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.The Magee Board of Aldermen met on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, for a regularly scheduled meeting. Aldermen Sammy Tebo opened the meeting with prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
The board approved the agenda.
Forrest Dungan of Clearpoint Engineers gave the board an update on several MCWI (ARPA) Projects and asked the board to approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which would extend the deadline until the end of the year. The board approved.
The following MCWI (ARPA) Projects were discussed:
- Contract #2 (Water Treatment Plant #1) – Dungan told the board the project is 75% complete, but there have been “workmanship issues,” which are being addressed. In addition, the project needs two new gate valves and two check valve replacements. Dungan asked the board to approve a change order in the amount of $13,200. The board approved. Dungan also advised the board that a unification box might need to be addressed in the future.
- Contract #3 (Water Meter Replacement) – 25% of the new water meters have been installed, and it is “going really well,” according to Dungan. He asked the board to approve a pay application in the amount of $234,361 to Vangaurd for the cost of the meters, as well as 60% of the mobilization. The board approved.
- Contract #4 (Lamar Road Sewer Extension) – Project bids are due August 12. Dungan said that utility prices have increased so bids are expected to be higher than anticipated.
The city’s paving project has been advertised and is set to bid on September 3 at 10 a.m. Dungan said, “We have a set of plans we feel good about.”
Dungan expects bids for the park project to open in September. He said initial earthwork will be outside of the bids and will be done through quotes. The construction of the pickleball court and the playground will be two different contracts.
The erosion project at 11th Avenue and Big Creek has been approved by the NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service). The estimated cost of the project is $120,000. 80% of funding will be from a grant with a 20% local match.
Alderman Sammy Tebo made a motion to amend the minutes to include what was discussed at the board’s July 31 meeting, and the board approved the amended minutes.
Tebo also made a motion to remove item 129832 in the amount of $8485.70 from the claims docket and approve the amended docket. The board approved.
Tebo then made a motion to declare an emergency for the repair of the broken water valve at the hospital, which the board approved.
Afterward, the board approved payment of CJ Morgan, Inc. for the emergency repair of the valve.
Bill Parker and Logan Poole, representatives from the National Weather Service, presented the city of Magee with a sign declaring the county is “Storm Ready.” He said Magee has been storm-ready “for a while, but the whole county needs to be ready.” He told the board that Zoning Administrator Penny Aguirre had been instrumental in helping the county to become storm-ready.
Joe Worrell appeared before the board to express his concerns about the neighborhood behind the tennis courts in Magee. He told the board he does not believe his neighborhood is receiving the same level of services as other parts of town, saying he had limbs sitting for weeks before they were picked up. He also asked for an update on the property directly behind the tennis courts. In addition, he advised the board that there are issues with a recovery home in his neighborhood that he believes the city needs to address.
The board approved sending Becky Freeman and Felicia Hamilton to a 911 conference on the coast. Acting Police Chief Bryan Green told the board the cost is approximately $400 each but is a fully reimbursable training opportunity.
Aguirre presented a revised zoning map, which the board approved.
She asked the board to approve Amendment 2506 to the zoning ordinance, which would allow only property owners to initiate rezoning actions.
Alderman Mark Grubbs said, “I’ve got some reservations about that.”
He asked that the board table the matter for further discussion, saying “I’ve had some concerns from constituents.”
“I’m not totally opposed to it,” Grubbs said. “I just need a little more information.”
The board voted to table the issue for a future workshop.
Aguirre presented the board with proposed new forms for zoning requests, saying the zoning commission believes the forms will lead to less confusion.
City Attorney Wesla Sullivan asked, “How will they know which one to use?”
The board decided to discuss the forms further at a future workshop.
Aguirre asked the board to approve sending someone from the Historical Preservation Commission to the Past Forward Conference in New Orleans at the cost of approximately $1350.
Alderwoman Lawana Thompson said, “I don’t know about the city paying for conferences for people who are not employed by the city.”
She explained she believes it will present questions of liability. The board agreed.
Aguirre said the city has received on estimate for cleanup of the property at 807 5th Avenue and have another in the works.
She said that of 128 cases, 18 have been resolved.
Magee Airport Commission Member Larry Partridge asked the board to approve joining the MS Airports Association at the cost of $250. The board approved.
The board also approved sending Mike Berry to the annual conference.
Sullivan presented the board with updated versions of an agreement for landscaping maintenance, the city’s liquor ordinance, and various usage agreements for its consideration.
The board discussed the question of digging at the city cemetery. It was general consensus that if there is a body, a court order is required before digging. Preliminary findings have been inconclusive.
The board approved a bid from Lily White for janitorial services in city buildings.
The board entered an executive session to discuss personnel matters.
