Minutes

Town of Shalimar

Commission Meeting

November 13, 2003

 

CALL TO ORDER:  Mayor Gary Combs called the meeting to order at 6:00 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:  absent    

            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 Karen Arnett (sitting in for Mike Chesser), and residents Ray Reeves, Joy and Kenneth Holt, and Jesus and Sylvia Ortega.

 

PLANNING AND ZONING BUSINESS:  The Planning and Zoning meeting was held on Wednesday, October 29, 2003 and the minutes are attached.  There is nothing for the Town Commission to approve.

 

TOWN RESIDENTS' TIME:  Mayor Combs stated he was going to run quickly through the agenda and come back to the Town Residents’ time.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

I.

 

APPROVE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 14, 2003 COMMISSION MEETING – Commissioner Larson moved to accept the minutes of the October 14, 2003 Commission Meeting as written.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner McCallister and it passed unanimously.

II.

 

COOKIES WITH COMMISSIONER RIGGS RESCHEDULED – Deputy Clerk Smith explained that County Commissioner Riggs “Cookies with Commissioner Riggs” will be next month at 5:00 before the December Meeting.  Everyone is invited to attend and ask questions.  Commissioner Riggs was unable to attend tonight because she had a scheduling conflict.  It will be put in the Tidbits newsletter as long as the newsletter comes out early enough in the month.  It will also be put on the marquee.

         

 

NEW BUSINESS:

I.

 

CHRISTMAS PARADE? – Mayor Combs reported to the commission that the children’s Christmas party attendance has been declining in the last couple of years.  The mayor stated that it had been discussed that we get Santa to ride around town, along with the police, in a boat.  The date set for the parade is on the evening of Monday, December 22, 2003.

                    

MAYOR COMBS’ REPORT:

I.

 

OKALOOSA COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES REPORT – Mayor Combs was unavailable for the November Executive Board Meeting.  The information for the quarterly dinner will be e-mailed as soon as it is received.

The Mayor informed the commission that they are still working in the park and that his squadron came over to help out on October 17.  Cherokee Park should be done some time next year.  Mayor Combs is also looking at the possibility of cutting back on the amount of concrete that will go in the park.

 

TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT – Leslie Sheekley is working with Attorney Chesser on the billboard lawsuit.  They are going to file a motion to dismiss to remove Manager Burns’ name from the suit and they should have a response shortly.

 

COMMISSIONER LARSON'S REPORT – Commissioner Larson reported that he and Manager Burns attended the Gulf Power Symposium and he felt that it was very educational.

 

COMMISSIONER REEVES’ REPORT – Commissioner Reeves had nothing to report.

 

COMMISSIONER BEHNKEN’S REPORT – Commissioner Behnken was not in attendance.

 

COMMISSIONER McCALLISTER’S REPORT:  

I.

 

BUDGET REPORT – Commissioner McCallister reported that the audit is looking good.  It should possibly be returned by the December Meeting.  Commissioner McCallister would like the auditors to come to the meeting and brief the commission.

 

POLICE REPORT – Mayor Combs stated that he met the new officer.

 

TOWN MANAGER UPDATE – Manager Burns had nothing to report.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

NOVEMBER 26, 2003 – PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING, 6:00 P.M.

 

DECEMBER 9, 2003 – NEXT TOWN COMMISSION MEETING, 6:00 P.M.

 

Mayor Combs suggested getting some hors d’oeuvres for the December Meeting.

 

At this point in the meeting, the town residents discussed the barking dog issue.  The resident with the complaint in effect stated it has been quiet in the last month but he attended the meeting to hear what the attorneys report.  The residents from 13 Cherokee stated that they have been recording their dogs’ activities for their records.  Attorney Arnett read her findings.  She stated that it was up to the animal control officer as to whether or not he finds probable cause to fine a pet owner.

 

ADJOURNMENT – Commissioner Larson moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:32.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner McCallister and passed unanimously.