Gulfport City Council Regular Meeting - August 16, 2022

The Gulfport City Council met on August 16, 2022, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included public comments on housing affordability, first readings of four utility rate ordinances, and discussion of the proposed FY 2022–2023 budget. The presentation from State Representative Linda Chaney (House District 69) was postponed to September 6, 2022.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimous approval of the Council Meeting Minutes of July 7, 2022.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Noreen (resident): Presented results of a poll on rent control (47% yes, 34% no) and called for a town hall meeting to address the housing crisis, urging residents to voice their experiences.
• Cheryl Schwartz (landlord, 4920 28th Avenue South): Shared her practice of keeping rents low and treating tenants with respect, arguing that compassion is a personal choice and cannot be legislated.
• Eddie Ford (3002 53rd Street South): Followed up on a short-term rental reporting app he developed; city manager indicated possible good news regarding county coordination.
• Phyllis Plotnik (3038 DuPont Street South): Expressed concern about enforcement of the short-term rental ordinance, estimated 200+ VRBOs/BNBs, and loss of diversity due to gentrification.
• Robert Salza (1407 Gray Street): Opposed rent control, citing economic consensus (1% of economists support it) and examples from St. Paul and Berlin; suggested focusing on regulating short-term rentals, citing AirDNA data showing over 600 Airbnbs in Gulfport.
• Mary Muscato (4920 28th Avenue South): Shared personal experience of friends being priced out; supported rent control and criticized landlords raising rents without improvements.
• Karen Schwartz (voice on garbage/water): Supported pay-as-you-throw garbage billing, once-a-week pickup, and better promotion of composting; questioned water rate structure.
• Mary Hanarhan (27th Avenue South): Asked for clarification on water service activation fees and criticized the increase in late payment fee from 1.5% to 5% per month.
• Zachary Moore (resident): Suggested clarifying language in water ordinance to distinguish between turning water on/off versus service activation/deactivation.
• David Cantor (5709 16th Avenue South): Praised the tiered water rate structure but noted the initial rate jump may be a regressive tax on families, especially those with children.
• Phyllis Tober (resident): Commented on budget glossary and suggested having a neutral facilitator for upcoming town halls to avoid confusion.

Discussion Items

City Manager Report

• Presented the Pinellas County Tenant's Bill of Rights (adopted by BOCC) and recommended the city not opt out, as it provides enforcement through county code enforcement.
• Noted dismissal of litigation with Boca Ciega Yacht Club with prejudice; discussions on lease will resume.
• Announced a "Clean Clothes for Kids" program during Thanksgiving week in partnership with a local laundromat, with council members contributing about one-third of the cost each.

Ordinances – First Readings

• Ordinance 2022-03 (Garbage): Amends Chapter 11 to increase service charges by 6% due to fuel, labor, and tipping fee costs. No change to special pickup provisions. Unanimously passed.
• Ordinance 2022-04 (Stormwater): Postpones a $1 rate increase to the next fiscal year; no increase for residents this year. Passed 4-1 (Councilmember Thanos voted no, preferring the $1 increase now).
• Ordinance 2022-05 (Water): Restructures water rates to a base charge plus volumetric tiers (0–1,000 gallons at lower rate; elimination of standby charges; increases late fee to 5% per month; increases tampering penalties; allows removal of meters on vacant lots at manager’s discretion). Passed 4-1 (Councilmember Thanos voted no, citing concerns over the low tier rate and late fee increase).
• Ordinance 2022-06 (Sewer): Restructures sewer rates to base plus volumetric; no increase this year. Unanimously passed.

FY 2022–2023 Budget Discussion (No. 4)

• City Manager presented the proposed budget: 6.7% overall growth, 70% personnel costs; reserves at 23% ($3.7 million), excluding ARPA funds. Property values increased 15.21% citywide and 17% in the waterfront redevelopment district.
• Population declined from 12,222 (2010) to 11,773 (2020) per U.S. Census, reducing state revenue sharing and half-cent sales tax.
• Health insurance increase held to 1%; property/casualty insurance estimated to rise 10–40%.
• Councilmember Thanos proposed a resiliency study ($30,000–$40,000) to compete for federal grants; others expressed caution about staff time and matching funds. City Manager suggested first defining project priorities.
• Councilmember Thanos invited Freebee (micro-transit) to present; agreed to schedule after budget finalization.
• Councilmember Ferdovich invited Susan Glickman to discuss solar canal boat concept; postponed to post-budget.
• Mayor announced a town hall on housing for October 12, 2022; council agreed to a workshop on housing and short-term rentals on October 20, 2022, at 6 PM.
• The city will not opt out of the Pinellas County Tenant's Bill of Rights.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved (unanimous).
• Ordinance 2022-03 (Garbage): Passed unanimously (5-0).
• Ordinance 2022-04 (Stormwater): Passed 4-1 (Councilmember Thanos dissenting).
• Ordinance 2022-05 (Water): Passed 4-1 (Councilmember Thanos dissenting).
• Ordinance 2022-06 (Sewer): Passed unanimously (5-0).
• Scheduled a town hall on housing for October 12, 2022, and a council workshop on housing/short-term rentals for October 20, 2022, at 6 PM.
• Postponed State Rep Linda Chaney presentation to September 6, 2022.
• City will not opt out of the county Tenant’s Bill of Rights.
• Resumed discussions with Boca Ciega Yacht Club after litigation dismissal.
• Council will consider inviting Freebee and Susan Glickman for presentations after budget finalization.