City Council Meeting

>> GOOD EVENING, I CALLED THE MAY 6 , 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO ORDER. WE WILL START WITH THE INVOCATION BY COUNCILMEMBER COSI JACKSON FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. PLEASE STAND. >> I WANT THE INDICATION TODAY TO REFLECT MOTHER'S DAY, WHICH IS COMING ON SUNDAY, SO WE DON'T FORGET . AS WE GATHER TODAY, LET'S PAUSE AND HONOR THE SPIRIT OF MOTHER'S DAY, MEDAL CELEBRATION OF MOTHERS BY BIRTH BUT BY REVERENCE FOR THE MANY FORMS OF MOTHERING TAKES IN OUR LIVES AND COMMUNITIES. -- WITH THE WOLVES, WROTE, YOU ARE BORN TO ONE MOTHER BUT IF YOU'RE LUCKY, YOU'LL HAVE MORE THAN ONE AND AMONG THEM ALL, YOU WILL FIND MOST OF WHAT YOU NEED, SOME OF US MOTHER THREE WORDS, OTHERS ARE SILENT, SOME JUST HOW TO LEAD , HOW TO SERVE, HOW TO STAND TALL. THE MOTHER ENFORCED NOT LIMITED TO HOUSEHOLD OR TITLE, IT MOVES THE CARE, COURAGE, TRUTH TELLING, AND PROTECTION. IT LIVES IN CLASSROOMS AND COUNCIL CHAMBERS, IN FRONT OF PORCHES AND QUIET MOMENTS OF MENTORSHIP. TODAY WE HONOR ALL THOSE THAT MOTHERED OTHERS BY SIMPLY CHOOSING TO SHOW UP AND MAY WE CARRY THAT SAME SPIRIT AND THE WORK THAT WE DO TOGETHER, THANKS. >>'S A SPAR I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. >> ROLL CALL. >> COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON. COUNCILMEMBER EARLEY. VICE MAYOR THANOS. COUNCILMEMBER SHAW, MAYOR LOVE. CITY ATTORNEY SALZMAN. CITY MANAGER O'REILLY. CITY CLERK IS PRESENT. >> HERE. PRESENT. >> WE HAVE SEVERAL PRESENTATIONS TONIGHT AND WE WILL START, THERE YOU ARE, CHIEF, WE WILL START WITH NARCAN PRESENTATION OR DEMONSTRATION. I SPECIFICALLY ASKED THAT HE WOULD TURN AROUND AND GIVE THE PRESENTATION TO THE AUDIENCE. THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, COUNCIL EVERYONE HERE. WE HAVE MULTIPLE NARCAN PROGRAM OVERDOSE PROTECTION OUT IN THE COMMUNITY. PROGRAM RUN THROUGH PINELLAS COUNTY, NOT ONLY DO WE OFFER NARCAN KITS , WE ALSO OFFER ANYBODY THAT WE GO TO , THAT OVERDOSES THAT WE BRING BACK FROM NARCAN, WE OFFER THEM REHAB . THE WAY IT WORKS, THEY DON'T WANT TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL, WE HAVE THEM SIGN A REFUSAL, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET HELP, IF THEY SAY YES, WE HAVE THEM SIGN AND WITHIN 24 HOURS, A PLAYFUL CONTACT THEM AND HOPEFULLY GET THEM INTO THE PROGRAM. THE REASON I'M HERE TODAY IS TO SHOW THE NARCAN KITS THAT WE DO OFFER, THESE NARCAN KITS CAN BE PICKED UP AT OUR STATION. THROUGHOUT THE COMMITTEE INCLUDING FRIDAY OUR WALKS, WE HAVE THEM THERE AS WELL. YOU CAN COME TO OUR STATION AND GET ONE OF THESE OR ANY FIRE STATION IN PINELLAS COUNTY, IT DOES NOT ONLY HAVE TO BE OUR STATION. I WANT TO SHOW WHAT IT COMES IN, IT COMES INSIDE A CASE. INSIDE THIS, YOU WILL HAVE THE ACTUAL NARCAN AND HERE, IT IS TWO DOSES. YOU DON'T GET -- GIVE BOTH OF THEM AT ONCE, YOU GET ONE FIRST AND WAIT THREE MINUTES AND SEE IF IT HAS EFFECT ON THE PERSON, IF NOT, GIVE THEM A SECOND DOSE. A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK IT IS HARD TO DO BUT IT IS NOT. IT PRETTY MUCH COMES IN LITTLE CASE LIKE THIS AND IT GOES INTO THE NOSTRIL, NO NEEDLES, NOTHING. PULL IT OUT OF THE BOX, PUT IT INTO THE PERSON'S NOSE AND PUSH DOWN ON THE RED THING AND IT SQUIRTS INTO THEIR NOSE. THE WAY THAT NARCAN WORKS, IT ATTACHES TO OPIOID RECEPTORS IN THE BRAIN BLOCKING THE OPIOID FROM GETTING INTO THEIR BRAIN AND KEEPING THEM BREATHING IS WHAT IT DOES. IT HAS NO EFFECT ON ANYBODY, IF SOMEBODY DID NOT OVERDOSE AND YOU GIVE IT TO THEM, IT IS A MEDICAL ISSUE, IT WILL NOT CAUSE THEM ANY ISSUES SO NO HARMFUL EFFECTS FROM THIS AT ALL. YOU GET TWO OF THESE KITS, ASIDE FROM THAT, YOU WILL HAVE GLOVES, IT COMES WITH A PAIR OF GLOVES AS WELL. AND IT HAS A FACE SHIELD SO IF YOU WANT TO GIVE OXYGEN, YOU KNOW, MOUTH-TO-MOUTH TO SOMEONE, I DON'T RECOMMEND DOING THAT BUT IT IS THERE IF SOMEONE IT IS YOU KNOW , YOU HAVE IT. THERE ARE TWO PAMPHLETS INSIDE, ONE OF THEM WILL GIVE YOU THE FULL INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO USE IT, WHAT TO DO, FIVE BASIC STEPS, THE FIRST STEP IS TO SHOUT AND SHAKE THE PERSON, ARE YOU OKAY? NO MOVEMENT OR ANYTHING, CALL NINE AND ONE OR GET SOMEONE TO CALL 911. ADMINISTER THE NARCAN AND START CPR. IF WITHIN THREE MINUTES OF CPR YOU SEEN A REACTION, TAKE THE OTHER NARCAN AND SQUIRT INTO THE NOSTRIL AGAIN. THAT IS WHAT YOU DO. IN PINELLAS COUNTY, WE ARE LUCKY BECAUSE FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARE CLOSE BY SO THE AVERAGE RESPONSE TIME FOR OUR AREA IS ABOUT FIVE MINUTES. BY THE TIME YOU GIVE THE TWO NARCANS, WE SHOULD GET THERE. THE OTHER PAMPHLET PRETTY MUCH GIVES RESOURCES. YOU CAN HAND THIS TO THE PERSON OR WHATEVER AND SEE IF THEY WANT HELP THERE AT ONE OF THE BIGGEST QUESTIONS WE GET WHENEVER WE DO A PRESENTATION ON NARCAN IS, IF THE PERSON OVERDOSES AND YOU GIVE THEM THE NARCAN AND THEY WAKE UP, DO WE STILL CALL 911? YES, YOU DO STILL CALL 911. THE REASON FOR THAT IS NARCAN ONLY STAYS IN YOUR SYSTEM 30 TO 90 MINUTES MAX. A LOT OF THE OPIATES THAT PEOPLE TAKE, THEY ARE SYNTHETIC SO THEY STAY IN YOUR SYSTEM A LOT LONGER. WHAT COULD HAPPEN, YOU COULD GIVE THEM THE NARCAN, THEY ARE FINE, ABOUT AN HOUR LATER WHEN THIS GETS OUT OF THEIR SYSTEM , THEY COULD OVERDOSE AND MAY NOT COME OUT OF IT THAT TIME. WE ALWAYS DO SUGGEST CALLING 911, EVEN IF THE PERSON IS AWAKE. PEOPLE ALWAYS ASK, DO I NEED THESE? NO ONE IN MY FAMILY IS AN ADDICT. IT IS GOOD TO HAVE, IT NOT ONLY HELPS SOMEONE BUT GIVE SOMEONE A CHANCE THAT LIFE. WE HAVE MANY CHANCES WE GO FOR AN OVERDOSE, WE GET THERE AND THE PERSON IS AWAKE AND WE SEE THE SAME EXACT KIT WE HAVE GIVEN THEM ON THE COUNTER . ALTHOUGH YOU MAY BE GOING OVER AND OVER AND GIVING THEM NARCAN AND NARCAN, YOU KEEP DOING THAT, THE ONE TIME THEY NEED HELP AND IT COULD CHANGE THAT PERSON'S LIFE FOREVER. WE HAVE HAD THEM IN THE PAST WHERE WE ADMINISTERED THIS AND THEY HAVE TAKEN THE HELP THAT WE OFFER THEM AND THEY HAVE GONE TO REHAB AND WE HAVE NEVER SEEN THEM AGAIN. NOT EVERYBODY WILL BE A SUCCESS STORY BUT YOU'RE GIVING THAT PERSON THAT EXTRA CHANCE . LIKE I SAID, THESE ARE AVAILABLE AT OUR STATION, FEEL FREE TO SWING BY ANYTIME YOU WANT, WE KEEP THEM THERE. IT IS A GOOD THING TO HAVE, EVEN IF YOU HAVE IT IN YOUR CAR, ANYWHERE YOU HAVE IT , ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE. THAT IS PRETTY MUCH IT. THANK YOU. >> GO FOR IT. SPIN I KEEP NARCAN IN MY CAR, IT IS REALLY HOT. AM I AFFECTING THE NARCAN BY KEEPING IT IN A HOT ENVIRONMENT AND IS THERE AN EXPIRATION DATE ? SPIN IT IS BETTER TO KEEP AT ROOM TEMPERATURE BUT IT WILL STILL WORK AND THEY DO HAVE AN EXPIRATION DATE. EACH ONE WILL HAVE INDIVIDUAL EXPIRATION DATE, THESE ARE JUNE 2026 TO HAVE TO KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE EXPIRATION DATE, THEY DO EXPIRE. >> VERY GOOD AREA >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING AND PRESENTING. ARE NEXT PRESENTATION TONIGHT IS A PROCLAMATION SO IF HOWARD BUSCH COULD WANDER UP TOWARD THE FRONT, WE WOULD APPRECIATE IT. RIGHT DOWN THERE WILL BE GOOD. IF YOU DID NOT KNOW, WE'VE GOT NATIONAL BOATING WEEK COMING UP. IT IS MY HONOR AS MAYOR TO RECOGNIZE NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK WITH THIS PROCLAMATION. A TIME DEDICATED TO RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT BOATING SAFETY AND ENCOURAGING RESPONSIBLE PRACTICES ON THE WATER. SAFE BOATING SAVES LIVES AND THE EFFORTS OF DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS LIKE THE U.S. COAST GUARD ANCILLARY, FLOTILLA 716 MAKER REAL DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND HANDS-ON LEADERSHIP, THEIR COMMITMENT REMINDS US THAT PREPARATION, VILLAGES AND A LIFE JACKET CAN BE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GREAT DAY ON THE WATER AND A TOTAL TRAGEDY. THEREFORE, I, KAREN LOVE, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF GULFPORT HEREBY SUPPORT THE GOALS OF THE SAFE BOATING CAMPAIGN AND TO PROCLAIM MAY 17 TO MAY 23, 2025 AS NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK IN THE START OF THE YEAR ROUND EFFORT TO SUPPORT SAFE BOATING. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU. VERY BRIEFLY , MAYOR LOVE , COUNCILMEMBERS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE CITIZENS OF GULFPORT , GATEWAY TO THE GULF, THAT IS WHO WE ARE. BOATING, FISHING, SWIMMING ARE PART OF A RECREATIONAL LIFESTYLE WITH OVER 100 MILLION VOTERS -- NATIONWIDE , CONGRESS REQUESTED THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES REQUEST A SEVEN DAY PERIOD BEFORE MEMORIAL DAY NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK . LAST YEAR, DUE TO THE VOLUNTEER EFFORTS OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY, POWER SQUADRONS , AND OTHERS , DEATH RATES AND BOATING ACCIDENTS DECREASED BY OVER 14%. UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AFFILIATE 716 IN GULFPORT, FLORIDA HAS BEEN HERE 61 YEARS AREA THIS PROCLAMATION RAISES AWARENESS AND OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFE BOATING WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY FOR NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK. WE PLAN ON BEING AT THE GULFPORT MARINA ON THE WEEKENDS OF SAFE BOATING WEEK. I HAVE ALREADY TALKED TO DENNIS, THE DOCK MASTER, HE SAYS, HOWARD, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU NEED? WITH THAT, WE WILL BE SETTING UP A BOOTH AND WE DO VESSEL INSPECTIONS THOSE WEEKENDS AND HOPEFULLY BE ABLE TO PROMOTE MORE SAFE BOATING IN THE GULFPORT AREA. GULFPORT IS ONE OF THE FEW CITIES IN AMERICA WHERE YOU CAN GO TO YOUR TUESDAY MARKET AND RUN INTO THE MAYOR AND HAVE A CONVERSATION. WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK YOU. >> OUR THIRD PRESENTATION TONIGHT WILL BE GIVEN BY A SPECIAL OPERATIONS SERGEANT , ROBERT BURKHART AND OFFICER KEVIN CHASTAIN, IF YOU WILL COME ON UP. >> MAYOR AND COUNCIL, IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE TONIGHT. IT FEELS LIKE IT HAS BEEN MENTIONED , NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK SORT OF ALSO SEGUES INTO HURRICANE WEEK. AS WE KNOW, LAST YEAR WE ENDURED SEVERAL HURRICANES AND TROPICAL STORMS AND SEVERAL HURRICANES IMPACTED OUR COASTLINE PRETTY SIGNIFICANTLY. I GUESS, I'M ASSUMING, PEOPLE REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON, ON THE WATER AND CLEANUP. WITH THAT BEING SAID , LAST MAY, WHEN WE WERE BEGINNING FOR HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS, WENT OUT ON A MARINE UNIT AND PUT PLACARDS ON EVERY BOAT THAT WAS OUT THERE, ADVISING THEM OF HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS, SAFETY, WHAT TO DO TO EVACUATE. I WENT ON BEEN USED 9 AND CHANNEL 10 ADVISING RESIDENTS TO HEED THOSE WARNINGS. WHEN YOU SEE A BOAT OR STORM COMING OUT INTO THE BAY, YOU NEED TO GET AWAY AS FAST AS YOU CAN. AS THESE THREE STORMS HAVE PROVEN, NO ONE IS SAFE, I DON'T CARE HOW BIG YOUR BOAT IS, HOW SMALL YOUR BOAT IS, I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH THAT PEOPLE NEED TO EVACUATE AND SEEK SAFE HARBOR. WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE HAVE HAD THREE TERRIBLE STORMS, I HAVE BEEN HERE OFTEN ON MY WHOLE LIFE 30 YEARS AS A PERMANENT RESIDENT AND AS WE ALL KNOW, WE HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE AND I PRAY THAT WE NEVER SEE ANYTHING LIKE THAT AGAIN. THOSE THREE STORMS HAD CAUSED US AN AWFUL LOT OF WORK AND OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF MONEY TO CLEAN UP. I WAS GOING TO GO INTO SORT OF A PROCEDURE OF WHAT WE ARE DOING . SOME OF THE HEADACHES THAT CAUSED US , WITH THESE THREE STORMS IS, WE GOT DONE FROM TROPICAL STORM DEBBY , WE WERE IN THE PROCESS OF CLEANING UP , WE GOT HIT WITH A SECOND HURRICANE, THEN WE GOT HIT WITH A THIRD HURRICANE WHICH CAUSED A LOT OF EXTRA WORK AND CONFUSION. OFFICER KEVIN CHASTAIN IS, WE BROUGHT HIM ON AS FULL-TIME ARENA UNIT OFFICER, WE HAD NOT HAD FULL-TIME ARENA OFFICER AND A NUMBER OF YEARS DUE TO STAFFING ISSUES. HE IS TO BE CREDITED AWFUL LOT ABOUT GETTING OUR COASTLINE CLEANED UP IN THE TIMELY MANNER THAT IT WAS I'M OFTEN COMPLIMENTED BY OTHER AGENCIES SPECIFICALLY, FWC SPECIFICALLY, HOW WE WERE ABLE TO GET OUR COASTLINE CLEANED UP IN A TIMELY MANNER. THERE IS TIMELY WORK TO DO, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THE COASTLINE CLEANED UP, THERE ARE A FEW BOATS TO BE DONE. MY ACCORDION FILE HERE, THIS INCLUDING THE PAPERS IN THE BACK PART, EACH ONE OF THESE REPRESENT A VESSEL THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON OR HAVE GOTTEN CLEANED UP, WHICH REQUIRED A LOT OF PAPERWORK, TIME, AND EFFORT, TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS, POLICE REPORTS, TRACKING DOWN OWNERS, GETTING THEIR PERMISSION TO REMOVE THE VESSEL . IN SOME INSTANCES, IF AVAILABLE, FINDING TITLES OVER, WHICH CAUSED AN AWFUL LOT OF WORK. AGAIN, OFFICER CHASTAIN IS TO BE CREDITED FOR HELPING US OUT A LOT WITH THAT. I THINK THAT TO DATE, WE ARE ALMOST, WE ARE OVER 50 BOATS THAT WERE REMOVED. WE ARE GOING TO ENTER ANOTHER HURRICANE SEASON AND WE PRAY WE DO NOT HAVE A REPEAT OF LAST YEAR. IT WAS I BELIEVE, 103 YEARS SINCE WE HAD ANY SORT OF SIGNIFICANT HURRICANES AND I PRAY IT IS ANOTHER 103 YEARS BEFORE WE HAVE ANY MORE. ONCE YOU HAVE THE STORMS ARE OVER, WE HAVE THE COASTLINE CLEANED UP, ALSO LEFT A LOT OF BOATS THAT WERE OUT THERE LACKING IN MEANS OF PROPULSION. I KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TALK LATELY ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING WITH PROPULSION TEST, IT SEEMS TO BE PRETTY NEW TO EVERYBODY. IN 2019, FLORIDA STATE PASSED A LAW WHICH ENABLES US, AS LAW ENFORCEMENT, TO DO BOAT PROPULSION TEST ON BOATS THAT REALLY HAVE NO MEANS OF PROPULSION. THE HURRICANES HAVE ALSO CAUSED SOME OF THE BOATS OUT THERE TO SIT AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE TRYING TO AVOID, ANOTHER STORM COMES ALONG AND YOU BOATS WITH NO MEANS TO PROPEL AND THEY'RE GOING TO WASH ONTO OUR SHORES AGAIN. THIS IS ANOTHER, HOPEFULLY TOOL, THAT WE ARE USING, OBVIOUSLY HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE TO GET THOSE BOATS EITHER INTO COMPLIANCE OR THE ABILITY TO REMOVE THEM. I SPENT TODAY MAKING SORT OF AN OVERVIEW, CHAPTER 327 OF THE FLORIDA STATE STATUTE IS PRETTY LONG, IF I MAY. SOMETHING FOR THE COUNCILMEMBERS. IT IS BASICALLY A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF WHAT THAT STATUTE IS FOR PROPULSION TESTS AND THE PROCEDURES ON HOW WE ARE SUPPOSED TO USE THOSE STATUTES TO GET THOSE BOATS OUT OF OUR WATERS. OFFICER CHASTAIN HAS DONE A WONDERFUL JOB IN THAT AS WELL. I KNOW THAT HE HAS DONE NUMEROUS, I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT NUMBER PROPULSION TESTS BUT EVERY WEEK IN OUR CITY MANAGER REPORT, HE IS REPORTING HOUSTON PROPULSION TESTS, SCHEDULING PROPULSION TESTS. IT IS A GREAT TOOL TO HELP US NOT ONLY TO GET THE BOATS OUT OF THEIR BUT HOPEFULLY IN AN ATTEMPT TO AT LEAST REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO OUR COASTLINES THAT WE HAVE SUSTAINED IN PREVIOUS STORMS. HOPEFULLY, I HAVE ANSWERED YOUR QUESTIONS AND IF THERE'S ANY OTHER QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER, I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM NOW. IF A BOATER IS NOT ABLE TO PASS THE PROPULSION TEST, WHAT ARE THE RAMIFICATIONS AND HOW LONG DO WE GIVE THEM? WHAT CAN WE DO? I FEEL VERY STRONGLY IF THEY ARE NOT COMPLIANT, I DON'T WANT THEM IN OUR WATER BUT I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT WE, BY LAW, CAN DO. THE STATUTE ADVISES THAT WE GIVE THEM 72 HOURS TO BRING THE BOAT INTO COMPLIANCE. IF THEY DO HAVE, IF THE BOAT IS , THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THE BOAT FIXED, IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO SHOWS THE RECEIPTS THAT THEY ORDERED THE PARTS AND WE GIVE THEM ANOTHER 30 DAYS. IN LIGHT OF THESE INSTANCES, THESE ARE BOATERS ABANDONED OR PART-TIME RESIDENTS, IN SOME INSTANCES, THERE JUST OUT THERE AND WE HAVE A REALLY DIFFICULT TIME FINDING THE OWNERS. IT DOES TAKE CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME SOMETIMES TO LOCATE THE OWNERS. THAT IS WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO, 72 HOURS AND IF THEY ARE FIXING THE BOAT, WE GIVE THEM ANOTHER 30 DAYS. SPIN AND IF THEY AREN'T, WHAT HAPPENS LIKES >> FLORIDA STATE STATUTE LETS US , WE HAVE DERELICT VESSEL AND AT RISK LAWS, WE CAN WRITE THEM TICKETS AND THAT IT'S THE BALL ROLLING TO US TO BE ABLE TO REMOVE THE BOAT FROM THE WATER LEGALLY. THAT IS ALSO AN EXTENSIVE PROCESS. MR. O'REILLY HAS BEEN VERY GOOD AT GETTING US THE RESOURCES WE NEED TO GET THOSE BOATS REMOVED AND LIKE I SAID BEFORE, WE HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED BY OTHER AGENCIES, WE GET OUR BOATS REMOVED IN A REALLY TIMELY MANNER. >> ANOTHER QUESTION I HAD WAS ABOUT SUBMERGED BOATS THAT I HAVE HAD PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THAT, THEY MAY NOT BE IN OUR WATERS EXACTLY, SO IT MAY NOT BE OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO REMOVE THEM, DO WE AT LEAST FLAGGED THEM SO PEOPLE DON'T HIT US? >> YES, WE DO PUT LOUISE ON THAT FLOAT OVER THE VESSEL SO PEOPLE CAN SEE THEM. WE ARE NOT ABLE TO LIGHT THEM BUT THEY ARE BIG ENOUGH THAT PEOPLE CAN SEE THEM WHEN THEY ARE APPROACHING. >> HOW MANY MORE BOATS ARE OUT THERE WE ARE RESPONSIBLE, ULTIMATELY, FORGETTING REMOVED? SPIN IT THAT IS A WONDERFUL QUESTION AND UNFORTUNATELY, THAT NUMBER CHANGES ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS. IT IS NOT A MATTER OF SOME DAYS WE FIND ONE AND WILL REMOVE TWO AND FIND ONE, WE REMOVE ONE AND FIND THREE MORE. IT IS AN ONGOING PROCESS. ONE OF THE REASONS IT IS IS BECAUSE GULFPORT IS VERY BOATER FRIENDLY, CONTRARY TO COMMENTS YOU MISSING ON SOCIAL MEDIA, IT IS A VERY BOATER FRIENDLY PLACE AND IF IT WASN'T, WHY DO WE CONTINUE TO HAVE SO MANY BOATS? WE REALLY LOVE THE SAFE BOATING COMMUNITY AND WE WANT TO KEEP THAT GOING. WHAT WE DO WANT TO DO IS GET RID OF DERELICT BOATS AND PEOPLE THAT DO NOT PROPERLY MAINTAIN THEIR BOATS. THAT PARLAYS VERY WELL INTO NATIONAL BOATER SAFETY WEEK AND HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS. IT IS ALL TIED TOGETHER. >> ALL RIGHT. YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT TELLING PEOPLE TO EVACUATE , OF COURSE, THAT MEANS EITHER ANCHORING THEIR BOAT AS SAFELY AS THEY CAN AND LEAVING OR MOVING WITH THE BOAT SOMEWHERE . WHERE IS THERE AROUND HERE WHERE YOU CAN SAFELY MOVE A BOAT? >> ANOTHER VERY GOOD QUESTION AND I DO HAVE SOME ANSWERS. THE BOATER NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF WHERE THE STORM IS APPROACHING FROM. WE ALL KNOW AT THIS POINT, I'M NOT A METEOROLOGIST BUT WE KNOW HURRICANES GO IN A MOTION, THEY STRIKE NORTH, MAKE LANDFALL NORTH OF PINELLAS COUNTY, WE KNOW WE GET A LOT OF WATER THAT COMES INTO THE BAY . IF IT STRIKES SOUTH OF THE BAY, WE KNOW A LOT OF WATER IS PULLED OUT OF THE BAY. YOU NEED TO KEEP AN EYE ON THAT AND IF YOU DO, YOU CAN MAKE THE PREPARATIONS OF YOUR BOAT, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU STORM COMING INTO THE BAY, IT WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT WATER EVENT YOU CAN TAKE SAFE HARBORAGE, GULFPORT HAS PLENTY OF PLACES THAT ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC SUCH AS THE INLETS IN TOWN CHORES, THE INLETS AND COUNTRY CLUB, THOSE ARE A LOT SAFER THAN BEING OUT IN THE BAY, ESPECIALLY WITH STORMS COMING UP FROM THE SOUTH, THERE IS NOT ENOUGH WATER TO GIVE YOU, IF THEIR ANCHORS DRAGGING, YOU'RE RIGHT ON THE BEACH, TAKE YOUR BOAT TO THE SOUTH OF --BAY AND ANCHOR IT, YOU HAVE A LOT FURTHER TO GO TO GET TO THE BEACH. THE END, ULTIMATELY, TRY TO REMOVE YOUR BOAT OR GO TO ANOTHER DESTINATION UNTIL THE STORM PASSES. I KNOW THAT IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE THAT IF YOU HAVE TO STAY IN THE BAY, PROPERLY ANCHOR YOUR BOAT. >> SOME OF HER BOATERS DON'T KNOW HOW TO PROPERLY ANCHOR A BOAT SO WHAT ARE WE DOING, ARE WE DOING ANYTHING FOR EDUCATION? >> IF YOU'RE GOING TO PURCHASE A BOAT AND TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF BEING OUT ON THE WATER, YOU NEED TO EDUCATE YOURSELF. WE HAVE THE COAST GUARD AUXILIARY, I GOT MY BOATING CERTIFICATION 20 PLUS YEARS AGO, IT IS A WONDERFUL RESOURCE THEY HAVE RESOURCES ONLINE, UNITED STATES COAST GUARD HAS RESOURCES, THERE ARE PLENTY OF RESOURCES THAT PEOPLE CAN UTILIZE. ALSO, IT IS LIKE, WOULD YOU DRIVE A CAR WITHOUT A LICENSE? THAT IS THE BOATERS ' RESPONSE ABILITY TO GET KNOWLEDGE? >> THE THING WE PUT ON THE BOATS LAST YEAR, DIDN'T WE PUT INFORMATION ON HOW TO ENTER YOUR BOAT? ABSOLUTELY. JUSTIN CHE AND I WENT OUT ON THE WATER AND LAMINATED PLACARDS, WE ZIP TIED THEM TO EVERY BOAT AND HANDED THEM TO EACH BOATER OUT THERE, 50 PLUS PLACARDS, IT WAS A LOT OF WORK . >> CAN I ASSUME WHEN WE ARE CHECKING ON THE BOATS, WE ARE CHECKING THEIR EQUIPMENT AS WELL ? >> ABSOLUTELY. >> SO THAT OFFICER CHASTAIN WOULD KNOW IF THERE IS A BOAT OUT THERE THAT DID NOT HAVE AN ANCHOR OR CHAIN IN GOOD ENOUGH CONDITION OR LARGE ENOUGH TO HOLD THEIR BOAT? >> YES, THE STATUTE HAS RECENTLY CHANGED, BEFORE WE COULD PULL OVER A BOAT AND DO A SAFETY CHECK, WE ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO DO THAT . THAT WILL MAKE IT A LITTLE TOUGH THIS YEAR FOR US TO GET ON BOATS AND ENSURE THAT THAT PROPER EQUIPMENT IS THERE AND IN GOOD SHAPE. AGAIN, I STRESS THAT IT IS THE VOTERS ' RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE IT IS UP TO COMPLAINTS AND SAFE AND READY FOR HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS. >> I DON'T THINK ANYONE WILL DISAGREE IT IS UP TO THEM BUT WHEN THEY ARE BOAT --THEIR BOAT GETS LOOSE AND CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE SEAWALL, IT IS OUR PROBLEM, I WOULD LIKE TO THINK WE ARE DOING EVERY THING WE CAN ON THE FRONT END TO PREVENT IT, EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT BEING RESPONSIBLE. MY SECOND QUESTION WAS, I THOUGHT I HEARD SOMETHING, EVERYBODY IS ALWAYS CONCERNED ABOUT DUMPING IN THE BAY, I KNOW THAT WE HAVE A SERVICE THAT IS FREE THAT THEY CAN CALL , DID I NOT HEAR RECENTLY THAT ALL BOATERS HAVE TO KEEP SOME KIND OF REGISTER ON THEIR BOAT THAT SHOWS REGULAR PUMPOUT ? >> I KNOW THERE IS A STATUTE THAT BOATS, I BELIEVE IT IS GREATER THAN 26 FEET , HAVE TO HAVE A WORKING HEAD. I COULDN'T THINK OF THE WORD BUT OKAY, WORKING HEAD ON THE BOAT THAT HAS TO BE PUMPED OUT. >> BUT IF IT IS SMALLER THAN THAT, THERE IS NOT THE SAME REQUIREMENT? >> NO. >> ISN'T IT TRUE IF THEY ARE ON THE MOORING FIELD OR IN THE SLIPS, WE HAVE UP PUMPOUT BOAT BUT IF THEY ARE JUST ANCHORED OUT, THEY HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE A PUMPOUT ? AS FAR AS I KNOW, I THINK IT IS FREE FOR EVERYONE. IT SHOULD BE FREE FOR ANYONE. >> I THOUGHT IF THEY WERE ANCHORED OUT, THEY HAD TO PAY THEIR OWN. >> THE PUMPOUT HAS BEEN FREAKED OUT ON THE MOORING FIELD OR IN THE MARINA OR EVEN OUTSIDE. WE DO ISSUE RECEIPTS WHEN WE PUMPOUT, WHETHER THEY LIKE IT OR NOT, TELL THEM TO HANG ON IN CASE THEY GET BOARDED OR ASKED ABOUT IT. >> DENNIS, ISN'T THERE SOMETHING LIKE ONCE A STATE OF EMERGENCY HAS BEEN DECLARED, BOATERS COULD COME INTO OUR MARINA ALSO ? DO I HAVE THAT RIGHT? YES, IT IS CALLED , SMALL BOAT HARBOR. WE WILL ALLOW PEOPLE TO COME IN, IF THEY COME EARLIER THAN THAT, THEY PAY AND WE ARE FULL AT THAT POINT. I WOULD HAVE TO NOT ALLOW ANY MORE BOATS TO COME INTO THE MARINA BECAUSE WE ARE FULL AT THAT POINT AND RISK A DANGER FROM THEIR BOATS COMING LOOSE AND CRASHING INTO VESSELS THAT HAVE INSURANCE. >> NOW THAT THE SOUTH BASIN IS BASICALLY A WRECK, IS IT A SAFER PLACE FOR BOATS TO COME INTO? >> THAT IS THE KEY, IT IS A WRECK. >> IT DOES HAVE SOME LAND AROUND IT AND STUFF. I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO MR. O'REILLY ABOUT DEVELOPING SOME TYPE OF RAKE WATER AT THE POINT TO DIFFUSE THE WAVE ENERGY THAT COMES OVER THE POINT BEHIND THE YACHT CLUB . IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE LIVING SHORELINE RIGHT NOW. >> THEY COULD COME IN, EVEN THOUGH -- >> NOT MUCH ROOM, FIRST COME FIRST LAYER AND USUALLY THE DOCS ARE OPEN FOR PATRONS FOR EVENT LIKE THAT. THANK YOU. >> ANYTHING, LADIES? >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, APPRECIATE IT. IS MARIVEL GUTIERREZ HERE? OUR NEXT PRESENTATION IS THE SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION SQUADRON 125 AND THE WOMEN'S AUXILIARY ARE GOING TO PRESENT A DONATION TO OUR RECREATION SUPERVISOR, MARIVEL . COME ON UP. >> MAYOR, COUNCIL , FOR ALL OF YOU THAT DON'T KNOW US, WE ARE AMERICAN LEGION POST 125, WE ARE LOCATED AT THE NORTH END OF THE CITY BUT WE ARE TRYING TO BRIDGE THE GAP AND HAVE A STRONGER BOND WITH THE CITY. WE REACHED OUT TO MARIVEL LAST YEAR AND HELP HER OUT WITH SOME SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE REC CENTER AND I REACHED OUT TO HER AGAIN THIS YEAR AND SAID, HOW CAN WE HELP THIS YEAR? SHE SAID, TWO TO THE HURRICANES, THEY LOST PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING FOR THE KIDS, BALLS, GAMES, TOYS, ALL THAT STUFF. THE SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION AND THE WOMEN'S AUXILIARY WENT TO WORK AND WE RAISED TO TRY TO MEET HER $3000 TO BUY ALL OF THESE TOYS AND GAMES AND STUFF. WE ARE GLAD THAT WE CAN HELP , WE WANT TO HELP MORE, COME CHECK US OUT WE ARE LOOKING FOR VETERANS TO HELP, IF ANYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY HAS A VETERAN, ANY VETERANS OR SUN SMART THAT WANT TO JOIN, COME AND SEE , WE WANT MORE VOLUNTEERS. WE WANT A STRONGER PRESENCE IN THE CITY OF GULFPORT. THAT IS IT. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU, EVERYONE. >> OUR LAST PRESENTATION TONIGHT WILL BE BY KASSY BREWER . I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU A MINUTES NOTICE ON THIS, THIS IS A SENSITIVE SUBJECT, SHE WILL BE SPEAKING ABOUT SO PEEVED FOR --BEFORE WE BEGIN THE PRESENTATION, I WANT EVERYONE TO BE AWARE THE VIDEO HAS SOME CONTENT RELATED TO DOMESTIC AND/OR GUN VIOLENCE THAT MAY BE DISTURBING TO SOME VIEWERS. IT IS VERY INFORMATIVE IN A POWERFUL PRESENTATION. HOWEVER, WITH THAT SAID, I WOULD LIKE TO ALLOW ANYONE WHO MAY NOT BE COMFORTABLE WITH THIS CONTENT, THE OPPORTUNITY TO STEP OUT OF THE CHAMBERS FOR THE NEXT EIGHT MINUTES. I WAS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED IF WE HAD ANY CHILDREN IN THE AUDIENCE. WE WANTED TO GIVE A LITTLE WARNING. WITH THAT BEING SAID, MS. BREWER. >> WELCOME. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH . MY NAME IS KASSY BREWER, I AM THE AWARENESS AND ADVOCACY LIAISON FOR SELAH FREEDOM . SELAH FREEDOM IS A NONPROFIT 501(C) ORGANIZATION, ACTIVE IN EIGHT COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WE ARE ALSO ONE OF THE LARGEST ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL, TRYING TO ERADICATE HUMAN AND SEX TRAFFICKING IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WITH THAT, I THINK THAT THE VIDEO WILL EXPLAIN A LOT OF WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE ARE ABOUT, AND WHAT WE DO. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. >> I GUESS THAT WE ARE WORKING ON FOUND. >> WHILE WE ARE WORKING ON THIS, SELAH FREEDOM HAS FIVE PROGRAMS, AWARENESS, WHICH IS WHAT I DO, PREVENTION, WHICH WE ARE REALLY, REALLY COMPASSIONATE ABOUT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE PREVISION FOR OUR YOUTH, KINDERGARTEN, 12th GRADE , THERE IS NO WAY WE COULD STAMP OUT THIS. WE ARE REALLY, REALLY, REALLY ADAMANT ABOUT GETTING INTO THE COMMUNITY AND TEACHING OUR YOUTH AND GIVING THEM THE PREVENTION TOOLS AND LEARN THE SIGNS AND WARNINGS OF BEING APPROACHED BY A PREDATOR , IT COULD BE A CLOSE FRIEND OR RELATIVE WE ARE PROGRAM FOR PREVENTION IS ACCREDITED THROUGH THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. WE, JUST THE PAST YEAR , THE CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG, ALL 13 OF THEIR AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS AND SUMMER PROGRAM, STARTING THIS YEAR, WE WILL BE GOING IN AND DOING PREVENTION TRAINING TO THE YOUTH AND --PROGRAMS AS WELL. THE OUTREACH PROGRAM, SELAH FREEDOM PROVIDES OUTREACH ON THE STREETS AND IN THE JAILS THROUGH SEX SUPPORT GROUPS, CASE MANAGEMENT, AND RESOURCES FOR SURVIVORS OF SEX TRAFFICKING AND EXPLOITATION. OUTREACH PARTNERS WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT , WE PARTNER, WE HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB WITH CHIEF --IN PASCO AND CHIEF --IN ST. PETERSBURG, GOING IN, MOSTLY WITH THEIR LAW ENFORCEMENT TEAM , THAT WORKS ON THE STREETS WITH TRAFFICKERS AND HOW TO APPROACH THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACTUAL PROSTITUTION AND TRAFFICKING. >> WE HAVE A RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM, ONCE THEY COME , CHIEF DOES A STATE OPERATION , IT IS DETERMINED SOME OF THESE VICTIMS ACTUALLY ARE VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING. ONCE THAT IS PROCESSED, WE HAVE CRITICAL --WHEN WE KNOW THERE IS A STING ABOUT TO HAPPEN. THOSE TWO BAGS ARE OPEN AND IN 24 HOURS, WE HAVE THERAPY, THEY ARE SCREENED FOR SEXUAL DISEASES, PREGNANCY TEST, AND AUTOMATICALLY START TRAUMA THERAPY. IT IS SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS AND FOR THE FIRST TIME, YOU CAN IMAGINE 12 TO 14 DAYS IS A LOT FOR VICTIMS AFTER BEING TRAFFICKED. SOMETIMES THEY DON'T HAVE A BED TO LAY IN. THEY ARE SO USED TO LAYING ON THE FLOOR. IT IS A LOT OF LAYERS , SIX TO EIGHT WEEK PERIOD, THIS IS WHAT WE CALL SELAH, REST, PAUSE, REFLECT , AFTER SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS, THEY DECIDE TO STAY IN THE PROGRAM, WE HAVE A PROGRAM, IT IS A RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM WHERE THEY STAY TWO YEARS WITH US . IF YOU IMAGINE , THERE IS NO EDUCATION. WE GET THEM THEIR EDUCATION, THEIR GED'S, SOME COMPLETE OUR PROGRAM GOING ON TO ASSOCIATES OR EARN THEIR ASSOCIATES THROUGH OUR PROGRAM. WE TEACH THEM , WE PARTNER WITH LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS THAT WILL EMPLOY THEM, WE HAVE FINANCIAL ADVISERS , WE HELP THEM GET THEIR FIRST-EVER I.D. BECAUSE THEIR IDENTIFICATION IS TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM WHENEVER THEY ARE TRAFFICKED. SO THEY GET SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, I.D., DRIVER'S LICENSE. A LOT OF THEM WILL SAVE UP AND HAVE THEIR OWN CAR AS WELL. SOME OF OUR SURVIVORS HAVE CHILDREN THROUGH BEING TRAFFICKED. THEY HAVE CLOSE RELATIONS, WILL CALL THEIR TRAFFIC OR THEIR HUSBAND OR FIANCE. WE VERY MUCH LIKE TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THEIR CHILDREN AFTER THEY COMPLETE THIS PROGRAM. >> LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT GABRIELLE. GABBY IS A SURVIVOR AND WORKS FOR SELAH FREEDOM RIGHT NOW. GABBY WAS ADDICTED TO DRUGS AT A YOUNG AGE. AND SHE WAS APPROACHED BY A WOMAN WHO SAID, BASICALLY , I WILL PROVIDE YOU YOUR DRUGS, I WILL PROVIDE YOUR ALCOHOL AND I WILL GIVE YOU MONEY. THAT IS LIKE A DREAM COME TRUE TO AN ADDICT. SO SHE WENT WITH THIS WOMAN AND DURING THIS COURSE, SHE WAS APPROACHED BY ANOTHER TRAFFICKER THAT PROMISED HER BIGGER BETTER THINGS. HE HAPPENED TO BECOME HER FIANCE . DURING THIS COURSE, SHE REALIZED THAT SHE NO LONGER WANTED TO BE WITH HIM, SHE GREW TIRED OF THE ABUSE AND CONSTANTLY BEING EATEN UP. HE FOUND OUT SHE WAS GOING TO LEAVE HIM. DURING HER PLEA , SHE WAS ASKING HIM TO GET HER HELP, DURING THAT, SHE ASKED HIM , PLEASE, WHATEVER YOU DO, TELL THE POLICE, SOMEONE A SHOT ME IN CALLING FOR HELP, HIDE THE GUN, I WON'T TELL. SO HE DID, HE CALLED 911. SHE GOT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM , OF COURSE SHE IS ALIVE TODAY. SHE EVENTUALLY PRESSED CHARGES AGAINST HIM, HE WAS ARRESTED. THAT IS GABRIELLE'S STORY . TODAY SHE HAS HER ASSOCIATES DEGREE. I FOUND OUT TODAY SHE APPLIED FOR USF, WE DID LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION FOR HER, SHE OBTAINED HER BACHELOR'S . SHE IS NOW MARRIED, SHE HAD A BABY LAST YEAR AND SHE IS DOING VERY WELL. >> THANK YOU. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO MOVE ALONG, I APOLOGIZE, COULD YOU TELL US AS A COMMUNITY , WHAT MIGHT WE SEE THAT WE SHOULD BE SUSPICIOUS OF AND IF WE SAW THIS, WHAT WOULD WE DO WITH THAT INFORMATION? >> THANK YOU. IF YOU SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING, IT DOESN'T HURT . IF IT DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT, JUST CALL, DESCRIBE WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ALL THE POLICE CAN DO WITH COME OUT AND ASSESS AND MAKE A DETERMINATION. I PLEAD, DON'T EVER APPROACH THE SITUATION, YOU NEVER KNOW IF THERE IS SOMEBODY ELSE, THERE IS A GUN OR A KNIFE, JUST CALL AND SAY, THIS DOES NOT LOOK RIGHT. THIS PERSON IS WITH A YOUNG PERSON . IT DOES NOT FEEL RIGHT, IT DOES NOT LOOK RIGHT. BASICALLY THAT AND ALSO DEVICES. YOUR ELECTRONIC DEVICES. EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM HAS AN iPHONE , AND iPAD, A SMART TV . TWO YEARS AGO , MACY'S DID A FASHION SHOW FOR US, IN THAT AUDIENCE, I HAD NO IDEA THERE WAS A FATHER WHOSE DAUGHTER WAS A VICTIM OF BEING TRAFFICKED AND KILLED BY HER TRAFFICKER BY AN OVERDOSE. I GOT TO KNOW HIM, HIS NAME IS JACK. HE TOLD ME THAT AFTER DESTINY HAD PASSED AWAY, HE WAS SITTING IN HIS DEN, HE TURNED ON HIS SMART TV AND HE NOTICED FACEBOOK. HE CLICKED ON THE FACEBOOK AND THERE WERE ALL THESE COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE PERSON SHE TOOK OFF WITH AND ENDED UP TAKING HER LIFE. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT AS PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, NEIGHBORS, THAT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND TODAY WITH DEVICES. TO MONITOR THEM. I BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS A LAW PASSED LAST YEAR THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE INCLUDED , SUPPOSED TO HAVE WHERE YOU CAN GO IN AND ACTUALLY NOT HAVE A LOT OF THAT ON THERE, A PREDATOR OR SOMEONE COMING IN AND ACTUALLY BEING ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THAT YOUTH . ALSO , SPECIAL NEEDS . A LOT OF THESE PREDATORS REALLY PREYS --PREY ON SPECIAL-NEEDS AND ELDERLY. SOMETHING ELSE REALLY IMPORTANT TO EDUCATE YOURSELF ON. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, AGAIN, WE ARE SORRY THAT THE VOLUME DID NOT WORK BUT WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING SO WELL-INFORMED THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO GIVE YOUR PRESENTATION ON THE FLY. THANK YOU. >> THAT BRINGS US TO PUBLIC COMMENT. DON'T BE SHY, LET'S HURRY THIS ALONG, I DON'T MEAN HURRY IN THAT I DON'T WANT YOU TO SPEAK BECAUSE IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK, I WANT YOU TO BUT LET'S NOT BE SHY, LET'S NOT PLAY THAT GAME, LET'S MOVE IT. HI. >> ANY NEW BUSINESS WITH PUBLIC, LIKES >> EXCUSE ME, PUBLIC COMMENT IS FOR ANYTHING NOT ON THE AGENDA. IF YOU WANT TO ADDRESS SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA, NOW IS NOT THE TIME. IF IT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA, YET THREE MINUTES, READY, START, GO. I WILL NOT TAKE THE THREE MINUTES, ANDREW TURNER, I'VE BEEN IN GULFPORT 17 YEARS NOW. THE STATE IS GIVING THE HOMEOWNERS SOME OF THEIR RIGHTS BACK SO I WOULD LIKE THE CITY TO START THINKING ABOUT THE ADUS, ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS. I HAVE A DISABLED ELDERLY FATHER AND I WOULD LIKE TO PUT A PROPERTY IN MY BACKYARD SO I DON'T HAVE TO SHIP HIM OFF AND HE LIVES ON A VERY SMALL FIXED INCOME. AND I ALSO HAVE A DAUGHTER THAT WILL BE GOING TO COLLEGE SOON SO IF THAT PLACE IS AVAILABLE TO HER DOWN THE ROAD OR STETSON STUDENTS, IF I'M UNDERSTANDING CORRECTLY, IT GOES ALIVE JUNE 1st. I WOULD LIKE YOU GUYS TO START THINKING ABOUT HOW WE CAN PROCEED. >> THANK YOU. WHO IS NEXT? HI. >> DIANA SCHWARTZ, QANTAS CLUB OF ELLPORT, MAYOR LOVE, COUNCILMEMBERS, I WANTED TO TAKE THIS TIME TO THANK YOU AND THE CITY FOR SUPPORT WITH OUR LAST COMMUNITY BABY SHOWER THAT WE HELD APRIL 26, THAT WAS THE FOURTH ANNUAL BABY SHOWER, WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE BEEN WITH US OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, SPECIAL SHOUT OUT ALSO TO JUSTIN CHE, HE AND HIS STAFF ARE ALWAYS THERE FOR US, WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT, WE REALLY WANT TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND ARE HAPPY TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY. WE ALSO, FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR ANY CURRENT UPDATE , ANY EVENTS COMING UP, GULFPORT KAWANAS AND WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT . THANK YOU. WHO IS NEXT ? >> THANK YOU SIR. >> SIR, YOU WILL BE NEXT. >> MY NAME IS CHRISTINE CROSBY AND I HAVE LIVED IN GULFPORT FOR 20 YEARS. I WANT TO SAY ONE PERSONAL THING BEFORE I READ WHAT I'M GOING TO READ, WHAT A PLEASURE IT IS TO WATCH YOU PEOPLE IN ACTION, IT IS REALLY NICE. GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL, MADAM MAYOR , I AM HERE TONIGHT, HONORABLY , HERE TONIGHT TO REPRESENT COURTNEY. SHE PRONOUNCES IT --, I HOPE , BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE THOSE OF YOU THAT KNOW COURTNEY , YOU KNOW THAT SHE IS THIS TALL AND I'M STANDING IN FOR HER SO I HAVE A BIG JOB HERE AND I WILL DO MY BEST. FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT NOT BE FAMILIAR, COURTNEY IS WITH THE GULFPORT GULF COAST COALITION. MAYBE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS YET BUT I WILL TELL YOU. IT IS A CITIZEN LED INITIATIVE DEDICATED TO PROTECTING COASTAL LAND IN GULFPORT, FLORIDA. OUR MISSION IS TO SECURE AND STEWARD LAND FOR THE COMMUNITY, RESILIENCE, AND LONG-TERM CONSERVATION. WE ARE EXCITED TONIGHT TO SHARE THAT SOME OF OUR MEMBERS ARE TONIGHT, MEETING WITH THE WEST -- PRESERVATION GROUP, I BELIEVE THEY ARE IN TARPON SPRINGS, TO DISCUSS A POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIP ACQUIRING THE PARCEL OF LAND AT 4990 , 31st AVENUE SOUTH. GREAT NEWS, LAST WEEK , MYRA BURKE , FROM THE TAMPA BAY ESTUARY PROGRAM, CONFIRMED THAT THIS PROPERTY WOULD BE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE FOR TAMPA BAY ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION FUNDS. WHICH SUPPORT HABITAT RESTORATION AND WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. MORE GREAT NEWS, MS. BURKE ALSO MENTIONED TAMPA BAY ESTUARY PROGRAM HAS BEEN READY TO IMPLEMENT LIVING SHORELINE PROJECTS FOR BOCA CIEGA BAY AT NO COST TO THE CITY. BUT SHE NEEDS A RESPONSE FROM CITY OFFICIALS TO PROCEED. WE URGE THE CITY TO RECONNECT WITH THE TAMPA BAY ESTUARY PROGRAM SOON SO WE DON'T MISS THIS VITAL OPPORTUNITY FOR SHORELINE RESILIENCE AND HABITAT RESTORATION. WE REACHED OUT TWICE TO THE CITY MANAGER REQUESTING A MEETING ABOUT POTENTIAL CITY STEWARDSHIP AND FUNDING OPTIONS FOR THE PARCEL. BUT WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REPLY YET. I SHOULD NOTE, THERE IS A RESOLUTION ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA THAT WOULD REDIRECT FUNDS ALREADY DESIGNATED AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT LATER. WE WOULD HOPE THAT THE COUNCIL WILL SUPPORT OUR INITIATIVE AND HELP US WITH THESE CONVERSATIONS. THANK YOU. YOU ARE NEXT. I DON'T KNOW YOUR NAME, I'M SORRY. >> YES, TREVOR MALLORY, I AM THE PRESIDENT OF GULFPORT LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL. GOOD. >> FIRST, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR POSITION AS THE MAYOR HERE . I STARTED GULFPORT LITTLE LEAGUE IN 2018 AND IT WAS A DIFFERENT LOOK , YOU GUYS DO A WONDERFUL JOB. THANK YOU TO MR. O'REILLY HERE, WHO WAS A PART OF ALLOWING US TO BRING LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL BACK TO GULFPORT. I WANTED TO MAKE A QUICK ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE CITY OF GULFPORT AND LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL HAS BEEN DEEMED THE BEST PART IN THE WHOLE DISTRICT. WHAT THEY ARE GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY THIS YEAR IS TO HOST THE TOP TEAM TOURNAMENT AT TOMLINSON PARK SO FROM MAY 12th THROUGH THE 18th, THERE WILL BE BASEBALL EVERY DAY, ALL DAY ON SATURDAY AND ALL DAY ON SUNDAY, WHICH WILL BE THE 17th AND 18th. I THINK WE HAVE ALREADY PICKED OUT A JERSEY FOR YOU AND A HAT, MAYOR . >> I HAVE ALREADY TRIED IT ON. >> THAT'S GOOD, I'M GLAD IT SITS. WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE YOU COME OUT AND SAY A COUPLE WORDS TO WELCOME PROBABLY A COUPLE HUNDRED PEOPLE TO THE CITY FOR BASEBALL AND TO THROW OUT THE FIRST PITCH. >> LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. >> GOOD , YOU GUYS, YOU COUNCILMEMBERS, AND YOUR CAMERAS BECAUSE IT MAY BE A MEMORABLE MOMENT IT CAN GO WELL OR NOT SO WELL. >> STRIKE ONE. STATEMENT JUST FOR YOU, MAYOR, IF YOU NEED ANY PRACTICE BETWEEN NOW AND THEN, WE WILL BE THERE BETWEEN THURSDAY AND SATURDAY. THANK YOU ALL FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING BASEBALL BACK TO GULFPORT. I WAS A PROFESSIONAL PLAYER MYSELF WITH THE TORONTO BLUE JAYS. I HAVE FOUR DAUGHTERS, DON'T HAVE A SON BUT IT IS MY WAY OF GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU. >> HAVE A GOOD DAY. >> WHO IS NEXT? MARILYN McCLELLAN, ON 56th STREET SOUTH. IN ADDITION TO THE EARLIER COMMENT, I ALSO THINK THAT WE ARE THE ONLY CITY WHERE YOU CAN DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD AND YOUR MAIL IS IN A SUNDRESS, A SUN HAT AND WEED WHACKING OVERGROWN SIDEWALKS. WE TRIED DID GET A PICTURE BUT YOU WERE VERY EVASIVE TO ANYWAY, A COUPLE THINGS. I SAW THEM PAINTING LINES ON BEACH BOULEVARD, I GOT REALLY EXCITED, I TALKED TO THEM AND THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT ARROWS AND I WAS DISAPPOINTED I DID NOT SEE ANY ARROWS SO I HOPE THAT IS IN THE WORKS. ALSO SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT THE MARINA. I KNOW THAT WE TALKED, WE ARE LOSING REVENUE BECAUSE OF THE GAS PUMPS AND WE CAN'T GET THEM BACK BECAUSE THE ELECTRIC IS IN A BUILDING. HAVE WE CONSIDERED AND IS IT POSSIBLE THAT IN THE INTERIM, WE CAN ACTUALLY GET THE POWER FOR THOSE PUMPS OUTSIDE OR SOMEWHERE IN A TEMPORARY SITUATION SO THAT WE CAN GET THAT INCOME STREAM BACK? IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS GOING TO BE A LONG TIME BEFORE THE MARINA IS BACK. ANOTHER THOUGHT, SEGUE WITH MS. CROSBY'S COMMENTS, THERE IS A COMMUNITY ON TAMPA BAY, I BELIEVE IT IS CALLED DRIFTWOOD, THERE IS VERY DISTINCT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PEOPLE THAT HAD MANGROVES IN FRONT OF THE PROPERTY AND DID NOT FLOOD AND THOSE THAT DIDN'T. THERE ARE VIDEOS ONLINE, REALLY, IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, WE FLOODED NOT BECAUSE THE GULF OF MEXICO SUDDENLY ROSE FIVE FEET, 10 FEET, IT IS BECAUSE OF THE WAVE ACTION. ANYTHING THAT DAMPENS THOSE WILL BE A BENEFIT. I HAVE ALSO SEEN THINGS CALLED RAIN GARDENS, AREAS WE ARE BUILDING THEM BACK, IT IS MADE FOR WATER TO BE FUNNELED OFF OF PARKING LOTS AND IN DIFFERENT AREAS AND WHEN IT DRAINS OFF, WE HAVE THE BEAUTIFUL VEGETATION. ANYWAY, JUST SOME THOUGHTS AREA THANK YOU. SAID DONOVAN BACK THERE? COME ON UP. >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, MY NAME IS DONOVAN NICHOL, GULFPORT RESIDENT GOING ON ONE YEAR NOW AND A RESIDENT OF ELLIS COUNTY AROUND 25 YEARS. MY QUESTION WAS , WERE IN REGARDS IMPROVING BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, I BEEN A MEMBER OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE FOR AN ELLIS COUNTY GOING ON THREE YEARS I FOUND THAT THE GULFPORT BICYCLE CLUB LAST YEAR. I WANTED TO SEE ABOUT US POSSIBLY PUTTING SOME SIGNS UP NEAR BEACH BOULEVARD SPECIFICALLY FROM 28th AVENUE SOUTH ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE SHORE BOULEVARD, SPECIFICALLY REGARDS TO THE TUESDAY MARKET AND WEEKEND EVENTS DURING GULFPORT AS WELL, WE HAVE A LOT TOURISTS, PEOPLE THAT COME INTO TOWN AND EVERY THING LIKE THAT, WE DON'T WANT UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENTS TO OCCUR DUE TO PEOPLE BEING CARELESS AND RECKLESS AND ALL THAT STUFF, AS FIRST PEOPLE ABLE TO WALK THEIR BIKES IS FINE, HAVING E-BIKES ON THAT SIDEWALK COULD POSE A GRAVE DANGER TO SOME PEOPLE. THAT WAS MY QUESTION AND I WANTED TO SEE WHAT WE COULD DO AS FAR AS DOING THAT IN THE FUTURE. >> THANK YOU. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> MR. NICHOLS. >> IF HE CAN GET HIS CONTACT >> DONOVAN, IF YOU COULD GIVE -- >> THE CONTACT INFORMATION . THANK YOU. >> JONATHAN. >> HI, ALL TO JONATHAN -- , I'VE BEEN HERE ABOUT 28 YEARS. NOT WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY, I WANT TO THANK THE POLICE FOR WHAT THEY ARE WORKING AT, THIS UPHILL BATTLE TO KEEP THE BAY CLEAR OF DERELICT VESSELS. I WANT TO COMMENT, I KEPT OUR SAILBOAT IN THE BAY ANCHORED SAFELY FOR SIX PLUS YEARS. INCLUDING TROPICAL EVENTS SO I HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE, A LIFELONG SAILOR A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN THAT SPECIFICALLY AND RIGHT HERE. I'M ASHAMED AS A SAILOR WHAT GOES ON. I WOULD OFFER, I HAVE IDEAS, INEVITABLY, ABOUT HOW THIS COULD MAYBE BE EVEN BETTER THAN WHAT THEY ARE ALREADY DOING. I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, IF ANYBODY WANTS TO CONTACT ME, THAT IS NOT WHAT I WANTED TO SAY, WHAT I WANTED TO SAY IS, I RECENTLY LEARNED THAT GRANTS, PROCEEDS FROM GRANTS ARE DOWN IN ST. PETERSBURG 83% FROM THE YEAR BEFORE. THE SPA, I JUST LEARNED, LOST 43% OF ITS STAFF. AND FEMA IS ALMOST IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR. IT IS GOING TO BE REALLY, REALLY HARD OR HARDER TO GET MONEY FOR PROJECTS THAN WHAT IT HAS BEEN, I THINK THAT IS OUT THERE. MEANWHILE, THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE, OVER HERE, WE DON'T HAVE A HORTICULTURIST BECAUSE THAT POSITION BECAME AVAILABLE. WHAT IF, WOW, THAT BECAME AN ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT WRITER, CALL THAT WHAT YOU WANT. A PERSON SKILLED IN GRANT WRITING, SKILLED IN THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENTAL , POACH THEM FROM TAMPA BAY, I DON'T CARE, SOMEBODY WHO GETS IT, WAKES UP EVERY DAY, HUGS A TREE, CARES ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON AND ALSO COULD BE A CASH FLOW POSITIVE FOR THE CITY BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF PROJECTS THAT THE CITY COULD INITIATE OR PRIVATE ENTERPRISE OR INDIVIDUALS LIKE THE GCC , HAVE INITIATED, THAT ARE AWESOME. THEY WOULD NEED, THEY WOULD BENEFIT COORDINATION WITH THE CITY AND SOMEBODY IN THE CITY TO SPEARHEAD. A COUPLE, PERSONAL ONE OF MINE, UTILITIES. PICTURE GULFPORT 50 YEARS OUT, OKAY , WHAT WE HAVE, AT THAT POINT, UTILITIES HANGING IN THE SKY WILL BE 200 YEARS OLD, WILL WE STILL HAVE UTILITIES OR CAN WE START TAKING ABOUT PUTTING THEM UNDERGROUND? MAYBE A COHERENT TREE PROGRAM SO A TREE CITY COULD PROTECT ITS TREES, THINGS LIKE THAT. I INVITE YOU TO CONSIDER IF THAT IS AN OPTION AND WE COULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. AMY. >> MADAM MAYOR , COUNCIL, I WROTE THIS BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT I'M LIKE, I GET A LITTLE WORDY SO I WILL READ IT IF THAT'S OKAY . THANK YOU FOR HEARING US. AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, I'M AMY COSTA, THIS IS GIRL ERIN EAST, GOVERNORS OF THE MIDTOWN BUSINESS COLLECTIVE IN HONORS OF THE LATEST ADDITION TO THE GULFPORT BOULEVARD FAMILY WONDERWORKS WHICH IS A CO-WORK IN CREATING EVENT SPACE, WE ARE HERE TODAY TO REINTRODUCE OURSELVES AS NEW BUSINESS OWNERS IN THE MIDTOWN DISTRICT AND AS COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE A VESTED INTEREST HELPING MIDTOWN AREA BUSINESSES THRIVE. WE BELIEVE IF ONE OF US SUCCEEDS, WILL DO. THE GULFPORT BOULEVARD AND 49th STREET CORRIDORS ARE GROWING EVERY DAY, NEW BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS ARE MOVING INTO THE AREAS AND NEED SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY. ISSUES SUCH AS WALK AND WRITE ABILITY, SAFETY AND LIGHTING , TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ARE AT THE TOP OF THE LIST. BY CRATING A MORE COHESIVE COMMUNITY, RESIDENTS LIVING ON THE NORTH SIDE OF GULFPORT BOULEVARD CAN FEEL A DEEPER CONNECTION TO THE TOWN WE ALL LOVE SO MUCH. AS THE NBC, WE HAVE TO CREATE MANY MORE EVENTS TO HIGHLIGHT THE FABULOUS BUSINESSES IN OUR AREA AND DROP GUESTS TO THE BEAUTIFUL GREEN SPACES OF GULFPORT LIKE KLEINER PARK, TANGERINE GREENWAY, AND TOMLINSON PARK. WE HAVE MUCH SUCCESS WITH THE GULFPORT BOULEVARD SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY MARKET AND SCAVENGER HUNT, THE CAROLING EVENT WITH GULFPORT ARTS AND HERITAGE, THE LOVE LETTERS TO GULFPORT, AND THE BAD BEEP WOMEN OF GULFPORT SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN. WE KNEW THERE WAS A TIME TANGERINE GREENWAY HOSTED COMMUNITY EVENTS LIKE THE CAR SHOW AND BLUES FESTIVAL, WE ENVISION A RETURN TO THAT COMMUNITY VIBE AND NEW FRESH MARKETS, COMMUNITY CELEBRATION DAYS, MUSIC, CULTURE, AND MUCH MORE. WE KNOW THESE EVENTS WILL BRING PEOPLE TO THE 49th STREET AND GULFPORT BOULEVARD LOCATIONS BUT SEND VISITORS TO WONDERFUL DOWNTOWN DISTRICT AS WELL . WE HOPE WITH YOUR SUPPORT WE CAN SEE THE COMMUNITY EVENTS COME TO FRUITION AND CONTINUE TO CREATE NEW GULFPORT TRADITIONS AS LOVED AS THE ONES THAT WE CHERISH NOW. WE LOOK FORWARD TO A TIME THE GULFPORT MARCHING CHAMBER, FUSION 49, AND THE NBC WORK TOGETHER TO BRING TOURISM AND VIBRANCE TO ALL OF GULFPORT ORDINATE EVENTS TOGETHER , AND SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER. WE LITERALLY WEATHERED A STORM TOGETHER AND NEED TO KEEP THAT MOMENTUM GOING. WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT EACH OF YOU HAS SHOWN US AS WE STARTED THESE NEW INITIATIVES AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO INVITE ALL OF YOU AS WELL AS THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY OF NEIGHBORS TO STOP BY WONDERWORKS THIS FRIDAY FOR HAPPY HOUR SOCIAL ON MAY 9th FROM 3:00 TO 6:00 P.M. LOCATED IT 315 GULFPORT BOULEVARD SOUTH, JUST SOUTH FROM GULF ORCHIDS AND COMPLIMENTARY REFRESHMENTS FOR EVERYONE AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. I THINK I SAW FRED NEXT. >> NAME IS FRED ROWE , PRESIDENT OF THE ANCHORAGE AND CONGRATULATIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE PERSPECTIVE AS TO HOW MUCH IT COST TO PROPERLY MAINTAIN A BOAT, I'M NOT IN TOWN RIGHT NOW, I PROPELLED MY BOAT DOWN TO PORT CHARLOTTE AND I'M IN A BOAT YARD AND BY THE TIME IT IS FINISHED, I'M EXPECTING TO SPEND $6000 IN A MONTH DOING THE WORK MYSELF OUT IN THE SUN PERFORMING ALL OF THIS WORK. IT TAKES A LOT OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE OUT THERE, SOME OF THE ABANDONED VOTES, SOME OF THE BOATS WITH POOR PEOPLE ON THEM, MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE THINGS THAT I'M ABLE . I'M RETIRED, I HAVE THE TIME AND THE MONEY TO DO THESE THINGS. I HAVE A SUGGESTION, I KNOW IT IS EXTRAORDINARY, THAT IS FOR LIKE A BILGE PUMP KIT WHICH WOULD INCLUDE SMALL BILGE PUMP BATTERY AND SOLAR CELL TO MAYBE HELP SOME OF THE BOATS FROM SINKING OR FILLING UP WITH WATER. AND ALSO ANCHORS AND CHAINS. THESE PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE GETTING THIS, THEY DON'T DESERVE IT, YOU KNOW. BUT IT MIGHT KEEP THEM FROM SINKING, IT MIGHT KEEP THEM OFF THE BEACH, IT MIGHT BE WORTH IT ALSO, I HAVE A LONG DRIVE TO GET BACK TO THE BOAT YARD TONIGHT SO IF IT'S OKAY, I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT, I THINK IT IS AGENDA ITEM, EMERGENCY USAGE OF THE SEAWALL . >> THAT IS NOT AT THIS POINT, SORRY. >> OKAY, ALL RIGHT. CAN I SUBMIT A COMMENT , SEND THAT TO YOU BY FACEBOOK ? >> YOU CAN EMAIL ME ANYTIME. >> OKAY, THANK YOU. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK YOU. WHO ELSE DO I SEE IN THE BACK ROW? LAUREN . LAWRENCE ON TANGERINE AVENUE, I'M VERY EXCITED TO GO TO THE BASEBALL TOURNAMENT WITH MY KIDS. TWO THINGS, CIRCLING BACK, WE ASKED FOR RESILIENCY WORKSHOP, I BELIEVE IT WAS APRIL 1st, THAT FIRST MEETING WITH ALL OF YOU, EVERYBODY NODDED YES. WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY ANSWERS ABOUT HOW TO SCHEDULE THAT. SPINNING STAY TUNED, GIVE ME ANOTHER HOUR. SPAIN AWESOME , THAT IS GOOD . SHOOT, I FORGOT THE SECOND THING, I WILL ECHO WHAT JONATHAN SAID AND SAY THAT THERE'S A LOT OF PRIVATE MONEY , A LOT OF DONOR ADVISED FUNDS, ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION DONATION, THERE IS A LOT OF NONPROFITS GULFPORT COAST COALITION HAS SPOKEN TO AND WE WOULD REALLY, I WANT TO ECHO, THE CITY SUPPORT IN STAFF , GO AHEAD, WE ARE CLEAR WE WILL GET THE SUPPORT OF WHAT WE NEED WOULD MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE. THIS IS ALL VOLUNTEER TIME AND EFFORT SO IT IS PRETTY EFFICIENT. SHE, I FORGET, I SHOULD WRITE THINGS DOWN. THANK YOU. >> I THINK I'VE A GENTLEMAN BACK ON THE LEFT. >> MY HUSBAND AND I RECENTLY OPEN SALTY POP COFFEEHOUSE ON TANGERINE AVENUE PROBABLY LOCATED IN WARD 4 . I HIGHLY WARD 4 IN MY PRESENTATION TO YOU BECAUSE THE SITE SELECTION FOR SALTY PUB WAS VERY INTENTIONAL, WANTED TO FIND AN AREA GROWING, DIVERSE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WAS THERE, BY BRINGING BUSINESS TO THAT AREA, HELPED PROPEL WHAT WE SEE AS POTENTIAL. BEING LOCATED ON THE TROLLEY GREENWAY IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. WE SPENT ABOUT 45 DAYS BUILDING UP THE SITE, EACH DAY HAVING HER LUNCH BREAK LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW AT THAT AMAZING PARK . IN THAT PARK, WE NOTICED DOG WALKERS, FAMILIES, YOUNG FAMILIES, STROLLERS, PEOPLE GOING BY, BICYCLISTS , TRIMS AMOUNT OF ACTIVITY. DURING PRECONSTRUCTION, WE REALIZED WE PICKED THE IDEAL SPOT. I'M HAPPY TO SAY THAT NOW WHEN YOU COME TO MY SHOP DURING THE WEEK AROUND THE WEEKEND, MATTER OF FACT, I'M BUYING A BIKE RACK FOR MY VACATION BECAUSE I HAVE BIKES TIED ONTO POSTS AND TREES AROUND ME. ON THE WEEKENDS, YOU WILL SEE STROLLERS AND YOUNG FAMILIES, YOU WILL ALSO SEE RIDES THAT HAVE BEEN THERE LONG ENOUGH TO REMEMBER THAT IS THE WAGON WHEEL RESTAURANT WHEN IT FIRST OPENED RUN BY THE GREEN FAMILY. WE ARE VERY PROUD TO BE THERE, I GUESS WHAT I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU IS THAT, SALTY POP COFFEEHOUSE AND BAKE SHOP WOULD LIKE TO BE PART OF THE CHANGE TO THE AREA JUST TALKED ABOUT. WE BELIEVE THERE'S TREMENDOUS POTENTIAL TO COMPLEMENT WHAT THE CITY IS ALREADY KNOWN FOR, WHICH IS ITS WATERFRONT. WE STAND BY READY TO HELP OUT AND WELCOME ALL OF YOU TO JOIN US THERE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. SPOON OVER TO THE SIDE, WOLFGANG. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. IT IS WOLFGANG --, I'M WITH GULFPORT GRASSROOTS, WE DO THE MONTHLY BEACH CLEANUPS FOR 11 YEARS NOW AND ALSO THE TWO CLAIMED BY YOU CLEANUPS EVERY YEAR, WE ALSO DO SPECIAL CLEANUPS. IN FACT, WE HAD A SPECIAL CLEANUPS THE THIRD WEEK OF MARCH IN THE MARINA AREA AT THE BEHEST OF DEB ATKINS, WE PUT TOGETHER AN EVENT, WE HAD 12 VOLUNTEERS, WE BROKE INTO GROUPS, TWO GROUPS, MAYOR LOVE SUPERVISED ONE GROUP AND WE HAD ANOTHER GROUP UP NEAR DEB ATKINS' HOME. IT WORKED OUT REALLY WELL. THE GROUP ON DEL RIO, WE HAD CONTRACTOR BAGS, MANY LARGE CONTRACTOR BAGS FILLED WITH GLASS AND TILE FROM ABANDONED HOMES. WE COULD NOT WEIGH THOSE BAGS, THEY WERE TOO HEAVY, WE COULD BARELY PICK THOSE UP. BUT IT HAD TO BE 1000 POUNDS OF LASS AND TILE THAT IS NOT SWEPT INTO OUR BAY DURING STORMS. WE ALSO DID GRASS CUTTING ON ABANDONED HOMES AND PICKING UP AROUND ABANDONED HOMES, AGAIN, DEBRIS AND LITTER. WITH THAT BEING SAID, IT WAS A LOT OF FUN. I THINK THAT EVERYBODY HAD FUN THERE. OUR NEXT CLEANUP IS MAY 10th, THIS SATURDAY, 8:00 A.M. WE MEET AT SHELTER NUMBER FOUR ON THE OLD PORT BEACH. ALL OF OUR CLEANUPS ARE CO-HOSTED BY KEEP PINELLAS BEAUTIFUL . I JUST WANTED TO THANK THEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN A REAL GOOD CO-HOST FOR US FOR YEARS AND YEARS SUPPLYING US WITH ANYTHING WE NEED, BAGS, PAILS, PICKERS, ALSO MARKETING THE EVENTS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU . >> CATHERINE. >> CITY COUNCILMEMBERS, MADAM MAYOR, CATHERINE KELLY, GULFPORT RESIDENT . I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT DOGS. I DO FIRST WANT TO THANK THE CITY PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR ALL THE WORK THEY DO TO SUPPORT THE CITY TO I KNOW THERE'S A LOT TO MANAGE, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE HURRICANES AND I KNOW MANY APPRECIATE EVERYONE IS LISTENING. THAT SAID, I LIKE TO SUGGEST CONSIDERING DECOMPOSED GRANITE AT A LARGE DOG PARK, I UNDERSTAND IT IS DURABLE AND COST-EFFECTIVE, IT COMES WITH DOWNSIDES FOR DOGS IN THEIR HONOR, ESPECIALLY AS WE ENTER THE SUMMER SEASON . THE SURFACE GETS EXTREMELY HOT IN THE SUMMER MAKING UNCOMFORTABLE AND EVEN DANGEROUS FOR PAWS . EVEN WITH THE ADDITION OF THE SMALL TREE FOR SHADE, I DON'T THINK THAT IS ENOUGH. IT WOULD RATE TO EXPLORE THE OTHER DOG FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVE CONSIDERED, THE WOOD FIBER MULCH . THESE MATERIALS STAY COOLER AND ARE EASIER ON PAWS . TO THE ARGUMENT WOOD FIBER WOULD RETAIN MOISTURE LEADING TO MOLD, I THINK THAT A PROPER DRAINAGE SYSTEM AS WELL AS KEEPING SOME OF THE EXISTING GRANITE AS SUBSTRATE AND ROUTINE TURNING AND AERATION COULD WORK . EVEN A FEW MORE THOUGHTFUL UPDATES TO THE DOG PARK INCLUDING LOCKER HOST TO HELP COOL OFF THE DOGS, THERE WAS A LONGER HOSE AT ONE POINT, CLEAR SIGNAGE DISCOURAGING DIGGING COULD REALLY MAKE THE PARK A GEM. I KNOW THERE'S A LOT BIGGER PRIORITIES BUT I DID WANT TO PUT THAT ON THE DOCKET. AND ALSO, I WANTED TO INDICATE THAT I'M A BIG ADVOCATE FOR WHAT THE GULFPORT COALITION IS DOING SO I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE PROGRESS MADE. >> THANK YOU . INGRID . >> THANK YOU. INGRID --56th STREET SOUTH I WANTED TO SAY WE HAD A WONDERFUL WORLD LABYRINTH DAY, WHERE ON THE MAP, INTERNATIONAL MAP . THIS WAS AN EVENT THAT HAPPENED THIS LAST SATURDAY, TEMPORARY LABYRINTH BUILT IN CLIMBER PARK BY A NUMBER OF OUR RESIDENTS HERE. IT WILL BE UP FOR AT LEAST A MONTH SO PEOPLE CAN CONTINUE TO WALK THIS BEAUTIFUL LABYRINTH MADE OUT OF PINE NEEDLES . WHAT IS SO EXCITING IS WE HAD OVER 60 PEOPLE COME TO WALK THE LABYRINTH ON WORLD LABYRINTH DAY . WHEN I CHECKED WITH OTHER HOSTS AROUND THE WORLD, STARTING BECAUSE WORLD LABYRINTH DAY STARTED IN AUSTRALIA AND ENDED UP IN HAWAII, WITH PEOPLE WALKING THE LABYRINTH AT 1:00, WE WALK AS ONE AT 1:00 FOR PEACE . THIS WAS AT PEACE WALK ON LABYRINTH OR FINGER LABYRINTH , WITH OUR 60 PLUS PEOPLE , WE WERE ONE OF THE LARGEST IF NOT THE LARGEST IN THE UNITED STATES. I THINK LITHUANIA HAD MORE PEOPLE COMING OUT TO THEIR WORLD LABYRINTH DAY BUT THAT GIVES US SOMETHING TO AIM FOR. THIS WILL BE AN ANNUAL EVENT AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE PLANTING THE SEED AND POSSIBILITY FOR PERMANENT LABYRINTH BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING WHERE PEOPLE CAN FIND THAT TIME OUT OF TIME TO FIND SOME PEACE IN THEMSELVES, TO REFLECT , TO BRING PEACE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND HOPEFULLY OUR WORLD. JUST ANOTHER WAY TO SHINE GULFPORT'S STAR WITH THE LABYRINTH PEOPLE CAN WALK AT ANY TIME OF DAY. I WANT TO THANK THE CITY , THE ART CENTER SENT TWO PEOPLE OUT AND THEY LEAD PEOPLE IN BUILDING, MAKING FINGER LABYRINTH SO WE GOT SO MUCH SUPPORT FROM THE CITY AND AGAIN, ANOTHER THING THAT WE SO APPRECIATE. THANK YOU TO THE COUNCIL PEOPLE THAT CAME OUT, WE HAD THREE COUNCIL PEOPLE, AND WALK THE LABYRINTH WITH US. YOU STILL CAN TOO SO THANK YOU. >> WHO ELSE, THE BACK ROW, I CAN BARELY SEE YOU . >> HI. LISA BARLEY , THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. RECENTLY, MY HUSBAND AND I CONTACTED OUR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE, MARLENE SHAW, REGARDING CANCELLATION OF THE FIREWORKS AND PARADE. MS. SHAW MET WITH US PROMPTLY TO DISCUSS THE DECISION MADE AND WE GREATLY APPRECIATE THAT. UNFORTUNATELY, MY HUSBAND IS NOT WITH ME TODAY, HE IS OUT OF TOWN ON BUSINESS. SHE INFORMED US THAT THE CITY MANAGER CITED THE CASINO DAMAGE ALONG WITH BEACH SAFETY CONCERNS AS THE REASONS FOR THE CANCELLATION. HOWEVER, THE PIER APPEARS STRUCTURALLY SOUND APART FROM MISSING RAILINGS. MY HUSBAND, WHO IS A LICENSED WATERFRONT AND COASTAL ENGINEER WITH 35 YEARS EXPERIENCE, OFFERED TO INSPECT IT AT NO COST TO THE CITY TO ASSESS STRUCTURAL DEFICIENCIES. THE CASINO CONDITION DOES NOT SEEM TO BE RELEVANT. AS FOR BEACH SAFETY, THE RESIDENTS CONTINUE TO USE IT DAILY. IF THE CONCERNS STEM FROM FENCING AROUND THE DEBRIS OR WASHED OUT RAIN GARDEN, THESE ARE STRAIGHTFORWARD FIXES. I'M A LICENSED CONTRACTOR MYSELF FOR OVER 25 YEARS, I BELIEVE SOLUTIONS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED SWIFTLY. IF LOCATION IS AN ISSUE, ALTERNATIVE SITES LIKE REC CENTER OR BARGE COULD BE CONSIDERED FOLLOWING THE MEETING, WE CONTINUED THE CONVERSATION VIA EMAIL AS REQUESTED. HOWEVER, AFTER A FEW EXCHANGES, MY HUSBAND WAS UNEXPECTEDLY BLOCKED FROM FURTHER COMMUNICATION. WE RECEIVED AUTO RESPONSE CONFIRMING, WHICH I CAN PROVIDE TO YOU, WE BELIEVE, I KNOW THIS IS NOT ORCHESTRATED BY MS. SHAW, WE SERIOUSLY HOPE IT WAS A TECHNICAL ISSUE AND NOT INTENTIONAL ACTION AS OPEN COMMUNICATION BETWEEN REPRESENTATIVES AND RESIDENTS IS ESSENTIAL. MY HUSBAND AND I LOVE THIS TOWN, WE WANT TO SUPPORT ITS RECOVERY WITH BOTH OUR EXTENSIVE EXPERTISE IN SHORELINE AND WATERFRONT ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION, WE OFFERED OUR SERVICES AT NO COST TO HELP RESTORE GULFPORT'S VIBRANCY. IT SAYS IN THE GULFPORT MISSION STATEMENT, IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE CITY NOT TO BE AN OBSTACLE BUT A VEHICLE FOR CITIZEN SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS AND INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. THE FIREWORKS AND PARADE ARE LONG-STANDING AND WELCOME TRADITION THAT DEFINED GULFPORT RINGING JOY TO RESIDENTS AND FINANCIAL BOOST TO LOCAL BUSINESSES. THEIR ABSENCE AFFECTS THE WHOLE COMMUNITY. AFTER THE DEVASTATION AND HARDSHIPS THIS TOWN HAS ENDURED THESE LAST MANY MONTHS, I'M HOPING THIS FOURTH OF JULY WILL BE THE SAME OR BETTER THAN YEARS PAST, GULFPORT THRIVES ON ITS TRADITIONS, RESILIENCE, AND UNITY SPIRIT . LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO RESTORE WHAT MAKES THE TOWN SPECIAL BECAUSE GULFPORT DOES NOT CANCEL, GULFPORT CELEBRATES . I CAN LEAVE THESE IF YOU WANT, THE SITE, THE EMAILS WERE FAILURE NOTICES AND IT WAS BLOCKED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU . NEXT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS. MADAM MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIRELESS WORK THAT YOU SIGNED UP FOR, I KNOW WE ARE ALL VERY APPRECIATIVE. MY NAME IS CATHERINE SULLIVAN AND I AM A CERTIFIED A.I. CONSULTANT, THAT IS WHAT OUR COMPANY DOES. WE ARE HERE BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT WE CAN HELP THE CITY OF GULFPORT FIX THE -- PROCESS. GIVEN IT A LOT OF THOUGHT SEVERAL MONTHS HOW TO HELP AND THE TYPE OF SOLUTIONS THAT MIGHT BE AVAILABLE . WE ARE HERE TO OFFER THOSE SERVICES . WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS OVER 20 YEARS. WE WORKED WITH A VARIETY OF BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS FROM IBM AND GENERAL MILLS TO THE U.S. NAVY AND THE IRS . WE HAVE A PROVEN FOUR PART SYSTEM OF ASSESSMENT AND DETAILED FINDINGS REPORT FOLLOWED BY IMPLEMENTATION AND CONTINUED SUPPORT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS SOLUTION IS, HAS LONG-TERM DURABILITY AND CONTINUES TO GIVE YOU THE RESULTS THAT YOU WANT. WE ARE HERE TO ASK FOR A MEETING, PERHAPS WITH COUNCIL, SOMETIME NEXT WEEK . THIS WILL BE A QUICK FIX, NOT TALKING ABOUT SEVERAL MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD. AND NOT EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE FIX EITHER. WE WOULD LIKE A LITTLE EXTRA TIME WITH THE COUNCIL TO FLUSH OUT WHAT THAT MIGHT ENTAIL AND TO SEE IF WE CAN HELP. THANK YOU. >> IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS TONIGHT? YES ? >> KYLE CANNING , --BOULEVARD. HURRICANE SEASON IS COMING, OKAY. I WANT TO REITERATE WHAT WOLFGANG SAID ABOUT THE TILE AND HOPING MATERIAL, IT IS ALL GOING INTO OUR PIPES WHICH ARE FILLING UP. WE DON'T HAVE THE VALVES LIKE YOU TALKING ABOUT BUT THAT STUFF, THE LAST MEETING OR THE MEETING BEFORE THAT, THE NORMAL MEETING COMMENTED ABOUT CIGARETTE BUTTS ON THE BEACH. I HAVE SUNDAYS AND MONDAYS OFF, THAT IS WHAT I DO SUNDAYS, WALKED AROUND THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD FROM BEACH DOWN TO 58, EVERY PIPE WAS FULL OF WATER AT HIGH TIDE. TO THE BRIM. AND WE HAVE HAD NO RAIN, THOSE PIPES SHOULD BE EMPTY. BUT WE HAVE NO CHECK VALVES. WHAT IS GOING TO OCCUR IS, WE HAVE RAIN COMING THIS WEEK, SUPPOSED TO BE THREE OR FOUR DAYS IN A ROW, HEAVY RAINS, WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE HOW FLOODED OUR STREETS ARE IN IS WHAT IS COMING OUT OF THEM DREAMS? DOG BAGS, BUILDING MATERIALS, TONS OF CIGARETTE BUTTS. WHEN THE TIDE GOES DOWN, IT WILL SUCK ALL OF THAT OUT INTO THE BAY AND IT WILL GO INTO THE BAY AND THE TIDES, BUT, AS ROBERT CIGARETTE BUTTS AND GARBAGE ARE GOING? ONTO THE BEACH. I WANT YOU GUYS TO LOOK INTO BAFFLE BOXES, WHICH I TALKED ABOUT, THAT CATCHES SEDIMENT LIKE FERTILIZER, WHICH WOULD STOP RED TIDE. IT HAS SCREENS THAT CAN SET MATERIAL . IT IS LIKE A BIG FILTER . WE HAVE ONE IN THIS TOWN ALREADY DONE BY THE MARINA, IT WAS INSTALLED IN THE TOWN PURCHASED VACUUM STRUCTURE TO CLEAN IT OUT, WE HAVE THE MATERIAL. WE INSTALL MORE BAFFLE BOXES, WHICH WILL CATCH ALL OF THE CIGARETTE BUTTS, ALL OF THE MATERIAL AND EVERYTHING ELSE, WE COULD KEEP OUR BAY CLEAN. IT WILL NOT END UP IN THE BAY BECAUSE ANYTHING GOES INTO THOSE THINGS. WHEN HE SAID THAT, I HAD TO SAY SOME INK. TAKE IT EASY, GUYS. >> I THINK I SAW ONE MORE HAND. YOU REMEMBER WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO ASK? YOU NEED TO SPRINT UP HERE SINCE THIS IS YOUR SECOND TIME. OKAY, THANK YOU FOR GRACE FOR MOM BRAIN. LORNE STERN, TOMLINSON AREA . ARE WE GOING TO GET A NEW POLICE CHIEF? I DID READ THAT ROBINSON ASKED THE SAME WEEK , IT DROPPED INTO MY AURA WONDERING BECAUSE WE DID HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT A FEW THINGS AND THE ANSWERS WE GOT WERE, WE DO NOT HAVE A POLICE CHIEF I WON'T SAY MUCH MORE BUT DEFINITELY CURIOUS BECAUSE I BELIEVE HE GAVE HIS NOTICE LAST JUNE , HE LEFT THE END OF DECEMBER SO THANKS. THANK YOU . I'M GETTING READY TO CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. SEEING NO OTHER HANDS, PUBLIC, IS CLOSED AND WE WILL TURN TO THE CITY MANAGER, WHO WILL ADDRESS ANY OF THESE ITEMS THAT WERE BROUGHT UP TONIGHT OR ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE FOLLOWING CITY MANAGER 'S REPORT, IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT WE AS A COUNCIL DON'T UNDERSTAND, WE WILL BE ABLE TO CLARIFY BUT WE WILL NOT BE DISCUSSING OTHER ITEMS, JUST WHAT HE HAS TALKED ABOUT DURING HIS REPORT , IF YOU WILL, CITY MANAGER. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THE ONLY ITEM I HAVE TO ADDRESS SPECIFICALLY, YOU REACHED A POINT TO DECIDE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUNSET THE PERMITTING, WAIVER PERMITTING FEES FOR THE SDE PROPERTIES. >> OKAY. >> THAT'S IT . ALL RIGHTY. ARE YOU LOOKING FOR US TO DISCUSS THAT RIGHT THIS MINUTE? >> YES, I WOULD . YOU CAN PROVIDE DIRECTION, WE WOULD MAKE IT EFFECTIVE ON MONDAY , EXCUSE ME, ONE WEEK FROM TODAY DUE TO THE FACT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO GO ONLINE , FOR THE CONTRACTORS TO UTILIZE THE PAY ONLINE. WE WILL GO IN SPEAKING ORDER, THE QUESTION IS, WOULD YOU WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND T