The Magee Board of Aldermen went into executive session on July 6 to discuss city personnel. In that meeting all positions were renewed with the exception of building superintendent, building inspector and assistant fire marshal, which are vacant. A vacancy on the maintenance crew will also be filled.
The city is accepting applications for those positions as well as for police chief.
The five applicants for head of the Magee Police Department are Chris Jones, Art James, Wade Parham, Shane Little and Willie McDonald. A special board meeting has been called for July 16 to interview those candidates. Former Chief Randy Crawford retired as of June 30.
New members to the city’s Board of Aldermen present for their first meeting were Mark Grubbs, alderman Ward 1, and Sue Honea, alderman-at-large.
The board approved new committee assignments. Alderman Lane Steele is to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore. The budget committee will consist of Aldermen Mark Grubbs, Lane Steele and Patrick Brown.
Brett Duncan with Charles Prince CPA told the board that he, City Clerk Jon Styron and the mayor would prepare a draft budget to present to the committee and then to the board.
Sue Honea will chair the Beautification Committee with Matthew Hickman and Mark Grubbs as members. The Cemetery Committee is also chaired by Honea with Hickman and Steele as members.
The Insurance Committee will be chaired by Patrick Brown, with Hickman, Grubbs, Jon Styron and David Dunn to serve on that committee. The Street Light Committee is led by Hickman, with Grubbs and Honea serving.
The board made a presentation to former Chief of Police Randy Crawford, who was unable to attend, for 12 years of service to the City. The board also allowed Crawford to keep his City of Magee Police Chief badge as a token of appreciation for his service.
It was reported that one part was needed in order to get the splash pad operational for the city.
The airport had damage from a recent storm and received a settlement check in the amount of $3,800. An additional settlement check is expected, and the airport will receive grant funds of $9,000. These funds will be used to complete repairs on the fuel farm.
Acting Police Chief Chris Wallace told the board that some vacancies within the department need to be filled and that they are having problems providing two officers for each shift. He stated that he is also pulling a shift.
The board discussed the progress of the improvements ordered by the city at the SASE apartments. There were conflicting reports as to whether improvements have been made. Fire Marshal Charlie Valadie confirmed residents’ complaints to the board about sewage backing up in the complex and reported that a new manager is on site. The board said they expected monthly updates on the problems at the complex.
The board authorized Valadie to provide a draft of a document regarding inspections of apartments before they could be occupied by a new tenant. Valadie reported that smoke detectors are now in every bedroom of the complex. Old furniture and other trash has been piled up outside the complex, and Valadie was instructed to speak with the management about correcting the issue. The city also plans to discuss problems at other apartment complexes.
Tim Bray reported that the city lagoon is currently operational because the holding tank has been cleared of silt and obstructions. He reported an issue at Waffle House, where cement and rip rap have caused a sewer line collapse and water lines having the same issue.
Prince CPA continues to sub-contract services to the city. Duncan said that the city will realize savings by having the accounting business perform functions like city payroll, which they have contracted for. The firm is currently working to reconcile bank statements prior to Jon Styron being hired as city clerk. A contract with Unemployment Cost Solutions was canceled, and Prince CPA was to take over those services to the city in addition to the budget work Duncan is currently providing and dealing with governmental funding associated with the Covid pandemic.
