Tuesday, the Picayune City Council approved a design plan that would address a safety concern at the Picayune Municipal Airport.

City Engineer Vernon Moore presented a design plan illustrating a new helicopter taxiway planned for construction at the airport, if they receive funds from the Federal Aviation Administration. Construction of the taxiway is expected to prevent accidents between helicopters and airplanes.

“Anytime we change the existing structure in the airport you have to also update the airport’s Master Plan,” Moore said.

The Master Plan hasn’t been updated in the last 10 years or so, said Andy Greenwood, airport manager.

The new airport design would create a new taxiway, which would allow helicopters to move through airport property without crashing into parked airplanes, Greenwood said.

“This will help separate the traffic, which raises safety concerns,” Greenwood said.

The board approved the design phase and request to submit the design phase application to the FAA, which provides funds to airports, Greenwood said.

Also at the meeting, Mayor Ed Pinero announced that the city of Picayune will hold a budget workshop on Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 9 a.m. on the second floor of City Hall. The workshop will allow several departments within the city to discuss funding for the upcoming year.

Also, Picayune Police Chief Bryan Dawsey announced the department will be enforcing traffic laws near and around school zones when school starts on Thursday and urges motorists to drive carefully.

In other news, the council:

—Approved the planning and zoning department to advertise for bids to sell a parcel owned by the city of Picayune on Beech St. Diane Miller, planning and zoning director, said the department plans to present the bids to the board.

The next council meeting will be Aug. 18 at City Hall.