Biloxi City Council Meeting - July 28, 2026

The Biloxi City Council met on July 28, 2026, at 22:46 UTC (local time not specified) to address routine approvals, policy items, consent agenda items, and code enforcement hearings. The meeting featured extensive discussion on a proposal to concrete grassy strips along Division Street, which was tabled after debate. Several ordinances and resolutions were passed unanimously, and council members reported on community issues including school safety, park maintenance, and support for the local seafood industry.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the routine agenda on a 7-0 vote after removing item six (a code enforcement hearing).
• The consent agenda (including items E, I, K, N, O) was approved 7-0 after discussions and tabling of item D (see Discussion Items).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sarah Ruskey, representing Harrison County Library System, invited the council and public to a Library Lollapalooza open house at the Margaret Sherry Library on Monday, August 3, 2026, from 4-7 p.m., featuring a mega book sale and family activities.
• No other citizens spoke during the 45-minute public comment period.

Discussion Items

• Mayor's Report: The mayor announced a movie bash at George Lawrence Pavilion on Point Cadet at 6 p.m. and reminded that citizen police academy applications are due Thursday.
• Departmental Reports: Police Chief Everett gave a public safety announcement about school season, urging drivers to be cautious, stay 10 feet back from stopped school buses, and not pass buses. He stated that police would be out in full force to protect children.
• Council Reports:
  • Councilman Nel (Ward 3) requested consideration of a temporary wage increase for city grass-cutting workers during hot months, noted Hiller Park looking good, inquired about the pond grant agreement (waiting for DMR execution), and asked about ditch-cleaning equipment and Broadwater property maintenance. He reported quotes for the Biloxi West Library roof are pending bond fund availability.
  • Councilman Creel thanked Jody Ewing and Jerry Courtney for responsive work, asked about traffic light technology at Riverview and Sunkist Country Club (not yet evaluated), and requested an update on the Pass and Nelson traffic study.
  • Council President Weaver echoed the police chief’s school safety message and thanked public works for locating a covered drain on Fairview Drive.
  • Councilman Glavin thanked the grass-cutting crew, introduced Resolution D (support for USDA inclusion of wild-caught peeled and deveined shrimp in emergency food assistance), reported on a congressional hearing about the Bonnet Carre Spillway (noting the Corps of Engineers corrected his earlier claim – the spillway was two inches, not two feet, from opening), and announced a volunteer event at Belmont Gardens on July 29, 8-10:30 a.m., to help seniors affected by flooding. Kimberly Woodward spoke about the event, noting 60 units flooded and the need for temporary sandbagging.
  • Councilman Shoemaker reported a new Mexican restaurant, El Vulcan, opened on Lorraine Road, and mentioned small washouts in yards near new sidewalks.
  • Councilman Gray (Ward 1) thanked the county for paving Comfort Street, inquired about repairs under the I-110 bridge and lights by Hopkins, and asked about funding for the Veterans to St. Paul road project (Rod 9). Director Labata explained that Rod 9 is bid-ready with about $32-34.5 million available, but additional FEMA funds may be contested for $9 million needed for unforeseen costs.
  • Councilman Marshall praised the police chief for a reduction in unhoused individuals on sidewalks, noted positive officer interactions, and asked for school safety public service announcements. He also raised concerns about park maintenance at Main Street (Praise in the Park event), missing railings on the sidewalk to the bathroom, and strongly supported the Save Our Sound initiative, thanking former mayor and council president for forming a coalition.
• Policy Agenda:
  • Item A (Ordinance to amend municipal facilities rental language) approved 7-0.
  • Item B (Ordinance to amend tree committee, tree permit, tree protection sections) approved 7-0 after discussion. Key changes: public hearings not required for single-family residential tree removal unless it's a majestic tree; increased mitigation tree requirements; removal of five-tree public hearing requirement for homeowners complying with insurance.
  • Item C (Ordinance amending leisure and recreation districts) approved 7-0. This extends the West Biloxi leisure district south of the Pops Ferry Bridge to include commercial areas near Rouse's, allowing open containers in cups. Councilman Creel clarified the district does not extend north of the bridge or into residential areas. Councilman Glavin noted potential concerns about homeless individuals, but the Creel stated the area will see development that may push them out.
  • Item D (Resolution supporting USDA inclusion of wild-caught shrimp) approved 7-0. Councilman Glavin reported only 22 boats went out this shrimp season compared to 255 ten years ago and 1,200 before Katrina. The resolution aims to provide a guaranteed buyer for local shrimp.
• Consent Agenda Item D (Concreting Division Street strips): Discussed at length. The item sought to transfer $90,000 from Project 1127 (MIMA funds) to add to $147,000 in state bond funds to concrete narrow grassy strips between the sidewalk and curb on Division Street from I-110 to Forest Avenue. Councilman Gray made a motion to table the item for one week so council members could inspect the site and address citizen complaints about concreting up to 6-12 foot wide strips. After debate, the motion to table carried 5-2. Councilman Labata noted that concreting could be done in-house even without the transfer, and that utilities under the strips prevent planting trees. Councilman Marshall expressed concern about the cost of maintaining new infrastructure, while Councilman Shoemaker defended the development's long-term tax revenue benefits.
• Code Enforcement Hearings: Several properties discussed. Notable:
  • 230 Lemuse Street (Paulette Averhart): Violation for demolition. Councilman Marshall requested a 30-day extension to contact the family; approved 5-1 (Mr. Glavin out).
  • 223 Keller Avenue: Requested 60-day extension; approved 4-3.
  • 250 Lee Street (Mays Properties): No extension, hearing closed.
  • Other properties either resolved or hearings closed with no representation.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (all 7-0): Amended municipal facilities ordinance, tree ordinance, leisure district ordinance, and shrimp support resolution.
• Tabled (5-2): Consent agenda item D (concreting Division Street) until the next council meeting on August 4, 2026.
• Consent Agenda: Approved 7-0 with tabling of D.
• Code Enforcement: 30-day extension granted for 230 Lemuse Street (5-1); 60-day extension granted for 223 Keller Avenue (4-3).
• Next Meeting: Special workshop at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 (following the regular 6 p.m. meeting that night).