Red tide leaving Tampa Bay, intensifies on beaches Dan Matics reports ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - St. Petersburg City Council’s tone this week was much more relaxed when it came to red tide. "What a difference a week makes," said council chair Ed Montanari. Satellite imagery presented during Thursday afternoon’s city council meeting showed red tide concentrations moving south out of the bay. St. Pete is now allowing its 200 workers, who stepped up to remove tons of dead marine animals, to get back to other city projects that had to be put off. "We are giving our staff a much-needed break," said Claude Tankersley, public works administrator.