MINUTES
TOWN OF SHALIMAR
COMMISSION MEETING
MARCH 13, 2001
CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the Shalimar Town Commission was called to order by Mayor Gary Combs at 6:00 p.m. in the Law Offices of Chesser, Wingard, Barr, & Fleet. He led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL FOR THE
RECORD:
Mayor Gary Combs: present
Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Callen: absent
Commissioner Gene Brown: present
Commissioner John Henderson: present
Commissioner Elaine Tucker: present
Others in attendance: Town Attorney Mike Chesser, Town Clerk Tom Burns, Town Administrator Jill Vanstraten, Shalimar Police Officers Charles Self and Jim Spires, DeAnna Self, Linda Spires, Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Dowda, Debra Self and Mari O'Neil of Okaloosa-Walton Childcare Services, and residents Rik Larson and Ricardo Garcia.
CHILDCARE SERVICES APPRECIATION PLAQUE - Ms. Debra Self of Okaloosa-Walton Childcare Services presented an appreciation plaque to the Town of Shalimar for continued support in the prevention of child abuse throughout the county.
OLD BUSINESS:
I. APPROVE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 13, 2001 TOWN COMMISSION MEETING - Comm. Tucker moved to approve the minutes. Comm. Brown seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
II. STATUS OF RACETRAC LAWSUIT - Town Attorney Mike Chesser stated there is no new business concerning this issue. The Commission agreed to table this item until further notice.
III. STATUS OF PARK GRANTS - Mayor Combs stated there is no new business concerning this issue. The Commission agreed to table this item until further notice.
IV. TOWN HALL RENOVATION - Town Clerk Tom Burns stated the rough-in and insulation inspection was passed by the county inspector. There is a tentative move-in date sometime during the first week of April. Mayor Combs expressed gratitude to Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Dowda for the hard work he has done to assist the contractors.
V. POLICE DEPARTMENT CHIEF RECOMMENDATIONS - Town Clerk Tom Burns gave a brief summary of the selection process that Mayor Combs, Commissioner Henderson and himself used to construct their recommendation on a new police chief. Comm. Henderson moved to appoint Jim Spires to the position of Police Chief for the Town of Shalimar with the stipulation of a probationary period of one year. Comm. Tucker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mayor Combs stated he was very impressed with both candidates and appreciated their time and effort in applying for the position of Chief of Police. Mayor Combs also discussed his intention of drafting a formal agreement stating the probationary period and listing objectives of what the Commission expects from the new Chief. Comm. Henderson moved to promote Officer Charles Self to Sargent with the stipulation of a probationary period of one year. Comm. Tucker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
I. TOWN RESIDENTS’ TIME - MAYOR COMBS - None.
II. TOWN EMPLOYEE MANAGEMENT - Mayor Combs discussed the current management system of the Town and stated that it is not working to the town's advantage. He recommended Town Clerk Tom Burns' position be renamed as Town Manager. Mayor Combs said the Town relies on Mr. Burns to supervise all aspects of the Town; therefore, as Town Manager, he will have the authority to oversee all of the Town's daily operations. Town Attorney Mike Chesser advised the Mayor to make sure there is no ordinance that prevents the Commission from changing the title of the Town Clerk to Town Manager. Mr. Chesser also stated the Commission might need an ordinance to change Mr. Burns' title and authority. Comm. Tucker moved to appoint Tom Burns as Town Manager with an ordinance that would state his duties, responsibilities and a complete job description. Comm. Brown seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
III. FIRST READING OF THE TREE ORDINANCE - As stated in a letter submitted by Town Attorney Mike Chesser, the first reading of the Tree Ordinance needed some adjustment. Mayor Combs explained the actual first reading of the Ordinance would be at the next Town Commission meeting in April. See attached letter.
IV. RENEW ACCOUNTING CONTRACT - Comm. Henderson asked if the Town was opening bids to prospective accountant agencies concerning the renewal of the Town's contract. Town Manager Tom Burns stated there have been no discussion regarding the bid process. Comm. Henderson moved that Comm. Tucker have the authority to renew the present contract with Creel, Bryan, and Gallagher if she finds no other accounting firm that is competitive. Comm. Brown seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
MAYOR COMBS REPORT:
I. OKALOOSA COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES REPORT - Mayor Combs stated that discussion at the last meeting of the Okaloosa County League of Cities centered on the issue of the pending one-cent sales tax referendum. The League suggested that each city in Okaloosa County compile its own list of capital expenditures. The Commission approved the list as presented. See attached list for the Town of Shalimar.
II. COMMISSIONER POSITION ASSIGNMENTS - Mayor Combs stated new commissioner assignments as follows: Commissioner Tucker- Finance, Commissioner Henderson - Police Department, Commissioner Callen - Special Projects, Commissioner Appointee Garcia - Roads & Grounds Maintenance. Mayor Combs also appointed Commissioner Tucker as Mayor Pro-Tem.
III. CAPITAL EXPENDITURES - ONE-CENT SALES TAX - Mayor Combs discussed this issue under Item I of his report.
COMMISSIONER TUCKER’S
REPORT:
I. FY 01 FINANCIAL STATUS - Comm. Tucker stated the Town is in excellent financial status due to low expenses.
II. BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS/STATUS - Comm. Tucker stated the new Beautification Committee Chairperson is Jill Miller of 14 Old Ferry Road. She has ordered plants and flowers from a Crestview nursery for landscaping around the marquee. Mrs. Miller is organizing a "Yard of the Month and Business of the Month" award system for Shalimar residents and businesses that show community pride through exemplary lawn maintenance.
III. TIDBITS - Comm. Tucker explained she will be writing an article for the March 2001 Tidbits on the one-cent sales tax issue.
IV. POLICE PROMOTIONS AND SALARIES - Comm. Tucker recommended the following salary adjustments in order to reflect the promotions given to the Police Department and also to the Town Manager:
Current Salary Proposed Salary
Town Manager Tom Burns $22,920.00 $26,000.00
Chief Jim Spires $18,500.00 $23,000.00
Sgt. Charles Self $19,000.00 $21,000.00
Officer John Spohn $8.50 and hour $18,000.00
Comm. Tucker stated if the Commission approves the proposed salary adjustments, the personnel that received the salary increase should not expect a raise in October when the new fiscal year begins. Comm. Henderson moved to accept the new salary schedule for all positions effective April 1, 2001. Comm. Tucker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Because of the pending ordinance approval, Town Clerk Tom Burns asked the Commission when his actual duties will begin as Town Manager. Mayor Combs stated he would like Mr. Burns to commence as Town Manager as soon as possible. Comm. Henderson moved to appoint Tom Burns as Interim Town Manager for Town Administration and Personnel with the understanding that Mr. Burns would seek a Commissioner's approval for solution of any serious problems until the passing of the actual ordinance appointing him Town Manager. Comm. Tucker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
COMMISSIONER CALLEN’S REPORT: There was no report at this time due to Comm. Callen's absence.
COMMISSIONER HENDERSON’S REPORT: Comm. Henderson stated all issues pertaining to his report were discussed in previous items.
ADMIN REPORT:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
MARCH 22, 2001 - OKALOOSA COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES DINNER, NICEVILLE, 6PM,
RSVP TO JILL BY MARCH 16, 2001.
APRIL 10, 2001 - TOWN COMMISSION MEETING 6:00 PM
ADJOURNMENT: Comm. Henderson moved to adjourn the
meeting at 7:45 p.m. Seconded by Comm. Tucker
and passed unanimously.