At the recommendation of Mayor Dale Berry, the Magee Board of Aldermen has approved additional paving in the city while the asphalt contractor currently working is still located in Magee.
The move avoids a staging fee for the contractor having to move in and set up the equipment at a later date. The fee is estimated at $5,000 to move all the equipment in to prepare for a job.
The additional paving cost to the city is $26,850, with the money to be transferred from the city’s general fund. The additional paving will include Logan Street and North Hill Drive, at a cost of $4,950; 11th Avenue North West, at a cost of $4,950; 12th Avenue South East, for $4,950; Choctaw Street, Main Avenue Extended, $4,000; and Second Street, Main Avenue Extended, $4,000.
Berry told the board that complaints had come to the city about how well the ballfields were being maintained at the expense of the rest of the city. Berry said the ballfields did not cost the tax payers anything because they are funded through an additional 1 percent sales tax charged for fuel surcharge and for fast food purchased in the city. The statement that “the ballfields do not cost taxpayers anything” is based, however, on the assumption that locals do not buy fast food or fuel in the city limits. The statement is accurate only in regard to transit travelers who stop and make purchases within the city limits.
Berry reported that the city is contracting the grass to be cut on Highway 49. He said the state only cuts Highways 149, 541 and 28 one time a year. He cited legislation that comes each session that would allow a 1 percent option in taxing authority to be turned back to municipalities, but it fails to be passed in the legislature each time it is brought up.
Berry advocated placing fines for those who illegally dump trash and building materials in the city. Alderman Patrick Brown suggested the city may want to place “Do Not Litter Signs.”
The board opted to allow the public to do what they wanted to in regard to Halloween.
Aldermen said they felt it was not their place to dictate guidelines for the event other than to suggest that families use as much precaution as possible in regard to distributing candy as well as actual trick-or-treating.
The board approved the closing of streets for the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Crazy Day event.
It was reported that the PriorityOne Senior Citizen’s Center was ready to be opened in the former YMCA building in the Eastside community. The pandemic has delayed the opening of the facility, but the opening date is expected to be released soon.
Building Inspector Joe Worrell reported to the board that the city is making headway in the cleanup of some dilapidated property in the city limits. The board discussed what the city wanted to do regarding liens being placed on the properties they are having to clean as well as asbestos abatement on those properties.
The city has been approved for $103,000 of CARES funding that helps municipalities deal with the pandemic expenses. The city is planning restricted entrances to City Hall. Other plans allow for Zoom meetings and equipment for the Police Department, the Fire Department and the city, and for iPads as needed. Worrell also reported that Personal Protective Equipment has been ordered with the funding.
