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Record of Proceedings

Biloxi City Council Meeting – July 30, 2025

City Council — Wednesday, July 30, 2025
BodyBiloxi, Mississippi
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, July 30, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

This is very time sensitive and very specific to cut the second shot at COVID money to do this.

0:07

Now, if you want to vote it up or down, vote it up or down.

0:10

But it's it will be risky the whole life.

0:13

That's my for your support.

0:16

Mr.

0:16

Mayor, I'm not talking about talking about the one that's due when the one that we have to deliver by the 26th, the HVAC.

0:25

Yes, but I'm getting cleared.

0:27

I'm getting cleared.

0:29

The one is due when August 15th.

0:32

Okay.

0:33

It's different then.

0:34

The C V, but we need to get moving on this one.

0:37

Okay, sure.

0:38

Okay.

0:40

Next year, sir.

0:42

Not this very specific issue.

0:44

Out of next year, though, the five-year plan that's in place.

0:47

That's why I stayed moving forward.

0:50

We want to make sure that the funds coming this coming from the next round.

0:54

Application due when the next plan is due August 15th.

1:00

The money then will go to the people by following the substantial amendment.

1:07

We have the we have the right time.

1:09

We have enough time to do it.

1:11

Not that's my point.

1:14

Yeah.

1:15

We're not talking about the HVAC.

1:17

I think we've settled that.

1:18

Any other questions for Ms.

1:20

Pickage?

1:23

Thank you.

1:24

Thank you, Ms.

1:25

Pickage.

1:30

Well, in closing, all I'm saying is this.

1:33

If the money is for the people, let's give it to the people.

1:38

Simple.

1:40

All right.

1:41

Thank you, Mr.

1:42

Marshall.

1:42

Mr.

1:43

Tuesday.

1:44

Thank you.

1:44

Uh just a couple of observations.

1:47

There's a there's a process with any federal funds, and the process to my knowledge, it's always been followed.

1:54

There are timetables.

1:56

And uh Mr.

1:57

Glavin and I did sit down on a phone conference.

2:00

Thank you for inviting us.

2:01

It was enlightening.

2:03

It was interesting.

2:04

There are other uses for federal funds, in this case, these federal funds.

2:09

Not talking about COVID, C C D B G.

2:13

It's easy for me just to call it Hebeji money.

2:16

I sometimes get the letters mixed up.

2:18

But there is a process, and that process involves a couple of public hearings.

2:25

And some of the other council members go to those sometimes.

2:29

I try and make them.

2:30

I make them when I can.

2:31

They're usually, I want to say maybe two a year.

2:35

They they're in the spring.

2:37

It has to do with projects like this.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Pending Litigation████████████████████████████████████36%
Fiscal Sustainability███████████████15%
Public Engagement████████████12%
Public Works████████████12%
Procedural███████7%
Technology and Innovation█████5%
Code Enforcement█████5%
Short Term Rentals███3%
Personnel Matters███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Biloxi City Council Meeting – July 30, 2025

The Biloxi City Council met on July 30, 2025, to discuss and act on several agenda items, including the allocation of federal community development block grant (CDBG) funds, conditional use approvals for a restaurant and short-term rentals, an executive session regarding litigation, and approval of a consent agenda containing numerous routine items. Key discussions centered on the process and eligibility for CDBG funds, with council members questioning staff about entitlement city status and the use of funds for low- to moderate-income areas. The meeting concluded with approval of a change order for MEMA-related project costs.

Consent Calendar

  • The council approved the consent agenda, which included numerous items such as:
    • Item K: Resolution for a subscription to employee access enterprise ERP software from Tyler Technologies. The original resolution cited $4,900 for the software, but the contract (Exhibit A) included $3,200 for remote training for a total of $8,100. The council amended the resolution to reflect the total contract amount of $8,100. Motion to amend carried; the consent agenda was then approved with all members voting in favor except one abstention (Mr. Marshall) on the overall consent? (The transcript notes: "Motion carries six with one abstention" earlier on a different item, but the consent vote appears unanimous after amendments.) The software allows online job applications and employee self-service for W-2s and insurance.
    • Item M: Road repair for Dundee Wood Road, funded 100% by Harrison County.
    • Item X: Payment of approximately $3,200 to the seafood museum for slip rental during the bullfish classic, offsetting costs for moving boats.
    • Item FF: Public works project – spending of $60,000 on a building? (Context unclear; Mr. Marshall asked about total spent: $2,914,459.36 from a 2025 line of credit.)
  • Code enforcement hearings: Many properties were resolved; five properties were closed due to no appearance or continued violation (Ancillary Capital LLC, Felix Fernandez, Robert M. Newton II, Henry Mancini).

Discussion Items

  • CDBG/COVID Funds Allocation: Councilman Marshall urged using federal funds directly for low- to moderate-income residents, noting a deadline for a plan submission on August 15, 2025. Councilman Tuesday assured that the required process (public hearings, comment periods) was followed and emphasized that federal funds have restrictions. Mr. Gore asked staff whether individuals or organizations can apply for CDBG grants; Ms. Pickish and consultant Grace Aram explained that Biloxi is an entitlement city based on its population and historical designation, and that funds flow through the city. Discussion clarified that entitlement status is tied to past population (over 50,000) and demographic factors. The council later voted on a related item (motion carried 6-0 with one abstention – likely Mr. Marshall? The transcript says "Motion carries six with one abstention" earlier in the meeting.)
  • Conditional Use Approval – Restaurant (Item F): Unanimous approval to allow a coffee shop/cafe in a portion of an existing commercial building at 1400 Leggett Drive (Van Hook Hall). The project includes a handicap ramp; no drive-through. Discussion confirmed no cooking, just a coffee shop.
  • Short-Term Rentals: Unanimous approval for two short-term rentals: 153 Boyerfield Avenue (surrounded by other short-term rentals) and 115 St. John Avenue (discussion deferred briefly for executive session).
  • Executive Session: The council voted to go into closed session to discuss litigation with Mason LLC. After reconvening, no action was taken.
  • Consent Agenda Item Discussions:
    • Item K (Tyler software): Mr. Tisdale raised concerns about internet security and remote access; IT had approved the product. The amendment to increase the resolution amount to $8,100 was adopted.
    • Item J: Punch list for a contractor (Case?); Mr. Marshall noted issues with sidewalks, water meter boxes, and debris. Mr. Wall confirmed that further discussions were needed and that final payment is not imminent.
    • Item V: Waiver of equipment rental fees for Mardi Gras crews for 2026.
    • Item AA: Request to schedule a tour of the Sanger (vessel).
    • Item F (point cadet shoreline project change order): Change orders for plant growth timeline; the project is near the palace parking garage.
  • Routine Agenda: Approved unanimously after brief discussion.

Key Outcomes

  • CDBG-Related Motion: Carried 6-0 with one abstention (specific motion not clearly identified but likely the CV fund allocation).
  • Conditional Use Approvals: All three (restaurant, two short-term rentals) approved unanimously.
  • Executive Session: Held; no action taken.
  • Consent Agenda: Approved as amended (Tyler software total $8,100). All members voted in favor.
  • Code Enforcement: Five properties closed due to violation or non-appearance.
  • Routine Agenda: Approved unanimously.
  • Announcement: Mr. Glavin reported that a change order for $822,000 (related to MEMA) had been approved and that funds would be received in August.

Meeting Transcript

This is very time sensitive and very specific to cut the second shot at COVID money to do this. Now, if you want to vote it up or down, vote it up or down. But it's it will be risky the whole life. That's my for your support. Mr. Mayor, I'm not talking about talking about the one that's due when the one that we have to deliver by the 26th, the HVAC. Yes, but I'm getting cleared. I'm getting cleared. The one is due when August 15th. Okay. It's different then. The C V, but we need to get moving on this one. Okay, sure. Okay. Next year, sir. Not this very specific issue. Out of next year, though, the five-year plan that's in place. That's why I stayed moving forward. We want to make sure that the funds coming this coming from the next round. Application due when the next plan is due August 15th. The money then will go to the people by following the substantial amendment. We have the we have the right time. We have enough time to do it. Not that's my point. Yeah. We're not talking about the HVAC. I think we've settled that. Any other questions for Ms. Pickage? Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Pickage. Well, in closing, all I'm saying is this. If the money is for the people, let's give it to the people. Simple. All right. Thank you, Mr. Marshall. Mr. Tuesday. Thank you. Uh just a couple of observations. There's a there's a process with any federal funds, and the process to my knowledge, it's always been followed. There are timetables. And uh Mr. Glavin and I did sit down on a phone conference. Thank you for inviting us. It was enlightening. It was interesting. There are other uses for federal funds, in this case, these federal funds.

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