Gulfport City Council Meeting - September 6, 2022
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Gulfport City Council Meeting - September 6, 2022
The Gulfport City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting featured first readings of the fiscal year 2022-2023 millage rate and budget ordinances, public comments on short-term rentals and other matters, approval of several resolutions, and council reports.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes: The council unanimously approved the meeting minutes of July 19, 2022, and August 2, 2022.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Bob McKenna (Clinton Street resident) expressed frustration with code enforcement procedures regarding a short-term rental duplex next door. He reported difficulty obtaining evidence (ads) and requested clearer instructions for residents. He also raised concerns about a car wash, detail business, and car dealership operating at the property. Council assured follow-up.
- Jerry Reid (President of SO 49, 11th Avenue South) celebrated the Trolley Market Square opening in February 2019 and announced the area will now be called the Trolley Market District.
- Walter Barker (Trade Winds Drive) commended the council for implementing voluntary activity reports in the city newsletter, encouraging all councilmembers to participate.
- Regina Buscemi (Gulfport resident) thanked the council for not raising water and trash bills, reminded attendees of the 9/11 remembrance event at the casino (8:30 AM Sunday), and suggested reinstating a new resident orientation program.
- Mr. Mather (phone caller) suggested adding a Gulfport history page to the city website in coordination with the Historical Society.
Discussion Items
- Ordinance 2022-07 (Millage Rate): First reading of a 4.039 operating mill levy, a 14.38% increase over the rollback rate of 3.5312 mills. Councilmember Thanos clarified that homestead exemptions are applied before the levy. Unanimously passed.
- Ordinance 2022-08 (Operating Budget): First reading of the FY 2022-2023 budget. City Manager Riley thanked staff and noted it is a balanced budget. Unanimously passed. Second reading and public hearing scheduled for September 20, 2022.
- Resolution 2022-54 (Insurance Renewal): Authorized renewal of general insurance coverages with Public Risk Management of Florida. Premiums increased 14%, accounted for in the budget. Unanimous.
- Resolution 2022-55 (EMS Agreement): Authorized an agreement with Pinellas County for Advanced Life Support First Responder Services. Includes a “nearest responder” dispatch provision. Funding covers paramedic positions and related costs. Unanimous.
- Resolution 2022-56 (Fire Engine Purchase): Authorized using Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to purchase a 2024 E-One Typhoon Pumper (approx. 18-month lead time) and surplus the 2004 E-One Pumper. Council discussed potential sale price. Unanimous.
- Resolution 2022-57 (Emergency Fire Truck Repairs): Authorized payment to Rush Truck Center for emergency repairs to fire truck E-17 and a budget amendment. Unanimous.
- Resolution 2022-58 (49th Street Safety Grant): Authorized an MOU with Forward Pinellas to apply for a $150,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) safety grant. City’s share is $15,000 (half of 20% match). Planning will include community meetings and focus on safety improvements from 22nd Avenue to 29th Avenue. Unanimous.
- City Manager’s Report:
- Submitted a Resilient Florida grant application for $80,000 for a vulnerability assessment.
- Partnering with Treasure Island on a grant for a homeless outreach worker.
- Reported progress on the living shoreline project (permitting, construction mid-2023).
- Requested and received council approval for Stetson University College of Law to reserve three volleyball courts for 10 Sunday nights (rental).
- Discussed the Bogasea Yacht Club (BYC) proposal; council requested BYC provide supporting documentation by the September 20 meeting for further discussion.
- Councilmember Thanos: Proposed requesting an Attorney General’s opinion on whether the city can expand the zoning district allowing short-term rentals. Council did not formally vote but appeared supportive of obtaining the opinion before further discussion. Also proposed changing the definition of “green space” to exclude permeable pavers (not set in concrete) to reduce stormwater runoff. Vice Mayor Brown asked for more data before changing the definition.
Key Outcomes
- Ordinances: Both the millage rate (2022-07) and budget (2022-08) passed unanimously on first reading; second readings on September 20.
- Resolutions 2022-54 through 2022-58: All passed unanimously.
- Volleyball Rental: Council approved Stetson University’s request for 10 Sunday nights.
- Bogasea Yacht Club: Council directed the City Manager to request supplementary documentation from BYC by September 20, 2022.
- Short-Term Rentals: Follow-up on resident complaint directed to code enforcement; instructions for residents will be clarified.
- Future Meetings: Town halls scheduled – Councilmember Ray (October 12), Councilmember Thanos (planning meeting September 28, town hall November 14). Workshop on short-term rentals on October 20.
Meeting Transcript
September six regular council meeting for the city of Gulfmore, Florida. Invocations given tonight by Councilmember Paul Ray, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. And those who won't who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only what the world as it is, but the world as it will be. Isaac Azimov. Thanks. All right, welcome everyone. Roll call police city clerk. Councilmember Ray? Here. Councilmember Ferdovich. Councilmember Thanos. Here. Vice Mayor Brown. Here. Mayor Henderson. Here. City Attorney Salzman. Here. City Manager Riley. City Clerk to meet the president. All right. So you got a couple of special public hearing uh votes tonight. Ordinance 2022-07, ordinance 2022-08, and we'll start with the first. Ordinance 2207, an ordinance in the city of Gulfport, Florida, providing for the advalum tax levy for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2022, and ending September 30th, 2023, and providing for an effective date. And mayor, I just need to read this section. Yep. That a levy of 4.039 operating mills will be placed upon the total assessed valuation of real and personal property lying within the city of Gulfport. Said monies raised by the 4.039 mills shall be used for the general operation of the city of Gulfport, Florida, for the aforementioned fiscal period. The adoption of the 4.039 Mills is a 14.38% increase over the rollback rate of 3.5312 mills. All right, thank you. We'll entertain a motion on this. I'll make a motion on 2022 oh seven. Second of a first and a second. Any council comments or questions on this item? Anything you'd like to add, city manager. No, sir. Just for the 11th consecutive year, we've maintained the military. All right. Great job. I just have a quick question about what Leslie read. Um you said it's based on the the total assessed value. But but if people are homesteaded and whatever, they take off that amount, right? Yes, prior to that. Yeah. Yes. Okay. I just wanted to make sure. Public comment on this one. The actual assessed value.
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