The Magee Mayor and Board of Aldermen met on Tuesday, November 5, with several items on the agenda, many involving zoning.
Shirley Maddox Herrington was the first to be heard. She voiced concerns over several residential areas in non-compliance with city zoning ordinances. She said one residence at 727 1st Avenue, SE has several vehicles, pieces of equipment, portable buildings, etc. According to Maddox it appears that the owner is operating an unauthorized mechanic’s business as it zoned residential R1. She also cited 2023 City of Magee Zoning Ordinance Article 6D, Section 406 as support.
The second property is the mobile home park close to Magee City Park that is undergoing renovations. Maddox noted lack of solid waste pickup, numerous nonworking automobiles, make shift sheds and debris. The third property has been identified numerous times during previous board meetings and is located near the city tennis courts. Maddox requested that the board enforce the zoning ordinances to address these issues.
Resident Chad Hand appeared regarding a recent zoning appeal interpretation of Zoning Director Penny Aguirre that was overturned by the Magee Zoning Board. He said that the Board of Aldermen had approved a rezoning of his property at 901 5th Avenue to C3 to accommodate an RV park on January 9, 2024, at a regularly scheduled board meeting. Hand received necessary permits in February and began site work recently. He was made aware of the zoning meeting to overturn the decision the day before the meeting. He questioned why after nine months the change had occurred.
Zoning Board Chairman Jim Ball then took the podium with plans to discuss two items including RV parks, stating however, that he was conflicted after hearing Hand’s comments. Ball briefly said the appeal was not aimed directly at Hand’s property but had been brought by a city resident regarding RV parks. Ball told the board there was too much to discuss regarding this issue at a regular board meeting but there had previously been a lot of confusion and miscommunication. He believes the breakdown occurred when the property was rezoned C3 but a conditional use was never brought before the Zoning Board. Ball added that RV parks need to be addressed in the current zoning ordinance as well.
Ball’s second item regarding personal property rezoning should be brought only by the property owner. That item was brought before the board several months ago and tabled; no action has yet to be taken and it needs to be addressed.
Bryce Hopkins with TEC came before the board with two financial proposals on increasing internet capabilities at the Jimmy Clyde Sportsplex. The board informed Hopkins that before they could make any decision they would have to contact C-Spire, as Magee is under contract with them.
Public Works Director Tim Bray commended his workers for a successful Crazy Day and all their hard work. He informed the board the limb truck is still in Jackson for many repairs and there is no firm date on its return. The new truck is scheduled to arrive in two weeks. The street paving project is underway; 73% of the water meters have been replaced. All the new street signs have also been put installed. Bray requested executive session for a personnel issue.
Police Chief Denis Borges requested reimbursement for Becky Freeman for Crazy Day expenses in the amount of $86.95. The board approved. He also informed the board of a reimbursement grant available for $143,842.44, meaning the city would pay upfront and the grant would reimburse. It would fund more police officer coverage day and night. The board approved pursuit of the grant. Borges also informed members that Office Nicholas Palomino will maintain records for the grants the department receives. Remodeling of the jail continues. He requested executive session for personnel issues.
Fire Chief David Craft reported 26 fire calls last month adding Simpson County and Magee is still under a burn ban. Fireman Michael Allan then appeared before the board with quotes for the radios approved in this year’s budget. Allan stated the current radios purchased 16 years ago will soon be obsolete. The new radios would tie the VFD in with the state system with all other first responders. In addition, the state maintains the system which will save money. The VFD is the only agency in Simpson County not on this system. The cost of 34 radios and support equipment is $114,572. In speaking with Borges, Allan found out the Magee PD could also use an additional 10 radios. When questioned by Alderwoman Lawana Thompson about how many radios the MPD needed, Borges stated 20. This would increase the cost to $166,113.
Allan added the state and WCC will provide the tower necessary for the radios at no charge. The only cost to the city will be for the pole and 100 amp service breaker from Entergy. Brett Duncan with Charles Prince CPA interjected at this point regarding the differential between the already allocated funds of approximately $50,000 and the new amount of $166,113. He recommended the board approve advertising for sealed bids as is required by law anything over $75,000. The board made the motion and approved.
Aguirre reported that the zoning board approved a request on October 22 made by Anthony Cohen for a dimensional variance on a corner lot at 7th Avenue SE and 2nd Street SE. The board approved the request. A second hearing was held on October 22 when the zoning board heard from Tim Huynh requesting conditional use of his property at 116 Main Avenue, N for his business downstairs, and his personal residence upstairs. The zoning board agreed. The board of aldermen approved the motion.
New property owners of the trailer park by Magee City Park referenced earlier have requested a hearing to have property rezoned from RM to MX as they would like to build small homes when trailers move out. Aguirre asked the board to approve publication for a hearing in December and they agreed. She also requested publication for a December hearing regarding a request to eliminate C4 zoning – adult entertainment – from the zoning ordinance and map. Pending clarification from Central Mississippi Planning and Development District the issue is tabled.
Special events programs approved by the board include the annual Christmas Parade on December 5, 2024 and a Movie Night on Main December 7, 2024 featuring “The Polar Express.”
Aguirre presented bids for demolition on two properties, 807 and 817 5th Avenue SE. The board opted to take them under advisement until more information could be gathered.
Lastly Aguirre addressed the issues presented earlier in the meeting regarding property at 727 1st Avenue SE stating that all of the steps that can be taken to clean up the property have been. She added it is now up to the board to determine what the next step is toward cleanup. Alderman Mark Grubbs asked what other cities do when property owners are non-compliant. Aguirre cited Brandon as an example in that owners are not allowed to appear before the board; if there is anything on their property the ordinance does not allow, the city tows it. There is no negotiation. Morgan Lewis owner of the property across from the tennis courts also referenced earlier is taking steps to clean up his business as well as finding a way to fence it off with natural sources.
The new building inspector Al Sullivan was introduced.
Parks and Recreation Director Jimmy Zila reported repairs were made to water and sewerage lines at the sportsplex. The final tournament of the year will be held November 9/10 hosting 46 teams. Tournaments have been scheduled for March through May 2025 for 12 out of 14 weekends.
Airport Manager Mike Berry stated he is seeking bids to replace/repair the beacon light that was erected in 1992. In addition he stated they are hoping to obtain funds from the FFA to help offset the costs.
During executive session one full-time employee was hired for public works and six part-time police officers were also hired.
