Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in St. Petersburg public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
10 issues in roads
76th Avenue North sidewalk and traffic safety
A St. Pete College student presented a feasibility study for a crosswalk near 60th Street N, where fast traffic and few crossings endanger pedestrians; council encouraged pursuing funding.
3rd and 4th Streets Two-Way Conversion
A roadmap agreement unlocks over $20 million in FDOT money to convert downtown 3rd and 4th Streets back to two-way traffic — safer for pedestrians, but construction and detours are coming in a few years.
31st Street South complete streets and Lakewood Trail Connector
Residents pushed the city to finish the long-delayed 31st Street South safety study and fix the dark, trash-strewn trail connector kids use to get to school. Staff said the study wraps soon and $40K in cameras is coming.
Autonomous Vehicle Regulation
Givens got the city's first formal look at how to regulate self-driving cars — safety standards, road compatibility and how police handle them — sent to committee.
Complete Streets and Pedestrian Safety Funding
Council formally asked the administration to move forward with Comprehensive Plan changes related to speed management — a step toward slower, safer streets citywide.
E-Bike and E-Mobility Safety
Council members pressed the police chief on dangerous e-bike riding around schools and the Pinellas Trail; the department is doing monthly school enforcement and education, and helmet requirements may need state legislation.
Tampa Bay Ferry relaunch
A Comprehensive Plan amendment would lift marina-development restrictions in the North Vinoy Yacht Basin so the Tampa Bay Ferry can keep a permanent dock slip there.
Forward Pinellas Update and MPO Merger
Forward Pinellas outlined a proposed merger of the region's three MPOs by mid-2028, streamlining land-use reviews, and new grant cycles. Council members pressed on pedestrian safety after a fatal weekend crash and e-bike dangers.
Neighborhood Crossings – FY23
A $425,958 contract with Central Florida Contractors, Inc. for the Neighborhood Crossings FY23 project — building safer street crossings in neighborhoods, often near schools and parks.
Medical transport for disabled and homebound residents
A home health worker asked the city to expand PSTA medical transport vans, saying disabled patients can't get same-day rides to doctor appointments and face $125 one-way private transport costs.