Biloxi City Council Meeting Summary - November 5, 2025
Biloxi City Council Meeting Summary - November 5, 2025
The Biloxi City Council convened on November 5, 2025, to address routine administrative matters, approve new business developments, discuss infrastructure updates in East Biloxi, and recognize community achievements. The meeting featured a presentation on the success of a local skateboarding event and a proposal for a major regional music and film festival. Council members emphasized transparency regarding city finances and voted to amend rental fees for sports facilities. The session concluded with a tribute to two deceased community members and a motion to adjourn.
Consent Calendar
- Approved routine items including the purchase of mobile data terminals, mowing equipment for parks and recreation, and trucks for the Port Commission.
- Adopted resolutions to recognize funds for the Mississippi Department of Revenue capital project (Pops Ferry extension) and to support the completion of the Lower Mississippi River comprehensive management study.
- Closed multiple code enforcement cases where violations were resolved or where no owner appeared to contest the citation of abandoned vehicles and overgrown properties.
- Approved the budget amendment for the Christmas decorations project, selecting the bid from Amy Electric ($13,000) over ACE Contractors ($30,000) despite the discrepancy in pricing.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Andy Lynville (Citizen and former city employee): Expressed strong opposition to the City Council's previous handling of his employment and subsequent firing for requesting public payroll documents. He argued that the city's refusal to produce the payroll register constituted a violation of the First Amendment and political retaliation. He urged the council to formally request a full audit by the Mississippi Auditor to investigate payroll irregularities and legal spending, threatening federal court action if no action is taken.
- Councilman Marshall: Noted that residents in East Biloxi, specifically along Division Street, previously lacked bus transportation and expressed full support for the newly approved 12 bus stops by the CTA, calling it a "blessing" for the community.
- Councilman Shoemaker: Complained that recent trunk-or-treat events were successful and noted the upcoming annual Christmas parade. He advocated for live streaming the upcoming CDBG workshop meeting to ensure transparency and allow those unable to attend to view proceedings.
- Councilman Tisdale: Raised concerns regarding the potential for shoppers to be blocked during the holiday season due to mall construction projects (BEA 1, 2, and 3) and requested assurance that all mall entrances and exits on Highway 90 would remain accessible.
- Councilman Neil: Commented on the successful turnout for the recent Neptune event and the beautiful weather, noting six shrimp boats departing. He also observed the need to list the exact number of vacancies for city job postings to avoid deterring applicants.
- Councilman Creel: Expressed support for the proposed Ambiance Music and Film Festival, noting its potential to generate significant economic revenue during a typically slow tourism month.
- Presenter Rashad Dorsey (Team Ambiance LLC): Advocated for the November 19–22, 2026, Ambiance Music and Film Festival. He stated that the event could attract 150,000+ attendees and generate between $200 million and $300 million in economic impact, filling a tourism gap in November.
- Presenter Dahlia Sizer (CEO, Unity One Entertainment): Supported Dorsey's presentation, detailing the global partners involved and emphasizing the inclusion of a children's festival and gospel music day to ensure community integration and long-term relationships.
Discussion Items
- Biloxi Skate Park (Tyler Prowan): Presented the results of the "Skating the Coast 2025" event, highlighting 400 attendees (double the previous year). He requested official designation for the current DIY skate park, updated rules, and immediate repairs for flickering lights. He emphasized that long-term safety requires lighting comparable to a basketball court or soccer field and asked for Council endorsement to unlock future grant and fundraising opportunities.
- Chick-fil-A Expansion: Mayor and Council discussed the final rendering and design plans for a new Chick-fil-A on Pass Road. The Mayor confirmed the project is moving forward with new plans received on Friday, pending the plan review process for building permit issuance.
- A.J. Holloway Sports Complex Rental Fees: Council debated the proposal to replace variable admission fees with a flat-rate fee. Councilman Tisdale expressed concern that admission fees were cumbersome. The administration proposed a flat rate of $2,000 per side per day to cover overtime and maintenance. Councilman Tisdale proposed amending the resolution to strike the "per admission" language entirely and increase the flat rate from $1,500 to $2,000 per side per day (or $4,000 for two days), ensuring consistency across baseball and softball fields. Councilman Gray and others supported the amendment, arguing it simplifies negotiations and prevents "nickel and diming." Councilman Tisdale agreed to the amendment.
- Conditional Use Approvals (Kenny Patel): Discussed two proposed convenience stores with gas sales. One at 1951 Pops Ferry Road (Ward 3) and one at 1644 Pass Road (Ward 2, outside the Keysler gate). Councilman Tisdale and Councilman Shoemaker expressed opposition to the Pops Ferry location due to market saturation and safety concerns regarding eight gas pumps in a limited area near residential zones. Councilman Neil and the Mayor defended the locations, citing significant upcoming residential and commercial developments (300+ units, new schools) creating a demonstrated need for fuel and convenience retail near the A.J. Holloway and other new developments.
- CTA Bus Route in East Biloxi: Councilman Marshall provided details on the new collaboration with CTA to install 12 new bus stops in East Biloxi, addressing a previous lack of service in the Division Street area. He invited Council members to ride the new route to verify its effectiveness.
- Budget and Financial Transparency: Councilman Tisdale proposed tabling the agenda item regarding funds received from the Mississippi Department of Revenue for the Pops Ferry extension project (Item D) to allow for further review following a public meeting earlier in the day. Council unanimously agreed to table the item subject to call.
Key Outcomes
- Skate Park Recognition: Council members commended Tyler Prowan and the Gulf Coast Skate Parks Association for the successful event and community engagement. While no formal resolution was recorded in the transcript, the Council expressed support for the request to include the park in the master plan and to seek future funding, provided the Council endorses the initiative.
- A.J. Holloway Fee Amendment: The ordinance amending rental fees was amended to strike all "per admission" gate fees. The new fee structure was set at a flat $2,000 per side per day for one-day tournaments and $4,000 per side per day for two-day tournaments for both baseball and softball fields. The amendment passed unanimously.
- Conditiona Use Grants: The resolution granting conditional use approval for the convenience store at 1951 Pops Ferry Road passed with 6 votes in favor and 1 opposed (Councilman Tisdale). The resolution for the store at 1644 Pass Road passed with 6 votes in favor and 1 opposed (Councilman Shoemaker).
- Funding Support: The resolution supporting the Lower Mississippi River comprehensive management study and requesting a Congressional field hearing regarding the Bonne Carre Spillway passed unanimously.
- Tabling of Budget Item: The item to amend the budget for the Capital Project 9-13 Pops Ferry extension was unanimously tabled subject to call.
- Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned following a tribute to Ms. Rhonda Belius and Mr. Larry Byrd, who passed away recently.
Meeting Transcript
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.
openpublica.com