Gulfport City Council Meeting – June 17, 2025

The Gulfport City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Gulfport City Hall. The meeting included presentations on fireworks safety and short‑term rentals, public comments, staff reports, approval of the consent calendar, a first‑reading ordinance amending the Comprehensive Plan, a resolution to purchase police vehicles, a discussion on the future of permitting services, and council new business.

Presentations

• Fireworks Safety – Chief Mary Farrand – Florida law allows fireworks on July 4, December 31, and January 1. Gulfport ordinance requires all fireworks to cease by 11:00 p.m. Violators may be cited with a class‑5 fine of $88. Complaints should be directed to the non‑emergency number (727‑582‑…). Residents were reminded that celebratory gunfire is extremely dangerous.
• Short‑Term Rental (STR) Update – Code Enforcement Officer Heather Wyble – Since the program began, there have been 52 total complaints: 18 have complied, 10 were unfounded, 8 went to a magistrate hearing, and 16 are currently active. There are 250 active short‑term rental listings (including the marina area). A zone map shows permitted (slashes) and conditional‑use areas; conditional uses must come before council. The city uses Granicus software to monitor compliance over 12 consecutive months. Repeat violations carry a $500‑per‑day fine. Councilmember Early reported personally filing complaints for years based on cars parked at driveways.
• Senior Advisory Committee – Chairperson Caron Schwartz was absent; no presentation was given.

Consent Calendar

• Item 6.a. – Approved minutes from the May 22, 2025 Workshop and the June 3, 2025 Regular Council meeting. Motion passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Robert Rubin (51st Street South) – Asked for financial updates on repairs (dock, peer, boardwalk), expenses vs. reimbursements, the status of boats with red stickers, and progress on the 54th Street pier repair and temporary silt fences. He noted a large hole near the beach that needs sand.
• Marsan (St. Petersburg resident) – Expressed opposition to STR restrictions, stating her Airbnb has had no legitimate complaints and that it is vital for tourism and her family’s income. She argued that the complaints are driven by a small group and that selling has become difficult because of the new rules.
• Wolfgang Dininger (Beachway, Gulfport Grassroots) – Reported the June 14 beyond‑the‑beach cleanup had 11 volunteers and collected 44 pounds of trash, noting fewer cigarette butts (attributed to the park smoking ban). Announced next cleanup July 12 (8‑10 a.m., Pavilion #4) and a June 21 grass‑mob on 50th Street. Expressed concern about untrained fireworks usage.
• Catherine (resident) – Asked for clarification on the role of the Planning & Zoning Board, noting it appears procedural rather than substantive. She requested transparency regarding the board’s duties under city charter and code.
• Amy Costa (Wonderworks, Midtown Business Collective) – Requested traffic incident reports for Gulfport Boulevard, asked if the city could help purchase bike racks (if placed on private property) and supply plants for beautification. Supported short‑term rentals as vital for small businesses and suggested a citywide poll. Questioned the complaint process and noted that STRs are not permitted north of Gulfport Boulevard but would help the corridor become a destination.
• Jonathan (resident) – Expressed strong support for Councilmember Early’s proposal to allow paddle boarding at the downtown beach instead of the marina. Spoke in favor of accessory dwelling units (ADUs), listing benefits (affordable housing, aging in place, environmental sustainability). Argued that FEMA‑compliant ADUs should be allowed in flood zones, citing advice from Linda Fisher that the “no increase density” policy in the comp plan does not apply to ADUs.
• Karen Huger (Tifton Street) – Spoke in support of STRs, describing how affordable vacation rentals allowed her to take her daughters to the Florida Keys and teach them environmental stewardship. She reported no problems with neighbors’ rentals.

Discussion Items

• City Manager Report (Terry O’Reilly)

  • Addressed public comments: no Bank of America loan has been used; FEMA loan is available but not accessed. Vessels with red stickers are identified as abandoned and are being removed by police (Officer Chastain) per legal process. The peer repair contractor (Hoosier Welding) is delayed due to demand. Re‑emphasized that sand renourishment requires EPA‑approved sand. The Fusion 49th money is for construction (Safe Streets grant).
  • Announced a zero‑tolerance policy for unpermitted work and stop‑work orders: property owners must now come into compliance or face code enforcement and special magistrate hearings. Approximately 127‑128 courtesy letters were sent; only 9 responded (7 <50% complete, 2 >50% complete). The burden now shifts to property owners.
  • The city has put out a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for an efficiency study of the Community Development/Building Department; proposals due next Monday (June 23).
  • Pinellas County has declined to enter an interlocal agreement for building services, so the city will explore other options, including requesting proposals from private firms.
  • A resident complaint about unlicensed contractors was discussed; the mayor noted that penalties may need to be stronger (possibly via ordinance).
  • Clarified that comp plan policies about purchasing property are specific to environmental goals, not a citywide mandate.

• City Attorney Report (Salzman) – Explained that the Planning & Zoning Board’s role is advisory; they act as the local planning agency and make recommendations on items referred by council. To broaden their scope would likely require an ordinance amendment. He confirmed the board is subject to Sunshine Law.

• City Clerk Report (Carico) – Noted that at the May 20 meeting the council supported a resolution endorsing the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council’s Resiliency Action Plan (RAP), but research showed the city had already adopted support, so no new resolution is needed.

• Council Comments/Reports

  • Councilmember Earley – Attended the Florida League of Cities Institute for Elected Officials; described sessions on budgeting, effective council techniques, and governance. She is interviewing for a committee role.
  • Councilmember Thanos – Reported that the ethics complaint against him was dismissed because nothing was for personal benefit. Announced a town hall June 25 (6 p.m.) on legislative session outcomes. Provided updates from Tampa Bay Regional Planning (hazmat trailer, brownfield opportunities) and Forward Pinellas (transportation improvement plan, ferries, housing summit). Mentioned a historic preservation resource offered to the city.
  • Councilmember Shaw – Reminded about gunfire dangers on July 4. Noted boat removal is a slow legal process. Attended Flag Day ceremony, GMC mixer, and fire station tour. Held “What’s On Your Mind” at Sumitra’s; will add one at Wonderworks (2nd Tuesdays 11‑1). Shared takeaways from the Florida League of Cities Institute: there are 411 cities in Florida, 2,270 elected officials; emphasized local voices/local choices and the need to prioritize water resource management.
  • Councilmember Jackson – Announced a beach volleyball tournament July 12, four additional volleyball courts, and public pickleball court cameras coming soon.
  • Mayor Love – Addressed that vacant homes may be waiting for Elevate Florida feedback, contractor availability, or materials. The city’s watershed vulnerability study grant is nearing completion this fall, enabling future grant applications. Urged residents to stop balloon releases.

• Ordinance 2025-02 – First Reading (Comprehensive Plan Amendment)

  • Linda Fisher (Forward Pinellas) presented the mandatory Evaluation and Appraisal Review (EAR)‑based amendments, which are ministerial and housekeeping. Key changes:
    • Add policy 1.1.9 (consistency with countywide plan).
    • Add policy 1.8.2 (no increase in densities/intensities in coastal high‑hazard area except for overriding public interest; confirmed it does not apply to ADUs).
    • Update 10‑year water supply plan and capital improvements schedule.
    • New, short Private Property Rights Element (required by state law).
  • The Planning & Zoning Board voted unanimously to recommend approval.
  • Council voted unanimously to approve on first reading.

• Resolution 2025-52 – Police Vehicles

  • Authorizes the purchase of three hybrid police vehicles with emergency equipment for $225,230 (reduced from originally budgeted four cars, saving approximately $70,000). Vehicles are replacements for six‑year‑old cars that are obsolete. The funds will be offset from the next fiscal year’s capital budget.
  • Council voted unanimously to approve.

• Discussion on Permitting Services

  • Because Pinellas County declined to provide building services, the city will now rely on an efficiency study (RFQ due June 23) to evaluate options: keep in‑house, contract with a third party (e.g., SafeBuilt), or develop a hybrid model. Council discussed need for data, surveying customers, and visiting Redington Beach (where SafeBuilt contract renewal is controversial). Mayor Love will attend the Redington meeting. City Manager will have initial conversations with SafeBuilt. Additional options (e.g., Fort Myers Beach model) were suggested. Council agreed to receive a presentation on the RFQ results at the July 1 meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 2025-02 (Comprehensive Plan EAR amendments) passed on first reading unanimously; will be transmitted to the state for a 60‑day review before second reading.
• Resolution 2025-52 (police hybrid vehicles) approved unanimously.
• Permitting discussion: City Manager will bring back RFQ recommendations and SafeBuilt information by July 1; the efficiency study will proceed. A “look back” workshop on hurricane response is scheduled for July 22.
• New business: Council will submit ADU “deal‑breaker” questions to the City Manager within one week. Budget preparation will begin with a council priorities discussion. The city clerk will provide last year’s budget for review.
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:20 p.m.