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*12/3/2025 edited for clarification of the discussion of notifying board members in cases of emergency situations
The Magee Board of Aldermen met at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, for a regularly scheduled meeting. The time of the meeting had been changed from the usual 6:00 p.m. because of the city’s annual Christmas parade.
Alderman Julian Harper opened the meeting with a prayer, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
As approved by the board at its last meeting, public comments were allowed at the start of the meeting. Citizens interested interested in addressing the board are supposed to complete a form 30 minutes before the meeting. Though no one had completed the form, the board allowed the following three members of the public to speak: Angie von Seutter, Hanna Berry-May, and Chris May. (For their full comments, watch the video below.)
The agenda was approved.
Mayor Mark Grubbs encouraged citizens to take the city’s comprehensive plan survey. He informed the board that Rainforest Car Wash will be adding a Quick Lube between the car wash and Angela’s.
The fencing of the city park is under construction.
The minutes were approved.
The claims docket was approved, but Alderman Julian Harper raised questions about the amount paid to Voices of Hope. The board asked Zoning Administrator Penny Aguirre to provide more information about the charges so decisions could be made going forward.
Simpson County Tax Assessor Jamie Brewer presented a new Inter-Local Agreement, which the board approved pending the approval of the city attorney.
The board approved a final pay request to Struthers Recreation in the amount of $324,534 for the construction of the city park playground.
Public Works Superintendent Tim Bray expressed his appreciation to his crews for working four full days to pick up trash on Highway 49 from Tractor Supply to McNair Springs.
Alderman Allyson Berch asked if the city picks up bagged leaves, and Bray told her it does. He said the city picks up limbs on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Debris is picked up on Thursday and Friday.
The board approved a donation to the Magee Police Department of $3345 worth of under cover equipment from the District Attorney’s office.
Harper asked Police Chief Denis Borges to communicate with the board to alert members of potential emergency situations like the recent manhunt in the city. Borges said that during the manhunt he had communicated directly with the mayor, who is the direct supervisor for department heads. Grubbs explained that he called everyone except two alderwomen, assuming the other board members would notify them. Going forward, Grubbs told the board that after the chief notifies him of a situation, he will send a group text to all board members.
Jimmy Zila told the board the city will be moving to online registration for all sports, which will result in an increase in the registration fees, bringing them to $70 from $65.
The board approved the purchase of 4000 gallons of aviation fuel at the price of $3.4785/gallon for the city’s airport.
The board approved sending John Hosey to an emergency management class in Oxford December 16-18. The class is free, but the board approved the cost of the hotel, which is approximately $450.
The board approved an adjustment in a water bill due to the fact that an o-ring on a meter went out and flooded a citizen’s yard.
The board entered executive session to discuss personnel and litigation.
