At the Magee Board of Aldermen meeting April 16, Mayor Dale Berry recognized several people who were instrumental in making the April 13 Bicentennial Parade and Fair successful.
Those named were Allyson Berch, Jean Allen, Tiffany Kinslow, Tim Bray and the city workers, Magee Fire Department, Magee Police Department, Michael Berry and Lee Maddox.
The main topic of discussion during the month’s second meeting was city zoning issues.
Jim Ball, chairman of the Magee Zoning Commission, brought several issues to the board saying first that the members of the commission are appointed and confirmed by the aldermen. The commission is designed to hold meetings on all matters related to zoning issues by ordinance.
The basic purpose of that ordinance, according to the Zoning Handbook, is to “preserve and promote the public health, safety, morals and general welfare” of the citizens of Magee. The ordinance is thus in conflict with a statement made by the board that only property owners should request rezoning. Sec 2506 pertaining to rezoning states “any person may initiate an amendment to rezone.”
According to Ball, this has not been an issue until the last two zoning hearings when two rezoning applications were brought by people other than the property owners. The commission requested that the board amend the ordinance and application to reflect that only the property owner may request rezoning if in fact that is the board’s belief.
After a detailed presentation of his qualifications, Ball offered his expertise in developing job descriptions for city employees at no charge to the board in an effort to get Magee “on track and moving forward.”
Finally Ball read a statement from the Zoning Commission on behalf of and in full support of Zoning Administrator Penny Aquirre. It read that while they have had disagreements individually and collectively, they have always reached agreement for the betterment of Magee.
“What we have seen and experienced with the Zoning Administrator is that she administers the zoning ordinance in a fair and impartial manner with high professionalism…We the Zoning Commission unanimously offer our support and full vote of confidence in her performance as Zoning Administrator.”
Aguirre told the board that the Municipal City application link is available. Before addressing the board with zoning issues Aguirre thanked the Zoning Board for their efforts, time and hard work.
Two zoning hearings were held Tuesday, April 9. The first issue on rezoning residential property was tabled until further information could be gathered to make a better decision. The second dealt with extending hours of operation for medical marijuana dispensaries to include Sundays. The Zoning Commission voted 5 to 1 not to amend the ordinance, since they are open 12 hours a day, six days a week.
Aguirre then read a letter of resignation by Charlie Valadie as he was engaged in an emergency clean up near Love’s. His resignation due to retirement as city fire marshal is effective May 31, 2024, after 45 years of service.
Aguirre and City Building Inspector Kara Lucas updated the board on the previous issue of SASE apartments in disrepair, saying they had met with the owner and attorney who believed it was a short list of repairs to accommodate the zoning complaints. It was made clear to both that the needs were not only superficial and cosmetic issues but structural problems that must be addressed.
Lucas and Aguirre have requested several times that a contractor contact them to provide plans outlining the necessary repairs that need to be made to each building on the property with April 16 being the deadline. No plan was given.
Some work has been done – pest control, some windows replaced, and fire extinguishers purchased. Discussion ensued regarding legal action that may be taken and relocating residents. Aguirre also notified the board that the landlord recently raised the rent on the apartments in question. Fines continue to be levied as appropriate and legal.
Other business discussed included an amendment to ordinance No. 176 dated 1985, ordinance No. 297. It is designed to prohibit through truck traffic on Co-op Road and/or Stubbs Drive in Magee. In addition, fines and jail time were updated according to statutes to $1000 for each violation and not more than six months.
Resident Paul Arnold addressed the board about the Board of Aldermen story from April 3, 2024, on MageeNews.com, stating that some of the information was incorrect. According to the article, “Mr. Arnold is in the process of cleaning his parents’ property. As of April 2, 2024 that property was clean.” Arnold pointed out that property was cleaned October 2, 2023, leading those who read the article to believe he did not comply with the request to clean the property in the fall of last year. In addition, Arnold pointed out that a final statement made in the article was also incorrect. It read “several board members assured Paul Arnold that he was not being singled out but appropriate action will be taken in the future to assure equal treatment for all” (MageeNews.com). Arnold added, “That was not said at the last board meeting. It was not assured by any board member…Sue, (Honea) I want that redacted; it is not true… As I said the first time I was up here, I will be happy to sit down with the board and discuss my property.”
Kyle Hathorn appeared before the board to request the return of his dog that was seized on April 2 by Animal Control Officer Bennie Blair. The dog bit Blair and it drew blood. After much discussion and upon agreement of immediate vaccination of the dog the board agreed to return the dog to Hathorn.
The board approved travel for Kara Lucas, building inspector, to attend a statewide conference in Natchez May 14-16, 2024, sponsored by MEMA.
Michael Berryairport manager of facilities and maintenance, addressed the board on airport matters including development of a plan to use the house as a base for helicopters in Hattiesburg and Jackson. Airport fuel has been set at $5/gallon. A lengthy discussion was held regarding the disposal of the Jet A fuel.
Brett Duncan with Prince CPA brought before the board the concern at this point that the City is $80,000 over budget; however, this is in large part due to $78,000 spent on the renovation for the Magee Community House that was not budgeted but was necessary to complete the renovation. Duncan commended Public Works for managing their budget well, creating funds for unexpected expenses. A third ARPA report will be filed by April 30, 2024.
The board moved into executive session to discuss personnel issues.
