Biloxi City Council Meeting – August 19, 2025
Biloxi City Council Meeting – August 19, 2025
The Biloxi City Council met on August 19, 2025, to discuss a wide range of topics including park maintenance, homeless encampments, a pending garbage fee increase, and a resolution opposing the privatization of oyster reefs. The meeting opened with the mayor's report on a technology center groundbreaking at Keesler Air Force Base and a presentation from the Mississippi Tobacco Free Coalition. Council members raised constituent concerns about park conditions, public safety, and infrastructure delays. The council unanimously passed a resolution opposing oyster reef leasing after hearing testimony from a commercial fisheries advocate. Several consent agenda items were approved, and code enforcement cases were addressed. The meeting adjourned in memory of two notable Biloxians.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda was passed unanimously, with all six council members voting in favor and no exceptions noted.
- A routine docket item (vendor 6169, $815 legal expense) was removed by motion and voted separately, then the amended routine agenda passed unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Freddie Frick (369 Rayner Street) complained about mud and debris washing from the IP property onto his street, lack of sidewalk and gutter on Rayner, and speeding traffic. He suggested installing a three-way stop at Strawberry and Rayner and requested a town hall meeting with Elliott Properties regarding the empty lot.
- Unidentified woman (1075 Division Street) reported that city workers skip mowing the neutral grounds and ditch along her property near Keesler Gate, despite being told the city would maintain them. She stated she is 70 years old and unable to keep up, and asked for permanent concrete or relief. She also noted a citation she received for not mowing.
Discussion Items
- Mayor's Report: Announced the groundbreaking of a $60 million cybersecurity and technology center at Keesler, with the governor and Mississippi State officials present. The project is expected to train 7,000 people per year and expand the base.
- Tobacco-Free Coalition Presentation: Bianca Booth of New Beginnings Ministries presented data from a Mississippi State University study showing hospital admissions for tobacco-related illnesses are 12% lower in counties with smoke-free ordinances. She noted that only Gulfport has such an ordinance in Harrison County and asked to give periodic updates and for the city to appoint a liaison to the coalition board.
- Parks Maintenance: Councilman Jamie Lee reported on Claire Hornsby Park – playground repairs are pending assessment, latches on gates are broken, and parents tie them with rope. Point Cadet playground and splash pad updates are stalled due to funding. Councilman Creel raised issues at Henry Bay Park: fencing and gates need repair, bathroom doors are being reinforced with steel, litter (bottle caps, clothing, chairs) needs cleanup. Hiller Park needs new bathrooms and removal of bleachers; a dog park was suggested. Skate park noise complaints on I-110 bridge will be addressed with signs and time limits.
- Homeless Situation: Councilman Marshall expressed frustration with homeless individuals sleeping in parks (Lighthouse, Hornsby) and under Division Street. He requested an ordinance or resolution with Chief Miller. The mayor responded that public safety is the priority, referencing an assault that occurred, and noted that Mercy Cross Center has relocated 136 homeless individuals in 18 months. He emphasized that the issue is primarily a mental health problem. Councilman Creel added that concrete solutions include a permanent overnight shelter.
- Infrastructure: Camellia Street paving is delayed four weeks due to subcontractor (Warren Paving) being on another project. Beauvoir Road also affected. Councilman Neil requested information on grass-cutting crews in East Biloxi and asked for a list of responsibilities. Councilman Creel noted Broadwater Golf Course code enforcement is ongoing.
- Memorial Hospital: Councilman Creel reported meeting with a board member about the suspension of labor and delivery services at Memorial Biloxi. He stressed the importance of being able to say one was born in Biloxi. The board member indicated it may be a temporary suspension and that Keesler Medical Center is collaborating to restore OB/GYN services.
- Amtrak Celebration: Council members praised the August event that brought confetti and bands along the route, with tourism ready to welcome visitors.
- Bridge Lights: Councilman Creel raised the issue that light repairs on the Biloxi-Ocean Springs bridge require 10% or more lights out before action. He suggested coordinating with Ocean Springs to rent a state truck for quicker repairs, rather than expensive contractors. The mayor said warranty work may be due.
- Tidelands Grants: Councilman Tisdale recommended applying for grants to improve Churchill Avenue Ditch and to fill gaps in the concrete boardwalk from De Buys Road to Broadwater Marina, aiming for 17,000 linear feet of seawall.
- Oyster Reef Leasing Resolution: Councilman Creel delivered a strong statement opposing DMR's plan to lease up to 80% of oyster reefs, calling it a threat to public heritage and livelihoods. Ryan Bradley, executive director of Mississippi Commercial Fisheries United, testified that 2019 freshwater releases caused 96% oyster mortality, but reefs are recovering. He noted a court issued a preliminary injunction halting leases the previous day. The council passed the resolution unanimously.
- Consent Agenda Clarification: Councilman Creel clarified that item 5A (boat trailer parking at harbor) expands existing 18 spaces, not adds 18, to accommodate trailers without overhang. Tree relocation costs are part of the bid.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution in Opposition to Oyster Reef Leasing passed unanimously (7-0).
- First reading of ordinance to amend Chapter 2, Article 14 (municipal facilities) moved forward.
- Resolution of Notice of Intent to amend garbage collection fees passed unanimously. Residential and commercial rates will increase by $1.25/month to $25.50 if approved at the next meeting.
- Consent agenda approved unanimously, with exception that one legal expense item was removed and voted separately.
- Routine docket approved as amended (unanimous with one recusal).
- Code enforcement extension granted to Adam Brown (6308 Shady Creek) until September 23, 2025.
- Several code enforcement cases were closed or resolved.
- Meeting adjourned in memory of Brenda Johnston (30-year city employee) and Peter Roy Elder (six-time World Series winner).
Meeting Transcript
Technology Center. We started it at the Visitor Center at about 10 o'clock and broke ground, shovel uh uh uh some sand uh ready to go on White Avenue uh uh Judge Secrew area and uh that we went over well we had the governor and uh Dr. Kenning from Mississippi State and a lot of folks from there, and it was a tremendous uh tremendous gathering of the the general uh Wolf Davidson and uh uh first wing commander Chris uh Robinson was there, and I think it was you know Bluxy and Kickster uh really uh starting something that uh is gonna position us for a lot of growth and a lot of uh you know expansion of this this keeper. So we it's really exciting. Both events today are this week were were very positive. So uh I almost concludes my report. I'll ask Bianca Booth to come up here and give us a little uh tobacco free uh Harrison County report, okay. Welcome, Bianca. You uh my name is Bianca Booth, and this is junior. We are employees of New Beginnings Ministries of Stone County, and I am also a resident of Harrison County. I will be working as the project director for Mississippi Tobacco Free Coalition of Harrison County. Um Jerry is the IT specialist um uh for New Beginnings Ministry, and he will be developing our data charts uh for our presentations. Um now, as we face a crucial moment in Harrison County's public health history, tobacco-related illness continues to claim lives and strain our hospitals. Um and yet the solution is clear, it's effective and already working across Mississippi. Today I want to share with you um just a little bit of a backstory and some real data that shows that smoke-free policies are more than just good ideas, they are life-saving, uh cost-cutting, and community strengthening solutions. Um, a landmark study conducted by Dr. Robert McMillan uh and colleagues at Mississippi State University published in the journal of the Mississippi State Medical Association, uh analyzed hospital admission rates from 2013 to 2016 across 82 Mississippi counties. Now, this is what they found. Counties with smoke-free ordinances had significantly lower hospital admission rates uh for tobacco-related illnesses. That includes heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia, asthma, and chronic ox obstructive pulmonary disease, which is CPOD. Um hospital hospitalizations were 12% lower in smoke-free counties, and admissions for pneumonia and stroke were especially impacted. It was lower also. But here's the kicker. So this just shows that the reductions are directly uh tied to smoke exposure in um uh and then and that's not just a coincidence. So now let's talk about Harrison County, my county, our county. Despite uh being the second largest county in Mississippi, only one of its cities, which is Govport, has an ordinance since 2008. And none of the other cities, Biloxi, Long Beach, Diaborville, or past Christian, had um a smoke-free ordinance in place during the study period or even today. This places our community on the wrong side of the health divide. I ask that you allow me to come in periodically to give you health updates on how we can address these problems together. Um, not to pressure you about an ordinance, but to uh allow you to review the facts and we work together to solve uh and come up with a solution. New Beginning Ministries have been a vital partner and a grant recipient of Mississippi State Department of Health Office of Tobacco Control for over 17 years, working in Stone George and uh Green Counties. We ask that you appoint someone to be a part of our local Mississippi Tobacco Free Coalition Board and help to help bring fresh ideas and changes that will result in a healthier community in Harrison County. I truly appreciate the opportunity and hoping to form a partnership with the great leaders of this um of this city council. Thank you. Thank you, Bianca. Appreciate it. Any questions? Thank you. Appreciate it. And that concludes my report, I think, Rick, right? Thank you, Mayor. My report. There's no departmental reports. We'll get into council reports, Mr. Gray. Uh yeah. Mr. Jamie Lee. A couple questions. Get an update on uh the Claire Hornsby Park on the uh the walkway on the playground equipment.
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