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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Gulfport City Council Meeting - June 7, 2022

City Council — Tuesday, June 7, 2022

BodyGulfport, Mississippi

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, June 7, 2022

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:08:38

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:01

We'll call to order the meeting of the Gulfport City Council on June 7th.

0:06

Is it the 7th?

0:07

Yep.

0:08

Uh 2022.

0:10

We will start.

0:11

I'm sitting in for the mayor.

0:13

He's not here tonight, and neither is Michael.

0:15

We welcome you to Michael Ferdovic, sorry.

0:18

We welcome you to the meeting.

0:19

And um we will stand.

0:21

Do you want to do a uh roll call roll call first?

0:24

Every do the invocation first and then Paul Ray is gonna do the invocation for it.

0:33

We cannot expect to breed respect for law and order among people who do not share the fruits of our freedom.

0:39

Hubert Humphrey.

0:41

Thank you.

0:50

One nation under God, individuality.

0:56

Thank you.

1:00

Okay, please may we have the roll call, City Clerk.

1:03

Councilmember Thanos?

1:04

Here.

1:04

Councilmember Ray?

1:06

Here.

1:06

Vice Mayor Brown?

1:07

Here.

1:07

City Manager O'Reilly.

1:09

City Attorney Salzman.

1:11

City Clerk Temeath present as stated, Councilmember Fedovich and Mayor Henderson have to be excused.

1:17

Thank you.

1:18

We are here at public comment now.

1:20

You have three minutes to come up and speak if you would wish to.

1:25

We ask that you give us your name.

1:27

And also if you want to speak on agenda item 8A, we won't have an open public comment on that, and this is when you would do it.

1:36

So please show your hands if you'd like to come up.

1:42

Yes, ma'am.

1:48

Hi.

1:49

Good evening.

1:51

I'm Barbara Banno.

1:52

I'm here tonight representing the Gulfport Merchants Chamber.

1:55

Um we uh made a special announcement last night at the mixer, and I wanted to share it with uh city council.

2:02

Um you guys always just partner really well for us, so any kind of new and exciting stuff we like to come in and and share that.

2:09

So of the overwhelming um growth of our city and small businesses and people visiting the city, um, you know, the Gulfport Merchants Chamber for years and years and years has been a working board.

2:22

And um all our board members are so busy because of all the success that we're having down here that it's it's getting harder and harder for us to really kind of manage and really focus on some of the stuff that really that that we need as an organization.

2:38

So we have decided to post for a full-time director of operations that will oversee the um the whole organization, almost like a CEO, somebody um compared it to a city manager role last night, and uh how we all kind of trickled in.

2:54

This director of operations will fully report to the board where big decisions will be made by us and voted by us.

3:03

Um, but overall day-to-day operations and the welcome center, uh managing like a budget, overseeing all the events, um, everything like that.

3:12

And and and membership.

3:13

Um one of their key things when they come in would be uh a lot about membership and adding benefits to being a member, and we have just so many new businesses in town, and it's like we need to be able to really contribute to their success.

3:26

And so we're really really excited about it.

3:29

Uh we will probably be posting the position within the next week or two.

3:34

Um we're really really excited about how this is just gonna contribute and add to the success of the organization.

3:41

So you know, I still, you know, will resume my position as president, but maybe not have as much responsibility and leg work to do.

3:49

So um, and as always as an organization, you know, uh we couldn't do what we do uh if it wasn't for all of you sitting up here and the support from all the departments and the city manager and and everything.

4:01

So thank you for your ongoing support.

4:03

It is a great partnership partnership.

4:04

Thank you.

4:06

Anyone else like to come up and speak on anything?

4:11

Yes, ma'am.

4:16

Um as usual, I would like to say thanks for all that you do.

4:19

I think it's a hard job, but I think it's twice as hard due to social media.

4:23

So before I start complaining, I want to tell you thank you very much.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Comment███████████████████████████████████35%

Water And Wastewater Management███████████████████19%

Procedural█████████████13%

Environmental Protection█████████9%

Special Events█████5%

Pensions████4%

Budget███3%

Public Engagement███3%

Racial Equity██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Gulfport City Council Meeting - June 7, 2022

The Gulfport City Council met on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. Vice Mayor Brown presided in the absence of the Mayor. Councilmember Fridovich and Mayor Henderson were excused. The meeting included public comments, resolutions, and a discussion on outdoor entertainment permits.

Public Comments & Testimony

Barbara Banno, representing the Gulfport Merchants Chamber, announced the organization will hire a full-time Director of Operations to manage day-to-day activities, the welcome center, budget, and events. She thanked the council for ongoing support.
A resident (name not given) expressed frustration with the term "complaint-driven" enforcement, asking about code enforcement for dogs on beach, smoking, fires, and short-term rentals. She questioned the city's COVID protocol for code enforcement and urged better public education and enforcement.
Marissa Stewart Dix, President of the Gulfport Kiwanis Club, invited the council to the Juneteenth celebration on June 18 from 10 AM to 4 PM at the Gulfport Recreation Center. She noted the event would include speakers, raffles, and a DJ, and requested the mayor to deliver a welcome.
Debbie Amos, owner of Tiki Bar and Grill, spoke about outdoor music issues. She stated her business has received very few complaints because speakers face the Gulf, and argued that realistic decibel limits are needed, given other noise sources in the area.
Margaret (last name not given) asked Councilmember Ray for a summary of a recent town hall, mentioned sending a suggestion to the city manager about accounts receivable, and commented that the proposed noise ordinance changes seem similar to the existing permit process.
Mr. Simek advocated for creating an advisory committee focused on diversity in ethnicity and age groups, noting that the median age in Gulfport (56-57) means half the population is under-represented on boards and council. He argued that cognitive diversity leads to better decision-making.

City Manager Report

City Manager O'Reilly reported that Governor DeSantis signed the state budget ($109.9 billion) but vetoed $3.1 billion in projects, including the Town Shores waterline project. He noted the veto also affected Moffitt Cancer Center and USF. He said the city can resubmit next year.
On a positive note, Congressman Chris' office included Gulfport's project in his 15 appropriations requests for $1.5 million, now pending before House committees.
Preliminary property values increased by 14%, the second highest in Pinellas County (only Indian Rocks Beach was higher at 15%, attributed to short-term rentals).

Consent Calendar

Item 5a - Minutes of April 5 and April 19, 2022: Councilmember Thanos requested a change to the April 5 minutes regarding board appointments, stating the language did not accurately reflect her proposal to announce vacancies and receive applications on a set date. After discussion, a motion to approve the minutes as is passed, with Councilmember Thanos dissenting. She later clarified she intended to vote yes on consent items 5b and 5c.
Item 5b - Resolution 2022-38: Authorizing a contract with Caladesi Construction Company for Scout Hall Restoration and Waterproofing Project. Approved unanimously.
Item 5c - Resolution 2022-39: Authorizing the City Manager to amend and restate the Mission Square Governmental Money Purchase Plan & Trust. Approved unanimously.

Resolutions

Resolution 2022-40 (Item 7a): Authorizing the use of ARPA funds for a watershed management plan with Advanced Engineering and Design, Inc. Justin Keller of Advanced Engineering presented a three-phase plan: investigation, assessment, and recommendation. The plan will address flooding vulnerabilities, water quality, and resiliency, incorporating sea level rise projections. Councilmember Ray asked about integrating existing studies and ongoing infrastructure work. The resolution passed unanimously.
Resolution 2022-41 (Item 7b): Approving a special event application from Unity of Gulfport, Inc. for a summer solstice celebration at the casino pad. A representative requested a fire pit for a ceremonial burn, but the fire chief had concerns. Council approved the resolution with the understanding that the city would work with the fire chief to possibly allow the fire pit. Passed unanimously.
Resolution 2022-42 (Item 7c): Authorizing the use of ARPA funds for water and sewer infrastructure related to priority two pipe repair. The City Manager noted that a detailed contract will be brought in July. Passed unanimously.

Discussion Items

Code of Ordinances - Section 22-6.12 (Item 8a): Outdoor entertainment and sales permits. The City Manager presented a flowchart clarifying the review process for new permit applications. Councilmember Ray explained that the goal is to be more proactive, working with businesses and nearby residents before granting permits, rather than approving them without review. The council agreed to adopt this more mindful approach going forward. No vote was taken.

Council Comments & Informational Reports

Councilmember Ray reported on several items: inviting Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Linda Cheney, and Charlie Justice for future presentations; a meeting on homelessness at Allendale Church and the city's hiring of a social worker; a new dog fountain at Wood Ibis Park; recognition of resident Nadine Smith as one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people of 2022; exploring solar panels for Scout Hall; and recommending postponing marina restroom construction until the marina project is complete.
Councilmember Thanos announced a town hall meeting on July 13, 2022; gave updates on the Pride Festival (no incidents); encouraged attendance at the Juneteenth event; noted Flag Day on June 14 with retired flag burning at Veterans Park; and mentioned ongoing efforts to secure funding for the senior center with Commissioner Flowers and Justice.

Key Outcomes

All three resolutions (2022-40, 2022-41, 2022-42) passed unanimously.
Consent items 5b and 5c approved; minutes (5a) approved despite Councilmember Thanos' objection.
The council agreed to use a more detailed review process for future outdoor entertainment permits.
Councilmember Ray will arrange for presentations from Tampa Bay Estuary, Linda Cheney, Charlie Justice, and homelessness program staff.
The city will continue seeking state funding for the waterline project and monitor the $1.5 million federal appropriation request.

Meeting Transcript

We'll call to order the meeting of the Gulfport City Council on June 7th. Is it the 7th? Yep. Uh 2022. We will start. I'm sitting in for the mayor. He's not here tonight, and neither is Michael. We welcome you to Michael Ferdovic, sorry. We welcome you to the meeting. And um we will stand. Do you want to do a uh roll call roll call first? Every do the invocation first and then Paul Ray is gonna do the invocation for it. We cannot expect to breed respect for law and order among people who do not share the fruits of our freedom. Hubert Humphrey. Thank you. One nation under God, individuality. Thank you. Okay, please may we have the roll call, City Clerk. Councilmember Thanos? Here. Councilmember Ray? Here. Vice Mayor Brown? Here. City Manager O'Reilly. City Attorney Salzman. City Clerk Temeath present as stated, Councilmember Fedovich and Mayor Henderson have to be excused. Thank you. We are here at public comment now. You have three minutes to come up and speak if you would wish to. We ask that you give us your name. And also if you want to speak on agenda item 8A, we won't have an open public comment on that, and this is when you would do it. So please show your hands if you'd like to come up. Yes, ma'am. Hi. Good evening. I'm Barbara Banno. I'm here tonight representing the Gulfport Merchants Chamber. Um we uh made a special announcement last night at the mixer, and I wanted to share it with uh city council. Um you guys always just partner really well for us, so any kind of new and exciting stuff we like to come in and and share that. So of the overwhelming um growth of our city and small businesses and people visiting the city, um, you know, the Gulfport Merchants Chamber for years and years and years has been a working board. And um all our board members are so busy because of all the success that we're having down here that it's it's getting harder and harder for us to really kind of manage and really focus on some of the stuff that really that that we need as an organization. So we have decided to post for a full-time director of operations that will oversee the um the whole organization, almost like a CEO, somebody um compared it to a city manager role last night, and uh how we all kind of trickled in. This director of operations will fully report to the board where big decisions will be made by us and voted by us. Um, but overall day-to-day operations and the welcome center, uh managing like a budget, overseeing all the events, um, everything like that. And and and membership. Um one of their key things when they come in would be uh a lot about membership and adding benefits to being a member, and we have just so many new businesses in town, and it's like we need to be able to really contribute to their success. And so we're really really excited about it. Uh we will probably be posting the position within the next week or two. Um we're really really excited about how this is just gonna contribute and add to the success of the organization.

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