BY PAT BROWN
PUBLISHER
Magee’s mayor and alderman held a work session last Thursday to discuss items which originally included the hiring of an additional jailer and recent airport issues.
It turned out to be much more than what was originally discussed. There was a full blown 15-item agenda. The stated purpose of the meeting was to hire an additional full-time dispatcher. The board discussed taking Becky Freeman from part-time to full-time dispatcher. There were no votes taken during the meeting or official action.
There was also discussion about the cigar smoking at the new Perfect Blend Cigar and Coffee Bar. Mayor Dale Berry says as it stands now it is illegal to smoke cigars. He said two of the alderman, Lane Steele and Patrick Brown stated their opinion that there was no need to place the item on the agenda for future meetings. Berry said Whitney Baker and Matthew Hickman both wanted to do additional research. Alderman-at-large, Angel Brister was not in attendance. Baker and Hickman wanted to study what other places like Tupelo and Oxford are doing in regard to cigar bars.
Berry said he had contacted Blue Cross, Blue Shield and it would not impact the $25,000 grant the city had already received. He said it may have a slight impact on one of the eight areas that the city is currently being considered for, but it would not have a serious impact. Meaning that one area would get a nine rather than a ten for that particular section.
There was discussion about Kim Jackson being made part-time court clerk.
There was also discussion about the airport. No decision was made about proceeding with the $1 million grant from the federal government.
The board opted to have no further discussion regarding staffing issues and other problems, according to Mayor Berry.
The board discussed raising water bills for both residential and commercial. $31.50 for residential customers and $53 for commercial. Again no actions were taken.
The board discussed implementing fees for background checks as well as finger printing. The police department has not charged for this in the past, but is now going to implement a $25 charge.
The board discussed drainage issues at Polk’s Meat as well as other industrial property and the matters appear to have corrected.
The city plans on making a presentation to the Simpson County School Board to acquire the site of the Magee Elementary facility. The plans are to convert part of the campus into a head start facility. Complete details have yet to be worked out. However, according to Mayor Berry the city is going to get on the agenda of the school board.
There was also discussion about hiring Megan Stuard Thornton as public defender for $8,000 per year. Berry said he was contacted by Whitney Baker and she wanted to discuss other possibilities at the board meeting.
Berry is planning on soliciting three sponsors to put a wrap on the car wash at Circle K on Main Avenue to promote traffic downtown. He said they would solicit three sponsors to pay for the cost of the wrap. Berry said they are currently getting cost estimates for the wrap which is similar to an automotive wrap.
The regular board meeting was held on Tuesday evening where it is anticipated that the city leaders discussions will be adopting and ratifying their actions.
