Appreciate everybody coming out today for Tuesday, February 24th, City Council meeting.

Before we get started, Chair would like to uh ask for a motion to suspend the rules.

So move.

Move by Mr.

Creel.

Thank you.

Seconded by Mr.

Gray.

Any discussion?

All in favor?

Those opposed.

Motion carries.

The clerk would read the revisions.

To the policy agenda, we're removing item 4A, ordinance to amend municipal facilities.

Removing for C resolution authorizing facility rental agreement with Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence.

Substituting for I resolution rescinding resolution number 7135 and authorizing agreement with Mississippi Department of Employment Security to the consent agenda.

We're substituting items 5K and L to add exhibits only for resolution accepting the rate quote for a lease purchase agreement from Cadence Equipment.

Like the chair would like to entertain a motion to accept the agenda as amended.

I'll make a motion.

Second.

Second by Mr.

Creel.

Any discussion?

All in favor.

Those opposed.

Motion carries.

Mayor's report.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Welcome everyone.

I think we made it through our successful Monty Grass season.

Ms.

Hunt's here, she's here.

Oh okay.

You want to come and give us a little report since she's the official street walker for that uh day.

Oh yeah.

Got your bread.

I want to say I thought it was a great event.

He left.

They said it was a fascinating event.

Okay.

So this would be my comments.

I do want to thank one of you participating in the children on.

Okay.

And thank you for writing on two back out.

Thank you, Ms.

Hunt.

Appreciate it.

I need to know how to please off.

Thank you.

Along those lines, I think uh some this this day we live in AI.

And uh I think last at the last part of a workshop I attended a demo, and it's related to the information that you have.

It's not any kind of big brother situation, but every everyone you have a smartphone and some of the apps that you you have, it is pumping out data.

And and again, I think ICE used a lot of this in some things, but there's a there's a company we're looking at called Placer AI.

And uh I think Oxford, Oxford has it, and uh, but the demo that we asked for, and of course this would be uh talking about Monte Gros, but we asked last year, December the 19th, we had an event called uh Christmas on Howard Avenue.

So we did a little geofence around that and said how many people attended, how many were there?

Where'd they go before and where they go after?

So it's good it'd be a great thing.

We'll do another demonstration, maybe invite whoever would be there, what happened on uh you know uh both uh Saturday before Neptune Parade would happen on Gulf Coast Parade.

So it's pumping out some valuable data.

But not only, you know, where do they come from uh initially, but where did they go to before?

And and if you mark the different uh, but it's a subscription of that kind of data, but it's very important.

Uh and again, uh Rick is going to Oxford and and uh uh look at how they're using this this uh this data.

So uh it's uh it'll give us more uh uh validity in how we place some of the uh sponsorships and how many how what we do to on some of these uh events that we do since we have more events than anyone, right?

I think chief uh we had what four arrests on uh uh Monty Gras day and and what six was very minimal though, wasn't it?

So it was a very successful day, and uh so uh I I thank everyone and appreciate that.

But let me um we do, I think on the consent agenda we have we have the entire group, uh Matthew, uh Marber, and as well as all of Encore here, now all Biloxi citizens and love Biloxi, and that's on your uh we're encouraging the support of this issue about Encore Sanger, which will be taking over the the marketing and development and investment in in the in the Sanger to start rolling as fast as we can.

So we met on a number of occasions and uh evaluated.

We had actually made a selection of a group uh about two years ago, three years ago.

Two years ago.

But anyway, this really in all intents and purposes is the best way that we can engage and then the best op, you know, the the best opportunity for us to to fire up this anger and then keep it here for another hundred years.

So that'll be coming up.

And Matthew will be here if you're doing that.

Senator Jenny, if you want to uh uh ask him any questions.

Let me ask all the group from Moncore Sanger just to stand up real quick.

So these are the leaders, and I think uh you recognize all these voices, all these faces.

So I thank y'all, and uh uh we're we're looking forward to to that operation.

Thank you.

Uh couple of couple of little notes here.

I think on uh tonight, I think at the uh center we're kicking off Black History Month at 6 o'clock 6 p.m.

And then along those lines, we have a community expo uh at the Civic Center on Saturday, February 2st.

Maybe we did that already.

Uh and then we there's a tree giveaway.

We have 250 trees to give away Saturday at Hiller Park at uh that's uh the 28th at 9 a.m.

And then of course the mayor's challenge, where I think we're Biloxi's supposed to be uh uh beans uh uh dry beans, and and we're gonna uh do that uh I think March uh 4th is is the actually uh uh there are locations at the uh uh fire stations and and here as well as uh any other public place.

I'm not sure, but anyway, those are the things and that uh I think that concludes my report.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh there being no uh departmental reports, we'll move on to the council reports, Mr.

Gray.

Uh Jamie, can you come up?

Questions for you.

We know we know it's warm and fixed start warming up, even though you was a little cold this morning at the farmers market.

But uh do we got an update on the parts?

Um I know you're trying to get everything going, like pulling the padding up on the point cadet to kind of see what's under it.

Have we made any the latest thing we got was the quote that we had talked about, you know, um, and that's that's about where we're at trying to figure out if we want to pull the trigger on that or not.

Yeah, or look elsewhere for some different numbers.

Well, we're just gonna uh we're just gonna look at pulling that padding up on the splash pad, you know.

Yeah, so we can kind of see what we got, you know.

I mean, uh, you know, we'll look and see, uh get a crew down there and maybe try a little section and see yeah what it entails, how hard it may be to do the whole thing.

Um, and then that way that'll at least give us an idea of whether we need to get a professional contractor in there to remove the remainder of it up.

Right.

That way we kind of look at maybe we can adjust some of them sprinkler heads or lights ourselves and we gotta hire somebody.

And hopefully we can do it like you said with concrete and not have to do it with the rest.

That's that's all I have.

Thank you.

Umers market.

I know we're working on a solution, so if everybody just bear with us, um we've been talking about it all morning, us and administration.

So it's we we're working on a solution, so y'all bear with us.

Uh Jerry Krill, can you give us an update?

Uh and you may not have this on hand, uh, building permits for East Beluxy.

I mean, is anybody applying for any?

Well, uh we did issue eight permits for the new townhomes going in on Maple Street.

Uh we signed off on those yesterday.

Okay.

The crew that's gonna be building those is moving from Hawk Creek.

They're finishing up phase one of Hawk Creek.

They're moving down there.

So we expect to see construction on that very soon.

Um I don't have any other information here.

I can I'll be glad to pull it together for you.

No, that's fine.

We're just glad to start seeing something being built down there.

Yes, sir.

So that's the way we uh I appreciate it.

Nice.

Um, I've been getting a lot of calls with sidewalks on Howard Avenue by Hopkins.

Um we know they come and reset a bunch of telephone poles and stuff.

So I don't know if we have any updates.

I know we kind of talked about it.

Yeah, uh, Mr.

Bata and myself actually rode around with Mississippi Power last night looking at those.

Once they move all of those off, what they'll do is immobilize that crew all the way down how we're fixing those holes.

What they don't want to have to do is mobilize them multiple times.

So we were looked at that last night, I think 7:30, 8 o'clock last night when we got through.

So uh Christy charged over time, but I did.

That's good.

That's all we need, and I want to see if we can get a street sweeper on Miller Street down to St.

Charles.

They've been having a lot of uh leaves that is uh clogging up their drains, and they just pile up there from the water running down all the multiple places.

So that's all I have.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Gray, Mr.

Marshall.

Come back to me.

I can't hear you speaking to the mic.

Come back to me.

That's what I thought you said.

Okay.

Mr.

Neil.

Okay.

I got a couple of things here.

Um Jamie at uh Hiller Park.

I looked out there and walked around.

We got like two park benches that we had put in a couple months ago.

I think we need 15 throughout the whole park.

You know, down by the water, people like to sit down there, they just stand right now.

They don't know where to sit.

I mean it's a park.

Park benches, park.

We do we do have a couple of the ones similar, pretty much like the ones we installed at the playground.

We're looking at maybe putting one down toward the pavilion on the walking track, and then maybe one right there close to the splash pad that can be utilized for both purposes.

Um back we got the metal ones from uh I believe the old Margarita bill.

And we've been working with a contractor to try to get maybe those fabricated and installed in our dugouts out at the sports complex, Savaro, Migas, where they'll actually be a long bench fit.

And if we do that, then we may have some extra shorter ones that we can utilize in different spaces, different areas, so on and so forth.

Maybe what you're talking about down by the water, down by that walkway, that gravel walkway, and different places like that.

But if we can get some park benches on our own, we could put them out there.

We could find some donated ones from somewhere.

We always like donations, so if we can find some donations, we don't got any nice donations.

Definitely looking what would need to be in installed once we get them.

Okay.

All right.

And look, I was thinking this too.

The um one of the softball fields where the Christmas horns was on.

Yes, sir.

Um, you know, we were going to put a uh dog park over there by the uh old tennis court.

Why can't we put it over there like they did in um Pop's Ferry?

I don't know how they went about doing that at the beginning, but that's that's a it's already fenced in.

The fence is already there.

Just a thought.

Uh complicated everything.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Okay.

Something to think about.

All right.

All right, thank you.

Yes.

And then uh Jerry Creel.

Um y'all work off complaints or are y'all just go out looking for stuff that needs to be done?

We do both.

Uh we uh we have four code enforcement officers for the city.

They're each assigned a specific area, but they're supposed to patrol that area at least once every two weeks.

But we also receive complaints either through reconnect.

So when so you answer a complaint when because I'm complaining right now to a broadwater golf course.

Okay.

So I'll put one in.

Okay.

I want to see if uh maybe we can uh write them up and get it cleaned up.

Got it.

All right, all right, thank you.

And uh we got the grass cutting season coming up.

I went down Pops Ferry Road today, and uh I'm just wondering when we're gonna start cutting grass and edging and we eat and it'll probably be latter part of March, first of April.

I didn't cut like three times this year already.

We'll look at the schedule, Councilman, and then we'll take a look at that.

But we're still waiting on you to also give me those uh demonstrations.

So if you can start on Pops Ferry, we'd appreciate it.

Well, I'll come tomorrow morning.

All right, that's my that's my report.

Thank you.

Oh, oh, the trees.

Um I know the mayor already mentioned this, but uh City of Bloodsea Tree Committee at uh parks and recreations, Arbor Day giveaway, Saturday, February 28th, beginning at nine o'clock on Hiller Drive.

And when you go in, what we're just talking about with a softball field is, as soon as you go into Hiller Park, you're gonna take the first left, and it'll take you all the way back.

Don't know what kind of trees they're gonna have, but they probably have some good ones for you.

That's it.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Neil, Mr.

Marshall.

Come back to me.

All right, Mr.

Crew.

Come back now.

I'm just kidding.

Um first of all, thank thank uh the administration and not only uh them but the council clerks as well for all their hard work that they did during Mardi Gras.

I think it was a great day.

Uh well attended in um both parades post Saturday and in Biloxi and even the second liners parade was was uh great and um uh too bad we can't have Mardi Gras every weekend, right?

Uh Govort owes us a big thank you.

Um I just read an article in the Sun Herald where their um Memorial Hospital has had a huge baby boom.

And uh so thanks to Memorial and Biloxi not delivering babies, Gulfport's population and babies is uh is is growing.

So hopefully we can get back to uh Memorial Biloxi and delivering babies again so we can say you're we're born in Biloxi.

Um let me know when you get that mayor from Mayor Keating if it's sent to thank you.

Yeah, we and X Memorial Gov Port.

Um I've received a lot of phone calls about the new development.

It's in actually in Ward 6, but it's right there next to the uh Mississippi State extension on Pops Ferry, the uh 219 proposed homes.

Christy, I know we have asked um I asked you when I got here um about doing a traffic study to uh for possible um additional red lights on Pops Ferry.

Knowing now that we're getting in 219 homes with an average of two cars per per house, is there any way we can further that that request on that traffic study to include from Cedar Lake now all the way to the bridge just to uh to to get ahead of that um that boom coming there?

I know it's gonna go all the way to Tribe Drive, but at the same time I think that retail is gonna front the uh Pops Ferry and it'll have an entrance into there as well.

Um so, Chief, real quick on the uh food trucks.

Is there a process of I guess I'm I'm receiving a lot of uh feedback on food trucks operating across the street from a brick and mortar restaurant offering the same food type of the brick and mortar?

Do we have any enforcement and or is there ordinances or permits of where these food trucks can can operate and do we have anything to check on the permits if they're active, if they're licensed, and how does that work?

Or is that is that through the police department or is that through that that's that's through Jerry's office.

Jerry's office.

But in a nutshell, there is a process.

Once they pass that inspection, address specific, um uh, then they would be issued permit.

I'm gonna refer that to you.

Okay, well, real quick before we leave it, uh, e-bikes.

Is there anything?

Do we have any ordinances or any kind of uh uh ongoing thing with the e-bikes?

I I met with Sun Kiss uh uh uh golf course board members this past week, and one of their major concerns is these e-bikes that are in excess of 25 miles an hour.

There's no helmet, some of them don't even wear shoes, uh, and they're they're on the roads um and and they're not of uh um uh licensed age, so they don't know the rules of the road, but these these younger uh younger kids, I'm glad to see them outside, but at the same time, I'd like for them to continue to be outside and not in a hospital somewhere because they're not paying attention.

They got headphones on, um, and and the is there any kind of enforcement or do we have a permitting?

For example, a golf cart has to go and get permitted has to have headlights, a horn, a blinker, brake lights, the the the triangle on the back, these e-bikes.

Do we have anything for these e-bikes?

No, it's so right now it was something we would have to take a look at as far as uh lack of better terms, Marionette, like the uh the golf carts you mentioned.

Um as far as juveniles uh on the on the roadway on a on a motor vehicle and stuff, that's something we can't afford.

Um but as far as city ordinance, anything dealing with e-bikes yet, but it is something to take a look at.

Okay, especially on the Saturday mornings around that time.

And and I know I'm not gonna be a big fan of the kids in the neighborhood, but it's the adults that are worried because they're behind them in a vehicle, and when they go to make a left, they the the they're not paying attention, and they're just being kids, but at the same time it it's become an issue.

So thank you.

Hey, Jerry, if you could follow up on the food truck.

Yes, sir.

There is a process that they go through to get approval.

They come to the DRC first.

Uh the proposed food truck has to be inspected by the fire department to make sure that they have the right fire suppression equipment inside.

The uh we asked the council a couple of years ago, uh, the original ordinance said that they only had to locate 50 feet away from a brick and mortar restaurant, but we asked the council to increase that, and they went to 250 feet.

Yeah.

So that's the requirement.

Now they have to be at least 250 feet away from a brick and mortar restaurant.

Now there are those that go through the licensing process, and there are those that will just pop up, you know, just show up on a Saturday or something like that.

And uh we're gonna have to take a look at how we're gonna address those.

But for the most part, people do come through and go through the process and get approved.

And then the enforcement side of it is done through.

It could be through us or through fire department uh or police department.

Uh weekend is the police department during the week, we'll send people out there to address it.

Okay.

All right, thank you.

Um, Christy, another thing is I know we had talked about the traffic, uh, the speed study and Chris on the uh on Sunkiss Country Club, and we were waiting for the uh construction of the fence to be complete so we knew which egress they were using.

It's complete now.

So they they have they went from three crosswalks to two.

So uh the fence is up, it's ready, so if we could look at and possibly removing the 15 mile an hour un uh unenforced um area, uh that would help as well.

And then um, but no, and I will tell you this, your enforcement agents have been out there, police department have been very visible, and um and and so they have been there, so thank you for that as far as patrolling.

Um then um I'm assuming, but I just want to put it out there that America's about to be 250 years old and and we're gonna put something together from the city's aspect for July.

Just wonder I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that.

And if I could get my colleagues to support me today in adjournment of uh memory of Miss Rosemary Bailey, who just recently passed away.

So thank you.

That concludes.

Okay.

Thank you, Mr.

Crew.

Mr.

Tisdale.

Yes, with the the new senior water rate, that is effective April 1st.

Is that right, Peter?

Right.

As of April 1st, uh, if you're approved, you'd be allowed to receive that rate, yes.

Okay.

So that approval has to be prior to April 1st.

Doesn't have to be, but as soon as as you are approved, that's when the rate takes effect.

So and what I'm thinking is if the rate is effective April 1st for those folks that want to apply for that rate, is there a form out there available that they can complete?

People that have existing, the existing uh seniors that have the rate, they've I believed receive a letter this week or the letter went out, is going out this week.

Uh I think Cecilia, we've been working with her.

She's gonna have uh information, I believe, by this Friday about where to find the application if you want to apply.

And will that be in the E Black uh the B news as well, I think?

Yeah, it's also gonna be at the first part in the the hard copy of the B news, but it will be in the uh whatever the Friday A to Z, it'll be B mail.

Be there coming this week or yeah.

Okay, and I'm just thinking with uh, I don't know, anything you could do to educate seniors, it's it's a challenge, but we just need to make that effort.

The next thing is, and I've mentioned this before, this deals with the Coliseum's West Parking line.

When they dump traffic after events there at that egress at the north end of Pine Grove, what prevents the city from putting up a fence, a gate really posts in a gate that we control so that they don't dump all that traffic at midnight or 1130.

I think the latest was uh traffic, both lanes on Pine Grove, both lanes of traffic were used to head south to Highway 90.

So if if you had to get an emergency vehicle into that neighborhood, there was no no way to do it in a timely fashion.

And the other entrance and exit from that neighborhood is Briarfield, which is still torn up with the infrastructure project.

So again, that's my and I've mentioned this before.

What prevents us from putting up a gate there?

I know we have a new executive director coming on board, I guess Monday.

Uh and I I plan to meet and speak with him about the issue, but why don't we control that gate if one were installed there?

That we we control the flow, with by which I mean there wouldn't be any traffic dumped into Pine Grove.

It's just the residents are tired of all the noise, the horns honking, tires uh peeling, hitting the horn, the loud music, people walking through their yards at midnight.

Go ahead.

Let me respond.

We can we can check too to see if they have any access rights or if there's any access agreements that are in place.

And if it's not, it'd be prudent to sit down and try to work out a solution with them.

Certainly, you know, but hopefully by the end of the year, that solution will you know, as we extend Pops Ferry Ross, that would be uh a reason not to keep them from going to the neighborhood because they'll be dumping right on to the new bus.

Right.

That would be that would be my hope as well, but there's no guarantees if we don't control that gate.

We do have a little bit of a leverage on on what we can do uh to ensure that they will.

Right.

But if but if I'm a resident, what I'm hearing is hey, it only just bear with us for another 10 months, and I'm thinking, geez, it was tough for me to bear bear with you on February 14th after the concert.

Yeah.

Well, again, we'll uh but if we if we could check on that, I'd like for us to do something or work something out.

We we just got to do a better job for those residents.

Thank you.

The uh the next thing is I don't know if uh Walt is here or not.

There he is.

All right, Walt.

If you don't if you don't mind, you'll need to come up to the mic if just because I want to get a good look at you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any idea when that intersection at Briarfield and Highway 90.

I mean, they've got uh I know they tore up the asphalt.

Have they completed the work and they're just waiting to put the asphalt down?

It looks like it's graded with Phil, but if you could just kind of clarify where we are with that that spot.

Well, Councilman Tisdale, Bob, uh Sylvester uh beat you to the punch when I first walked in, asked that question.

Uh every time I've gone and told any of our uh residents and businesses that knee case will have warm pavement out there ready.

Turns out they're not knee case isn't ready.

But my team meeting today with my uh Neil Schaefer team.

They said that they were told by knee case that warrant paving is scheduled to be out Friday or Monday, start this Friday or Monday to start paving, and they'll probably start on the west side by Gateway Drive and the service first and make their way west to east.

You're right, Briarfield is ready to be paved.

Uh they did all the final tie-ins of the water sewer and drainage.

But you know, we've heard this before.

The last time was a number of months ago, and they were working from east to west on the concrete and the paving, I think.

So now they're starting it to be out there by gateway.

Well, that's what they told my team and my team told me.

Okay.

We'll know when we see Warren out there, I guess.

Gotcha.

When is the the latest deadline when's for the completion of this project?

February 7th.

February 7th, okay.

So they're in liquidated damages right now, or and I know it's all this leverage and things at the end.

You don't have to answer that question.

Thank you.

Thank you, Walt, appreciate it.

And I do want to thank um all the first responders who worked, Mardi Gras and Ms.

Hunt for not uh for not bussing at anybody on that day, if you can believe it or not.

If there were if she was busting at anybody, there weren't any witnesses left to tell the tale.

That concludes my report.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Tuesdale.

Mr.

Schumacher.

Just a couple of things.

Uh as of yesterday at noon, uh the small bridge on Woolmarket Road just west of Hustley Road is down for repairs, needed repairs.

It's going to be down probably close to a month.

And again, it's the small bridge, it's not the bridge on Old 67 that was down a couple or a month or so ago.

It's on Woolmarket Road just west of Husley, so between Lawkin Drive and Striner's Boulevard is going to be closed.

And unfortunately it's going to be a month, but it's needed repairs.

So hopefully that'll be done prior to a month, but we're we're looking at at least a month.

Number two, uh, the second thing I have, um, and just to Councilman Nail's point about Broadwater.

Oddly enough, I've had a one of my residents contact me three times in the last several days.

And this is by no means anything negative to code enforcement.

They're doing their job.

This particular person needed to be cited, and he was cited.

However, what he was cited for, I can go to Broadwater property, and it's times a hundred or more of what he got cited for himself.

And he's asking me questions, and he specifically brought up Broadwater property.

It's hard for me to answer that when I don't know the answer because he gets cited for that, but Broadwater property does not.

It's not right.

He lives on a side street in Woolmarket.

Broadwater is Highway 90 and Pass Road.

Everybody that travels West Biloxi sees this property.

Last year I made the comment.

We'll kick the can down the curb, and next year we'll be discussing the same problem next year.

And here we are next year discussing this again.

There's got to be a reason, and I sure don't know it.

Why we let the Broadwater property remain the way it is.

They're violating the code.

It's simple.

You don't even have to know the code to know they're violating it.

We need to do something.

I don't know what that is, other than cite them for a lot of different things, but there's obviously a reason we're not.

But we need to do better.

Summertime's coming.

It's gonna get way worse, all of it at the Broadwater property.

And all the tourists again are gonna see the Broadwater property in West Biloxi.

So we need to do something about Broadwater property once and for all and be done with it.

That's all I have.

Thank you, Mr.

Shoemaker.

Mr.

Marshall.

All right, all right.

I know it's the gate.

One of the gates is there, it's working and staying locked.

Is there a system for that?

Unlocking it, locking it, rules, anything?

As far as I'm confused by the question, what do you mean system?

You have uh the weather plan on when time is gonna be open up and closed, and we just leave it locked right now.

I don't know who locked it.

We don't know who locked it.

Okay.

All right.

I noticed it today when I drove by that there was a chain and a lock on it.

Right.

I checked with all of our department, and none of us locked the gate.

Right.

It's been locked for uh over a week now.

Um I I'm not complaining about it, but I do need to be able to you know make sure the heat the getting in and out of there is important.

Right.

So if it's I kind of like the idea that it's locked, it does stop the drive-through traffic.

So we need to sit down on fire and figure out we want to do that.

But um I do have uh a couple of people in the community that got that signed up to be on our little community parks.

So we need to find out maybe we can get an agreement with the city, whatever it took for them to have a key because they live right there looking at the place.

Anything we can do to help keep it from pants might go open up at seven o'clock in the morning or six o'clock in the morning and come back at seven o'clock at night to close it.

So let's kind of look at that.

Also, the trash in that area.

We got somebody that's just trashing it up just a little bit more than usual.

Uh I've been going walking through there and I don't know how to stop it.

Talking about the park in general or just all around the park and all the surrounds.

The park in general.

Okay.

Yeah.

The park in general, right.

Uh also going up under the bridges.

Is that you?

Under the bridge.

Uh-huh.

Like under the I110 bridge.

Yeah.

I mean, I know we do some cleanups there.

I'm not sure if Christy do you know.

So it's kind of a collaborative effort between public works and parks and rec down there cleaning cleaning the trash up.

If you start from Division Street, heading on down towards the uh IP.

I find a different sections, it just it's just piling up a little bit more than usual.

There's people who are uh stashing their clothes and things like that.

So I like to know we're gonna have a plan to to work on getting that done.

I'll get with Director Labata and we'll we'll come up with something.

All right, thank you so much.

Uh as far as the water for the senior citizens discount, can I get a copy of the letter that was sent down?

I'd like to have a copy of it.

I like to have a copy of the application so I can see what it looked like and what kind of information is needed.

And uh if you don't mind, can you make sure that all the council members get it?

So we'll all be on the same page.

Yes, sir.

We'll get that to everybody.

Okay.

Um I didn't say chief this time.

You don't get me twice.

All right.

On uh Elmer in the vision.

The same little hot spot right there.

Anything we can get a car parking there or something, anything to show up a higher police presence in that area.

That's one of the complaints that we're getting.

Just hang it out.

I'll look at it and and uh look at what we have going on currently in the right resolution.

Okay.

Uh had the owner contacted you at all.

I'll have to check on that.

I don't believe.

I'll check on it.

Okay, if you don't hear from the owner, what will be the next step?

I'm sorry.

If we don't hear from that owner, what would be the next step?

Uh to call you if you can contact them.

Okay, thank you, sir.

All right.

Uh also on on Magnolia Street.

200 blocks.

Can we get a little bit more police presence over there?

It's uh Wild Wild West.

Once again, uh a look at what we have going on currently.

Uh huh.

Talk about in the past and uh uh change there.

Okay.

All right.

Thank you, sir.

Mr.

Weaver.

Make your day today.

Sir?

Make your day.

Look at it if it goes file.

Gotcha.

Uh what is the process for when someone, uh a tenant moves out, the landlord goes in and and just takes all the stuff out the house and then just throw it out there on the street.

Uh I'm getting a lot of complaints because it seems like to me, it's just big piles of stuff, especially going over you if you cross that track on Lemuse Street.

I mean, even radar radar street, you're going down there, it just big piles of trash.

I mean, is it that they're missing the the day and they put it out there the day after the trash man ran?

But I need to figure out a way I don't want to sit out there for three or four days.

You talking about the rubble that is out there?

Yeah.

And on Fridays, they pick those up.

Then that's part of the Harrison County Utility Authority.

If it's in front of the house, as we've talked about before.

If it's not in front of the house, that's when we have to take a look at those and then here with public works and have the art truck go pick those up.

We would prefer, since we're already paying for the county to pick it up on our trash pickup for them to be in front of the house on Fridays.

But if it's not, then we'll make sure we do some additional runs through there for you.

Is there an ordinance or anything to stop them from doing that?

Putting the trash in front of the house?

Yeah, or big piles of trash.

None.

Yeah.

That's where we want them to pick it up at.

We would like for it to be there on a Thursday night, Friday, or uh not Friday, Monday, I think, isn't it?

Is it Friday?

So Friday is the pickup.

The truck runs on Friday.

Yes, sir.

So we pick up not only just your household trash, but we also, if they have any rubbish that is outside, they'll pick those up.

But again, it has to be in front of a residence.

A lot of times they like to move it over until a vacant lot, and they're not gonna pick it up on the vacant lot because the vacant lot's not paying taxes towards getting that picked up at.

Or not paying that pick up fee through Harrison County Utility Authority.

All right.

Uh Mr.

Walt.

I had uh had a piece of paper delivered to you.

Can you address that?

Tell me what you know where we stand on on that.

Yes, sir.

Miss uh Williams uh letter, I just read it.

Uh she is correct about everything on here except probably the part about Ward 2 meet meeting with Neil Shae report, these areas have been done.

Neil Shaefer wouldn't have been at your um Ward 2 meeting that was she might have been referencing me.

But she's right, those areas are not done.

And that is one of the last remaining FEMA funded infrastructure projects.

And FEMA is refusing to fund it.

So what does that mean?

Can I get money from other sources?

Maybe a bond.

I'm just kidding.

Oh mayor.

Here you go and start cussing at people.

Yeah, let me answer that.

We're working uh for my congressional development.

We've had been to DC a number of times uh trying to secure the last 75 or 80 million dollars for that.

You have a time frame.

No, he doesn't.

We're working on it.

Well there's only one way you're gonna get it from FEMA.

It ain't what the we we've tried the appeals.

The general appropriations is probably with the the the uh the way we'll we'll proceed with that.

We're working with both uh both senators as well as uh uh Congressman Isell and uh on a number of things, but that's you know the from the DC out side is where we're depending on that.

Otherwise, you know that it was proceeded, and Avian admitted that he should put these escalation factors in how they funded the project.

Now it was funded $344 million in 2008, and they expected us to deliver those products for that same amount of money in 2025 or 26 at this point now.

So bottom line, we're looking for a resolution to that uh their uh omitting of an escalation factor uh to finish the last uh uh approximately 100 million dollars of work.

But we need about 74.

Is that not right?

That that's the estimate that was developed by by the state MEMA.

Get it from FEMA, you've got to take them to court.

That's it.

Okay.

So nothing's gonna get it from them.

Nothing's gonna happen this year.

That's that's um it's happening.

My boss is happening now.

Okay.

All right.

All right, Miss Williams, I apologize.

I told you it was already been in the works, it is already done, and I was it I was incorrect.

I apologize, and you got your answers.

Okay.

I'm not satisfied.

Neither am I.

We're gonna keep working on it.

Thank you, sir.

Yes, sir.

Okay, on Saturday, the uh we had an organization, the legacy um did a community resource expo, and uh I wanna reach out to let them know that uh the legacy organization and all those that participated in the list that the people that participated, the organization that participated in that really, really, really did an excellent job.

Uh it was wonderful.

And it made me feel so good to see so many of our community people coming together, reaching out to each other, and just say wow, that that was worth it.

That was actually worth all the time.

They gave away over 600 uh 60,000 pounds of free uh food, vegetables and things that that helped so many people, it just helped me.

It made me feel so much joy to watch that.

Um the next thing on my on my list is that uh for those at East Beluxy, Ward 1, Ward 2, Ward 3, anybody in East Belox, we are still working on the um development of the uh funding for the uh direct slash community center.

Bear with us, don't give up.

And uh I believe that things will will progress.

I'm hoping and I'm praying that you know it goes into the fact that we can do something that would show that the city of Beluxe is investing, is not afraid to invest in that area.

But right as it stands right now, uh it's a work in progress.

I appreciate you guys showing up.

I appreciate your support for it.

Um we can't do it without money.

Um, and every year we wait on it.

It costs more and more.

We know that uh the recreation we lost two.

Well, actually, we lost three, but we lost two main ones, and that was 20 years ago, and we've been promising and took them take pictures and turn store, we're gonna fix it.

And that item is not on the agenda today, as I understand, but I know that you're here, and I appreciate your support.

We are gonna be working on it.

Don't give up on us yet.

Let me check my notes, make sure I got everything.

I'm coming back to you.

I'm good.

All right, good deal.

Good deal.

Thank you, Mr.

Marshall.

I got a few things.

Uh I do want to also uh just state I think this Mardi Grab, these two all the parades, especially the two main ones, uh Neptune and Gulf Coast Carnival Association went off basically without a hitch.

And uh it was really great to see, nice to see.

Uh their theme this year was Neptune uh conquers love.

Uh but not only did they conquer love, they conquered the weather uh when we thought it was gonna rain on their parade, uh uh it didn't do that.

So that was great to see as well.

Uh kudos again uh to former chief uh Miller uh for being uh one of our uh our grand marshals.

Uh him along with his daughter and his grandchildren uh really was uh one of the highlights uh to see him be able to parade through the streets uh after he he just retired.

Um also I want to congratulate both the St.

Patrick boys and girls soccer teams uh for winning state.

Uh the good this is the fourth year in the in a row for the girls uh to win it.

Um they would like to get with the administration, possibly on our 6 p.m.

meeting.

Mayor, uh come up here, and maybe you can recognize them if if I can kind of refer you to them.

They're very interested in meeting the mayor and uh his team and his staff and even a couple of the council members up here.

Um Cedar Lake, the Cedar Lake shoulder that was deteriorating and really a hazard.

I want to commend uh Public Works Engineering Department, our director for jumping on that promptly.

Uh that area was filled in.

Uh it's a lot safer, and you could see actually it's a little fishing spot for some, and you can see them safely pulled over, uh enjoying it.

It's much safer today because of your prompt action.

So I'd like to commend you for that.

Uh Dr.

Tisdale uh referenced a new director that's uh starting his name's uh Sam Voyson.

Um he has ties to uh Louisiana.

He was the founder, the GM, and the director of the Shreveport Convention Center, and most recently he was the executive director of the Chattanooga uh convention center.

So he brings over 30 years of experience.

I think we're really excited.

I talked to members of the selection committee, they're really excited uh for him to be uh put in place, and perhaps he can come in and address us uh one afternoon uh at City Council.

I think y'all will be really excited what he's gonna bring uh to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Um my colleague mentioned uh doing a study on these uh new homes uh that are going in on uh in Ward 6, uh 200 and something uh homes that are going in.

There's actually a lot more than that.

There's probably six to seven hundred uh single family homes that are scheduled to go into this area.

And a lot of people uh are concerned about that a little bit and saying why isn't at the level of uh of a certain neighborhood.

Uh I think they're a market appropriate if you look at them.

I think we're gonna be very proud of the development.

And with that uh comes like my colleague referenced to make sure the infrastructure can support it properly, and we have whatever safety measures that need to be in place.

One of my items on the uh bond list is uh a $300,000 uh sidewalk for the Brody Road area, which is a major all almost all of the buses come through that corridor.

Uh so I think it's something that we need to really look at uh for safety reasons for the children and the families and the new families uh that are gonna be relocating here, and uh whatever other infrastructure is necessary.

We need to take a hard look at it.

Um not only does it uh are they attracted to the schools that are here, uh there'll be a new upper elementary that'll be relocating on uh Pops Ferry Road uh where the old Kennedy engine uh uh property was.

That'll be starting very soon.

And I was just gonna name a few of the uh the businesses that this will support, much needed revenue for these entrepreneurs that have invested in this corridor, including the new coffee shop and um the retail outlets that are going in at the old Sunny Mortgage.

Uh that's at the entrance of Indian Drive and North Bay Elementary and at the entrance of our neighborhood, Walmart.

Um we have Pops Pizza, Applebee's, El Sicito Mexican Restaurant, Slim Chickens, McDonald's, of course, Dunkin' Donuts, Taco Bell.

We have a Home Depot that supplies uh not only these builders uh but um homeowners uh that that accesses uh Home Depot, uh Marco's Pizza, uh Fayard's uh I mentioned the neighborhood Walmart.

We have a couple of Dollar Generals in the area, several banks, uh Cedar Lake Medical Centers.

Uh there's also some dentist uh offices that are located in there, and uh just a bevy of services where the whether it's imaging or or whether it's a specialty medical uh issue, uh it's all accessible there.

Of course, the sportsplex, a couple car washes, uh Delta Tire World, and even a waffle house.

We only got one of those though.

I mean, we might might need a second one uh in that area.

Uh and Biloxi's own uh only new car dealership is located in this area as well.

So there's a lot of growth uh happening.

I don't think we need to apologize for growth.

That's a good thing.

People are interested in Biloxi, and in whether it's ward six or it's uh ward one or two or six or or five or whatever, it's a good thing that people are interested in being a Biloxian.

And uh maybe we can get those babies uh born in Biloxi soon here too.

Uh the remainder of my time, uh, I would hope my colleagues would allow me uh and and I'm only doing this because of a scheduling uh urgent scheduling conflict.

If I could call Kathy Springer up and uh let her use the remainder of my time.

Normally this would be during uh citizens' comments, but she's on a tight schedule, and and I'll allow you that under my council report.

I'm Kathy Springer, I'm the CEO at United Way of South Mississippi.

We cover Harrison, Hancock, Pearl River, and Stone County, and I will tell this council and this body that the body of our work happens in Harrison County, and a lot of our work happens in the city of Biloxi.

So saying that, I'm proud to say that we hold many fundraising events throughout the year, and one of the biggest and most popular is the United Way CEO talent show.

We hold this, we have held this event the last three years Biloxi Civic Center, and the folks that we work with at Parks and Recreation could not be better work with.

So just Jamie, I'll move that to you.

But today I respectfully ask this council to consider waiv of the fee that United Way pays.

Um it's three thousand dollars.

We have already made our deposit, and we respectfully ask for a $1,500 discount.

We bring about 300 people, corporations and businesses by the tables and uh come into our beautiful Civic Center.

And I hope that there is spinoff recognition in business from us having um our folks come to our event.

That raises money for United Way of South Mississippi.

I will tell you 98.5 cents of every dollar we raise hits the street at Moore Community House at the Center for Nonviolence at Casa at St.

Vincent DePaul Community Pharmacy and Catholic charities, and I can't name them all because I I'm not sitting at my desk.

But so many of our citizens reach out to United Way every single day.

I can't tell you how many people were given um food boxes from United Way of South Mississippi in the SNAP crisis.

When I called more community house and I said how many of people are on Snap, he said 100 percent.

We made sure that those families had food during that crisis.

So I'm just telling you these things that we are owners in Biloxi, not renters.

And I hope that you'll consider that request.

I'll answer any question that you have.

I think that's good enough.

Thank you, Mr.

Mrs.

Springer.

Thank you.

Um Mr.

Creel wants a final word, but before I just got a couple of texts.

Uh Sonic said I left them out, and also Secret Sirens uh address shop said I left them out too.

And I don't mean to leave anybody out if you're watching out there.

Uh uh there's several more, but I just wanted to make that point.

Uh Mr.

Korea wants a final word.

I'd be remiss if you didn't if I didn't make sure you mentioned tailgators, you left out tailgates.

If I was gonna allow you that privilege, I know you got a permanent seat there.

Just I didn't know.

I mean that's the biggest thing, but no.

Uh um also congrats on St.

Patrick's, however, our own Biloxi Boys uh soccer team did uh win South State champions.

So uh congratulations to them and to Coach Hopkins and his staff, they do a great job with those uh young men.

My only question that I had left, and I apologize.

I hope this isn't long-winded, is can you give me a brief extra explanation and how do we determine from the consent agenda to the policy agenda?

How do we say this one goes in the consent agenda and this one that we we make into uh an ordinance or policy?

For example, Encore Sanger, why wouldn't Encore Sanger stand by itself instead of put it in the consent agenda?

Is um just to bring that up.

Well, the the ordinance talks about policy and and what's a policy and what's not and uh it's generally just sent by council president and the uh administration if it's um typically it's a service contract, this is a professional service contract, and those are typically on the consent agenda.

Okay, perfect.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Crib.

Real quick, Kenny.

Mr.

Gray.

Sounds like uh Ward 6 and Ward 5 is really busy over there.

You know, ward one and two, like the country down here, it's quiet.

We do have two waffle house and a lot of uh we have a lot of seafood markets down here.

So I mean just in case y'all want to come down here where it's peace and quiet.

We got plenty of empty lots down here ready to build on.

Just let you know.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Gray.

And we also got a recreation standard and community center.

We'll be working on coming there too.

I'll come back to you on that.

You ain't got no amusement party.

Gentlemen, we'll come back to everybody on that.

All right.

Let's uh go ahead and move on to the uh policy agenda.

The clerk would uh read the first item.

Don't worry.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Citizens' comments.

Anyone have any comments?

All right.

We'll start on my left.

Uh your right.

Uh I just want to set some ground rules.

Uh raise your hand to be recognized.

You'll come up to the front, state your name and address for the record, and then uh also if you would write it legibly on the form that's provided at the front.

So raise your hand to be recognized.

Yes, sir, right here in the front.

Start with you.

Okay, thank you very much.

First and foremost, I'd like to say the mayor's idea to impose a tax on hotels, motels for nightly fee or revenue for the city of Beluxie.

It's absolutely brilliant.

I think it should be re-evaluated.

Y'all should take it up in the workshop session.

No downside to it.

And if you don't believe it works, look at Las Vegas, folks.

It is certainly has not hurt the revenue out in Las Vegas and those hotels.

Charge a whole lot more three or four bucks a night.

Sir, can I have you state your name and your address for the record?

Sure.

My name is Jerry Gammons, KMM ONS, 132 Edgewater Drive in Bloxy, Mississippi.

Thank you.

Okay.

I I do the motel tax is a no-brainer.

There's no downside, it's not going to hurt anybody.

Uh I'm adamantly opposed to spending any money less and until council fully funds the Bluxie Police Department.

Defund the police was the dumbest thing you guys have ever done.

I don't want to live in a block in a Gulf Port or Molly Point situation.

Five of y'all voted against the Bluxie Police Department.

How does that make those people feel when they go to work every day that y'all cut their legs off and not want support and fully fund the police department?

Very, very stupid idea.

I've looked at your wish list, be paid by the bond.

And be honest with you, there's only three items in my opinion that should be considered critical, and that is to re-roof the police department, repair the police generator system, and possibly the air conditioned visitor center.

Everything else is a wish list that could hold off until next year's budget items that is not a necessity to be done right away.

Dumbest idea on the list that I saw was on the on the website, Paul Tisdale's, and maybe it was a joke, but he wants to spend $300,000 to buy a neighbor's house.

It's got a drainage problem.

That's an absolute abuse and waste of taxpayers' dollars, somebody's indiscretion or poor decision or landscaping to buy their house and spend our money to pay pop up their house.

Gentlemen Biloxi doesn't have a revenue problem.

We've got a spending problem.

And that that could be easily toned down with a little effort and leadership on your behalf.

Beluxy needs to stop funding projects such as Coast Transit, multiple museums, multiple libraries that could all be consolidated, and even a cruising coast is a cash cow.

They print money.

They don't need our contributions to stay afloat.

City Council, I would ask you to look at this money as if it's your personal bank account for your family.

You would pay for the essentials first, like the police department, the fire department, utilities, before you start buying cake and ice creams to eat every night at your house if it was your personal money.

This should be something that can be easily done, needs to be paid attention to.

Again, I can't say enough.

Could be easily be done.

Sanger Theater, I would vote adamantly that you manage that in the city.

There's a person in the city on your payroll now that could do this, had experience in this type of operation.

We don't need to give away 70 percent of our revenue to somebody else to give us the crumbs to manage it.

That could easily be undone within the House.

I've been a CEO of a Fortune 500 company.

I know what I'm saying.

Thank you, sir.

Your time has expired.

Thank you very much.

Um because his name was mentioned, I'm gonna give uh Councilman Tisdale a brief moment to to respond, just because his name was mentioned.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Mr.

Gammons, I appreciate your comments sincerely.

However, it was not a priority of mine to add the property on Sheridan Court to that list.

I just wanted you to be aware of that.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you, Mr.

Tisdale.

All right.

Anyone else on my left?

Your right.

First hand went up right there.

My name is Lizzie Williams, and I live in 575.

It's the city council and of the city of Balletta cannot find the money to structural project in the area which I live in.

I'm still file odor of water.

And flush the line, the water clears up three or four days, and it's at I have to call the city constantly.

Come out and flush the line.

Also would like to have a schedule to put over project over two over here.

Yeah, we'll lay the city put on a time scale.

At least come out twice a week.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

Yes, ma'am, in the back of the country, I'm not sure if you're not sure.

Yes, I'm Samantha Hilner, uh, otherwise known as Collins, my maiden name.

I live at 2576 Sheridan Court, which has already been mentioned.

Um I it was brought to Mississippi by military orders.

I'm active duty, and I moved here in 2022.

Upon my first um arrival in my home, uh six days in, I had flooding issues of the rain.

And so here is just a quick example.

Sorry that's sideways here, but this is what I deal with on just simple reins.

It goes into my garage out here.

This is the side of my home, and water just ruined so many things of mine.

I first moved in, all my military awards got ruined.

I was not aware of this flooding situation.

Um, this not only causes flooding water issues, it also cost um foundation issues, which I do have a foundation warranty, but they told me they can't do anything real fix unless the water gets away from the home.

It's also in the middle of the home, it's raising up to kind of being like this.

If you stand in my home, you'll notice that this kind of happened.

So there's foundation issues.

Um also comes with that.

Mosquitoes.

Um, now there's mold development within my garage.

Um, I have three small children.

I have a husband who was just diagnosed with cancer.

I would just like to not have to live in something like this.

And I'm about to move.

I am supposed to move to Tinker on May 2026.

And how am I gonna be able to sell a home like this?

I can't in good conscience to sell this to someone and who would want to buy a home like this.

Um, I think I have to say, um, hopefully that kind of gets across.

Uh I know that there was a bond um consideration, and I'm very grateful that it was at least put on the list.

It was number 40.

Um, and whether or not that bond goes through, or if there is another way to kind of help with the situation, I know that um spoken with Miss Lovata, that there's no there's no funds to help fix this issue, drainage issue.

If there is any other way, any other way to help fix this, but a swarm drain, whatever there is, buy it.

That would be so helpful in my situation.

Um thank you.

Thank you.

Anyone else my left?

Yes, ma'am.

Good afternoon, Mayor and Councilmember.

My name is Janet Calanau, and I'm very passionate about why I'm here, so if I cry, I'm sorry.

I live at 1745 Ridgway in Bilexi.

I've been here all my life, and I'm here to speak on behalf of the families, grandparents, parents, and most importantly, the some children of Bilexi Youth Baseball regarding going ongoing issues at AJ Holloway Sports Plex.

I'm here to speak.

I just um while we are appreciate the recent upgrades to the artificial turf, playing services, and other improvement, there's a significant issue that has gone unresolved for at least two years.

Parents and grandparents have been reportedly told that the scoreboards would be fixed.

Yet here we are years later, still without working scoreboards.

We have brought this attention to the Lexi Youth Baseball Board, Ronnie Seymour, Sports Director, Sherry Bell, former Parks and Recreation Director, Jamie Lee, current or intermittent parks and recreation director.

Director, unfortunately, the response is consistently has been excuses and finger pointing.

We are told Coca-Cola was supposed to replace the scoreboards or that someone else is responsible.

And it became a constant pass the buck situation while nothing actually gets done.

I've also been told by Mr.

Lee that I am the only one that complained about this issue.

Well, I have acquired a list of over 90 people that have the same problem that I do.

In addition to our scoreboards, the public address address system, PA system has not worked since our boys were very young.

Our children are now 12 years old, and this is their final year in Bullock Baseball.

They have never once had the experience of hearing their names announced when coming up to bat or scoring a run.

That may seem like a little issue to some, but to these kids, it means everything.

Parents and grandparents deserve to know the score, the inning and the number of outs without having to interrupt others who are trying to watch their children play the ball.

This is a basic functionality at a baseball park.

Another concern is that the local Biloxi children are frequently pushed aside because turn a bot ball takes over.

And I hope that you can put the children of Belgi first before finances.

And I appreciate the work you have done to get that.

It's a beautiful, but it's sad we don't have anything to help us.

Thank you so very much.

Thank you for your comments.

Anyone else on my left, your right that would like to speak?

Anyone on my right, Mr.

Sylvestra?

Irish.

Big town, small town, kind of thing.

I want to tell you just a little something.

I sent a note into the trash.

Thank you.

All you do for your neighborhood.

Can you pull the mic a little bit closer?

I'm gonna teach mics fixed.

Okay.

Um then we had a problem with crime rising in our neighborhood.

Within two days, Chief Chris took the time to have me meet him in his office for half an hour.

We had a problem with sword drainage, Chris, fixed in a day.

And I just wanted to say that I had personally drove out to where the old park is at the Bovie school on turn and witnessed a contractor for ATT dumping sludge on there.

Within 15 minutes of letting code enforcement.

He had gotten that person.

He was taken care of, and ATT was back cleaning up that property.

Jerry has spoken to the owner of the property that they're going to do something.

So my only question I have is we we both know that 200 something people signed a petition and hundreds of people that complained about the broad water.

Why isn't anything being done?

It's that simple.

And I got to tell you right now, what is going on in there now?

It's sinful.

Shouldn't happen.

We have people who physically got off their feet, went to the methadone clinic, got their lives back together, got jobs, got working.

They can't afford a place to live, I get it.

But then you got people coming into the area, taking advantage of them, and they don't need much of an excuse to get back on drugs.

So we're we're at a breaking point.

One last thing to leave.

Was moving forward.

So this doesn't become another social media combat.

We actually want things there.

We're worried about traffic.

But other than that, thanks, guys, for trying to be there for us when we want stuff.

I know you got a lot of problems that I didn't create.

But thank you.

Thank you.

Coming over with a chainsaw, and how you couldn't do as an old man.

He was there in an hour.

All right.

We'll continue on my right, you'll left.

Raise your hand to be recognized.

Lana.

Good afternoon.

I just wanted to mention uh my name is Lotta Bernard Jalley.

I'm the chairman of the Bilexi Beautification Commission that this Saturday, February 2028 at 10 a.m., the lighthouse parking area.

We are working in um looking in collaboration with Blexie Radway for a beach cleanup.

It's open to the community.

There'll be a volunteer sign-in sheet.

Um if any of your kids got to think Pat's Belexi needs service hours, this would be a great event.

Again, it's this Saturday at 10 a.m.

at the Lighthouse Parking area.

It's gonna it's also on Keep Black Sea Beautiful Facebook page, so spread the word anybody that would like to help and get involved in keeping Black Sea Beautiful.

Thank you.

I think the tree committee's got something going on to the tree giveaway, so you might want to check it out.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Anyone else, my right, your left?

Raise your hand to be recognized.

Anyone in the back of the room?

Come on.

Come on up.

Who is in the big pocket?

Uh I I just want to tell you you don't know this, but I'm on the agenda for today.

At 2471, two majestic oaks.

And y'all of you that knew my mother would be extremely she'd be extremely elated because she loved trees and the this community.

So I thank you very much.

And I'm not as old, David as a majestic trees.

Just want to make sure you know that son.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Hart.

Anyone else in the room?

Anyone that I miss or you you were reluctant, and now you changed your mind.

You want to come up here and speak?

Yes, sir.

Mr.

Lyles.

Good afternoon, everybody.

My name is Quentin Lyles.

I reside at 525 Mayor Golden D'Iverville.

But I'm uh coming to speak on behalf of the uh farmers market.

I know Mr.

Gray spoke earlier about the farmers market.

But I just want you to take consideration that moving it to one day a week is going to hurt a lot of citizens, especially the seniors who look for those fresh fruits and vegetables uh throughout the season to get that.

So just think about the the the citizens because with Biloxi, not just East Biloxi, but Biloxi as a whole, those fresh fruits and beds will be will be great.

And if you just move it to one day a week and those and plus the the vendors, their food's gonna go to waste if it if they don't sell it on that one day.

So we'll give them two days to give them an extra opportunity to sell the goods.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Wallace.

Anyone else?

Anyone else?

Raise your hand to be recognized.

If not, public comments is now closed.

We move on uh to the consider the policy agenda.

Clerk would read the uh first item.

Resolution designating two live oak trees, majestic trees at 2471 West Shore Drive.

Chair entertain a motion.

So moved.

Moved by Mr.

Creel.

Oh subject.

Second All right, second uh by Wayne.

Any discussion, Mr.

Creel?

I think Ms.

Hunt said it the best.

We'll leave it at that.

Anyone else?

I I didn't uh I I thought Ms.

Hunt was like 20.

I didn't, you know.

So that's all I have.

All right.

Anyone else?

Uh call for the question.

All in favor?

Those opposed?

Resolution passes unanimously, Mr.

Hunt, Ms.

Hunt.

All right.

Next item.

Resolution authorizing facility rental agreement with Gulf Coast Running Club for the Point Cadet Pavilion.

All right.

Chair entertain a motion.

So move.

Moved by Mr.

Creel.

Is there a second?

Is there a second for discussion?

There being no second, uh the item fails uh to grant the waiver.

Next item.

Resolution authorizing facility rental agreement with first mission missionary Baptist Church at Biloxi for the Biloxi Civic Center.

Chair entertain a motion.

So move.

Moved by Mr.

Marshall.

Second.

Second by Mr.

Creel, Mr.

Marshall.

Pastor Dickey.

Yes, sir.

I know what I told you earlier.

I changed my mind.

Step up for me, Parton.

I promise.

I got it.

Let me be clear.

I don't want the pastor to say I lied to one.

Yeah, we're gonna get no sermon today.

Okay, Pastor, uh, can you explain to them the organization that you're representing and what you guys are trying to do?

Uh church, uh First Missionary Baptist Church, um, a part of our uh association, uh GovCo Association, uh 2830 churches.

And I asked the moderator, I've been there for roughly one year.

Uh, have the opportunity to host uh what is called uh the moderator's banquet, which is scholarship funds uh for those students that uh graduating from high school uh specifically up and down the coast, but one per church in our association.

So we host them and we look at about 300 individuals that come to Biloxi uh across the uh whole day.

Uh they have the opportunity not only to uh participate with the uh there at the Civic Center, but have a opportunity to also come and be a part of the things that are offered here in the city of Biloxi.

So this is why we wanted to showcase and host uh this uh event that is annually has been on for 22 years and just so happened for the past two years.

I've been blessed to have it, and this is our second time uh hosting it.

Uh and so we hope uh with the council's favor that we'll continue to host it and then put the additional funds that you allow us with the rental uh uh fees uh being reduced, those can go to scholarship as well.

All right, thank you, Justin.

Any other discussion?

Nothing further.

I do have one more thing to say.

Uh first of my congratulations being the moderator.

Um First Missionary Baptist Church is one of the one of the go-to churches in our community.

continue to host it and then put the additional funds that you allow us with the room uh uh fees uh being reduced those can go to scholarship as well all right thank you any other discussion nothing further i do have one more thing to say uh first of all congratulations being the moderator uh first missionary baptism church is one of the is one of the go-to churches in our community anytime we need something done anytime we have the issues we can go and count on them to show up and and in the old church way we say show up and show out they do their part in the community the fact that uh this church fits and needs Biloxi is in Biloxi of all the pastors of all those churches 28 to 30 different churches I think that him bringing this to our community is is what we need it shows that we are on the edge and on our edge of our growing we don't mind helping those who are helping others and it is going to help him his organization to get more scholarships out.

Great uh three hundred people come into that to that community is what it's designed for and I I asked that the fellow city my fellow uh city council members to uh support this thank you incidentally uh and to the rest of the council and mayor uh first missionary will be celebrating 180 years as a congregation I believe we're the oldest congregation in the Harrison County one of the second oldest uh on the Mississippi Gulf Coast so we we definitely take uh pride in showcasing not only Beluxit but also First Missionary Baptist Church.

Thank you Pastor we hope you're here for another hundred eight more years thank you sir any other discussion yes Mr.

Tisdale with with all due respect uh staked up my position early in this fiscal year and I don't approve many facility rental waivers uh there are a handful that I have done with good reason so uh I won't won't support it today and there are several others I won't support but there are a couple I will support I just wanted to put that out there thank you thank you thank you Reverend Dickie thank you all right this just don't have anything to do with this one but at some time we're gonna have to look at given so many reductions because right here we have 10 on here today and that can range anywhere from 10,000 to $13,000 in reductions you know so some of these you know actually we we help you know um churches and and women for nonviolence things like that but a lot of these you know we understand everybody needs a reduction but it just seems like here lately everybody has action for 50 percent to 100 percent reduction in fees so eventually we're gonna have to start looking at this and sort of making a decision whether they get a 10 percent or 20 percent reduction so um maybe we need to have a workshop or something to go over this try to figure out what we need to do because I'm pretty sure so far this year we probably done gave away maybe $50,000 I mean I'm I'm not for sure a little more than that.

So I mean at the end we probably over a million at if we did for the whole year.

That's all I have.

In regards to our councilman uh president if I may gray I I I certainly understand having said where you sat uh but remember one thing as you reduce this more opportunities that they will come and do other things they will go into your uh shopping establishment they will go we're not advocating I can't stop a car going in there so the these things you're you're helping mainly the nonprofit uh in terms of you know we reproducing doing things but on the back end I will see that you will get that and greater because let's face it people want to come to Biloxi.

The doors are open for business the doors are open for tourist attraction they want to come to Biloxi and we want to be on the front end to welcome them to Biloxi.

So I'm in agreement with you I think it should be something perhaps in the future after you approve ours you know Pastor so if I heard you right that we could expect them to show up at tailgators and uh Pop Pizza and you said you were going to guarantee that I do I do have a couple questions Pastor before you get up I do I do have a couple more things Kenny we do when we look at these we actually do look and see how many hotel rooms are coming how many people coming we we do look at this as some of these we do look at yes sir and it's not as you know because we need them to come in and and help feed our economy and that's that's what we do.

So some of these, it just seems like everybody is just asking here lately, and that's why we have to kind of look at it.

When we're we're in a uh deficit, so we need to look at trying to save money also.

I'll appreciate you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman.

Appreciate that.

Uh on a serious note, a couple of questions.

So if this wasn't approved, first of all, how many delegates are coming?

How many?

How many people?

Minimum 300.

300 people.

So if this wasn't approved, what happens?

I mean, it I think it will be approved.

But if it was not approved for the discount, what happens?

They have to take a collection up between the mayor and the council.

All right.

Um it will still go.

Okay.

All right.

Thank you.

Um let me let me follow up on that.

Um that the pastors, what you got was is 30 churches coming here as a congregation.

They're coming for a purpose.

One to raise money for scholarships.

So every dollar that we save them, what he's saying is that that goes to their scholarships.

They don't take they're not making money, they're not profiting off of this in any way.

We're just trying to raise money for the scholarships for their church organization.

The fact that he's able to bring these people to us, this group to us, is just wonderful.

That's what we're looking for, and we need to support it.

Thank you so much.

I would like to thank both councilman for your point of view.

I think there's uh maybe in the future there's a uh some kind of middle ground there we need to come up with.

But all right.

If there's no other discussion, I'd like to call for the question.

All in favor?

Those opposed?

Motion passes six to one, Pastor.

Six to one.

Tailgators.

All right.

Move on to the next uh item.

Resolution authorizing facility rental agreement with Coastal Family Health Center for the Bilexi Civic Center.

Chair entertain a motion.

I'll make a motion.

Thank you, Mr.

Gray.

Do I have a second?

Do I have a second?

There being no second uh resolution uh does not pass to provide a reduction.

Next item.

Resolution authorizing facility rental agreement with Mississippi Rural Water Association for the Block Sea Civic Center.

Is there a motion?

So move.

Move by Mr.

Creel.

Is there a second?

Is there a second?

I'll I'll move it for discussion.

Mr.

Creel.

Okay, so looking at 4G.

The uh the heading is authorizing entry, but then in parentheses it says reduction of 3500.

As you go through the resolution, it says it's six thousand plus a just uh security deposit of one thousand five hundred.

However, when you go down to the bottom, it says the rental fee is being reduced to three thousand dollars.

So if we're reducing it 3,500, but we're reducing the fee to 3,000, the maths, not math thing.

So if it's 6,000 with a $1,500 deposit and we reduce it to $3,000, but we're reducing it by $3,500.

Uh we're we're minus some money somewhere.

I did not have a question.

What's your name, ma'am?

What do you do?

What's your name?

What do you do?

My name is Rachel.

I did not resolution.

I apologize that I don't have you a good answer on that, but I did want to make it clear that our reductions are not included.

That's strictly the revenue.

Okay, so if it's 6,000 and we're reduction of 3,500, then we should reduce the fee to 2,500.

There's probably some rental in there like a dance floor or something.

Um at the proper time, I'd like to make a motion to table it until we can clear that up.

That one.

Right.

Didn't uh we just give them a reduction on something else.

We did to the um it was something at the uh plaza for Rachel, I got a question.

Do you know how many delegates uh that they're planning to bring?

I do not.

I'm sorry, I did not handle it.

No, that's okay.

Yes, sir.

That's great.

All right, come on up.

We'd like to hear from you, sir.

Need to come up here, state your name.

Come on up.

Yep, all the way up here.

State your name and uh your position and give us some information.

Thank you for your time.

My name is Peri Bridges.

I'm representing Mississippi Rural Water.

We're a nonprofit that provides technical assistance and training to rural water system municipalities.

We're gonna have a training where we take men and women, they'll come about 150 total, uh July 20th.

And uh they'll come from all over the state of Mississippi down here to learn how to be operators in the water wastewater.

Uh our mandates of the So how many people?

Usually it's around 150.

How many hotel rooms?

You think you utilize?

Just asking out of curiosity.

I mean, this is a good wag, I don't know, 50.

You press yes.

60.

Okay.

All right.

I have a question.

Yes, sir.

Um you you would think of maybe the Groid Standard uh cut your cost down?

Excuse me.

The GUI standard?

And it's less it's like a third of the cost.

You're asking the wrong guy, sir.

I'm sure that's a buy uh is that the one where the library or something?

I think we've had some.

No, you you well, you the one that got the library.

Okay.

Uh one across the street.

We've done both of those there, so I I don't know why this one was chosen, the logistical part of it.

Um they sent me down here to represent the organization today.

When I told you hello, I told you all I knew about that.

Okay.

Mr.

Creel.

So maybe they need to table it so we can maybe look at maybe doing the other one with 150 people.

Mr.

Creel, what is your motion?

I'd like to uh table this uh to get more clear language and some uh definition.

One week, okay.

One week is perfect.

When do we meet again?

Next next week.

All right, one week.

Or table one week.

All right.

Um Mr.

Creel has a motion to table this item one week to clean it up and make sure we got accurate information.

Do you we have a second?

I'll second it.

Seconded by Mr.

Gray.

Any discussion?

Any discussion?

Just remember, they're the one that cleans our water to drink.

All right.

Well, he's teaching.

All right, we're voting to be clear, we're voting on the motion to table.

So all in favor?

All opposed?

Motion passes six to one.

All right.

Next item.

Resolution authorizing facility rental agreement with United Way of South Mississippi for the Belexi Civic Center.

All right.

Do I have a motion?

So moved.

Moved by Mr.

Crew.

Is there a second?

I'll second.

Thank you, Mr.

Shoemaker.

Discussion?

Mr.

Crew.

So this is a two-day event.

It's a reduction of 1,500.

So in essence, we're charging them for one day and waiving the additional day, but the deposit is not waived as well.

Okay, Mr.

Schumacher.

Nothing further.

Any other discussion?

Any other colleagues?

All right.

All in favor?

Those opposed.

Motion carries, I think it was five, two.

Okay.

And just to further real quick, uh, Councilman Gray to further your point about uh identifying these as as mentioned last week.

We do non-departmental allocations, and we have some people that receive those allocations that come back for further rental um facility reductions, however, United Way is is not one.

So thank you.

All right.

Thank you, Mr.

Creole.

Next item.

Resolution resenting resolution number seven thirteen twenty-five and authorizing facility rental agreement with the Mississippi Department of Employees Security.

Chair, I tell a motion.

So move.

Moved by Mr.

Creole.

Do I have a second?

Second.

Second by Mr.

Gray uh discussion, Mr.

Creel.

All right.

A few things here.

So this is I know we rescinded uh resolution 713.

However, resolution 713, I believe, was for uh six thousand.

And then when we do the new resolution, it's for two thousand.

Um also both resolutions were for the full Civic Center.

Uh so I just want to make sure that the numbers are correct um based on the two numbers are correct.

The original resolution pricing for two days because they had two dates listed.

Really what they're doing set up.

We have a building access fee of a hundred dollars an hour.

They're going to be accessing this during normal working hours.

Done as one day of rental with eight hours for them to set up the days.

That was my next question.

Thank you.

Who's seconding?

Mr.

Schumacher.

Mr.

Shoemaker.

Any comments?

We'll come back.

Right.

Like we I was talking about earlier.

Some things that we gotta look at that deserve, I guess, or maybe look at doing a reduction and the unemployment you know, department is probably be one of them.

So that's all I have.

Thank you, Mr.

Creel.

You got a comment?

Yeah, if I could add, guys, keep in mind this is one that we approved previously.

So just they just changed date.

We just cleaned it up a little bit.

All right.

Any other discussion?

There being none, Chair Call for the question.

All in favor?

Those opposed.

Motion carries five or six to one.

All right.

Next item.

Who opposed?

Resolution authorizing facility rental agreement with the American Red Cross for the Blixi Visitor Center.

Chair and a motion.

So moved.

Move by Mr.

Creel.

Second.

Second.

Second by Mr.

Tisdale.

Discussion, Mr.

Creel.

Uh let's save a life and uh donate blood and especially this is near and dear to City of Biloxi's heart, uh, Officer McKeathan's uh blood drop.

Thank you.

Mr.

Tisdale.

Nothing to add.

Thank you.

All right.

Any other discussion by anyone else?

All in favor?

Those opposed?

Motion unanimous.

Next item.

Resolution authorizing facility rental agreement with the American Red Cross for the Blexi Visitor Center.

Chair and a motion.

I'll make it Mr.

Creel, seconded by Mr.

Tisdale.

Mr.

Creel, you have the floor.

Save another life.

Battle of the badge, blood drive.

Thank you.

Mr.

Tisdale, nothing to add.

Anyone else?

All in favor?

Opposed?

Motion carries.

Unanimous.

Next item.

Resolution authorizing facility rental agreement with Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence for the Lighthouse Pavilion.

All right.

Chair entertain a motion.

I'll make a motion.

Moved by Mr.

Gray.

Is there a second?

I'll second.

Second by Mr.

Schumacher.

Mr.

Gray.

Like I said, these these are one this is one that I would support.

They need our help more than a lot of these other ones that we voted on.

So I that's all I have.

Thank you, Mr.

Gray.

Mr.

Schumacher.

Absolutely a great organization.

They're out there doing God's work.

I'll support it.

That's all I have.

Thank you, Mr.

Schumacher.

Any other discussion?

Yes.

Mr.

Crewe.

So this is one that we do a non-departmental allocation for each year.

And if I'm not mistaken, aren't they in conjunction with two organizations that work side by side?

This one and the women's center nonviolence.

Is there anyone here representing uh Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence?

It's they work side by side, not the same thing, but work side by side.

Okay.

Okay.

And then this is uh for Easter egg on if I'm not mistaken.

Um correct.

All right.

Thank you.

All right.

Any other discussion?

Call for the question.

All in favor?

Those opposed.

Did you get those?

All right, need a motion on the consent.

So moved by Mr.

Creel.

Second.

Second by Mr.

Tisdale.

Mr.

Creel.

All right.

Let's see your if I guess let's just get to uh item five F real quick.

Um looking at the contract.

I just had I don't know questions on um if you if we go to exhibit a uh in the contract, uh item two a the manager shall be responsible for the day-to-day functions.

Would this be included the punch list that's currently being in existence or being developed?

Well the punch list has been addressed, and I think in the next couple of weeks, I think those punch lists that are even and the whole organization.

I'm going to back up.

Yeah, we're we're doing as handing over as much as we can, as complete as we can.

The MP investment into additional things that we'll do to make productions and some of these other things are possible and expand the reach and the functionality of this uh this great facility.

Uh we're gonna do as much as we can with the budget we have.

I think we're finishing uh refinishing the floor, uh doing uh uh uh uh some of the the nuts and bolts things too.

So we at the point we'll hand it off uh from a lighting standpoint, we'll have a lot done from a uh um hanging some some of the uh curtains and some of the things that are good.

Uh so to hand it off and uh they will continue and and actually add that's one of the good things I'm I'm shooting from the hip here.

But bottom line, we're gonna hand it off and then we'll uh we'll be able to uh uh count on them to to you know bring the business in.

Uh this is a contract that's a lot different than the ones we've examined in the past.

It was always funding of one or two positions and the the ability to uh uh put a few dollars you know for food and beverage.

But this is a really complete and and uh I think a very impressive approach to what we need to do.

We got some some fine uh ideas and and we uh we're gonna get it as complete.

I think we have about 74,000 to uh to complete what we are going to do.

And I think they're prepared to understand uh this is what we have uh to hand over, and they can begin their productions and then work in the uh additional sets and some of the maybe video and some of those things as we go forward.

All right.

Uh moving on.

Yeah, yeah, certainly there.

Now moving on to 2G, uh, the manager, which is is uh indicative of Encore, will have the right to establish the rental rates for the theater as well as establish all ticket prices.

Is there any city oversight on or input rather uh as to what those rental fees for the theater and or ticket prices may be?

I think it's the determination of a type type of events and so forth, uh and the duration.

And uh, you know, if there's certainly Strang, we got to leave it.

We're not the professionals, but they do have uh uh enough of that management uh expertise in the different various types of events, and I think that's why the state has indicated you need to have a third party come in with a with an approach.

And that was required to to do that from the archives and history that uh so this fits uh all the needs and and uh uh of of what we need to do with the state, but yet depend on this group to uh put it into high gear.

Okay, and then uh moving on to two H and I'm um I hate that uh Peter is not here, but question is uh the manager will prepare signed rental agreements, require insurance, make other requirements of theater clients, provide service.

Is there any city legal oversight on on those rental agreements or is that based on the the encore's legal representation to make sure?

I think uh that's to be worked out within our legal and air legal, but you know, it it's a it's a cooperative effort to understand we we we you know we're in the middle of those kinds of agreements, even internally for our Civic Center for our different things.

So it may be a combination what we've uh what we've done in the past for uh recital folks or uh the choirs and stuff like that.

I think it would be a collaborative.

I don't say we'd we have a total veto, but I I don't in envision any any obstacles in in determining that fair to say, Matt.

So and I would uh that would go coincide with the KC has any.

Okay, absolutely.

Yeah, Matt, come on up and grab the seat.

Uh and that would go forward to item two K, which the manager shall be responsible for the development and implementation of our marketing advertising plans for theater.

I'm assuming that would go coincide with Cecilia and and you guys as far as advertising with B news and or the city website.

Absolutely.

And I and again, I I'm thinking, and we we're thinking uh pretty much 100 percent that this got a tremendous facility, and we're gonna we're gonna hand it hand the keys to them with regard to the it's their opportunity to uh to make it very successful, and I think all indications, I think our energy is there, we're in sync.

Is that fair to say?

And which you well, while you're sitting there, and I hate to put you on the hot seat, but the the next item number three, um time is of the essence.

And uh it says that in this in this contract that the time is of essence and we'll have the theater open to the general public with at least one event on or before June 1st, 2026.

You're comfortable with that?

Uh yes, we're comfortable with that.

As long as it's we definitely can't put on a big production like a theater, but in any type of event we'll we will be ready to open the doors.

Let me let me think say my my thoughts are we're gonna get some curtains up and we're gonna have some audio, not audio visual, but at least PA and I think uh floors and the place clean, uh operational, and uh it'll be just up to our imagination to put those things as fast as we can that are beneficial and within the the thoughts and range of the f events that y'all want to attack.

So five something we'll do something.

Yeah, don't be an event July first or June 1st.

The meet meat and potatoes, 5A, 70 30.

You and I had a discussion earlier about uh uh ticket prices when I when I mentioned um the oversight of ticket prices, and you had mentioned that some Macs come in and they determine their ticket prices when they do come in.

And with the caveat that you had mentioned that there might be a 30 percent VIG to to the city, this contract says it's equal to 30 percent.

So is that on the the way this reads, Marin?

I and like once again I hate Peter's not here, but it says, including but not limited to all amounts received from the sale of tickets, concessions, merchandise, theater rental fees, and the like.

So is it 30 percent of each item or is it 30 percent of the total at the end of the road?

So that their accountants and they again going through the ballpark, going through the coliseum.

We made mistakes in the past, the city has, but I can tell you not this deal is is not a mistake, it's the very best operational uh conditions, yeah.

30 percent.

So it's not 30.

So if it's just a ticket price and we don't get we may get 10 percent out of that, but we'd make it up with the difference in from a merchandise from a sale from the operational situation, and we've got some accountants on their staff uh that uh I'm very comfortable with the the deal is the deal.

You sell a ten dollar beer, we got three dollars.

Okay, all right.

So if they sell a ten dollar ticket and that's set by we get three dollars off of that as well.

So I I had this conversation earlier with Mr.

Marvur, and and and there may not be a 30 percent VIG available to the city on some some events.

Is it's my understanding, and and I could and I could be wrong there, but uh any events that Encore Singer puts on and and puts the ticket price out, that 30 percent will go to the city.

Okay, ticket price.

But if we get somebody in that's a national act per se, that's not up to us.

We don't get any of that ticket.

We get the rental, we get the rental for them to come to the theater.

We pay for them to we we pay for their act to come down, but we don't get we don't get uh any so if if if someone rents the sanger, we don't get ticket price.

No, well you know, at my understanding 30 percent of what we receive.

If we don't receive anything, there's nothing to get the book on gross on the books.

Yeah.

Well they can I just like me to get back on that.

Yeah, go ahead, go ahead.

I'll that's a delay for a reason.

Uh so let's say uh let's say our organization came down and they rented it, they rented it.

Yeah, and they sold their own tickets.

They keep all their money, and we get nothing, but just a rental.

Yeah, that that yeah, yes, sir.

30 percent of the rental.

I try whatever they bring in, whatever they net uh.

Well, I mean, I mean, we run the concessions too, so they'd get 30 percent of the concessions, they get 30 you get 30 percent of any merchandise sold, but that's Encore Center or Biloxi merchandise.

I mean, we I we can't take money from them when they make their own merchandise.

That's their merch table.

That's you know.

So we was able to get like an organization like the Elks came now, the Masons came down and they did a big gospel show.

So they keep all that money.

Let's say they were selling t-shirts too.

Do you allow to do that?

As far as I'm concerned, yes, sir.

But we get nothing out of that.

We'll we'll say civic center now.

Get to the mic, get to the mic on your name.

Oh let's let's read uh um let's say, for example, the city.

Everything, every every person that rents the siblings, there's a convention center.

Huh?

Convention center.

Civic center city.

Okay.

Okay.

There's no way to enforce if somebody rents the building, we don't charge.

You know, you're getting the fee for the bill.

The city cannot enforce a ticket tax on top of that, or you know what I'm saying?

And it is the same scenario.

If we rent the building, we're getting a rental fee, we're kicking up to the city.

Now, anything that Encore Singer does, for example, if we print $10 t-shirts at cost, we sell them for 12 bucks.

We lose a dollar, but you get three bucks.

So we kick up whatever the actual group produces, if we bring in Matt Reif, then 50,000.

It does 100,000 at the gate.

You get 30,000, we keep 20 or 50 back off the top.

So we call that a commission, not a not a kick.

Okay.

Okay, so next to further that, let's say you rent the facility to a group that comes in.

Are we, Mayor, are we keeping all concessions in-house, or do they, for example, if the Coliseum, you go to the Coliseum, they they keep their concessions.

Profit is going to handle the concessions.

If they come in, you get the city still receives their percentage from the concessions from their event.

But if they sell tickets, we can't touch the ticket.

No, no, but we but we do handle the rent to for them to sell the ticket, they have a rental fee that's the same.

Yeah, and then commission will be the 30% on what you rented the building to.

And then regardless who sells tickets.

Here's the event or not, we're gonna add it, might be only be two dollars and fifty cents dollars, uh a usage with the Sanger, and that money will be set aside or or given back to the city for repairs, you know, for the building.

So we project every ticket from Ural House gonna have a list of little subcontracted to it.

But we we are controlling the concessions 100% for every every act.

Yes.

But no matter who did it, there might be circumstances, for instance, if the city comes in or somebody we can negotiate that, but I would say 90%.

Well, who else would handle them?

Because that's the issue we're having right now with the stadium.

We we get zero off the concessions.

We know you say for instance, if it comes in and wants to host an event, we're not gonna tell you, hey, you can't sell alcohol, you gotta buy it through usability.

So certain circumstances, but I would say at least 900% possible profit off the session sold.

Yeah, and that would be the 30 percent commission that would just like you know our mart used to be and all these other things.

Yeah, I'll say I just wanted to make sure that we if if they rent the facility, they don't for example, you rent the civic center, you bring your own.

You rent the ground center, you bring your own.

If you rent the Sanger, I don't want you bringing your own.

No, no.

We'll we'll we're we we're gonna we're gonna have all the proper uh health health permit every food and beverage permit, yeah.

So it it would okay.

Um there'll be options for people to quote do that very limited basis.

It's not gonna be everybody opportunities.

All right.

Furthering that, if on those that you just referenced, would that wouldn't necessarily come to the council or to administration for approval or it's based on based on the actual things, right?

Right.

We're gonna make this up in volume, and they have the ability to reach and get volume to things that the events that we've never even you know probably thought of is as at this point in time, or will come along, you know.

Some of the uh technology uh challenges that are coming up.

Plenty of events, even though we're not fully operational at the moment, that we can still need to make money to bring revenue and build it up.

It's not gonna be an instance test, but it's gonna be instantly.

All right, so all right, moving on to item six with utilities repair and maintenance.

Uh cities paying all the utilities uh and and that, and then the city is going to maintain the structure.

So the question I have is does when it says maintains the structure, it says unless such maintenance or an old repair is required by reason of intentional neglect, which that's but the everyday maintenance, the HVAC, the plumbing, the the electrical, all of that is that at the city as well.

Exactly.

Okay.

No, this is a brand new building, and you know, and we don't expect things like we've we've done over the last 10 years, even at the ballpark.

Okay.

And no, so that's the anticipation that's normal, even at the building insurance, the building insurance.

Yeah, the building insurance we have that they'll handle any contents that uh content to insurance or coverage, uh and then indemnify the city even for the events.

I think uh so that's all pretty much.

So next next thing I know I know you guys have a 501c3 arm in the fundraising.

The the last sentence, sponsorships are not subject to revenue sharing.

So the the sponsorship, so when you go out and sell your sponsorships, uh, for example, I don't want to use the ABC rental company comes in and says, I want to sponsor your event, 100% of those proceeds go to Encore.

To the 501c3.

Okay.

And again, as we we did we've discussed some of the our ideas as far as selling opportunities for sponsorships for some of the people, you know, in there.

Now, there's some things we we haven't you know thought of yet, but basically you know, the whole idea uh this whole scope of things, our original budget asked was $361,000.

Okay, to get interior ready.

We're we're spent as much as we can, especially with the the infrastructure and uh with the uh constraints of uh the uh archives and history on what kind of plaster, what kind of color, what kind of so we we we're right there uh except for about $74,000, which we will expect as much as we can to there.

The intent of the 30 percent is to offset and repay that economic development fund back that 365.

So that is not going into the general fund.

It's going in to pay for the whatever that 30 percent resolves and becomes, that's going to pay that back.

Okay, well, here's why the students buy it.

As well as some of the fundraising that we've already got play in place.

Well, that I guess that was my next question is sponsorships are not but the fundraising effort, such as what you have mentioned, they that's still in addition to the things that we're we have already got thought of as far as selling bricks and selling spots within in the state.

That's still a hundred percent city.

Yeah, that's it.

Okay.

So the ones that we have already identified.

I mean, you know, that's right.

They may have new things that again.

But the intent is that sponsorship is gonna go or that revenue will go to the 501c3 to maintain and add those things that we're trying to enhance the product.

Mayor clarify that sponsorship.

Sponsorships, the city gets the sponsorship.

Yeah, we we we identified some places where you can sell up, you know, like we get a hundred percent of the sponsorship.

We about thirty percent.

But if they have a sponsorship for an event, they get a hundred percent.

So if Encore Sanger has a corporate sponsorship from corporate sponsorship from Pepsi or Mississippi Power, will own 100 percent of the sponsorship that we get.

And put those funds belong to the 501c3 that we can put back into the Sanger for equipment like lights and sound and upgraded systems like that.

All right.

So let me if can I ask a question?

Yeah, absolutely.

So what I understood you to say, if you get a sponsorship, you get 100 percent of it, but you can take part of that money and put it back into some of the maintenance or upgrades.

How do we how do we identify that?

Who who controls the discretionary uh decision on that, or is there something that triggers part of that has to go toward maintenance or improvements?

So for the corporate sponsorship, I don't think we have anything corporate sponsorship in our bylaws, but as a nonprofit, anything that we're making, we're putting back into our organization or the building as an extension of our organization.

And per our bylaws, of course the nonprofit is established if hopefully not in my lifetime, but if God forbid anything ever happens and we have to do away with our nonprofit, any equipment that we purchase through those corporate sponsorships will revert to federal or city.

I get you.

So I tuned in on what you said.

So the money, the funds that you collect for the sponsorship will either go to the organization or it goes back into the Sanger.

Can we put some kind of minimum of that sponsorship that's at least a minimum is required to go back into the Sanger so it doesn't all go into the organization?

And I I can only assume the organization might be vehicles that you use or uh equipment, computers, galleries, licenses that you use to operate.

Correct.

So what I'm trying to avoid is that none of it gets into back into the Sanger, and there should be something that triggers a pr at least a minimum percent.

Uh like for instance on the on the stadium, we are required to put so much, it's a fun item out, but it was so much into the annual maintenance of that facility.

So I'm just wondering if we need to kind of massage this a little bit so we ensure our best interest are taken care of.

Let me say this.

I think the intent of 501c3 in in generating, say one item we talked about is is the a video wall, right?

So, you know, if if we it was in effect to say this is uh if we in a fundraising mode, we might add a $200,000 video wall that you rent, you know, rentable that can be uh a money-making project, right?

On that side.

But that's the intent of the improvements in the sponsorships to enhance the production cape capacities.

My my understanding, first off, this is a hundred-year-old building.

Our goal is that it's never not being in a state of restoration.

There's stuff that will be talking about.

Sponsorships as we are looking at for like she said, for example, for an example, a corporation comes in and says we're gonna give you 200,000 to buy new curtains.

That 100% of that $200 has to buy those new curtains.

Um and like she said, and end of the day, if something ever happens and we decide to part ways, that equipment stays at the Sanger.

It also goes back to the three dollar ticket fee that we're gonna add on everybody that comes in.

That is a restoration fee that is common in every old theater.

The bar revaj theater charges you a three dollar restoration fee for their theater.

That is money that we will set aside an account that we will all have some discretion over, I do believe or oh, we need to fix this.

Or the for example, like you know, the dressing rooms on on one of the side needs some work, so this money will go towards that.

That'll be something we'll all discuss.

And just correct.

Who's who's responsible for the the ticketing services as far as like when we bring in like with a show that we have uh put together, or if it's something that we have on course hanger, uh we will be responsible for no no, I guess rental where I I'm uh I guess what I'm trying to say is the ticket master side of it, or the the actual printed ticket and what system are you gonna use yet?

If the company based out as we're using all T pay or tickets, they do not charge us.

The city, if we sell a $20 ticket, we receive one dollars, they charge the end user a fee for their services or profits.

Now will you have point of sale as well, or just all online?

We will print our tickets that you come and scan up every so the cost of that material to print the tickets and everything that comes out of your 70 percent.

Yes.

Okay.

Yeah.

All right, and I guess last but not least for for my discussion would be uh after all of this is said and done there will be an annual audit on the monthly reports.

Uh we will get monthly reports.

Perfect.

Thank you.

Dependent upon the volume revenue brought in.

If you're gonna speak, sir, you need to come speaking to the mic.

That's okay.

That's okay.

Depending upon the pressure revenue, it may be a state required.

Gotcha.

Or review different levels of service.

And that would be if it's if it's required by the state, it's paid for by generally we audit.

So I got I just don't want I'm trying to answer the questions that that I know to ask without um I wasn't here with the the prior establishment, so I'm trying to make sure we wey definition of the good deal is when you guys are happy and we're happy.

So that's what we're trying to find.

All right, thank you, Mr.

Crew and Mr.

Marshall.

Uh so we're let's say that you guys did a name in right to the uh to the thing at theater.

You name it the grand thing of theater.

Uh you guys sold it.

That's it.

You guys get a hundred percent?

Now let me say this about that.

We've got some ideas on we've already talked to people about that.

So and that would kind of these are other things as far as corporate sponsors.

There's some things that the friends of the Sanger that will around we've been addressing some things, but it's not a ton of money at this point in time.

They're gonna bring some things uh selling bricks or selling spots in inside the lobby.

Those are things that we've already identified, which will you know if we decide to pull that trigger.

But if it's not a we control the naming, we are gonna control the naming rights.

We're not gonna wake up one morning.

Like the the uh uh Keys of Federal at the ballpark is what we were thinking about.

But but the city of Biloxi will have the authorization to approve the naming rights.

And that would go to to uh whatever revenue receive is gonna go up to offset that $361,000 that we borrowed from the uh economic development fund.

Not not going to the general funds going to anything that this revenue generated, going back to pay that $360,000 to uh the economic development fund.

Mr.

Marshall, I'm sorry, you had the floor.

I didn't mean to step on that.

I still not answer the the question.

So whenever they when you guys sell a sponsorship, let's say you saw a sponsorship and it it bought in ten thousand dollars.

You take that and put that into your nonprofit?

Yes.

Okay.

Who controls the uh who's on the board of your nonprofit?

Who's who's to say that we don't have anybody on our from our staff on your board?

So we can't say whether or not you got the paying yourselves the government amount.

And we have no control over what you do with your revenues.

And it's the city's money.

Someone received the compensation, right?

We don't know what your expenses are.

We have no way we have no way of voting.

We have no way of voting.

We have accountants.

And we will be worth it at any point.

That's not what I'm asking.

The 501c3 is getting it, whatever that thing records as far as revenues gonna go to offset uh the expansion and capacity and also restoration.

I I don't understand.

Like basically, sir, there are 501c3s where when you look at the uh when you go down and look at it, you got the CEO, the president.

By the time you get through it, they don't add the salaries and the expenses and ate up all the money.

There's no money left over.

So what I'm asking you, what is what are how what are the checks and balances?

That's all.

We're not accused you of anything.

I'm just want to know.

I mean, like role it's non profit pick.

We're not rolling.

I try to operate.

We are all not doing this for money.

We're doing it for above.

Any dollar we get is going to ask have no means of personal gain on what pain from our salaries or wages are related to that.

So there are no salaries.

No wages.

Wait a minute.

She jumped up on the salary part.

There are bylaws.

Employees of Encore Sanger cannot be on the board of directors.

Cannot set salaries.

So will there be salaries then?

No one on the board of directors will be receiving salary compensation for that.

That's not what I ask you.

Will there be employees with salaries?

It is possible that there might be to hire someone to run tickets or concessions.

Are you willing to establish something?

Is there a way we can establish some type of a board where someone that represents the city can sit on that board also?

We can talk about it.

We'd be happy to be happy to talk.

Okay.

I would I would be very uncomfortable.

I'm not saying that if we had done this when we did the ballpark deal, I think things would have been go a lot bit go a little bit different.

And that's the exact why we we're in this the situation.

Exactly why we we've addressed this group and and some of the mistakes that have been made in the past, we're not making with this.

And as far as you know, uh this exact situation, it it may not be 100%, you know, we may have not anticipated everything, but I can tell you I'm very comfortable with moving forward with the agreement uh that's here because that it's in the best interest of our city and our citizens and the restoration that we've already invested.

So the answer here, the answer was with uh as far as your board, we can get us uh a voice for this uh my my citizens would like to have a voice in there.

Is this their money?

It is this uh I'm quite sure that if you use the city.

I think that's what Matt said.

We definitely can talk about that.

Um the board of directors for representative of the city, that's something that we're absolutely willing to discuss amending the our bylaws to board.

That would make me very that would help out a lot if we had that.

I would feel like if something's coming up and it may not be of the best interest of the city, they they will speak up.

And that's uh, you know, um let me let me say one thing in addition to give you another comfort level.

You know, that this is this is cancelable in 90 days.

If there's something uncomfortable that happens, we know they're gonna invest, we're gonna invest together, and if there's something some impasse, we got you know, I think we're in an agreement that you know the contract says it's we can fire each other, is what you're saying.

We have that trigger uh that's pretty easy.

Like I also say nothing beats the understanding, and second thing is nice to have a voice of person in the room.

So I think that we need a person in that room.

Uh we can work that out now, we can put this on the table and do a workshop.

No, no, no, we're not really no workshops.

I I think this is this is on the this is which is a parent as transparent as you could possibly get with with the the people that are uh invested in love and beluxe.

I you know uh I don't know what more can we have everybody in the room to explain anything that you might have right now.

Okay, so the question is what what will be the rule?

That we have uh member uh our city representative on the board.

5013.

So at our at our next meeting of the boards, all get an invite and right up as far as amendments of as a reminder since we are a nonprofit and no one on the board is one of you will have um but we'll be happy to have you.

We're not getting paid much anyway.

But the uh I guess the man would be that you know conditional based on the on the condition that that we have a voice on that board.

All right, let's continue discussion, Mr.

Dale.

I got a simple question.

How much is your rent for?

And who's lined up?

Let's do it.

Make some money.

We currently have seven.

Um we have seven local companies who have offered to do productions at the Sanger Theater.

How much is it rent for?

So that is negotiable currently because obviously we want to make sure that we're taking care of our local company and for that they can.

Um the current market rate is between 20 and 25 percent of ticket sales, or for a flat fee.

Um between five and ten thousand, but that's all gonna be.

That's for one night?

Depending on the size of the event and the uh the corporation type of event.

All right, that's it.

Right.

It's uh let me go and I need to recognize Tisdale, come back to you, then Jamie.

Shoemaker, you're all ready?

You all right if I come back to you last?

All right, I got a couple of questions.

I I don't want to forget some of this stuff.

Um I know we talked about the 70, 30 percent split.

Um is your 70 percent different from the sponsorships as far as it restricted, or does it all commingle and go into the same account?

In other words, 70 percent of that's that's easy.

Right.

So we know what our split is.

We get our 30, you get to your 70.

Sponsorships are different.

Does all of that money get commingled, or does it go into designated accounts separately as that it's gonna be used for something specifically?

Do you understand what I said?

I do.

Okay.

So with the corporate sponsorship as well as the the 70 percent profit that we are making, all of that is going to go into our ongoing efforts to continue to restore the Sanger and to improve the Sanger with equipment and other necessities.

Um I at this point in time, I believe there is a plan to separate some of that money just so that we have um like Rafe mentioned, we have a designated Sanger restoration for things specifically for thing, but at this point in time, um there isn't one.

That's not true.

So where does the money go for purchasing supplies, paying the uh hourly staff?

You said somebody run the ticket booth or clean it or whatever.

Where where do where does that money come from?

Yes, so all of that is considered operational money for the 501c3.

Yes.

That would all be included with either the um with our 70 percent.

Okay.

All right.

Um the insurance, additional named insured versus additional insured, those are two different things.

You all got an attorney on the board or you're you know what I understand that it's we're additional insured and not additional named insured.

Has that been vetted, discussed?

So I've reached out to multiple carriers.

I was trying to have a policy for today, just regardless of that.

I understand.

There's a difference though in additional named insured and additional insured.

So basically, anybody that rents have an additional C plus if I get the CIDs.

We have to have a general totally separate but is your policy additional named insured, or is it additional because it says additional insured in the contract here?

There they are two different things.

They mean two to risk the building.

That's how it's gonna going to be.

So you're the additional named.

I I'd accounting about the question you have.

All right, that's okay.

I'd I'd revisit that because I read it differently, you know, in here.

Yes, sir.

Are you gonna answer a follow-up?

Okay.

Right.

Financial.

Okay.

I could switch gears.

Go ahead.

Well, just uh the I think you were talking about the setting of the fund.

The one thing I did want to add non-profit also do have restricted owner restricted fund.

Well, so given funds.

For the curtains, it would go into an account for the curtains specifically.

Yeah.

I get that.

Okay, no problem.

I got one last one.

I get on to my colleagues that has some questions.

Uh buyouts.

So food buyout.

So at the Coliseum, you can do a food buyout, you can bring your own food in.

Do y'all plan to have that trigger or that mechanism?

No.

There's no food buyouts, all concessions would have to be bought in.

Same thing with liquor.

The Coliseum has a liquor buyout, corkage fee, if you want to call it, or there's a a fee for they'll provide all the liquor and they'll tally it up at the end of the night and send the uh uh the event planner or whatever, uh a bill.

I don't think we've got that.

Currently, with the current scope of the events that we're planning on hosting, we are going to own 100 percent of luxe wall and 100 percent of sessions sold.

However, in the future, to expand to accommodate things like if someone wants to have a wedding at the Sanger and they need to bring in catering and things like that, we'll revisit that at that time.

Okay.

And then one last question on you referenced the uh fee, the restoration fee.

That's restricted for only improvements, maintenance related items, so that would be a restricted for that.

Could not be used for hourly employees, equipment.

Correct.

Anything it's it's it's in the brick and mortar of the facility.

Okay.

I listen, I mean, these are questions.

We're seeing some of this for the first time.

I would recommend that you would also, when you know y'all probably putting some of these together, but what a contract looks like, and I know the contract can be different based on size, uh uh amenities, audio visual, all that kind of stuff that they're asking for, but some of us up here, and uh and I'll I'll be like a sponge for that stuff.

Uh I I'd love to see what it looks like.

That's all I have.

Who who needs to go next?

Tisdale.

Yeah.

A couple of questions.

Um, did we put out a request for proposals or request for qualifications, request for proposals?

And we actually selected another company uh two years ago, three years ago.

And it's uh venture uh anyway, bottom line.

All of the all of the responses were us hire somebody for a hundred thousand having a stay up or having uh uh office space and and it if it was not in in the uh I guess in the in the cook in the pictures to uh move forward with that commitment to uh yeah uh to generate I guess the the needed uh revenues that we have to do.

Sure, but that's so that that our that RFP No no, uh I understand it's a service, but I'm I'm thinking you had to gauge the interest so you put something out there.

That being the case, uh how many how many folks were spoken or groups were spoken with?

Three.

Okay, and why is this group the best of the three?

Because this is that again, all of them you know, it requires us to pay a salary for two people or a person uh to move forward with this, and then we would have a bigger end of the of the 30 percent.

But it uh it you know required putting two million dollars into things they could you know to move forward with.

This was the again about a year ago was the last uh folks we talked, but uh you know the uh this presented I think a unique uh professional way to handle this in a more local and uh uh sensitive our specific market.

That was the evaluation that we I have to ask this question because earlier you you said this was a number of months ago.

You said that you you would raise the money or get donations for some of the improvements.

I'm I'm assuming you're still up to the task.

No question.

I mean, we were in the middle of a lot of that until we came back with these ideas and brought to light.

Uh again, I you know I've always said that uh we could raise a half a million easily, I think, uh together, or but you know, again, my goal in life was to you know to pay that $360,000 that we've already put into the interior.

And then run with it as fast as we can.

We've got the bill that you answer me.

I think it's further along than y'all thought that we would be and we did that pretty much in-house and and as we thought.

So uh this this was uh I think unique uh kind of things to come together, and we all be rocking and rolling, you know, in a few months.

All right.

So my my choice of words, not yours, but basically we have a a roughed, a rough venue, if you will, that needs some finishing in order to bring in uh bigger acts, if you will.

A little bit of furnishing like that.

Okay.

So uh that's like a little bit of light cosmetic surgery, right?

Okay.

That that being that being said, um, because there's a a deadline that we're bumping into here, which is June 30th, right?

June 1st, excuse me.

We have to have an event there per the one of the terms of the AS money extension, but we could have.

I mean, I don't think we dropped the edge, but there's some things you've already.

So basically, this this nonprofit understands that there's a rough product out there, and based on the acts that they can bring in, they can help finish that project.

Correct.

We can get the doors open, we can start having events there, and eventually some of these other features that you would like to see that wouldn't that I'm sure they would like to see would be to make it a first class venue.

You had mentioned an AV wall and a few other things, sound system and all of that.

Absolutely, just like what happened the other night.

Some of those things that the person that we may come in to do the production will rent it.

I think uh Neptune and Gulf Coast Co uh uh spent about $20,000 on that video wall that we could be renting to somebody, right?

So that's a component within this you know, this theater that would be outstanding.

So but that's all part of the long-term capital in in the ball game to to make it like no other.

So it it is like I said, in our opinion, this is the best deal for uh for our citizens and for our our sanger.

Thank you.

That's all I have.

All right.

Whenever y'all sell tickets, y'all gonna have a three dollar maintenance, right?

Y'all gonna charge three dollars for for maintenance.

But if the city is paying all the maintenance, where's that money gonna go?

Restoration, restoration, not maintenance.

Now, if it's AV or some of the things that part of the paint uh fails or roof fails, that's on our ball game.

This is my only concern is it's gonna be a 70-30.

We pay all the utilities, all the insurance, we pay everything.

Is that I mean that 30 percent, it's is they're gonna cover it all.

That's I know we're not we we like to have money coming in, but I mean we don't need to lose money, so thirty percent, and we're paying all the bills, doing all the maintenance, one AC units, five, six hundred thousand dollars.

So I'm I'm just trying to figure out how that thirty percent is going to be enough.

I would be more comfortable maybe at a sixty-third sixty forty, you know.

But I mean, w we got the maintenance.

I mean, we're gonna be another put money in a place.

Well, uh you know, at least maybe for uh a few years.

Let me say this.

You you heard some of the some of the prices.

Uh you know, if you if you're looking at a ten thousand dollar event, okay.

Unlike uh our ballpark, okay.

So this is specifically uh it's our opinion that these these events at the prices it may be a uh a $20,000 event, right?

Within especially if we address some of the things.

So that th that volume we can make it up in in in in the volume.

So I I have no concern about just the uh the maintenance that would what would things that would break down.

Uh because it's all brand new, except for the seats and and uh councilman.

Also, if if we find that this is not a good deal, we can give 30 days notice.

That hey, this isn't working.

I'm sorry, 90 days.

And they can do the same thing, actually, they can say, hey, this isn't working out, we're giving you 90 days.

So it it it kind of triggers, you know, uh, you know, that relationship between both of us that this is a mutual relationship.

I'm sorry.

Yeah, but that's a different scope of things.

This production, the these things that they would be on, different scope, and yeah, you know you look at some of the buy some of the the dollars and some of the shows that hit the Coliseum, and uh even uh but bottom line, it's it's a little different ball game now.

Yeah, so it's three years.

We are getting sort of a diamond in the rough.

This three years gives us a chance to raise funds to do all these things to make it a state of the art venue.

And uh that's why I believe we've chosen that three.

Exactly.

Um so at the end of three years, we'll renegotiate.

That's what we're that's why that's it.

The city's not stuck with this for a hundred years.

I've seen that happen to the thing, renegotiate that based upon what we've been able to get done.

For bringing in those big acts, which we hope to be able to do within three years, we'll be in a better place to renegotiate some of these questions.

Mr.

Gray, you still have the floor.

So so if y'all put in a $200,000 screen and it goes out, who pays for that?

Since the city under warranty.

Yeah.

Well, I mean, and maybe two years, three years, we never know.

I mean, and that's that's I mean, if we're paying the maintenance.

And the repairs.

So that wouldn't be, you know.

You need to step up to the mic, sir.

The city is only responsible for maintaining the bill.

Plumbing a pipe breaks or something like that.

But other anything that's not attached to the building.

Once it's there if it breaks, they're responsible for it.

Y'all take them full responsibility.

Once we sign the contract, it belongs to y'all.

Other than there's a crack in the wall, or not or something that might be a public sewer.

I mean water sewer.

Yeah, but we assume all every everything.

Um something else you were saying, I get the 60 40.

I mean the 70-30.

40 sounds better.

Basically, we're on a 60 deal right now, net.

It's the exact same athletical come out.

But what you don't have to do is assume so if we host the a dollar event, a thousand dollars.

You book a show, you book a show.

If we lose money on it, whatever the ticket sales are, regardless of what we paid for it as the nonprofit, the city profits.

And you still make that so Mr.

Shoemaker.

Um a lot of the questions I had have been answered, and apologize.

I'm gonna ask some questions, and some may have already been asked.

I was trying to take notes.

But 70 percent, and I know you just mentioned that is all for the building.

Uh or where the city, excuse me, the city is responsible for the building.

And I'm gonna bring up something uh okay.

Just say chairs.

I won't say carpet, let's just say chairs.

What if something happens to the chairs?

We have to replace chairs.

Is that on the city, or is that on Core Sanger?

It's inside the building, it's not part of the building.

Is that in a contract though, or is that just something we're gonna and I guess my point is unless it's I would say we we repaired what we had as far as that now if they decide to upgrade all the chairs, you know, that's not on us.

You know, if they were replacing if they decided to add additional chairs or something, or we actually uh put a uh an additional VIP or additional functionality.

If they wanted to put some movable chairs or something, that would be on them.

But the things that are already on the in the building now, and that's the only thing that I could see they could go wrong is it somebody would tear up a chair or something like that.

There would be insurance and so forth, somebody didn't damage those chairs.

But yeah, that's only other than the air conditioning and the lighting or the electrical, you know, we've already upgraded as much as we could.

Uh the uh the plumbing and uh uh the stairways and stuff like that.

Yeah, something that would actually break right here.

Right, I'm just worried because I see what we're living with with shuckers, and this is a smaller scale, but I don't uh we can't do that again.

We can't have a repeat of the Shucker Stadium.

I I mean, so I just think there's a lot of questions that need to be asked, and I don't I mean, maybe we get the answers, maybe we don't.

And I'm really quite frankly, I'm not still sure about the stage or the chairs.

I know if if I I really don't know.

I don't know, I know what you just said, but and that may be small compared to the scheme of the whole Sanger, but things add up.

And I mean the stage, for instance.

We've re remodeled the Sanger.

If something happens to the stage, the first event we have, who pays for that?

Is that the city or is that Encore Sanger?

If currently with the state that the singer is in, anything that is currently in there, attached to the building stage.

If we went in there, turned the singer us tomorrow and destroy the stage, you guys would rightfully be pissed because the stage is part of the building.

And so the same so the Sanger as the building and part of the building stage, you guys would be responsible for it.

Anything that we're bringing in, lights, sound, equipment, anything like that is on us.

We're purchasing it, we're maintaining the equipment, we're running the events, then you guys have the building as it stands currently right now.

Okay.

That does answer that a lot better.

I appreciate that.

Thank you.

Well, what the problem is how long we got the rental fees that will be determined by Encore Sanger?

That is correct.

And the city will have no say in any of the fees.

No.

That I'm aware of, no.

Okay.

And just curious, and this may have been asked, the 30-70%.

What how are those numbers derived?

Okay, well, let me see if I'm gonna run through the scenario.

Because if say you'll decide to book an event yourself, it's gonna cost you 100,000 and you can determine a ticket price.

That's the revenue you'll be generating against all hundred thousand dollars to do the production.

We get 30 percent of that ticket price, even though the you might lose money on the event.

That is that right?

But if you make money, we don't we don't care how much money you make.

But whatever you sell those tickets, we're gonna get 30 percent of that revenue.

Which we you know, we don't in another number of cases.

No, I was asking how how how was the the 30, 70, how was that number derived?

Who I mean it could determine.

We couldn't.

I wanted 33 percent.

That's how I depend on.

So we wrote it down to the Okay, so it was just the negotiation between the city and and I really wanted 40, but you know, we work 30, 30 percent after talking.

Um kind of joking.

No, it it it if we determine I think that number works as far as things that we've in the past we've tried to do there with recitals and and uh low dollar, low volume kinds of stuff, but we're talking about you know uh five times the uh opportunity, I think as far as rental revenue, don't you think?

Yeah.

Okay, and I only have two more things.

Um I'm thank you.

I appreciate it.

It's mainly, I guess, for the administration and just one comment.

Um and I know Mr.

Gammons mentioned it earlier in comments and some other people have uh I know quite a few other people don't understand, but I I'll just to clarify for anybody that the city signed, I think we got some money, some some bond money or or um archives in history.

Okay, and it's the archives in history, they're the ones that have said we must have a third party manager.

Right, we must have a third-party company to manage the Sanger.

That's why we're not doing it or hadn't even thought about doing it because we we don't have a choice in that.

Correct.

Okay.

And lastly, in mayor the police and fire.

I know they've worked at the Sanger Theater for years and years and years.

Is that still will that change or will they still be able to work those events?

Well, I'm sure there'd be an option.

I'm not who who's the fireman and who what uh secure and ask.

In the past, the client pays for it.

Whoever's renting it.

But but the city's always for any city building, we've I mean, if it's always been required of uh if we hired our police, the client, yeah.

If we hired our Chief D back, yes, sir.

Like any city building, there's still uh the client will call it has to pay through uh that's where they pay like for weddings and stuff, not city overtime or nothing like that.

So I'm sure it would be handled the same way.

Okay, thank you, Chief.

So that is, it will be handled the same way.

Mayor?

Yeah, but we'll be handled the same way.

So I thought it's totally true, but you know it's kind of anyway.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, good.

I'd like to be clear.

I'd like to be clear on that too.

I don't want I will I guess I want to make sure that our officers are protected, our fire staff are protected and their security.

We need them.

So we don't want to look up and see if it's a security company, you guys just like at a wedding at the Civic Center, you had to be a good thing.

Just like renting any city building.

So talking about protection and stuff.

They get entered.

Um it's covered through yes, uh workman's common and so forth.

Uh they're paid through workmen's paid through ETS.

The client pays plus a fee.

We don't pay anything for it.

Um usually it's like alcohol, things like that involved.

Uh, but I'm sure it's something that managing company will work out, the deacon.

The question is, is it clear anywhere in writing that they know that they cannot hire their own security and leave our police officers out?

That's all I don't think.

Oh, I'm yeah, we're we're supporting ordinance that are required to hire police officers, and not so there's an ordinance somewhere the cover that protects our officers.

Officers and uh fire.

Okay.

Okay.

And Chief, just for the record, we were looking out for the police and fire.

We weren't just debating the overtime issue.

We were just looking out for them.

We need to make sure, yeah, our people gotta be taken care of.

That's all I have, thank you.

All right, Mr.

Quirk.

So uh one last thing, and uh I I think I I hear this horse crying in the back, we're beating him to death.

But uh the only thing is looking at this contract, is it perfect?

No.

If if if we we could beat it up at every every line item and and change this, that and would it ever be perfect?

No.

But I think this is a definite start.

I think this is a um uh a mechanism that we can use to go that extra step and and get where we need to be to satisfy uh the the state and um clients going forward.

One thing I heard today that that um I'd like to hear is they've already lined up seven seven events possible to to go um so far.

So the the best part about that is they've taken the initiative to even go that step without even having a contract.

Um that right there speaks volumes and shows the passion that they have for the venue and the willingness to uh to to fill to fill the venue.

Uh and and that speaks volumes for you guys for working on it when you you're not even getting paid and don't have a contract yet.

Uh and lastly, and more importantly, is we can't go into this looking to get out of it.

We have to go into it just as these guys have and and young lady, just as they have.

They've gone into it with both feet forward.

They've already contacted up to seven people.

They're they're vested in it.

We as a city, I understand our our guards up due to the monstrosity over at at the park.

However, once bitten twice shy, and that's why we went through this exercise today asking these questions.

I appreciate your candidness and I appreciate your willingness to come up and answer the questions as you best your knowledge.

Um but we can't go into it looking to get out of it.

We have to go into it just as these guys have, and and we have to support each other and just have that level of trust to know these guys are from Biloxi.

They're they're they're Biloxi through and through as well.

Um they're not in it to make us look bad.

Uh it's in their best interest for it to succeed.

So um I can we look at this later and try and change it.

The best part about it is that three years we have the uh exercise of going for three more years and one year increments.

So if we want to look at it in that after three years and go into that fourth year and try to change something, hey, uh you know that's why we all sit at the table.

I appreciate the administration.

That's why I didn't say quite because I saw you talking.

But the thing I think you said commitment.

And that's that's what we have in the in this in this deal, a commitment to make this work.

And I was gonna say uh we talked about it, we kicked it out.

Is it not unreasonable to expect 40 billion 40 events a year once we get rolling?

Have you heard that?

No, and and like I said, so just to further your point, I we can't go into it looking to get out of it.

We have to go into it and and support these people.

So and I do I'm I'm grateful for their commitment to this project and then see the the value of what we have here and what it what it can be.

So uh I I'm not certain like I said I'm I don't really think about something else.

Um I'm ready to rock and roll today.

Okay.

All right.

Any other comments?

I just want to make sure that we uh Mr.

Marshall.

If any we any motion would be with the um contingency that we be placed upon a have a member a voice on the board.

That's all.

Okay.

Any other comments?

Any other comments?

Call for the question.

Well, this was just a consent item.

Uh uh, uh the only other question we had is on item M.

Uh just a quick question is why why are we excluding Govort?

Is Gov Port not wanting to be uh a member?

Because I know item N is is a correct answer to that.

A little bit.

I've been involved with this uh uh a little bit with this event with the Mississippi Hotel Lodging Association and uh some other entities correct me if I'm wrong, Rachel.

We we put this together uh because we were gonna do it as a joint effort with Guffort and Guffort ended up doing their resolution separately.

Uh so it required us to rescind uh the original one and and kind of break it out as an individual with Biloxi, but when you take both of them, uh we're basically doing it together.

We're just not doing a a joint resolution with the this but this is still joining includes Harrison County, correct?

Never included Harrison.

No, it's just City of Gulfport.

Okay.

And Gulf Court they adopted was that left us with agreement we couldn't get signed.

Right.

So we're resending old one and doing the same agreement that Gulf Court has agreed to.

Perfect.

Thank you.

That's all I have, thank you.

All right.

Mr.

Tisdale.

A related question, just on on that event um with unity, that will require a special events application.

Is that correct?

I'm assuming I was just wondering if they had started that process yet.

Probably not, but Rachel.

I'm sorry.

The the question is, has Unity started the special events process.

That's they probably hadn't because it we're so far out, but that there is a process.

Yeah, but once it's a city sponsored event, it's a different process that doesn't require that.

Good deal.

Thank you.

Thank you, Chief.

Good job for a new guy.

Thank you.

Is that it?

Pause that it's all right.

Thank you.

Any other comments on the consent, Mr.

Gray?

Mr.

Marshall?

I'm good.

Mr.

Nale.

I'm good.

Mr.

Schumacher.

I have none.

So I'll ask for the vote on the consent and followed by uh any uh dissensions or exceptions.

All in favor of the consent.

All opposed.

Motion carries.

Class for exceptions, Mr.

Gray.

Mr.

Marshall.

Uh just the uh the contingent for that uh for the membership on the board.

Okay.

Uh let it be uh recognized Mr.

Marshall is noting that he would like uh as we go forward and put the board together that he wants representation from uh Biloxi.

Is that accurate?

Yes.

Okay.

Mr.

Nale?

Good.

Mr.

Crewe?

None.

Mr.

Tisdale.

Nothing, thank you.

Mr.

Schumacher and I have done.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Move on a code enforcement hearings.

Item A on the agenda, Ryan S and Melissa M.

Morgan, 10529 Shorecrest Road.

That case has been resolved.

Item B, Bethany Michelle Fairchild, 176 Summer Place, that case has been resolved.

Item C 4B's development LLC, 2033 Southern Avenue, that case has been resolved.

Item D, Aldrey Griffiths, 225 Baptist Alley, that case has been resolved.

Item E, High Thine Tran, 289 Third Street.

They are working on it.

We would ask for another extension.

All right.

Chair I retain a motion for 30 days.

Yes, I I've wrote by there.

They're doing a lot of work on that house.

And uh I I'll make a motion for 30 days.

Second.

Thank you, Mr.

Gray.

Seconded by Mr.

Tisdale.

Any discussion, Mr.

Gray?

None.

All right.

Mr.

Tisdale?

Nothing.

All in favor?

Those opposed?

Motion carries.

I do have something to address on the routine agenda as well when you let me close code enforcement.

We'll go to routine.

Do I have a uh motion on the routine?

So moved.

Second.

Moved by Mr.

Cruz, seconded by Mr.

Tisdale.

Okay.

Mr.

A Bind and I talked about this before he had to leave.

On item A, which involves Biloxi Capital LLC, we would like to ask that the council table that what it is, is it the contractor that was doing the work in that area?

Put the debris on that property without the owner's permission.

And so we're working uh on a means to have it removed, whether it's uh having the contract remove it or having public works remove it and then charging the case to uh pay for it.

So Mr.

Creel, you have the floor.

Um do I'll make that motion now or I'd like to make a motion to table item A.

I'll tell you what, let's just remove uh well in that case if we're gonna remove, I would like to uh we're removing something, I would like to get to something uh uh an additional item to be removed.

Well let's vote on removing A and then we'll move on to further.

All right, I'd make the motion and remove A from the routine agenda.

All right, is there a second second second by Mr.

Gray?

Any discussion on item A?

Mr.

Mr.

Tisdale based on just have a question again.

This is what under what section is that?

One two It's under the uh routine.

Right I know it's on the routine agenda.

Is it under section?

Oh, okay, I got you.

That's all I just wanted to locate that.

All right, thank you.

Thank you.

All right, Mr.

Gray, anything?

No.

All right.

Uh call for the question.

All in favor of removing A.

Those opposed, motion carries 6-0.

All right.

All right.

So um first of all, if you could put on record, I'm staying from Curry Johnson um charges.

Also, um if we could go down, if well, you can go down, but looking at the uh there's two invoices on this routine agenda uh from uh Mr.

Hurd, uh one for January and invoice for January that didn't meet the January's docket, and then there's another one for February.

I'd like to move um uh uh table uh voucher number 351627, which is his invoice for February.

Back when we approved his contract, we had asked for a report to be given to the council based on his uh actions and what he's working on.

We received one for January that was distributed to the council.

I have yet to receive anything for February.

Um also going forward.

Um there's uh uh several other reasons.

I mean the appeal from FEMA uh from what I understand that he was working on had a 90-day deadline, and from what I understand the timeline on that was mid-January, and we're in the end of February with uh no update.

Uh Councilman Glavin, you mentioned yet again today uh and several other meetings about how you need sidewalks, Councilman Gray meet uh made reference to sidewalks in his uh dissertation earlier today.

I see where uh a neighboring city just got 1.14 million in a grant from MDOT.

Uh and I just with this gentleman's um uh relationships with MDOT, uh it either A, he's not tuning into our meetings, or or B, he's not accessible at our meetings for us to talk to him about these grants that we're missing out on.

This is the second one.

D'Arville got 7.9 million, if you remember, with the SS4A money, which is again for street lights and sidewalks.

So now we're looking at close to 10 million dollars that a neighboring city's gotten that we have uh no one working on our behalf, or at least no one to ask on our behalf.

So until we can either a have him uh via um phone call or in person to ask questions or some kind of feedback on what he's working on uh in the month of February.

I'd ask you guys to support and hold on to his um his his invoice for the month of February until we receive that information.

I'll second that if it's let me let me let me get my second little bit.

Just a minute, mayor.

Seconded by Mr.

Tis now we're open for additional discussion.

Yeah, as far as grants and some of those things they're working on.

I you know, I think I reported in in the last workshop regarding a 10 million dollar word grant that that's coming, as well as increasing that to 15 million dollars.

So that was one event, but also a number of the police departments.

These are some of the things that we're working on right now if on the DC level.

And uh MDOT 2 is uh uh has some things on the radar that we'll be able to report on, I think an update.

But we did uh talk a little bit about the 10 million dollar grant when we started talking about the projects, the word of projects for uh uh doing the bond and some of the matching points out.

There's a number of things that uh as a matter of fact, uh in DC is taking place uh this week.

Right.

So I I got a question.

Does anybody know if the IV has any Worta grants?

They got about uh nine nine million, I believe, so far this year.

Nine million.

Okay.

Uh we were expecting 15 million.

Okay.

They've gotten up to 90 in the last eight years.

Okay.

Just asking the question.

Yeah.

Any other discussion?

Uh Jamie.

Uh no, that's it.

If uh I don't know if we that's uh anybody has to be.

Do you have any no?

Uh nothing else, thank you.

Nothing.

Any other councilmen have any discussion?

We're talking about the removal of the invoice for uh Mr.

Hurd.

Right.

And it just seems like we never get an invoice from him.

I think we asked several times.

And my can remind my colleagues, y'all voted for him.

All right.

Any other discussion, Mr.

Schumacher?

You have any?

Mr.

Nail?

All right.

All in favor?

No, wait, you have to do that.

Mr.

Tuesday does.

This is on for discussion, the herd invoice right now.

Was the motion to table it or remove it?

To not pay it.

I got it.

Okay, I was just curious.

All right.

Removing.

Okay, thank you.

It's to remove it from the docket to pay.

Gotcha.

Is that accurate?

All right.

It works.

Okay.

All in favor?

Those opposed.

Motion carries.

Five to one.

Nothing further.

All right.

Now we're back on uh we're back on the uh consent or I'm sorry, routine.

And uh do we have any other discussion on the routine itself?

No.

Any discussion on the routine itself?

Okay.

There being none, call for question.

All in favor of the routine as um, I guess amended.

Those opposed?

Motion carries.

Uh we would now uh entertain a motion to adjourn.

Go ahead and make that uh in memory of is it Rosemary Bailey.

Mr.

Rosemary Bailey.

Right.

All right, and I think we'll all second that.

All right.

That's all right.

All in favor?

Opposed.

We're adjourned.