At the last meeting of the Magee Board of Aldermen, Magee Mayor Dale Berry reported that people in the community were ready to get back to work but that the city is going to follow the lead of the state in reopening businesses during the coronavirus crisis.
The board has authorized Berry to adjust based on a need be basis so as the governor starts re-opening businesses the city will follow suit.
Berry also reported the ongoing conversations between himself and Magee High School about how the city may help support a graduation effort after regular graduation was cancelled as a social distancing precaution.
Berry said the possibility of posting individual student banners on light poles as has been done in other communities was discussed, but with 88 students the project would be too expensive. Another idea that had surfaced is to have a drive-in graduation at the Jimmy Clyde Sportsplex. It was the consensus of the board that the students needed to be recognized but an appropriate method seems to be the question.
The possibility of having a senior showcase baseball game at the sportsplex was also discussed, because the high school senior baseball players were unable to have a season this year.
The board gave the nod to the mayor to continue conversations with an organization that wants to provide a place for former inmates to rehabilitate. The program, Mississippi Offenders Re-Entry program, was looking at leasing the former corrections center in Magee for $2,500 per month. They would offer affordable housing to former inmates and allow them to enter the workforce and be rehabilitated before being released on their own.
When this was last discussed the representatives were told they would have to have their own official entity and contract with the city. At that time they were operating under another organization’s charter.
Before official action can be taken this issue will come back before the board.
Berry reported to the board that the repairs had been made to the water leaks at the intersection of Main Ave. and Simpson Hwy. 149, but the final bill has not been issued. He contacted the Mississippi Municipal League to inquire whether these types of issues had occurred in other communities and learned that they had. He then contacted the legal council for the Municipal League, which in turn told him to contact the Public Service Commission about the issue. Berry questioned the board whether it would be worth the cost of legal fees to pursue the issue.
It is still up in the air as to whether there will be a little league baseball season. The board generally agreed that it depends on the governor’s decision about continuing social distancing. It was originally planned that the league would do what the schools do. A shortened season of six to ten games is now being discussed, but the season would be complete by the first of June to coincide with the start of playoffs for the Cal Ripkin league.
City Recreation Director David Dunn said it is more than likely that the 3 and 4 year olds will not have a season this year and that the funds for the teams would be returned to the sponsors.
Parents of players can decide whether they would like a refund or would like to bank their balance for next year. If a season can be held, uniforms will not be provided since there are so few games. Dunn said an announcement would be coming soon in regard to the season.
Berry mentioned that the engineers for the airport, Barge Design Group, said the city may qualify for a $20,000 grant from coronavirus proceeds.
The mayor reported that there are six bad water hydrants that the fire department is working to replace. Berry reported that funding is available to do the estimated $4,000 project.
