MINUTES
TOWN OF
SHALIMAR
REGULAR
COMMISSION MEETING
SEPTEMBER 12,
2000
The regular meeting of the Shalimar Town Commission was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Callen at 6 p.m. in Town Hall Chambers. He led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL FOR THE RECORD:
Mayor Pro Tem Tom Callen
– present
Commissioner Gene Brown
– present
Commissioner John
Henderson – present
Commissioner Elaine
Tucker – present
Others in attendance: Director of Finance Tom Burns, Town Administrator Connie Gluvna, Police Chief John Blackburn, Town Attorney Mike Chesser, John C. Bryan Jr. (Chesser's Intern), and resident Art Johanson.
P & Z RECOMMENDATIONS: Lacking any agenda items, no P&Z meeting was held in July.
OLD BUSINESS:
I. APPROVE MINUTES OF AUGUST 08, 2000
TOWN COMMISSION MEETING – Comm. Henderson moved to approve the minutes as
written. Seconded by Comm. Tucker and
passed unanimously.
II. STATUS OF LAWSUITS – Town Attorney Mike Chesser
read and discussed the Racetrac Petroleum proposed settlement agreement that
reflected Mr. Chessers' changes. Comm.
Henderson moved that Town Attorney Mike Chesser send the agreement to Racetrac
Petroleum Attorney Peterson for approval.
Seconded by Comm. Tucker and passed unanimously.
IV. STATUS OF TOWN HALL RENOVATION AND ROOF - Mayor Combs has signed the
documents for the Town Hall roof and renovation. The documents have been sent to the Department of Community
Affairs in Tallahassee, FL. The Town is
waiting for DCA to return a signed approved copy. BCM engineers will have the plans completed by 1 October
2000. Chief Blackburn is cleaning out
his back office and the front office is cleaning up the vault area, with both
using the front conference room as a temporary storage area.
V. STATUS OF CHEROKEE ROAD PROPERTY
ACQUISITION - The
Town received the package of requirements for grant application from grant
writer Fred Fox. Final grant
application deadline is October 13, 2000.
The Town will need to schedule hearings on the acquisition of the
property via grant, but a conflict occurs in holding the public hearings and promoting
confidential negotiations as recommended by the Town Attorney. Mr. Butch Rials, property owner, received
the proposal and was receptive to the agreement, but stated that he was working
with problems on getting a clear deed.
Attorney Chesser read the proposal agreement and stated that he felt we
should add a contingency title clause and have the front office go ahead and
set up the hearings. The clause was
added by Attorney Chesser, Mayor Pro tem Thomas Callen directed the office to
draft another proposal for Attorney Chessers review before it is mailed.
VI. APPROVE RESOLUTION 2000-09 - ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY - Comm. Henderson moved to approve Resolution 2000-09 as written. Seconded by Comm. Tucker and passed unanimously.
VII. STATUS OF RIGHT TURN LANE - CHEROKEE ROAD - Maintenance Supervisor Jeff
Dowda met with Teresa of BCM to discuss the turn lane at Cherokee and Eglin
Pkwy. She seems to think the only hold up is the effect on the signal loops and
the line of sight survey. She is going to start with the signal loop problem
first and estimate costs. We should hear from her by early next week. With her information we can determine if we
can fiscally pursue the project. Comm.
Brown questioned if DOT would help us with the cost of the signals. This is being researched. On a side note,
Chief Blackburn said DOT would be conducting a traffic survey at the
intersection of Old Ferry Road and Eglin Parkway.
NEW BUSINESS:
I. TOWN RESIDENT’S TIME – Resident Art Johanson
queried the Commission on the Towns police coverage now that Sgt. Dickerson is
retiring. Mr. Johanson feels there is a
loss of security if the Town doesn't have adequate coverage. Mr. Johanson reminded the Commission that
Ofc. Deckard was never replaced as promised.
Commissioners' Henderson and Callen assured Mr. Johanson there will be a
replacement for Sgt. Dickerson. Mr.
Johanson asked if maybe the Town could have a citizen's patrol. Commissioner
Henderson informed him that when we solicited interest in a Neighborhood Watch
a few months ago, it never generated any interest.
II. APPROVE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 05, 2000
PUBLIC HEARING – Comm. Tucker moved to approve the minutes. Seconded by Comm. Henderson and passed
unanimously.
III. FMPTF - Tom Burns explained the
current financial status of the police pension fund. Town Attorney Mike Chesser stated he was reviewing the latest
amendments to the Florida Municipal Trust Fund. He stated he would make acceptance recommendations on to the
FMPTF board of Trustees.
STORM WATER
DRAINAGE/BEAVER PROBLEMS - Tom Burns talked to Toby at County Engineering department who sent
out inspectors. The inspectors reported
that the area is private property. Tom
Burns explained the drainage concern.
County Engineering was unsure of the county's utility easement status,
but will research it. She recommended
we contact FL Fish and Game. Jeff Dowda
contacted Fl Fish and Game who gave us a list of local licensed trappers and
they stated they would issue a permit to remove beavers. Mayor Pro Tem Callen directed Tom Burns to
continue research on the problem.
INVENTORY DISPOSAL APPROVAL - The Town has the following items to dispose: Item # 0260 Fax sharp fax machine, reason non-repairable, Item # 0259 Mayors chair, reason no longer needed per Mayor, Item # 284 Smith Corona Typewriter, reason non-repairable, Item # 0346 Chevy Caprice Police car. Comm. Henderson moved to approve the disposal of items 0260, 0259, 284 and the staff to make arrangements to sell item 0346 by bid. Seconded by Comm. Tucker and passed unanimously.
EMPLOYEE OF
THE YEAR - JEFF DOWDA - Mayor Pro Tem Callen announced Jeff Dowda as Employee of the year
and Tom Burns Employee of the quarter.
Both employees to receive one day off and a possible luncheon when Mayor
Combs returns.
COMM. TUCKER’S
REPORT:
FY 00
FINANCIAL STATUS – Comm. Tucker passed out the Final Millage and Budget hearing
reports. Mayor Pro Tem Callen reminded
everyone of the Final Millage and Budget hearing tomorrow, September 13, 2000
at 5:05 P.M.
TOWN HEALTH
& PROPERTY INSURANCE - Comm. Henderson motioned
to authorize Mayor Combs, Comm. Tucker and Tom Burns to approve and sign an
insurance contract for the Town.
Seconded by Comm. Brown and passed unanimously. Commissioner
Henderson offered his assistance with contacts that he has in the insurance
business.
TIDBIT INPUT -
Comm.
Tucker reminded everyone that Tidbit input is due by Friday so they can be
mailed out by 1 October 2000. An
article on Christmas and decorations needs to be added in this issue. Comm. Brown will submit it.
COMM. BROWN’S
REPORT:
TREE ORDINANCE
- Comm.
Brown has been working on the tree ordinance and has compared it with Mary
Esther's. The short tree ordinance
summary that Tom Burns wrote along with the P & Z seems to be servicing the
town well at this time. Comm. Brown
plans further study and recommendations to the Commission.
CHRISTMAS
DECORATION PLAN - Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Dowda stated that he estimates 75% of the
tree lights will need replacement due to storm and truck damage that occurred
this year. The Reindeer are okay with a few light replacements. The colored
lights for the large cedar tree are not useable this year and will need to be
replaced if required. He was unsure about Town Hall decorations due to the
likelihood of renovation during this timeframe. We are looking at $200 to $300
dollars for re-working some electrical hookups and light replacement along
Eglin Parkway. Comm. Tucker stated we
have money to make this happen. Comm.
Brown stated he would ask a few residents to judge the town residents Christmas
lights for first, second and third place.
He also stated he would canvas business on Eglin Parkway and recommend
lightening schemes to match the towns decorating efforts. Prizes to be determined. We need to advertise this in the Tidbits.
COMM.
HENDERSON’S REPORT:
TRAFFIC
ENFORCEMENT UPDATE - Comm. Henderson stated
the police departments issuance of tickets are down with the exception of part
time Officer Self who writes more on the weekends than all our police do
through out the week.
TELEPHONE
MANAGEMENT
- The front office is still receiving numerous calls for the police
department. Chief Blackburn has worked
with Okaloosa Sheriff dispatchers to help track calls better, but the calls are
still coming in. Tom Burns suggested
reevaluating looking into a new telephone system to be installed in conjunction
with the town hall renovation. He has
gathered pricing information from four phone vendors and will review options
with Finance Commissioner Tucker.
SGT.
DICKERSON'S RETIREMENT - Comm. Henderson stated Sgt. Dickerson's retirement agreement is
signed. Chief Blackburn and Comm.
Henderson will plan his going away party.
The Town needs to order a plaque and honorary resident shirt.
ADMINISTRATIVE
REPORT: 59
CONTRACTOR TRACKING CERTIFICATES, 47 OCCUPATIONAL PERMITS ISSUED, 16 ZONING /
SIGN PERMITS (since last TC meeting)
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
SEPTEMBER 27, 2000 - P & Z MEETING 6:30
P.M.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2000 -
OKALOOSA COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES QUARTERLY DINNER MEETING - LAUREL HILL 7:00
P.M.
OCTOBER 03, 2000 - BOARD OF
CO. COMMISSIONERS-CRESTVIEW 8:30 A.M.
OCTOBER 09, 2000 -
COLUMBUS DAY - OFFICE CLOSED
OCTOBER 10, 2000 - TOWN
COMMISSION MEETING 6:00 P.M.
OCTOBER 17, 2000 - BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - FWB 6:00 P.M.
OCTOBER 27, 2000 - P
& Z MEETING 6:30 P.M.
ADJOURNMENT: Comm. Henderson moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:46 p.m. It was seconded
by Comm. Tucker and passed unanimously.