Gulfport City Council Meeting Summary - February 20, 2024

The Gulfport City Council met on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 6:00 PM at Gulfport City Hall. The meeting featured three presentations (Senior Center Foundation update, Marina Master Plan scope, and Public Safety Building concept), public comments on a variety of topics, approval of consent items, first reading of a subdivision replat ordinance, and new business items including discussions on smoke-free parks, dog park improvements, Lincoln Cemetery lien forgiveness, a swim lesson donation, and board appointments. Key decisions included approval of the consent agenda and ordinance first reading, consensus to cancel the March 19 meeting, and approval of a $1,000 donation to the YMCA swim program.

Presentations

• Senior Center Foundation Update – Larry Kennedy, President, reported that the foundation raised $117,000 in 2023 (a record), committed $500,000 over five years to the new building fund (with naming rights for the outdoor classroom), and spent only $32,000 on administrative expenses. The foundation supports the senior center’s food pantry, fitness center, and other needs. Upcoming events include a golf tournament and golf cart raffle on April 6, 2024. Kennedy encouraged community support through memberships ($35/year), brick purchases at Veterans Park, and volunteering.
• Marina Project Scope – Lori Viola and Brian Zarlenga of Stantec presented the community engagement plan for a marina master plan. The process includes a community meeting in March, an online survey, a second meeting in April/May, and a final concept plan by June 2024. Goals include preserving the marina’s character, improving public access, parking, park space, dry boat storage, and a possible multi-use building. Environmental considerations were raised by council and will be included.
• Public Safety Building Concept – Ward Friszolowski and Amy Bradlow of Harvard Jolly/PBK presented an early concept for a combined police and fire station on the current community center site (49th to 51st Streets). The preliminary design includes a two-story fire station with five pull-through bays, a police station with a sally port, and shared spaces (training, EOC, conference rooms). The project is in early stages; a cost estimate and further design are expected by summer 2024. Council discussed the need for public space (due to CDBG funds), potential acquisition of adjacent land, and ensuring police egress to 49th Street.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Meeting Minutes from February 6, 2024.
• Approved Resolution No. 2024-11 appointing a trustee to the Gulfport Firefighters' Pension Board.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dog Park Conditions – Bonnie Bray and Joselyn Kearns presented photos showing the large dog park’s muddy, dirty condition. They requested a different ground covering (e.g., engineered wood fiber or wood chips) instead of sod, which costs $6,000 per installation and lasts only a day. They noted the lack of tools for filling holes.
• Marina Master Plan – Brian Durr asked for community input to be clearly used and for the scope to go beyond predetermined solutions. Bob Feckner echoed the need for transparent input and expressed concern about relocating fire/police services to the eastern edge of the city. Chuck Kitchler stressed that Gulfport is a residential community (92% of revenue from residents) and urged consideration of traffic, sewage, and environmental impacts; he also questioned using the same firm as before. Jonathan McCoachy asked for clarity on the problem the marina plan aims to solve. Karen Hugar, a charter boat captain, reminded council that the marina was originally built for residents and urged environmental care, noting flooding issues from seawall pipes. Deb Atkins recalled a previous similar process that went nowhere.
• Voter Registration Concerns – Richard Freed reported an error on the Pinellas County voter registration site that listed Gulfport addresses as St. Petersburg; he challenged council members’ voting rights as a protest and asked for guidance.
• Dog Attack Incident – Lenny Guckenheimer described a recent dog attack on bicyclists and urged the city to adopt a vicious dog ordinance.
• LGBTQ Literary Festival – Susan Gore promoted the seventh annual Readout festival held nearby, with about 300 attendees.
• Chamber of Commerce – Sarah Lara Quente thanked the council for 40 years of support, announced the chamber’s new welcome center grand opening on March 21 at 5 PM, and highlighted successful events (Tuesday market at capacity, fine arts festival).
• Affordable Housing – Raven Kramer shared statistics: average home sale price $398,000, average rent $2,000 (42% over $2,300), average salary in Gulfport $38,000. She urged a workshop on affordable housing, suggesting ADUs to help Gen Z.
• Senior Center Foundation – Karen Schwartz praised the foundation’s progress but noted confusion between the senior center and foundation, and criticized the fundraising consultant’s lack of research (e.g., not knowing how to contact Humana).
• Upcoming Events – Kelly Garcia promoted the 20th annual Gulfport Gets Rescued festival (Feb 24), a mixer with the Senior Center Foundation (Feb 28), and the Pink Flamingo Home Tour (March 2) featuring Stetson.
• Public Land Use – Rick Gilbert argued that private clubs (Gulfport Yacht Club, etc.) should not have exclusive use of public marina land, claiming 60% of members are non-residents.
• Palm Tree Disease – Charlotte Downey raised concerns about lethal browning of palm trees, a disease spreading in Florida, and urged the city to investigate.
• Public Safety Building – Kieran Love asked about relocation of existing services (trash trucks) from the site and whether Charles (a resident) would have accommodations.
• Support for Presentations – Several speakers thanked presenters and expressed interest in the plans.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 2024-01 (First Reading) – A subdivision replat to reconfigure two lots (120 ft of Lot 9 and Lot 11, Veteran City) from one lot back into two lots. The applicant’s attorney, Matt Sullivan, explained it was previously two lots combined; the owner plans to build two homes. Public comment: Richard Freed objected, saying it would build expensive homes (citing $1.2M houses nearby) and is inconsistent with affordable housing goals. Another speaker noted the irony of increasing density after council said they opposed it. Council clarified it returns to the original two lots. The motion carried unanimously (5-0).
• New Business –
  • Smoke-Free Parks/Beaches – Councilmember Thanos reported being approached by the Florida Department of Health to reconsider a smoke-free policy. The state would provide signage. Council will review materials.
  • Dog Park Ground Cover – Thanos proposed using engineered wood fiber (“Wolf Fiber”) costing $2,800–$5,600 for initial installation, lasting 2–4 years, versus $18,000/year for sod (3 times a year). She asked parks department to evaluate. Councilmember O’Hara requested Material Safety Data Sheets to verify non-toxicity.
  • Lincoln Cemetery Lien Forgiveness – Vice Mayor Ray requested a resolution for the next meeting to forgive a $49,000+ lien on the Lincoln Cemetery property, now under caretakership of Cross and Anvil (a nonprofit). Council expressed support but wants to discuss protections to ensure future upkeep.
  • YMCA Swim Lesson Donation – Vice Mayor Ray requested a $1,000 donation to the YMCA’s “Safety Around Water” program at Stetson, which provided free lessons to 150 underprivileged children last year. Council approved.
  • Forward Pinellas Board Appointment – Vice Mayor Ray expressed interest in representing Gulfport on the new combined regional planning board (Forward Pinellas) for a three-year term. Council agreed to prepare the appointment for the next meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 2024-01 passed first reading unanimously.
• March 19, 2024 City Council Meeting canceled due to municipal election and presidential primary. Consensus reached.
• FDEP Consent Order Released – City Manager reported that the utilities department completed sewer lift station requirements, ending the consent order.
• Dog Park Ground Cover – Staff directed to research engineered wood fiber and provide cost and safety data; council to revisit.
• Lincoln Cemetery Lien – Resolution to forgive $49,000+ lien to be placed on next agenda; city attorney to prepare an agreement with Cross and Anvil for future maintenance.
• YMCA Swim Lesson Donation – Approved $1,000 contribution.
• Forward Pinellas Board – Vice Mayor Ray appointed as Gulfport’s representative; appointment to be formalized at next meeting.
• Smoke-Free Parks/Beaches – Council to review Department of Health materials and discuss further.
• Council Comments – Recognized loss of community member Doris McEwen (longest registered voter); praised Vanessa Gray for her work at Lincoln Cemetery; noted upcoming 49th Street cleanup on March 2 at 9 AM; Stetson University of Law now included in Pink Flamingo Home Tour.
• Spirit of Gulfport Award – Council agreed to nominate Vanessa Gray for the Spirit of Gulfport award.