Gulfport City Council Meeting – June 7, 2022

The Gulfport City Council met on June 7, 2022, at 6:00 PM at Gulfport City Hall. The meeting covered routine consent items, several resolutions authorizing funding and contracts, a discussion on outdoor entertainment regulations, and public comments on enforcement, events, and code issues. Councilmembers Michael Fridovich and Mayor Henderson were excused; Vice Mayor Brown chaired the meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Item 5.a: Approval of City Council meeting minutes of April 5, 2022, and April 19, 2022. Councilmember Thanos requested a correction to the April 5 minutes regarding board appointment procedures. After discussion, the minutes were approved as presented by a vote of 2 ayes (Councilmember Ray, Vice Mayor Brown) with Councilmember Thanos voting no, though she later clarified she intended to vote yes on the other consent items. The correction was not adopted, and the council agreed to discuss the process further at a future meeting.
• Item 5.b: Resolution No. 2022-38 authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Caladesi Construction Company for the Scout Hall Restoration and Waterproofing Project. Approved unanimously.
• Item 5.c: Resolution No. 2022-39 authorizing the City Manager to amend and restate the Mission Square Governmental Money Purchase Plan & Trust Document. Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Barbara Banno (Gulfport Merchants Chamber): Announced the Chamber is hiring a full-time Director of Operations (CEO-like role) to manage day-to-day operations, membership, and events due to growth. She thanked the council for ongoing partnership.
• Unnamed resident (complaint driven): Expressed frustration with code enforcement, stating that ordinances (dogs on beach, smoking, short-term rentals) are not enforced without citizen complaints. Questioned the “complaint-driven” approach and COVID protocol messages. Urged better enforcement and public education on reporting.
• Marissa Stewart Dix (Gulfport Kiwanis Club President): Invited council to the second annual Juneteenth celebration on June 18, 2022, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM at Gulfport Recreation Center, with speakers, DJ, raffles, and lunch. Noted support from businesses and donations. Requested the mayor to deliver a welcome if available.
• Debbie Amos (Tiki Bar and Grill owner): Commented on the noise ordinance discussion, noting her business faces the Gulf and has received few complaints. Supported realistic decibel limits and fair distance requirements. Urged consideration of other ambient noise sources (beach, cars).
• Margaret (speaker): Asked if Councilmember Ray had published a summary from his recent town hall. Mentioned sending a suggestion on accounts receivable improvements to the city manager. Expressed concern that the proposed noise ordinance process appears similar to existing permit requirements.
• Mr. Simek: Again proposed forming an advisory committee on diversity (ethnic and age) to represent younger generations and underrepresented groups, citing that all board members are over 50 while median age is 56–57. Argued cognitive diversity leads to better decisions.

Resolutions

• Item 7.a – Resolution No. 2022-40: Authorized using Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (ARPA) for a Watershed Management Plan with Advanced Engineering & Design, Inc. (cost ~$1.5 million, 2-year timeline). Justin Keller presented the plan’s three phases (investigation, assessment, recommendation) to address flooding, water quality, and sea-level rise resilience. Approved unanimously.
• Item 7.b – Resolution No. 2022-41: Approved a special event application from Unity of Gulfport, Inc. for a Summer Solstice Celebration on the casino pad. The applicant requested a fire dancer (approved by fire chief) and a ceremonial fire pit, which was initially denied. The applicant, a former fire protection engineer, offered to hire an off-duty firefighter. Council approved the resolution and directed staff to work with the fire chief on the fire pit issue. Approved unanimously.
• Item 7.c – Resolution No. 2022-42: Authorized using ARPA funds for water and sewer infrastructure related to Priority Two pipe repair. The City Manager noted a project contract would be presented in July. Approved unanimously.

Discussion Items

• Item 8.a – Code of Ordinances Section 22-6.12 (Outdoor Entertainment): The City Manager and Councilmember Ray clarified that the city already has a process for outdoor entertainment permits, involving staff review and council/CRA approval. The discussion aimed to formalize the process to ensure proactive consideration of business and resident impacts, not to change existing permits or sound ordinances. Council directed staff to continue using a mindful, site-plan-review approach for new permits.

Council Comments & Informational Reports

• Councilmember Ray: Reported attending a homelessness meeting; suggested inviting a speaker from that program. Mentioned a new dog fountain installed at Wood Ibis Park and removal of an old fence. Noted that resident Nadine Smith was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2022. Suggested deferring installation of portable restrooms at the marina until the marina project is further along, but was reminded funds must be expended by 2024.
• Vice Mayor Brown: Announced his next quarterly town hall on July 13, 2022. Recapped successful Pride Festival and Flag Day event. Invited to Juneteenth celebration. Updated on efforts with county commissioners for senior center funding.
• Councilmember Thanos: Reminded that Flag Day is June 14 and that a flag retirement ceremony will be held at Veterans Park, urging residents to drop old flags at the fire station.

Key Outcomes

• Consent items 5.b and 5.c approved; item 5.a (minutes) approved with no change, but council will revisit board appointment procedure.
• Resolution 2022-40 (Watershed Management Plan) approved unanimously.
• Resolution 2022-41 (Unity of Gulfport special event) approved unanimously, with direction to work on fire pit approval.
• Resolution 2022-42 (ARPA funds for Priority Two pipe repair) approved unanimously.
• Council directed staff to process future outdoor entertainment permits with enhanced review, including site plans and resident input.
• Councilmembers will invite speakers on homelessness, Tampa Bay Estuary Program, and county updates to future meetings.
• Vice Mayor Brown’s town hall scheduled for July 13, 2022.