May 14, 2002 -- Minutes -- Town Commission Meeting

Minutes

Town of Shalimar

Commission Meeting

May 14, 2002

CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Gary Combs called the regular meeting of the Shalimar Town Commission to order at 6:00 p.m. in Town Hall chambers. He led the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the Flag.

Others in attendance: Town Manager Tom Burns, Town Attorney Mike Chesser, Deputy Town Clerk Tina Smith, Police Chief Charles Self and his wife Deanna, Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Dowda, and Town residents Rik Larson, Paulette and Steve Peterson, Wheelock Cameron, Courtney Gable, Robbin Harrell, Mack Kirkland, Janet Martin, and Arthur Johanson.

P&Z BOARD REVIEW: Minutes from March Planning and Zoning Meeting were reviewed. There was no action for the Town Commission.

I. APPROVE MINUTES OF APRIL 9, 2002 TOWN COMMISSION MEETING -- Commissioner Henderson moved to approve the minutes as written. Commissioner Tucker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

II. TOWN ATTORNEY REPORT – Town Attorney Mike Chesser originally reported that he had nothing report. Commissioner Tucker asked if we could finally end the Racetrac case and Attorney Chesser said that he hadn’t taken care of it yet but that he would start on it right away.

I. TOWN RESIDENT’S TIME – MAYOR COMBS – Mayor Combs opened a discussion on the new lighting at the Shalimar Yacht Basin (SYB). Steve Peterson, one of the owners at the SYB, came forward to explain how they were going to fix the lighting problem (too bright). He relayed that Gulf Power would be out to fix the lights either Wednesday or Thursday. Commissioner Henderson publicly thanked Mr. Peterson for doing such a wonderful job with the appearance of the SYB and for being so willing to try working the problems out with the town and the residents.

Mr. Peterson used this time to talk about the annual American Business Women’s Association Poker Run that Shalimar Yacht Basin has been asked to help sponsor. Mr. Peterson explained what the Poker Run is, when and where it will be held, and invited everyone to come. He also fielded questions regarding the deck that SYB is planning on building.

II. CLIFFORD ROAD DRAINAGE PROJECT – Town Manager Tom Burns told the Commission about the handouts in the report section of their Commission binders. He explained that there were 2 different project approaches. Commissioner Henderson asked Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Dowda which one of the engineering plans was better and Supervisor Dowda relayed to the commission that the more expensive one was the better plan but that both plans would work as long as the homeowners didn’t fill in the swale with dirt. Commissioner Tucker moved that until we have written confirmation from every homeowner affected, we should not go any further with the engineering plans. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Henderson and it passed unanimously. A discussion on controlling the existing drainage easement ensued. Burns was directed to get approval in writing for either approach from the owners of the easement.

I. POLICE CHIEF EDUCATION SUPPORT – Commissioner Tucker informed the Commission about the County Sheriff’s Department calling the Shalimar Police officers and offering them more money to work for the county. Commissioner Tucker suggested giving our remaining police officers raises and bonuses. Commissioner Tucker explained that part of the money for the police department raises will come from the administrative part-time position (Sheila Hansen) and Mrs. Hansen will move to an “on-call” basis. Commissioner Reeves suggested starting up some sort of “non-compete” agreement whereas an officer that resigns from working with the Town of Shalimar can only work for a non-local police department. Commissioner Henderson asked Attorney Chesser to research the idea of the town having new police officers sign a contract. The contract would require any officer that resigns within a certain amount of time to repay the town for money for schooling, background checks, etc. Shortly after giving her presentation, Commissioner Tucker had to leave. Commissioner Henderson moved that the town approve everything in Commissioner Tucker’s presentation except the $2 part-time increase. A discussion ensued and Commissioner Henderson’s motion was tabled to allow Commissioner Garcia (our new Finance and Administration Commissioner) to make sure that the town has the money to support the raises and to figure out which accounts the money is coming from. The Commission didn’t want to wait until the next scheduled commission meeting to make the decision so a special meeting will have to be scheduled after discussing the dates with Commissioner Tucker.

I. OKALOOSA COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES REPORT – Mayor Combs is working with the League of Cities to request Executive Board support in requesting a no-fee membership status for Cinco Bayou, Laurel Hill and Shalimar. These three townships are very small and have no libraries of their own.

II. GOALS – The attached goals list looks good. Some goals for the current year have been completed. The list will be uploaded to the web site.

III. Mayor Combs explained the letter he mailed out to all of the County Commissioners regarding PAWS support and that we have not yet received a response from the county.

I. LINE ITEM BUDGET REVIEW – Commissioner Garcia provided a hand out for everyone. No motions were made regarding the line items.

Commissioner Garcia reminded the Commission that a budget workshop needed to be scheduled for the second week in June to start working on FY03.

Commissioner Garcia tendered his resignation to Mayor Combs. Commissioner Garcia accepted a job offer out of state. When asked if he had a replacement in mind he replied that he was working on it. Town Manager went on the record to thank Commissioner Garcia and to let him know that he appreciated Commissioner Garcia’s help and effort. Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Dowda also wanted to go on the record to thank Commissioner Garcia for doing such a good job as his Commissioner.

I. PARK HOURS – Mayor Combs explained to Commissioner Reeves that if he wants to change the park hours he has to work on an ordinance change. Town Manager Tom Burns offered to help Commissioner Reeves with an ordinance and the procedural aspect of an ordinance change. It is o.k. for Commissioner Reeves to conduct a straw poll during a meeting among the commissioners to get an idea if an ordinance change will pass. Commissioner Henderson explained that the previous mayor (Harry Montague) worked hard to get the park developed and was proud of the accomplishment. The residents did not like the idea of a park being so close to their house. Because the residents were so adamant, the existing commission assured residents that the parks would not be open at night. Commissioner Henderson also explained that, because of this, he would never back parks being open at night. Commissioner Garcia stated that he felt that opening the parks at night would bring more problems than it is worth.

Commissioner Henderson had no business. He received a copy from the Town Manager of the Mary Esther nuisance ordinance but hasn’t had a chance to look over it yet.

I. MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – The monthly activity report is in the commission binders and there were no questions or comments.

Town Manager Tom Burns asked the commission for a motion to appoint Commissioner Tucker to the Florida Municipal Pension Trust Fund board. Commissioner Henderson moved that the Commission appoint Commissioner Tucker to the Florida Municipal Pension Trust Fund to replace Commissioner Brown. It was seconded by Commissioner Garcia and it passed unanimously.

Town Manager Tom Burns relayed to the Commission the estimated cost for recodifying the ordinances with Municode Corp. The estimate is approximately $1000 more than was originally budgeted. The Mayor suggested taking the money out of the contingency fund. He stated that the supplementation was fairly high on his list of priorities for the town.

The Mayor asked Manager Burns if the town has received anything in writing from Shell regarding the right turn lane and suggested we get something as soon as possible.

ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Henderson moved to adjourn at 7:59 pm. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Garcia and it passed unanimously.