Gulfport City Council Meeting – April 16, 2024

The Gulfport City Council met on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included several presentations, proclamations, public comments, and votes on ordinances and resolutions. Key actions included first readings of two ordinances (control of city property and prohibition of overnight sleeping on public property), approval of sidewalk and ADA ramp improvements, and adoption of updated council rules.

Presentations

• Joe Guenther (Little League): Thanked the city for support of two events. A St. Patrick's Day event raised $5,000 for Gulfport Little League. A prior event benefited PSA Check (prostate awareness), which donated $35,000 to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. The events were organized by Maddie's, which paid for all city services.
• Cathy Salustri Loper (Co-owner, The Gabber Newspaper): Donated the newspaper's full archive (dating back to 1968) to the city for digitization. The city has $30,000 budgeted this year and $30,000 next year for digitization. The donation requests first rights of return if deaccessioned. Item was on consent agenda and approved.
• Proclamation – National Public Works Week (May 19–25, 2024): Presented to Public Works Superintendent Kendrix Anderson, who thanked his staff.
• Proclamation – National Safe Boating Week (May 18–24, 2024): Presented to Flotilla Commander Howard Bush (USCG Auxiliary), who noted declining Coast Guard membership and increased auxiliary duties.
• Proclamation – Purple Up Day (April 15, 2024): Recognized military children. Proclamation read by Mayor Henderson.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Lucioni (candidate for U.S. Congress, District 13): Introduced his campaign, congratulated newly elected Councilmember Thanos and Vice Mayor O'Hara. Expressed love for Gulfport and desire to bring federal funding.
• Lenny Guckenheimer (5213 Dallet Avenue South): Urged council to work in good faith, respect differing opinions, and make wise decisions.
• Walter Barker (4725 Tried to Win Drive): Commented on Ordinance 2024-02, asking that the 13 facility rules be clearly delineated (they are in the ordinance).
• Lauren Stern (1608 55th Street South): Asked about the exemption for sleeping in registered vehicles in Ordinance 2024-03; clarified that RV parking is already regulated. Also asked about the map visibility for resolution 2024-20.
• Laura Lee Wenger (1613 Gray Street South): Expressed that council members using taxpayer money for conferences should be required to report back.
• Karen Schwartz (5213 Dillett Avenue South): Supported having a parliamentarian to maintain decorum.
• Bonnie Sklarin (5950 Pelican Bay Plaza): Also favored a parliamentarian to calm heated discussions.
• Kimberly McLenus (2633 Upton): Supported parliamentarian as it ensures consistent parliamentary procedure.
• JD King (48th Street South): Agreed with need for respect and order, supported point of order mechanism.

Discussion Items

Ordinance 2024-02 – Control of Access to City Property (First Reading)

• Purpose: Establish 13 rules for interior spaces of city buildings, authorize city manager to designate public, limited public, and non-public areas. Prohibits recording in non-public/limited public areas to protect employee and customer privacy. Enforcement via trespass warning after two warnings.
• Discussion: Police Chief Vincent explained the law is based on court decisions; rules will be posted. Council clarified outdoor areas remain public. The 13 rules were read aloud. No legal challenges yet known.
• Public comment: Walter Barker asked for the 13 points to be presented (they are in the ordinance).
• Vote: Unanimous approval (5-0).

Ordinance 2024-03 – Sleeping on Public Property Prohibited (First Reading)

• Purpose: Comply with new state law (effective Oct 1) that prohibits governments from allowing overnight sleeping/camping on public property. Ordinance prohibits sleeping between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM in designated public places, exempts sleeping in lawfully registered vehicles.
• Discussion: Chief Vincent emphasized the city does not want to criminalize homelessness; enforcement will be preceded by offering resources. Councilmember Thanos suggested waiting for pending Supreme Court case; City Attorney noted first reading can be passed with effective date later. Council agreed to make effective date October 1, 2024, to coincide with state law.
• Public comment: Clarified exemptions for registered vehicles and that parks close between midnight and 4 AM.
• Vote: Unanimous approval (5-0).

Resolution 2024-20 – Sidewalk and ADA Ramp Improvements (Zone 1)

• Purpose: Authorize agreement with Central Florida Contractors, Inc. for $150,000 to improve sidewalks and ADA ramps in Zone 1 (southern end of city, highest pedestrian activity). Scope: replace 1,800 linear feet of sidewalk, reconstruct 81 ramps, install 25 new ramps, and 1,148 detectable warning surface (DWS) mats. Work will start on 28th Avenue heading south to avoid beach season disruption; estimated 6–8 weeks to complete about half the zone. The city has already removed 184 trip hazards.
• Discussion: Councilmember Brown noted 70% of ramps were non-compliant; Kendrick clarified most need only DWS mats. Future work will depend on next year’s capital improvement budget. Councilmember Thanos asked about grants; city manager indicated they apply for grants.
• Vote: Unanimous approval (5-0).

Resolution 2024-21 – Council Rules and Policies

• Purpose: Update council meeting rules. Three changes proposed: (1) Encourage council members to provide reports; (2) Reorder discussion sequence; (3) Designate city attorney as parliamentarian.
• Discussion: Vice Mayor O'Hara requested separate votes on each change. On the first (reports), consensus to keep. On the second (order), council agreed to move motion to after city manager comments and before council debate. On the third (parliamentarian), Councilmembers Thanos and Ray opposed; Councilmember O'Hara also opposed; Mayor and Councilmember Brown supported. The motion was amended to remove the parliamentarian item and include the reordering. Final vote: 3-2 (Brown, O'Hara, Henderson yes; Ray, Thanos no).

New Business

• Councilmember Thanos: Requested scheduling a town hall for second quarter. Also requested that a representative from Art Out be allowed to speak at the Pride flag raising (first week of June).

Council Comments/Reports

• Councilmember Brown: Promoted “Cereal for Summer” donation drive; noted Gulfport Lions Club veterans on Honor Flight; announced six $1,000 scholarships given to Boca Ciega High School students.
• Vice Mayor O'Hara: Announced “Dining Out for Life” on April 18; Pride flag raising June 1 at 10 AM with mural project; beach cleanup; and a dress-up ball for special needs individuals at the Casino.
• Councilmember Ray: Attended Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council; reported that Pinellas County has 264 mobile home parks (Gulfport has one); discussed emergency planning for mobile home parks and FEMA contract review.
• Councilmember Thanos: Noted F-ROC (Florida Rock) program for faster state disaster reimbursement; mentioned resiliency conference May 9-10; raised possibility of a tobacco-free beach ordinance with signage only.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar (Items 5a-5f): Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 2024-02 (Control of Access): Passed first reading (5-0). Second reading will occur at a future meeting.
• Ordinance 2024-03 (Sleeping on Public Property): Passed first reading (5-0) with effective date of October 1, 2024, to align with state law.
• Resolution 2024-20 (Sidewalk/ADA Improvements): Approved (5-0), authorizing $150,000 contract with Central Florida Contractors, Inc.
• Resolution 2024-21 (Council Rules): Approved as amended (3-2). Amendment removed parliamentarian designation and reordered discussion sequence (motion after city manager comments). Reports encouraged but not mandated.
• Next Steps: City staff to schedule second readings for ordinances; begin sidewalk work in Zone 1; prepare council rules document with approved changes.