Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke reports on the newly completed Waveland lighthouse and the 12th annual Crawfish Cook-off! ​

This project is a great example of a successful collaborative effort between Waveland and Hancock County Board of Supervisors. The project is a significant addition for the public at Waveland’s Coleman Avenue beach area. The project was funded using  Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act funds, Tideland Trust funds, and seawall tax funds. ​
​

Much of the new facility matches the vision outlined and discussed for nearly a decade. The facility has a convenient layout, such as user-friendly ground level space, an elevator and plenty of seating along the observation deck. The facility is low maintenance, has low operating costs and is ADA accessible.

The Waveland Lighthouse, pavilion and bathroom facility will be cleaned daily.  The facility will have 24 hour video surveillance. No established hours for the opening and closing of the restrooms have been decided, but the restrooms inside the Waveland Lighthouse will not be available 24 hours a day.

I will let everyone know when a date and time is decided for the ribbon cutting of this much needed facility.

C&R’s Bar and Grill’s 12th Annual Crawfish Cook-Off will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2019, from 10am – 4pm on Coleman Avenue.

The teams will be competing for cash prizes and for the glorious honor of being crowned Crawfish Cook-off Champion. Trophies will be given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams, as well as to the People’s Choice and Most Unique Edible Lagniappe item.

Admission is just $25 for adults and $10 for kids (9–12), and under-8s are free. The C&R crawfish cook-off benefits Hancock County non-profit, Hope Haven.

No outside beverages are allowed to be brought in and please leave your pets at home. The sponsors of this event are the Silver Slipper Casino and Budweiser.  

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke reports on the upcoming St. Patrick's Day parade and the city's new appointments.

The parade will include the regionally famous Krewe of Shamrockers, The Queens, and the Raw Oyster Marching Club.

The parade will start on Waveland Avenue, travel down Central Avenue, turn right onto Coleman Avenue,  right on Beach Boulevard, then disband at Waveland Avenue. The Waveland Police Department decided this route is logistically the best route for the parade.  Hope to see everyone lined up on the route ready to catch beads, cups, and, of course, cabbage!
​

​Welcome Aboard!

In February, Waveland approved the appointment of former Lt. Phillip Pavolini to assistant police chief and  Mickey Lagasse  as city clerk.  

​Assistant Chief Phillip Pavolini has been with Waveland Police Department for a number of years and rose through the ranks.  Assistant Chief Pavolini will be an outstanding addition to the leadership team at the Waveland Police Department. He brings a wealth of experience and an impeccable service record to his new role.

​My expectations are simple: law and order and providing exceptional service while maintaining community confidence in our police force. Not only has Assistant Chief Pavolini fulfilled that expectation, he has earned the respect of the public and his fellow officers with his impressive service to our community.  

Mickey Lagasse will be an excellent fit here at the city for a host of reasons. His love of customer service will serve the city residents well. He also has years of experience leading staff, streamlining processes, overseeing budgets, preparing contracts, and is a well-organized professional. These are all necessary attributes that we were seeking when filling the city clerk position.

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke reports on the upcoming Nereids Parade, the recent conference of the Mississippi Municipal League, and recent appointments made by Mayor Smith.

Please read the notice below regarding the Nereids parade.

​Laissez les bon temps rouler!
​

​
​PUBLIC NOTICE FROM THE CITY OF WAVELAND
 

• There will be no parking of vehicles, trailers, or recreational vehicles before 12:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon February 23, 2019. Any vehicle parked on the right-of-way at any time that obstructs the view of traffic for cars going into or out of businesses will be towed.
• There will be no marking or reserving parking areas along the parade route with tape, rope or other means of “marking a spot.” 
• Underage consumption of alcohol will not be tolerated. There will be plain clothes officers enforcing the law.
• There will be no sale of silly string &/or Snap and Pops on the parade route.
• There will be no skateboards, hover boards, skates, scooters, bicycles or any unauthorized modes of transportation, including motorized forms of the items mentioned above, on the parade route. Any one of these will be removed from the parade route.
• There will be no drones of any kind on the parade route.
• There will be no reptiles or pets of any kind allowed on the parade route.
• There will be no glass containers on the parade route.
• There will be no parking on the median or ladders or scaffolding.
• ​Please be courteous and use the trash containers provided along the parade route.

​

Board Members Go To Capitol

​Waveland Mayor Mike Smith, Alderman Bobby Richardson, and I recently attended the Mississippi Municipal League’s 2019 Mid-Winter Legislative Conference in Jackson, Mississippi.
 
Along with approximately 500 municipal leaders from all over Mississippi, we participated in discussions of current legislative issues and their impact on local governments and attended sessions to listen to ideas to help move Waveland forward. We also networked with legislators and business leaders at the Gulf Coast Legislative Reception and at the capitol to provide them important feedback on issues that are critical to Waveland.

While in Jackson Mayor Smith, Alderman Richardson and I met with Mississippi Development Authority leadership to ask for additional funding for a community building at Martin Luther King Jr. Park on Herlihy Street. I’m pleased to report that Mayor Smith got word in mid-January from the Mississippi Development Authority that Waveland got the additional funding required to fund the building at Martin Luther King Jr. Park.
 
Attending the MML's Mid-Winter Conference and visiting the capitol during the legislative session are valuable components of Waveland’s progress forward.
​

Waveland Appointments
 
In accordance with Waveland’s charter, Mayor Mike Smith was required to make his appointments to several positions at the first meeting of the new administration. The list of the mayor’s appointments are as follows:

• Police Chief - Michael Prendergast
• Fire Chief - Tony Mallini
• City Attorney - Rachel Yarborough
• Superintendent of Utilities Department (Public Works) - Brent Anderson
• Judge - P.J. Mauffray
• City Prosecutor - Melinda Tucker
• Public Defender - Todd Thriffiley
• Mayor Pro Tem - Shane LaFontaine
• City Clerk (temporary) - Ron Duckworth

 
The two changes that Mayor Mike Smith made was appointing former Assistant Chief Michael Prendergast as the Waveland Police Chief. Chief Prendergast replaces Dave Allen.
 
Chief Allen has served as Waveland Police Chief since 2013 and served Waveland well. He led a department that was facing a number of lawsuits to one of the most respected police departments in South Mississippi. I’m happy to report that Dave Allen has agreed to stay with the Waveland Police Department to serve as Head of Investigations and a full-time Cyber Crimes Investigator for the city of Waveland.
 
I’m positive Chief Prendergast will do a stellar job. His 30-plus years of experience in law enforcement and fresh perspective will be invaluable for the Waveland Police Department. I am confident that under Chief Prendergast’s dedicated leadership, the Police Department will continue to work diligently in protecting our community against crime, while implementing best practices, new technologies and initiatives to ensure the department is able to meet the growing needs of our city.
 
The other change that was made was the appointment of Ron Duckworth as city clerk. The appointment of Ron is only a temporary appointment.  Ron will still hold his position as comptroller, but Mayor Smith informed the Board of Aldermen that his desired choice of city clerk wouldn’t be ready to begin work as city clerk until February, so Ron was temporarily appointed to fill the position. 

A giddy newcomer and seasoned bird-watcher finds a wildlife bonanza here on the Gulf Coast.
- story by Dena Temple

Black Skimmer feeds by dragging its lower mandible through the water, trolling for fish.
​

“Tu-a-wee!” A flock of Eastern Bluebirds frolicked in the front yard.
 
Yes, we are birders. Bird-brains. Bird nerds! In fact, our fascination with feathered fauna helped drive our southern migration. And as birders, we weren’t looking for a home so much as a “habitat.”

​​The pretty brick house on the tracks in Waveland fit the bill perfectly – lots of land bordered by dense woods, near a bayou. We signed the papers just before Thanksgiving, and by Turkey Day we were unpacking our binoculars and setting up feeding stations.
 
We’re also a little competitive. And by “little,” I mean very. We compete with other bird nerds to see how many species of birds we can ID in our yards. We re-started our 2018 list when we moved to Waveland – and by the time the ball dropped on New Year’s Eve, our list stood at an astounding 52 species. In five weeks!

​While all seasons along the Coast provide excellent opportunities for wildlife-watching, perhaps the best kept secret is the diversity here in the winter.
​

Joining the resident species of the Gulf are thousands of birds that spend their summers breeding farther north. As lakes and bays freeze over, species that rely on aquatic habitat are forced to head south.
 
In addition, land birds that eat insects must migrate to follow the food source. So, while spring and fall offer the best variety because of the migratory birds passing along the Mississippi Flyway, winter birding delights savvy Gulf Coast residents who are “in the know.” 
​

​​Gulls, terns and particularly shorebirds flock to the Gulf beaches, much like our snowbirds do, for the Gulf’s agreeable climate and excellent dining. Everyone eats seafood along the Coast!
 
Ducks, too, migrate south for the winter. Many only go as far as necessary to find unfrozen water, so they can find food. Some, however, make their way to our coastline and local ponds.
 
Commonly seen from our beaches are Bufflehead, tiny black ducks with white bonnet-like caps, and Common Loons, looking drab in their “basic” winter plumage.
 

​One of my favorite places to look for birds is the Washington Street Pier in Bay St. Louis. What makes any location excellent for birds is habitat diversity, and this spot has it.
 
Along the beach you’ll see lots of terns, gulls and shorebirds. Try to pick out the Willet, a large shorebird with drab, brown plumage – until he flies, revealing a distinctive and brilliant white wing stripe.

​​Walking to the end of the pier, scan the water for the aforementioned ducks, along with Horned Grebes, which are common in the Sound in the winter, and Red-breasted Mergansers, ducks with a distinctive dagger-like bill. 
​

​​Next, scan the rocks at the pier for Ruddy Turnstone, a medium-sized shorebird with orange legs and an unusually patterned chest. Perhaps you’ll get lucky and spot a Purple Sandpiper in the rocks, a rare visitor from the North.
 
While you’re out there, scan the distant skies for the beautiful white Northern Gannett, a large, graceful booby-like bird that nests on island cliffs but spends its entire winter over the water.
 
Back on land, patiently check the dune grass for birds like Marsh Wren, sparrows and Scaly-breasted Munia, a non-native, pet-shop escapee that has been spotted here recently.
 
There are many places along the Gulf Coast where beginners and pros alike can enjoy looking at, and learning about, birds. 
​

​A great source is the Mississippi Coast Audubon Society, which hosts mostly free field trips to various locations in the area. Attending one of these trips is a great way to meet like-minded people, increase your local knowledge, and learn about conservation and habitat protection.
 
If you’d rather strike out on your own, you can find information on the website for the Mississippi Coastal Birding Trail . The website identifies more than 40 prime birding locations in the six southern counties of Mississippi. It’s a great resource, and I’ll be working my way through that list myself.
 
If you are the type who likes to volunteer, there are opportunities through both MCAS and the National Audubon Society for winter shorebird monitoring.
 
Also coming up February 15-19 is the Great Backyard Bird Count, which encourages individuals to count birds in their own backyards (or a local park or hotspot), then report your findings online through a special website, www.birdsource.org. The event is held over Presidents Day weekend, which may give you an extra day to venture out and enjoy what our area has to offer.

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke looks back at 2018 city accomplishments and looks at what's ahead for Waveland in 2019. 

At the first meeting ordinary city business will be taken care of such as paying the docket of claims, approving minutes, but in addition to normal business, several appointments are required to be made  in accordance with the Waveland Charter.  ​

​The following appointments are made exclusively by the Mayor WITHOUT approval of the  Board of Aldermen:

• Fire Chief
• Police Chief
• City Clerk
• City Attorney
• Judge
• Prosecutor 
• Public Defender
• Mayor Pro Tem 
• Water and Gas System/Utilities Superintendent

 
The appointment of the three election commissioners is recommended by the Mayor, but MUST BE APPROVED by the Board of Aldermen.

The City of Waveland took several steps forward during the year 2018. The most visible is the Public Pavilion/ Lighthouse Bathroom facility on the beach at the foot of Coleman.  Waveland will take possession from the contractor within the next few weeks. This project is a true partnership between the Hancock County Board of Supervisors and the City of Waveland. 
 
The Hancock County Supervisors pitched in more than $800,000 from GOMESA funds and the remaining is being paid through Tidelands Funds and the seawall gasoline tax. I give a huge thank you to the Hancock County Board of Supervisors for their support for this project. 
 
Waveland will continue to work on the three citywide sewer improvement projects.  All of the projects are still on schedule and on budget.  Last month, Waveland approved an additional 900 feet of new sewer to Edna Street.  The 900-foot addition will allow over a dozen property owners to be removed from the grinder pump system and will also reduce the amount of wastewater Waveland pays to treat. 

Before spring of this year Waveland along with Chiniche Engineering will give the contractor notice to begin construction on the long-awaited Waveland Avenue Sidewalk project. The sidewalk will add approximately 2.5 miles of sidewalks to the city’s infrastructure.

​This project is four years in the making and will vastly improve pedestrian traffic safety. Waveland is using MDOT funding to help pay for the sidewalk project which is the reason this project has moved at a snail’s pace.
 
During January and February, several board members and I will go to Jackson to speak with lawmakers to request funding for various projects and discuss a number of other issues that affect Waveland. 
 
I look forward at the next four years to bring great opportunity for Waveland.

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke reports on ​the new Waveland Lighthouse, the Hope Haven Christmas Toy Drive and the city elections. 

It’s hard to believe that it is already time to say Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year. What a great year we have had here in Waveland.  This past year, our community has drawn together even closer and we have accomplished more than ever before. 

As we celebrate this holiday season, let us use this time to reflect and count our blessings. The greatest gift we could exchange this season is to serve one another. May I ask you all to remember your neighbors at this time of year, especially the elderly and those who live alone.

On behalf of my family, as well as the Waveland Board of Aldermen and Mayor, and all of our dedicated Waveland employees, we wish your family all the love and blessings this holiday season can offer.

We look forward with anticipation to another great year in 2019.

- Alderman Jeremy Burke

The current administration has been able to partner with the Board of Supervisors to aggressively find the funding to make the project a reality.  The lighthouse was built using Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act funds, Tideland Trust funds, and seawall tax funds.  The contractor is expected to turn over the project to Waveland by Christmas.
 
The Waveland Lighthouse & Public Pavilion will further enhance the use of the one of the most beautiful beaches on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Several people have expressed interest to me in hosting recreation events and festivals because of the easily available lighting, parking, power and, most importantly, a restroom facility. 

Hope Haven Christmas Toy Drive

Hope Haven Children's Advocacy Center 2018 Toy Drive provides an excellent opportunity for those who want to make a difference to bring a smile to the faces of underprivileged children during the holiday season.

Donate unwrapped toys to children less fortunate this Christmas. Sign up to have a Hope Haven CAC donation box placed in your business or organization. You can also drop off new unwrapped toys to the Hope Haven CAC office after a scheduled drop off time has been confirmed.

​Contact Hope Haven at 228-466-6395 for more information. Hope Haven Children's Advocacy Center: Supporting Children, Strengthening Families, and Restoring Hope.

Waveland Election 

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke reports on ​the elections, a glowing Studio Waveland art opening, the Christmas Bazaar, the Waveland Ground Zero Museum membership drive and the new "Little Library." 

​Absentee voting for the December 4 Waveland Municipal Election has begun. If you will be out of town on Tuesday, December 4, you may go to the 2nd floor of Waveland City Hall on Coleman Avenue during business hours to cast your ballot.  If you have any questions about the election, please call Tammy Fayard at 228-467-4134.

Set yourself a'glowing with this  2D, 3D, video, and performance under black light curated by James Flynn, opto-kinetic geometrical abstract painter!

More GLOWING events are scheduled through January 5, 2019.  ​

The 5th Annual Waveland Christmas Bazaar is Saturday, November 17 on Coleman Avenue. This free outdoor event features local arts, crafts, jewelry, candles and much more.  
 
The bazaar is a cash-and-carry-items event, and local businesses are encouraged to participate.  This event is a great way to find that unique local gift to give to your family and friends this Christmas.
 
If you are interested in being a vendor, please email clu1964@gmail and request a vendor application.  The bazaar is attempting to not have duplicated booths, so please list all items that you wish to sell on your application.  

​Waveland's Ground Zero Hurricane Museum is having a membership drive.  Annual membership is $25.  During this drive, an inflatable, waterproof solar light is being offered as a gift with membership.  This light should be in everyone's hurricane preparedness kit.  Stop by the Museum, join and get your light.  Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Tuesday through Friday. The Museum is located at 335 Coleman Avenue in Waveland.
 
Waveland's Ground Zero Hurricane Museum will be hosting an Open House on November 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to Ring in the Holiday Season. Stop by and enjoy some hot chocolate, punch and cookies.

​Waveland's first Little Free Library has been installed at 511 Jeff Davis Avenue.  This library was built by Santa Claus and provided by the Hancock County Library System.   The Little Free Library is a "take a book, return a book"  free book exchange. Anyone may take a book or bring a book to share. Come by and see what is in the Little Free Library.

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke reports on Hurricane Florence relief efforts, the Halloween Bash on Coleman Avenue and the Waveland budget. 

All the volunteers took leave time from their jobs for this hurricane relief effort. With monetary help from dozens of Hancock County residents, the group was able to serve thousands of meals to people in Vass and Surf City, N.C.  ​

Attention all ghosts and goblins: Waveland invites you to the annual Halloween Bash on Coleman Avenue on Wednesday, October 31, from 5:30–7:00 p.m. There will be tricks, treats, face painting, a haunted house and many other surprises! This is a family-friendly event that children of all ages will enjoy.
 
To make this an even better event, we invite residents and businesses to set up on Coleman Avenue and hand out candy. 
 
If you are interested in setting up a booth or being a part of the event, please contact Raquel LaFontaine at Raquellafontaine@gmail.com(228-493-7246) or call Waveland City Hall at 228-467-4134.

Waveland adopted the fiscal year 2019 budget during September.  Financially, Waveland is on solid ground.  The general fund budget of just over $5.5 million has line items that will allow a boost in public safety. The city budget includes an addition of a patrolman, replacing several aging police vehicles, and positioning Waveland to take on several capital improvement projects. The tax rate of 37.55 mills is the same as last year so local taxpayers will see no Waveland tax increase.  
 
Two reasons for Waveland’s current good financial position is because the city mill value increased to $62,400 and the sales tax revenue is up nearly 3% from the previous year.  It is important for Waveland residents and weekenders to continue choosing to shop in local establishments and not online so Waveland will remain on good financial footing.

​During the construction of this project, DNA Underground will do their very best to accommodate Meadow Lane residents’ ability to access their house as they please. The one request Waveland asks is for all Meadow Lane residents to have their trash on the curb by 7 a.m.  Tuesday and Friday so that Waste Management can pick up the garbage before daily construction on the street begins.
 
Project two will be the Herlihy Street sewer replacement project. DNA Underground will also be the contractor for the abandoning and replacement of the sewer on Herlihy Street. The replacement is the largest of the sewer projects that Waveland will be undertaking.
 
The third infrastructure improvement project is the 6th Street, Gladstone and Waveland Cutoff project. This will entail lining some manholes, cleaning sewer lines and replacing selected sections of sewer lines.  The project has been awarded to Gulf Coast Underground. 
 
All three of these projects will be going on simultaneously and independently of one another.  Any personal property (mailboxes, driveways, culverts, grass, etc.) that is damaged during construction will be correctly repaired before the job is complete.  As a cost saving measure for taxpayers, Waveland will be separately contracting the paving of the roads once the three projects are complete. Paving the roads after all three sewer projects are completed will save Waveland taxpayers over $50,000. 

If you have any questions, please contact project representative Mickey Lagasse at 228.372.4427 or mickey@comptonengineering.com

City of Waveland has ramped up addressing blighted properties over the last several months.  The building department, led by Dave Draz and Josh Hayes, has been addressing dozens of projects since the beginning of the year. 

​This past month, two blighted properties were removed, and this month two more blighted properties have been ordered to be removed. The most noticeable property that is going to be removed this month is the former Day’s Frontier building located on Highway 90.
 
If you have a blighted property you would like Waveland to address, please file a complaint with Waveland Building Department.

If you have driven on Highway 90 lately, you have noticed the beginning stages of construction.  This Highway 90 project is 100% funded by Mississippi Department of Transportation and it is going to address traffic safety from the Waveland city limit all the way to the Bay Bridge. 

The project will improve safety of traveling on the highway by thinning out the median, making some turning lanes longer and moving lighting to the outside of Highway 90.  Several construction crews will be working on the project at one time so traffic on the highway will be congested at times.  

The project will take around six months to complete, so allow yourself extra time if you have to travel along Highway 90. 

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke reports on the 2018 Waveland Business of the Year, Waveland Ave. sidewalks, Elwood Bourgeois Park, and garbage pick-up.  

The Waveland Avenue sidewalk project just got a lot closer to reality. Mississippi Department of Transportation has finally approved for Waveland to go out for bid for a contractor. This means Waveland will be advertising statewide for a contractor to construct sidewalks.  

​The proposed project will have 3 miles of 5’ sidewalks, ramps, and necessary drainage along the east and west sides of Waveland Avenue.  The project will paid from 80% federal funds and 20% local fund. If the project comes in above budget, Waveland will seek additional funds or will slightly scale back the project until additional funds become available.

The plan as of now is to select a contractor before the end of the year and have construction start soon after. The awarded project will be completed before the end of 2019.

Local engineering company and sponsor of the What’s Up, Waveland column, Chiniche Engineering, designed this project and will be overseeing the construction of the project.

​A restroom facility is currently being constructed at Elwood Bourgeois Park. The permanent cinder block facility will be completed by the end of the month. In addition to the restrooms, a small covered sitting area will be constructed near the splash pad.
 
Waveland had a majority of the materials needed to construct the restroom facility from previous projects and was able to do a lot of the work with city employees.  The cost to construct these two projects at Elwood Bourgeois Park is less than $15,000 and will allow Waveland to get rid of the weekly rental of the portable toilets.

 As the chairman of the Hancock County Solid Waste Authority, I am working closely with Waste Management to make sure all our garbage is being picked up as scheduled.  Please let me or Hancock County Solid Waste Authority administrator, Dawn Malley, know if your garbage is not picked up as scheduled.
 
Contact Information:
 
Jeremy Burke (HCSWA chairman) – 228.493.7399
 
Dawn Malley (HCSWA administrator) – 228.549.2052

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke reports a celebration of Ernest Hemingway's birthday to benefit the Ground Zero Museum, the MS Municipal League Conference and Waveland capital improvements. 

This patron party event is limited to 250 guests. Advance tickets are $66 per person or $119 for two and tickets at the door are $75 per person and $140 for two. The proceeds of the sales of the tickets go to benefit the Ground Zero Hurricane Museum fund of the Hancock Community Development Foundation.

Ernest Hemingway's 119th birthday celebration will continue on Saturday, July 21st with the "No Bull Fun Run".   This event is a 1K Fun Run for HemFest and begins at Central Avenue and Coleman at 6:00PM. The bulls will be roller derby ladies on roller skates and runners are encouraged to wear your best whites and red scarf!  The race entry is $25 per person in advance and $35 per person on-site. During and post-race refreshments include paella, sangria, and cold brew courtesy of Rum Kitchen.

To purchase your tickets for either event, contact Linda Aiavolasiti at 228.216.0561 or linda@wavelandgroundzero.com.

During the week of June 25th to June 27th Mayor Mike Smith, Alderman Charlie Piazza and I attended the 87th Annual Mississippi Municipal League Conference in Biloxi. The MML Conference has over 2,500 attendees and is a great opportunity for public officials to get professional training and to network with other public officials from all over Mississippi.

I am delighted to report that Mayor Mike Smith was able to satisfy the graduation requirement for the advance level of the Certified Municipal Official (CMO) program.

I was also able to complete the final level of the Certified Municipal Official program, the professional development level at the conference.  Although I have no more level to complete, I will continue to attend classes because I never want to stop learning.

Although the certification course is voluntary, receipt of the designation of Certified Municipal Official requires completion of core courses: Municipal Organization, Municipal Law, Municipal Finance, Municipal Land Use and Community Development. The CMO program provides the participants training to become more effective leaders for Waveland.

Established in 1931, MML represents 295 city, town, and village governments in Mississippi. The mission of the MML is helping cities and towns excel through training, lobbying at the state and federal level, and providing resources and networking opportunities with state, federal and private entities. For more information about the Mississippi Municipal League, visit www.mmlonline.com.

In the past month, the Waveland Board of Alderman submitted a number of applications for  capital improvements.

Waveland's goal is to make transportation for pedestrians more safe. The Board has applied to construct a bike/walk lane on Central Avenue from Waveland city limits to Waveland Avenue.  I will report back in a few months to inform everyone if the project will get funding from MDOT.

The Board of Alderman also applied for 3 Tideland Trust projects.
The project we applied for are as follows:
1. Handicapped accessibility ramp to the water's edge
2. Beach pagodas
3. Parking bay along Beach Blvd with electric car charging station

Waveland will learn which Tideland project will be funded in early 2019.

Waveland Mayor Mike Smith gives a state of the city report, looking at current, future and proposed projects that will continue the revitalization of Waveland. 
- photos by Lionel Haynes, Jr. and Ellis Anderson 

Thankfully, there has been a lot of interest in the Coleman Avenue district, as well as Highway 90.  I am really excited over the amount of interest in the Coleman Avenue area.  There’s the potential for condos, restaurants, and other prospects that cannot be discussed at this point.

I’m very excited that the lease was awarded to Studio Inferno to take over the vacant spaces of the Waveland business center. I’m really pleased that this business is now open on Coleman Avenue. We believe that it will promote growth in the downtown area of Waveland. These artists are wonderful people and bring a unique type of art culture to our charming little city. If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit Mitchell and Erica Gaudet, please do so. You will not be disappointed.

2018 will bring the long-awaited and much-needed beachside parking bays along Beach Boulevard, along with pagodas along the walking/biking path.  The Nicholson Avenue widening project is also scheduled to begin this year. This project will create a bike path alongside of Nicholson Avenue from Highway 90 to the railroad. 
​

Projects are beginning to break ground such as the much-anticipated lighthouse/bathroom facility, which is in the process of being built and should be completed by summer 2018.

​This project is a true partnership between the Board of Supervisors and the City of Waveland. The lowest and most responsive bid received was $1.9 million. The Hancock County Board of Supervisors pitched in more than $800,000 from Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) funds and the balance is being paid through tidelands funds. This means the cost to taxpayers is zero. We owe a huge “thank you” to the Board of Supervisors.  

One very important note: many residents do not understand that the monies being spent on the lighthouse/bathroom facility cannot be used for other projects such as paving streets, or any other project not connected to the beach.

The Waveland Avenue sidewalk project will go to bid very soon.  It consists of five-foot sidewalks on the east and west sides of Waveland Avenue, from the railroad to Highway 90. This project was approved for funding in 2015. It is a Mississippi Department of Transportation funded project which means that many departments of the agency have to approve each step. However we are almost over those hurdles. 

The citywide sewer repair project will begin shortly, now that the few remaining ROE (Right of Entries) were signed. Please be patient in the areas that are to be replaced. It will be aggravating until these repairs are completed. Major work areas will be Meadow Lane, Herlihy Street and a portion of Gladstone.

A small bathroom facility will soon be constructed at Elwood Bourgeois Park, thanks to the revenue received from the sale of the city’s remaining mobile homes that were previously used as the police station and for Public Works.

The Wikoffs have completed the overview of the Coleman Avenue Plan, which consists of an elevated boardwalk.  Businesses would be located along the boardwalk to overcome the challenges with the drastic flood elevations imposed by FEMA. Once the architectural drawings are complete, we will have those available for review, and hopefully garner the support of the community. 

We have been approved for funding by the Mississippi Development Authority to build a brand new community center in Martin Luther King Park to replace the center that is there now. The existing center is full of mold and rot and is unsafe to use. The new center will be 1,200 square feet, with a kitchen, indoor restrooms and outdoor restrooms. The center will be available for weddings, birthday parties, etc. The required fee and deposit for the use for these facilities will help defray the cost of insurance and maintenance.

2018 will be an aggressive year for blighted properties throughout Waveland. The Days Frontier property has been demolished and plans are being submitted for two businesses at that location. Other properties are making their way to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for demolition. Mr. George Coatney (litter control) has been hired and is working diligently to keep the city clean, along with help from the Public Works department. Great job!   

As you may have noticed, ditches are being dug throughout the city to help alleviate the flooding and will be in a neighborhood near you soon.

The golf cart legislation has passed through the state Senate and will go into effect as of July 1st. The Waveland and Bay St. Louis ordinances almost mirror each other, so that the cart drivers can cross city lines and not have to worry about different requirements.
​
In closing, I would like to thank each and every citizen for the opportunity to serve as your mayor. It is a pleasure to serve the city I love.
​

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke reports on the St. Clare Seafood Festival and the new recycling bin at the Waveland City Hall. 

On Friday evening, Got Groove will be performing; Saturday at 1:00 Elvis will be entertaining; Saturday evening,  Category 6  perform; and Ross Grisham will play at 2:00 on Sunday.  Later that evening Philman Ladner and the 3 C's will get the music going until the St. Clare Seafood Festival comes to a close with a great fireworks display. There is also classic car show starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday on the church grounds.
 
In addition to the festival, the 6th annual St. Clare Seafood Festival 5K race will take place on the Waveland boardwalk on Saturday, May 27, at 8 a.m. See run/walk registration details here.
 
Please make plans to have a good time while supporting St. Clare this Memorial Day weekend.

Waveland is excited to announce improvements to trash and recycling services offered to citizens. Waste Management has placed a community recycling bin in the parking lot of Waveland City Hall. 

​The recycling bin is funded by the Hancock County Solid Waste Authority.   The bin provides an opportunity for Waveland residents not to go outside the city limit to dispose of their recyclable goods.  The recycling bin will be emptied every Monday.
 
What can you put in the recycling bin?

• Plastics 1 - 7
• Aluminum, steel and tin cans
• Milk and juice cartons
• Mixed paper (e.g. magazines, newspaper, office paper, etc.)
• Corrugated cardboard and boxboard (e.g. flattened boxes )
• Glass jars and bottles

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke reports on the Studio Waveland inaugural art show, the Crawfish Cookoff and the new state law about golf carts. 

The participating artists include:
Stephen Paul Day,  Sybille Peretti , Mary Jane Parker, Gary Oaks, Michael Guidry, Shmuela Padnos,  Karen Edmunds, Frances Swigart, Hiroshi Yamano, Patti Meagher, Jolene Barkley, Charles Bendzans,  Bonnie Bendzans, Erica Larkin Gaudet, and Mitchell Gaudet.

This art exhibit at Studio Waveland will be the first of many collaborative openings showcasing exciting work of group and solo exhibitions of local, regional, national and international artists.

Studio Waveland hopes to promote the arts and culture of Waveland & Hancock County by participating in gallery openings every 2nd Saturday evenings of each month. Studio Waveland has a list of exciting events planned as well. Please connect with Studio Waveland through Facebook & Instagram and subscribe to www.studiowaveland.com to stay informed of future events & openings.

The gallery opening is open to all. Please spread the word.

To read more about the Gaudet's and their coming to Waveland last December, click here.

Samples of work from the show

C&R’s Bar and Grill’s 11th Annual Crawfish Cook-Off will be held on Saturday, April 7th from 10:00–4:30 on Coleman Avenue.

Team entry is $150, and C&R provides teams with sacks of crawfish. Prizes of $500 and $250 will be awarded to the champion and runner-up teams, respectively. Trophies will be given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams, as well as to the People’s Choice, Most Unique Edible Lagniappe items, Crowd Favorite and Best Booth.

Teams entries are limited for this event, so call 228-493-9922 today to secure your spot,

Admission is just $25 for adults and $10 for kids (9–12), and under-8s are free. The C&R crawfish cook-off will benefit Hope Haven of Hancock County. ​

Golf carts may soon be legal on some streets in Waveland.  

Waveland with the support of Hancock County’s delegation with Philip Moran was able to get MS Senate Bill 2940 passed through the Senate and House during the 2018 Mississippi Legislative Session.  The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and with very little opposition in the House. All the bill is waiting on is the signature of Gov. Phil Bryant.

Waveland is committed to ensuring safety of all parties that drive on our roads. An operator of a golf cart must be a licensed driver and golf carts will be restricted from some Waveland roads.  

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke reports on the St. Paddy's Day parade, the new amendment to the city charter and the ground-breaking for the lighthouse! 

The parade will start on Waveland Avenue, travel down Central Avenue, turn right onto Coleman Avenue,  right on Beach Boulevard and then disband at Waveland Avenue.  Waveland Police Department decided this route is logistically the best route for the parade.  Hope to see everyone lined up on the route ready to catch beads, cups, and, of course, cabbage!

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The Waveland Board of Aldermen voted and approved in February to amend the Waveland charter.  The major change to the charter is moving the date the newly elected mayor and alderman assume office. The Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to move the date of being sworn into office from the day after the general election to the first regular scheduled meeting in January. This will allow for a one-month transition period for the newly elected mayor and aldermen.
 
The proposed amendment must be sent to the Mississippi Secretary of State for his approval before the change can become official.

​If you have driven down Beach Boulevard lately,  you may have noticed the fencing around the parking lot at the foot of Coleman Avenue. That means construction is about to start on the much anticipated Waveland Lighthouse.  
 
The city of Waveland would like to invite you to the ribbon cutting for the Waveland Lighthouse on Friday, March 9th, 10:00 AM at the Waveland Lighthouse site with a reception to follow at the Waveland Business Center. For more details,  please call Waveland City Hall at (228) 467-4134.  

Waveland Mayor Mike Smith sits in as columnist for Alderman Jeremy Burke this month, with a look back at 2017 and a look ahead into the coming year. 

​Also, 2018 will bring the long awaited and much needed parking bays along  Beach Boulevard  and pagodas along the pedestrian beach walking path.

The Nicholson Avenue overlay and bike path project is in the design/survey phase. This project will create a bike path alongside Nicholson Avenue from Highway 90 to the CSX railroad.

The Waveland Avenue Sidewalk project which will go for bid in early spring consists of five-foot sidewalks on the East and West sides of Waveland Avenue from the CSX railroad to Highway 90. This project was approved for funding in 2015.

The sidewalk project is funded through the Mississippi Department of Transportation, and several departments of the agency have to approve each step. However, we are almost over that hurdle.

A city-wide sewer repair project will begin as soon as the few remaining right-of-entries are signed. Please be patient in the areas that are to be replaced. The areas that will be most affected with the construction will be Meadow Lane, Herlihy Street and a portion of Gladstone.

​At the very end of December a lease was awarded to Studio Inferno to take over the vacant spaces of the Business Center. I’m really excited to have this arts center open on Coleman Avenue. We believe that it will promote growth in the downtown area of Waveland. These artists are wonderful people and bring a unique type of art culture to our charming little city.

A small bathroom facility will soon be constructed at Elwood Bourgeois Park, thanks to the revenue received from the sale of the city's remaining mobile homes that were previously used as the Police Station and Public Works. 

​Edward H. Wikoff Architects PC have completed the overview of the Coleman Avenue plan, which consists of an elevated boardwalk containing businesses on the boardwalk to overcome the challenges with the drastic flood elevations imposed by FEMA.

Once the architectural drawings are complete, Waveland will have those for review, and hopefully find support from the community and a funding source for this project.

In closing, I hope you and your family had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!

-Mayor Mike Smith

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke reports on Christmas on Coleman, blighted properties and county update. 

Christmas on Coleman 

The city of Waveland is hosting "Christmas on Coleman" on Saturday, December 9th, from 5:30pm -  7:30pm.  Santa will be visiting with children, refreshments will be served and games will be open to all.  A golf cart parade cruises down the avenue in front of city hall as a featured festivity.  

If you'd like to be in the Golf Cart Parade, call city hall at 228.467.4134 for details!  

Blighted Properties 

This month, Waveland is going to address three properties that have been eyesores for years.  At the December 5th Waveland Board meeting the fate of the following properties is going to be decided: 706 Birch, 708 Birch and 600 Highway 90 (formerly Day's Frontier).

If the Waveland Board of Alderman deems the properties are in violation of the blighted property ordinance, the owner of the property must clean-up the property or Waveland is going to be forced to clean-up the property for them.

Since Waveland hired full-time building inspector Josh Hayes, Waveland has been able to get more aggressive on tackling dilapidated structures.  The Waveland Building Department has developed a system to identify and address blighted properties that have been plaguing Waveland for years. 

County Update

The Hancock County Board of Supervisor is about to finish the second year of their term.  During the last year, Waveland and Hancock County Board of Supervisors have tackled several problems and projects together.  The Hancock County Board of Supervisors recently sent out a letter about what they have accomplished in 2017 and what their vision and goals are for 2018.

Below are a few excerpts from the county letter that pertain specifically to Waveland: 

•Stabilized Healthcare in Hancock Medical. After an extensive process, we can now remove taxpayer obligation and concern regarding the fate of Hancock Medical and look to generate revenue for county, expand services and secured a long term partner for our county with Ochsner Health Systems. 

 We also adopted the county’s first commercial incentive policy for properties on our major roadways in Bay St. Louis, Waveland and Diamondhead. 

The next fiscal year will be our most aggressive year to date and includes the following priorities:

•Corridor Enhancement & Recreational Improvements.  Playgrounds for Dedeaux, Bay St. Louis and Necaise were approved in the new fiscal budget, and we will construct new welcome signage on our major corridors entering Hancock County.  

•Beachfront Improvements.  We are partnering with the City of Waveland on the Coleman Avenue Lighthouse Project and approved funding for new parking locations on the beachfront near Coleman Avenue and Lakeshore Road.  

​Click here to read the 2017 State of the County document in PDF form. ​

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke reports on the beach walking/bike path, the Waveland Christmas Bazaar and the ground-breaking on the Waveland lighthouse. ​

Waveland Christmas Bazaar
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The 4th Annual Waveland Christmas Bazaar is Friday, November 17th and Saturday, November 18th at the Ground Zero Hurricane Museum on Coleman Avenue. This free outdoor and indoor event features local arts, crafts, jewelry, candles and much more.  Local restaurants will serve lunch and dinner. On Saturday from 8:00AM-9:30AM there will be a pancake breakfast with Santa.

The bazaar is a cash-and-carry-items event, and local businesses are encouraged to participate.  This event is a great way to find that unique local gift to give to your family and friends this Christmas.
​
 If you are interested in being a vendor, please email clu1964@gmail and request a vendor application.  The bazaar is attempting not to have duplicated booths, so please list all items that you wish to sell on your application.  Deadline for vendor application is November 10th.

Waveland Lighthouse

The wait is finally over.  The Waveland Lighthouse and Public Pavilion Project construction is about to start.  The Waveland Mayor and Board of Alderman awarded a contract to Barnard & Sons Construction to build the Waveland Lighthouse and Public Pavilion at a special meeting on October 26th.
 
The Waveland Lighthouse has been a dream for years, but it is finally coming to fruition.  The current administration has been allocating money for this project since we took office. This project is being constructed in partnership with the Hancock County Board of Supervisors. The project is going to take approximately one year to construct. The Waveland Lighthouse and Public Pavilion is going to be a welcome addition to the Waveland beachfront.

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke reports on Trick or Treat on Coleman, and update on bike and walking path improvements and a new member of the city building department. 

If you are interested in setting up a booth or being a part of the event, please contact Raquel LaFontaine at Raquellafontaine@gmail.com (cell 228-493-7246) or call Waveland City Hall at 228-467-4134.

Sidewalk and Bike Paths Update

Slowly but surely Waveland is making the city more pedestrian friendly.  I have a few recent sidewalk project updates that I can provide.
 
At the September 5th Board meeting the city of Waveland preliminarily approved the contract for the Nicholson Avenue Pedestrian Improvements Project.  This project is slated to be funded by MDOT in fiscal year 2019.  The project will consist of resurfacing, restriping and to include widened shoulders of road to allow for bicycle and pedestrian access on Nicholson Avenue from Highway 90 to the CSX railroad crossing.
 
At the September 20th Board meeting, the city of Waveland took action to authorize a local engineering  to begin a city-wide sidewalk study.  The purpose of the study is to identify and develop the most effective plan to address sidewalk connection throughout Waveland.  This study will give Waveland professional recommendations and cost-benefit analysis on how to precede further developing Waveland’s sidewalk corridors.

New Building Inspector

​Next time you call for an inspection for your construction project in Waveland you will see a new face.  Waveland has hired Josh Hayes as Waveland building inspector.  Josh is a knowledgeable and experienced certified building inspector and will be an excellent addition to the building department team.  

Mayor Mike Smith sits in as columnist for Alderman Jeremy Burke this month, with a "State of Waveland" update on the lighthouse project, park improvements, the Waveland Business Center, blighted properties, gateway enhancements and sewer system repairs.  

​Martin Luther King Park received a new splash pad last year and now other areas of the park are in the process of being renovated. The Community Center is being rebuilt, and walkways are going to be rebuilt at the park.

Presently the Waveland Business Center sits half-occupied, but I'm optimistic that will change in the near future.  Waveland is actively exploring the possibility of surplussing the Waveland Business Center building to a Waveland redevelopment commission.  This would allow the commission to negotiate long-term leases, which by law is difficult for municipal governments to do. If Waveland is able to form a redevelopment district, I believe that will allow the Waveland Business Center to be more attractive to potential tenants.  

Blighted properties have been a big issue for the past 12 years. Waveland is currently making a huge push to get these properties cleaned. Blight enforcement officer Don Sibenkittle, along with our Waveland Building Department are bringing these properties to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for resolution.

I was just awarded a scholarship from Mississippi Power Company to attend the True South Economic Development Course at the University of Southern Miss. This is an intensive four-day course that will hopefully answer the looming question we’ve had since Hurricane Katrina:  how to encourage development on Coleman Avenue, as well as Highway  90.

​Waveland has applied for a gateway enhancement grant that would address the main corridors into Waveland:  Waveland Aveune-Highway 90, Highway 603-Highway 90 as well as Kiln-Waveland Cutoff- Highway  603. Items included in this grant are professional landscaping, lighting, tree screening along Highway 90 and way-finding signage.  

​If you live on Herlihy, Edna, Meadow Lane or East Meadow Lane, this pertains to you:  over the next couple of months the city of Waveland will begin work on completely revamping our 40-year-old sewer system in your area. Of course that comes with disruptions in daily life for residents until this project is complete. Thank you in advance for your patience!