Gulfport City Council Meeting – May 2, 2023

The Gulfport City Council held its regular meeting on May 2, 2023, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting covered consent items, a second reading of an ordinance on recreational vehicles, multiple resolutions, and new business topics including affordable housing, short-term rental regulations, and food pantry safety. Mayor Henderson left early due to a family death; Vice Mayor Paul Ray presided for the remainder.

Consent Calendar

• Item 5a – Minutes of March 7, 2023, approved.
• Item 5b – Resolution 2023-29 appointing a trustee to the Gulfport Firefighters’ Pension Board, approved.
• Item 5c – Resolution 2023-30 authorizing a change in facsimile signatures, approved.
• Item 5d – Resolution 2023-31 authorizing the City Manager to sign a managed services agreement with MY TSC LLC (one year, renewable up to three years), approved.

All consent items passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

1. Rosalie Ross – Requested the trolley (Looper) return to Town Chores for events, citing mobility issues. City Manager responded it could be done on first Fridays and third Saturdays.
2. Rick Gilbert – Expressed support for making marina land public rather than leased to private clubs. Urged an end date on the Bucasiega Yacht Club lease. Praised marina management and suggested a restaurant development on Coast Guard land.
3. Lenny Genheimer – Advocating for the Florida Right to Clean Water constitutional amendment. Provided a packet and urged the city to pass a resolution of support. Noted state proposals to use radioactive gypsum stacks as building material.
4. Ms. Love – Thanked the city for the volunteer luncheon. Requested the council revisit discussion on vehicles (electric bicycles, scooters) using city sidewalks, noting safety concerns for pedestrians.
5. Mr. Freedom – Expressed political views and asked to speak on the pension board item (consent agenda). Advised the council to clarify public comment rules.
6. Unnamed resident – Raised safety concerns about the Leaf Challenge Bridge at the new playground. Detailed inconsistencies in age recommendations and ASTM standards. Said she is not satisfied with Mr. Nichols’ response.
7. Kathleen Kayerox – Supported short-term rental regulations but urged differentiation between individuals renting a room (like herself) and corporations. Also supported allowing multi-family dwellings in certain areas to increase housing affordability.

Discussion Items

• City Manager Report – Mr. Nichols reported the playground meets ASTM standards for ages 2-12 per manufacturer letter, but supervision remains key. Stetson University graduation on May 13 will close 61st Street and use off-site parking; the looper will shuttle attendees. Scout Hall construction is complete and will be available for rentals next week. The Planning and Zoning Board alternate position is being advertised. The Bucasiega Yacht Club lease has been approved by the club’s board and will be on the May 16 agenda.
• City Attorney Report – Discussion on enforcing against harassment and defamatory emails directed at city employees and council members. The attorney will develop a standardized public records response and prepare an ordinance creating non-public forum areas in city facilities to improve safety. He noted requests that are merely rants may not be valid public records requests.
• Ordinance 2023-01 (Second Reading) – Amends Chapter 21 (Recreational Vehicles). Allows storage of RVs in rear yards with a three-foot setback from living units, eliminating other setbacks. Grandfathering provisions remain. Passed unanimously (5-0).
• Resolutions
  • 7a (2023-32) – Approved a special event application from O’Maddy’s to benefit Rachel McQuillen (breast cancer patient). The event will close 54th Street and donate 100% of proceeds. Passed unanimously.
  • 7b (2023-33) – Authorized a First Amendment to the interlocal agreement with the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative (PPLC), continuing shared circulation and group pricing. Passed unanimously.
  • 7c (2023-34) – Accepted a Florida Humanities Summer Reading Program grant for youth storytelling programs, with a budget amendment. Passed unanimously.
• New Business
  • Councilmember Thanos proposed inviting Forward Pinellas to present on the housing compact. After debate, council agreed to schedule a workshop in late summer rather than the fall.
  • Councilmember O’Hara suggested a donation to Neighborly (which provides meals on wheels and other services) at a 10% match level. Past donations were $1,000–$2,000; the council agreed to consider a similar amount.
  • Councilmember O’Hara also proposed a resolution supporting the Florida Right to Clean Water amendment. Council will review the packet and may bring it back.
  • Councilmember O’Hara raised providing city-issued cell phones for council members to ensure public records compliance. City Manager will bring cost estimates.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda – Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 2023-01 – Passed 5-0.
• Resolutions 2023-32, 2023-33, 2023-34 – Each passed unanimously.
• Food Pantry Removal – Council agreed to remove the two food pantries on public property (fire station and library) due to health hazards. A sign will be posted at the library listing alternative food resources (e.g., Feeding Tampa Bay, Jack’s).
• Housing Compact Workshop – Scheduled for late summer (no exact date set).
• Public Records/Harassment – City Attorney and City Manager will develop standardized public records procedures and a safety ordinance for non-public forum areas.
• Bucasiega Yacht Club Lease – To be on the May 16 agenda for council approval.
• City-Issued Cell Phones – City Manager to bring cost information for council consideration.