Gulfport City Council Meeting - August 15, 2023

The Gulfport City Council meeting on August 15, 2023, was presided over by Vice Mayor Ray in the absence of Mayor Henderson. The council addressed a consent agenda, two ordinances on second reading, and multiple resolutions, primarily concerning insurance renewals and the approval of the fiscal year 2023-2024 special events calendar. The meeting featured extensive public comment and council debate regarding a conflict over the organization of the city's annual Pride event.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved the August 1, 2023 meeting minutes.
• Stormwater Contract: Approved Resolution 2023-59, authorizing a contract with Atlantic Pipe Services to line 895 linear feet of 24-inch stormwater culvert pipe. (Vote: 4-0)

Public Comments & Testimony

• LGBTQ Resource Center (Susan Gore): Announced the expansion of the Branch Out scholarship program to three $2,000 scholarships for local LGBTQ+ students.
• Resident: Criticized the process concerning the Historical Society's lease default, stating the situation felt "shady" and lacked public input, referencing a potential $200,000 budget impact.
• Residents (Nushemmy, Walter Barker): Praised city staff for responsiveness regarding Scout Hall events and the new median landscaping and bump-outs, respectively.
• Resident (Karen Schwartz): During the garbage ordinance hearing, expressed full support for a "Pay as You Throw" tiered garbage collection system to encourage recycling, citing EPA data.
• Gulfport Merchants Chamber (Barbara Banno): Thanked the city for its partnership in supporting small businesses.
• Pride Event Discussion:
  • Resident (Greg): Expressed support for the Pride event, advising against it becoming a "culture of personality" or overly focused on money.
  • Resident (Karen Schwartz): Expressed concern over the lack of transparency in the Pride event application process, noting the LGBTQ Resource Center's application was submitted first.
  • Resident (Pete Rinti): Raised a procedural question about council member conflicts of interest regarding the event.
  • LGBTQ Resource Center (Susan Gore): Detailed the timeline of her application submission and expressed concern that it was passed over.
  • Pride Event Organizer (Paul): Asserted he originated the Pride event five years prior, stating it was "ours from the beginning" and disputing claims of it being stolen.
• Resident: Expressed disappointment at the lack of a city-organized Memorial Day ceremony and hope for support for a resident-led effort.

Discussion Items

• Garbage Ordinance (Ordinance 2023-08): Council passed a second reading amending service charges and billing. Councilmember Thanos expressed interest in discussing a tiered "Pay as You Throw" structure in the future.
• Police Pension Ordinance (Ordinance 2023-09): Council passed a second reading amending the Police Officers' Trust Fund.
• City Insurance Renewals (Resolutions 2023-60 to 2023-63): Council approved the renewal of health, life, disability, and general liability policies. The City Manager noted a 2.75% increase for employee health premiums and a 19.26% increase for general property insurance. Council discussed building resilience measures to potentially lower future property insurance costs.
• Special Events Calendar (Resolution 2023-64): The approval of 74 events generated significant debate over a disputed Pride event application. The City Manager stated a courtesy call was made to a council member involved. A motion to separate the Pride event for a later vote failed for lack of a second. The full calendar passed 3-1, with Councilmember Thanos dissenting.
• Gulfport Casino Revenue (Resolution 2023-69): The City Manager and staff reported record-breaking revenue for the fiscal year, including $142,000 in rental revenue, $145,000 in bar revenue, and nearly $180,000 in door revenue from dance events. Council approved an additional purchase order for dance vendors to cover expenses.
• Council Reports (New Business):
  • Councilmember Thanos reported on the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council meeting, discussing a NOAA grant opportunity, the Live Local Act's limited applicability in Gulfport, PFAS chemicals, and new state business impact statement requirements.
  • Councilmember Thanos reiterated interest in a workshop on "Pay as You Throw" and discussed the upcoming Gecko Fest.
  • Councilmember Brown reminded residents of the Gecko Ball and thanked Councilmember O'Hara for leading the Gecko Parade.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (4-0).
• Ordinances: Both the Garbage Ordinance (2023-08) and Police Pension Ordinance (2023-09) passed unanimously (4-0).
• Insurance Resolutions: Resolutions 2023-60 through 2023-63 passed unanimously (4-0).
• Special Events Calendar: Resolution 2023-64 passed (3-1). Councilmember Thanos dissented.
• Individual Event Resolutions: Resolutions 2023-65 through 2023-69 passed unanimously (4-0).
• Future Actions: Council directed staff to explore a NOAA grant and planned for future discussions on business impact statements and a "Pay as You Throw" garbage rate structure.