Gulfport City Council Meeting – February 21, 2023

The Gulfport City Council met on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at 6:00 PM at Gulfport City Hall. The meeting featured two presentations, public comment, approval of consent items, first reading of a Little League lease ordinance, approval of a resolution for tennis/pickleball court change orders, and a lengthy discussion on proposed amendments to the recreational vehicle (RV) ordinance. Key decisions included unanimous approval of consent items and the resolution, and direction to staff to draft a revised RV ordinance incorporating a compromise proposal.

Presentations

• Keiser University – Gulfport Senior Center Accessibility Study: Dr. Megen Myers and Dr. Diana Guest, along with occupational therapy students, presented findings from their study. The Gulfport Senior Center has over 3,000 members aged 50+ and serves 400–600 daily. The current facility, built 40 years ago, has accessibility challenges such as narrow hallways, poor lighting, insufficient grab bars, and uneven pavements. Recommendations for the new center included: automatic sensor doors, visual contrast on stairs, universal chairs, enhanced lighting, wider pathways, non-slip floors, accessible bathrooms with grab bars on both sides, raised garden beds, seated exercise equipment, audiobook clubs, medication management programs, and assistive technology like video monitoring and exergaming. The speakers emphasized a preventive approach to falls and promoting well-being through occupational therapy principles.
• Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council – Hurricane Flooding & Resiliency: Ren Krawl (Deputy Executive Director) and Ashley Mott (GIS Manager) presented on storm surge evacuation zones, the importance of knowing your zone, and the Regional Resiliency Action Plan. They showed a simulation video of Hurricane Phoenix (a Category 5 scenario) to illustrate potential devastation. They highlighted that Pinellas County is updating flood maps and that the Tampa Bay Regional Resiliency Coalition includes 33 member governments. A new citywide comprehensive vulnerability and resiliency study has been funded by an $80,000 state grant. Councilmember Thanos asked about evacuation zones used during Hurricane Ian; staff promised to follow up on the extent of evacuations in Fort Myers Beach.

Consent Calendar

• 5.a: Approval of the February 7, 2023 council meeting minutes.
• 5.b: Resolution No. 2023-09 authorizing a contract with Smith Fence, Inc. for marina basin fencing replacement.
• 5.c: Resolution No. 2023-10 amending fees for the Department of Leisure Services and adopting a fee schedule for the 2023 Children’s Summer Recreation Program.
• Motion to approve the consent agenda passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Open Public Comment (non-agenda items):

  • Melissa Humboldt (President, Gulfport Merchants Chamber) provided updates on chamber events, including a new morning meeting series on March 16 and the Pink Flamingo Home Tour on March 4.
  • A resident expressed frustration with enforcement of short-term rental and loose dog ordinances, noting only three citations were written in a week. She called for better enforcement and clarity on reporting.
  • A speaker (Rhino) criticized book bans and anti-LGBTQ policies, arguing that tax dollars should not fund discrimination. He invoked “taxation without representation.”
  • Tommy Bixler (Lions Club) reported a successful pancake breakfast raising $1,500 for Southeastern Guide Dog Association and announced a 70s-themed dance on March 25 to raise scholarship funds for Boca Ciega High School seniors.

• Public Comment on RV Ordinance (Item 8.a):

  • Opponents:
    • Vonnie Holder argued that allowing RVs in front yards would diminish property values and that the city should enforce existing codes instead of changing them. She noted that some properties already violate current rules (e.g., a car on blocks across from City Hall).
    • Madison Bess (new homeowner in her 20s) said she bought an RV before learning it couldn’t be stored in the front yard; she supported a compromise but opposed front-yard parking.
    • Bob Slazek asked for reduced side/rear setbacks so RVs could be stored behind fences. He also suggested using marina dry storage for RVs.
    • David McCormick called the change a “smoke screen” for a few to benefit at the expense of many. He argued current ordinance is settled law and not a taking; he worried about slippery slope (e.g., pools in front yards).
  • Supporters:
    • Sue Orcola (Gray Street) supported the change with requirements for registration, mobility, and good condition. She said owners should be able to park on their property if taxes are paid.
    • Carter Bess (husband of Madison) argued RVs are no different from boats, and current setbacks are unreasonable. He mentioned the Bert Harris Act regarding property rights.
    • Dave Beebe (35-year resident) empathized with a neighbor who has a truck camper and paved a spot; he felt the ordinance is too restrictive.
    • Deborah Matro (27th Ave South) said she parks a camper in her side driveway and only learned of the restriction recently. She called discrimination against RVs unfair compared to boats and utility trailers.
    • Jenny (near Stetson) owns a rare 1953 Airstream that cannot be stored due to current setbacks; she urged a compromise.
    • Patrick MacLeay said his RV fits on his property except for the rear setback; he argued boats are treated more favorably and that RVs are second homes, not toys. He asked for elimination of setbacks.
    • A final speaker (name not given) noted he parked his RV in his fenced yard next to an alley, unaware of the violation. He supported forming a committee to find a balanced solution.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance No. 2023-02 – Lease Agreement with Gulfport Little League Club, Inc. (First Reading): The ordinance authorizes the city manager to execute a new lease with the Little League. A representative thanked the council and staff for support; the league now has 82 players after absorbing children from a temporarily closed Southwest League. The ordinance passed unanimously on first reading.
• Resolution No. 2023-11 – Use of ARPA Funds for Tennis/Pickleball Court Change Order: The resolution authorizes funding a change order (under 5% increase) for tennis and pickleball court construction by Caladesi Construction. City Manager O’Reilly said the project should be completed by early March, with two pickleball courts and two tennis courts. The resolution passed unanimously.
• Discussion of Ordinance No. 2023-01 – Recreational Vehicle (RV) Parking Regulations: This item was carried over from a previous meeting and was not put to a vote. Extensive public comment was heard (see above). City staff presented four options: (1) permit side/rear parking with no setbacks; (2) permit perpendicular front-yard parking within the front structure setback; (3) a combination of front parking and removed rear setbacks; (4) no change. Councilmember Sam Feldovich proposed a compromise: allow Class B vans (e.g., camper vans) in front yards as currently allowed; permit RVs only in side and rear yards; eliminate all setbacks except a 3-foot separation from living structures; maintain the 2014 grandfathering clause for existing RVs; require registration with the city. Council reached consensus to direct staff to draft an ordinance based on this proposal, to be presented at the second meeting in March. Some council members supported the compromise; Vice Mayor Brown noted it addressed safety and fairness.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (items 5.a, 5.b, 5.c).
• Little League Lease (Ordinance 2023-02): Passed 5-0 on first reading.
• Pickleball/Tennis Change Order (Resolution 2023-11): Passed 5-0.
• RV Ordinance (Discussion): No vote taken; council directed staff to draft a revised ordinance based on Councilmember Feldovich’s compromise (side/rear only, 3-foot separation from living structures, retain grandfathering, Class B vans allowed in front, registration required). A new version will be brought back for first reading at the March 7 or March 21 meeting.
• City Manager Report:
  • Pinellas County Animal Control presentation scheduled for March 7.
  • Short-term rental enforcement: a new code enforcement officer hired; software training underway; report expected in early March.
  • State appropriation requests submitted for sewer lateral repairs and 58th Street improvements.
  • Received $80,000 Resilient Florida grant for a citywide vulnerability and resiliency study.
  • Counteroffer from the Boca Ciega Yacht Club received; will be shared with council for guidance.
• Council Comments:
  • Councilmember Thanos suggested using ARPA funds for a website update (estimated $25,000).
  • Vice Mayor Brown promoted the Sunflower School fundraiser (March 4) and noted the Board of Adjustment’s “tie goes to the runner” rule.
  • Councilmember Ray requested $1,000 donations to PARC (for its 70th anniversary) and to YMCA for water safety/swimming lessons. Council expressed informal support.
  • Upcoming events: Councilmember Ray’s town hall (March 15), Dudley Scott town hall on legislative lobbying, Pet Rescue (weekend), and Chili Cook-Off at Hurricane Eddie.
• Adjournment: The council adjourned to proceed to the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting.