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Council adopts ordinance to designate St. Petersburg a bird sanctuary; final state approval required
Summary
The council adopted an ordinance to add a bird-sanctuary designation to city code; staff said the change requires approval from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) before the designation becomes effective.
The St. Petersburg City Council voted unanimously on May 28 to amend city code to designate the city as a bird sanctuary.
Clerk-read ordinance language (posted as ordinance 6-37-h) adds a new section to chapter 4 of the city code relating to animals and provides for severability and an effective date. City staff explained that the ordinance's effective date is dependent on approval by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC); staff will submit the completed application and supporting materials to FWC and expects to return to the council with a report after the commission acts.
"Thank you to everyone for supporting this item," Council member Gina Driscoll said, adding that the Audubon Society had been supportive and that she planned to share the news at a neighborhood meeting. Staff said the council's passage was required to demonstrate the city's commitment and signage plan as part of the FWC application.
Because final designation requires state-level approval, staff said the ordinance will not become effective until FWC grants the designation (anticipated at the commission's August meeting). The council approved the ordinance and asked staff to report back with any word from FWC.
