OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Biloxi City Council Regular Meeting - March 4, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, March 4, 2026
BodyBiloxi, Mississippi
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, March 4, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:15:17

Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

I'd like to uh welcome everyone to uh March 3rd, uh our our meeting for the first um meeting in March.

0:11

If I could have everyone rise, and I'm gonna ask one of our state championship uh soccer players, Kobe Martino.

0:20

He's uh going into the seminary if he would come up uh to the front and he if he would do the prayer and Nick Garzer if you'd lead us in the pledge after he concludes the prayer that's a good sign.

0:40

Is it on?

0:42

In the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, come Holy Spirit.

0:47

Lord Jesus, thank you for this day.

0:49

Thank you for letting us all come together in this community.

0:52

Thank you for giving us the blessing of being able to play the sport.

0:56

Lord Jesus, I ask that everything we do today honors you and is in your will.

1:02

Lord Jesus, we give you all of our praise, and with all this, we'll say our Father, our Father, who weren't in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

1:13

As it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread.

1:22

Lead us not to temptation, but deliver us from evil.

1:28

All right, good job.

1:52

Thank you, Kirby.

1:53

Thank you, Nick.

1:56

Uh the chair entered attain a motion to suspend the rules.

2:00

So moved.

2:01

Moved by Mr.

2:01

Creel.

2:02

Second.

2:03

Seconded by Mr.

2:04

Tisdale.

2:05

Any discussion?

2:06

None.

2:07

All in favor.

2:08

Those opposed.

2:10

Clerk would read the revision.

2:11

To the consent agenda, we're adding 5M.

2:14

Resolution authorizing entry into temporary birth rental agreement with American cruise lines.

2:21

Okay.

2:21

Chair entertained a motion to approve the agenda as amended.

2:24

So moved.

2:25

Second.

2:26

Moved by Mr.

2:26

Creel.

2:27

Second it by Mr.

2:28

Tisdale.

2:29

Any discussion?

2:30

None.

2:30

All in favor.

2:32

Those opposed.

2:34

Motion carries.

2:37

Mayor's report.

2:38

Thank you, Mr.

2:38

President.

2:40

Welcome everyone.

2:41

I see some.

2:42

We got some champions in the house, and we got some sports coaches and friends and family.

2:46

So it's a great pleasure for me to welcome every one of you.

2:49

We're we're proud of what you've been accomplished.

2:52

And we're going to start with the ladies first.

2:54

The women, would you please come up?

2:55

I'm going to read a proclamation.

2:59

That's awesome.

3:10

I'm not going to go over here.

3:11

You get on both sides, right?

3:12

Okay.

3:19

Very good.

3:21

This proclamation on behalf of myself and city bo the city council this proclamation, whereas the St.

3:27

Patrick Catholic High School women's soccer team has earned the title of 2026 Class 1 Mississippi High School Activities Association State Champions for the fourth consecutive year.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████23%
Public Engagement█████████████13%
Public Works████████8%
Fiscal Sustainability███████7%
Public Safety███████7%
Community Engagement██████6%
Code Enforcement██████6%
Personnel Matters██████6%
Youth Programs████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Biloxi City Council Regular Meeting - March 4, 2026

The Biloxi City Council met on March 4, 2026, at approximately 2:57 AM UTC (corresponding to the late evening of March 3 local time). The meeting included recognition of state champion soccer teams, a new inmate litter program, council reports, public comments, and votes on compensation adjustments and other agenda items.

Consent Calendar

  • Agenda Amendment: Added Resolution authorizing a temporary berth rental agreement with American Cruise Lines, amended to include "or Pops Ferry Causeway Park" as a location. Approved unanimously.
  • Consent Agenda Items: Approved as amended, including routine approvals (e.g., forklift purchase via drug forfeiture, insurance rider for historical items).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Sarah Resky (Harrison County Library System): Reported positive updates: Biloxi Downtown library programs up 116%, Margaret Sherry up 39%, West Biloxi doubled, Woolmarket up 300% in attendance. Also announced grants for digitizing historical materials and an America 250 grant.
  • Sally Kendall (Ward 3 resident): Criticized Councilman Nail for lack of action on Broadwater property and selective code enforcement, alleging that citations for Broadwater were made to disappear by the mayor and Mr. Creel. Also questioned pay raises given budget deficit.
  • Jared Fosco (435 Cove Drive): Quoted city code section 9-1-13 regarding litter, argued that Broadwater owners are in violation. Claimed that former code enforcement officer Tara Busby told him citations for Broadwater were submitted but quashed by the mayor's office. Challenged the mayor and Mr. Creel to address the allegation.
  • Umri Petrini: Briefly spoke, alleging perjury and corruption, but was removed after being warned about making accusations.

Discussion Items

  • Mayor's Report:
    • Presented proclamations for St. Patrick's Catholic High School women's soccer team (2026 Class 1 State Champions, 19-4-4 record) and men's soccer team (2026 Class 1 State Champions, 23-3 record, school record for wins).
    • Announced Inmate Litter Program starting March 9, 2026: Nonviolent inmates from Harrison County Detention Center will perform litter pickup under supervision of Parks & Rec and Public Works. Program will start with 2 inmates per 2 employees, expanding to 4 teams covering north, south, east, west Biloxi. No grass cutting by inmates.
    • Noted July 4th 250th anniversary celebration: "Red, White and Biloxi" at Town Green from 5-9 PM, with $10,000 grant. Possible additional $5,000 for "Star Stripes and Seafood."
    • Requested council to spread expenses of Biloxi Tribal Expense Credit Card to minutes.
  • Council Reports:
    • Councilman Gray: Announced joint ward meeting on March 9 with Councilman Marshall at civic center on Howard Avenue. Urged weed killer application for grass cutting.
    • Councilman Nail: Reported new picnic tables and benches at Hiller Park; changed mind on dog park, now wants both softball fields operational with concession stand. Splash pads to be fixed soon.
    • Councilman Creel: Announced Ward 4 meeting on March 10 at Margaret Sherry Library (note: election day but polling location changed). Reported on Keith Heard's January report: lost FEMA appeal on January 14, $11 million held against city for future disasters. Discussed alternative funding (WOTUS grants, congressional appropriations) with deadlines. Raised concern about reduction of B-news from monthly to quarterly; argued it's a positive communication tool costing ~$10,000/month (including $5,000 postage), and cutting may lose advertisers. Urged reconsideration to keep monthly through end of fiscal year. Also promoted Lux Youth Basketball championships on March 4-5.
    • Councilman Tisdale: Agreed with Creel on B-news. Announced Ward 5 meeting on March 31 at Snyder Center. Reported Biloxi High girls basketball lost in semifinals; boys playing later. Urged council to finalize list of projects for bond issue (up to $18 million) and use MIMA funds to reduce bond amount.
    • Councilman Shoemaker: Echoed support for B-news. Criticized Keith Heard's report as lacking substance; mayor clarified that Heard submitted a $60 million WOTUS request and obtained additional $5 million (total $15 million). Shoemaker expressed frustration with Heard's performance. Also noted Warmarket Road bridge remains closed for 2-3 more weeks.
    • Councilman Marshall: Requested copy of water bill letter and application procedure; reported email issues. Post office move on track for October. Asked about process to cancel contract with Keith Heard; will research. Announced joint city council meeting on March 9 to focus on East Biloxi development.
    • Councilman Glavin: Announced new business (Cedar Lake Power Equipment). Requested inspection of road at Summer House/Bay Cove Assisted Living. Asked traffic committee to consider speed tables on Live Oak on the Bay (pending petition). Raised issue of scoreboards at AJ Highway Sportsplex, suggesting creative funding. Requested recognition of Tiny Shatnair (deceased former Biloxi police officer). Introduced Jason Steerman from Tunnel to Towers.
  • Jason Steerman (Tunnel to Towers): Provided overview of organization: provides mortgage-free homes to families of fallen first responders and catastrophically injured veterans. In Mississippi, 11 families have been helped. Local impact: after Officer McKehen's death, widow received $40,000. Recent expansion to pay college tuition. Requested waiver of $2,500 permit fee for the annual 5K/stair climb event, noting it brings tourism revenue. Councilman Glavin supported the request.

Key Outcomes

  • Votes on Compensation Adjustments:
    • Resolution adjusting compensation for Fire Department Director: Passed 4-3. The raise was pre-budgeted. Councilman Creel voted no but stated it was not a reflection on the chief. Councilman Shoemaker and Gray opposed, citing budget concerns.
    • Resolution adjusting compensation for Community Development Director: Passed 4-3. Same vote pattern; pre-budgeted. Councilman Creel acknowledged the director's multiple roles.
  • Resolution for Facility Rental Agreement with Mississippi Rural Water Association: Failed (3 votes? Not specified but motion failed). Councilman Creel opposed because the city would pay full price for employees to attend training while the association asked for a $3,500 discount.
  • Consent Agenda: Approved as amended (including berth rental amendment).
  • Code Enforcement:
    • Item A (May T. Lorong) resolved.
    • Item B (Odie Mae Johnson) granted 30 days extension.
    • Item C (Angela R. Juzang) granted 30 days.
    • Item D (Tone B. Hun) no speaker; case closed.
    • Items E and F resolved.
  • Executive Session: Motion to enter executive session passed; no action taken; reconvened.
  • Adjournment: Adjourned in memory of Tiny Shatnair.

Meeting Transcript

I'd like to uh welcome everyone to uh March 3rd, uh our our meeting for the first um meeting in March. If I could have everyone rise, and I'm gonna ask one of our state championship uh soccer players, Kobe Martino. He's uh going into the seminary if he would come up uh to the front and he if he would do the prayer and Nick Garzer if you'd lead us in the pledge after he concludes the prayer that's a good sign. Is it on? In the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, come Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus, thank you for this day. Thank you for letting us all come together in this community. Thank you for giving us the blessing of being able to play the sport. Lord Jesus, I ask that everything we do today honors you and is in your will. Lord Jesus, we give you all of our praise, and with all this, we'll say our Father, our Father, who weren't in heaven, hallowed be thy name. As it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread. Lead us not to temptation, but deliver us from evil. All right, good job. Thank you, Kirby. Thank you, Nick. Uh the chair entered attain a motion to suspend the rules. So moved. Moved by Mr. Creel. Second. Seconded by Mr. Tisdale. Any discussion? None. All in favor. Those opposed. Clerk would read the revision. To the consent agenda, we're adding 5M. Resolution authorizing entry into temporary birth rental agreement with American cruise lines. Okay. Chair entertained a motion to approve the agenda as amended. So moved. Second. Moved by Mr. Creel. Second it by Mr. Tisdale. Any discussion? None. All in favor. Those opposed. Motion carries. Mayor's report. Thank you, Mr. President. Welcome everyone. I see some. We got some champions in the house, and we got some sports coaches and friends and family. So it's a great pleasure for me to welcome every one of you. We're we're proud of what you've been accomplished.

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