City Council Meeting

Gulfport City Council Agenda Template

City of Gulfport Florida

City Council Meeting Notice

Tuesday, November 02, 2021

Gulfport City Hall, 2401 53rd Street South Gulfport, FL

6:00 PM

AGENDA

Call to Order.

Invocation given by Vice Mayor Thanos.

Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call.

Presentations: Halloween Decoration Contest Winners.

1.

Public Comment.

2.

City Manager Report.

3.

City Attorney Report.

4.

City Clerk Report.

5.

Consent:

5.a.

Consider approval of the Council Meeting Minutes of October 5, 2021.

EXHIBIT: Item 5.a - 10-05-2021 Minutes.pdf

5.b.

Resolution No. 2021-80: A Resolution authorizing the City Manager to purchase a mower from Wesco Turf, Inc.

EXHIBIT: Item 5.b - Memorandum.pdf

EXHIBIT: Item 5.b - Resolution No. 2021-80.pdf

5.c.

Resolution No. 2021-81: A Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into Agreements for Building Services Assistance with Pinellas County and M. T. Causley.

EXHIBIT: Item 5.c - Memorandum.pdf

EXHIBIT: Item 5.c - Resolution No. 2021-81.pdf

6.

Ordinances:

6.a.

Ordinance No. 2021-16: Second Reading and Public Hearing - An Ordinance of the City of Gulfport, Florida, amending Chapter 22, Zoning, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Gulfport; providing for the amendment of Section 22-5.08, WRD (Waterfront Redevelopment District) Zoning District; providing for the amendment of Section 22-5.15, COD (Conservation Overlay) Zoning District; providing for the creation of Section 22-6.13, Building Design Standards for Commercial and Residential Development within the Waterfront Redevelopment District (WRD) Zoning District; providing for the repeal of ordinances, or parts of ordinances, in conflict herewith, to the extent of such conflict; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date.

EXHIBIT: Item 6.a - Memorandum.pdf

EXHIBIT: Item 6.a - Ordinance No. 2021-16.pdf

7.

>> WELCOME EVERYONE. NOVEMBER 2, 2021 CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR THE CITY OF GULFPORT, FLORIDA. VICE MAYOR THANOS FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. PLEASE JOIN US IN RISING. >> THE STATE CONTROLLING THE WOMAN WOULD BE DENYING HER FULL AUTONOMY AND FULL EQUALITY. FROM RUTH BADER GINSBURG. [PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE] ROLL CALL PLEASE CITY CLERK. >>.[ROLL CALL] >> THE FIRST THING WE ARE STARTING WITH TONIGHT, WE HAD OUR HALLOWEEN DECORATION CONTEST. WE HAVE A GENERAL THEME AND A COMMERCIAL THEME. I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE BOTH OF OUR WINNERS HERE AT THE SAME TIME. THE WINNER FOR THE GENERAL THEME 2021, KAREN COLEY. A.[APPLAUSE] WINNER FOR THE COMMERCIAL THEME IS, [NAME?]. [APPLAUSE] >> HE IS NOT HERE. CONGRATULATIONS, THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] THIS BRINGS US TO THE OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT. FOR ANY ITEM THAT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA. WE WILL GO WITH A SHOW OF HANDS. IF YOU WILL COME TO THE MICROPHONE HERE. SO PEOPLE CAN HEAR YOU AT HOME. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS IF YOU ARE COMFORTABLE. WE WILL START WITH THE HANDS GOING UP. YES MA'AM? HOW ARE YOU? >> HI. I APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE FOR READING AT YOU. I GET NERVOUS WHEN I HAVE TO SPEAK. I LIVE AT 2719 52ND STREET, SOUTH. NEXT TO THE METHODIST CHURCH PARKING AREA. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF US HERE TONIGHT. THE METHODIST CHURCH PROPOSES TO PLACE A PERMANENT 40 FOOT LONG BY 10 FOOT HIGH SHIPPING CONTAINER. ALONG THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF OUR HOME. TO GROW P SPROUTS TO FEED THE HUNGRY. WE SUPPORT THEIR MISSION. THIS IS A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. WE BELIEVE A MORE SUITABLE LOCATION CAN BE FOUND FOR THEIR PROJECT. GULFPORT IS A SPECIAL PLACE. YOU ALL HAVE WORKED REALLY HARD AND DONE AN AMAZING JOB TO MAKE GULFPORT ATTRACTIVE. ALSO, INVITING. A 40 FOOT SHIPPING CONTAINER FLIES IN THE FACE OF EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE TO PROTECT AND RESPECT PRESERVE THE CHARACTER OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE OFFERED TO HELP THE CHURCH FIND A MORE COMMERCIAL LOCATION FOR THE SHIPPING CONTAINER. WE AND OUR NEIGHBORS OFFERED TO HELP THEM SET UP A COMMUNITY GARDEN. THEY ARE NOT OPEN TO ALTERNATIVES. THEY ACCUSED OF US NOT WANTING TO FEED THE HUNGRY. WE SHOULD NOT BE PUT IN A POSITION TO DEFEND OUR HOME AND OUR PHILANTHROPY. BUT, WE DO, WE DO SET ASIDE A MONTHLY BUDGET TO SUPPORT MULTIPLE WAYS IN WHICH TO FEED THE HUNGRY LOCALLY. WE ARE NOT OPPOSED TO THIS MISSION. WE ARE ONLY OPPOSED TO ITS LOCATION IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. IF WE ALLOW A VARIANCE TO PLACE AN ENORMOUS COMMERCIAL SHIPPING CONTAINER IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, WHERE WILL THE NEXT ONE GO? ON A VACANT LOT NEXT TO YOUR HOUSE? ACROSS THE STREET FROM YOUR HOME? IN YOUR NEIGHBOR'S YARD? ON THE BEACH? HOW WILL THIS IMPACT OUR BUSINESSES? THE VARIANCE IS NOT BASED ON ITS INTENDED USE. IT CAN BE USED AS A 40 FOOT LONG STORAGE SHED LIKE THE ONES IN COMMERCIAL LOCATIONS. THE ONES ON 34TH STREET. THE VARIANCE DOES NOT ENFORCE ANY AESTHETIC STANDARDS. THE NEXT APPROVED SHIPPING CONTAINER CAN BE A RUSTY, BRIGHT ORANGE, PIECE OF DENTED METAL. DROPPED INTO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. WE MOVED HERE BECAUSE WE LOVE THE UNIQUE CHARACTER OF GULFPORT. THE ART, THE DIVERSITY, RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS, THE QUIRKINESS OF OUR TOWN. WE HAVE SAVED ALL OF OUR LIVES TO INVEST IN OUR HOMES HERE. THIS SHIPPING CONTAINER WILL DECREASE ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS PROPERTY VALUES. IT WILL IMPACT OUR QUALITY OF LIFE. WOULD YOU WANT A 40 FOOT COMMERCIAL SHED HOISTED ON A CRANE 12 FEET FROM YOUR HOME? WE ASKED THE CHURCH COUNCIL THE SAME THING. WHAT THEY LIKE A 40 FOOT SHIPPING CONTAINER DROPPED NEXT TO THEIR HOMES? ONLY THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER FOR THE CHURCH RAISED HIS HAND. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> WE ASK THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS CONTINUE TO RESPECT AND PRESERVE THE CHARACTER AND CHARM OF GULFPORT. TO DENY THESE PERMITS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> I HAVE A LETTER. >> HOW ARE YOU? >> HI, VERY GOOD, THANK YOU. I AM PATTY GRACE. I LIVE ACROSS THE STREET FROM SUE WHO WAS JUST SPEAKING. 27 16/52 STREET, GULFPORT. THE CONTAINER WILL BE RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR YARD. I UNDERSTAND HUNGER. I HAVE WORKED WITH UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN. ON AND OFF FOR YEARS. CHILDREN AT RISK. I AM TOTALLY FOR THE PROJECT. I JUST DO NOT THINK IT BELONGS IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. THE OTHER THING THAT IS CONCERNING, THE YOUNG GENTLEMEN, WHO HAS A GREAT MISSION, SPOKE TO THE CHURCH, THE CHURCH HAS VALIDATED HIS MISSION. REALLY WANTS THE CONTAINER THERE. BUT, THEY DO NOT WANT TO GIVE UP THEIR PREFERRED PARKING. WHICH IS A LITTLE BIT FURTHER BACK. THEY WANTED TO PUT IT RIGHT NEXT TO SUE'S HOUSE. THEY ARE NOT ABOUT TO CHANGE THAT IDEA. WE WENT TO THEIR MEETINGS. WE OFFERED IF THEY WANT TO DO A COMMUNITY GARDEN WE WILL HELP YOU WITH THAT. THAT WOULD BE GREAT. WE WOULD ALL BE FOR THAT. THIS GREAT BIG CONTAINER ACROSS THE STREET, IS GOING TO IMPACT OUR PROPERTY VALUES, IT IS GOING TO HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE OTHER THING, THE YOUNG GENTLEMAN WHO WAS VERY SPIRITED HE WANTS TO PUT THIS TOGETHER, WHO IS TO SAY HOW LONG HE WILL BE AS EXCITED ABOUT THIS MISSION? WHAT IF HE DECIDES IN ONE YEAR OR TWO YEARS, WELL, IT WAS A GREAT IDEA. I AM YOUNG, I AM GOING TO MOVE TO PORTLAND, OREGON. LEAVE THE CONTAINER THERE. IS THE CHURCH YOU HAS A NUMBER OF ELDERLY MEMBERS GOING TO MAINTAIN THIS CONTAINER? THEY HAVE OFFERED TO PUT SIDING ON IT. TO DO ALL KINDS OF THINGS TO MAKE IT PRETTY. AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT IS A 40 FOOT SHIPPING CONTAINER THAT WILL BE RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY YARD. SO, THAT IS WHAT I HAVE TO SAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LISTENING. >> HEY EVERYBODY, I KNOW EVERYBODY IS PASSIONATE. WE ARE NOT AT THE SHOW, WE ARE AT A MEETING. IF WE CAN KEEP THE APPLAUSE DOWN. SO WE CAN GET THROUGH EVERYONE SAYING WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY. >> I LIVE AT 5131 27TH AVENUE SOUTH, A BLOCK AWAY FROM THIS PROPOSED PROJECT. IT IS GOING TO BRING THIS 40 FOOT STORAGE CONTAINER INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. THIS IS THE SAME MONSTROUS CONNEX, THAT YOU SEE ON TV. THAT IS STUCK OUT IN THE HARBORS RIGHT NOW. YOU HAVE ALL SEEN THEM ON TV. THEY ARE STUCK OUT THERE I SUPPOSE BECAUSE OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES. IT IS THE SAME CONTAINER THAT YOU SEE ON TRAINS. THAT YOU SEE ON THE TRUCKS THAT ARE GOING THROUGH THE INTERSTATE. THESE ARE NOT APPROPRIATELY LOCATED IN OUR BEAUTIFUL GULFPORT. THIS PROJECT IS WELL INTENDED BUT NOT APPROPRIATE. I AM A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER. WHO RECENTLY RETIRED FROM PENNILESS PUBLIC SCHOOLS. I WANT TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT I AND OTHERS THAT ARE OBJECTING THIS PROJECT ARE NOT, I REPEAT NOT AGAINST FEEDING THE HUNGRY. I HAVE MADE PERSONALLY CERTAIN THAT FAMILIES AND OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN FED WHEN SCHOOL WAS NOT IN SESSION. WEEKENDS, VACATIONS AND SUMMERS. I HAVE SOLICITED FOR FOOD PACK BOXES AND DISTRIBUTED TO SO MANY OF OUR NEEDY NEIGHBORS. I KNOW WHAT THEY NEED IS. THIS PROJECT IS ABOUT A NONPROFIT BUSINESS. A BUSINESS MOVING IN NEXT TO US. MAYBE NEXT TO YOU IN THE FUTURE. THE BUSINESS IS OSTENSIBLY TO RAISE MICROGRIDS TO FEED THE HUNGRY. THE METHODIST CHURCH ATTENDS TO ALLOW THIS ORGANIZATION TO USE THEIR PARKING LOT TO INSTALL THE STORAGE CONTAINER. TO HOUSE THE PROJECT. THE METHODIST CHURCH HAS STATED THEY ARE NOT INVOLVED IN RUNNING THE BUSINESS AND THERE WILL BE NO OVERSIGHT. PEA SPROUTS ARE TENDER. THEY REQUIRE MUCH CARE TO ENSURE THAT E. COLI AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS DO NOT AFFECT THE PLANTS. THEY MUST BE DELIVERED AND EATEN IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE PERSON SPEARHEADING THIS PROJECT, AND IT DOES SEEM AT THE MOMENT TO BE A ONE PERSON ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN UNCLEAR ABOUT THE SPECIFICS OF THE PLAN. NOT THE MISSION, THE SPECIFICS OF THE PLAN. BUT, HE WILL BE PAID. WE HAVE DONE OUR HOMEWORK THE PROJECT WILL BE EXPERIMENTAL AT BEST. THERE WILL BE NO OVERSIGHT. WITH IT BECOMES THE HUGE CONTAINER INTO OUR RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING HAS A LABEL, NONPROFIT DOES NOT MEAN IT IS NOT A BUSINESS. THIS BUSINESS AND ITS STORAGE UNIT DOES NOT BELONG HERE. NOT AT OUR RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. THIS BUSINESS NEEDS TO FIND A COMMERCIAL LOCATION. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS CAREFULLY IF IT COMES BEFORE THIS COUNSEL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. AND KEEPING OUR GULFPORT THE LOVELY COMMUNITY IT IS AND WE LOVE. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? YES? HOW ARE YOU? >> HELLO. I LIVE ACROSS THE STREET AT 221 0/53 STREET SOUTH. I LOVE GULFPORT AND I HAVE SINCE MY VERY FIRST VISIT IN 2014. IT FEELS COMFORTABLE AND INCLUSIVE, ACCEPTING AND SAFE. I AM HERE TODAY FOR THREE REASONS. FIRST, IT IS THE VOICES OF THOSE WHO LIVE THERE WHO SHOULD BE CENTERED AND CONVERSATIONS ABOUT LOCAL POLICY. SECOND, THE VALUES OF PROGRESSIVE CITIES LIKE GULFPORT, MUST BE INCLUDED WITH POLICY CHANGES IN THE STATE WE CALL HOME. WE CANNOT IDLY STAND BY AS FLORIDA'S LAWS CHANGE WITHOUT OUR INPUT. FINALLY, I AM HERE BECAUSE THE ANTIABORTION RESTRICTIONS COMING FROM TALLAHASSEE, TEXAS, MISSISSIPPI AND THE SUPREME COURT TERRIFY ME. ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE THAT ALREADY FACE BARRIERS. LIKE PEOPLE OF COLOR, THOSE WITH DISABILITIES AND WHAT HITS HOME MOST FOR ME, ADOLESCENTS WHO ARE SCARED AND STUCK WITHOUT ACCESS TO SAFE AND LEGAL ABORTION THEY MAY NEED. I WAS ONE OF THOSE ADOLESCENTS AT 16 YEARS OLD. I WAS SCARED, BROKE AND I NEEDED AN ABORTION. IT WAS THE SUMMER BEFORE MY YEAR, MY SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL. I FELT CONFUSED, ALONE AND MENTALLY SICK. NOT UNDERSTANDING WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO MY BODY. I DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO I JUST KNEW WHAT I HAD TO DO. TWO YEARS PRIOR MY OLDER SISTER HAD A CHILD AT 15. I SAW HOW DRASTICALLY THAT CHANGED MY SISTER'S LIFE. I KNEW THAT HAVING A CHILD WHAT I WAS STILL A CHILD MYSELF, WAS SOMETHING I COULD NOT DO. I WAS SO ASHAMED I COULD NOT GO TO THE ONE PERSON I WANTED TO MAKE THE PROCESS IN MY LIFE, MY DAD. RAISED CATHOLIC I KNEW MY MOM WOULD NOT GIVE CONSENT. JUST AS IT IS FOR A MINOR TO GET ABORTION IN FLORIDA TODAY, AND MICHIGAN ONE ALSO NEEDS A GUARDIAN SIGNED CONSENT. SOMEHOW, WITHOUT PARENTS I NEEDED TO FIND AN ABORTION CLINIC OUTSIDE OF MICHIGAN. FIND A WAY TO GET THERE. THE NEAREST ONE WAS FOUR HOURS AWAY IN CHICAGO. IT COST $350. THE CLINIC TOLD ME TO GET THERE WHEN THEY WERE OPEN. ONCE THE BEDS WERE FILLED THEY WOULD CLOSE FOR THE DAY. WE HIT THE ROAD AT 3 AM. I DO NOT REMEMBER CHECKING IN. AS ANASTASIA SET AND I HEARD HER SAY IT'S OKAY HONEY, THIS WILL BE OVER. WE WILL GET YOU ON SOME GOOD BIRTH CONTROL AND YOU WILL MOVE ON FROM THIS. IT WAS AN ADULT SIZED MASS AND THERE I WAS WITH PROFESSIONALS WHO UNDERSTOOD MY SITUATION. THEY DID NOT JUDGE ME. AS I FADED ASLEEP I REMEMBER A TEAR ROLLING DOWN MY FACE. EVEN AS A TEENAGER, UNSURE ABOUT PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING IN LIFE. I NEED AN ABORTION AND THAT WAS SOMETHING I WAS SURE OF. THAT EXPERIENCE WAS THE START OF MY WOMANHOOD. IT HAS LED ME TO WHERE I AM TODAY. MR. MAYOR, ASK YOU TO CONTINUE GULFPORT PROGRESS. CHAMPIONING A RESOLUTION FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. PROTECT ABORTION ACCESS AND THE HUMAN RIGHT TO MAKE OUR OWN HEALTH CARE DECISIONS. PLEASE SEND TALLAHASSEE A MESSAGE NOT ONLY FROM YOU AND THE COUNCIL BUT FROM THE PEOPLE OF GULFPORT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, I KNOW THAT WAS HARD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR BRAVERY. ANYONE ELSE? HOW ARE YOU? >> GOOD. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. MY NAME IS BETH SETTLE. I AM A GULFPORT RESIDENT. I LIVE AT 5709 19TH AVENUE SOUTH. I AM A MEMBER OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE ST. PETERSBURG AREA. I AM HERE TODAY TO URGE THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION, SUPPORTING REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. GIVEN ALL THAT HAS HAPPENED RECENTLY THE GULFPORT CITY COUNCIL CAN SUPPORT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BY DECLARING A FIRM COMMITMENT TO REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM. THE MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE TAKING ACTION TO PROTECT ABORTION RIGHTS. REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE AND INDIVIDUALS RIGHTS. IN ORDER TO MAKE REPRODUCTIVE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR OWN BODIES. AMERICAN CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS ARE ENGAGING AND A NATIONAL COUNTER MOVEMENT. TO PROTECT AND ADVANCE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, RIGHTS AND JUSTICE. IT DECLARES THAT GULFPORT VALUES AND FIGHTS BACK. FIGHTS BACK AGAINST PERVASIVE ABORTION STIGMA. MR. MAYOR, WITH THIS IN MIND I WOULD ASK THAT YOU COME OUT IN SUPPORT OF SUCH A RESOLUTION. PROTECTING GULFPORT RESIDENT SENDS A CLEAR MESSAGE TO TALLAHASSEE. OF OUR RESIDENT SUPPORT FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, CARE AND RIGHTS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? ANYONE ELSE FOR THE OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT? MR. RODRIGUEZ? >> MY NAME IS RAY RODRIGUEZ. I HAVE SPOKE UP HERE A NUMBER OF TIMES. I'VE BEEN A GULFPORT RESIDENT FOR 22 YEARS NOW. I CHOSE TO RAISE MY FAMILY HERE AND GULFPORT. BOTH OF MY CHILDREN WERE BORN AND RAISED. THEY SPENT THEIR ENTIRE LIFE IN GULFPORT. BOTH OF MY CHILDREN ARE LIVING AT HOME AND GOING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA. MY DAUGHTER IS GOING TO GRADUATE THIS SEMESTER FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA. I HAVE TREATED GULFPORT AS MY HOME RESIDENCE AND WHERE I PICKED UP ALL OF THE WORLD TO BRING MY FAMILY AND RAISE MY CHILDREN. NOW, I'M GOING TO CONTINUE FROM MY SPEECH LAST WEEK. I WAS TALKING ABOUT LAWSUITS INVOLVING THE CITY OF GULFPORT. IN PARTICULAR, I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT SAMANTHA RING VERSUS THE CITY OF GULFPORT. IN THIS LAWSUIT THERE ARE TWO LAWYERS SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF GULFPORT. SEAN AND.[NAME?]. WITH A LAW FIRM I DO NOT RECOGNIZE. I MADE NUMEROUS REQUESTS TO THE CITY OF GULFPORT FOR THESE LAWYERS AND THEIR INVOICES. THESE LAWYERS HAVE NEVER INVOICED THE CITY OF GULFPORT. YET, THEY ARE SPEAKING FOR THE RESIDENCE OF GULFPORT IN THIS LAWSUIT. SAMANTHA RING VERSUS THE CITY OF GULFPORT. WHERE DID THESE LAWYERS GET THEIR INFORMATION? TO THE RESIDENTS OF GULFPORT? NEITHER OF THESE LAWYERS LIVE IN GULFPORT. NOR DOES THIS LAW FORM LIVE IN GULFPORT. IN THIS LAWSUIT, WHICH AS I READ THIS, ANSWERED BY THESE TWO LAWYERS, SAYS THAT THE CITY OF GULFPORT DEFENSE DISCRIMINATION AT.[NAME?] YACHT CLUB. THESE LAWYERS ARE SAYING THE RESIDENCE OF GULFPORT DEFENDANT DISCRIMINATION AT FOCUS YOU GET YACHT CLUB. THEY ARE USING A TERM CALLED -- . I ASKED LAST TIME, WHO WAS SPEAKING FOR THE RESIDENCE OF GULFPORT? SAYING THAT DISCRIMINATION WITHIN OUR CITY PROPERTY IS ACCEPTED AND ALLOWED? THE RESIDENTS ARE GOING TO DEFEND THIS. IF WE LOSE THESE LAWSUITS THESE LAWYERS ARE STILL GOING TO GET PAID. THE RESIDENCE, ME, I'M GOING TO PAY FOR THE LAWSUIT THAT WE ARE NOW DEFENDING. WE ARE DEFENDING DISCRIMINATION WITHIN THE CITY OF GULFPORT ON CITY PROPERTY. FOR DECADES AND DECADES. WHO IS DIRECTING THE ATTORNEYS FOR THIS LAWSUIT? WHO IS FEEDING THE LAWYERS? I MADE MULTIPLE SUNSHINE REQUEST FOR THE INSURANCE AGENTS THAT WE HAVE AND THROUGH THE CITY. TO FIND FOR MR. O REILLY, WHO IS INVOLVED IN THIS LAWSUIT? FEEDING THE INFORMATION? SPEAKING FOR THE RESIDENCE OF GULFPORT? SAYING DISCRIMINATION IS OKAY ON THE PROPERTY OF THE CITY. I HAVE MORE AND I WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK. >> I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU A QUESTION REAL QUICK HOW MANY PAGES OF PUBLIC RECORD REQUEST DO YOU HAVE? IF YOU HAD TO DO A ROUGH NUMBER? >> I WILL BRING THE REQUEST IN NEXT COUNCIL MEETING. >> I DO NOT HAVE ANY RECORD. WHETHER OR NOT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS RECORDS THAT ARE PENDING PICKUP. >> 1500 EMAILS AT THE DEPARTMENT. >> I WILL HAVE THE CITY ATTORNEY ADDRESS ONE OF THE THINGS YOU SAID. WHO IS NEXT? >> HELLO. MY NAME IS ELIZABETH BAKER. I AM THE REGIONAL ORGANIZER FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD AND TAMPA BAY. THE TAMPA BAY REGION. I WORK WITHIN FIVE FLORIDA COUNTIES. ONE OF THOSE COUNTIES IS PINELLAS COUNTY. I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR RECOGNIZING ME THIS EVENING. IF YOU WILL EXCUSE ME FOR ONE MOMENT I WILL TURN AWAY FROM YOU AND THANK YOU TOSHA. THANK YOU SO MUCH. MR. MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, I AM HERE FOR A LOT OF REASONS TONIGHT. NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH BEING WE ARE CURRENTLY FACING AN ABORTION ACCESS CRISIS. IN THIS STATE AND IN THIS COUNTRY. SINCE JUNE OF THIS YEAR I HAVE WATCHED THE MANATEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WORK TO BAN ABORTION IN MANATEE COUNTY. WHICH IS A COUNTY THAT DOES NOT CURRENTLY HAVE ANY ABORTION PROVIDERS LOCATED IN IT. NOT ONLY IS THIS A MASSIVE WASTE OF TAXPAYER RESOURCES AND MONEY, THE BOARD IS ALSO BLATANTLY IGNORING THEIR CONSTITUENTS. THE MAJORITY OF WHOM SUPPORT THE CODIFICATION OF -- . I HEARD YOUNG PEOPLE, ORIGINALLY FROM MANATEE COUNTY SAY THE ACTIONS OF THE COMMISSIONERS ARE DISCOURAGING THEM FROM MOVING BACK TO THEIR HOMETOWN AFTER THEY GRADUATE COLLEGE. I HAVE LISTENED TO RETIREE SAY THEY REGRET SETTLING DOWN IN A PLACE WHERE LEADERS ARE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING SUCH A REGRESSIVE POLICY. AS PUBLIC SERVANTS, YOU ALL MADE THE COMMITMENT TO SERVE THE PUBLIC. I CAN SAY THAT THE MANATEE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS IS NOT CURRENTLY SERVING THEIR PUBLIC. I ASK YOU, I IMPLORE YOU, DO NOT BE LIKE THEM. BECAUSE, WITH IDEOLOGICAL ANTIABORTION RESTRICTIONS AS OUR PAST, NECESSARY REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE INCLUDING ABORTION GETS PUSHED FURTHER AND FURTHER OUT OF REACH. FOR PEOPLE ALREADY EXPERIENCING SOCIOECONOMIC CHALLENGES. IN OTHER WORDS, THE MOST VULNERABLE AMONG US ARE THE ONES IMPACTED THE MOST. I JUST CANNOT SEE WHERE THE JUSTICE AND THAT IS. SO, YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY HERE. BYPASSING A REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS RESOLUTION, YOU ARE TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE THE POWER THAT THE PUBLIC HAS GRANTED TO YOU. YOU ARE USING THAT POWER TO STATE LOUD AND CLEARLY, THAT YOU ARE ON THE SIDE OF JUSTICE. IN A TIME WHERE THE BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS, OF HALF OF THE POPULATION ARE BEING CHIPPED AWAY, BY STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS, IT IS UP TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO PROTECT THE FREEDOMS AND LIBERTIES OF THE CITIZENS. IT IS UP TO YOU ALL. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, WE APPRECIATE IT. ANYONE ELSE? YES? >> HELLO EVERYONE. MY NAME IS JENNIFER, I AM THE DIRECTOR OF EQUITY BELONGING AND WORKPLACE CULTURE FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF SOUTHWEST CENTRAL FLORIDA. WE SERVE OVER 22 COUNTIES INCLUDING THIS ONE. THANK YOU ALL FOR RECOGNIZING ME TONIGHT. TONIGHT, I AM HERE AS SOMEONE WHO HAS WORKED DIRECTLY WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS. PATIENT IS SEEKING NECESSARY REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE INCLUDING ACCESS TO ABORTION. I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO VOTE FAVORABLY FOR THE REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS RESOLUTION. WE KNOW THAT RESEARCH SHOWS US THAT STATEWIDE AND -- NATIONWIDE, 65 PERCENT OF PEOPLE THINK ABORTIONS SHOULD BE LEGAL. 75 PERCENT OF PEOPLE DO NOT THINK SHOULD BE OVERTURNED. 80 PERCENT OF PEOPLE AGREE THAT AS LONG AS ABORTION IS LEGAL, A PERSON WITH A UTERUS, SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET SAFE AND AFFORDABLE QUALITY ACCESS. TO THAT SERVICE. I HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND HERE IN THIS COUNTY, WHAT OUR SERVICES HAVE DONE FOR YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND OUR PATIENTS. I HAVE BEEN AND LIVED IN THESE COMMUNITIES. I HAVE SEEN THE IMPACT OF WHAT THIS WORK CAN DO. FOR PEOPLE WITH A UTERUS. PLEASE, FOR THE SAKE OF THE PEOPLE THAT YOU SERVE, AND THE WELL-BEING OF YOUR COMMUNITY, ADOPT THIS RESOLUTION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU, ANYONE ELSE? YES? >> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN MY NAME IS BOB SAMUEL A RESIDENT OF GULFPORT. I LIVE AT 5118, 29TH AVENUE SOUTH. I AM HERE TONIGHT AS A MEMBER OF THE GULFPORT SENIOR CENTER FOUNDATION. TO PLEDGE OUR FULL SUPPORT TO THE CREATION OF THE NEW MULTISTORY SENIOR CENTER. TO HOPE THAT YOU WILL GO ALONG WITH ITS NEWEST PROPOSAL. TO GUARANTEE THE SUPPORT OF THE FOUNDATION AND PERSONAL SUPPORT. THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? YES? HOW ARE YOU DOING? NICE TO SEE YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH EVERYONE. TWO WEEKS I WAS TALKING ABOUT PUTTING PLASTIC BAGS AND GARBAGE BINS. NOW I WILL TALK ABOUT A DIFFERENT SUBJECT. I AM CURRENTLY THE PRESIDENT OF THE GULFPORT SENIOR CENTER. I HAVE HAD A LOT OF INTERFACE WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE SENIOR CENTER. I SHOULD HAVE SAID THE FOUNDATION, WE ARE THE FOUNDATION. I AM VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE QUALITY OF THOSE PEOPLE. THEY ARE MAGICIANS. ONE THING I WANT TO TALK ABOUT, IS SOMETHING -- WHEN THE LAST CAMPAIGN CAME UP FOR MAKING MODIFICATIONS TO THE BUILDING, ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. I DID A LOT OF RESEARCH ON MY OWN. ABOUT WHAT OTHER SENIOR CENTERS WERE DOING. THAT WERE PUT INTO THE SAME POSITION. TRYING TO BUILD ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PEOPLE THAT WILL BE COMING ALONG. INEVITABLY IN EACH ONE, MOST OF THE CONCERNS WHO WILL THE NEW PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO BE COMING DOWN IN FIVE YEARS? THEY MAY BE A CERTAIN AGE. THEY MAY ACT YOUNGER. THEY MAY BE LOOKING FOR NEW AND BETTER THINGS TO DO IN THE SENIOR CENTER. WE WOULD LIKE A POOL, WE WOULD LIKE A WAY TO RUN AROUND INSIDE. THEY ARE YOUNGER ACTING AND SO FORTH. THAT GENERATION WILL BE LOOKING FOR THOSE FACILITIES. JUST SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND. ONE THING I DO WANT TO DO HERE, -- I HAVE COPIES OF THIS YEAR FOR EVERYBODY. ONE OF THE RESEARCH AREAS I LOOKED INTO WAS A VERY INTERESTING ONE. IT WAS FOR BAINBRIDGE ISLAND SENIOR CENTER. I BELIEVE THAT IS IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON. THIS IS A PHENOMENAL DOCUMENT TO TRY TO READ THROUGH AND FOLLOW. THEY DID AN EXCELLENT JOB OF LOOKING AT EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY. TRYING TO ANTICIPATE WHAT THE SITUATION WILL BE IN FIVE YEARS. WHAT THEY WERE DOING WAS TRYING TO GET SOME OF THAT INTO ANY PROJECTS. ANY PROJECTS THAT ARE GOING TO COME ALONG. YOU WANT TO BUILD A NEW BUILDING, ANOTHER EXERCISE ROOM. OKAY, IS THAT GOOD ENOUGH? SHOULD WE BE THINKING A BIGGER PICTURE? RIGHT NOW, WE DO NOT KNOW THAT. ALL OF THE POINTS ARE HEADING IN THAT DIRECTION. THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS TYPE OF A FACILITY ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR MORE. LOOKING FOR DIFFERENT, LOOKING FOR YOUNGER. MORE THINGS THAT THEY CAN DO AND ENJOY. IT IS NOT GOING TO BE LIKE NOW WHERE YOU HAVE THE TREADMILLS. YOU HAVE ROOMS WHERE YOU CAN PAINT AND DO THINGS LIKE THAT. THERE WILL BE THAT KIND OF STUFF. BUT, THESE FOLKS WILL BE LOOKING FOR MORE. INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, THERE ARE FACILITIES WELL WITHIN DRIVING DISTANCE HERE THAT CURRENTLY OFFER THAT FACILITY. I WILL END IT RIGHT THERE. I WILL PASS THIS OFF. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YES? THANK YOU, RON. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> HELLO. >> HELLO MY NAME IS CHRISTINE CROSBY. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF ADDRESSING YOU THE LAST MEETING. I BROUGHT SOME BROCHURES ABOUT THE BOAT PARADE. AT THE YACHT CLUB IS HAVING. I BROUGHT ONE FOR EACH OF THE MEMBERS. I JOINED THIS CLUB RECENTLY. FOR THE THIRD TIME. WE REMEMBERS WHEN WE FIRST MOVED TO GULFPORT. WE DID A VERY CAREFUL DUE DILIGENCE OF THIS CLUB. BEFORE MY HUSBAND AND I DECIDED TO BECOME MEMBERS. OUR TIME IS VALUABLE WANT TO SPEND IT WITH THE RIGHT ORGANIZATIONS. DO THE RIGHT THINGS IN OUR COMMUNITY. I LOVE GULFPORT. I PLAN TO SPEND THE REST OF MY DAYS HERE. THIS CLUB DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE, I WANT TO MAKE THAT STATEMENT CLEAR. THEY DO NOT. THE SECOND SUBJECT, IF I MAY, WE LIVE JUST OFF OF 49TH STREET. AS YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE GATEWAY STREETS COMING INTO OUR BEAUTIFUL CITY. IF YOU GO DOWN THAT STREET YOU WILL SEE A LOOKS PRETTY LAME. ONE OF THE THINGS WE CAN DO TO FIX IT IMMEDIATELY WITH VERY LITTLE MONEY AT ALL, IS GET SOMEBODY TO DO THE EDGING ALONG THE CURB. IT WOULD IMMEDIATELY TRANSFORM THAT STREET INTO SOMETHING THAT LOOKS A LITTLE BIT MORE CARED FOR AND LOVED. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO ASK THE COMMISSION TO CONSIDER DOING THAT. OR PLEASE ASK ME WHO TO TASK FOR THAT. >> THANK YOU. HOW ARE YOU DOING? >> I AM MARK WILLIAMS I LIVE AT 5302 28 AVENUE SOUTH. I AM A NEW RESIDENT. AS I WAS COMING TO THE MEETING TODAY, THERE IS A CONTAINER THERE AT THE CORNER OF -- LET ME GET THIS RIGHT 52ND AND 28TH. I WOULD INVITE EVERYBODY TO GO ON THEIR WAY HOME AND LOOK AT THIS CONTAINER. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS SYMBOLIC OR SIGNIFICANT. THERE IS A SMALL CONTAINER SIMILAR TO THE ONE THEY ARE PROPOSING TO PLACING ON THE VACANT LOT. THE KEY WORD HERE, A VARIANCE. THE DEGREE TO WHICH THIS DEVIATES FROM THE NORMAL. THIS CONTAINER WILL HAVE NO CONGRUOUS AND AS IF THAT IS A WORD, WITH WHAT IS CURRENTLY THERE. IT DOES NOT HAVE A PLACE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. I HOPE YOU WILL VOTE AGAINST IT. >> THANK YOU. YES? HOW ARE YOU DOING? >> FINE, HOW ARE YOU? MY NAME IS EILEEN NAVARRO, A RESIDENT OF GULFPORT. THIS EVENING I WOULD LIKE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE POSSIBLE USE OF SOME OF THE DISCRETIONARY COVID FUNDS. THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE, THE HARDSHIP FUNDS. A NUMBER OF MONTHS AGO I PUT IN A WRITTEN REQUEST. WITH THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. TO LOOK INTO ADDING FREE WI-FI INTERNET ACCESS. TO THE CATHERINE HICKMAN THEATER. IT CURRENTLY STOPS AT THE DOORWAY. BETWEEN THE SENIOR CENTER AND THE HICKMAN THEATER. DURING COVID THE