Lisa Giddens

The document presents the outcomes of the "Gulfport on the Edge" community conversations, which brought residents together to explore future possibilities for their town after recent disruptions. It outlines a strategic vision for Gulfport, focusing on key themes such as Community Leadership, Community Engagement & Resiliency, Housing Character, Accessibility & Diversity, Arts & Culture, and Climate & Nature. The plan aims to foster a vibrant, resilient community by tapping into local knowledge, increasing civic involvement, and developing leadership to create shared visions for 2030.

This Comprehensive Plan for the City of Gulfport, effective in 2025, provides a strategic roadmap for the orderly and balanced future economic, social, physical, environmental, and fiscal development of the city. It addresses key elements including future land use, transportation, housing, utility infrastructure (sanitary sewer, solid waste, drainage, potable water, and natural groundwater aquifer recharge), coastal management and conservation, recreation, intergovernmental coordination, economic development, capital improvements, public school facilities, and private property rights. The plan's goals and policies are designed to guide sustainable growth and enhance community well-being over planning horizons extending to 2035 for short-term and 2050 for long-term objectives.

This document presents a series of maps outlining various planning considerations for the City of Gulfport, Florida, with a planning horizon extending to 2050. Key areas of focus include future land use, transportation infrastructure, environmental sensitivities such as coastal high hazard areas, floodplains, and projected sea level rise, alongside natural, cultural, historic, and economic resources, and existing land use. These maps serve as foundational components for the city's long-term development and resilience planning.

The agenda includes proposed amendments to the Waterfront Area Redevelopment Plan for the City of Gulfport. These amendments involve providing redevelopment incentives in the Mixed Use category, allowing up to a 50% density increase for mixed residential/commercial developments that meet specific design and compatibility conditions. Additionally, a Waterfront Redevelopment Area Overlay zoning district is being added to provide development flexibility within the Residential Low Medium category. The City of Gulfport has conducted impact analyses, indicating that the proposed changes would have minimal effects on public services and roadway capacity. The Board is expected to receive public comments and consider adopting a resolution to approve these amendments.

The City Council is considering the proposed operating budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. The budget addresses the application of TRIM requirements, maintaining the millage rate, and managing revenue from property values. It focuses on providing core services, maintaining service levels, and addressing storm recovery efforts. The budget also considers the utilization of a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) from the City's Enterprise Funds to support the General Fund. Key objectives include maintaining the millage rate, addressing storm-related impacts, public safety, utility infrastructure, city infrastructure, and employee resources. The budget also covers capital improvement programs, public safety services, community promotion, IT infrastructure, utility services, and employee compensation.