Gulfport City Council Meeting Summary: December 17, 2024

On December 17, 2024, the Gulfport City Council held a regular meeting. The agenda covered an update on the Senior Center Capital Campaign, resolutions for hurricane remediation payments and a transit grant, a ballot lottery for the March 2025 election, and extensive public testimony on the post-hurricane recovery process.

Presentations

Janell Johnson and Aaron Johnson of Kinetic Fundraising, Inc. reported that the Senior Center Capital Campaign has raised $3 million of its $13 million goal. They stated that $28 million has been solicited in total, with $13 million still under consideration. The presenters proposed scaling back their on-site presence from six days per week to two days per week at a reduced cost. Council members expressed concerns about the lack of significant progress and the rising cost of construction.

Consent Calendar

• Item 5.a.: Approval of meeting minutes from December 3, 2024, was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

The majority of public comment focused on the city’s post-hurricane permitting and rebuilding process.

• Emmett Walsh (2232 Beach Boulevard) criticized the city for failing affected residents, requesting 24-hour turnaround on minor permits and emergency funding for the building department.
• Veronica Saladino (2713 46th Street South), Debbie Stoby (2702 45th Street South), and Brian Johns (Cornerstone Restorations, representing 151 units at Town Shores) described severe confusion regarding FEMA appraisal requirements and the valuation equation for the 50% rule, calling for immediate clarity to begin rebuilding.
• Sue Book (Lancaster Building) and others questioned why a master permit cannot be used for condominium buildings, contrasting this with the approach in neighboring jurisdictions like Dunedin.
• Annie Minick Beck (14th Avenue South) detailed a prolonged neighbor dispute involving unsafe parking, presenting a petition for council action.
• Fred Rowe requested use of the Coast Guard Auxiliary seawall due to access issues for boaters.
• Mayor Henderson acknowledged the residents’ anger and frustration. He explained the city is operating under strict federal FEMA and state rules, does not have unlimited funds, and is working daily with the county and consultants to navigate the process.

Resolutions (Votes)

• Resolution No. 2024-100 (Kinetic Fundraising Contract): Passed 4-1 (Councilman Thanos opposed). Authorized a scaled-back one-year contract not to exceed $40,000 ($4,200 per month) with a 30-day termination notice.
• Resolution No. 2024-101 (GEMS Bus Grant): Passed unanimously. Authorized a grant application to FDOT for a replacement Gulfport Extended Mini Bus.
• Resolution No. 2024-102 (Servpro Helene Payment): Passed unanimously. Authorized payment for emergency remediation at City-owned buildings.
• Resolution No. 2024-103 (Servpro Milton Payment): Passed unanimously. Authorized payment for city-wide emergency remediation.

Discussion Items

• Election Ballot Lottery: City Clerk Carico conducted the random lottery for name placement on the March 11, 2025 ballot. Nancy Early was declared elected unopposed for Ward 4. Ward 2 candidates will appear as Byron Shellfont, Marlene Shaw, and Christine Brown. Mayoral candidates will appear as Sam Henderson, Karen Love, and John Liccioni.
• Post-Hurricane Policies: Council discussed extending the permit fee waiver and the launch of a new online portal for Substantial Damage (SD) letters.
• 14th Avenue Parking Dispute: Police recommended a temporary no-parking order on the block to resolve safety issues. Council gave consensus.

Key Outcomes

• Kinetic Fundraising Contract Approved: Passed 4-1. The contract focuses on following up on $13 million in outstanding requests.
• Permit Fee Waiver Extended: Council reached a consensus to extend the waiver of building permit fees for storm-related repairs through the first council meeting in March 2025.
• Online SD Letter Portal Launched: City staff announced that residents can now access their official Substantial Damage letters by searching their property address on the BSA/A community development portal.
• Ibis Park Study: Consensus was reached to place a $28,000 expedited study of Wood Ibis Park flooding on a future agenda for formal consideration.
• Labyrinth Event: Council granted consensus for a temporary labyrinth to be displayed at Clam Bayou Park for World Labyrinth Day in May.
• Signage Reminder: The City Clerk reminded candidates of the city’s temporary sign ordinance requiring political signs to be removed by March 18, 2025.