Gulfport City Council Meeting - May 6, 2025

The Gulfport City Council met on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 6:00 PM. The agenda included presentations on Narcan, safe boating, and human trafficking, as well as the first reading of a beach smoking ban, several resolutions on boards and hazard mitigation, and a lengthy public comment period. Key outcomes included the failure of a resolution for temporary dinghy docking, the sunset of an emergency permitting fee waiver, and the appointment of a Charter Review Committee.

Presentations & Proclamations

• Narcan Demonstration: Fire Chief Rene Fernandez demonstrated Narcan kits, explaining they are available at fire stations with instructions. He noted that Narcan stays in the system for only 30–90 minutes, so it remains critical to call 911 even if the victim wakes up.
• Proclamation – National Safe Boating Week: Mayor Love proclaimed May 17–23, 2025, as National Safe Boating Week. Flotilla Commander Howard Bush of the USCG AUX accepted, highlighting that boating fatalities decreased by over 14% last year.
• Marine Officers Update: Sergeant Robert Burkhart and Officer Kevin Chastain reported that over 50 derelict boats were removed following the three recent hurricanes. Burkhart explained state statutes allowing propulsion tests on boats lacking means of propulsion, giving owners 72 hours to comply or 30 days if receipts for parts are shown.
• Donation to Recreation: The Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 125 & the Women's Auxiliary presented a $3,000 donation to Recreation Supervisor Marivel Gutierrez to replace toys and games lost in the hurricanes.
• Selah Freedom Presentation: Kassy Brewer, Awareness & Advocacy Liaison for Selah Freedom, presented on human trafficking. She described their prevention, outreach, and two-year residential programs, and urged the community to monitor electronic devices and report suspicious activity.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Andrew Turner urged the Council to prepare for upcoming state law changes to ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) to allow him to house his elderly father.
• Diana Schwartz (Kiwanis Club of Gulfport) thanked the city for its support of the annual Community Baby Shower.
• Christine Crosby (Gulfport Coastline Coalition) criticized the City Manager for not responding to meeting requests and urged the city to reconnect with the Tampa Bay Estuary Program for a living shoreline project.
• Trevor Mallory (Gulfport Little League) announced the city's park was rated the best in the district, and the league will host the district tournament at Tomlinson Park from May 12–18.
• Marilyn McClellan advocated for nature-based solutions such as rain gardens and mangroves for flood mitigation and questioned the timeline for marina gas pump repairs.
• Donovan Nickel (Gulfport Bicycle Club) requested signage on Beach Boulevard to improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians.
• Jonathan McCoachy suggested the city replace the vacant horticulturalist position with an environmental grant writer to secure funds and coordinate projects.
• Amy Costa & Aaron East (Midtown Business Collective) advocated for improvements to walkability, safety, and beautification in the Midtown District. They announced a social at their new co-working space, Wonderworks, on May 9th.
• Fred Rowe discussed the high cost of boat maintenance and suggested providing bilge pump kits and anchors to boaters to prevent sinkings.
• Lauren Stern requested and received a concrete date (May 22nd) for a previously requested resiliency workshop.
• Jeff Musselman (Salty Pup Coffee House) announced the opening of his business in Ward 4 on the Trolley Greenway.
• Wolfgang Dininger (Gulfport Grassroots) reported on the removal of over 1,000 lbs of glass and debris during a special cleanup in the marina area.
• Catherine Kelly requested the city consider replacing decomposed granite in the large dog park with wood fiber mulch to protect dogs' paws from heat.
• Ingrid Bredenberg reported that the World Labyrinth Day event at Clymer Park had over 60 attendees, making it one of the largest events in the U.S.
• Lisa Barley Melky expressed strong disappointment over the cancellation of the July 4th fireworks and parade. She claimed her husband, a licensed waterfront engineer, was blocked from further communication with city staff after offering a free pier inspection.
• Catherine Sullivan offered her company’s AI consulting services to help fix the city’s permitting process.
• An unidentified speaker expressed frustration about the lack of check valves in drainage pipes, leading to street flooding and pollution of the bay.
• Lauren Stern asked for an update on the hiring of a new police chief.

City Manager Report

• Permitting Fee Waiver: City Manager Jim O’Reilly asked for direction on sunsetting the waiver of permitting fees. Council unanimously agreed to end the waiver, requiring residents to have applied by the deadline. 280 properties had not yet contacted the city.
• The City Manager confirmed he would present two options for reforming the permitting process (in-house improvements vs. outsourcing to the county) at the May 20th meeting.

City Attorney Report

• O’Hara Payments: Attorney Scott Salzman reported that former council member Ian O’Hara failed to make payments on a settlement. The Council directed him to first pursue the matter with the State Attorney’s office (for possible criminal charges) and then Small Claims Court if the state declines.

Discussion Items

• Charter Review Committee Appointments: Councilmembers nominated candidates. Vice Mayor Thanos’s nominee was not selected as she was not a registered voter in Florida. The committee was appointed as: Aaron W. Beaman, Deborah Adkins, Joe Gunther, Josefa Gonzalez Hastings, and Robert Rubin. They will focus on drafting specific charter sections for Council review.
• Permitting Reform: Mayor Love reiterated that the City Manager will present a report on permitting reform options at the May 20th meeting. Councilmember Cosi Jackson offered to explore a GPT-based chatbot solution for permitting, while Councilmember Marlene Shaw offered to connect a private AI consultant with staff.
• July 4th Events: Following public concern, the Council discussed alternatives to the cancelled fireworks and parade. The City Manager was directed to begin planning a community event, possibly a parade and picnic at Tomlinson Park.

Ordinances

• Ordinance 2025-01 (Beach Smoking Ban): Passed its first reading unanimously (5-0). It prohibits smoking cigarettes and e-cigarettes on the municipal beach from the sidewalk to the water, between the Rec Center and the Casino. Cigars are exempt per state statute. A second reading is required for final passage.

Resolutions

• Resolution 2025-41 (Historic Preservation Committee): Approved unanimously (5-0). Appoints five members (initially city staff) for two-year terms to comply with state requirements for the historic casino building remediation. Council committed to transitioning to citizen members promptly.
• Resolution 2025-42 (Coast Guard Auxiliary Dinghy Dock): Failed (0-5). Councilmembers unanimously rejected the resolution, citing significant safety hazards, lack of lighting, and the city's lack of insurance coverage for the site.
• Resolution 2025-43 (Local Mitigation Strategy): Approved unanimously (5-0). Adopts the 2025 Multi-Jurisdictional Local Mitigation Strategy, which is required for NFIP participation and provides residents a 20% flood insurance discount.
• Resolution 2025-44 (Elevate Florida Funds): Failed (2-3). The resolution to reallocate hazard mitigation funds to the Elevate Florida program failed. Councilmembers Early, Thanos, and Shaw voted against it, citing a preference to keep funds for community infrastructure projects over the state-run program.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar Approved: Meeting minutes and appointments to the General Employees’ and Firefighters’ Pension Boards approved.
• Permitting Fee Waiver: Waiver sunset. Residents must have applied by May 12th.
• Legal Action: City Attorney directed to pursue legal recovery from former council member Ian O’Hara.
• Charter Review Committee: Committee appointed and tasked with drafting charter changes.
• Dinghy Docking: Temporary docking resolution rejected.
• Hazard Mitigation: County-level plan adopted; funds for Elevate Florida rejected.
• July 4th Event: Staff directed to plan an alternative community celebration.
• City Council Reports: Vice Mayor Thanos advocated for expanding the mooring field. Councilmember Shaw proposed bans on artificial turf, requiring permeable driveways, and sought board training. A resiliency workshop was set for May 22nd.