Gulfport City Council Meeting – April 1, 2025: Swearing-In, Permit Fee Discussion, Rules & Policy Changes
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Gulfport City Council Meeting – April 1, 2025
The Gulfport City Council convened at 6:00 PM on April 1, 2025 at City Hall. The meeting featured the swearing-in of newly elected Councilmembers Marlene Shaw (Ward II) and Nancy Earley (Ward IV) and Mayor Karen Love. Key actions included extending the permit fee waiver for storm-damaged properties by 30 days, appointing April Thanos as Vice Mayor, and agreeing to revise council rules and procedures. A workshop on community resiliency was also approved.
Presentations
- Coast Guard Auxiliary Certificate: Commander Howard Bush presented Officer Travis Parrish with a certificate of appreciation for reporting hurricane damage at the Auxiliary building on September 27, 2024, enabling the flotilla to remain operational.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Wolfgang Dininger (Gulfport Grassroots) reported on community cleanups: on March 8, 34 volunteers collected 500 lbs of trash; on March 15, 39 volunteers collected 400 lbs from Clam Bayou. He invited residents to the next cleanup on April 12.
- David Bodenstead (Gulfport Boulevard) thanked the new council and encouraged respectful governance.
- Charlotte Downey (13th Ave South) asked the council to prioritize the environment, spend judiciously, and govern with respect.
- Nancy Dunham (Fusion 49th District) invited residents to monthly meetings and a cleanup on April 22.
- David Algren (18th Ave South) praised Mayor Love’s inclusive language.
- Courtney Prokopis (15th Ave South) introduced the Gulfport Coastline Coalition (GCC), a citizen-led effort to acquire a 5.67‑acre property at 4990 34th Street South for conservation. She requested city endorsement and financial support for grant matching.
- Steve Siverson (Gulfport Shores condos) asked that free permits be extended beyond March 31 for residents still struggling with storm recovery.
- Deb Atkins (27th Ave South) echoed the request, noting that many elderly residents are overwhelmed; she also asked for more frequent online permitting updates.
- Margaret Tober (59th Street) suggested painting murals on beach bathrooms and offered a $200 contribution.
- Ingrid Bredenberg (56th Street) announced a World Labyrinth Day peace walk on May 3.
- Richard Lizione congratulated council and offered his service to the city.
City Manager Report
- July 4th Activities: City Manager O’Reilly recommended canceling this year’s July 4th events due to pier, beach, and casino area conditions. Council concurred.
- Permit Fee Waiver: The council discussed extending the waiver. City Manager reported that over 700 permit applications had been processed in the last two months, with approximately 40 pending; about 300 properties that received Substantial Damage (SDE) letters have not yet made contact. After debate, the council reached consensus to extend the fee waiver for 30 days (until May 5) but only for properties with SDE letters. Properties without storm damage will pay standard fees.
- Top 10 Reasons for Permit Delays: The City Manager listed common causes: incomplete applications, vague scope of work, missing floor plans, lack of cost breakdown, missing product approvals, failure to meet Florida Building Code (especially in flood zones), incorrect appraisal types (actual cash value needed), lack of photos, elevation certificates, and missing Notice of Commencement for contractors.
Consent Calendar
- Item 5.a – Approval of the March 4, 2025 council meeting minutes. Passed unanimously.
Discussion Items
- 8.a – Appointment of Vice Mayor: Council agreed to continue the tradition of rotating by ward. Councilmember April Thanos (Ward IV) was appointed Vice Mayor. Unanimous.
- 8.b – Board/Committee Appointments: City Clerk Carrico reviewed current vacancies on the Board of Adjustment, Planning & Zoning Board, and General Employee Pension Board. Council members were asked to submit their nominations by Thursday, April 10. The Pension Board, which meets four times per year and is difficult to fill, will be advertised in the Gabber.
- 8.c – Rules & Policies (Resolution No. 2024‑21): Council extensively discussed proposed changes. Key agreements:
- Public Question Response: Language changed from “will not attempt to resolve problems” to “may attempt … where possible”, with answers given after city staff reports.
- Consent Agenda Pulls: Any single council member may request an item be pulled for separate discussion; the remaining consent items are then voted on.
- Council Comments: Moved earlier on the agenda (after city clerk report) to allow more public engagement; time extended from 5 to 10 minutes.
- Meeting Reports: Reports from conferences/meetings are expected (not optional), especially if city funds were used.
- Parliamentarian: City Attorney Salzman will serve as parliamentarian to enforce rules and decorum.
- Missed Assignments: If a council member misses two consecutive assigned meetings, the matter will be brought to council for discussion.
- Phone Silencing & Side Conversations: The mayor will request phones be silenced; side conversations will be asked to move outside.
- Agenda Timing: Staff will explore adding a lag to get agendas out earlier, but current Friday posting was deemed adequate. Agendas will include plain‑language descriptions where possible.
- Charter Amendment on Email Violations: Council agreed to explore removing the current harsh penalty (second‑degree misdemeanor) for council members emailing staff without copying the city manager; a charter review committee will be formed.
New Business
- Resiliency Workshop: Mayor Love requested a workshop to gather public input on resiliency projects. Council approved holding a workshop (not a town hall) in council chambers, open to public comment. The Gulfport Coastline Coalition can participate.
- Permitting System Review: Council agreed to have a frank discussion at the next meeting about permitting inefficiencies, online portal updates, and options for improvement. A short presentation on the online portal was requested.
- Charter Review: The city clerk noted the charter requires review every 10 years (last completed in 2010). Council gave consensus to initiate a charter review committee. Each council member will provide input on desired changes.
- YMCA Donation: Council approved a $1,000 donation for YMCA swimming lessons at Stetson University, continuing past practice.
- Forward Pinellas Board Seat: Councilmember Thanos noted an open position on the Forward Pinellas board (term through Dec 2027) and will follow up on filling it.
Council Comments & Reports
- Councilmember Shaw: Reported on a LIFT (Life Intervention Focused Team) meeting, highlighting 988 crisis line, support groups, and Bay Area Legal Services’ disaster relief assistance.
- Councilmember Jackson: No report.
- Councilmember Early: No report.
- Councilmember Thanos: Provided an extensive report from the Florida League of Cities Legislative Action Days, covering proposed bills on property tax elimination, sovereign immunity caps, enterprise fund transfers, community redevelopment agencies (CRAs), Live Local Act expansions, stormwater inspection mandates, and corporate home buying restrictions. She also noted the city’s lobbyist secured $1.5 million in the House budget for water supply lines on 58th Street; Senate budget expected in three weeks.
- Mayor Love: Announced that she will no longer accept private messages for city business; official email is KLove@mygulfport.us. She is forming a volunteer group to create a post‑storm publication. She attended the South Pasadena Firehouse opening and praised its design. She reminded residents of the junk drop-off on April 19 from 8 am to 1 pm (accepting electronics). The meeting concluded with the reading of the city’s mission statement.
Key Outcomes
- Vice Mayor: April Thanos appointed (unanimous).
- Permit Fee Waiver: Extended 30 days (until May 5) only for properties with SDE letters.
- Rules & Policies: Numerous changes agreed upon; a formal resolution will be presented at the next meeting.
- Resiliency Workshop: Approved; date to be set.
- Charter Review: Initiated; council members to submit desired changes.
- YMCA Donation: $1,000 approved.
- July 4th Cancellation: Confirmed.
- Board Appointments: Nominations due by April 10.
- Next Meeting: Likely early May (date to be confirmed).
Meeting Transcript
Excuse me. Excuse me. Thank you. As City Attorney on behalf of the City of Gulfport calling the April 1st, 2025 meeting to order. City Clerk, please. Tonight we're going to swear in our new council members and mayors. First, we're going to do the swearing in of both Councilmember Shaw and Councilmember Early. So if you'll join me in front of the seal. Hi, state your name. Nancy Early. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that I am a citizen of the United States of America and a resident of the state of Florida? That I am duly qualified to hold office under the Constitution of the State and the ordinances of the City of Gulfport. And that I will well and faithfully perform the duties of council member on which I am about to enter. As a recipient of public funds, as such officer, that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the State of Florida. And that I will in all respects reserve the provisions of this charter and the ordinance of the city of Gulf Florida. I will. Her daughter Nicole will be joining her along with Wolfgang. Oh, they can come this way. I state your name. I state your name. I Karen Love do solemnly swear or affirm that I am a citizen of the United States of America and a resident of the state of Florida. That I am duly qualified to hold office under the Constitution of the State and the ordinances of the City of Gulfport. And that I will well and faithfully perform the duties of mayor on which I am about to enter. As a recipient of public funds, as such officer, that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America, the Constitution of the State of Florida, and that I will in all respects observe the provisions of the Charter and Ordinances of the City of Gulfport. I do. Congratulations, ma'am. And now before we start this meeting, I have asked and and um that each of the uh newly elected council people have just a couple minutes to speak to you because I know that's what you want. Okay. Okay. Marlene, you want to go first? I think I should defer to the portion of the invocation since I already have something prepared for that. Not a problem. Okay, Miss Early uh excuse me, Councilmember Early. Yes, Mayor Love. I just wanted to thank everyone that has supported me. Um I look forward to working with these lovely people and doing the best that I can for Award 4 and for all of Golfport. So thank you. So mine is short, but a little longer than that. Okay, so the first thing I want to do is just having gone through this process, I want to say thank you to everybody, all the candidates who have gone before us, and especially to all the female candidates who have gone before us when it wasn't their time, like it is now. Um I have to give a big shout out. I'm assuming everyone can hear me. Yes, okay. Have to give a big shout out and an appreciation to Yvonne Johnson, who's here tonight. If you don't know. When I was marching in the streets in the 70s, she was already on city council in Golfport, okay, 1972. Wow. And then if you haven't already heard, she was our first mayor. She became mayor in 1985 and was mayor until 1987, so I'm not the first mayor of Gulf, female mayor of Gallport. Um I have to say, as somebody who did march in the streets, I'm extremely proud to be up here and acknowledge the females and what we accomplished here because I do understand that this is history, okay. I also want to say that as mayor of this group, I don't see females, okay.
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