Gulfport City Council Meeting – April 21, 2026

The Gulfport City Council met on April 21, 2026, to address a wide range of issues including public concerns about utility contractor disruptions and beach renovations, a contentious vote on the Lions Club lease payout, approval of multiple resolutions for the mooring field expansion, a presentation on the capital improvement program, and revisions to council meeting rules. The meeting lasted over three hours and concluded with several key decisions.

Consent Calendar

• Meeting minutes from April 7, 2026, approved unanimously.
• Resolution 2026-21 (accepting donations for a therapy dog for the fire department) approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rodney Berkheimer (Gulfport resident, 22-year volleyball veteran) thanked the city for renovated volleyball courts but expressed concern that the sand is littered with shells, concrete, glass, and wood, and that the underlayment was not properly prepared, leaving hard-packed areas beneath the surface.
• Tracy Calice (4640 27th Ave S) reported multiple incidents with utility contractors: Duke Energy tree trimming that cut back a large oak tree by half without permission after being told not to, and T-Mobile fiber optic work that damaged sprinkler systems, blocked driveways, and left residents without clear contact information. She asked for better notification and oversight.
• Jonathan McCoachy (2819 52nd St) proposed creating a permanent memorial or public display to recognize Gulfport's racist history and honor the struggle for freedom and dignity, suggesting the Tangerine Avenue and 49th Street site as a possible location.
• Ingrid Bredenberg (56th St S) invited the community to World Labyrinth Day on May 2 at Clymer Park, starting at noon with music and a labyrinth walk at 1 p.m.
• Berkeley Grimble (2701 56th St S) warned about the growing peacock population, noting that they damage cars, gardens, and pool screens, and wake residents at 5 a.m. He cited Longboat Key and Pinecrest as towns that implemented mitigation measures such as egg shaking, oiling, or vasectomies.
• Mary Hanrahan (7th Ave S) followed up on utility work, noting that the T-Mobile permit is a one-page document with only 6,402 feet of conduit and a 29-page construction drawing. She requested that the city send letters to affected property owners before work begins, and that contractors be more respectful and accountable for restoration.
• Dean Hay (5618 13th Ave S) provided an update on the Gulfport Environmental Team: 21 members, over 4,500 trees inventoried, a rack card on “Right Tree, Right Place” completed, and an Earth Day cleanup planned for April 23 at Clan Bayou. He presented an Earth Day flag to the city.
• Wolfgang Dininger (Beachway Park) reported on the April 11 Beyond the Beach Cleanup: 44 volunteers, including a group from Coca-Cola and students from St. Petersburg Catholic High School, collected 195 pounds of trash. The first swap-and-drop event was also a success. He urged council to support a second event in fall.
• E-Comment from Margaret Tober (open public comment): Noted that the welcome to Gulfport sign at 49th Street and Tangerine Avenue has significant history but no signage indicating that; requested a smaller sign with historical information.
• April Thanos (public comment on item 8A) argued that the Lions Club building is worth far less than appraised due to flood damage, lack of a new roof since 1997, mold, and asbestos. She questioned the validity of the club and urged council to delay payment until more questions are answered.
• Jonathan (public comment on 8A) supported the mayor's definition of fair market value but stated that prior flood damage and future flood risk are the most defining elements for any property near the Lions Club. He noted the SDE letter of 27% damage and argued that should be deducted from the building's value immediately.
• Lauren Stern (public comment on 8A) expressed gratitude for council's thoroughness, but noted unanswered questions about FEMA and insurance money received by the Lions Club, and the possibility that funds could be distributed among three officers if the organization disbands.
• Lenny (public comment on 8A) pointed out that the appraiser stated he did not account for hazardous materials, but asbestos is now known to be present and will cost the city to abate; this should reduce the building's value.
• Susan (public comment on 8A) thanked council for diligence, explained that a membership organization (Lions Club Inc.) requires membership vote to authorize expenditures, whereas a foundation can be controlled by three directors. She noted the hold harmless document signed by the foundation gives broad discretion to use funds for any 501(c)(3) activity, potentially splitting among directors.
• April Thanos (public comment on 8C) expressed frustration that the city has provided no data on the effectiveness of the managed services model for plan review and inspections (Cap Government Inc.), despite months of requests. She shared personal experience with permit processing times and errors.

Discussion Items

Lions Club Lease Payout (Item 8A) – Extended Debate

• City Attorney Salzman explained that the lease with Gulfport Lions Club Inc. terminated December 5, 2025, and the city is in breach of the 90-day payment provision. The lease requires payment to the Lions Club Inc., not its foundation. He recommended paying the Lions Club Inc. directly, as they are the party to the lease, and noted that the club's international governor confirmed the club is active with 28 members.
• City Manager O'Reilly noted that the MAI appraisal (February 2026) valued the building at $455,000 (average of cost approach $430,000 and sales comparison $480,000). The city would owe 50% of that, or $227,500, plus interest.
• Mayor Love defended the MAI appraisal, explaining that the appraiser properly excluded land value, used comps from lodges and halls across the state, and adjusted for age, condition, size, and zoning. She noted that public records show the building was dedicated in 1967, not 1950, and that the SDE letter from the storms was only 27%.
• Vice Mayor Shaw raised concerns about the appraisal not factoring in past flooding, future flood risk, mold, asbestos, and the lack of a new roof since 1997. She questioned whether the appraiser made independent inquiries about the building's condition.
• Councilmember Webb noted that the Lions Club Inc. was administratively dissolved on September 26, 2025, and reinstated only on April 1, 2026, and that the letters from the district governor and foundation lacked official letterhead and contained errors. She also pointed out that the release signed by the foundation would allow funds to be used for any purpose, possibly distributed among directors.
• Councilmember Donch supported Webb, saying that despite the lease, a lawsuit could be filed but the city would face attorney fees. She later withdrew her motion to approve the payment as originally drafted.
• After extensive discussion, Councilmember Early made a motion to approve payment of $227,500 to the Lions Club Inc., subject to: (1) an affidavit from Lions Club International verifying the club is a valid entity, and (2) a release approved by council before funds are paid. The motion passed 3-2 (Shaw and Donch opposed).

Lions Club Building Demolition (Item 8B)

• Resolution 2026-22 authorized an agreement for asbestos abatement and demolition of the Lions Club building at 4630 Tifton Drive S. Approved unanimously.

Managed Services Payment (Item 8C)

• Resolution 2026-23 authorized payment to Cap Government Inc. for plan review and inspections (October 2025 – March 2026) with a budget amendment. Approved unanimously.

Vet Sports Volleyball Series (Item 8D)

• Resolution 2026-24 approved a series of one-day beach volleyball tournaments over the next few months, with temporary suspension of certain code provisions. Mayor Love noted positive observations from the first event regarding parking and beach rules, but suggested music volume be adjusted away from businesses. Approved unanimously.

Mooring Field Expansion – Phase 1 (Items 8E, 8F, 8G)

• Resolution 2026-25 authorized a scope of services agreement with Peggy Matthews Environmental Consulting for phase 1 project management (environmental surveys, easement surveys, seagrass studies) for expanding the mooring field from 25 to 100 moorings. Harbormaster Dennis Frain explained that the seagrass study must be done in June; he also noted that the expansion could include power boats (currently restricted to sailboats) pending new permits from the Army Corps.
• Resolution 2026-26 authorized a contract with Serve Tech Solutions for multi-beam bathymetric and SSL easement surveys.
• Resolution 2026-27 authorized a contract with Environmental Consultants of Florida for a benthic resource survey.
• All three mooring field resolutions passed unanimously.

Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget FY 2026-2027 (Item 9A)

• City Manager O'Reilly presented the proposed CIP budget, highlighting priorities: senior center (with a $3 million ask from Congresswoman Luna), stormwater management, and 49th Street projects. The plan includes $400,000 for street paving (12th year), $100,000 for sidewalk replacement in Zone 8 (near the elementary school), $100,000 for the private sewer lateral/water line program, $447,264 for debt service on sanitary sewer loans, and funds for a dog run at Tomlinson Park. The waterfront redevelopment district fund balance will be used for a living shoreline at Veterans Park and a feasibility study for hardening the casino seawall.
• Councilmember Webb asked about potential impacts on the Penny for Pinellas sales tax if property taxes are reduced; O'Reilly said that focus has been on property tax impacts, but he would begin conversations with the county.
• Councilmember Donch noted that the current stormwater spending represents only about 20% of the priority and questioned whether the city should consider a stormwater enterprise fund or fee increase to address the $78 million in needed drainage projects. O'Reilly said the annual rate study in June would include that discussion.
• No formal action was taken; the CIP is a working document for future budget adoption.

Council Rules and Policies (Item 9B)

• Council discussed and reached consensus on several amendments to the rules:
  1. Workshops: Council will schedule a monthly workshop (day to be determined) with the ability to cancel if no business. Public comment at workshops will be “may be permitted” following council discussion (changed from “will be permitted”).
  2. E-comments and public comments: The city clerk will note whether a commenter is a Gulfport resident, non-resident, or Gulfport business owner (rather than requiring full address). All e-comments will be read before closing public comment.
  3. Council comments: Individual council member comments limited to 5 minutes with an automatic 5-minute extension if needed.
  4. New Business: Will be handled via formal motion and second.
  5. Consent agenda items removed: Will be taken up immediately after the consent agenda under “Items removed from consent,” unless directed otherwise.
  6. Question and debate sequence: A period for additional council questions to staff (only) will be added after public comment and before the final vote, to allow clarification on issues raised during public testimony.
  7. Censure provisions: City Attorney Salzman indicated he is working on a draft based on a model from another city and will bring it back.

Key Outcomes

• Lions Club Lease Payout: Approved 3-2 (Early, Webb, Love in favor; Shaw, Donch opposed) contingent on an official affidavit from Lions Club International and a council-approved release before payment.
• Asbestos Abatement & Demolition of Lions Club Building: Approved unanimously.
• Payment to Cap Government Inc.: Approved unanimously.
• Vet Sports Volleyball Series: Approved unanimously.
• Mooring Field Expansion Phase 1 (three contracts): All approved unanimously.
• CIP Budget: Presented for discussion; no vote taken.
• Council Rules: Consensus reached on multiple amendments; staff directed to incorporate changes and bring final version for adoption at a future meeting.
• Earth Day Flag: Council agreed to fly the donated Earth Day flag on April 22, 2026.
• Forward Pinellas Meeting: Councilmember Webb was appointed as designee for the next meeting in the mayor's absence.