The Gulfport City Council met on July 7, 2026, to discuss a range of topics including a presentation on an AARP grant, public comments, reports from city officials, various ordinances and resolutions, and new business items. Key actions included the passage of ordinances amending pension definitions (with one dissenting vote), approval of multiple resolutions, and consensus to explore new initiatives.
Good evening, folks. I am going to call to order our council meeting for what's today, July seventh, I think. July seventh, twenty twenty-six. So that would be helpful to us. So with that, we'll go ahead and um do a roll. I called it to order. So we will go ahead and start with the invocation by Council Member Jennifer Donch, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. So if you may, please rise. Thank you. Okay. Roll call if you will. Councilmember Donch here. Vice Mayor Shaw. Present. Councilmember Webb. Present. Councilmember Early. Present. Mayor Love. Here. City Attorney Salzman. Here. City Manager O'Reilly. Deputy City Clerk Hartman is present. All right. So tonight we're gonna start with a presentation, and it's gonna be given by our own Rachel Cotolbo from the Senior Center. Good evening. Hi, good evening. Yes, I was asked to come and speak about item number six C on your agenda and give you a little background about that grant. So AARP announced that five organizations across Hillsborough, Polk, and Pinells County have received the 2026 Community Grant Challenge. Community Challenge Grant. Sorry. Marking the program's 10th anniversary, these grants are part of an $8.3 million commitment by AARP, doubling last year's total to fund 750 quick action projects nationwide, aimed at making communities more livable for people of all ages, especially older adults. With tonight's acceptance of the AARP grant in the amount of $14,982, which is on tonight's agenda. The Discover Gulf Port Walking Trail System will receive clearer signage and accessibility features along nine miles of routes. This includes directional signage, trail names, map boards, QR codes for digital maps, and handrails where they are needed most. And we look forward to seeing everyone in November at the mayor's second annual walk where we will be showing off all the improvements. Thank you. That's really exciting. It is, and they they received one more thing. They received 5,100 applications across the nation. And so they only get gifted five uh 750. So it was good. Wow, so they really did like your your program then. Very good. Thank you for sharing that with us. Appreciate it. All righty, and then we'll move on to um let me get back up here. Um public comment. So during public comment, you're welcome to come up here.