OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Gulfport City Council Meeting: Awards, Fee Increases, and FY2024-2025 Budget Discussion - August 6, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, August 6, 2024
BodyGulfport, Mississippi
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, August 6, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:30

I think I'm saying it right.

0:32

So I did some research and found a poem for sea seafaring people.

0:38

It's called Sea Fever by John Macefield that was written in 1902.

0:45

I must go down to the seas again to the lonely and the sky, the lonely sea and sky.

0:51

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.

0:55

And the wheels kick and the wind song and the white shale sails shaking and a gray mist on the sea's face and a gray dawn breaking.

1:10

It is a wild call and a clear call, and it may not be denied.

1:14

And all I ask is a windy day with the clouds, the white clouds flying, and the flung spray and the blown spoon spoon, and the seagull's crying.

1:26

I must go down to the seas again to the vagrant gypsy life to the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a wetted knife.

1:36

All I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow rover and a quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

1:47

Thank you.

1:49

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

1:53

To the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God and indivisible with liberty team justice for all.

2:03

Councilmember Brown?

2:04

Here.

2:05

Councilmember Ray?

2:06

Here.

2:06

Vice Mayor O'Hara?

2:07

Here.

2:08

Councilmember Thanos?

2:09

Here.

2:09

Mayor Henderson?

2:10

Here.

2:10

City Attorney Salzman.

2:12

Here.

2:12

City Manager O'Reilly.

2:13

Here.

2:13

City Clerk Carico present.

2:15

Can I just mention something?

2:17

I watched the video when I missed the meeting.

2:20

And it was hard to hear everybody because they weren't really talking into their mics.

2:25

So if we could just remember that today.

2:29

Our first order of business tonight is we are presenting the Spirit of Gulfport Award to Miss Marjorie Milford.

2:34

Anyone who's lived in Gulfport for a while probably knows Miss Milford.

2:37

I've been very active in the city for a very long time.

2:39

She was instrumental in many things, not the least of which is getting the National Historic Register designation for our casino.

2:46

Is anyone here on behalf of Miss Milford tonight?

2:48

Or did Ms.

2:48

Milford make it?

2:50

Oh, there you are.

2:50

I see you.

2:51

Hey.

2:52

I'm gonna read the Spirit of Gulf Port award, and then I'll meet you at the front.

2:55

Thank you so much for making it.

2:57

With the representative symbols of Star, your value to Gulfport, Sailboat, the Gulfport's Ties to the Sea, the Rising Sun, Ever Looking Toward the Future, and Winging Birds, the Soaring Concept of Spirit is hereby presented to Marjorie Milford, who has demonstrated the true spirit of Gulfport for decades and decades now.

3:14

Thank you so much.

3:34

Whatever you want.

3:48

Thank you.

3:49

That's wonderful.

3:57

Thank you.

4:07

All right, this brings us to open public comment.

4:09

This is for any item that is otherwise not on the the agenda for this evening.

4:14

So any resolutions or ordinances that are on there, you'll have a separate opportunity to speak.

4:18

We'll start with a show of hands.

4:20

You'll have three minutes.

4:21

And please come up and use the mic, share your name and address if you're comfortable with it so we can follow up on any questions that we don't answer in person.

4:26

Leslie, how are you doing, sir?

4:33

Wesley Ray, one zero zero two Hall Street.

4:37

Paul and I are president and vice president of Golfport Pride.

4:46

And Golfport Quantas Club, which uh likes to uh raise money to get backpacks for uh kids in foster care, which are 30% LBTQ plus.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Budget Equity Analysis███████████████████████23%
Public Comment█████████████████17%
Procedural████████8%
Public Safety████████8%
Marina Development████████8%
Special Events█████5%
Technology and Innovation████4%
Arts And Culture███3%
Hurricane Preparedness███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Gulfport City Council Meeting - August 6, 2024

The Gulfport City Council met on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at 6:00 PM at Gulfport City Hall. The meeting included the presentation of the Spirit of Gulfport Award, public comments, several ordinances and resolutions, and a discussion of the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget. Key actions included the passage of a 6% garbage rate increase, multiple fee adjustments (ranging from 5.4% to 15%), approval of special events, and a council vote (4-1) not to cross-reference the tree permit ordinance.

Presentations

  • Spirit of Gulfport Award presented to Mrs. Marjorie Milford for her decades of service, including efforts toward the National Historic Register designation for the casino.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Wesley Ray (1002 Hall Street), President of Gulfport Pride and Gulfport Quantas Club, presented checks of $5,000 each to the Sonia Platnak Group and Quantas Club for foster child backpack programs (30% of foster kids are LGBTQ+).
  • Karen Love (23rd Avenue South) commended city storm preparation and cleanup, requested a boater-specific hurricane education edition, and expressed concern about overgrown grass at Lincoln Cemetery despite prior cleanup promises.
  • Tom Bixler (59th Street South) praised the new trees planted by Topher and thanked the city.
  • Marissa Stewart (DuPont Street) elaborated on a September 7th event (11 AM–2 PM at 49th Street Center) to decorate and stuff bags for foster children.

City Manager Report

  • Two vessels broke loose from the mooring field during the storm due to their own lines; city equipment was not at fault. Staff cleanup praised.
  • Website Enhancements: David reported that $12,000 of a $30,000 budget will be used to partner with Novare for security upgrades (currently thousands of attempted attacks daily), content indexing, ADA compliance, and an AI chatbot for citizen queries. Each department will be consulted for content.

City Attorney Report

  • Follow-up on a proposed tree right-of-way ordinance. The existing code requires permits for tree planting/removal in city rights-of-way; the proposal would cross-reference that requirement in the maintenance ordinance to improve awareness. Council voted 4-1 against cross-referencing. Mayor Henderson (the sole supporter) argued it would prevent incidents like a resident unknowingly removing five trees. Others maintained that property owners maintain the right-of-way and already have permit obligations.

Consent Calendar

  • None.

Ordinances

  • Ordinance No. 2024-06 (Second Reading): Subdivision replat of Lots 81, 83, 85, 87 in Veteran City into two parcels (Sunflower School application). Passed unanimously.
  • Ordinance No. 2024-07 (Second Reading): Amendment to garbage service charges (Section 11-21 and 11-22) to increase rates by 6% due to county tipping fee increases. Passed unanimously.

Resolutions (all passed unanimously)

  • Res. 2024-41: Agreement with Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement support services (crime scene, communications, etc.) for FY2024-2025. Costs are estimated; overages/refunds apply.
  • Res. 2024-42: Renewal of contract with Directions for Living for a street outreach specialist (shared cost with Treasure Island). Council requested quarterly updates.
  • Res. 2024-43: Insurance renewal with Public Risk Management of Florida at a 5.4% increase covering property, workers’ comp, general liability, auto liability, and public liability.
  • Res. 2024-44: Marina fee amendments: 12% increase for most services (including six-pack charter licenses); 15% increase for Coast Guard inspected vessels. Effective October 1, 2025.
  • Res. 2024-45: Building and zoning services fee increase of 12% (cumulative inflation 10.67% since 2019).
  • Res. 2024-46: Public safety service fees for after-hours police protection, aligned with Pinellas County rates.
  • Res. 2024-47: Special event application from Gulfport Merchants Chamber of Commerce (art show).
  • Res. 2024-48: Temporary signage for Art Jones Studio Tour.
  • Res. 2024-49: 13th annual VETSports Beach Volleyball Gulfport Open.
  • Res. 2024-50: Senior Center Foundation special events for FY2024-2025; application fee waived.
  • Res. 2024-51: Annual special events calendar (including Oct 12 city’s 114th birthday party at the museum).

Discussion Items: FY2024-2025 Proposed Budget

City Manager Jim O’Reilly presented the proposed budget. Highlights:

  • Property values increased 9.73% (excluding new construction).
  • General fund: 70% is personnel costs. Proposed new positions: assistant city manager, additional parks employee (for tree canopy program), community development restructuring.
  • Capital projects: Sewer system improvements (using federal ARPA funds), 58th Street and 49th Street projects, Williams Pier repair (after sailboat damage), marina north basin infrastructure (boat lifts, breakwater), fire engine ordered (expected December).
  • Waterfront Redevelopment District sunsets this year; last payment (~$200,000 annually) will be received, but future general fund revenue will increase.
  • Council feedback:
    • Councilmember Thanos suggested adding budget lines for homeless services, grant writing (to apply for federal funds), and increasing tree canopy funding (using ~$25,000 leftover from Clam Bayou study). Consensus was reached to increase tree funding.
    • Discussed opioid settlement funds ($122,000 over 18 years) to support addiction counseling and Narcan distribution.
    • Mayor Henderson emphasized the importance of in-house staffing to maintain service levels and autonomy.

Key Outcomes

  • Votes: All ordinances and resolutions passed unanimously except the tree ordinance cross-reference (4-1 against).
  • Budget direction: Council agreed to add funding for tree canopy and consider grant writing services; staff will bring back proposals.
  • Future items: Proclamation for Mike Yakes Day (Sept 4) and scholarship fund; donation of heart sculpture from Stacy Purcell to Clam Bayou Park in honor of Mayor Yakes; tree planting recognition for Ted Podica.
  • Next meeting: No meeting August 20 due to primary election. Next regular meeting scheduled for September? (Not specified, but council will reconvene.)

Council Comments & Reports

  • Councilmember Brown proposed recognizing Ted Podica for waterfront redevelopment work via a tree planting at Clam Bayou Park.
  • Councilmember Ray noted the park groundbreaking for the new children’s center and the upcoming Legion barbecue (Aug 24).
  • Vice Mayor O’Hara reported that St. Petersburg City Council unanimously approved funding for the 49th Street project; Forward Pinellas vote expected soon.
  • Councilmember Thanos suggested a written boater hurricane preparation sheet to be distributed by police boat patrol.
  • Thanks to staff for storm response and cleanup.

Adjournment.

Meeting Transcript

I think I'm saying it right. So I did some research and found a poem for sea seafaring people. It's called Sea Fever by John Macefield that was written in 1902. I must go down to the seas again to the lonely and the sky, the lonely sea and sky. And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by. And the wheels kick and the wind song and the white shale sails shaking and a gray mist on the sea's face and a gray dawn breaking. It is a wild call and a clear call, and it may not be denied. And all I ask is a windy day with the clouds, the white clouds flying, and the flung spray and the blown spoon spoon, and the seagull's crying. I must go down to the seas again to the vagrant gypsy life to the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a wetted knife. All I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow rover and a quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over. Thank you. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. To the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God and indivisible with liberty team justice for all. Councilmember Brown? Here. Councilmember Ray? Here. Vice Mayor O'Hara? Here. Councilmember Thanos? Here. Mayor Henderson? Here. City Attorney Salzman. Here. City Manager O'Reilly. Here. City Clerk Carico present. Can I just mention something? I watched the video when I missed the meeting. And it was hard to hear everybody because they weren't really talking into their mics. So if we could just remember that today. Our first order of business tonight is we are presenting the Spirit of Gulfport Award to Miss Marjorie Milford. Anyone who's lived in Gulfport for a while probably knows Miss Milford. I've been very active in the city for a very long time. She was instrumental in many things, not the least of which is getting the National Historic Register designation for our casino. Is anyone here on behalf of Miss Milford tonight? Or did Ms. Milford make it? Oh, there you are. I see you. Hey. I'm gonna read the Spirit of Gulf Port award, and then I'll meet you at the front. Thank you so much for making it. With the representative symbols of Star, your value to Gulfport, Sailboat, the Gulfport's Ties to the Sea, the Rising Sun, Ever Looking Toward the Future, and Winging Birds, the Soaring Concept of Spirit is hereby presented to Marjorie Milford, who has demonstrated the true spirit of Gulfport for decades and decades now. Thank you so much. Whatever you want. Thank you. That's wonderful. Thank you.

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