TOWN OF COATS Board of Commissioners Meeting November 10, 2022 7:00 p.m.  LABSTRACT:  The Coats Board of Commissioners met for their regular meeting on November 10, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was held in the Board of Commissioners' Meeting room at Coats Town Hall.  I.R ROLLCALL:  Mayor Chris Coats, Mayor Pro-Tem Jerry Beasley, Commissioners Shirley Allen, Marc Powell,  and Allen Mosby were present. Commissioner Kelvin Gilbert was absent. Attorney Alton Bain was present. III. CALLTO ORDER:  Aquorum being present, Mayor Coats called the meeting to order. Mayor Coats led the Board in the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance.  A. Approval of Agenda RESOLVED, to approve agenda.  MOTION BY: COMMISSIONER MARC POWELL: SECOND BY: COMMISSIONER SHIRLEY ALLEN APPROVED, AYES (4) MAYOR PRO-TEM JERRY BEASLEY, COMMISSIONERS ALLEN, POWELL,  AND MOSBY NOES (0)  B. Approval of Consent Agenda RESOLVED, to consent agenda.  1    MOTION BY: MAYOR PRO-TEM. JERRY BEASLEY: SECOND BY: COMMISSIONER MARC POWELL APPROVED, AYES (4) MAYOR PRO-TEM. JERRY BEASLEY, COMMSSIONERS ALLEN, POWELL,  AND MOSBY NOES (0) IV. PUBLIC FORUM:  Mayor Coats opened Public Forum.  Gale Spears, 120 Gale Spears Dr., Coats expressed concerns again regarding the water drainage problem and to would like Public Works to get more staff. She talked to the State and was told that Universal Storage does not have a proper retention pond. Universal Storage needs to geta permit from the State for infiltration pond. She was upset that at the rezoning meeting, they were not properly notified and lied to concerning the developer was the owner. She would like Lila Lanier, 144 N McLean St., Coats is upset about being lied to concerning the owner of the property that is being rezoned. She was told the Town would replace her floors from the water damage, but is now being told the Town won'tcover it. She is concerned that she can't get  the Board to re-do the rezoning.  flood insurance.  Stephanie Elliott, 126 N McLean St., Coats is concerned over the water run-off from the field and the ditches. She would like the Town to get together with citizens on how to solve the  water drainage.  Hearing no one else, Mayor Coats closed Public Forum.  Commissioner Allen asked what can the Town do regarding the water drainage.  Town Manager Nick Holcomb stated that there is a drainage problem. He stated the Town can do work in the right-of-way to clean out pipes and ditches and enforce that retention pond is  working properly.  Commissioner Powell stated that if the ditches are cut out, mowing would be a problem. He stated that the Town needs to get with each owner and see what they would like the Town to  do.  Commissioner Powell asked is the developer the owner.  2    Mr. Holcomb replied the developer has signed an option to purchase, but contracts won't be  closed until developer has construction documents signed.  Mayor Pro-Tem Beasley stated that the east side of Town does have a water drainage problem and has been asking for a park. The Town should take some money to build a park and fix an acre for a retention pond to catch the water. Helping people on the east side of Town with a park and fixing the drainage problem would be better than buying property.  V.NEW BUSINESS:  A. Animal Control Ordinance Update  Nick Holcomb, Town Manager, presented. an updated Animal Control Ordinance. Coats is one of 4 (four) towns that contract with the County for animal services. Mr. Holcomb stated the ordinance was adopted in 2008 and amended in 2013. The purpose oft this ordinance was cleaning up the language to go along with the County'supdated ordinance (Reference #1).  Mayor Coats asked Attorney Bain had he reviewed the ordinance.  Attorney Bain replied no, he has not.  RESOLVED, to approve Animal Control Ordinance.  MOTION BY: MAYOR PRO-TEM JERRY BEASLEY: SECOND BY: COMMISSIONER ALAN MOSBY APPROVED, AYES (4) MAYOR PRO-TEM JERRY BEASLEY, COMMISSIONERS ALLEN, POWELL,  AND MOSBY NOES (0)  B. Approval of Street Paving Expenditure  At the October meeting, Nick Holcomb, Town Manager presented a quote from. Johnson Bros. to pave S Church Street, S Orange Street, and S Denise Street. The work was completed satisfactory. Mr. Holcomb stated that the $27,000.00 (twenty-seven thousand dollars) would be  moved from the Powell Bill fund to the budget (Reference #2).  3    Commissioner Mosby asked can the gravel streets on Denise Street and Church Street where  the driveways drop off be looked into.  RESOLVED, to approve street paving expenditures.  MOTION BY: COMMISSIONER ALAN MOSBY: SECOND BY: COMMISSIONER SHIRLEY ALLEN APPROVED, AYES (4) MAYOR PRO-TEM. JERRY BEASLEY, COMMISSIONERS ALLEN, POWELL,  AND MOSBY NOES (0)  RESOLVED, to approve Budget Amendment #3.  MOTION BY: COMMISSIONER ALAN MOSBY: SECOND BY: COMMISSIONER MARC POWELL APPROVED, AYES (4) MAYOR PRO-TEM JERRY BEASLEY, COMMISSIONERS ALLEN, POWELL,  AND MOSBY NOES (0)  C.Resolution Authorizing Property Purchase & Exchange  Nick Holcomb, Town Manager, expressed desire for an in-town passive park that would serve differently from the ballfields. Offer is presented to the Town to purchase 1 acre property on S McKinley Street for $110,000.00 (eleven hundred thousand dollars) from developer plus swap: a Mr. Holcomb stated the Board authorized him to set a Public Notice and an ad was int the  0.2 acre lot the Town owns on Lemon Street (Reference #3).  newspaper on October 28th.  Mr. Holcomb stated a Public Hearing is not required. This can be an attractive green space and  can be leased out to civic groups. Property is fairly accessible.  Mayor Coats opened up Public Hearing.  4    Terry Abney, 157 W. Jackson St., Coats commented this al bad deal. He would like to: see Dooley Street paved and a new: street light put in on his street. He would like to see the money spent better and consider purchasing property adjacent to Lemon Street for ap park. Gale Spears, 120 Gale Spears Dr., Coats stated she: sees this as a liability for the Town to put a park next to a busy intersection. She asked is the Town setting precedent to buy property everytime somebody is building that the Town does not like. She agreed with Mr. Abney in regards to a park on Lemon Street. She stated the Post Master asked if she could ask the Town  to pave in front of her house.  Hearing no one else, Mayor Coats closed Public Hearing.  Mayor Pro-Tem Beasley stated the Town should take the money and invest it in drainage and a park. He would like to have a work session before the Board votes on it and let the citizens  speak on it. The Board should table this or forget it.  Commissioner Powell stated he has talked around Town and citizens are for it. He stated this is Commissioner Allen stated that people she has spoken to see it as an investment for the Town. Commissioner Mosby stated that this a hard decision. He stated the Town does have a drainage problem and why is the Town allowing apartments to be built there. He stated the Town needs Commissioner Allen stated the Town does have a drainage problem and the Town needs to face  agood opportunity for the Town.  tol look toward the future. it and start working on it.  MOTION, table this and set a Public Hearing and have a work session. MOTION BY: MAYOR PRO-TEM JERRY BEASLEY: SECOND BY:  MOTION FAILED.  RESOLVED, approve resolution authorizing purchase and exchange.  MOTION BY: COMMISSIONER MARC POWELL: SECOND BY: COMMISSIONER SHIRLEY ALLEN  5    APPROVED, AYES (3) COMMISSIONERS ALLEN, POWELL, AND MOSBY  NOES (1) MAYOR PRO- TEM. JERRY BEASLEY  VI. MANAGER & DEPARTMENT UPDATE A. Review of Financial Statement  Nick Holcomb, Town Manager, informed the Board that 2 (two) CDs from First Federal that were getting ready to expire have been rolled over for another 12 (twelve) months  at 2.88 percent.  B. Board and Committee Seats  Nick Holcomb, Town Manager, informed the Board that an ad was put in the newspaper  for 2 in-town seats for Planning Board, Cemetery, and Parks & Rec.  Nick Holcomb, Town Manager, stated that the $40,000 (fortyt! thousand) grant for renovating  the old Public' Works building is 99.9% complete.  Mr. Holcomb will work with Public Works and Commissioners to start working on the drainage  problems and update Board at December meeting. Park Improvement Capital Estimates  Mike Collins, Parks & Rec Director, informed the Board that the trails are looking better and people are starting to use them. He: stated basketball signs up are looking good, had sign ups at the Fall Festival at the Elementary School and Treat Street. He stated that he purchased a new software for Facebook and the Park has about 1400 followers. Currently the park has 3 (three) projects-(1) turning existing tennis court into a dog park, (2) remove trees and grading by large baseball field, and (3) fixing up entrance. Starting tomorrow, Nov. 11th, the Park will be locked  at night. Mr. Collins informed the Board he is for an open space park. Commissioner Powell asked when the new officer is being sworn in.  Mr. Holcomb stated Nov. 11th is her first day.  6    RESOLVED, to adjourn meeting.  MOTION BY: COMMISSIONER MARCI POWELL: SECOND BY: COMMISSIONER ALAN MOSBY APPROVED, AYES (4) MAYOR PRO-TEM JERRY BEASLEY, COMMISSIONERS ALLEN, POWELL,  AND MOSBY NOES (0)  Meeting adjourn at 8:15 p.m. larau whil Leanna White, Deputy Clerk  Chris Coats, Mayor  7