Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the Gulfport City Council met at 6:00 PM at City Hall for a regular meeting that lasted over four hours. The meeting included presentations, extensive public comment on the city's 287G agreement with ICE, adoption of several resolutions and ordinances, and discussion of future policies on lighting, e-bikes, inclusivity, and downtown planning.
E-comments: The City Clerk reported 77 e-comments, with 76 opposing the 287G agreement (12 from Gulfport residents, 65 non-residents). One comment about Lincoln Cemetery. Council voted to read only Gulfport resident comments and the Lincoln Cemetery comment. Those read urged ending the agreement, raising concerns about trust, safety, and constitutional violations.
Good evening and welcome. This is a big crowd. Wow. Um, for those of you who have not attended a city council meeting uh recently or ever before, just a couple of basic housekeeping rules. I ask you to check your phone right now. Uh, make sure that it's not going to ring. Okay. And then the second thing is there's only one conversation going on at a time. It's either gonna be up here at the amongst the council members, or it's gonna be whoever has the floor up here with that that microphone. So if you feel the need to have a side conversation, that's fine. Just get up and exit to into the lobby, please. All right. Um this meeting is called to order. We will be starting with the invocation given by council member Jackson. And then that'll be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, so please rise. Hi, everyone. Um my invocation this evening is a quote from Bob Weir, who recently passed away. I think if people value democracy, they had damn well better get out and exercise their right to vote while their vote still means something. I I appreciate that um the invocation went over well, but also in this dais, we don't boo, we don't clap. We zip it, okay. Councilmember Jackson? Here. Council Member Early. Vice Mayor Thanos. Council Member Shaw. Here. City Attorney Salzman. City Manager O'Reilly. City Clerk Keriko is present. So with that, tonight we have a special presentation. Um if any of you have ever donated to Operation Santa, we have had one person in charge of this uh running the show for a very very long time. I only know 22 for sure, but I think she might insist that it be more. So I'm going to ask Francine Winton to come up, and she will receive an award. Well you go. How many years? 34. 34. So 34 years of making sure the kids in Gulfport had Christmas. And then a special gift from your staff they said you would understand. From the clerk. From the clerk. May I talk? It's been 34 years, and it's not just me. I couldn't do it without the police department, the fire department, and all the people that donated. Gulfport, we're we're a good hard group, a loving group, and next year will be 35 years. So we gotta do it. Thank you.