City Council - Regular Meeting

I'm ready, sir.

Okay, we're going to go ahead and call the April 7th, 2026 city council meeting to order. Uh we'll start with a roll call. Ward one, two, three, four, five, six, and at large are all present. Um I will ask Councilman Smith. Thresasses as we forgive those trespasses against us. but us and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. Yes, sir. Okay. Any agenda amendments? Okay. I I am going to see I'm going to move uh Cadence's corner before the legislative update and we can handle that before then. Okay.

Uh announcements. April 21st is our next city council meeting. Also like to make an announcement for the household hazardous waste day. It is April uh 25th. It's going to be at the arena between 8 and 1 o'clock. Um, and okay, no other announcements. We'll start with our first guest, Alisia Smith with Cadence Corner. Elise Smith. Yeah. Whereas autism is a neurological difference that affects many individuals in communication, interaction, and experience the world around them. Whereas approximately one in 36 children in the United States diagnosed with autism, making awareness, acceptance, and community support support essential. Whereas individuals with autism bring unique strengths and perspectives that enrich our community and deserve to be fully supported and included. Whereas families benefit greatly from organizations like Cadence Corner, the Awesome Families Foundation, which provides resources and support across Mississippi G Coast. Whereas the autism acceptance walk and community celebration on April 11, 2026 at the Bay St. Louis train depot will promote understanding, inclusion, and community connection. Now, therefore, I Michael J. Far, City of Bay, St. Louis, along with the city council, do hereby proclaim April 11th, 2026 as autism acceptance day in the city of Bay St. Louis. And I encourage all citizens, businesses, and organizations to support efforts that promote illusions, acceptance, and

opportunity for individuals with autism and their family. Well, I just want to say thank you guys so much for acknowledging this and and making this proclamation. And I don't know uh what you know about autism, but you've probably heard a little bit more about it in the last year or so in the media and studies happening with all over the United States. But my son Kayen was diagnutrit right here in Hancock County. So, our children are waiting on weight list from anywhere from six months to five years for services that it's as easy as you to go to the doctor and get a Zpack or whatever you need real quick to get better. These kids are not getting that as an option. Legally, the schools are supposed to provide resources and they do their best, but they're also struggling to find providers to fulfill their legal obligations, their federal obligations under IDA law. And so, it is a provider issue. And our goal with Cadence Corner is to educate and empower parents on things that they can do at home now while they wait. Unfortunately, we can't make mass providers come, but we can be loud enough to where the state pays attention to where the entire federal government pays attention. I

think they have started, but it needs to start right here at Hancock County. So, we are offering support for any families here locally that are affected by autism spectrum disorder, and we hope to see you at our walk. This will be our first signature event. We've already deemed it'll be annual and uh we hope to see you all out there. Reach out to us if you have any questions at all. If you have a family you can refer, we're wide open. Thank you guys so much. Yes, sir. I do. I do. Or of no of Yeah. I sent you an email if you want to check that a couple months ago. good book.

No, but we have had a lot of representatives that have gotten behind us and are offering support and and guiding us on how to get more support from the state. So, I will be back in touch though, don't we? Um, but I appreciate everyone and like I said, please look us up. We're doing great things. We're not even a year old yet. We touched a lot of families and we'll continue to do that. Thank you guys. Thank you. And we have a legislative update.

Thanks, Jordan. Appreciate that. All right, board. Um, I think we got some new ones this year. We always try to get together and at least let you know what projects are going on, what we're trying to do for Bay St. Louis, which we stepped out pretty hard this year. Um, but the money's available. There's a lot of other things happening. So, we kind of got down, but we worked some really good projects here uh for Bay St. Louis, you know, working with the mayor and and Josh and everyone else that we spoke with. So, I'm going just kind of go over a little list that we got together and what we are able to bring home for Bay St. Louis this year. Um, we got 200,000 of capex money to start helping with the process of hardening city hall. Uh the mayor had made a request that we need to start doing, y'all need to start doing some updates on city hall. So we were able to bring home 200,000 for that this year. Um, we brought 250,000 for Ward 6, uh, which is going to go to the Hancock County water and sewer because it's just their certificated area, but that's going to be to start, uh, putting some of the 6-in water line and hydrants in that area that uh, Councilman Salvo has asked for about four years now. We finally started touching and found some water funds to uh, help with that. So get out there in W six and try to do that. Um we have 250,000 of capex for harbor repair. Uh we know some there's need some addressing still there. So and then we did 300,000 of harbor repair and tidlands. So um 550 mayor council to do the repairs and some things that need to be caught up on the harbor. And then we were able to secure a uh $4 million for

uh Go Mesa funds to continue utility sewer work uh throughout the city. Uh it takes a burden off of you all. Um goes,

so this would be something that y'all use without having to provide match money. um this would be a straight four million to where y'all can put it in services um you know throughout the city, continue the sewer work that y'all are currently doing now and really get the city updated and we felt like it was a pretty strong project after talking um with you know your administration and things of that nature. So we were able to secure that money and um so about right now that's where Bay St. Louis stands. Um, you know, we feel good about it. You know, over 5 million coming to the city to help, I think, with some major projects that'll continue to help growth that, you know, the city doesn't necessarily have to try to fund or find the needs to do it. So, we think it's going to be a really good u asset to you all. So, we just wanted to come in and um give that update to you all. And um you'll see those usually start rolling in around October, November. Um, so we'll leave it in your hands from there. I'll take any questions. I have one other thing I want to discuss with you all first, but any questions on the project or

I had a question on the ARPA um deadline, the the expedited deadline August. Do the projects have to be completed? I'll ask you when you when we get to you, Jason, where we are on that. And that's actually a federal program. I just know it because we get the same uh information y'all get that to the state that this is when it has it has to be complete, right? Not and then the and then the state whatever is left over the state will they're going the federal government's going to do a drawback on all that money. State won't get it. The federal government a draw back on it.

Okay. So, everything that we have that's not spent by that deadline and which I don't I've heard rumor I really I really shouldn't say that here but I've heard that we can possibly go to the end of September for the original but u that's not set. Yes, but it has to be spent. So there's not 300 uh I I think it was it um like an extra 300 million or 300 uh that was going to go back to the state and go into the transportation uh fund.

I'm not aware that in the Yeah, I I just read that. Okay. No, I I'm not aware of that one. I may have missed that. Okay. I just want to thank you rent for going to work for us and bringing all this back to us. So, it's going to be a big help for the citizens and taxpayers because it's stuff that they don't have to fund through the local taxes which will like you said help growth and development especially utility projects because as we develop we get to maximum number of customers in different spots. So, it's going to really help us

well and and hopefully I think this is kind of way we worded it or see I think we worded this it's pretty much citywide so I don't think we narrow this down to just one section or one area. So, uh I believe when we did it, so it's not like we're going to go or not telling y'all don't have to concentrate on one area um of need that, you know, because I think we kind of did it as a citywide sewer program. Okay. So, we should be able to address um whatever needs that y'all come up with. I think and go Mace is relatively easy to work with. Um, you know, I think if we do it be a great benefit.

Oh, I just have one. Uh, Brand, it looks like I know there were some appropriations. I think recently with the GCRF, I think it was the city of Ocean Springs, they got about 3.2 million to pump into their sports complex. And I know back the previous council in 2021 did a resolution to do something additional with the lodging uh fees that would be a straight tourist tax and it passed Senate floor but didn't pass on the houses. So, is there any recommendation or anything we need to work together to try to, you know, put more emphasis on the sports or how we can keep up with some of the neighboring cities that have, you know, a more robust program? I know there was House Bill 1891, I think, that you authored last year that that appropriates that lodging fee to the coastal Mississippi coastal tourism about $500,000. There's anything we can do at the local level with your support to try to again, this is strict tourist tax with the lodging. Is there anything we could do to try to partner and put an emphasis on improvements to our sports or complexes?

Yeah, I'm not sure. Did y'all Did y'all have a resolution on the sports plex this year or was there any projects turned in? There was I think there was a uh since we actually leased the sports from the uh school district. I believe they put something in for GCRF from No one brought it to my attention. Councilman, I'm sorry about that. I mean, we could have addressed it this year. It been a great year to address it, but what's the I definitely want to have a better coordination. Um, what's the dead? So, when can we start that for the next fiscal? June. I think the deadline is June. Last Friday in July. These grant administrators back here are easier to ask that question to.

Uh, yeah. So, if we can get it in by July, we can always make it a, you know, a priority next year. I believe we covered a lot of the utility needs and things this year. So yeah, let's tackle it. And um Mike, is that So we had the two, right? We had the school district that submitted it and then we also did as well. Correct. I put I'm not for sure if the one I put in for the school district. I got one for the school district this year. U we were able to secure them a million dollars for their CTE program for their workforce development. And I believe, if I'm if I'm not mistaken, was that about a $4 million project on that sports complex in that neighborhood?

Yeah, it was. They I didn't get that one through. They gave me one of the two in which the Bay Wave the school district stated it was their importance level was the uh workforce development training center. Um so I concentrated on that but I wasn't aware that the the city was um even pushing for that this year. And what did we put what was our what was our call? Okay. And that was specific to the sports complex and upgrades and Okay.

Yeah, we can tackle it this coming session. Let's get it in and then we'll work it through. And then uh you know, like I said, we we cover a lot of the basic needs um from one side. Let's go to the other side. We'll make that our priority. Appreciate it.

Yeah, no problem. Mayor, I'm going just give you one little quick update. If y'all don't mind, write this Senate number down. It's going to be Senate Bill 2409. Uh this is going to be the mitigation and insurance uh bill that we fought extremely hard to as a coastal delegation to get this bill passed this year. Basically what this is going to do um it's a mitigation program where a household will be allowed $10,000 to start uh fortifying their roof. I'm sure all of y'all are familiar with these programs. And we finally got a lot back down. We fought this for well since I've been in for seven years and it's being fought since Katrina. We finally got a bill passed. We've come to an agreement. Um it's a very short bill. You can probably read the whole thing in about 10 minutes, but um it's going to be very important. So, we're just trying to spread the word especially to cities um as as each of us go along the coast go to give our updates and things of that nature. This is going to start allowing insurance companies once we get this program functioning, which it'll be ready to go immediately coming July uh 1st. Um this will allow insurance companies to start writing premiums that haven't been written here since pre Louisiana and Alabama are seeing anywhere from a 30 to 40% reduction in homeowner wind insurance with this program. And that's our goal is to start doing that. probably one of the most important bills I felt that come out this year for us as a coastal uh city and a coastal county. So, we are um we are really pressing the word to get in there and read it and understand. It's very simple bill to read and understand. Um but basically, we're going to start helping fortify some of these homes. Uh right now, I think on the current list about 750 homes coastal wide right now. I'm sure

more will come after the fact uh once this program comes into place, but it but it's also going to allow the insurance companies to start giving the funds back to this project, which is going to take some of relief off of them if we were to have another catastrophic event where we're constantly building the wind pool up uh building these programs up. So, just kind of pay attention to that bill. We're hoping the governor will sign it a little earlier um just to show the importance of it and what it's going to mean to us. But I just wanted to give y'all that bill number read up on if you have questions. We're not you expect y'all to get into it middle of your board meeting. Feel free to reach out to me. We can talk about it and um you know we'll we'll really get these programs going. Um you know a lot of these older homes by fortifying their roots they can see great tax reductions. I'm sorry insurance reductions. And uh that's what our big push is to try to do with this bill. So it's Senate Bill um 2409. Other than that, mayor, I appreciate the invite.

I thank you for having me. Council, each of you have my number. Please reach out if I can help you. I will address that issue this coming session. Be a good thing to do. I see there's getting a lot of use out there at that porch complex every weekend, it seems like. But stay full. Um but if I can help any one of y'all, please reach out and thank y'all for having me. Thank you. appcate.

Okay, we'll move on to our first public forum regarding agenda items. Nobody signed up for it. Okay, so we'll move on to our 5A approval of the minutes. So call for a motion to approve the minutes of March 17, 2026. Have a motion. Motion by Councilman Smith. Do I have a second? Davis. Second. Any discussion? Vote. The motion. I I I I I I I motion passes 70. Okay. Moving on to the consent agenda. Did anybody have anything they wanted to discuss or pull off?

Yeah. Uh I just wanted to kind of go through this item S, the special event permits, and just get some clarity on a couple of those. Um, specifically, Mike, I know we were in correspondence and looking into it. So, there's the application with the Wednesdays at the depot. So, we're able to find out is that an individual, is that an LLC, a nonprofit? What's the LLC right now going through an LLC? Uh, they usually turn the insurance in before the event and they'll have the fees paid and everything. So, it is it is paid because I know the first one's next Wednesday. No, before Wednesday. Everything I think reach back out to her today and she's getting everything together.

Okay. And that insurance will be provided. Insurance be provided? Yes. Okay. And then I usually don't get the insurance till maybe a day or so before and added to it. Okay. All right. Um it looks like is it the cruisers the misfits? Let me see what that is. So that's essentially I know they indicated they're really just using it for a few hours, right? They're just then they're not occupying any of the stages. It just is a matter of getting the bathrooms which are probably unlocked anyway. They're unlocked anyway. They're just using uh walking in the road. Okay. So no street closures though on that.

So there's not a fee tied to that at the moment. They know if there's other events back there as well, then they just have to walk around. Yeah, it's more of just use on that one the street there and the bathrooms are not using any other space. Okay, anything else? Anyone? I'll call for a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion. Motion by Councilman Smith. Do I have a second? Second. Any discussion? Vote the motion. I I I I I motion passes seven.

Okay, moving on to project updates. Uh I know Jason was here. He's for the legislative update. He is going to be at our next meeting for project updates. Uh nothing for the ordinances. City clerk's report. I will call for a motion to approve the docket of claims 26-017 dated April 7th, 2026 and the amount of $488,95757. Motion by Councilman Smith. Do I have a second? Morning and seconds. Any discussion? Motion. I I I motion carries 70. Okay. Mayor's agenda. You got anything there?

Good. Council business. Does anyone have any council business?

Yeah, Mike, I had something come up and I didn't have a chance to talk to you before the meeting on it. Um, it looks like in Pan Park there's there's an address. It looks like we might need to check that water meter because it seems like that that in Pan Park at 433, it looks like she's being build the con like a consistent amount each month which I would think you know if we're estimating it or or I don't know if it's an issue with the reading of the water meter but then recently she's getting double bills and it's two two three times higher than it than it was I'm assuming maybe it's a water meter issue but we're not getting that reading do we had a leak system leak but yeah we can send somebody out it's 433 433 pound is it

uh yeah uh Jane Scarbor Yeah.

All right.

Okay. Yeah. It seemed like she she showed me some of her invoices. It was consistent each month almost on the on the dime and then a couple months there's outliers. Um just wanted to pass on a compliment. Jim Bradley from pasture stand. saw him Saturday. He's charter boat was with the past fire department and that for years and he just wanted to he said if we ever need anybody to speak on behalf of our harbor he said they they leave the pass harbor to come fill up in the bay he said in everywhere that they can possibly promote in Orange Beach Gulf Shores Dest and he thinks it's run great and it's one of the most Beautiful. So he said if you ever need somebody to advertise for you, he would gladly do it.

Public works. I just want to give them a shout out for all the work they've been doing. Staying ahead of the paving crew, changing culverts and getting ditches. And also I got a compliment on the police department from Garden Ale. We have an officer back there patrolling, getting out, meeting people, shaking hands and everything. And um they just said they really like that. So I'm excited to hear that community police move to know the community. The police presence has been really high at least in war. I think it's been everywhere. I think they really stepped up. They showing a different way of how they patrol or by beats. And I think that's just a little bit more effective as far as being visual.

Yeah. And I've been seeing them more myself, but I just got that call today. So, I want to thank everybody. Yes. I just like to remind everybody to pray for the repose of the soul with Mr. Jean former passed away Saturday night. Um services will be next Wednesday week tomorrow. I'll send some out. I think it's at 10:00 everything battle. Yep. Well, I just had two uh two compliments here. Uh one was with code enforcement. I sent in some some properties that I was getting some complaints about. It was probably within two days. U the properties were actually cleaned up within a week. So, just thank them for, you know, working so quickly to get get that done. Officer Also, I wanted to compliment officer Roy Fullerton. Uh, I don't even think he knew who I was whenever this happened, but uh, I was eating dinner. This kind of goes along with what Councilman Dalvo said, getting to know the public. But he came over to my godchild and son and deputized them and now they make me wear my seat belt. So, just wanted to tell them thank you. It uh, it made their day and and just really appreciated that and just wanted to point that out.

That's great. That's great. Other than that, I don't have anything else. Anyone else? We'll move on to public forum regard regarding non-aggenda items. No one signed up. Somebody raised a hand back there a minute ago. I don't know if they want. Did you want to?

Yeah. If you would like to come speak and just uh state your name. Um, we've been having a problem over at five 601 Washington Street for the last pass. Uh, four, five. The city put the sidewalks in. They closed off my drainage at my house and my yard stays full of water. It doesn't drain because there's no dish there. They they didn't put a drain there. A house next door has to drain. The water has to drain from one yard to right now. We has a whole come up. He He can show you the pictures. We have pictures, updated pictures if y'all would like to. I would love for some of y'all to come out there and see. This man rents there. He's been renting from me for the last past seven years and we've been having this problem. They can't even use the driveway.

So right there behind that side there's a big knew a long time. Yeah, that's Mr. Sorry. That's why he sideb what we talking and I don't want to interrupt because I want you to have your full three minutes. So, pause it for a second.

Now, I am aware of Mr. Sam's issue on Washington Street, 603 Washington. I did contact Ronnie on February 27th about it. They did go out and view the property. I also took pictures. Um, from my understanding, they want to address them actually filling the hole, kind of leveling the yard because they didn't see it as a drainage issue. After talking with some of the city workers, they were saying that it probably better if they got it filled with rock instead of dirt because it just turned into mud. So at right now that's where I'm at with it is that we're looking at what other options we have with you with yours because they was talking about filling it with possible dirt but there was like it is make mud.

Do you mind you mind so that can listen if they would have put a drainage there that would have that would have solved all that. Putting dirt there or rock there all you're going to do is just run the water to the next drain. A drain should have been there just they have a drain at 603. We need a drain at 601 and it would have elim it would have took care of that. So the drain at the other property is on the sidewalk. Right. It's right it's right there by the sidewalk. Right. I asked them about putting a drain like how Miss Diane has hers. That's what we need. Yeah.

There. So like I have been working on it for you. I just haven't got a definite yes or no because they wanted to go through other options first. Yeah. But no, it's It it's it need a drain that I think when they put a drain there that that'll take care of that whole situation. Right. And I have to get his approval. We've been we've been working we've been I've been asking for this for the last five or six. Well, thank you very Yeah. I don't want you to think that it hasn't been addressed.

Right. And this guy here, like I said, they've been rent from me. They can't even use the driveway. I was there today. I had to back out on those fast trails because we can't use the drive. It's just holding water, but even now it's just holding water. I heard about it, right? Yeah. But no, it's a myth. I mean, when I tell you it's a

Sounds like you have a idea about it now. Mayor does. Thank you'all for coming. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Anything going to be done? He has to get his approval. Five or six years.

Okay.

I have a question. I want to know why y'all don't clean ditches. no more at 637 642 it say clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clo clogged up with leaves and I know it's got a a a cover but I want to know why y'all in clean ditches anymore. What street was that man? She's on 642 Union and 637 Union. Union? Yes. And I did address your issue after speaking with you on March 17th. They had some projects to finish, I believe, in ward six and then they were headed to you. Okay. Get back to me. No, it's going to get done as a work order already in place. Okay. But they had to finish up a couple of projects first to get to you. All right. Thank you.

Now, I do apologize that it has taken so long. I'm not sure why, but I do thank you for making me aware of it and it is being addressed. All right. Thank you, the board, the mayor, and all of y'all. Thank you for coming. Thank you. My name is Marie Bush. My husband retired from the city. Reverend Jordan Bush. All right, moving on to the attorney's report. There is none. Uh, no need for executive session. So, I'll call for a motion to adjourn the meeting of April 7th, 2026. Do I have a motion? Motion. Motion by Councilman Smith. Do I have a second? Second. Second by Councilman Salvo. Any discussion? Both motion. I I I

I I motion