MINUTES

TOWN OF SHALIMAR

REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING

MARCH 14, 2000

The regular meeting of the Shalimar Town Commission was called to order by Mayor Gary Combs at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14, 2000 in Town Hall Chambers. He 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 Nell Webb, Attorney Mike Chesser, Ursel Behnken, Police Chief John Blackburn, Larry Mundy, Jim Foley, Chris Langlois, Jeff Rynearson, Karla Vento, Cleo Battle, Patty Culjak and Alfredo Castillo

P & Z RECOMMENDATIONS: Approval of the minutes

OLD BUSINESS:

I. APPROVE MINUTES OF FEB. 8, 2000 TOWN COMMISSION MEETING – Comm. Callen moved to approve the minutes of the Feb. 8, 2000 meeting as written. It was seconded by Comm. Brown and passed unanimously.

II. STATUS OF LAW SUITS – Attorney Chesser said that the Town could go to trial in two cases: the suit on the small signs, the Town could lose; the suit on the big sign the Town could win. He suggested to discuss the two cases privately with a court reporter present. Comm. Callen moved to set up a private meeting so our strategy is not disclosed to our opponents. It was seconded by Comm. Tucker. The vote was 4 yeas and one nay (Mayor Combs). The closed meeting was set for Monday, April 20th at 4 p.m.

III. CHANGES AT TOWN HALL – Mayor Combs said that Nell Webb is moving on. They will have a going-away party at the Shalimar Cheers Pub. He said she was gracious in staying on and teaching Thomas Burns who was hired for the vacant position. Mr. Burns had an impressive resume. Mr. Rudy Sutton is retiring the end of the month.

IV. WATTS PROPERTY – Mr. John Watts, Shalimar Drive, has an appointment the next day to finalize a quick claim deed. He will receive the title to a small Town parcel next to his property he bid for several months ago.

V. STATUS OF PARK GRANTS – The Town is waiting for the final inspection of Cherokee Park. Meigs Park’s dock is finished, the retaining wall is done, the back fill is in. The Mayor will have a spreadsheet for a time line of completion of Meigs Park by the end of the week. Two other grants are still in the works. The Police grant for a typewriter and printer will close out Friday, said Mr. Sutton, and a grant to redo Town Hall is still in Tallahassee.

VI. TOWN HALL RENOVATION – The Mayor wants to get the chimney down as soon as possible. Jeff Dowda is working on a site plan. The move of the maintenance buildings and other outbuildings is about 90% complete. The Mayor said he will be at the next P & Z meeting to explain what the Town is going to do.

VII. APPROVE MINUTES OF THE FEB. 22, 2000 SPECIAL CALLED MEETING - Comm. Callen moved to approve the minutes of the Feb. 22, 2000 Special Called Meeting. It was seconded by Comm. Henderson and passed unanimously.

VIII. SENIOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION ORDINANCE 2000-04 – Mayor Combs read the title of the ordinance. Comm. Callen moved to approve Ordinance 2000-04 as read in the second of two readings. It was seconded by Comm. Henderson and passed unanimously.

IX. SIDEWALK REPAIR – Comm. Callen said he has two estimates to repair the sidewalks on Gardner Drive: one for $2,300 and one for $2,800. There are five different sections with a combined total of 140 ft. Comm. Henderson wanted to know whether the Town is responsible for all sidewalks. Comm. Henderson moved to do the sidewalks now but develop a policy on how the Town wants to handle sidewalks – if they get destroyed by natural causes, ribbon curbing in Snug Harbour etc. The motion was seconded by Comm. Tucker and defeated 3-2(Commissioner’s Brown, Callen and Mayor Combs voting no). Comm. Callen was asked to come up with recommendations by the next Commission meeting. Comm. Tucker requested Commissioners to start up a list for their yearly budget.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. TOWN RESIDENTS’ TIME

A. Chris Langlois, 134 Gardner Drive requested permission to put a gate from his yard to Cherokee Park at his own expense. Residents Rynearson and Battle would like to do the same thing. Comm. Callen moved to approve the requests with Rynearsons and Battles to bring us their requests after the fact. It was seconded by Comm. Brown and passed unanimously. The Mayor said there is a difference between allowing access to the Park and access to the holding pond.

B. Patty Culjak requested the Police Department to increase their patrols on Mande and Brande Court. She has seen speeders on that road, generally people who don’t belong in the area. She also complained about residents who do not have their dogs on the leash or under control. The dog owners also carry nothing to pick up the dirt their dogs leave behind. She asked the Commission to consider changing the animal ordinance from "under the control of the owner" to "on the leash." She was asked to write an article for "Tidbits." Comm. Tucker said the secret to get anything done is documentation of the offenses. Comm. Henderson said to try and take a look at it and talk to the people involved.

II. FIRST READING OF THE FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF P & Z ORDINANCE 2000-05 – Comm. Henderson moved to approve Ordinance 2000-05, the Functions and Duties of P & Z as amended under letter h. It was seconded by Comm. Tucker and passed unanimously.

III. RESOLUTION 2000-02 STATE REVENUE INCOME – This was a request from the League of Cities. Comm. Callen moved to approve Resolution 2000-02. It was seconded by Comm. Tucker and passed unanimously.

IV. PROCLAMATION 2000-03- BRIDGEWAY CRISIS LINE – This Proclamation is for the Crisis Line’s 25th anniversary. Comm. Henderson moved to support Proclamation 2000-03. It was seconded by Comm. Callen and passed unanimously.

 

MAYOR’S REPORT:
I. WEB SITE UPDATE – The Mayor said the site had 2010 hits, which shows a Lot of interest. We now have signs on the marquee with the web site address.
II. LEAGUE OF CITIES MEETING - There was really nothing new at the
Meeting, said the Mayor.

COMM. TUCKER’S REPORT:

I. FINANCIAL REPORT – Comm. Tucker said that Nell Webb and Tom Burns did the inventory reconciliation. There was a difference of $6,418 in the audit. All is completed now.
II. T-SHIRTS – The set up fee for the Town emblem on the shirts is $198. Comm.Tucker suggested either the Town can pay for it, or each person individually. Comm. Callen said that the Town could pay for the employees but the commissioners could pay their own. Patty Culjak objected to taking Town taxes for the t-shirts without asking the residents for their input. The T-shirts will be worn for official functions and on Fridays.
III. PARKING REQUEST – Comm. Tucker requested that employees and commissioners not park in front of the building, but to leave those places for visitors.
IV. BENEFITS – Comm. Tucker said that Connie Gluvna, administrator, has deferred the decision on her benefits for one year. Tom Burns also needs no benefits.
V. POLICY MANUAL – Comm. Tucker said she would have the Policy Manual ready by the next Commission Meeting.

COMM. BROWN’S REPORT: no report

COMM. CALLEN’S REPORT:
I. NO PARKING SIGN ON SHALIMAR DRIVE – Comm. Callen said that residents complained about the no parking signs at Garnier’s Cay. Because they have short driveways and if they have overnight guests they have no room to park. We could take the sign down, he said, but the no parking on ROW still remains. The Mayor asked him to write an article for the "Tidbits."

COMM. HENDERSON’S REPORT
I. RESIDENTS’ CONCERN OF INCREASING TRAFFIC – Mr. Jim Foley and Chris Langlois discussed the traffic increase on Gardner Drive and Cherokee Road since it is being used for a short cut for many residents of other areas. They said that the stop sign put up after a study in 1996 has helped some. They suggested to close off Gardner Drive for through traffic at Old Ferry Road. They thought the Yacht Basin would not have a problem with it. Comm. Tucker, who lives on Old Ferry Road said she thinks it’s workable, but that every resident who is impacted should have input in this decision. Chief Blackburn said the biggest impact is from the Port Dixie area. The Mayor questioned whether the Town can legally do the closing and suggested we write a letter to the residents that the Town is considering it. Mrs. Langlois also pointed out that there is increased traffic and speeding in Cherokee Park. The exit from the Park onto Gardner Drive needs a speed bump before the sidewalk or a big mirror, she said. A special meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, March 28 at 6 p.m. to give the residents time for input. Chief Blackburn was asked to call Ft. Walton Beach to find out how they are handling issues like that.
II. POLICE STANDBY – Comm. Henderson said that the Police Department used to have 4 officers, now there are only 3. They work 40 hours a week, are responsible for all calls. Although the Sheriff’s Department helps out with some calls, our officers have many hours of standby. They are on a pager and can be called in any time. How can they be compensated for that. He suggested to compensate them at 1 ½ pay with a minimum of 2 hours. This would have occurred probably 8 times in the last four months. Comm. Tucker said that the most cost effective way would be to hire one more officer or pay them when they are called in. Comm. Henderson was asked to write up a policy change. Comm. Brown suggested to do this on a trial basis and re-analyze it after a year. Comm. Tucker said it should be worked into the budget. Comm. Henderson said that the Police Department has been extra frugal. He offered to talk to the Sheriff to see whether we could use their Posse members. Comm. Brown said the Town would be better served by trying to find someone for the position. Besides, Chief Blackburn said, the Town has a mutual aid agreement with the Sheriff’s Department.

ADMIN OFFICIALS REPORT:
I. CONSTRUCTION REPORT – Contractor Tracking Permits – 6; Occupational Permits – 2; Zoning/Sign Permits – 5

POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT: AS ATTACHED

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

MARCH 15 - NELL WEBB’S GOING AWAY LUNCHEON – 12 NOON

MARCH 23 – OLLOC LUCKY SNAPPER – 6 P.M.

MARCH 29 – P & Z MEETING – 6:30 P.M. – Mayor will present plan

APRIL 11 – NEXT TOWN COMMISSION MEETING

APRIL 15 – 27 OKALOOSA COUNTY PRIDE WEEK – Prepare article for Tidbits with information on where the dumpsters are going to be.

ADJOURNMENT: Comm. Callen moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. It was seconded by Comm. Brown and passed unanimously.

 

Mayor Gary Combs

 

ATTEST: