Gulfport City Council Meeting – March 3, 2026: Presentations on ADUs, Stormwater, Senior Center, and 49th Street
Gulfport City Council Meeting – March 3, 2026
The Gulfport City Council met on March 3, 2026, to receive four major presentations on accessory dwelling units (ADUs), stormwater management improvements, a phased renovation of the senior center, and progress on the 49th Street safety corridor. The meeting also included a proclamation honoring the 2025 Officer of the Year, public comments, and farewell remarks from Vice Mayor April Thanos, who attended her last council meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Vice Mayor Thanos Tribute (Nicole Thanos, address 585): Presented flowers to Vice Mayor Thanos on behalf of the council, thanking her for her service.
- Senior Center Support (Eileen Griffo, Tangerine Avenue): Expressed enthusiasm for the senior center plans and announced upcoming fundraising events (March 28 performance, April 4 golf tournament, April 11 event).
- Brick Road Concern (Rosemary Seawall, Town Shores): Asked whether brick roads would be replaced with brick after roadwork; Mayor Love confirmed that brick streets are replaced in kind. Also supported closing 27th Street for additional parking near the senior center.
- Sundown Town History (Christopher Butler Jones, 50 Second Street): Presented a 43-page dossier on Gulfport’s history as a sundown town, criticized the council for not using the term “sundown” in the resolution, and urged acknowledgment of the city’s exclusionary past.
- Musical Tribute (Barney Waterberry, 5110 Tangerine Avenue): Sang an original song about Gulfport, “Gulfport Streets Go Both Ways,” celebrating the city.
- Pride Event (Amy Costa, Wonderworks/Midtown Business Collective): Reported on the successful “For the Love of Gulfport” Pride event on March 1, thanking the city for support.
- Farewell to Vice Mayor Thanos (Matthew Galvin, 15th Avenue South): Thanked her for her tenacity and questioning, noting she elevated the council.
- Additional Praise for Vice Mayor Thanos (Jonathan McCoachy, no address): Encouraged the council to follow her example of caring and communication, despite sunshine law constraints.
- Election Reminder (Regina Buscemi, Gulfport resident): Encouraged attendance at the March 8 Welcome to Gulfport event.
- Council Appreciation (Charlotte Downey, 13th Avenue South): Praised Vice Mayor Thanos, Councilmember Shaw, and Mayor Love for their leadership, civility, and progress on the senior center and hurricane recovery.
- 287G Resolution (Speaker, 27th Avenue South): Presented a draft resolution for the city to continue its 287G agreement with ICE “under protest,” citing coercion and threats to sanctuary cities. The council did not take action.
- Parking and Traffic Flow (Jennifer Webb, 6019 17th Avenue South): Updated on state legislation affecting ADUs, sovereign immunity, and property taxes; urged council to communicate with legislators.
- Marina Yacht Club Leases (Julie Jacobi, 49th Street South): Expressed concerns about two charter referendum questions that could limit lease terms and require fair market value rents, potentially harming the non-profit yacht clubs (BCYC and GCYC).
- Upcoming Events (Wolfgang Dininger, Beachway Park): Announced a March 8 cleanup with Keep Pinellas Beautiful and an April 11 “Swap and Drop” event.
- Support for Yacht Clubs (Christine Crosby, Baywood Point Drive): Emphasized the non-monetary value these clubs bring to the community.
- E-Comments: Four written comments were read, including questions about the 287G agreement, a complaint about the Lincoln Cemetery Annex petition, opposition to one-way streets, and concerns about marina AR delinquency.
Discussion Items
- Officer of the Year Proclamation: The city clerk read a proclamation honoring Officer Selena Ramos as the 2025 Officer of the Year for her dedication, field training, and leadership. The council presented the proclamation.
- ADU Impact Assessment (Linda Fisher, Forward Pinellas): Presented Task Two findings on potential ADU impacts. St. Pete’s experience (100 ADUs/year after streamlining) was used as a model for Gulfport, projecting 49–69 ADUs over 10 years in eligible R1/R1A zones outside the coastal high-hazard area. Impacts on services, traffic, parking, and property values were deemed minimal. Mentioned state Senate Bill 48 (mandatory ADUs) could preempt owner-occupancy requirements. Council discussed the bill and expressed support for moving forward with ADU regulations.
- Stormwater Management Plan (Justin Keller, Advanced Engineering Design): Presented final recommendations incorporating council feedback from November. Ten BMPs were evaluated; four use green space. Recommended next steps: pursue adaptation plan grant (Sept. 2026 deadline), and continue with BMP 3 (60th St/20th Ave improvements), BMP 6 (marina tide flooding reduction), and police/fire rapid response roadway improvements. Discussed Climber Park (wet pond vs. swale), Wood Ibis (bioswale with pump station to reduce flooding duration), and Tomlinson Park (potential pond replacing one ball field). Council questioned the impact on ball fields and asked for alternatives.
- Senior Center Renovation/Expansion (Amy Bradlow & Ward Frisolowski, PBK Architects): Presented a three-phase plan: Phase 1 (4,200 sq ft addition: two multipurpose rooms, lobby expansion, restrooms) at ~$4 million; Phase 2 (three options: build over existing, over Phase 1, or horizontal) costing $4.68M–$5.4M; Phase 3 (renovation of existing building) at ~$3.5M. Parking is a concern; horizontal option would reduce parking further. Council asked about square footage, costs, and operational impacts. Rachel from the senior center noted parking is often full and expressed preference for Option 2 (build over Phase 1) to preserve parking, but also liked the horizontal option for less disruption. Council decided to proceed with signing a letter requesting $3 million from Congresswoman Luna for Phase 1, with no final decision on Phase 2 until later.
- 49th Street Safety Corridor (Kendrick Anderson, city staff): Provided an update on the Safe Streets for All grant and the Fusion 49 project. Short-term projects (intersection improvements, crosswalks, raised medians) are moving forward with an interlocal agreement with St. Pete. A demonstration project will test a road diet (converting four lanes to three with a center turn lane) for 12 months, funded by an $800,000 federal grant. Council discussed accidents at 18th Avenue and Tangerine, mid-block crossings, and concerns about the 18th Avenue intersection where crashes occur. A survey on potential one-way streets is being developed.
Key Outcomes
- Officer of the Year: Officer Selena Ramos was officially recognized and congratulated.
- ADU Study: Council expressed satisfaction with the impact assessment and directed staff to proceed with drafting regulations for the Planning and Zoning Board, with a return to council for final consideration.
- Stormwater Projects: Council did not take a formal vote but verbally supported the recommended next steps: pursue adaptation plan grant, continue state appropriation requests for BMP 6 and police/fire project, and consider alternatives for Tomlinson Park to avoid removing a ball field.
- Senior Center: Council unanimously agreed to sign a letter of support for a $3 million congressional appropriation from Rep. Luna for Phase 1. No decision was made on Phase 2 options; the city manager will continue with Phase 1 design assuming the horizontal expansion (Option 3) for now, as it is the most cost-effective and least disruptive.
- 49th Street Projects: The Phase 1 interlocal with St. Pete is executed; project manager assignment pending. The demonstration project grant agreement is being drafted; once received, it will be presented to council for approval. Council directed staff to investigate the possibility of a mid-block crossing at 18th Avenue and to improve signage for cyclists.
- Public Comment Responses: Mayor Love addressed a question about brick streets (replaced in-kind) and reminded the public about the March 26 traffic flow workshop. Councilmember Shaw gave a Women’s History Month tribute. Vice Mayor Thanos used her last comments to thank the public, raised concerns about building permit processing times and the 287G ICE agreement (advocating for a “under protest” resolution), and expressed disappointment over unauthorized tree cutting at Wood Ibis Park.
- Next Meeting: The next council meeting is scheduled for March 17, 2026, for the swearing-in of new council members.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. And welcome to the March 3rd, 2026 Council meeting. After 33 years of s of saying sales meeting on Tuesdays, I still still feel like I stumble over that. But council meeting. So thank you all for being here. If there's any chance whatsoever that your phone is not been silenced, please check it and silence it. Okay. And as always, I say there's gonna be a lot of things going on tonight, and there's gonna be a lot of questions, but if you feel the urge to to ask the person next to you, I'm gonna ask that you step outside so that we only have one conversation going on at a time, all right. I appreciate that. So with that, I would say let's call this meeting to order. Oh, I did I did call it to order. You know, I get confused between that and roll call. I apologize. Okay, let me start over. I've called the meeting to order, and now we will start with the invocation, which will be given by Vice Mayor Danos for the last time, and then followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, so please stand. So usually I find a quote that seems appropriate for the time, but what's on my mind is the war. And so whether you think it's justified or not justified, that doesn't, I mean it matters, but that's not what I'm talking about. It's here, it's happening, and I'm just hoping that our national and international leaders can find a way to make it stop happening quickly, so we have minimal loss of life, because that totally worries me. So I just wanted to say that as my invocation. So thank you. Thank you. Vice Mayor Thanos? Here. Councilmember Shaw. Present. Councilmember Jackson. Here. Councilmember Early. Present. Mayor Love. Here. City Attorney Salzman. City Manager O'Reilly. Present. City Clerk Keriko is present. Thank you. So tonight we're going to um start the meetings. We have several presentations. And we're gonna start off first with a uh recognizing our officer of the year. And I believe that our city clerk is gonna read the proclamation, and then I believe our chief is going to acknowledge our officer of the year. Okay, and this is a proclamation honoring Officer Selena Ramos, 2025 officer of the year. Whereas the safety, well-being, and quality of life of our residents depend greatly upon the dedication, professionalism, and integrity of the men and women who serve our law enforcement community. And whereas Officer Selena Ramos began her employment with the City of Gulfport Police Department in 2018 and has consistently demonstrated exemplary commitment to the mission and the values of her department through outstanding service, leadership, and accountability. And whereas Officer Ramos has distinguished herself as one of the agency's strongest field training officers, maintaining training documentation that is widely regarded as unparalleled in its accuracy, thoroughness, and professionalism. And by not only meeting but evaluating, uh excuse me, elevating the standards of the field training program. And whereas she has shown a genuine investment in the development and mentorship of new officers, taking personal ownership of their success and directly contributing to the overall strength and future of the department. And whereas Officer Ramos has demonstrated notable growth and competence while serving as an acting sergeant on the Charlie shift, effectively balancing supervisory responsibilities alongside her primary duties with adaptability, sound judgment, and leadership potential. And whereas she has consistently volunteered to cover shifts, often on short notice and beyond normal expectations, while maintaining exceptional performance, a positive attitude, and an engaging presence that strengthens both her squad and the department as a whole. Whereas in recognition of her dedication, professionalism, leadership, and work ethic, the command staff has selected Officer Selena Remos as the 2025 Officer of the Year. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that the City Council of the City of Gulfport does hereby recognize and commend Officer Selena Ramos for her outstanding service and dedication to the community and proudly congratulates her upon being named 2025 Officer of the Year.
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