Mayor Gary Combs called the regular Shalimar Town Commission meeting to order at 6 p.m. on January 11, 2000 at Town Hall Chambers and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

ROLL CALL FOR THE RECORD:
Mayor Gary Combs – present
Mayor Pro Tem Tom Callen – present
Commissioner Gene Brown – present
Commissioner John Henderson – present
Commissioner Elaine Tucker – present

Others attending were Rudy Sutton, Nell Webb, Connie Gluvna, Attorney Mike Chesser, Ursel Behnken, Police Chief John Blackburn, John Hennion Sr, John Hennion, Merritt McEvoy and Patty Culjak.

P & Z RECOMMENDATIONS:

The P & Z meeting was canceled due to the holiday season, low number of agenda items, and because several members were out of town. The next meeting will be held Wednesday, January 26, 2000.

II. STATUS OF LAWSUITS – Mayor Combs said he feels the original Racetrac lawsuit has lingered long enough and the Judge needs to make a decision either way, and the Town will live with the decision. Attorney Chesser said in spite of the conception that nothing is going on, the Town is winning the case, we have prevailed. If the Judge does not do anything, the large sign structure will not appear. He ruled in the town’s favor the last time, he said. On the other Racetrac lawsuit, Mr. Chesser said, he has not called for a hearing. It cost the Town nothing. Mr. Chesser inquired about other sign enforcement. Mayor Combs said that when Spiffy Lube did not sign for a registered letter from the Town concerning a sign violation, the Mayor took photos and the letter, which he hand delivered. The owner of Spiffy Lube promised he will not put up his signs anymore. The Mayor also talked with Don Dewrell, attorney for Fred’s Showcase and Scott Myers, owner concerning the sign ordinance, and Fred’s Showcase will not display any signs. The Mayor now would like to meet with the owner of Racetrac Petroleum to discuss possible settlement of the current legal cases. Mr. Chesser suggested the Mayor should go ahead and try.

III. STATUS OF CDBG STORM WATER MANAGEMENT GRANT – Theresa Norris of BCM Engineers called and talked to Rudy Sutton. She said that the fountain is up to full speed now and doing as well as it ever will. The fountain is on a timer from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. This item should be brought up in the next issue of Tidbits. Town Hall received a letter from DCA questioning the grant for $60,000. Rudy conferred with Robin Phillips from Ewing-Conner who said that it was a change in forms only and was DCA initiated. It was just a matter of getting the paperwork back to them.

IV. STATUS OF PARK GRANTS

V. TOWN HALL RENOVATION – There will be a demolition party on January 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to knock the bricks down (chimney, hallway). Jeff Dowda will be taking comp time and Tom Burns will be paid hourly. Comm. Tucker asked if they are not creating a larger problem by taking the door down and sacrificing security. The Mayor said he’d have a plan.

I. TOWN RESIDENTS’ TIME – Patty Culjak had a garage pick-up complaint. The Mayor has talked to Gulf Coast Waste, town staff has talked with them. Now Jeff Rushing from Gulf Coast Waste said he is keeping track of his drivers. Mrs. Culjak pointed out that the addition of the new office park behind the residential area will affect more homeowners yet. Bonnie Wick who lives adjacent to the new office park talked to Rudy Sutton and worried about the dirt being brought to do the work, and they are preparing a berm and swales all around the property to contain their drainage. He does not see any problems. According to the County’s engineer the drawings needed to be modified, now the Town has to enforce it. The Town can request the County to come back and check it. Mr. Sutton said that the Town and County officials are cooperating very well. The Mayor also asked visitors to identify themselves. Mr. Hennion introduced himself and his son as residents of Shalimar unincorporated. His son is attending the meeting to fulfill a Boy Scout requirement.

II. SENIOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION - Mayor Combs questioned whether the budget impact of the senior homestead exemption should be addressed now. It needs a new ordinance. Comm. Tucker said it should be put in the next budget. A first reading of a new ordinance will be on the February agenda.

III. LOCAL MITIGATION STRATEGY – Two committees make up the Local Mitigation Committee: the steering committee, of which Rudy Sutton is a member, and the Citizens Advisory Committee for which a resident needs to be appointed. The committees meet quarterly. Mr. Sutton said the Town does not have anything about mitigation in its codes. The town uses the county’s codes as well as the County’s inspectors. The County will get the grants, do the work, make the payments and the Town gets the service. Right now the contracts are non-binding, but after they are signed they becoming binding. Comm. Tucker said it was imperative to attend those meetings, it will do the Town no good if we aren’t in attendance and defend the Town’s position. Comm. Callen moved to approve Resolution 2000-04 as drafted. It was seconded by Comm. Henderson and passed unanimously. Mr. Sutton said the last grant the County applied for is $8 million and the Town is included in it. The Mayor asked Patty Culjak to inquire at the P & Z for a recommendation to find an interested citizen. A call for a volunteer should also be put on the web site.

MAYOR’S REPORT:
I. WEB SITE UPDATE – The Mayor suggested to have the web site address painted on both sides of the marquee. At the north side of Shalimar a piece of wood could be added to the Shalimar sign. The Mayor said he has put quite an effort into the web site: all businesses are there, there is a history section, police history, minutes, agendas, etc.
II. GOAL REVIEW – The Mayor would like to review the Town’s goals. He is open for suggestions. The biggest one is the renovation of Town Hall. A goals and personnel policy workshop is set up for Thursday, Jan 27 at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.
III. CITIZEN’S REQUEST – Patty Culjak asked whether the Town had had any response from FRIM-FEMA on the issue of flood zone re-designation. She was told by Comm.Tucker that the County will re-address the issue. Mayor Combs said he would send another letter.

COMM. TUCKER’S REPORT:
I. FINANCIAL REPORT – Comm. Tucker said financially the Town is doing fine. The Town has switched banking business to AmSouth. One of the savings; they do not charge service charges. She is really watching things for excessive spending.
II. POLICY MANUAL – Comm. Tucker combined all policies and made it into one readable policy. She asked the commissioners to read it and make suggestions or recommendations. This will also be a workshop item. Nell Webb mentioned that every employee was hired with the benefits under the old policy manual. Comm. Tucker said that the employees will have their input, after the commission has finished its review.

COMM. BROWN’S REPORT:
I. CHRISTMAS PARTY RESULTS– Comm. Brown thanked Nell Webb and Connie Gluvna for their work. Thank you letters were sent to the donors for the Christmas party items. The names of the donors should be highlighted in the next Tidbits and sent to them.
II. MILLENNIUM CELEBRATION – Comm. Brown thanked Connie Gluvna for putting together the information for the capsule. The Mayor said that Crestview did a good job in putting the Millenium Party together. He attended and said it was worth it.

COMM. CALLEN’S REPORT:
I. RICHBOURGH ROAD REPAIR – Comm. Callen said Jeff Dowda had put fill dirt in tire track ruts left by school buses across from Meigs Middle School as an emergency measure. Although it’s the Town’s land, it is used by the county school buses, he said. He feels that they should maintain it. He talked to Bill Smith who said that the School District would pay for it. Comm. Tucker suggested maybe the land be used by Meig’s students for Earth Day, by putting in a garden in the Town’s parcel.
II. DRAIN PIPE – Comm. Callen said that the County is taking the rusty extension of the pipe off on Sunset Court.

COMM. HENDERSON’S REPORT:
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH AREA SIGNS – Comm. Henderson stated he and maybe the Police Chief would attend the Palm Shores Homeowners Association’s meeting on Jan. 27 to do some hands on training.

ADMIN OFFICIALS REPORT –
2 Contractor’s permits, 1 Occupational License. We still have 1 outstanding occupational license.

POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT: AS ATTACHED
Chief Blackburn pointed out that the sidewalk for the school children walking to Meigs is finally complete. The Curfew Ordinance will be read at the next meeting. He has a newly painted white patrol car.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
JAN. 12 – TOWN LUNCHEON AT CHEERS PUB – 11 A.M.
JAN. 17 – MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY – OFFICE CLOSED
JAN. 20 – BUSINESS AFTER HOURS, BENTON HOUSE, 5:30 P.M.
JAN. 26 – P & Z MEETING – 6:60 P.M.

Gary Combs

Mayor

ATTEST:

Connie Gluvna

Town Administrator