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Record of Proceedings

Gulfport City Council Meeting - August 6, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, August 6, 2024
BodyGulfport, Florida
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, August 6, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
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Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:30

I think I'm saying it right.

0:32

So I did some research and found a poem for sea seafaring people.

0:38

It's called Sea Fever by John Macefield that was written in 1902.

0:45

I must go down to the seas again to the lonely and the sky, the lonely sea and sky.

0:51

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.

0:55

And the wheels kick and the wind song and the white shale sails shaking and a gray mist on the sea's face and a gray dawn breaking.

1:10

It is a wild call and a clear call, and it may not be denied.

1:14

And all I ask is a windy day with the clouds, the white clouds flying, and the flung spray and the blown spoon spoon, and the seagull's crying.

1:26

I must go down to the seas again

Unassigned speaker

1:29

to

Speaker 1

1:29

the vagrant gypsy life to the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a wetted knife.

1:36

All I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow rover and a quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

Unassigned speaker

1:47

Thank you.

Unassigned speaker

1:49

I

Speaker 2

1:49

pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

1:53

To the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God and indivisible with liberty team justice for all.

Speaker 3

2:03

Councilmember Brown?

2:04

Here.

2:05

Councilmember Ray?

2:06

Here.

2:06

Vice Mayor O'Hara?

Speaker 2

2:07

Here.

Speaker 3

2:08

Councilmember Thanos?

2:09

Here.

2:09

Mayor Henderson?

Speaker 4

2:10

Here.

Speaker 3

2:10

City Attorney Salzman.

2:12

Here.

2:12

City Manager O'Reilly.

2:13

Here.

2:13

City Clerk Carico

Speaker 5

2:15

present.

2:15

Can I just mention something?

2:17

I watched the video when I missed the meeting.

2:20

And it was hard to hear everybody because they weren't really talking into their mics.

2:25

So if we could just remember that today.

Speaker 2

2:29

Our first order of business tonight is we are presenting the Spirit of Gulfport Award to Miss Marjorie Milford.

2:34

Anyone who's lived in Gulfport for a while probably knows Miss Milford.

2:37

I've been very active in the city for a very long time.

2:39

She was instrumental in many things, not the least of which is getting the National Historic Register designation for our casino.

2:46

Is anyone here on behalf of Miss Milford tonight?

2:48

Or did Ms.

2:48

Milford make it?

2:50

Oh, there you are.

2:50

I see you.

2:51

Hey.

Unassigned speaker

2:52

I'm

Speaker 2

2:53

gonna read the Spirit of Gulf Port award, and then I'll meet you at the front.

2:55

Thank you so much for making

Unassigned speaker

2:57

it.

Speaker 2

2:57

With the representative symbols of Star, your value to Gulfport, Sailboat,

Unassigned speaker

3:02

the

Speaker 2

3:02

Gulfport's Ties to the Sea, the Rising Sun, Ever Looking Toward the Future, and Winging Birds, the Soaring Concept of Spirit is hereby presented to Marjorie Milford, who has demonstrated the true spirit of Gulfport for decades and decades now.

3:14

Thank you so much.

3:34

Whatever you want.

Unassigned speaker

3:48

Thank you.

Unassigned speaker

3:49

That's wonderful.

Speaker 1

3:57

Thank you.

Unassigned speaker

4:07

All right,

Speaker 2

4:07

this brings us to open public comment.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety█████████████████████21%
Budget Equity Analysis█████████████████17%
Public Engagement█████████████13%
Community Events█████████████13%
Procedural███████7%
Marina Management██████6%
Public Works█████5%
Disaster Recovery███3%
Urban Forestry███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Gulfport City Council Meeting - August 6, 2024

The Gulfport City Council met on August 6, 2024, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included a Spirit of Gulfport Award presentation, public comments, several ordinance and resolution votes, a budget discussion, and council reports. Key actions included approving a subdivision replat, a 6% garbage rate increase, multiple resolutions for law enforcement, mental health outreach, insurance renewal, marina fee increases (12% across most categories, 15% on six-pack charter vessels), building and zoning fee increases (12%), police special event fees, and several special event approvals.

Presentations

  • Spirit of Gulfport Award presented to Marjorie Milford for decades of community service, including efforts to secure National Historic Register designation for the casino.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Wesley Ray (1002 Hall Street) donated $5,000 each from Gulfport Pride and Gulfport Quanta Club to Sonia Plotnik Group and Quanta Club for backpacks for foster children (30% LGBTQ+).
  • Karen Love (23rd Avenue South) praised city staff for hurricane preparation and cleanup; requested a boater edition of hurricane preparedness outreach; raised concerns about Lincoln Cemetery maintenance and accountability after debt forgiveness.
  • Tom Bixler (59th Street South) praised city arborist Topher for new trees on 59th Street and at Wood Ibis Park.
  • Marissa Stewart (DuPont Street) elaborated on the foster child bag project: decorating/stuffing event on September 7, 11 AM–2 PM at 49th Street Center.
  • Steve Drenth (charter captain) questioned whether the 15% fee increase applied to six-pack charter vessels (non-inspected). City manager confirmed 15% for six-packs.
  • Dan Lidke (VETSports) promoted the 13th annual Beach Volleyball Gulfport Open and mentioned a December holiday tournament.

Discussion Items

  • City Manager Report – Website Enhancements: David presented using $12,000 of $30,000 budgeted for website improvements, partnering with Novare for security, indexing, ADA compliance, and AI customer service tools. Coordination with departments planned.
  • City Attorney Report – Tree Ordinance: Attorney proposed a cross-reference ordinance requiring permits for planting/removing trees in rights-of-way. Councilmembers Brown, Ray, Vice Mayor O'Hara opposed (4-1); Mayor Henderson supported. Decision not to proceed.
  • Ordinance 2024-06 – Subdivision Replat (Sunflower School): Approved unanimously (5-0) to reconfigure four lots into two parcels.
  • Ordinance 2024-07 – Garbage Rate Increase: Approved unanimously (5-0) to increase service charges by 6% due to county tipping fee and staff increases.
  • Resolution 2024-41 – Law Enforcement Support Services (Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office): Approved unanimously (5-0). Contract covers crime scene, evidence, communications, etc. Chief Vincent noted extra usage may incur charges or refunds.
  • Resolution 2024-42 – Directions for Living Street Outreach (shared with Treasure Island): Approved unanimously (5-0). Council requested quarterly updates; noted importance due to October 1 deadline for sleeping on public property.
  • Resolution 2024-43 – Insurance Renewal (Public Risk Management of Florida): Approved unanimously (5-0). 5.4% increase for property, workers’ comp, general/auto liability.
  • Resolution 2024-44 – Marina Fee Increase: Approved unanimously (5-0). 12% increase for most services, 15% for six-pack charter vessels. Effective Oct 1, 2024 through Oct 1, 2025.
  • Resolution 2024-45 – Building and Zoning Fee Increase: Approved unanimously (5-0). 12% increase, last adjusted in 2019.
  • Resolution 2024-46 – Police Special Event Fees: Approved unanimously (5-0). Rates aligned with Pinellas County.
  • Resolution 2024-47 – Gulfport Merchants Chamber of Commerce Special Event: Approved unanimously (5-0). Two-day event.
  • Resolution 2024-48 – Art Jones Studio Tour Signage: Approved unanimously (5-0). Temporary signage in rights-of-way.
  • Resolution 2024-49 – VETSports Beach Volleyball Gulfport Open: Approved unanimously (5-0). 13th annual charity event.
  • Resolution 2024-50 – Senior Center Foundation Special Events: Approved unanimously (5-0). Multiple events; application fee waived due to support for building fund.
  • Resolution 2024-51 – Annual Special Events Calendar: Approved unanimously (5-0). Includes city’s 114th birthday party on Oct 12 at historic museum.
  • Budget Discussion (FY 2024-2025): City Manager O'Reilly presented proposed budget. Highlights: 9.73% increase in property values; maintaining present millage rate; 70% of general fund is personnel costs; proposed restructure of community development, additional parks employee, assistant city manager position. Council discussed adding funds for homeless issues (unknown amount), grant writing (RFP in October), and increasing tree canopy budget by $25,000 (from unspent Clam Bayou funds). Opioid settlement ($122,000 over 18 years from Walgreens) to be earmarked for counseling/Narcan follow-up. No vote taken; further workshops planned.

Key Outcomes

  • Ordinance 2024-06 – Approved 5-0.
  • Ordinance 2024-07 – Approved 5-0.
  • Resolutions 2024-41 through 2024-51 – All approved unanimously.
  • Tree Ordinance Cross-Reference – Rejected (4-1).
  • Budget Direction: Council consensus to add $25,000 to tree canopy line item and explore grant writing RFP; homeless funding and opioid settlement to be addressed in future workshops.
  • Council Comments: Memorial for former Mayor Mike Yakes – proclamation for Sept 4 (Michael J. Yakes Day) and scholarship fund approved in principle. Artwork donation (Locks of Love heart) from Stacy Purcell to be placed in Clam Bayou Park near Yakes bench. Tree planting with plaque to recognize Ted Podica for waterfront redevelopment district contributions. No formal votes on these items; staff directed to proceed.

Note: Meeting recessed for 10 minutes before budget discussion. Next regular meeting scheduled for August 20, 2024 (cancelled due to primary election).

Meeting Transcript

I think I'm saying it right. So I did some research and found a poem for sea seafaring people. It's called Sea Fever by John Macefield that was written in 1902. I must go down to the seas again to the lonely and the sky, the lonely sea and sky. And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by. And the wheels kick and the wind song and the white shale sails shaking and a gray mist on the sea's face and a gray dawn breaking. It is a wild call and a clear call, and it may not be denied. And all I ask is a windy day with the clouds, the white clouds flying, and the flung spray and the blown spoon spoon, and the seagull's crying. I must go down to the seas again to the vagrant gypsy life to the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a wetted knife. All I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow rover and a quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over. Thank you. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. To the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God and indivisible with liberty team justice for all. Councilmember Brown? Here. Councilmember Ray? Here. Vice Mayor O'Hara? Here. Councilmember Thanos? Here. Mayor Henderson? Here. City Attorney Salzman. Here. City Manager O'Reilly. Here. City Clerk Carico present. Can I just mention something? I watched the video when I missed the meeting. And it was hard to hear everybody because they weren't really talking into their mics. So if we could just remember that today. Our first order of business tonight is we are presenting the Spirit of Gulfport Award to Miss Marjorie Milford. Anyone who's lived in Gulfport for a while probably knows Miss Milford. I've been very active in the city for a very long time. She was instrumental in many things, not the least of which is getting the National Historic Register designation for our casino. Is anyone here on behalf of Miss Milford tonight? Or did Ms. Milford make it? Oh, there you are. I see you. Hey. I'm gonna read the Spirit of Gulf Port award, and then I'll meet you at the front. Thank you so much for making it.

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