Here’s a recap of the Bay Council meeting last night, at least the portion between 5:30 and 9 p.m.
Downtown dumpster funk is still unresolved. During a one-hour public forum, owners of new and established businesses talked about the need for a community dump site somewhere for those who don’t have a way to deal with garbage etc. at their location.
The Health Department may stop issuing permits if there’s no solution.
A site on Main Street between City Hall and the Fire Station may be the answer. There’s a shed that could house a compactor and the whole operation would be hidden from view.
The council directed the mayor to get some proposals together for them to look at. Could this divisive situation be nearing a solution?
Much time was spent on tweaking the sand beach vendor ordinance which is based on county rules. It still has to go through the P&Z process. Are you ready for 16 jet skis?
In new business, the Murphys presented their proposal to put a barge in the harbor where they want to sell beer and boiled seafood. It would be an extension of the restaurant they plan to rebuild on the old Dan B’s site. The Murphys also want to sell bait and tackle on the barge.
Ken Murphy said the 60 X 20-foot barge would bring tourists to the harbor, like Shaggy’s does in Pass Christian.
There were plenty of questions from the council about how to get utilities to the barge, whether it would be competing with nearby restaurants, if noise would disturb boat owners and other unknowns.
The Murphys were advised to go back to the Harbor Commission to make their pitch again.
Looks like the dumpster situation hasn’t been resolved yet despite Tony’s efforts. Glad to see they are making some headway though. In other news, I think the barge in the harbor would be awesome! Nothing like boiled crawfish and an ice cold brew with a Bay Saint Louis sunset in the background!
Tony made a good presentation last night to the council. Still not sure whether the restaurant will go its own way or use the community dumpster.
Where will the jet ski vendors be located, Lisa?
The city ordinance will cover a very small portion of the sand beach north of the Jimmy Rutherford Pier. They’re still working on the ordinance but it may be limited to two vendor permits.