BSL Council Update - October 6, 2020 Meeting

Council Updates - October 2020

Councilman-at-Large Gary Knoblock reports on issues before the Planning & Zoning Commission; the Mayor's Report; and a possible energy audit for the City.

Photo by Kat Fitzpatrick

Last Tuesday, October 6, was the first meeting in October. Number one on the list was the mayor’s nomination of Dean Agee to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mr. Agee is the owner of Osceola Property Management, LLC. The council voted 7-0 in favor of the Mayor's nomination. Congratulations, Mr. Agee.
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Aerial image of the Shieldsboro subdivision.

Planning and Zoning recommendations
 
Bay St. Louis Homes & Properties, LLC presented to the Council. Attorney Malcom Jones represented Bay St. Louis Homes. The Planning and Zoning Commission's vote ended in a 2-2 tie and the motion to approve failed due to the tie.
 
There has been broad opposition to this project in the past due to the many variances and high density of homes on the Shieldsboro property on Old Spanish Trail. This presentation had a few changes; the streets were widened by 10 feet to a total of 50' wide. The house density remained at 125.
 
Shortly after the applicants presented their plans, Councilman Smith made a motion to deny the application which was seconded by Councilman Zimmerman. Discussion commenced, and Council president Josh DeSalvo allowed the citizens present to go on the record with their objections to the development. The council voted 6-1, DeSalvo dissenting, to deny the project. This was the second time the council denied this development.

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• Council approved 7-0 a variance application for 608 Sunset Drive.
• Council approved 5-2 a special Subdivision plat and variance for 108-110 Felicity Street.
• Property owners split three non-conforming lots and turned them into 2 non-conforming lots. Each lot had a 60' front but were over 21,000 square feet, or a half-acre in area. I and Councilman Seal voted against the subdivision. There was a petition of 20 residents who were against the project.
• Council approved 7-0 P&Z’s recommendation at 324 Main Street. The owner submitted plans to add a bathroom to the residence and needed a variance of 1'6" to the rear yard setback, resulting in an 18'6" rear yard setback.
• Council approved 7-0 variance at 302 Ballentine Street. Owners are constructing a 24' x 10' rear porch to the residence and needed a 10' variance to the rear yard setback which will be 10'.
• Last, Council approved 7-0 a variance to parking spaces at 301 Toulme Street known as the old McDonald Lumber property. The property will be converted into condominiums. The plans look really nice. Thanks, John Anderson, local architect.

Read the latest report from Planning & Zoning here.

Design of proposed condominium complex at the McDonald Lumber property on Toulme Street.

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The Consent Agenda

• Council motioned to spread on the minutes a letter to Governor Tate Reeves recommending the appointment of Aline Milazzo Ward to the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission.
• The council motioned to spread on the minutes a proclamation declaring October 2020 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
• Emergency Declarations pertaining to Covid-19 and TS Cristobal were extended to November 15th.
• Council motioned to spread on the minutes a contract with BLD Services, LLC to repair a CIPP gravity sewer main lining in the 400 block of Main Street.
• Council approved street closures on October 24 at 6 pm, rainout date of October 30, starting at the Depot-Blaize Avenue, left on Beach Blvd., left on DeMontluzin Avenue, left on Second Street, right on Main Street, left on S. Necaise Avenue, left on Bookter, ending at the Depot for the Halloween Krewe of BOO in the Bay Parade. The Board of Supervisors does need to approve as well.

Click here for all the details on Boo in the Bay and other Bay-Waveland Halloween happenings!

• Council approved BSL payroll for $160, 844.11 dated Sept 25, payroll hours, BSL cash certification letter, BSL cash balances in the amount of $3,404.278.44, the Revenue and Expense report and the BSL grant, Rebates & Donation revenue Detailed GL YTD.
• Comptroller's report Motion to approve docket of claims in the amount of $573,534.91. That is the City’s current bills that were paid.
• Council approved the leasing of two 2020 Ford F-250 ex Cab 4 x 4 trucks, financed through the First Bank at a rate of 1.8% for 60 months.
• City engineer Jason Chiniche presented a contract received from Bean Excavating and Dirt Work with a low quote for the demolition of the existing police department and authorization for the mayor to execute the contract. Council passed the contract 5-1-1. I dissented and Councilman Reed abstained. 

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 Mayor's Report

• Mr. Willie Acker will be returning to the Planning and Zoning Commission. He also addressed the council with a strong message of unity and asked for the police chief to patrol the MLK Park.
• Council approved an emergency declaration for Hurricane Delta, which as you know, made landfall on Friday in nearby Lake Charles. They have taken a beating this year. Our hearts go out to them.
• Council approved an emergency repair of sidewalks in the interest of health and safety in the downtown area. Several locations have buckled and citizens are tripping. Premier Concrete Leveling LLC will repair the areas in question.

 
The council approved a motion to negotiate a contract for energy efficiency services with PATH. Motion passed 6-1. I voted “nay.” I stated that Fire Stations 1 & 2, built after Hurricane Katrina, have LED lighting, the Community Center on Court Street has LED lighting, as does the Community Center on Blaize Avenue. The mayor has been converting City Hall with LED lighting for the last couple of months. But let’s see what the cost will be for an energy audit.
 
We went into executive session and spoke of the current harbor litigation, and the garden center. We approved a new contract with the garden center.
 
Last, I attended the MOPAR Day in Da Bay at the Depot on Thursday. WOW! Despite the weather, that was a great event. Hats off to the MOPAR group for naming the BSL Depot their destination for the next four years. Hats off to the Alice Moseley Museum and other sponsors for launching this event.
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