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The Magee Board of Aldermen met on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, for a regularly scheduled meeting.
Mayor Dale Berry reminded everyone that garbage pickup will be suspended on Thursday or Friday, November 29 and 30, because of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Forrest Dungan of Clearpoint Engineers informed the board that the water meter project is 80% complete.
Dungan also presented low bids for the City Park Project. The playground bid was $359,582, and the bid for the pickleball courts was $298,999, bringing the project total to $698,581. The two areas of the project were bid as separate contracts. The city has already appropriated $500,000 for the project and has received verbal pledges of $160,000.
Brett Duncan of Prince C.P.A. told the board the only way to fund the full project is to use 1% money.
“Y’all pay me to tell you what the numbers are, not what to do,” Duncan said.
Alderman Patrick Brown made a motion to accept the bid from Struthers Recreation, LLC for contract one, which is the playground, which the board approved.
The board approved the minutes of the last meeting and the claims docket.
Shane Steele appeared before the board to voice a complaint about discussions pertaining to the city’s airport, which his wife managed for 18 years.
“I won’t stand by and let my family’s name be drug through the mud,” he said. “I’ve had enough.”
He told the board that if his family’s name is mentioned by city employees or aldermen, “it won’t be good.”
Fire Chief David Craft took the opportunity to remind residents and the board that the city’s fire rating is Class 5. He encouraged people to check to be sure their insurance reflects that rating as it could help lower insurance costs.
In addition, he advised everyone in the city to have fireplaces checked and cleaned before using them this winter.
The board approved the publication for upcoming zoning hearings. The first will be held on December 10, 2024, about a conditional use request for the lot across from Mims Mitchell. The owner would like to build a clinic at the location.
The second publication is a continuation of a November 12 hearing.
The hearing about amending the zoning ordinance will continue as well.
Work on the building across from city hall is set to begin as soon as plans are approved.
Building Inspector Al Sullivan reported to the board about annual renewal for contractors and said the clinic across from Mims Mitchell “looks like it’s going to happen.”
Jimmy Zila informed the board that soccer season has been extended due to rain. He also said rye grass has been planted so the fields will not be used for four weeks. Forms for baseball and softball should be distributed before Christmas.
Mike Berry was given the authority to apply for a grant to help fund the airport’s beacon light, as well as the painting of the pole.
The board voted to uphold the zoning commission’s overturning of the zoning director’s opinion on the use of a property, which the zoning commission reversed. The board decided the owners of the property must apply for conditional use.
The board entered an executive session to discuss litigation matters among other things.