TOWN OF FOUR OAKS TOWN COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 8TH, 2021 AGENDA  1) Call to Order  2) Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance 3) Approval of Minutes 4) Presentation a) American Legion Post 346 5) Public Comments a) Eric Fogleman 6) Public Hearings - None 7) New Business  a) Town Council Meeting - October 11th, 2021  a) Approval of CDBG-CV Funds Duplication of Benefits Plan b) Town Council to recommend Linwood Parker as the Town of] Four Oaks representative on the Johnston County Economic Development Advisory Board c) On-Call Multidisciplinary Engineering Services Agreements - Reid Williams i. L.E. Wooten & Company dba The Wooten Company  ii. WithersRavenel iii. McKim & Creed  8) Mayor's Comments 9) Department Reports a) Police - Hatch b) Parks & Rec & Outreach -] Hines c) Water and Sewer- Medlin d) Sanitation & Streets - Surles e) Finance - Hardy  Adjournment    TOWN OF FOUR OAKS TOWN COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER gth, 2021  MINUTES  Call to Order  Mayor Linwood Parker called thel November gth, 2021 regular scheduled Town Council meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Those present included Commissioners Andy Hardy, John Hatch, Mike Hines, Vic Medlin, and Carles Surles, Also, present were Public Works Director Barry Stanley; Police Chief Stephen Anderson; Town Clerk Martha Garris recording minutes; I-95/1-40 Crossroads of America Economic Development Alliance President Reid Williams; and Mike  Dart from FO Benson New in Review. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance  Commissioner Hatch gave the opening Invocation with Tom Britt leading the Pledge of  Allegiance.  Approval of Minutes  Town Council Meeting October 11th, 2021  Commissioner Hardy made ai motion to approve the Town Council regular meeting minutes as  presented, seconded by Commissioner Hines, voting unanimous. Proclamation Recognizing American Legion Post 346  Presentations  Mayor Parker presented a proclamation to the American Legion Post 346 under the leadership of Post Commander Tom Britt and Adjutant Reggie Parker for services provided to the Four Oaks Proclamation Recognizing American Legion Post 346 Post Commander Tom Britt Mayor Parker presented a proclamation designating American Legion Post 346 Post Commander Tom Britt as General Tom Britt and requested Adjutant Reggie Parker to record and make public Adjutant Reggie Parker commented the Town ofl Four Oaks' support to the American Legion has been fantastic over the years. The culmination of that is the beautiful Veteran Memorial. He thanked the town. Mr. Parker reminded everyone the American Legion is selling bricks in memory and honor of a veteran for service to our nation from WWI thru the present time. Mayor Parker thanked Commissioner Surles, who is also a Veteran, for his service.  Community.  this pronouncement.  Public Comments  Eric Fogleman, Resident and Business Owner, commented hel had seen: many families sitting at the picnic table beside the Veterans Memorial in the park and asked about putting another table    on the other side of the memorial for folks to: sit. Mayor Parker referred that to Commissioner Mr. Fogleman asked, since November 18th was also Third Thursday on Main Street from 5:00- 8:00 pm for the merchants, ift the time for the Town's Public Meeting could be extended until 9:00 pm to give him & other merchants time to get there and have a Q&A discussion period about his merchant concept proposal. Reid Williams explained the meeting was laid out as floating 5:30-8:00 pm for people to mingle and ask questions but he could ask the FO: Baptist Eric Fogleman presented survey results from his Merchant Concept Public Meeting which consisted ofs six questions. The survey questions asked for yes or no answers and below were the results from 19 surveys summarized by Mr. Fogleman. He gave the surveys to Clerk Garris.  Hines to look into in the future.  Church if the reservation could be extended until 9:00 pm.  (1) Is having plenty of parking important to you?  Results Yes 19; Results Yes 2, No 17;  (2) Do you want trees lining Main St., potentially blocking view of businesses?  (3) Would you prefer a flexible plaza for different events? Results Yes 14, No 2, No Response 3; (4) Iss safe pedestrian access important to you? (5) Are you satisfied with the town's proposal? would improve the original plan?  Results Yes 19;  Results No 12, Not Sure Until the updated town plan comes out 7; (6) Do you feel the proposals made today (Oct. 28 Fogleman's Merchant Concept) Results - Yes 9,1 Not Sure because have seen updated town plan 10; &  He expressed it seems frustrating from some of the merchants point of views because they feel their voices have not been heard and the Plan by WithersRavenel looked the same as ay yearago. Mayor Parker explained he does not want anyone discouraged because everyone has worked hard but there are two sides to every issue and at the moment the Board was trying to gather the funds to make the project happen and no one knows what will be done until funding is determined. Initially the #1 thing everyone wanted was taking down the power poles and put up ornamental lights. That may be all we can do to start with. Ifbudgets are ever approved, there will may be moneys available at the State and Federal levels to complete more ofthe downtown revitalization project. The project has been an open process: from day 1 and will continue to be an open process for public knowledge and involvement. Mayor's message was the planning isn't over and will not be over until the funding is determined and then the plans will be: finalized at some point. He stressed the Board had not voted on any proposal yet. Mr. Fogleman commented most ofhis concerns are cosmetic and will cost less money. He said he wished for the Board to get engaged to find out what the true people of the town want to do and what merchants want to do and to figure out what is important to increase foot traffic, make it more profitable & economically viable with retail. The majority don't want trees in the: front of stores blocking views plus they have concerns about losing parking. He showed Mayor Parker an example concept ofhis White Swan Restaurant currently with 8 or 9 parking spots and ifit were in Four Oaks going down to 4 parking spots. He asked ifhe thought the restaurant could make it with only 4 spaces? Mayor Parker explained that parking is about turnover with vehicles coming and    going which is what you really want to increase traffic. The Town has incorporated a tremendous amount of parking around town on Railroad Street, behind Tim Grady's building, and beside the Barbour's Grove Park over the years. Mayor encouraged Mr. Fogleman not be frustrated because his work is not in vain and everyone willl have to come together to discuss more about what to do once the funding is in place and the Board will then have to make decisions and vote on plan at that point. Mr. Fogleman commented at his public meeting the committee representatives present said they were not doing according to his Merchant Concept plan because they were going to do what WithersRavenel says SO he told the mayor. he needed to talk with his representatives and get things straight. He concluded there are things on the list from the Downtown Development Association since early on that are being disregarded from the plans and ift they could all get straightened out, he would be SO happy with the focus on improved pedestrian safety and having downtown get developed right. Mayor Parker explained all recommendations: will be put together to help make decisions but not all recommendations will Joan Pritchett, Chamber of Commerce, gave an update for the Chamber: (1)) November 11 Oyster Roast from 6-8 pm at Four Oaks Fire Station #2 on Lassiter Rd - contact the chamber office, town hall, or a chamber member to purchase tickets at a cost of $50 per ticket for all you can eat Oysters, Shrimp, Slaw and Hushpuppies; & (2) November 101 there will be 2 Veteran recognitions awarded (the Lifetime Achievement Award & the Dedicated Service Award): in the Barbour's Grove Park at 11:00 am; (3) December 3 Santa, Christmas Tree lighting, & Movie in Barbour's Grove Park; and (4) December 4 Christmas parade at 11:00 am. Roger Price, resident and business owner, commented with everything going on with the Downtown Revitalization project, everyone needs to stay positive and work together. Mayor Parker agreed and responded we will take the ideas, figure out what we can do with the money Keith Smith, resident, asked if the amount of funds receiving had changed. Mayor Parker responded the town will receive $900,000 CDBG-CV grant funds already appropriated, possibly $200,000 more from the state, then ifthe state passes its budget there could be additional funds available for water & sewer and drainage, and possibly some money from Washington ifthe federal budget passes. Ifthe funds are made available, there could be enough to complete the whole project otherwise it would be done in 3 phases over multiple years. The goal is to seea rebirth and growth in the community, increase business, and add restaurants.  bei incorporated.  wel have and move forward in aj positive direction.  New Business  Approval ofCDBG-CV Funds Duplication of Benefits Plan approved for the CDBG-CV Project #20-V-3502:  Clerk Garris relayed from Skip that the following Duplication ofBenefits Plan needed to be "The Town will not seek funds to replace/duplicate the CDBG-CV funds. Any person or entity receiving CDBG-CV assistance (including sub-recipients and beneficiaries) must agree to repay assistance that is determined to be duplicative." . Motion to approve the statement as presented was made by Commissioner Hardy, seconded by Commissioner Medlin, voting unanimous.    Town Council to recommend Linwood Parker as the' Town of Four Oaks representative on Commissioner Medlin explained he will be stepping down from the Johnston County Economic Development Advisory Board since he is Mayor elect for the Town and he made a recommendation for Linwood Parker to replace him. Motion to recommend Linwood Parker as the Town of] Four Oaks representative on the Johnston County Economic Development Advisory Board was made by Commissioner Medlin, seconded by Commissioner Surles, voting  the. Johnston County Economic Development Advisory Board  unanimous.  On-Call Multidisciplmary Engineering Services Agreements  Reid Williams presented three on-call engineering firm service agreements to the board that will allow for the town to secure engineering services by one oft the three firms without having to go through the bidding process. Motion to approve the engineering service master agreements for L.E. Wooten & Company dba The Wooten Company; WithersRavenel; and McKim & Creed wasi made by Commissioner Medlin, seconded by Commissioner Hines, voting unanimous. Mayor Parker thanked everyone for allowing him to represent the Town of Four Oaks during his time in office since 2003. During his years, he has met many folks, served on various committees locally & at the state level, attend 3 presidential inaugurations, 4 governmental inaugurations, and many other fortunate opportunities. The faith oft the Four Oaks residents has allowed him to do sO many things. He, the Boards, and residents have accomplished may great things for the Town of! Four Oaks by working together. Mayor commented there comes a time for an end andl his time has come. He knows the board is very capable to carry on. Hej plans to continue tol help with the Alliance to make the Four Oaks and Dunn areas a great place to live and work by improving economic opportunities for the area. He thanked Patricia Chisolm-Jones for her work and all she has done on Smith Street, along with many others that have helped  Mayor's Comments  rebuild our community. Department Reports Police-H Hatch  Chief Anderson read the monthly police report (attached). Chiefi reported the motor had gone bad in the night shift care. making the agency two cars down. He relayed that there was approximately a 20-25 weeks delay in getting a Ford Explorer, 1 year delay for the Durango, and the sedan is basically obsolete. A new motor, new: front-end, & tires for the existing car would be $7,000 to $8,000. Mayor Parker asked about the State Surplus option. Chiefresponded there wasn'tmuch available and most things are worn out in Surplus. Chief commented he would rather get by with what he has and wait until something new can be purchased. Commissioner Medlin suggested to also check on the Chevrolet Tahoe's timeframe because we need to make  some decisions as soon as possible. Parks & Recand Outreach - Hines  Commissioner Hines reported 1) football season had: finished and it was a success; 2) basketball registrations had begun; 3) would be getting quotes to paint the Main Street Kiddie Park  equipment; & 4) Halloween events were a great success.    Water and Sewer- - Medlin  Commissioner Medlin read the water and sewer: report (attached). Water had revenue of $26,928 and the sewer had revenue of $33,296. The 12-month daily average per gallon was a 14% loss for water and 1% loss for sewer. He commented the guys had found some leaks and asked  everyone tol keep a look out for leaks around town.  Sanitation & Streets  Commissioner Surles reported: streets & sanitation were good. Commissioner Hardy reported that Forest Hills and Benson Avenue are in the plans for paving in the Spring but prep work has begun to give time for settling oft the ground before paving. Mayor Parker commented it was his idea to put the islands on South Main Street and the wrong bushes were planted there. He suggested the holly bushes need to be replace with a better selection of trees toi improve the  visibility. Finance- - Hardy  Commissioner Hardy read the financial report (attached) with total funds of $2,119,205 and made ai motion to approve the October payables listed in the attached report, seconded by  Commissioner Medlin, voting unanimous.  Roger Price thanked the mayor: for his service to the Town.  Executive Session  Motion was: made by Commissioner Hardy, seconded by Commissioner Hines to move out of regular session and into executive session to discuss economic development matters for the  Town of] Four Oaks Development Corporation, voting unanimous.  No motions were made  Motion was made by Commissioner Medlin, seconded by Commissioner Hardy to move out of  executive session and into regular session, voting unanimous  Adjournment  With no further business brought before the Town Council, motion to adjourn at 8:42 p.m. was made by Commissioner Medlin, seconded by Commissioner Hardy, voting unanimous.  ATTEST:  E  Linwood Parker,  AA Maitha Garris, Town Clerk  Mayor