Gulfport City Council

Gulfport's Williams Pier to be Replaced

City Manager Jim O'Reilly says the Williams Pier is aging and council needs to start putting money aside now for a replacement.

For the past 30 years, the Walter & Bert Williams Fishing Pier has become a spot where memories are made in Gulfport. The Fourth of July fireworks are blasted off from the end of the pier every summer, and the annual Holiday Lights Boat Parade includes a mandatory swing by the pier for onlookers.  Anglers of all ages catch their meals off the pier daily, and winged friends perch along the rails from dusk 'til dawn. While the pier is holding up now, Gulfport City Manager Jim O'Reilly says it only has 10 to 20 years left, and council needs to start setting money aside now. "It's a concrete pier in salt water," O'Reilly said during the last city council workshop on Thursday, May 9. O'Reilly is allocating $10,000 of the city's Penny for …

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Gulfport City Council

Police Relocation Idea Shot Down by Gulfport Councilors

The majority of city leaders do not believe the city should borrow $3 million dollars to move the Gulfport Police Station to 49th St. What do you think?

Immediately upon taking office, Councilor Michael Fridovich suggested moving the Gulfport Police Department to 49th Street. Frodivich believes more police presence will help tackle crime and the perception of crime along the border corridor.  During the most recent council workshop, on Thursday, May 9, Fridovich also expanded on how the move could lure more businesses to the area. "It's totally underutilized," Fridovich said. He added that he's spoken to businesses owners and residents in that area who agree with him. Despite his efforts and suggestion to borrow $3 million for the project, the remaining councilors disagreed with taking out a loan of that amount. During the workshop, Mayor Sam Henderson said he didn't want to commit future …

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Gulfport City Council

Want an Official Gulfport Flag?

City staff are looking into how much it would cost to sell small City of Gulfport flags for residents. Would you buy one?

Have you seen the official City of Gulfport flag? It's currently flying at City Hall, but it could be added to other city facilities. During the last council meeting Councilor Michael Fridovich thanked the City for flying the flag and asked if it's possible to display city flags at all of the city's buildings, such as the library and recreation center. Fridovich added that it could be a great idea to create and sell small flags for residents to buy.  According to City Manager Jim O'Reilly, staff is looking into both of those possibilities, however, there is no timeline for the project. What do you think? Would you fly a city flag at your home? ________________________________________________________________ Sign up for the Gulfport Patch …

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Gulfport City Council

Marina Plans Include Larger Ship Store, New Facilities

Improvements slated for the Gulfport Marina next year include a larger ship store, new building and facilities.

Plans for a new building adjacent to the current ship store call for two levels with new bathroom facilities, a dayroom and laundry facilities for live-aboards at the Gulfport Municipal Marina. During Thursday's City Council workshop, City Manager Jim O'Reilly presented the list of capitol improvement plans to city councilors. Councilors will use O'Reilly's recommendations along with their own suggestions to help sculpt the operations budget for next fiscal year, which begins on October 1. Thursday night, they had their first look at the recommended capitol improvement program projects, which includes spending more than $800,000 on marina enhancements. Marina improvements listed include: Total = $880,000 Thursday was a first look at …

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Gulfport City Council

Technology Service Contract to Save City Thousands

Gulfport City Council approved a contract Tuesday night that is slated to save the city thousands over the next 12 months.

In a 4-1 vote, Gulfport City Council approved a contract with Extensys, Inc. for a managed service contract for the city's technology services.  Extensys, Inc will provide remote monitoring, remote administration, and onsite services for the City of Gulfport's server, network, and desktop infrastructure, according to the contract. According to city staff, the Information Technology Director resigned in October 2012 and since then, the city has been using an Interim Information Technology Director and a subcontractor to help with services. Councilor Christine Brown cast the only "no" vote due to concerns about the contract. Brown noted concerns about "remote" monitoring and the price tag. The contract calls for a monthly fee of $9,700 for …

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Christine Brown Shares Ideas for Gulfport's Future

Council Member Christine Brown hopes to bring new, innovative ideas to help boost property values, improve the waterfront and promote public art.

"I have so many great ideas," Christine Brown exclaimed over a cup of coffee at The Gulfport Grind. Brown, 52, the newest representative for Ward Two, was sworn into office just two weeks ago and has already shared a handful of ideas to better the city. During her first workshop, Brown suggested having a mural painted on the wall behind the councilors at City Hall. She also thinks the city can promote public art by adding "fun, funky signs" around town. Uniquely colored, beach-themed signs could point visitors to the Gulfport Historical Museum, City Hall and other landmarks in the city. Residents could even sponsor a board pointing to their hometown, to add diversity to the signs. Promoting public art is just the tip of Brown's ideas. She …

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Gulfport City Council

Mayor, Council Members Sworn Into Office

Gulfport residents packed council chambers Tuesday night as Mayor Henderson and Councilors Christine Brown and Michael Fridovich were sworn into office.

Every seat in the room was taken during last night's council meeting, as residents welcomed a new mayor and new councilors. New Council Member for Ward Two, Christine Brown was sworn in first with her daughter, Elizabeth Brown Worthington, holding the family's 65-year-old Bible. Michael Fridovich, Councilor for District Four, was sworn in second. Lastly, former Vice Mayor Sam Henderson was sworn in as Gulfport Mayor. Friends and supporters stood up and applauded Henderson. "I look forward to us all working together," Henderson said. “I’m very excited, I’ve worked very hard for many years to get up here,” Christine Brown said. “I want you to please except me as your council representative. I want you to give me a chance to show you what I …

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Gulfport City Council

'City Divided' by HRO Ordinance, Boy Scouts Lease, Banno Says

Outgoing Council Member Barbara Banno is disappointed in the lack of a vote on the lease agreement for usage of Scout Hall for local Cub Scout groups.

For outgoing Councilor Barbara Banno, her last night on the dais Tuesday was bittersweet. Early in the meeting she was thanked for her service to Gulfport residents, but by the end, a resident's public comment left her visibly shaken on an issue close to her heart. The Gulfport City Council had just postponed a vote on whether to renew its lease with the Gulfport Lions Club, Inc for use of Scout Hall, where the club frequently hosts local Boy Scout troop meetings, in favor of a wait-and-see approach to Boy Scouts of America's upcoming decision on its anti-gay membership policy.  Many residents critical of the national organization's policy say the local troops are in violation of the city's Human Rights Ordinance, which is meant to …

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No More Beach Smoking Ban: What Gulfport's Saying

Here's what some Patch readers had to say about the Gulfport City Council's decision to lift a ban on smoking on the beach. What do you think? Join the conversation!

The news that Gulfport City Council opted to lift a ban on smoking on the beach got Patch readers talking earlier this month. The decision to lift the ban came just two months after a judge in Sarasota ruled the City cannot enforce outdoor smoking restrictions. Here's a selection of comments posted on Gulfport Patch in reaction to the news: Phil: "Way to go counsel members no we all can die a very slow painful death from second hand smoke. Smokers really don't care about other peoples health and want company while they are dying from smoking. Now Gulfport Beach will become a giant ash tray, thanks to the worthless counsel members who rather quit than fight the ban on smoking." Theresa Martin: "Thankfully these council members know they …

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