[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6076904,"mediaKeyId","2966734-2606df1181c0b198860e105ca7899c51","parentId",2966734,"title","Votes at a glance: Biloxi council actions include town-hall on Broadwater, bench contract change","audioSeconds",1492,"startMs",32000,"endMs",1524000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2966734-2606df1181c0b198860e105ca7899c51&start=32&end=1524","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2966734-2606df1181c0b198860e105ca7899c51/thumbnail_32000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6076904/Biloxi/Harrison-County/Mississippi/Votes-at-a-glance-Biloxi-council-actions-include-town-hall-on-Broadwater-bench-contract-change","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076904-cb9e474c23babca88149ca00ec008ffe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137132&Signature=gSXOFFViVBvVuORWYq7tGDVhk6JuEEsPwLshDylHfwoMifyAiFdZv6dML-7TnpK-FyzvhLEqKNdEr7rptwIHioeBiR~OMcWZlBNJ0OfUMxfyi9lS87Khmjg0gQwCNVuvZzF3p~nbRvKabWbxOZO2dVJfvr6P~3XG26XWY68Wd8VSAD6gvEoJXCoeTd4fm8n4ur5aI23Bhrs5Xw2uktQ0oiezBsqqsi4hIpJEmGnDB4HMnb~6jV1e5ICWARCKuxjrAL3J8uegeHlePqc7NkP6~ybKDUZrJrqjV6Beu4fyAZNPyiKsgpyizW1KXiYHGHw1pKvtNi7gvdCuaw-UNvBDRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Biloxi","date","2025-03-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Biloxi City Council recorded several formal actions and votes at its March meeting. Key outcomes:

- Town-hall on Broadwater property and methadone clinic: Approved 7-0. Council scheduled a public meeting for April 15 at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers and directed staff to invite property owners, homeless-service providers and neighborhood representatives.

- Bench-advertising agreement amendment (Coast Bench Advertising): Amendment to shorten contract length to two years and retain the current list of benches approved 6-1. A separate motion to remove bench #20 (DeBeers Road/Old Middle School) failed 2-5.

- Consent and routine agendas: Changes disclosed during the clerk's reading included substituting item 5 and Exhibit B for a resolution accepting a certificate of substantial completion tied to final pay application for JE Talley Construction and adding a docket of claims in the amount of $112,512.11. The consent and routine agendas were approved by voice vote (7-0).

- Other recorded procedural votes: Motions to suspend the rules and to amend the published agenda were approved by voice vote (7-0); the council adjourned and reconvened for a special Parks and Recreation Commission meeting after a short break (7-0 adjournment vote).

Several items on the policy agenda were discussed but did not result in separate votes recorded in the transcript, including a first reading of an ordinance to amend Chapter 2, Article 14 (municipal facilities) and clarifications about park field use fees (city youth league teams are not charged; outside travel teams must pay facility fees).

Votes recorded in the meeting transcript included multiple unanimous 7-0 voice votes on procedural and routine matters, and split votes where council members disagreed on location-specific bench-removal proposals.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Biloxi City Council Meeting March 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its meeting the Biloxi City Council approved a series of routine and policy actions: scheduling a town-hall on Broadwater and the methadone clinic (7-0), amending the bench-advertising contract to two-year terms (6-1), and approving routine and consent agendas (7-0).","taxTitle","Biloxi, Harrison County, Mississippi","taxId",52209,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076908,"Biloxi council shortens bench-advertising contract, rejects removing one downtown bench",811,3169000,3980000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2966734-2606df1181c0b198860e105ca7899c51&start=3169&end=3980","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2966734-2606df1181c0b198860e105ca7899c51/thumbnail_3169000.jpg","/articles/6076908/Biloxi/Harrison-County/Mississippi/Biloxi-council-shortens-bench-advertising-contract-rejects-removing-one-downtown-bench","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076908-225ed5a90db122dc6c4f4f16fd10ad3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137132&Signature=lOks~anD8t9ZCm0k9X0YOHSgYh5ku8LYuAOBnGXWLt2kYq2QyTzKKUB~V4yIkt2LPLwGfa~VmPzsfY5qX4pOtzpx-SxsRL9k6ZoUq2ThnoK2i2XcBG2-mOuVv~BK8I4G6~nYHPg56wz27ohF4nDE3lh5zoB-jr~LoLyRjp52vdopphBWb2NTvQH0aAIpz6DOhppNMpzQ5JXVTxlTCxaxe-bcL4le9pWLCtk634Dn-RzVruGmiTBc~taTbUs-WuUPoT2cdHwWhIuFqw4nbxzBSZIcKShyRkAI4V98CHexKVpVMgy-h4OCEExguA0NOeWk6cMplmZar0JOo5lqSmTS1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Biloxi City Council approved an amendment to the city's bench-advertising agreement that shortens contract length to two years, while keeping the existing set of advertised benches unchanged. The amendment passed 6-1.

Councilmembers discussed complaints that benches are sometimes used for sleeping by people experiencing homelessness and whether the city should remove specific benches. One proposed amendment to remove bench number 20 at DeBeers Road and Old Middle School failed on a 2-5 vote.

Councilmember Lawrence moved to keep the advertisement list the same and change the contract term to two years; Councilmember Glavin seconded the motion. Supporters said a two-year term is a reasonable compromise to give the advertising operator business certainty while allowing the city to revisit locations more often than under previous four-year terms.

Opponents said homeless use of benches is a problem that can reduce public access and impede small businesses. Several council members urged alternatives to outright removal, including deterrent features to prevent benches being used as beds and stronger involvement from CTA (Coast Transit Authority) at bus stops. The bench operator and members of the public previously told council that benches provide wayfinding and business advertising valued by tourists and locals.

The council first approved the change to a two-year term by a 6-1 vote. Later, a motion by Councilmember Tisdale to remove bench #20 (DeBeers Road / Old Middle School) was seconded and failed 2-5. The final amended agreement retains the current bench list and imposes two-year contract terms.

Council did not adopt a citywide ban on bench advertising; members said they prefer to pursue case-by-case solutions (deterrents, enforcement, and working with advertisers) before removing specific advertising locations.","The council approved a change to the bench-advertising agreement to two-year terms (6-1) and rejected a motion to remove a specific bench location (failed 2-5). Debate centered on homeless use of benches, small-business advertising and CTA responsibilities.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076912,"Biloxi council schedules town-hall on Broadwater property and nearby methadone clinic after resident complaints",829,627000,1456000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2966734-2606df1181c0b198860e105ca7899c51&start=627&end=1456","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2966734-2606df1181c0b198860e105ca7899c51/thumbnail_627000.jpg","/articles/6076912/Biloxi/Harrison-County/Mississippi/Biloxi-council-schedules-town-hall-on-Broadwater-property-and-nearby-methadone-clinic-after-resident-complaints","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076912-a4dba634551c9472550f6966fd4ccb2a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137132&Signature=ftSkzijPLFoB-~pH8VNOHJ6YlErCXkOL1QEbzcrSzDQ1~wnJkNSrKH6PK5bLU9Qe3PpAtQUoyeD2qWEg5p1~PV5z6WKUYvjznvRROBQ0mXMqQ0fB5ZD~ec4BcSmSj28xDwdL-LIZ170chG2Fl7C~89Z-uqRkvGNI2Wt0ufBJ9hXRhleLiDVqhl2RaLhS5rj0dIdOdUZBH5UXnJHEiHENwUPSK6i-~nFuQdtT42hogMEYGuyV1epIwRx~fueQyMSnZNh3JwGDyjqp6c6ZsaRqFLadVTC8dj5tWj5osovjNPC1ktgfo7JK16Tic6HfMSFDWcdre5M1HSFrzbHHNbzgjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Biloxi City Council voted 7-0 to hold a town-hall meeting on April 15 at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers to hear public comment and stakeholder testimony about the Broadwater property and activity around a nearby methadone clinic.

Councilmember Newman moved for a public hearing on the Broadwater property; the motion was seconded and carried on a seven-zero voice vote. Council members said the meeting should include property owners, homeless-service providers and neighborhood businesses.

The council took up the request after several council members and residents described recurring encampments, abandoned tents and trash on the Broadwater site. Councilmember Lawrence and others said Bi-loxi police and code enforcement have repeatedly removed camps but residents and council members reported people return, and that cleanup has been piecemeal pending CSX maintenance on the rail corridor. Council members repeatedly urged involvement of property owners and local homeless-service groups, including Back Bay Mission and Open Doors, to seek long-term solutions.

Council and staff discussed logistics and publishing deadlines before the vote. City staff said CSX has scheduled clearing work for its portion of the property and that the city is monitoring progress; the city does not pick up private trash on private property, staff said. Councilmembers asked staff to invite property owners, homeless-service providers, neighborhood representatives and law enforcement to the town hall.

Resident speakers urged faster cleanup and permanent solutions for the affected neighborhoods. One public commenter, who identified himself as a nearby resident, told the council his neighbors have experienced threats and property damage and asked to be included in any committee or task force formed to address the problem.

The council recorded that citizens had circulated a petition seeking a public hearing and that the petition had collected about 150 signatures. Councilmembers discussed possible meeting locations and agreed to hold the meeting in the City Council Chambers on April 15 at 6 p.m. The council confirmed the meeting would be published on the city's website; the motion to schedule the town hall was approved 7-0.

Council members said the town-hall will address the Broadwater property specifically and also permit broader discussion of homelessness and addiction citywide to avoid pushing problems from one site to another. Staff cautioned that some cleanup work is dependent on CSX and on private property owners' actions.

The town-hall will be billed as a public meeting; staff said they would follow publication requirements and invite the parties the council requested.","The Biloxi City Council voted unanimously to hold a town-hall meeting on April 15 at 6 p.m. to gather public input on the Broadwater property encampments and activity around a local methadone clinic.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Biloxi council actions include town-hall on Broadwater, bench contract change

Biloxi council shortens bench-advertising contract, rejects removing one downtown bench

Biloxi council schedules town-hall on Broadwater property and nearby methadone clinic after resident complaints