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The Magee Board of Aldermen met for a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, September 17, 2023.
After opening the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Dale Berry asked the board for approval for Toys for Tots to use the city’s Civic Center rent-free on October 21, December 9 and December 21. The first two dates will be used to gather applications from local families, and toys will be distributed on December 21. The board approved the request.
The meeting’s agenda and the past meeting’s minutes were approved.
The board approved the claims docket after some discussion. Because of items from both the city’s old budget and new budget to consider, Mayor Berry said, “There are two different dockets tonight.”
Alderwoman Lawana Thompson questioned the cost of cleaning uniforms each week, which she said amounted to $8,200 annually. Other members of the board explained the cost is for cleaning and repair of uniforms, and there was no further discussion.
The board approved the advertisement and authorization to publish Ordinance No. 293, which pertains to the redistricting of the city’s wards.
Merika Kalman from The Vault appeared before the Board requesting that 2nd Avenue be shut down from the stop sign on 5th Street to the stop sign at Choctaw Street (before the railroad tracks) on October 31 for trick or treating from 5:00 p.m. until dark. She told the board that there are 18 houses along that stretch of 2nd Avenue and almost all have agreed to participate.
Kalman said the residents want to offer families “a safe place to trick or treat.”
The board approved the request.
Kalman also requested that the portion of Choctaw Street beside The Vault be closed on October 28 for the restaurant’s annual Halloween party. The party will be held the same day as Crazy Day, and the closure will only be for the length of the building. The board approved this request as well.
The board briefly discussed weight limits on city streets, and Alderman Mark Grubbs agreed to look into the issue.
Public Works Administrator Tim Bray was not present at the meeting due to illness, but the board was informed that work has begun on the culvert and bridge on Colonial Drive.
Animal Control Officer Benny Blair reported to the board that between October 4, 2023, and October 16, 2023, three dogs had been surrendered, and nine had been picked up in Eastside. Three tickets had also been given during that time period.
Blair said he had investigated the report of a wild pit bull on 9th Street but could not locate the animal and would keep looking.
Police Chief Shane Little requested an executive session to discuss a personnel matter. He also asked the board to approve training for several employees, including the Certified Investigator Program, which costs $1200 and is not refundable. The program lasts 6-8 months and will require the employee enrolled to attend one week each month.
The board approved both requests.
Zoning Commission Member Jim Ball appeared before the board in the absence of Zoning Administrator Penny Aguirre.
The Magee Consolidated – McLaurin Vocational Attendance Center (MC-MVAC) requested a special event application for Sunday, October 29, beginning with setup at 1:00 p.m for a Fall Festival Candy and Resource Giveaway at the old Magee elementary grounds. The board approved the request.
Jim Ball reported on the zoning hearing that was held Tuesday, October 10 about the conditional use request for 215 1st Avenue NW (Magnolia’s on Main). Five members of the zoning commission were present at the hearing, and the request was denied. The board voted to uphold the commission’s decision.
Parks and Recreation Administrator Jimmy Zila informed the board that this weekend will be the first weekend in seven weeks with no tournament at the city’s Sportsplex. After that, the city will host four more weeks of tournaments before the season ends for the year. There will be two more baseball tournaments with more than 30 teams and two more softball tournaments as well.
He also told the board that soccer is off to a good start. Soccer games are played each week on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
Zila presented the board with two quotes for the moving of a fire hydrant at the Sportsplex. He said the moving of the hydrant would provide water to two fields that have never had access to it before and would prevent problems caused by people parking in front of the existing hydrant.
If the hydrant were needed during a tournament, “We’ll be busting up some windows,” he said.
The bids for the hydrant were $18,950 and $23,550.
Zila asked the board to take the bids into consideration before presenting another set of bids for redoing the sprinkler system at the Sportsplex. Bids for the project came in at $79,850 and $86,000. The project would redo valves that are currently leaking, add zones, and replace valves. Zila explained that with the current drought situation, there are a “lot of dead areas.” He said, “Fields one and two have not had water on them all year.”
The board is reviewing the bids and will continue discussion of these projects.
Airport Manager Ashley Steele was not present, but the board was informed that the pipe has been replaced and fuel is being ordered.
Building Inspector Kara Lucas apprised the board of the fact that the damaged building on Main Street has had danger warning signs installed. She also said the old Sears building is being considered as a location for NAPA, whose owner is looking to relocate. A permit was approved for the Magee Co-Op to replace three diesel pumps.
Newk’s is scheduled to open on November 6.
Deputy Fire Marshal Shane Steele updated the board on properties in question around town. One citizen appeared before the board to request an extension.
“I just need a few more days,” he said.
The board granted an extension until the next board meeting on November 7.
Chief Fire Marshal Charlie Valadie explained to the board that the city is still experiencing “exceptional drought.” Two-thirds of the state is currently under burn bans and is facing ongoing drought conditions.
The Forestry Commission has sent strike teams to Mississippi to support the state’s resources, and some of those teams are being staged here in Magee. These teams will be activated to go wherever the state asks them to help local fire departments.
“We have exhausted our resources,” Valadie said.
He also reminded the board and the public that burn bans are in effect until further notice.
Finally, Valadie assured the board that though the fire department has undergone a “change of leadership, continuity of operations continues.”
Brett Duncan of Prince CPA explained to the board that, in regard to the overtime report, “We were a little higher this month.”
The board adjourned the meeting and entered executive session.
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