Signature=OxibqWPT~-veyP4Pfo6XW5py5rPWLMiSgE59BpzA1womDcHNM0kVnuBfq7WVOPBUPNVH6CKdPOK4jqVstYMCbxCJ-pUXRHZI1l1MSWwma62C6Hr1-yhQkWj6T5w5mubUYoYSZDMLhOtXu1XDua6BnO3brgxhjOpqrtV0qEj1N6tAL-332scHFQ~T3K-cH5WV-a7dR5y76jtwA29QacvRc5ywkk~l195dusg3XuavO0OIVoaDmSxv3hVSali14K73pF-zwSWbbRmORklU17v5WcIWw2HhxFEh1m2DDPEq120iSgy~4YL1GwSsQ32NqzIuajVzjmMTjQgHVT9zZKn6gQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the commission Tuesday that permitting and long-term recovery work from Hurricanes Helene and Milton are progressing but remain a large operational task.

“Right now we have currently issued 1,636 permits out of 2,544 received,” said Denise Sanderson, interim director of community development. “We’re averaging about 42 permits a day,” she added, describing a rising daily throughput as plan-review work continues.

Sanderson told the commission the city has issued nearly 2,000 substantial-damage/substantial-improvement (SISD) determinations and is still awaiting portions of Title Basin data. She said the city is now encouraging applicants to close out permits before pulling new work to avoid cumulative substantial-improvement calculations tied to FEMA rules.

Staff described steps to speed owner-builder submittals: a volunteer program has registered 36 volunteers to help people assemble SISD packages and permit materials; 19 volunteers have completed initial training and are working in four-hour shifts to assist intake and document submission. Sanderson said mission-request personnel and state-contracted technicians are expected to augment local staff in February.

Sanderson also reported that the Florida Division of Emergency Management indicated there may be a pre-award on two state-managed programs: roughly $300 million in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds and about $100 million for a Flood Mitigation Swift Current program. She said the HMGP model will resemble prior state efforts where contractors perform inspections and construction under state supervision; there will be caps for demo/rebuild projects and potential no cap for some elevation work. “I anticipate that this model will be quite similar” to past state-managed programs, Sanderson said.

Commissioners pressed staff about timing and the risk of open permits leading into next hurricane season. Commissioner Robinson warned that residents with open permits could have those permit values counted against a later storm’s 50% substantial-improvement threshold if work is not closed out. Sanderson said staff will document and is prepared to extend deadlines where warranted and to offer in-home visits for elderly and vulnerable residents, using mission personnel and volunteers.

Other operational notes from the report:
- Title Basin data: the city has received about two-thirds of required damage assessments; 917 SISD determinations remain pending from Title Basin downloads.
- Staffing: the city has added building inspectors and expects another inspector soon; the plan-exam backlog and mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) inspector shortages were highlighted as continuing constraints.
- Volunteer program scope: volunteers assist primarily with SISD forms, document scanning and helping owner-builders assemble sufficient submittal packages to speed reviews.
- Beach debris: public services identified three locations where sand with debris was moved onto the beach; staff said DEP has been notified and Camden (public services) is coordinating.

Ending
Commissioners asked staff to return with more detail on phasing options for permits and the programmatic approach to extensions and documentation for residents who cannot complete permit close-out due to supply or contractor delays. Staff said it will provide those follow-ups at the next meeting.","Community Development staff reported increases in permit processing, rollout of a volunteer intake program to help owner-builders, and a possible state-managed Hazard Mitigation Grant Program award; commissioners pressed staff on phasing and open permits ahead of the hurricane season.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

St. Pete Beach commission advances unified beach rules, new citation process and a revised noise standard after hours-long debate

Commission renews Kimley‑Horn contracts for a year despite criticism; staff ordered to pursue RFP and exit strategy

City details permitting progress, volunteer intake and state grants as recovery work continues