City Council Meeting

>> 2022 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR GULFPORT FLORIDA. OUR INVOCATION THIS EVENING IS GIVEN BY COUNCILMEMBER KRISTINE BROWN FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. PLEASE JOIN US IN RISING. >> GOOD EVENING, THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR BEING HERE. EVERYTHING I NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED FROM THE EASTER BUNNY. DON'T PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET. EVERYONE NEEDS FRIENDS WHO ARE ALL EARS. ALL WORK AND NO PLAY CAN MAKE YOU A BASKET CASE. EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO A BAD HAIR DAY. LET HAPPY THOUGHTS MULTIPLY LIKE RABBITS. IT IS OKAY IF BODY PARTS ARE FLOPPY. THE INSIDE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE OUTSIDE. KEEP YOUR PAWS OFF OTHER PEOPLES' JELLY BEANS. THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE STILL SWEET. AND SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO HUNT FOR THE GOOD THINGS IN LIFE. THANK YOU. >> THANKS, CHRISTINE. >> (RECITING PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE). >> ALL RIGHT, CITY CLERK. I'LL TURN IT OVER TO YOU. >> WE ARE GOING TO DO SWEARING IN. IF WE COULD HAVE COUNCILMEMBER RAY AND COUNCILMEMBER THANOS COME FORWARD, WE'LL SWEAR THEM IN FIRST, FOLLOWED BY THE MAYOR. WOULD YOU PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. JUST GOING TO ASK YOU TO STATE YOUR NAME. >> APRIL THANOS. >> PAUL RAY. >> (SWEARING IN WITH OATH). >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> CONGRATULATIONS, APRIL. >> (SWEARING IN MAYOR SAMUEL HENDERSON WITH OATH). >> I WILL. >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> CONGRATULATIONS. (APPLAUSE). >> ROLL CALL PLEASE, CITY CLERK. >> COUNCILMEMBER BROWN. >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER RAY. >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER FRIDOVICH. >> YES. >> FIRST OFF TONIGHT, WE HAVE A PRESENTATION FROM GULFPORT RESIDENT, INGRID BREDENBERG. >> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. I APPRECIATE IT. WELL, THIS WAS ACTUALLY THE PERFECT THING TO FOLLOW YOUR SWEARING IN. WE DID NOT HAVE AN ELECTION, BUT WE HAVE THE STABILITY OF THE CARRYING FORWARD OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN NOW REELECTED AUTOMATICALLY BY -- SINCE THERE WERE NO CHALLENGERS. AND TONIGHT I'M GOING TO MAKE A CASE FOR SOMETHING THAT I HOPE WE CAN -- THE CITY WILL SEE OF VALUE, THAT WE HAVE SOME COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS. THESE ARE DIFFERENT FROM TOWN MEETINGS, WHICH CHAMBER MEMBER RAY WILL BE HOLDING. IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO COME FORWARD AND HAVE CONVERSATIONS THAT CAN BE USED BY THE COUNCIL AND ORGANIZATIONS IN THE CITY. THAT IS MY PURPOSE HERE TONIGHT. I'M GOING TO OFFER A CHALLENGE OR WHAT OUR CHALLENGES ARE, WHAT THE OPPORTUNITY IS AND AN OFFERING, AROUND NEXT ACTION. AND WHAT I'M ASKING FROM YOU, FROM ALL OF YOU, IS REALLY TO DELIBERATE AND DEVELOP WHATEVER CRITERIA IS NEEDED TO HAVE THIS BE BROUGHT FORWARD FOR YOU TO SAY YES. THIS IS A MEANINGFUL, WOULD BE USEFUL AND SOMETHING TO PUT TIME AND EFFORT IN TO. IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO WRITE ON, IF THERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT IT, YOU CAN BRING THAT INTO DELIBERATION AND I KNOW YOU'LL BRING IN ANY OBSTACLES YOU'LL SEE. THERE MIGHT BE INTERESTING POSSIBILITIES. AND WHAT WOULD IT TAKE. WHAT DO YOU NEED TO HEAR IN ORDER TO MAKE IT HAPPEN IF YOU FIND IT HAS MERIT. I DON'T NEEDS TO TELL PEOPLE ABOUT THE NEW REALITY THAT IS EMERGING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC. WE HAVE ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY. THE PANDEMIC, WHILE NOT RAGING ANYMORE, WE ARE STILL AT THE EFFECT OF IT. POLITICAL DISCOURSE HASN'T GOTTEN ANYMORE FRIENDLY OF LATE, AND I'M JUST GLAD THAT HERE OUR ELECTIONS ARE NON PARTISAN SO WE CAN PUT IN THE RIGHT PEOPLE AT THE RIGHT TIME. WE HAVE CLIMATE CHANGE AND WE ARE RIGHT AT THE EDGE OF THAT. WORKFORCE CHALLENGES, A LOT OF BUSINESSES IN GULFPORT ARE HAVING TROUBLE STAFFING. THERE'S PLENTY OF SOCIAL INEQUITIES THAT THE WHOLE COUNTRY IS DEALING WITH AND WE HAVE A WAR, NOT ON OUR SHORES, BUT IS AFFECTING OUR TOWN. THAT IS THE REALITY. THAT IS THE BACKDROP. GULFPORT IS BEING DISCOVERED. I WAS AT THE TUESDAY MARKET TODAY. THAT PLACE IS HOPPING AND THEY ARE NOT PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE. THERE IS PEOPLE FROM ALL OVERCOMING IN. THE DEMOGRAPHICS ARE CHANGING. THIS IS WHAT YOU GET TO DEAL WITH ALL THE TIME. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR OTHER PEOPLE TO RECOGNIZE THIS IS THE WORK YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH AND IT IS USUALLY THE SIDEWALKS AND SEWERS. IT IS NOT THE BIG STUFF, IT'S THE SMALL STUFF. AND PEOPLE BRING PROBLEMS TO YOU AND THAT IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH. THE LOCAL IMPACT IS THAT WE HAVE NEW PEOPLE, NEW BUSINESSES, NEW MONEY AND PEOPLE BRING IN NEW AND DIFFERENT NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS, BUT THEY ALSO BRING IN RESOURCES AND TALENTS AND THIS IS SOMETHING I THINK IS A REAL OPPORTUNE TIME. WE KNOW WHY PEOPLE ARE MOVING HERE. WE ARE HERE BECAUSE WE LOVE THIS. WE LOVE THIS TOWN. WE LOVE THIS IS A WELCOMING AND DIVERSE COMMUNITY AND IT FORTUNATELY IS GETTING MORE DIVERSE. WE ARE HOPING TO KEEP THAT COMING WITH YOUNGER PEOPLE AND PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT PLACES. WE HAVE A VERY CREATIVE ECONOMY. WE HAVE THE ARTS AND CULTURE THAT ARE FLOURISHING HERE. AND OF COURSE THERE IS THE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE, THE BEACH AND THE NATURE THAT WE HAVE HERE THAT THE CITY HAS REALLY TAKEN GOOD CARE OF. WE HAVE A FASCINATING HISTORY. AND BEING 15 MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN SAINT PETE, 15 MINUTES FROM THE BEACHES, 15 MINUTES FROM ANYWHERE, WE HAVE ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES. MANY OF THEM ARE GULFPORT-BASED AND SO PEOPLE ARE MOVING HERE FOR THAT. SO THIS IS THE TIME IN OUR OPINION. I HAVE SOME DEAR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS AND PEOPLE THAT I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO A LOT HERE IN THE ROOM TO REALLY HARNESS THE ENERGY, AND KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES OF THESE NEW AND EXISTING RESIDENTS, TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT IN CIVIC AND BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. I KNOW A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS HERE ARE LOOKING FOR MORE PEOPLE TO VOLUNTEER AND HELP OUT. AND THEN TO BUILD THAT COMMUNITY AND DEVELOP THE LEADERSHIP SO THAT WHEN THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO STEP INTO A LEADERSHIP ROLE, PEOPLE COME IN WELL-INFORMED, CONFIDENT AND COMPETENT TO TAKE ON THESE IMPORTANT ROLES IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND TO CREATE A SHARED VISION OF A VIBRANT FUTURE FOR GULFPORT, SOMETHING WE CAN ALL GET BEHIND AND UNDERSTAND. NOT EVERYBODY COMES TO THESE MEETINGS. SO WE DON'T ALWAYS KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE TO GRAPPLE WITH. AND IT'S -- I CAN IMAGINE THAT UV TO DEAL WITH SO MANY THINGS IN THE DAY-TO-DAY, THAT IT IS HARD TO STEP BACK AND TAKE THE BIGGER PICTURE. I WAS REALLY EXCITED TO READ THE MISSION STATEMENT OF OUR CITY. AND PARTICULARLY TO SEE HOW THE CITY FRAMED, IT IS A VEHICLE FOR CITIZENS SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS AND INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. THAT IS A HEAVY LIFT, BUT WE HAVE REALLY GOOD MANAGEMENT OF THE CITY AND YOUR JOB AS LEADERS TO GIVE DIRECTION TO THE CITY MANAGER AND STAFF IS REALLY A BIG JOB AND THE LAST FEW YEARS HAVE NOT BEEN EASY. SO I THINK YOU DESERVE SUPPORT AND HELP FROM US. I LOVED THIS ORGANIZATIONAL CHART THAT PUT THE RESIDENTS ON TOP, CITY COUNCIL NEXT AND YOU'RE OUR REPRESENTATIVES AND THEN THE CITY MANAGER AND STAFF. I DID ACTUALLY READ THE BUDGET. I DIDN'T GET ALL THE WAY PAST THE 200-PAGE -- IT IS 300 AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PAGES. I WANTED TO PUT THIS GRAPHIC UP BECAUSE IT IS WHAT LEADERSHIP MUST DO IS TO HAVE A VISION THAT CAN GUIDE THE ORGANIZATION, BUILDING ON THE CORE COMPETENCIES AND THE HISTORY OF WHATEVER THE ORGANIZATION IS OR TOWN, TO BE ABLE TO LIFT OVER THOSE CRITICAL ISSUES AND UNDERSTAND THE ENVIRONMENT IN SUCH A WAY TO NAVIGATE AND AVOID THOSE CHALLENGES OR MITIGATE THEM AS YOU GO FORWARD. SO I SEE CITY COUNCIL AS NAVIGATORS, AS DECISION MAKERS, RESOURCE STEWARDS, MEDIATORS, AND COMMUNICATORS, AND THAT'S A WAY TO PERHAPS SUMMARIZE YOUR JOB. I'M SURE YOU HAVE MORE ADJECTIVES YOU'D ADD TO THAT, BUT WHAT AN IMPORTANT THING TO DO AND THEN CITY ADMINISTRATION HAS TO BE RESPONSIVE, RESOURCEFUL, RESILIENT AND RESPECTFUL. I DO GET INTO ALLITERATION AT TIMES. AND THE STAFF NEEDS TO BE INFORMED, ALIGNED, EMPOWERED AND SAVVY, SMART AND KNOW HOW TO MAKE THE SYSTEM BELIEVE. DOING ALL THAT CAN BE HELPED BY THE INFORMATION THAT CAN COME FROM THE COMMUNITY, NOT AS A DIRECTIVE, BUT AS INFORMATION. SO YOU'RE ALL SURE FAMILIAR WITH THE SAYING, IF YOU FAIL TO PLAN AND YOU'RE PLANNING TO FAIL. IT IS WHAT RICHARD WILLIAMS, THE FATHER OF SERENA AND VENUS WILLIAMS WAS HIS MANTRA AND MAYBE HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THEIR SUCCESS, BUT I THINK IT IS SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT. I KNOW THAT IS SOMETHING THE CITY MANAGER HAS TO DO ALL THE TIME IS TO PLAN, BUT HE ALSO TAKES GUIDANCE FROM COUNCIL. THERE IS A LOT ON YOUR PLATES, AND THIS IS SUPPOSEDLY A PART-TIME JOB. HERE IS THE PROPOSAL I'D LIKE YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR, THAT WE'D LIKE THE CONSIDERATION FOR. I SPEAK FOR MYSELF, CERTAINLY. BUT THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE THAT FEEL THIS WAY, TOO. THAT WE ENGAGE THE GULFPORT RESIDENTS IN THREE COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS THAT PROVIDE RESPECTFUL, FOCUSED DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON. WHAT IS THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE THAT-AND THE TRENDS, NEEDS, OPPORTUNITIES. THIS IS THE 30,000-FOOT VIEW, NOT THE ONE THAT WALKS IN HERE ON TUESDAY NIGHTS, BUT THE BIGGER ONE. AND TO BE ABLE TO HAVE VISUAL AND VERBAL INDICATIONS THAT ILLUSTRATE AND MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE CITY -- GULFPORT'S PRIORITIES AND CHALLENGES. IT IS NOT THAT THESE THINGS ARE AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT PEOPLE ALWAYS UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAME ABOUT. AND PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE WHY AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP INTEGRATED AND HIGH LEVEL THINKING SO PEOPLE AREN'T JUST COMING IN HERE WITH BROKEN, CRACKED SIDEWALKS, BUT REALLY HELP THEM HOW TO HAVE THE HIGH LEVEL AND THINKING HOW TO HAVE AN INFORMED, INVESTED COMMUNITY THAT CAN SUPPORT WHATEVER SHARED VISION COMES OUT OF THIS. AND GUIDANCE FOR NOT ONLY THE SHORT-TERM PLANS, BUT ALSO THE LONG-TERM PLANS. . AND WHAT'S EXCITING TO ME, BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING I HAVE DONE WITH OTHER GROUPS, IS TO ENGAGE THE YOUTH, TO HAVE THEM BE PART OF ALL THIS IN IMPORTANT ROLES OR AS PARTICIPANTS AND HAVING A SEAT AT THE TABLE, SO WE CAN HARNESS THE ENERGY AND KNOWLEDGE THAT THIS TOWN HAS. IF WE DID THIS I THINK IT WOULD BE A REALLY GOOD DOCUMENTED CASE STUDY OF A MUNICIPALITY THAT ENGAGED THEIR CITIZENS IN SETTING A COURSE THAT CAN -- INTO THE FUTURE. SO WHY THIS, WHY NOW? THIS IS A NEW TIME TO RESET, STEP BACK AND GO TO A HIGHER PLACE IN TERMS OF OUR THINKING, WITH ALL THE NEW RESIDENTS HERE, WE HAVE A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING IN AND THEY HAVE THEIR NEEDS AND DESIRES AND WHY NOT USE THEM AND ENGAGE THEM AND USE THEIR THINKING AS WELL AS INTRODUCE THEM TO ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS THAT ARE HERE. AND THIS IS AN IDEAL TIME TO ASSESS AND GATHER INFORMATION AND LEARN FROM THE PAST AS WELL AS PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE. SO MANY TIMES THE PROBLEMS GET DISCUSSED AT THE LEVEL THEY ARE HAPPENING AND WE KNOW THAT IT IS MUCH BETTER TO GO TO A HIGHER SHARED PURPOSE, SHARED MISSION IF WE REALLY WANT TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS. SO THESE THREE EVENTS WOULD LAY A FOUNDATION FOR PLANNING AND IT WOULD CROWD SOURCE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT SOME OF EMERGING TRENDS, INFLUENCES AND INNOVATIONS FROM THE RESIDENTS SO WHEN THEY SEE YOUR PLANS, THEY SEE THEIR FINGERPRINTS. THEY SEE THEIR IDEAS OUT THERE AND HAVE A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP AND ARE LIKELY TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION AS THEY GO FORWARD. HERE IS THE THING. BECAUSE OF THE FORMAT OF THESE EVENTS, BECAUSE THESE THINGS WOULD BRING PEOPLE CLOSER TOGETHER THEY MIGHT BE SITTING AT A TABLE WITH A NEIGHBOR THEY NEVER MET BEFORE. THAT IS PART OF WHAT WE ARE OFFERING HERE. THESE EVENTS WOULD USE THE WORLD CAFE METHODOLOGY. I'M NOT GOING TO GO INTO IT IN GREAT DETAIL, BUT A STRUCTURED CONVERSATIONAL PROCESS FOR INFORMATION SHARING. PEOPLE SIT AROUND TABLES AND DISCUSS FOCUSED TOPICS LIKE A CAFE. THIS IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT I PERCEIVED IN A LOT OF TOWN HALLS. THIS IS REALLY THE PEOPLE TALKING TO EACH OTHER, BUT AROUND A FOCUSED TOPIC. AND THE FORMAT ITSELF ENCOURAGES RESPECTFUL LISTENING AND MEANINGFUL SHARING AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERY VOICE TO BE HEARD. AND AGAIN, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS DOCUMENTED AND IT CAN BE REFERENCED AS YOU GO FORWARD WITH ANY PLANNING OR THE CITY GOES FORWARD WITH ITS PLANNING SO IT CAN ACTUALLY USE THE WORDS AND THE IMAGES THAT COME FROM THE PEOPLE. SO WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE? . WE START OUT WITH A SURVEY TO BOTH ANNOUNCE IT AND THEN TO START TO GATHER INPUT RIGHT FROM THE GET GO. AND ALSO SEE WHAT THE INTEREST IS. I MEAN, THIS IS RIGHT NOW -- THIS INITIATIVE IS COMING FROM A SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE, BUT LET'S SEE WHERE THE INTEREST REALLY LIES BEFORE TAKING ON THE BIGGER STEPS. AND THANKFULLY, THANKS TO DAVE MATHER, HE'S PUT UP A DRAFT OF A SURVEY ON SURVEY MONKEY AND WE SEE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COULD HAPPEN QUICKLY. THE COMMUNITY CONVERSATION EVENTS WOULD HAPPEN IN OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, JANUARY, TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FACT THAT THAT IS WHEN SNOW BIRDS ARE HERE, AND WE HAVE THE LARGEST POPULATION AND TO GET MORE PEOPLE INVOLVED AND VOICES HEARD. THESE ARE THE THREE HIGH-LEVEL -- WHAT EACH WOULD FOCUS ON AND I CAN CERTAINLY GIVE YOU MORE DETAILS. NOT IN THIS PRESENTATION, BY I HAVE INFORMATION ON HOW IT WORKS. AND OF COURSE THE DOCUMENTATION AND THE REPORTS WOULD COME OUT AFTERWARDS. ALL THIS WOULD BE HANDED OFF TO CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION FOR YOUR OWN BOLD STEP PRIORITIES THAT COME OUT OF THAT. I'M NOT SAYING THAT DOESN'T ALREADY EXIST. IT'S MORE THAT WHEN IT'S REFLECTED BY THE PEOPLE THAT COME AND ATTEND AND TALK ABOUT THESE THINGS, IT VALIDATES WHAT YOU'RE ALREADY DOING, BUT THERE MAY BE SOME NEW IDEAS THAT COME OUT OF IN IN A WAY TO ACTUALLY ENGAGE PEOPLE MORE. IT CAN BE USED FOR PLANNING, COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES AND WRITING THE IMPLEMENTATION BUDGETING. IT DOES GIVE RISE TO THINGS THAT CAN BE MEASURED AND TRACKED AND THEN WHEN PEOPLE HEAR THEIR OWN WORDS REFLECTED BACK, THEY TEND TO BELIEVE IT SO A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT COMES OUT OF THIS CAN BE USED AGAIN AS YOU MESSAGE THINGS BACK OUT TO THE COMMUNITY. ANOTHER GRAPHIC TO SHOW HOW IT MIGHT LOOK. WHERE HAS THIS BEEN DONE BEFORE? I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THESE KINDS OF EVENTS WITH HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE AT A TIME, WITH THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, SCHOOL SYSTEM, A LEAGUE WITH MANY HEALTH CARE LEADERS, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, COMMUNITY COLLEGE, FAMILY BUSINESS CENTER AND CITY OF SAINT PETERSBURG, AND I WENT THERE AS A PARTICIPANT PRIOR TO BEING INAUGURATED MAYOR KEN WELCH RAN THREE OF THESE COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS. TO GATHER A LOT OF INFORMATION HE NOW REFERENCES A LOT. THESE ARE JUST ONES I'M FAMILIAR WITH. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS. I JUST HEARD ON THE NEWS THIS MORNING THAT SARASOTA IS GOING TO DO SOMETHING AKIN TO THIS. YOU CAN SEE THIS IS HOW FROM THE WEBSITE KEN WELCH IS USING THESE COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS. HE'S ALREADY PUT IT INTO THE ACTION STRATEGIES, AND THAT'S THE BACKDROP FOR HOW HE'S COMMUNICATING HIS -- WHAT HIS ADMINISTRATION IS UP TO. I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO PEOPLE AND THEY'RE INTERESTED AND A LOT OF GROUPS ARE, AND THE ASTERISK BESIDE THESE GROUPS -- WE HAVE TALKED TO A NUMBER OF GROUPS, JUST TO LET THEM KNOW ABOUT IT. THE ASTERISK DOESN'T MEAN THEY ARE SUPPORTING IT NECESSARILY, BUT THERE IS INTEREST AND THESE ARE THE KINDS OF GROUPS THAT WE COULD ACTUALLY INVOLVE IN KEY ROLES IN PUTTING THESE EVENTS ON. I WANTED TO PUT THIS INTO A TIMELINE, THAT WE COULD PUT THE PLAN YOU APPROVE IN PLACE IN MAY AND THE OUTREACH COULD START IMMEDIATELY, ACTUALLY. I'M JUST PUTTING IT INTO A 12-MONTH PERIOD HERE WHERE YOU CAN SEE WHERE WE DO SOME TRAINING OF PEOPLE THAT WOULD ACTUALLY STEP UP TO HELP HOST THESE EVENTS AND WE DO THE FIRST EVENT IN LATE SEPTEMBER, EARLY OCTOBER. ANOTHER EVENT PRIOR TO THANKSGIVING. AND THEN A THIRD ONE IN JANUARY, FEBRUARY WITH DOCUMENTATION TO FOLLOW AS WE CAN. SO THE NEXT ACTIONS, YOU GET TO TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES, SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT MERIT THIS WOULD BE, WHAT THIS WOULD DO FOR THE CITY AND OUR PLAN WOULD BE WITH THE CITY MANAGER. HE TAKES DIRECTION FROM YOU WITH WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO IMPLEMENT WITH COST SO THAT EVERYTHING IS TRANSPARENT OF CITY COUNCIL WOULD THEN APPROVE THE PLAN AND WE'D IMPLEMENT. WE HAVE LOTS OF SUPPORT FROM STAKEHOLDERS AND PARTNERS, SOME OF WHICH WE HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN AND MORE TO COME. OH YES, I DO HAVE ONE MORE THING JUST TO CONSIDER. GOT TO HAVE A QUOTE IN ONE OF THOSE POWERPOINT THINGS. I FOUND THIS IS FROM MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO NOT SEEK CONSENSUS, BUT RATHER TO BUILD CONSENSUS, AND THAT IS WHAT THESE CONVERSATIONS DO. THEY WORK BEAUTIFULLY WITH THE KINDS OF TOWN HALLS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT THE CITY DOES, AND I HOPE YOU'LL TAKE IT INTO CONSIDERATION. I'M AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS, BUT THAT WAS WHAT I GOT TO DO AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION. >> THANK YOU. >> I'M GOING TO LEAVE THESE WITH YOUR CLERKS AND SHE'LL HAND THESE OUT. THESE ARE JUST ILLUSTRATION OF WHAT ONE OF THE EVENTS WOULD LOOK LIKE. >> ANY QUESTIONS? OKAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT. THIS BRINGS US TO OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT, FOR ANY ITEM THAT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA. YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES UP HERE AT THE PODIUM. PLEASE USE THE MICROPHONE, GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND WE'LL JUST GO WITH A SHOW OF HANDS IN THE ROOM. HOW YOU DOING? >> GOOD EVENING, JERRY REED. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF SUB 49 AS THE PRESIDENT. I AS A MEMBER OF THE EMS ADVISORY COUNCIL RECEIVED AN E-MAIL FROM THEM REGARDING DONATIONS FOR ITEMS OF HURRICANE HYGIENE KITS TO VULNERABLE POPULATIONS. THEY ARE LOOKING TO GIVE OUT 2000 OF THOSE KIT. RATHER THAN ASKING FOR MONETARY DONATIONS -- BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS GOING CASHLESS NOW -- BUT THEN THERE IS A LOT OF PAPERWORK WITH THAT ALSO -- WE SET UP SOME BOXES. 49 HAS OPTED TO PUT OUT BOXES FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL. WE HAVE ONE AT CITY HALL, ONE AT SAFETY TIRE, ONE AT STORAGE HOUSE. THERE WILL BE ONE AT OUR BIGGEST DONATION COLLECTION, WHICH IS SMOKEN JAYS BECAUSE YOU KNOW THEY COLLECT FOR EVERYTHING. THERE IS A LIST FOR EVERYBODY ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND ON EACH BOX, BUT IF ANYONE WANTS TO CONTACT ME, THEY'RE LOOKING FOR SIMPLE THINGS LIKE TARPS AND PLASTIC, FIRST AID KITS, FLASHLIGHTS, EMERGENCY WHISTLES, DECKS OF CARDS, PONCHOS, PEN AND NOTEPAD, HAND SANITIZER, DISINFECTANT AND WIPES, SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER, SOAP, PREPASTED TOOTHBRUSH, MOUTHWASH AND LARGE ZIPLOC BAGS. NONE OF THOSE ARE EXPENSIVES. SO WITH GULFPORT'S GIVING SPIRIT, WE'RE HOPING TO -- WE'RE GOING TO COLLECT ALL THROUGH THE MONTH OF MAY. THEY ARE GOING TO DISTRIBUTE THROUGH APRIL. THEY ARE GOING TO BE DISTRIBUTING IN JUNE. WE FIGURED WE'D GO FOR ONE MONTH AND HAVE THEM DELIVERED. >> VERY COOL. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> EXCUSE ME. ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE BOXES OR -- >> THERE ARE BOXES. ONE OUT HERE IN CITY HALL, ONE AT SAFETY TIRE, ONE AFTER GULFPORT STORAGE, AND ONE AT SMOKE N JAYS. THANK YOU. >> I'M SORRY. >> GO AHEAD. >> MY NAME IS ELIZABETH RIGGS, AND I LIVE ON 57TH STREET SOUTH. . I'M HERE WITH SOME OF MY WONDERFUL NEIGHBORS, WE ARE ALL KIND OF IN THE SAME AREA. I'M HERE TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL ABOUT THE PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN OCCURRING WITH PEOPLE CAMPING -- >> CAN YOU GET CLOSER TO THE MICROPHONE. >> SURE. THERE ARE OVERNIGHT CAMPERS IN THE BEACH PARKING WHERE ALL THE PAVERS ARE AND SO FORTH. I ALREADY SENT AN E-MAIL TO MS. BROWN AND MS. THANOS TO ASK WHAT COULD BE DONE. TODAY OF COURSE, WE WERE ALL SHOCKED TO FIND OUT THAT THERE WAS SOMEBODY DEAD IN ONE OF THESE VANS. MAYBE YOU ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THAT. NONETHELESS, IT'S BECOMING MORE AND MORE OF A PROBLEM AND I DID GET A RESPONSE FROM BOTH OF YOU AND ALSO FROM THE POLICE CHIEF, WHO SAYS THAT OVERNIGHT PARKING IS NOT ALLOWED IN THE BEACH PARKING AREA. HOWEVER, I CAN'T FIND ANY SIGNS THAT PROVE THAT. >> WE CAN -- >> THE SIGNS ARE GOING UP TOMORROW MORNING. >> OH, THEY ARE. OKAY. SO IS ANYONE IN A POSITION TO UPDATE ME ON WHAT MAYBE WE'RE GOING TO DO ABOUT THAT? >> WELL, THE CITY MANAGER CAN ADDRESS ANY OF THESE THINGS AT THE END OF PUBLIC COMMENT THAT HE WANTS TO ADDRESS ON THE SPOT. OTHER THAN THAT, SOMEBODY WITH STAFF WILL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU AFTER THE FACT, WHOEVER IS THE MOST APPROPRIATE PERSON. >> IT IS A BAD ELEMENT. THAT IS THE BOTTOM-LINE. THEY COME, THEY GO, BUT WE SEE SOME OF THEM REPEATEDLY. I GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR HELP ON THAT ISSUE. THANK YOU. >> AS YOU'RE ALL WELL AWARE, I'M FORMER VETERAN OFFICER JONATHAN ROSS. SINCE WE HAVE SETTLED MY FEDERAL LAWSUIT, I FELT I NEVER HAVE TO ADDRESS ANY ADDITIONAL CONCERNS TO YOU OR THE PUBLIC BUT I WAS ONCE AGAIN LEFT WITHOUT A CHOICE. ON MARCH 31, 2022, I SUBMITTED A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST TO OUR RECORDS DEPARTMENT INDICATING I NEEDED A LETTER FROM UNITED STATES COAST GUARD STATING HOW MANY MARINE HOURS I OCCURRED DURING MY TENURE. I OFFERED TO PAY FOR THESE SERVICES. WITHIN A SHORT PERIODS OF TIME, YOUR POLICE CHIEF, ROBERT VINCENT RESPONDED VIA E-MAIL, ADVISING UNDER CHAPTER 119 IT DOES NOT REQUIRE RECORDS BE CREATED AND ONLY SUPPLIED ME WITH 2021, 2022 MARINE LOGS. HE COMMENTED IN HIS E-MAIL THAT HE HAD NO INTENTIONS OF WRITING AN E-MAIL AS I REQUESTED. I NEVER ASKED FOR HIS ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER, BUT HE CHOSE TO INTERVENE NONETHELESS. I'M NO ORDINARY CITIZEN. I KNOW WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE ACTUALLY AVAILABLE. CHIEF VINCENT LIED TO ME IN HIS E-MAIL AND INSINUATED I WANTED HIM TO CREATE DOCUMENT THAT IS DIDN'T EXIST. PRIOR TO MY RESIGNATION, COPIES WERE MADE OF THE MARINE LOGS WHICH DATE BACK TO MY HIRE DATES. THE CHIEF WOULD REEDS YOU TO BELIEVE HE FORGOT ABOUT THE HARD COPIES, BUT DON'T LET HIM FOOL YOU. FOR YOU, FOR THE PAST EIGHT YEARS OF MY EMPLOYMENT, HE HAS SENT THE CITY MANAGER REPORT ON A WEEKLY BASIS, WHICH HAS INDICATED HOW MANY MARINE HOURS HAVE BEEN CAN YOU BE THEED. HE CLEARLY IS MAKING IT A PERSONAL ATTACK TOWARDS ME AND APPEARS TO ABUSE HIS POWER WITHOUT ANY CHECKS OR BALANCES. HOW MANY OTHER CITIZENS HAVE PLACED PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS FOR WHICH HE HAS INTERVENED, ALTERED OR DENIED THE -- >> I'M GOING TO STOP YOU. I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE YOUR TIME FROM YOU. DON'T DISRUPT THE MEETING, FOLKS. YOU CAN HAVE A SEAT, BE PEACEFUL. STICK WITH THE DECORUM. YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. >> THIS NEEDS TO BE STOPPED AND ONLY CAN HAPPEN WITH YOUR ASSISTANCE. I ASK YOU, THE COUNCIL AND MAYOR INTERSEED IN HOW THE RECORDS CLERK OR HOW MY FORMER MARINE SERGEANT PROVIDE ME WITH WHAT I HAVE REQUESTED. I DON'T HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH PAYING FOR THIS DOCUMENTATION, HOWEVER, IF THEY ARE NOT RECEIVE THIS DIRECTLY AFFECTS MY FUTURE EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS, WHICH WILL REQUIRE ME TO SEEK LEGAL COUNSEL ONCE MORE. I DON'T WISH THIS, BUT I WON'T TOLERATE MY FUTURE BEING SABOTAGED BY AN UNPROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION SUCH AS THIS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. YES, SORRY I PASSED YOU UP BEFORE. KAREN SCHWARTZ, DELIGHT AVENUE SOUTH IN GULFPORT. AS I RODE MY BIKE HERE, I RODE PAST THE DOG PARK AND IT WAS CLOSED FOR RE-SODDING. MY BACKYARD DOESN'T LOOK LIKE MUCH, BUT STUFF GROWS. IT IS LOT OF WEEDS AND THINGS THAT BEES AND BUTTERFLIES LIKE. AND PROBABLY DOGS WOULD LIKE IT, TOO. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE CAN'T LET THE DOG PARKS GO BACK TO NATURE AND JUST LET THE DOGS ROAM AROUND ON WHAT WILL GROW THERE NATURALLY. THAT'S ALL. >> THANK YOU. >> MAYOR, COUNCIL. I WANT TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS AND DO A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST WITH YOU AT THIS TIME -- >> IT CAN BE TAKEN BY ANY MEMBER OF THE CITY HERE AND FORWARDED TO THEM. THE RECORDS REQUEST I'D LIKE TO GET IS AN AXON EVIDENCE.COM DELETION LOG. IT SHOWS TRAIL OF ANY VIDEO THAT IS HAVE BEEN DELETED IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SYSTEM. IF YOU WANT, I WILL GIVE YOU THE CASE NUMBER WHICH IS GP-1822859. SO I'D LIKE TO HAVE THE EVIDENCE.COM AUDIT TRAIL THAT SHOWS ANY DELETION OF FILES PERTAINING TO THAT CASE IN EVIDENCE.COM. NORMALLY, WHAT WE CAN DO TO FIND A LOT OF CORRUPTION AND THEFT IS PULL CREDIT CARD RECORDS AND THINGS LIKE THAT FROM DEPARTMENTS, BUT FROM WHAT I'M HEARING AND I'M LEARNING ABOUT IS A MAN WAS CHARGED WITH A FELONY. THE VIDEO CORROBORATES A TOTALLY DIFFERENT STORY AND THAT IT WAS DELETED AT SOME POINT IN TIME, EVEN THOUGH PROBABLY IS OUTSIDE OR INSIDE OF THAT RETENTION PERIOD BECAUSE IT WAS A FELONY. MAYBE NEED TO BE FIVE YEARS BASED OFF AN APPEAL. WHAT I'M LEARNING IS IT WAS DELETED BECAUSE IT SHOWS, ALLEGEDLY, SOME ACTIONS FROM EITHER THE CHIEF OF POLICE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT THAT SHOWS TOTAL OPPOSITE WAS WRITTEN IN THE REPORT. I'D LIKE TO SEE WHEN IT WAS DELETED, WHO DELETED IT AND -- IF THAT COULD BE FORWARDED ON TO YOUR CLERK. >> WILL YOU CONTACT ME? >> I'LL E-MAIL YOU. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. YES. >> I'M JACQUELYN TITUS, I LIVE ON 53RD STREET SOUTH. >> AND I'M DOMINICK, MEDINA. >> WE'RE GOING TO FILM A MOVIE IN GULFPORT THE END OF THIS MONTH. WE HAVE SUBMITTED DOCUMENTS FOR PERMITS AND WE WANTED TO SAY HI TO YOU ALL. WE HAD A GABBER WRITE UP ON THURSDAY AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF COMMOTION DOWN THERE ON 21ST, 25TH AND 28TH. I WANTED TO GIVE YA'LL A HEADS UP AND -- >> YES, BUT WE -- OUR TEAM MET WITH MR. O'REILLY AND LOOKS LIKE EVERYTHING IS GOOD TO GO, BUT WE WANTED TO ENSURE THE GOOD CITIZENS -- THAT WE'LL BE CAUSING AS MINIMAL OBSTRUCTION AS POSSIBLE. WE WON'T SHUT DOWN THE ROADS OR HAVE PEOPLE PARK ALONG SHORE OR BEACH BOULEVARD. . YOU'LL SEE US NEAR THE GULFPORT CASINO, WE'LL BE HARD TO MISS BECAUSE OF OUR SET AND STAGE, BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, FEEL FREE TO APPROACH US AT ANY TIME. >> WELCOME TO TOWN, AND GOOD LUCK. >> THANK YOU. WE LIVE HERE, BUT -- >> ALL RIGHT. YES. >> GOOD EVENING. I'D LIKE TO BE IDENTIFIED AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN. I HAVE SOME PROBLEMS WITH THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED HERE IN GULF PORT THAT I HAVE WITNESSED OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS. YOU HAVE HEARD SOME OF THE ISSUES ADDRESSED HERE. MY PROBLEM IS WITH THIS POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVING TWO MEMBERS ON THE CLEA BOARD. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE AWARE OF THIS, BUT THERE IS A CERTIFICATION BOARD FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AROUND THE STATE. CHIEF VINCENT AND JOSH STONE ARE BOTH ON THAT BOARD. AND WHAT WE HAVE DONE, NOT JUST IN THE STATE, BUT AROUND THE COUNTRY, IS TEST AGENCIES, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES FOR THEIR TRANSPARENCY, ASKING THEM FOR POLICE COMPLAINT FORMS IN THEIR LOBBIES SO THEY ARE READILY AVAILABLE FOR SOMEBODY WHO HAS SUFFERED A CIVIL RIGHTS INJUSTICE, NOT HAVING TO CONFRONT ANOTHER POLICE OFFICER. JUST MAKING IT READILY AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE THERE. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE DONE IN SOUTH FLORIDA, ALL OVER FLORIDA AND OTHER STATES, AND EVERYONE HAS FALLEN IN LINE AND COMPLIED WITH THAT, EXCEPT HERE. THERE IS NO FORMAL COMPLAINT PROCESS THAT YOU CAN GO THROUGH. YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE ABOUT A YEAR AGO, I ASKED COMMANDER STONE FOR THE COMPLAINT FORM AND HE ADVISED ME IT IS CONFIDENTIAL. IT WOULD BE, IF IT WAS FILLED OUT WITH ME AND MY ATTORNEY AND OUR COMPLAINT. THAT'S WHEN IT BECOME CONFIDENTIAL, WHEN IT BECOME CONFIDENTIAL. BUT A BLANK FORM, THAT IS WHEN IT BECOME TRANSPARENCY. I THINK IT IS HYPOCRITICAL FOR THOSE TWO OFFICERS TO NOT HAVE IT HERE IN THEIR OWN DEPARTMENT WHEN OTHER AGENCIES HAVE. PERHAPS YOU AS A COMMISSION CAN CORRECT THAT BAD BEHAVIOR. THANK YOU. >> HOW ARE YOU DOING? >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I HOPE EVERYBODY IS HEALTHY AND WELL. MY SUBJECT TONIGHT IS GOING TO BE A HAPPY ONE. SO WHAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS YOU MAY REMEMBER -- I THINK FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS AGO I TALKED ABOUT THE PLASTIC BAGS TO BENCHES PROGRAM AND I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO THE DETAILS, BUT MY LITTLE PAPER HERE WILL TELL YOU WHAT IS GOING ON. THE GULFPORT ALLIANCE CLUB HAS BEEN WORKING WITH A MEMBER OF THE TREKS COMMUNITY CHALLENGE. SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE HEARD ABOUT TREKS. IT IS A COMPANY THAT MAKES OUTDOOR FURNITURE AND IT IS THE COMPANY THAT PROMOTES THIS PARTICULAR THING THAT WE ARE DOING. THE LIONS CLUB JUST RECEIVED OUR FIFTH PARK BENCH FROM TREKS AND WE ARE -- WE HAVE ALREADY DONATED THAT TO THE CITY. . DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS GOING TO END UP, BUT YOU FOLKS ARE ALWAYS GOOD AT FINDING A PROPER SPOT FOR IT. THE FIRST FOUR BENCHES WE HAVE RECEIVED HAVE ALSO BEEN DONATED TO THE CITY AND THEY ARE LOCATED IN SPACES ALREADY, OR LOCATIONS. THESE ARE OUTSIDE OF THE LIBRARY, REAR ENTRANCE TO THE KATHERINE HICKMAN THEATER IN VETERANS PARK IN FRONT OF THE ALLIANCE CLUB. THIS FIFTH ONE WILL BE DETERMINED. A LITTLE BIT ON THE PROGRAM ITSELF, TO WIN A TEXT TREKS BENCH COMMUNITY CHALLENGE, WE HAVE TO COLLECT OVER 26,000 PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS OVER A PERIOD OF FIVE MONTHS. THINK ABOUT THAT. YOU PICK THESE UP AT THE GROCERY STORE AND YOU COLLECT SOME, YOU MAY HAVE 15 OR 20. WE HAVE TO COLLECT 20,000 FROM PEOPLE IN THE CITY WHO, MANY OF WHOM DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS PROGRAM IS, AND OTHERS WHO DO. THEY DONATE THEIR PLASTIC. WE WANT TO THANK GULFPORT CITIZENS AND SOUTH PASADENA ACE HARD WARE WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS WIN. THEY GENERATED THE MATERIAL WE NEEDED TO PUT OUR INFORMATION IN AND FIND OUT IF WE WON THE CHALLENGE, AND BY GOSH, WE DID. SO I ALSO WANT TO THANK GULFPORT CITY MANAGER JIM O'REILLY AND HIS GREAT TIME, WHO SUPPORTED THIS LIONS PROGRAM. JIM WAS INVOLVED WITH US WHEN WE FIRST BROUGHT THIS TO THE OFFICE AND SAID, JIM, IS THERE A PROBLEM IF WE PUT UP A NUMBER OF BINS IN CERTAIN LOCATIONS, SOME PUBLIC, SOME NOT AND THE BINS SELF ANNOUNCE THEMSELVES. THIS IS WHAT WHERE HE'D LIKE YOU TO PUT INTO THE BIN. WANT ME TO CONTINUE? I'M ALMOST THERE. >> YEAH. >> THAT IS THE BRIEF STORY. THE PROGRAM CONTINUES AND RIGHT NOW WE HAVE ENTERED THAT PROGRAM FOR THE SIXTH BENCH AND WE'LL FIND OUT IN FIVE MONTHS WHETHER WE WIN. AND GUESS WHERE THAT GOES. THE CITY. SO I JUST -- ONE THING I ALSO WANT TO BRING UP, WE HAVE ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER OF BINS. WE HAVE A COUPLE MORE IN STOCK AND WE'LL BE GETTING MORE ON THIS PARTICULAR BRANCH OF THE PROGRAM. THE COLLECTION BINS WE HAVE NOW ARE LOCATED INSIDE THE LIBRARY FRONT ENTRANCE. THE ENTRANCE TO THE SENIOR CENTER AND OUTSIDE OF THE LIONS CLUB FRONT DOOR. WE NEED TO GET MORE BINS OUT SO PEOPLE CAN USE THEM, FILL THEM AND HELP US GET THE NUMBERS. JUST A COMMENT FOR EVERYBODY AND ALSO THE PEOPLE LISTENING BEHIND ME, IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS WHERE WE COULD OR SHOULD PLACE AN ADDITIONAL BIN FOR COLLECTION OF PLASTIC, PLEASE E-MAIL ME AND I HAVE A FEW HANDOUTS HERE. THEY HAVE MY E-MAIL ON THERE. AND THAT WOULD BE A BIG HELP FOR US TO MAKE THIS THING GROW. THE BINS AREN'T WATERPROOF AND THEY NEED TO BE LOCATED OUTSIDE IN A PROTECTED LOCATION. THAT IS THE ONLY REQUIREMENT. OTHERWISE THERE WILL BE A PUDDLE IN THE BOTTOM. >> IS THAT OURS OUT FRONT? I JUST NOTICED IT TODAY. NEXT TIME YOU COME TO THE MEETING, DROP THEM IN THE BOX. >> THANKS FOR YIELDING YOUR TIME TO MR. COIN. >> THAT'S MY BUDDY. >> WE'RE GOING TO ROLL THROUGH PUBLIC COMMENT -- >> I HAD A QUESTION. >> IT'S BEEN THREE YEARS IN A SENSE SINCE WE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT RACIAL DISCRIMINATION. I HAVE GONE THROUGH YOUR RECORDS, VIDEOS. THIS HAS BEEN A DISCUSSION SINCE PRIOR. NOT ONE OF YOU HAVE DONE ANYTHING WHATSOEVER TO RESOLVE ANY ISSUES. YOU HAVE NEVER SAT DOWN TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH ANYONE. YOU KEEP USING YOUR RESOURCES TO RETALIATE AGAINST PEOPLE. I WAS DOING AN AUDIT IN FEBRUARY AND YOUR CHIEF OF POLICE ASSAULTED ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS COUNCIL MEETING. NOW YOU HAVE THE CITY ATTORNEY WRITING FICTITIOUS LETTERS STATING I WAS TOLD MULTIPLE TIMES NOT TO BE IN THE AREA AND THAT IS NOT TRUE. THE ONLY TIME I WAS TOLD NOT TO BE IN THE AREA, WHICH IS WHEN I RECORDED ON THIS TABLET. IF HE DOESN'T WANT THIS IN HIS TABLET OR ANY OTHER DEVICES HE OWNS, THEN JUST DON'T BRING IT INTO A PUBLIC AREA. GO OUTSIDE, DO WHATEVER YOU NEED TO DO, COME BACK IN, AND BE DONE WITH IT. BUT FOR HIM TO HAVE PLACED HIS HANDS ON ME AND THEN WHAT I HAD POLICED HIMSELF AFTER, THEN USING, AGAIN, MORE RESOURCES IN A SENSE TO AVOID BEING INCRIMINATED ON CAMERA, TELLING HIS OFFICERS TO TURN OFF CAMERAS, MUTING STUFF, REACHING OUT TO COMMUNICATION DISPATCH CENTER TELLING THEM NOT TO TAKE ANY OFFENSE REPORT, THREATENING HIS OFFICERS, TELLING THEM TO TAKE AN OFFICE SORT, THEY WOULD HAVE SOMETHING COMING TO THEM. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FILE CHARGES. CITY ATTORNEYS, I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHERE IT IS DOCUMENTED, WHAT VIDEO -- >> IT IS PART -- >> STOP INTERRUPTING ME. WHERE EXACTLY -- >> MR. LEE -- >> STOP INTERRUPTING ME. >> YOU'RE -- STOP INTERRUPTING ME. YOU DO THAT EVERY TIME SOMEONE SPEAKS. >> CALM YOURSELF DOWN. >> IT IS THREE YEARS WORTH OF BULLYING. I'M TIRED OF IT. RESTORE OUR RIGHTS. STOP VIOLATING THEM. STOP COVERING UP SHIT THAT HAPPENS IN THE TOWN. THAT IS NOT AGAINST FCC REGULATIONS. LOOK IT UP, IT'S NOT. >> THANKS, MR. LEE. PLEASURE AS ALWAYS. >> I'M NOT BEING ASKED TO LEAVE. I WANT TO STAY FOR MY COUNCIL MEETING. >> WHAT IS THE VERDICT. >> THE WORD SHIT IS NOT AGAINST FCC REGULATIONS. >> DON'T PUT YOUR HANDS ON ME. >> I LIVE IN GULFPORT. I WANT TO COMMENT ON THE COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS LADY. FOR THOSE WITH LONG MEMORIES. IN THE PAST YOU HAVE HAD TWO TYPES OF VISIONING EXPERIENCES, ONE SEVERAL YEARS AGO WE HAD A WORKSHOP AND YOU HAD BUDGETED 8,000 FOR A LADY TOCOME IN. SHE LED A VISIONING KIND OF WORKSHOP DEAL WHICH WAS VERY USEFUL FOR THE CITY. BUT THAT WAS KIND OF AN OUTSOURCED THING. AND ANOTHER KIND YOU HAVE HAD IN THE PAST WAS A -- WE ARE RUN BY A PROFESSIONAL CITY MANAGER WHO IS QUITE CAPABLE AND HAS SHOWN IN THE PAST THAT THE CITY CAN RUN ITS OWN, BUT IF YOU WANT TO OUTSOURCE FOR A -- AND IT WAS AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER AND GROUPS AND STUFF ON THE WALL WITH POSTERING, TRIAGING, PRIORITIZING. THAT WAS A CITY-RUN COMMUNITY INVOLVED THING. SO IF YOU WANT TO OUTSOURCE VISIONING, THIS MIGHT BE AN OPPORTUNITY WITH A CAVEAT THAT WE DON'T WANT TO ESTABLISH ANY KIND OF SHADOW GOVERNMENT OF INVOLVED CITIZENS WHO TELL OUR QUITE CAPABLE CITY MANAGER WHAT TO DO AND OF COURSE, WOULD HAVE TO BE IN THE SUNSHINE, BUT IF WE WANT TO ARE HAVE OUTSOURCING ROUND TABLE TYPE THINGS WHICH HAVE WORKED VERY USEFULLY IN THE PAST, THEN THIS MIGHT BE SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT WITH THE RIGID GUIDELINES THAT I'M SURE THE CITY ADMINISTRATION WOULD ESTABLISH THAT YOU DON'T WANT A BUNCH OF CITIZENS ACTUALLY TELLING THE CITY MANAGER HOW TO RUN THE SHOW BECAUSE BECAUSE HE GETS INPUT THROUGH THE CITIZENS THROUGH THE WARDS AND ARE VERY CAPABLE CITY WARD LEADERS THAT WE ELECT AND SO IF YOU WANT TO THINK ABOUT HER COST AS GUIDED IMAGERY, WE HAVE DONE THAT IN THE PAST AS ONE OF THE TWO KINDS OF VISIONING THINGS WE HAVE DONE PREVIOUSLY. >> I GUESS THE SHOW IS OVER. EVERYBODY LEFT. YES, SIR. >> WOI, THIS IS EXCITING. I'M LIVING THE DREAM. I'M PROBABLY GOING TO BE REAL SHORT. MY NAME IS THE ARMED FISHERMAN ON YOUTUBE. MY NAME IS MIKE. I VISIT YOUR TOWN. I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF STORIES FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE AND IT IS SO WEIRD FOR ME BECAUSE I CAME HERE AND I WAS CARRYING AN AR-15 IN YOUR TOWN. I HAVE BEEN HERE TWICE. IT IS EXTREMELY WEIRD TO HEAR THESE STORIES AND THEY CAME OUT TO ME AND THEY BARELY SAID ANYTHING TO ME, BUT TO HEAR HIS STORY AND OTHERS, IT JUST DOESN'T -- THERE'S -- IT'S LIKE, IF THERE IS A PROBLEM AND THERE IS -- PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT THAT ONE PROBLEM, MAYBE WE NEED TO START LOOKING AT THAT ONE PROBLEM. I HAVEN'T HAD THAT ISSUE, BUT I HAVE BEEN TOLD ABOUT NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THIS CHIEF AND THE COMMANDER. SO I MEAN, FOR THE MOST PART, I THINK THEY NEED TO GO BACK TO UNDERSTANDING WHAT THEIR OATH AND WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO. THEY CAME OUT AND TREATED ME HALFWAY WITH RESPECT. THEY DIDN'T COME OUT TO TALK TO ME. BUT TO HEAR THESE STORIES OF OTHER PEOPLE BEING DISRESPECTED. THE MAN CAN'T GET HIS RECORDS REQUEST. THAT IN ITSELF IS AGAINST THE LAW, THE SUNSHINE LAW. SO I REALLY THINK WE MIGHT NEED TO START LOOKING AT WHY ARE WE ALL TALKING ACT THESE ONE, TWO PEOPLE. MAYBE WE NEED TO START PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT THEY ARE DOING. MAYBE WE NEED TO SAY HEY, THAT BODY CAM GOES ON, IT STAYS ON. IT DOESN'T GET MUTED. BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES I GET THE SAME THING AND THEN THEY GO IN THE LITTLE POW WOW AND THEY HIT THEIR LITTLE MIC BUTTON AND FOR 30, 40 SENGDS THEY ARE SITTING THERE TRYING TO CONSPIRE. THAT IS WHAT A LOT OF -- THAT MUTE BUTTON THEY -- THEY SHOULDN'T BE DOING THAT. THEY ARE DOING IT BECAUSE THEY ARE LITERALLY COLLUDING AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND SOMETHING OR THEY JUST DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW WHAT THEY'RE SAYING. LET US KNOW. BE TRANSPARENT. I'M EXTREMELY TRANSPARENT ON MY CHANNEL. I SHOW GOOD, I SHOW BAD, I SHOW UGLY. HOWEVER IT COMES AT ME. FOR THE MOST PART, THIS TOWN HAS COME OUT PRETTY DECENT TO ME, BUT TO HEAR ALL THESE STORIES, IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. THAT IS ALL I GOT. I JUST WANTED -- I HAD TO THROW MY TWO CENTS IN. >> I APPRECIATE THE WAY YOU CAME IN AND SAID IT THE WAY YOU DID. >> YOU WATCH MY CHANNEL, I ALWAYS START OUT GOOD. IT IS HOW YOU COME AT ME. YOU COME AT ME BAD, I COME AT YOU BAD. >> IF I SPEAK WITH MY MAX ON, CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YEAH, LEAN TOWARDS THE MIC AND YOU'LL BE FINE. NUMBER ONE, THANK YOU FOR ALL -- FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. MY NAME IS CINDY CLAYTON. I'M -- NUMBER ONE, I GOT NOTICE THAT THE DOG PARK IS GOING TO BE SPRAYED ON THE FIRST -- WAS IT WEDNESDAY. WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH. IT WILL BE CLOSED ON TUESDAY, PRAY ON WEDNESDAY, REOPEN ON THURSDAY, WHICH IS GREAT. WE DON'T TAKE OUR DOGS THERE ANYMORE BECAUSE I HAVE A DOG THAT'S GOTTEN SICK. I HAVE A VERY RARE FORM OF ASTHMA. MY REQUEST IS, I LIKE TO WALK -- WE LIKE TO WALK AT THE CLAM BAYOU HERE IN GULFPORT. WE NOW GO TO SAINT PETE BECAUSE OF THE SPRAYING THAT IS THERE. AND I JUST ASK, IF WE CAN -- IF YOU CAN PUT IT ON THE COMMUNITY PAGE THAT SAYS, OKAY, SPRAYING IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE CLAM BAYOU AREA OR POST SIGNS, LIKE, THE DOGS HAVE TO BE ON LEASHES SO THOSE OF US WHO ARE IMMUNE COMPROMISED DON'T GO TO THE HOSPITAL WITH A TERRIBLE ASTHMA ATTACK, WHICH HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE. JUST A SIMPLE REQUEST, THAT WE PUT UP A SIGN OR NOTICE TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW. >> OKAY. >> BECAUSE INFORMATION IS KEY. >> THANK YOU. I'LL HAVE THE CITY MANAGER FILL US IN AT THE END, BUT WE HAVE INTENTIONALLY BEEN USING NON TOXINS FOR YEARS NOW. I UNDERSTAND -- >> AS LEAST TOXIC AS IT CAN BE, BUT FOR THOSE OF US WITH SEVERE RESPIRATORY ISSUE, IT CAN BE DEADLY. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? >> HELLO, I'M OFFICER -- I'M RETIRED FEDERAL OFFICER, STATE OFFICER, PRISON OFFICER. (LAUGHTER). I WAS DISABLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY AND I MOVED TO GULFPORT. I LIVED IN SEVEN STATES, 20 CITIES. I HAVE NEVER BEEN TREATED AS GOOD, AS COURTEOUS AND RESPECTFUL AS I HAVE HERE IN GULFPORT BY ALL THE OFFICERS THAT I HAVE COME IN CONTACT WITH. SO I KNOW PEOPLE ARE SAYING THINGS, ARE UPSET, BUT I LIKE FOR THINGS TO END ON A POSITIVE NOTE AND TELL YOU ONE QUICK STORY, WE HAD AN AFRICAN TORTOISE IN OUR BACKYARD. SHE ESCAPED ONE DAY. NEIGHBOR CAME OVER AND SAID, I THINK YOUR TORTOISE IS AROUND THE BLOCK EATING PAPAYAS. IT TURNED INTO A NEIGHBORHOOD EVENT, THE POLICE CAME. SHE WEIGHED 100 POUNDS. I HAD TO GET THE TRAILER. THE OFFICERS GOT TOGETHER, PICKED UP THE TORTOISE, PUT HER IN THE TRAILER, WENT TO MY HOUSE, HELPED ME GET HER OUT. IT IS THINGS LIKE THAT. THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT. EVERYONE HAS TREATED ME VERY WELL. AND I THANK YOU AND I'M PROUD TO LIVE IN GULFPORT. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE FOR OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT. SEEING NO ONE -- >> MAYOR. >> DID I MISS SOMEBODY. >> OH, YOU GOT A CALL. SAMANTHA, IT JUST SAYS SAMANTHA. >> OKAY. >> SAMANTHA, ARE YOU THERE? >> I AM. I WAS NOT GOING TO SPEAK TONIGHT, BUT MAYOR HENDERSON, YOUR COMMENTS AND YOUR WAY OF SPEAKING TO RESIDENTS YOU'RE FRUSTRATED WITH IS MORE THAN DISAPPOINTING. THE DISMISSIVE COMMENTS FURTHER ALIENATE AND DIVIDE PEOPLE AND IT DOESN'T TAKE AWAY FROM THE FAVORITISM THAT ACTUALLY DOES EXIST IN THIS TOWN. THE GOOD PART ABOUT LIVING IN A SMALL TOWN IS THAT WE ALL KNOW EACH OTHER, BUT THE FLIPSIDE TO THAT IS A LOT OF TIMES THE POLICE COME AND THEY THINK THEY ALREADY HAVE THEIR IDEA. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM ANYWHERE -- I HAVE NEVER -- I DON'T EVEN GET PARKING TICKETS. AND I HAVE BEEN HARASSED BY YOUR POLICE OFFICERS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD -- BECAUSE SOMEBODY IN TOWN WANTED WHATEVER THEY WANTED AND SOMETHING -- BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? AND THEN I WAS TOLD A COMPLETE -- WE'LL CALL IT A STRETCH OF REALITY. I'LL SAY THAT. AND THE REALITY IS, WHEN I WENT TO COMPLAIN, THERE IS NOBODY TO COMPLAIN TO. I HAVE CALLED 911 IN THIS TOWN. I HAVE NEVER COULD BEFORE LIVING IN THE TOWN. WHY WOULD I CALL 911. I CALL HERE, THE FIRST THING I HAVE TO SAY IS PLEASE DON'T SEND THE GULFPORT POLICE, CAN YOU SEND THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. MANY PEOPLE KNOW THIS. IT IS SAD. IT IS VERY SAD. IT IS THE UGLY SIDE OF A SMALL TOWN -- SORRY, THAT IS ALEXA. MR. PALALATNO, I AM SO GLAD YOU HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS, BUT THAT IS NOT EVERYBODY'S STORY HERE. >> ANYBODY ELSE ON THE LINE? YES, MA'AM. >> THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME MOMENT. THAT ONE GENTLEMAN SAID, I HAVE LIVED HERE SINCE -- BY THE WAY, I'M MARLENE SHAW AND I HAVE LIVED HERE SINCE '94. ONE OF THE REASONS I LIVE HERE IS BECAUSE WE HAVE OUR OWN COMMUNITY POLICE DEPARTMENT. THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN RESPECTFUL. THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS I WANT TO STAY HERE. >> THANKS, MICHELLE. >> MUCH APPRECIATED. CITY MANAGER, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CARE TO ADDRESS FROM ANY OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT. >> THERE WILL BE SIGNAGE GOING UP IN TEST PROGRAM THAT WE ARE INITIATING TO PUT "NO OVERNIGHT PARKING" SIGNAGE AT THE BEACH PARKING LOT AT THE LIBRARY AND SENIOR CENTER. THAT SEEMS TO BE WHERE WE ARE HAVING PROBLEM ISSUE. (APPLAUSE). WE ARE GOING TO TEST THOSE TO SEE IF WE GET ANY COMPLAINTS, PRO OR CON, AND IF IT NEEDS TO INITIATE LEGISLATIVE ACTION BY THE COUNCIL. THAT WOULD THEN GIVE US AUTHORITY TO TAKE IT AND REMOVE AND THINGS LIKE THAT. WE WANT TO SEE IF THEY WORK FIRST. >> WE HAVE PROVIDED THE MSDS FOR THE STUFF WE USE TO SPRAY? >> YES. WE HAVE TALKED TO FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. THE INVESTIGATOR CAME OUT, HAS NO ISSUES. WE ARE GOING TO CLOSE THE FACILITIES WHEN WE DO SPRAY WITH ORGANIC MATERIAL. WE WILL CLOSE IT FOR APPROXIMATELY 48 HOURS EACH TIME WE PUT A CHEMICAL DOWN. WE HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH PUTTING SIGNAGE OUT. AND WE ARE RE-SODDING THE DOG PARK IN LIEU -- THAT'S BEEN A REQUEST. THE COUNCIL HAS TALKED ABOUT IT NUMEROUS TIMES. VARIOUS COUNCILS. THE IDEA OF SODDING THE PARK, KEEPING IT SODDED. THAT'S BEEN OUR DIRECTION. >> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO SAY ONE THING BEFORE WE WRAP UP REGARDING PUBLIC COMMENT. ANYONE IS WELCOME TO COME AND SAY WHAT THEY FEEL. THERE ARE RULES IN TERMS OF LANGUAGE. WE'LL HAVE RULES WE'LL DISCUSS TONIGHT IN TERMS OF DECORUM, BUT TO COME UP, SPEAK AND MAKE ACCUSATIONS AND CONTINUALLY NOT PROVIDE ANY EVIDENCE OR BASIS IN FACT OF THOSE ACCUSATION-IT IS ONE THING FOR US AS ELECTED OFFICIALS TO TAKE THAT. THE RULES ARE DIFFERENT. YOU CAN COME SAY ALL KINDS OF ROUGH STUFF TO US. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO CITY STAFF, LIKE CITY ATTORNEY, CITY MANAGER, CITY CLERK, OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS, THE REST OF STAFF, THAT IS WHEN YOU GET INTO THE WATERS WHERE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SLANDER AND DEFAMATION, WHICH IS WHY WHEN SOMEONE COMES TO MAKE THESE THINGS, I PREFER TO SEE EVIDENCE TO WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT. I DON'T THINK THAT IS UNFAIR TO HAVE YOUR ACCUSATIONS BACKED BY EVIDENCE. AND YOU KNOW, IT IS NATURE OF A POLICE DEPARTMENT TO HAVE PEOPLE UPSET WITH YOU. A LOT OF TIMES WHEN POLICE COME THEY ARE NOT THERE TO TELL YOU YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB. THE REASON CHIEF VINCENT AND COMMANDER STONE ARE PART OF THAT ORGANIZATION WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IS BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF TIMES OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT HERE HAS MADE THE EXCELSIOR ACCREDITATION, HOW MANY YEARS? >> THE FIRST WAS IN 2000. >> MULTIPLE TIMES RECEIVED THAT FROM THAT BOARD. SO ANY TIME THAT -- WE ARE GOING TO FOLLOW THE LETTER OF THE LAW FROM OUR CITY CLERK TO CHIEF OF POLICE TO US. AS YOU CAN SEE, WHEN YOU GET PEOPLE COMING IN WITH CAMERAS, NOT USING THEIR NAMES, THAT TELLS ME SOMEBODY IS WANTING TO PUT ON A SHOW, THAT SOMEBODY IS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING. AND MS. RING IS RIGHT. I'M ONLY HUMAN. I SOMETIMES MIGHT GET A LITTLE ATTITUDE, AND I SHOULDN'T. I SHOULD BE MORE PROFESSIONAL. WHEN YOU HEAR FOLKS BAD MOUTHING PEOPLE YOU KNOW TO BE GOOD PEOPLE, AND I KNOW THESE PEOPLE AFTER 13 YEARS OF SERVICE. I'LL TRY TO DO BETTER. I WANT TO THANK YOU, EVEN WHEN YOU'RE DISSATISFIED, YOU CAN STILL GET YOUR POINT ACROSS, BUT DO IT IN A MANNER THAT IS NOT AGGRESSIVE OR HUMILIATING TO ANY PARTICULAR PERSON BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT PUBLIC COMMENT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT. NOT FOR ATTACKS, GLAMOUR OR TO PUT ON A SHOW. THIS IS HOW WE GOVERN OUR CITY. I WANT TO THANK YOU WHO DO GOOD JOB OF THAT EVERY MEETING, EVEN WHEN DISSATISFIED. THAT SAID, MR. FRIDOVICH. >> I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, OUR RULES SAY YOU HAVE TO DIRECT ALL COMMENTS TO THE CHAIR, NOT TO ANYONE ELSE. SO THEY CANNOT -- THE BOARD AS A WHOLE. SO EVERYTHING GOES TO YOU. WE CAN WATCH, BUT ALL GOES TO YOU. WHEN THEY START NAMING PEOPLE AND PICKING US OFF, THEY ARE ACTUALLY OUT OF ORDER. >> GOT TO COME AT ME. ALL RIGHT, THAT BRINGS US TO CITY MANAGERS REPORT. >> YES, MAYOR. JUST WANTED TO ADDRESS THE COUPLE THAT SPOKE EARLIER IN REGARDS TO THE FILM, PRODUCTION COMPANY THAT IS COMING TO FILM OUR MOVIE, ON THE DATES IDENTIFIED TOWARDS THE END OF APRIL. THEY HAVE BEEN EXCELLENT TO WORK WITH. ALSO, THE FILM COMMISSION HAS MET WITH US. THIS ISN'T GOING TO BE THE SCALE OF THE PREVIOUS MOVIES THAT HAVE BEEN HERE, BUT WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THEM. THEY ARE BEARING ALL COSTS FOR ADDITIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY, NEEDS THEY MAY HAVE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THEM. THERE WILL BE SOME -- AS WE SPOKE OF EARLIER, THERE MAY BE INCONVENIENCES, BUT NOT ANY PERMANENT LONG-TERM CLOSURE OF ROADS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. THERE MAY BE INCONVENIENCES AND THAT WILL BE MANAGED BY POLICE OFFICERS AND THE CITY OF GULFPORT. >> ALL RIGHT. ALSO, THE ITEMS ARE -- THAT WERE TOUCHED ON DURING PUBLIC COMMENT, WE HAVE ORDERED SIGNS AN WE ARE GOING TO PUT THOSE UPSTARTING TOMORROW MORNING. MR. NICHOLS INFORMED ME THIS AFTERNOON. I WAS HOPING TO HAVE THEM UP FOR THIS EVENING, BUT THEY WILL BE INSTALLED. THAT IS TO SEE IF IT IS NECESSARY LEGISLATIVE ACTION AND HOPEFULLY THE CARROT WILL WORK BEFORE WE HAVE TO ADOPT THE STICK. >> ALL RIGHT. THERE IS A LETTER IN FLONT OF YOU THAT WE HAVE ASKED ALL OF CITY COUNCIL, SIMILAR TO THE LETTER YOU SENT TO THE CONGRESSMAN, CHRIS. IF I COULD HAVE YOU PASS THAT AROUND THE DICE AND SIGN IN THE APPROPRIATE SECTION. WE LIKE TO HAVE ALL COUNCILMEMBERS EXPRESS THEIR SUPPORT OF THE REQUEST OF THE CULTURAL APPROPRIATION. AND ONE OTHER ITEM I HAD THIS EVENING. SUBSEQUENT TO A CONVERSATION THAT VICE MAYOR THANOS AND I HAD IN REGARDS TO CONSTITUENT'S COMMENTS IN REGARDS TO THE FRIDAY'S PUBLISHED COMMUNITY REPORT, AND IT WAS VERY ENLIGHTENING. I HAVE TALKED TO STAFF ABOUT IT THE LAST FEW DAYS. WE HAVE DETERMINED IT IS FAIRLY ANTIQUATED REPORT WITH A LOT OF ME KNEW SHA IN IT. IT IS LABOR INTENSE FOR CERTAIN MEMBERS OF STAFF TO GET IT OUT EVERY FRIDAY. WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT IS IN THIS ERA OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND AS WE SEE ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTERS, CON STARNT CONTACT, WE ARE LOOKING AT IT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE, THAT WE'LL PROBABLY DISCONTINUE IT IT IN THIS FORMAT AS OF THIS WEEK, SUBSEQUENT TO THAT, WE ARE LOOKING AT A DIFFERENT FORMAT THAT WE PROBABLY PUBLISH ABOUT EVERY QUARTER, EVERY THREE TO FOUR MONTHS WITH OVERVIEW OF EACH DEPARTMENT'S ACTIVITIES IN LIEU OF COUNTING THE NUMBER OF GARBAGE CANS WE PICKED UP. IT IS SOMETHING I INHERITED 15 YEARS AGO IN THAT FORMAT AND I'M LOOKING AT TRYING TO LOOK AT A DIFFERENT FORMAT. MAYBE IT IS TIME TO CHANGE. THAT WAS PRE-FACEBOOK, PRE-SOCIAL MEDIA. A LOT OF THINGS WE PUT OUT ON A TUESDAY, THE GOAL WAS TO INFORM OF ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS THAT WE DO HAVE AND I'D LIKE TO RETURN TO THAT AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DRAFT UP. ARMY CORPS OF ENJER NIGHS HAS A NICE MODEL, THAT TALKS ABOUT WHAT THEY HAVE ACCOMPLISHED. THAT IS SOMETHING WE'LL BE WORKING ON. >> FANTASTIC. COUNCIL, WHAT TO YOU THINK? >> GREAT IDEA. >> I MEAN, I HAD BROUGHT IT UP TO THE CITY MANAGER, BUT I WOULD THINK MAYBE MORE THAN QUARTERLY WOULD BE GOOD. >> LET US START WITH -- >> I KNOW YOU'RE LOOKING AT IT. >> I THINK IT IS A LEVEL OF TRANSPARENCY THAT SOME PEOPLE LIKE. I HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO LIKE READING IT AND KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE MARINA. YOU CAN DROP SOME OF THE MINUTIA, LIKE THE CRIME REPORT THAT PEOPLE CAN GET ELSEWHERE, AND KEEP THE DETAIL OF HOW MANY -- TO ME, IT IS INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT THE CITY IS DOING. DOING IT EVERY THREE MONTHS IS -- I DON'T KNOW, NOT VERY TRANSPARENT TO ME. >> LET US LOOK AT IT AND HAVE DISCUSSIONS INTERNALLY TO SEE WHAT WE CAN COME WITH. IT TURNED INTO A LOT OF CHECKING. LET US LOOK AT IT AND WORK ON WHAT TYPE OF -- THAT WAS KIND OF IT. IT WAS TOUCH ON THE ISSUES REGARDING. >> THANKS CITY MANAGER. CITY ATTORNEY, CITY CLERK. LET'S TAKE A TEN MINUTE RECESS. WE'LL RECONVENE AT 7:15. >> NEXT WE'LL TURN IT OVER TOTY MANAGER. >> MAYOR, AND CITY CLERK, I CAN ADDRESS IT OR CITY CLERK CAN. LESLIE, DO YOU WANT TO ADDRESS IT? >> YES, IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS WHAT COUNCIL HAS CHOSEN TO DO WITH VICE MAYOR AND IT IS UP TO THE COUNCIL BODY IS WE JUST ROTATE BY WARD. SO VICE MAYOR THANOS WAS VICE MAYOR LAST YEAR FOR WARD 1 AND IT WOULD ROTATE TO WARD 2. >> THAT IS WHAT I'D PREFER TO DO. >> ME TOO. >> AND MAYOR, THERE WILL BE A SEATING CHANGE. CONGRATULATIONS, VICE MAYOR. >> THANK YOU. >> CAN WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND? >> WE'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION ON THE APPOINTMENT OF VICE MAYOR. >> MAKE A MOTION WE APPOINT CHRISTINE BROWN WARD 2 FOR VICE MAYOR. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. MOTION PASSES. >> AND YOU'LL MOVE AT NEXT MEETING. >> THIS BRINGS US TO CONSENT. CONSENT, A MINUTES OF MARCH 1, 2022, 6B, RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT TO ACCOUNT FOR INSURANCE PROCEEDS AND EXPENSES RELATED TO REPAIRS AT TROLLY MARKET SQUARE. >> FIRST AND SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. CARRIES TO PASSAGE EWE MAIN MOUSILYBRINGING US FE ORDINANCE 2022-01. >> THEY SHOULD READING AND PUBLIC HEARING AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GULFPORT, FLORIDA PROVIDING FOR AN INCREASE COMPENSATION FOR THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCES, PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH TO THE EXTENT OF SUCH CON FLENT, PROVIDING FOR SEVER ABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR E PECKTIVE DATE. >> WE MADE THE MOVE TO 20,000 ANNUALLY FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS, TO GO INTO EFFECT NOT BEFORE OCTOBER 1 OF THIS YEAR. ON A NIGHT WHERE I ALREADY MADE A LOT OF FRIENDS, GO AHEAD AND -- IT WAS ME THAT BROUGHT THIS FORWARD, BUT I CAN TELL YOU ON WHAT WE CONSIDER LEVEL PLAYING FIELD BASED ON CHANGES AND THIS JOB HAS SEEN IN MY 13 YEARS UP HERE, YOU WON'T HEAR ME BRING IT UP AGAIN. I THINK THIS, TIED WITH THE COUNCIL RAISES BEING TIED TO THOSE OF GENERAL EMPLOYEES WILL GET US IN THE RIGHT PLACE. INTERESTING INFORMATION SINCE LAST TIME. NINE OUT OF THE 14 MUNICIPALITIES IN THE COUNTY THAT HAD ELECTIONS IN MARCH, NINE OF THEM DID NOT HAVE ANY ELECTIONS AT ALL. THAT IS UNHEARD OF. THAT TELLS ME THAT THERE IS REALLY NOT A DRIVE FOR PEOPLE TO WANT TO TAKE ON SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THIS JOB NOW ENTAILS AND THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T AGREE, I RESPECT YOU, BUT ALSO SAY I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYBODY TURN AROUND AND SAY THEY DIDN'T WANT THE MONEY AFTER THEY GOT THE RAISE, SO ANY COUNCIL COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS, FEEL FREE. THEN TO THE PUBLIC. >> I'M STILL AGAINST IT. I'D RATHER KEEP IT THE WAY WE WERE, BUT THAT -- >> THAT'S UNDERSTOOD. PUBLIC COMMENT. >> OKAY. MAYOR HENDERSON, COUNCIL, CITIZENS OF GULFPORT. NICE TO BE HERE. THE DECISION IS HERE ABOUT THE PAY INCREASE, GIVING RAISES AND YEARLY COST OF LIVING INCREASES TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSIONERS AND IT'S BEEN BACK AND FORTH, RIGHT AND LEFT AND YOU HAVE COME TO THIS POINT. I WANTED TO SAY I SUPPORT THE PASSING OF THIS MOTION BECAUSE WE NEED TO STAY COMPETITIVE IN THE COMPENSATION IN REGARDS TO OTHER MUNICIPALITIES IN THE AREA AND THE REALITY IS THAT THE DEMANDSES OF ACTIVE GOVERNORING HAS INCREASED FOR OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS. GULFPORT IS IN A DYNAMIC GROWTH PHASE AND THE PLACE WHERE MANY PEOPLE WANT TO BE. I WANT TO COMPLIMENT JIM O'REILLY. I LIKE YOUR E THAT COMES OUT WEEKLY. IT SHOWS A DEGREE OF HIGH PROFESSIONALISM AS A CITY MANAGER. I ESPECIALLY ENJOY THIS E-MAIL REPORT, OF ALL THE DEPARTMENTS, ALL THE CITY EMPLOYEES, ALL THE ACTIVITIES AND THEIR ONGOING SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. THIS REPORT KEEPS CITIZENS OF THE COMMUNITY AWARE OF HOW HARD OUR CITY DEPARTMENTS AND EMPLOYEES ARE WORKING FOR US. THIS IS A COMPREHENSIVE ACTIVITY. IT IS A REPORT COMING FROM THE CITY MANAGER. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, MARINA AND SO ON AND SO FORTH. YOU HAVE SEEN THE REPORT, YOU KNOW HOW MANY DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE ENTIRE CITY ARE COVEREDD IN THIS REPORT. MY ASK TONIGHT IN REGARDS TO THIS PAY INCREASE THAT I AM SUPPORTING, IS THAT THIS COUNCIL AND LEADERSHIP OF THE MAYOR, FOLLOW JIM O'REILLY'S EXAMPLE AND FOR THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL COMMISSIONERS TO SUBMIT A MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT OUTLINING WHAT IS DONE PREVIOUS MONTH AT THEIR MEETINGS AND OFFICE DUTIES OR CITIZEN'S INFORMAL OR FORMAL APPEARANCES THEY MAKE ON BEHALF OF THE CITY. AND ALL THE DEMANDS AND RESPONSIBILITIES THAT THIS COUNCIL UNDERTAKES. I THINK THIS MONTHLY REPORT WOULD APPEAR SHOULD APPEAR IN A CITY-WIDE E-MAIL. THE FREQUENCY OF THAT E-MAIL, APPARENTLY AS OF TONIGHT, IS IN QUESTION. BUT I THINK BIWEEKLY IT GIVES TRANSPARENCY. IN ADDITION, A REPORT FROM EACH COUNCIL MEMBER, THEIR ACTIVITIES OF THE PREVIOUS MONTH SHOULDN'T BE ON A WEEKLY BASIS BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO OVERLOAD YOU ANYMORE THAN YOU ALREADY ARE, BUT IT OFFERS YOU EACH THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING FOR YOUR WARDS AND FOR THE CITY AS A WHOLE. I THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE PUT TOGETHER IN ONE THING SO THE CITIZENS STAND WITH YOU, BUT WE WANT TRANSPARENCY. THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO DO IT. THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE, ANYONE CALLING IN, DAVID? >> THERE ARE TWO. MR. SIMIK, ARE YOU THERE? >> TESTING, ONE, TWO. CAN YOU HEAR ME. >> YES. >> OKAY. ALL RIGHT. WELL, I'M GLAD THIS IS -- YOU KNOW, ON THE TABLE AT THIS LAST TIME. I HAVE BEEN A CHAMPION FOR THIS ONLINE DEFENDING IT ON FACEBOOK, ON THE MESSAGE BOARDS, ON THAT, ON -- AMANDA'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL, COMMENTS A LITTLE BIT. I HAVE BEEN DEFENDING THIS SINCE DAY ONE. YOU KNOW, THAT SAID, IT IS STILL TOO LOW. THAT $15,000 A YEAR BASED UPON THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITY'S ESTIMATES, WORKING 22 TO 25 HOURS A WEEK, THAT IS 12 BUCKS AN HOUR. IT IS STILL TOO LOW IN MY OPINION. BUT THAT'S NEITHER HERE NOR THERE. THIS IS BETTER THAN ANYTHING. BETTER THAN NOTHING. YOU KNOW, I DO WANT TO REMIND YA'LL OF MY REQUEST LAST TIME THAT I THINK THE CITY COUNCIL WOULD REALLY BENEFIT FROM A SHARED ASSISTANT TO TAKE CARE OF A LOT OF ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS, PERHAPS SOME RESEARCH AS WELL. THE PREVIOUS COMMENTER WROTE ABOUT THE PREVIOUS PERSON WHO WAS JUST UP THERE SPOKE ABOUT A MONTHLY REPORT. THAT IS NOT A BAD IDEA, BUT THAT WOULD BE CRAZY TO ASK OF YA'LL RIGHT NOW WITHOUT AN ASSISTANT TO HELP DO THAT AND THAT ECHOES A WILL THE OF THE COMMENTS I HAVE HEARD ALL THROUGHOUT THIS MORNING, PREVIOUS SINCE THE BEGINNING ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND THESE PEOPLE WANT TO SEE INCREMENTAL IMPROVEMENT. THEY WANT TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON INCREMENTALLY -- IT IS CRAZY TO ASK THAT WITHOUT AN ASSISTANT. THAT IS A LOT OF WORK TO DO. YOU GUY HAVES A LOT OF WORK ON YOUR SHOULDERS ALREADY AND I'D LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER AN ASSISTANT. I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH OF SOME OF THOSE SUNSHINE LAW FOLKS AND IT WON'T IMPEDE UPON ANY SUNSHINE. ALSO, COUNCILMEMBER RAY, I KNOW HE IS AGAINST THIS. I WOULD CHALLENGE HIM TO DONATE IT TO A CHARITY OF HIS CHOICE, ANY INCREMENTAL PAY IF HE IS REALLY THAT OPPOSED TO THIS. THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> I DONATE TO ALL THE CHARITIES. >> ONE OTHER. ARE YOU THERE? >> I'M HERE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOOD EVENING. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH YOUR PAY BEING INCREASED. I WILL BE HONEST, AND SAY I KIND OF DIDN'T LIKE THE TWIST AND TURNS THAT TOOK PLACE, BUT NEVERTHELESS, I DON'T BEGRUDGE YOU A RAISE. WHAT I WANTED TO MENTION TO YOU WAS IS THAT NOW THAT I THINK THE CITY MANAGER'S SALARY FINALLY GOT INTO A DECENT PLACE, I THINK THE DIRECTOR'S GOT INTO A DECENT PLACE, YOURS HAS BEEN RAISED. I WOULD LIKE TO ASKED THAT YOU PLEASE LOOK AT THE MID TIER EMPLOYEES. THERE ARE EMPLOYEES OUT THERE THAT IN ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION WOULD BE CONSIDERED TO BE DOING MANAGEMENT WORK. I THINK THERE ARE A FEW OTHER PEOPLE IN THOSE MID TIER LEVELS THAT I THINK ARE PERHAPS IN PROFESSIONAL ASSIGNMENTS, THEY DON'T NECESSARILY MANAGE PEOPLE, BUT THEY ARE PROFESSIONAL A SIGNMENTS AND I'D LIKE TO SUGGEST YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THAT, TOO. I KNOW THAT AT ONE TIME, I ASKED FOR YOU TO DO A SALARY STUDY. THERE IS SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE COST OF THAT, AND NUMBER TWO, HOW MANY SALARIES YOU'D HAVE TO RAISE, BUT I'D LIKE TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO LOOK AT THE MID TIER EMPLOYEES. THERE IS ONE THAT HAS A WHOLE LOT MORE RESPONSIBILITY THAN WHAT THE TITLE OF THAT PERSON'S JOB SUGGESTS. AND I THINK THE OTHER TWO, IT IS THE SAME THING. JUST RESPECTFULLY, I REQUEST THAT YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THAT STUFF. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? >> NO, MAYOR. >> COUNCIL WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. I HAVE A FIRST AND SECOND. >> COUNCILMEMBER RAY. >> NO. >> COUNCILMEMBER FRIDOVICH. >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER THANOS. . >> NO. >> WE HAVE RESOLUTIONS 2022-21. >> RESOLUTION 2022-21, RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE REQUEST OF UNITY OF GULFPORT INC FOR CASINO EXPANSION FOR THEIR MIND BODY EVENT FOR THE CASINO PAD AREA PROVIDING FOR THE TEMPORARY WAIVER OF PROVISIONS OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES CITY POLICY DURING SPECIAL EVENT AND PROVIDING RESPONSIBILITIES. >> COUNCIL MAKE A MOTION. >> I'LL MAKE A MOTION. >> SECOND. >> CITY MANAGER. >> WE HAVE A RENTAL FOR THE MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT EXPO. THERE IS AN ERROR THERE, IT SHOULD BE 50 PSYCHICS, NOT PHYSICS. (LAUGHTER). AUTO CORRECT CAUGHT IT. I GUESS THEY'D LIKE TO PUT VENDORS ON THE OUTSIDE PAD OF THE CASINO. WE HAVE NO OBJECTION TO IT. IT REQUIRES BECAUSE IT IS OUTSIDE SALES ASSOCIATED WITH SPECIAL EVENT, COUNCIL NEEDS TO APPROVE IT. >> ALL RIGHT. ANY COUNCIL COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM? YES. HELLO, WELCOME. >> HELLO, I'M REVEREND KIMBERLY, SPIRITUAL LEADER AND CEO AT UNITY IN GULFPORT. WE ARE A SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY THAT BEGAN IN LATE OCTOBER AND WE STARTED IN A BACKYARD GARDEN ON 58TH STREET. WE HAD 40 PEOPLE, GREW TO 50, WE OUTGREW THE SPOT, AND SINCE DECEMBER WE HAVE BEEN RENTING THE GULFPORT CENTER FOR REC SERVICES AND THIS SUNDAY WAS OUR FIRST SUNDAY IN THE GULFPORT CASINO BECAUSE WE OUTGREW THE REC CENTER. AND WE HAD 200 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE ON SUNDAY. SO WE HAVE SECURED WITH JUSTIN, THE GULFPORT CASINO FOR THE NEXT COUPLE YEARS FOR SUNDAY SERVICES. >> MAYOR: VERY NICE. >> AND HOPING TO FILL THE CAPACITY. WE HAVE THESE MIND, BODY SPIRIT EXPERTS, WE HAVE THEM SATURDAYS, 10:00 TO 5:00. WE BROUGHT IN 1200 PEOPLE INTO THE CITY OF GULFPORT THAT WERE NOT NECESSARILY -- SOME WERE GULFPORTIANS, BUT MOST WERE NOT. THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO STAYED IN THE HOTELS IF GULFPORT, PEOPLE ATE. WE SEE A WONDERFUL, THRIVING OPPORTUNITY WITH THE OTHER FAITH-BASED COMMUNITIES HERE IN GULFPORT. WE ARE DOING AN INTERFAITH EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE WITH FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AND US ON THE BEACH. IT IS GOING TO BE AN AMAZING SERVICE. I INVITE YOU TO COME OUT AT 7:00 AM ON EASTER SUNDAY. AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL OF THE RESTAURANTS. THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF SUNDAY BRUNCHES. OUR COMMUNITY IS COMING FROM GULFPORT, BUT ALSO FROM AS FAR AS NAPLES AND AS FAR AS ORLANDO. WE HAVE ONE YOUNG WOMAN THAT DRIVES EVERY SUNDAY MORNING FROM ORLANDO TO COME HERE FOR SERVICES. AND SHE'S BEEN COMING FOR TWO MONTHS NOW. SO I DON'T THINK SHE IS GOING TO STOP. BUT THEY ALL COME IN, THEY SPEND MONEY, THEY -- SO I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE A WONDERFUL PARTNERSHIP MOVING FORWARD WITH MANY MORE EVENTS AND SUNDAY SERVICES. WE ARE VERY EXCITED. >> MAYOR: FANTASTIC. THAT IS GREAT. HAPPY FOR YOUR SUCCESS. AND I HAVE WITH ME BILL THOMAS AND YOU MET MY WIFE WHO SPOKE JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO. >> MAYOR: FANTASTIC. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT? ALL RIGHT, DAVID. >> NO. >> MAYOR: LET'S CALL THE VOTE. >> (ROLL CALL). >> MAYOR: CARRIES TO PASSAGE. CONGRATULATIONS. >> IT'S BEEN A JOY TO WATCH YOU GUYS GROW AND SO QUICKLY. I SAW THE BACKYARD VENUE AND THEN ALL THE SUDDEN YOU WERE GONE AND YOU WERE AT THE REC CENTER. MY GOODNESS, YOU ARE GROWING VERY NICELY. >> MAY I SAY ONE THING. TWO YEARS AGO SHE WAS ON THE STAGE AT CARNEGIE HALL SPEAKING. >> MAYOR: VERY NICE. RESOLUTION 2022-22. >> RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH ENGINEER SPRAY SOLUTIONS FOR MANHOLE REHABILITATION. >> IT IS A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WITHIN THE UTILITIES DEPARTMENT. IT IS THE START OF THE CONTINU