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The Magee Board of Aldermen met for a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall.
Mayor Dale Berry called the meeting to order, and it was opened with prayer and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting agenda was approved.
Berry reminded the board and Magee’s residents that there will be no garbage collection on Veterans Day, Friday, November 10.
The board approved the advertisement of a job opening for the senior citizens building.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
The claims docket was approved.
The board approved a reverse auction for a grapple truck. Berry told the board, “The seller pays the auction costs.”
The subject of the Magee City Park was discussed, and Alderman Mark Grubbs said, “It is in really bad shape.”
The playground equipment has been taped off for liability purposes, and Grubbs asked, “Do we need to just take it down?”
The board agreed and approved the demolition of the old playground equipment. Nameplates honoring past donors have been removed and are being held at the city barn if citizens would like to have them.
Jimmy Zila informed the board there is one final tournament being held this coming weekend with 33 teams and asked the board if they had considered the bids he presented at the last board meeting for moving a fire hydrant at the Sportsplex to a new location that will enable irrigation at two more fields. The board discussed the cost of the project, which entails boring underneath the parking lot. The low bid is for $18,950 from Delta Boring, and the board decided to table the issue for further discussion.
Zila also informed the board that the baseball fields at the Sportsplex will be seeded next week and will not be used for five weeks.
Animal Control Officer Benny Blair reported that from 10/27/2023 to 11/03/2023 six ordinances were served just in the Eastside community. Four tickets for tethering law were issued as well. One dog was picked up roaming loose on city streets and has been impounded, and there are currently three open cases in the Eastside community.
On 10/31/2023, a report was made to the police department of a brindle pitbull that tried to attack a two-year-old child. “The dog has disappeared,” said Blair. “I chased that dog for two days, and he goes on a certain piece of property.”
Another dog was surrendered on Sunday and is in the pound.
Blair explained that when a dog is surrendered, the owners sign a form and there is no “hold time” before the dog can be adopted out. He reported that he has volunteers working to help with impounded animals. One of those volunteers has taken an injured dog to the vet. If the dog returns from the vet, it will be impounded. Other animals picked up include a pitbull and her puppy.
Currently, the adoption fee is $25, and Tim Bray requested the fee be raised.
Fire Marshal Charlie Valadie reported for Building Inspector Kara Lucas, who was out of town. He told the Magee Board of Aldermen, “Magee is growing.”
The Magee Volunteer Fire Department took 36 fire calls during the month of October, Valadie said. He told the board that drought conditions continue.
“Fireworks are not gonna happen in Magee,” he said.
Though there is some rain in the forecast for next week, Valadie said it will not alleviate the drought. He explained that Magee has received 5-10% of normal rainfall in the last 90 days. He advised the board to consider whether to allow the sale of fireworks this year.
Valadie informed the board there had been a fire at the pavilion of the city park, but it was limited to a trash can. The pavilion was unharmed.
He reminded the board of the End of Year Municipal Compliance Form deadline.
The meeting was concluded so the Magee Board of Aldermen could enter executive session.
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