MINUTES

TOWN OF SHALIMAR

COMMISSION MEETING

DECEMBER 12, 2000

 

CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the Shalimar Town Commission was called to order by Mayor Gary Combs at 6:10 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 – present

                        Commissioner Elaine Tucker – present

 

Others in attendance: Town Clerk Tom Burns, Town Administrator Jill Vanstraten, Interim Police Chief Gary Loafman, Officer Charles Self, Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Dowda

 

P & Z RECOMMENDATIONS:

 

I.          REVIEW MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 27, 2000 MEETING - The Town Commission reviewed the minutes of the Planning & Zoning Board meeting and added no discussion.

   

II.        NO REGULAR MEETING IN DECEMBER

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

I.         APPROVE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 14, 2000 TOWN COMMISSION MEETING - Comm. Tucker stated that Town Attorney Mike Chesser needed to attend all Commission meetings unless the Town told him otherwise.  Comm. Callen moved to approve the minutes.  Seconded by Comm. Tucker and passed unanimously.

 

II.        STATUS OF RACETRAC LAWSUIT - There is no new business concerning this issue.

 

III.       STATUS OF PARK GRANTS - The Mayor stated that the second mailing concerning the closeout of Meigs Park was sent to the Division of Parks and Recreation and the Town was awaiting their grant finalization.   

 

IV.       TOWN HALL RENOVATION - Town Clerk Tom Burns stated that Diamondhead Constructors had brought in the initial contracts concerning the renovation for review by the Mayor.  The          commissioners discussed the issue of whether or not Mr. Chesser should review the contracts.  It was decided that Mr. Chesser or a member of his Staff should analyze the contracts for the Town.

 

V.        STATUS OF PROPERTY ACQUISITION - Cherokee Road - This issue is on hold, as stated by Mayor Combs.

 

VI.       STATUS OF RIGHT TURN LANE - Cherokee Road - Mayor Combs stated that this issue is on hold.  There will be a meeting next week with a new engineering firm.  

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

I.          TOWN RESIDENT'S TIME - None.

 

II.        CY01 TOWN GOALS - There is no change with this issue since the last Town Commission meeting.  Mayor Combs stated that he wanted this issue moved under his report on the next agenda.

 

MAYOR COMBS REPORT:

 

I.          TOWN ENGINEERING CONTRACT - BCM -Mayor Combs stated that the contract with BCM has been terminated.  The Town will explore other avenues for hiring a new engineering firm to work for the Town when needed.  The Mayor also stated that he would like December 26, 2000 and January 2, 2001 to be down days for Town Hall and the Commission agreed.   

 

COMMISSIONER TUCKER’S REPORT:

 

I.          FY01 FINANCIAL STATUS - Comm. Tucker passed out a monthly expense report to the Mayor and Commissioners for review.  She also stated the dates for election certification in January (Jan.22-26, 2001) for the Mayor and Commissioners Brown and Callen to re-certify for the Town election in March. 

 

II.        STATUS OF FY00 AUDIT - Comm. Tucker stated that the Town is waiting to receive information from the accounting firm that performed the audit.

 

COMMISSIONER CALLEN’S REPORT:

 

I.          TRAFFIC SIGN REPORT - Comm. Callen explained that two stop signs have been placed at the curve on Shalimar Drive near the north end of Garnier's Cay.   The Town is waiting to hear from the Palm Shores property owner's association concerning the hazardous reflective sign that needs to be placed where the road ends.  

 

COMMISSIONER BROWN’S REPORT:

 

I.          TREE ORDINANCE - With assistance from Town Clerk, Tom Burns, Comm. Brown gave a brief overview of the draft of the tree ordinance.  Tom Burns stated that we would incorporate parts of Cinco Bayou's Tree Ordinance into Shalimar's Code of Ordinances.  Further development of the tree ordinance is required and will be discussed at the next commission meeting.  Comm. Brown also discussed the prizes for Shalimar Christmas Yard of the Year.  Chief Gary Loafman offered to donate a first prize of a free dinner for 2 from Mary's Kitchen Restaurant.  Comm. Henderson stated the Town should buy some sort of sign to place in the winner's yard that could be used every year.  Tom Burns said he would call Impact Graphics and order a yard sign.  The prize winners will be mentioned in the Tidbits Newsletter as selected by Comm. Brown.

 

COMMISSIONER HENDERSON’S REPORT:

 

I.          EMPLOYEE STATUS - Comm. Henderson reported that Officer Charles Self began work full-time on November 27, 2000, and Officer James Spires, another full-time patrolman, started on December 1, 2000.  The police department is still actively looking for a part-time officer, but they are not advertising.

 

II.        POLICE SALARIES - Comm. Henderson stated that the police department had inquired about working (up to four) extra hours per week.  Mayor Combs directed Comm. Henderson to review his budget, and stated that he had complete control over the police officer's schedule.

 

ADMIN REPORT:

 

I.          APPROVE NEW MEMBERS - PENSION FUND - BOARD OF TRUSTEES - Town Clerk, Tom Burns, explained the new pension fund board of trustees: Sgt. Gary Loafman is no longer the      chairman, and the two new police officers will be added as new members.  Comm. Callen moved to approve the new members.  Comm. Tucker seconded the motion and passed unanimously.

 

POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT: Sgt. Loafman read the monthly activity report for November 2000.  See attached.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

                        DECEMBER 18, 2000 - DEADLINE FOR TIDBITS ARTICLES                 

                        JANUARY 11, 2001 - TOWN COMMISSION MEETING 6:00 P.M.

 

ADJOURNMENT:  Comm. Callen moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 p.m.  Seconded by Comm. Henderson and passed unanimously.