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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Gulfport City Council Meeting – November 7, 2023

City Council — Tuesday, November 7, 2023

BodyGulfport, Florida

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, November 7, 2023

StatusFILED

Video Record

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Transcript — Verbatim

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

4:57

I'll see you all rise?

Speaker 2

5:12

So, in honor of um Veterans Day, um a true soldier fights not because he hates what's in front of him, but because he loves what's behind him, and that was from GK Chesterson, who was an English writer and philosopher from that died in 1936, but still true today.

Unassigned speaker

5:38

And

Speaker 2

5:38

so,

Speaker 3

5:39

which stands

Unassigned speaker

5:41

nomination under an individual

Speaker 3

5:44

liberty and justice.

Speaker 1

5:50

City clerk roll call, please.

Speaker 4

5:52

Councilmember Thanos here.

5:53

Councilmember Brown here.

5:55

Vice Mayor Ray, here councilmember O'Hara.

Speaker 1

5:58

Here,

Speaker 4

5:58

City Attorney Salzman, here, City Manager O'Reilly.

6:01

Here.

6:01

City Clerk Carico present.

6:03

Mayor Henderson has asked to be excused.

Speaker 1

6:06

Um, we're gonna be starting off.

6:07

We have a couple of presentations, the first of which is Regina Buscemi, uh board member for the senior center advisory committee.

6:16

Thank you.

Unassigned speaker

6:17

Good

Speaker 5

6:17

evening.

6:18

Hey, this is a different hat for me tonight.

6:21

I'm usually asking for something.

Unassigned speaker

6:25

So

Speaker 5

6:25

the senior you just recently put me on this board, so I don't know a lot about it, but it's been very interesting.

6:31

We get together on the first, on the second Tuesday of every month from September through June, beginning at 8 a.m.

6:40

And anyone who has feedback or would like to speak with us is welcome to come.

6:44

We presently have a full uh a full committee, nine members, for the first time in a while, I believe.

6:53

Um, since the adoption of resolution 92-12 in February of 1992, this committee has been tasked to determine the long and short-term needs

Unassigned speaker

7:03

of

Speaker 5

7:03

the Gulfport's aging residents and recommends priorities to city council.

7:09

I'm sorry, I'm laughing, but you only have to be 50 years old to be a senior, and I don't consider that aged, but okay, whatever.

7:18

Prepare recommended we're also tasked to prepare recommendations on program priorities to meet the needs of Gulfport's aging residents, and to serve

Unassigned speaker

7:27

as

Speaker 5

7:27

an advocate on behalf of the aged in matters of local or regional resource distribution.

7:33

Recent accomplishments, this uh they recently put together the welcome to golf port packet.

7:39

Christian and Rachel did these welcome to Gulfport packet, which is awesome.

7:43

We used it at the Welcome to Gulfport events we had.

7:47

Um this packet is found online or also provided to new residents when they establish a water connection.

Unassigned speaker

7:55

The

Speaker 5

7:56

senior center stats, the registered participants are 3,660 or 464.

8:03

Gulfport residents, 2,251, which is 65%, and non-Gulf Port residents is 1,213, which is 50 uh 35%.

8:15

The average per day people who come to the senior center is 648.

8:22

And if you've ever been to the senior center, those rooms are so small.

8:26

I'm so glad we're doing this, the new one.

8:29

It's we really need it.

8:31

Um we do request feedback, and I'm from all of you or from all of

Unassigned speaker

8:39

the

Speaker 5

8:40

Gulf Port residents.

8:42

Um you want to have something to say, please do.

Unassigned speaker

8:46

Do

Speaker 5

8:46

you have any questions?

8:47

Because Rachel is here to answer them.

8:51

I like that hand up.

Speaker 2

8:53

I'm really glad because a lot of the advisory committees, they they never come and talk to us.

8:57

So it's good.

8:59

And if you think of something that the aging population needs, we'll be happy to hear about it.

9:07

Okay.

Speaker 3

9:07

I still had a teenager when I was 50.

9:10

I I mean, I just don't get it, yeah.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Works█████████████████████21%

Community Engagement████████████████16%

Community Events██████████████14%

Environmental Protection██████████████14%

Procedural█████████9%

Public Safety███████7%

Budget Equity Analysis██████6%

Transportation Safety█████5%

Parks and Recreation███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Gulfport City Council Meeting – November 7, 2023

The Gulfport City Council met on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 6:00 PM at Gulfport City Hall (2401 53rd Street South). Mayor Sam Henderson was excused; Vice Mayor Ray presided. The meeting included three presentations, public comment, approval of minutes, and seven resolutions, all of which passed with votes ranging from 3–1 to unanimous.

Presentations

Senior Center Advisory Committee Update: Regina Buscemi, board member, reported that the committee now has nine full members. She highlighted the creation of a “Welcome to Gulfport” packet distributed to new residents. Statistics: 3,660 registered participants (2,251 Gulfport residents – 65%, 1,213 non-residents – 35%), with an average daily attendance of 648. She expressed support for the planned new senior center building.
Halloween Decoration Contest Winners: The residential winner, Robert Ware and Alex Garcia (across from Scout Hall), were recognized. The business winner, Gulfport Beach Bazaar, was unable to attend.
National Wildlife Federation – Gulf Program: Amanda Moore, director, presented results of a $300,000 Deepwater Horizon-funded project using storytelling (film) and boat tours to boost community resilience engagement. Key findings: 149% increase in willingness to attend city/county resilience meetings, 240% increase in willingness to work on nature-based solutions. She invited council members to boat tours on December 1 and 8. The film and discussion guides are publicly available.

Public Comments & Testimony

Jerry Reid (49th Street South Business Association) announced a toy drive on November 18 at the Lions Club pancake breakfast (8–11 AM), with Santa from Busch Gardens.
Tom Bixler (59th Street South) thanked the city for promoting the Lions Club breakfast, noted a 100% increase in attendance (about 100 people), and praised the Gecko Queen for a successful cash mob.
Karen thanked the city for sponsoring Gulfport Art in the Yard, noted sidewalk trimming along 58th and 49th streets, complimented the new playground sunshade and swings, and again requested dimmer lighting on the pier (third time raising the issue).
Melissa Humboldt (Vice President, Gulfport Merchants Chamber) announced a New Year’s Eve gala at the Casino, a monthly referral meeting (next: November 15 at Lions Club, 9:30–10:30 AM), the Shop Local Holiday Campaign (Nov 25–Dec 16), and a holiday mixer on December 11 at Lions Club.
Sarah Lara Clante (President/CEO, Gulfport Merchants Chamber) announced the chamber’s new welcome center at 5317 Gulfport Boulevard (900 sq ft), with a grand opening in December.
Lenny Gukenheimer (5213 Dallette Avenue) thanked Councilmember O’Hara for collaborating with St. Petersburg on 49th Street safety/beautification. He suggested shuttle service and remote parking for Gulfport events to reduce congestion.

Consent Calendar

Item 5.a: Approval of meeting minutes from October 17, 2023. Passed unanimously by voice vote.

Resolutions (Discussion Items)

Resolution 2023-101 (Marina work truck): Authorized purchase of one 2024 work truck and sale of old truck (#1400) at auction. City Manager O’Reilly explained the current truck is rusted out; hybrid/electric options unavailable in a timely manner. Councilmember Thanos voted no; others yes. Passed 3–1.
Resolution 2023-102 (Building Maintenance work van): Three options presented: 2023 gas ($40,597), 2024 gas ($54,867), 2024 electric ($56,738). After debate about electric battery lifespan and charging infrastructure, a motion to select the electric option failed for lack of a second. Motion for option 1 (2023 gas) passed 3–1 (Thanos no).
Resolution 2023-103 (TASER replacement): Authorized purchase of 18 replacement conducted energy weapons from Axon Enterprise for $48,080.20. Police Chief noted support liability ends after 5 years; current weapons are 6+ years old. Passed unanimously.
Resolution 2023-104 (EMS Coordinator vehicle): Authorized purchase of a 2023 Ford F-150 EcoBoost from AutoNation Ford for fire department use. 75% funded by Pinellas County EMS. Passed unanimously.
Resolution 2023-105 (Marina fuel budget amendment): Recognized increased fuel revenue and offsetting costs for fiscal year 2023. Passed unanimously.
Resolution 2023-106 (Hurricane Idalia emergency repairs): Authorized a $150,000 budget amendment for response/recovery/mitigation costs, with reimbursement expected from FEMA. Repairs included casino dock, Veterans Park gazebo, and marina pier. Seawall repairs pending. Passed unanimously.

Council Reports & Other Business

Councilmember Thanos: Announced a town hall on trees/urban forestry on November 15 at Scout Hall; a meeting with county on November 27 about trees on Gulfport Boulevard; and Arbor Day on December 1 at 3:45 PM with tree giveaways. Encouraged proactive tree planting.
Vice Mayor Ray: Reminded of Veterans Day parade on November 11 at 11 AM, followed by a police vs. fire volleyball game. Praised the Recreation Center’s Halloween haunted house and trunk-or-treat. Distributed a “Safe Streets for All” flyer about 49th Street.
Councilmember Brown: Thanked participants in the Holt Street Halloween block party; noted Funky Flamingo needs food donations; requested refurbishment of the “Welcome to Gulfport” sign at Caldwell Park; reported on a meeting with Pinellas County about sidewalk construction near Jack’s In & Out (strip mall) – temporary parking will be arranged during construction.
Councilmember O’Hara: Discussed the length of presentations at meetings. Proposed limiting presentations to 15 minutes or scheduling them only at the second meeting of the month. Council agreed to ask staff to provide guidance and schedule longer presentations for later in meetings.

Key Outcomes

All seven resolutions passed: Resolutions 2023-101 (3–1), 2023-102 (3–1), and 2023-103 through 2023-106 (unanimous).
Council directed staff to limit future presentations to 15 minutes and to schedule longer presentations for the second meeting of the month.
Councilmember O’Hara will work with St. Petersburg on 49th Street improvements and monitor construction impacts on local businesses.
The city will continue resilience planning and consider using the National Wildlife Federation film for public engagement.
Tree planting initiatives will be discussed at upcoming community meetings, with Arbor Day tree giveaways on December 1.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:00 PM.

Meeting Transcript

I'll see you all rise? So, in honor of um Veterans Day, um a true soldier fights not because he hates what's in front of him, but because he loves what's behind him, and that was from GK Chesterson, who was an English writer and philosopher from that died in 1936, but still true today. And so, which stands nomination under an individual liberty and justice. City clerk roll call, please. Councilmember Thanos here. Councilmember Brown here. Vice Mayor Ray, here councilmember O'Hara. Here, City Attorney Salzman, here, City Manager O'Reilly. Here. City Clerk Carico present. Mayor Henderson has asked to be excused. Um, we're gonna be starting off. We have a couple of presentations, the first of which is Regina Buscemi, uh board member for the senior center advisory committee. Thank you. Good evening. Hey, this is a different hat for me tonight. I'm usually asking for something. So the senior you just recently put me on this board, so I don't know a lot about it, but it's been very interesting. We get together on the first, on the second Tuesday of every month from September through June, beginning at 8 a.m. And anyone who has feedback or would like to speak with us is welcome to come. We presently have a full uh a full committee, nine members, for the first time in a while, I believe. Um, since the adoption of resolution 92-12 in February of 1992, this committee has been tasked to determine the long and short-term needs of the Gulfport's aging residents and recommends priorities to city council. I'm sorry, I'm laughing, but you only have to be 50 years old to be a senior, and I don't consider that aged, but okay, whatever. Prepare recommended we're also tasked to prepare recommendations on program priorities to meet the needs of Gulfport's aging residents, and to serve as an advocate on behalf of the aged in matters of local or regional resource distribution. Recent accomplishments, this uh they recently put together the welcome to golf port packet. Christian and Rachel did these welcome to Gulfport packet, which is awesome. We used it at the Welcome to Gulfport events we had. Um this packet is found online or also provided to new residents when they establish a water connection. The senior center stats, the registered participants are 3,660 or 464. Gulfport residents, 2,251, which is 65%, and non-Gulf Port residents is 1,213, which is 50 uh 35%. The average per day people who come to the senior center is 648. And if you've ever been to the senior center, those rooms are so small. I'm so glad we're doing this, the new one. It's we really need it. Um we do request feedback, and I'm from all of you or from all of the Gulf Port residents. Um you want to have something to say, please do.

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