MINUTES

TOWN OF SHALIMAR

COMMISSION MEETING

OCTOBER 10, 2000

The regular meeting of the Shalimar Town Commission was called to order by Mayor Gary Combs at 6:03 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 – absent

Commissioner John Henderson – present

Commissioner Elaine Tucker – present

Others in attendance: Director of Finance Tom Burns, Town Administrator Connie Gluvna, Police Chief John Blackburn, Sgt. Gary Loafman, Town Attorney Mike Chesser, and resident Rick Larsen.

P & Z RECOMMENDATIONS: Comm. Tucker moved to approve the minutes of the August 30, 2000 P & Z meeting. It was seconded by Comm. Henderson and passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS:

I. APPROVE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 12, 2000 TOWN COMMISSION MEETING – Comm. Tucker moved to approve the minutes as amended. Seconded by Comm. Callen and passed unanimously.

II. STATUS OF LAWSUITS – Town Attorney Mike Chesser stated there is no change at this time on the proposed settlement agreement with Racetrac Petroleum.

III. STATUS OF PARK GRANT - Town Administrator Connie Gluvna stated we are still waiting for our extension letter from Department of Community Affairs in Tallahassee for the Meigs Park grant. The extension letter must be submitted with the final paperwork. Mayor Combs directed the front office to make closing the grant a priority.

IV. STATUS OF TOWN HALL RENOVATION AND ROOF - The Town has received the signed approved copy of the grant agreement from Department of Community Affairs in Tallahassee, FL. The Town is still waiting on the drawings from the BCM engineers, which were to be submitted by 1 October 2000. Commissioner Callen questioned when our contract expired with BCM as last year we had the similar problems with BCM turning in plans by the requested date. Mayor Combs directed Tom Burns to research the contract date.

V. STATUS OF CHEROKEE ROAD PROPERTY ACQUISITION - The Town held two public hearings on the acquisition of the property via grant. Mr. James Butch Rials, property owner, signed and returned the contract proposal; the Town is not in a hurry to purchase the property since we would like to have the authorization for the grant funds first. The contract closing date is 30 November 2000; Mayor Combs will contact Mr. Rials on extending the date in order to coordinate the purchase with grant funds. It has been learned that FRDAP will not allow a property acquisition grant and development grant of the same property in the same year.

VI. STATUS OF RIGHT TURN LANE - CHEROKEE ROAD - BCM is looking at engineering work at the corner of Eglin Parkway and Cherokee Road to install a right turn lane. Jeff Dowda received a proposal from BCM of $7500.00 for engineer work required to obtain a DOT permit. It was decided the Town wants to go ahead with the engineering survey, and not wait for a letter of approval from Herndon Oil Corporation (Shell Service Station).

NEW BUSINESS:

I. TOWN RESIDENT’S TIME – None

II. APPROVE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 13, 2000 PUBLIC HEARING – Comm. Callen moved to approve the minutes. Seconded by Comm. Henderson and passed unanimously.

III. APPROVE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 03, 2000 CHEROKEE PARK SPECIAL MEETINGS, PHASE 1 and PHASE 2 – Comm. Callen moved to approve the minutes. Seconded by Comm. Tucker and passed unanimously.

IV. APPROVE RESOLUTION 2001-01 CHEROKEE PARK FRDAP GRANT APPLICATION. Comm. Callen moved to approve the resolution. Seconded by Comm. Henderson and passed unanimously.

V. APPROVE RESOLUTION 2001-02 CHEROKEE PARK FRDAP GRANT APPLICATION. The approval of the resolution 2001-02 Capital Improvement Element of the Comprehensive Plan was withdrawn. The Florida Recreation Development Assistant Program will not allow property acquisition and development grant applications for the same property in a single grant cycle.

MAYOR'S REPORT:

WAR REPORT - Mayor Combs requested that office staff send the war report to all Commissioners, the Town Attorney, and the Webmaster. It is for internal informational purposes only and not to be placed on the town web site.

FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES - Mayor Combs attended the Laurel Hill League of Cities dinner. The dinners rotate alphabetically between cities; it will be in the CY 2001 when it's time for the Town to host the dinner.

EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION - Jeff Dowda, Maintenance Supervisor was selected employee of the year and Tom Burns, Director of Finance was selected employee of the quarter. Both employees had their names on the marquee and will receive a day off that must be taken this month.

COMM. TUCKER’S REPORT:

FY 00 FINANCIAL STATUS – Comm. Tucker presented the financial reports. She and Tom Burns will meet with the auditors on 11 October 2000.

TOWN HEALTH & PROPERTY INSURANCE - Comm. Tucker stated the Town's new health insurance company is Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Stanford Insurance will be our property insurance company. Mayor Combs stated he would like to see the Town pay the supplement costs for employees that have their own government health insurance. Currently, employees Tom Burns and Connie Gluvna have their own government health insurance. The town will reimburse the amount of the supplement once a paid receipt is produced.

COMM. CALLEN’S REPORT:

STORM WATER DRAINAGE/BEAVER PROBLEMS - County inspectors report that the area on Petit Road is private property, in the county, and they can not assist us in removing the beavers. Comm. Tucker knows of a volunteer who would be willing to trap the beavers. FL Fish and Game stated they would issue a permit to remove beavers, but a question of liability was of concern. Resident Rick Larsen knows the private property owner and will contact him with our concerns.

COMM. BROWN’S REPORT: (Comm. Browns' written report)

TREE ORDINANCE - Comm. Brown was absent but sent the attached report. The Mayor directed that a tree ordinance draft be represented at the next commission meeting.

CHRISTMAS DECORATION PLAN - Comm. Brown was absent but sent the attached report. During the meeting it was mentioned that we are still in need of a beautification committee chairperson.

COMM. HENDERSON’S REPORT:

TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UPDATE - Comm. Henderson stated the police department's issuance of tickets has been down due to having one less officer.

TELEPHONE MANAGEMENT - The front office is still receiving calls for the police department, but the situation has gotten better. This problem will be addressed as part of the Town Hall renovation.

CHIEF JOHN BLACKBURN'S RETIREMENT - Comm. Henderson stated Chief Blackburn submitted a letter of request to retire November 15, 2000 with severance pay in the amount of $10,500. Comm. Callen moved to table the retirement request until the next commission meeting and that the town pursue the search for a new officer. Seconded by Comm. Tucker and passed unanimously. Discussion covered replacements and Mayor Combs stated that interviews are underway for the replacement of Sgt. Dickerson who retired last month and that the town plans on hiring at least one fulltime and one part time officer as soon as possible. Chief Blackburn agreed to extend his retirement date to November 30, 2000. Commission members discussed the perception of severance pay entitlements to retiring Town employees as a result of Officer Dickerson's settlement.

FLORIDA MUNICIPAL PENSION TRUST FUND (FMPTF) - Sgt. Gary Loafman, who is on the FMPTF Board of Trustees, brought up the FMPTF Police Retirement Plan amendment recommended by the Florida League of Cities. Tom Burns explained the current financial status of the FMPTF police pension fund. Town Attorney Mike Chesser opined that the town had more responsibilities and liabilities in continuing to participate in the FMPTF as opposed to the Florida Retirement System. Tom Burns said a recommended resolution to accept amendments to the Police Pension Fund Plan would be coming from the FMPTF board of Trustees. Mayor Combs recollected that the FMPTF was the current Town retirement plan and it had been adopted by ordinance.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: 72 CONTRACTOR TRACKING CERTIFICATES, 07 OCCUPATIONAL PERMITS ISSUED, 06 ZONING / SIGN PERMITS (since last TC meeting)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

OCTOBER 12, 2000 - BUSINESS AFTER-HOURS - Cayo Grande Hotel - 5:30 P.M.

OCTOBER 17, 2000 - BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - FWB 6:00 P.M.

OCTOBER 27, 2000 - P & Z MEETING 6:30 P.M.

OTHER BUSINESS: Comm. Callen moved to not have the Open House Town Hall Christmas Party. Seconded by Comm. Henderson. Discussion was: participation has been going down from a possible lack of interest. Comm. Tucker stated advertising might be the problem. The motion died due to lack of interest.

ADJOURNMENT: Comm. Henderson moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:16 p.m. It was seconded by Comm. Tucker and passed unanimously.