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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Biloxi City Council Meeting Summary - November 25, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, November 25, 2025

BodyBiloxi, Mississippi

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, November 25, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:34:57

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

That's all I have.

0:01

Thanks.

0:02

Thank you, Council.

0:03

Mr.

0:04

Green.

0:09

Yeah.

0:10

I want to thank works in part correctly for uh going very well in cleaning up the city.

0:18

I mean getting a lot of phone calls and emails about uh how everything's talking about tape shape.

0:26

Yeah.

0:27

Thanks for doing the likes at the skateboard.

0:30

I got an email about that.

0:35

And a few things we got that um children's grade comes up on December 6th with Christmas on Warner.

0:43

We have that weekend.

0:45

Um we have the Christmas on the avenue coming up pretty well if they should be starting a build low neck range, extra net ring down there now in the uh few more shades.

0:59

So that's uh that's gonna be nice.

1:03

That's all I have.

1:04

Thank you, Mr.

1:05

President.

1:13

Um just real quick, we had our second uh beautification commission meeting uh this past week.

1:20

Uh uh we uh elected officers and we uh do have a quorum with more um four members uh lot of our mention Alley is the president Stacey Hayter's vice president and Vincent Creel was the secretary of the treasurer.

1:35

Um we do still have three remaining appointees uh and nominations are waiting, but uh these guys have really uh uh hit the ground running um with the uh doctor media program and not the road, adopt an area.

1:50

Um they're they're out there beating the streets and um and you can get the people on board and uh get them fired up to uh help unify the city.

1:58

So we look forward to uh the remaining three uh nominations and getting the full community together uh along with uh the community sponsors that these these guys are on here now are out there reaching out to so with that uh concludes my thank you, Mr.

2:16

Mayor.

2:17

Um I just wanted to ask you if you uh is there any way we can get one of those uh speed limit signs, you know the windows put down about uh on Greater Avenue on the uh on the east side of green.

2:35

We come over.

2:36

I think a lot of people start to use that road more because of the community street, and I'm gonna get a lot of complaints about speeders.

2:43

We'll we'll want this weekend and we'll pass it on to the uh commission.

2:48

Yeah, how hard is it to get a uh children that play with his children right there?

2:53

This is regular time you might do it to do it all.

2:56

We have electricity children's flashlights on the okay I think and then um the playground equipment at Tanglewood.

3:06

I got a couple pictures sent to me that are rusted.

3:11

Might want to check out and uh put up something up here.

3:18

Oh, we had a good time at the Doctor Side, giving out food and chief and uh Tim Dell.

3:24

Can't wait to do that again.

3:26

And uh Mr.

3:30

Tisco thank you, Mr.

3:33

President.

3:34

Um right, they didn't have the special needs Thanksgiving the other that was this bad Sunday is sponsored by parks and there's the recreation department.

3:43

They probably had 100 200 there was a lot of there was a lot so it was very well attended that's an annual event.

3:55

Uh Mr.

3:56

Creel, a couple of things if you don't mind.

4:00

One is the the status of I think it's the Moffitt Road that would be uh just off the back road.

4:10

Is that I I think that's the name of the what we vacated there.

4:13

Is that property for sale?

4:16

I understand it is, and I I've not done that because something people better negotiate with you in contact on um and again that's you're not gonna couple conversations about that, and it's just that we do what we're supposed to do when a developer comes in and says this is what I plan to do, and the city has to rezon it or uh approve the conditional use in some instances, and then whoever the original developer was decides he's he or she's going to sell it or do something differently or it just sits there and nothing happens, and and I know you and I have had the discussion about conditional zoning, and I I understand that, but also it bothers me.

5:00

And I I understand that, but also it bothers me.

5:03

And I don't know how to address this issue.

5:07

Is that a good thing?

5:09

The city does their part within the developer.

5:12

There always is a reason the market changed.

5:14

The markets change this big one.

5:17

But I wouldn't it'd be great.

5:20

Maybe straight up you can check into this.

5:23

So that we know how to I guess words in this with the intent being that we're it's not conditional zoning, but maybe you know two years if some milestone has been reached, then the new zoning would revert to the old zoning.

5:45

In other words, to see some progress rather than just re-rezoning that.

5:51

Nothing ever happens.

5:55

I don't want to get into a big discussion now because it's Thanksgiving.

5:58

We talk about later if you like.

6:00

Okay.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Engagement██████████████████████22%

Youth Programs██████████████████████22%

Community Engagement███████████11%

Procedural█████████9%

Engineering And Infrastructure█████████9%

Mental Health Awareness██████6%

Code Enforcement█████5%

Public Works████4%

Parks and Recreation███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Biloxi City Council Meeting - November 25, 2025

The Biloxi City Council convened on November 25, 2025, with a focus of celebrating the Thanksgiving season, reviewing facility rental fee reduction requests from various local non-profits, and approving several development and administrative resolutions. The meeting featured significant discussion regarding the economic impact of these organizations, the history of boxing in the city, and the revitalization efforts in East Biloxi.

Consent Calendar

Unanimous Approval: Granted vacation of an unimproved public right-of-way adjacent to Division Street, Porter Avenue, and Cherokee Street (Resolution A).
Unanimous Approval: Granted final subdivision plat approval for the Baby's Town Home subdivision (Resolution B). Council members expressed full support for the project, noting it utilizes empty lots previously owned by the Housing Authority to build 27 townhomes in East Biloxi. Questions regarding utility bond durations and maintenance responsibilities were addressed; the council confirmed the city will assume utility maintenance only after the two-year builder warranty expires.

Public Comments & Testimony

Gulf Coast Boxing Academy (Jonathan Hopkins): Expressed that the organization serves youth from across Biloxi, including East Biloxi, and that proceeds from events will be reinvested into building a new facility. Mr. Hopkins stated he operates out of pocket to support the youth.
Legacy Business League (Angie Juzang): Stated that the organization and its partners (including Memorial Health) provide job fairs, health services, and scholarships. They expressed that the event promotes the City of Biloxi as a presenting sponsor and generates significant economic activity.
Second Liners Mardi Gras Club (Tampa McGee): Stated that the organization has adopted Henry Beck Park and has awarded over $100,000 in scholarships. They expressed that they do not turn down church requests for support and bring hundreds of visitors and tourism dollars to the city.
Mental Health Association (Kay Denal): Described their outreach to the homeless and their role in the community, emphasizing that their "Don't Worry Be Happy" event raises funds to fill gaps in grant coverage for essential administrative costs.
Mystic South Coastal University (Peggy Gibson): Stated that the organization aims to raise $5,000 in scholarships for Mississippi students, targeting Xavier University graduates, and will advertise the event prominently featuring the City of Biloxi.

Discussion Items

East Biloxi Redevelopment: The Mayor expressed full support (100%) for the Baby's Town Home project as a revitalization effort using Housing Authority land. Mr. Tisdale noted that while the project uses 27 lots, there are over 1,000 empty lots remaining in East Biloxi. Mr. Gray stated that the project is a "home run" and high quality.
Boxing Facilities: Mayor Gillich and Councilman Marshall discussed the cultural history of boxing in Biloxi. The Mayor expressed full support for the fee reduction to showcase amateur boxing, citing the sport's history in the city. Councilman Marshall challenged the group to a charity boxing match. Councilman Tisdale voted against the reduction based on budget constraints discussed in summer workshops.
Second Liners & Community Impact: Councilman Marshall and the Mayor emphasized that the Second Liners are a "working organization" that gives back to the community year-round, not just during Mardi Gras, and that they have adopted Henry Beck Park.
Legacy Business League Economic Impact: The Mayor and Councilman Marshall discussed how the Legacy Business League event brings 500+ attendees to the city, resulting in hotel stays and restaurant patronage. The Council confirmed that the City of Biloxi receives significant branding exposure as a presenting sponsor.
Utility Dedication: There was a discussion regarding whether the City should accept utility dedications. Councilman Marshall noted that for this specific project, no dedication is required immediately, but the developer pays bonds for the first two years while construction occurs.
Surplus Items: Councilman Tisdale requested a public option to purchase surplus government items. The Mayor agreed to investigate the feasibility, noting concerns about public safety exclusions and auction yields.
Retired Police Canines: Councilman Creel and Mr. Shoemaker suggested establishing a fund or resolution to assist police officers in covering veterinary costs for retired service dogs adopted by them. The Mayor agreed to work with the Police Chief on a resolution.

Key Outcomes

Motion Carried (6-1): Approved facility rental agreement and fee reduction for the Gulf Coast Boxing Academy (Councilman Tisdale opposed; Councilman Shoemaker abstained/absent). Motion carried 6-1-2 (Shoemaker and Tisdale opposed/abstained). Correction based on transcript: Motion carried with votes favoring 6, opposing 1 (Tisdale), and one abstention or absence noted as part of the count.
Motion Carried (6-1): Approved facility rental agreement and fee reduction for Woolmarket Elementary School for a City Center event.
Motion Carried (6-1): Approved facility rental agreement and fee reduction for the Legacy Business League. The reduction was clarified as a $1,500 waiver of the $3,000 fee, leaving a remaining balance of $1,600 ($1,500 rent + $100 AV fee), with the $1,500 deposit refundable upon completion.
Motion Carried (6-0/6-1): Approved facility rental agreement and fee reduction for the Second Liners Mardi Gras Club. (Councilman Tisdale opposed). Note: Transcript indicates 6-1 or 5-2, but later text clarifies 6-1 for this item.
Motion Carried (6-1): Approved facility rental agreement and fee reduction for the Mental Health Association of South Mississippi.
Motion Passed (5-2): Tabling of Resolution H (Mississippi Rural Water Association) due to lack of attendance. Correction: Motion to table passed 5-2.
Motion Carried (4-3): Approved facility rental agreement and fee reduction for the Mystic South Coastal University. (Councilmen Creel, Tisdale, and Shoemaker opposed). Correction based on transcript: Motion carried 4-3.
Motion Carried (Unanimous): Adopted Consent Calendar items A and B.
Motion Carried (6-1): Granted a 30-day extension for Code Enforcement cases regarding overgrown lots at 2793 Fernwood Road and others where no owners responded to correspondence. (Councilman Creel opposed).

Meeting Transcript

That's all I have. Thanks. Thank you, Council. Mr. Green. Yeah. I want to thank works in part correctly for uh going very well in cleaning up the city. I mean getting a lot of phone calls and emails about uh how everything's talking about tape shape. Yeah. Thanks for doing the likes at the skateboard. I got an email about that. And a few things we got that um children's grade comes up on December 6th with Christmas on Warner. We have that weekend. Um we have the Christmas on the avenue coming up pretty well if they should be starting a build low neck range, extra net ring down there now in the uh few more shades. So that's uh that's gonna be nice. That's all I have. Thank you, Mr. President. Um just real quick, we had our second uh beautification commission meeting uh this past week. Uh uh we uh elected officers and we uh do have a quorum with more um four members uh lot of our mention Alley is the president Stacey Hayter's vice president and Vincent Creel was the secretary of the treasurer. Um we do still have three remaining appointees uh and nominations are waiting, but uh these guys have really uh uh hit the ground running um with the uh doctor media program and not the road, adopt an area. Um they're they're out there beating the streets and um and you can get the people on board and uh get them fired up to uh help unify the city. So we look forward to uh the remaining three uh nominations and getting the full community together uh along with uh the community sponsors that these these guys are on here now are out there reaching out to so with that uh concludes my thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um I just wanted to ask you if you uh is there any way we can get one of those uh speed limit signs, you know the windows put down about uh on Greater Avenue on the uh on the east side of green. We come over. I think a lot of people start to use that road more because of the community street, and I'm gonna get a lot of complaints about speeders. We'll we'll want this weekend and we'll pass it on to the uh commission. Yeah, how hard is it to get a uh children that play with his children right there? This is regular time you might do it to do it all. We have electricity children's flashlights on the okay I think and then um the playground equipment at Tanglewood. I got a couple pictures sent to me that are rusted. Might want to check out and uh put up something up here. Oh, we had a good time at the Doctor Side, giving out food and chief and uh Tim Dell. Can't wait to do that again. And uh Mr. Tisco thank you, Mr. President. Um right, they didn't have the special needs Thanksgiving the other that was this bad Sunday is sponsored by parks and there's the recreation department. They probably had 100 200 there was a lot of there was a lot so it was very well attended that's an annual event. Uh Mr. Creel, a couple of things if you don't mind. One is the the status of I think it's the Moffitt Road that would be uh just off the back road. Is that I I think that's the name of the what we vacated there. Is that property for sale? I understand it is, and I I've not done that because something people better negotiate with you in contact on um and again that's you're not gonna couple conversations about that, and it's just that we do what we're supposed to do when a developer comes in and says this is what I plan to do, and the city has to rezon it or uh approve the conditional use in some instances, and then whoever the original developer was decides he's he or she's going to sell it or do something differently or it just sits there and nothing happens, and and I know you and I have had the discussion about conditional zoning, and I I understand that, but also it bothers me. And I I understand that, but also it bothers me. And I don't know how to address this issue. Is that a good thing? The city does their part within the developer.

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