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Record of Proceedings

Regular Meeting of the Biloxi City Council - August 26, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, August 26, 2026
BodyBiloxi, Mississippi
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, August 26, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:04:44

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:04

The 25th of August.

0:06

At this time I'll entertain a motion to suspend the rules.

0:10

So we'll move our second.

0:12

Mr.

0:13

Creel.

0:14

And a second by Mr.

0:16

Glavin.

0:16

Any comments, Mr.

0:17

Creel?

0:18

No comments.

0:19

Any comments, Mr.

0:20

Glavin?

0:20

No comment.

0:21

If the clerk would read the revisions.

0:27

Thank you.

0:28

I'm sorry.

0:30

I'm sorry.

0:31

We have to vote to suspend the rules.

0:33

All in favor of suspending the rules.

0:35

Thank you.

0:36

It's approved on a 7-0 vote.

0:38

Thank you, Carrie.

0:40

All right.

0:40

If if you read the revisions.

0:43

To the consent agenda, we're substituting item 5D resolution only resolution authorizing the purchase of two Nissan Pathfinders.

0:50

Substituting by then resolution authorizing self-funded employee group health insurance.

0:56

Substituting 5 0 resolution only resolution creating Capital Project 1132 accepting the grant award from Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and amending the municipal budget.

1:07

Motion to improve the agenda as amended.

1:10

All right.

1:10

There's a motion by Mr.

1:11

Glavin, a second by Mr.

1:13

Creel.

1:14

Any discussion?

1:16

All in favor of uh approving the agenda is amended.

1:22

Did you vote, Mr.

1:24

Gray?

1:25

Okay, good deal.

1:26

It's approved on the 7 0 vote.

1:28

Thank you.

1:31

At this time we'll move to the presentation agenda and the mayor's report.

1:35

Thank you, Mr.

1:35

President.

1:36

Welcome everybody to our meeting.

1:38

And uh and that concludes my report.

1:41

Thank you.

1:43

Thank you, Mr.

1:44

Mayor.

1:44

Departmental Reports.

1:46

Anyway.

1:47

A little bit longer than the mayor's.

1:48

I'm gonna ask Ms.

1:49

Walton to come up and do some clarification from last meeting.

1:52

Thank you.

2:00

Hi, how are y'all?

2:02

Um I just wanted to talk about the YouTube and the recording.

2:05

Um so every council meeting, we record the council meeting and we stream it live.

2:11

We do this through a free service that we have.

2:14

Um so and then through YouTube.

2:17

So at the last meeting, we streamed it live and it did fine.

2:22

Everybody was able to see it.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Historic Preservation████████████████████████24%
Economic Development█████████████████████21%
Public Works██████████10%
Public Engagement███████7%
Procedural██████6%
Parks and Recreation████4%
Procurement And Contracting████4%
Insurance Management████4%
Technology and Innovation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Biloxi City Council Meeting - August 26, 2026

The Biloxi City Council convened on August 26, 2026, to address a wide range of items including a controversial appeal regarding a historic district boundary, facility rental fee reductions, health insurance plan changes, and routine approvals. The meeting included a presentation from Retail Strategies, a retail development consulting firm, and multiple council reports. Key votes included denial of an appeal to remove property from the West Central Historic District, approval of modified facility rental discounts, and appointment of a municipal clerk.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the agenda as amended (7-0), substituting items including a resolution for self-funded employee group health insurance and creation of Capital Project 1132.
  • Routine approval of the consent agenda (7-0), which included funding for police vehicle replacements (item A) and citywide computer replacements (item D).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No members of the public spoke during citizens' comments.

Discussion Items

  • Recording Glitch Clarification: Cecilia Walton explained that a software update caused the August 19 meeting recording to only capture the first 10 seconds, but a backup was recovered from YouTube and posted. No council questions.
  • Council Reports: Ward 1 (Mr. Gray) requested updates on flag poles for the Bloxi welcome sign and Point Cadet playground removal; reported on community cleanups. Ward 2 (Mr. Marshall) noted council controls money and volunteered to turn in city cell phone to save $600/year; asked about Broadwater Marina opening and Hiller Park improvements. Ward 4 (Mr. Creel) raised traffic light issues at Country Club and Riverview, elevator outage at post office (17 weeks), e-bike enforcement concerns, pickleball court issues, and beautification commission logo usage on flyers. Ward 6 (Mr. Glavin) requested follow-up drainage inspections in Holly Bluff and Belmont Gardens, paving on Stacy Lane/Shonowitz, sports complex rental access, and announced upcoming events (Sports Hall of Fame induction, State of the County, Croatian ambassador visit).
  • Retail Strategies Presentation: Lacey Bacchus presented the company's retail development services, explaining their process of market analysis, real estate inventory, and recruitment. She noted a flat annual fee of $50,000-$60,000 depending on scope. Council members asked about compensation, data capabilities, and experience with similar communities (e.g., Foley, AL). The presentation was informational with no immediate action.
  • Public Hearing – AHRC Appeal: Mr. Petrini appealed the Architectural and Historical Review Commission's (AHRC) 7-0 denial of his request to remove 929 Division Street and 287 Bone Street from the West Central Historic District. Mr. Creel argued the properties serve as a gateway and their removal would harm district integrity. Mr. Petrini claimed the designation is used oppressively and that the properties lack historic features. Council discussed due diligence, design review standards, and precedent. Mr. Glavin recused himself. The council denied the appeal (6-0), affirming the AHRC decision.
  • Facility Rental Fee Reductions: Two resolutions considered reductions. For the Miss Senior World Pageant, an amendment to cap the reduction at $3,000 (max allowed by ordinance) was approved (6-0), leaving a $4,000 balance. For Extraordinary Gentlemen, a 19-hour final day caused debate. An amendment for a $2,835.35 reduction to cover overtime failed (1-5), then a $3,000 reduction was approved (6-1).
  • Appointment of Municipal Clerk: Resolution to designate a municipal clerk was approved (5-0) with two abstentions (Creel, Gray) citing concerns about the return-to-work retiree program process.
  • Health Insurance Update: Sarah Easterling reported that the self-funded health insurance increase was reduced from $1.5 million to approximately $413,000 after competitive quotes. A second high-deductible plan will be offered. Dental insurance changes (city now paying half of employee-only premium, roughly $14/month) were discussed. Council supported in-person open enrollment sessions. No formal vote was taken; the item was for discussion.
  • Code Enforcement: Multiple properties were reviewed; several cases resolved (resolved or still in violation). All remaining violations were noted with no public speakers present. The routine agenda was approved (7-0).

Key Outcomes

  • Appeal Denied: The council voted 6-0 (with one recusal) to deny the appeal to remove properties from the West Central Historic District, affirming the AHRC decision.
  • Facility Rental Discounts Approved: Miss Senior World Pageant received a $3,000 reduction (to $4,000 due). Extraordinary Gentlemen received a $3,000 reduction (to $6,100 due). Both approved with amendments.
  • Municipal Clerk Appointed: Resolution passed 5-0 (2 abstentions).
  • Health Insurance Changes: Council directed administration to arrange in-person open enrollment sessions; no further vote taken.
  • Consent Agenda and Routine Approvals: All items passed unanimously (7-0).
  • Adjournment: Meeting adjourned in memory of Sylvia Diaz, Coach Jackie Laird, Randy Lesso, and Dolly Parton.

Meeting Transcript

The 25th of August. At this time I'll entertain a motion to suspend the rules. So we'll move our second. Mr. Creel. And a second by Mr. Glavin. Any comments, Mr. Creel? No comments. Any comments, Mr. Glavin? No comment. If the clerk would read the revisions. Thank you. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. We have to vote to suspend the rules. All in favor of suspending the rules. Thank you. It's approved on a 7-0 vote. Thank you, Carrie. All right. If if you read the revisions. To the consent agenda, we're substituting item 5D resolution only resolution authorizing the purchase of two Nissan Pathfinders. Substituting by then resolution authorizing self-funded employee group health insurance. Substituting 5 0 resolution only resolution creating Capital Project 1132 accepting the grant award from Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and amending the municipal budget. Motion to improve the agenda as amended. All right. There's a motion by Mr. Glavin, a second by Mr. Creel. Any discussion? All in favor of uh approving the agenda is amended. Did you vote, Mr. Gray? Okay, good deal. It's approved on the 7 0 vote. Thank you. At this time we'll move to the presentation agenda and the mayor's report. Thank you, Mr. President. Welcome everybody to our meeting. And uh and that concludes my report. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Departmental Reports. Anyway. A little bit longer than the mayor's.

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