Minutes

Town of Shalimar

Commission Meeting

January 13, 2004

 

CALL TO ORDER:  Mayor Gary Combs called the meeting to order at 6:04 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:  absent       

            Commissioner Jerry McCallister:  present           

         

Others in attendance:  Town Manager Tom Burns, Police Chief Charles Self, Deputy Town Clerk Tina Smith, Town Attorney Mike Chesser, Angela Balent from O’Sullivan Creel, Tom Mason, Matt Parker, Louis Long, and resident Johann Behnken.

 

PLANNING AND ZONING BUSINESS:  Matt Parker briefed the commission on the types of fences that his company is looking at putting up in front of the proposed storage facility on Erwin Fleet.    There was a Commissioner Larson moved to accept recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Board.  Commissioner Behnken seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

TOWN RESIDENTS' TIME:  There were no issues mentioned during this time. 

 

OLD BUSINESS:

I.

 

APPROVE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 9, 2003 COMMISSION MEETING – Commissioner Larson moved to accept the minutes of the December 9, 2003 Commission Meeting as written.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner McCallister and it passed unanimously.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

I.

 

FY 2003 AUDIT REPORT – The auditor, Angela Balent, reported the audit outcome to the commission.

II.

 

REVIEW GARBAGE CONTRACT – Manager Burns briefed the commission that it is time to put the ad in the paper for the new garbage contract.  Manager Burns will draft up the ad and e-mail it to everyone for their input.

III.

 

REVIEW CONFERENCE ROOM RENTAL POLICIES – The current policy regarding the residents reserving the conference room doesn’t restrict recurring events.  At this time there are several groups that have the conference room reserved for weeks on end.  Mayor Combs drafted up a sentence to add to the policy manual that will require recurring events to come in every month and re-apply so that non-recurring events have the chance at the new calendar.  A resolution that includes the new wording will be drafted up for the next meeting.

IV.

 

APPOINT NEW PLANNING AND ZONING MEMBER – Former member and Co-Chairman, Roy Pimental, recently passed away.  Resident, Johann Behnken, has agreed to become the newest member and was sworn in by Mayor Combs.

V.

 

RESOLUTION 2004-01 – FLOC LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES – Mayor Combs briefed that this resolution was discussed at the last Executive Board Meeting and it just states that The Town of Shalimar supports the Florida League of Cities Legislative Priorities.  A copy of this resolution will be sent to all of our Legislators.  Commissioner Larson moved to accept the Florida League of Cities Legislative Priorities Resolution 2004-01 as written.  Commissioner McCallister seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

                    

MAYOR COMBS’ REPORT:

I.

 

OKALOOSA COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES REPORT – Mayor Combs reported that they Executive Board discussed changing the dates of the quarterly dinners and he asked that the League come up with a goals list for the year.

 

Mayor Combs asked Manager Burns to draft up a goals list for the town to be approved at the next Commission Meeting

 

TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT:  Attorney Chesser briefed the background of the billboard issue to the residents in attendance.  He then announced that the trial is set to start the week of June 7 and the end of discovery is scheduled for March 23.  The town has 30 days after the discovery to submit any motions.  The federal court is requiring a mediation conference to be held, possibly some time in April, which will allow both sides to meet and discuss their arguments.

 

Manager Burns stated that he received a response from the town’s General Liability Insurance Company (Preferred Government Insurance Trust (PGIT)).  They have agreed to help the town pay the attorney’s fees for the lawsuit and will decide at their Board of Trustees’ meeting what fees will be paid. 

 

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

 

COMMISSIONER REEVES’ REPORT:  Commissioner Reeves was not present.  

 

COMMISSIONER BEHNKEN’S REPORT:  Commissioner Behnken had nothing to report but stated that the park is looking really nice.  

 

COMMISSIONER McCALLISTER’S REPORT:  

I.

 

BUDGET REPORT – Commissioner McCallister had nothing to report.

 

POLICE REPORT:  Chief Self announced that one of the part-time officers will be released and he will start looking for a replacement.

 

TOWN MANAGER UPDATE:

·  The concrete in the park should be done this week.

·  The ad for free rip rap will be done this week.

·  The town is looking for landscaping ideas for the park.

·  The sign for Cherokee Park has been ordered.

·  The Pedestrian Crossing and Pedestrian walkway are done and look great.

·  The town is looking for a rowboat or sailboat which will go in the park as a planter.

·  The Fitness Equipment bid slab should be received tomorrow.

·  A vinyl fence (similar to John Dowd’s) will be going in along the Pedestrian walkway.

·  The Maintenance Department is working on a watering plan.

·  APAC has moved out of Shalimar (unincorporated).

·  A review of the proposed “Shalimar Hotel” will be on January 28 at the Planning and Zoning Meeting.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

JANUARY 28, 2004 -- PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING, 6:00 P.M.

 

FEBRUARY 10, 2004 -- NEXT TOWN COMMISSION MEETING, 6:00 P.M.

 

ADJOURNMENT:  Commissioner Larson moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:49 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner McCallister and it passed unanimously.