The Magee Mayor and Board of Aldermen’s September 17th meeting opened with comments from Brett Duncan, with Charlie Prince CPA, regarding the final budget for Fiscal Year 2025.
Two actions required board approval: authorization for the municipal clerk to amend the budget of September 30, 2024, to actual budget, and a 3 percent raise called for in the new budget for non pay scale employees to take effect October 1, 2024. The board approved both actions.
Public Works Director Tim Bray commended his employees for their efforts, working seven days a week when necessary as they are short handed.
Police Chief Denis Borges opened his comments, also commending his police officers as he has assumed duties especially in light of the recent McDonald’s shooting and the discovery of an armed man near Magee High School. He presented a quote on jail upgrades in the amount of $1,475 and of $1,207 to properly outfit the 2024 Durango as a police cruiser.
Alderman Sammie Tebo requested vehicle inventories from Borges and Bray.
Fire Chief David Craft commented on the measures taken by city workers regarding Hurricane Francine in that they were over prepared. He said he was thankful for the due diligence. He reported that work has begun to clean up around city fire hydrants in preparation for testing and repainting.
Zoning Director Penny Aguirre recognized the Fire Department, Police Department, and Public Works for preparedness; Mike Berry and Shane Fewell for generator work; Ben Stephens, communications; and Amanda Grayson for manning phones remotely during Francine.
The Zoning Board held a public hearing and approved conditional use of a building at 398 Highway 149 as a church led by Pastor Allen Darren Moore. The board approved the conditional use.
The board approved the publication of a zoning hearing to be held October 8, 2024, regarding property on Main Street across from City Hall. The project is estimated to cost $500,000 and will help revitalize Main Street.
Aguirre then presented the need for a public hearing on October 8, 2024, on an amendment to the zoning ordinance in regard to prohibition of parking of commercial vehicles in residential zones. A second amendment deals with fencing.
Alderman Patrick Brown stated that passage of a prohibition against parking of commercial vehicles would conflict with a city ordinance. Aguirre said she had not found this ordinance in previous searches. Tebo requested the ordinance to be presented but no one was aware of its location. The October 8 hearing will not include the commercial vehicle parking.
Later in the meeting Chief Borges addressed the board regarding this issue, citing MS Law 973525 that states that 18 wheelers may not park on city streets, using as an example that a police car or ambulance requires clear thoroughfare with no hindrance for passage. Borges added that while Magee PD cannot do anything about commercial vehicles parking on private property, the department can assist in the prohibition of commercial vehicles parking on residential streets by state law. It will be necessary to change the city ordinance to comply with state law.
Lee Maddox requested the usage of the Community House on Crazy Day, October 26, for a gospel sing. Members of the Magee Preservation Committee will be present at all times, assuming responsibility for the facility and clean up. No decision was made pending development of usage documents.
The City of Magee has achieved Mississippi Main Street Network Community status and is posted as such on social media websites.
Airport Manager Mike Berry recommended Avfuel to supply airport fuel at this time. The board approved the completion of the application process with Avfuel before entering into a contract.
Board Attorney Wesla Sullivan requested the adoption of the new liquor ordinance that has been on file the required two weeks in the clerk’s office. The board approved the measure along with publication in the paper. The ordinance was signed as required by Mayor Dale Berry.
In addition, Sullivan presented the board an executed lease agreement with Pastor Jeremy Smith of Beauty from Ashes that concludes at the end of the current board’s term in June 2025. Smith requested that in the future it be an annual lease rather than long term. The board approved the lease agreement along with acceptance of a check for $65,900 that pays through September 30, 2024. The new lease agreement begins October 1, 2024.
During executive session the board dealt with requests on personnel issues from the chief of police, the Public Works director, and Chief Craft. The board approved a full time new hire for water and sewer, hiring a part time dispatcher, and approving a volunteer firefighter.
