[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6275058,"mediaKeyId","2777080-ca38ee2e5167e3dcc9ad35a80869dafb","parentId",2777080,"title","Commission delays city clerk appointment, directs continued recruitment","audioSeconds",312,"startMs",7578000,"endMs",7890000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2777080-ca38ee2e5167e3dcc9ad35a80869dafb&start=7578&end=7890","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2777080-ca38ee2e5167e3dcc9ad35a80869dafb/thumbnail_7578000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6275058/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/Commission-delays-city-clerk-appointment-directs-continued-recruitment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275058-922e219c3449a8024efc5af7394744fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162062&Signature=MX-JG4NGm4vglUBohmarglY9JV9rCWqcnpSb1fGnTM70a2WOTNLKUlKS7CKGxqsZsOHL1fSE2dx9chcptKj3-cd9svFLnpXUq1o4qsNjEGkosfxUah33euw-rq1OzBNMLQwTmwX0bdpZFxEoXgjVbEfDB7TmWUKtTYmEdf0MJdmRqhZ6d0M5v0kgNoLVyzfO3obPZ8~dJL1EFAikGRr2TaU~obayfAvg59hzWvv0FsGqc5YZZsgf3iVndENwICaQ~f~dH2QyTIhiEWMVA6fzsMPMs24AZgsnStHamAMf9CmztCUmGgeCi1tXKTMAY8kRULB3iiG8RVh4M-GmUbvgtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of St. Pete Beach, FL","date","2025-03-26T16:24:29.767Z","article","The Saint Pete Beach City Commission on March 25 opted to continue its city clerk recruitment rather than appoint one of the three candidates presented, directing the city manager and human-resources staff to continue vetting applicants for at least two more weeks.

City Manager Brianna Robustelli summarized the search process and said the executive recruiter (Renee Norlock) remains under contract and has continued to collect and vet applications. Robustelli told the commission the recruiter’s fee had been reduced and remains a flat $15,000 until the position is filled; she said the city’s HR director is managing much of the scheduling and screening work.

Why it matters: The city clerk is a charter officer with broad responsibilities for public records, council proceedings and elections. Commissioners and staff emphasized that the role should be filled with a candidate who has the right technical skills and cultural fit for the organization.

Commissioners discussed the three finalists presented and several members said they preferred to take more time. Mayor Adrian Petrella, Commissioner Aaron Marriott and others said the clerk role is high-touch and merits additional vetting; one commissioner said they were ready to appoint Jessica Wilson that evening but the majority favored continuing the recruitment. Petrella and others directed staff to return the next two weeks with additional vetting and to present a pooled set of candidates back to the commission.

Robustelli said the recruiter’s fee will not increase while the search remains open; she said HR is assisting heavily with scheduling and that the reduced fee covers continued outreach.

Ending: The commission provided direction to continue recruiting and vetting; staff will return with additional candidate materials and interview scheduling at future meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Meeting - March 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners agreed to continue vetting candidates for the city clerk vacancy rather than appointing a finalist; the retained executive recruiter is charging a flat $15,000 fee while the search remains open.","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},6275064,"Commission adopts temporary staffing classification to retain seven permit technicians",1069,6217000,7286000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2777080-ca38ee2e5167e3dcc9ad35a80869dafb&start=6217&end=7286","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2777080-ca38ee2e5167e3dcc9ad35a80869dafb/thumbnail_6217000.jpg","/articles/6275064/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/Commission-adopts-temporary-staffing-classification-to-retain-seven-permit-technicians","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275064-5a57aa7ec9755be8e30ad34dcad793e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162062&Signature=kpX5dWM0ryKQz91w4xNWl94b6vSQVWaVRl~XyMgMTRxiWkO-KkHweJfP0QtmOKvipNucgqgTDVP8K7u4njfMZ1lyGOB1GV4Scq-l~cih-dXhqtwbxSDlY5LA7v~qWHYZDYEFP~Gi7tTeUgZKwqkQ7VDLrnBnmRetKZ~G4prGeGe~BcSN9BrH0BuwPLe18Yp3iswjMN8hT0150N5Cbc8M1Vroc-pFzxI4O1FsaxKQsKwM5Vvk7xu3pyfAUXqdGIZVQXrroE~yjI7v0fmFe2cqjqJhZNJz00mNZtVDl96b8j1kHVFtxnxqXGnUp4o8uf9O5uUI2jyrcG5IHn20TNialQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Saint Pete Beach City Commission on March 25 adopted Resolution 2025-08 to create a new personnel category—limited-duration temporary employee—to retain seven permit technicians who have been working under a federal disaster contract.

Jill Sasson, the city’s human-resources director, told the commission the federal emergency deployment that supplied the technicians is ending April 11 and staff wants to retain the trained employees to avoid interrupting permit-processing capacity. “We’re requesting a motion to authorize the city manager to engage in a limited duration temporary employment agreement in accordance with policy,” Sasson said.

Why it matters: Retaining trained permit technicians is intended to maintain permitting throughput during the recovery period and reduce processing delays that would otherwise slow repairs and rebuilds.

Key policy points presented by Sasson: the limited-duration classification would run no longer than 12 months; positions would be eligible for group medical, dental, vision, paid time off and retirement benefits; incumbents would still need to compete if the positions later are established as permanent in a budget; and existing temporary-personnel rules would apply. Sasson gave estimated financial implications of $264,652 for six months and $529,304 for a full year for seven technicians (including benefits).

Commission discussion touched on whether the technicians would remain on city pay if state funding extended and on whether the technicians would accept city employment. Sasson told the commission these technicians are currently paid $25.01 per hour by the federal contractor and that city permit technicians are generally paid higher hourly rates. She said the technicians had indicated willingness to join city staff and that the positions would remain at-will under city policy.

The resolution passed by roll call. The staff plan is to fund the limited-duration positions from building-reserve funds unless the state extends the federal program; Sasson said the recruiter and staffing costs for the clerk position (a separate item) are unchanged by this action.

Ending: The new personnel classification is effective immediately; staff will implement hiring under the temporary classification and report back on budget impacts and any state funding changes.","Council approved a personnel-rule change allowing up to 12-month limited-duration benefited positions to retain seven FEMA-provided permit technicians; estimated cost for six months was presented at $264,652.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6275068,"Commission approves Hurley Park playground with $37,500 Montessori contribution",805,5400000,6205000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2777080-ca38ee2e5167e3dcc9ad35a80869dafb&start=5400&end=6205","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2777080-ca38ee2e5167e3dcc9ad35a80869dafb/thumbnail_5400000.jpg","/articles/6275068/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/Commission-approves-Hurley-Park-playground-with-37500-Montessori-contribution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275068-969303e6e9290b9bd65c35ab834d4e9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162062&Signature=fZ7SdB9eFIxOPIUruC~jWmAElDx1SyFbAvm6fny2b5gyf5s3B45idEXtQzFLhKSYf8cmxNPuqvbjfe9uAp37iEJiKp0iN7cQfdtoo2Y-r8KUHZYfP-UfQuW5e97tRxzqRPQzSWpotfUT3qTWu4r1USMKJGwrL3ZnkDC9fDPwd6MQu62iWDI7vaAlHQgOxjplwfGbKiVe3nRzRcJS4bVHh3Q4-z2cJXMPT5ICO30S7VOUC-UdeaTxLdy2dhN5tmeoRBKgLKeW3xQn01XqaX1yHmxu13nuk-BGwuP~N4ml2wO2dNAqGMCSfW~Nbj-j00~Un94~ZpGrA5ULaFw6M9jhbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Saint Pete Beach City Commission adopted Resolution 2025-07 on March 25 to accept a $37,500 contribution from Montessori by the Sea (operated by Passagrille Community Church) toward purchase of playground equipment at Hurley Park and to authorize a service agreement with Project Innovations for construction.

Mandy Edmonds, acting recreation director, said the playground equipment and surfacing were budgeted through the FY25 capital improvement program with a $140,000 line item and that quoted playground equipment and surfacing cost $99,540.60. Edmonds said the Montessori contribution would reduce the city’s immediate draw on CIP funds; under the agreement the school’s contribution is $37,500 and the remaining playground funding from the CIP will be allocated at the commission’s discretion.

Why it matters: The item restores a long-delayed community playground near the pavilion and courts at Hurley Park; staff and proponents said it would serve local children and families and that the design meets playground safety standards.

Edmonds described the design and location—on the southwest corner between the pavilion and the basketball/pickleball court—and noted integrated shade at the platform. Public comment included support from Denise Chase, who said residents and Montessori families have pressed for the playground for nearly a decade, and Deborah Schechner, who thanked the Montessori contribution and urged the city to include swings.

Commission discussion included several commissioners who said they had done outreach to residents and were persuaded the playground should proceed. The resolution passed by roll call vote; Edmonds will proceed with the Project Innovations construction contract recommended in the staff report.

Ending: Staff will move forward with equipment procurement and construction scheduling; the remaining CIP funds for recreation projects will be allocated by future commission direction.","The commission adopted Resolution 2025-07 to accept $37,500 from Montessori by the Sea toward new playground equipment at Hurley Park and authorized a construction contract with Project Innovations.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6275072,"Commission approves $2.16 million service agreement for roof repairs; staff outlines capital projects",568,4857000,5425000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2777080-ca38ee2e5167e3dcc9ad35a80869dafb&start=4857&end=5425","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2777080-ca38ee2e5167e3dcc9ad35a80869dafb/thumbnail_4857000.jpg","/articles/6275072/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/Commission-approves-216-million-service-agreement-for-roof-repairs-staff-outlines-capital-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275072-92d4cb045e7982b873e6f722665fff64/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162062&Signature=SszToBYjkNhnWdq-6fGM7hcAz8NpRQlDbpOzuKD5N5Eb-2-f~4zT7iUAlhcJwRv7XsBF~xTVBo7ySTS3JnsD4E1cPyQkgq~cOI-bMa~MY0aBTc5Sb7QET-P4I9BVfFOdLieGLyfdSQBfuRI6KKg42bY0y1qpcw0a0SVwqn57o3MtTxmDfjTnZD~lAGDHPZw2D1TkbxFyaDSYlr~-nebMSu0B9hiE~PEDAY6MO11OBvOqrPAWz0BRG7OudFX7iKr9UomNFmgyK9NUzZwe1l9naytM-gCSxDz3ikB~HXk9X38CqNTswgIcFL6LnKjwhlLxYcUw4dsjBPGyscQSa31fXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Saint Pete Beach City Commission on March 25 approved a service agreement with Cotton Global Disaster Solutions for $2,155,702.81 to repair city facilities damaged in recent hurricanes and authorized the city manager to execute the agreement before the city’s emergency procurement authority lapse.

City Manager Brianna Robustelli read the request into the record, saying she asked the commission “to approve a service agreement with Cotton Global Disaster Solutions in the amount of $2,155,702.81 for various city facility repairs damaged by Hurricane Milton, and authorize the city manager to execute the service agreement.” Robustelli said staff has worked with Cotton Global on mitigation, damage assessment, FEMA site inspections, insurance coordination and construction scopes since October.

Why it matters: Restoring municipal buildings before the next hurricane season reduces further damage risk and re-establishes city service operations. Robustelli told the commission the repairs are insured and staff will pursue insurance reimbursements first, then FEMA for remaining costs.

The city manager said the contract covers roof repairs to multiple facilities and that the total presented in the contract is $2,155,702.81. She said the roofs will be replaced using stronger materials and that the public-services roof height will be raised over service bays consistent with a FY25 capital improvement design. The presentation noted remaining insurance and FEMA processes and staff’s intent to pursue reimbursements.

Commissioner questions focused on why metal roofing that resembles barrel tile was selected, whether lower-cost flat metal options had been estimated and how much the city would be required to advance pending insurance reimbursements. City staff said Cotton Global was already engaged for mitigation and assessment work and under the existing executive order for emergency procurement a competitive bid was not required at this time.

Commissioner discussion ended with a motion to approve the service agreement; the vote was recorded as unanimous by roll call. The commission’s approval came after staff emphasized the urgency of contracting before the executive-order expiration date to avoid delays ahead of the next hurricane season.

Staff also used the meeting to give a longer overview of capital and infrastructure projects. Camden Mills, public services director, described roofing cost estimates nearing finalization and additional work in design or procurement for Fire Station 22, Mary Pier Bait Shack and the Shuffleboard Club (both condemned and under historical-review processes), seawall replacements (30 Sixth Avenue), dune walkovers, Gulfway beach wall replacement, pool resurfacing at the community center, Eagan Park soil sampling for potential debris-management use, lawn/irrigation repairs, Lazarillo Park lighting replacement, alleyway reconstruction (Seventh & Eighth), Gulf Boulevard undergrounding (phase 1 construction underway and phase 2 in design), stormwater outfall improvements (Bella Vista and Don CeSar neighborhoods), lift-station rehabilitation and temporary control panel demobilization at wastewater facilities.

Mills said bids and contracting are underway or imminent for as-needed seawall repairs, concrete/brick/mortar replacement, asphalt patching and an on-call engineering consultant contract. He also flagged the Pump Station 1 rehabilitation as tied to a $2 million state job-growth grant and said the city will request reimbursement from the state in early April for owner-purchased equipment.

Ending: The commission approved the Cotton Global service agreement by roll call and directed staff to continue working through insurance and FEMA reimbursement steps while advancing planned CIP procurements.","The commission authorized a $2,155,702.81 service agreement with Cotton Global Disaster Solutions to repair roofs damaged by Hurricane Milton and staff presented planned infrastructure and marine projects across the city.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6275077,"Saint Pete Beach hears recovery update as permit processing, appeals and federal programs move forward",584,813000,1397000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2777080-ca38ee2e5167e3dcc9ad35a80869dafb&start=813&end=1397","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2777080-ca38ee2e5167e3dcc9ad35a80869dafb/thumbnail_813000.jpg","/articles/6275077/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/Saint-Pete-Beach-hears-recovery-update-as-permit-processing-appeals-and-federal-programs-move-forward","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275077-12aa18990d60bf9f5b536cf2b8887391/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162062&Signature=T2YMB1ag1km1BmEC5p5iiXQCa34SKy7oJnv~yeKcLYGV~3H9HGogdjv8-2X5kxBsPJXavbSAlBKR6r6d0Idks7EUzgi4nHCGzUWf6Q8A0lsU3pAO1iKB7pFd3cFKmxDbD0-91nu~988KOQncRgAehbYLhsDQrrFAtk~HU4msvdmVyQouuC5U34hS-WF8CsE1Qf5Uoa2Eh3Dm0eYV394ytoKERurxTau5K5F8~z9ndcyYYfGunXMJG8MJ41e2uT68000czolfoymfH3smrW5oVA8eszdk4XArJEhn8UPzA6B1zd~v0ZPrVSXLy44tRKQHSILfWgsZI~7YOAe5rxF~5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Saint Pete Beach City Commission on March 25 heard a detailed Hurricane Helene and Milton recovery update from Laura Canary, the city’s community development director, who outlined permit processing, damage determinations, appeals and available recovery programs.

Canary said the city currently has a permit-fee waiver in effect through April 22 and that the city will send courtesy letters to owners for whom it does not yet have a permit on file. “Beginning with the permit processing, just wanna remind everyone that currently in effect, we have a waiver until April 22 for permit fees,” Canary said.

Why it matters: The pace of permitting, damage determinations and appeals will determine how quickly residents can repair or rebuild, and county- and state-level recovery programs will shape which households and neighborhoods receive funds.

Canary gave the most recent counts: about 3,500 total permit applications have been submitted to date, with roughly 2,563 permits issued, 223 in active review and 213 in a preparatory state. The city reported a daily permit-review average of 32 (the goal is 60) and 68 permits fully closed so far. Inspection capacity was described as averaging about 79 inspections per day. Canary said the city is still awaiting one final batch of damage-assessment data that will allow additional letters to go out.

On substantial-damage (SD) determinations, Canary said 1,512 properties have been deemed non-substantially damaged and 816 substantially damaged; 581 determinations remain pending. The city has received 728 appeals of SD determinations; 86 appeals are in progress and 642 appeals have been approved to date, Canary said.

Canary also summarized historic-preservation activity tied to FEMA rules: as of March 10 the city had received 48 historic-designation applications (36 designated, nine pending, eight needing additional information and three withdrawn). For certificates of appropriateness for demolition the city reported 12 applications, 11 approvals and one pending; restoration project applications totaled three, with two approved and one withdrawn.

Officials and staff also discussed state and county recovery programs. Canary reminded residents about Elevate Florida, a state program taking applications for homeowner assistance; she said the city had been tracking applicants and encouraging residents to contact city staff so the city can add their status to the portal. Commissioner Aaron Marriott told the commission he had attended an Elevate Florida webinar and announced a deadline: “it’s due April 11 at 7 p.m. Eastern time,” he said.

Pinellas County’s community-development block grant (CDBG) disaster recovery funding was a separate topic raised by multiple commissioners. The commission and staff said county public meetings will inform how roughly $813 million in CDBG and related recovery funds are ultimately allocated. Canary encouraged residents to attend the county’s first meeting on April 7 and subsequent public and virtual sessions so local needs—such as infrastructure, resiliency projects or direct homeowner assistance—are voiced during planning.

What was not decided: Commissioners asked staff to continue outreach and to report back on whether the permit-fee waiver should be extended; the commission did not take a binding vote on a longer waiver during the March 25 meeting. Canary said staff will include fee-waiver spending and projections in the April 8 recovery update for commission consideration.

Community context: Canary advised owner-builder applicants must sign permit applications in person and reminded residents that inspectors—whether city employees or contract inspectors—will carry identification. She provided a city contact number for questions: (727) 367-2735.

Ending: Staff said it will continue to publish rolling recovery metrics at future commission meetings, and county- and state-level deadlines (notably Elevate Florida’s) may shift homeowners’ repair decisions in the coming weeks.","City staff reported thousands of hurricane-related permit applications, ongoing substantial-damage determinations and an active appeals queue; officials urged residents to track Elevate Florida and county CDBG planning meetings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission delays city clerk appointment, directs continued recruitment

Commission adopts temporary staffing classification to retain seven permit technicians

Commission approves Hurley Park playground with $37,500 Montessori contribution

Commission approves $2.16 million service agreement for roof repairs; staff outlines capital projects

Saint Pete Beach hears recovery update as permit processing, appeals and federal programs move forward