OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Gulfport City Council Meeting - October 7, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, October 7, 2025
BodyGulfport, Mississippi
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, October 7, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:53:03

Transcript — Verbatim
7:11

Good evening.

7:13

Good evening and welcome to the October seventh, twenty twenty-five City Council meeting.

7:19

Thanks for coming.

7:20

If there's any chance that you have your phone on, take a minute, check it, turn it off.

7:28

I appreciate that.

7:29

And with that being said, we will uh start with the invocation given by given by council member Nancy Early, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

7:39

So please uh rise.

7:41

For those of you who are still in the coal mines like myself, you know that it's employee appreciation week, formerly known as Customer Service Week.

7:49

So this is for our city staff.

7:51

We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.

7:56

JFK.

8:17

Councilmember Early?

8:19

President.

8:20

Vice Mayor Thanos?

8:21

Here.

8:21

Council Member Shaw.

8:23

Present.

8:23

Council Member Jackson?

8:24

Here.

8:25

Mayor Love.

8:26

Here.

8:26

Councilmember, excuse me, City Manager O'Reilly.

8:29

Present.

8:29

Attorney Salzman?

8:30

Here.

8:31

City Clerk Carico is present.

8:33

Super.

8:34

So tonight we're going to kick off with uh two presentations.

8:38

Um, heard us talk a couple times now about something that we're calling Golfport Connects.

8:45

It's official name, the software is called Get Connected.

8:48

So if you looked at the agenda, that's what you saw.

8:51

But we call it Gulfport Connects.

8:53

So David's going to kick us off and let us know what it means to us.

8:59

Okay.

8:59

Thank you, Mayor City Council.

9:02

First, I'm going to start.

9:03

This is GoPro Connects.

9:04

Um, this is what it will look like when you go on.

9:08

What it is is it's a way to uh have volunteers connect with not only the city for volunteer opportunities, but also for uh organizations within the city for volunteer opportunities.

9:23

So um I'm not going to go into the weeds, obviously, but I'm going to show you all the things you can do first as a volunteer and secondly as an organization.

9:32

So if I'm a volunteer, uh, what I'm going to do is I'm going to log in here.

9:51

It kept kicking me out, so couldn't do it.

10:00

Okay, so this is what you will come to if you are a volunteer.

10:03

And the first thing you'll notice is I've obviously already made an account.

10:08

You have to make an account first.

10:09

Um, but that's just like making an account anywhere.

10:12

You just have to put your name.

10:13

Uh you know, you don't have to do anything really any heavy lifting at first.

10:17

You just have to put your name, email address, and make a password.

10:21

And you'll come to this screen and it'll tell you, you know, sign up for volunteer opportunities, browse agencies, or RSVP to an event.

10:31

So if I wanted to go to an opportunity, I'm gonna click here, and we do have two for the city in the system currently.

10:37

We have a volunteer shelver at the library and a welcome ambassador for the senior center.

10:44

Um we do have some groups in here too.

10:46

They're still going through training, but the uh we have uh you can browse agencies, and these are all the current ones that we have.

10:54

We have Gulfport Grassroots, the city, the Lions Club, the library, uh Gulfport Recovers, Gulfport Merchants, Gulfport Senior Center, Gulfport Senior Center Foundation, and the Midtown Business Collective.

11:09

So they're all in here, and kind of like a Facebook kind of thing, you can become a fan of them.

11:14

So if they do have uh opportunities that come up later, you can click on that, or let's say you didn't know what Gulfport Recovers was, you could click on that information to get more information.

11:24

Um the next thing over the uh RSVP to an event.

11:31

Uh there is an organization that has an event in here.

11:34

So let's say you wanted to, you were knew you were gonna go to this event and perhaps volunteer for this event, you could click on that.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Community Engagement████████████████████20%
Technology and Innovation█████████████████17%
Public Engagement████████████12%
Public Transportation███████7%
Parking Management██████6%
Procedural█████5%
Code Enforcement█████5%
Floodplain Management███3%
Public Safety███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Gulfport City Council Meeting - October 7, 2025

The Gulfport City Council met on October 7, 2025, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included presentations on the new Get Connected volunteer software (Gulfport Connects) and website enhancements, public comments, city manager and staff reports, approval of the consent agenda, a second reading of an ordinance regarding cooking while parked, and multiple resolutions approving special events and contracts.

Consent Calendar

  • 6.a Resolution 2025-72: Authorizing agreement with Rileighs Outdoor, LLC for holiday decoration services. (Approved)
  • 6.b Resolution 2025-73: Authorizing use of state contract for library materials from Baker & Taylor and Ingram Library Services. (Approved)
  • 6.c Resolution 2025-74: Authorizing purchase of IT products from SHI. (Approved)
  • 6.d Resolution 2025-75: Authorizing payment to Tech Guru Consulting for IT managed services. (Approved)
  • 6.e Resolution 2025-76: Authorizing expenditure for Granicus platforms for FY 2025-2026. (Approved)
  • 6.f Resolution 2025-77: Authorizing payment to Tyler Technologies for annual maintenance fees. (Approved)
  • 6.g Resolution 2025-78: Authorizing agreement with PSD Citywide for asset management software. (Approved)
  • 6.h Resolution 2025-79: Authorizing contract with Todd's Air Conditioning for HVAC replacement at Michael J. Yakes Recreation Center. (Approved)
  • 6.i Approval of meeting minutes from September 16, 2025. (Approved)

All consent items were approved unanimously via a single motion.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Bonnie Bray (56th Street South) requested workshops or focus groups on golf cart reassessment (distinguishing golf carts from low-speed vehicles) and a dog beach behind the children's rec center. Also suggested making 54th Street one-way toward the bay and 56th Street one-way away, and adding stop signs on Beach Boulevard from 28th to Shore.
  • Regina Buscemi reminded council about the Gulfport Welcome event this Friday at the library at 6:30 PM and commented on the website.
  • Wolfgang Dininger (Gulfport Grassroots) reported on the Clam Bayou cleanup: 49 volunteers collected 180 pounds of trash. Also raised concerns about cars blocking sidewalks on the north end, urging enforcement of no-parking laws.
  • Amy Costa (Midtown Business Collective) invited everyone to the Midtown Mingle on October 8, offered to host focus groups, described upcoming hurricane healing events (town hall Oct 13, community healing day Oct 18 at Wonderworks), and announced a Halloween Creepy Crawl on Oct 31 leading to the Rec Center bash.
  • Eileen Corning (Gulfport Senior Center Foundation) expressed appreciation for city support and excitement about the volunteer software (Gulfport Connects) helping with grants.
  • Carol Kelly (New Horizons Band) thanked the city for collaboration and announced free concerts; anyone with an instrument and good attitude can join.
  • Courtney Prokoppus (Gulfport Coastline Coalition) presented "no wake zone" signs available for order, asked about the living shoreline timeline, inquired if the C Click Fix app would be public-facing, and promoted One Community Grocery Co-op.
  • Karen Schwartz thanked public works for installing bike racks quickly at the rec center and suggested a feature on the website or app to request bike racks.
  • Katie (Shore Boulevard) advocated for promoting the cleanliness of Gulfport beach water, noting that perceptions are outdated since the sewer improvements.
  • Scott Reevy (4th Ward) reported a neighbor's Rottweiler attacking his dog, frustrations with permitting for converting a building to mixed-use optical business, supported one-way streets, and appreciated underground power lines.
  • Krea (Gulfport Food Forest) reported the successful fundraiser (approx. 300 attendees), thanked sponsors, announced new board members (retired accountant as treasurer, Delia Skye as secretary), and promoted Effortless City maps for wheelchair accessibility.
  • Bill Griffo (Gulfport Senior Center Foundation) outlined upcoming events: Health & Wellness Expo Oct 12 (8 sponsors, 40 vendors), Night in Italy Oct 25 (dance competition, ring toss), annual report Nov 17, Mad Beach Band concert (sold out), and a new Big Band Christmas event.
  • Bob Canning (Shore Boulevard) asked for status of the watershed/stormwater report, noting it was expected by late this year.

Discussion Items

  • Get Connected Volunteer Software (Gulfport Connects): Assistant City Manager David Mather demonstrated the platform for volunteers and organizations. Key features include volunteer profiles, hour tracking with approval, agency management, and emergency use (e.g., storm needs). Currently onboarded agencies include Gulfport Grassroots, Lions Club, Library, Senior Center, and others. Staff will promote the site via quick links, Facebook, and e-blasts.
  • New Website Enhancements: David Mather presented the redesigned city website with cleaner menus, an AI chatbot ("Get Help") for FAQs, improved ADA compliance, an online form library for community development, and plans for interactive maps (trolley, walking). Launch expected soon.
  • City Manager Report:
    • Living shoreline project is in permitting; submerged land lease application submitted.
    • Flood/stormwater study presentation scheduled for November 18, 2025.
    • Permitting violations: 104 notices of violation sent for unpermitted work; 37 responses received; 35 demolition permits issued. Additional letters to go out. Code enforcement staff working weekends.
    • Electric vehicle charging stations: Proposed charge of 30 cents per kilowatt-hour and $5/hour idle fee after full charge. Council reached consensus; staff to bring back a resolution.
  • Ordinance 2025-11 (Second Reading): Amends code to establish section 17-32(E) – "Cooking while Parked." Public commenters asked for clearer definitions of "cooking" and "parked." Council passed the ordinance unanimously (5-0).
  • Resolutions 2025-80, 81, 82 (Special Events Calendar):
    • 8A (New events): Includes 8 new events (some reinitiated), e.g., Junk Drop Off, Swap Meet (name questioned), Mayor's Walk, daytime holiday parade, and Fusion 49th events at Trolley Market Square, and a Pride market on Feb 1. Discussion on trolley usage and logistics.
    • 8B (Recurring events): Standard annual events (art walks, night markets, farmers market, Halloween Bash, etc.). Noted Pride Festival in March may be cancelled due to casino closure.
    • 8C (Multi-day events): Fine Arts Festival at Clymer Park, Art Jones studio tour, Readout Literary Fest, Gulfport Community Players shows, Vet Sports beach volleyball and Veterans Parade (Nov 8-9). Vet Sports representative described the organization's mission and anticipated low beach impact.
    • All three resolutions passed unanimously (5-0).
  • Resolution 2025-83: Authorizes purchase of one Fairbanks submersible pump from Barney's Pumps for Lift Station #2 (sewage) after failure; sole source due to matching equipment. Passed unanimously (5-0).
  • Resolution 2025-84: Renews shared-cost contract with Directions for Living for Street Outreach & Engagement Specialist (shared with Treasure Island). Council praised the program and its outreach worker. Passed unanimously (5-0).
  • New Business:
    • Parking discussion: Councilmember Thanos proposed low-cost parking improvements: bike rack inventory, 15-minute pickup spots, additional handicap parking if needed, better looper signage/map/QR codes, and allowing downtown employees to park in resident-only zones (between 58th and Beach Blvd) with stickers. Mayor Love suggested removing resident-only restrictions entirely as one option. Council agreed to hold a future work session to discuss these options.
    • Councilmember Shaw proposed adding benches along walking paths at Clymer Park (with input from Krea) and a youth mock council meeting (consensus reached). She also planted a seed for a citizens' government academy.
    • Mayor Love updated on Lincoln Cemetery: reported a brief meeting with Corey Givens and a subsequent call from Pastor Williams (director of owning nonprofit), who denied being behind the drive and expressed displeasure at being called out at St. Petersburg council. Mayor Love stated there is no request from the owner for city action.
    • Council also discussed a suggestion box idea but decided the elected officials themselves serve that role.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda approved unanimously.
  • Ordinance 2025-11 (Cooking while Parked) passed 5-0.
  • Resolutions 2025-80, 81, 82 (Special Events) each passed 5-0.
  • Resolution 2025-83 (Pump purchase) passed 5-0.
  • Resolution 2025-84 (Directions for Living contract renewal) passed 5-0.
  • Council reached consensus on EV charging rates: 30 cents/kWh and $5/hour idle fee; staff to bring back a resolution.
  • Council agreed to schedule a future discussion on parking management (employee parking, residential restrictions, looper signage).
  • Council expressed support for a youth mock council meeting and for benches at Clymer Park (pending consultation with food forest organizers).
  • Stormwater/flood study presentation scheduled for November 18, 2025.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. Good evening and welcome to the October seventh, twenty twenty-five City Council meeting. Thanks for coming. If there's any chance that you have your phone on, take a minute, check it, turn it off. I appreciate that. And with that being said, we will uh start with the invocation given by given by council member Nancy Early, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. So please uh rise. For those of you who are still in the coal mines like myself, you know that it's employee appreciation week, formerly known as Customer Service Week. So this is for our city staff. We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives. JFK. Councilmember Early? President. Vice Mayor Thanos? Here. Council Member Shaw. Present. Council Member Jackson? Here. Mayor Love. Here. Councilmember, excuse me, City Manager O'Reilly. Present. Attorney Salzman? Here. City Clerk Carico is present. Super. So tonight we're going to kick off with uh two presentations. Um, heard us talk a couple times now about something that we're calling Golfport Connects. It's official name, the software is called Get Connected. So if you looked at the agenda, that's what you saw. But we call it Gulfport Connects. So David's going to kick us off and let us know what it means to us. Okay. Thank you, Mayor City Council. First, I'm going to start. This is GoPro Connects. Um, this is what it will look like when you go on. What it is is it's a way to uh have volunteers connect with not only the city for volunteer opportunities, but also for uh organizations within the city for volunteer opportunities. So um I'm not going to go into the weeds, obviously, but I'm going to show you all the things you can do first as a volunteer and secondly as an organization. So if I'm a volunteer, uh, what I'm going to do is I'm going to log in here. It kept kicking me out, so couldn't do it. Okay, so this is what you will come to if you are a volunteer. And the first thing you'll notice is I've obviously already made an account. You have to make an account first. Um, but that's just like making an account anywhere. You just have to put your name. Uh you know, you don't have to do anything really any heavy lifting at first. You just have to put your name, email address, and make a password. And you'll come to this screen and it'll tell you, you know, sign up for volunteer opportunities, browse agencies, or RSVP to an event.

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