The first point of business addressed during the February 18, 2025 meeting of the Magee Mayor and Board of Aldermen was to clarify the minutes from the February 4 meeting the 100% smoke free ordinance for Magee.
Board Attorney Wesla Sullivan stated “Ordinance 269 already prohibits smoking in businesses in Magee and Ordinance 280 amended it to include if you open a cigar shop you could smoke in the cigar shop.” The board passed a motion to clarify the minutes to include all forms of smoking.
Alderwoman Sue Honea posed a question regarding a work schedule for residents housed at Voice of Hope Men’s Recovery to assist public works. Zoning Director Penny Aguirre stated the list of tasks has already been established and she will make contact with Voice of Hope about enlisting their help.
Magee Public Library Branch Manager Frances Meadows appeared before the board to commend their efforts on behalf of the library for the nearly 27 years she has worked there. Meadows will retire the end of February. She also introduced Alice Green as the incoming branch manager, stating it will be a smooth transition. The board members congratulated Meadows on her retirement and thanked her for her years of service.
Public Works Director Tim Bray had nothing to report.
Police Chief Denis Borges requested board approval to pursue a Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) available through the Department of Public Safety in Mississippi with funds provided by the U.S. Dept. of Justice in the amount of $10,000. The grant does require a 25% match from the city. The board approved his request. He also informed the board one dispatcher resigned from full-time and was moved to part-time. Borges also asked for executive session for personnel issues during which one part-time police officer was hired along with a full-time dispatcher.
Fire Chief David Craft was out with the flu.
Aguirre requested the board rezone several properties based on recommendations from the Zoning Board. Percentage wise of the sites involved, 77% property owners want to rezone from C1 (commercial) to R2 (residential); 23% want to remain C1. Ten percent of the group never responded to any overtures made over a four month period including mailings, phone calls and in person visits. That 10% will be rezoned from C1 to R2. Mark Grubbs recused himself from the board vote due to a family connection. The remaining board approved the request unanimously.
Regarding the upcoming dangerous cold weather expected Aguirre informed the board Magee would be in the clear as far as wintry precipitation; however, notifications on the dangerous cold were published.
Magee General Hospital has begun renovations and expects the job to take nine months to complete. Lastly Aguirre offered thanks to the Magee Police Department and Volunteer Fire Department for a recent welfare check of a vulnerable person in Magee resulting in a positive outcome.
Aguirre also dispersed a report from Building Inspector Al Sullivan to the board members and mayor. He issued several permits, completed a few inspections, and issued two new city contractor licenses. A third property located at 512 12th St. NE has been added to residential demolitions but none has yet occurred.
Parks and Recreation Director Jimmy Zila updated the board on the first spring tournament as well as spring ball sign-ups. There were 37 teams that participated in the tournament held February 15/16. He added the lights were fully functional and in good working order. Also 514 children have registered for the spring ball season.
Airport Manager Mike Berry told the board the grant money has come in and the beacon lights have been taken care of. However, there are now other lighting issues he is also dealing with at the airport in process of repair. Berry also reported C Spire will move ahead on their project beginning the last full week of February.
Brett Duncan with Prince CPA went over financial reports. Overtime was up due to extra payroll for MPD and public works and budget is actually under the estimated 43% expenditures at this point at 38.7%. The board approved declaring an emergency as of January 12 related to a public health emergency. The board then approved payment to ASC Insulation in the amount of $25,400 to insulate water supply lines, wells and the plants.
Alderman Patrick Brown asked the board to consider releasing funds to the Historic Preservation Society for the leaking roof at the Old Magee Elementary School gym. The board approved the amount of $10,000.
Sullivan updated the board on the recent water billing crisis commending several personnel especially Clerk Libby Shivers on her efforts to rectify erroneous bills. After extensive research it was discovered the program was rewritten without board authorization and that has since been corrected. Moving forward Sullivan stated any changes made to the program must be recommended and authorized by the board of aldermen alone. Alderman Mark Grubbs requested a workshop for the entire board with those who were present at the meeting where the errors were found so they may all be brought current. Sullivan suggested the board come up with more than one date to be sure to accommodate all schedules. The board will also consider changing water bills from usage rates to gallons.
Alderwoman Lawanna Thompson asked about the city audit. Duncan responded that the city needs to contact the contractor enlisted to finish the audit. His understanding is the fill work on the audit is complete. The board requested that City Clerk Jonathan Styron make contact with the contractor by letter to move forward in the process.
Honea then brought up collecting privilege taxes from businesses five months in arrears. After discussion the board approved a motion to publish the list of businesses for nonpayment of privilege taxes by March 1 and only after attempts are made by phone call and mail to inform said businesses.
Sullivan and Mayor Dale Berry needed executive session. Being no other business the meeting moved into executive session.
