sunshineY O U R

C I T Y

2014 End Of Year Report

Mayor Rick Kriseman & Deputy Mayor Dr. Kanika Tomalin

Action CenterCalls Answered

Parking Citations Forgiven Through

the Expired Amnesty Program

Albert Whitted Airport Operations

55,000

5,738

98,000

END OF YEAR REPORT - 2014It has been an extraordinary year working for and with the people of the Sunshine City. We are well on our way to realizing our vision of St. Petersburg standing as a city of opportunity where the sun shines on all who come to live, work and play. Ours is a clear vision that guides our priorities, plans and actions; and charts the course for continued progress. We have worked with a progressive City Council to align our budget in a way that reflects our goals. We have ushered our great city forward with policy changes that signal our commitment to values-driven service. And, we have laid the groundwork for such important advancements to continue.

With all that has been accomplished, we know there is much more to be done. Most importantly, we know we will only truly accomplish all that’s possible if we work with the great people who comprise our great city. Thanks for all you have done and will continue to do to ensure that sun shines here! In Shared Service,

Casualty Fire Year (A first since 2006)

Zero

St. Petersburg Police

Park, Walk and Talks

3,234

After years of a stalemate over the future of Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Mayor Rick Kriseman began a dialogue with the

team, leading to a proposed end to the stalemate over the future of the team.

Mayor’s Small Business Tour

Stops

City Employee School Mentors

Trained

80

115

IN 2014 The City of St. Petersburg strategically altered its course to reflect the progressive trajectory of its people. The first step in that shift was the introduction of a single vision: St. Petersburg will be a city of opportunity, where the sun shines on all who come to live, work and play. We will be an innovative, creative and competitive community that honors our past, while we pursue our future.

We are progressing toward that vision along four strategic pathways: Stewardship and Fiscal Responsibility; Innovation; Impactful Service and Community Engagement. We are proud to report that every day, our team of 2,700 committed servant leaders made strides along each of these pathways.

In 2014 St. Petersburg partnered, led, grew, cared, partnered and inovated our way forward. Here are some highlights:

OUR CITY LED… ò Completed the fiscal year “back in black,” ending with an estimated

operating surplus in the General Fund of $1.2 million, contributing to the City’s long-term financial stability.

ò $1 million was transferred to our City reserves for the first time in seven years.

ò We secured 41 grants totaling $16.9 million in funding.

ò A new parental leave policy that applies to mothers and fathers now allows new parents to take the time they need to bond with their children and focus on what matters most - family. We hope employers across the city follow all of these examples and increase opportunity in all the ways they are able.

ò The City also “Banned the Box” from its employment application, which means felons will no longer have to declare their criminal history to apply for a job. Declaration of criminal background is only required for positions with relevant responsibility. This means more people in our community can consider working for the city as they work to rebuild their lives.

Small Buisiness Owners Served by The Greenhouse

2,368

ò The City embarked on building a new master plan for the downtown waterfront. With the help of our residents, we are building a feasible plan that will act as a guide and inspiration for future development along our city’s gem.

ò The Mayor’s Office Department of Urban Affairs opened satellite offices at Enoch Davis Center and Child’s Park YMCA to reach more residents in a wider range of neighborhoods.

ò A Municipality Equality Index (MEI) perfect score of 100 reflects our values of inclusivity, equality and justice. Our score, the highest in Tampa Bay, is a result of the Administration adding and revising several policies to align with the Mayor’s commitment to creating a City of Opportunity; as well as naming LGBT liaisons for city hall and the St. Petersburg Police department.

OUR CITY GREW… ò $11 million in Small Business Enterprise contracts were awarded. 106

small businesses expanded their book of business to include the City, with contracts awarded in construction services, goods and services, professional services, and supplies.

ò St. Petersburg’s unemployment rate dropped from 6.9% in September 2013 to 5.7% in September 2014.

ò Approximately 1,200 residential units were completed or under construction in the downtown area, creating a more livable and accessible thriving downtown location.

ò Existing businesses continued investing and growing in St. Petersburg, including Lumastream in the Dome Industrial District, four new local micro-breweries and ASI’s second corporate headquarters.

ò Corporations like Valpak, IQOR; Saloncentric, EnterpriseHR, TRIAD Retail Media and All Covered IT Management relocated offices to St. Petersburg, contributing more than 750 new jobs in the city.

ò Design and construction began on the Walter Fuller Connector Trail, connecting the Pinellas Trail to Walter Fuller Park.

ò The City partnered with USF St. Petersburg to add a new Pinellas Trail segment through the downtown campus.

St. Petersburg’s Unemployment

Rate Lowered to

New Residential Downtown Living

Units

New Jobs from Relocated Business

Capital Improvement

Projects Completed

Building Permits Approved

5.7%

1,200

750

180

23,754

ò The Mayor made strides to increase our city’s national and international footprint. Kriseman also rejoined the Tampa Bay Partnership, participated in the Tourism Development Commission meetings, and served on the TBARTA board. He attended a trade mission in Chile to spread the word about partnership opportunities in St. Petersburg. He also attended national conferences such as Mayor’s Institute on City Design in Charlestown and CityLab2014 in Los Angeles.

OUR CITY CARED… ò The Parks and Rec Advantage Card Program removed fees for

resident and nonresidents previously required to participate in program. This enables and empowers increased access for all, regardless of ability to pay. The program engages more children in urban neighborhoods in youth sports, education activities, and core value activities.

ò We launched the Power of Change parking meter donation stations, designed to repurpose parking meters as a means to raise awareness about homelessness. The meters give people the option of donating their spare change to programs that help the homeless, instead of giving money to panhandlers. The program has raised $363.57 in its first month of implementation, enough to cover the cost of a family’s shelter for one week.

ò The City’s minimum wage was raised to $12.50 for all members of our team, now reflecting our Administration’s commitment to every member of our team earning a living wage that provides for his or her family. This minimum wage is $2.40 more than the national minimum wage recommendation.

ò The Day Services Program at St. Vincent De Paul, made possible thanks to the City’s increased investment of $120,000, now provides extended services to 11 a.m. and guests are encouraged to stay until the night shelter re-opens at 9 p.m. 24/7 services for the Vincentian Care Center we implemented through this increased investment as well.

ò Our Mayor pledged to lead by example and improve the culture of our community by signing the Mayors for the Freedom to Marry Pledge, the Mayors Maker’s Pledge; and joining the bipartisan coalition Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

Power of Change parking meter donation stations, designed to repurpose parking

meters as a means to raise awareness about homelessness.

Donation Station Collections in

the first month of operation

$363

Value of New Constructions

$391m

City’s Newly Increased

Minimum Wage

$12.50

OUR CITY PARTNERED… ò A new multi-year management agreement for Al Lang Stadium includes a

$1.5 million private sector commitment for capital improvements, expanding the possibilities for St. Petersburg’s downtown as a sports destination.

ò The City and the USF School of Architecture and Community Design are partnering to bring the University’s Urban Design Research Fellows Program to St. Petersburg. This “Urban Lab” program will assist with research, visioning, community engagement and advocacy regarding the critical development, growth and sustainability issues faced by the community. The City is providing a location at Mirror Lake Complex for the Urban Lab, along with funding for two masters students of up to $18,000 per year, per student.

ò Measuring the pros and cons of the use of red light cameras, the Mayor suspended use of the unpopular cameras without a negative impact on budget.

ò Responding to requests of the community, the Mayor tightened the high-speed pursuit policy to mitigate danger to citizens throughout our neighborhoods while still providing tools to police officers to combat crime.

ò As Florida’s First Green City, Mayor has instituted curbside recycling, beginning in the summer of 2015.

ò The Mayor’s Service Learning Challenge for St. Petersburg-area public schools is underway. Through this program, three schools (Lealman, 74th Street Elementary School and Gibbs High School) received start-up funding from the Pinellas Education Foundation for student-led service learning projects. In addition, through a partnership with Eckerd College, a pilot service learning project at St. Petersburg High School is planned to launch during the second semester of the 2014 academic year.

ò Mayor Kriseman has refocused Mayor’s Mentors and More, the City’s partnership with the Pinellas Education Foundation and Pinellas County Schools. St. Pete’s Promise is connecting the business community with schools to increase our community’s investment of human capital and other resources in our children.

ò The City and Fire Department successfully negotiated a new First Responder Agreement that brought the threat of funding cuts and service reduction to an end. This agreement will ensure adequate funding for the City’s EMS service for the next five years, guaranteeing the high level of EMS service delivery our residents have grown to expect.

ò The City partnered with the Chamber of Commerce to create the Greenhouse, a small business incubator. The Greenhouse hosted an Entrepreneurial Academy designed to educate and support local entrepreneurs looking to get started in St. Pete. We had 46 graduates in its first year of operation.

Greenhouse Entrepreneurial

Academy Graduates

46

Mayor Kriseman took o�ce following a referendum that put a stop to the redevelopment of the Pier. In one of his �rst acts in o�ce, he reopened the gates to The Pier for pedestrians and �shing, and brought stakeholders from all sides of the Pier issue together to forge a new process to replace the Pier. An international design competition has resulted in eight new Pier concepts being submitted. A non-binding public survey is being conducted in late Feb - early March to arm the Pier Selection Committee, City Council and the Mayor with a public consensus as the city proceeds toward construction of a new pier.

In Housing Assistance for Those in Need

$1.3m

ò The City helped launch the Deuces Live Market with in-kind contributions. This new South St. Petersburg fresh market provides retail vendor opportunity for business owners and fresh food options in one of our city’s largest food deserts.

ò The Neighborhood Affairs Administration also secured Neighborhood Grant money from Duke Energy and created the Mayor’s Mini Grant Program to fund projects or events that build or expand neighborhood involvement. $30,000 is available for a maximum of $500 per calendar year.

ò Funding for the Neighborhood Partnership Grants was also reinvigorated. This matching grant program allows neighborhood organizations to apply for up to $25,000 to fund specific improvement projects.

OUR CITY INNOVATED… ò Police department launched the Citizen Observer’s Tip 411 mobile

application, as well as the official St. Pete Police app. Both have been downloaded more than 1,000 times. In addition to giving users a way to share tips, the apps include multiple links, unsolved crime information and press releases.

ò The City put the power to make our city better in the hands of its people with See.Click.Fix., a mobile application that allows citizens to report non-emergency neighborhood issues. The issues are communicated to our Mayor’s Action Center team, who quickly facilitate issue reports to the proper departments for resolution.

ò The City launched the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Plan, a multifaceted revitalization effort embracing both traditional “placed-based” economic development strategies as well as “people based” strategies seeking to improve the education, workforce readiness and workforce training opportunities for the residents of South St. Petersburg.

ò The City held the inaugural Veteran’s Day Celebration at the Veterans Memorial in Williams Park. Former Councilmember and decorated veteran Herb Polson was named the first City of St. Petersburg Honored Veteran.

ò Our Public Works Department completed the traffic signal synchronization and 3G wireless communication system replacement project; saving St. Pete citizens collectively an estimaged $19 million on gas a year, and the city $80,000 a year.

ò In November, the city hosted the Blue Ocean Film Festival, a prestigious international film festival and eco-conference. The Mayor hosted a sea level rise symposium to discuss enviormental threats to our city.

ò The Mayor named a Director of Sustainability and Green Initiatives and addressed the St. Petersburg Sustainability Council regarding future steps for St. Pete.

The City put the power to make our city better in the hands of its people with

See.Click.Fix., a mobile application that allows citizens to report non-emergency

neighborhood issues.

Download the app in your appstore,

or visit stpete.org/mobile

In Funding for Non-profit Partners

capital projects

$1.4m

In ways large and small, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman steered the city in a positive direction in his first year in office. Several festering issues such as red-light cameras and curbside recycling have been resolved. Progressive new initia-tives have been launched inside and outside City Hall, and better relationships have been cultivat-ed from the state capital to the county courthouse. Kriseman has established a solid foundation for an administration that blends attention to detail with long-term vision, but the trajectory of his first term could be decided this year by how the baseball stadium stalemate and plans for a new pier play out.

Kriseman brought fresh energy and enthusiasm to the mayor's office. He negotiated a resolution

to a long-running dispute with the county over EMS funding. He followed through on campaign promises to tighten St. Peters-burg's policy on high-speed police chases and establish universal curbside recycling, which should be in place this year. He endorsed getting rid of red-light cameras he supported as a candidate after revenue from the cameras did not cover their cost, and he expects to soon announce plans to build a much-needed police headquar-ters in one construction phase. All of these are long-simmering issues that had St. Petersburg stuck in neutral rather than moving confidently forward.

The new mayor also brought to city government fresh thinking, creating a younger and more racially diverse leadership team

that cost more money but has delivered impressive results. He hired the city's first female Afri-can-American deputy mayor, Kanika Tomalin, and empowered her to make decisions. He promoted a new parks and recre-ation director, and a new city development administrator arrives this month. Most signifi-cantly, Kriseman boldly rejected four finalists for police chief when they failed to impress and instead recruited Clearwater police Chief Tony Holloway, who is winning praise from all corners of the city.

Kriseman's proactive approach is evident inside and outside City Hall.

Editorial: St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman has successful �rst year

www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-st-petersburg-mayor-rick-kriseman-has-successful-first-year