The Magee Mayor and Board of Aldermen met March 17 for a regular meeting during which they heard project, department and budget updates and approved several bids.
Mayor Mark Grubbs opened his report offering “a shout out” to Co-Lin Simpson Center and their welding department for the fabrication of basketball goals at Marvin Jackson Park.
He reported that potholes will be repaired as weather permits. A water main break on 12th Avenue has been repaired, but a boil water notice is still in place. Grubbs also asked that any resident requiring limb pick up to call City Hall, reminding that limbs and leaves may not be mixed with debris.
Forrest Dungan with Clearpoint Engineering provided written updates to board members while addressing the need to make a decision on the Erosion Watershed Projection (EWP) projects. Two sites were identified previously, 4th Avenue and Big Creek. Dungan said correspondence received recently from NRCS stated they need a decision or at least some feedback from the board about moving forward. “I'm not telling you, you have to make a decision tonight necessarily, but we really need to make a decision at the latest by the next board meeting.”
Brett Duncan with Charles Prince CPA Firm addressed financial concerns about the projects, saying that both are very important. However, there is some concern in that neither project was budgeted. Duncan recommended selecting one of the sites. Dungan reminded the board that the grant was lump sum for both projects, adding that he will contact NRCS about funding only one at this time and will notify the board when he receives an answer.
The board approved seven special event applications. Easter Picture Day will be at Marvin Jackson Park, Sunday, March 29, 1 to 5 p.m. First Baptist Church of Magee will host Dill and Chill Pickleball Tournament at City Park tennis courts, Sunday, March 29, 5 to 7:30 pm. A Community Prayer Gathering at Ural Everett is scheduled for Monday, March 30, at 6 p.m. The annual First Baptist Easter Egg Hunt will be at the Sports Plex Saturday, April 4, beginning at 9 a.m. All day church services with Living Church of God in Charlotte, NC, have been approved for April 8, May 24, and September 12. The Chamber of Commerce will host a carnival in the green space behind Shoe Show May 7-9. The White/McNair Family Reunion will be July 4, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Marvin Jackson Park.
Magee Library Branch Manager Alice Green and Central Mississippi Regional Library System Assistant Director Brenette Nicholes appeared before the board to thank the city for its continued support of library services. Nicholes provided statistical data on the city’s financial investment of $14,784. “The library generated an estimated $563,975 in value for our community here. That means for every $1 invested, residents received over $38 in return.”
Public Works Director Tim Bray added to the mayor’s comments regarding potholes, saying prep work would be necessary but planned to begin filling them Thursday. Grubbs included a culvert on 5th Street, SE needs replacement due to adverse impacts for about two years on at least one resident’s yard. Bray stated it is a safety hazard. He solicited three bids and the lowest from Dixie Works, $20,116.20 was approved. The higher bids were from Central Pipe and Supply, $25,114.40 and Consolidated Pipe and Supply, $26,790.00. There were no local vendors available to bid.
Police Chief Denis Borges requested executive session for personnel issues. The board approved a request for $556.04 for lodging to attend The Chief’s Conference on the coast June 6-9.
New Zoning Administrator Evan Jones was introduced after beginning the job March 10. He stated two projects are in preliminary stages: a potential 10 house subdivision and a telecommunications company considering placement of a new cell tower in Magee. A new pet grooming business has begun obtaining necessary documents to open. Jones added he will update as plans move forward for all.
Zoning Board Chairman Jim Ball asked to speak in regards to a signage issue for Zander Ellis on Main Avenue which is in the Downtown Preservation District; specifically that signage in a DPD does not require a zoning hearing or presentation to the administrator. At issue is size of a new second sign located on their next door building, similar to one previously approved in 2023 for Zander Ellis by the zoning administrator; however, the first sign did not meet DPD requirements. Signs may be no larger than 20 sq. ft. per frontage. The original 2023 sign is 32 sq. ft. and the design for the new sign is 28 sq. ft. The board requested a review by Jones before making any decision.
The lowest bid in the amount of $19,214 from Higgins Heating and Cooling to replace air conditioning in the Civic Center and library was approved by the board. Other bids were made by Air South, $47,894.70 and Air Plus and Maintenance, $22,345. During a special called meeting on March 9 the board passed three motions in regards to bids approved at the March 3 regular meeting. These include the rescission and repeal of a bid from Higgins Heating and Cooling approved for HVAC at the Civic Center and library; rejection of all bids made for same; and, seek three new quotes for HVAC.
Parks and Recreation Director Jimmy Zila asked for executive session for personnel issues. The board passed a motion to rescind the March 3 approval of a bid in the amount of $8,400 from Jerry Thompson to paint the Sports Plex. Two new bids were submitted and the board approved the lowest made by Jerry Thompson for $14,400. The second bid was made by Dillon Coulson for $16,540.00.
Alderwoman Suzie Bourn recused herself before Airport Commission Chairman Joey McNulty asked the board to approve a grant application to the multimodal division of the Mississippi Department of Transportation. It will provide funds to build a 100 x 100 sq. ft. hangar at the Magee Airport. The application is due March 27. The recommendation was made by the commission based upon a financial review of a company that plans to move from Laurel to Magee and lease said hangar. The proposed cost is $700,000 with the MDOT grant covering $350,000. The remaining $350,000 will be the responsibility of the city. McNulty stated, “The committee has come up with a couple different ways to come up with the 350 that would be required after the grant. And we think right now that the lease would basically pay for whatever the cost of the money that we get to actually build the thing out.”
Board members voiced concerns but passed the motion to make application on the contingency the funds are granted the city is under no obligation to accept. Bourn returned to the meeting.
Duncan updated the board on financials saying the city is not over budget but is on track to be over budget in some departments. He did note the police department as an area of concern and has met with Chief Borges to address the issue. Duncan added this after further research. “We anticipated a fine number of ‘X’. Well, that number has quite frankly completely doubled almost compared to what it was or what we had budgeted. But a portion of those fines is a state assessment that's shown over on the expenditure side. So as the fines go up, so does the state assessment expenditure. It's directly correlated with each other.” He also pointed out that there is about 57 unplanned hours of overtime which need review. Lastly, Duncan requested and was given board approval to amend the budget to reflect that $250 in the Main Street Magee line item be reclassified for the Chamber’s America250 celebration.
The board moved into executive session.
