Gulfport City Council Meeting - April 21, 2026

The Gulfport City Council met on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 Capital Improvement Program budget, multiple resolutions for the Gulfport Mooring Field expansion, a contentious vote on the Lions Club lease payout, and proposed changes to council rules and public comment procedures. Public comments addressed utility contractor disruptions, a memorial proposal, and environmental initiatives.

Consent Calendar

• Item 6.a: Approved the meeting minutes from April 7, 2026. (Unanimous)
• Item 6.b: Approved Resolution No. 2026-21 accepting donations from Make 3 Cares for a First Responder Therapy Dog at the Gulfport Fire Department. (Unanimous)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rodney Berkheimer (Gulfport resident) expressed concerns about the newly renovated volleyball courts, stating the sand contains shells, concrete, glass, and wood debris, and the underlayment is hard-packed in multiple areas.
• Tracy Calice (4640 27th Avenue South) detailed disruptions from Duke Energy tree trimming and T-Mobile fiber optic work, including a large oak tree aggressively cut back without permission, sprinkler damage, and lack of contractor communication. She urged better notification and oversight.
• Jonathan McCoachy (2819 52nd Street) proposed creating a memorial or public display to recognize Gulfport's racist history and honor the struggle for freedom and dignity, suggesting Tangerine Avenue at 49th Street as a possible site.
• Ingrid Bredenberg (56th Street South) invited the community to World Labyrinth Day on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Clymer Park from noon, with a labyrinth walk at 1:00 PM.
• Berkeley Grimble (2701 56th Street South) warned about the growing peacock colony, noting that without intervention the population could exceed residents within 10 years. She cited examples from Longboat Key and Pinecrest.
• Mary Hanrahan (7th Avenue South) followed up on utility work, requesting the city improve public notification and contractor oversight, and ensure proper restoration of rights-of-way.
• Dean Hay (5618 13th Avenue South) reported on the Gulfport Environmental Team: 21 members, over 4,500 trees inventoried, finalized a "right tree, right place" rack card, and presented an Earth Day flag to the city.
• Wolfgang Dininger (Beachway Park, Gulfport Grassroots) reported 44 volunteers collected 195 pounds of trash at a cleanup, and a successful "swap and drop" event. He requested council support for future events.
• April Thanos spoke during public comment on Item 8.a (Lions Club), questioning the appraisal's failure to account for flood damage, mold, and asbestos, and raising concerns about the legitimacy of the club's reinstatement.
• Jonathan (broker) also commented on the Lions Club appraisal, stating flood damage and future flood risk should have been major factors, and noting that comparable sales in Ocala were not appropriate.
• Lauren Stern questioned whether the Lions Club received FEMA or insurance money, and urged council to continue the item.
• Lenny (5213 1st Avenue South) noted the appraisal did not account for asbestos remediation costs or lack of fire suppression.
• Susan thanked council for their diligence and cautioned about the difference between a membership organization and a foundation regarding fund distribution.
• Courtney Procopus (15th Avenue South) asked about sanitation services for the VETSports volleyball series.
• Julie Jacoby (49th Street South) supported the mooring field expansion but expressed concern that additional mooring balls could push unanchored boats further into the bay, creating a "parking lot."
• Margaret Tober (via e-comment) requested a historical sign at 49th Street and Tangerine Avenue. (Read during public comment)
• Margaret Tober (second e-comment on Item 8.e) asked about unpaid marina accounts and their impact on mooring field funding. (Read during discussion)

Discussion Items

• Fiscal Year 2026/2027 Capital Improvement Program Budget (Item 9.a): City Manager O'Reilly presented the proposed CIP, highlighting priorities: the Senior Center (with a $3 million federal appropriation request), stormwater improvements, sanitary sewer rehabilitation (ongoing, $16 million+ spent), street paving (12th year, $400,000), sidewalk replacement (Zone 8 near elementary school), and a dog run at Thomas Park. Discussion included the potential impact of property tax reform on Penny for Pinellas revenue, and the need for a stormwater enterprise fund study. Council did not vote; the budget is fluid until September.
• Rules and Policies for City Council and Public Comment (Item 9.b): Council discussed and reached consensus on several changes: (1) Establish a monthly workshop on a regular schedule (day/time to be determined), with citizen comments permitted after council discussion (changed from "will" to "may"). (2) E-comments and public comments: require speakers to state if they are a Gulfport resident or not (no full address). (3) Council comments limited to 5 minutes with a 5-minute extension available. (4) New business will require a motion and second, then debate and vote. (5) Items removed from consent agenda will be taken up immediately after consent (unless otherwise directed). (6) Added after public comment: "any additional discussion or questions" before the roll call vote. (7) Council may ask clarifying questions of staff and other council members. (8) City Attorney will prepare a censure policy for future consideration.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution No. 2026-10 (Lions Club lease payout): Passed 3-2 (Vice Mayor Shaw and Councilmember Donch opposed) with conditions: payment of $227,500 to Gulfport Lions Inc. subject to (a) an affidavit from Lions Club International confirming the club's validity, and (b) a release reviewed and approved by council. City Attorney will negotiate the release.
• Resolution No. 2026-22 (Asbestos abatement and demolition of Lions Club building): Passed unanimously.
• Resolution No. 2026-23 (Payment to C.A.P. Government for plan review/inspections): Passed unanimously.
• Resolution No. 2026-24 (VETSports monthly beach volleyball series): Passed unanimously.
• Resolution No. 2026-25 (Peggy Mathews Environmental Consulting for mooring field Phase I PM): Passed unanimously.
• Resolution No. 2026-26 (SurvTech Solutions for bathymetric and easement survey): Passed unanimously.
• Resolution No. 2026-27 (Environmental Consultants of Florida for benthic resource survey): Passed unanimously.
• New Business: Councilmember Webb designated as alternate for the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council meeting (Mayor Love absent). Council also gave consensus to fly the Earth Day flag on April 22, 2026.