Residents urge action on slumlords, pop-up events and water problems at Biloxi council meeting

Several residents used the public-comment period at Biloxi City Council’s Feb. 3 meeting to press the city for action on housing code enforcement, unauthorized pop-up events, and water-quality concerns.

Austin Johnson, a Pine Haven Mobile Home Park resident, told the council he has lacked adequate heat in his unit since Dec. 30, reported visible black mold, and said hot-water systems are not functioning properly. "We have been living in unlivable conditions," Johnson said, and he said he had supplied photos and documentation to code enforcement. Councilmembers acknowledged receipt and asked staff to follow up with code enforcement.

Nicole Bethman, owner of Pop's Pizzeria on Cedar Lake Road and Pops Ferry Road, said large unauthorized "pop-up" events organized by tenants at nearby strip centers have drawn unexpectedly large crowds, creating safety, sanitation and parking hazards and harming her business revenue. "This is the second time in six months" she said, adding that police are constrained without a permitting or pre-event review process and urging the city to hold landlords accountable for unpermitted events.

Lizzie Williams, a 40-year resident of Jefferson Street, reported recurring water with a strong odor that city crews have flushed but not permanently fixed; staff said flushing had been done twice weekly but the smell persisted and the city would continue to investigate.

Council reaction: Councilmembers repeatedly asked staff for follow-up: code enforcement was asked to document and act on housing complaints, police and planning staff were urged to develop options to address unpermitted pop-up events and landlord accountability, and water-department staff committed to continued investigation of the odor reports.

Next steps: staff follow-up on code-enforcement cases, a potential review of permitting and landlord responsibilities for pop-up events, and further investigation into the water-odor reports.