The Gulfport City Council held its regular meeting on March 17, 2026, beginning with the swearing-in of newly elected council members Jennifer Webb (Ward 3) and Jennifer Donch (Ward 1). The meeting featured extensive public comment, a consent calendar with routine approvals, discussion on vice mayor selection and council policies/procedures, and new business items including a proposal to recognize a local teenager. No binding votes occurred beyond the consent calendar, which passed unanimously.
Hmm, I wonder why we're all gathered here tonight. Not only do we are we all gathered here, I see so many joyous smiling faces, so that's really exciting. So I officially call our March seventeenth twenty twenty six meeting to order, and with that we will move on to the swearing in oath of office for our newly elected officials. If I could have Council Member Webb and Councilmember Donch join me in front of the seal, please, as well as if your spouses would like to join you. And you can stand in front of us and you're gonna be there. Okay. As a recipient of public funds, as such officer that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the state of Florida, and that I will, in all respects, observe the provisions of the Charter and the ordinances of the city of Gulfport. I do. May we may we speak with integrity, with serve with humility and disagree without division. Let us our perspective sharpen us, not separate us so that together we can accomplish what none of us could alone. Let every decision reflect our shared commitment to the people and the trust they place in us. We must lead without ego, guided by service and principle, letting the needs and voices of the community shape our choices. Let us guard ourselves from pride that divides and from habits that favor comfort over community. Let us hold fast to the courage to choose principle over popularity, progress over politics, statesmanship over showmanship, and collaboration over competition. Now, may we serve without hesitation. Let this term be remembered, not for who was right, but for what we made better together. Amen. And to the Republicans, sounds good. Roll call, please. Councilmember Donch here. Councilmember Shaw. Present. Councilmember Webb. Present. Councilmember Early? Present. Mayor Love. Present. City Attorney Salzman. Here. City Manager O'Reilly. Here. City Clerk Carico is present. Very good. And today, because of the swearing in, we do not have any presentations on the agenda. So with that, we will move directly to public comment. For those of you that have not been here in the past, just remember you can speak about anything that you'd like that's not on the agenda. And you have three minutes, and we ask that you give your name and your address before you speak. So let me see a show of hands, and I'll try and call you up. Dean, I saw you first. P.S. I love all the green out there. Hello, my name is Dean Have. My address is 5618 13th Avenue South. I wanted to first say personally that I'm happy that we continue to have a progressive uh council in front of us. And is it your birthday, Madam Mayor? Yeah. Oh, happy birthday to you as well. I'm one of the founders of the Gulfport Environmental Team. And I just wanted to provide a progress update for you.