Council continued from Cover
Gulfport TV 640 (Spectrum only); dial-in by phone; and the Zoom app, which is available for PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android devices. Council reviewed suggested adjustments to the 2021 fiscal year budget. The city’s $125,000 proposed budget to renovate the Chase Park tennis courts at 27th Avenue and 54th Street has been suspended. City staff will look into less expensive options for repairs or resurfacing as opposed to replacement. Council decided that additional Gulfport city limit signage for 49th Street South will be the blue and white wooden signs. According to City Manager Jim O’Reilly, the blue and white design is more cost effective to install and to repair as opposed to the other option, the ceramic signs that mark Gulfport’s Waterfront District. “Are you talking about the signs on 49th street?” asked Vice Mayor Michael Fridovich. “Oh yeah, blue and white for sure, you never know
Friends of the Sunshine Center, Inc. presents
Pigeon Forge and Smoky Mountains Show Trip per person,
650 double occupancy
$
Sept. 21-26, 2020 Incredible Price includes
• Motorcoach transportation • Five nights lodging, including three consecutive nights in the Smokies • Eight meals (five breakfasts and three dinners)
who’s going to run into something there.” Fridovich, backed by Councilmember April Thanos, also asked the council to consider holding off on adding two K-9 units to the Gulfport Police Department until next year. Council decided to keep the suggested $32,000 allotted to the GPD for the K-9 units. City of Gulfport Director of Finance Cheryl Hannafin explained the city’s intent for returning money previously estimated for projects. In short, the city chose to go with a less expensive bid for $376,137.50 to reline four storm culvert pipes that run underneath the Pasadena Yacht and Country Club Golf Course. The PYCC pipe relining will be funded with a $300,000 state appropriation, $100,000 from Penny for Pinellas (Capital Projects Fund), and the remaining from the utility fund. The original FY20 budget included a transfer of $135,000 from the capital projects fund, and therefore a budget amendment to return $35,000 back to the capital projects fund.
Changes to Council Meeting Dates Council will reconvene in person for the July 21 city council meeting at City Hall at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend the July 21 city council meeting. City Hall remains closed to the public for regular service. Masks and social distancing will be required. “The doors will stay open as well,” said City Manager Jim O’ Reilly. “And I will talk to the fire chief about checking temperatures at the door too.” Council normally meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month, but due to elections and other previously scheduled events council voted on alternate dates for future meetings. City Hall will be used for polling on August 18, so the meeting on that date was rescheduled for Wednesday, August 19 at City Hall. The September 1 meeting will be rescheduled for Thursday, September 3. The meeting scheduled for November 3 was canceled. The November 17 meeting will be the only meeting in November.
Overhead at the Gulfport Virtual Council Meeting “I would love the splash pad, but we just can’t afford that.” – Councilmember Paul Ray during the budget review. “We could cancel the $30,000 for the decorative tree lighting.” – Councilmember April Thanos submitting ideas to decrease spending in 2021. “Feels like the time to be frugal.” – Mayor Sam Henderson during budget discussions. “The intent of the ordinance was
to not have people pay double taxation and licensing.” – City Attorney Andrew Salzman when addressing the recent signing of HB 1193. (City Manager Jim O’Reilly will address changes to state food truck regulations during the July 21 council meeting.) Stay tuned for upcoming Gabber coverage on HB 1193: Deregulation of Professions and Occupations.
• Admission to Titanic: The World's Largest Museum Attraction • Two dinner shows: Soul of Motown and America's Hit Parade • Two evening shows: Wonders of Magic and Countr y Tonite • Free time in historic downtown Gatlinburg • Guided tour of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
$75 deposit due upon signing. Final payment is due 8/10/20 For information & reservations contact:
Carol Ann Payne @ Friends SSC
(727) 821-2323 office or cell (727) 656-6518 Departs from Sunshine Senior Center 330 5th Street North, St. Pete @ 8 AM
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theGabber.com | July 16 - July 22, 2020
