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Record of Proceedings

Biloxi City Council Meeting Summary - January 7, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, January 7, 2026
BodyBiloxi, Mississippi
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, January 7, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:33:37

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:03

Go ahead and call the meeting to order.

0:05

If uh everyone would please stand uh for the prayer, and if uh let's have uh Mr.

0:11

Creel do the pledge Jamie Creel to do this pledge.

0:18

So if you bow your heads, uh Heavenly Father, we gather tonight as a council and a community, grateful for this opportunity to serve the people of Biloxi on this epiphany, better known as King's Day, as we recall the journey of the magi seeking truth and light, may we too seek guidance, clarity, and humble discernment in our duties.

0:43

Grant us wisdom to listen respectfully, courage to make just decisions, and compassion for those we serve.

0:51

Help us to act with integrity to seek the common good and to shine light into every corner of our city where it's needed the most.

1:00

Bless our city leaders, staff, and all who contribute to the well-being of Biloxi.

1:06

May our deliberations be marked by civility, patience, and a spirit of service, guide our conversations, illuminate our judgments, and foster unity as we work together for a brighter future.

1:19

Amen.

1:25

United States.

1:30

One nation individual liberty, justice for all.

1:42

Thank you, everyone, for uh taking time this evening to join us uh for this uh first meeting of the year.

1:48

I need a uh motion to suspend the rules.

1:52

So moved.

1:53

Moved by Mr.

1:54

Tisdale, second.

1:55

Second by Mr.

1:56

Creel, any discussion?

1:58

All in favor?

2:00

Opposed, motion carries unanimous.

2:02

The clerk would read the revisions.

2:04

To the routine agenda, we're adding a docket in the amount of 45,493 and 73 cents.

2:13

Okay, do I have a motion to approve the agenda as amended?

2:16

So moved.

2:17

Moved by Mr.

2:17

Tisdale.

2:18

Second.

2:19

Second by Mr.

2:20

Creel.

2:20

Any discussion?

2:22

None.

2:24

All in favor.

2:26

Those opposed.

2:27

Motion carries.

2:29

Move on to the mayor's report.

2:31

Thank you, Mr.

2:31

President.

2:32

And we have a lot of smiling faces here, so happy new year to everyone.

2:37

And uh you might notice a tie here.

2:39

It's the first first of every year I'll wear a tie.

2:42

First meeting of every year.

2:43

No socks, but still.

2:46

But uh, I would say I want to make the pleasure to present a certificate of appreciation to Wendy Lowley.

2:59

Congratulations.

3:01

So the outside world can hear how much we by the authority vested in me by the people of the city of Biloxi.

3:08

Wendy Lally is hereby awarded this certificate of appreciation in recognition for your contribution to the City of Biloxi Street Committee.

3:15

A tough job.

3:17

Thank you.

3:17

We love you.

3:18

Appreciate everything you've done.

3:28

Thank you.

3:36

And that concludes my report.

3:37

I'm just kidding.

3:42

Christy, take uh the helm there.

3:46

I think we've been requested to give some updates on a couple of projects that we've been uh struggling through and working through.

3:52

Uh we're gonna begin, I think, with uh uh the most current uh status of uh our peer.

4:01

And it's hard to to see that, but that represents uh what we've been trying to accomplish since 2020 with a mitigated project uh from Hurricane Zeta.

4:14

It was the first opportunity, and we can provide some printed uh pictures of that, but that's the 800-foot pier as designed to be mitigated, but it will be bid both ways when it comes to as it was versus as we've proposed in it.

4:30

Again, I made an update a while back about we made a couple of trips to Washington with FEMA about the Hurricane Katrina uh restoration projects as well as this Hurricane Zeta project.

4:44

This was the again, I think this is the third time we've been to repair this period, right, Christy, uh since I've been in office.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████20%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████████17%
Public Works███████████████15%
Arts And Culture██████████████14%
Public Safety██████████10%
Code Enforcement██████6%
Animal Welfare████4%
Pending Litigation███3%
Community Engagement███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Biloxi City Council Meeting Summary - January 7, 2026

The Biloxi City Council convened for its first meeting of the year on January 7, 2026, focusing on critical infrastructure projects, municipal operations, and public commentary. Key discussions centered on the long-delayed reconstruction of the White's Pier following Hurricane Zeta, the restoration progress of the Sanger Entertainment Theatre (including the recent "Carpet Gate" controversy), and updates from various council members regarding public safety and city services. The meeting featured significant testimony from residents urging efficient operation of the Sanger Theater and addressing community concerns regarding the White's Pier timeline.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Agenda: The agenda was amended to include a docket of $45,493.73 and approved unanimously.
  • Facility Rental Agreements: Resolutions authorizing rental agreements with Second Liners and the Biloxi Bay Area Chamber of Commerce were approved, along with waivers of facility rental fees for both entities. Councilman Creel expressed conditional support, noting that waivers should become more reasonable in the future.
  • Deputy Clerks of Court: Resolutions to appoint deputy clerks were amended to include language regarding the governing authority's role, then approved unanimously.
  • Continuances: Five code enforcement cases (items A, B, E, F, G) were tabled to January 20, 2026, due to incorrect signage on the original notice dates.
  • Other Approvals: Various other routine items, including concession services agreements for the sportsplex, were approved with no exceptions.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Matthew Malver & Boyce Deaton (Encore Sanger Group): The group formally offered their services as a non-profit management team to handle the day-to-day operations of the Sanger Theater. They requested the opportunity to inspect the building and submit a detailed proposal rather than making grand promises. Deaton emphasized bringing cultural pride to Biloxi.
  • Lori Silvestra: Expressed frustration with the lack of clarity regarding the White's Pier project, describing the financial explanations as "gibberish" and a "shell game." She also questioned the aesthetic choice of the Sanger Theater carpet pattern.
  • Jared Fusco: Raised legal concerns regarding the language in the deputy clerk resolutions, suggesting they appeared to subordinate court clerks to the police department. He recommended seeking an Attorney General's opinion, though the council amended the resolution rather than delaying it.
  • Elaine Kulik: Urged the council to rapidly open the Sanger Theater for dance students, noting a generation has grown up without access to it. She strongly endorsed the Encore Sanger group, specifically Technical Director Rafe O'Neill, citing his expertise and success in putting on productions.
  • Bob Silvestro: Reported on safety issues at the Broadwater, including threats to children and the need to hold landowners responsible. He suggested citywide meetings to focus on positive achievements rather than complaints.
  • Rafe O'Neill: Representing Encore Sanger, he highlighted the community's support for the Sanger and praised the council's restoration efforts despite the carpet issues.

Discussion Items

  • White's Pier Reconstruction:
    • Status: The project, delayed since Hurricane Zeta in 2020, is nearing the bidding phase. The Mayor and staff reported that the design is complete, and the city plans to submit the mitigated plan to FEMA in mid-January for approval.
    • Funding: The city currently has $1,097,000 available in the Port Fund. Following two appeals, FEMA has tentatively committed to reimbursing approximately $858,000 to rebuild the pier "as is" and an additional $858,000 if a "mitigated" (strengthened) design is implemented. The Mayor stated the city is hopeful to secure the full $858,000 mitigation addition.
    • Timeline: Bidding is expected to occur in February, followed by a three-month evaluation period. Construction is projected to take 10-12 months, with the Mayor estimating the pier could be walkable within 12 months of funding confirmation.
    • Funding Sources: Funding will be drawn from the Port Fund (an enterprise fund), not the General Fund. The Port receives approximately $2.4 million annually in quarterly payments from the county mill levy. Councilman Tisdale questioned the multi-year delay, while the Mayor defended the strategy to secure a permanent repair rather than rebuilding repeatedly.
  • Sanger Entertainment Theatre:
    • Carpet Controversy: The Director of Cultural Affairs presented photos of the installed carpet, revealing a "Carpet Gate" incident where the installed pattern did not match the approved design due to installation errors by a subcontractor. The city plans to correct the pattern using existing materials and will deduct the cost of repairs and labor from the contractor's final bill.
    • Opening Timeline: The Director projected a 12-week timeline to begin booking events, with a target to select a third-party management company by June. A "war room" has been established to create a punch list of remaining audio-visual and structural improvements.
    • Management: The city is required by federal grant agreements (NMA and Archives) to use a third-party manager. The Mayor indicated negotiations are ongoing, and a selection is expected within 30 days.
  • Council Reports & City Operations:
    • Animal Control: Councilman Marshall raised concerns about unleashed dogs in his ward, specifically noting the inability to respond on Sundays due to staffing shortages. He requested a specific enforcement plan within two weeks. Director Creel explained a 90-day notice period is legally required for ordinance violations and cited the lack of budget for a third Animal Control officer as a cause for staffing gaps.
    • Mobile Homes: Councilman Creel clarified ordinances regarding grandfathered mobile homes and utility payment thresholds.
    • Fireworks: The discussion confirmed fireworks are restricted to private property on specific holidays (Christmas, New Year's, 4th of July, and Tet). Officers noted difficulty in responding to complaints due to the transient nature of the offenders.
    • B-Alert System: Updates indicated ongoing negotiations to potentially cancel the current contract and transition to a new provider within 4-5 weeks.
    • Chief Miller: The council and public paid tribute to Chief John Miller upon his retirement after 35 years of service, with Councilman Schumacher and others praising his leadership.
    • Grants: Councilman Creel asked about eligibility for the Safe Streets for America grant awarded to neighboring Iberville ($7.9M), noting the city is reviewing opportunities.

Key Outcomes

  • Meeting Adjournment: The council moved into executive session to discuss the property of Mason D. Orleans, reconvened with no action taken, and formally adjourned.
  • Tabling: The adoption of the Bluxy Police Department Tow Manual was tabled to the January 20, 2026, meeting for further pricing and policy refinement.
  • Code Enforcement: The Elliot Spears Estate (427 Raynor Street) was tabled for 90 days to allow the family to resolve abandonment issues, avoiding immediate demolition. The Samuel J. Fitz case was granted a 30-day extension.
  • Deputizations: The amendment adding language to the deputy clerk resolutions regarding the governing authority's power to appoint was unanimously passed.
  • Pier Strategy: The council accepted the Mayor's plan to proceed with the competitive bidding of the White's Pier project in February, relying on the Port Fund and potential FEMA reimbursements for financing.

Meeting Transcript

Go ahead and call the meeting to order. If uh everyone would please stand uh for the prayer, and if uh let's have uh Mr. Creel do the pledge Jamie Creel to do this pledge. So if you bow your heads, uh Heavenly Father, we gather tonight as a council and a community, grateful for this opportunity to serve the people of Biloxi on this epiphany, better known as King's Day, as we recall the journey of the magi seeking truth and light, may we too seek guidance, clarity, and humble discernment in our duties. Grant us wisdom to listen respectfully, courage to make just decisions, and compassion for those we serve. Help us to act with integrity to seek the common good and to shine light into every corner of our city where it's needed the most. Bless our city leaders, staff, and all who contribute to the well-being of Biloxi. May our deliberations be marked by civility, patience, and a spirit of service, guide our conversations, illuminate our judgments, and foster unity as we work together for a brighter future. Amen. United States. One nation individual liberty, justice for all. Thank you, everyone, for uh taking time this evening to join us uh for this uh first meeting of the year. I need a uh motion to suspend the rules. So moved. Moved by Mr. Tisdale, second. Second by Mr. Creel, any discussion? All in favor? Opposed, motion carries unanimous. The clerk would read the revisions. To the routine agenda, we're adding a docket in the amount of 45,493 and 73 cents. Okay, do I have a motion to approve the agenda as amended? So moved. Moved by Mr. Tisdale. Second. Second by Mr. Creel. Any discussion? None. All in favor. Those opposed. Motion carries. Move on to the mayor's report. Thank you, Mr. President. And we have a lot of smiling faces here, so happy new year to everyone. And uh you might notice a tie here. It's the first first of every year I'll wear a tie. First meeting of every year. No socks, but still. But uh, I would say I want to make the pleasure to present a certificate of appreciation to Wendy Lowley. Congratulations. So the outside world can hear how much we by the authority vested in me by the people of the city of Biloxi. Wendy Lally is hereby awarded this certificate of appreciation in recognition for your contribution to the City of Biloxi Street Committee. A tough job. Thank you. We love you. Appreciate everything you've done.

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