Magnolia City Board Holds Its February Meeting

MAGNOLIA CITY BOARD HOLDS ITS FEBRUARY MEETING by Terry Jackson, GAZETTE City Editor - tdjackson56@att.net

The City of Magnolia Board held its monthly session on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. All Board members and the mayor were in attendance. Alderman Antonio Martin called in to the meeting.

The meeting agenda was “business as usual” with the exception of a representative from the Pike County Civil Defense/Emergency Management Agency attending to present a new service called Hyper-Reach. Hyper-Reach uses your house phone, smart phone, and technologies such as Alexa to warn you of impeding emergencies that can affect your life. Cities and towns, like Magnolia, can use Hyper-Reach to notify residents of city-wide emergencies and other notices. Please see the associated article in this edition of the paper.

Now for the business actions by the Board.

The Board voted to renew the interlocal agreement with the city of McComb, Summit, Osyka, and the Pike County Supervisors to continue participation in the Recycle One program for 2024-2025.

Training and travel was approved for Pricilla Thompson to attend the spring session of Municipal Clerk Training in Hattiesburg MS, February 26-28. Last month the Board approved Erica Brown and Craig Hampton to attend the Spring Municipal Clerk Training in Ridgeland MS, February 12-14.

A public hearing for a CDBG project will be advertised soon. There was no discussion as to what that CDBG project was. Stay tuned.

The Board voted to contribute $3000 to Alcorn State University Band Scholarship Fund. The band will march in the Magnolia Mardi Gras parade scheduled for March 1, 2025.

The City of Magnolia’s 4th Mardi Gras Ball is to be held Friday, February 21, 2025, and the Pike County Community Safe Room.

WGK was approved to create a Magnolia Water Model to address pressure and delivery problems with the water supply and systems servicing Magnolia. The estimated cost of the project is $6,000.

An overlay project was awarded to Southern Paving LLC for $65,709.25. Also new guard-rails are being installed on McKay Road by Atwood Fence Company for $22,500.

Magnolia is realigning positions in support of legal services for Magnolia. Ashunda Hampton will serve at the City Attorney and the City Prosecutor. Joel Tate will serve as the City’s Public Defender.

Magnolia will have a new police officer on staff. Shakara Issac was approved for hiring as a full-time police officer. The Police Chief also report 180 Incidents including several 911 calls, Animal complaints, Civil Complaints, and several incidents for January.

Additionally, there were 13 citations including no child restraint, Expired DL, stalled vehicle, and expired tag. The number of calls for the Fire Department was extremely low for January with only 6 calls including a Woods fire, Medical Assistance, Fire and Smoke alarm responses in addition to others.

City Hall will be closed for President’s Day on February 17, 2025. The next Board meeting is scheduled for March 4th with a work session scheduled for February 25th.