When the Biloxi City Council meets Tuesday councilmembers will be facing two continuing issues: the re-construction of the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum and increasing the geographic size of the city.
Mayor A.J. Holloway has called a special meeting of the council for Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. to discuss the latest news regarding the plans to construct the museum at the former site of Tullis Manor. Progress on the project has been slowed because of the potential for unearthing historic deposits on the site.
During the afternoon meeting, councilmembers will be asked to approve a measure that updates the city’s geographic boundaries based on the recent annexation case with D’Iberville. The court, in its final ruling, tweaked Biloxi’s victory to include about an acre more on Mississippi 67 across from D’Iberville High School. D’Iberville, of course, is appealing the case.
Among the other measures on the agenda: amending the city’s tax-exemption program to give preference to developers using natural materials, and amending the so-called “pooper scooper” law to add fines to violating pet owners.
To see the complete agenda and available resolutions, click here.
News and notes
Lighthouse lights: Sharp-eyed viewers passing the Biloxi Lighthouse may have noticed that small candle-shaped lights have been placed in the four small windows that dot the 65-foot tall structure. Brian Margavich, who volunteers to give weekend tours of Biloxi’s signature landmark, had the idea to honor the four branches of U.S. armed forces. Said Historical Administrator Bill Raymond: “It’s our way of reminding people that these men and women of the armed forces are in harm’s way today.”
Lighthouse video: Ever seen the DVD about the Biloxi Lighthouse that the city had prepared before Hurricane Katrina? Mary Ann Mobley, the Biloxi native who went on to become Miss America, narrates the 12-mnute production, and you can see an online version by
click here.
Progress video: The city’s YouTube page now includes the nine-minute recap of progress on several city rebuilding initiatives that Mayor A.J. Holloway presented the other day at the State of the City address. To see the video, which is narrated by Mayor A.J. Holloway, click here.
Mark your calendars: Planning is well underway on Preservation in May, the annual initiative to shine a light on Biloxi’s cultural assets. Block out each Thursday in May for a lineup that will include Biloxi’s military history at the restored Guice and Glennan parks near the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor; a cemetery tour that includes insight into the shapes of grave markers over the generations, plus a chance to do tombstone “rubbings”; and a grand finale that will see the opening of the Lighthouse Park and Visitors Center.
Etc.: Architectural work on restoring the old Biloxi Library building will be conducted over the next several months, with an eye to beginning construction later this year. The site will eventually house the city’s Finance Division, which now works in the aging Annex building next to City Hall.
