TOWN OF COATS Board of Commissioners Thursday, August 10,2023 Official Minutes  The' Town ofCoats Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 7:00  p.m. in thel Board of Commissioners' Meeting Room at Coats Town Hall.  Members Present: Mayor Chris Coats Mayor Pro-Tem Jerry Beasley Commissioner Marc Powell Commissioner Kelvin Gilbert Commissioner Shirley Allen Members Absent: Commissioner Allen Mosby LCALLTOORDER  Others Present: Nick Holcomb, Town Manager Connie Lassiter, Financel Director/Town Clerk Ken Storicks, ChiefofPolice Rodney Pleasant, Public Works Director  A quorum being present, Mayor Chris Coats called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Coats delivered the invocation and led those in attendance in thel Pledge of Allegiance. MOTION BY: Commissioner Marcl Powell, SECOND BY: Commissioner Shirley Allen  RESOLVED, to approve. Agenda. APPROVED: 4-0, unanimously approved  II. CONSENT AGENDA  A. Approval of! Minutes - July 13, 2023 Regular Meeting B. Approval of Attorney Bill - Services Rendered July31,2 2023  RESOLVED, to approve Consent. Agenda. APPROVED: 4-0, unanimously approved  MOTION. BY: Commissioner Kelvin Gilbert, SECOND BY: Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Beasley  III. PUBLIC! HEARING  A. Update to Future Land Use Plan! Map  Town Manager Nick Holcomb explained that the update to thel Future Land Use Plan Map was needed sO that the zoning districts would match the UDO update that was completed last year. Hazel Stephenson, Planning Board Chairperson, emphasized that the proposed updates were for the Future Land Usel Plan Map and not the Zoning Map. Ms. Stephenson highlighted the  following updates:  1    300' MU-2 buffering along Hwy 55 & Hwy 27 to allow for commercial and higher density residential; with General Commercial steered tot the core Expanding MU-1 on the west side oft town which would allow for multi-family housing and expanding RMST on the east side which would allow for a variety ofhigher density SFR-1 low density 1 acre lots around Fleming Rd and Brick Mill Rd due to limitations to higher densities such as lack ofthrough transportation and watershed limitations Agricultural/Open Space preservation along Delma Grimes Rd and Ebenezer Church Rd inp proximity toi industrial farms and Black River watershed and wetlands. Optional future Industrial site around existing solar farm on Hwy 27  residential options  Chairperson Stephenson pointed out that the Planning Board tried to cover everything and do what would be best toj plan for future land use in the updates. She also noted that the approval of the Future Land Use Plan Map updates would help the Planning Board to make better decisions in Mayor Chris Coats opened thel Public Hearing; and after hearing no one, Mayor Coats closed the Public  zoning.  Hearing.  IV.OLD BUSINESS  A. Street Resurfacing Projects  Nick Holcomb, Town Manager, informed thel Board that he had refined the list ofs streets  discussed at the last meeting in the most need ofi repair as follows: Resurfacing: N Ida St from Hwy 271 to E. Park St  Winchester Ave (including Remington Dr intersection) Park Ln (remove hump and repair broken areas) Park Lnl Extension (repairs from entryway to: first parking space) 461 Marlin Ln (large patch at driveway)  NJ Poole St & Odum St (full loop)  Patching:  Town Manager Holcomb asked for a consensus from the Board on any oft the aforementioned Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Beasley inquired whether or not the dip inl Park Lane was the result ofa sewer pipe issue; and ifs so, the County should be contacted to make the repair. Town Manager Holcomb replied that he would address the issue and update the Board with the response from the  streets or any street they deemed al higher priority to be quoted.  County.  RESOLVED, to allow' Town Manager to proceed with gathering quotes for the road project for all six of MOTION. BY: Commissioner Kelvin Gilbert, SECOND BY: Commissioner Shirley Allen  the roads.  APPROVED: 4-0, unanimously approved  2    V.NEW: BUSINESS  A. Update to Future Land Use Plan Map  Town Manager Nick Holcomb stressed that the Future Land Use Plan Mapi is one aspect of the plan used when someone requests a rezoning decision to determine ift the rezoning request is consistent with the land use plan. He emphasized that it was not the: zoning map.  RESOLVED, to approve amendments to the map. APPROVED: 4-0, unanimously approved B. Set Public Hearing - Open Burning Ordinance  MOTION: BY: Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Beasley, SECOND BY: Commissioner Marc Powell  Nick Holcomb, Town Manager, requested the Board to set a Public Hearing on the update to the Open Burning Ordinance. The current ordinance is outdated and the updated ordinance would give thel Fire Department and Law Enforcement clearer rules for use in enforcement. The ordinance would legalize smaller recreational fires, prevent opening vegetation burning and allow for land clearing only in special circumstances given the proper permits were received and authorized. Mr. Holcomb asked ifthe Board desired any edits to the proposed ordinance. Commissioner Marc Powell expressed the need to define what recreational fires could be burned ins such as a bona fide burn pit and to put a top over it to prevent ashes from escaping. Town Manager Holcomb stated that he would put the cover in the ordinance language and discuss with  the Fire Chief.  RESOLVED, to set Public Hearing for Open Burning Ordinance on September 14. MOTION BY: Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Beasley, SECOND BY: Commissioner Kelvin Gilbert  APPROVED: 4-0, unanimously approved C. Set Public Hearing - Noise Ordinance  Nick Holcomb, Town Manager, requested thel Board to set al Public Hearing on the update to the Noise Ordinance. The updated ordinance would establish the start and end time for live music and entertainment. Some businesses are expanding into live music and entertainment in outdoor areas which has caused friction between business zones and residential zones. The ordinance Commissioner Marc Powell stated that he lived close by and couldn't hear his stereo or television when the band starts up outside. He also expressed concern with a church trying to hold services on Sunday during the time of an outdoor events at business and communicated that he preferred Commissioner Kelvin Gilbert mentioned that this issue was aj part ofg growing pains for the Town, but acknowledged and sympathized with nearby residents' concerns. He also inquired about any  update would enable the police to intervene in cases ofnoncompliance.  the events to be moved inside or taken out oft town.  issues the church might have on Wednesday night services. RESOLVED, to set Public Hearing for Noise Ordinance for September 14.  MOTION BY: Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Beasley, SECOND BY: Commissioner Marc Powell  APPROVED: 4-0, unanimously approved  3    D. School Resource Officer- - MOU Renewal  Town Manager Nick Holcomb: reminded the Board that this item was removed from the consent agenda last month due to some oft the police chiefs petitioning the contract. There has been no action taken to amend the original agreement made in 20181 that has been renewed each year. Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Beasley asked ifp payment had been received since the contract ran out. Town Manager Holcomb replied that it was the School Board that was requesting the contract signature, but the payment actually came from the County. He added that the. July payment hadn'tbeen received yet but that was a normal delay in the newi fiscal year, Finance Director Connie Lassiter commented that last year's July payment was received in September. Mayor Pro Tem Beasley inquired if wel had benefited from having the School Resource Officer and asked ifit would be a good time to get out ofit. Police Chief) Ken Storicks recommended staying with the program asi it allowed for the SRO to cover time off for other officers when school was out as well as the benefit of enabling interactions between the kids and officers.  RESOLVED, to renew the contract. APPROVED:: 3-1  MOTION BY: Commissioner Shirley Allen, SECOND BY: Commissioner, Kelvin Gilbert  Ayes (3) Commissioners Shirley Allen, Kelvin Gilbert and Marc Powell  Noes (1) Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Beasley  E. Helping Hands Neighborhood Garden Request  Adam and Alexa Peterson requested use ofas space for a community garden for their non-profit, Helping Hands Neighborhood Garden, at the Town-owned lot oft the old theater at 131 E Main St. They explained their plan was to build 8-12 raised garden beds and plant fruits and vegetables for Discussion by thel Board included concern with the length of time of the project and the desired location that had previously been used as the Public Works lot where trucks were washed out as Mr. Peterson explained that ideally they would have it last for years, but right nowi they were looking at it as a startup ofay year to five years. He commented that the garden boxes could be moved if the" Town needed the land for something else at any time. He stated that they were open Commissioner Marc Powell recommended an area by the Gift Primitive Baptist Church. Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Beasley suggested the lot at the new Public Works building where a water tap  people take what they need.  well as years past gas tanks were located on the site.  to alternate locations int town.  would be available. No action was taken.  4    VI. PUBLIC FORUM Forum.  Mayor Chris Coats opened the Public Forum; and after hearing no one, Mayor Coats closed the Public  VII. MANAGER & DEPARTMENT UPDATES A. Review of Finançial Statement There were no questions or comments. B. Library Consolidation Update  Teresa Brown, Coats Library Director, reported that the library had extended hours of operation, hired two additional employees and increased programs since the! library consolidation took place  one year ago. C. NCLeague Services  Town Manager Nick Holcomb updated thel Board on services that the NCLM was offering as a result of APR funds they had received. Services include engineering, planning and grant services, legal services in regards to ARP spending and software services.  D. Community Signage Program  Town Manager Nick Holcomb informed the Board that the representative from the Coats Museum had gotten a quote of approximately $1100 for the signs but the rendering would not be available until a commitment to the pricing was made. Mr. Holcomb relayed that we did not specifically budget fort the signs, but the appearance line item could be used for this purpose. The museum is ready to pay their fair share and move forward with the purchase. Mr. Holcomb asked what the Board felt would be a reasonable amount to commit or ifthey preferred ai formal  proposal next month.  RESOLVED, to proceed with signage project not to exceed $1500.  MOTION BY: Commissioner Kelvin Gilbert, SECOND BY: Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Beasley Commissioner Kelvin Gilbert asked for update on thel Park Project. Town Manager Holcomb responded that the basketball goals would be put up within a week but the painting would not be done until December. Town Manager. Holcomb informed the Board that 8 loads ofs soil were needed now and an additional 61 loads of soil would be needed at a cost of$375 per load to complete the project which would put the Multipurpose Hardcourt project over budget. He mentioned that thel Parks Improvement line item could be used to cover the overage. The general consensus oft the Board was to complete the project with  APPROVED: 4-0, unanimously approved  the acknowledgement. oft the additional cost.  VIII. ADJOURN  Mayor Chris Coats called for a motion to adjourn.  5    RESOLVED, to adjourn.  MOTION: BY: Commissioner Kelvin Gilbert, SECOND BY: Commissioner Shirley Allen  APPROVED: 4-0, unanimously approved Meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.  The attached documents of reference are: incorporated herewith and are hereby made aj part oft these  minutes.  6  Cot Connie Lassiter, Town Clerk  Chris Coats, Mayor  6