Gulfport City Council Meeting: March 5, 2024 – Awards, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Public Concerns

The Gulfport City Council held its regular meeting on March 5, 2024, at 6:00 PM in Gulfport City Hall. The meeting included presentations of awards, public comments on various community issues, approval of a subdivision replat ordinance, three resolutions, and reports from council members. All votes passed unanimously.

Presentations & Awards

• Poet Laureate Appointment: Councilmember O'Hara presented Krista Fairbrothers as the new Gulfport Poet Laureate for a three-year term, with a poetry event planned for April (National Poetry Month).
• Spirit of Gulfport Award: Mayor Henderson presented the Spirit of Gulfport Award to Vanessa Gray for her years of volunteer work maintaining Lincoln Cemetery, including mowing, grave location assistance, and overall care at her own expense.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jimmy (St. Pete resident, near Gulfport): Voiced ongoing concerns about the Sazerac Lounge, citing noise, illegal parking, a car doing donuts despite police presence, potential fire code violations, and a recent incident where a patron was arrested for attempted sexual battery at Gulfport Beach. Asked for action and updates.
• Regina Bushemy: Expressed strong support for the city and praised the police canine unit, asserting that the quick apprehension of a suspect justified the expenditure.
• Susan Gore (Town Shores, Out Arts & Culture): Reported that the Readout event (Feb 16–18) was highly successful with over 300 attendees, 70 authors, and a sold-out concert benefiting the Resource Center. Announced upcoming event with Faye Jacobs on International Women’s Day. Introduced new board president Paul Raker.
• Paul Raker (Out Arts & Culture Board President): Announced that Susan Gore and Lynn Whitehead received Watermark Wave Awards. Announced two grants: $9,000 from Florida Humanities for a speakout series and $15,000 from Pinellas Community Foundation for operational funds in 2024–2025.
• Kieran Love: Thanked the city for sponsoring Gulfport Art in the Yard (March 23, 10 AM–4 PM), which features 60–75 artists who must reside in Gulfport, with an age span of over 60 years. Questioned why a food truck at the Gulfport Liquor Store parking lot operates without apparent permitting, while other businesses face stricter rules.
• Tom Bixler (Townshores): Announced the citywide yard sale and that the Lions Club will sell hot dogs and sodas to support local charities.
• Vanessa Gray: Thanked the community and city for their support in the Lincoln Cemetery restoration, emphasizing it was a collective effort.
• Charlotte Downey (13th Ave South): Criticized the council for not officially denouncing a comment made during a candidate debate that she characterized as a racist dog whistle against sanitation workers, who are men of color. Expressed support for public works employees.

Discussion Items

• City Manager’s Report: Jim O’Reilly reported that $2.5 million from Congresswoman Luna remains in the federal budget and is expected to be approved. He also noted that the city attorney has drafted an agreement with the church and Anvil Group for property transfer, where the city would forgive code violations in exchange for maintaining and improving the property, with fines reinstated if conditions deteriorate.
• Lincoln Cemetery Jurisdiction: Councilmember Brown raised concerns about reports that St. Petersburg may seek to take over Lincoln Cemetery. City Manager O’Reilly and Mayor Henderson explained that the cemetery’s history ties it to Gulfport and that St. Pete officials have not contacted them about such a move. Mayor Henderson said he received an email from St. Pete Councilmember Gina Driscoll seeking a conversation but had no further details.
• Sazerac Lounge Update: Councilmember Thanos requested an update. City Manager O’Reilly stated that police presence is strong, noise readings have been within limits (55–59 decibels), the food truck on private property is allowed, and the car wash owner must enforce no-parking on his lot. Fire department will conduct occupancy counts. Residents are urged to continue reporting issues.

Consent Calendar

• Item 5.a: Approval of meeting minutes from February 20, 2024 – approved unanimously.

Ordinances – 1st and 2nd Reading

• Ordinance 2024-01 (Subdivision Replat): Approved on second reading to reconfigure two lots into two lots (SR24-01). The Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval unanimously, and no public comments were made. Passed unanimously (5-0).

Resolutions

• Resolution 2024-12 (Special Event – New Horizons Band): Approved a special event application for a concert at Clam Bayou Park on March 24, 2024, at 3:00 PM, with temporary waivers of code provisions. Passed unanimously.
• Resolution 2024-13 (Fire Department Restructuring): Approved amending the fire department’s personnel summary and pay plan to align with current funding. Passed unanimously.
• Resolution 2024-14 (Building Service Assistance – SAFEbuilt): Approved additional funding for contract building department help due to vacancies. Councilmember Thanos requested that contract staff put full names and dates on documents for accountability. Passed unanimously.

Council Members’ Reports & New Business

• Councilmember Thanos: Announced intent to bring forward a proposal for advance planning of electric vehicles for public works, citing federal grants.
• Councilmember Brown: Congratulated Firefighter Paramedic Trickarico as 2023 Firefighter of the Year (county-wide). Promoted Walden School’s murder mystery dinner theater. Requested a proclamation for National Safe Boating Week in May, to be presented by Flotilla Commander Howard Bush.
• Mayor Henderson: Expressed condolences on the passing of Teddy Keho. Reminded residents about bee swarming season and urged professional removal. Mentioned he is living in an RV while his bathroom is being renovated.
• Councilmember O’Hara: Reported on the First Friday art walk, his new role as president of the Arts and Heritage Museum, and the Mayor’s Fusion 49th Street cleanup that collected 330 pounds of trash over four blocks. Noted the upcoming Grand Prix in St. Petersburg and a local driver event at O’Maddy’s.
• Mayor Henderson (continued): Thanked everyone involved in the Cub Scout visit to city facilities. Then read a prepared statement explaining his decision to register as No Party Affiliation (NPA), criticizing partisan polarization and advocating for open primaries, campaign finance caps, and the popular vote.

Key Outcomes

• All resolutions and the ordinance were approved unanimously.
• The city will continue monitoring the Sazerac Lounge and enforce noise and parking regulations.
• The city attorney will finalize the property transfer agreement with the church/Anvil Group.
• Federal funding of $2.5 million remains pending but hopeful.
• No action was taken on the Lincoln Cemetery jurisdiction question; the mayor will follow up with St. Pete councilmember.
• Proclamation for National Safe Boating Week to be prepared.
• Councilmember Thanos will bring electric vehicle planning to a future meeting.