BY BETH PUDAS
STAFF WRITER
The Magee Mayor and Board of Aldermen met Tuesday, May 20, for a regular meeting. Alderwoman Sue Honea joined by phone with the meeting already in progress.
The board approved an expenditure request of $5,539.99 made by Ben Stephens, City IT. The funds will purchase a new rack for the computer servers and will be shared equally between the six city departments.
The board heard from Forrest Dungan with Clearpoint Engineers regarding ongoing projects including 11th Avenue erosion, water meters, paving and city park grating. In addition they approved several fund disbursements for these projects: Greenbrier, $13,955.50; Southern Paving, $66,346.95; and, Champion Contractors, $20,635, low bid for the grating project. It will begin June 1.
Dungan presented information on a ranking form and the board agreed to move ahead. The non-binding form and application requests $4 million each for water and sewer to replace old lines.
City Attorney Wesla Sullivan announced that the city has a new contractor, Windham and Lacey PLLC, who will complete the required state audits for 2020-2024. The board approved the letters of engagement presented. Now on a cash basis the city will save $40,000 to $60,000, according to Brett Duncan with Prince CPA.
Mara Polk, director of the Central Mississippi Regional Library System, and Alice Green, branch manager at the Magee Public Library, made their annual presentation on the state of the city’s library. Polk offered several positive remarks including local statistics and CMRLS at large honors. Green talked about upcoming programs including Summer Reading.
Jessica and Justin Hamilton asked the board about usage of McNair Springs for an August 3 wedding, saying that the park is currently strewn with trash and debris. Mayor Dale Berry said it would be cleaned up. The couple is required to submit a special event application before final approval.
The next 45 minutes of the meeting was discussion between the aldermen, Zoning Director Penny Aguirre, Zoning Board Chairman Jim Ball, and residents Bruce Lewis and Chad Hand, all in regard to RV park zoning regulations. Lewis and Hand both requested that the board vote yes or no to RV parks in the city; however, Ball made the argument that research is necessary to determine standards before an informed decision may be made. While comments have been made during several meetings that this has been an ongoing issue for two years, Hand only filed a request for conditional use on April 8, 2025. The current zoning ordinance contains no information regarding RV parks, only mobile homes. The board agreed to vote on the matter at the June 3 meeting after Ball stated that the Zoning Board could supply the information requested.
Public Works Director Tim Bray informed the board that C-Spire boring continues to damage yards/roads as they continue laying cable. He also said C-Spire is responsible for repairs. The department is down to one bush hog again along with now being understaffed, partly as a result of the Sheriff’s Office lockdown on the jail. Bray said six employees are required to operate garbage trucks. Lastly a contractor has been hired for grass cutting and bush hogging at a cost of $175 an hour.
Police Chief Denis Borges made several requests of the board including extension of a State Homeland Security grant to fund equipment and personnel in the amount of $185,000. He is also seeking application for COPS grant funding in the amount of $125,000 along with a waiver of the 25 percent match to this grant. The board approved both.
Borges requested funding for three officers to attend Homicide Investigation and Crime Scene Management training June 3-5 in Biloxi at a total cost of $620 for seminar fees with one attending at no charge. The board approved along with hotel expenses. He also requested executive session for personnel issues.
Fire Chief David Craft reported that the department is flowing and flushing city fire hydrants on a limited basis daily so as not to strain the city’s water pressure. In addition, on the second and third weeks of June, Craft and Fireman John Hosey will attend the MS State Fire Academy for state certification as fire inspectors. It is an 80 hour course. There is still no word on the fire rating.
Aguirre brought four special event applications before the board; three were approved. Main Street Magee will hold Corn Hole and Coals fundraiser June 7; Juneteenth will be held June 21; and Crazy Day October 24.
Property owner Martha Glasper appeared with Aguirre regarding her property at 214 5th Street in agreement that it is unsafe and is a hazard. Her no trespassing signs are ignored and the fire marshal has deemed it unsafe. The board approved a motion for cleanup.
Aguirre notified the board that Central MS Planning and Development District will supply three interns to the city for the summer.
The board previously ordered Morgan Lewis to have a visual buffer erected on his property near the tennis courts or zoning would be revoked from I2 to R1. The board tabled this to the next meeting.
Duncan offered an update on the status of the city’s budget, in particular that $1million must be left in place for the new board taking position July 1. In addition, two tax abatements were given to the board, and they approved a principal payment on the new radio system in the amount of $20,292.58.
Building Inspector Duane Simmons stated that 15 various residential/commercial permits and licenses have been granted in the last two weeks.
Parks and Recreation Director Jimmy Zila updated the board on baseball/softball tournaments stating there are 12 all star teams this summer. Together with an electrician, Zila is working to make repairs to the splash pad.
Airport Manager Mike Berry briefed the board on airport operations.
Before moving into executive session Berry announced his withdrawal from the mayoral race on advice of his physician due to health reasons.
