Gulfport City Council Workshop on Charter Review Ballot Questions - February 5, 2026

The Gulfport City Council held a workshop on February 5, 2026, at 6:00 PM to explain the 10 charter amendment questions that will appear on the March 10, 2026 General Municipal Election ballot. City Clerk Teresa Carico presented each question, clarifying the meaning of a yes or no vote. The meeting was informational only; the Council did not express opinions or take votes. Public questions and comments were allowed after each question and at the end.

Discussion Items

• Process Overview: The Charter Review Committee was appointed in May 2025, met bi-weekly for 12 meetings through October 15, 2025, and presented recommendations to Council on October 21, 2025. After two readings (November 4 and December 2, 2025), Ordinance 2025-12 was approved, and the ballot questions were submitted to the Supervisor of Elections by the December 9 deadline.

• Question 1 – Limiting Leases of City-Owned Property to Five Years: The current charter allows leases up to 30 years. A yes vote would reduce the maximum lease term to five years. A no vote leaves the 30-year maximum unchanged.

  • Public questions raised concerns about capital recovery for lessees (e.g., yacht clubs) and the lack of a city plan if leases cannot be renewed. City Manager O'Reilly noted that payout clauses could be negotiated in lease agreements, and the Council would decide future use. The City Clerk stated the recommendation came from citizen feedback through the Charter Review Committee.

• Question 2 – Leases Required at Fair Market Value: Currently, the charter does not specify lease pricing. A yes vote would require all leases of city-owned real property to be based on fair market value determined by a licensed appraiser. A no vote leaves no such requirement.

  • Public commenters questioned how fair market value could be determined for unique waterfront properties with restricted uses (e.g., yacht clubs that cannot be sold or redeveloped). Jonathan McCoachy argued the concept is “fatally flawed” because an appraiser would need to know the allowed use. Council clarified that fair market value would set a minimum rent, and other terms could be negotiated. The City Manager noted that only the two yacht clubs are currently under long-term leases; other properties (e.g., athletic fields) are under recreational use agreements and would not be affected.

• Question 3 – Three-Year Terms for Council Members: Currently council members serve two-year terms. A yes vote would change future terms to three years. The election for Wards 1 and 3 on the same ballot would still be for two-year terms because the amendment would take effect later.

  • A late-arriving attendee asked about the origin; a council member (likely Vice Mayor Thanos) said other cities have longer terms, making three years more practical.

• Question 4 – Term Limits (Three Consecutive Terms): A yes vote would limit council members (and the mayor) to three consecutive terms. No public questions.

• Question 5 – Waiting Period After Three Terms: A yes vote would require a two-year waiting period before a former council member could run again for the same ward, unless no other candidate qualifies. No public questions.

• Question 6 – Remove Criminal Misdemeanor Language: Currently, council members who direct staff or request appointment/removal of employees are guilty of a second-degree misdemeanor. A yes vote removes that criminal provision from the charter. City Manager O'Reilly explained that the criminal charge would still exist under state statute, but removal from the charter avoids requiring a conviction (which may not be prosecuted). Jennifer Webb asked about alignment with state law; the City Manager confirmed the change does not conflict.

• Question 7 – Vacancy by Forfeiture of Office: A yes vote adds forfeiture of office (by majority vote of remaining council members) as a cause for vacancy, alongside death, resignation, or removal. No public questions.

• Question 8 – Criteria for Forfeiture of Office: A yes vote establishes specific criteria: lack of qualifications (e.g., moving out of ward), conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude, or failure to attend three consecutive meetings or four meetings within 12 months (unless excused). A council member asked whether the council can override absences; the City Clerk confirmed that excused absences are allowed by majority vote, and the current charter’s language on excused absences remains unchanged. The change reduces the threshold from six meetings in 12 months to four.

• Question 9 – Removal from Office by Magistrate: A yes vote allows removal of a council member for intentional, willful, flagrant, or continuous violations of the charter or adopted rules, after an independent magistrate hearing. A council member noted potential conflicts if Question 7 (forfeiture by majority vote) passes but Question 9 fails, or if Question 6 (criminal misdemeanor) remains. The City Manager said conflicts could be addressed through policies and procedures. A resident asked about the definition of an independent magistrate; the City Manager explained the city could use its existing magistrate or issue a request for qualifications.

• Question 10 – Charter Review Every Five Years: Currently, a full review is required every 10 years. A yes vote would require a citizens’ committee every five years. Council clarified that council can still call for a review at any time, and the five-year clock would reset from the last full review (2025). No public questions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lenny Gukenheimer (5213 Dillet Avenue South) questioned the five-year lease limit, noting that yacht clubs have made investments and provide services like maintaining the basin and mangroves. He suggested a no vote.
• Mary (not fully identified) asked how capital recovery would work under five-year leases and whether the city would absorb maintenance costs if lessees leave. She later questioned the feasibility of fair market value for waterfront properties with non-transferable use. She also expressed concern that non-profits (like Sea Scouts and youth sailing programs) could be displaced, losing community benefits.
• Lee Nell (2157 29th Avenue) asked for the origin of the five-year lease idea; the City Clerk referred to charter review committee presentations on the city website.
• Jonathan McCoachy argued that fair market value is “fatally flawed” for unique properties and that the city should be measured by quality of life, not business metrics. He later reiterated that the focus on financial benefit is misplaced.
• Lauren asked which properties are affected (only the two yacht clubs) and whether the city has a process for selecting new lessees; the City Manager said leases require a council ordinance.
• Regina asked if all city-owned properties could be leased; the City Manager said yes, but parks dedicated for recreation cannot be sold or leased.
• Jennifer Webb asked about state statute alignment on the criminal misdemeanor question and about fair market value application.
• Laura Oldaney (Ninth Avenue South) raised fiscal pragmatism, noting the casino (a major revenue source) was damaged by a hurricane and potential property tax cuts could hurt city finances. She encouraged residents to consider revenue impacts.
• A council member (likely Councilmember Shaw or Early) corrected a public myth that leases are still $1/year, stating current leases are $2,000/month.
• Julie (not further identified) reminded attendees of voter registration deadlines: February 9 to register, February 26 to request a mail ballot via votepinellas.gov.

Key Outcomes

• The meeting was purely informational; no votes or decisions were made.
• Voters will decide all 10 charter questions on the March 10, 2026 ballot.
• Council members emphasized they are not giving opinions and encouraged residents to inform themselves and vote.
• The City Clerk’s website (cityclerk.gulfport-fl.gov) contains full details, including charter review presentations and sample ballots.
• Voter registration deadline: February 9, 2026. Mail ballot request deadline: February 26, 2026.