Coffeeville Alderman Approve Property Sale

COFFEEVILLE – Aldermen approved the sale of eight-tenths of an acre of land on Hwy. 7 to Gerald Booker, according to minutes from the regular monthly meeting held May 5.

Booker had inquired about the property late last year but had asked to postpone the purchase until 2009, the minutes stated.

Alderman Joe Bourn asked what he planned to put on the property. Booker said that he would be clearing the property to provide better visibility for his current business and also to use part for a future car wash.

Alderman Bourn motioned to declare the eight-tenths of an acre surplus property and sell to Mr. Booker at a cost of $10,000.00 per acre ($8,000.00 for eight-tenths acres) less survey cost of $300.00 for a total of $7,700.00.

Among other actions, the Board of Aldermen:

• Agreed to hold a public meeting on a zoning variance request by Eric Nicholson who wants his property located on Kennedy to be changed from R-2 residential to C-l commercial;

• Approved paying 50 percent of the cost for dental insurance for all full-time Town employees. Cost to the Town will be $84.72 per month if all full time employees participate;

• Tabled action on repairing or replacing the dump bed on the Town’s one-ton truck. The board wanted two additional comparable quotes;

• Agreed for the Town to serve as a worksite for the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Summer Young Program. According to the minutes, there is no cost or liability for the Town to participate in the program that is administered though Three Rivers Planning and North Central Planning and Development District;

• Approved getting bids on having stumps ground as part of the Rayburn Street Bank Project. Mayor Mack Burns reported that he had spoken with Supervisors Bubba Tillman and George Suggs and both are willing to help.

Mayor Burns also reported that in order to get a 2:1 slope on the bank as recommended by USDA would require going onto private property. It was also noted in the minutes that George Harrison’s garage and driveway would be affected;

• Awarded Yalobusha Home Improvement the contract to repair the Town Hall roof. The company’s low bid was $5,820.00 for a 26 gauge metal roof plus $250.00 for soffit repairs.

• Added assessments of $30 for court expenses plus $1.50 for CrimeStoppers to all court fines as allowed by state statue. This money will be kept in a separate account and may only be used for the approved court items, the minutes stated;

• Discussed a list of public concerns which included:

Storm Drain at corner of Fly and Morrison;

Sheriff’s Department vehicle speeding through Town;

Johnson’s Recreation Center;

Kerrie Staten water bill;

Ditch between Raymond Jefferson and Reginald Nicholson;

Ditch on Kennedy needs cleaning out;

Dogs;

Speed zone signs around Elementary School;

Waste Services not cleaning up when they drop garbage;

• Heard from Board Attorney Larry Maxey who will get a copy of the Town’s leave policy and make sure it is sufficient. Maxey also reported a request from the attorney for Sullivan Haywood who is seeking copies of the zoning ordinances and documents related to the board discussion of Glenda Smith locating a restaurant in Coffeeville;

• Paid claims;

• Adjouned;

In attendance at the meeting were Mayor Mack Burns, Jr., Aldermen Michael Ayers, Joe Bourn, Johnnie Roland, William Shelton, and Mack Dudley. Also present were Town Clerk Patricia Moody, Police Chief Mark Martin and City Attorney William L. Maxey.