MINUTES
TOWN OF SHALIMAR
COMMISSION MEETING
JUNE 12, 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. He 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 Ricardo Garcia: present
Commissioner Kevin Reeves: present
Others in attendance: Town Manager Tom Burns, Town Clerk Jill Vanstraten, Deputy Town Clerk Tina Smith, Shalimar Police Sergeant Charles Self, and Shalimar Residents Rik Larson, Joe Greene, Shirley Greene, Donna Johnson, and Polly Rainer.
OLD BUSINESS:
I. APPROVE MINUTES OF MAY 08, 2001 TOWN COMMISSION MEETING - Commissioner Henderson moved to approve the minutes. Commissioner Tucker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
II. TOWN ATTORNEY REPORT - Mr. Mike Chesser explained that the Racetrac lawsuit is back open (and according to the letter, Racetrac attorneys had a good working relationship with Mayor Combs and expected to continue working with him). It was also decided that Mr. Chesser should talk about the 1-cent sales tax at the Florida League of Cities Dinner.
III. TOWN HALL RENOVATION - The town hall renovation is finished and Commissioner Henderson thanked Mayor Combs for all of his hard work to make the renovation happen.
IV. JUNE LEAGUE OF CITIES DINNER - Commissioner Tucker discussed the place, food choice, attire, and that she would like the staff of the Town Hall and all Commissioners to be at the Eglin Officer's Club by 6:00 p.m.
(Town Attorney Mike Chesser entered)
V. TOWN MANAGER STATUS - Commissioner Tucker made a statement reaffirming Tom Burns as the Town Manager with all of the responsibility and duties that the job entails.
NEW BUSINESS:
I. TOWN RESIDENTS' TIME - MAYOR COMBS - Resident Rik Larson (24 Old Ferry Road) discussed with the commission a problem that he is having with some wild cats. He mentioned that he had already called around to many of the local animal shelters (PAWS, SOCKS, etc.) and no one has the space for the cats. It was decided that Town Manager, Tom Burns, would provide a trap for Mr. Larson's use and, possibly, research the Florida League of Cities' capability to help secure county animal control services.
Resident Polly Rainer (54 Shalimar Drive) expressed her concern with fast cars coming down her street and visibility exiting her driveway. She mentioned that she wouldn't mind a police car parked in her driveway to slow down the speeders. She says that the problem is between 6:30 a.m.-8:00 a.m. on weekdays and 11:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. on weekends. Sergeant Charles Self will follow up on her problem.
II. SHALIMAR PLANTATION PROPERTY OWNERS - LANDSCAPING - Shirley Green (903 Sara Drive) represented her Homeowners' Association for a proposed landscaping project along the brick wall on Shalimar Drive (Town right-of-way). She asked that the Town of Shalimar pay approximately half of the estimated cost. She stated that the association will pay the electricity bill and the water bill and that they will also maintain the landscaping itself. Commissioner Henderson asked if they needed to amend their association by-laws and her reply was that it wasn't necessary. Donna Johnson (906 Shalimar Drive) added that the association's by-laws only require a 60% attendance at a special meeting and a majority vote at that meeting. They had 11 of the 18 lot owners at the last meeting and the vote was 9-2 in favor of the landscaping. Commissioner Tucker asked that someone from the association provide specific information from each resident of the subdivision on how they feel about the project. Mayor Combs wants a formal request letter from the Homeowner's Association during the budget cycle with exact costs indicated for requested town support. (Shalimar Plantation Residents departed after making their presentation.)
III. APPROVE
RESOLUTION 2001-10 - AMENDMENT TO ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY - This Resolution adds
a section outlining responsibilities of a Town Manager and 3 Department
Heads. Commissioner Tucker moved to approve Ordinance 2001-10. Commissioner Henderson seconded the motion
and it passed unanimously.
MAYOR COMBS REPORT:
I. OKALOOSA COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES REPORT - The 1-cent sales tax board has asked that none of the Okaloosa County elected officials be on the Citizen Task Force so Mayor Combs has asked resident Rik Larson and resident Eddie Phillips to be on that committee.
II. WEB PAGE - Mayor Combs expressed concern with our web page. Since the town hall project is now done, the web page is a top priority. The Mayor will take over management of the site until Deputy Clerk Smith is familiar with running a web page.
COMMISSIONER TUCKER'S REPORT:
I. FY01 FINANCIAL STATUS REPORT - Commissioner Tucker passed out the budget report and told each commissioner to look at it carefully before the next meeting. There will be 2 Budget workshops in July, one on the 10th and one on the 17th, both at 5:30 p.m.
II. COUNTY ONE-CENT SALES TAX REFERENDUM - Commissioner Tucker said that she is still waiting to receive notification from the county of the meeting to vote on allowing a referendum ballot.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S
REPORT:
I. MANDE COURT STREET LIGHT REQUEST - The residents of Mande Court want an additional streetlight. Commissioner Garcia investigated and is not sure if an additional light is needed, or if they should just put a different kind of light/fixture in the existing light. The police officers were asked to check on the lighting at night.
II. CLIFFORD ROAD REPAIR - Mayor Combs decided that the best thing to do is to temporarily repair the road and ask the homeowners for permission to possibly install future storm water drainage projects on their property.
COMMISSIONER REEVES' REPORT: None.
COMMISSIONER HENDERSON'S REPORT: Commissioner Henderson stated that
Chief James Spires had tendered his
resignation and asked Sergeant Charles Self to take over the Police
Department. Advertising for full and
part time officers has begun.
Commissioner Henderson does not want to look for a Chief right away. He stated that he wanted Sergeant Self to
run the department and gain more experience.
Mayor Combs recommended that Chief Spires' last day be Friday, June 15,
instead of the normal two weeks. Commissioner Henderson moved to accept
the resignation effective June 15th.
Commissioner Tucker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Commissioner Tucker moved to allow the
police officers to work up to 8 hours total per week extra (4 more than
currently allowed). Commissioner
Henderson seconded the motion.
Commissioner Tucker then amended the motion to allow the police officers
to work as many extra hours as required (within FDLE regulations) to fulfill
the town duties. Commissioner Henderson
seconded the amended motion and it passed unanimously. Commissioner Tucker moved to allow Mayor
Combs, Commissioner Henderson, and Town Manager Tom Burns to do the hiring of
the new police officers. Commissioner
Henderson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
POLICE CHIEF'S
REPORT:
I. MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT - Sergeant Charles Self has secured video equipment and a moving radar unit from the Defuniak Springs Police Dept. at no cost He also set up the Court House Annex and the Town Hall to trace all incoming phone calls in the event of threatening calls.
TOWN MANAGER UPDATE:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
TOWN COMMISSION MEETING - JUNE 12, 2001 6PM
JUNE LEAGUE OF CITIES DINNER - JUNE 21, 2001 6PM
ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Garcia moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Reeves and passed unanimously.