City Council Meeting

Gulfport City Council Agenda Template

City of Gulfport Florida

City Council Meeting Notice

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

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

6:00 PM

AGENDA

Call to Order.

Invocation given by Councilmember Fridovich.

Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call.

1.

Public Comment.

2.

City Manager Report.

3.

City Attorney Report

4.

City Clerk Report.

5.

Consent:

5.a.

Resolution No. 2021-74: A Resolution authorizing the use of City rights-of-way for the placement of temporary outdoor event signage during the Art Jones Studio Tour; and providing for the removal of said signage.

EXHIBIT: Item 5.a - Memorandum.pdf

EXHIBIT: Item 5.a - Resolution No. 2021-74.pdf

EXHIBIT: Item 5.a - Contact the Clerk's Office - Art Jones Studio Tour - Event Application.pdf

5.b.

Resolution No. 2021-75: A Resolution authorizing the City Manager to purchase products and services from Miller Electric Company for the video surveillance systems at the Community Development Building.

EXHIBIT: Item 5.b - Memorandum.pdf

EXHIBIT: Item 5.b - Resolution No. 2021-75.pdf

5.c.

Resolution No. 2021-76: A Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an Agreement with Clark Sales Display, Inc. for holiday decoration services.

EXHIBIT: Item 5.c - Memorandum.pdf

EXHIBIT: Item 5.c - Resolution No. 2021-76.pdf

5.d.

Resolution No. 2021-77: A Resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept a donation from the Gulfport Multipurpose Senior Center Foundation, Inc. for the Gulfport Multipurpose Senior Center.

EXHIBIT: Item 5.d - Memorandum.pdf

EXHIBIT: Item 5.d - Resolution No. 2021-77.pdf

5.e.

Resolution No. 2021-78 : A Resolution of the City of Gulfport, Florida, establishing the date of the 2022 Municipal General Election and providing authorization to the City Manager to enter into a contract with the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections to conduct the March 15, 2022, Municipal General Election. (Una Resolución de la ciudad de Gulfport, Florida, que establece la fecha de la Eleción Municipal General de 2022; que autoriza al administrador de la ciudad a celebrar un contrato con el Supervisor Electoral del condado de Pinellas para llevar a cabo la Elección Municipal General del 15 de Marzo de 2022).

>> GOOD EVENING EVERYONE TO THE OCTOBER 19, 2021 CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR THE CITY OF GULFPORT FLORIDA. HER INDICATION TONIGHT IS GIVEN BY COUNSEL NEVER FRIDOVICH. ALIBI THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. PLEASE RISE. >> WAS LOOKING AT QUOTES SOMETHING THAT ME AND SAID, SO I'M GOING TO READ AT LEAST ONE. NEVER NEGLECT THE SMALL DETAILS EVEN FROM THE POINT OF BEING A PEST MOMENTS OF STRESS, CONFUSION AND FATIGUE ARE EXACTLY WHEN MISTAKES HAPPEN. WHEN EVERYONE ELSE IS IS DISTRACTED THE LEADER MUST BE DOUBLY ALWAYS CHECK THE SMALL THINGS, COLIN POWELL. >> 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. >> WELCOME EVERYBODY. ROLL CALL PLEASE CITY CLICK. >> FRIDOVICH >> HERE >> A CHRISTINE BROWN >> HERE >> PAUL RAY >> HERE >> ATTORNEY, REPRESENTING SALZMAN THIS EVENING. >> WELCOME TO YOU ALSO. MOST OF THE MEETING WITH OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT THIS FOR ANY ITEM THAT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA THIS EVENING. THIS WILL DO WITH A SHOW OF HANDS AND GIVE YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS WHEN YOU COMES WITH IT YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. YOU HAVE YOUR HAND AT FIRST WE WILL START WITH YOU. >> HELLO, MY NAME IS JENNA BUCKLEY, I'M THE VICE COMMODORE OF THE CLUB AND I'M HERE TO ANNOUNCE OUR 36TH ANNUAL LIGHTED CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE. DECEMBER 11, 6 PM. THE MAP AND THE FLYER ARE ONLINE. I SENT IT TO ALL OF YOU. IT'S ALSO ON A WEBSITE SO I WILL LEAVE THESE HERE FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS THEM. >> GIVE THEM TO THE CITY CLICK, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> HELLO, I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT OF GULFPORT SINCE 1995. I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE GENTLEMAN SEEMS TO CARE ABOUT ON BEACH BOULEVARD AS YOU ENTER INTO OUR LITTLE WATERFRONT DISTRICT AND HE IS BECOMING THE FACE OF GULFPORT. HE HAS A HUGE AMOUNT OF PROPERTY WITH HIM, WHATEVER IT HAPPENS TO BE. HE GROWLS AT YOU, HE DOES OBSCENE HAND GESTURES WHEN YOU WALK BY AND IF I AM A DRIVING BY HE GIVES ME ONE OF THESE LOOKS AND NOW HE STARTING TO RECOGNIZE MY CAR. IT'S DISTURBING. AND I KNOW IF I HAD ALL THAT GARBAGE OUT IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE I WOULD HAVE A PROBLEM. SO, WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT? AND THERE IS ONE OTHER THING, OUR CITY IS ON THE MOVE AND, I WAS WONDERING WHAT CAN WE, CAN WE RENOVATE OUR SENIOR CENTER OR POSSIBLY BUILD A NEW ONE? BUT DEFINITELY RENOVATION BECAUSE THE CASINO IS BEAUTIFUL NOW. THANK YOU. LOVE YOU ALL. >> MUCH APPRECIATED. ANYONE ELSE FOR OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT? >> I JUST DROVE BY CHARLES CAMPSITE IT'S TAKEN 1/4 OF THE BLOCK THESE DAYS. I REALLY CAME UP TO SAY THANKS TO THE CITY FOR SPONSORING THE CLEANUP BY GULFPORT GRASSROOTS AND KEEP PINELLAS BEAUTIFUL, 90 POUNDS OF TRASH TAKEN SATURDAY MOSTLY ALONG THE WATERWAY, SO THAT WAS GREAT. WHAT I REALLY WANTED TO DO TODAY IN BEHALF OF 93 LOCAL GULFPORT ARTISTS IS TO THANK YOU FOR APPROVING THE GULFPORT ART IN THE YARD NEEDED ALL YOUR SPECIAL EVENTS. SO WE ARE SURE THAT WE ARE IN FOR THIS NOVEMBER AND THEN AGAIN IN MARCH. SO, NOVEMBER 6, AGAIN, I HAVE TO SAY THIS IS REALLY DIFFERENT THAN ANYTHING WE'VE EVER DONE BEFORE AND THAT YOU ARE ALLOWING 93 LOCAL ARTISTS, THEY LIVE HERE, THEY PAY TAXES HERE, THEY ARE PEOPLE, THEY'RE CONNECTED TO SET UP THEIR ARTWORK ANYTHING GULFPORT DOES A FANTASTIC JOB OF GIVING ARTISTS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO COME INTO TOWN AND SET UP BUT AS WE ARE AGING, IT'S REALLY HARD TO PACK OUR CARS, COME ON DOWN, UNPACK, STAY THERE WAY PAST HER BED. SO WE ARE REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T KNOW THIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE ARTISTS ARE GOING TO SET UP IN THEIR OWN FRONT YARDS. IT WILL BE WELL-PUBLICIZED, IT IS TOTALLY INCLUSIVE, NON-JURY, ANYONE WHO THINKS THEY ARE AN ARTIST IS ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE. IF THE PUBLIC DOES NOT BUY THE PRODUCT THAT MEANS MAYBE THE ARTIST WILL BE BACK NEXT TIME BECAUSE THE PUBLIC DID NOT AGREE. WE HAVE A SUMMIT VERY, VERY SEASONED ARTISTS AND I'M SO HAPPY TO SAY WE HAVE TWO CHILDREN THAT I KNOW OF PARTICIPATING THIS YEAR. SO, IT'S REALLY A BIG DEAL AND IN A TIME THAT HAS BEEN TOUGH A LOT OF THE INDEPENDENT ARTISTS IT IS WONDERFUL. I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF SENIORS, WE HAVE QUITE A FEW PEOPLE FROM TOWN SHORES THAT WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE HAVE TO LEAVE TOWN CHORES AND SET UP LIKE IN MY YARD OR SOMETHING BECAUSE TOWN SHORES WILL NOT LET THEM DO IT. YOU FOR AGREEING TO LET US DO IT I HOPE ALL OF YOU WILL WANT TO COME OUT AND CHECK OUT THE ARTISTS BECAUSE THERE IS EVERYTHING. >> EXCUSE ME KAREN, IF YOU HAVE A CONVERSATION YOU CAN TAKE IT OUTSIDE. PLEASE CONTINUE. >> SO I WANTED TO SAY IN TERMS OF ART WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO SEE? ? THERE CERAMIC, TATTOOS, LIVE PERFORMANCE ART, ACRYLICS, OILS, POTTERY, FABRIC ART THERE IS EVERYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE. IT WILL BE THERE, IF YOU FIGURE OUT I THINK WE HAVE 93 ARTISTS AND FIVE DIFFERENT STOCKS. I HOPE YOU'LL COME OUT AND SUPPORT US AND I ALSO WANT TO TALK LIKE THIS SO THAT THE PUBLIC KNEW THAT WERE GOING ON AND IF YOU'RE AN ARTIST LIVING IN GULFPORT AND YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT THIS, FIND ME, WE WILL GET YOU INVOLVED FOR NEXT MARCH, THANKS. >> ANYONE ELSE? WELCOME. >> I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE WOMAN MENTIONED ABOUT THE EXPANSION IN THE RENOVATION OF THE SENIOR CENTER. I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT SINCE 1988, I MOVED HERE WHEN I WAS THREE. AND EVER SINCE I RETIRED I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS. OUR POPULATION IS GROWING AND SO I THINK OF THE NECESSITY FOR THE INTEGRITY OF OUR BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY TO GROW WE HAVE A WONDERFUL SENIORS CENTER NOW WITH GOOD ACTIVITIES, GOOD SUPPORT AND I THINK IT MIGHT BE TIME FOR US TO RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATE THE EXPANSION AND THE RENOVATION OF OUR SENIOR CENTER. THAT TAKES MONEY AND TIME AND EFFORT AND I WILL AND I DO PLAN ON OFFERING ANYTHING THAT I COULD TO PROGRESSIVELY AND AGGRESSIVELY SEE THIS CHALLENGE MET AND HOPEFULLY SUCCESS. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. I AGREE WITH YOU. ANYONE ELSE? YES, MA'AM. HOW ARE YOU? ASK MY NAME IS CHRISTINA CROSBY AND I'M A 25 YEAR RESIDENT OF GULFPORT. I WANT TO INVITE YOU, MR. MAYOR, AND COUNCIL MEMBERS TO COME OUT TO THE FOCUSING YACHT CLUB AND COME SAILING WITH US. WE JUST REJOINED THE CLUB AFTER TIME IT BEEN AWAY AND I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A LOT GOING ON THAT IS CONTROVERSIAL, I DON'T UNDERSTAND ALL BUT I CAN SAY THIS, AS A BOATER AND A LOVE OF GULFPORT THIS IS A GREAT RESOURCE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND I HOPE WE CAN ALL WORK TOGETHER AND MAKE IT EVEN BETTER THAN IT HAS EVER BEEN IN THE PAST. SO, THAT'S ALL. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MUCH APPRECIATED. HOW ARE YOU DOING? I'M DOING WONDERFUL, MR. MAYOR. MANY HOWARD BUSH I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE GULFPORT CLUB. I'M NOT HERE TO ASK FOR ANYTHING I'M HERE TO GIVE SOMETHING TO THE CITY OF GULFPORT. THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO OUR RON COIN WAS SPEARHEADED SOMETHING AND I LET HIM EXPLAIN IT TO YOU. >> GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY, JUST WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT TONIGHT IN A BE BRIEF ABOUT AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM THAT WE SEE EVERYWHERE, IT'S HERE, IT'S IN LANDFILLS AND THAT IS LIGHTWEIGHT PLASTIC. PLASTIC BAGS THEY SEE FLOATING DOWN THE STREET, INCHES OF WRAPPING MATERIAL USED AS BUBBLEWRAP IS MATTER FACT. FUN TO PLAY WITH BUT UGLY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. THE LIONS CLUB STARTED ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO A PROGRAM IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE COMPANY TRUCKS, YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF IT, THEY MANUFACTURE PLASTIC FURNITURE FOR OUTDOORS, PLASTIC PATIOS AND THEY WERE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ABILITY OF A RAW MATERIAL THAT THEY COULD GET SO THEY CAN BUILD THEIR STUFF. SO THEY CAME UP WITH THE PROGRAM BUILT FOR COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS WHEREBY THEY WOULD TRY TO GET VOLUNTEERS AND PERIODICALLY SEND IT TO A PLASTIC COLLECTION ORGANIZATION SO THAT IT COULD BE TURNED INTO REUSABLE PLASTIC. IN THE FOUR YEARS WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS WE WERE ABLE TO GET SOME VERY INTERESTING MATERIAL FROM THEM. PART OF THEIR PROGRAM NOW WE HAVE THE MATERIAL HERE, PART OF THE PROGRAM IS A WORK WITH COMMUNITIES AND OFFER BENCHES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. YOU NEED TO BE A SCHOOL OR IF YOU LIKE THE LIONS CLUB. THE WAY THE PROGRAM WORKS YET TO COLLECT 600 POUNDS OF PLASTIC AND TURN IT INTO TRUCKS AND WHAT THEY DO IS THEY WILL SEND YOU A BENCH, A FOUR FOOT BENCH, VERY NICELY MADE, COST IS REALLY ABOUT $300 SO IT'S NOT A SKIMPY BENCH. WE HAVE GOTTEN FIVE BENCHES ALREADY, WE WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE MAY BE HAVING ONE OF THE NUANCE WE HAVE AT, GULFPORT NEEDS MORE COLLECTION OPERATIONS WHETHER IT'S DONE BY OUR ORGANIZATION OR OTHERS AND WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO GET INVOLVED AND TELL PEOPLE HOW THESE THINGS WORK BUT I THINK EVERYBODY WOULD LIKE TO SEE PLASTIC GET USED AND OFF THE STREETS, OFF THE GARBAGE DUMPS AND SO FORTH. WE HAVE GOT A GOOD STORY TO TELL IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, RON. >> ONE IS OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY RIGHT NOW AND ONE IS AT THE SENIOR CENTER. AND WE HAVE ONCE WE CAN PUT IN VETERANS PARK. >> WONDERFUL, THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION IN THE GIFT. THANKS Y'ALL. ALL RIGHT, ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? YES, SIR. HOW ARE YOU DOING? >> MR. MAYOR, FIRST LET ME APOLOGIZE THAT WAS MY FAULT ASKED A QUESTION I WANTED TO COME UP INTRODUCE MYSELF. ANYWAY, I AM BOB HUNTER I RECENTLY MOVED HERE LAST SEPTEMBER. I KIND OF KNOW MICHAEL, I AM RETIRED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND MOVED HERE TO GULFPORT JUST NOW BEGINNING TO GET A FEEL OF THE CITY OUT SO WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I'M HERE AND IF YOU SEE ME I AM NOT THAT GUY ON THE BEACH. BUT, THANK YOU. >> VERY NICE, THANK YOU FOR INTRODUCING YOURSELF. WELCOME. ANYONE ELSE FOR OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT? YES, MR. RODRIGUEZ. >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. I HAVE BEEN DOING A LITTLE BIT OF RESEARCH THROUGH PUBLIC RECORDS, COURT RECORDS AND OTHER MY RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THE CITY OF GULFPORT, I BELIEVE, WAS INVOLVED IN 4 TO 5 LOSSES AT THIS PRESENT MOMENT AND I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE THREE POLICE OFFICERS ASSUMING THE CHIEF OF POLICE IN THE CITY OF GULFPORT BURKART, SMITH AND ROSS AND THERE IS ALSO TO AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY LAWSUITS BROUGHT UP AGAINST THE CITY. MY QUESTION IS FOR THE CITY OF GULFPORT IS WHEN I AM RESEARCHING THIS I AM SEEN A LOT OF DIFFERENT ATTORNEYS NAMES. A LOT, A WHOLE PILE OF ATTORNEYS BEHIND CITY OF GULFPORT LEGAL PAPERS THAT ARE IN THE COURTHOUSE DOWNTOWN. SPEAKING FOR THE RESIDENTS OF GULFPORT. I DON'T RECOGNIZE ANY OF THE NAMES OF ANY OF THESE ATTORNEYS ON ANY OF THESE DOCUMENTS THAT ARE SPEAKING FOR THE CITY OF GULFPORT. IN THAT VEIN, I'M TRYING TO DETERMINE WHO IN THE CITY OF GULFPORT IS A DETERMINING THE CITY'S STANCE IN OUR LAWSUITS? WHO IS GUIDING THESE FOREIGN LAWYERS THAT DON'T LIVE IN GULFPORT TO SPEAK ON OUR BEHALF AND IN THESE LAWSUITS? SOMEBODY IS DIRECTING THESE FIVE DIFFERENT LAWSUITS THAT ARE INVOLVING THE CITY OF GULFPORT, AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES, TWO OF THEM AND ONE SPECIFICALLY TO BE SPEAKING ON MORE DIRECTLY THE NEXT MEETING IF THE LAWSUIT ABOUT SAMANTHA RING VERSUS THE CITY AND BOCA YACHT CLUB. THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT, THE CITY HAS TIED ITSELF INTO A RULING IS GOING TO BE DETERMINED BY A LAWSUIT INVOLVING BOCA YACHT CLUB. SAMANTHA RING HAS A LAWSUIT WITH BOCA SIEGA YET CLUB AND IT JUST WENT TO FEDERAL COURT AND BOCA SIEGA WAS DETERMINED NOT TO BE A PRIVATE CLUB. IF YOU LISTEN TO THE JUDICIARIES THERE ARE THREE JUDGES IN ATLANTA, FEDERAL DECISION, TWO OF THE JUDGES WERE ABSOLUTELY LAUGHING WHEN THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT BOCA SIEGA YET CLUB BEING A PRIVATE CLUB. IN MY REQUEST FOR INFORMATION, SUNSHINE LAW AND LEGAL AVENUES, DOCUMENTED AND WRITTEN, I AM BEING REFUSED ALL KINDS OF INFORMATION ABOUT THESE LAWSUITS ABOUT BOCA SIEGA YET CLUB. ABOUT THE FINANCES INVOLVED WITH BOCA SIEGA YET CLUB. ABOUT THE LEASE NEGOTIATIONS THAT ARE GOING ON ABOUT ANY INSURANCE, ANY CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE CITY OF GULFPORT INSURANCE AND THE CITY. WHAT I'M LOOKING AT IS TRANSGRESSING WITHIN MY CITY. THERE IS NO TRANSMITTING WHEN IT COMES TO A LAWSUIT. WHO IS DRIVING THE LAWSUITS? WHO IS CONTROLLING WITH THE CITY OF GULFPORT SAYS IN HIS LAWSUITS? FIVE LOSSES THAT I KNOW. THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE? HOW ARE YOU DOING? TO DECEIVE. >> I AM HERE TO EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR THE SENIOR CENTER. I THINK IT'S A VALUABLE, VALUABLE RESOURCE AND WHEN WE NEED TO MAINTAIN AND EXPAND AND USE ITS BEST ABILITY. I REALLY AM EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES. I ALSO HAVE A QUESTION. THE QUESTION IS IF THE CITY HAS A STRATEGIC PLAN GOING FORWARD? IF WE HAVE A BIGGER PICTURE OF WHAT WE WANT ALL OF OUR FACILITIES AND OUR ORGANIZATIONS TO DO AND WHAT WE WANT THE CITY TO REPRESENT IN TERMS OF THE ARTS COMMUNITY, THE SENIOR COMMUNITY, THE LGBTQ+ IMMUNITY? IS IT YOU KNOW I REPRESENT BEFORE THE HOUSING THE PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF INCOME WHILE OUR DEMOGRAPHICS ARE CHANGING. MY QUESTION AND HOPE IS THAT THE CITY HAS AND WILL SHARE OR WILL INITIATE A STRATEGIC PLAN. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANYONE ELSE FOR OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING NO ONE LIVE ANYONE BY PHONE? >> NOT AT THIS TIME MR. MAYOR. >> CITY MANAGER IF YOU CARE TO ADDRESS ANYTHING FROM PUBLIC COMMENT DIRECTLY YOU ARE WELCOME DO OTHERWISE WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO YOUR REPORT. >> JUST ONE ITEM THAT NO ONE HAS BEEN DENIED MYSELF, CITY STAFF, CITY CLERK, CITY ATTORNEY ANY INFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN REQUESTED, IT HAS BEEN PROVIDED. >> THANK YOU, SIR. >> NO REPORT, MAYOR. >> CITY ATTORNEY. >> NO REPORT. >> CITY CLERK. >> NO REPORT. >> ITEM NUMBER FIVE CONSENT. >> RESOLUTION NUMBER 2021-74 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE USE OF CITY RIGHTS-OF-WAY FOR THE PLACEMENT OF TEMPORARY OUT OR EVEN SIGNAGE. 2021-75 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO PURCHASE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FOR MILLER ELECTRIC COMPANY FOR THE VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS. 2021-76 ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH CLARK SALES DISPLAYS INCORPORATED FOR HOLIDAY DECORATION SERVICES. RESOLUTION 2021-77 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT A DONATION FROM THE GULFPORT MULTIPURPOSE SENIOR CENTER FOUNDATION INCORPORATED OR THE GULFPORT MULTIPURPOSE SENIOR CENTER. RESOLUTION 2021-78 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GULFPORT FLORIDA ESTABLISHING THE DATE OF 2022 MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION AND PROVIDING AUTHORIZATION TO CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH THE PINELLAS COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS TO CONDUCT A MARCH 15, 2022 MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH CITY CLERK. MOTION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. >> MOTION WE ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA. >> SECOND. WE HAVE A SECOND ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE. >> NUMBER SIX ORDINANCE STARTING WITH 2021-04. >> 2021-04 SECOND READING OF THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GULFPORT, FLORIDA AMENDING CHAPTER 22 ZONING ARTICLE 5 SCHEDULE OF DISTRICT REGULATION SECTION 22-5.08 MIXED-USE AREA PROVIDING THE MOMENT FOR SUBSECTION 3A PERMITTED USES THEREOF BY ESTABLISHING STANDALONE GROUND LEVEL PARKING LOTS PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF THE ORDINANCE. >> MOTION ON THIS ONE? >> MOTION. >> SECOND. >> CITY MANAGER ANYTHING FOR THE FIRST READING? >> NO, MR. METCALF IS HERE TO ANSWER SPECIFIC QUESTIONS. THIS IS BASICALLY JUST ADDED TO PERMITTED USE ITEM THAT THIS IS ALLOWED WITHIN WRT. NEXT COUNSEL COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? >> I DON'T HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS AS IT IS BUT WE'VE HAD A COUPLE OF LETTERS ABOUT THESE EMAILS, I WOULD LIKE TO JUST CHANGE THIS TO MAKE IT A CONDITIONAL USE SO THAT ISN'T AUTOMATICALLY SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN DO BUT SOMETHING THAT THEY HAVE TO JUMP THROUGH AN EXTRA HOOP TO DO. JUST WE DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE FOR WHATEVER REASON. >> OKAY, MY THOUGHT ON THAT IS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SINGLE STORIES NOT BUILDING UP. THE IDEA THAT SOMEONE IS WHAT PAY THE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO PAY FOR GULFPORT PROPERTY THE THOUGHT THAT THEY WOULD PURCHASE IT TO MAKE A PARKING LOT I'M NOT SURE. >> AND IT PROBABLY WON'T HAPPEN BUT IF WE CAN DO CONDITIONAL USE THEN WE WILL KNOW IT WILL NOT HAPPEN. >> WOULD WE BE OFFENDED BY A PARKING LOT SINGLE-STORY? WHEN EVERYONE'S BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT PARKING FOR YEARS? >> I WONDER ALSO WE GRANT VARIANCES FOR PARKING AND WE GET PEOPLE, WHY ARE YOU GIVING WAY PARKING? WE NEED PARKING, WE NEED PARKING, WE NEED PARKING AND HERE IS AN OUT-OF-THE-BOX SOLUTION THAT LIKELY WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO HELP WITH THE PARKING PROBLEM AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HAVE TOO MUCH PARKING. >> I'M NOT SAYING WE HAVE TOO MUCH PARKING, AND I DISAGREE WITH THAT, I THINK WE NEED PARKING. BUT, AND YOU ARE RIGHT, CHANCES ARE NOBODY WOULD PURPOSELY MAKE AN EMPTY LOT PARKING IT WOULD BE SOMETHING BUT IT WOULDN'T AESTHETICALLY BE VERY NICE TO HAVE A LOT OF PARKING LOTS IF THAT CAN DO IT AND ESPECIALLY IF WE HAD A TIME WHERE THERE WAS A STORM OR SOMETHING, WE WOULD NOT WANT PEOPLE TO MAKE PARKING LOTS ALL OVER THE PLACE. CHANCES ARE IT WON'T COME UP VERY MUCH BUT IF WE MAKE A CONDITIONAL THEN WE HAVE MORE SAY OVER IT RATHER THAN IT JUST BEING AUTOMATICALLY HAPPENING. >> KEEP IN MIND, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY CAN JUST TEAR DOWN THE BUILDING AND PUT UP A PARKING LOT, THERE IS STILL A SITE PLAN THAT IS TO BE SUBMITTED, AM I CORRECT? BEFORE THEY CAN ACTUALLY MOVE FORWARD. THERE ARE STEPS THAT THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH SO THERE IT'S NOT JUST. >> IF THE DURING THE PERMITTED USE AS LONG AS I DO A SITE PLAN AND EVERYTHING THEY WILL GET TO DO IT WITHOUT US AS COUNSEL OR ANYBODY HAVING ANY SAY ABOUT IT. >> THEY STILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH APPROVAL, YES. >> IT DEPENDS ON IF ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL WANTS TO SUPPORT THAT. I GUESS A SHOW OF HANDS DOES ANYONE WANT TO SEE THAT AS A CONDITIONAL USE? ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON THIS? I DO UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN. THAT BEING SAID ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM? COME UP SO EVERYONE CAN HEAR YOU AT HOME BECAUSE WE'RE BROADCASTING. >> I AM JUST THINKING YOU ARE SAYING AN EMPTY LOT COULD BE A PARKING LOT FOR THE EXTENT OF DURATION OF TIME OR IS THERE GOING TO BE SOME ORDINANCE ABOUT OKAY, NOW I DON'T WANT THE PARKING LOT ANYMORE BUT I CAN BUILD A BUILDING, IS THAT PART OF THIS? OR VICE VERSA? >> WE WILL GET TO ALL OF PUBLIC COMMENT AND ALL OF THE CITY MANAGER ANSWER THE QUESTION FOR YOU BECAUSE THE IDEA IS IF SOMEONE WAS TO USE AN EXISTING PARCEL YOU CAN USE IT THAT WAY. WE WILL GO THROUGH AND ELLIPTICITY MANAGER RESPONSE. ANYONE, MR. MATHER? >> LEVI KIDDER. >> DID I MISS ANYONE IN HERE? >> LEVI KIDDER, CAN YOU SPEAK? HELLO? OKAY FOR SOME REASON THEY ARE NOT COMING ONLINE. >> WE GOT HIS LETTER. >> GO RIGHT AHEAD, WE WILL GIVE MR. KIDDER A CHANCE TO CALL BACK. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME, HELLO? SORRY ABOUT THAT. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? >> YES. I AM ACTUALLY ONE OF THE GENTLEMEN THAT WROTE A LETTER INTO THE CITY, I APPRECIATE COUNCILMAN, CITY COUNCILMAN EVERY SHARE YOUR COMMENTS, THANK YOU FOR READING MY LETTER I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU PAUL FORGIVE ME A CALL BOTH OF THEM AND READ MY LETTER AND TALK TO ME AND I APPRECIATE THEM AT LISTENING TO MY CONCERNS. LET'S READ IT QUICKLY FOR THE REST OF THE COUNCIL AND ADDRESS THE THINGS I HAVE TO SAY HERE. DEAR COUNSELORS AND MR. MERRITT, I'M WRITING YOU TODAY IS SOMEONE WHO IS BORN AND RAISED IN GULFPORT. FORTUNATE TO HAVE GROWN INTERESTING, DIVERSE AND INFINITELY WALKABLE A PEOPLE FRIENDLY CITY IT IS TODAY. THIS LETTER I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER MY OPINION ON THE MATTER OF GROUND LEVEL PARKING IS BEEN ALLOWED IN THE MIXED-USE AREA OF ABUJA BOULEVARD THE CURRENT SITE ON THE INTERSECTION OF 31ST AVENUE SOUTH. THE SITE WAS FORMALLY A RESTAURANT FOR DECADES. MY FIRST JOB THEIR BUSSING TABLES AT 14 YEARS OLD AND WAS AT THE BUILDING TAKING THEM BUT UNDERSTOOD THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITY TO BRING NEW VIBRANT LIFE TO SUCH A WELL LOCATED PROPERTY. WHEN I SELL THE PROPERTIES BEING USED AS A PARKING LOT WAS CONFUSED AND A LITTLE UPSET BUT I KNEW LIKELY IT WOULD ONLY BE TEMPORARY. NOW IT SEEMS PROPOSAL TO ALLOW FOR GROUND PARKING THE WATERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT I'M EXTREMELY CONCERNED. AS CITIZENS OF GULFPORT I BELIEVE IT'S HER DUTY TO MAKE YOUR COMMUNITY THE BEST MOST ENJOYABLE PLACE TO LIVE THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN AND PARKING LOTS DO NOT DO THAT. PARKING LOTS AND DEAD ZONES IN PLACES THAT ARE ONLY FOR CARS AND PREDISPOSED TO BEING NOT HUMANSCALE. I RENTED IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS REGARDING THE WATERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT IN THE CITY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. GULFPORT SAID THAT THERE WAS A TRANSIT THAT CANNOT INCREASE IN GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED. WHY ARE WE SO KIND AT FACILITIES THAT ENCOURAGE VISITORS AND RESIDENTS TO DRIVE THE CARS TO DOWNTOWN? CURRENTLY, THERE'S ABOUT 120,000 SQUARE FEET OF DEDICATED PARKING SPACE WITHIN 500 RADIUS OF FIRST AVENUE SOUTH BEACH BOVARD INTERSECTION. THIS IS NOT INCLUDE SIDE STREET PARKING. HISTORICALLY JUST BUSY TIMES DURING FESTIVALS THAT AREA IS FULLY PEDESTRIAN AS IT IS UNCHANGING WAS ORDINANCE AND TO OUR MAX CAPACITY. THERE ARE ABOUT 400 FREE DESIGNATED PARKING SPACES IN THE SAME 500 YARD RADIUS THAT'S AN ADVERTISEMENT THERE ENCOURAGE ANYONE TO COUNT THEM. AT WHAT POINT IS ENOUGH? I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR REASONABLE PARKING I GENERALLY DO BUT I SUGGEST WE BRING TO THE GULFPORT CENTER. PARKING WHAT BRINGS PEOPLE HERE IS THE WALKABLE DOWNTOWN WITH A VARIETY OF INTERESTING DIVERSE STORES, SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS. IT WAS EVEN MORE SPACE TO THE CARS WE DENIGRATE THAT WHICH GULFPORT UNIQUE AND ATTRACTIVE. A PARKING LOT WILL NEVER HOLD A BUSINESS, IT WILL NEVER HOLD AN ART STUDIO, IT WILL NEVER HOLD A RESTAURANT, IT WILL JUST HOLD CARS. I UNDERSTAND IT'S NOT MEANT TO BE PERMANENT BUT WAS ESTABLISHED WILL BE DIFFICULT TO CHANGE. PARKING LOTS ARE CONVENIENT BUT IF PARKING LOTS WERE ENJOYABLE AND INTERESTING. I'LL BE CLAMORING TO BE COSCO AND NOT DOWNTOWN GULFPORT. WHAT GIVES HER CITY LIFE IS THE PEOPLE AND PLACES WITHIN IT. GREAT PLACES THAT ARE BUILT FOR CARS AND AT PLACES THAT ARE BUILT FOR PEOPLE. >> THAT WAS THE THREE MINUTES. >> WE WILL WATCH HER CITY BECOME LIKE SO MANY OTHER PLACES. IT IS THE OF ASPHALT SO THE CARS CAN REST COMFORTABLY. I ENCOURAGE YOU COUNSELORS PLEASE DO. APRIL'S COMMENTS. >> WE WILL HAVE TO STOP AT THEIR BEST PASS OF THE THREE MINUTES. THANK YOU MR. KIDDER, I APPRECIATE IT. WAS THERE ANYONE ELSE? >> NOT AT THIS TIME. >> I AM KATHLEEN KIDWELL AND JOAN OF COUNSEL HAS EVER CONSIDERED THIS BEFORE BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THE SUBJECT OF PAID PARKING KEEPS GETTING BROUGHT UP BUT IT'S NEVER REALLY TALKED ABOUT AND I THINK IT WOULD ENCOURAGE THE RESIDENTS OF GULFPORT TO WALK INTO THE DOWNTOWN AREA AND THEN THE PEOPLE THAT WERE COMING FROM OUTSIDE THE AREA WOULD PAY FOR PARKING WHICH WOULD BRING MORE REVENUE INTO THE CITY. >> THANK YOU AND IT IS FOR SURE WHEN THAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED NUMEROUS TIMES. >> I BROUGHT UP A PARKING. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH YOU STILL HAVE TIME IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY. FAIR ENOUGH. ANYONE ELSE FOR OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT? I WOULD JUST HAVE YOU IF YOU DON'T MIND GIVING US ONE MORE BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE CHANGE HAS BEEN MADE JUST SO PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT HERE FOR FIRST READING CAN HEAR WHAT WE HAVE DONE. BECAUSE THE AREA WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IT DID HAVE ITS OWN PARKING LOT SO THE CHANGE IS ONLY THAT WE ARE ALLOWING PARKING THERE DURING THE PERIOD OF TIME. >> IS NOT THERE BUT ANYWHERE WITHIN THE MIXED-USE AREA. SO THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT IS. IT'S BEEN PROPOSED TO BE ALLOWED THIS WOULD ORDINANCE ALLOWED PERMITTED USES OR DOESN'T MEAN IT WON'T GO THROUGH SITE PLAN APPROVAL. I THINK IT'S LIKELY THESE WILL BE USED AS TEMPORARY USES, IF AT ALL. BUT IT WOULD ALLOW IT TO BE A USE, STANDALONE USE IF SOMEBODY WANTED TO CHANGE THAT USED TO SOMETHING ELSE THEY CAN DO THAT IT WOULD BE ANOTHER SITE PLAN. BUT WE ARE NOT SUGGESTING, THIS IS NOT SUGGESTING THAT THIS IS IT, ONCE THEY TURN INTO A PARKING LOT IT WILL STAY PARKING LOT AND YOU CAN'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE THERE FOR ANOTHER USE. THAT'S A DEPENDENT ON WHETHER USES AND WHAT THEY WANT TO DO. >> THE OTHER QUESTION I'VE HEARD PEOPLE WORRIED THAT IT'S A STRUCTURE THAT'S BEEN PUT IN. THIS IS NOT THE DISCUSSION OF A PARKING STRUCTURE. >> NO, IT'S A STANDALONE GROUND LEVEL PARKING LOT. THERE IS NO OTHER LEVELS TO IT. >> THAT DESIGNATION CAN BE CHANGED IN THE FUTURE IF SOMEONE WANTED TO BUILD A BUILDING ON IT? >> ABSOLUTELY, ANY USES FROM IT PERMITTED TO CONDITIONAL USES WOULD BE APPLICABLE TO ANY PROPERTY THAT IS LOCATED IN THE MIXED-USE ZONING DISTRICT. >> PARKING LOT IS ONE OF MANY USES THAT CAN HAPPEN. >> CORRECT. >> IS NOT PAVED, IS IT? >> IT IS NOT SPECIFIED IT HAS TO BE PAVED BUT IT WOULD HAVE TO GO TH