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The Magee Board of Aldermen met for a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. The meeting opened with prayer and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
The first order of business was a zoning hearing about several properties in the city.
The first, which is located at 622 11th Avenue NE. The parties called to appear before the board were not present, but Deputy Fire Marshal Shane Steele told the board the building in question is being renovated.
“It’s not an abandoned house,” he said. “There is evidence of work being done there.”
Steele recommended the board take no action and reinvestigate in six months, which the board approved.
The next property in question was 611 and 615 11th Avenue NW. The parties called did not appear before the board. Steele informed the board the building is abandoned and has been vacant for a long time. He recommended proceeding with cleanup, and the board approved.
Next, 801 Rankin Street was discussed. The property is owned by SKL Investments, Inc. Steele said he has received no response to communications concerning the property. Though the property has been vacant for years, Steele told the board that a hole in the roof has been repaired. The board decided to reach out to the company again and discuss the property again at the next board meeting.
Finally, the board called Sampson Jackson to appear in regard to SASE apartments, which are located at 647 Raleigh Drive.
Steele told the board there were numerous violations at the property and that the owner has appeared before the board three other times.
Jackson had been given a list of violations and concerns, and he told the board the following issues have been addressed:
- The water leak outside from frozen/burst pipes near the electrical panel has been fixed.
- Broken windows inside some apartments – replacements have been ordered.
- Front doors that would not close completely and were not secure have been replaced.
- Residents had reported roach infestation, and Jackson said there were some residents who would not allow pest control to spray because of their children. He told the board those residents are no longer living in the apartments so pest control is spraying in those apartments now.
- An exterior tree on the northwest corner of the building, growing through the roof, requires the power company to cut the tree due to electrical lines.
- Fire extinguishers will be recertified or replaced.
- A loose vent hood has been repaired.
- Jackson said a contractor is going through all of the apartments to check and repair windows.
- He said smoke detectors have been replaced.
- Regarding grounded outlets, Jackson said, “We’re working on that.”
- Mold behind a refrigerator is being addressed.
- No ADA compliance was observed for any apartments or buildings, but Jackson told the board his contractor said, “It’s not gonna be a problem to fix that.”
Alderman Mark Grubbs pointed out that Jackson does not live in Magee and asked, “How often do you get to these apartments?”
“You and I go back a while,” said Alderman Patrick Brown. “I know you well, and I don’t expect anything to get done after this conversation.”
“The grass is cut. The grass looks good,” said Zoning Administrator Penny Aguirre. “Today is not as bad as it has been.”
Brown asked, “Why would you want someone to live under these conditions?”
Jackson asked the board to view the property before making any decisions.
“I’ve been numerous times,” said Alderwoman Sue Honea.
Jackson told the board, “The bins have been cleaned out.”
“Today, that is true,” said Aguirre.
Fire Chief David Craft told the board the fire department would not go into the apartments.
“They are unsafe,” Craft said. “I’m not gonna put their lives at risk.”
“They need to be condemned,” said Brown.
Craft said, “Those people live in some horrible conditions.”
Brown made a motion to declare the property a menace to public health and safety and give Jackson 30 days to start the process and then evaluate again.
“It’s gonna be tough in 30 days,” said Jackson.
“You’ve really had three years,” Brown replied.
The board approved Brown’s motion.
Mayor Dale Berry reminded everyone that the city picks up limbs on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Rubbish is picked up on Thursday and Friday. He said some people are putting it all together.
“It’s not our job to separate it,” he said.
The board approved the meeting’s agenda.
The board approved a $4700 bid for the initial cleanup and hauling off of debris for a number of areas in the city.
The board approved the minutes of the last meeting.
The board approved two separate dockets.
Allyson Berch appeared before the board.
Forrest Dungan of Clearpoint Consulting Engineers told the board that the equipment for water treatment plant number one “is on the way.”
When discussing the upcoming paving project, Alderman Mark Grubbs said, “We need to move on this tonight.”
The board approved the paving project scope of work, subject to counsel review.
The board tabled the discussion of commercial garbage fees.
Fire Chief David Craft told the board the final inspection of the new fire truck should happen at the end of May and the truck should be ready by mid-summer.
Zoning Administrator Penny Aguirre told the board that after a zoning hearing on March 12, the zoning commission recommended the property belonging to Bruce Lewis and purchased by Jason Skinner be rezoned from R1 to I2.
“The character of the land has changed greatly,” she said.
The board approved.
The board tabled a decision on a conditional use license for Daniel Ferguson for a rooming house at 106 Main Avenue N.
“I’d have to see more on it,” said Alderman Sammy Tebo.
Aguirre requested permission for the publication of notices for a zoning hearing in April and an amendment to the ordinance governing cannabis dispensaries which would allow them to open on Sundays.
The publication was approved.
The board approved holding a week-long clean-up during the first week of April, which will utilize grant funds available from the county.
The board approved a contract for grass cutting subject to legal review.
The new scoreboard controllers have arrived at the Sportsplex. Softball season starts Monday, and baseball begins Tuesday.
Animal Contol Officer Benny Blair reported that he had picked up four dogs, and issued 7 ordinances and one citation.
The airport commission has $500,000 to spend and has been told to prioritize what they want to do with the money that is available.
Brett Duncan told the board that the city is $50,000 over budget at this point in the year.
Over the “next six months, just be cautious,” he said.
The board approved the transfer of HB603 money to the street construction fund.
They also approved the transfer of $107,000 to the ARPA fund.
He reminded the board that there is still $25,000 in the Keep Magee Beautiful account that must be spent on beautification.
The board voted to enter into an executive session to discuss personnel matters.
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