When the Magee Mayor and Board of Aldermen met on January 3 for the first regularly scheduled meeting of the calendar year, Mayor Berry updated the board on the Community Development Block Grant and said all of the paperwork is in order and that he hopes to hear more information on the grant in the near future.
Penny Aguirre was introduced as the new Zoning Director for the City. Aguirre is a graduate of Magee High School and the University of Southern Mississippi and has returned to Magee from Texas to take on the role of zoning director.
Aguirre addressed the board, saying, “Thank you so much for trusting me with this opportunity. It has been amazingly fun so far. I love it and I love working with these wonderfully creative and talented people here. I see nothing but excellent progress on our horizon and I’m very excited about it.”
Aguirre’s first order of business was to address the scheduling fee for signage. She said the current fee is out of date and does not compare to similar cities she researched— Brandon, Flowood, and Vicksburg. Aguirre proposed that the city charge one dollar per square foot for signs.
Aguirre also reported that she has been researching the zoning map and will get an updated map soon. She spoke to the board about being in compliance with zoning ordinances. The website displays the 2017 ordinances while the City is currently using 2020 ordinances.
Jimmy Zilla, head of Parks and Recreation, advised the board on surplus equipment including an old drag, bleachers, and a four wheeler. Baseball and softball registration for the City of Magee has started. Zilla explained that parents may registered their children at City Hall between now and February 14. He said the plan is to be in teams by March 1 and give coaches 20 days to practice with their teams before starting the season on March 21. For more information on sign ups contact City Hall at 601-849-3334.
Magee Airport manager Ashley Steele gave a positive report on the airport. She said they are still waiting on the sump tanks to be finished.
Building Inspector Phillip Magee was assigned to see what was needed to put a new roof on City Hall. Magee said he met with roofing experts and they said the gravel on the roof is being washed into the drain. He was also informed that the insulation in the roof is bad. After Magee’s detailed scope of work for repairs on the roof, the board agreed to advertise the project for bids.
Magee reported that the Fire Station received 228 calls for the 2022 year. Michael Allan was able to find a grant to allow the fire department to purchase gear extraction. The city would pay $1,000 and the grant writer would receive a $953 fee. The equipment will allow the gear to dry in 3 to 4 hours compared to the full day now required. The board approved two new volunteer fire fighters for the city, Garrison Ashley and Carson Boehs.
In Alderman Shane Steele’s property clean up report two properties were presented to the board as being in a state of uncleanness and a concern of public health. Steele asked that the board vote to set a hearing on the properties for a cleanup. Both properties are located in Ward 2. The first property is located at 202 3rd Ave SW and the second property is located at 603 5th Ave NW. The board unanimously voted to hold a public hearing on February 7 at the regular scheduled Board of Alderman meeting on both properties. Steele said the city has had success going this route and believes they should pick up where they left off to start the new year.
A concern arose with the dog catcher for the City on when an animal can be removed from a property. A due process must be followed. Dog catcher Michael Andrews detailed an incident in December where a dog was being kept outside in fourteen-degree weather with no doghouse. He showed pictures where the water bowl and dog food were both frozen. Andrews said according to the ordinances of the city law enforcement or animal control can seize the dog until after court. Andrews said in this case that he was instructed to give the dog back, and no money exchanged hands.
Andrews said he does not believe that was right. Alderman Patrick Brown weighed in on the situation and said due process was left out and questioned showing up to a citizen’s house without notifying them that you plan to take their property. Board Attorney Marc McMillan said according to the current ordinance there would have to be a finding in court before Andrews would have the authority to pickup an animal from an owner. Brown explained that he was against the dog being kept outside, but the owner still deserves due process.
McMillan presented a revision of the animal control ordinance and amended it to add rules against the tethering of animals. He explained that the fees are the same. He explained that the first offense for tethering shall result in a warning with a chance to correct the issue within 48 hours. A second offense will result in a fine. The ordinance will be presented and voted on at the next board meeting.
The board entered executive session before adjourning the meeting.
