OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Biloxi City Council Meeting – February 24, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, February 24, 2026
BodyBiloxi, Mississippi
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, February 24, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:49:59

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

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

0:07

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

0:13

So move.

0:14

Move by Mr.

0:15

Creel.

0:16

Thank you.

0:16

Seconded by Mr.

0:17

Gray.

0:18

Any discussion?

0:19

All in favor?

0:21

Those opposed.

0:22

Motion carries.

0:23

The clerk would read the revisions.

0:26

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

0:31

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

0:37

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

0:49

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.

0:59

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

1:05

I'll make a motion.

1:08

Second.

1:09

Second by Mr.

1:10

Creel.

1:10

Any discussion?

1:12

All in favor.

1:13

Those opposed.

1:14

Motion carries.

1:16

Mayor's report.

1:19

Thank you, Mr.

1:20

President.

1:21

Welcome everyone.

1:22

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

1:25

Ms.

1:25

Hunt's here, she's here.

1:27

Oh okay.

1:28

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

1:38

Oh yeah.

1:40

Got your bread.

1:42

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

1:48

He left.

1:56

They said it was a fascinating event.

1:59

Okay.

2:00

So this would be my comments.

2:02

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

2:07

Okay.

2:10

And thank you for writing on two back out.

2:14

Thank you, Ms.

2:15

Hunt.

2:15

Appreciate it.

2:18

I need to know how to please off.

2:28

Thank you.

2:28

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

2:33

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.

2:41

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.

2:48

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.

2:56

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.

3:12

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

3:17

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

3:19

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

3:21

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.

3:31

So it's pumping out some valuable data.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Arts And Culture█████████████████████21%
Procedural██████████████14%
Public Works███████████11%
Public Safety█████████9%
Parks and Recreation████████8%
Community Engagement████████8%
Public Engagement███████7%
Fiscal Sustainability███████7%
Code Enforcement█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Biloxi City Council Meeting – February 24, 2026

The Biloxi City Council met on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, to discuss a wide range of topics including the consent agenda, public comments, departmental reports, and a major discussion on the Encore Sanger Theater management contract. The meeting included votes on facility rental reductions, code enforcement cases, and routine agenda items.

Consent Calendar

  • The amended consent agenda was approved, which included the Encore Sanger Theater contract (with a contingency for city board representation), several facility rental agreements, and routine approvals.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jerry Gammons (132 Edgewater Dr) expressed strong support for a motel tax, adamantly opposed spending on non-essential items until the police department is fully funded, criticized the bond wish list, and advocated for city management of the Sanger Theater.
  • Lizzie Williams (575 [address]) complained about ongoing water quality issues and requested a schedule for infrastructure projects.
  • Samantha Hilner (2576 Sheridan Ct) described flooding and foundation issues at her home, sought assistance via a drainage fix or purchase, and noted her upcoming military move.
  • Janet Calanau (1745 Ridgway) spoke on behalf of Biloxi Youth Baseball, highlighting unresolved issues at AJ Holloway Sports Plex: non-working scoreboards and PA system for two years, and children being pushed aside for tournaments.
  • Another speaker praised quick responses from code enforcement and police but questioned why the Broadwater property remains unaddressed despite petitions.
  • Lotta Bernard Jalley announced a beach cleanup event on February 28 at the Lighthouse parking area.
  • Quentin Lyles (525 Mayor Golden Dr) urged the council to keep the farmers market at two days a week to support seniors and vendors.

Discussion Items

  • Encore Sanger Theater Contract: Extensive deliberation on the 70/30 revenue split, city responsibility for utilities and building maintenance, sponsorship revenue, restoration fee, board representation, and termination clauses. Councilman Marshall requested a city voice on the nonprofit board, which was agreed upon as a contingency. The contract passed on the consent agenda.
  • Traffic and Safety: Councilman Crew asked for a traffic study on Pop's Ferry due to new development (219 homes) and discussed e-bike regulations and food truck enforcement. Councilman Tisdale raised concerns about traffic dumping after Coliseum events and a gate at Pine Grove.
  • Senior Water Rate: Councilman Tisdale confirmed the new senior water rate effective April 1, 2026, with applications available; letters will be sent.
  • Broadwater Property: Councilman Shoemaker and a citizen called for action on code violations at the Broadwater property, noting it sends a negative message to tourists.
  • Code Enforcement: Councilman Creel discussed that code enforcement officers patrol every two weeks and respond to complaints. Councilman Neil requested action on Broadwater.
  • Infrastructure: Councilman Schumacher reported a bridge closure on Woolmarket Road for about a month.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda approved (6-1) with exception for Encore Sanger board representation contingency.
  • Resolution designating two live oak trees as majestic trees at 2471 West Shore Drive passed unanimously.
  • Facility rental reductions approved: First Missionary Baptist Church (6-1), United Way of South Mississippi (5-2), Mississippi Department of Employment Security (6-1), American Red Cross (unanimous for two items), Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence (unanimous).
  • Failed or tabled: Gulf Coast Running Club (no second), Coastal Family Health Center (no second), Mississippi Rural Water Association (tabled for one week to clarify fee language).
  • Code enforcement cases: 30-day extension granted for 289 Third Street (High Thine Tran).
  • Routine agenda: Removed item A (Biloxi Capital LLC) and removed February invoice for Mr. Hurd (5-1 vote) pending receipt of a required report.
  • Adjourned in memory of Rosemary Bailey.

Meeting Transcript

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.

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