Gulfport City Council Meeting – December 19, 2023

The Gulfport City Council met on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at 6:00 PM with Vice Mayor Ray presiding. The council unanimously approved several resolutions authorizing independent audit services, financial support services, sanitary sewer rehabilitation, elevator modernization at the Michael J. Yakes Recreation Center, and a grant agreement for the 58th Street South Roadway Improvements Project. Public comments addressed beach access for dogs, the Arbor Day tree giveaway, and the municipal election. The council conducted the ballot order drawing for the upcoming election and discussed the city's response to storm-related vessel groundings.

Consent Calendar

• Item 5.a: Approved the meeting minutes from the December 5, 2023, city council meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Francine Witton: Celebrated the 33rd year of the city's Operation Santa program, thanking the community for its support.
• Evelyn Turney (Marina District resident): Expressed appreciation for city services and advocated for the council to reconsider the ban on dogs on the beach, proposing a trial period with limited hours or a designated zone.
• Deb Laramie: Commended the city for the Arbor Day celebration and tree giveaway. She suggested providing better instructions for tree planting and care and offered to volunteer, citing her 35-year career in parks management.
• Kelly Wright (Chairperson, Gulfport Merchant Chamber): Provided updates on the chamber's New Year's Eve event, new location, and the formation of new committees for 2024 (Arts Alliance, Tourism, Advocacy).
• Marlene: Raised concerns about the enforcement of campaign sign ordinances and reported the theft of a sign from her yard, urging the city to better educate the community on the rules.
• Karen: Thanked the council for their hard work, specifically praising the thorough budget process and the annual department head presentations.
• Tommy Bixler: Announced upcoming Lions Club events, including a January pancake breakfast and a 70s dance fundraiser providing scholarships for Boca Ciega High School.

Discussion Items

• City Manager's Report:
  • PSDA Board: The council was informed a candidate selection for the PSDA board resulted in a tie and would be resolved by city managers.
  • Storm Response & Vessel Groundings: City Manager O'Reilly reported that of four vessels washed ashore after the storm, three had insurance and would be removed by their owners. The city will remove one uninsured vessel. A fifth vessel behind the Recreation Center is being investigated by FWC. Councilmember Brown expressed frustration over boats breaking loose and damaging public infrastructure. The City Manager explained the city's limited authority under state law to regulate anchored vessels.
• Election Ballot Order (Item 8.a):
  • City Clerk Keriko announced that Paul Ray was declared elected for Ward 3 as the sole qualified candidate and will be sworn in on April 2, 2024.
  • For Ward 1, the clerk conducted a lot to determine ballot placement. The result placed Tom Bixler first and April Thanos second on the ballot for the March 19, 2024, Municipal Election.
• Council Comments and Town Hall Proposal:
  • Tree Inventory Town Hall: Councilmember Christine Brown requested to host a town hall in February to present GIS tree inventory software (~$5,000) to residents. The goal is a volunteer-led tree count to support FEMA reimbursement after storms. Vice Mayor Ray requested postponing to April to avoid the municipal election period. Councilmember Brown agreed, moving the town hall to April.
  • Form 6 Financial Disclosure: Vice Mayor Ray highlighted recent city council resignations across Florida (St. Pete Beach, Seminole, etc.) due to new Form 6 financial disclosure laws. He voiced concerns over privacy violations, the exposure of client lists, and the burden of reporting detailed household assets.
  • Dog Beach Discussion: Councilmember Brown requested that the council consider a future discussion on a trial dog-friendly beach area with restricted times or zones.
  • Campaign Sign Clarification: Vice Mayor Ray and the City Attorney clarified that campaign signs must be placed off the public right-of-way (three feet from the sidewalk/property line). They advised residents to call Code Enforcement to handle violations rather than removing signs themselves.

Key Outcomes

• Resolutions Approved (Unanimous Votes):
  • 7.a: Authorized a contract with MSL, P.A., for independent audit services.
  • 7.b: Authorized retaining Milestone Professional Services, Inc., for additional financial support services.
  • 7.c: Authorized an agreement with Atlantic Pipe Services, LLC, for the rehabilitation of an estimated 24,000 linear feet of Priority 2 sanitary sewer mains ($850,000 from a $1 million appropriation).
  • 7.d: Authorized a contract with Otis Elevator Services for the complete modernization of the 25-year-old elevator at the Michael J. Yakes Recreation Center and the associated budget amendment.
  • 7.e: Authorized the Mayor and City Manager to sign a FDOT grant agreement for the 58th Street South Roadway Improvements Project ($1.2 million in state funding with a $400,000 city match).
• Election Update: Paul Ray elected unopposed for Ward 3. Ward 1 ballot set as Tom Bixler and April Thanos.
• Town Hall Postponed: Councilmember Brown's tree inventory town hall was postponed from February to April 2024.
• Storm Cleanup: City staff cleaned up debris. The city is facilitating removal of vessels, with insurance covering three and the city bearing the cost for one uninsured vessel.