New committee will prioritize workforce, economic growth

A new committee focused on workforce and economic development may meet on an as-needed basis on a monthly schedule. 

During a Thursday city council meeting, council members approved forming a new committee, proposed by Chair Gina Driscoll, that would address “policies, plans and programs related to the vitality of the local economy, including but not limited to the creation and retention of jobs, attraction of new businesses and private investments, support of small businesses, incentive policies and growth of targeted industries.” 

The committee would replace one of the PS and I (public services and infrastructure) meetings, which takes place twice a month. 

Driscoll first introduced the topic last week, giving the council a week to review the item. 

Driscoll said this would signal the city’s priority on elevating its economy while also alleviating a backlog of projects the PS and I typically reviews. It would function in the same fashion as the other committees. 

Vice Chair Brandi Gabbard first voiced that the committee should meet on a rotating as-needed basis versus serving as a standing committee, and meeting every month. 

“Whenever items are referred to this committee, at that point in time, we can look at the PS and I agenda and see if there’s room in that following month to take one of those two [traditional] PS and I meetings that are already set up and move that to a workforce and economic development meeting instead,” Gabbard said. 

Councilman Copley Gerdes said he supports the formation of the committee and recommends it should meet monthly. Councilmembers John Muhammad and Ed Montanari echoed Gerdes’ recommendation.

“It’s a big gaping hole in our organizations. You think of our city government, you have the executive and legislative branches. Yes, we do have a department on the administration side that focuses on the economy and workforce development, but with the legislative branch, it’s a check and balances situation. We need to have discussions on what our economy needs to look like …,” Montanari said, providing an example of how cities such as Miami have a focus on sectors like fintech. 

He added the committee is “something we should have had a long time ago.” 

According to the proposal, the committee would also “work to advance St. Petersburg as a city with a healthy, diversified economy where businesses can locate, innovate, grow and prosper, and where residents have access to the accompanying job opportunities.” 

Muhammad also said the committee should apply the equity lens to the framework. 

The language for the committee can be altered, according to city staff. 

Councilmember Deborah Figgs-Sanders and others questioned how the new committee would interact and not overshadow the new department the city is forming with the equity lens and workforce development concentration. 

The details of how the new committee will interact with groups including the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, the St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corp and others that were not specifically addressed, the council members said these organizations support the formation of the committee.