February 3, 2026 - 2026-02-03
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Gulfport City Council approved an MOU with UnityOne Entertainment for the Mississippi Coastal Gulfport and Biloxi Music and Film Festival scheduled for November 2026, featuring five stages across multiple venues including Milner Stadium and the Mississippi Aquarium. The council denied two key personnel hires for the city golf course contract—an event manager and food and beverage manager—citing concerns about the event manager candidate's availability as a state representative and the contract's March 31 expiration. The council also authorized property acquisitions and settlements related to the Build Grant interconnecting Gulfport project and Salisbury Road properties.
Key Decisions (8)
MOU for Mississippi Coastal Music and Film Festival
Council approved resolution for agreement with UnityOne Entertainment regarding the Mississippi Coastal Gulfport and Biloxi Music and Film Festival with Celebrity Golf Tournament, scheduled for November 2026. The multi-genre festival will utilize five stages across Milner Stadium, Mississippi Aquarium, Side Yard, Edgewater Mall, Keesler Park, Point Cadet, and Sanger Theater. Partnerships include Delta Airlines, Amtrak, CTA, Mississippi Hotel Lodging Association, and coastal tourism.
Warren Paving Contract for MIMA Bond Paving Project
Council approved award and contract with Warren Paving for MIMA Bond paving project sections seven and eight.
Golf Course Event Manager Hire
Council denied ratification of event manager position for city golf course contract administered by SFM. Salary range was $50,000-$60,000. Council expressed concerns about candidate's ability to perform full-time duties while serving as state representative in Jackson from January to May.
Golf Course Food and Beverage Manager Hire
Council denied ratification of food and beverage manager position for city golf course contract administered by SFM. Salary range was $50,000-$60,000. Contract expires March 31, 2026.
Greater Gulfport Properties Land Donation for Build Grant Project
Council authorized acceptance of deeds or easements from Greater Gulfport Properties LLC for the Build Grant/Interconnecting Gulfport project at no initial cost to the city, subject to reversionary interest if certain time conditions are not met within four years.
Airport Area Property Surplus Declaration
Council declared surplus certain municipal-owned real property located south of the airport runway, south and east of Hughes Avenue and North 34th Street.
Salisbury Road Properties Settlement Authorization
Council authorized city attorney to negotiate full and final resolutions of claims for property owners at 12276-12286 Salisbury Road at $2,500 per house.
Joshua Brown Vehicle Damage Settlement
Council authorized acceptance of $9,768.74 from Joshua Brown and Progressive Insurance in settlement of damaged city police vehicle claim.
Development Activity (3)
Mississippi Coastal Gulfport and Biloxi Music and Film Festival
Five-stage multi-genre music and film festival with celebrity golf tournament spanning Gulfport and Biloxi venues
Ward 1 Fire Station
New fire station construction; dirt moving expected by February/March 2026; delayed due to metal building fabrication issues with chases
Build Grant Interconnecting Gulfport Project
Land acquisition for interconnecting infrastructure project; Greater Gulfport Properties donating land with 4-year reversionary clause
Market Signals (4)
Infrastructure
Fred Urie Pier reopening February 4, with Ken Combs and Libby Milner piers to follow in coming weeks, indicating waterfront infrastructure restoration progress.
Commercial Demand
Large-scale music festival development with major corporate partnerships (Delta Airlines, Amtrak) signals growing entertainment venue demand on Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Housing Demand
Southern Poverty Law Center investigating city's HUD and CDBG programs, with Home Buyers Assistance Program inactive since 2018-2019 but planned to reopen in 2026.
Infrastructure
Beaver dam issues causing flooding in Ward 1 from Broad Avenue to Rural Avenue; city seeking trapping vendor and coordinating with state for Tylen's funds for ditch cleaning.