October 8, 2002 -- Minutes -- Town Commission Meeting

Minutes

Town of Shalimar

Commission Meeting

October 8, 2002

CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Gary Combs called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. in Town Hall chambers. He led the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the Flag.

Others in attendance: Town Manager Tom Burns, Town Attorney representative Lisa Spencer, Paulette Peterson from Shalimar Yacht Basin, John Reinhold, Chairman for the Emerald Coast Poker Run and the Emerald Coast Foundation and, Natalie, the secretary for the Emerald Coast Foundation.

Before the meeting began, John Reinhold, from the Emerald Coast Poker Run, presented the town with a picture and thanked the town for all their help with the Poker Run. He stated that no other town helped us out as much as Shalimar. He also noted that he didn’t have a donation total for the Poker Run because all of the money was not yet in. He relayed that the Emerald Coast Foundation will be holding different fishing tournaments, a black tie event some time next year and a “boat week” that will not be fishing related but will lead up to the Poker Run.

III. APPROVE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2002 FINAL BUDGET HEARING -- Commissioner Henderson moved to approve the Minutes of the September 10, 2002 Tentative Budget Hearing (after the date change is made from 2001 to 2002), the Minutes of the September 10, 2002 Town Commission Meeting and the Minutes of the September 17, 2002 Final Budget Hearing (after the date change is made from 2001 to 2002) as written. Commissioner Tucker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

V. UPDATE ON CLIFFORD DRAINAGE/CHEROKEE RIGHT TURN LANE PROJECTS – Town Manager Burns relayed to the Commission that the ad for the project bids is out and the town will be accepting bids for the work until 2:00 p.m. on November 4. At 2:05 p.m. on November 4, the bids will be opened with the Engineer, Bill Paxton. Bill Paxton will take the offers and review them for sufficiency and compliance and will bring them to the November Commission Meeting for award of contract. The utility poles that were in the way of the turn lane are in the process of being moved.

Friday, October 11, Mayor Combs and Town Manager Burns will walk through Cherokee Park with an APAC representative to find out if any of the planned park projects will require an engineer. They will also try to have a rough cost of the projects to all of the Commissioners before the next meeting.

Many ideas for the park were brought up at the meeting, including only adding a parking lot where the house is now and removing the other vehicle accesses. Manager Burns suggested the Commission have a public hearing after all of the specifics are determined.

I. TOWN RESIDENTS’ TIME – MAYOR COMBS – Commissioner Henderson stated that a resident had approached him and informed him that the agenda had not been posted to the web site yet. Commissioner Henderson and Mayor Combs suggested posting the agenda shell and updating it as the actual agenda gets updated.

I. OKALOOSA COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES REPORT – Mayor Combs attended the last Executive Board meeting and reported that the by-laws will be changing to note that after missing meetings your town will be sent a letter. The Library Co-op issue was brought up again. The Mayor is working to get Shalimar, Cinco Bayou and Laurel Hill library privileges with the county without having to pay extra for being a city resident. Commissioner Tucker will attend the next Executive Board meeting to learn more about the co-op. The mayor also relayed that there will be a “Legislative feed” in January at the Fort Walton Beach golf course that everyone can attend and meet the Legislative officers.

II. P & Z/COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS – Mayor Combs appointed resident and Planning and Zoning Board Member, Rik Larson, to take Commissioner Tucker’s place as Police Commissioner. Gene Tucker will take Rik Larson’s seat on the Planning and Zoning Board.

III. DESIGNATE NEW MAYOR PRO-TEM – Mayor Combs designated soon-to-be Town Commissioner, Rik Larson as the new Mayor Pro-Tem stating that Mr. Larson has more time to be the Mayor Pro-Tem.

IV. PAYMENT OF ANNUAL STIPEND – After some discussion, Manager Burns stated that he would be typing up letters for everyone on the commission to fill out regarding their stipends. The letters will include a place to fill in the amount that each commission member will receive and a place for them to sign.

I. POLICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE STATUS – Commissioner Tucker relayed that the training wasn’t going well with one of the part-timers and he is now gone. An advertisement for a part time officer went out in the paper and the interviewing should begin some time next week. Commissioner Tucker also wanted to recognize the outstanding work of the Maintenance Supervisor, Jeff Dowda, and the entire police department during Hurricane Isidore. She will distribute a $25 gift certificate to these employees for their dedication.

Commissioner Henderson addressed a conversation that he had with Deputy Clerk, Tina Smith, regarding goodie bags for new Shalimar residents. He thought that it would be a good idea to include coupons for local businesses, maps, koozies, etc. to welcome new residents into the town.

I. FY03 BUDGET REPORT – Commissioner McCallister read off the income and expenditures as of today’s date for FY 01/02.

I. MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – Chief Self explained that the reason that the citations were up so high in September is because there was a statewide “Click it or Ticket” campaign. Commissioner Tucker added that it was approved for the Police Department to have new hirees sign a commitment letter.

I. PAWS CONTRACT – Manager Burns explained that the town needed some sort of emergency PAWS support. The attached list shows what PAWS will be charging the town on a per-incident basis. The Mayor will agree to sign a contract with PAWS but only as a back up for our Police Department and ONLY someone from the Police Department and the Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem will be able to call for PAWS support.

II. SYB CONSTRUCTION UPDATE – Manager Burns relayed that Shalimar Yacht Basin (SYB) owner, Steve Peterson, came in this week to permit the deck that he has been constructing. Commissioner Henderson noted that the structure on the SYB property looked like it was still under construction. Manager Burns stated that he explained to Mr. Peterson that if anything is going to be added to the existing structure, Mr. Peterson will have to come back in for another permit.

Manager Burns also expressed that Mr. Peterson would like to place some kind of directional sign off SYB property. Manager Burns suggested placing a green sign (similar to a normal street sign) under the “ Old Ferry Road ” sign. Mayor Combs commented that the green sign sounded like a good idea and that Manager Burns could handle it on his own. Manager Burns will work with Commissioner Reeves. Commissioner Henderson suggested that the town order and install the sign so that it looks like all other road signs and bill the SYB when the job is completed.

Commissioner Tucker asked about the Halloween times and suggested the town follow the same times as the County. After some discussion it was agreed upon that the Town of Shalimar will trick-n-treat the same times as Okaloosa County . Some discussion was brought up about Christmas and Santa. Commissioner McCallister has played Santa before and will let the Deputy Clerk know what day in December will be good for him to come over and hand out presents. Commissioner McCallister will also find out if he can borrow the suit that he normally wears.

ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Henderson moved to adjourn at 7:10 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Tucker and it passed unanimously.