Gulfport City Council Meeting - December 16, 2025

The Gulfport City Council met on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included a presentation from State Representative Linda Chaney, public comments, reports, approval of consent items, resolutions, and new business. Key actions included accepting a $1.3 million state grant for a potable water storm mitigation project, approving a new telephone system, and authorizing a street sweeping agreement with St. Petersburg. The council also discussed the potential de-annexation of Lincoln Cemetery and initiated several new initiatives.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution No. 2025-106 (Disaster Debris Collection): Approved unanimously. Authorizes the City Manager to enter into an interlocal agreement for disaster debris collection, removal, and monitoring services within Pinellas County.
• Resolution No. 2025-107 (Disaster Debris Responsibilities): Approved unanimously. Authorizes the City Manager to enter into an interlocal agreement for designation of collection and removal responsibilities within Pinellas County.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Amy Costa (Midtown Business Collective): Requested the council review the city's signage ordinance to allow small businesses more flexibility for temporary signage, such as open signs, while maintaining safety and aesthetics.
• Homeless Veteran (name not given): Expressed frustration with overfilled ashtrays and cigarette butts at the beach park, and criticized ordinance enforcement priorities. He also defended his credibility against false social media posts and requested more compassion for homeless individuals.
• Carrie Nelson (Ward 3 resident): Praised recent city events and roadway improvements, and wished everyone a happy holiday season.
• Mary Henrahan (League of Women Voters): Requested the city support a candidate forum for the upcoming municipal election, to be moderated and run by the League of Women Voters.
• Julie Armstrong (resident): Announced a new quarterly rotating art exhibit for the council chambers, starting with a dog-themed exhibit in January 2026.
• Wolfgang Dininger (Gulfport Grassroots): Reported on the December 13 beach cleanup (23 volunteers, 120 lbs trash) and the year's total of 2,105 lbs collected. He announced a future "Swap and Drop" event on April 11, 2026.
• Courtney Prokopis (resident): Urged the council to support de-annexation of Lincoln Cemetery to St. Petersburg, citing St. Petersburg's unanimous resolution and the wishes of the cemetery owner and descendants. She called it a step toward accountability for historical actions.
• Lauren (Ward 4 resident): Supported de-annexation of Lincoln Cemetery and thanked the city for the Santa Rampage parade.
• Bob Canning (resident): Asked for an update on stormwater project decisions, requested a presentation from XL Pumps on flood prevention, and shared a story about a neighbor facing a large property tax increase after inheriting a home.
• Lenny Gukenheimer (resident): Asked for a status update on the city charter review process.

Discussion Items

• Presentation by State Representative Linda Chaney: Rep. Chaney presented a $1.3 million check for the Gulfport Potable Water Proactive Storm Mitigation Project, funded through a state grant. She discussed the state budget, tax relief, environmental funding, and upcoming legislative priorities including animal cruelty penalties and mental health information sharing. She also filed $3 million for road safety/flooding improvements and $2.5 million for the senior center for the next session. The council thanked her and asked about property tax reform; she noted eight House bills are being considered but no clear resolution yet.
• Lincoln Cemetery De-annexation: Mayor Love stated that the cemetery owner (Pastor Williams) previously told her he was not asking Gulfport to do anything and his frustration was with St. Petersburg. However, recent public meetings show Pastor Williams requesting de-annexation. The city attorney explained the process: the owner must request de-annexation, then staff would analyze costs and legal options. Council members expressed frustration at being portrayed as obstructionist. Consensus: The city attorney and city manager will meet with Pastor Williams and St. Petersburg Mayor Welch to clarify the owner's intent and begin the process. A future meeting will outline costs and steps.
• E-Comment System: City Clerk Carico introduced the new e-comment system. 11 comments were received for the meeting. Council discussed procedures: comments from identified users will be read aloud, anonymous comments will not be read after a transition period. The clerk will read comments per agenda item after live public comment. This policy will take effect at the next meeting.
• Council Comments: Councilmember Shaw reported on various community events, thanked staff, and suggested tracking unanswered council questions. Councilmember Early noted a coastal management plan public input process starting in January/February. Mayor Love reported on the Lions Club vacating the marina property, a workshop on January 8, 2026 at 6 PM, property tax information added to the city website, and ongoing work on a sister city program and state legislation SB 180.
• Resolution 2025-104 (Telephone System Upgrade): Removed from consent for discussion. IT Director explained the need to replace the aging hybrid VoIP system with a full cloud-based system from TeleVoIPs, due to maintenance issues and state requirement to remove 75 analog lines by March 2026. The new system is more cost-effective, includes softphone capabilities, and integrates with Microsoft Teams. Annual savings of $2,600 from eliminating analog lines. Approved unanimously.
• Resolution 2025-105 (Street Sweeping Agreement with St. Petersburg): Removed from consent for discussion. Public Works Director noted the current contractor's service decline. The new agreement with St. Petersburg will provide monthly sweeping of all curbed streets (60 lane miles) at $1,300 less per month, including parking lots. Sweeping will be scheduled on sanitation days to minimize car obstruction. Approved unanimously.
• New Business - Tree Inventory Software: Vice Mayor Thanos proposed purchasing tree inventory software for $4,500 from the tree budget. The software will be used by volunteers to catalog city trees, helping achieve a 30% canopy goal. Council gave consensus to proceed after staff evaluation.
• New Business - Zoning and Density Changes: Vice Mayor Thanos proposed having the planning and zoning board study rezoning all R1 and R1A areas to allow duplexes and triplexes (R2/R3) to increase affordable housing options. Councilmembers Shaw and Early supported further study; Mayor Love expressed reluctance to commit staff time without more deliberation. The item will be considered later.
• New Business - Inclusivity Resolution: Councilmember Shaw suggested drafting a resolution affirming that everyone is welcome in Gulfport. Council agreed to discuss further at the next meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Resolutions 2025-104 (Telephone System) and 2025-105 (Street Sweeping), both unanimously.
• Approved: Consent items 2025-106 and 2025-107 (Disaster Debris agreements), unanimously.
• Approved: Resolution 2025-108 (Accept FDEP grant for potable water storm mitigation, with budget amendment), unanimously.
• Approved: Resolution 2025-109 (Engineering contract with Advanced Engineering & Design for Town Shores waterline project), unanimously.
• Directive: City Manager and City Attorney to meet with Pastor Williams and St. Petersburg Mayor Welch to initiate the de-annexation process for Lincoln Cemetery, with a report back to council.
• Directive: Staff to evaluate tree inventory software and bring recommendation to council.
• Upcoming: Public workshop on marina property (January 8, 2026, 6 PM).
• Upcoming: Council to discuss inclusivity resolution at next meeting.
• Upcoming: First reading of e-bike ordinance and recovery home ordinance in January 2026.