Gulfport City Council Meeting – April 7, 2026: Proclamations, Stetson Rezoning Concerns, Click Fix Launch, Vice Mayor Election, and July 4th Fireworks Approved
Gulfport City Council Meeting – April 7, 2026
The Gulfport City Council convened on April 7, 2026, for a regular meeting that featured presentations, public comments, resolutions, and new business. Key highlights included a proclamation honoring 17-year-old racing driver Nikita Johnson, a demonstration of the new Click Fix citizen service request portal, extensive public testimony about Stetson University’s proposed rezoning of a residential block, the election of Councilmember Marlene Shaw as Vice Mayor, and approval of the annual July 4th fireworks display. Several council consensuses directed staff actions on speed limits, parking signage, and a pro‑bono parking study.
Consent Calendar
- Meeting Minutes: Approved minutes from March 17 and March 26, 2026 (unanimous).
- Resolution 2026‑13: Authorized payment to the City of St. Petersburg for 49th Street Corridor phase one improvements (unanimous).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Stetson University Rezoning: Multiple residents from 12th Avenue South and surrounding areas voiced concerns about Stetson’s plan to rezone the block between 12th and 13th Avenues from residential (R1A) to institutional. Speakers urged transparency, early notification, and consideration of impacts on property values, traffic, flooding, and neighborhood character. They requested a community meeting and emphasized that Stetson has not yet submitted a formal application. (Speakers: Cheryl Siegel, David Bodensted, Barbara Northsay, Mike Boucher, John Beebe, Ken Butler, Janet Kittlau Butler via e‑comment, and Mary Jane Winstead via e‑comment.)
- Tangerine Avenue Traffic: Mike Wells, a volunteer at the senior center, requested changing Tangerine Avenue to one‑way traffic to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians.
- Lions Club Appraisal: Jonathan McCoachy argued that the appraisal of the Lions Club building is flawed because it does not account for flood risks and required flood insurance, potentially reducing property value by over $200,000.
- Gas Prices and City Services: Laura Oldini raised concerns about how rising gas prices (over $4/gallon) may impact delivery of city services and resource allocation.
- Dog Show and Art: Julie Armstrong announced the dog show will be taken down April 14, and a new bird art exhibit will be installed April 17.
- E‑Comments: Included a records complaint against Mayor Love (Deborah Schufs), a request for public restrooms near Charlie Market Square (David Shiner), a question about the Looper trolley (Margaret Tober), and a comment about city advertising in Gulfport Living magazine.
Presentations
- Proclamation for Nikita Johnson: Councilmember Webb read a proclamation honoring 17‑year‑old Nikita Johnson for winning the Indy NXT by Firestone race at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, leading all 42 laps. Johnson spoke about his 12 years of training and upcoming races, including a chance to become the youngest driver to win three Indy NXT races.
- Click Fix Citizen Service Request Portal: Public Works Director Kendrick Anderson demonstrated the new Click Fix portal, a service request system allowing residents to report issues (flooding, potholes, code enforcement, etc.) via the web. The system integrates with the city’s PSD asset management system to generate work orders. It includes an AI moderation feature and allows public tracking of requests. The soft launch is live, with full promotion to follow.
Discussion Items
- Stetson Rezoning Process: Councilmember Webb reported that she met with Stetson’s dean on April 6. Stetson has only had preliminary conversations about rezoning; no application has been filed. The process requires multiple steps: Planning and Zoning Board, City Council, forward Pinellas, County Commission, and state approval. The dean agreed to host a community meeting on May 8, 2026, 6–7 p.m. at Stetson. Councilmember Webb requested council consent to hold a town hall (granted).
- Lions Club Appraisal and Payment: City Attorney Salzman reported that the city is waiting for documentation to determine who is authorized to receive the Lions Club funds. If not resolved by the next meeting, he will ask council to file a declaratory action in court. He also promised to address appraisal rumors.
- Council Policies and Procedures: A discussion of council policies was tabled to the next meeting due to a councilmember’s computer issues.
Key Outcomes
- Vice Mayor Election (Resolution 2026‑14): Councilmember Shaw nominated herself for Vice Mayor; the motion was seconded and approved by roll‑call vote: 4–1 (Mayor Love voted no). Councilmember Shaw will serve as Vice Mayor.
- Board of Adjustment Alternate (Resolution 2026‑15): Richard Gluck reappointed as alternate (unanimous).
- Planning & Zoning Board Alternate (Resolution 2026‑16): Aaron East appointed as alternate (unanimous).
- July 4th Fireworks (Resolution 2026‑17): Contract with Pyro Productions for a 20‑minute fireworks display at $38,000 approved 4–1 (Mayor Love voted no). Costs for security, sanitation, and closures are absorbed by city operations. The celebration will also include a parade, games, food, and a time‑capsule unveiling.
- Vet Sports Beach Volleyball Tournament (Resolution 2026‑18): Spring tournament approved unanimously. Vet Sports is a nonprofit for veterans; the event includes men’s/women’s doubles and junior divisions.
- Personnel Manual Revisions (Resolution 2026‑19): Approved unanimously, covering on‑call pay, bereavement, education incentives, blood donor, emergency preparedness, and DUI policy.
- Budget Amendment (Resolution 2026‑20): Approved unanimously, restructuring fire department (replacing firefighter with paramedic) and streets/sanitation (eliminating assistant public works director, creating streets and sanitation supervisor).
- New Business Consensuses:
- Host Suncoast League of Cities lunch on May 7, 2026, at 49th Street Neighborhood Center (consensus).
- Direct city manager to reduce speed limit to 20 mph on Beach Boulevard and Shore Boulevard (consensus).
- Remove all remaining resident‑only parking signs south of 28th Avenue to Shore Boulevard between 56th and 58th Streets (consensus).
- Submit application to CPAT pro bono group for a parking study of downtown area; study scope includes effects on small business deliveries, sanitation, postal service, and angled parking options (consensus).
- Proceed with a call for artists to design a new colorful welcome sign at the entrance to the city (49th Street at 18th Avenue), with further details on criteria and compensation to be brought back to council.
The meeting adjourned approximately four hours after it began.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome and thank you for coming to our April 7th uh city council meeting. I see a lot of good faces out there and a few new faces out there. I'm glad everybody made it. I think we were expecting more rain than what we what we got so far. So what I'm doing is I'm calling the meeting to order, and we're gonna start with the invocation by Councilmember Shaw that will be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, so I'm going to ask it everybody's stand. Spring is a season that reminds us of growth and new beginnings. In many ways, the work we do here is no different. Every decision we make plants a seed, and with care, collaboration, and patience, those seeds shape not only our shared present, but the future of our community. One nation. Before we do roll call, let me just ask everybody if there's any chance whatsoever that your phone is on or notifications are on, or volumes on. If you'd please turn them off, I'd appreciate it. Thank you. Councilmember Shaw. Present. Council Member Webb. Present. Councilmember Early? Present. Councilmember Donch? Here. Mayor Love. Here. City Attorney Salzman. Here. City Manager O'Reilly. Here. City Clerk Carico is present. Thank you. So tonight we start with two presentations, and our first presentation is going to be to Mr. Nikita Johnson. And we have a proclamation that Councilmember Shaw is going to read. And we have a proclamation that's gonna be read by Councilmember Webb, my apologies. Oh, thank you, Mayor. And this is a proclamation honoring Nikita Johnson, whereas Nikita Johnson at just 17 years of age has demonstrated exceptional talent, discipline, and determination, well beyond his years, embodying the very best qualities of elite athletes and personal excellence. And whereas as a proud resident of Gulfport, Florida, Nikita Johnson represents the spirit, character, and ambition of our community, serving as an inspiration through his dedication to his craft, his craft, and his unwavering pursuit of greatness. And whereas Nikita Johnson's journey to success has been marked by years of rigorous training, personal sacrifice, and steadfast commitment, reflecting a maturity and work ethic that that distinguishes him as a rising figure in the world of competitive competitive motorsports, and whereas his remarkable accomplishment and winning the Indy next by Firestone race at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, leading all 42 laps after a fearless outside pass on the very first turn on the opening lap demonstrates an extraordinary combination of technical mastery, physical conditioning, strategic acumen, split section second decision making, and disciplined preparation, bringing great pride and honor to the city of Gulfport. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that the City Council of the City of Gulfport does hereby recognize and commend Nikita Johnson for his outstanding achievements, remarkable talent talent, and inspiring example to our community, and proudly congratulates him on his exceptional victory and continued success. Be it further proclaimed that the City Council encourages all residents to embrace the pursuit of competitive athletics and positive disciplined risk taking as vital to the healthy develop development of young people in celebration of Nikita Johnson and directs a copy of this proclamation to be presented as a lasting symbol of the city's pride and admiration. Come on up. It's not every day you have an elite athlete in your meds and seven people. And his team is awesome. There you go. Excellent. Come on in, everyone. If you can't see me here, but I can I can't see you. Mayor, would you like to be in the center, please? Come on. Congratulations very much. Thank you so much, y'all, for joining us today.
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