Gulfport City Council Meeting – November 19, 2024

The Gulfport City Council met on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting focused heavily on hurricane recovery efforts, with public comments dominated by residents displaced by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, concerns over the destruction of a historic oak tree by a developer, and calls for accountability regarding the misuse of a city-issued credit card by Vice Mayor Ian O'Hara. The council approved a consent agenda and a series of resolutions authorizing emergency expenditures and contracts for debris removal, infrastructure repairs, and professional services.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: Minutes from meetings on September 17, October 1, and October 16, 2024, were approved unanimously.
• Resolution 2024-76: Establishing the 2025 Municipal General Election date as Tuesday, March 11, 2025, and authorizing a contract with the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections. Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Phyllis Markham (3108 DuPont St): Asked the council to consider reducing or waiving utility bills for residents whose homes are destroyed and uninhabitable, noting she pays $83/month for water, sewer, and trash she cannot use.
• Francine Witten (Operation Santa): Announced the 34th year of Operation Santa; last year served 170 families and 460 children. Police Chief noted this will be his last year and requested community support.
• Susan Duval (52nd St): Expressed strong opposition to developer Winway Homes, citing the recent cutting down of an approximately 250-300-year-old live oak on November 1st, calling it a disregard for Gulfport's history and character.
• Amy Ole (resident): Also condemned the destruction of the grandmother oak by Winway Homes, noting the builder had an opportunity to donate the property for a park but chose profit. Mentioned a neighbor's palm tree was also destroyed.
• Deb Atkins (27th Ave S): Shared her frustration waiting eight weeks for a substantial damage determination letter, asking for more frequent communication, email delivery of letters, weekly updates, and clarification on FEMA rules.
• Alicia Conley (Pelican Bay Plaza): Thanked Detective Brandon Dillard and Officer Zach Mills for helping a disabled neighbor during Hurricane Milton, requesting formal recognition.
• Laura Oldaney (9th Ave S): Suggested citizens raise awareness about selling to developers like Winway and explore alternative housing solutions.
• DeLoren (29th Ave S): Stated there is already a coalition forming to address the hostile takeover by Winway Homes.
• Tom Bixler (59th St, Town Shores): Thanked the city for debris cleanup and Tom Nichols for addressing a potential sinkhole near the bay.
• Deb Laramie (59th St S): Hoped the city's tree giveaway program would continue next year, noting many residents are planting trees they received.
• Barbara Banno (Coronado Way): Asked for additional resources to speed up the permitting process, having spent $8,800 on temporary housing in 54 days. Also pleaded for accurate information on Facebook and less misinformation.
• Lynn (resident near Winway site): Described being pushed and mocked by workers while the historic oak was cut down; police were called but did not intervene.
• Jennifer Whittaker: Thanked sanitation workers and criticized the city council for issuing credit cards to council members that were used for personal expenses, calling it public malfeasance.
• Bob Canning (Shore Blvd): Asked for clear criteria on substantial damage determinations and easier access to the building inspector. Warned that the 50% rule will wipe out the character of the city.
• Tracy Bono (29th Ave S): Described being out of her home for 54 days, confusion over whose letter (FEMA, county, city) is needed for permits, and being told by a permit office employee to just bulldoze her home.
• Gulfport Landia representative: Invited council members to attend a community debriefing on November 21st as process observers, clarifying Sunshine Law compliance.
• John Lucioni: Read a death threat email he received related to his election fraud lawsuits, requesting the court's attention.
• Karen Schwartz (Lane Ave S): Thanked the mayor for speaking about the tree destruction.
• Marge Cannon (Shore Blvd): Asked if permit application deadlines would be extended beyond December 1st.
• Patrick Barrett (8th Half S): Called for Vice Mayor O'Hara's resignation over $6,976 in credit card charges including alcohol, food, and tips, stating such use is prohibited.
• Marlene Shaw (58th St): Thanked city staff and called for eco-friendly rebuilding options.
• Roger Townsend (near marina): Asked for electronic permit submissions, private appraisals to be accepted before substantial damage letters, and more staff in the building department.
• Chuck Kishler (Boca C Yacht Club board): Announced cancellation of the Christmas boat parade due to safety concerns from storm debris, but will donate parade funds to Operation Santa.
• Laura Lee Winger (Grace St): Thanked neighbors for volunteering to help with dangerous trees.
• Richard Freed: Criticized council for allowing the tree removal and for lack of communication, reminding voters of the upcoming election.
• Karen Love (23rd Ave S): Praised staff but heavily criticized council for lack of leadership, communication, and failure to address resident needs. Demanded resignation or action on credit card misuse.
• Paula Roy (Del Rio F S): Highlighted the disparity between “haves” and “have-nots” among displaced residents, noting three neighbors have fled the state. Asked if council knows the number of homeless residents.
• Susan Gore (Townshores): Called for transparency and accountability on spending, including $600,000 raised for the senior center with no report.

Discussion Items

• City Manager Report:

  • Provided updates on hurricane recovery: 637 single-family homes and 42 commercial properties inspected. 50 substantial damage assessment letters sent last week, 30 more this week. Residents can contact the city for property-specific status.
  • Addressed utility relief: Residents with uninhabitable homes can contact Sandia Levitt at 893-1664 to discuss possible credits or disconnection. The ordinance requires disconnection from all services to stop billing.
  • Noted the city has $6 million in reserves and has not yet tapped them. A Bank of America line of credit at 4.6% interest is intended as a bridge loan pending FEMA reimbursement.
  • Announced a meet-the-candidates night at the theater in January, sponsored by the Gulfport Gabber, approved use of the theater.
  • Provided a sample substantial damage letter and non-substantial damage letter to council for clarification.

• City Attorney Report – Credit Card Misuse by Vice Mayor O'Hara:

  • City Attorney Salzman reported that after reviewing public records and speaking with Vice Mayor O'Hara, it is uncontested that O'Hara used his city credit card for numerous personal purchases including alcohol, food, tips, taxis, and laundry, totaling at least $6,976.
  • O'Hara was informed on multiple occasions that purchases were unauthorized and has made two small repayment payments ($35 and $50).
  • Salzman outlined options: do nothing, refer to governor, censure, suspend with or without pay, refer to state attorney or FDLE, or file legal action.
  • Council discussion followed. Mayor Henderson called for resignation. O'Hara declined, saying he would let the voters decide in March. Councilmembers Ray and Thanos supported suspension without pay, referral to state attorney and FDLE, and repayment. Councilmember Brown agreed with censure and referral but opposed using O'Hara's salary for repayment.
  • A 20-minute recess was taken. After recess, the agenda proceeded to City Clerk's report, consent, and resolutions. No formal vote on O'Hara's fate was taken during this meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
• All Resolutions (7.a through 7.t): Approved unanimously. These include:
  • 7.a (Bank of America line of credit for hurricane recovery)
  • 7.b (Robert Half staffing services, $40,000)
  • 7.c – 7.r (various emergency payments to contractors for debris removal, vessel removal, electrical repairs, turf replacement, water line repairs, tree work, shade sails, etc.)
  • 7.s (Renewal of federal lobbying contract with Thorn Run Partners)
  • 7.t (Renewal of state lobbying contract with Shumaker Advisors)
• No formal action on Vice Mayor O'Hara's credit card misuse: The matter was discussed but no vote was taken; the meeting adjourned without a decision. The issue may be revisited or pursued externally.
• Spirit of Gulfport Awards: Presented to Gulfport Brewery, Gulfport Merchants Chamber, and announced future awards for Mark Sieg (Gulfport Counseling Center) and the City of Gulfport, Mississippi.
• Permitting and Communication: City Manager committed to addressing individual property questions by email. A seminar on substantial damage determination is scheduled for Saturday, November 23, from 3-5 PM at the 49th Street Neighborhood Center. The city will continue the tree giveaway program in January 2025.
• Employee Recognition: Council agreed to close city offices on Christmas Eve to give staff an extra day off.