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The Magee Board of Aldermen met on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, for a regularly scheduled meeting. Mayor Mark Grubbs and Alderman Julian Harper were not present.
Mayor Mark Grubbs was absent due to illness. Alderman Lawana Thompson presided over the meeting as mayor pro temp, calling the meeting to order. Jack Robertson, a Ward 2 resident, opened the meeting with a prayer, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
The board voted to approve the agenda.
The first order of business was a zoning hearing that focused on two properties on 9th Avenue NW. The properties belong to the Odell Rankin Estate and to James and Jerline Dixon. Zoning Administrator Penny Aguirre explained that the properties are “easy to get into,” expressing concerns that as the weather grows colder, both people and animals will be looking for shelter in vacant structures.
Aguirre told the board that dealing with both of the properties at one time would be more cost-effective. The board decided it believes the properties are a menace to the public health, safety, and welfare of the community and voted to go forward with measures to clean up the properties.
The owners of the properties in question will have ten days to appeal the board’s decision.
Thompson updated the Board of Aldermen on the progress of the city park playground project, saying construction is complete and fencing should be completed in early December.
The board approved the minutes of its previous meeting.
The board accepted the following bids:
- Frances Warren in the amount of $950 for grass cutting at the city cemetery
- Frances Warren in the amount of $2200 for grass cutting along Highway 49 in Magee
- Wenger Lawn Service in the amount of $487 for grass cutting at McNair Springs
- Magee Lawn and Landscape in the amount of $100 for grass cutting at the airport.
Alderman Allyson Berch made a motion to reinstate public comments as part of regular board meetings. She recommended allowing residents to sign up to address the board 30 minutes prior to each meeting. In her motion, Berch said there will be 4 available time slots. Each time slot will be allowed 3 minutes to address the board. If more than 4 people sign up, the additional presentations will roll over to the next board meeting.
“It would give our constituents an opportunity to be heard,” she said.
The board approved the motion.
Berch also made a motion to change the regular time of board meetings from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Meetings will continue to be held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. Only the time will change. The board approved the motion.
Both of the above changes will go into effect at the first meeting of the month of December.
The board approved the claims docket.
Todd Allen appeared before the board, explaining that he believes the city can save a significant amount of money by sealing its streets in a different way. He offered to complete an evaluation of the city’s roads free of charge.
Alderman Suzie Bourn said, “I feel like we have an engineer for that purpose.”
Allen replied, “I’m not an engineer. I’m a professional redneck, but I can fix these roads.”
Next, Pastor Jeremy Smith and Heidi Zimmerman from The Well Church appeared before the board to inform the members and the public about the ministries of the church, including Beauty from Ashes and Voices of Hope.
Zimmerman explained they are preparing for two upcoming fundraisers. First, they will be having their annual Christmas tree sale: Buy a Tree Change a Life. Trees will arrive on November 21, and the sale will be held at Bethel Assembly by Dairy Queen. They are also planning Gala of Hope, an invitation-only fundraiser with a goal of raising $150,000 to help start a new ministry in the community.
Police Chief Denis Borges requested an executive session to discuss a new hire. He also requested approval for three officers to attend a rifle class at the cost of $150 each. The board approved. The board also approved a $500 donation from Tractor Supply.
Borges explained that there had been confusion about the amount of a donation by Tyson, which had been approved at the previous board meeting. The board voted to reconsider the vote on the donation and to rescind the prior vote. The board then approved the donation of $750 from Tyson.
The board also approved a class for McKayla Dampeer on November 17-18 in Flowood.
Fire Chief David Craft requested an executive session for personnel.
The board approved publication of a zoning hearing on December 9.
The board voted to adopt a resolution that officially closed what is known as the Old Dixie Highway and approved a conditional use for the Berry property located at 612 Laurel Drive SE, which will be used for a convenience store and gas station.
The Board of Aldermen entered an executive session to discuss personnel matters.
On Wednesday, November 5, 2025, the city announced via Facebook that the November 18 Board of Aldermen meeting has been rescheduled to Monday, November 17, due to the Mingle on Main event.
Alderman Suzie Bourn said, “I feel like we have an engineer for that purpose.”
First of all, her answer sounded as if she was being sarcastic to Todd Allen. We don’t need sarcasm coming from our Board to our Citizens when they offering their time and money to consult with you at no charge. If you can’t be professional and considerate of the people that elected you then I suggest you resign.
If we have an engineer for this purpose then why are our streets the way they are. Sometimes your hard working regular persons can do more for you than the people that hold the BIG title.
It is ridiculous!!!!! It is ridiculous that you have to drive your vehicle over the streets. The streets in close proximity to the middle and high school are horrible. I hate to drive my vehicle over them but I have to in order to get to my job.
Magee deserves better streets. But you can see that some streets in some parts of the city are really good.
Wonder what went on there. Just saying 😊