At the Magee Mayor and Board of Aldermen met on Tuesday, April 4, with all board members present, Mayor Dale Berry shared information from MDOT about plans for work on Hwy. 49.
He reported that a red light will be set in front of Pacesetter south of town. The intersection at Siloam will be closed and a “j turn” will be installed for south bound travelers to cross the highway. Berry said a lot of wrecks have happened at the intersection on Siloam.
Bart Ballard, engineering consultant, appeared before the board to discuss the CDBG grant. He had previously appeared in a special called meeting to notify the board that the bids for the CDBG sewer project came in over budget. The board rejected all bids on Ballard’s recommendation and changed the scope of work and reissued it for bids.
At the recent meeting Ballard announced that the city received two bids at approximately 1.7 million dollars each, approximately $25,000 within cost of each other, but both bids exceeded the city’s funds. He reported problems that several cities are facing with funding these projects. He said ARPR money has led to a lot of work being available and fewer projects. Ballard said the project was budgeted two years ago and prices have increased significantly since then.
The city is allowed to rescope the project, removing some aspects to bring it within budget. Ballard said the critical portion of the project is the work around the city lagoon, and the focus would be to alleviate the problems of overflow during heavy rains and large amounts of grease entering the lagoon. The revised scope calls for repairing the raw sewer inlet into the lagoon and doing away with the chamber box.
Ballard said under the new scope the project will cost approximately $939,325, and the city will have approximately $960,000 to complete the work if they stay within the current CDBG. The board discussed relinquishing the grant and reapplying in May to try to secure additional funds. However, that creates a strong possibility of not being approved. The city would be viewed as already receiving a CDBG. Ballard emphasized that the majority of CDBG’s would likely be going to storm damaged communities. Ballard feels changing the scope and readvertising was the best option available to the city. A plan of desludging the lagoon needs approval from MDEQ before the board will move forward. Ballard will report back to the board in two weeks.
Zoning administrator Penny Aguirre reported on the recent zoning meeting concerning medical cannabis. She said the board discussed the definition, zoning, hours of operation, and application fees for medical cannabis dispensaries. She shared that the permit fees discussed and recommended by the zoning board were similar to the Simpson County Board of Supervisors ordinance. The recommended fees would be $2,500 per cannabis activity and a $1,500 renewal fee each year. A public zoning hearing was held on April 11 to discuss the topic further.
Building Inspector Phillip Magee said the contractor will begin making repairs on City Hall and the Magee Police Department within the next 4 weeks. Magee said parking around the building will be blocked off while repairs are being made. Alderman Mark Grubbs questioned when the roof of the city barn would be fixed, because money has been allocated and there is still no roof. Grubbs expressed concerns of equipment getting wet. Magee said he has reached out to contractors and has made arrangements to receive quotes.
Shane Steele gave a report on property clean up and said everything is progressing on schedule. Alderman Matthew Hickman questioned a property that he called “the goat farm”. Hickman said the property is back where it was when the issues were first brought to their attention. Hickman said there is crud slung everywhere. Steele said he spoke with the residents, and they are cutting the grass and there was stuff on the porch. Steele said the majority of it was kids toys and that the residents have about 7 or 8 kids.
Hickman said, “We were nice the first time, and you went to kindergarten, and I did too. You had playtime and I did too, and at the end of playtime we put the toys up and went back to school. There’s mess everywhere in that yard and I know that they’re sick of it.”
Grubbs said the house across the street is no better, and asked can the homeowner run a business out of his yard. Penny Aguirre said she has spoken at length with the homeowners, and they say they are not running a business. Board members asked what could be done about the home and non-working vehicles.
Grubbs said, “When you go to Madison you don’t see this, and other smaller towns you don’t see the mess we have here in Magee MS. It’s a crying shame. People can turn their head and look the other way, but we have a problem.”
Police Chief Shane Little discussed a recent case leading to dogs being taken to the pound which led to Grubbs reemphasizing the no tethering ordinance.
Grubbs said, “I know there is still some of that going on and we need to make it known, no tethering in the city.
Supervisor of Public Works Tim Bray advised that the city would get three truckloads of hot mix and will begin patching potholes. Bray introduced three potential employees and their applications were taken under advisement.
Grubbs asked Bray if he was understaffed, before questioning him on why two city employees were draining a pool on private property. Mayor Berry said that he had that done. Grubbs asked if it was illegal.
Berry said, “I don’t know, but we’ve all done some stuff wrong. But if you want to call me out on that I’ll take responsibility. Blame it on the mayor, we’ve all fudged and you’re one of them too. If you want to start casting stones then we’ll cast them back.”
Grubbs said he is trying to get a ditch cleaned out on Magnolia, but instead city employees are doing other projects.
The two exchanged words before the meeting was brought back to order and adjourned following the IT report.
