The City of Magee has a new head law man, Police Chief Shane Little.
Little was sworn into office during the meeting of the Magee Board of Aldermen on Tuesday night. On hand for the event was his wife, Brook. Mayor Dale Berry, assisted by city attorney Marc McMillian, installed Little.
Little replaces former chief Chris Jones, who resigned in March.
The new chief reported to the board how everyone on the staff of the Police Department had made the transition, including interim chief Allen Martin, who served as interim for over two months after the resignation of Chief Jones. The board chose not to offer the job to Martin, but Little told the board that he would be pleased to have Martin on duty during the new administration. The board told Little those decisions would be up to him.
It did not take long for a legal issue to be dumped into Little’s lap when an owner claimed that his vehicle was illegally towed in the city. He claimed that his vehicle was improperly identified based on an incorrect tag number. In response, the tow company discounted the fee from the typical $350 to $250. The resident then contacted Tom Chain, manager of the State Auditor’s office, and claimed that his vehicle was illegally towed.
The reason for the problem seems to be that normal protocol was not followed nor did the action conform to city ordinances.
The mayor turned the issue over to Little, who said he would have to investigate before he could make a recommendation.
The mayor reported that over 17 street lights on Highway 49 were out and that calls to Entergy have not been answered to correct the problem. Berry said there are lights out all over town and that Southern Pine, which provides power to part of the area, is quick to respond but that Entergy, which also provides power to city residents, is not. He said complaints go though the process and get stopped at Entergy’s supervisor’s level and are never corrected.
Alderman Mark Grubbs said he would work to correct the issue.
The mayor announced a retirement reception for David Dunn, who is retiring as Director of Parks and Recreation, and Wanda Williams, who is retiring from the city office, on June 23 at the Magee Civic Center at 5 p.m.
The mayor reported that volunteer pressure washing on the city’s benches had been done as a donation by Punch Walker Pressure Washing.
Berry said the board is trying to get quotations for a new pavilion roof at McNair Springs. He said that the consensus of board members is that a metal roof would be better than a shingle roof for the facility. He said he has also talked with the landscape contractor about keeping the park grounds in better condition with trimming, weedeating and other tasks.
Alderman Patrick Brown suggested that a request for proposals be issued so that the city could determine the cost of repairs to city infrastructure and prioritize those projects.
Airport Manager Ashley Steele reported to the board that the airport has responded to the Federal Aviation Association in connection with complaints filed by local pilot Brien Hubbard that the fuel tanks were contaminated. She said they are awaiting the FAA’s response but that testing was performed on the tanks in question and no contaminants were found as alleged by Hubbard.
A bid was submitted for the disposal of expired Jet A fuel in the amount of $2,975 for removal, and Michael Duncan with Fuel Trans, LLC offered disposal of fuel if the city would give him the 4,000 gallons on hand. The fuel has other applications for use once it has becomes too old to sell as Jet A Fuel. Airport advisor Keafer Grimes said it could now be sold as kerosene.
Alderman Mark Grubbs told the mayor that the Parks and Recreation Director should attend board meetings like other department heads. Berry said that department was still conducting baseball tournaments but that he would pass the message along to new director Jimmy Zilla.
The board plans to hold hearings if local properties are not maintained properly as part of an on-going effort to clean and maintain the city.
The board discussed relining the parking spaces at First United Methodist Church. The spaces will be angeled more to prevent parked vehicles from interfering with traffic flow. Relining parking on Main Avenue was also discussed.
