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Magee Board of Alderman met for their regular schedule meeting Tuesday, February 8, 2023.
Alderman Matthew Hickman Ward 2 and Alderman Patrick Brown Ward 4, were not present for the meeting.
Al Gordy was the selected guest for the opening prayer. Mr. Gordy is a former Magee Alderman.
A hearing was held to determine if property located at 202 3rd Ave SW, Magee, MS and 603 5th Ave, NW, Magee were in such a state of uncleanliness as to be a menace to the public health, safety, and welfare of the community under Ms Code Ann. Section 21-19-11. Both property were determined to be a menace and properties will addressed by the city with charge to the owners tax role.
The board approved two street closures once the land owner’s have been contacted. The streets will be 7th Ave SW located between the post office and old cinema. The second location will 8th street located behind Entergy and Colonial Chapel. 8th street is in poor condition due to numerous pot holes. The Mayor does not want to spend any money on repairs since no roof tops are located on that street and no property are collected in that area.
Jill Jordan and SCA Tennis Coach Chris Murphy met before the board asking for sinks to be installed at the park bathrooms. There are no sinks in the bathrooms. Citizens ,as well as quest, do not have a place to wash their hands. The board agreed to get prices and look at security measures to protect vandalism and avoid homeless citizens using and damaging the sinks. Improvements are being made to the courts by pressuring washing and replacing the wind screens on the property.
John Bickerstaff, with RealPure Bottling, met before the board asking the status of their tax exemption. All paperwork was file in late May/June 2022. After no response attention was brought that the exemption had not been approved. Mayor Dale Berry and city workers advised paperwork was never received. RealPure provided tracking information with proof of signature that the proper documents were delivered, received, and signed for Summer of 2022. Bickerstaff advised the additional 5 year exemption was to be extended if the plant showed growth and improvements. Mayor Berry advised the city usually follows what the county does on exemptions. Bickerstaff advised the county had approved their request in 2022, but the city never responded. When the Richmond family purchased the plant there were 8 employees. The plant now has 50+ employees and 10 – 15 more needed. $9,000,000 of new equipment was installed shortly after purchasing the plant and an additional $8,000,000 was invested again last year adding an additional line. The company has purchased a warehouse on Baldwin road for water storage. Money has been invested locally improving the parking lot located on the property. City attorney Marc McMillian advised he is looking to the state for guidance to make sure the exemption can be approved since the time line has past from the previous year. A decision will be made in the near future.
The board approved the resignation of Zoning Member Glen Smith and Sammy Tebo was approved to serve in his place.
Public works presented three possible candidates for hire: Jeff Wright, John Collins, and Jason Berry. All three candidates met before the board and introduced themselves and answered any questions the board might have. The board will vote on the applicants at a special called board meeting Wednesday, February 8, 2023.
Justin Jones met before the board concerning opening a marijuana dispensary located at 521 5th Ave, Magee. The property is located across from Peoples Bank and Auto Zone. Jones advised he had been approved for a license outside the city but the property became available and was entertaining the options to purchase. The Mayor advised Jones would have to file a privilege license with the city. First, the building inspector and code enforcement will inspect property to make sure no high cost items are required to bring building to code before purchasing privilege license.
The board approved for zoning director Penny Aguirre to attend the 2023 Annual MAPDD conference at April 18-21 in Biloxi. Aguirre was approved to participate in the Simpson Leaders at cost of $250.00.
Park Director Jimmy Zila reported city league baseball and softball numbers are down. A large drop was seen in softball. Zila advised kids were participating in select travel ball and not city league. Zila and the board are working on solutions and work arounds for the travel ball participants using the fields for practice. Zila advised Southern Pine has checked all lights at the sports complex with the exception of the high school field and the soccer field. Conditions were too wet for the trucks to pull on fields to check. As soon as the weather improves the lights will be addressed. 4 new fixtures are needed at the girls softball fields. The board approved to purchase the fixtures and replace the lights are soon as possible.
The board accepted the resignation of Officer Moles from the police department. Chief Little advised cubicles and desk were donated from a local business and have been installed. A new interview room has been painted and ready for operation. All officers have received uniforms and are wearing them. Three officers have not received their uniforms. Police officers will be in uniforms moving forward.
Alderman Sue Honea updated everyone on the cemetery. The cemetery committee advised 29 signs will be installed with area direction within the cemetery.
With no further business meeting was recessed until Wednesday, February 8, 2023 for a special called board meeting.
Below is a copy of the video of the board meeting are the video can be found on MageeNews.com facebook page.
MageeNews.com is an online news website covering Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi.
