[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6229967,"mediaKeyId","3443656-952d67979a02e1a96edc00adeae13d9d","parentId",3443656,"title","Residents urge council to prioritize small businesses, equity and better treatment of citizens in public comments","audioSeconds",374,"startMs",1351000,"endMs",1725000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3443656-952d67979a02e1a96edc00adeae13d9d&start=1351&end=1725","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3443656-952d67979a02e1a96edc00adeae13d9d/thumbnail_1351000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6229967/Gulfport/Harrison-County/Mississippi/Residents-urge-council-to-prioritize-small-businesses-equity-and-better-treatment-of-citizens-in-public-comments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229967-72783ea77a8167e1b01f87cd4ba3a883/orig.mp4?Expires=1776287886&Signature=Zk8uQr~lMdfUb1AkLkBBUTJZvYvbgQxSccKMERNUpcqOGEGeHI--GMMLXWGYJguuZh1MT6fQcSOzrLyi9VRmNcB96SUx34Ky1GvqIChUQZjGZ-MWK9Tr~cafiTOwrzbV5uKnXF0QenmNWACaVva8KbWDVmRV6KBEpFvGCGQGYMpNF9CHRd48jTP5L9MWFGsN~VKPkTyODvIz2vJ8F9DqsI1KA~62EEPaAqaOUVjWRc00wuxbcqeObNvyyNuEplgcpyUwWvtWwfXcduMscQSPpqilUzZXVNR8jvhEarybJBhwxnviuNGL0Wf9SReT1pN5lmvpLiKfoJqBy75ZFsRtkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Gulfport Harrison MS","date","2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","article","Two residents used the citizen comment period to criticize what they described as a pattern of neglect and unequal treatment by city government and to call for greater support for small businesses and residents in crisis.

Sandra Weish, who said she has served on a committee since 2006, described recent election experiences as “a difficult time” and asked elected officials to be responsive to citizens. “This has been a trying time for me this election,” Weish said, and urged officials to “be for the people, not just allow the people to elect you.”

Calvin Barnett told the council many residents face debt, struggling small businesses and ongoing racial discrimination. He urged the council to redirect public resources toward communities in need rather than to projects or private interests. “We as a community deserve better,” Barnett said, and called for collaboration between police, nonprofits and residents to support those experiencing homelessness.

Both speakers encouraged the council to listen to and work with residents across economic lines; neither speaker proposed a specific ordinance or budget change during the remarks. The transcript records these remarks during the citizen-agenda portion of the meeting; no direct council action followed from the public comments in the recorded portion of the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Gulfport Council Meeting | May 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Speakers during the citizen comment period criticized city leadership, resource allocation, and treatment of residents, urging more support for small businesses and equitable distribution of public resources.","taxTitle","Gulfport, Harrison County, Mississippi","taxId",24961,"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},6229972,"Council approves two final plats and amends zoning to explicitly allow mobile food trailers",54,762000,816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3443656-952d67979a02e1a96edc00adeae13d9d&start=762&end=816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3443656-952d67979a02e1a96edc00adeae13d9d/thumbnail_762000.jpg","/articles/6229972/Gulfport/Harrison-County/Mississippi/Council-approves-two-final-plats-and-amends-zoning-to-explicitly-allow-mobile-food-trailers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229972-afbce2b28f42f6b7c171731f622c853d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776287886&Signature=PKO7sqh~3uUKbyMQccLdiFTyXzTz4MS9HdKazb8TX9iar~AOmrYAm~gmxfLgutp34T1ZHEvji5B4slm29UYdKQNQq4v-s0PM1xJ9pufBYYgbBELrEhok-5QbMj8EKT2y7lJqEiMR-EjobvObPDHPhMFN0~DLYngjMie~w-CQJOY2qm~aGjpq91~wWTX4oqe0wj5tsII46lvy37PsXbMObZR3drS6HYTwa6F437TnDPQHuj6knRK-pzXPu5k14PMMi1jZHkaRef177ruL~d1koCtFRGmNvf~BzPp9RmguOc4ZuUR6YO-Mw2BKWYTV~Tynb9Bjf7V1~rNbWWdDgjrdFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gulfport City Council approved several land-use items, including final plats and a zoning amendment that explicitly adds food trailers to the definition of mobile food vendors.

Council approved a final plat for right-of-way easement dedication at Gulfport Promenade North (Ward 5) and another final plat for Sahara Gulf Villas (Ward 2). Both motions carried unanimously as recorded in the meeting transcript.

Separately, the council approved a planning commission recommendation to amend the zoning ordinance to include trailers in the category for mobile food vendors. A council member described the change as correcting an oversight and noted that vendors still must meet health-department requirements. “This is adding, food trailers to food trucks,” a council member said during the discussion.

The zoning change was framed as aligning the ordinance with the original intent to allow mobile food operations in compliance with health and safety rules. The council recorded unanimous approval on the zoning amendment. The transcript does not provide further detail on bonding, fees or permit timelines for the amended category; the council and staff referenced health department approval as a threshold for mobile vendors.","Gulfport city council approved final plats for Gulfport Promenade North and Sahara Gulf Villas and approved a zoning amendment to include food trailers under mobile food vendor rules, subject to health-department approval.",{"_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},6229976,"Council ratifies multiple settlements after executive session, including $20,427 property-damage payment",108,2368000,2476000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3443656-952d67979a02e1a96edc00adeae13d9d&start=2368&end=2476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3443656-952d67979a02e1a96edc00adeae13d9d/thumbnail_2368000.jpg","/articles/6229976/Gulfport/Harrison-County/Mississippi/Council-ratifies-multiple-settlements-after-executive-session-including-20427-property-damage-payment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229976-aaba6f4a9c3ca75434b5e174312769d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1776287886&Signature=Xsvl~-t2zEQKJH0DjhD047MgSyChwE5cAKoJsGEiN4yRL9UQCOcgj3kqNTxlblosD7nUywnxWzyJzqXLP1CBKpRCPDZq1XzpK6IjguWQJMfhSkr2ckuOLnQPB7aszSixVfGZofvqjoWTeVTdKDMw57-23bvGcPQpBIsFpWd6uos54Vp2uaUdlFj52NkptfvNA1WoN6qyakLcOvnVYQlyU303O0I3iagBTvfYUj7zwxTxdjg3wpmIo8tzXsdpuhqgxAR8nNyJABeK9sNP0GcMJD4KlS2socqht72hY3sGdKdwLtyEFcq9p0hQXjtChgfmfPnK2jYQ1y8i48MvdOOxHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gulfport City Council returned from an executive session and approved several settlement actions, including accepting $20,427.16 from an insurer to resolve a city property-damage claim.

City Attorney Jim Bruni told the public the council had met in closed session to discuss four litigation matters: a suit involving Katina Parker, a workers’ compensation claim by Christian Otis, an eminent-domain-related dispute with DND Towing, and an automobile-incident case involving damage to city property. After the session, the council authorized specific settlements recorded in the public meeting.

The council authorized the city attorney’s office to accept $20,427.16 from Direct Auto Insurance and Robert Decody in settlement of the city’s property-damage claim arising from an incident dated May 28, 2022. The council then ratified a proposed resolution from the city’s insurer, Travelers Insurance Company, to resolve litigation in a matter involving Jason Cuevas and Katina Parker; the council approved the insurer-led settlement as presented.

A third motion authorized “full and final settlement of all injury” connected to an incident dated Jan. 4, 2011; the transcript records the council’s approval but does not state a dollar amount. Council members recorded those votes as approved by voice vote; the transcript indicates no further official action in closed session.

The council did not provide additional settlement terms or dollar amounts for the Parker or Jan. 4, 2011 matters in the public portion of the transcript beyond motions to approve and recorded voice votes. The city attorney noted that no official action beyond the recorded approvals was taken in closed session.","After an executive session on litigation, the Gulfport City Council authorized several settlements and directed the city attorney to accept a $20,427.16 payment resolving a property-damage claim.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6229981,"Council clears water-park application to sell alcohol, asks legal to confirm indemnification",104,1024000,1128000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3443656-952d67979a02e1a96edc00adeae13d9d&start=1024&end=1128","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3443656-952d67979a02e1a96edc00adeae13d9d/thumbnail_1024000.jpg","/articles/6229981/Gulfport/Harrison-County/Mississippi/Council-clears-water-park-application-to-sell-alcohol-asks-legal-to-confirm-indemnification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229981-55494c80352169a15507ac9f6963cf16/orig.mp4?Expires=1776287886&Signature=G0SROqVvfRKAX2Nzgz71WGc533Hy-MkrzJdQCCeK415~jkTy8VAJhqj5-X-yh3CrkhsIKH~Fdab7WHMA8Seb~pSv8zP9F9-eXaCUo3Hyeeex~wAIPwgnIiO-Gb3CbEyB1WdxmOkSvZgerasmqBXkFL9OQyHNK2Ep9TLvFOacaV7DR6cjOuKfNV43VpmisIsyGYlZMH0ZjAvWwia3ihWSz727xH0K8B4Rux0U5bJYgizEaPZAqWiX~1OHHRfF1N9AqX9QfVLLyd~ZOv05phrySsH8wCyAbj7hEVYl8KDHG-e~AtdH6o3Cc9nc4-NnuizfCKiG~3KUf99t29yxNUPypg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gulfport City Council approved a routine item that authorizes the city’s water-park operator to apply for permission to sell alcoholic beverages, while directing legal staff to confirm the operator’s lease indemnifies the city for claims arising from such sales.

Council members asked whether existing insurance and the operator’s lease would cover liability from on-site alcohol sales. “If I remember their contract as a whole, it indemnifies us,” the city attorney said, and council asked legal to verify that specific coverage before the operator begins serving alcoholic drinks.

The water-park representative told the council the operator will seek a full alcohol license through the state application process but expects to focus “largely in beer and what's termed ready to serve,” meaning prepackaged cans rather than mixed drinks. The operator also described ID checks using a computerized system, certified bartenders and on-site security.

Council discussion noted the process is the city’s step one in approving the operator to apply to the state: the operator must still apply to and receive state authorization. Council members asked staff to verify proper insurance and that the general indemnification clause in the lease will cover liabilities from alcohol sales; the city attorney indicated the lease’s general indemnification likely covers claims arising from the operator’s use but legal will confirm details.

The council recorded the routine-item vote in the transcript as approved; the recorded vote was voice approval with no dissent reported. The transcript does not show a dollar amount for additional insurance or any change to lease language; legal review was requested to ensure indemnification remains in place if the operator adds alcohol sales.","The Gulfport City Council approved a request allowing a water-park operator to apply to the state to sell alcoholic beverages, with council and staff asking legal to confirm the lease indemnification covers alcohol sales.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6229986,"Gulfport council approves five additional poll managers for five large precincts ahead of June election",405,1731000,2136000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3443656-952d67979a02e1a96edc00adeae13d9d&start=1731&end=2136","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3443656-952d67979a02e1a96edc00adeae13d9d/thumbnail_1731000.jpg","/articles/6229986/Gulfport/Harrison-County/Mississippi/Gulfport-council-approves-five-additional-poll-managers-for-five-large-precincts-ahead-of-June-election","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229986-a156a11c6824a511872be59d8fdf1e01/orig.mp4?Expires=1776287886&Signature=TfT4i0b6TOHglPfunU0ipryS8j-uXHbCfVPn3Ng5NXgFWha8tdUuG193SMFLUuljKpFhIr3Afox7fH5ytvfJSHXV~tAD8ntQ50~nKC9zW1ZanqCmcNUffj5GiX6gIe0e16LoQXp5ejkm2I0etOeVsa6cDFxWQxKtA5teWEF60xLrSFvposyn-byK1fRvv0CKElLgnoWU2FPhyguUvhIU3UGhctAyCsrykzEPCDe545KfWgMApERjQKL2iOQ~hawRCSZ5zmTjgwUehmYYbTSSkFdMp~0jd8uKPNS3Zrs0rbO1o2LHnJgJJGNBxqv2wdxoS4d6rtTpPSLddTRL6bsngA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gulfport City Council voted unanimously to increase the number of poll managers by five at five designated precincts for the upcoming general election. The change responds to a request from the municipal election commission, which told the council that several precincts have very large voter rolls and need extra staff to avoid bottlenecks.

The action matters because the city election official told the council the five precincts named in the resolution have voter rolls ranging from about 4,700 to nearly 7,000, numbers the election commission said could cause long lines if staffing is not increased. “We needed 5 extra poll managers,” Dr. Matthews said, and then listed the precinct voter totals: “West Side, 4 Thousand 7 Hundred And 60 voters. Knights of Columbus, 4936 voters. BioView, 5407 voters. Orange Grove, 6981 voters.”

The council first placed the item on the table because a staff member was absent. After staff and election commission representatives explained the staffing need, the council resumed the item and approved the resolution. The council recorded the vote as unanimous. The resolution adds one poll manager at each of the five named precincts: 2A, 3C, 4A, 6A and 7 (as identified in the election commission’s request).

Council members and staff emphasized that April’s primary had split voters into two separate lines, which diluted throughput, and that the upcoming general election will bring all voters through single lines at each precinct. The election commission chair and staff asked the council to approve the extra workers to reduce wait times and ensure each polling location has a floating worker rather than leaving everyone assigned to a fixed task.

The council did not specify an additional city cost in the discussion recorded on the transcript; the motion focused on approving the extra poll-manager positions as recommended by the election commission. The council did not reference any statute or ordinance in its discussion; it treated the request as a scheduling and operations decision by the election commission.

The council approved the resolution by unanimous voice vote and recorded the action so the election office could proceed with staffing plans for the general election.","The Gulfport City Council approved a resolution adding five poll managers at five large precincts for the June general election after a recommendation from the municipal election commission.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge council to prioritize small businesses, equity and better treatment of citizens in public comments

Council approves two final plats and amends zoning to explicitly allow mobile food trailers

Council ratifies multiple settlements after executive session, including $20,427 property-damage payment

Council clears water-park application to sell alcohol, asks legal to confirm indemnification

Gulfport council approves five additional poll managers for five large precincts ahead of June election