Gulfport City Council Meeting – September 5, 2023: Budget, Millage, and Briar Hall Debate

The Gulfport City Council met on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at 6:00 PM at Gulfport City Hall. The agenda included public hearings on the FY 2023-2024 millage rate and operating budget, public comment, city manager and attorney reports, consent agenda approval, a first reading of a tree ordinance amendment (which was tabled), three resolutions authorizing grants and an EMS agreement, and council discussion on affordable housing and other topics. The meeting lasted approximately 2.5 hours, with a break. Key outcomes include adoption of the budget and millage (4.0258 mills, a 13.13% increase over the rolled-back rate) with one no vote, approval of grant resolutions, and tabling of the tree ordinance for further review.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the August 15, 2023 meeting were approved unanimously.
• Resolution No. 2023-70 appointing a member to the Senior Citizens' Advisory Committee on Aging was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Richard Freed: Commented on the water rate restructuring, expressing disappointment but noting a one-dollar savings, which he offered to each council member (declined).
• Ms. Dober: Raised concerns about the lack of a secure credit card payment system citywide, referencing Ordinance 2021-10 that prohibits credit card fees for online payments but noted only two departments accept online payments. Called the situation "deceiving and discriminatory."
• Julie Armstrong (5722 17th Ave S): Proposed that Briar Hall (Art Center) be used as a rental venue for small events, placed under the direction of Justin and Kristen, with 30-day art exhibits on third Saturdays. She supported digitizing the historical building and staffing but suggested a different use for Briar Hall.
• Shirley Baldwin (Beachway Park): Emphasized the underutilization of the Art Center and its potential as a cultural hub for workshops, classes, and inclusive community meetings. Urged council to improve utilization and management.
• Francis Colbertson (5719 29th Ave S): Echoed support for Briar Hall as a rental space for organizations or private events, and thanked the city for the dog park.
• Kathy Celestry Loper (1861 53rd St, President of Gulfport Historical Society): Clarified that the Historical Society has a lease on both buildings through 2027. She stated that if the budget passes to provide operational support, they will work to transition, but if it fails, the lease remains, and council would need a separate meeting to decide. She noted they have paid the lease through 2027.
• Margot Dalgady (57th St S): Expressed confusion about the Historical Society's role after reading in the Gabber that they wanted to step back. She endorsed the city hiring staff to run the Art Center with authority over programming, not undermining the Historical Society.
• Scott Lindy (926 60th St S, private citizen): Recalled when Briar Hall was a dynamic, artist-run space. He argued that history and art are different functions and suggested considering a different approach, possibly with the support of Dave's group, but cautioned against adding bureaucratic layers.
• Susan Gore (Windsor Building, Town Shores, President of LGBTQ Resource Center): Expressed interest in collaborating with whatever entity takes over Briar Hall and noted that if the lease is $1 per year for five years, her organization would take it on.
• Jan Lyon Bennett (artist): Desired community arts space for teaching and sharing art; wants to see the building open and active.
• Walter Barker (Trade Winds Drive): Encouraged blending art and history, suggested that renting to groups would bring more eyes to art, and recommended that the staffing of the historical center include outreach to local colleges for interns.
• Ms. Love: Expressed concern that the public only heard about the request to return the buildings to the city in mid-July, but the Historical Society still wanted control. She argued that if the city provides $200,000 in staffing, equal opportunity should be given to all residents to use the building.
• Kelly (56th St S, Gulfport Food Forest): Thanked the city for support of the Food Forest (now 9 years old), reported no tree loss during the hurricane, and invited the council to a birthday party on September 9, 6-8 PM. Also mentioned the Village Supper program partnering with the Senior Center.
• Karen (public comment): Thanked the city for storm preparation and Gecko Fest cleanup, but also addressed decorum issues on the dais. She criticized Vice Mayor Ray for using his position to raise his voice and cut off others at the last meeting, and then complaining as a resident in the Gabber. She requested that taxpayers also be given respectful decorum.
• Ms. Dober (second time): Echoed thanks for hurricane preparedness and communication. Also thanked Rachel at the Senior Center for loaning a walker during a health episode and Tom Nichols for helping with garbage pickup.
• Gina Buscemi: Reminded everyone of the September 11th remembrance at the casino at 8:30 AM. Also requested a position on the committee to decide the future of Briar Hall.
• Richard Freed (second time): Shared experience organizing Portland's first Pride parade as a 501(c)(3) and suggested honorary board seats to bridge gaps. Also commented that Florida should teach history including the fate of Mussolini and fascists.
• Tom Bixler (Town Shores): Addressed the previous meeting's heated discussion, noting that they agreed to disagree and the event will happen. He praised Vice Mayor Ray for publicly apologizing in the Gabber.
• Kevin Chapman (17th Ave S, government manager managing 6,000 employees and $1.3B budget): Described an incident where his wife wrote a negative online review of a local Gulfport shop, and the business owner responded by posting their home address online and showing up at their home to threaten. He reported that the Gulfport Police Department officer who responded trespassed his wife from the business, joked about her mental health, and told her that confronting customers at their home was acceptable. The Chief of Police reviewed the body camera video with eight command staff and found nothing wrong. Chapman appealed to the council for accountability.
• Walter Barker (second time, on tree ordinance): Supported making tree removal more costly and requiring more replacement trees to preserve Gulfport's canopy.
• Topher T. Ross (1909 55th St S, City Horticulturist): Cautioned against requiring larger-diameter trees (four-inch) because they may not establish well; recommended smaller pot-grown trees (e.g., two-inch) that build root structure faster. Emphasized that enforcement is key.

Discussion Items

• FY 2023-2024 Millage Rate and Budget Ordinances: City Manager Jim O'Reilly presented the $19 million balanced budget with 22% reserves and a reduced millage rate (4.0258 mills, down from 4.039). The budget funds senior center replacement, Thomas and Park, Wood Ibis Pond silt removal, tree canopy increase, senior center project, Osgood Point evaluation, 49th Street Public Safety Complex planning, 49th Street Traffic and Beautification, IT infrastructure expansion, department reorganization (separating utility customer service from finance), implementation of city operation of the history museum and art center, comprehensive plan review, vulnerability assessment grant, $1M FDEP sewer repair grant, and recognition of $1.2M FDOT appropriation for 58th Street improvements. Council discussed the art center/history museum funding. Councilmember Thanos expressed concern about staffing the art center without further discussion, preferring a multi-purpose building. Councilmember Brown reported on a planning meeting with positive ideas. Mayor Henderson noted the request from the Historical Society to step in. The budget passed 4-1, with Councilmember Thanos voting no.
• Tree Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2023-12): Proposed amendment to increase replacement tree size from two-inch to four-inch dbh and raise the fee for non-planting from $100 to $125 per inch. Discussion included councilmember Thanos's preference for smaller two-inch trees (better establishment) and a multiplier based on removed tree size, while councilmember Brown opposed making it harder for homeowners. Councilmember O'Hara noted concerns about enforcement and state preemption. An amendment to change to three two-inch trees (or two two-inch trees) failed to get a second. The ordinance was tabled unanimously (5-0) to allow further discussion, with plans to bring it back as a discussion item.
• Tree Canopy on Gulfport Boulevard: Councilmember Thanos reported a meeting with County Commissioner Renee Flowers and others to explore adding 5-6 trees along Gulfport Boulevard, potentially with public-private partnerships and considering a median to preserve evacuation routes. A resident/business meeting is planned for late October.
• Affordable Housing Presentation: Councilmember Thanos proposed inviting former Senator Jeff Brandis to discuss affordable housing options in Gulfport, focusing on small-scale changes like duplexes or accessory dwelling units. Councilmember Brown and O'Hara expressed concerns about raising expectations and revisiting a topic already explored. Council agreed to invite Senator Brandis for a presentation only, with discussion to be scheduled separately.

Key Outcomes

• Millage Rate Ordinance (2023-10): Approved unanimously (5-0). Sets millage at 4.0258 operating mills for FY 2023-2024, a 13.13% increase over the rolled-back rate.
• Operating Budget Ordinance (2023-11): Approved 4-1 (Councilmember Thanos dissenting). Adopts $19 million operating budget with 22% reserves.
• Tree Ordinance (2023-12): Tabled unanimously (5-0). Will be brought back as a discussion item after further review.
• Resolution 2023-71 (FDEP Sanitary Sewer Repairs Grant): Approved unanimously. Authorizes City Manager to accept a $1 million grant for priority two and three sewer repairs.
• Resolution 2023-72 (FDEP Comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment): Approved unanimously. Authorizes the $80,000 grant and an agreement with Advanced Engineering and Design for engineering and grant management.
• Resolution 2023-73 (EMS ALS First Responder Agreement Amendment): Approved unanimously. Authorizes entering into an amended agreement with Pinellas County, with the city receiving $1,011,450 for paramedic services.
• Consent Agenda: Approved minutes and appointment to Senior Citizens' Advisory Committee.
• Next Meeting: September 18, 2023 (Monday, not Tuesday) at 6:00 PM.