ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — The St. Petersburg City Council voted Thursday in favor of purchasing bonds that would fund a portion of the new Rays stadium and the redevelopment of the Gas Plant District.

The council voted four to three to move forward with a $290 million bond purchase to pay for a new stadium deal and the development of the land around it. However, the Pinellas County Commission must also approve bonds to pay for their portion of the deal.

After a back and forth over the last few weeks between the Rays and Pinellas County, St. Pete leaders said they are stepping up to the plate and keeping their commitment to the deal.

On Wednesday, the city added this agenda item to Thursday’s meeting, which caught the county and those against the development by surprise.

“They’re trying to strong-arm the county into saying, ‘Hey, you know we’ve done our part. Do your part,’ but elections have consequences,” said Vince Nowicki, County Commissioner. “I don’t blame the administration, the mayor’s administration for bringing this up, because if they wait till January, you’re going get two more City Council members that aren’t in favor of this deal.”

“It sure looks like they’re trying to slip one over on us, the public,” said Ron Diner, with the group “No Home Run.”

“The public has the right to know to know what’s going on and provide input. I think it’s outrageous. Adding an item like this at the last minute is not defendable, it’s wrong and it’s an insult to the public,” Diner added. Diner has opposed the deal from the start and told council members they should not approve funding for it.

“Don’t borrow money, when the partner you are counting on says he’s out,” said Diner.

Others from the community showed support for a new stadium deal.

Mark Ferguson, who owns the popular Ferg’s Sports bar, told council members the Rays bring a lot to the community and are keeping businesses like his alive.

“Now, we are a major league city. We have come so far in the last 30 years where now we are looking at something totally different. You pass the bonds today, the county passes the bonds on the 17th and we’re back on track,” said Ferguson.

With this next step in the process, the city will also get more clarity from the Rays.

Mayor Ken Welch says there are still issues between the team and the county, but he believes they will be worked out.

“While significant issues do remain with regard to the Rays stadium obligations, the discussions were productive and our options are becoming clearer,” said Welch.

This all follows a recent meeting where the Rays said the deal was dead and blamed the county for delaying the vote on their bonds.

However, the county said they have enough time to get the money to build the stadium in time.

Over the weekend, the Rays sent a letter to the county saying nothing changed on their end.

County Commissioner Vince Nowicki said he spoke with the Rays and he’s hoping for a deal with revisions and more money from the team.

“I’ve had some conversations with folks that have been in construction of large scale like this,” said Nowicki. “They seem to be with the impression that as long as bonds are issued by June 2025, a new stadium could be ready by March 2028.”

After Thursday’s vote, all eyes will be on the county for their vote on December 17.

Mayor Welch says he’s confident Pinellas County will now approve their part of the agreement.

“I’ve been confident from the beginning, you know, that the fundamentals of this plan make too much sense for us not to move forward and so we will continue those discussions with the county commission and I know the commission has been meeting with the Rays as well,” said Welch.