Mayor Gary Combs :  present

Mayor Pro-Tem Rik Larson:  present

Commissioner John Henderson:  present 

Commissioner Kevin Reeves :  present 

Commissioner Jerry McCallister:  present

I.

WASTE MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATIVE – Mr. Rory Cassedy gave a brief speech to the commission regarding a new contract.  He explained some of the services provided by his company and fielded questions from the board.  The contract with BFI could have been re-evaluated on May 1^st but the town would have had to give them 90 days notice.  Town Manager Burns will go out for bids in early 2004 for a new refuse contract.

II.

TOWN RESIDENTS' TIME – MAYOR COMBS – Town Resident, Ursel Behnken informed the commission of a white car that has been parked in front of Mr. Dewrell’s property for a long time and asked if there was anything that could be done about it.  Commissioner Henderson suggested that the Town Manager send a letter explaining that residents are complaining and ask if it could be moved.  He also suggested that Police Chief Charles Self stop by his property and explain the situation.

Town Resident, Anne Winjum fears that the speed at which people drive down Gardner Drive will, one day, lead to a child getting seriously hurt.  Commissioner Henderson believes that the commission should revisit this subject that began in 1996.  Commissioner Henderson asked the attending residents to talk to their neighbors and start a petition or come to a meeting.  It was decided that Commissioner Henderson would write a Tidbits article asking interested residents to contact the town hall.

III.

EARLY TIDBITS FOR MARCH (DEPUTY TOWN CLERK) – Deputy Town Clerk asked if the commission would mind if the Tidbits went out early in March instead of at the end of March.  The article deadline date will be e-mailed to the commissioners.

IV.

MINUTES (MAYOR COMBS' REPORT; II.  P & Z/COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS) PASSED FROM OCTOBER MEETING DIDN'T CONTAIN ENOUGH DETAIL ABOUT RIK LARSON'S APPOINTMENT (SEE ATTACHED MEMO IN REPORTS SECTION) – The entire commission agreed that Commissioner Larson be appointed but the minutes from that meeting did not reflect their agreement.  Commissioner Henderson moved that the Commission agrees that Rik Larson became a Commissioner when he was sworn in.  Commissioner McCallister seconded the motion and it passed unanimously with Commissioner Larson abstaining.

V.

TERMS OF NEW COMMISSIONERS (SEE ATTACHED MEMO IN REPORTS SECTION) – The four newly “elected” commissioners are all running unopposed.  In this instance there will be no election but the town is required to have 2 2-year commissioners and 2 4-year commissioners.  Commissioner Henderson moved that the new commissioners be allowed to come to a unanimous consensus on who will fill the available 2 and 4 year terms or they will be decided by a drawing.  Commissioner Larson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  The mayor suggested doing something more than just a motion for this since it has to do with procedures.  Commissioner Henderson argued that the mayor should have the chance to choose so he didn’t want anything set in stone.

VI.

OKALOOSA GAS -- FRANCHISE AGREEMENT ORDINANCE – Town Attorney, Mike Chesser, asked Manager Burns to do more research on this ordinance.  Manager Burns asked the commission to table this item while he is researching it.  He will also look into the possibility of doing this agreement as a resolution instead of an ordinance.

VII.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND PERSONNEL POLICY UPDATES – Mayor Combs noted that each commissioner has a copy of the updated Administrative and Personnel Policies.  He asked that they review the policies, give any of your changes to Deputy Clerk, Tina Smith or Manager Burns, and at the next meeting the commission will vote on individual changes.  If there a lot of changes to be voted on, the commission may decide to hold a special meeting.

VIII.

RESOLUTION 2003-06 (TOWN MANAGER) – Manager Burns explained that this is a resolution that is passed every year regarding Right-of-way maintenance on Eglin Parkway .  Commissioner Henderson moved that Resolution 2003-06 be approved as written.  Commissioner Larson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

I.

OKALOOSA COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES REPORT – Mayor Combs reported that one of the town’s employees was asked to maintain a new web site for the Okaloosa County League of Cities (OCLOC) and that County Commissioner , Elaine Tucker , is the new county representative for the OCLOC.

He asked the residents to be on the lookout for wild coyotes which have been spotted on Gardner Drive and added that Manager Burns is now a licensed wild animal trapper.

I.

GARDNER DRIVE TRAFFIC – This was discussed under town residents’ time and under the town attorney’s report.

II.

NO WAKE ZONE – In 1995 the town requested a No Wake Zone out in Garnier’s Bayou.  Florida Marine Patrol said that the sign could be put out there but that it wasn’t enforceable so Mayor Montague said no.  The town also had a problem with the previous Shalimar Yacht Basin (SYB) owners not wanting the No Wake Zone.  Commissioner Henderson asked current SYB owner, Paulette Peterson, how they feel about it and she stated that they are all for it.  He then asked her if SYB would help the town pay for the cost of the sign.  She said that her guys would help with the maintenance of the sign.  Resident Myron Tassin said that he would authorize a sign to be placed on his dock.  Commissioner Henderson will research the procedures of adding a No Wake Zone and reference Ordinance Number 95-08 . 

I.

FY03 BUDGET REPORT – Commissioner McCallister passed out the new audit books to everyone.  Manager Burns stated that he hasn’t yet received the electronic report for the mayor’s signature but that management recommendations from the audit are in the audit books.  Mayor Combs demanded that all commissioners get a copy of any letters that are signed by either the mayor or any of the commissioners.  He also stated that any letters that have to do with money should be signed by the mayor. 

Manger Burns answered their questions about the audit and briefed that line item changes will be made in March by all department heads.

I.

MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – Police Chief Charles Self stated that he would appreciate anyone presenting the town with law enforcement-related issues be directed to his office first.