Gulfport City Council Meeting – February 7, 2023

The City Council of Gulfport, Florida, met on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included the oath of office for Deputy Fire Chief James Lundh, presentations on a new weather camera and Parc Center for Disabilities, public comments, consent agenda approval, a lengthy first‑reading debate on Ordinance 2023‑01 (recreational vehicle parking), and adoption of two resolutions.

Consent Calendar

• 5.a – Minutes of January 17, 2023: Approved unanimously.
• 5.b – Resolution 2023‑05: Authorized the City Manager to execute a contract with Engineered Spray Solutions for manhole rehabilitation services.
• 5.c – Resolution 2023‑06: Authorized the City Manager to execute a Participant Agreement with Tetra Tech, Inc. for disaster debris monitoring and management services.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tommy Bixler (Lions Foundation president) promoted the upcoming pancake breakfast supporting Southeast Guide Dogs.
• Tony Apgar (2632 56th St S) opposed RVs in front yards, citing appearance and enforcement concerns; suggested allowing only in driveways.
• Dorothy Pratt (24th Ave) opposed changing the ordinance, arguing it punishes responsible owners for a few bad actors; said her RV is hidden and maintained.
• Unnamed speaker (later identified as Bob Slazak) supported RV parking, emphasized property rights, and warned of a potential class‑action lawsuit if rights are not restored.
• Tommy Bixler (second comment) said he pays $200/month to store his RV elsewhere and urged council to decide rather than call a referendum.
• Marlene Shaw (58th & 23rd) spoke from personal experience: her RV must be parked in the front yard due to lot constraints; called current ordinance overly restrictive and inconsistent with boat/trailer rules.
• Karen Schwartz (5213 Dillet Ave S) argued that boats have no rules, so RVs should be treated the same; urged complete elimination of RV restrictions.
• David McCormick (Gulfport resident six years) requested the ordinance not be changed, citing potential for vermin, safety issues, and negative impact on neighborhood character.
• Mitchell Carney (1202 63rd St S) opposed an HOA‑style rule, supported allowing RVs as long as they are roadworthy and regularly used; suggested a time‑limit provision.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 2023‑01 (First Reading): Proposed amending Chapter 21 (Recreational Vehicles) to eliminate setbacks and allow one licensed, operable RV anywhere on a residential property, consistent with boat/trailer rules. Permits and grandfathering references would be removed.
  • City Manager O’Reilly: Explained the ordinance aligns with state property‑rights trends; complaints have dropped due to state law requiring named complaints.
  • Councilmember Fridovich: Suggested a referendum in November to let voters decide, noting the issue is divisive.
  • Councilmember Ray: Supported removing all restrictions; argued the 2013 ordinance criminalized RVs and created inequities; said RV owners are responsible and that nuisance laws still apply.
  • Councilmember Thanos: Proposed a compromise: require a free city‑issued sticker (similar to beach parking) to aid enforcement, and limit front‑yard RVs to one recreational vehicle total (i.e., if you have a boat, no RV in front). Emphasized fairness between RVs, boats, and trailers.
  • Vice Mayor Brown: Opposed front‑yard parking; worried about fire hazards (though Fire Dept recommends 3 ft, current setback is 6 ft), enforcement of occupancy limits, and unintended consequences on density and short‑term rentals. Suggested reducing back‑yard setbacks but not allowing front‑yard parking.
  • Mayor Henderson: Noted the need to balance property rights with neighborhood character; supported tabling the first reading for further discussion and compromise.
  • Public comment: Multiple residents spoke for and against, with strong feelings on both sides. Many urged council to decide without a referendum.
• Resolution 2023‑07: Authorized payment to Southern Disaster Recovery Inc. for emergency debris removal from Hurricane Ian (about 7,200 cubic yards of vegetation) and a budget amendment; passed unanimously.
• Resolution 2023‑08: Approved revisions to the Personnel Manual (editorial updates, conformity with state/federal law, defense process changes, fire lieutenant bargaining unit update); passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda (items 5.a, 5.b, 5.c) approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 2023‑01 first reading was postponed (not voted). Council agreed to continue discussion at a future meeting, with staff to explore compromise options (e.g., registration stickers, limiting front‑yard vehicles to one per household, reducing back‑yard setbacks).
• Resolution 2023‑07 approved unanimously (payment for Hurricane Ian debris removal).
• Resolution 2023‑08 approved unanimously (Personnel Manual revisions).
• Council consensus (informal): Direct staff to adopt a policy allowing applicants before quasi‑judicial boards to defer their hearing if a full board is not present, avoiding tie‑vote outcomes. The specific applicant from the recent tie vote would be allowed to re‑hear without reapplying.
• Councilmember Thanos announced a nomination for Jimmy O’Swane for a future Spirit of Gulfport Award.
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:42 PM.