07.15.2020 SPFR Drive-through Mask Distribution Events St. Petersburg Fire Rescue will be hosting multiple drive-through events to distribute reusable cloth face masks to the public. These masks were provided to the City of St. Petersburg's Office of Emergency Management by the Department of Health and Human Services.



During each event, citizens will remain in their vehicles and will drive through the parking lot to receive face masks. Walk-up distribution will be also be available. For safety purposes, all attending are encouraged to wear a face covering.



A pack of (5) reusable masks will be distributed to each adult and child over the age of 2 years per household, with a maximum of (8) packs per vehicle. Masks will be distributed on a first come first served basis while supplies last. We hope that these masks will help keep members of our communities healthy and safe.



Pick-up masks at one of the following drive-through events:

• Friday, July 17, at Lake Vista Recreation Center, 1401 62nd Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33705. Hours of operation will be from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM, or while supplies last.

• Monday, July 20, at Willis S. Johns Recreation Center, 6635 Dr. MLK Jr. Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33702. Hours of operation will be from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, or while supplies last.

• Wednesday, July 22, at Northwest Pool, 2331 60th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33710. Hours of operation will be from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM, or while supplies last.

• Wednesday, July 29, at Sunset Park, Park St. & Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL 33710. Hours of operation will be from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM, or while supplies last.

07.13.2020 Reinstatement of Non-Payment Fees and Shutoff Policies The suspension of non-payment fees and shutoffs for City of St. Petersburg utility customers that was enacted in March 2020 in response to COVID-19 will be ending. The City will resume the normal policies for termination of utility services due to non-payment and subsequent late fees and termination notice fees, as utilities across the country have done. Beginning July 20, 2020, the City will resume assessing late fees. Termination notice fees will follow on July 24, 2020. Termination of service for non-payment will resume on August 3, 2020.

Find more information at stpete.org/billing.

06.17.2020 Businesses Must Develop COVID-19 Plans & Employees Must Wear Masks Beginning Friday, June 19 at 5:00 P.M., all businesses in St. Pete must develop and update a written plan for COVID-19 mitigation and contingency planning, including aspects that apply to patrons. Employees must receive training on and comply with the plan. The plan must be made available to employees, patrons and the public.



The plan must follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)



Businesses are required to have their employees wear masks/face coverings when in areas of the business open to the public.



Please report violations to the St. Petersburg Police Department's non-emergency phone number: 727-893-7780.

5-29-20 Playgrounds and Fitness Zones COVID-19 has taken an unprecedented toll on the community and is an ongoing public health situation. Information regarding COVID-19 is ever-evolving. As the City of St. Petersburg prepares to Restart St. Pete, the Leisure Services Administration will be updating the community on Golf Courses, Libraries, and Parks & Recreation.



City playgrounds and fitness zones will begin to open Monday, June 1, to the public. In accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, we strongly encourage individuals using these amenities to please sanitize your hands before and after use and to sanitize fitness equipment after use, as well as maintain a safe physical distance from others. We also encourage individuals using the playgrounds to wear face coverings.



Playgrounds will be open to the public throughout the day. Playgrounds adjoining recreation centers are open to summer camp participants only during daytime hours.



For more information, please contact the St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation Department at 727-893-7441.



Questions about event and program suspensions and facility closures should be directed to the appropriate department:

- St. Petersburg Golf Courses, 727-893-7054

- St. Petersburg Library System, 727-893-7724

- St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation Department, 727-893-7441

05.29.2020 Codes Update Beginning on June 1, the City’s Codes Compliance team will return to enforcement of all code violations, however, longer compliance times than normal will be offered to provide additional time for compliance.

05.16.2020 City Summer Camps SUMMER CAMPS TO OPEN JUNE 1 WITH LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE AND NEW CAMP GUIDELINES

For the safety of our participants and staff and after much deliberation, the St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation Department will hold summer camps, including elementary and middle school camps at recreation centers, technology camps, therapeutic recreation camps, and nature camps, with limited enrollment spots available.



Due to the requirement for drastically reduced camp enrollment this year, there will be a lottery implemented to determine camp spots. The lottery will only be open to St. Petersburg residents currently enrolled in Before/After School Program, residents who were enrolled in Summer Camp in 2019, and residents currently enrolled in the 2020 Summer Camp program. Camp spots will be prioritized for First Responders, Healthcare Professionals, and essential City Employees who are current patrons and St. Petersburg residents. Nonresidents or new participants will not be permitted to enter the lottery due to the limited spots available. If you have already registered for 2020 Summer Camp, refunds will be issued as appropriate.



Recreation staff will be contacting eligible families between May 18-20 and placing interested families into the lottery. Families will be notified of the results on Friday, May 22, by phone or email. Families selected in the lottery, who are not currently registered, will be required to complete the camp registration at the selected camp site in person on Tuesday, May 26, through Friday, May 29, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.



Camp guidelines have been implemented and are as follows:

• Recreation center camp groups will be offered at a 9:1 ratio of children to staff. Camp Red Bird and Boyd Hill Nature Preserve’s nature camps will offer an 8:2 ratio of children to staff.

• Drop off will take place between 7:30 – 9 a.m. and pick up will take place between 4 – 5:30 p.m.

• Camp sign-in will be conducted outside the center each day during drop off and pick up times, and we ask that parents do no enter the facility unless needing to make a payment; however, we encourage all payments be made online.

• During drop off time, each child’s temperature will be taken. Participants who have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or above or other signs of illness will not be admitted into the facility. Parents are encouraged to be on alert for signs of illness in their children and to keep their child at home if they are sick.

• Doors to the recreation centers will remain locked and will not be open to the public except during camp drop off and pick up times.

• The facility will be sanitized throughout the day.

• Field trips or on-site activities that bring in additional people will not be offered; however, swim time, when possible, will be available to camp participants.

• The facility will be sanitized throughout the day.

• Children and staff are encouraged to wear face masks but are not required.



Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines are still in effect and we encourage our community and participants to adhere to these guidelines. For more information about summer camps, please contact 727-893-7441 or visit www.stpeteparksrec.org/camps.

05.14.2020 St. Petersburg Library Reopening Plan We are excited to announce the reopening plans for St. Petersburg’s libraries in the coming weeks in accordance with state guidelines as well as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, including physical distancing of 6 ft. or more from others.



The following services will be available to the public effective Monday, May 18, 2020:

- Computer access will be available by appointment between the hours of 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the James Weldon Johnson Community, North Community, and South Community Libraries. Please contact the participating library of your choice to schedule an appointment.

- Computer sessions will be limited to one hour and will be prioritized for job applications, applying for benefits or other social services, accessing online library resources and services, as well as connecting with others via social media. Gaming and entertainment uses are not available at this time.

- Book returns will be open at the Main and Mirror Lake Community Libraries.

- Please note that due dates have been extended to July 1, for PPLC member libraries. For more information, please visit www.pplc.us. Donations are not accepted at this time for the safety of the community and staff.



Curbside delivery service will be made available by appointment at the Main and Mirror Lake Community Libraries effective June 1, 2020. Curbside pick-up appointments will be scheduled from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays.



Please contact the participating location of your choice for more information about these on-site services and to schedule an appointment starting Monday, May 18:

- James Weldon Johnson Community Library, 727-893-7113

- Main Community Library, 727-893-7724

- Mirror Lake Community Library, 727-893-7268

- North Community Library, 727-893-7214

- South Community Library, 727-893-7244



Programs, meeting rooms, and play areas for children will remain closed until further notice. Our partnership libraries, the Childs Park Community Library at the Childs Park YMCA and the West Community Library at the St. Petersburg College – Gibbs Campus, will remain closed pending the reopening of those facilities.



Virtual programming is available on the St. Petersburg Library System Facebook. The library team continues to happily serve the community with a variety of virtual services, including:

- live chat and email for research requests;

- webmail for information and account matters;

- online reader’s advisory for customized book recommendations;

- story time, craft, and STEM videos by Stories Promote Amazing Reading Kids (S.P.A.R.K.) Team;

- online Teen Advisory Board (TAB) meetings and game nights;

- Info Bytes instructional videos and more.



For more information on these programs and services, please visit www.splibraries.org.

05.11.2020 Facilities Update Now open to the public:

- Athletic courts

- Dog parks

- Skate parks



CDC guidelines are still in effect:

- Keep a physical distance of 6 ft. or more from others

- Gatherings of 10 people or more are prohibited

05.01.2020 City Beaches and Pools Reopen BEACHES WILL OPEN EFFECTIVE MONDAY, MAY 4: By the order of Pinellas County, St. Petersburg’s beaches will reopen on Monday, May 4. This includes Lassing Beach, Maximo Beach, North Shore Beach, and the St. Petersburg Municipal Beach at Treasure Island.



Please be aware that swimming is not permitted at Lassing Beach.



Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines are still in effect. Please continue to practice physical distancing of 6 ft. or more and large gatherings are prohibited.



CITY POOLS WILL OPEN EFFECTIVE MONDAY, MAY 4: The St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department will be opening North Shore Aquatic Complex and Walter Fuller Pool.



Hours of operation for these pools are as follows:

-North Shore Aquatic Complex: Monday – Friday from 5 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

-Walter Fuller Pool: Monday – Friday from 5 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 3 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.



Guidelines have been created to ensure the safety of all patrons and to follow CDC guidelines currently in place. Guidelines are as follows:

The pools will only be open for Swim to Stay Fit, Masters Lap Swimming, and St. Petersburg Aquatics (SPA) program participants for the use of lap swimming. General public or recreational swimming will not be permitted. For more information, contact:

- North Shore Aquatic Complex at 727-893-7916 or 727-893-7727

- Walter Fuller Pool at 727-893-7676



The play pool at these facilities will remain closed.



Lanes will be limited to one person per lane unless lane is being used with immediate family members.



Reservations are required to use facilities. Each available time slot will begin at the top of each hour throughout the day. There is a 45-minute time limit for each time slot.



North Shore Aquatic Complex will begin accepting reservations on Friday, May 1, at 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Walter Fuller Pool will begin accepting reservations on Friday, May 1, through Sunday, May 3, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. To make a reservation, please contact:

- North Shore Aquatic Complex at 727-893-7916 or 727-893-7727

- Walter Fuller Pool at 727-893-7676.



For additional information on facility and amenity closures and program suspensions for Leisure Services, please visit www.stpeteparksrec.org.



For updates on golf courses, visit www.golfstpete.com.

04.30.2020 Statement from Mayor Rick Kriseman related to April 29, 2020 State of Florida Order Related to restaurants in St. Petersburg, they may prepare to follow the state’s order permitting them to open at 25 percent occupancy indoors and with six foot spacing between tables outdoors beginning on May 4th, 2020. I want to be clear that the state's order does not require restaurants and retail establishments to open on Monday, it simply permits them to do so if they choose to do so. Retail establishments that were previously closed may also reopen on Monday at 25 percent occupancy. Our current reading of the recent order is that localities cannot expand the governor’s restrictions, only further restrict them, and I will not do that in this instance.



I can assure all restaurateurs and business owners in St. Petersburg that they will have time to prepare if I were to further restrict a state order. It is important that our restaurants and retail establishments have clarity as soon as possible and that there is uniformity whenever possible.

04.03.2020 Virtual City Council Meetings Starting April 16, St. Petersburg City Council meetings will resume virtually through the Zoom Webinar tool. The virtual meetings will still be broadcast on SPTV or accessible at stpete.org/TV.



To participate in a live virtual meeting, find more information at stpete.org/meetings.



Any questions, call the Clerk’s Office at 727-893-7448.

04.03.2020 Fighting Chance Fund Announced Today, the City of St. Petersburg announced the creation of the Fighting Chance Fund. This emergency grant will be available to St. Pete residents who own and independently operate small businesses which have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 orders. The fund is expected to provide critical support to about 1,000 restaurant, bar, retail, and service-based businesses and their more than 3,000 eligible employees. The City's goal is to help offset the significant, temporary loss of revenue during this global pandemic.



For more information, visit the Fighting Chance Fund webpage.

03.23.2020 Statement from Mayor Rick Kriseman

A statewide, uniform, reasonable order limiting non-essential movement and activity will better protect Floridians and prove far more effective at flattening the curve than multiple policies among 67 counties and hundreds of cities and towns. Only Governor DeSantis can mitigate inconsistencies and confusion by ordering Floridians to ‘stay at home’ as soon as possible. Without such an order, St. Petersburg and municipalities across the state are likely to move forward on their own.

03.20.2020 Update Mayor Rick Kriseman and Florida Urban Partnership request relief for Floridians

03.19.2020 Planning and Development Services Update COVID-19 Planning and Development Services Operations Update