Mayor Smith’s Annual Report, 2021

What's Up Waveland - January 2021

Mayor Mike Smith updates residents about ongoing projects in Waveland and gives a hint of things to come in 2021.
 
- by Mayor Mike Smith

2020 was a very challenging year. Because of a worldwide pandemic, Zoom and GoTo meetings replaced our monthly business meetings, as well as meetings with prospective developers, business marketing, employee training and almost every other facet of city business.
 
We also have had to cancel many of our cherished events, including the Nereids and St. Patrick’s Day parades, and our July 4th event. These were enjoyed by our citizens and visitors alike. As if COVID-19 wasn’t bad enough, Tropical Storm Cristobal and Hurricane Zeta both caused significant damage to residents’ homes and city facilities. 
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 On a positive note, a Presidential declaration was signed this week, which means we should be reimbursed for cleanup costs and $2.5 million in repairs to city buildings, the municipal pier and other infrastructure.

​Waveland continued to grow despite the COVID-19 virus and storms. Permits were issued for construction of 42 new homes and 38 remodels. The city remains financially healthy despite the hurdles faced in 2020.

The Waveland Avenue sidewalk project was completed in 2020. Photo by Dena Temple.

 
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen is proud to announce the following projects which were completed or were in progress in 2020:
 

• The Waveland Avenue sidewalk project was completed from Highway 90 to the CSX Railroad.
• The Nicholson Avenue overlay and bike paths from Highway 90 to Sixth Street experienced a slowdown due to storm debris, but it is scheduled to finish on time.
• Funding for a sidewalk for St. Joseph Street from Herlihy Street north to Old Spanish Trail and west to Margie Street has been approved and should begin soon.
• A study was completed for the intersection of St. Joseph Street at Waveland Elementary School to make that intersection safer for our children.
• A completely new park with playground equipment will be installed on the corner of Avenue B and Caspian Street very soon.

 
Some exciting developments are about to occur on Coleman Avenue and Highway 90, along with other big news coming soon. I can’t wait to get 2021 started!
 

The Nicholson Avenue paving project is scheduled to be completed on time.

  
We have tidelands funds to install handicap access to the water’s edge from the pier road and the lighthouse parking lot as well as a trailer-mounted, air conditioned rest room. As soon as the pier is repaired, these items will be installed. We are also planning to replace the pagodas on the pier road.
 
The Board of Supervisors has installed beach side parking and pagodas near the beach volleyball courts and two bonfire pits on the beach, one at Nicholson Avenue and one at the beach parking bay.
 
We are looking into the possibility of elevating the beach road to prevent flooding during regular storms and protect the properties along the beach from future storm damage.
 
We are installing a handicap swing and exercise equipment for our senior citizens at Gex Park and paving that parking lot.

  
We are currently planning a paving project after the new year. Some of the priorities are Kiln-Waveland Cutoff Road, Central Avenue, Waveland Avenue and Old Spanish Trail.
 
For residents whose homes are equipped with a grinder pump, we are working on a plan to begin taking over the maintenance of those systems. If you are currently on a grinder pump system we will be in touch with you soon to get that process started.
 
We have hired Municode to make sure our ordinances do not conflict with each other and have all of the ordinances indexed and available on the city website.
 
The City Of Waveland has partnered with Mississippi Power for an exciting project, converting all of the street lights to LED. This will reduce our lighting costs.
 
We have been working on installing security cameras at city parks and other city property to ensure resident safety and protection of city property.
 
We hired a employee specifically to address the blight in the city, and she is making great progress. There are many blighted properties yet to be cleaned up, but we will get to them.
 
On behalf of the Board of Aldermen and me, I would like to thank our employees for their hard work this year and thank the residents for choosing Waveland as your home.
 
Sincerely,
 
Mayor Mike Smith
City Of Waveland