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Magee Board of Alderman met Tuesday, October 20, 2020 for the regular scheduled meeting.
Prior to the meeting, a hearing was held on the closure of a street, “Pine Wood”, located in the Bigland Heights subdivision. After hearing from citizens concerning the street, Alderman Matthew Hickman made a motion to close the street. Alderman Whitney Baker made the second. All were in favor with Alderman Patrick Brown sustaining from the vote. (Click here for full story on herring.) Attorney Bruce Smith stated he would compose an ordinance for the board to approve at the next regular scheduled meeting. Once approved, the notice of closure would be given and advertised in the media.
ASAP reported the wait time at Magee General Hospital had improved to transport a patient from 49 minutes in August 42 in September. An improvement of 7 minutes does not sound like much but a travel time of an hour to the next largest city is a great improvement. 78% of the ambulance calls are transports. The average response time for an ambulance call is 13.17 seconds.
Mayor Berry was questioned about the 1% sales tax on prepared food and Motels. Berry reminded the public the tax only applied to these areas and not gas. Berry recognized Alderman Lane Steele for volunteering his time to replace the flower beds located in front of City Hall. Berry advised the air conditioning at the Library had been repaired and was in full operation.
Merika Kalman, owner of the Vault, came before the board asking for Choctaw Street located on the side of the Vault to be closed October 31, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. for a Halloween Party. The board approved the request.
Doris Adcock, with the Magee Chamber, spoke before the board thanking them for the support of Crazy Day and helping to get the event ready for Saturday.
The board approved two candidates for the Volunteer Fire Department. Tate Clayburn and James Drew Womack will be the new candidates.
The board voted to amend the budget under the airport department from $28,000 to $42,000 to cover a bill for repairs to the Jet A tank. Repairs had to be made due to a grant that had been received by the City for $250,000.00. If repairs were not done, the city would have to refund the grant money.
The board approved permission for Mayor Dale Berry to sign a grant application for a lightning project at the airport. The grant will pay 90%. Amother grant is available to hopefully make this a 1% matching fund.
Police Chief Randy Crawford asked the board to hire full time officer Dillon Brown as a part-time officer. The board approved the request.
Mayor Berry advised the board the city had received notice from the Board of Supervisors that garbage was increasing .22 per ton. The city should see an approximate $300 increase over a year.
The city approved to hire two new employees in the public works department. Keith McCallum and Anthony Floyd were approved for hire. Hugh Dillmore advised the board the city workers had been hot and heavy repairing pot holes and culvert work within the city.
A video of the meeting is attached.
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