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The Magee Board of Aldermen met on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, for its first regularly scheduled meeting of the new year.
Mayor Dale Berry reported that three new businesses have come to Magee.
The board approved the agenda for the meeting, and the mayor reminded the board about its upcoming workshop on Thursday, January 4 at 4:30 p.m.
Mayor Berry asked the board to consider swapping Confederate Memorial Day, a state holiday that will be observed on April 29 this year, for Juneteenth, which will be observed on Wednesday, June 19. The board approved the change to the city’s calendar.
The minutes of the board’s previous meeting were approved.
During the review of the Claims Docket, Alderman Sammy Tebo drew the board’s attention to the line item for street lights, commenting that numerous street lights have been out since October 2022.
Alderwoman Lawana Thompson asked, “Are we going to get a refund?”
“That’s a lot of money for nothing,” she said.
“Do we have an Entergy contact?” asked Alderwoman Sue Honea.
“I’m on number six,” said Berry, who said he would contact the Mississippi Public Service Commission.
Without further discussion, the Claims Docket was approved.
Tim Bray reported that work is continuing on the street behind Entergy and that his department is two inmates short and only has three men working at present.
“But we do what we do what we can do,” he said.
Police Chief Shane Little asked the board to approve moving two officers to patrolman one status and pay, which the board approved.
“We had some excitement on Friday,” Little said before telling the board, “If it ain’t on my Facebook page or you didn’t hear it out of my mouth, it ain’t true.”
Alderman Tebo expressed concern that the public should have been better informed during the manhunt, and Little discussed the possibility of using an app to keep the public informed of police matters and city business.
“I don’t have access to our blast for the city,” he said.
“Why don’t you have access to the blast?” asked Honea.
The blast in question refers to the city’s text message system, which was originally set up for use by Parks and Recreation.
Jimmy Zila told the board, “We’re below 600 for people in the city.”
Chief Little told the board he would bring information about an app to the board’s workshop on January 4.
He reiterated to the board that reports of shots being fired were unfounded.
“Nothing further from the truth,” he said. “It happens almost every weekend.”
Zoning Administrator Penny Aguirre reported that the situation with trash at apartment complexes “is a merry-go-round we’re on.”
“We’ll just go through the court system and handle it that way,” she said.
Aguirre also reported that the roof and HVAC at the Community House have been completed and a painter has been scheduled.
The cost of renovating the bathhouse should be under $5,000, she said.
She reminded the board that the county’s bicentennial celebration will kick off on January 27.
Jimmy Zila reported that the Parks and Recreation Department is getting ready for the new baseball and softball season.
Animal Control Officer Benny Blair reported that from 12-20-2023 to 12-29-2023, he had issued one citation and picked up one pit bull for harassing city workers.
He told the board that trash at the apartment complexes around the city is a problem.
“All that trash is bringing in wild animals,” he said.
On December 29, he picked up a pit bull and two puppies in Eastside.
“The Eastside pack is done, except for that one brindle,” he said.
On Christmas day, there was a shooting involving a dog that had attacked a puppy. The owner’s dog had shot the attacker.
Four labs had also been dumped, but only one was left in custody.
Airport Manager Ashley Steele was present for the meeting and reported that all bird and wasp nests had been removed.
Three runway lights are out but are under warranty. They will be replaced for the cost of changing them out.
Building Inspector Kara Lucas presented the board with information about updating the city’s permit fees.
“I feel like it’s time,” she said. “Twenty-four years later.”
Alderman Mark Grubbs suggested the board table the issue until the next meeting, which it did.
Shane Steele reminded the board there will be a hearing about two properties at the next board meeting.
Steele also reported that a house on 541 across from Hillcrest is tied up on the estate right now, but there are potential buyers for the property.
The fire department received 21 calls in December, bringing the total number of calls for 2023 to 294, which was an increase over the 228 calls received in 2022.
The garbage schedule for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on January 15 will be as follows:
- Monday garbage collection will be done on Tuesday.
- Tuesday’s garbage collection will be done on Wednesday.
- Thursday and Friday garbage collection will be as usual.
The board recessed until Thursday, January 4, 2023, at 4:30 p.m.
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