Community Benefits Advisory Committee
Community Benefits Advisory Council
Overview
The Community Benefits Program requires developers to provide community benefits for projects that receive public assistance greater than 20% of the overall construction cost for projects valued at more than $2 million, or $10 million in public assistance. Benefits may include activities in the following areas: affordable housing, environmental resiliency and sustainability, public infrastructure, equitable workforce development, equitable economic opportunities, and neighborhood health and safety. Learn more about the program by visiting the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) webpage.
The required community benefits package that a developer must provide is determined through collaboration with the Community Benefits Advisory Council and community meetings with final approval of the Community Benefits Agreement by City Council.
Past Projects
What is the Community Benefits Advisory Council?
The Community Benefits Advisory Council (CBAC) is a non-partisan board that advises the Mayor, City Council and the citizens of St. Pete. The council is made up of four standing members, who will consult on implementation of the City’s Community Benefits Agreement Program (CBA Program). The Mayor and City Council each appoint two standing members. The standing members serve on the CBAC for no more than two, three-year terms.
For specific CBA projects, four ad hoc members are selected to join standing members to comprise a full CBAC. Ad hoc members are chosen from residents within one mile of the project location where the project is located. The Mayor and City Council each appoint two ad hoc members. Additionally, one City Council member is selected by their peers as an ad hoc member of the CBAC for each project. Ad hoc members serve until the project is approved by City Council or withdrawn.
Current Standing Members
- Gypsy Gallardo - Chair
- Bruce Nissen - Vice Chair
- Jason Mathis
- Ruth Whitney
What are the responsibilities of a CBAC member?
The CBAC consists of two groups of appointees: Standing CBAC Members and ad hoc CBAC members.
The Standing CBAC Members' duties include:
- Provide advice to the City on the CBA Program, including how best to measure community impact
- Provide advice to the City on community and neighborhood engagement
- Provide advice to the City regarding growth and development
- For specific development projects, provide the duties listed below for Ad Hoc CBAC Members
- Serve as a Standing CBAC Member for three years
The ad hoc CBAC Members' duties, with the Standing CBAC Members, include:
- Convene meetings in the neighborhoods affected by the development project to solicit input that will help guide the creation of Community Benefits Agreements
- Provide recommendations to City Council on Community Benefits Agreements that are based on project impact reports and neighborhood meetings
- Serve as an ad hoc CBAC Member until the specific project is approved by City Council or withdrawn
The CBA process involves at least four meetings when reviewing a project, twice in the neighborhood(s) most affected by the project to hear community input and twice to recommend preliminary and final community benefits packages to City Council for approval.
How do I apply?
For Standing Members of the CBAC:
Currently, the standing member positions on the CBAC are filled.
For ad hoc Members of the CBAC:
Ad hoc member positions are available on a project-by-project basis. Check back for specific opportunities.