The regular meeting of the Magee Mayor and Board of Aldermen convened on June 17, at 6 p.m., Forrest Dungan with Clearpoint Engineering gave updates on the various projects ongoing with the city.
The ELP erosion project is complete and Dungan requested a change order to pay contractor Doug Clark. The total bid was for $64,775.76 and the final cost was $4,649.29 under bid. The engineering cost was $9,000. Magee is responsible for $20,294.76 and NRCS will reimburse the remaining. The motion was approved.
The water meter project is complete with one invoice to be submitted for payment. The Lamar Road project is near completion. The pavement project is complete; however, Southern Paving has repairs still outstanding before final payment is authorized.The submitted ranking form was received and accepted by the MS Department of Environmental Quality and MS Health Department. The full facilities plan must be completed by September for water and by the end of the year for sewer.
Resident Betty Harper appeared before the board with a request to assess crumbling street and drainage issues near her residence on Colonial Circle and Adams Avenue. She furnished photos of the damage and flooding. The board asked Dungan to review for repairs.
Public Works Director Tim Bray said that Raleigh Road is now open. However, there is a section in the Phillips area that needs new sewer line that will take some time to replace. The city was to close 2nd Avenue beginning June 23 while replacement/repair work begins on the railroad crossing there. It is expected to reopen within a week depending upon weather.
Sgt. Shane Fewell appeared on behalf of Chief Borges, who was absent, requesting that the board review and approve the already submitted policies and procedures manual as soon as possible for the benefit of the police department. Alderman Patrick Brown requested that city attorney Wesla Sullivan, who was absent, also review the document
Zoning Director Penny Aguirre presented two special event requests for board approval. A night of prayer is scheduled for Monday, June 30, in front of the Civic Center to pray for the newly elected officials and Magee. Holy Church Baptist has requested the use of McNair Springs Park for baptisms on Saturday, July 26, where they will use a kiddie pool rather than the springs. According to Aguirre the park is nearly unrecognizable since the cleanup efforts by the city and volunteer groups began. The restrooms are also being restored. Mayor Elect Mark Grubbs said cameras need to be installed. The board approved the two events.
Aguirre requested two public hearings for separate properties on 9th Street, each having mobile homes. The board approved both requests.The board opted to table the decision on the CLG grant Aguirre presented at the June 3 board meeting.
Building Inspector Duane Simmons updated the board on the number of permits approved and inspections completed for a combined total of nine. In addition he submitted photos of two separate properties on 5th Avenue in process of demolition.
Parks and Recreation Director Jimmy Zila informed the board the last spring tournament will be held the weekend of June 21. The next season begins August 6. He is waiting on two more bids for baseball cage carpet installation; he has received one. Zila notified the board the road near the Sports Plex signage is beginning to crumble and needs to be addressed.Airport Manager Mike Berry stated after passing a required test the airport is now fully insured. Since December 2024 the facility has sold 3,000 gallons of fuel and he will need to reorder soon. Rain has made lawn care difficult.Brett Duncan with CPA Prince updated the board on the budget and overtime reports. There is a required 25% budget to remain for a new board when it takes office. That obligation has been met stating that $1.1M remains in the budget for the final three months of fiscal year 2025. The board approved a request to pay the Simpson County Circuit Clerk’s office $5,000 obligated in March by contract for the use of equipment during recent elections in Magee.Brown requested reimbursement of expenses if he attends the MS Municipal League Conference, Biloxi, in July.With no further business, the meeting adjourned.
