OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Biloxi City Council Meeting – May 6, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, May 6, 2026
BodyBiloxi, Mississippi
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, May 6, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:21:28

Transcript — Verbatim
0:04

Got a full house here today.

0:06

It's good to see.

0:06

When we go into public comments, we'll a lot of times we'll allow a few more seconds over the three minutes, but if there's a lot of commentary, we'll have to stick with the three minutes.

0:16

So with that, uh, we'll go ahead and begin the meeting, and the chair will ask for a motion to suspend the rules.

0:23

So moved.

0:23

Moved by Mr.

0:24

Creel.

0:25

Do I have a second?

0:28

Second by Mr.

0:28

Gray.

0:29

Any discussion?

0:33

Oh.

0:34

We can do that afterwards.

0:36

All in favor?

0:37

Those opposed need a motion to approve the agenda as amended.

0:41

So moved.

0:42

Moved by Mr.

0:42

Creel.

0:44

Do I have a second?

0:46

I get to it.

0:48

Well, you gotta read it.

0:50

Got to read it into the minutes.

0:51

Go ahead and read it.

0:52

The clerk read the revision.

0:55

To the consent agenda, we're substituting item 5 M resolution only.

0:59

Resolution authorizing repair order agreement with A1 Pinnacle Elevator.

1:03

All right, got way ahead of myself, but uh we'll just let that motion still stand without objection.

1:08

Uh or if there are any comments.

1:11

There being none, all in favor.

1:13

Those opposed, motion carries.

1:15

If I would uh ask everyone to rise so we can say the prayer before we begin the meeting.

1:23

And I'd like to ask Wick Weaver to do the pledge.

1:26

Um, can you do the prayer?

1:29

I will.

1:30

Thank you.

1:33

Disturb us, Lord, when we are too pleased with ourselves, when our dreams have come true because we dreamed too little.

1:42

When we arrived safely because we sailed too close to the shore.

1:47

Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance of things we possess, we have lost our thirst for the waters of life.

1:55

Having fallen in love with life, we have ceased to dream of eternity.

2:00

And in our efforts to build a new earth, we have allowed our vision of the new heaven to dim.

2:07

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly to venture on wilder seas where storms will show your mastery.

2:15

We're losing sight of land, we shall find the stars.

2:20

We ask you to push back the horizons of our hopes and to push back the future in strength, courage, hope, and love.

2:30

This we ask in the name of our captain, who is Jesus Christ.

2:35

Amen.

2:45

One nation, one of the start with mayor's report.

3:03

Yeah, thank you, Mr.

3:04

President, and welcome everyone to our first meeting in May.

3:07

And we just finished up with four nice presentations of uh people that started out in 11th graders, but they turned into some fine young men and women with ideas that are gonna help our city.

3:17

So first up on the agenda, I'm gonna ask Ms.

3:19

Hunt so we can uh present certificates of appreciation to each and every one of the graduates.

3:24

Thank you very much, and we're very proud of it.

3:26

We'd like all of y'all here.

3:28

You better see our future leaders in the line.

4:07

Come on up.

4:19

Go right over there, honey.

4:22

John Budeau.

4:36

Carolyn Butler.

4:47

Oh God.

4:48

By Cara Grace.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Code Enforcement███████████████████████23%
Procedural█████████9%
Youth Programs████████8%
Parks and Recreation████████8%
Public Works████████8%
Public Safety██████6%
Budget Equity Analysis█████5%
Pending Litigation█████5%
Public Engagement█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Biloxi City Council Meeting – May 6, 2026

The Biloxi City Council convened on May 6, 2026, for its first meeting of the month. The meeting included presentations, department reports, public comments, legislative actions (including a controversial short-term rental approval), and code enforcement hearings.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the agenda as amended, substituting Item 5M (Resolution authorizing repair order agreement with A1 Pinnacle Elevator) on the consent agenda.
  • Unanimously approved consent items including: lease amendments for the bait shop (providing a $250 electric credit per tenant, with tenants responsible for remaining power costs), authorization for sole-source repair at the Seafood Museum, and other routine items.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Dane Sensor (new resident) promoted the world's largest American flag display and National Day of Prayer events on May 7, urging city support.
  • Santana Dickens requested city partnership for a summer literacy program (June 1–20) teaching Spanish and ASL to 60 African-American boys aged 7–14, at a cost of $120 per child.
  • Alper Husley expressed frustration over a 14-year drainage issue near Walmart that has flooded his father's property; urged council to address the issue before rezoning the area.
  • Pastor James George (115 St. John Avenue) requested approval of his short-term rental permit, noting his property is already zoned RM-30 and he has invested significantly; he submitted a list of supporting neighbors.
  • Maria Barbery (1499 Miller Street) complained about a deteriorating abandoned property across from her home, which she has spent money rehabbing.
  • Susie Hathaway (150 St. George Avenue) called for demolition of 168 St. George Avenue, citing eight years of neglect, pest infestations, and negative impact on the neighborhood.
  • Donovan Scruggs (Elliott Land Development) presented a revised rezoning plan for the old elementary school site (now ~100 single-family homes, down from 251 units), noting neighborhood support.
  • Rosa Mikins (owner of 168 St. George) defended her property, blaming harassment from neighbors and stating she has invested in repairs; she asked for more time.
  • Sarah Rusky (Harrison County Library System Director) requested immediate electrical repairs to West Biloxi Library to avoid moving 30,000 books; she argued that fixing electricity would restore services affordably.
  • Ashley Bush (Ward 3 resident) questioned the $307,000 roof estimate for the library, asked why repairs weren't prioritized in bond requests, and requested a fiscal year 25 audit and expenditure reports.
  • Stacey Nee Case supported keeping the library open, citing its role in early childhood interventions, summer reading, and tax assistance.
  • Michael Collins (general contractor) asked for time to assess whether 168 St. George Avenue is repairable.

Discussion Items

  • Mayor's Report: Certificates of appreciation presented to 11th-grade graduates who participated in a leadership program.
  • City Manager Rick's Report: Employee appreciation day successful; city budget posted online; dog park to open May 7 at noon; causeway lights 99% repaired; Hill Park restroom upgrades cost estimated at $10,000; summer playground program registration reached 54 children; Beck Park and Danella Park walkthroughs scheduled; Point Cadet Pavilion dedication (George Lawrence) on May 20; Miramar Park bench dedication on May 11; AJ Holloway Sports Complex tournament handled rain well.
  • Council Reports:
    • Shoemaker: Thomas Medical Park office groundbreaking May 14.
    • Creel: Fred Hayes Landing dedication in June; $5,000 beautification grant.
    • Neil: Broadwater golf course cleanup ongoing; West Biloxi Library maintenance history ($18k in 2022, $141k in 2023, $27k in 2024, $6.5k in 2025, $3k so far in 2026); total repair cost estimated at $370,000; council considering options.
    • Mr. Hingon (attorney for Pastor George): Detailed history of the short-term rental case, which was appealed to circuit court; court ordered council to make a decision. He argued the property meets all ordinance standards and is not a rezoning.
    • Marshall: Arch and Festival May 9; Danella Park cleanup volunteers needed; homeless encampments are causing health and safety issues; library is a core city responsibility and must be saved.
    • Chief (Royce): Sixth annual blood drive for Officer McKeith was nonstop all day; numbers pending.
    • Other: Stacy Lane potholes, sediment control enforcement, blessing of the fleet recap.
  • Policy Agenda (First Readings):
    • Zoning map amendments: 2003 Lawrence Street (RS10 to RS5) and parcels on War Market Road (commercial to RS5) – both approved unanimously.
    • Land Development Ordinance amendment adding "transitional living facility" definition – approved unanimously after reading statement from resident Jennifer Noble supporting it.
    • Adoption of updated National Electrical Code – approved unanimously.
    • Resolution granting conditional use for short-term rental at 115 St. John Avenue – Extensive debate. Councilman Tisdale opposed citing incompatibility with surrounding single-family neighborhood and commercial nature; Councilman Gray opposed; Councilman Creel supported; Councilman Shoemaker supported; Councilman Neal supported. Passed 4-3.
    • Resolution of intent to explore creation of an East Biloxi development district – approved unanimously after discussion about scope and cost.
    • Consent agenda items amended lease for bait shop (electric credit) and authorized sole-source repair.
  • Code Enforcement:
    • 168 St. George Avenue – Violation of property standards (rodents, structure collapse). Owner Rosa Mikins requested more time but council noted eight years of complaints and no plan from owner. Case closed (effectively ordering demolition process to begin).
    • 566 Jefferson Street – Given 30-day extension to clean up overgrowth and repair fence.
    • Cases C, D, E resolved.

Key Outcomes

  • Short-term rental approval: Council voted 4-3 to approve the conditional use permit for 115 St. John Avenue (Pastor James George). The property must meet all ordinance conditions including a second exterior staircase and 30-minute manager response.
  • Library electrical repairs: Council deferred decision, but library director urged fixing power; councilman Marshall advocated for saving the library. No immediate vote.
  • East Biloxi development district: Council unanimously passed a resolution to explore creation of a development district with Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District (SMPDD), with no financial commitment at this stage.
  • Code enforcement: 168 St. George Avenue will proceed to demolition; 566 Jefferson Street granted 30-day extension.
  • Zoning amendments: Two first-reading ordinances passed (Lawrence Street and War Market Road).
  • Transitional living facility definition: Ordinance passed unanimously.
  • National Electrical Code: Adopted unanimously.
  • Bait shop lease amendment: Approved as part of consent agenda, capping city's electric cost exposure.

Meeting Transcript

Got a full house here today. It's good to see. When we go into public comments, we'll a lot of times we'll allow a few more seconds over the three minutes, but if there's a lot of commentary, we'll have to stick with the three minutes. So with that, uh, we'll go ahead and begin the meeting, and the chair will ask for a motion to suspend the rules. So moved. Moved by Mr. Creel. Do I have a second? Second by Mr. Gray. Any discussion? Oh. We can do that afterwards. All in favor? Those opposed need a motion to approve the agenda as amended. So moved. Moved by Mr. Creel. Do I have a second? I get to it. Well, you gotta read it. Got to read it into the minutes. Go ahead and read it. The clerk read the revision. To the consent agenda, we're substituting item 5 M resolution only. Resolution authorizing repair order agreement with A1 Pinnacle Elevator. All right, got way ahead of myself, but uh we'll just let that motion still stand without objection. Uh or if there are any comments. There being none, all in favor. Those opposed, motion carries. If I would uh ask everyone to rise so we can say the prayer before we begin the meeting. And I'd like to ask Wick Weaver to do the pledge. Um, can you do the prayer? I will. Thank you. Disturb us, Lord, when we are too pleased with ourselves, when our dreams have come true because we dreamed too little. When we arrived safely because we sailed too close to the shore. Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance of things we possess, we have lost our thirst for the waters of life. Having fallen in love with life, we have ceased to dream of eternity. And in our efforts to build a new earth, we have allowed our vision of the new heaven to dim. Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly to venture on wilder seas where storms will show your mastery. We're losing sight of land, we shall find the stars. We ask you to push back the horizons of our hopes and to push back the future in strength, courage, hope, and love. This we ask in the name of our captain, who is Jesus Christ. Amen. One nation, one of the start with mayor's report. Yeah, thank you, Mr. President, and welcome everyone to our first meeting in May. And we just finished up with four nice presentations of uh people that started out in 11th graders, but they turned into some fine young men and women with ideas that are gonna help our city. So first up on the agenda, I'm gonna ask Ms.

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