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The February 5, 2019, Magee Board of Alderman meeting started out with a bang! Several board members and the Mayor discussed their disappointment in recent allegations made against the City of Magee involving trash on the streets! The board assured the citizens of Magee that they are working hard to address issues that are brought before them. A discussion involving McNair Springs was made and Alderman Lane Steele stated that he has examined and removed some limbs from the park area. Upon investigation the park was not in the condition some had been led to believe. The mayor stated that improvements could and would be made in the near future.
The City, Chamber and other concerned citizens, are all working together to make Magee better. Christian Carrico stated Saturday, February 9, 2019, the area churches, through the Disciple Now program, will come together with approximately 225 adults and kids to clean up Magee. The main focus of the cleanup will be McNair Springs. Students will also be walking down streets and other areas to pick up disregarded trash. The clean up is being done to begin the process of utilizing a grant that has been awarded to Magee by Keep Mississippi Beautiful. The grant consists of approximately 6000 dollars that will be spent in the area of garbage cleanup. Keep Mississippi Beautiful will broadcast their kick off program for the state in Magee at McNair Springs on April 5th. with a reception and live Saturday, April 6, 2019. The Board of Alderman encourages anyone who is not happy with the conditions of the area to please volunteer in Saturday’s cleanup program.
The board will now give citizens the opportunity to bag leaves if they so choose and leave the bags by the curb. The Board and City sees this as a positive change and encourages all citizens to bag their leaves. The workers will open the bags so no plastic enters the land fields and meets specifications. However, both options of leaf disposal are still available to the citizens of Magee.
The board approved a resolution to apply for a grant form the Mississippi Legislature including $500,000 for the construction of new city lagoon. State Senator Chris Caughman, who has served in the legislature since 2016, brought the bond to the attention of Mayor Berry.
This meeting also saw a golf cart ordinance adopted by the board. Golf carts may be operated on all public roads with the city exception of US Highway 49. The frontage roads along the following highways; Highway 149; Highway 28; Highway 541; Raleigh Drive; Pinola Drive; and 11th Ave NW are also not to be used by golf carts. It shall be permissible for golf carts to cross previously mentioned streets, except for Hwy 49 and frontage road.
A complete list of rules and streets are located in the following article on MageeNews.com.
The board approved an ordinance for annexation.
The beer permit for Rocky Steak, Seafood, & Oyster Bar was approved by the board. This new restaurant will be located in the building that previously housed TCBY Frozen Yogurt on US Highway 49.
Christian Carrico addressed the board about possible improvements to the city tennis court area. The board approved a bid that was submitted to pressure wash courts, concert sidewalks around courts, bathrooms, and pavilion for a price of $1000.00. Recreation Director David Dunn approached the board to express that the City’s baseball and softball program, that have previously operated under Dixie Youth, would be using USSSA. Cal Ripkin would operate under U Triple SA (USSSA) is what softball will follow. David assured the board all rules would stay the same for league play. The only difference in rules and regulations would occur in tournament play. All games will still be located at the Sportsplex, and Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays would still be the nights for teams to gather and compete. Mayor Berry advised Simpson Academy had agreed to pay $2000.00 for use of the softball fields at the Sportsplex. A lease agreement is being drawn up and you can expect updates in the near future.
Bobby Applewhite and Nevis Rankin were approved to attend the annual water certification meeting in Jackson during March. The board approved to accept the retirement resignation of Jimmy Lott and hire new employee Titus Lee.
The board approved for Rev. James Fortenberry to be the new Chaplin for the Magee Fire Department.
No further business was discussed and the Board was recessed until February 19, 2019.,
