Diamondhead City Council approves grant applications, authorizes one unmarked police administrative vehicle amid resident objection

Diamondhead City Council on the evening in question adopted three grant-application resolutions and approved routine financial items, while also authorizing a city police unit to be used as an unmarked administrative vehicle despite public opposition.

The council voted to authorize the city manager to apply for a FY26 GoMESA grant through the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources for $2,000,000 to fund Bank Phase 3 (bank stabilization). It also approved a Tidelands FY27 funding application of $500,000 for the Rotten Bayou Nature Trail Connection and moved to apply to the Mississippi Development Authority for a FY26 Gulf Coast Restoration Fund grant of $2,000,000 with a required 20% local match to support a commercial district transformation project that includes Jekes Road and Park 10 Drive.

The meeting included a public comment from resident Howard Hickman, who said Diamondhead City is among the safest cities and objected to authorizing an unmarked police vehicle. "We are a safe city," Hickman said. "We don't need an unmarked police car." Hickman raised concerns that unmarked cars can be used for concealed enforcement and suggested the change could be used to generate revenue.

The city manager responded that the vehicle is an administrative unit for the police captain and assistant captain, not a patrol car, and that the city has had an unmarked administrative vehicle in the past. "It would not be used for patrol," the city manager said, adding that keeping the vehicle un-decales is cheaper than re-marking.

Council members moved, seconded and carried a resolution that explicitly named police unit number 412 (VIN 145528412) and cited Mississippi Code 25-1-87 as the statutory basis for use as an unmarked police vehicle. The measure passed after a roll-call vote.

Votes at a glance: resolution authorizing use of police unit 412 as an unmarked administrative vehicle — adopted; GoMESA bank-phase 3 application for $2,000,000 — authorized; Tidelands FY27 application for $500,000 (Rotten Bayou Nature Trail) — authorized; Gulf Coast Restoration Fund application for $2,000,000 with a 20% local match (commercial district transformation) — authorized; consent agenda, claims payable and department reports — approved.

During the city manager's report, staff described multiple capital and maintenance projects affected by recent weather: dredging at Comey Drive/Calabicona Pond has been slowed by heavy rain and may need a time extension; MDOT work tied to a ramp and roundabout listed June 27 as a completion date but could slip; the dog park drainage plan has been received and Public Works will reroute a major ditch to improve on-site drainage; a paving program was scheduled to start June 23 and run on a roughly 90-day schedule; canal dredging is pending an updated engineer bid package; Jordan River Boardwalk lighting details are under review by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources; and Monjoy Creek plans have been submitted to state and federal agencies for review.

At the non-agenda public comment portion, resident Jerry Coburn described erosion at his home on Aiekie Drive that he attributes to a prior drainage project and asked the city to require the contractor to remedy the damage. The city manager acknowledged the concern and noted staff follow-up would be available.

The council also announced community events, including a July 3 fireworks event at Harbor Circle and a July 1 swearing-in ceremony for incoming council members. No executive session was requested and the meeting adjourned.