Minutes

Town of Shalimar

Commission Meeting

March 9, 2004

 

 

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:  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, Town Attorney Mike Chesser, Rory Cassedy with Waste Management, Ray Boyd with BFI and Planning and Zoning member Johann Behnken.

 

PLANNING AND ZONING BUSINESS:  Review of the Planning and Zoning Meeting minutes.  No approval is required.

 

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

 

TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT:  Attorney Chesser briefed the Commission of his estimate for the fees involved with the Billboard Lawsuit case.  He stated that a good ballpark figure is $30,000 for the course of the lawsuit.  He reported that it is his belief that the lawsuit will be over before the end of this Fiscal Year.  Both Manager Burns and Attorney Chesser notified the Commission that neither of them has been contacted by the insurance company.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

I.

 

APPROVE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 10, 2004 COMMISSION MEETING – Commissioner Larson moved to approve the Minutes from the February 10, 2004 meeting as written.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Behnken and it passed unanimously.

II.

 

GOALS FOR SHALIMAR 2004 – Mayor Combs stated that the goals list was accurate and should be posted to the web site.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

I.

 

REVIEW GARBAGE CONTRACTS – Mayor Combs briefed the Commission on the history of the current garbage contract and Manager Burns reviewed the possible projected timeline in which the new contract will be approved by the Commission.  Both garbage company representatives spoke to the Commission and answered questions.  Mayor Combs requested that everyone on the Commission contemplate all of the information received and to be prepared to award a contract at the next meeting.  Mayor Combs also suggested adding an article in the March Tidbits to inform the residents of the contract status and also that they can view the automated Waste Management receptacles at Town Hall.

II.

 

TRAFFIC SIGNAL MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT – Mayor Combs and Manager Burns briefed the Commission on the County’s request regarding the traffic signal maintenance.  At present The Town of Shalimar receives a check from the State of Florida but the town also pays the electric bill and all maintenance bills that come from the County.  Okaloosa County would like The Town of Shalimar to continue paying the electric bill but they want the money from The State of Florida to go to them.  They would also discontinue sending bills to the town for maintenance done.  Commissioner Larson moved to give Okaloosa County all of Shalimar’s State maintenance money if the county will also pay the electric bill for our traffic lights.  Commissioner Reeves seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

                    

MAYOR COMBS’ REPORT:

I.

 

OKALOOSA COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES REPORT – Mayor Combs briefed that there will be a Clean Water Initiative Workshop at the Shalimar Town Hall on March 25 at 11:30.  He will be out of town.  Commissioner/Mayor Pro-Tem Larson will attend the Workshop in his place.

 

COMMISSIONER LARSON'S REPORT:  Commissioner Larson and Mayor Combs mentioned the “speed trap” complaints.  Chief Self will do a Tidbits article referencing the complaints.

 

COMMISSIONER REEVES’ REPORT:  Commissioner Reeves stated that there was a downed tree limb on Plew Avenue.  Manager Burns reported that he had received a phone call regarding this limb and it has already been removed from the area.

 

COMMISSIONER BEHNKEN’S REPORT:  Commissioner Behnken stated that the park is looking good.  Mayor Combs briefed that he and Manager Burns met with the landscaper who wants to put in low maintenance landscaping.  Mayor Combs asked for approval from the Commission to spend the money for the landscaping.  The Commissioners authorized Mayor Combs to spend up to $3,000 for the landscaping.

 

The grills should be installed by the end of April.  The dock is almost done but the Luke Savini Memorial plaque is not on the dock yet.  The idea about an Octoberfest is still a possibility.

 

COMMISSIONER McCALLISTER’S REPORT:  

I.

 

BUDGET REPORT – Commissioner McCallister and Manager Burns will meet before the April Commission Meeting and will have some lien item change recommendations for the Commission.

 

POLICE REPORT:

Chief Self reported that a park vandal has been caught and will be coming around Town Hall looking for Community Service projects.

Chief also stated that Mr. Foley has come to him with additional dog barking complaints.

 

TOWN MANAGER UPDATE:  Manager Burns had nothing to report.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

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

 

MAY 11, 2004 -- NEXT TOWN COMMISSION MEETING, 6:00 P.M.

 

ADJOURNMENT:  Commissioner Larson moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:48 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner McCallister and it passed unanimously.