Biloxi City Council to hear proposed ordinance changes for special events

The Biloxi City Council will hear changes Tuesday to several ordinances designed to keep events from getting out of hand.

The changes, which will have their first readings Tuesday, were made in response to the violence that broke out during Black Spring Break last month. A police officer and four other people were wounded when shots were fired on the beachfront.

Changes to three city codes and two land development ordinances are on the agenda.

The first ordinance, regarding parades, is being revamped to an ordinance regarding special events.

Applicants must be 21 years of age to apply for a special event permit.

The city also will establish a Special Events Committee which will review applications and recommend  approval or denial.

The committee will be comprised of members of the police, fire, public works, parks and recreation , community development and city administration.

Applicants must obtain liability insurance, and plans for security and cleanup.

In addition, changes to the mobile vending ordinance to add special event permits which are two days in length and increases the fees for such events.

A change to the land development ordinance regarding recreational vehicle parks would prohibit use of any residential or commercial parcel as a temporary RV park.