DECEMBER 11, 2001

CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Gary Combs called the regular meeting of the Shalimar Town Commission to order at 5:05 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 Elaine Tucker: present

Commissioner John Henderson: present

Commissioner Ricardo Garcia: present

Commissioner Kevin Reeves: present

Others in attendance: Town Manager Tom Burns, Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Dowda, Town Attorney Mike Chesser (arrived at 5:15pm), Kathy Sheffield of Niceville, and Rik Larson of 24 Old Ferry Road.

P&Z BOARD REVIEW – November 28, 2001 – NO MEETING –

OLD BUSINESS:

I. APPROVE MINUTES OF November 13, 2001 TOWN COMMISSION MEETING – Commissioner Tucker moved to approve the minutes as written. Commissioner Henderson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

II. TOWN ATTORNEY REPORT – (followed Commissioner Tucker's report due to late arrival) Town Attorney, Mike Chesser introduced Kathy Sheffield as a municipal paralegal. He also related that he would soon present a draft agreement for a new attorney fee schedule for review by the Commission

III. PLANNING AND ZONING (P&Z) BOARD APPOINTMENTS - Manager Burns briefed that Eddie Phillips was still awaiting a reply from Jimmy Jones about accepting the P&Z chairmanship. He also stated that Mr. Wagner of palm Shores Dr. had expressed interest in filling the open board position. The Mayor stated that he would call Mr. Jones.

NEW BUSINESS:

I. TOWN RESIDENTS' TIME - MAYOR COMBS –

Rik Larson stated that he was pleased with recent police patrols on Old Ferry Rd. Commissioner Reeves stated that he also approved of recent foot patrols in his neighborhood, and asked if any restrictions applied as to how far an officer on foot patrol could be from his patrol vehicle. Commissioner Henderson responded that no restrictions applied and that he thought potential chase or dispute situations could be handled via radio with County support. Commissioner Reeves also asked if younger traffic offenders that might be in school or working are given any special consideration when stopped for violations, as they may be inexperienced. Commissioner Henderson said that he thought our Officers always consider the severity of the offense, the attitude of the offender, and the expected outcome of any enforcement action taken.

MAYOR COMBS REPORT:

I. OKALOOSA COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES REPORT – Mayor Gary Combs reported that Linda Parker of Crestview is the new Executive Board President, and that he is the new vice president.

COMMISSIONER TUCKER'S REPORT:

I. FY02 BUDGET STATUS – Commissioner Tucker briefed the current budget status.

II. FY02 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - Based on available funding, Commissioner Tucker and Manager Burns recommended projects to be funded this fiscal year. After discussion, Commissioner Tucker moved that the following projects be funded in FY02 and begun as soon as possible: the road edging in Snug Harbor, the engineering for the Clifford drainage improvements, and the engineering for the right turn lane at Cherokee and Eglin Pkwy. Commissioner Henderson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Commissioner Tucker related that this year's budget would probably support the completion of at least one of the engineered projects (Clifford drainage, or Cherokee turn lane) and that the Commission could decide further action based on the outcome of the engineering efforts.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S REPORT:

I. Commissioner Garcia briefed that he had attended the December meeting of the memorial committee and that the materials for the first phase were being ordered.

COMMISSIONER REEVES' REPORT:

I. Commissioner Reeves stated that the estimate for labor and materials to recover the Commission table and construct an addition for the Town Attorney and Manager was $1800. He stated that a matching podium would cost $150. Commissioner Tucker said that funding was available, and the Mayor noted that this sum was under the bid requirement and within his expenditure limit. The Commission approved the commencement of the work.

COMMISSIONER HENDERSON'S REPORT:

I. Commissioner Henderson relayed praise for the December issue of the Town newsletter "TIDBITS". Manager Burns accepted thanks on behalf of temporary staff members Lindsey Daso and Sheila Hanson for their efforts in getting the newsletter out early. Commissioner Henderson also briefed numbers of traffic citations verses traffic counts to belay concerns that a perception may be returning that Shalimar is a "speed trap", and that the department continues to concentrate on neighborhood patrol. Manager Burns related approximate numbers for previous year fines. These numbers indicate recent levels of traffic fines are significantly below previous years.

POLICE REPORT:

I. MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – Manager Burns noted that the Police report for November would appear in the upcoming Weekly Activity Report as well as at next months Commission Meeting.

TOWN MANAGER UPDATE:

I. CHEROKEE ADDITION/GRANT UPDATE – Town Manager Tom Burns reported that the contract for the property grant was "in the stack" for signature in Tallahassee. He stated that he saw no problems in finalizing the grant, but that a boundary survey and the title search would need to mailed to the FL Div. of Recreation and Parks.

II. AUDIT UPDATE - Manager Burns said that the fieldwork portion of the audit was complete and that he expected a draft of the results by Jan 12, 2002. He also said that he expected to receive recommendations for improvements in managing the handling of receipts for payment. Commissioner Tucker requested notification of the out-briefing date when available.

III. ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL - Manager Burns briefed the hiring of Sheila Hanson on a part time basis to work with Deputy Clerk Tina Smith and fill in during Tina's expected medical absences. Mayor Combs added that Jeff Dowda's work in cleaning up the Cherokee property addition was coming along nicely.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: NONE

- FLOC Dinner, 6/7PM, Thursday, December 13, Hurlburt Soundside Club - TC MTG, January 8, 2002, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Garcia moved to adjourn the Town Commission meeting at 5:45 pm. Commissioner Henderson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

ATTEST:

_______________________________ _________________________________

Thomas A. Burns Gary Combs

Town Manager Mayor