What's Up, Waveland? January 2019

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

Waveland Lighthouse photo by Lionel Haynes, Jr.

First I would like to thank the voters of Ward 1 of Waveland for having the confidence in me to elect me for a second term as your alderman.  I promise to continue to work diligently for you and represent you to the best of my ability. 
 
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen officially begin our new term this month. The first Mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting will be January 2.  

What's Up, Waveland? 
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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.