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The Magee Board of Aldermen met Monday, August 6, 2019 at City Hall.
The meeting began with employee recognition, and Mayor Dale Berry recognized Tyrone Barber for his service to the city for more than a decade.
Mayor Berry reminded the board that tree surgeons hired in the city must be certified and bonded to protect the public.
Sales tax collection for the last fiscal year was $2,228,000, which showed continued growth. The mayor reminded the board that when he and the new aldermen began, sales tax collection was $2,040,000. He said the city’s sales tax has increased an average of $100,000 a year, and he hopes to see it continue to grow, citing $2,500,000 as the next goal.
Berry informed the board that both Entergy and MDOT are working on the lighting at the intersection of highways 49 and 28.
The Mayor’s Youth Council will begin soon. Interested students in grades 9 through 12 can apply with the school counselors at Magee High School and Simpson Academy. Three students are chosen from each school, in each grade.
The board approved the minutes from the last meeting, as well as the claims docket.
Kendra Wright with the Census Bureau appeared before the board to request that the city designate a liaison to head up the city’s Complete Count Committee, which will help inform and educate the public about the upcoming 2020 Census, which will be the first in which the primary method of response will be digital. Mayor Berry introduced Chris Lane and informed Wright that Lane has volunteered to serve in that capacity.
Wright said that invitations to respond to the census will be sent in March 2020, and Census Day will be April 1, 2020.
She stressed the importance of participation, stating that Mississippi received $2053 per month for each person in the state. That number, she said, is based upon the results of the 2010 census. The results of the upcoming census will affect the state for the next ten years.
Wright said they are expecting to count 330 million people in 2020.
The board discussed the city workers’ uniforms and will be gathering bids for the provision of those uniforms.
Budget committee meetings will be held August 15 and 29 at 5:00 p.m. The public is invited to those meetings. The budget will be present at the board’s meeting on September 3.
A relative of the late Robert McBroom appeared before the board to share a bit about McBroom’s life and service to the country, saying over the years McBroom received 42 different medals, including every medal except the Medal of Honor.
The board voted to publish a request for bids for grass cutting contracts for the following areas:
- YMCA (16.3 acres)
- Cemetery (11.5 acres)
- McNair Springs (15.5 acres)
- Highway 49
- Washington Park.
Once again, the board discussed furniture left for pickup at apartments in the city that do not pay for garbage pickup, namely Azalea and Magee Manor, as well illegal dumping around the city.
The board agreed to stricter enforcement of the city’s clean up ordinance, with the following procedure:
- Letters will be sent to those in violation of the ordinance.
- Two weeks later, if the issue has not been addressed, the city will issue a summons for the property owner to appear in court.
- If the owner does not appear in court, the city will take care of the issue, and the cost will be assessed to the property owner.
Alderman Matthew Hickman stressed that no favoritism should be shown in these matters, saying “If it’s in my mother’s front yard, send her a letter.”
The board approved water loss reports for the city.
The board approved the purchase of two additional pieces for the city’s splash pad, using the $10,000 budgeted for the splash pad, as well as an invoice for $3500 for dirtwork at Washington Park.
Joe Worrell informed the board of work being done and changes made to the flag pole on Highway 49 near Sears. The pole will be painted, and new flags purchased. In addition, six new twenty-foot poles will be added with flags representing each of the armed forces. The purchases and improvements are being paid for with donations, and Worrell hopes to dedicate the area as Veteran’s Memorial Park on Veteran’s Day this year.