Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Biloxi City Council held a workshop on October 21, 2026, from approximately 3:50 PM to 5:32 PM to discuss potential projects funded by the General Obligation Bond Series 2026 and to review proposed water and sewer rate changes. No formal votes were taken; the council reached consensus on several projects and scheduled a follow-up workshop for the next week.
Previously Approved Projects: The council confirmed projects approved in prior sessions, including roof replacements at the Creole Cottage, Nadatorium, public safety building on Porter Avenue, and six other buildings; HVAC repairs at the visitor center and Civic Center library; generator replacements at the public safety and communications buildings; and Rodenberg sewer drainage repairs north of the railroad. The East Biloxi Recreation Building remained under discussion.
Shriner's Boulevard Widening (Ward 7): Councilman Shoemaker presented the project to widen Shriner's Boulevard from I-10 north to Woolmarket Road. The city holds a $2.76 million MDOT grant requiring a $1.5 million match (20% of the total $7 million project). The council reached consensus to move forward, citing its importance as an evacuation route and connector to the medical complex and future Pops Ferry corridor.
Woolmarket Acres Subdivision (Ward 7): Water and sewer improvements for residents promised service 26 years ago during annexation. The city's $2 million match would leverage an $8 million water grant (total project about $8.5 million). The council reached consensus to proceed.
East Biloxi Recreation Building (Ward 3): Councilman Marshall advocated for the project, calling it a long‑standing promise and a necessity for redevelopment. Councilman Shoemaker and others expressed concerns about ongoing operational costs and classified it as a “want” rather than a “need.” No consensus was reached; the item remains on the list for continued discussion, with potential MIMA funding to be evaluated.
Edgewater Estates Water Line Replacement (Ward 5): Councilman Glavin reported 25 water main breaks in five years from aging transite pipes. Estimated cost is $1 million. The council reached consensus to proceed. The project is MIMA‑eligible but is not a grant match.
Pine Grove Sewer and Drainage Repairs (Ward 6): The area has suffered persistent drainage issues and road cave‑ins. Director Labata noted that paving has stopped due to ongoing failures. The council reached consensus to proceed.
Matzi Road / Belmont Gardens Drainage (Ward 3): Residents have waited nearly 20 years for drainage improvements. A developer may help reduce costs. The council reached consensus to proceed, citing repeated flooding and sandbagging efforts.
Brody Road and Tribe Drive Sidewalks (Ward 3): Proposed to provide safe pedestrian access in a rapidly growing area. Councilman Creel opposed, suggesting other funding sources (e.g., SS4A grants). No consensus was reached.
Shorecrest Road Widening (Ward 7): The narrow road serves new subdivisions. Councilman Shoemaker supported the project; Councilman Creel opposed, citing other priorities. No consensus was reached.
Wash Fayard Road Widening / Bellevue Boulevard Extension (Ward 7): Staff recommended building a permanent boulevard to shift traffic from the narrow Wash Fayard Road. Councilman Creel requested more information before supporting. No consensus was reached.
MIMA Funding Strategy: Mayor and staff proposed using Municipal Infrastructure Modernization Act (MIMA) funds (approximately $4.4–$5 million per year) to supplement bond projects. Councilmembers were asked to submit lists of MIMA‑eligible projects. A detailed spending plan combining bond money and MIMA will be presented at the next workshop.
Water and Sewer Rate Structure: The council previously tabled a proposed flat‑rate sewer charge. During the workshop, the Mayor indicated he would provide actual data comparing a flat rate versus tiered rates. The council agreed to hold a workshop immediately after the regular council meeting on October 27, 2026, to review the data and discuss the rate structure.
We're still waiting on a few council meetings, uh council members. I'll give them another minute and then we will start since we have a quorum. Again, this is a workshop. We won't be voting on anything today. Um, but we will be discussing in this instance. This is the first of two workshops. The first one will deal with uh the bond money that the council approved. Um there was a a laundry list of projects uh composed uh from the mayor's input, the administration's input and the council input. So that having been said, uh need a motion to approve or if the clerk would read. Okay, I can read it. Thank you. Right. Oh I got you. Need a motion to approve the agenda for this meeting. So moved. Thank you. Motion by Mr. Creel. Second by Mr. Gray. If the clerk would read the agenda, please. Subject matter is to discuss potential products, projects to be funded with general obligation bond series 2026. Mr. Creel, any comments? No comments. Mr. Gray, any comments? None. Call for the question. All in favor of the agenda is presented. It's approved on a 6-0 vote. If the clerk would note that Mr. Marshall is out of the room. Okay. That's correct. We're gonna we're gonna pick up where we left off, and I'm I'm looking at the the administrative list in the very small print. I didn't bring my revised list, but basically the last we're at the bottom of the page in that last section by a ward and the proper uh priority to be determined. The last one uh we had discussed, don't forget now. We also have up in the upper portion of that shriner's boulevard winding widening. That's Wool Market Acres as well, because Councilman Shoemaker was not there, so y'all bypass those until he came. So those two need to be addressed, and then the only two in the segment down below were Graham Avenue drainage was approved and Rodenberg sewer drainage repair north of the railroad was approved in the last meeting. Everything else was not approved. So those are the ones that I'm tracking. Hopefully that's the same thing that you're tracking. Uh okay. So what we'll do is we'll open to be sure we're on the same page.