Photo by Christopher Collier
St. Pete Beach Commissioners unanimously approved first readings of ordinances that would adjust wastewater and reclaimed-water fees at the Aug. 25 Commission meeting. Commissioners also urged strong penalties in the case involving two local business owners accused of illegally scattering hundreds of mothballs on the beach.
Commissioners Seek Strong Penalties
District 4 Commissioner Jon Maldonado urged the City to work with the State Attorney’s Office and seek the strongest available penalties if the men are convicted, including restitution and any applicable City sanctions.
“I personally would push for the maximum sentence,” Maldonado said.
Vice Mayor Lisa Robinson supported exploring business-related sanctions and emphasized the danger the mothballs posed to people as well as wildlife.
“We’re just so lucky that a small child didn’t eat one of those,” Robinson said.
[Read more below]
That’s not all that happened at the Aug. 25 St. Pete Beach Commission meeting. Read about Freebee and PSTA.
Commission Approves Fee Changes
Commissioners unanimously approved first readings of Ordinances 2026-16 and 2026-17, which would adjust wastewater and reclaimed-water fees.
Other Commission Business
Commissioners unanimously approved a $76,621 holiday-decoration contract and renewed Chill Restaurant’s parklet agreement. They also approved the remaining consent agenda items and amended the Hydro-Klean contract for stormwater inspections and cleaning.
Public Services Director Kevin Mills said stormwater cleaning is roughly 60% complete citywide, while wastewater mainline cleaning is about 97% complete.
Commissioners also announced that The Helm Seafood Parlour had reopened.
The next St. Pete Beach City Commission meeting in Sept. 9 at 6 p.m.
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