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COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Pinellas County. The highest number of positive cases since the beginning of the pandemic was recorded on December 31st. St. Pete's two-week average positivity rate has been above 7% for weeks and reached 11.09% yesterday. Seniors 65+ are now eligible to register for a vaccine appointment, but high demand quickly overwhelmed the system upon its opening yesterday. Check the Pinellas County Department of Health webpage or Twitter page for the most up to date information about vaccine registration. Educate yourself and others about the importance of the vaccine by learning how vaccines work. Still have questions? Check out this vaccine FAQ. Vaccine distribution doesn't mean the pandemic is over. A young person with no underlying conditions or risk factors will likely not get the vaccine until the middle of 2021. Governor DeSantis' executive order prioritizes seniors. Click here to estimate your place in the vaccine line. To combat rising cases, Mayor Kriseman recently announced The Race to Safe to become Florida’s most COVID-safe community. Face masks are still required and the sheriff has said he's cracking down on enforcement. New funding has been approved for additional Paycheck Protection Program loans and the second round of individual stimulus checks. Click here to check your payment status.

Howard Frankland FULL CLOSURE, Saturday 1/9/21 All I-275 travel lanes on the Howard Frankland Bridge will close from 8 p.m. Saturday, January 9 to noon Sunday, January 10, weather permitting. Electronic message boards and temporary signage will assist I-275 northbound and southbound motorists traveling around this closure via the posted detour route using Roosevelt Boulevard, Gandy Boulevard, and Dale Mabry Highway. Motorists should add approximately 30 minutes of travel time as traffic congestion and delays may occur while traveling on these roadways during this closure. This closure is necessary for crews to remove the 4th Street North (SR 687) bridge over I-275 as part of the Gateway Expressway project. If unforeseen conditions do not permit this closure, a rescheduled date of Saturday, January 16, is planned. Click here for more information.

Face of District 8: Meet Meiko Seymour! Once a decade, the Charter Review Commission is convened to review St. Pete's governing document. The commission will begin meeting in January and will recommend proposed amendments for the November 2021 ballot. The Mayor and each City Councilmember appoint one member and Councilmember Foster appointed Meiko Seymour. Meiko is a Historic Kenwood resident and the Executive Pastor at Pinellas Community Church. He has experience working in ministry, marketing, communications, consulting, and business strategies. Meiko is never unwilling to engage in discussions around equity and social justice and also works with the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg as a Race Equity Listener. Meiko currently serves as a member of the city's Public Arts Commission and also gained valuable leadership experience through his participation in Leadership St. Pete in 2019. Meiko loves St. Petersburg and enjoys celebrating it through culture, community, and conversation. He is the owner and CEO of the St. Petian which plans to bring podcasts, a magazine, and a collaborative to the Burg. Meiko is excited to serve on the Charter Review Commission and is committed to ensuring the sun shines on all St. Pete residents. You can click here to read the city's current charter and here to email your suggestions to the commission. Stay up to date on meetings by clicking here. COVID-19 Resources Financial Assistance The City has partnered with local non-profit organizations to provide mortgage and utility assistance to residents whose incomes have been affected by COVID-19. Click here to apply. Get Tested Visit this interactive map for a full list of COVID-19 testing sites Wear a Mask Face masks are mandatory for every person while inside any public space. For details on where to get free masks, click here.

HKNA Historic Designation The Historic Kenwood Neighborhood Association has submitted an application to historically designate the neighborhood. The application will be discussed by the Community Planning and Preservation Commission (CPPC) on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 2:00 PM before heading to a City Council Public Hearing on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 3:00 PM. Click here or subscribe to this newsletter to stay up to date.

Vision 2050 After months of public engagement and citywide conversation about the future of St. Petersburg, the full StPete2050 Vision Plan is now complete! The plan is organized around ten priority areas that will help inform future decisions and guide plans, programs, and services throughout the city. I encourage you to read the plan and take the third and final community survey to provide your input. Please don't hesitate to email me with questions or comments as well!

Additional Homestead Exemption for Seniors

Senior residents of St. Petersburg may now qualify for an additional homestead exemption on their property taxes. Eligible residents are 65 or older and must meet low-income guidelines. Additionally, applicants must have lived in their homes valued at $250,000 or less for at least 25 years. To apply, visit the Pinellas County Property Appraiser website. The application deadline for 2021 is March 1.

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