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The Magee Board of Aldermen met on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. for a regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Dale Berry informed the board that garbage collection for Labor Day would be as follows:
- Monday garbage will be collected on Tuesday.
- Tuesday garbage will be collected on Wednesday.
- Thursday and Friday will be collected as usual.
Animal Control Officer Benny Blair appeared before the board to submit his resignation, which the board accepted.
Forrest Dungan of Clearpoint Engineers updated the board on several ongoing projects throughout the city. He said the city’s paving project is being advertised and is set to bid on September 3 at 10 a.m.
Bids for the park and pickleball projects will open on September 24. The project will be comprised of two contracts, which will open for bidding at 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
The erosion project at 11th Avenue and Big Creek has been approved by NRCS. The grant agreement includes $129,000 total with a 25% local match which will be $30,000.
Contract #4 of the MCWI (ARPA) projects, which is the Lamar Road Sewer Extension Project, received bids. The lowest bid was from Greenbriar Digging for $378,000.
Contract #2, which is the Water Treatment Plant Number One Improvement Project, is 95% complete. The board approved a change order request for $18,900 to eliminate a splitter box that is aging.
“It needs to be addressed,” Dungan told the board, saying it will provide “a more sustainable connection.”
The board also approved extending the project time for two weeks.
Contract #3, which is the water meter project, is 43% complete. 550 meters have been installed thus far. Though the project will not be complete for nearly another month, the system will be used for meter readings beginning in September.
Alderman Mark Grubbs asked Dungan to be sure the contractor is informing residents when their water will be turned off.
The board approved the minutes of the August 6 regular meeting.
Grubbs asked the board to revise the minutes of the August 8 special called meeting to reflect the fact he was not in attendance. The board approved the amended minutes.
The claims docket was approved.
Curtis Lowery appeared before the board on behalf of Abraham Paredes asking the board to create an easement for access to Parades’ property on Daniel Magee Road, which is landlocked. The property in question is located near the city’s lagoon. The board did not act upon the request and will consider the matter further after more investigation.
Laterral Spurlock addressed the board with three concerns. First, she asked the board to cut trees near her property. The trees in question are on city property, but Spurlock argued they drop limbs on her property, causing damage. Mayor Berry said he had asked two people to inspect the trees in question, and neither tree is dead.
Second, Spurlock informed the board that her yard floods when it rains and asked the board to dig a drainage ditch to prevent the problem. The board decided to ask Dungan to investigate the matter.
Finally, Spurlock asked the board to replace a garbage can that had been damaged when the city collected her trash. She said the city had brought a replacement without wheels.
“I want the one with wheels,” she said.
The board voted to reimburse Spurlock for her purchase of a garbage can.
Alderman Patrick Brown informed Spurlock that any damage caused by falling limbs is considered “an act of God.”
“We don’t cut healthy trees,” he said.
Jim Ball appeared before the board, asking the city to address overgrown drainage ditches, calling them “horrendous.”
He also asked questions about the city’s airport and suggested the board consider going further than not renewing the privilege licenses of businesses with zoning violations. He recommended revoking those license.
“Zoning violations enforcement is almost non-existent,” Ball Said.
Public Works Superintendent Tim Bray requested an executive session to discuss personnel.
Interim Police Chief Bryan Green informed the board the police department has been given a grant by the MS Homeland Security department in the amount of $18,365, which will be used to purchase a finger print machine. The board voted to accept the grant.
Green also requested an executive session to discuss personnel matters.
Fire Chief David Craft requested an executive session to discuss personnel matters.
The board approved the publication of three upcoming zoning hearings.
Zoning Administrator Penny Aguirre asked the board to consider the establishment of a board of appeals for properties that have been cited for public safety and health violations and recommended the members of the zoning board serve in that capacity. She also advocated for the city to use a process of “educate, warn, enforce” when dealing with violations.
Building Inspector Kara Lucas updated the board ongoing about major projects, including an addition at Millcreek, work at T-Mobile, the Colonial Circle Expansion, and a new office building at Millcreek.
She has informed FEMA that her last day is August 30 and is continuing to work on information for them.
The city is still waiting on new furniture for the city clerks, and after Lucas’s last day, Aguirre will continue to give updates on the status of the new furniture.
Jimmy Zila informed the board there are two weeks left for soccer registration and tournaments are scheduled for coming weeks. He said 35 sprinkler heads have been replaced on six ball fields.
In addition, Southern Pine will be coming to look at lights at the Sportsplex which have been affected by recent storms.
Mike Berry appeared before the board with updates about the airport, but before addressing the board, he responded to several questions posed by Jim Ball earlier in the meeting. Berry explained the current growth of the airport, as well as opportunities to expand its services and positively impact the community.
Mayor Berry requested executive session to discuss applications for police chief.
When asked if the city was having regular staff meetings, Berry responded, “I like one on one.”
The board entered executive session.
Watch the full meeting below.
