Minutes

Town of Shalimar

Commission Meeting

May 11, 2004

 

  

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, Attorney Mike Chesser, Deputy Town Clerk Tina Smith, Planning and Zoning Member Johann Behnken, Resident Kenneth Holt.

 

PLANNING AND ZONING BUSINESS:  There is no new Planning and Zoning Business.

 

TOWN RESIDENTS' TIME:  Kenneth Holt was present in the event that something came up about his dogs.  Manager Burns stated that, when the 50 people were working in the park on April 16, he didn’t notice any neighborhood dogs barking.  There has been resident complaint within the last couple of days and the resident was told to complete the PAWS dog barking chart.

 

TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT: 

·        Attorney Chesser briefed that he went over the garbage contract and has no changes.  It is ready to be signed by both the Mayor and a representative from Waste Management.

·        Manager Burns asked about changing the place of the Billboard lawsuit Mediation to Shalimar and if the mediation can be advertised as a public meeting with The Commission in attendance.  Attorney Chesser stated that this is all possible as long as the other side agrees to it.  Otherwise the mediation will be for information only and no decisions will be made.  He also reported that his office would check on the possible changes and relay the information to the town hall some time this week.

·        Manager Burns asked if the attorney’s billing department had heard from The Town’s insurance company.  Attorney Chesser stated that he would call someone at his office and report his findings to The Commission within 10 minutes.

 

·        After Attorney Chesser spoke with his office, he informed everyone that The Town’s insurance company has paid all bills sent to them regarding the billboard lawsuit.

 

Resident Kenneth Holt was asked by Mayor Combs if he knows who the owner of 7 Cherokee Road is.  The owner on the tax records is his father, William Holt.  Resident Holt said that the lady that is going to buy the house is living in it right now.  Manager Burns stated that he would send her a letter regarding the shed in the backyard.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

I.

 

APPROVE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 29, 2004 SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING – Commissioner Larson moved to accept the minutes of the April 29, 2004 Special Commission Meeting as written.  Commissioner Behnken seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

         

NEW BUSINESS:  Manager Burns asked that the 2 Budget Workshops be scheduled.  The suggested dates were June 8 at 5:00 p.m. (right before the next Commission Meeting) and June 15 at 5:00 p.m.  Everyone agreed with these dates and times.

                     

MAYOR COMBS’ REPORT:

I.

 

OKALOOSA COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES REPORT – Mayor Combs was unable to attend the Executive Board Meeting so Manager Burns sat in for him.  Manager Burns had nothing to report about the meeting.  Deputy Clerk Tina Smith reminded Manager Burns and Commissioner Larson about the Summer Dinner on Friday.  Mayor Combs stated that the annexation legislation change that the Florida League of Cities was working on did not pass the senate and Manager Burns reported that the redefinition of Extra Benefits was passed.

 

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

 

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 - Manager Burns briefed the Commission on some of the issues that will need to be evaluated at the Budget Workshops.  The tractor is in need of repair and there is money to buy a new one or the money could go to a new marquee.  Mayor Combs asked Manager Burns to get some proposals for a new tractor.  It might be possible to buy a tractor and do something about the marquee with the leftover money.  Manager Burns will call around for quotes on new tractors.  Mayor Combs would like to purchase a projection system for the conference room.  Manager Burns also mentioned the possibility of getting a new police car.

 

POLICE REPORT:  Chief Self was not present at The Commission Meeting.  Mayor Combs asked that the Chief be told that there needs to be more presence in the park because the landscaping plants are constantly being pulled up.  He also asked Commissioner Larson to inform the Police Department that the ABWA Poker Run will be this coming Saturday so there will be a lot of cars at the Shalimar Yacht Basin and a lot of traffic on Gardner Drive.

 

TOWN MANAGER UPDATE:

·        On April 16, Mayor Combs’ squadron came over and did a lot of work in the park.

·        Mr. Bruner, the landowner of the lot where the hotel will be built, is inquiring about purchasing the doctor’s office lot (the lot behind the hotel lot) also.  If this happens, the plans will also possibly change so that the hotel will not be as tall and will be more spread out.  He still wants to break ground some time in June.

·        The Waffle House “Closed for Renovation” sign is up.  Attorney Chesser asked if they were required to change the size of their sign.  He believes that once someone changes their building they have to conform with the sign ordinance.  Manager Burns stated that he measured the sign and the Waffle House is lessening the size of the signs on the building.

·        Someone from Sonic has called and they are also ready to start working on their minor renovations.

 

The Commission appointed Brad Gable as the next new Planning and Zoning Board Member.  Commissioner Larson moved to accept Brad Gable on the Planning and Zoning Board.  Commissioner Behnken seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

MAY 26, 2004 -- PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING, 6:00 P.M.

 

JUNE 8, 2004 -- NEXT TOWN COMMISSION MEETING, 6:00 P.M.

 

ADJOURNMENT:  Commissioner Larson moved to adjourn at 6:37 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner McCallister and passed unanimously.