[{"_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",6148332,"mediaKeyId","5516673-fee36d1c25b4655ee3fa209157284494","parentId",5516673,"title","Council debates use of CDBG-CV funds for Greenwich Community Center HVAC as members press for direct housing aid","audioSeconds",276,"startMs",1561000,"endMs",1837000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5516673-fee36d1c25b4655ee3fa209157284494&start=1561&end=1837","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5516673-fee36d1c25b4655ee3fa209157284494/thumbnail_1561000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6148332/Biloxi/Harrison-County/Mississippi/Council-debates-use-of-CDBG-CV-funds-for-Greenwich-Community-Center-HVAC-as-members-press-for-direct-housing-aid","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6148332-c3fa2a9121dd007e1ce1b42232c7a96c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775509877&Signature=l4aZmnr~M5TMg5E5iH9qUN8nyOBvZb3jYxbSWIfDlhX-qUNbVCd8tPK~hC4IXq504C6Q6qQC1LLl-rGtb6xkX7WsJCJMLj5mXDLB4YaLgztrlVTuIo8dc395IBRc~zWpNwPT66y~N~oUIh9aGWlHNYmpwVbpEd-ShmYw9Ye7Mhg5HN~ABM8mR~i6izyERkbo7te-Dj9gXwMtSTYCBrfEK6LVLB6dWIfwXpfAIk24QZPbKifAaea7HMe24kUh7vrOIOau9W7wpuhlGx8IDhW3-k4q1-OKr8tMi96zB~u3csya5WWzu~ye8JiNixLDdoVBaj1aOajlUHmLYOOTPnexFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Biloxi, MI","date","2025-07-29T00:00:00Z","article","Council members debated whether to use CDBG-CV (COVID-19 Community Development Block Grant) funds to pay for an HVAC replacement at the Greenwich Community Center, with several members expressing concern that the federal dollars should instead pay for direct housing repairs and other resident-facing assistance.

Councilman Marshall (as identified in the transcript) said he supported the center getting air conditioning but objected to the funding source. \"What we have a problem with is the source of the funds that are being used to put the air conditioning in,\" he said, arguing the money was intended to help individuals and low-income households. Susan Pickett, a city official, explained there are two different grant streams — \"CDBG and CDBG-CV are two different sources of funds\" — and that CDBG-CV funds date to February 2020 and had to be spent within time limits. Pickett told the council HUD had urged the city to spend the remaining CDBG-CV funds and that HUD had suggested projects to help expend the balance.

Speakers discussed alternatives that could have used the funds directly for residents: Pickett and others listed HUD-approved uses such as roof repairs and other housing assistance; Marshall said one eligible household example would be a four-person family with income thresholds discussed in the meeting. Marshall noted urgency because the CV funds had expiration timing: \"They ended in '23. They were to take them back. We had notification that they were gonna be taken back... HUD came back to us, the mayor, and said, we need to help y'all spend these funds.\"

Marshall questioned prioritizing infrastructure when the city also uses other funding sources for large capital purchases. He cited past uses of CDBG funds for fire trucks and asked rhetorically whether those purchases helped individuals in need, noting a recent fire truck cost he reported as \"$1,100,000.\" Council discussion included possible reallocation via a substantial amendment and mention of a separate road project estimated at about $800,000.

The agenda included a \"Resolution authorizing approval and execution of a contract with DNP for HVAC services for the Greenwich Community Center HVAC replacement project.\" The transcript notes the resolution was \"previous moved by Councilman Marshall and seconded by Councilman Tisdale,\" and then the meeting record shifts to extended discussion; the provided segment does not contain a final roll-call vote on that resolution.

Why it matters: CDBG-CV funds carry program restrictions and time limits; choosing between infrastructure at a public facility and direct assistance to low- and moderate-income households can affect who receives federal benefits and risks federal clawback if funds are misused or left unspent.

The transcript ends before a final council vote on the DNP HVAC contract is shown.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council part 2 July 29, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council members and staff debated whether COVID-era CDBG-CV funds should be used to pay for HVAC replacement at the Greenwich Community Center, with some members arguing those funds should prioritize direct homeowner repairs or affordable housing and staff saying HUD urged spending and multiple HUD-approved options existed.","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},6148337,"Council unanimously rezones two Beach Boulevard parcels to community business for potential car wash",210,1336000,1546000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5516673-fee36d1c25b4655ee3fa209157284494&start=1336&end=1546","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5516673-fee36d1c25b4655ee3fa209157284494/thumbnail_1336000.jpg","/articles/6148337/Biloxi/Harrison-County/Mississippi/Council-unanimously-rezones-two-Beach-Boulevard-parcels-to-community-business-for-potential-car-wash","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6148337-ea2c34f6e3599015448422464a802557/orig.mp4?Expires=1775509877&Signature=YPsrGlCktkMycQHjIVq~ixtC~Mb0oqHBd6WGCxjo6fex-Z0KPCaalhKJ7Ugsk2UPS4SfL06T5atq1JcOLLEW92dV~Cv2yRK2Lju~7pPbhVdTBvmIvFh4qF6uEnLBl8q~kPYj7eBv14kmA5bX7F~knV1de2E877gBWe72oaGjW-LkMhS87k1NIex-x7mTm2qbgM-n-OoVLRE9s6brZMZuAiLuvlijZfhmRZjXTEz3C9Buhpie~ByjeDMpXYo5iPVrFv~V5zsIu9yGdjYYfxpRSsS8ZbLrs3LTKVIdTfsKJBIVIH19ERInnQaMWsl0HOM7K-jZ3~4xWQVcZs5rB~ONpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Biloxi City Council voted unanimously to approve a zoning map amendment that changes two parcels at 1732 and 1736 Beach Boulevard from waterfront to community business (CB). Councilman Creel moved the ordinance and Councilman Gray seconded; \"All in favor?\" drew unanimous assent.

Creel said the waterfront designation was widely sought after following Hurricane Katrina for potential casino development but that the parcels are \"too small for casino development\" and that community-business zoning is \"the right zoning for Highway 90\" in that area. He described the applicant's proposal as an upscale car wash to be located toward the Highway 90 frontage with potential future development of the rear parcel for a hotel or similar use. Council discussion noted the two parcels total \"roughly 3 and a half acres,\" with a small parcel fronting Highway 90 and larger land to the rear.

Why it matters: Rezoning to CB allows hospitality and entertainment uses along Highway 90 and clears the way for the car-wash project and other commercial development options on the rear parcel.

The motion carried unanimously; council discussion indicated the applicant plans the car wash in the front parcel with potential later development on the larger rear parcel.","Biloxi City Council approved an ordinance rezoning 1732 and 1736 Beach Boulevard from waterfront to community business, enabling an upscale car wash and possible future commercial development; motion was moved by Councilman Creel and seconded by Councilman Gray and passed unanimously.",{"_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},6148342,"Biloxi residents urge council to deny Boulevard/Beauvoir Villas PDR rezoning over density and open-space worries",528,53000,581000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5516673-fee36d1c25b4655ee3fa209157284494&start=53&end=581","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5516673-fee36d1c25b4655ee3fa209157284494/thumbnail_53000.jpg","/articles/6148342/Biloxi/Harrison-County/Mississippi/Biloxi-residents-urge-council-to-deny-BoulevardBeauvoir-Villas-PDR-rezoning-over-density-and-open-space-worries","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6148342-520ce6dd65f9f53a69b15f641346ae33/orig.mp4?Expires=1775509877&Signature=gdDRyWF~hfL8RzbOQElxntOGdxOgaWceA8m7dFcc0hzZg3jgl62aD6-S0~~NZjF1-~swwge-0hoX1wmaaFcp0-gNIBDAs7VZs-BqUFrwrK2u~yxAV640Ld9fU-Qm~rsrddK8sene9TBUW-bJlDtmnCWVOpFh58ZbOkVcBI2StHokEncZSURIh-xixme-q3rXdAcVQozIXNjbvg8aiKktI45QXRNRkk8grMeG3wzLkhsMJwCrw8Tmot49CfTMtKgRRMePC52ldHHnvLZ4GgzX~rgnfVw7JzCF42UM~sBGGbBayYc4-GBVZK0sOHqT6xYEm2rMqC2dc0-5P3OBKd3zTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of Biloxi residents told the City Council during public comments that the proposed Beauvoir/Boulevard Villas Planned Development Residential (PDR) rezoning would create excessive density and fail to meet the city's open-space requirements. Speakers said the proposal would replace low-density single-family rules with a PDR that could allow about 200 homes and leave far less open space than the Land Development Ordinance requires.

The residents' objections focused on density, open space and trust in the developer. \"I know that the builder has modified the plan to 200 plus homes, but it just doesn't seem to make sense to me,\" said Laurie Silvestro, who gave her address as 181 Iris Street. Steve Shepherd, Gulf Coast group chair for the Sierra Club, told the council the proposed subdivision \"includes less than 5% open space ... falling more than a 100,000 square feet short of the 20% minimum required by law.\" Mike Capital, who said a change.org petition opposing the project has about 330 signatures, added that lots in the proposal would be roughly 1,500 square feet and called the plan \"twice as dense as a mobile home park.\"

Residents also recounted prior local changes by the same developer. Silvestro referenced a prior Coral Breeze project, saying the builder \"presented plans for 1 thing and then changed it after the construction starts,\" and urged the council to deny the zoning change. Several speakers raised traffic and livability concerns tied to local streets including Pass Road, Iris and Lawrence.

Bobby Heinrich, who identified himself as representing the Boulevard Villas developer, told the council the project \"had our hearing at the planning commission. It was a 15 to 1 vote in favor of the development.\" Heinrich said the subdivision would be single-family homes, gated, would \"save\" existing live oaks and is not intended as a rental project. He also said the development team \"answered all concerns\" to city departments and the DRC before the planning commission hearing.

Speakers emphasized different remedies: some urged denial of the PDR rezoning to preserve neighborhood scale and the LDO's open-space standard; others raised the need for affordable housing in Biloxi and asked councilmembers to prioritize housing supply. After public comment concluded, the mayor closed citizens' comments and the meeting moved to the policy agenda.

Why it matters: The council will decide whether to change zoning that governs density, lot sizes and mandatory open space; such a decision affects neighborhood character, tree canopy, traffic and future development precedent in Biloxi.

The transcript segment provided public comment on this rezoning; the council's final vote on the specific Beauvoir/Boulevard Villas application is not recorded in the supplied excerpt.","Multiple residents and environmental advocates told the Biloxi City Council they oppose a proposed PDR rezoning for Beauvoir/Boulevard Villas, citing density, insufficient open space under the Land Development Ordinance and a lack of trust in the developer; the developer said the plan won a 15–1 planning commission vote and preserves live oaks.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council debates use of CDBG-CV funds for Greenwich Community Center HVAC as members press for direct housing aid

Council unanimously rezones two Beach Boulevard parcels to community business for potential car wash

Biloxi residents urge council to deny Boulevard/Beauvoir Villas PDR rezoning over density and open-space worries