All City Department Heads and Workers rehired by new Board

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Board of Aldermen Meeting

Start time: 6:00

End Time: 6:34

By Ariana Gaspar

 

 

Attendees:

Mark Grubbs, Lawana Thompson, Allyson Berch, Sue Honea, Suzie Bourn, Julian Harper, Wesla Sullivan, Jon Styron, Mike Berry, Tim Bray, Penny Aguirre, David Craft, Kimmy Zila, Duane Simmons, John Hosey, Dennis Borges,

 

 

1. Call to Order

• Prayer: Led by Jack Robertson
• Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Mayor Grubbs

2. Mayoral Report – Mayor Grubbs

• Requested the board adopt Robert’s Rules of Order for future meetings.
• Announced upcoming equipment installation for City Park on July 14th.
• Discussed ongoing water and sewer improvements.
• Stated the next meeting will determine election details.

3. Motions and Board Actions

• Wesla Sullivan motioned to allow current board members to remain in place until the election.
  • Motion by: Sue Honea
  • Seconded by: Allyson Berch
  • Result: Motion passed unanimously.
• Agenda approved by all board members.
• Lawana Thompson was appointed as Mayor Pro Tempore (Mayor’s second-in-command).

4. Community and Board Discussions

• Wesla Sullivan raised concern regarding a  at Ace Hardware charge. Requested Alderwoman Berch to step down from the motion due to a potential conflict of interest.
  • Noted: Charges occurred before Mrs. Berch took office.
• Renee Craft addressed the board regarding a June 4th citation for a broken fence on her property.
  • Presented photos of other non-compliant properties for board consideration.
  • Expressed her opinion that as an alderman, there is a conflict of interest in filming on MageeNews.com of the board meetings
  • No action was taken
• Tim Bray updated the board on public works efforts:
  • Bush hogging and ditch clearing completed.
  • Equipment issues reported.
  • Board approved funding for new equipment and lawnmowers.
• Chief Borges (Police Department) discussed:
  • A previous grant under review by former board.
  • Motioned for Officer John’s transition from full-time to part-time.
• Fire Chief Craft reported:
  • 30% of fire hydrants have been drained.
• Penny Aguirre (Zoning Director):
  • Requested a public hearing for a church on 214  5th Avenue SE
    • Motion approved by the board.
  • Provided an estimate for a digital archiving service.
    • Alderwoman Thompson requested a second estimate, which Aguirre agreed to provide.
  • Distributed property maintenance case files relevant to each board member’s ward.
• Mayor Grubbs asked the board for questions on Building Inspector Duane Simmons’ report. No major concerns were noted.

5. Departmental Reports

• Parks and Recreation Director – Jimmy Zila:
  • Update on state tournaments.
  • Fireworks show scheduled at the Baseball Field on Friday night.
• Airport Director – Mike Berry:
  • Reported slow business activity due to reduced flights.
  • Sold 3,000 gallons of fuel.
  • Reported water leaks being managed by airport staff.

6. Public Notices

• No garbage collection on Friday, July 4th.

7. Adjournment

• Meeting adjourned into Executive Session by Mayor Grubbs.
• Following Executive Session Mayor Mark Grubbs announced all City  Department Heads and employees were rehired for 2025-2026,
• Employees for the city are at will employed.

Presently, there are 31 ongoing zoning and property maintenance cases, according to Zoning Director Penny Aguirre.

A structure located on 206  5th Avenue SE and owned by New Life Fellowship Church has been deemed unsafe and identified as a structure that cannot be entered for safety reasons.

Building inspector Duane Simmons presented the following report: Issued 3 roof replacement permits

Issued 4 demolition permits

Issued 1 electrical permit

Completed 2 residential electrical inspections

Completed 2 plumbing inspections

Completed 2 framing inspections

Issued 1 affidavit for tree removal without license, insurance, or bonding

2 demolition projects completed:  206 5th Avenue SE and 829 5th Avenue SE

3 demolition projects to be started soon:  839 A&B 1st Street NW (2)

609 9th Avenue NW. All three or mobile homes

Clearpoint Engineers report

Water meter installation is complete

Southern Paving has completed all contracted work

Playground equipment is scheduled to arrive July 14th pending weather

We are currently working on developing a master plan for Water and Wastewater Improvement

 

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