The regular meeting of the Magee Mayor and Board of Aldermen convened June 3 with nomayor’s reports or project updates.
City Attorney Wesla Sullivan brought to the board’s attention a special events application presented at the previous meeting that was never addressed. Simpson County Academy senior parents requested use of the Magee Community House for a breakfast. The motion was denied as the board had ruled previously that the site will only be used for city functions.
Board members heard from Zoning Board Chair Jim Ball regarding the ongoing issue of RV parks inside the city limits of Magee. He took objection to the term “sides” that has been used over the last several months stating the zoning board is not taking anyone’s side but only presenting facts from previous zoning board meetings.
Ball did speak with Gray Ouzts from Central MS Planning and Development District as requested at the last meeting by Alderman Patrick Brown. Ball was told CMPDD does not have any regulations in place but under certain conditions reasonable requirements. In addition, he made it clear it was never the zoning board’s intention for a yes/no vote on the issue. Ball again requested a 60 day moratorium to the July 15 meeting to submit proposed standards to the new board.
Mayor Berry did tell the board and the gallery that an RV park is located on Baldwin Road and one half it located in the city; however, no city services support this location. It is zoned I1.
Resident Bruce Lewis also appeared before the board and repeated the same concerns and comments about RV parks as in previous meetings.
Lewis’s son-in-law Chad Hand appeared requesting a yes or no decision, believing there will not be any recommendations in 60 days. He stated he has invested approximately $100,000 in creating an RV park in Magee.
The board then opted to vote on the request to deny conditional use of property for RV parks in the city, voting four to one to deny parks in Magee.
Public Works Director Tim Bray requested executive session for personnel issues.
Police Chief Denis Borges submitted two officer resignations effective June 9. Both were accepted. He also asked for approval on the new design patch for uniforms; the board approved. Borges requested executive session for personnel issues.
Fire Chief David Craft requested board approval for he and Fireman John Hosey to attend fire inspector classes at the MS Fire Academy June 16 – June 26, 2025 at a cost of $500 each. The board approved the request. He presented a list of the old radios available asking they be deemed of no value and declared surplus, as they are part of the agreement to purchase the new ones. These will be returned to the company. The board approved. Lastly, Craft stated new fire hose has been ordered for the Magee Fire
Department. He requested the old supply line be donated to the Volunteer Fire Department in Bentonia in light of their recent fire. The board approved the request.
Zoning Administrator Penny Aguirre offered commendations for several members of the fire department and dispatch in light of recent storm damage significantly affecting the Azalea Apartments, knocking out power. She added that several community members also came together to provide food or other provisions including Fernando’s, Overflow Church and First Baptist Church. Seven families were displaced.
Aguirre also shared photos of the cleanup of the property on 49 North, again thanking fire department personnel.
The board approved a request for a publication notice for a zoning hearing July 8 on property owned by Calvary Baptist Church for rezoning to R1. The board approved.
Aguirre presented a Certified Local Grant (CLG) the city has received. She asked the board to review the grant to determine whether they want to accept it as it is a matching grant. The city would pay upfront their portion and be reimbursed at the close of the grant. The deadline to accept is July 1.
Building Inspector Duane Simmons had no report.
Airport Manager Mike Berry stated business continues at the airport including the sale of 300 gallons of fuel.
Alderwoman Sue Honea invited the public to a retirement reception for Mayor Berry and Alderman Brown at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center, June 16, 5:30 pm.
Sullivan presented a special event application for a wedding at McNair Springs in August for Jessica and Justin Hamilton. The board approved.
The board moved into executive session. Two full time new hires were made for Public Works and two new police officers were hired.
