Meeting Notes: September 3, 2025
🌿 Azalea Neighborhood Association
📋 Meeting Highlights – September 3
🥯 Refreshments
Thank you to Bee Pruna and Joel Warfield of Einstein Bros. Bagels for a delicious spread of bagels, cream cheese, and coffee — a big hit with members!
🏃 Rec Center Update
Christine Metcalf shared new programs at the Azalea Recreation Center, especially for residents 50+.
🎬 Outdoor Family Movie Night
Loren Zamora announced the return of Outdoor Family Movie Night on Saturday, Sept 6 at the north end of Farragut Drive.
Block party: 6:30 pm (bring a dish to share if you like)
Movie: The Emperor’s New Groove at 7:00 pm
Stay for food, friends, and fun — the movie is optional!
🚲 Public Safety
Officer Jenn Wright reported no crime this month. She reminded us that motorbikes are not allowed on the Pinellas Trail unless self-propelled and shared flyers on bike safety + National Night Out (Oct 7 at Tyrone Square Mall).
🏛 City Update (Ryan Adelberg)
Groundbreaking for Azalea Gateway (Raytheon apartments) expected Jan/Feb 2026
Obama Library opens Sept 27
City Council reviewing proposed utility rate/fee changes Sept 4
🤝 Guest Speaker – Cheri Holzbacher, CEO of Homeless Leadership Alliance of Pinellas
2025 Point-in-Time Count: 1,863 experiencing homelessness (lowest ever, down 12% from 2024)
Unsheltered ↓ 25%, Sheltered ↓ 5%
Populations include 253 veterans, 189 DV survivors, 494 chronically homeless
Main causes: job/financial loss (40%), medical (20%), family conflict (14%), eviction/foreclosure (10%)
46% of Pinellas households live below survival budget of $108,000 for a family of 4
Community members encouraged to join the CoC, volunteer, and share findings
🎁 Margie’s Toy Drive
Bring new, unwrapped gifts to any meeting through Dec 3. Toys will be picked up by St. Petersburg Fire Rescue.
Meeting adjourned: 7:25pm