Biloxi City Council Meeting - September 23, 2025

This regular council meeting covered a retirement proclamation, suicide prevention awareness, an insurance briefing, council reports, budget concerns, public comments, and several policy and consent agenda items. The council approved appointments, a garbage fee increase, and numerous resolutions, debated a contractor change order, and heard from citizens on grass blowing, beautification, and a zoning item.

Consent Calendar

• Budget Approval: The budget was approved as amended after removing three items (5U, 5LL, 5Y) from the consent agenda.
• Routine Approvals: The consent agenda included numerous items such as equipment declarations, fund reallocations, grant agreements, and vehicle financing declarations. Councilman Marshall initially abstained then changed to yes with exceptions on items MM, AAA, K, L, Q, R, V. Councilman Tisdale voted no on items B, C, D, E, F and abstained on S. Councilman Schumaker had no exceptions. Councilman Gray abstained on A and K.

Public Comments & Testimony

• LaRoy Carney (309 Keller Avenue) expressed disgust with residents blowing grass clippings into streets, especially in wards 1 and 2, and urged a city ordinance prohibiting the practice.
• Ginger Collins (Kensington Drive) called for a beautification committee, noting volunteer potential after observing well-maintained communities in Canada.
• Bob Silvestro (181 Iris) praised the candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk, criticized local media coverage, and urged better communication and development of the Broadwater property.
• Mariana Barbier (attorney) and Anna Martin clarified that a zoning item (4A) was on first reading for 287 Iroquois Street; they deferred substantive comments to the October 7th vote.

Discussion Items

• Mayor's Report: Mayor Gilich presented a retirement proclamation for Tammy Mims, co-director of Gulf Coast Rescue Mission (39 years of service), and proclaimed September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Month. Frankot presented an insurance update: city self-insured since 1988; liability coverage increased 6% (exposure up 6.8%); workers' comp claims at historic low; request to increase third-party administrator fees from $90 to $95/hour; recommended a workshop on property coverage due to market changes and CoastGovPro pool savings.
• Council Reports: Multiple councilmembers gave updates. Mr. Gray noted a community festival, Seafood Museum drawing, fire museum celebration, and a volunteer event for Christmas decoration prep (Oct 18). Mr. Neil reported on Southern Avenue bumps, Hill of Park progress, and Broadwater property cleanup. Mr. Creel held a ward 4 meeting with Rick Weaver and reminded colleagues to send citizen requests to clerks. Mr. Tisdale raised Pine Grove Avenue infrastructure issues and thanked Walt Rhody for paving Beauvoir Road. Mr. Schumaker noted grass cutting improvement in ward 7, announced a ward 7 meeting Nov 13, and said Thomson Medical Center on Shriners Boulevard may start construction in early fall. Mr. Gray also highlighted a ward 1 meeting Nov 6, progress on Brazier Bayou dredging, and praised a candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk with nearly 2,000 attendees.
• Budget Deficit Debate: Councilman Marshall asserted the budget has a $6–12 million deficit based on his definition (expenditures exceeding revenues). Mayor Gilich and Councilman Gray explained that the gap is covered by fund balances and the ending balance is projected at $580,000-$600,000, not a deficit in governmental accounting. Marshall insisted the council needs a concrete plan to address the gap and urged tabling items until fully understood.
• Policy Agenda:
  • Zoning Amendment (First Reading): Ordinance to rezone 287 Iroquois Street from RS-5 to Limited Business (LB). Jerry Creel clarified LB allows low-intensity professional offices, no external signage or heavy equipment. The item will be voted on Oct 7.
  • Garbage Fee Increase: Passed unanimously; contractual pass-through via Harrison County Utility Authority.
  • Appointments: E. Michael Leonard (Ward 3) to Civil Service Commission (unanimous); Jamie Lee as Director of Parks and Recreation (unanimous); Rick Lebatard as Director of Public Works (unanimous); Rick Weaver to Harrison County Development Commission (unanimous). All appointees gave brief remarks.
  • Facility Rental Waiver: Approved 6-1 (Tisdale opposed) for Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce to use Dr. Frank Grewage Center for a Keesler Air Force Base breakfast.
• Consent Agenda Items (Detailed Discussion):
  • Item G (Equipment Inventory): Jamie Lee explained thorough inventory to clear slate.
  • Item Z (Thailand Funds): Reallocation of remaining funds from Pumps Ferry pier to other park uses at Causeway.
  • Item J (Laptop Purchase): Police Chief said some laptops replace old technology, some are additional.
  • Items K & L (Bond Funds for Lighthouse Pier): Recognized ~$1.1 million in previously unallocated bond and interest earnings for port repair and lighthouse pier project. Mayor outlined FEMA appeal process: pier damaged in 2020 (Zeta); plan A a $4.2 million concrete pier with FEMA contributing $2.4 million; if unsuccessful, plan B involves Congressional appropriations. Councilman Tisdale requested detailed cost breakdown.
  • Item T (Special Event – Cruisin’ the Coast): Allocated $24,300 in non-departmental funding; in-kind services costs to be provided by police and public works.
  • Items QQ & RR (Vehicle Financing Intent): Declarations to keep lease purchases non-taxable, saving on interest rates.
  • Item WW (Uniform Bid): Single bidder; terms more favorable than previous contract.
  • Item UU (Change Order – NKE Brothers): $3,000 for renting a ramhoe to break unknown concrete foundation; staff recommended approval. Councilman Schumaker expressed frustration with contractor performance, noting 2.5 years of delays on sidewalks.
  • Item V (Time Extension – NKE Brothers): Contractor requested 175 additional days; staff recommended 45 days, citing design issues and weather (109 days already granted for weather). Councilman Marshall opposed, citing impact on businesses; Councilman Tisdale supported staff recommendation. The change order and extension were part of consent agenda approval with exceptions noted.
• Code Enforcement: Most cases resolved; item K (Philip H. Sass Trust, Zero Railroad Street) tabled to next meeting (Oct 7) after Councilman Gray raised concerns about a six-foot fence.

Key Outcomes

• Budget Approved: The budget as amended passed without opposition after removing three items.
• Appointments Confirmed: All mayoral appointments for Civil Service Commission, Parks & Recreation, Public Works, and Harrison County Development Commission approved unanimously.
• Garbage Fee Increase: Passed unanimously.
• Facility Rental Waiver: Approved 6-1 (Tisdale opposed).
• Consent Agenda: Approved with multiple exceptions (Marshall: MM, AAA, K, L, Q, R, V; Tisdale: no on B, C, D, E, F, abstain on S; Gray: abstain on A and K).
• Motion to Close in Memory of Charlie Kirk: Passed 6-1 (Tisdale opposed).
• Next Steps: Workshop on property insurance coverage to be scheduled; staff to provide cost breakdown for lighthouse pier; code enforcement item K continued to Oct 7; contractor NKE Brothers to receive 45-day extension (with staff recommendation) but contractor did not sign; liquidated damages clause remains in contract.