Minutes

Town of Shalimar

Commission Meeting

December 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:  absent        

            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 Karen Arnett (sitting in for Mike Chesser), and resident Johann Behnken.

 

PLANNING AND ZONING BUSINESS:  The Planning and Zoning meeting for November 26, 2003 was canceled.  Manager Burns explained that the December meeting has been postponed until January 7, 2004.

 

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

 

OLD BUSINESS:

I.

 

APPROVE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 13, 2003 COMMISSION MEETING – Commissioner McCallister moved to accept the minutes of the November 13, 2003 Commission Meeting as written.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Reeves and it passed unanimously.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

I.

 

CHRISTMAS PARADE PLANNING – The Mayor stated that the parade will start at 4:00 on December 22.  Shalimar Yacht Basin has agreed to lend the town 1 boat.  There will be one police car in the front and one in the back “escorting” Santa.  Commissioner McCallister will be Santa and Commissioner Behnken has supplied the Santa clothes.  It was also decided that Clerk Smith would help Santa pass out candy on the boat.  Mayor Combs suggested getting the boat on Friday to get it all decorated, etc. before Monday.  Manager Burns will call Shalimar Yacht Basin to shore up the details.

                    

MAYOR COMBS’ REPORT:

I.

 

OKALOOSA COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES REPORT – Mayor Combs reminded everyone that the League of Cities quarterly dinner will be on December 18.

 

Mayor Combs stated that he felt that the town employees should each receive a $200 Christmas bonus this year.  He also recommended that Maintenance Supervisor, Hugh Parker, receive $400 because he didn’t receive a pay raise in September and has been working very hard on the park.  Everyone agreed.  They also agreed that the Part-timers should receive $25 to $50 based on their work performance.

 

TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT – Manager Burns briefed the commission on the current bill from Attorney Chesser’s office.  Manager Burns stated that he wasn’t paying the bill until Attorney Chesser explains all of the fees.

 

COMMISSIONER LARSON'S REPORT – Commissioner Larson was not in attendance.

 

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

 

COMMISSIONER BEHNKEN’S REPORT – Commissioner Behnken had nothing to report.  Mayor Combs asked that Commissioner Behnken start looking at the Planning and Zoning paperwork which includes the new Hampton Inn.

 

COMMISSIONER McCALLISTER’S REPORT:  

I.

 

BUDGET REPORT – Commissioner McCallister and Manager Burns briefly wrapped up the audit report.  The auditors will brief the commission at the January Meeting.

 

POLICE REPORT – Chief Self is moving this week.

 

TOWN MANAGER UPDATE – Manager Burns reported that:

Cherokee Park concrete should be completely done and pavers started.  The park will soon be ready for landscaping. 

The Palm trees will be trimmed by Christmas.

The variance for Porpoise point was approved but the new owner has applied for another setback variance.  The Planning and Zoning Board will be going over the variance application along with an initial review of the Hampton Inn Plans on January 7.  Manager Burns will also give a copy of the Hampton Inn plans to Commissioner Behnken for review.

The Tropical Smoothie plans have already been approved by the county.

The fire damaged house on Cherokee Road has been purchased.  The new owner will fix it up and live in it.

Manager Burns is looking at and getting estimates for “Cherokee Park” signs.

 

Mayor Combs described the current changes to the park and explained that the “Stop” signs will be removed at the old exit and possibly changed to “Slow for Peds” signs.  Commissioner Reeves suggested “Stop for Peds” or “Stop Ped Xing” signs.

 

Mayor Combs reminded the Commission that the Tidbits will be going out soon before the parade so all articles must be submitted before Friday.  Mayor Combs asked if a route was set for the parade and Manager Burns stated that he would plan something and get it to the Police Department.

 

It was discussed that when the park opens the town will have a party; some time next year.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

NOVEMBER 26, 2003 – PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING, 6:00 P.M. – The plans for the Hampton Inn needs to be looked at real hard regarding the school, the school crossing and the high traffic areas on sidewalks that Hampton Inn will have to maintain.

 

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

 

Mayor Combs announced that town hall will be closed on the Fridays after Christmas Day and New Years’ Day. 

 

Chief Self informed the commission that the Shalimar Police Department will be assisting in the military exercise by helping with the escort at the intersections.

 

ADJOURNMENT – Commissioner McCallister moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:33.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Behnken and passed unanimously.