Minutes

Town of Shalimar

Commission Meeting

September 9, 2003

 

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.

 

ROLL CALL FOR THE RECORD: 

            Mayor Gary Combs:  present         

            Mayor Pro-Tem Rik Larson:  present       

            Commissioner Ursel Behnken:  present  

            Commissioner Kevin Reeves:  present     

            Commissioner Jerry McCallister:  present           

         

Others in attendance:  Town Manager Tom Burns, Police Chief Charles Self, Deputy Town Clerk Tina Smith, Attorney Mike Chesser, Kim and Dutch Payne from Cinco Bayou, Nell Webb from Cinco Bayou, Steve Galberaith, Jack Hartrampf and Larry McCurdy from Action Outdoor Advertising of Alpharetta, Georgia.

 

PLANNING AND ZONING BUSINESS:  The Planning and Zoning Meeting scheduled for August 27, 2003 had to be rescheduled due to not having a quorum.  The new date is Wednesday, September 10, 2003.

 

TOWN RESIDENTS' TIME:  There were no residents present at the meeting.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

I.

 

APPROVE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 12, 2003 MEETING - Commissioner Larson moved to approve the minutes of the August 12, 2003 meeting as written.  Commissioner McCallister seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

II.

 

MEIGS EXECUTIVE PARK PROPERTY - Attorney Chesser informed Manager Burns, via phone call prior to the meeting, that he will need to research how the lot was originally platted.  That could affect the disposition of the property.

 

Mayor Combs stated that he needed an official request from the Shalimar Commons Homeowners’ Association and he has also requested something from Mr. Bonezzi stating that he doesn’t have a problem with this endeavor.  After some discussion, Mr. Thornton and the owner of the FedEx building were brought up too.  Manager Burns stated that he will research if these two additional buildings would be affected and, if they will, the town would also like something in writing from both of those property owners.

III.

 

VACATING 2 EASEMENTS IN SHALIMAR COMMONS – This issue will be put on hold until the Meigs Executive Park issue gets resolved.  

NEW BUSINESS:

I.

 

BILLBOARD APPEAL – See attached verbatim record of proceedings.  After the presentation, the representatives from Action Outdoor Advertising left the meeting.

II.

 

CONSTITUTION WEEK PROCLAMATION 2003-03 – Mayor Combs read and signed the proclamation.

III.

 

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MONTH PROCLAMATION 2003-04 – Mayor Combs read and signed the proclamation.

IV.

 

O'SULLIVAN CREEL CONTRACT RENEWAL – Manager Burns explained that the contract is up for renewal and this is not something that needs to be advertised.  Manager Burns believes that they are doing a good job and feels that the contract should be renewed.  Commissioner Behnken moved to sign that the Town would enter into another contract with O’Sullivan Creel.  Commissioner Larson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

MAYOR COMBS' REPORT:

I.

 

OKALOOSA COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES REPORT – Mayor Combs briefed the commission about the Yellow River Reservoir briefing, which ended up being informational only – no cities came out as for or against – and the Clean Water Act is still being worked out.

II.

 

HEAD COUNT FOR OCLOC DINNER ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2003 – Mayor Combs reminded everyone that the Town of Shalimar is hosting this quarters’ dinner and Deputy Clerk Smith would like the RSVPs among the commission by the end of the week. 

III.

 

TIDBITS ARTICLES DUE BY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2003 – The due date was read and Mayor Combs stated that the articles can be turned in early.  The Commission also discussed a few ideas for articles to include the FY 03-04 budget, information about our new police officer, the library cooperative effort, and a Clifford Road/Cherokee Park update.  Commissioner Reeves suggested including the resident services offered by the town (HazMat disposal, photocopies, etc.)

 

TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT:

Mayor Combs asked Attorney Chesser how he felt the town handled the billboard appeal.  Attorney Chesser felt that it was handled beautifully.  He then explained the difference between a legislative-type hearing and a quasi judicial hearing.  Attorney Chesser feels that this was not a quasi judicial hearing.

 

After his report, Mayor Combs stated that he was free to leave and reminded him of the upcoming Okaloosa County League of Cities dinner on September 25.

 

COMMISSIONER LARSON'S REPORT:

Commissioner Larson briefed that he and Manager Burns attended the EDC breakfast which was “interesting”.

 

COMMISSIONER REEVES' REPORT:

Commissioner Reeves had nothing to report.

 

COMMISSIONER BEHNKEN'S REPORT:

Commissioner Behnken had nothing to report.

 

COMMISSIONER McCALLISTER'S REPORT: 

I.                 BUDGET REPORT – Commissioner McCallister agreed that the budget was good.  Mayor Combs updated the commission on former employee Jeff Dowda’s attempt to receive unemployment compensation.  Mayor Combs iterated that the town would explore every avenue before we pay.

 

POLICE REPORT:

Police Chief Charles Self updated the commission that the town has started receiving barking dog complaints again.  Manager Burns explained the circumstances surrounding the written complaint and Mayor Combs asked if the complainant was told that he could come before the commission with his complaint.  Manager Burns stated that he informed the complainant and he also asked for suggestions for solutions.

 

TOWN MANAGER UPDATE:

Manager Burns stated that they received the bill from APAC for $53,000 and signed a change order for $1,800 for some things not on contract.  Manager Burns then asked the commission for permission to run the ad for the rest of the concrete work in Cherokee Park.  Mayor Combs stated that he had permission to run the ad but the commission would need to give the mayor the authority to negotiate and sign the contract once the bids come in.  Manager Burns went over what the final work will consist of (to include the pedestrian walkway and exercise equipment).  Manager Burns briefed the commission that the well is working.  Commissioner McCallister moved that the commission authorize the mayor to go over his $3,000 budget limit for this project not to exceed $54,000.  Commissioner Larson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

With no rain the park should be ready by the end of this month.  Commissioner Behnken asked about having a party when the park reopens.  It probably won’t be an Oktoberfest but, maybe in February the town could plan a party.

 

The police department has hired a new part-time officer, Patrick Draper and Maintenance Supervisor, Hugh Parker, has part-time help with Jack Williams.  There is $4,000 budgeted that will get Mr. Parker assistance for 12 hours per week.

 

Mayor Combs asked if the town could order a new park sign with just the name of the park and park hours.  He also reported to the commission that he has suggested a nautical theme for the park.

 

It was also suggested that the town look into “doggy dumping stations” that includes bags and garbage cans to assist people in cleaning up after their dogs.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

SEPTEMBER 10, 2003 -- RESCHEDULED PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING 6:00 P.M.

 

SEPTEMBER 25, 2003 -- OCLOC DINNER MEETING, 6:00 P.M.

 

OCTOBER 14, 2003 -- NEXT TOWN COMMISSION MEETING, 6:00PM

 

OCTOBER 29, 2003 -- PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING, 6:00 P.M.

 

After Mayor Combs read off the announcements, Manager Burns explained that there will be a quorum for the upcoming Planning and Zoning meeting but the town is looking for someone to volunteer for the board because there are a couple of current members that are busy and not always able to make the meetings.

 

The final plans for the Tropical Smoothie will be discussed at the regularly scheduled planning and zoning meeting.

 

ADJOURNMENT:  Commissioner Larson moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:29.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Behnken and passed unanimously.