OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Gulfport City Council Meeting - July 7, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, July 7, 2026
BodyGulfport, Mississippi
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, July 7, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:08:50

Transcript — Verbatim
8:56

Good evening, folks.

8:59

I am going to call to order our council meeting for what's today, July seventh, I think.

9:06

July seventh, twenty twenty-six.

9:32

So that would be helpful to us.

9:34

So with that, we'll go ahead and um do a roll.

9:38

I called it to order.

9:39

So we will go ahead and start with the invocation by Council Member Jennifer Donch, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

9:46

So if you may, please rise.

10:16

Thank you.

10:20

Okay.

10:20

Roll call if you will.

10:22

Councilmember Donch here.

10:24

Vice Mayor Shaw.

10:25

Present.

10:26

Councilmember Webb.

10:27

Present.

10:28

Councilmember Early.

10:29

Present.

10:29

Mayor Love.

10:30

Here.

10:31

City Attorney Salzman.

10:32

Here.

10:32

City Manager O'Reilly.

10:34

Deputy City Clerk Hartman is present.

10:37

All right.

10:38

So tonight we're gonna start with a presentation, and it's gonna be given by our own Rachel Cotolbo from the Senior Center.

10:48

Good evening.

10:49

Hi, good evening.

10:50

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.

11:00

So AARP announced that five organizations across Hillsborough, Polk, and Pinells County have received the 2026 Community Grant Challenge.

11:10

Community Challenge Grant.

11:12

Sorry.

11:13

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.

11:34

With tonight's acceptance of the AARP grant in the amount of $14,982, which is on tonight's agenda.

11:43

The Discover Gulf Port Walking Trail System will receive clearer signage and accessibility features along nine miles of routes.

11:52

This includes directional signage, trail names, map boards, QR codes for digital maps, and handrails where they are needed most.

12:02

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.

12:11

Thank you.

12:11

That's really exciting.

12:13

It is, and they they received one more thing.

12:15

They received 5,100 applications across the nation.

12:20

And so they only get gifted five uh 750.

12:24

So it was good.

12:25

Wow, so they really did like your your program then.

12:29

Very good.

12:29

Thank you for sharing that with us.

12:31

Appreciate it.

12:33

All righty, and then we'll move on to um let me get back up here.

12:38

Um public comment.

12:40

So during public comment, you're welcome to come up here.

12:43

You give your name, the city that you reside in.

12:47

You have up to three minutes to talk about anything that you'd like, make your statement.

12:52

Um, it's not a give and take, and uh those people in the audience, we don't boo here and we don't applaud, all right.

12:59

But you can talk about anything that's not on the agenda.

13:02

If it's on the agenda, we'll do public comment at that time.

13:06

So, show of hands, please.

13:09

Yes, please.

13:10

Come on up.

13:14

Good evening.

13:14

My name is Emma Mujica, and I'm a resident of Gulfport of almost 10 years.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████████████████32%
Personnel Matters████████████12%
Community Engagement██████████10%
Legislative Update█████████9%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████9%
Homelessness███████7%
Environmental Protection████4%
Fiscal Sustainability████4%
Pending Litigation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Gulfport City Council Meeting - July 7, 2026

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.

Presentation

  • AARP Community Challenge Grant: Rachel Cotolbo from the Senior Center presented on a $14,982 grant from AARP for the Discover Gulfport Walking Trail System. The grant will fund clearer signage, directional signs, trail names, map boards, QR codes, and handrails along nine miles of routes. The city received the grant out of 5,100 applications nationwide. Improvements will be showcased at the mayor's second annual walk in November.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Emma Mujica (Gulfport resident) thanked the city for the 4th of July celebration and suggested adding a mister or water feature at Tomlinson Park for cooling.
  • Marilyn McClellan (resident) seconded the thanks and praised the council's civility.
  • Alan Yergovich (Madeira Beach, representing Kiwanis Club of Gulfport) thanked the city for facilitating Tomlinson Park for the Juneteenth celebration, noting collaboration with Fusion 49th.
  • Trey Johnson (Gabber reporter) announced that the Gabber newspaper has been saved for at least one year through monthly sponsorships and requested community input on coverage.
  • Laurel Old Ainey (9th Avenue South) highlighted that the Gulfport Library is the only library in Pinellas County with Brad Lancaster’s rainwater harvesting books and offered to connect the city with a local expert, Diane Willis.
  • April Thanos (resident) advocated for increasing the permeable surface requirement from 20% to 25% and considering variable stormwater fees based on permeable area, referencing drone and AI technology.
  • David Shiner (e-comment) opposed the mayor’s pageantry contest for a sign at Trolley Square, alleging the city neglects enforcement against camping in public rights-of-way.

Discussion Items

  • Time Capsule Opening: City Manager O’Reilly and Justin Shay presented items from the 1976 bicentennial time capsule, including a 1976-77 budget of $3 million, a $12 utility bill, and a pen set gifted to Mayor Love from former Mayor Yvonne Johnson. Items will be archived at the Gulfport History Museum.
  • City Attorney Report:
    • E-bikes: The governor vetoed the e-bike law; staff is preparing an ordinance for city regulations, potentially banning e-bikes in certain areas (e.g., downtown, waterfront) and during festivals.
    • O’Hara Lawsuit: The city will proceed with a civil action in small claims court after no response to a civil remedies notice. The process is expected to move quickly via mediation.
  • Councilmember Comments:
    • Councilmember Donch highlighted upcoming clam bayou invasive plant removal on July 11 and praised the Juneteenth and 4th of July events.
    • Vice Mayor Shaw reported on Suncoast League of Cities meetings (American Flood Coalition as free resource, Florida Resilient program), a proposed time capsule for 2050, and her emotional experience at the 4th of July celebration.
    • Councilmember Webb urged attendance at the Progress Pinellas community meeting on July 9 regarding school redistricting and commended Gulfport Elementary for achieving an A grade.
    • Councilmember Early promoted the Fusion 49th second Saturday event on July 11 and a 5K run on October 3 to benefit Operation Santa.
    • Mayor Love noted the success of the 4th of July parade, ongoing watering restrictions, and that 58th Street construction is expected to be completed by end of July. She also reported that the downtown traffic flow study has stalled.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved meeting minutes from June 16 and June 18, 2026.
  • Resolution 2026-40: Authorized funds for annual maintenance of the Andrews Technology UKG time and attendance system.
  • Resolution 2026-41: Authorized acceptance of the $14,982 AARP Community Challenge Grant for the walking trail system. All consent items passed unanimously.

Ordinances

  • Ordinance 2026-05 (Second reading): Amended the comprehensive plan to add housing element policies 1.4.3 and 1.4.4 regarding accessory dwelling units. Passed 5-0.
  • Ordinance 2026-06 (Second reading): Amended Chapter 15, Article 6 (general employees pension) to clarify credited service for workers’ compensation leave. Councilmember Donch voted no, arguing that eliminating contributions during workers’ comp could weaken pension fund solvency. Passed 4-1.
  • Ordinance 2026-07 (Second reading): Amended police officers' pension definitions for consistency. Passed 4-1 (Donch dissenting).
  • Ordinance 2026-08 (Second reading): Amended firefighters' pension definitions for consistency. Passed 4-1 (Donch dissenting).

Resolutions

  • Resolution 2026-42: Authorized payment to CAP Government Inc. for building inspection services for May 2026. Passed unanimously.
  • Resolution 2026-43: Renewed employee health insurance with Florida Health Trust/Florida Blue for FY 26-27 at a 1.5% increase. Passed unanimously.
  • Resolution 2026-44: Renewed life and AD&D insurance with Standard Insurance Company at a reduced rate (decrease of $0.08 per $1,000 coverage). Passed unanimously.
  • Resolution 2026-45: Renewed long-term disability insurance with Standard Insurance Company at a reduced rate (decrease of $0.02 per $100 of covered payroll). Passed unanimously.
  • Resolution 2026-46: Established rules and procedures for council meeting decorum and public comment, including a written warning for first violations and provisions for investigations. Passed unanimously.
  • Resolution 2026-47: Authorized an interlocal agreement with DRC Emergency Services and AshBritt Inc. for disaster debris collection and removal at $24 per cubic yard (up from $8), including sand collection. Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Consensus to schedule a workshop in September to discuss downtown parking and car dwellers, with input from the social worker.
  • Consensus to place on a future agenda the consideration of a resolution to join the American Flood Coalition (free membership) and a discussion on prohibiting personal fireworks in clam bayou preserve and Osgood point.
  • Consensus to prepare a proclamation recognizing the Juvenile Welfare Board’s 80th anniversary.
  • Consensus for Councilmember Webb to research the “City of Kindness” designation and report back.
  • Councilmember Shaw will present the previously passed resolution supporting Gulfport Elementary at the Progress Pinellas meeting on July 9.
  • Directive to the city attorney to prepare an e-bike ordinance and proceed with small claims action on the O’Hara lawsuit.

Meeting Transcript

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.

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