Minutes

Town of Shalimar

Commission Meeting

March 11, 2003

 

CALL TO ORDER:  Mayor Gary Combs called the meeting to order at 6:02 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 Rik Larson:  present

 

Commissioner John Henderson:  present 

 

Commissioner Kevin Reeves :  present 

 

Commissioner Jerry McCallister:  present

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

Others in attendance:  Town Manager Tom Burns, Deputy Town Clerk Tina Smith, Police Chief Charles Self, Officer John Cash, Town Attorney Mike Chesser, and residents Joey Crews, Jim Foley, Chris Langlois, Ursel Behnken, Joe and Melanie Wood, and County Commissioner (and resident) Elaine Tucker.

 

Commissioner John Henderson decided not to run for Commissioner this term so this will be his last meeting.  Mayor Combs presented Commissioner Henderson with a plaque and thanked him for his 4 years of service with the Town of Shalimar .  Planning and Zoning Board Member and Secretary Ursel Behnken will be sworn in at the April 2003 meeting to take Commissioner Henderson’s place on the Commission.

 

IV.     PLANNING AND ZONING VARIANCE -- The Town of Shalimar has been unsuccessful in their attempt to get a Planning and Zoning Board quorum together for town resident, Joseph Crews’ variance request.  It was decided that the Town Commission would handle it tonight.  Commissioner Larson is a past Planning and Zoning Board member and Commissioner McCallister is the president of the homeowner’s association of the subdivision where this variance is to take place.  The Commission was briefed by the Town Manager, Tom Burns, regarding the request.  The Commissioners reviewed the charts and a letter of concern from Mr. Crews’ neighbors, and Commissioner McCallister briefed the history of the drainage issues.  The former planning and zoning members had no problem with this variance.  Commissioner McCallister felt that if there was a motion he should abstain because of his relationship with Mr. Crews.  Attorney Chesser told him that it was unnecessary for him to abstain if he has no financial ties in the variance.  Commissioner McCallister stated that he did not.  After discussion Commissioner Henderson moved that the variance requested at 880 Brande Court be approved as requested by this Commission to include the mechanical equipment associated with construction of the pool area.  Commissioner Larson seconded the motion.  There was a little more discussion among the commission members and the attorney explained some original subdivision problems.  The motion by Commissioner Henderson passed unanimously.

 

OLD BUSINESS:  

I.

 

APPROVE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 11, 2003 TOWN COMMISSION MEETING -- Commissioner Henderson moved to approve the minutes of the Commission meeting as written.  Commissioner McCallister seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

II.

 

UPDATE ON CLIFFORD DRAINAGE/CHEROKEE RIGHT TURN LANE PROJECTS – The mayor had a problem with a clause in the pending contract and directed Manager Burns and Attorney Chesser to review the contract prior to presenting it to APAC.

III.

 

COUNTY MODULAR BUILDING – The mayor briefed previous conversations with the County Manager regarding the modular building.  They came to an agreement that the county will clean up the area behind the courthouse and they will be able to put up this building.  The mayor asked the commission for permission for Manager Burns to issue the permit for the additional modular building.  The Commission believes that the agreement between the town and the county should be a little more specific; adding the fence information and the time limit it needs to be put up by (180 days was suggested).  Manager Burns explained that stipulations for the county can be added to the permit.  Manager Burns’ understanding was that no specific code limitations would apply to this building.  Attorney Chesser stated that there is no need for the commission to give Manager Burns permission to approve the building permit and the fence should be considered a totally separate issue/permit.  It was agreed to permit the building and the fence.

IV.

 

NEW COMMISSIONERS' TERMS – In regards to term limits on the upcoming commission, Mayor Combs asked if the Commissioners that would accept a 2-year term would raise their hand; Ursel Behnken and Kevin Reeves agreed to this and Rik Larson and Jerry McCallister agreed to a 4 year term.  All agreed to the decided terms for new commissioners; Ursel Behnken and Kevin Reeves get the 2 year terms and Rik Larson and Jerry McCallister get the 4 year terms.

V.

 

PLANNING AND ZONING APPOINTMENT – As Mayor Combs explained earlier about the planning and zoning board, the ability to form a quorum is difficult.  Mayor Combs recommended Sandy McClain to take the place of Ursel Behnken.  Mayor Combs stated that Jimmy Jones was out of town at the moment but Deputy Clerk Tina Smith stated that Mr. Jones was very anxious to get at least one more person on the planning and zoning board soon.  The commission agreed to appoint Sandy McClain to the planning and zoning board.

VI.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE AND PERSONNEL POLICY MANUALS – Mayor Combs would like all of the suggestions for changes to the policy manuals to be given to town hall.  Town hall staff will incorporate all of the changes and forward to the mayor.  The mayor would like all changes reviewed at the April meeting and the new Administrative and Personnel policy resolutions drafted up and a new resolution presented at the May meeting.

 

NEW BUSINESS:  

I.

 

TOWN RESIDENTS' TIME – MAYOR COMBS – Mr. Foley asked about the pet leash law.  The board explained to Mr. Foley that the Shalimar Ordinances state that if an animal is under voice command, a leash is not necessary.  The mayor asked Mr. Foley to call the police if he has a specific problem.  Also, the Town Manager will provide Mr. Foley with a copy of the ordinance regarding this law.

II.

 

OKALOOSA GAS -- FRANCHISE AGREEMENT – The old franchise agreement was extended until May 31, 2003 in order for the Town Commission to get both readings of the ordinance done.  Deputy Town Clerk, Tina Smith, will get the new franchise agreement out to the board for their review.  Next month will be the first reading of this ordinance.

III.

 

MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT – Mayor Combs briefed the board on Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Dowda’s decision to leave the town and move to South Carolina.  The mayor asked the commission to agree to the terms of his letter of resignation and suggested to the commission that the town pay him one month of severance pay.  The town already has a replacement for Supervisor Dowda.  Commissioner Henderson suggested having an agreement drafted up for Jeff to sign so that he can’t come back to the town with claims for injuries stemming from an incident which occurred during his Shalimar employment.  Attorney Chesser offered to assist with the drafting of this agreement.  The commission all agreed.

IV.

 

PLANNING AND ZONING VARIANCE – This item was handled earlier in the meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAYOR COMBS’ REPORT:

I.

 

OKALOOSA COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES REPORT – The dinner meeting will be on March 20 at the Soundside.  The guest speaker is Sheriff Charlie Morris and Mayor Combs also invited Chief Self.  The Executive Board is going to have its own web site.  Mayor Glover is trying to move the meetings to Monday.  The Veteran’s Memorial dedication in Crestview is Saturday, March 22.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT:  Town Attorney, Mike Chesser, explained Resolution 2003-07 which is an amended version of Resolution 2003-05.  It is adding one phrase which will help Mr. Tassin in the future.  Commissioner Larson moved that the Commission approve Resolution 2003-07 as written.  Commissioner McCallister seconded the motion and it moved to a discussion.  Attorney Chesser explained why the two effective dates were necessary.  Commissioner Henderson felt that since Mr. Tassin was not present, the commission should not pass a resolution about his property and Attorney Chesser stated that it could be tabled until the next meeting.  Commissioner Larson withdrew his motion.  The town will get in touch with Mr. Tassin before passing this resolution.

 

Attorney Chesser will read the APAC agreement and, based on what he has already seen of it, will be required to reword it.  Manager Burns stated that he will find an old contract and use it as a shell for this new agreement.  Manager Burns will get the new contract to Attorney Chesser and it will be ready to sign when Mayor Combs returns from his trip.

 

COMMISSIONER LARSON'S REPORT:  Commissioner Larson had nothing to report. 

 

COMMISSIONER REEVES’ REPORT:   Commissioner Reeves warned everyone to watch your vehicles.  He had some gas stolen from his while it was parked in his driveway.

 

COMMISSIONER HENDERSON’S REPORT:  

I.

 

GARDNER DRIVE TRAFFIC – The residents present stated that they were willing to do anything necessary to control the speed on Gardner Drive.  Commissioner Henderson read the run-down of resident input regarding the Gardner Drive traffic issue submitted to town hall.  Chief Self stated that “no-through traffic” signs are a viable option but there are enforcement problems.  Commissioner Larson suggested placing speed bumps at the stop signs which could be integrated into a pedestrian walkway.  Commissioner Tucker explained that it is illegal to use stop signs to slow traffic.  Mayor Combs asked Town Manager Burns to send out letters to all of the residents on the Gardner Drive side of Eglin Pkwy. and let them all know that the traffic issue will be discussed at the next meeting. 

II.

 

NO WAKE ZONE – Commissioner Henderson stated that the commissioner that heads up the Idle Speed Zone issue needs to be a commissioner that feels strongly and will work on it.  Commissioner Reeves stated that he will chair the no wake zone issue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMISSIONER McCALLISTER’S REPORT:  

I.

 

FY02 BUDGET REPORT – Commissioner McCallister explained that the next meeting will address 6 month line item changes and he and Manager Burns will sit down and work on this over the next month for approval at the next meeting.  Also, a Bank CD is going to mature on March 17.  If the town just lets it roll over it will only get a little over 1% but if it is moved to a public funds investment, it will get 2.16%.  Attorney Chesser asked if it was federally insured.  Manager Burns will call AmSouth regarding the FDIC requirements.  At this point the mayor asked Attorney Chesser about the investment opportunity that he and Town Manager Burns had been briefed about earlier in the afternoon.  Commissioner Henderson asked that it be discussed later.  The mayor stated his intention was to ask Attorney Chesser’s legal opinion before proceeding with any presentations to the Commission.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

POLICE REPORT:  

I.

 

MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – Chief Self and Mayor Combs pinned John Cash who is now Corporal.

 

 

 

TOWN MANAGER UPDATE:  Town Manager Burns had nothing to report. 

 

 ANNOUNCEMENTS:  

Next Commission Meeting – APRIL 8, 2003 at 6:00 p.m.  

 

 ADJOURNMENT:   Commissioner Larson moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:11.  Commissioner Henderson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.