Gulfport City Council Meeting Summary - July 18, 2023

The Gulfport City Council held a regular meeting on July 18, 2023, at 6:00 PM at Gulfport City Hall. The meeting included presentations on utility rates and sidewalk conditions, public comments, reports, consideration of several ordinances and resolutions, and a discussion of the proposed FY2024 budget. All votes were unanimous unless otherwise noted.

Presentations

• Utility Rate Sufficiency Study: Andrew Burnham (Stantec) presented an update. Rates were held flat in FY2023; approved increases of 8% for water/sewer for FY2024 and FY2025, plus stormwater fee increases of $2 (FY2024) and $1.25 (FY2025) are on track. A typical combined utility bill (water, sewer, stormwater, garbage, recycling) is currently $88 and will rise to about $96.60 (an 8.9% increase). Gulfport rates remain below the local average. The study confirmed the current rate plan is sufficient to maintain reserves above the two-month minimum.
• City-Wide Sidewalk Inventory: Kendrick Sanderson (Public Works Superintendent) presented results of a 2022-2023 assessment. 34 miles of sidewalk and 1,056 ADA ramps were evaluated, identifying 6,956 distress points. Sidewalk condition: 8.1 mi excellent, 14.6 mi good, 6.4 mi fair, 2.7 mi poor, 0.8 mi very poor, 0.1 mi serious, 0.1 mi failed. 64 incomplete sidewalk segments (150 ft avg) were found. ADA ramp compliance: 64 compliant, 831 non-compliant, 161 missing ramps; 316 ramps could be made compliant by installing detectable warning surfaces (DWS). Staff recommended starting repairs in Zone 1 (commercial district / beachfront), with a soft cost estimate of $70,000 for ramp work. The city has $150,000 in the capital improvement budget for sidewalks.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Melissa Love (resident) offered compliments: praised the short-term rental compliance software, the social worker hire, the new fish-cleaning station and life ring at the pier, and the city’s conservative budgeting.
• Jerry Reed (5213 11th Ave S) reported that the 49th Street Neighborhood Association is gaining momentum; a meeting with St. Pete counterparts is scheduled for July 31 at the Neighborhood Center.
• Tommy Bixler (Town Shores) complimented city events (July 4th parade, CERT team efforts) and promoted a Feeding Tampa Bay distribution on July 27 at the Lions Club.
• Margaret Cooper (59th St) praised technology investments and questioned why certain code enforcement balances written off in April still appear on accounts receivable aging.
• Melissa Helmbold (Gulfport Merchants Chamber) announced a free business referral meeting on July 20 at Scout Hall.
• Lenny Guggenheimer (5213 Delette Ave S) spoke in favor of Resolution 2023-52, supporting a state constitutional amendment for clean and healthy waters.
• Liz Lindsay (Safety Harbor, West Central Coordinator for the Right to Clean and Healthy Waters) provided statistics on Florida water pollution (e.g., 9,000 miles of rivers/streams with fecal bacteria, 80% of springs polluted by nitrogen). She asked council to approve the resolution.
• Margaret Cooper (again) later commented on the proposed budget, noting a disparity in salaries between middle and senior management and urging a salary survey.

Consent Calendar

• Approved meeting minutes from May 16, June 6, and June 20, 2023.
• Approved Resolution 2023-48 authorizing the City Manager to contract with SDF Contracting, LLC for casino building structural repairs. (All ayes.)

Discussion Items

Ordinance 2023-07 – Gulfport Yacht Club Lease

• First reading to authorize a lease agreement with the Gulfport Yacht Club (celebrating 85 years). The lease aligns end dates for the club’s two leases. Council expressed appreciation for the club’s partnership. (Unanimous approval.)

Resolution 2023-49 – Proposed Millage Rate

• Set the proposed millage rate for FY2023-2024 at 4.0258 mills (a reduction from the rollback rate of 4.039 mills). The change yields approximately $20,000 less revenue than the rollback rate but reflects increased property values. For a $100,000 home, the tax bill drops by about $1.32. (Unanimous.)

Resolution 2023-50 – School Resource Officer Services

• Authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Pinellas County School Board for SRO services at Boca Ciega High School and Gulfport Elementary. (Unanimous.)

Resolution 2023-51 – Purchase of Ford F150 Hybrid Pickup

• Authorized purchase of one hybrid truck from Duval Ford for the Parks Department; includes a budget amendment. (Unanimous.)

Resolution 2023-52 – Support for Clean Water Constitutional Amendment

• Expressed support for placing a “Right to Clean and Healthy Waters” amendment on a future statewide ballot. The resolution does not endorse the amendment itself, only the ballot placement. (Unanimous.)

Resolution 2023-53 – Tampa Bay Regional Resiliency Action Plan

• Authorized the Mayor to enter the city into the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council’s RRAP, which coordinates local resiliency efforts. (Unanimous.)

Resolutions 2023-54 and 2023-55 – Collective Bargaining Agreements

• Both resolutions authorized three-year contracts with Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association for officers (2023-54) and sergeants (2023-55). The agreements provide an 8.5% raise in year one and 5% in years two and three, replacing the previous step plan (3%/3%/3%). The officer contract was ratified 11-2; sergeants 6-0. (Both unanimous.)

Resolution 2023-56 – Law Enforcement Support Services

• Authorized a service and user agreement with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office for FY2023-2024, covering communications, records, evidence storage, crime scene processing, fingerprint analysis, and major accident investigations. (Unanimous.)

FY2024 Budget Discussion

• City Manager O’Reilly presented the proposed budget, noting 70.8% of general fund expenditures are personnel. Inflation in the Tampa metro area is 7.3% (May 2023). The city has 155 FTEs and 63 part-time employees. Approximately 10 positions are vacant. The budget reflects conservative financial management, with reserves targeted at 16-20% of fund balance. The city has secured about $3.5 million in state and federal grants for sewer projects in the last 18 months. Council considered several items:
  • Sanitation privatization: Councilmember Thanos raised the idea; others expressed concerns about loss of control during emergencies. No action taken.
  • Senior center: Councilmember Thanos requested cost estimates for seven-day operations; City Manager will follow up.
  • 49th Street safety complex: Councilmember Brown requested $40,000 for planning/architectural renderings for a new police/fire facility. Consensus to include funding.
  • Tree fund: Councilmember Thanos proposed increasing the $100 replacement fee and moving to an inch-for-inch replacement or fee structure. Staff will develop a proposal.
  • Short-term rental registration fee: Councilmember Thanos proposed a fee to cover enforcement costs. Discussion deferred; staff will assess feasibility.

Key Outcomes

• All consent and regular agenda items approved unanimously.
• Council directed staff to begin “ingesting” (taking over) the Gulfport Historical Society’s museum and art center operations, with a transition committee and a professional curator planned for FY2024.
• Council agreed to include $40,000 for planning of the 49th Street safety complex in the FY2024 budget.
• Staff will explore increased tree replacement fees and a short-term rental registration fee for future consideration.
• Public hearings for the FY2024 millage rate and budget are scheduled for September (dates to be set per state law).
• Councilmembers reported on community events: July 4th celebrations, swimming lessons, Gecko Festival preparations, and the upcoming 49th Street Neighborhood Association meeting.