Gulfport City Council Meeting - March 4, 2025

The meeting opened with an invocation by Councilmember Thanos, the pledge of allegiance, roll call, and a presentation by Kendrix Anderson, President of the American Public Works Association, honoring two city employees for their achievements in an equipment rodeo. The agenda included public comment, reports from the city manager and attorney, approval of minutes, and six resolutions authorizing contracts for storm-related infrastructure repairs. The council discussed hurricane recovery finances, permit fee waivers, and received legislative updates. Vice Mayor Ferdovich delivered farewell remarks on his final meeting after a decade of service.

Consent Calendar

• Item 5.a – Approval of Meeting Minutes: The council voted unanimously (5-0) to approve the minutes from the February 18, 2025 meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kelly Garcia invited residents under 50 to a casual meet-and-greet with city leaders on March 5 at the brewery, aimed at engaging the next generation.
• Richard Freed launched extensive criticism of national politics and local council members, personally attacking Councilmember Brown and stating she would be named a collaborator in future trials. He accused the council of being on the wrong side of history.
• Ms. Love (Gulfport Grassroots) announced the second Saturday beach cleanup and the Great American Cleanup on March 15, both from 9-11 a.m., with all supplies provided.
• Tom Bixler (Town Shores) reported that drywall installation is progressing across multiple buildings simultaneously and thanked the city for streamlining the permit process.
• Fred Rowe (boater) requested improved shore access for vulnerable individuals, noted that the mooring field is too far from the dinghy dock, and asked whether a temporary seawall could be considered. He also inquired about the repair timeline for the dinghy dock.
• Karen Schwartz (Dillette Ave South) alerted the public to the PSTA board meeting on March 26, 2025, where new bus routes will be voted on; she explained the consolidation into two main lines (71 and 49) with better Sunday and later service.
• Kathy Downey (resident) proposed mandatory sewer line inspections for home sales, asked City Attorney Salzman about sunshine law applicability to council appointments, and expressed appreciation for Vice Mayor Ferdovich's apology.
• Christopher Fultman (57th Street) reported that his window permit (completely separate from a contractor's permit) is being held up because the city is requiring his contractor to assume responsibility for the windows. He needs the permit released by March 10 for a mitigation survey and insurance rebate.
• Michelle Marlene Shaw announced a Fusion 49th District cleanup on March 22, reported break-ins at vacant homes on Trade Winds, and suggested the city pilot the C‑Click Fix reporting system.
• Unnamed speaker (Shore Boulevard) questioned the March 31 deadline for free flood permits, noting that many residents received substantial damage letters late and haven't yet obtained appraisals or insurance payouts.
• Courtney Pro Copis (Stetson area) reported positive momentum from Fusion 49th District meetings, thanked volunteers, and criticized Vice Mayor Ferdovich's apology as insufficient, demanding a public affirmation that the behavior will not recur.
• Susan Gore (Town Shores) requested an update on former councilmember Ian O'Hara's payment plan (answered later) and asked why city horticulturist Toefra Cross is no longer employed by Gulfport.
• Investigative reporter (Crawford newspaper) announced discovery of 411 fraudulent vote-by-mail ballot requests submitted without identification on January 11, affecting Gulfport voters and candidates. A criminal complaint has been filed with Gulfport Police and a grand jury investigation has been requested. He urged the city to notify voters.

City Manager's Report

City Manager Jim O'Reilly discussed the March 31 sunset of permit fee waivers. He stated the city has waived almost $1 million in fees and cannot continue indefinitely. Councilmember Brown argued that waivers should be limited to properties with substantial damage letters and not apply to developers. The council directed staff to bring back a plan within 30 days, balancing fairness to impacted homeowners with fiscal responsibility.

O'Reilly reported on building inspection staffing: 59 plans remain in review, 92 permits were issued early this week, and 24 new applications arrived. He estimated general fund revenue losses of $1.455 million due to casino closure, waived fees, and reduced marina income. Utility enterprise funds lost about $24,000, and an additional $811,000 in enterprise fund revenue is expected to be lost until fuel sales resume. The city is considering a FEMA loan to manage cash flow.

Hurricane Recovery Finance Presentation

Risk Manager Shannon presented storm recovery finances:

• Expenses paid to date: approximately $5.5 million across FEMA categories (debris removal, emergency protective measures, roads, water control, buildings/equipment, parks, and community development staffing).
• Pending purchase orders: $3.5 million open.
• Reimbursements received: $850,000 from NFIP (Hurricane Helene), $2.8 million from property insurance (Helene), and $343,000 from property insurance (Milton). Additional insurance recoveries are pending.
• Projects pending completion: ship store, South Basin, Coast Guard building, Clam Bayou piers, parks, roads, casino, volleyball courts, beach, docks.
• Cost sharing: FEMA typically covers 75%, state 12.5%, city 12.5%. Full reimbursement is not guaranteed.
• Shannon indicated she is waiting on FEMA guidance for casino repairs.

City Attorney's Report

City Attorney Salzman responded to two public questions:

• Brother Mohammed and HRO: Having Brother Mohammed participate in city activities would not violate the Human Rights Ordinance.
• Ian O'Hara payment plan: The first payment has been made; the next payment is due March 15, and a balloon payment is required by July 1. The council will be notified if payments are missed.

City Clerk's Report

City Clerk Carico reminded the council of the March 11 election and requested consensus to cancel the March 18 meeting because election results cannot be certified within seven days. The council agreed to cancel; the next regular meeting will be April 1, 2025.

Resolutions Approved

The council approved six resolutions, each by a 5-0 vote, authorizing contracts for hurricane-related repairs:

• Resolution 2025-24: Authorizes an agreement with Lizotte's Welding to fabricate and replace aluminum railing along Shore Boulevard South between 54th Street and Beach Boulevard.
• Resolution 2025-25: Authorizes payment to Tetra Tech, Inc. for debris monitoring and management services incurred during Hurricane Milton.
• Resolution 2025-26: Authorizes an agreement with SPATCO Energy Solutions, LLC to replace two fuel dispensers at the marina.
• Resolution 2025-27: Authorizes an agreement with Enterprise Marine Contractors, Inc. to replace the Veterans Park Dock.
• Resolution 2025-28: Authorizes an agreement with Enterprise Marine Contractors, Inc. to replace the Clam Bayou South Dock.
• Resolution 2025-29: Authorizes an agreement with Enterprise Marine Contractors, Inc. to replace the Clam Bayou East Dock.

Discussion on Resilience and Public Stewardship

During consideration of the fuel dispenser and dock resolutions, Richard Freed spoke against the expenses, arguing the items will again be destroyed and the spending is poor stewardship of taxpayer money. Kathy Downey suggested the fuel dispensers should include breakaway features to prevent environmental damage and urged prioritizing the ship store. The city manager stated that all dock damage was storm-related and that new docks will be built to current building codes. Councilmember Thanos asked whether the new docks could be built to be more resilient, and the city manager noted that codes have changed significantly since the original construction.

Council Comments and Reports

• Councilmember Thanos: Provided an overview of Florida League of Cities legislative priorities, including proposed property tax exemptions, increases to sovereign immunity caps (from $200,000 to $1 million per person per incident), restrictions on impact fees limiting increases to 40-50% over four years, mandatory accessory dwelling unit allowances on single-family properties, and a new bill prohibiting driving through floodwater. She also noted pending proposals on affordable housing, short-term rentals, and enterprise fund transfers.
• Councilmember Brown: Reported working with the city clerk on YMCA swimming classes and collecting resident feedback about road conditions on 11th Avenue South.
• Councilmember Jackson: Described a community cleanup on March 2 at a neighbor's home suffering from hurricane damage and dementia, supported by Tom Nichols who arranged special pickup and sidewalk repairs.
• Vice Mayor Ferdovich: Delivered farewell remarks, thanking the council, staff, and residents for ten years and five months of service representing Ward 4.
• Mayor Henderson: Nominated William Drexler for a Spirit of Gulfport award for his volunteer work with the Gulfport Boomerangs senior softball team, raising funds for local charities including PetPal, Jackson and Out, and the Gulfport Senior Center.

Key Outcomes

• Approvals: All voting items were approved unanimously (5-0): the minutes of February 18, 2025, and Resolutions 2025-24 through 2025-29.
• Directives: City Manager and staff will present a plan within 30 days for extending permit fee waivers, targeting substantial-damage property owners while excluding developers.
• Meeting Cancellation: The March 18, 2025 regular meeting is cancelled; the next regular meeting is April 1, 2025.
• Spirit of Gulfport Award: A nomination for William Drexler was accepted; the award will be considered at a future meeting.