MINUTES

TOWN OF SHALIMAR

REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING

JULY 11, 2000

 

The regular meeting of the Shalimar Town Commission was called to order by Mayor Gary Combs at 6 p.m. 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 – absent

                        Commissioner Elaine Tucker – present

 

Others in attendance: Director of Finance-Tom Burns, Police Chief John Blackburn, and Rick Larson.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

I.          APPROVE MINUTES OF JUNE 13, 2000 TOWN COMMISSION MEETING – Comm. Tucker moved to approve the minutes.  Seconded by Comm. Callen and passed unanimously.

 

II.        APPROVE MINUTES OF JUNE 26, 2000 SPECIAL CALLED MEETING – Comm. Tucker moved to approve the minutes.  Seconded by Comm. Callen and passed unanimously.

 

III.       STATUS OF LAWSUITS – Mayor Combs stated that the status of the ongoing Racetrac lawsuit is unchanged. The commission is waiting for a response from Racetrac management in regards to the Mayor's previous discussed out of court settlement agreement.

IV.       STATUS OF PARK GRANT  - Meigs Park picnic equipment has not arrived; we have requested an extension of the grant period.  Opening ceremony is currently planned for mid-August.

 

V.        TOWN HALL RENOVATION AND ROOF - The front office inner door has been made replaced in accordance with ADA standards.  The front office outer door needs to have a lever door handle installed per ADA requirements.  Jeff was instructed to replace front door handle.  Ceramic tile for Town Hall administrative area, kitchen, hallway and small conference room has been purchased.  If funds are available, these areas will be tiled and painted ASAP.  Mr. Brad Hattaway, FL Department of Community Affairs was contacted on the status of the grant; our request is still in Atlanta (FEMA), and Mr. Hattaway still anticipates approval. Comm. Tucker requested budget inputs for the roof project with and without the grant funds. The Mayor agreed the Commission needs to discuss the funding requirements during the scheduled budget workshops.

 

VI.       READING OF ORDINANCE 2000-06 PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE (third reading) - Comm. Tucker moved to approve Ordinance 2000-06.  Seconded by Comm. Callen and passed unanimously. 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

I.          TOWN RESIDENT’S TIME – None

 

MAYOR’S REPORT:

I.          OCLOC EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING REPORT - OCLOC discussed asking the Okaloosa County Commission to schedule a public referendum on the $.01 sales tax by December 2000, since this tax must by law be effective on Jan. 1 of the calendar year collected. The Mayor recommended our FY 00/01 budget process proceed without consideration of the 1-cent tax revenue.

 

II.        FL LEAGUE OF CITIES ANNUAL MEETING - The Mayor invited Commissioners to attend.

 

III.       ACQUISITION OF CHEROKEE ROAD PROPERTY - Mayor Combs explained the desire to acquire land to allow better access to and from Cherokee Park.   He is researching land values and availability.  Comm. Tucker asked if this acquisition is to be considered for the Town's FY00/01 fiscal cycle.  The Mayor stated yes, and that he would provide preliminary budgeting information.

 

IV.       WEBSITE - Mayor Combs solicited inputs and corrections for our web site.  He also praised Mike Kirk, the webmaster for the work done on our web site.

 

COMM. TUCKER’S REPORT:

I.                   FY 00 FINANCIAL STATUS – Commissioner Tucker briefly reviewed the Town's FY00 financial report and provided a detailed FY00 budget spreadsheet to the commission. She further stated that  Account 521-521 (fuel and lube) has been going up quarterly, but is still within budget.

 

II.                FY 01 BUDGET WORKSHOP SCHEDULING – Commissioner Tucker stressed that department needs for FY 00/01 must be available by the first budget workshop, 18 July.

 

COMM. BROWN’S REPORT:

I.          TREE ORDINANCE - Comm. Brown stated he is still working on the ordinance.  He stated that he would have additional time after his retirement.

 

II.        The Mayor stated we are in need of a Beautification Chairman as Francis Brown has resigned.  Mayor directed Town Staff to provide a Certificate of Appreciation for Francis.

 

COMM. CALLEN’S REPORT:

I.          ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL PROGRESS - The Town Staff has put together a draft that is still in review.  A resolution needs to made up to adopt the manual by the Sept. TC meeting.

 

II.        FL DOT CONTRACT - The contract with DOT to reimburse the Town of Shalimar for HWY 85 Right of Way maintenance has been finalized and is effective the fourth quarter of this FY. The Town's request to modify the Eglin Pkwy and Cherokee Road intersection to include a right only turning lane is still being worked by Okaloosa County DOT. The Richbourg Drive and Eglin Pkwy intersection re-paving project is on hold pending consolidation
with other road projects to save on re-stripping costs.

COMM. HENDERSON’S REPORT:

I.          TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UPDATE - Comm. Henderson was absent.  Chief Blackburn gave the results of the “Smart Radar” on Old Ferry Road and Shalimar Drive.  Mayor requested the police department monitor compliance with the new no left turn sign at Gardner Dr. and Eglin Pkwy.  Comm. Callen requested Chief Blackburn to research Florida laws on left turns onto 6 lane highways.

 

ADMIN REPORT: Tidbit survey replies concerning the Mayor's request for resident input on continued police monitoring of the Eglin Pkwy and Richbourg Dr school crossing are being logged. Minimum response has been received to date.

POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT: Reference Comm. Henderson's report.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

            JULY 18 & 20, 2000 - BUDGET WORKSHOP

 

ADJOURNMENT: Comm. Callen moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 p.m. It was seconded by Comm. Tucker and passed unanimously.