Gulfport City Council Meeting – April 18, 2023

The Gulfport City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting opened with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call. Presentations included the Spirit of Gulfport Award to Brian Liggins and Philip Bailey. Public comments covered a range of topics including short-term rental enforcement, downtown parking, municipal signage, and community events. The council approved a consent agenda, passed an ordinance amending recreational vehicle regulations, adopted revised meeting rules, and approved a site plan for outdoor dining. A major portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the proposed FY 2023-2024 capital improvement and operating budgets, with council providing direction on various initiatives. The meeting also featured council committee reports and a closing emphasis on community kindness.

Presentations

• Spirit of Gulfport Award: Presented to Brian Liggins and Philip Bailey for their community contributions. Both recipients expressed gratitude and affection for Gulfport, crediting Fawn Weaver for encouraging them to get involved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Multiple residents addressed the council. Topics included:
  • Congratulatory remarks to newly elected council members Christine Brown and Ian O'Hara, and appreciation for the city's diversity.
  • Announcements from the LGBTQ Resource Center: upcoming juried art show (May), Gulfport Pride celebration (June 3), and a fundraiser (Ragin' Run Walk Move) to support scholarships.
  • A request for council endorsement of the Florida Right to Clean Water amendment.
  • A coordinated group of residents and property owners expressed concerns about the city's use of Granicus software for short-term rental monitoring, urging the council to reopen the discussion to all stakeholders and consider a moratorium on enforcement while more data is collected. Speakers emphasized that short-term rentals are vital to the local economy and that some hosts fear being targeted.
  • Several speakers shared their views on short-term rentals: some supported enforcement of the current ordinance to preserve residential character; others asked for balanced regulation that includes input from hosts and neighbors.
  • A business owner (Sirius Gourmet Burgers and Pizza) requested parking regulations on Beach Boulevard, citing long-term vehicle occupancy harming customer access.
  • A resident urged improved promotion of the trolley and more bike parking downtown.
  • A resident questioned the city's credit card convenience fees for online services and suggested implementing modern billing and reservation systems.
  • Another resident praised the city's "Welcome to Gulfport" event and encouraged future offerings.
  • A speaker advocated for ranked-choice voting and open primaries in Florida.

Consent Calendar

• The council unanimously approved all consent items (5a–5k), including:
  • Minutes from February 21, 2023
  • Resolution 2023-17: Authorizing interlocal agreement with Pinellas County and participant agreements for debris collection services (Phillips & Jordan Inc., Southern Disaster Recovery LLC, AshBritt Inc.)
  • Resolution 2023-18: Authorizing janitorial services contract (High Sources Inc.)
  • Resolution 2023-19: Authorizing purchase/installation of City Hall Complex EOC generators (CJ's Sales and Service of Ocala, Inc.) with budget amendment
  • Resolution 2023-20: Authorizing renewal of Special Master services (James D. Thaler, Jr.)
  • Resolution 2023-21: Appointing members to the Board of Adjustment
  • Resolution 2023-22: Appointing members to the Planning and Zoning Board/Local Planning Agency
  • Resolution 2023-23: Appointing a member to the Senior Citizens' Advisory Committee on Aging
  • Resolution 2023-24: Appointing resident members to the General Employees' Pension Board and the Police Officers' Pension Board
  • Resolution 2023-25: Appointing Councilmember Ian O'Hara as the city's representative on the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council
  • Resolution 2023-26: Authorizing a participant agreement with Rostan Solutions LLC for disaster debris monitoring/management services

Ordinances

• Ordinance 2023-01 (First Reading) – Amending Chapter 21 (Recreational Vehicles) of the City Code. The update prohibits front-yard RV parking, removes side- and rear-yard setbacks, retains a 3‑foot setback from habitable units, and preserves grandfathering for existing nonconforming RVs. Councilmember Thanos suggested that grandfathered RVs be registered to verify current licensure. The ordinance passed unanimously after public comment, including one resident urging a no vote due to concerns about setbacks and neighborhood character.

Resolutions

• Resolution 2023-27 – Establishing rules for City Council meetings. After debate and public input, the council amended the resolution to require that public comment occur before council members' comments. The amendment passed 3‑2 (Brown, O'Hara, Henderson in favor; Ray, Thanos opposed). The resolution also eliminated a separate "reports" section, with members agreeing to give reports during council comments.
• Resolution 2023-28 – Approving site plan amendment SA23-01 for outdoor seating at the Pearl restaurant (5802 28th Avenue South). The council unanimously approved the application, noting that outdoor dining had been temporarily allowed during COVID and had been well received.

Discussion: Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget and Council Proposals

Items 8a, 8b, and 8c were discussed jointly.

• Capital Improvement Program (8a): The proposed program focuses on infrastructure and public safety, including sanitary sewer improvements, road paving, brick restoration, sidewalk repairs, police and fire equipment/vehicle replacement, and pier piling work to extend the pier’s life by 20–30 years. The city manager emphasized a conservative approach, leveraging state/federal appropriations where possible. The millage rate remains at 4.039 for the 12th consecutive year.
• Operating Budget (8b): Personnel costs account for ~70% of the budget. Proposals include a cost‑of‑living adjustment, progress toward a $15/hour minimum wage, a comprehensive employee classification study, and pension improvements for police and fire. Councilmember Thanos suggested considering a millage rate increase to generate about $360,000 (equivalent to $52/year on a $200,000 taxable home), but other members expressed preference for maintaining the current rate.
• Council Proposals (8c): The council gave direction on nine items:
  • Compensation study: Supported.
  • Clam Bayou reconfiguration: Not approved.
  • Marina master plan: Supported, to be funded through marina revenues.
  • City website replacement: Rejected in favor of in‑house content updates, with an emphasis on improving functionality and integrating online payments/rental systems.
  • Comprehensive plan review: To be placed in the budget as a placeholder, with spending contingent on a future council vote.
  • New Year's Eve fireworks: Rejected 3‑2 (three no votes, two yes).
  • Tree canopy enhancement: Increased from previous allocation to $30,000, with interest in planting unique and historic species.
  • Splash pad: Discussed but not decided; the city manager was asked to explore costs.

Council Comments & Informational Reports

• Councilmember Brown: Reported on planning and zoning board appointments; reminded citizens to share positive stories about city staff; raised concerns about the safety of community food pantry boxes; asked for demographic data from the Gulfport on the Edge visioning sessions.
• Vice Mayor Ray: Recounted attending the Habitat for Humanity home dedication, the Holocaust Museum name‑reading ceremony, and a legislative trip to Tallahassee where he advocated against pending bills on vacation rentals, expedited building permits, and sovereign immunity changes.
• Councilmember O'Hara: Announced office hours on Friday afternoons; promoted a May 6 art benefit for his wife’s cancer treatment.
• Councilmember Thanos: Also reported on the Tallahassee trip; highlighted the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council’s resiliency resolution and sought council consensus to support it (agreed); promoted My Safe FL Home program for hurricane mitigation; requested putting the regional resiliency support on a future agenda (consensus given).
• Mayor Henderson: Addressed community rumors about aggressive short‑term rental enforcement, stating that the city’s approach is complaint‑driven and not punitive; thanked all for their participation.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Recreational vehicle ordinance (first reading) passed unanimously.
• Meeting rules amended to place public comment before council comments (3‑2).
• Outdoor seating site plan approved unanimously.
• Budget direction given: maintain millage rate at 4.039; proceed with compensation study, marina master plan, and in‑house website improvements; reject Clam Bayou reconfiguration and New Year's Eve fireworks; consider comprehensive plan review if needed.
• Tree canopy budget increased to $30,000.
• Council supported regional resiliency plan and directed staff to place it on a future agenda.
• No moratorium on short‑term rental enforcement was adopted; the council confirmed that enforcement remains complaint‑based.