City Council rejects Renda bid, discusses water rates

The Biloxi City Council this morning approved Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich’s recommendation to reject the bid of Oscar Renda Contracting  for infrastructure work south of the CSX railway, and authorized the mayor to work with contactor Hemphill Construction for a price closer to Renda’s $82.9 million proposal.

Councilmembers voted to reject the Renda bid because it failed to include state-mandated information. Hemphill, which has completed work in west Biloxi for the infrastructure project, had the only other bid, for $93.7 million, for the federally funded project.

The council also tabled a measure Gilich proposed to see as much as $600,000 in emergency paving on roadways in the areas north of the CSX railway, where Oscar Renda has removed asphalt from 55 miles of streets as part of its $117 million, three-year infrastructure repair and replacement contract.

Councilmembers discussed different options for an across-the-board rate increase for the city’s 13,000 water and sewer customers, and planned to revisit the issue during their meeting on Tuesday.

 

Podcast: On working together, Shuckers and more

F. Cliff Kirkland, the city’s Chief of Innovation and Development, updates progress on the ongoing broadband initiative and the city’s efforts at the state capital in this week’s City Desk podcast. Kirkland also discusses Mayor Gilich’s work with his fellow leaders across the Coast and speaks about the new Shuckers general manager.
Listen to the City Desk podcast

 

News and notes

Winter Formal: The Parks and Recreation Department will host a Special Needs Winter Formal tonight from 6-9 p.m. at the Donal Snyder Community Center, 2520 Pass Rd.  All physically and mentally challenged children, adults and their parents are invited to attend the free event.  To see the flyer, click here.

Fair housing help: Do you know your rights under the Fair Housing Act? The city will conduct a Fair Housing workshop next week at the Community Development Department on MLK Boulevard. To read more about the free session, click here.

Development report: The Biloxi Planning Commission has OK’d the re-zoning of property on Meaut Street to open the door to short-term rentals, and the Development Review Committee signed off on a site plan for a Mexican restaurant on Pass Road. To see the Community Development report, click here.

Popp’s Ferry reminder: The section of Popp’s Ferry Road east of Cedar Lake Road will be closed Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For details, click here.