Advertisement

Times recommends: Yes on St. Petersburg referendum questions

 
Published Sept. 29, 2015

There are four referendum questions on St. Petersburg's Nov. 3 ballot. One is about protecting specific submerged lands, and the other three amend the City Charter. The changes are mainly technical, and voters should approve all of them.

Referendum Question 1 empowers the City Council to impose restrictions on submerged city land east of North Shore Park without holding a cumbersome voter referendum. As water quality in Tampa Bay has improved over the years, sea grass has proliferated in this area, enhancing marine life and water quality. Because these grass beds are part of the waterfront park system, use restrictions could require a special referendum. The change would allow the council to pass protective ordinances after a public hearing but without holding a referendum. On Referendum Question 1, the Tampa Bay Times recommends voting yes.

Referendum Question 2 clarifies how the eight council districts are drawn, favoring compact districts with borders that follow streets, railroad tracks and other natural boundaries even if that means splitting a voting precinct between two or more districts. Following precinct lines sometimes results in districts with jigsaw alignments that split natural neighborhoods into different districts. The charter amendment would give precedence to compact districts that follow neighborhood boundaries over following precinct lines. On Referendum Question 2, the Tampa Bay Times recommends voting yes.

Referendum Question 3 would require City Council candidates to continue living within their districts after qualifying for election and — if elected — during their term in office. Mayors would have to continue living in the city during their terms. These requirements would now be explicit in the charter. On Referendum Question 3, the Tampa Bay Times recommends voting yes.

Referendum Question 4 would make the council's electronic voting system legally sufficient for tallying and displaying official votes. The charter amendment would eliminate the need for the city clerk to announce the votes as well, an unnecessary duplication of time and effort. On Referendum Question 4, the Tampa Bay Times recommends voting yes.