The City of Magee’s leadership has gotten serious about keeping property in order as they hold hearings and agree to assess fines to residents who aren’t doing so. The only problem is that enforcement is going to take a while.
Lorraine Miller of 614 Main Avenue, Magee, was found to be derelict in conforming to city requirements regarding a tree that has been sitting on city right of way for a long time.
She was notified to appear before the board and opted “not to show,” according to code enforcement officer Phillip Magee, who stated that she had angrily responded to their office that she was advised by her attorney not to appear since the notice was not certified. City Attorney Marc McMillon advised the board that certification was not necessary. The board agreed to hire a contractor and have the cost placed as a lien against the property.
An additional case was heard with resident Timothy Hudson’s non compliance in storing junk vehicles on his property and not maintaining his property at 807 Fifth Ave. He had started removing vehicles, and Magee acknowledged progress. The board voted to allow him two weeks before a second hearing for July 7 to make sure the property came into code.
The city board announced that the annual fireworks show will be held at dark at the city sportsplex on July 4th.
Mayor Dale Berry announced that garbage would be delayed by one day for the July 4 holiday. By Wednesday pickup will be back to regular schedule. Berry also announced that the meeting of the board, which is normally held on the first Tuesday of the month, would be moved to Thursday, July 7, at 6 p.m. to allow for information to be more current following the holiday.
Pat Brown, publisher of the Magee Courier and Simpson County News, notified the board that Central Mississippi Planning and Development District has a Senior Citizen Nutrition program available which could be made available to Magee’s senior citizens at the PriorityOne Senior Citizen Center, located in the former YMCA in Eastside Subdivision. The board expressed interest and plans to discuss and budge for the program in their budget process.
The board approved the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sundays in city restaurants.
The aldermen discussed the recent increase in portable buildings being located in the city limits. These building are not compliant with building codes for residents. The board says they plan to enforce this and other zoning restrictions. Phillip Magee suggested that anyone considering placing a portable building on a city property contact the city so they will be within code restrictions.
Jimmy Zila, new director of the Parks and Recreation Dept., announced that the airconditioning compressors at the sportsplex were out and needed to be replaced. The board approved going with Harper’s Heating and Cooling because of their lower cost for new equipment. Zila said that girls’ softball tournaments were held this past weekend in Magee, and the boys’ baseball tournaments started on the Gulf Coast at the same time. He anticipated 120 games to be played for the girls’ tournaments.
Shane Little, Magee’s new police chief, announced the resignation of Allen Martin, interim chief. Martin is going to work with the Raleigh Police Department. Martin said in his resignation that he could not work for a city that did not have confidence in him. He had also applied for the position of chief of police but had not been considered.
Little also announced that Blake Welborn would be leaving the department due to family matters and the need for additional funds. He is going to work in the oil-field business.
Little told the board that it was his goal to “re-brand” the Magee Police Department. He intends to adopt new uniforms, patches and badges. Mayor Berry said the cost was in the $28,000 range for the department. Little was asked for the planned date to have the camera systems up and going but was unable to give specifics. He did say, however, that what has been installed has already helped solve an issue with the location of a local young lady.
Little reported that Walmart has agreed to adopt the Magee Police Department and is committed to helping improve the existing police department with tasks like paint and labor from employees.
Brett Duncan counseled the board to stay in budget and allow federal funds to pay for some costs. Mayor Berry said that he preferred to use federal funds to work on big projects like road paving and water and sewer improvements. Duncan consults with the city through the Charles Prince CPA firm on helping to manage funding for the city as well as managing the city budget.
Duncan said that the police department budget had been plagued with budget over-runs but has come back to acceptable standards with the exception of fuel cost, which is currently operating at 150 percent of budgeted expense and projected to be 200 percent by year end. He stated that it is very difficult to reduce services that residents have come to expect but that the board faces either raising taxes or reducing services. It was mentioned that one community had reduced garbage service from twice a week to once a week.
