Gulfport City Council Meeting - April 15, 2025

The Gulfport City Council met on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included a special presentation of the Spirit of Gulfport Award, public comments on a range of issues, consideration of multiple resolutions, and discussions on building department processes, storm recovery updates, and the capital improvement budget. The meeting adjourned late in the evening.

Spirit of Gulfport Award

• Mayor Love presented the Spirit of Gulfport Award to William "Billy D" Drexler in recognition of over 13 years of community service with the Gulfport Boomerangs.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Neen Miller described a dispute over an unpermitted bathroom renovation in her condo; code enforcement issued a stop-work order. She requested permission for the contractor to install a toilet and vanity while she obtains proper permits.
• Wolfgang Dininger (representing Gulfport Grassroots) reported that the April beach cleanup had 52 volunteers, including 12 Cub Scouts and students from Stetson and USF, and collected 192 pounds of trash. He urged the council to direct the city attorney to draft an ordinance prohibiting smoking on city beaches and parks, citing bans in neighboring municipalities.
• Unnamed speaker opposed a smoking ban, arguing for better enforcement of existing litter laws instead.
• Ed Benson criticized the city's handling of substantial damage determinations, alleging that Title Basin Group fabricated assessments. He urged the council to vote against Resolution 2025-37 (contracting with Title Basin).
• Deb Atkins reported five abandoned properties near her home with overgrown vegetation and rodents, eight months after the storm, and asked the city to address the issue.
• Barbara Leonard (Townshores and Quincy Street homeowner) supported Resolution 2025-38 (Tew and Taylor contract), praised inspector Dave Taylor, and recounted her own arduous process to overturn a substantial damage letter. She also noted that the marina is not selling gas, losing over $100,000 per month in revenue.
• Marilyn McClellan raised safety concerns about one-way streets on Beach Boulevard and suggested protective bollards or bulkheads at the casino to prevent boat damage.
• Courtney Perkopis asked about Gulfport Police Department's policy regarding collaboration with ICE, requested a presentation on the matter, and inquired about the city's participation in federal hazard mitigation grant programs and the Resiliency Workshop mentioned at the previous meeting. She also urged residents to complete the Recover Pinellas survey.
• David Bodenstead asked the council to review the standard adjournment notice regarding verbatim transcripts, suggesting it may be unfair to citizens.
• Margaret Tober praised the council, asked about billing department reporting structure, and noted accounts being "reaged" without payments.
• Lenny Gukenheimer advocated for establishing a charter review commission to examine city government structure and communication between staff and council.
• Karen Schwartz suggested regular workshops between staff and council to improve communication and streamline processes.
• Brenda Probasco (contractor) provided comparative data on permit fees and turnaround times: Gulfport charges $578.18 and takes 15 business days minimum; Hillsborough County charges $195 with immediate issuance; Pinellas County charges $347 with 5–10 days; Tampa charges $124 with same-day service. She described the city's software as "the slowest, oldest, clunkiest."

Consent Calendar

• 5.a. Approved the minutes of the April 1, 2025 City Council meeting. (Unanimous)
• 5.b. Resolution 2025-30: Appointed members to the Board of Adjustment. (Unanimous)
• 5.c. Resolution 2025-31: Appointed members to the Planning and Zoning Board/Local Planning Agency. (Unanimous)

City Manager Report

• City Manager O'Reilly addressed concerns about ICE collaboration. He stated that Gulfport Police will not actively pursue individuals based on immigration status. If an interaction occurs due to a crime, the department will not execute ICE warrants but will notify ICE and detain the individual for up to one hour to allow ICE to respond; if ICE does not arrive, the person is released. The policy is in compliance with state law and insurance carrier advice.

City Attorney Report

• City Attorney Salzman noted that a smoking ban on beaches was discussed years ago but not pursued. Given council support expressed during public comment, he offered to draft an ordinance. Council members Shaw, Jackson, Early, Thanos, and Love expressed support for moving forward.

City Clerk Report

• City Clerk Carico announced vacancies on the Forward Pinellas board (term ending 2027) and the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. Mayor Love appointed herself to Forward Pinellas; Vice Mayor Thanos appointed herself to Tampa Bay Regional. The clerk also briefed the council on options for forming a charter review commission, recommending council decide on the process and appointment method. Council agreed to discuss this at the next meeting.

Resolutions

• 7.a. Resolution 2025-32 (Rules for council meetings): Councilmember Shaw proposed an amendment to allow council debate after public comment before a vote. The amendment was rejected (2-3: Shaw and Early in favor; Jackson, Thanos, Love opposed). The resolution passed unanimously as written.
• 7.b. Resolution 2025-33 (Hoyt Field sod replacement with Tom's Sod): Passed unanimously. The sod is scheduled for installation May 5, 2025.
• 7.c. Resolution 2025-34 (Payment to Phillip and Jordan, Inc. for emergency debris removal): Passed unanimously. The amount authorized ($1.25M) includes a contingency; actual final billing is $1.214M.
• 7.d. Resolution 2025-35 (Atlantic Pipe Services for stormwater pipe relining): Passed unanimously. Cost is from the annual budget.
• 7.e. Resolution 2025-36 (Workforce Solutions for substantial damage support services): After extensive debate, the resolution failed 0-5. Councilmembers expressed concern about cost ($165/hour) and the necessity of detailed assessments for residents who have not yet contacted the city. City staff will return with an alternative model focusing on phone outreach and code enforcement for non-responsive owners.
• 7.f. Resolution 2025-37 (Tidal Basin Government Consulting for technical assistance in damage reassessments): Passed 4-1 (Councilmember Early voted no). Despite strong opposition from the public and some council members due to Title Basin's prior failures, the majority supported retaining the current individual (a Title Basin employee with 30 years of construction experience) to continue laser measurements and documentation to assist Justin's team in correcting prior erroneous assessments and preparing for FEMA audits.
• 7.g. Resolution 2025-38 (Extension of Tew and Taylor for plan review and permitting support): Passed unanimously. The contract funds four plan reviewers to help clear the backlog.

Discussion Items

• 8.a. Building Department Permitting Process Discussion: The city manager presented four service delivery models: (1) continue in-house with added resources, (2) outsource to Pinellas County, (3) contract with a private provider (e.g., SafeBuilt used by North Reddington Beach), or (4) a hybrid model (current approach). Council members shared initial thoughts: most favored improving the current system with better staffing, technology, and customer service, but also expressed interest in exploring the county model for faster, more predictable turnarounds. The city manager asked for specific, measurable goals (e.g., permit issued in 7–10 days). Public comment included strong support for outsourcing to Pinellas County or a private provider, as well as calls for a process improvement study before any change. No action was taken; further discussion is planned.
• 8.b. Storm Event Recovery Project Update: Public Works Director Tom Nichols provided an update on completed and ongoing projects. Completed: mooring field lift stations, building/fire department repairs, Charlie Market Square shade sails, beach playground, Chase Park, Senior Center, brick road repairs, 54th & Shore (pending seawall), Hoyt Field (sodding May 5), Tomlinson dugouts. In design/permitting: Clam Bayou fishing pier, casino ship store (permit expected this week), casino historic floor evaluation (awaiting historic preservation engineer), beach volleyball courts (awaiting Army Corps of Engineers permit). Non-storm capital projects were also listed. Nichols promised to publish updated status on the city website.
• 8.c. Proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Capital Improvement Program Budget: The city manager presented the first discussion of the CIP, primarily funded by Penny for Pinellas. Priority items are storm-related projects; other infrastructure items (paving, sidewalks) will follow. No decisions were made.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 2025-36 (Workforce Solutions) failed 0-5; staff to bring alternative model.
• Resolution 2025-37 (Title Basin) passed 4-1.
• Resolution 2025-38 (Tew and Taylor) passed unanimously.
• Permit fee waiver for storm-damaged properties ends May 6, 2025; residents must apply by that date.
• Council will consider naming a forward Pinellas representative and charter review commission process at the next meeting.
• The city attorney will draft a no-smoking-on-beaches ordinance for future consideration.
• Mayor Love will lead a community working group to create a post-storm resource handbook; meeting Thursday, April 17 at 6:00 PM at the Neighborhood Center.
• A post-storm "look back" review of city actions is planned for June or July.
• Staff will prepare transition plans if council decides to cancel the senior center project.
• The city will bring an agenda item to reallocate local mitigation grant funds to Elevate Florida.