Pass Christian Aldermen Question Legality of Pedestrian Walkway

PASS CHRISTIAN (GG) –After recognizing Pass Christian Fire Department Captain Andy Purchner and the heroics of his shift for the safety demonstrated recently of a newborn – infant, questions were raised on other matters at the Tuesday, August 6, 2024, Board of Aldermen meeting in the city municipal court.

Following public comments in opposition to the construction of the current phase for the new pedestrian walkway, Pass Christian Mayor Jimmy Rafferty delivered an update on the status of four phases that would complete this project. Mayor Rafferty expressed support from numerous other government agencies to expand this project from Henderson Point all the way to the Biloxi bridge.

Discussion and deliberation from several aldermen were brought up and whether the city could legally stop the expansion of this project. Pass Christian City Attorney Malcolm Jones addressed the board about coming back at the August 20th meeting and providing input on whether the city had the jurisdiction to halt this project (because of federal and state funds).

Pass Christian Alderman-at-Large Kenny Torgeson motioned to table this legal measure until the next meeting and was unanimously adopted. This action by the board stopped the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) for $2.81 million for the GOMESA FY25 Highway 90 Mitigation, Phase II grant until the matter is resolved. This would be a reimbursable grant with no required matching funds by Pass Christian.

Later on the agenda, the board approved on a 3-1 vote to approve the Gulf Coast Restoration Fund (GCRF) grant agreements for the Pass Bungalow Project and the St. Paul Center with the Mississippi Development Authority. The Bungalow Project would be in the amount of $750,000 for the redevelopment and revitalization while the St. Paul Center Project would be in the amount of $2.935 million for the water-front redevelopment plan. Ward 2 Alderwoman Regina Charlot voted in dissent for both with Ward 4 Alderman Victor Pickich not being present.

Before the city business began, Mayor Rafferty and the board issued a proclamation for the month of September 2024 to be the National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.