MINUTES
TOWN OF SHALIMAR
COMMISSION MEETING
JANUARY 9, 2001
CALL TO ORDER: 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 Pro Tem Tom Callen – present
Commissioner Gene Brown – present
Commissioner John Henderson – absent
Commissioner Elaine Tucker – present
Others in attendance: Town Attorney Mike Chesser, Town Clerk Tom Burns, Town Administrator Jill Vanstraten, Interim Police Chief Gary Loafman, Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Dowda.
OLD BUSINESS:
I. APPROVE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 12, 2000 TOWN COMMISSION MEETING - Comm. Callen moved to approve the minutes. Comm. Tucker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
II. APPROVE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 19, 2000 SPECIAL TOWN COMMISSION MEETING - Comm. Callen moved to approve the minutes of the special meeting. Seconded by Comm. Tucker and passed unanimously.
III. STATUS OF RACETRAC LAW SUIT - There is no new business concerning this issue, as stated by Town Attorney Mike Chesser.
IV. STATUS OF PARK GRANTS - The final payment for Meigs Park was received from the Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks and Recreation.
V. TOWN HALL RENOVATION - Item to be discussed at the end of the agenda.
VI. STATUS OF
PROPERTY ACQUISITION - CHEROKEE ROAD - The mayor stated that he would like this
item tabled until after the renovation of Town Hall is complete. The
item should be placed on the June Agenda for the Town Commission Meeting. Comm.
Callen moved to table Item VI until the June Town Commission Meeting. Seconded by Comm. Tucker and passed
unanimously.
VII. STATUS OF
RIGHT TURN LANE - CHEROKEE ROAD - The mayor stated that he would like this item
tabled until after the renovation of Town Hall is complete. The item should be placed on the June Agenda
for the Town Commission Meeting. Comm. Callen moved to table Item VII
until the June Town Commission Meeting.
Seconded by Comm. Tucker and passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
I. TOWN RESIDENT'S TIME – MAYOR COMBS - None.
II. CY01 TOWN GOALS - Mayor Combs stated that the CY01 Goals are now available and will be posted on the town's website. See attached.
MAYOR COMBS REPORT:
I. ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT - Mayor Combs discussed the engineering service agreement that was presented to the Town by Jones, Edmunds & Associates, Inc. He stated that the contract is non-binding, which proposes a system of payment only when engineering services are needed. The actual contract was given to Town Attorney Mike Chesser to review during the meeting. Mr. Chesser made some recommendations concerning the contract and instructed Town Clerk Tom Burns to return it to the engineering firm to make the necessary changes.
II. LEAGUE OF CITIES REPORT - Mayor Combs attended the League of Cities meeting on January 4, 2001. Okaloosa County Commissioner Paula Riggs was in attendance, and the represented cities expressed their disappointment with the apparent lack of County support to the Cities.
COMMISSIONER TUCKER’S
REPORT:
I. FY 01 FINANCIAL STATUS - Comm. Tucker passed out a monthly expense report to the Mayor and Commissioners for review.
II. STATUS OF FY00 AUDIT - Comm. Tucker stated that a meeting has been scheduled with the auditors in which she and Town Clerk Tom Burns will attend.
COMMISSIONER CALLEN’S
REPORT:
I. TRAFFIC SIGN REPORT - Comm. Callen stated that the Town is waiting to hear from the Planning & Zoning Board concerning the hazardous reflective sign that needs to be placed near the north end of Garnier's Cay where the road ends.
COMMISSIONER BROWN’S
REPORT:
I. TREE ORDINANCE - Comm. Brown explained that the tree ordinance has been given to the Planning & Zoning Board for review. Mayor Combs stated that he would like the first reading of the tree ordinance to be on the agenda of the next Town Commission meeting in February.
I. EMPLOYEE STATUS - Due to Comm. Henderson's absence, Mayor Combs led the discussion in this section. The Mayor stated that the Shell Gas Station would allow two parking places for the Shalimar Police to park their cars during the renovation of Town Hall. He briefly discussed the issue of parking in the property adjacent to Town Hall, which is owned by Mr. Rob Harrell. Town Clerk Tom Burns stated that he would call Mr. Harrell to ask permission for use of the lot. The mayor suggested that a parking sign also be placed in front of Town Hall for visitors directing them to the empty lot. Mayor Combs discussed the issue of a permanent police chief; stating the Town Commission will make an official decision at a later date. Town Attorney Mike Chesser explained to Interim Police Chief Gary Loafman the different legal status as interim chief, rather than just a regular police officer. He stated the record management duties as interim police chief are of extreme importance during the Town Hall Renovation. He instructed Mr. Loafman to maintain high security of the record room during this time. Mayor Combs directed Town Staff to limit expenditures until the renovation of Town Hall is completed.
ADMIN REPORT:
I. TOWN CLERK UPDATE - Town Clerk, Tom Burns, gave a brief overview of the new construction located in Shalimar Commons at 879 Brande Court. He also stated the week of January 22-26, 2001 as the qualification deadline for the town municipal election that will be held in March. The information has been printed in the Northwest Florida Daily News on January 3, 2001, and will be re-advertised on January 17, 2001.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
FEBRUARY 13, 2001- TOWN COMMISSION MEETING 6:00 P.M. MIKE CHESSER'S OFFICE
ADJOURNMENT: Comm. Callen moved to adjourn the meeting
at 7:18 p.m. Seconded by Comm. Tucker
and passed unanimously.