Mayor Dale Berry reported the City of Magee will likely see an increase in liability insurance, after receiving an email that candy was thrown again from floats during this year’s Christmas Parade.
He will be meeting with the company in the coming weeks. However, the likelihood is that property and casualty cost will at least remain the same if not decrease a small amount. The mayor will discuss health insurance issues at the next board meeting.
Due to tree contractor issues in Alderman Patrick Brown’s ward, the mayor asked Board Attorney Bruce Smith if the bond may be pulled on those contractors. According to Smith the city may pull the bond.
Joe Barton Ballard, P.E., P.L.S., presented the bids to the board on the 2021 Street Improvement Project that had been allocated $300,000. Bids received were from W. E. Blain Company, $314,545; Warren and Warren Asphalt Paving LLC, $322,925; and Walters Construction, Inc., Laurel, MS, $272,680. Ballard recommended Walters Construction as it is the lowest bid. The Board approved his recommendation.
Walters Construction has been used on several other projects with good outcomes. Ballard said the only drawback, as with many construction companies, is clean up. He briefly reviewed with the board and mayor the specific cost breakdown, stating they will use in place asphalt with a mix to include smaller rocks for a smoother surface. The project is projected to get underway the first week of January 2022 with expected completion within two weeks.
Beauty from Ashes, a women’s rehab center, requested rental of the old shop building off Wood Yard Road vacated by the city at a cost of $200 per month in “as is” condition. The air conditioning, copper lines and electrical wiring were previously stolen. The request was approved.
The board and mayor will meet for a workshop Monday, December 13, at 5 p.m. to discuss the upcoming retirement of Board Attorney Bruce Smith, effective December 31, 2021. Mayor Berry commended him for his years of service.
The holiday garbage schedule was released. No pickup Friday, December 24, Monday, December 27; Friday, December 31; and Monday, January 17, 2022.
The Claims docket was approved by the board.
Coach Ernest Jaynes came before the board to clarify discrepancies reported at the previous board meeting regarding the Magee – McLaurin Attendance Center. The sponsoring group’s desire is to make the building into a historical museum site funded strictly by grants and donations. The group is waiting for a response on their 501(c)3 nonprofit application status and expects to hear about the first grant application by June 2022.
They plan to remodel the building as well as offer activities to children through senior citizens. Board Attorney Smith stated two issues will need to be addressed. When the school district made the buildings available to the city the contract stated they must be used for educational purposes. It is unknown at this point if the historical site and museum qualify. Additionally, all the buildings on the property have been leased to Five County Child Development. Coach Jaynes said they are attempting to get a sublease from Five County. Currently the buildings are in disrepair and unused.
Board Attorney Smith informed the board the initial closing of Ellington Street was not handled properly. It has been corrected. All adjoining landowners have signed the petition and corrected the description. The board approved the ordinance.
Cemetery Board member Ricky Ainsworth commended the city for quickly resolving the debris, tree and shrub issues at the Magee City Cemetery. The Board was asked to consider raising the price of a cemetery plot from $100 to $400 based upon prices in surrounding towns of Mendenhall ($400), D’Lo ($400), Braxton ($500), Mt. Olive ($500), and Goodwater Church ($550). The Board unanimously agreed to an increase to $400 per plot effective immediately. He also brought a request before the board regarding the drive below the mausoleum of the cemetery that descends toward the woods. Several graves have been run over when vehicles are attempting to turnaround. They would like to see a gravel turnaround put below the road to prevent this from happening.
There will be a zoning meeting Tuesday, December 14, 2021, 5:00 p.m.
Mayor Berry stated Marvin Jack Park has been cleaned and lighting is in place for the basketball courts.
He also reported on the sale of the land near the airport. According to the FFA the land must sell for the appraised value. No bids have been received to purchase the property. The Board approved to list property as a multiple listing nationwide with Main Street Realty for the appraised value with the stipulation that buyer pays the realtor’s fee.
Building Inspector Phillip Magee reported that he and Shane Steele have performed several inspections with one requiring a stop order due to lack of a permit. Magee received useful information at the conference he attended last week. He is reviewing summer conferences that will offer more class time than the one he attended recently. The city is continuing to wait for zoning variances on Pizza Hut and Checkers. McDonald’s remodel is scheduled to be completed December 17 or 22, 2021. Alderman Lane Steele asked about the work going on in the Krystal’s parking lot. Magee surmises there is an issue with the fuel tanks.
Police Chief Chris Jones addressed the recent shootings in Magee occurring at apartment complexes. Mayor Berry added the common denominator between them is no manager on site. He then asked Attorney Smith if the city is within its right to write an ordinance that complexes put security cameras in place. He stated it can be for future construction but cannot be retroactive. Jones stated he plans to reach out to the owners and managers (if onsite) personally to discuss safety. He also informed the Board that Casey Bowen, Tack Officer for Dispatch is stepping down, returning to a regular dispatch position. This will include a decrease in pay of $1 hourly. Jamie Burkett will assume Tack Officer duties and will receive an increase in pay of $1 hourly. Alderman Steele commended Jones on the salary adjustment. Jones also requested permission to send Charles Blake Wellborn to the Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Academy at a cost of $3,600 which will be reimbursed by the State once the course is completed. The tuition is due by the six week mark of the 12 week course. Wellborn is a fulltime officer but only part time certified. Fulltime certification is needed within a year’s timeframe. Should Wellborn decide to leave after the six week mark the city will still be liable for the tuition but Jones is confident Wellborn will complete the course. It begins January 9, 2022 with graduation on March 31, 2022. The Board approved the request. Police are working on 27 active felony cases that have occurred since November 1, 2021. Alderman Mark Grubbs asked Jones why check points have decreased over the last year. Jones responded they will pick up this time of year due to holidays; however, the department is extremely busy, pointing out call logs from October 1 to November 15, 2021 over 1,200 calls were made requiring travel. Check points are set up but may not be seen but Jones agreed not as many as in the past. He also stated the department had more officers due to more funding. The DUI grant that expired is again available and he plans to pursue the funding.
Fire Marshal Charlie Valadie brought several issues before the Board. The fire station had a burst water pipe and discovered when they closed down the abatement asbestos materials present. Insurance covered the repair and the site reopened. Magee Volunteer Fire Department responded to 11 emergency service calls, down from 16 the previous month. Valadie is working with Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality regarding three parcels of property and illegal dumping of various construction materials. There was a recent fire on the property and that fire continues to burn 4’ underground as there is concrete covering the fire due to the illegal dumping. Valadie will provide a more thorough report in the future when the issue is resolved. Alderwoman Sue Honea requested specific information on those Valadie has contacted either in person or by letter. The Fire Marshal responded that because of privacy issues he would prefer to meet with the Aldermen in person until the issue is completely resolved to avoid unnecessary confusion in the lives of private citizens. He pointed out an incident where the wrong property information was released publicly and it caused a problem therefore privacy is of utmost concern. Valadie requested patience of the board members. He also told the board about a potential hazard where tons of concrete were thrown on top of a water main. The city does not have the necessary heavy equipment to remove said concrete. Valadie is working to prevent a line break along with resolving the concrete issues and prohibited in the future. Regardless of landowners, certain products cannot be dumped in the city. If an ordinance is not already in place there needs to be one. Also contractors need to be made aware of landfills available for their trash. The Mayor stated there is a city landfill at Weathersby that is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday till noon each week. Alderwoman Honea asked Valadie about the response to overgrown yards and car clutter created by residents. He stated he did not have specific data but there has been good resolution. Commitments have been made; people are cooperating. There have been some letters returned which requires more investigation to find owners but efforts are ongoing every day.
The airport fuel system has been up and running for three weeks according to Ashley Steele with active fuel sales. However, the Jet A fuel tank is not operational due to a bad relay. There was confusion over who would repair the relay either a city employee or electrician as it is an electrical issue. Steele continued that Jet A fuel has a short six month shelf life so when repairs are made existing fuel will need to be disposed of. The fuel is used primarily for helicopters and larger planes. The fuel tank was originally installed as part of a long term plan that included lengthening the runway so larger planes could land. As it is funded by grant money repairs need to be made to get it up and running. Steele advised keeping a minimum amount of fuel in the tank due to the shelf life and expense of fuel.
The Mayor received a request to place 25 mile per hour signage along 11th Avenue between Walgreen’s and Entergy. The signs are on hand. The Board approved this measure.
Tim Bray Public Works Director informed the Board he met with John Little to complete work on Highway 28 near Eastside Apartments. Bray also requested a patrol car in the area with lights for workers’ protection. Several manholes are in need of repair. Efforts will be made to repair them first in-house and hire a contractor only if needed. Alderman Brown discussed several repair issues in his ward particularly one involving a sewage line under a constituent’s driveway. The two men went back and forth regarding private property and city improvements; Brown stated the city created the problem in the first place. Bray suggested the two of them visit the home to determine the next steps.
Consultant Brett Duncan with Prince CPA made the final presentation of the night regarding ARP (American Rescue Plan) funding. The Senate has passed the bill. According to Duncan up to 30% of what he called $1 million can be spent on roads, however, it has not come up for a vote on the House side. There is a proposal for that. He also stated this money will not be part of the money approved tonight for paving. Duncan will keep the board abreast of changes. The monthly budget comparison is not available at this meeting as the November books are not yet closed. At this point, he does not see any issues. The allocation of the ARP money is in two parts. The first tranche is available after application and a deposit is made. According to the Mayor this has taken place. The second tranche will require a more detailed plan of need to justify the additional monies. Duncan stated each board member needs to determine what they would like to see overall done with the funds, not specific to wards but for the community and then meet in the next 30-45 days for discussion. He also noted that the State has a large pool of money available and it will need to be seen what they do for towns and cities after going into legislative session in January, as there may be some piggy backing with state and federal funds.
At this point the Board, Mayor, Police Chief, and Brett Duncan went into Executive Session.
