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The Magee Board of Aldermen met on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, for a regularly scheduled meeting. Mayor Dale Berry called the meeting to order, and Jacob McKenzie, pastor of Legacy Church in Magee, opened it in prayer. The Pledge of Allegiance followed.
The board approved the agenda, the minutes of the board’s previous meeting, and the claims docket.
Shirley Maddox Herrington appeared before the board to express concerns about several properties within the city limits.
The first property she mentioned in her remarks to the board is 727 1st Avenue SE. Herrington said the property is “filled with multiple vehicles, multiple portable storage buildings, a camper trailer, heavy equipment, and debris that covers the entire lot including the city’s right of way.” She also said, “It appears this property owner is operating a mechanic business in a residential area.”
Next, Herrington told the board that the mobile home park adjacent to the city park, which is owned by DS & LG Properties of Laurel, is in violation of city ordinances.
She said, “There are ordinances not being enforced on solid waste disposal for this type setting.”
Finally, she brought attention to the state of the property across from the city tennis court, saying, “This is an eyesore as well as an environmental issue.”
She asked the board that an ordinance be established and enforced that would require proper fencing and landscaping to be installed at the site or have it relocated outside of the city limits.
“It looks literally like a garbage dump in the city limits,” Herrington said.
Herrington told the board that the state of these properties has impacted her ability to rent or sale a property nearby at fair market value.
Next, Chad Hand appeared before the board to explain his frustration with a zoning situation that has arisen concerning his property at 901 5th Avenue, which was rezoned to C3 early in the year. Hand plans to build an RV park at the property, and work has already begun on the site.
Zoning Board Chairman Jim Ball explained to the board that the property in question was rezoned, but conditional use as an RV park was not approved.
“RV parks are not a permitted use in our zoning ordinance,” Ball said. “We need to get something in our ordinance concerning RV parks.”
Bryce Hopkins of TEC reappeared before the board to discuss the possibility of TEC providing Wi-Fi to the Sportsplex. TEC would put two circuits at both concession stands to enable live streaming and would provide a support mechanism that includes all security updates.
“We remotely manage all of our circuits like this,” Hopkins said.
The addition of Wi-Fi would allow credit card processing at the Sportsplex and would enable the city to charge a media fee per team during tournaments.
There are two payment options for the circuits. The city can pay $7,769 upfront with a monthly fee of $748 or pay a lower upfront cost of $3000 and pay a higher monthly fee of $898 for 36 months.
Alderman Mark Grubbs reminded the board that the city has a contract with C-Spire for internet services.
Public Works Superintendent Tim Bray said that the milling of the paving projects has caused a few water leaks, the water meter project is 73% complete, and milling will begin 11th Avenue next.
Police Chief Denis Borges requested $86.90 reimbursement to an employee for candy purchased for Crazy Day, which the board approved.
The board also approved the application for a reimbursement grant in the amount of $143,842.44.
Fire Chief David Craft reminded everyone that the city is still under a burn ban.
Michael Allen presented quotes for new radios. The board decided to request sealed bids for the radios and approved publication for them.
On the recommendation of the Zoning Board, the board approved a dimensional variance request for Anthony Cohen, as well as a conditional use request.
The board approved the publication of two zoning hearings in December, as well as a special events permit for the Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Christmas Parade, which will be held on December 5.
Jimmy Zila told the board that from March to May the Sportsplex has 12 out of 14 weekends scheduled for tournaments.
Mike Berry updated the board on airport matters, and Forrest Dungan of Clearpoint Engineers reminded the board that park project bids are due November 23.
