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The Magee Board of Aldermen met on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, for a regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting began with prayer and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
The board approved the minutes and the claims docket. Alderman Lawana Thompson recused herself from voting on the claims docket to avoid a possible conflict of interest and any appearance of impropriety.
Morgan Lewis appeared before the board to voice concerns about the alleged conduct of Mayor Dale Berry as it pertains to what Lewis called a “family issue.”
Board Attorney Wesla Sullivan said, “I’m gonna stop you right there.” She said the issues Lewis was bringing before the board were inappropriate and reminded the board that Lewis had exceeded his allotted time limit.
The fire department had ten fire calls last month and received a $5,000 grant from Walmart, which it will use to purchase battery-operated rescue tools.
The board approved publication about a zoning hearing which will take place in June.
Jimmy Zila informed the board that the tanks and pipes of the splash pad have been fixed, but it still will not turn on and is throwing breakers.
“Outside of that, everything else is fixed,” he said. “It’s flowing , and we’re keeping the chemicals balanced.”
Thirty-six teams will be in town this coming weekend for ball tournaments, according to Zila. The tournaments will be played on Saturday only.
“We don’t mess with Mama on Mama’s Day,” Zila said.
The first weekend of June, 55 teams will be in town for two days of tournament play.
Mike Berry appeared before the board to give an update on airport matters. He said they are looking at solutions of what to do with the jet fuel at the airport, which he said is ” kerosene that’s contaminated.”
He said he has pressure washed the building and painted the posts, as well as fixed a water line which was broken at the hangar.
According to Berry, the house needs a fair amount of work and has insects, holes in the walls, rooms that need painting, and carpet that needs replacing.
Berry also informed the board that the plane of a deceased person has been sold and moved and the new owner has paid the back rent.
The airport’s state inspection went well, and the inspector was impressed and complimentary, Berry said.
Board Attorney Wesla Sullivan introduced Mike Adcox from the Mage Co-Op, who asked the board not to approve Ordinance 297 and to repeal Ordinance 176, which pertains to thru traffic on Co-Op Road. He explained that the main issue is the railroad and Highway 28, an issue which is already addressed by law.
The board asked Adcox what the impact of closing the road would be to his business.
“Thru traffic is business for me,” he said.
The board voted not to approve Ordinance 297 and to repeal Ordinance 176.
Sullivan advised the board that property that has been declared surplus needs to be advertised for sale to dispose of surplus property in accordance with state law and to maximize the money for the city. The board approved.
Sullivan also suggested that the city’s alcohol sales ordinance needs to be clarified in regard to retail sales of alcohol on Sunday afternoons at restaurants.
She reminded the board, as well as those present, that when an executive session is requested the reason for the request must be noted.
In addition, the board approved Sullivan’s contract for one year.
Simpson County Development Foundation Director Pat Brown informed the board that the paperwork for future development of the park behind Pioneer has been completed, including an archaeological study.
