OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Gulfport City Council Meeting - June 3, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, June 3, 2025
BodyGulfport, Mississippi
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, June 3, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
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Transcript — Verbatim
4:34

Good evening.

4:36

And thank you for joining us on our June third twenty twenty-five council meeting.

4:44

As always, um, I ask that you refrain from conversations while we're having while we're in session, so that everybody can hear clearly what it is that they came to hear.

4:55

All right.

5:00

Again, trying to trick me.

5:02

And we will start out tonight with an invocation by Council Counselor Nancy Early, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

5:10

Please stand.

5:13

Good evening.

5:15

I chose this quote because I see all the moms and dads that bring their children here.

5:20

And I know that there's many of them watching and their children are sitting close by.

5:24

I think that's really important.

5:26

So our first woman to serve on the U.S.

5:29

Supreme Court, Sandra Day O'Connor.

5:32

If parents instill a self of civic mindness, and there is no better way to do it than by example.

5:39

Their children will probably follow.

5:42

Thank you.

5:53

One nation.

6:04

City Clerk roll call, please.

6:07

Oh my sorry.

6:11

Councilmember Early.

6:14

Present.

6:15

Vice Mayor Thanos?

6:16

Here.

6:16

Council Member Shaw.

6:18

Present.

6:19

Councilmember Jackson?

6:20

Here.

6:20

Mayor Love.

6:21

Here.

6:22

Attorney Evans.

6:23

Here.

6:23

City Manager O'Reilly.

6:25

City Clerk.

6:26

City Clerk Carico is present.

6:28

Very good.

6:29

So we're going to start tonight with a brief presentation from our own Justin Shea.

6:34

He's going to kind of give us some a real quick overview of a really, really wonderful hurricane preparedness seminar we had the other night.

6:44

Thank you, thank you, Justin.

6:45

Members of the City Council.

6:47

One of the most important uh items that we want to be able our residents to take away tonight is to take the hurricane guide with you, but also on the city's website at the Hurricane Center.

6:59

All the information is located in one source.

7:03

Thank you for that opportunity.

7:04

Um, Justin Shea, Cultural Facilities Event Supervisor, City of Gulfport.

7:09

Um this is the 2025 hurricane outlook.

7:12

This year, NOAA predicts an above average season 13 to 19 named storms, six to ten hurricanes, and three to five of those as major hurricanes.

7:22

For us in the city of Gulfport, that is a clear signal.

7:26

We must prepare now.

7:29

On the smart screen, you'll see a the hurricane center for the city of Gulfport to navigate to this page.

7:37

It's very simple.

7:38

On the city's homepage, we have it located in two locations.

7:42

You can go at the front page to the Hurricane Center on the pop-up.

7:46

You can click the red and white button at the top of the page, but you can also go to the City of Gulfport Hurricane Center in the quick link section.

7:54

That's on the home page at MyGolfport.us.

7:57

Once you're in the hurricane center, new this year is the pledge to evacuate.

8:03

One of the most powerful steps you can take is to make the evacuation plan now.

8:09

The City of Gulfport serves approximately 5,000 utility customers, and that's about 1,400 homes located inside the FEMA special flood hazard area.

8:19

That places a significant amount of homes at an increased risk during flood events.

8:36

That includes knowing your evacuation zone, selecting your destination in advance, and reviewing local shelter options.

8:44

Take the time now to read through the county shelter list and ensure that all members of your household, including your pets, are accounted for.

10:00

The goal is simple.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Comment████████████████16%
Zoning Regulations██████████████14%
Public Engagement████████████12%
Floodplain Management███████████11%
Hurricane Preparedness█████████9%
Procedural█████5%
Permit Processing█████5%
Community Engagement█████5%
Accessory Dwelling Units███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Gulfport City Council Meeting - June 3, 2025

The Gulfport City Council met on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included a hurricane preparedness presentation, public comments on various topics, approval of a resolution endorsing the Gulfport Coastline Coalition, and a discussion on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:00 PM.

Presentations

  • Hurricane Preparedness Update: Justin Shea, Cultural Facilities Events Supervisor, presented the 2025 NOAA outlook: an above-average season with 13-19 named storms, 6-10 hurricanes, and 3-5 major hurricanes. He highlighted the city's Hurricane Center webpage, a new "Pledge to Evacuate" feature, and resources for boaters, pets, and special needs residents. The city serves approximately 5,000 utility customers, with about 1,400 homes in the FEMA special flood hazard area.

Consent Calendar

  • Resolution No. 2025-50: Appointing a resident trustee to the Gulfport Municipal Police Officers' Trust Fund (Pension Board) and providing for term of appointment.
  • Minutes: Approval of meeting minutes from May 20, 2025.
  • Both items were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jeremy Wood (60th Street, licensed contractor): Expressed support for improving permitting efficiency, suggesting temporary hires from other jurisdictions and adoption of systems used by Pinellas County.
  • Ingrid Bredenberg (56th Street South): Requested clarity on advisory group mandates, selection processes, and staff qualifications during introductions.
  • Linda Breen (new President of Gulfport Pride) and Catherine Kelly: Announced Pride events on June 7, including a raffle and fundraiser for local nonprofits (Sonia Slotnik Health Fund, Women's Health Fund, Out Arts & Culture, and a book program).
  • Deb Atkins (27th Avenue South): Referenced a Tampa Bay Times article (May 31) about Pinellas County revising storm permitting to allow immediate contractor estimates; urged Gulfport to adopt a similar approach.
  • Wolfgang Dininger (Gulfport Grassroots): Reported a volunteer cleanup of three vacant homes and announced the June 14 "Beyond the Beach" cleanup.
  • Scott Lindy (Gulfport Merchants Chamber of Commerce): Invited all to the June 14 mixer, announced a new website and marketing campaign, and noted the 25th anniversary of Gecko Season.
  • Lenny Gukenheimer: Commented on the Charter Review Committee, advocating for protections to ensure adequate information flow from staff to council.
  • John Rintels: Urged council to "walk the resilience talk" beyond the resolution, cautioning against development that reduces flood resilience.
  • MJ Kozelowski: Thanked Vice Mayor Thanos and Justin Shea for assistance during the disaster; asked about pet areas in special needs shelters (answered in discussion).
  • Courtney Pro Capis (15th Avenue South): Presented viewership data – council meetings streamed over 2,400 times from April 1 to May 7 – and requested virtual public comment options; suggested a workshop on accessibility.
  • Marilyn McClellan (56th Street): Praised the resilience workshop, raised concerns about a chronically unmaintained property causing flooding, and asked for enforcement.
  • Amy Costa (28th Avenue South, co-founder Midtown Business Collective): Requested a crosswalk or traffic light on Gulfport Boulevard for safety.
  • Jeanette Sells (26th Avenue South): Urged the city to consider acquiring a sensitive parcel on 31st Avenue South for public park use, possibly via referendum and eminent domain, citing the Town Shores example of $10 million projected mitigation costs.
  • Paula Roy (Del Rio Way South): Recounted delays from a substantial damage determination letter from the city (received January), noted 127 of 525 flood cases have not applied for permits (98 below 50% damage, 29 above 50%), and questioned consequences for non-compliance.

Resolutions

  • Resolution No. 2025-51: Endorsing the Gulfport Coastline Coalition (GCC) and its efforts to protect, preserve, and promote resilience of Gulfport's coastline. The resolution passed unanimously (5-0).
    • Councilmember Shaw noted the comprehensive plan supports public acquisition of storm-damaged properties in coastal high-hazard areas. Mayor Love clarified the resolution shows support; further funding discussions will depend on GCC's ability to secure funds.
    • Courtney Pro Capis (GCC coordinator) highlighted that the parcel is a regional conservation priority (Tampa Bay Estuary Program) and that grant writers pay for themselves.

Discussion Items

  • Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): City Manager O'Reilly presented background on definitions, zoning (primarily R1 and R1A), and key considerations: where to allow ADUs (including in coastal high-hazard zones), parking requirements, owner-occupancy, and minimum lot size vs. floor area ratio. Council consensus (unanimous) to move forward with discussion.
    • Councilmembers generally supported using the existing 40% floor area ratio and 30-foot height limit, avoiding ADUs in flood hazard zones, and not requiring off-street parking in many areas. They will submit preferences on a list of questions; the mayor and city manager will schedule a future meeting or workshop to reconcile positions before drafting ordinance changes.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar approved unanimously.
  • Resolution 2025-51 passed unanimously.
  • ADU Discussion: Council agreed to continue the conversation; members will provide input on specific parameters (e.g., owner-occupancy, parking, flood zone restrictions) to determine if a workshop is needed.
  • Permitting Efficiency: Council directed the assistant city manager to interview up to three firms (including one resident's company) to evaluate and propose improvements to the permitting system; an RFP will be issued.
  • Virtual Public Comment: Mayor Love will work with the city clerk to explore options for submitting comments asynchronously (e.g., via an online form) rather than real-time video participation.
  • Ethics Case: Discussion on withdrawing the ethics case against Vice Mayor Thanos deferred to the next meeting when the regular attorney is present.
  • Future Meetings:
    • June 17: Regular meeting with possible county presentation on permitting.
    • June 25: Town hall at Neighborhood Center (6 PM) with Florida League of Cities on legislation.
    • July 2025: Workshop on ADUs (tentative).
    • September 2025: Mayor Love planning a "Gulfport 2050" town hall for long-term visioning.
  • Traffic Calming: Request to study speeding on 58th Street and a potential stop sign at 28th Avenue; public works will conduct a speed study first. Crosswalk request on Gulfport Boulevard to be re-raised with Pinellas County.
  • Senior Center Fundraising: Kinetic fundraising company terminated; donor funds will be redirected as needed; council will discuss "Plan B" at a future meeting.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. And thank you for joining us on our June third twenty twenty-five council meeting. As always, um, I ask that you refrain from conversations while we're having while we're in session, so that everybody can hear clearly what it is that they came to hear. All right. Again, trying to trick me. And we will start out tonight with an invocation by Council Counselor Nancy Early, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Please stand. Good evening. I chose this quote because I see all the moms and dads that bring their children here. And I know that there's many of them watching and their children are sitting close by. I think that's really important. So our first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, Sandra Day O'Connor. If parents instill a self of civic mindness, and there is no better way to do it than by example. Their children will probably follow. Thank you. One nation. City Clerk roll call, please. Oh my sorry. Councilmember Early. Present. Vice Mayor Thanos? Here. Council Member Shaw. Present. Councilmember Jackson? Here. Mayor Love. Here. Attorney Evans. Here. City Manager O'Reilly. City Clerk. City Clerk Carico is present. Very good. So we're going to start tonight with a brief presentation from our own Justin Shea. He's going to kind of give us some a real quick overview of a really, really wonderful hurricane preparedness seminar we had the other night. Thank you, thank you, Justin. Members of the City Council. One of the most important uh items that we want to be able our residents to take away tonight is to take the hurricane guide with you, but also on the city's website at the Hurricane Center. All the information is located in one source. Thank you for that opportunity. Um, Justin Shea, Cultural Facilities Event Supervisor, City of Gulfport. Um this is the 2025 hurricane outlook. This year, NOAA predicts an above average season 13 to 19 named storms, six to ten hurricanes, and three to five of those as major hurricanes. For us in the city of Gulfport, that is a clear signal. We must prepare now. On the smart screen, you'll see a the hurricane center for the city of Gulfport to navigate to this page. It's very simple. On the city's homepage, we have it located in two locations.

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