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Record of Proceedings

Gulfport City Council Regular Meeting - February 6, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, February 6, 2024
BodyGulfport, Mississippi
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, February 6, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:09:42

Original source
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4:53

Welcome everyone to the February 6th, 2024 regular council meeting for the city of Gulfport, Florida.

5:00

Our invitation tonight is given by Councilman Ian O'Hara, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

5:02

Please join us in rising.

5:06

So because I cannot do this uh March, which is the uh poetry month, I'm gonna do it right now.

5:13

Uh The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin.

5:16

All creatures strive, the fits survive, out of the surge species emerge, throw the bum out is nature's shout.

5:26

The class will tell, sex-wise as well.

5:29

The age old race to win or place, at least to show, persist, although the way things look, not dares make a look.

5:40

Thank you, sir.

5:42

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the Republic for which it stands.

5:49

One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice.

5:54

All right, roll call, please.

5:55

City clerk.

5:57

Councilmember O'Hara.

5:58

Here.

5:59

Councilmember Thanos.

6:00

Here.

6:00

Council Member Brown.

6:01

Here.

6:02

Vice Mayor Ray.

6:03

Here.

6:03

Mayor Henderson.

6:04

Here.

6:04

City Attorney Salzman.

6:06

Here.

6:06

City Manager O'Reilly.

6:07

Here.

6:08

City Clerk Carrico is present.

6:10

All right.

6:10

Before we go to public comment this evening, we have one presentation that's not on the schedule.

6:15

I was gonna invite our magistrate, um, attorney Jim Thaler to come up and make an introduction for us.

6:26

I'll welcome up for you.

6:29

Welcome, good to see you.

6:30

Good to be seen.

6:31

Thank you.

6:32

Jim Thaler, 1522 Hall Street South, Gulfport resident.

6:36

I just want to take the opportunity to introduce.

6:38

He's he's been with us for a while, Albert Stetson.

6:41

He's the new to chief, uh public safety officer.

6:44

Uh very long title, a long paragraph.

6:46

And he's also a Gulfport resident.

6:48

Oh, fantastic.

6:49

And uh, I like to introduce Mike to you just so that he can maybe give a little talk or present himself and introduce you all for Stetson.

6:55

Absolutely welcome.

6:55

Fantastic, thank you.

6:56

And I am I am Mike Primore, I am a Gulfport resident, 2801 Tipton.

7:00

I've been there for 22 years.

7:01

Uh both of my sons have worked here for the city with Justin Shea.

7:05

Uh enjoy living here.

7:06

I've been at uh Stetson for four years now, and uh Dean Barrows just came in.

7:10

He really wants to foster a relationship with Gulfport and Stetson.

7:14

So I'm gonna be there, I want to be that community liaison for you.

7:16

So if there are any issues that arise in the within the community, get with me and be happy to resolve them as fast as we can.

7:22

Fantastic.

7:22

Well, thank you very much.

7:24

Thank you.

7:25

Thank you.

7:27

All right, this brings us to open public comment tonight.

7:30

Uh we'll go with a show of hands, but anything that is otherwise not on the agenda this evening.

7:33

Uh you'll have three minutes to speak.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing███████████████████████23%
Public Comment██████████████████████22%
Public Safety█████████████████17%
Procedural████████████12%
Fireworks Regulation██████6%
Election Campaigns█████5%
Contract Management████4%
Accessory Dwelling Units████4%
Special Events███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Gulfport City Council Regular Meeting - February 6, 2024

The Gulfport City Council held its regular meeting on February 6, 2024, at Gulfport City Hall. The meeting began with a presentation, public comment, city manager report, consent agenda, and several resolutions. A significant portion was dedicated to public concerns about a local nightclub and a council discussion on affordable housing.

Presentations

  • Jim Thaler, a Gulfport resident and magistrate, introduced Mike Primore from Stetson University, who introduced Albert Stetson as the new Chief Public Safety Officer and a Gulfport resident. Primore offered to serve as a community liaison.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Maria, a St. Pete resident, complained about excessive noise, crowds, and safety issues from the newly opened Sazerac Lounge (formerly Zippers Bar). She noted calling Gulfport PD over 20 times and requested accountability and measures such as security and valet.
  • Richard Freed commented on the recording camera and submitted a letter as public record, stating he is not running for state office.
  • Renata Taylor, a Gulfport resident living near the club, echoed noise complaints, described bass vibrations waking her up, safety concerns with intoxicated patrons, and a crash into her fence.
  • David Flammenbaum, owner of the neighboring car wash, reported parking issues and liability concerns, noted a prior shooting, and stated the situation needs control.
  • Tom Bixler, from Town Shores, thanked attendees for supporting Lions Club events and announced an extra scholarship.
  • Bassim Shaheen, owner of the bar, defended his business, stating they employ three armed security guards, an off-duty police officer, and have measures to control noise and parking. He denied claims of trouble since he took over in 2012.
  • Antoine Jones, manager at Gulfport Liquor, offered camera surveillance to assist police.
  • Ms. Love thanked for traffic pole installation on Shore Boulevard, then criticized the council for not taking action on affordable housing despite presentations from Jeff Brandis 10 months prior.
  • Charlotte Downey thanked for tree removal, requested a pedestrian crossing signal at 15th Avenue and 55th Street South for Pinellas Trail users.
  • Walter Barker advocated for a tree census and training, criticized the council for not holding a town hall due to election season "tradition," calling it petty politics.
  • Karen Schwartz linked transit and housing affordability, urging council to consider both.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously: Meeting minutes of January 16, 2024; Resolution 2024-04 (Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement); Resolution 2024-05 (Facsimile signatures change); Resolution 2024-06 (Summer recreation program fees).

Resolutions

  • Resolution 2024-07: Approved 5-0 to retain Robert Half International for professional staffing services. City Manager O'Reilly noted it is for transition assistance, with about $80,000 spent so far from salary savings.
  • Resolution 2024-08: Approved 5-0 authorizing a contract with Vapex Environmental for odor control systems at Lift Stations 1 and 2, with an associated budget amendment. Public Works Director Tom Nichols explained the odor increase is a result of successful sewer repairs reducing inflow/infiltration. A question about water main notice was addressed.
  • Resolution 2024-09: Approved 5-0 approving a special event application from Low Tides Creations for a street festival on Beach Boulevard.
  • Resolution 2024-10: Approved 5-0 authorizing a contract with Pyro Productions for the July 4th fireworks display, at a cost of $30,870. Council discussed rising costs and alternatives (drone/laser shows) but proceeded.

Discussion Items

  • No formal discussion items on the agenda, but under New Business, a discussion on affordable housing took place. Mayor Henderson proposed a workshop to discuss options like accessory dwelling units (ADUs), duplexes, triplexes. Councilmembers debated: Mayor Henderson and Councilmember O'Hara supported a discussion; Councilmembers Brown, Thanos, and Vice Mayor Ray expressed concerns about feasibility, parking, neighborhood character, and raising false hopes. It was agreed to schedule a discussion for April and invite former state senator Linda Fisher.

Council Comments & Reports

  • Councilmember O'Hara reported on Fusion 49th District progress, upcoming Duke Energy meeting for underground power lines, and support for a tree survey.
  • Councilmember Thanos noted Black History Month flag display, and addressed road safety improvements at Town Shores entrance.
  • Councilmember Brown thanked for playground shade upgrades, promoted this weekend's fine arts festival and the Friends of the Library meeting.
  • Vice Mayor Ray requested permission to fly the pride flag on June 1st, which was granted. He also defended the "tradition" of avoiding public events during election season to prevent campaign impropriety.
  • Mayor Henderson reiterated election season constraints but noted council can still conduct business. Council also approved making the Poet Laureate position official via proclamation.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda and all six resolutions (2024-04 through 2024-10) passed unanimously.
  • The council agreed to hold a discussion on affordable housing in April, inviting Linda Fisher.
  • Approval to fly the pride flag on June 1st.
  • City Manager directed to provide map for upcoming sewer repairs.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome everyone to the February 6th, 2024 regular council meeting for the city of Gulfport, Florida. Our invitation tonight is given by Councilman Ian O'Hara, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Please join us in rising. So because I cannot do this uh March, which is the uh poetry month, I'm gonna do it right now. Uh The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin. All creatures strive, the fits survive, out of the surge species emerge, throw the bum out is nature's shout. The class will tell, sex-wise as well. The age old race to win or place, at least to show, persist, although the way things look, not dares make a look. Thank you, sir. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice. All right, roll call, please. City clerk. Councilmember O'Hara. Here. Councilmember Thanos. Here. Council Member Brown. Here. Vice Mayor Ray. Here. Mayor Henderson. Here. City Attorney Salzman. Here. City Manager O'Reilly. Here. City Clerk Carrico is present. All right. Before we go to public comment this evening, we have one presentation that's not on the schedule. I was gonna invite our magistrate, um, attorney Jim Thaler to come up and make an introduction for us. I'll welcome up for you. Welcome, good to see you. Good to be seen. Thank you. Jim Thaler, 1522 Hall Street South, Gulfport resident. I just want to take the opportunity to introduce. He's he's been with us for a while, Albert Stetson. He's the new to chief, uh public safety officer. Uh very long title, a long paragraph. And he's also a Gulfport resident. Oh, fantastic. And uh, I like to introduce Mike to you just so that he can maybe give a little talk or present himself and introduce you all for Stetson. Absolutely welcome. Fantastic, thank you. And I am I am Mike Primore, I am a Gulfport resident, 2801 Tipton. I've been there for 22 years. Uh both of my sons have worked here for the city with Justin Shea. Uh enjoy living here. I've been at uh Stetson for four years now, and uh Dean Barrows just came in.

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