The Magee Mayor and Board of Aldermen met for their second monthly meeting onTuesday, July 15.
Mayor Mark Grubbs reported implementation of weekly department head meetings that began on Thursday, July 10, at 9 a.m. He said that city clean up is ongoing, and he applauded employees for their efforts in the heat.
The mayor and Alderman Julian Harper visited Boswell Regional Center after they agreed to donate playground equipment for use at the Marvin Jackson Park in Ward 4. The equipment will be moved to the City Barn, where it will be cleaned before being placed in the park.
Grubbs updated the status on inmate help after discussion with Sheriff Paul Mullins. Magee and Mendenhall are assigned two inmates to work Monday through Thursday. The Sheriff’s Department has been short handed, but Mullins agreed to do what he can to get more inmates for Magee. Grubbs would like to see four inmates weekly, especially for garbage pickup.
The mayor offered brief updates on the master plan as well as Magee City Park, deferring to Forrest Dungan with Clearpoint Engineering later in the meeting.
Nominations were made for the Zoning and Airport commissions. All nominations were approved under separate motions. Zoning members include Jim Ball, Bill Caughman, Nathan Crace, Kara Lucas, Jamal Banks, Alton Milton, and Diane McPhail. Airport members include Joey McNulty, Kannan Stubbs, Chris Craft, Pat Brown, Dr. Anika Floyd, Skip Russell and Larry Partridge. The election commissioners’ nominations have been tabled to August 5. In addition a Parks and Recreation Commission will move forward with discussion to ensue August 5.
Alderwoman Lawana Thompson asked about the Voice of Hope volunteers who are to help with city work as agreed to with the contract. City Attorney Wesla Sullivan replied that someone from the city needs to contact the organization.
Lastly Grubbs said that Magee has not had a comprehensive plan developed since 2017. He has been in contact with CMPDD to develop a new one. Alderwoman Suzie Bourn requested before signing a contract to review collection of data portion to include not only online solicitations but physical property visits as well. The issue was tabled.
The claims docket was approved with the exception of two line items removed: #133494 and #133632 regarding payment for removal of three trees at the city cemetery. These are tabled to the next meeting. The board passed a motion two quotes will now be required for tree removal.
Steven Hand, Fleet Sales Director with Cannon Motors made a presentation on the benefits of a lease program for cruisers for the Magee Police Department. His recommendation was for 2024 Chevy Tahoes on the lot that need to be eliminated to make room for the 2025 model. Hand added the Tahoe is the lowest priced cruiser and requires the least maintenance of possible choices. He stated that at the end of the lease period the city would own the vehicles. No decision was made on the recommendation.
Brett Duncan with Prince CPA clarified that Hand’s suggestion was a lease purchase not an operating lease.
Public Works Director Tim Bray reported that the city has one functioning limb truck and the second should be back before the week’s end. He requested Executive Session for personnel issues.
Sgt. Shane Fewell appeared before the board on behalf of Police Chief Denis Borges. Fewell stated Cannon Motors discounted the cost of each police cruiser from $51,900 to $48,000. There would be additional equipment charges on administrative vehicles of $6,900 and patrol cruisers $7,600. The board approved the MPD Standard Operating Procedures Handbook.
Fire Chief David Craft had nothing to report. He was asked about a recent small fire and Craft stated it likely started as a result of a lightning hit.
Zoning Director Penny Aguirre presented board members with a special event request by Terrance Logan for Cruisin the County Car Show and Cook – Off Saturday, September 27, 2025, 12 noon to 7:30 pm. It will be held at Marvin Jackson Park. Bourn questioned the cost to the city for portable toilets in general; Aguirre responded donations were made for the last event. Typically each unit costs $90. The board approved the request. In addition the board approved a request for publication of a zoning hearing on a rezoning issue to be held August 12.
Building Inspector Duane Simmons presented a report to the board on document issuance. Thirteen different residential and commercial permits and licenses were issued. Three mobile home demolition projects were completed.
Parks and Recreation Director Jimmy Zila presented bids on separate Sports Plex batting cage projects. Carpet replacement bid was approved for $41,232.20, the lowest bid from Richard Athletics. The high bid was $49,538.40. Installation will be done by Callon Tile and Floor at a cost of $10,200. Richard Athletics submitted a bid for $21,228.50. Funding will come from 1% money. Warranties are included. Work is scheduled to begin in about six weeks.
Airport Manager Mike Berry and Airport Commission Chair Joey McNulty appeared before the board. McNulty stated currently the airport is on a cash only usage as the company that provides the credit card machine has changed hands from Epic to Fuel World. There are issues regarding higher percentage fees charged per purchase in part to being “unbranded” meaning there is no set party to provide airport fuel. He hopes to contract with Ad Fuel which would provide the branding. Sullivan is in contact with Ad Fuel regarding said contract. She also clarified that fuel may be purchased regardless of the approval of the contract. The airport will soon begin work on the tarmac and taxiway as a $1.1M grant was approved. Target for completion is end of summer.
Dungan appeared before the board with additional details on the facilities plan as well as ongoing projects. He recently met with Grubbs and Bray to begin the development of a facilities plan to include renovations/repairs/replacement to the city’s water distribution system and sewer waste water collection system. These are two separate projects but will run concurrently at an approximate cost of $4M each. Dungan acknowledged it is in the preliminary stage and will be a long process.
Clearpoint is nearing completion on the MCWI grant program. The water meter project is complete with the approval of final payment to Vanguard Utilities in the amount of $1,945.91. Dungan noted the project finished $108,206.75 under contract cost. The board approved the payment. In addition the board approved a summary change order in the amount of $59,891.75. Greenbrier should complete the Lamar Road project within the next few weeks.
Dirt work continues at the Magee City Park with the expectation of delivery of playground equipment Monday, July 21.
The board passed a resolution naming Mayor Grubbs as authorized representative for MCWI grants.
Duncan provided budget status updates stating there is $730,000 in the current budget to cover the remaining costs through September 30. The mayor has emailed budget forms to department heads and requested they be returned by July 31. Duncan also stated that September 15 is the deadline for the completed budget for fiscal year 2026.
The board moved into executive session where one employee was terminated and one full-time employee hired in public works.
