Forrest Dungan, civil engineer with Clearpoint Consulting Engineering, briefed the Magee Mayor and Board of Aldermen on Tuesday, August 6, on several ongoing projects with the city.
Dungan recommended that the mayor and board of aldermen execute a memorandum of understanding in regard to extending a deadline of August 31, 2024 arbitrarily set by the state to obligate funds to December 31, 2024. The federal government set the date originally at December 31, 2024. The board approved the motion.Water treatment plant 2 improvements are about 75 percent complete; however, unforeseen equipment issues occurred that require an additional $13,200 for the project. The board approved the expenditure. Replacement of the water meters is about 25 percent complete and is ongoing. Dungan also reported that work on the city park playground and pickle ball courts is still in preliminary stages with the intent of opening bids in September.
National Weather Service personnel presented signage and a certificate to the mayor and board recognizing Simpson County and Magee as a Storm Ready County.Joe Worrell brought personal observations before the board. Would like to see an increase of coverage of the limb truck that pick up debris in his community, stating hehad items out four weeks without a pick up. Worrell also voiced concern about the elderly women who live alone in his neighborhood and neighbors who show no regardfor them.Blake Sullivan with Public Works requested executive session for personnel issues. Interim Police Chief Bryan Green requested two dispatch employees be allowed toattend a 911 conference October 28-31, 2024 on the coast. All fees will be reimbursed through the state. The board approved. He also requested executive session forpersonnel issues.Zoning Director Penny Aguirre presented the mayor and board a final updated zoning map prepared by Central Mississippi Planning and Development District with threeproperties rezoned to industrial use. Signatures of approval were required by Mayor Berry and City Clerk Jon Styron.Aguirre presented amended text on the zoning ordinance stating anyone can request a rezoning of property, property owner or not, that the zoning board approved. Therecommended text reflects that only the property owner may request a zoning action. The board of aldermen tabled this issue until a workshop could be set for the board ofaldermen and zoning board to discuss these concerns. In addition, the two boards will review the application forms process required by zoning.Parks and Recreation Director Jimmy Zila presented three bids for the painting projects at the Magee Sports Complex. The board requested updated bids submitted once a universal bid form is developed for all departments. In regards to the splash pad the original engineer will meet with Zila next week to determine the best route for repairs. Larry Partridge with the Airport Commission appeared before the board requesting funding for Mike Berry airport manager to attend the Mississippi Airports Association (MAA) Annual Conference in Tupelo, MS September 18-20, 2024. The board of aldermen approved the expense along with municipality membership in the MAA at a cost of $250.
The meeting moved into executive session. The board approved hiring a part-time dispatcher for the police department along with one termination within the public works department.
