RNC Event Zone Final Vote Set for Today

1. Today City Council will hold a public hearing about the that will be in place from Aug. 26-30. On Aug. 26 the RNC will host its official kick-off party at Tropicana Field. The city created the zone in an attempt to protect city assets and businesses. Inside the zone, which is more than 7-square miles, residents would be restricted on what they can carry, what they can wear and in some cases where they can go. 

2. City Council will also make a historic vote today, whether or not to put a question on the November ballot regarding the future of the St. Petersburg Pier. On Monday the Council held a long workshop to decide on multiple questions that could be on the ballot. In the end, however, they voted 5-3 that the original pier petition question was the best choice. Even with that vote, it does not mean that it cannot be changed today.  

3. Pinellas County no longer offers sandbags to residents of unincorporated areas of the county during hurricane season. “Sandbags are intended for small water flow protection up to 2 feet. They don’t seal out water and offer very little resistance to flooding,” said Pete Yauch, the county’s director of transportation and stormwater, in a news release.  “The 35- to 40-pound bags would take considerable effort and time to stack enough of them to have even a minimal effect. Moving water would be able to pick up the sandbags.”

4. The Southwest Florida Water Management District voted to let emergency Modified Phase II water shortage restrictions expire today for the Tampa Bay Area. The Water Management District found significant improvements in aquifer and river levels as a result of Tropical Storm Debby and regular summer rains. The area remains under a Modified Phase I water shortage order until December 31, but the irrigation schedule returns to two-days- per-week. Residents may water before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

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