Councilman Tuesdale to say the prayer, and if I can have Christy Labata to lead us in the pledge.

Lord, grant our city officials your divine wisdom and the mind of Christ.

So they can make decisions with understanding and humility.

Help them to serve faithfully with integrity and to promote the general welfare of our city.

Guide them to work together with a spirit of unity for the common good and a shared goal.

Give them the strength and energy they need to carry out their duties and to answer their civic calling.

In your name we pray.

Amen.

Under God.

All right, I don't believe we have any additions to the agenda or revisions tonight.

Thank goodness.

Starting with the mayor's report.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Hope everyone noticed it.

Mayor, I'm jumping ahead here.

Made a motion to approve the agenda.

So moved.

Second.

Second by Mr.

Crew.

Any discussion.

There being no discussion.

All in favor?

Those opposed.

Motion carries now.

All right.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

It's still a full moon.

So I think it's called a Bieber moon, but it's beautiful.

And it's appropriate the first meeting in November.

I think we had an ability the other day yesterday to kind of go over some of the things that may pop up.

So some of the questions I think have already kind of surfaced.

Uh and uh we're hopeful that we'll we'll go uh in a business like manner.

I think we're we'll actually continue this in some formal fashion before each meeting so we can be uh business like and and not uh you know go on forever and ever it seems like but uh I do welcome everyone here uh to the meeting.

Uh a couple of things.

I think you all have a a picture that's been talked before.

This is actually uh the the final uh rendering and design of uh the chick filet.

Uh it uh pops fairly is uh go will be be at DRC next week.

Is that right?

So it is happening, and uh that's the main thing.

So uh we're getting continuing to move move in the right direction.

Um before ending this, I would ask the uh expenses from the Biloxi travel expense card to be spread upon the minutes, and I believe that concludes my report.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, we'll move to council reports.

Uh we'll start on this side, Mr.

Gray.

Um I would like to first say uh let everybody know that the mayor did not wreck his car.

He's not buying no Lamborghini or nothing, so he's not getting any.

And we're not doing a toll nowhere around the city.

So I've been getting flooded with phone calls along with everybody else.

So that is not happening.

And I would like to uh yield my time to Tyler Prolong.

He is with the uh skate park, and he wants to give us a little presentation.

Jack, all right.

Good evening, everyone.

My name is Tyler Prowan for the uninitiated.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, City Council, and everyone else in attendance for giving me some of your time to talk today.

And I I came here to expectations what we're gonna cover real quick is that we're gonna talk about this really awesome event that we did at the DIY skate park.

We're gonna talk about how it's been going, the project's been going, and our way forward.

So uh if you can see on the screen right there, this is a picture of skating the coast.

So this was our second annual skating the coast contest 2025.

It was a celebration of youth of community in the Gulf Coast culture, all around skateboarding.

And so it was an incredible event.

I'm glad I get the chance to talk to you about it today.

So let's go to the next slide.

Perfect.

So this was a landmark community event, and the reason we can say that is because we had over 400 attendees, which is doubled from what we had last year.

You take a look at the photo.

This is some of the attendees that we had, but we had 400 throughout the day.

Uh so we hosted this event in collaboration with a couple of the nonprofits in the area, one of the most notable ones being Biloxi Main Street, as they helped us overcome some of the permitting uh insurance, uh, port a potty stage, a ton of behind-the-scene work that made this event amazing and incredible.

We also want to note that the greater Biloxi Economic Development Foundation uh had a big contributing part to making sure the ramps were ready to go a few weeks prior to this.

We did a big revamp and beautification.

And I don't know if you've been by the skate park recently, but it has eight new features.

Many of them have to do with safety, and also to make them more uh aesthetically pleasing to the community to match some of the mural art in the area, just overall boosting that area, making it a vibrant space for youth, local businesses, and that Gulf Coast community identity.

That was the point of this event.

Next slide.

So here, as you can see in this photo right here, we had some youth that were absolutely ecstatic to be out there skateboarding with us, and they had a lot of fun.

Like we start any of our flagship events.

We started the morning off with a youth skate lesson.

So we had mentors who volunteered, were volunteer skateboarders that came to mentor the youth and show them the ropes.

So these young skaters, 26 of them were mentored.

Uh, so they received personalized skill building lessons and mentorship from dedicated and uh and veteran skateboarders out there.

And then we had a youth contest following that with 19 participants, and then we had an adult contest following that with 26 adults that competed in the skateboard competition.

All right, next slide, please.

So we had the honor of highlighting some of the absolutely most talented skateboarders here on the coast.

And so we got to recognize them.

Here we got a photo of a couple of our youth out there that won this event.

So we recognize those who pushed their limits and earned a place on the podium.

And skateboarding is a little bit different of a sport than most of the ones that are a little bit more traditional.

In this kind of sport, and most sports, it's not typical that you're rooting for the opponent, right?

But as competitors, every single one of them are hoping that their friends or the other skateboarders in this contest can land their trick because that just makes it more of a challenge, and we all love that and we embrace that in this community.

And so there's no animosity in these types of events.

People are loving to see uh awesome tricks happening.

So for our youth division, in first place, we had Keegan, uh, our Biloxi native, this young man in the middle.

Uh we had Easton out from Pensacola who came out, and then Micah, another one of our natives here.

Uh all three of them did an incredible job.

And then in our adult division, in first place, Timmy out from pedal, uh, second place Dominic out from mobile, and Kyle, one of our own local legends here from Biloxi.

So G CSA, our Gulf Coast Skate Parks Association, we reinforced that commitment to supporting the youth development and providing pathways for success for those who are passionate about the sport.

Next slide, please.

All right.

So we also had the awesome opportunity to collaborate with some of our community partners.

So here is it at its best.

We had 19 local sponsors and businesses that came and wrapped us around with support, uh, wrapped their arms around us with support, including Biloxi Main Street, Greater Biloxi Economic Development Foundation again, and many other of our local businesses and organizations who just wanted to see this succeed.

We had 30 dedicated volunteers from the community, notably 24 of them being airmen from the Air Force Sergeants Association, which have uh chapter 652, which has also been helpful in restoring the Biloxi train station, the old cemetery, uh, and many other projects around the city throughout the year.

And so they came out here and they don't donated their time to set up, to tear down and make sure that the event runs smoothly.

And then finally, we had six local vendors out there this day, four skateboarding uh vendors and two food trucks that engage directly with the attendee, the attendees there.

We created a lot of foot traffic this day for downtown Biloxi.

Next slide.

So our economic uh impact, our economic immediate impact here.

So to date, this was our most successful fundraising event.

We raised $2,600.

Most of it we raised before we even step foot out into the park, which was awesome.

Uh so the funds raised will directly our direct investment towards the Biloxi Skate Park project.

Uh so we also highlighted uh and uh the aware brought awareness to the project.

We were featured on the news three different times uh in the local news, and then uh throughout this campaign period of this event period, we had 500 new followers on social media raising the awareness further uh in organic social media.

So the event generated significant economic activity through the vendor engagement while amplifying Biloxi's profile as a destination for youth focused tourism and cultural events.

Next slide, please.

All right, but we're all here to talk about Biloxi and a strategic vision, right?

We, as the Gulf Coast skaters, want to align with that vision is, right?

So first of all, we gotta talk about our youth.

Youth development is the first thing we focus on.

So we are providing uh safe skill building activities that foster confidence, creativity, and healthy recreation for local youth.

A lot of times I get parents complaining about kids who are uh don't have a great relationship with technology and they're always on their phones or tablets.

When they come out to the skate park, it's rare to see a kid that's still on their phone or tablet while they're out there.

It's a very social sport.

Most of the time people learn to do tricks, it's not just for themselves, it's to show it off to their friends.

So it gives them an organic way to be healthy mentally and socially fit in all these different uh domains.

We also focused on economic growth.

We want to drive uh that foot traffic back to downtown, driving vendor engagement, supporting local businesses, and creating tourism opportunities for our friends from around uh the Gulf Coast region to come and enjoy a weekend with us here in Biloxi.

There was a lot of people who are out there who displayed their civic pride as well.

We had a lot of volunteers from the military and the surrounding community, which strengthened strengthen that neighborhood connection and people just wanting to do good for their community.

And finally, all this ties back into our cultural identity.

So celebrating Biloxi's creative spirit.

We had musicians throughout the out there throughout the day, uh DJs, uh, art, and and this authentic Gulf Coast skate culture is being captured with these events that we're doing.

We feel like these are things that align directly with y'all, what the spirit of Biloxi.

Next slide, please.

But we want to continue to build on that momentum.

So building momentum for a skate park legacy is our ultimate goal here.

So skating in 2025, uh skate in the coast in 2025 demonstrates strong community demand and organizational capacity for permanent skate park for a permanent skate park in Biloxi.

To date, we have $14,000 total raised towards the skate park project.

And I know it's uh just a little bit uh in the bucket in the grand scheme of things towards the plan that we are uh aiming to achieve, but this is how much we have raised today, it's $14,000.

Uh this would be to enhance Biloxi's appeal as a family-friendly destination.

All right, finally, last slide.

Everyone, please wake up, listen to me.

This is important.

These are our next steps.

We had a really great event, but what do we do next?

Here's our next steps right here.

What we are seeking to do is to get an official designation for the DIY skate park.

Uh, we would like to see rules posted for the skate park, not just to help with liability, but we would like to uh have uh the uh behavior and conduct for the skate park, uh hours of operation, all the normal things you would have any at any normal park.

We also currently have a light issue at the park.

So if you go by, you'll see that there's flickering lights or lights that are not on at all.

And we would like for this issue to be addressed as soon as possible, but that's only a stop fix because even when all those lights are working, it's not bright enough to be safe to skate during hours of darkness, like right now.

So in the future, we would absolutely need the same kind of lighting you would see at a basket an outdoor basketball court or a soccer field to make sure it's safe for people to skateboard at.

Going forward, we would love to get continue to get grant and and fundraising money uh to continue to go after that.

In order to do that, we will need some form of approval and endorsement from city council, the mayor, so that we can go and get these funding opportunities unlocked.

That is something that we are asking for.

And to include the skate park in the Biloxi's park and recreations master plan and the Gulf Coast Skate Parks Association would love to help with the maintenance of the park in the future.

Finally, skate in the coast 2025 set a benchmark for high impact community programming.

It proves that the skateboarding uh skateboarding can unite residents, activate businesses, and uplift youth and strengthen Biloxi's identity as a vibrant Gulf Coast destination.

We respectfully request the Biloxi's City Council to continue to support the momentum as we build towards a permanent park that will serve our community for decades to come.

Y'all have any questions.

The first thing I want to say is this uh it's not only the words that you say, it's the actions that you take, Tyler, and uh you to be commended for that.

Uh the community outreach and how you've been able to rally people to get projects done.

That's what a true Biloxian is.

Uh the only spin I see is when you're spinning around on one of those skateboards out there.

Um but uh the other thing I've been following, you've been doing these interviews.

I've watched it.

I watch it and I listen to the people talk and uh why they like it, why are you out here, all that kind of stuff.

That is really good stuff, man.

And um, I'm sure your councilman that's in uh your ward is is gonna be putting forth resolutions and and I'm sure we'll all all support that that action.

But thank you.

Thank you for being a true Biloxian.

My pleasure.

All right.

Any other comments?

Any other comments?

Um we want to thank you.

Tyler does a lot for the city.

He's uh he was he got a crew out here to help with the Christmas ornaments that weekend.

We did that.

Um he did the train station, the cemetery cleanup.

Tyler has done a lot for the city, and um we're we appreciate it.

And you're and the skate park splits me in, Mr.

Wars Marshall's ward.

So I mean, we we're excited.

I mean, I see more kids now, like you said, they're not on the phone, they're out in the neighborhood skating.

And uh, and that's good to see.

I mean, I've I'm always seeing different different people skating through my neighborhood.

And it's and that's good, and it and a lot of it is because of you and and your people that that got out here and helped.

We appreciate that.

That's all I have.

What well I'm gonna up some other stuff, whatever.

Okay.

All right.

Thank you.

I want to uh close the meeting um tonight on Rhonda Belius.

She was a longtime employee of the city.

She passed away last week, and um, and closed the meeting on Larry Bird.

Larry Bird was a Bluxian.

He grew up here.

Um he passed away on October the 30th at the age of 61 with his family surrounding him.

Um Larry was a medic at Keysler Air Force Base.

You know, like I said, he was raised in Biloxi, and he permanently was here.

I I knew Larry not very well, not like a lot of other people.

I knew who he was, and um, you know, I'm sure Larry is going to be missed for sure, but I'd like to close the meeting and in their honor.

Thank you.

That's all I have, thank you.

All right, Mr.

Marshall.

First of all, um, I want to say that uh when we had the budget hearings, one of the things that came up was the fact that in East Biloxi, uh, we did not have the um the luxury of uh CTA bus transportation, public transportation.

Uh CTA came to made their presentation to this board.

This board listened.

It was recommended that CTA before they receive any funding, CTA to go back and address one issue.

The issue was that as they CTA stated it, their purpose was to provide transportation to those who need transportation.

Uh it was brought out to CTA that the people in East Biloxi, especially on Division Street area, didn't have a bus route.

There was no buses going there.

Uh they recognized that era, and today I had the opportunity to meet with them.

Um and they presented a map with 12 new bus stops in that area, and that is for East Biloxi, and that is a blessing for those who don't have to walk all the way up to the train station area to get a bus.

It's coming right down the street for them.

So that was a blessing.

They're gonna be putting out the new signs for those stops.

These are the new signs that are going across all the city, but we're gonna be coming up with the new signs first in that area.

And um, I like for all the if you need to see the councilman when we start that bus route, we do what we do with the train, go there and take a ride on it.

And that way we can get it get it kicked off right and let the people know that there is a service that this council may sure went to East Biloxi.

Uh next thing on the agenda for me is that uh in our community, I've stressed all my life that you know, and I've been told all my life to give back to the community.

It's not about me getting things, but each of us have gifts that God has given us.

And you're supposed to take that gift and use that gift to give back to the community.

There's one young lady who I must say has taken that to heart because her mother taught her the same thing that my mother taught me to take the gift that God has given you, give that gift back, and share it with the community.

And this young lady has done it with the youth.

In our community and throughout the city of Blux, we have to spend time, dedicated time, not just any time, but dedicated time with our youth, because they are the ones that need our attention.

They have to lead, we have to lead by setting example.

There's a young person that has done that.

And I'm just I'm proud.

I know the family, uh, and I'm just so proud of her.

I'm gonna ask that she come forward.

Miss Ashley Prince.

I'm gonna walk around, but I have to speak here because we don't have portable mics.

We got one.

Let me come around there.

He's so bashful, you know.

We're honored to present this proclamation.

Uh little photo open everyone here.

Whereas Ashlyn Prince, in a graduate of Biloxi Public Schools, discovered her love of for singing at the at the young age of three, encouraged by her mother, uh, and who is instilled in her wisdom of Proverbs 18.

A man's gift maketh room for him.

Whereas guided by her faith and family, Ashlyn continued to develop her musical gift within the church.

Things for a lifelong passion to inspire others.

On September 6, 2024, Ashland founded the Coach Connect Youth Community Choir with her vision of uniting youth across the Gulf Coast to lift their voices, praise and make a joyful noise unto God.

Whereas Coach Connect has since grown into a platform that nurtures and showcases the diverse talents of young people, including singing, dancing, stepping, and playing instruments.

Whereas through her leadership, Ashley has created more than our choir.

She has built a community that inspires, empowers, and positively impacts the lives of youth parents and audiences throughout Mississippi and beyond.

Now, therefore, I Andrew Fofo Gillich, mayor of the city of Belux, Mississippi.

You hear about recognizing Command Ashlyn Prince for her vision, commitment, and lasting contribution to the youth of the Gulf Coast through the founding of Coast Connect Youth Community Choir.

Congratulations.

Also, I want to say that on tomorrow at 5:30.

The uh council is gonna have a special meeting.

And in reference to CDBG community development block grant is a workshop meeting.

It's designed to hear all the rules, regulations, and discuss the funding that will be available for CDBG for the community, and we'll be discussing possibility which route we'll be taking with those funds.

I also want to say that in the morning, the mayor, along with a couple other council members will be going into the neighborhood.

And I want to say that I asked the mayor if he would be present to go and see for himself, the people and their needs.

Matter of fact, he's kind of excited.

He wants to go and see.

And we're gonna go in the morning, we're gonna go to the citizens, the senior citizens, and we're gonna look at their needs and their housing needs, their rehab needs.

And we're gonna be discussing then afterwards at 5:30 tomorrow, what can what, if anything we can do, and in the process for us to move forward to being a help to the community.

And I want to thank my city councilman uh for the graciously also going with me and the mayor, and uh I know it's a little early for them, but we gotta do what we gotta do.

All right, and at this time I think I'm I'm gonna pass it out.

Thank you, Mr.

Marshall, for that very positive uh report, and thank you for the invitation uh for tomorrow as well.

Mr.

Neil.

Uh okay, I just got a couple of things.

Um Rick, is there any way we can put some trash cans on Tara and Lawrence?

And Howard.

And Howard.

There's a lot of paper usually ends up there, and maybe if there's a few trash cans out there, they might throw them in there.

Yeah, we can get those out.

Sure.

Okay.

I'll get with Cleo tomorrow and see what runs them out there.

All right, thank you.

You're welcome.

And um I was gonna ask Walt something.

Is Southern Avenue and Camellia Street open, or is this people just m taking it amongst themselves to drive down it?

Because I drove down it today.

Right now, umilia and southern uh are not uh they're open, it's because they regreted with some town.

Uh we had some issues with uh getting the grade elevations correct on Camilla Street and Southern.

Um we prefer if they would continue with the detour route over on to Althea.

So we can get those rate elevations corrected now to the contractors they can pave it.

But I'll look into that some more uh tomorrow, councilman and advise back to you, sir.

Do you think you think the people just moved to Cone and start driving daily?

Uh I drove it uh this morning and after lunch, and uh it still had the barricades up and the road was pretty roughed up.

So if they are uh driving it on Southern, I could see where they could.

Yeah, I would be surprised if they're driving out Camille Street because it's pretty really, really bad, and we've got the manholes and water valves adjusted and uh it looks like they're driving to get to Treasure Bay.

That's the only place I can go there.

Well, they do have the good seafood buffet, so I don't blame okay, thank you.

Yes, sir.

And then I got uh the broadwater property.

Right.

Is there any way we can right?

I think we uh you and I talked a little bit about Lewis Elias as far as the point person that will uh connect with you on on uh you know just yeah, uh uh on site kind of.

Yeah, I'd love to try to put him.

Yeah.

We'll I'll get Lewis to connect with you directly.

If I could show him a few things that just very little to clean it up.

Right.

All right, thank you.

That's it.

Mr.

Cruel.

So uh tomorrow, since we do have a quorum now on the beautification commission, uh, we've scheduled a meeting for the four uh uh appointees that have been confirmed uh meeting to just go over basically what the duties are and just for them to meet each other and to um start a relationship and team building uh with that.

Uh I would encourage the the three um council members that are still searching for that perfect person to uh um get their nominees uh appointed so we can get them confirmed and we can get it going.

So we're up to four.

Uh so the remaining three would be a great addition uh and we can get this commission headed in the right direction.

So the mayor briefly uh mentioned it early, uh Chick-fil-A.

So got the pass this out to each councilman, so it's we got the plans.

So as of last Friday, we received along the way to building construction plans for the new Chick-fil-A to be located on Pass Road.

The civil site plan design and the landscape plans were submitted several months ago, but during the process, Chick-fil-A decided to change the building to a penalized form of construction and went back to the drawing board.

The building plans have now been received, and the city will begin to plan re uh begin the plan to review process so that we can issue a building permit to begin a construction.

So we're headed in the right direction there, moving right along.

So thank you, Jerry Creel, for staying on top of that and submitting this the renditions to uh the council.

Uh last but not least, any update on the Sanger.

Um still saying hopeful uh week of Thanksgiving or before Thanksgiving, install the the carpet.

So we have the carpet now or no?

No, not yet.

It's coming, it's coming.

It was an eight to ten week kind of I was just Christmas around the corner.

We got uh uh what the elf wanting to come in there, so yeah.

That's that's we're hopeful, Thanksgiving.

All right.

That's all I have.

Thank you.

Thursday.

Yes, I see Ronnie Seymour parks and recreation out there, which reminded me that we had uh a couple of championship football games.

One was uh a tackle football championship for 11 and 12 year olds, and then a flag football for eight and nine-year-olds, I'm guessing.

Seven.

Gotcha.

So anyway, I can't remember who won.

All these people out there with hair look alike to me.

They have helmets on.

I don't know whose number what, but they drew a good crowd, and it was a lot of fun, and it was good football weather.

Uh thank you, Riley.

And it was well run.

Um an observation just on the city on the city's website where we post the jobs.

We have the position titles that are available, but we don't have how many vacancies for that position exist.

In other words, if you're looking for uh uh a laborer in public works, we may need three, but you're only gonna see that listed once.

So I don't know, some applicants uh may think if you only need one, um how many are gonna apply.

I'm not even gonna apply, but I don't know if it'll help or not, just a thought.

Second thing is uh tomorrow night will we have somebody streaming that meeting for the CDBG workshop tomorrow night.

I don't I'm not I don't think so.

Well, if we have a I would suggest that if we have a quorum here, we should have somebody streaming that for folks either who are unable to attend and want to see it live stream or can view it later.

It's just we'll check with John as far as availability.

Okay, I I would just I would encourage us to do that.

I mean, just it's a good transparent measure, I think.

Uh also uh Walt, if you don't mind coming up just for a moment.

I just need a little need a little reassurance.

Uh shopping season for Thanksgiving and Christmas is coming up, and I know last year with projects BEA 1, 2, and 3, and there were some issues at times and a lot of anxiety about whether the entrances and exits to the mall, particularly on Highway 90, would be open and accessible.

And uh I know we're just around the corner again from hot and heavy shopping season.

So we we need we just need to do whatever we can and work with that contractor to be sure that all those entrances and exits are accessible to shoppers.

That's I just brought you up in case you wanted to say okay, or that's a great idea or something like that.

Yeah, yes, sir.

All right.

Let me say in the past, Terry Powell from the mall is been uh working pretty good pretty close with us and and the contract on uh giving us some ideas and and uh uh pointing out some things that we could do.

Yeah, I just know that's a that's a big time of the year for those vendors out there.

Yes, sir.

Thank you, Wall.

Looking good, thank you.

Thank you.

All right, that concludes my comments.

Thank you, Mr.

Tisdale.

Mr.

Shoemaker.

Uh just a few things.

I would agree with what Councilman Tisdale said.

I know public affairs is busy.

They have more than I'm sure they can handle, but for transparency, I think it's probably a good idea if we're having a meeting like this or like the one last night.

I had did have uh several calls last night during and after the meeting that people wanted to watch it and just the whole transparency thing came up again.

So if it's able to and they have time, that would be great.

I think if they could somebody could video that.

Uh last week I had trunk retreat ward seven and um uh Eagle Point Park.

Uh it was uh ended up being great.

We had more um a lot of participants and and more trunks than we had in in the last previous couple years.

So I think it worked out.

It was a Tuesday night, and in years past it's been a Saturday, but I think it was a great success.

Uh Christmas.

We have um it was set, I think today we'll have our uh annual Woolmarket um Christmas parade will be December 13th, which is a Saturday, and there'll be more information coming out about that soon.

And lastly, I have a Ward 7 council meeting next week, Thursday, November 13th at the Woolmarket City Center at 6 p.m.

That's all I have, thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Shoemaker.

Got a few things.

I I want to start it off by commending the mayor uh by having some vision and uh holding a agenda review uh session or or workshop.

Uh I know you uh intend to do that going forward.

Uh I think that was a good way to uh take the first step and uh be approachable to answer any questions.

Uh you can almost see it with the decorum here tonight.

It's it's good.

It's good to see this uh decorum and and everybody being civil and uh respectful uh to do our work.

It's really nice to see.

I hope we can continue more of that.

Um I'm sure we'll try.

Um couple other things.

Uh Oak Ridge Place and Look Skillet uh Road uh drainage improvement.

Uh we passed an interlocal agreement uh not too long ago.

Uh and the drainage uh on Lick Skillet and Oak Ridge Place, that has been corrected.

Uh I did turn in a request to review some additional drainage.

Uh there was some dialogue, I believe, with Public Works with one of the residents some time back about installing a catch basin and doing some improvements with the pond that's near one of the residents.

If if we can just look at that and kind of give me some feedback on that, I'd appreciate it.

Uh I noticed they were also prepping uh the uh roads in that area, so they're getting ready to pave that whole neighborhood of Oak Ridge uh place.

They are thrilled, they're static about it.

And that's taken a lot, that wasn't overnight.

That wasn't a two-day or two month.

I've been working on that probably uh over a year uh to get that done.

It just goes to show you can get stuff done with honey and not necessarily vinegar uh sometimes.

Um I want to just uh talk about some events.

Uh uh we had crew at Neptune kind of pulled the trigger on the barbecue event.

Wayne Wayne's involved with that a little bit.

Um, but it's their second year.

I think it grew a little bit.

Uh we still got to do some marketing, but it the weather on the coast, by the way, lately has been just absolutely beautiful and and marvelous.

Uh when I was coming down the loop to attend this meeting, there were six uh shrimp boats that were heading out.

I took some pictures.

I'm gonna post it on my Facebook page later because it was just uh just capturing a moment.

Um but I want to talk about, you know, we think we're in the off season.

Uh I'm with the uh tourism commission, and I pulled some of their events that are coming up or are in the last uh call it 30 days.

Uh Mississippi Nurses Association, the Mississippi Student Nurses Association.

I just want to get this on the record so everybody knows what's happening on the coast and and Biloxi's where it's at.

Uh Vets by the Shore, uh Deep South Turf Expo, uh Breakers Hockey is now uh kicking off.

Uh William and Carey University scholarship dinner is going to be Thursday.

And uh we had Drew Brees um as a past um uh guest guest speaker.

The guest speaker Thursday is Archie Manning.

So it's really really cool to see Archie Manning on the coast.

Not Arch Manning, Archie Manning.

David.

So there's a difference.

Yes.

Okay.

All right, Christmas City Gift Show, um, yellow card.

We got several dance uh competitions, and these bring in uh nearly a thousand dancers uh that compete at the Coliseum.

Uh so it's really good to see those uh groups coming back.

Tiger Rock, Martial Arts, Pathways to Path uh Possibilities.

That's been an event, uh the educational event for youth, and if you get a chance to attend that, uh there they're all I mean uh Doc, you probably attended some of those Pathway to Possibilities.

And a few.

Yep, yep.

So you know, here they are on the coast again.

Uh West Dance, uh Coast Dance Show, The Blue Show, uh Roberts Wealth Management Christmas Party, Deep Deep South Cheer, NCAA basketball comes to the Coliseum and it pits USM against Ole Miss.

That's pretty cool too for you, all you alumni out there.

And I can go on and on.

There's there's a lot more.

Mississippi Army National Guard, uh the Hot Tub Expo.

David, I know you want to go to that one.

So Movers and Shakers, Heart, the band Heart.

Some of y'all may not know who that is.

It may be uh a little bit uh longer, but me and Doc and some others know.

Uh Jason Aldean, uh, and I'm gonna stop there.

There's about 10 other ones, and I'm gonna stop there.

And uh that leads me to uh introduce uh what I consider a VIP in the audience.

Uh Mr.

Richard Marsh, he's uh sits on the tourism commission uh with Coastal Mississippi.

If you stand up and be recognized, Mr.

Richard.

And I'm gonna conclude my report uh inviting Mr.

Rashad Dorsey, he's an acclaimed uh musician, pianist.

Uh he's gonna talk about an event next November, another big event, and they want to grow this event.

Uh they've already uh did they're doing a presentation that they haven't already to the city of Govport.

Uh but this event can be a big event, bring in a lot of people, and they'll tell you the numbers in a minute.

Uh but it's a music and film festival.

So uh Mr.

Dorsey, if you come up, uh try to do your presentation and uh as quickly and as steady and as uh methodically as you can.

All right, thank you.

How y'all doing tonight?

Doing good?

All right, doing well.

Thank you so much for the opportunity.

First, I want to address the the council, uh, ladies and gentlemen, uh prospective uh stakeholders tonight and honored guest as well.

Um I am C.

Rashad Dorsey, the visionary behind Team Ambiance LLC.

I am absolutely thrilled uh tonight to introduce the Ambiance Music and Film Festival, a groundbreaking event um that would actually transform the Mississippi Golden Gulf Coast as we know it uh tonight into a vibrant hub of artistic expression and economic growth.

Um this event is scheduled for November the 19th through the 22nd of 2026.

This four-day extravaganza will feature an eclectic lineup of performers and actors showcasing a diverse range of genres, including smooth jazz, um, Latin, gospel, country, classic RB, and hip hop.

Our projected attendance is 150,000 or more uh coming to the Mississippi Golden Gulf Coast to the Tribe County area.

Uh, we want to kind of you know really kind of bring notoriety to Harrison County and have them strictly involved in this at this point.

Um, however, this is going to attract global attention thanks to our strategic partnerships uh with Unity One Entertainment, and they're here tonight.

Uh they've flown in from basically all over the U.S.

uh mainland, the World 48 as well as Hawaii, uh, Delaware, you name it, the Bronx, New York, they're here tonight uh to scuss to discuss in the further detail uh regarding uh this game changer.

This is going to uh really bring a global notoriety to our market.

I'm not saying that we aren't already known all over the world, but when you start talking about numbers like that uh in a in a place where we lose 85% of our tourism revenue in Biloxi and Gulfport uh on the Mississippi Golden Gulf Coast during that time frame, and this is definitely gonna create a long-lasting economic and cultural impact for generations.

Our kids will be talking about this, uh, and I will really love the uh to partner with you all and have your support.

Um this event is more than just a celebration of music and film.

It's a catalyst for economic and cultural impact that will resonate for generations to come as I just stated.

By investing in this festival, you'll be contributing to the upper progression of our local economy, creating new business opportunities, and fostering a thriving art scene that benefits local artists as well as youth.

Our global marketing strategy will put the Mississippi Gulf Coast on the map, drawing visitors from far and wide.

With your support, council and partnership, we can make this event a resounding success, generating significant revenue for local businesses and creating a lasting legacy within our community.

Now, the key highlights will be movie premieres for 2027 uh and beyond, a diverse lineup of smooth jazz gospel, country, classic RB hip hop performances will cater to a wide uh range of audiences as well.

A golf tournament, as you know, we do have world-class golf here on the Mississippi Golden Gulf Coast, and um it's a lot of notoriety that's been created uh regarding that specific craft, as well as being able to uh cater to the children as well, because this will be a family-oriented affair.

Um, a children's festival will be part of the event, um, creating partnerships with the Mississippi Aquarium, and the economic impact breakdown, which is job creation, uh temporary jobs for event staff, vendors, security, and other sectors, local business boost, revenue generation, tourism growth, arts development, and you're talking about being able to create between two and three hundred million dollars here in the local economy every November.

Uh that's unheard of in November where we live.

Uh I've done the numbers.

We could we've we've done a market analysis and know exactly what's going on here during that time of year.

And you can go to sleep on the beach, and nobody's gonna wake you up that time of year.

Okay.

So um prospective venues, we want to utilize the full of the major venues here as of right now uh on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in Biloxi, which would be Keeso Federal Park, um, as well as um as well as Point Cadet as well as the landmass on the side of the Mississippi Aquarium, which is Gulfport, as well as the Mississippi Gulf Coast Colis Him and Convention Space.

And I have uh Miss Dahlia Manette to my rear for a QA session for any questions that you may have.

Uh they're doing a dynamic job thus far.

We've already met with some of the officials over in Gulfport to kind of discuss in the front of the tale uh regarding uh this event and this perspective opportunity that we're staring down the barrel road right now.

This is a major opportunity for our economy.

Thank you.

Dahlia Manette.

Thank you.

Good evening.

Like he said, my name is Dahlia Manette Sizer.

I am the CEO of Unity One Entertainment.

Unity One Entertainment is a consortium of five organizations that have come together to make sure that we bring an immersive experience into your community.

We are all from the entertainment industry, whether it is from music or movies, and we have worked in it for decades.

My own company, Staccato Management is a management company for up and coming jazz artists as well as legendary artists, where I've worked with artists around the world.

Uh going into everything from festivals, concerts, you know, we have artists who have performed in front of presidents in front of Nelson Mandela and so on.

We have here tonight Emmy Award winning artist, um Alison Williams, if she just can here.

She has some of you may know her work.

Um she has easiest story to tell is she has sung the song for the basketball season.

Uh and you hear that every time they start basketball season, and also in a lot of the PlayStation.

She is the one singing that, as well as she is one of the forefront bringing in hip hop into the forefront, as well as jazz.

And if you are a jazz of fiction auto, you have heard some of her music with some of the artists such as Najee.

You have heard her sing with uh I'm not even gonna mention the other artist because he's the most important to me since he's my my older brother.

And um, the next on the list is we have Doc Scott, who is our president of film and television, who is passionate about making sure that movies are an integral part of music, as well as doing streaming movies and um television shows.

Along with Doc, we have um Ashley Robinson, who is our senior B VP of film and television, um, has been teaching me quite a bit about the movies and film today.

And we have uh Ashley Robinson here.

I don't think there is one show that she has not been an uh producer or executive producer on that I can recall.

Um next, we have James Jones, who's our COO.

He has worked in the music industry from hip hop to jazz to RB, um putting together festivals in New York City as well as concerts around the way.

Um we'll be having a big concert for uh I believe it's Blue Magic for New Year's Eve.

Uh he's very instrumental in planning that for uh people in New York City.

We also have along with him Leslie Jones, who is our president of operations.

He is really he is really involved with making sure the logistics and the event management in terms of traffic and in terms of moving people is correct, and working with the police departments to ensure that we have a safe and great time for the people of Gulfport as well as uh the visitors that are coming in.

And last but certainly not least, we have Gwendolyn Harris and Gwendolyn C A Officer.

She is also involved with military and veterans' affairs and making sure that we have our veterans involved as well as the cadets who are here with your um military base here.

Uh I guess that is all that in terms of introduction, but we believe in having immersive events that are tailored to the communities that we are in.

We want to make sure that we embed ourselves with our community, working with your nonprofits, such as the Boys and Girls Club, to work with the American Cancer Society, as well as working with the Salvation Army.

We want to do that because we want to make sure that you understand that we're not just here to make a profit.

We are here because we know that we can provide a service as well and bring hope and creativity to the community.

So even though the festival will only be four days, we intend to have a lasting relationship for years coming on.

And if you'd have any questions, I'd be happy to answer that for you.

Any questions?

Anyone want to ask any questions?

I think this is a great opportunity to start that networking uh with the mayor and maybe his public affairs.

By the way, the mayor can tickle the keyboard a little bit too.

He may want to jump in here with y'all.

But we are having a children's festival, so children.

That's good.

Do that as well.

Would you thank you?

Thank you very much.

November 19th through the 22nd.

And the final day, which would be the Sunday, we will be having that Sunday dedicated to the local churches and bringing in um gospel artists as well.

Thank you.

Chief's real excited back there, but but I think he'll be retiring before next year.

Thank you.

All right.

That concludes uh all council reports.

Uh we'll move on to the public agenda, citizens' comments.

We've got a uh lotted time of 45 minutes.

Uh this is not a question and answer uh session, uh, but you can speak your opinion or on any topic you'd like or or any ideas that you have.

Um when I recognize you, come up to the front, sign in your name, uh, your address, and state it clearly so the clerk can record it.

So we'll start on my left, your right, raise your hand.

Yes, sir, in the front.

Yes.

I'm sorry, you want to pass something out?

Yeah, bring it on it.

Bring it on it.

Mr.

Mike.

Thank you.

All right.

Okay, I'll be here.

Thank you.

My name is Andy Limple.

I'm a former city employee and candidate for mayor.

I was fired for running for public office against the mayor and for asking legitimate questions about our city's finances.

April of this year, I requested the city's payroll register because I see a 14.8 million dollar irregularity.

The city did not produce the document.

I filed a complaint with the Mississippi Ethics Commission, and instead of cooperating, the city hired an outside attorney to stop me from seeing the truth.

Every time I ask for transparency, the answer is the same.

Hire another attorney and hide the records.

This goes beyond employment and politics.

It's a violation of the First Amendment.

Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech or the right of the people to petition the government for redress of grievances.

Those 25 words are the foundation of every freedom we enjoy.

We guarantee that every citizen has a right to speak, question government, and seek the truth without fear of punishment.

When a mayor fires an employee for running in an election or for requesting public documents, that's not just retaliation.

It's an assault on the constitutional right that protects everybody in this room.

I tried to resolve this privately.

I offered a fair settlement and re-employment.

The city had every opportunity to talk, but they refused three times.

Instead, it continues to spend taxpayers' money on outside attorneys to defend the indefensible.

Tomorrow, I'll be filing charges in federal court for political retaliation and violation of my First Amendment rights.

I take no joy in that, but the city left me no choice.

To the members of the city council, you were thrown into a financial mess.

I respect that.

You have a duty to the citizens that elected you.

You can't fix what you can't see.

That's why I'm asking this council to formally request a full audit and investigation by the Mississippi auditor.

And in the State's payroll finances and legal spending and explain those payroll irregularities.

I am placing this council on notice of the retaliation of First Amendment violations committed against me.

No action is taken.

That failure will stand as ratification of the mayor's unlawful conduct and will make the city liable for it.

I didn't want this fight.

I tried to reason with the city and they refused.

This isn't about me.

It's about protecting the fundamental rights of every citizen in this town.

The right to speak freely, question authority, and to hold power accountable.

Because the first amendment doesn't belong to them.

It belongs to everybody.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Lynville.

Anyone else on my left?

Your right.

Anyone on my right?

Your left.

Anybody in the back of the room?

All right.

Citizens' comments is now closed.

We'll move on to the policy agenda.

The clerk would read the ordinance, second reading.

Ordinance chimney, it's the facilities pertaining to the rental fees for the A.J.

Holloway Supports Complex.

All right.

This was moved by Mr.

Chisdale and Mr.

Neil.

Mr.

Tisdale.

Yes, I'd I'd be interested in the discussion.

I'm assuming we're going to have some discussion tonight.

I'd be interested in hearing that.

My position is in looking at the flat rate, whatever that means, the daily rate, and in addition, the per admission.

And I'm personally I'm not in favor of the per admission for the attendees.

That's would be very cumbersome, and I think raises issues of do you do you just accept whatever number in attendees, for example, that the uh promoter says attended that day.

I mean, how do you how do you deal with that?

Who's gonna take up the tickets?

Who's gonna count the tickets?

Who's anyway, all those things.

And maybe there are answers to these, but that's why I'm interested in the discussion.

That's all I have to say at this point.

Let's start there.

Um let's ask the administration to respond to that.

No, based off the discussion that we had yesterday, and uh, I think the administration is very open to the flat rate fee.

From those, what we have taken a look at is not only at the new the money that was invested into AJ Holloway, but also the continuing of these facilities as what we were looked at from those.

So from this, based on the flat fee, I think of what we discussed yesterday of $2,000 per side per day.

That would be an acceptable fee for everyone to be able to not only take a look at paying for the overtime, paying for what was going on during those tournaments, but also helping to provide some funding back towards the field for maintenance, such as the ceilings, the roof leaks, any of the other stuff that also comes about with the ballparks.

Mr.

Creel.

Yeah, so I appreciate that.

Absolutely, and I agree wholeheartedly.

Um, I know there will be times maybe the the overtime may be owe more than what we get simply because of other functions that are happening during the week.

For example, the football, flag football going on during the week.

We have a tournament that weekend.

There will be more overtime.

So we may, but I think over the year or the fiscal year, it will average out because there will be several several months where we have the weekend tournaments and we don't have the extracurricular activities during the week to where we won't have that much overtime.

Um with that being said, and I believe the tournament organizers that I've discussed this with based on our conversations yesterday are in um they're in favor of it as well, as opposed to the uh as to as person who gave fee.

So I appreciate the consideration, absolutely.

Right.

And let me add to uh I I think the discussion was made since yesterday, and also, but from a revenue standpoint that it's not the only uh look at what you know from then concessions as well as sponsorship.

So we're gonna generate revenue.

But uh that was just one component of travel ball.

That's right.

You know, we want to not leave anything on the table, so to speak, that we uh it's all part of the picture on how we make this uh move forward and successful.

Uh as uh Rick was saying, oh, and things that's gonna happen over the uh you know the next 15 years need to be considered.

So we're we're good with uh and and I'm glad you brought up the concession and and that that was another issue.

I'm not sure when the concession goes up, but I believe this increase was uh uh a 33 percent increase.

So if we could look at the concession con uh um uh contract and apply the same percentage possibly to what the concession is.

Absolutely.

We're looking at every flavor of of uh uh uh that that opportunity.

Profit's not a dirty word.

We just gotta figure out that's right.

All right, any other comments?

Okay.

I got one comment.

Um, this facility, uh it hasn't been that very very long since we enhanced the facilities here and and improve the turf fields, and you see the results of that vision.

And uh I want to thank the previous councils, and I'm gonna uh uh thank this council for continuing that work and uh looking at issues like this and and making it more simple uh to understand.

Um is this time to make the amendment?

Is that what we're in a minute?

Okay.

Uh almost.

And uh I also want to make sure that if we put this ordinance in in place, is there any wiggle room when you're negotiating with a promoter, and they come back and they say, look, I'm gonna have to move it to Gulfport, and we know we're gonna have this space because once this these dates, unless you have somebody backing it up for that date, when that date is gone, it's gone and it's empty, and we lose an opportunity.

So if we recognize in November or December or some of these shoulder months, or it maybe may even be one of the peak months, maybe uh peculiar.

Do we have wiggle room to negotiate and not be just hey, it's this or nothing?

Well, I think there's always wiggle room, especially you know, things that would come before the council.

In order to, you know, make it more profitable because give up a little bit here and make a little bit there, you know, especially when we come to the case.

I just want to make sure that's in play and and we don't we're saying, hey, it's this and take it or leave it, and then we start losing a few tournaments uh and and it's and it's costing us.

So based on what you do based on what you said we brought up a valid point, is would this be going forward or would this be so uh the tournaments we have in place, are they under contract with the previous amount?

Yeah, previous amounts apply.

This would be new contracts and you know, this is our second season, and I think that's what we're talking about.

Everything that we've done is only think about baseball, we can play year-round here.

So that that's that's but I mean if if someone comes for 27 and you know that that season and and we looking forward, I mean hopefully we'll have two or three year look ahead, you know, if we're successful, then we have some opportunity to to make uh some adjustments based on volume or based on timing.

Similar to what they do now with uh with all our other facilities.

That's it.

Okay.

All right.

Uh being no more discussion, uh the chair will entertain an amendment.

Uh so I'd like to make the amendment that we strike the language of the um dollar uh gate fee.

So it's um I don't know if it's it's uh section I and I.

We would strike both of those in section one and two, and we would increase from we would increase uh for one one day would be two two thousand.

So it would be five hundred per side per day.

So the amendment would be five hundred per side per day.

So we'd go from fifteen hundred to two thousand per side, and then it would be if it's a two-day tournament, it would be four thousand per side.

Yeah, so five hundred per day per side increase in the flat rate.

Kerry, you're clear on that or not?

Or are you gonna get clear?

You'll get clear on it.

Okay.

All right, I need a second or uh we're just to make sure we're on the same page.

What we're doing is we're starting and the reason why I called out the letters was simply because the letters included the dollar and the dollar fifty.

Let's get a second and continue discussion.

I'll second it.

Who seconded it?

Me, Wayne.

All right.

Second by Mr.

Gray.

Discussion, continue.

Yeah, so uh so section one is the five baseball fields, section two is the five soft softball fields.

So it's it would go one day would be two thousand per side per day.

We would strike the language plus one dollar fifty per admission.

And the same thing with II.

It would be two days would be four thousand, and we would strike the language plus one dollar per admission per day.

And the same thing with two and the softball.

It would say two thousand one day, and we would strike the language plus a dollar fifty admission per day, and then I would say two days would be four thousand, and we would strike the language plus one dollar per admission per day.

All right, Mr.

Guerra.

No, I I think this would be uh a great thing.

And that way people don't feel like you nickel and diamond death over a dollar $1.50.

All right.

Any other things.

Any other discussion?

There being none, I'll call for the question.

All in favor of the amendment.

Those opposed?

Motion carries unanimous.

All in favor of the ordinance as amended.

All opposed?

Ordinance carries unanimous.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Next next item.

Resolution granting conditional use approval to authorize a convenience store with gas sales, liquor store, and a restaurant located at 1951 Pops Ferry Road.

I'll move it.

Do I have a second?

I'll second it.

Second by Mr.

Gray.

Mr.

Creel.

I know this has been in the works for some time, and there's been the expiration of some of the uh uh applications or or that they've applied for or designations that applied for.

Can you elaborate on that?

Yes, sir.

Uh Mr.

Kenny Patel, who is the WD4 applicant on both of these next two items came in a couple of years ago and went through the process and got approval for the one new convenience store that would be built at the corner of Pops Ferry and Jam Lane, and also the uh old McDonald's restaurant on Pass Road on the uh outside.

And uh he came in and got conditional use approval and he did not take any action.

Now the ordinance says that if you get approval for a conditional use and you don't take the action one year, then it expires.

So essentially what happened is it expired.

Uh when uh Mr.

Kevin Weaver came in to make the presentation to the planning commission, he said that Mr.

Patel now has his financing in order and he's ready to move forward.

So you're basically approving something that has previously been approved on both of those.

But it doesn't require the uh condition that expired, right?

He'll have to go reapply for that, or does he have to reapply for that?

Well, he's done that.

If if you all approve if you all approve this, then he would be approved.

Okay.

He can move forward submitting his uh building construction plans.

All right.

Mr.

Gray?

Uh I just uh I I really appreciate Mr.

Patel believing in Bloxy, where he's coming to spend his money on on two different projects for the city of Bloxy.

And hopefully we have more people like him step forward and want to build these projects and believe in Bloxy.

That's all I have.

Any other discussion?

Quick question.

So would they have to do an invi environmental impact on the vacant land?

They probably will as a part of the gas house.

The reason this is conditional use is because they have gas sales attached to it.

If they were just a convenience store, this would be a use by right.

They wouldn't even have to come to the planning commission or the council, but because of the gas sales they do.

And my guess is because of that they would have to do an environmental.

So the the one on Pops Ferry and P and Jam, would it it it's going to end uh entrance and exit off of both sides, or will it address face jam or Pops Ferry?

It will uh entrance and exit off of both sides.

One of the things that the police department recommended when it went through DRC is that they not have a left turn coming out the front, because they would have to go across oncoming traffic.

So that coming out the front would be a right turn only.

Okay.

And then the one on on uh pass road outside.

I'm sorry.

That's okay.

That's it.

All right.

Any other discussion on item B?

Yes, just uh I'm I'm not in favor of this uh this particular site.

I don't think there's a demonstrated need for an additional gas station on uh Pops Ferry Road.

You've got uh convenience store with I think those gas and then they just have a couple of gas pumps to the to the west, and then when you go east to Cedar Lake Road, there are a number of gas stations there.

So that's that's why I'm not in favor of this.

Thank you.

Any additional discussion?

I I just want to respond to that in all due respect.

Uh there is a lot of development uh that's happening all across all I believe all the wards actually.

Uh there's a 300 unit uh uh apartment and uh 55 and older uh development at the um uh you know along Brody and Tribe Drive.

Uh there's another developer that's uh looking into over 300 single family homes right across from uh AJ Holloway Sports Plex.

There's another development that's gonna come before this uh uh council in a few weeks, uh, and that's uh Crystal Bay.

Uh that's another dentist lifel um project.

Uh there's the uh John Felsher uh property there, it's right next to Live Oak uh by the bay.

Um there's Savannah Estates.

Uh the Savannah Estates used to have uh one spec house in it uh several years ago.

A couple other homes popped up now.

Almost every lot, and these are pretty expensive lots that are going up.

And then on Wetzel Drive, uh you have you know 14 or 15 units uh or 15 uh family uh single family homes uh that are going in uh and around that area, and I know I've missed uh uh several others.

So I think that there's probably a need uh with all of it coming.

In addition to we'll have a new um upper elementary uh school that's on the drawing board uh for the old Kennedy engine uh property.

Uh so there's gonna be a lot more buses up there.

Maybe maybe we can get them to buy some gas, or at least we'll get the students and and the uh and the parents.

So uh all due respect.

Uh all due respect, I understand that that they may be an appearance that we have adequate um convenience stores, uh, but I I think there's a need in that uh that Pops Ferry corridor, I I don't think has reached its uh potential yet.

That being said, I'll call for the question.

All in favor?

Opposed.

How many opposed?

6-1.

Okay.

I thought you had your hand up.

All right, next item.

Resolution granting conditional use approval to authorize a convenience door with gas sales located at 1644 Pass Road.

Is this ward right?

Is it in the correct ward ward two?

Ward two.

Okay.

Okay, I just wanted to verify.

Three.

It's it's three.

Three, yeah, it's right outside the gate of Keessler.

That's ward two.

Okay, I just want to note uh that the agenda has designated it.

It's in it's in ward two.

Ward two is north of Pass Road at that location.

So just clarifying, there's been some questions on that.

So it is indeed in Ward 2.

So uh entertain a motion for item Center a motion by item C.

I'll make that motion.

Uh I'll second it.

All right.

Motion by I did it.

Mr.

Creel, second by Mr.

Gray.

Mr.

Creel, you got the floor.

So this was the form of VFW after McDonald's, correct?

Yes, sir.

So are they gonna convert the building or is it they're gonna convert the building to a full convenience store?

The gas pumps will be on the west side uh in that area that's the parking lot right now.

Okay, and then will they have the same egress for on on the pass road and on to I believe that's St.

That's not St.

Martha, but with the uh St.

Mary's, so they'll have access to both.

Yes, sir.

That's all.

Mr.

Correct.

With with Pass Road losing a few businesses.

Um I think this this hopefully this will help bring back some of the other businesses and grow grow that in the potfair that definitely I mean pass road, I'm sorry.

That definitely needs it.

So that's all I have.

So how many pumps?

I meant to ask how many pumps?

I think it's eight pumps that they're gonna be putting in.

Okay.

Uh so it's not a bucky's.

Oh no, no, no.

Okay, just an actual bucket.

The building has been vacant for a long time.

Okay.

And uh, you know, the best thing that can happen to a vacant building is to get a business in there that will generate revenue, and that's what Mr.

Patel plans to do.

That's right, perfect.

Thank you.

Mr.

Tuesday.

Yeah, uh my objection would be for the same reasons as stated earlier.

There are other gas stations on Pass Road, they're further west.

But the other thing is at that location there's a that's gonna be tight for eight pumps in the what amounts to the West parking lot right now.

Um and you've got uh residential immediately next door to the north.

Um so uh I I'm not in favor of this.

That's all.

Thank you.

Any other discussion?

I would have to say on that end of town.

We need anything we can get.

I'm looking at the drawing.

There are only four pumps there.

Four.

Yeah, and uh and you do have the shell station down on the corridor.

But if you've ever passed by there, that shell station is constantly loaded with cars that sometimes stick out into pass roads, so uh they could use a little relief.

Is this one gonna have two?

Yes, it will.

All right.

Any other discussion?

Last chance.

All right, call for the question.

All in favor.

Those opposed, motion passes six one.

Next item.

Resolution amending the budget to recognize funds received from the Mississippi Department of Revenue for Capital Project 9 13 Pops Fair extension.

This was moved by Mr.

Tisdale and Mr.

Creel.

Mr.

Tisdale, you have the floor.

I believe we agreed at the uh meeting yesterday afternoon to discuss the agenda that we would table this table this item.

I believe our recommend recollect that accurately.

Is that what we agreed to do, gentlemen?

Okay.

So it was it was discussed, but no action was taken.

That's correct.

I'm sorry.

That's correct.

Thank you.

So at this time, uh, would move that we table item D.

Um subject to call.

I would second.

All right.

There's a motion on the floor to table.

There's a second.

We're still in discussion on tabling it now.

Mr.

Tisdale, you still have the floor on on that unless you want to yield to Mr.

Creel.

Yeah, I will yield to Mr.

Creel because he's on a roll tonight.

All right, Mr.

Creel.

Any you you you seconded any other discussion.

No, so we'll this is uh tabling it subject to call, Curry.

That's what Mr.

Chisdale said.

No further comments.

Any other discussion on this item at this time?

Okay.

Uh call for the question.

All in favor.

Those opposed.

Anybody abstain?

Motion carries unanimous.

Item E.

Resolution and support of funding completion of the Lower Mississippi River comprehensive management study and requesting Congress to hold a field hearing regarding the Bonnie Carrie spillway.

I would like to move that.

I'll second it.

Thank you, Mr.

Tisdale.

Um this uh is just a support resolution.

It's urging uh the federal government uh to continue to get involved and to reinstate uh some federal money uh to this cause.

And uh it doesn't come to you with any strings for us to do anything or or uh financially.

So I'd ask uh for your support.

Mr.

Tisdale.

I have nothing to add, thank you, sir.

Any other comments?

So this is similar um to the I I've seen other cities, base St.

Louis, for example, pass this similar resolution to uh reinstore the funding for this correct 20 25 million, I think it's a something in that range.

Perfect, yes, sir.

I support it.

This is to do a study actually for the 32 uh states and to actually put into a plan that that can manage this proactively before it even starts to get down here.

There's technology that they can anticipate the water rising and and spilling over and coming down all uh down eventually to us, and they may be able to mitigate that if they can uh have a uh spillway plan a little bit further up the river and tributaries.

Any other discussion?

Yeah, um with all the other cities sponsoring this.

Well, hopefully can reach out and do a little sponsoring to the save ourselves while they're they're gonna sponsor this, so they care that that deeply about this, so we care a little bit deeply about save our sale.

Um I would hope so.

I would hope so.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Gray, for those comments.

Um any other comments?

All in favor.

Those opposed.

Motion carries unanimous.

Motion for the consent.

I'm willing, David.

I'll move it.

Move by Mr.

Creel.

Second.

Second by Mr.

Shoemaker, Mr.

Creel.

I have nothing.

Mr.

Shoemaker.

I have nothing.

You have what?

Speak up loudly so we can record it.

Can you come but I'm just I have nothing.

All right.

Uh I I'm just amazed how cordial everybody is tonight.

It's refreshing.

It's nice, you know.

We're all shooting to be Mr.

Congenial.

I know.

I know.

Y'all it's a tie right now.

All right.

I know.

Uh all right.

Let's start.

Mr.

Gray, anything on the consent.

I have nothing.

All right.

I already know, Marshall.

Uh Mr.

Nail, I'll I'll come back to you.

I already know.

I don't have a little bit of a Mr.

Tisdale.

Yes, uh, a couple of things on uh Chief.

Before you get out the door, uh a question.

These on item G, this deals with the mobile data terminals.

And I'm thinking these are new mobile data terminals.

So are they are they going in new vehicles?

I would assume.

They're shot.

So they they do wear out.

So all right.

Thank you.

That answers that question.

And then on item H and I, these uh lawn mowers, mowing equipment that we're looking at.

And I think it would be helpful if we kind of track the performance.

I don't know if if this is done, but my guess is somebody's probably looking at data to determine at what point what's the best brand to buy, what kind of history do they have repair, history, maintenance, and stuff like that.

And at some point it's determined that their useful life, whatever that is, has arrived, and then we look at new equipment.

But if if we're not, I don't know if we're doing that, but I'd suggest we do something like that just so we we can look to see the lowest bid is not always the best bid, is all.

Yes, sir.

So that's Ms.

Labatard, Labata, pardon me.

There's uh we've been tracking that, and that's the thing that we've been looking at from there.

These will actually be purchased in the city of Biloxi as well.

So uh once hopefully y'all approve this, we'll be able to move forward on those.

Okay.

On item L, this deals with uh trucks for the Port Commission.

I have no problem with that.

But uh I just like to comment it might be a good opportunity, maybe for the port or maybe something in public works to look at an electric vehicle just on a trial basis, not a trial basis, just on a I hate to say experimental, but in the law or allow you at any time, Dr.

Tisdale, to you to drive my hybrid and see what you think about it.

However, however, uh it may be in the long run, particularly if they're not leaving the city limits.

We need a charging station, might try one or two vehicles and see what I don't I think federal funding may have dried up by now, probably.

Uh we missed an opportunity earlier, but I would just throw that out there at some point.

Might be worth looking at.

That's all.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I have nothing on the consent, and we'll um go to Mr.

Marshall.

Uh requested a list of the automobiles.

Uh yesterday.

Yes, sir.

It's in your email.

It was sent today.

It was quite send it.

That's right.

Mr.

Gray, you received it?

Yes.

I I got an email.

Yes, everyone.

You get it?

Yep.

You get it.

Everybody got it but me.

No, check your check your spam mail.

Ms.

Quaid sent that out earlier today.

Matter of fact, if you want me to find the time, I can.

Let's see here.

I don't know how we make it without you.

22 times.

All right.

Um that was at 221 p.m., sir.

You can stop being helpful now.

Okay.

Good deal.

Um call for the question on their consent, and then we'll get the exceptions after.

All in favor.

Opposed?

Motion passes.

Uh exceptions, Mr.

Gray.

No exception.

Mr.

Marshall.

No exceptions.

Mr.

Nell?

No exceptions.

Mr.

Creel?

No exceptions.

Mr.

Tisdale?

Nothing.

Thank you.

Mr.

Schumaker.

No exceptions.

I have none either.

Um.

So there's no exceptions.

Good deal.

Code enforcements.

We'll have open those uh hearings up.

Mr.

Creel.

Good one, good one.

Mr.

Kaji.

Item A, Community Missionary Baptist Church, Zero Nixon Street.

This property is still in violation.

That's horrible.

What this is, they have a uh wrecked and part uh jacked up vehicle in the parking lot.

It's been there for a long time.

Uh code enforcement talked to the church about it.

Just don't want to move it, but it does meet the criteria for a junk or partially dismantled vehicle.

So what will happen?

What action will code enforcement take?

We would we would take it, we would uh hire a record service to take it to a storage yard.

It would sit there until uh someone goes and pays a fee to retrieve it.

So question.

So how how long will it stay in the in the storage yard?

Typically they keep it for 30 days.

Uh and then if someone doesn't come and retrieve it, then they can do with it what they want to.

Okay.

Next question is is who funds who pays that daily rate for it to stay in the storage yard if if nobody comes and gets it.

It's not back on us, right?

No, we don't pay that fee.

No, sir.

All right.

Is there anybody here to speak on behalf of community missionary Baptist Church?

Zero Nixon Street.

There being no one, this case is closed.

Item B, Gulf Point Associates, LLC, Zero West Beach Boulevard.

That case has been resolved.

Item C, OASIS Real Estate Investments Incorporated.

2509 Shady Lane.

That case has been resolved.

Item D, Ronald Joseph Whitson Estate at all 242 Main Street.

That case has been resolved.

Item E, Shira Shayona, LLC, 1877 Beach Boulevard.

That case has been resolved.

Item F, Coastal Development Group Incorporated.

Zero Camellia Street.

This property is still in violation.

Why not better get the Limore down there?

Isn't that a bit?

Is there anyone here to speak on behalf?

I had Mike cut it.

Yeah, Mike, why why haven't you cut that?

I can't get to it.

It's on Camellia Street.

Okay.

All seriousness.

Uh anybody here to speak on behalf of Coastal Development Group Incorporated Zero Camellia Street.

There being no one, this case is closed.

Item G, Evan Lou, 141 Travia Avenue.

That case has been resolved.

Item H, KB and Winston F.

Garth III Estate, 378 Lamere Street.

That case has been resolved.

Item I, Amos Hamilton Jr., 217 Baptist Alley.

That case has been resolved.

Item J, Ernest Frank Hindley Jr.

Estate, 1057 Howard Avenue.

This property is still in violation.

Sir, anyone here to speak on behalf of Ernest Frank Henley Jr.

estate?

Jerry, is that the old West End Cleaners property?

Okay.

1057 Howard Avenue.

There being no one, this case is closed.

Item K, Christopher R.

Francie, Trustee, 2400 Pass Road.

This property is still in violation.

What property is that?

What what is that close to, Jerry?

This is behind the uh McAllister's and uh the shopping center that's there.

Is there anyone here to speak on behalf of Christopher R.

Francie trustee?

2400 Pass Road.

There being no one, this case is closed.

Item L, Trin Man and Cindy Q Hong, 2462 Pass Road, that case has been resolved.

Item M, Tamban Wynne, 282 7th Street, that case has been resolved.

Item N, TSWS Environmental Properties LLC, 12163, Parker Creek Road.

This property is still in violation.

What the hell, David Watkin?

Is there anyone here to speak on behalf of TSWS Environmental Properties LLC?

12163 Parker's Creek Road.

There being no one, this case is closed.

Item O, Joseph De Ciso, the CICO, 12459, Oak Lone Road.

That case has been resolved.

Item P Dana Demeter McMean's 860 Lackland Drive.

This property is still in violation.

All right.

Is there anyone here to speak on behalf of Dana Demeter McMean's 860 Lackland Drive?

And on that property, what we're asking for is to secure the property to secure the house.

Yeah, it's there's all kinds of both and the front and the back.

I believe there's still a tarp on the roof.

There being no one, this case is closed.

Need a motion on the routine?

So moved.

Moved by Mr.

Tisdale.

Second.

Second by Mr.

Creel.

Mr.

Tisdale.

I defer to Mr.

Creel.

Mr.

Creel.

And I do have one question.

Mr.

Weaver or Colonel General Rever on the tabulation for the Christmas decorations between ACE contractors and Lamy Electric were.

The difference in item G.

I didn't know if if they gave you any um detail on how how that was so vastly different.

Ace had it at 30,000 and Lammy had it at 13.

So I I didn't know if if with the big difference if they made any additional detail to that or not.

I don't know.

I'll have to get back with y'all make it.

It's a hundred new poll fixtures, and somebody said thirty thousand, and one said thirteen.

So I I don't it it either a zero is missing on the second one or I I don't know.

That it was just caught my interest.

Thank you.

It was uh unique when I signed it, but uh went with the better deal.

Well and I see where you very good.

I see, yeah, exactly.

So thank you.

Call Mr.

Walt Roddy up.

Hopefully you got a lot of money for us.

Board one petition that's right.

Keep hopefully.

Sure.

Now WX isn't here.

Good news.

Um so yes, we are doing well.

We uh reported previously we have six hundred and seventy-one point seven thousand.

We received on Tuesday, October seventh.

We received an additional six hundred and seventy-three point one thousand on Friday, October twenty-fourth.

Currently we have two hundred forty-one point three thousand in step three or five in the Mississippi PA system that's been there seven days, so that should turn over to step four or five here shortly, and that's when it starts transferring down to us.

So um we're doing sixty days in advance very well.

We got any any more we think coming soon in the future.

Well, the 241 point three, sir.

Yeah, that's that's in the system.

Uh it's under what we call GAR approval.

Governor's authorized representative.

Once he approves it, it's into step four, and that usually takes about 10 to 15 calendar days.

Okay, let me jump into for information uh on the situation, how this works.

We try to stay 60 days ahead in the cash flow situation.

As actuals come in, and maybe on if we overestimated the 60 days, it's adjusted for the next cycle.

So it it it actually depends on how much we've actually paid in in you know this this coming month, it may affect how much we uh get 60 days ahead.

So it's an it's a just a movement.

We gotta have 60 days in advance.

It as an agreement between FEMA and MEMA and and and us.

So it it could vary a little bit, but as long as we have 60 days, because you gotta cancel the check, apply uh for reimbursement, it be it goes to MEMA, FEMA, comes back, and that's how we that's a while we need 60 days at hand.

Right.

Um I've I've read an article and and I've shared it with y'all um about the EPA with 337 million they give to North Carolina.

Is there any way we can check on them grants?

I mean I know they gave it to them for water and sewer and drainage, so maybe we can definitely down here administration.

No, we have done some some of that APA uh uh what was the right ten million dollar thing.

We're in the middle of that to the tune of about 10 million for that specific grant.

Okay.

But it's not part of the infrastructure, it's not part of the the uh uh Katrina infrastructure project.

Right, right.

I mean with not with that with here, what did North Carolina I know they gave them 337 million?

Hopefully we can get some of that money, you know, somehow through grants if they give them the money out.

Something to look into is all I'm saying.

Yeah, we we're working on on 10.

Is it 10 million dollar grant specifically like that?

Okay.

That's all I have.

All right.

Any other discussion on routine?

All in favor?

No.

Um Mr.

Gray, if you make the motion to adjourn.

I'd like to make uh close close the meeting in honor of uh Mr.

Larry Byrd and Ms.

Rhonda Belius and make a motion to adjourn.

All right, second.

We'll all second it.

All right, second.

Everybody second it all in favor opposed?

Motion carries or adjourned.