Biloxi City Council Meeting - December 3, 2025

The Biloxi City Council convened on December 3, 2025, to address routine administrative matters, community updates, and policy resolutions. The meeting featured Mayor's and Council reports highlighting the city's 8th national ranking for recreation facilities, upcoming holiday events including the Christmas on the Water parade, and the resounding success of the local beautification and park programs. Public comments focused primarily on hunting regulations in the Back Bay and the impact of new city initiatives on police resources. The council approved financial discounts for a major nonprofit event after discussion on the fiscal logic of the discount versus the economic boost to the city.

Consent Calendar

• Amended Agenda: Approved a substitution to Resolution 5M, declaring the maintenance agreement with Otis Elevator Company void due to insufficient monthly services and the city not receiving the agreed-upon fire certifications worth $550/month.
• Nonprofit Termination: Formally terminated the relationship with the dissolved nonprofit corporation (formerly under Miss Martha Boyce) regarding a garden project to ensure proper municipal record-keeping.
• Code Enforcement Resolutions: Resolved compliance cases for Patricia Hernandez (160, 162, 164 Keysler Circle), Susan Thomas/Jerry Singleton (316 Penny Avenue), Michael Craig/Tammy Janice Smith (291 Laurel Court), Anthony Connard (251 Iroquois Street), and Deborah A. Haleman (188 Iberville Drive). Granted a 30-day extension for Samuel J. Fitz regarding a property on John Lee Road due to a family death.
• Appointments: Tabled the appointment of Connie Rocco to the Biloxi Beautification Commission until December 16 to allow her attendance.

Public Comments & Testimony

• George Newman (Citizen): Expressed frustration and confusion regarding the prohibition of duck hunting in the Back Bay of Biloxi. He stated that while state game wardens allow hunting within city limits provided individuals hold licenses and stay 450 yards from households, the Biloxi Police Department claims it is illegal. He argued this creates an inequity compared to neighboring Pascagoula where hunting is permitted and asked for enforcement clarification.
• Frank Hughes (Citizen): Requested to speak individually with Councilman Marshall after the meeting; no specific stance provided during the session.
• Laura Bernich Alley (Chairman, Beautification Commission): Expressed full support for the upcoming cardboard recycling initiative and the Harrison County Beautification Commission meeting on December 10. She encouraged broad community participation in littering and recycling efforts.
• Councilman Marshall (via Public Comment Section): Expressed strong support for the Back Bay Mission as a vital resource for the homeless but voiced concern that the police department is already "understaffed" and asked to do "more with less." He emphasized the need to ensure that new initiatives do not further strain police resources without additional support.
• Councilman Shoemaker (via Public Comment Section): Echoed Councilman Marshall's concern regarding police staffing and expressed gratitude to the Back Bay Mission and the police for their work despite funding shortages.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 1: Facility Rental Fee Reduction (Mississippi Rural Water Association):

  • Staff Position: The organization provides Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for water/wastewater operators across the state. The City typically allows a default 50% discount on facility fees for qualifying non-profits under state law guidelines.
  • Councilman Tisdale: Expressed concern about the budget being "really, really tight" and questioned why the discount was set at the maximum 50% threshold rather than a lower percentage (e.g., 25%).
  • MRWA Representative: Argued that the event brings over 1,000 attendees, generating significant economic impact through hotel stays (200+ rooms) and local shopping/dining. They stated that holding the event in Jackson costs more and that the city loses only $250 in rental revenue to generate $25,000-$30,000 in local economic activity.
  • Councilman Marshall: Supported the discount, reasoning that the city gains far more in hotel and retail revenue than it loses in rental fees.
  • Outcome: Councilman Tisdale accepted the economic argument, noting the significant revenue contribution. The motion to approve the 50% discount was carried with a vote of 4-3.

• Administrative Improvements:

  • Councilman Marshall: Raised concerns about audio quality on the city's YouTube stream and requested a standardized questionnaire for community groups seeking funding to determine potential economic impact (hotel bookings, event size, location) to streamline decision-making.
  • Mayor: Agreed to incorporate the requested questions into future application forms for non-departmental requests.

• Executive Session:

  • The council moved into closed session to discuss pending litigation regarding Petrini versus City of Biloxi. The session concluded with a motion stating that no action was taken.

• Otis Elevator Company:

  • Councilman Tuesday: Raised the issue again, noting the services were insufficient. Staff confirmed the city is paying $550/month but receiving no monthly service, forcing employees to handle fire certifications internally.

Key Outcomes

• Motion Carried (4-3): Approved Resolution authorizing the facility rental agreement with the Mississippi Rural Water Association and approving a 50% reduction in facility rental fees for the Point Cadet Pavilion event.
• Motion Carried (Unanimous): Approved the consent agenda, including the termination of the Otis Elevator agreement and the Code Enforcement resolutions (with one 30-day extension).
• Motion Carried (Unanimous): Tabled the appointment of Connie Rocco to the Beautification Commission until the December 16 meeting.
• Administrative Decision: The Chief of Police confirmed that while the police department is understaffed, the Back Bay Mission partnership will be implemented as requested by the council.
• Next Steps: The Controller (Ms. Thornton) is requested to attend the December 16 and January 27 meetings to explain financial reports. The next council meeting is scheduled for December 16, 2025.
• Procedural Action: Agreed to implement a community group economic impact questionnaire for future funding deliberations.