MINUTES
TOWN OF SHALIMAR
COMMISSION MEETING
APRIL 10, 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 Townhall chambers. Representatives of Boy Scout Troop 542 led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL FOR THE
RECORD:
Mayor Gary Combs: present
Mayor Pro Tem Elaine Tucker: present
Commissioner John Henderson: present
Commissioner Thomas Callen: absent
Others in attendance: Town Attorney Mike Chesser, Town Manager Tom Burns, Town Clerk Jill Vanstraten, Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Dowda, Shalimar Police Chief Jim Spires, Boy Scout Members John Schrader and Chris Fitzgerald, Doc Savage and Randy Heiton of Diamondhead Constructors, and Residents Rik Larson, Jim Foley, Don James, and Arthur Johanson.
OATH OF OFFICE - COMMISSIONER APPOINTEE RICARDO D. GARCIA - Mayor Combs stated Commissioner Thomas Callen had submitted his resignation via email. Because of work-related conflicts, Mr. Callen would no longer be able to perform his duties as Commissioner of Roads and Grounds. Mayor Combs discussed his recommendation of Mr. Kevin Reeves, 44 Shalimar Drive, as Mr. Callen's replacement. Comm. Henderson moved to appoint Kevin Reeves as the new Roads and Ground Commissioner effective immediately. Comm. Tucker seconded the motion. Town Attorney Mike Chesser stated the Commission must move to accept Commissioner Callen's resignation before they can appoint a new commissioner in his place. Comm. Henderson amended his motion to accept Comm. Callen's resignation and appoint Mr. Kevin Reeves as his replacement. Comm. Tucker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mayor Combs performed the Oath of Office to newly appointed Commissioners Ricardo Garcia and Kevin Reeves. See attached resignation from Thomas Callen.
OLD BUSINESS:
I. APPROVE MINUTES OF MARCH 13, 2001 TOWN COMMISSION MEETING - Comm. Henderson moved to approve the minutes. Comm. Tucker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
II. TOWN HALL RENOVATION - Doc Savage of Diamondhead Constructor's gave a brief summary of the overall progress of the Townhall renovation. He stated the county would perform a final inspection of the building hopefully by the end of the week (April 13, 2001).
III. TOWN MANAGER
DISCUSSION - COMMISSIONER TUCKER - Comm. Tucker stated the Commission will
table the resolution officially appointing Town Clerk Thomas Burns to the Town
Manager because of pending legal action against him resulting from police
action the previous week. Comm. Tucker
read a brief statement concerning the issue.
See attached document. Comm. Henderson moved to give Comm.
Tucker the authority to investigate the matter concerning Mr. Burns. Comm. Garcia seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
I. TOWN RESIDENTS' TIME - MAYOR COMBS - Mr. Don James, 129 Gardner Drive, expressed his dissatisfaction with the "No Left Turn Sign" at the intersection of Gardner Drive and Eglin Parkway. The sign does not allow left turns onto Eglin Parkway from the hours of 6am-9am, and 3pm-6pm. He stated the sign is an inconvenience to drivers, and would like the sign completely taken down, which would allow drivers to turn left at any time. Mayor Combs stated Mr. James would need a group of residents that have signed a petition asserting the same complaint in order for the Commission to act on the issue.
II. FIRST READING OF THE TREE ORDINANCE - Mayor Combs read the title of Ordinance No. 2001-03 - An Ordinance to clarify and amend existing code pertaining to tree protection and tree maintenance in the Town of Shalimar, Florida. He gave a brief summary of the differences between Ordinance 91-03, and the new Tree Ordinance. Comm. Henderson moved to adopt Ordinance 2001-03. Comm. Tucker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
III. JUNE LEAGUE OF CITIES DINNER - Mayor Combs tabled this issue until his Report.
IV. GRAND OPENING OF TOWNHALL - Mayor Combs stated he would like the Grand Opening of Townhall to be a ceremonious occasion. During the festivities, he would like to bestow Town Appreciation to former Commissioner's Gene Brown and Tom Callen. The event will tentatively be held sometime in late May or early June. Comm. Tucker stated she would create an invitation flier to be mailed to all residents, businesses, and other important guests concerning the Grand Re-opening of Townhall.
MAYOR COMBS REPORT:
I. OKALOOSA COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES REPORT - Mayor Combs stated if the one-cent sales tax referendum is passed by voters in November, the League of Cities has agreed to give Shalimar twice as much revenue that was previously established. The revenue will be based on per capita according to the results of the 2000 Census. He explained the sales tax is very important for Shalimar and its capital improvements.
Mayor Combs also discussed the issue of Shalimar hosting the quarterly League of Cities dinner in June. Comm. Tucker agreed to assist in the organization of the dinner since newly appointed Special Projects Commissioner Reeves was so new to the position. Mayor Combs would like the dinner to be held at Giuseppi's Wharf on June 21, 2001 at 6pm.
II. VANGUARD PROPERTY - Mayor Combs stated a letter was sent to President Gary Roberts of Vanguard Bank concerning the neglected property owned by the bank located at 1280 Eglin Parkway. Mr. Roberts called Mayor Combs and stated Vanguard will decide on a course of action in approximately two weeks.
COMMISSIONER TUCKER'S REPORT:
I. FY01 FINANCIAL STATUS REPORT - Comm. Tucker discussed the Townhall renovation and that the project is a high priority budget item. She stated the monthly financial report reflects a monetary transfer to the building fund.
II. RENEWAL OF CONTRACT WITH CREEL, BRYAN AND GALLAGHER - Comm. Tucker stated the contract with Creel, Bryan, and Gallagher was very fair to the Town. She recommended the Town of Shalimar renew their contract with the accounting firm. Comm. Henderson moved to accept Comm. Tucker's recommendation of renewing the accounting contract with the firm Creel, Bryan, and Gallagher. Comm. Tucker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
III. COUNTY ONE-CENT SALES TAX REFERENDUM - Comm. Tucker stated her favorable opinion of the one-cent sales tax referendum. The extra revenue would allow the Town to begin implementing items on the capital improvement list.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S
REPORT:
I. OKALOOSA
COUNTY VETERAN'S MEMORIAL - Comm. Garcia stated he attended a meeting concerning
the initial plans for development of the Okaloosa County Veteran's Memorial. The memorial will be built in Crestview, and
a committee is being formed to ask for donations by local companies to fund the
project. Comm. Garcia stated he would attend
the next meeting and report back to the Commission on the progress of the memorial.
COMMISSIONER
HENDERSON'S REPORT: Comm. Henderson stated Chief Spires will implement some
changes that will allow the Police Department to run more smoothly than in the
past. He also said the Chief would
begin to facilitate a routine bicycle patrol through the Town. After the Townhall renovation is completed,
Comm. Henderson would like to purchase new bicycles.
COMMISSIONER CALLEN'S
REPORT:
I. DISCUSSION OF RESIGNATION - This item was discussed by Mayor Combs during the administration of the Oath of Office for the new Commissioners.
POLICE CHIEF'S
REPORT:
I. ACCIDENT REPORT - Chief Spires gave a brief summary of the accident involving the police vehicle the previous week. The insurance company declared the vehicle as a total loss. Comm. Henderson moved to return the police vehicle to the insurance company for a monetary settlement. Comm. Tucker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
II. POLICE VEHICLE STATUS - This item was discussed in the previous section.
ADMIN REPORT:
ADJOURNMENT: Comm. Henderson moved to adjourn the
meeting at 7:24 p.m. Seconded by Comm. Garcia
and passed unanimously.