Gulfport City Council Meeting – June 17, 2025

The Gulfport City Council met on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 6:00 PM at Gulfport City Hall. The meeting covered presentations on fireworks safety and short-term rentals, public comments, ordinance and resolution approvals, and extensive discussions on building permitting, the budget, and city governance. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:02 PM.

Presentations

• Fireworks Safety – Chief Mary Farrand presented: fireworks that go up in the air or explode are illegal except on July 4th, December 31st, and January 1st (per state law). City ordinance requires fireworks to stop by 11 PM on those days. Violations can result in an $88 fine (class five). Council discussed enforcement, which is complaint-driven via the non-emergency number (727‑582‑xxxx). Residents are urged to call in complaints and be willing to provide their name.
• Short‑Term Rental (STR) Update – Code Enforcement Officer Heather Wyble provided an update: since June 1, 2024, 16 complaints have been filed; 18 total cases closed, 10 unfounded, 8 went to magistrate (short‑term rental listings must be removed/updated immediately). Currently, 250 active short‑term rental listings exist in Gulfport (including the marina area). 414 combined listings on platforms like Airbnb/VRBO. Monitoring uses Granicus software for compliance. Complaints can be reported by phone (727‑893‑1106) or email (hwyble@mygulfport.us). Violations can result in $500/day fines if not brought into compliance. The zoning map distinguishes permitted (slashed areas) and conditional use areas (requiring council approval).
• Senior Advisory Committee Update – Chairperson Caron Schwartz was absent; no presentation was given.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Robert Rubin (51st St S) asked about financials: how much has been spent on repairs, revenues expected, status of FEMA reimbursement, and use of Bank of America line of credit (responded to later). Also raised concerns about vessels near the marina identified as abandoned by police, progress on pier repairs and peer railings by Hoosier Welding, silt fences at 54th Street, and a large hole near the “Backyard” area requiring sand placement.
• Marsan (St. Petersburg resident, Airbnb operator) expressed concern that STR complaints are “not legitimate at all” and are being driven by a “group of women” targeting all Airbnbs. She argued that short‑term restrictions hurt entrepreneurs, especially after hurricanes, rising taxes, and insurance costs. She stated she will likely have to sell her property.
• Wolfgang Deninger (Beachway, Gulfport Grassroots) reported on the June 14 beach cleanup: 11 volunteers collected 44 pounds of trash, noting a significant reduction in cigarette butts (citing the no‑smoking ban in parks). Announced next cleanup July 12th and a “grass mob” on June 21st at 3450th St to cut an overgrown lawn. Asked about fireworks restrictions: state law allows fireworks on three holidays but no other local constraints were discussed.
• Katherine (regarding Planning & Zoning Board role) asked for clarification on the board’s duties (Gulfport Code §221603). Expressed that recent meetings (few in 2022‑2024) seem procedural; the board seeks transparency to proactively provide input beyond items referred by council or staff.
• Amy Costa (Midtown Business Collective, Wonderworks) asked about bike racks on Gulfport Blvd (county road) and offered to have businesses host racks if the city assists with purchase. Suggested a poll/survey to gauge resident sentiment on short‑term rentals. Expressed support for STRs in midtown to support businesses, contrary to current restrictions. Also invited everyone to the Midtown monthly meet‑and‑mingle (second Wednesdays).
• Jonathan expressed whole‑hearted support for Councilmember Early’s paddle‑boarding proposal and ADU‑friendly policies: ADUs increase affordable housing without changing neighborhood character, support aging in place, multi‑generational living, and environmental sustainability. Urged allowing ADUs in flood zones (FEMA‑compliant) and noted that the comp plan policy on not increasing density in flood zones does not apply to ADUs.
• Karen Huger (2642 Tifton St) spoke about the value of short‑term rentals for affordable family vacations (shared personal experience in Florida Keys). Stated she has never had problems with neighbors’ STRs and supports them as a housing option.

Consent Calendar

• Item 6.a – Approved meeting minutes from the May 22, 2025 workshop and June 3, 2025 regular meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Adoption of Ordinances

• Ordinance 2025‑02 (First Reading) – Amends the City’s Comprehensive Plan per the evaluation and appraisal review (EAR) process under Florida Statutes §163.3191 and §163.3184. Linda Fisher (Forward Pinellas) presented: the update is required by state law; it includes a private property rights element, minor housekeeping changes, and population projections (Gulfport stable, 3% increase by 2050; 37% of households cost‑burdened). The data/analysis appendix is unadopted. The process: transmittal to state (Florida Department of Commerce) with a 60‑day review, then adoption after second reading. Motion to approve passed unanimously (5‑0).

Resolutions

• Resolution 2025‑52 – Authorizes the City Manager to purchase three (3) replacement police department vehicles (hybrids) and associated emergency equipment for a total cost of $225,230 (corrected from a memorandum typo of $290,425). Equipment includes new video systems, body cameras ($21,000), and upfitting. Three hybrids replace four previously planned conventional vehicles. Resolution passed unanimously.

Discussion Items

• Permitting Discussion – The council discussed the future of building permits after Pinellas County “politely declined” to take over Gulfport’s permitting (plan A). Plan B is an efficiency study; an RFQ (request for qualifications) for efficiency experts is due June 23, 2025. The council agreed to:
  1. City Manager to gather proposals from RFQ respondents and bring top candidates (without company names) for council input at the July 1 meeting.
  2. Mayor Love to attend the Reddington Beach meeting (June 25) to assess SafeBuilt’s performance there.
  3. City Manager to have exploratory conversations with SafeBuilt and other potential third‑party providers (e.g., Tow & Taylor, SafeBuilt) to gauge capacity and interest for a hybrid model.
  4. An efficiency study will inform whether to retain in‑house operations, contract out, or adopt a hybrid model. The council emphasized need for a clear service‑level agreement and survey of permit customers.

Key Outcomes

• Approvals: Consent minutes, Ordinance 2025‑02 (first read), Resolution 2025‑52 – all passed unanimously.
• Permitting Next Steps: RFQ responses to be evaluated; council to receive update at July 1 meeting; efficiency study to commence; permit‑user surveys to be considered.
• Budget Preparations: The council discussed the need for budget priorities (public safety, resilience, etc.) and will receive the City Manager’s annual budget memo on July 1. The proposed millage rate remains unchanged; council may consider adjustments.
• ADU Policy: Councilmembers to share their positions on the 18 ADU‑related questions (parking, flood zones, etc.) within a week, after which the City Manager will assess consensus and recommend a workshop or council discussion.
• Charter Review: The council confirmed the Charter Review Committee should focus on the five sections requested by council; after completing those, they may review the entire charter.
• Emergency Look‑Back Workshop: A workshop on July 22 will evaluate the city’s emergency response (excluding permitting); a mental‑health component will be included.
• Citizen’s Academy: Councilmember Shaw proposed creating a Citizens Academy (modeled after the Citizens Police Academy) to educate residents about city governance; this will be discussed further.
• Trolley/Shuttle: Councilmember Shaw raised interest in adding shuttle stops on Gulfport Boulevard and the Tangerine area for night markets.

Council Comments & Reports

• Councilmember Early reported on Florida League of Cities training for newly elected officials (37 attendees, two‑day sessions) covering effective council techniques, municipal finance, governance, etc. She is seeking appointment to the Intergovernmental Relations, Mobility, and Emergency Management Committee.
• Mayor Love (via roll‑call) reported: ethics committee dismissed complaint against her; town hall on June 25 (topic: legislative session). Attended Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council meeting; learned about a hazmat trailer for training, brownfields updates, and hurricane preparation (active season but gulf currents less conducive to storms this year). Attended Forward Pinellas meeting; discussed transportation plan, housing regulatory action plan (relevant to ADUs), and building back better.
• Councilmember Shaw reported on: dangers of celebratory gunfire; ride‑along with Marine Officer Chastain on boat‑removal process (step‑by‑step, legal timelines); attended Flag Day ceremony; senior center visits; meeting with business leaders; launch of “What’s on Your Mind” events; fire station tour (impressed by professionalism). Report on Florida League of Cities training: emphasized “local voices making local choices” (1922 principle). Shared statistics: 411 cities, 67 counties; 2,270 elected mayors/council members; 60% of cities under 10k population; Florida 24 million population; 143 million visitors; Tampa Bay second‑largest metro. Urged water‑resource management priority.
• Councilmember Jackson reported: volleyball tournament on July 12 on the beach (4+ temporary courts); pickleball court cameras now available.
• Mayor Love’s closing remarks: addressed reasons for vacant homes (elevation program, waiting for contractors, materials like kitchen cabinets). Noted that permitting complaints are down; inspections are timely. Encouraged public engagement and emphasized city’s ongoing progress.