Gulfport City Council Meeting – January 21, 2025

The Gulfport City Council met on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The agenda featured presentations on opioid overdose response and homeless outreach, extensive public comment regarding FEMA substantial damage letter errors and recovery delays, approval of several consent items, and passage of five resolutions related to hurricane recovery including sanitation charge adjustments, additional plan review services, and infrastructure repairs. The council also discussed the process to fill the vacant Ward 3 seat.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the meeting minutes of January 7, 2025 (Resolution 2025-12) unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Wolfgang (community member): Expressed appreciation for the opioid/Narcan training provided by Jim Wright and a presentation by Karen Love. Reported that the Good Gulfport Grassroots beach cleanup on January 11 collected 212 pounds of trash from 20 adults and 9 children.
• Maureen O’Connor (Upton Street resident): Described receiving a severe damage letter showing 97% damage despite having no damage. Criticized the city for sending inaccurate and incomplete Tidal Basin forms, and asked for rescission of the letters.
• Paula Roy (Del Rio Way): Requested a public apology from Mayor Henderson for a prior comment that she felt was insensitive to flood-zone residents. Criticized city permitting processes as slow and contradictory, stating that FEMA and insurance had been responsive but the city had not.
• Marie Lamar (46th Street South): Reported receiving a 29.5% damage letter despite having only water in an unfinished garage. Thanked Justin for assistance but demanded the letter be rescinded.
• Deb Adkins (27th Avenue): Asked the city to resume publicizing permit and substantial damage letter statistics on the website. Also noted that Redington Beach disclosed a software error by Tidal Basin and asked if Gulfport had received similar communication. Called for using legitimate appraisals as substantial damage estimates.
• Lauren Stern (Ward 4): Urged Mayor Henderson and Council Member Brown to attend candidate forums. Noted that the Ward 3 vacancy could have been filled earlier to allow a longer term for elected candidates, and nominated Jennifer Webb for appointment.
• David Algren (18th Avenue South): Thanked city staff for their work, argued that the public should understand the city manager form of government, and nominated Cozy Jackson for the Ward 3 vacancy.
• Freedom Indoctrination (public comment): Delivered a statement against what he called the “American Taliban fascist theocracy” and ripped an “Appeal to Heaven” flag, submitted as public record.
• Teresa Bano (Coronado Ace): Reported that it has been 115 days since her family was displaced by the hurricane. Asked the council to consider amending Ordinance 22-6.02 to include stairways in the front-yard setback exception for homes being elevated. Asked for more compassion and faster processes.
• David Bowdenstead (Luanna Lane): Expressed frustration with the process and asked about the Sunshine Law, noting he wanted to host a community event but could not invite two council members.
• Courtney Prokopis (Gulf Portlandia): Suggested that public comment should be directed to the public rather than solely to the dais, and that the council could communicate how best to reach them outside of meetings.
• Lisa Williamson (46th Street South): Requested open sharing of data on SD letters and permits. Volunteered her time to help in the permit office.
• Alex Dunson (via business domiciled in Gulfport): Disputed a prior council member’s claim that he went through all her emails, saying the emails had already been pulled by another individual. Raised concerns about the Gabber newspaper and alleged bribery accusations.
• Ms. Love (public comment): Stated that there is a disconnect between residents and leaders. Asked the city to hold a community meeting with planners, floodplain managers, and permitting staff to explain options to affected residents, citing that other cities (e.g., Redington Beach) have done so.
• Charlotte Downey (13th Avenue South): Referenced a new state law requiring permits to be approved within 30 days if no defect exists, urging the city to inform residents of their rights.
• Donna Kulba (36th Street South): Questioned why her contractor’s estimate was $45,000 under the 50% threshold but her SD letter said 94% damage. Asked whether photos submitted would lead to a corrected letter.
• Marlene Shaw (23rd Avenue South): Again requested better communication and a presentation from the city.

Presentations

• Pinellas County Opioid Programs – Craig Hare (Director of EMS and Fire Administration) reported a decrease in fentanyl overdoses countywide. Over the past fiscal year, approximately 50 overdoses occurred in Gulfport. Programs include Leave Behind Narcan kits distributed at community events, and paramedic referrals to Gulf Coast Jewish Community Services for Suboxone treatment. Fentanyl is the primary drug, but overdoses occur across all demographics.
• Directions for Living – April Lott (President & CEO) updated on the homeless outreach program, which covers Gulfport 2.5 days per week. On average, 14 unique individuals per month are encountered; as of January, only 6 had been seen. The program has had some successes, including moving known individuals into assisted living facilities. Relapse is part of recovery. Cold night shelters are at max capacity (e.g., 250 in Clearwater). Roughly 600 unsheltered homeless in Pinellas County countywide, with about 3,500 total (sheltered and unsheltered).

Discussion Items

• City Manager Report/Substantial Damage Letter Update – City Manager Jim O’Reilly and Building Official Justin presented data: 413 letters sent (216 substantially damaged, 197 non-substantially damaged) out of an estimated 600 impacted properties. There are 36 cases of residents claiming no damage who received a letter; 3 have been reversed so far. Errors are often due to data entry, incorrect superstructure type, or cluster-based assumptions. The city is working to correct these and will issue replacement letters. The city has 2 new plan reviewers already hired, and the council subsequently approved a contract for 4 more (Resolution 2025-13). The city manager stated that debris removal cost approximately $4.5 million and total recovery costs could be over $8–9 million.
• Ward 3 Vacancy – City Clerk read resignation letter from Council Member Paul Ray, effective January 10, 2025. The council must appoint a replacement within 30 days (by February 14, 2025). Several residents nominated Jennifer Webb, Cozy Jackson, and others. Council members disclosed they have spoken to various candidates. The council decided to ask interested individuals to submit a resume and statement of intent to the City Clerk by January 28, 2025 (one week), and will make the appointment at the next regular meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 2025-12 (Sanitation charges for vacant multi-unit properties in high-hazard areas) – Passed 4-1 (Council Member Thanos voted no, arguing the benefit should extend to all displaced residents).
• Resolution 2025-13 (Contract with Tew and Taylor for plan review/permitting support at a cost of $106,560) – Passed unanimously.
• Resolution 2025-14 (Engineering contract with Reuben & Clarson Consulting for seawall and intersection repairs on Shore Boulevard and 54th Street South for $40,480) – Passed unanimously. (Council member asked that environmentally friendly living seawall features be considered.)
• Resolution 2025-15 (Contract with Goal Setter, LLC for restoration of the Gulfport Municipal Marina ship store/baths) – Passed unanimously.
• Resolution 2025-16 (Contract with St. Pete Construction Group for restoration of Michael J. Yakes Recreation Center, low bid $165,000) – Passed unanimously.
• Appointment Process for Ward 3 – Candidates to submit resumes and statements by January 28; appointment at next council meeting.
• Future Informational Night – Council and staff discussed holding a hurricane recovery information night (similar to hurricane preparedness fair) to help residents navigate the process. Details to be developed.