Gulfport City Council Meeting – May 3, 2022

The Gulfport City Council met on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at Gulfport City Hall. The meeting opened with proclamations and departmental recognitions, followed by extensive public comment focused on illegal short-term rentals, rising rents, and housing affordability. Council discussed enforcement options, received citizen offers of free reporting software, and passed a pension ordinance on second reading. A new community CPR program was announced.

Presentations

• Older Americans Month Proclamation: Senior Center Supervisor Rachel Cataldo accepted Mayor Henderson's proclamation designating May 2022 as Older Americans Month, highlighting programs that support aging in place.
• Yellow Helmet Presentation: Firefighter/Paramedic Sean Oldenburg, a U.S. Army veteran and seven-year Gulfport resident, was presented with his yellow helmet by Lieutenant Fuchs after successfully completing his probationary year. Captain Renee Fernandez described the rigorous training and written exams required.
• CPR Instruction Update: Captain Fernandez introduced the “Gulfport Cares” program, which will offer hands-only CPR, AED operation, bleeding control, and opioid overdose awareness training. Classes will be held quarterly (starting July) at the Gulfport Community Center, capped at 12 participants per session, from 5-7 p.m.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Robert Salza (1407 Gray St. S) urged enforcement of existing short-term rental regulations and cited economic data showing Airbnb growth drives up rents. He asked about hiring a private firm to enforce current rules.
• Dan Kruger urged council to preserve Gulfport’s character, avoid over-regulation, and listen to long-time residents.
• Noreen Smith (3031 54th St. S) reported a 50% rent increase in nine months and said she and several friends are being forced to leave Gulfport. She advocated for rent control and submitted state legislative information allowing local rent control during a housing crisis.
• Linda Breen (5302 26th Ave. S) thanked council for not weakening the short-term rental ordinance, called illegal Airbnbs a “de facto” problem, and proposed escalating fines: $1,000 first offense, $10,000 second, 10% of property value for third, and a lien for subsequent violations.
• Rick Gilbert (Pixie Lane) requested the city finish marina improvements, including a building, restaurant, and removal of the Lions Club structure, to enhance public access and revenue.
• Eddie Ford (3002 53rd St. S) offered to develop free software to streamline reporting of illegal short-term rentals, including address, timestamped photos, and case tracking. He requested a meeting with council to define the data needed.
• Margot Rose thanked Councilmember Michael (Ferdovich?) for providing a map of legal short-term rental zones and noted her neighborhood’s rentals are behaving, while acknowledging others are not.
• Karen Love (23rd Ave. S) thanked council for holding town halls, urged better communication of council’s work to the public, and called for strict enforcement of the existing short-term rental ordinance, including shifting funds to hire another code enforcement officer.
• Beth Stamba (Seaside Villas) reported a 20% rent increase, noted seven friends forced to move, highlighted that short-term rentals lack wheelchair accessibility, and supported rent control.
• Ms. Tober (telephone) praised Senior Center Supervisor Rachel Cataldo for quickly assisting a fire victim identified via social media, demonstrating the center’s outreach beyond planned activities.

Discussion Items

• Short-Term Rentals and Enforcement: City Manager Jim O’Reilly stated that enforcement is currently complaint-driven and that council must provide clear direction on desired enforcement level. He agreed to draft a budget for enforcement options, including software or personnel. Councilmember Thanos suggested holding a workshop after legal options are clarified. Mayor Henderson emphasized the existing ordinance cannot be changed without losing regulation authority entirely.
• Rent Control: Councilmember Michael Ferdovich called current rent increases “obscene.” Mayor Henderson noted city attorney would need to examine legal feasibility of local rent control measures.
• Homeless Outreach: City Manager reported working with Treasure Island and PSTA to share the cost of a homeless outreach worker.
• Pension Ordinance (No. 2022-02): Second reading and public hearing on an amendment to Chapter 15 (General Employees’ Pension Plan) concerning benefit amounts and eligibility. No public comment; passed unanimously on roll call vote: 5-0.
• Councilmember Reports:
  • Councilmember Paul Ray requested and received permission to raise the Pride flag on June 1 (Pride Festival June 4). He will be absent May 17 for a family surgery.
  • Councilmember Ferdovich highlighted hurricane kit donation drive by the 49th Street Business Association; collection boxes at City Hall and other locations.
  • Councilmember Thanos will attend an affordable housing conference and two Zoom meetings; she will present results from her parking town hall at the next meeting.
  • Vice Mayor Brown reported flashing crosswalk lights installed at 58th Street, thanks to Jim and Tom; noted new tennis courts will have separate lines for tennis and pickleball with clear signage.
  • Mayor Henderson attended Holocaust Remembrance Day and underscored council’s unified intent to protect Gulfport from outside investors while recognizing legal constraints.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 2022-02 (pension amendment) adopted on second reading unanimously (5-0).
• Short-Term Rental Enforcement: City Manager instructed to present a budget and resource options for stronger enforcement at a future meeting; a workshop will follow after legal review.
• CPR Program: “Gulfport Cares” set to launch quarterly in July, with registration through Captain Fernandez.
• Flag Request: Councilmember Ray authorized to raise the Pride flag on June 1 (city speech, not public forum).
• Future Presentations: Councilmember Thanos to present parking town hall findings; Councilmember Ray absent May 17.
• Pride Flag Debate: The city attorney noted the flag request is government speech and permissible under current policy.