Mayor Pro Tem Lawana Thompson conducted the regular meeting of the Magee Board of Aldermen Tuesday, November 5, 2025 as Mayor Mark Grubbs was out sick. Alderman Julian Harper was also absent.
A zoning hearing was held first with recommendations made by Zoning Director Penny Aguirre. Notification was given to property owners of two separate sites on 9th Avenue NW that each is in a “state of uncleanliness to be a menace to public health, safety, and/or welfare of the community”. Neither party was present. The board entertained two separate motions to move forward with cleaning of said properties and associated costs to be paid by property owners.
Thompson offered updates that Struthers Recreation has completed work on Magee City Park. Fencing installation is scheduled to be finished by mid-December. Christian Carrico is overseeing installation of the irrigation system and landscaping.
Grass cutting bids were received and approved for 2026. The low bid from Francis Warren at $950 for cemetery cutting was chosen. Two other bids were received: Wenger Lawn Service $1,364 and Magee Lawn and Landscape $1,195. Only two bids were received to cut the Highway 49 corridor: Francis Warren at $2,200 and Wenger Lawn, $3,726. The bid went to Warren. Two bids were received to cut McNair Springs: Wenger, $487 and Magee Lawn, $495. Wenger was selected. The airport received only one bid and it was accepted: Magee Lawn, $100.
Alderwoman Allyson Berch proposed in the form of a motion the return of an agenda item allowing for public comments during board meetings. Interested parties may come 30 minutes prior to the meeting and complete a required form to speak. These will be on a first come/first serve basis, no more than three minutes to address the board, with a limit of four people to a meeting. Berch also made a motion to change the regular meeting time from 6:00 pm to 5:00 pm beginning in December. Separate motions carried.
Before hearing from anyone on the agenda Thompson read statements from the city’s public appearance request form as follows. “Presentations from citizens appearing before the Board shall be limited to five minutes per presentation and shall not include more than three presenters. The Board reserves the right to extend or shorten the time for presentation at its discretion. Any handouts to be circulated amongst Board members must be submitted with this form.
“Deorum: All remarks shall be addressed to the Board as a body and not to any individual member thereof. No person shall make personal, impertinent or slanderous remarks, nor otherwise disturb the order and decorum of any Board meeting. Failure to comply with these rules may result in you being removed from the meeting.”
Todd Allen offered his services to provide a free evaluation on the condition of the roads in Magee, citing improper maintenance could cost the city millions of dollars. The board agreed to take it under advisement and review with Mayor Grubbs.
Jeremy Smith with Beauty from Ashes and Heidi Zimmerman with The Well Church appeared before the board with updates on the ministries available and in use at the church. Smith shared two fundraising efforts in December and January 2026. The Well will host Buy a Tree, Change a Life, selling live Christmas trees in the lot next to Bethel Church off Highway 49S. The board reminded Smith to submit a special event application beforehand.
Zimmerman invited all the board members and anyone they thought would be interested in attending their Gala of Hope, January 16, 2026. The goal is to raise $150,000 for a new ministry the church has planned. The event is by invitation only and requires an RSVP.
Police Chief Denis Borges asked for board approval after the fact for three officers to attend specific training offered only once a year that began November 3 at a total cost of $450. The board approved the request. Tractor Supply made a donation of $500 to the Magee PD; the board approved the donation.
Borges informed the board that the Tyson donation approved last month in the amount of $7,000 was erroneous and the amount was actually $750. The board carried out the necessary steps to amend, change and rescind the original amount of $7,000 before approving a motion to accept the $750 donation from Tyson. Borges asked and received approval for one officer to attend a class in officer involved shootings. He also asked for executive session for personnel issues.
Fire Chief David Craft asked for executive session for personnel issues.
Aguirre requested and received approval for publication of a zoning hearing scheduled for December 9, 2025.
Building Inspector Duane Simmons presented a written report to the board outlining 14 various permits, citations and inspections.
Board members adopted a resolution authorizing the permanent closure of the road formerly known as The Old Dixie Highway. In addition, they approved for conditional use the property located at 612 Laurel Dr. SE for possible convenience store with gas pumps.
With no further business the board moved into executive session.
