June 8, 2004 -- Minutes -- Town Commission Meeting

CALL TO ORDER – The budget meeting scheduled for 5:00 ran a little long. A break was taken from 6:00 – 6:15. Mayor Gary Combs called the regularly scheduled Town Commission meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. in Town Hall chambers. He led the "Pledge of Allegiance" to the Flag.

Others in attendance: Town Manager Tom Burns, Attorney Mike Chesser, Deputy Town Clerk Tina Smith, Police Chief Charles Self, Planning and Zoning Member Johann Behnken and Larry McCurdy representing Action Outdoor Advertising.

PLANNING AND ZONING BUSINESS – There is no new Planning and Zoning Business. There was no May Planning and Zoning Meeting.

TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT – Billboard Lawsuit Update – Attorney Chesser reported the outcome of the mediation that occurred on May 25, 2004 at his office. There were 2 proposals from the Billboard Company to the town. The first offer was for the town to allow the company to only put up one double-sided billboard on the Shell property. The billboard company would work with the town on what content could be put on the sign. In return, the billboard company would work with the town to help rewrite the sign ordinance. The second offer was for the town to allow the billboard company to put up 2 double-sided billboards, one at the Shell Station and one at the Exprezit Station. These signs would be triple vision signs and the billboard company is offering one side on each of the billboards for the Town’s use, free of charge. Attorney Chesser offered his recommendation of not accepting either of the proposals and to go along with the lawsuit. Commissioner Larson moved to not accept either of the proposals given to the town by the Billboard Company. Commissioner Behnken seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Attorney Chesser will advise the mediator that the Town Commission went with neither choice. Manager Burns also notified the Commission that the town’s insurance company will pay the attorney’s fees up to $100,000 though he has not heard whether or not any damages will be covered.

CURRENT INVESTMENT REPORT – Manager Burns explained that the current Certificate of Deposit (CD) held by the town at People’s First Bank will mature on June 10 and he called around for percentage rates. The percentage rate on the current money market account is 1.6% which is more than the current CD rate. Commissioner Larson moved to close out the CD account at People’s First Bank and move the money into the AmSouth Money Market account. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Behnken and it passed unanimously.

Manager Burns proposed that the town purchase a new tractor for the Maintenance Department this fiscal year. Mayor Combs asked Manager Burns to bring an expert to Tuesday’s Budget Workshop to explain the differences in the different brands of tractors. Attorney Chesser asked if the town’s current Workmen’s Compensation Insurance covers the Maintenance Supervisor if he gets hurt on the tractor. Manager Burns was pretty confident that it would cover him but will check into it just to make sure.

COMMISSIONER LARSON'S REPORT: Commissioner Larson reported that there will be a FMPTF meeting tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. with Paul Shamoun from the Florida League of Cities where they will discuss the Extra Benefits redefinition that just passed in the State of Florida.

Resident Behnken iterated that the police car sitting at the end of Gardner Drive is killing the grass. Manager Burns will work on a solution and present it at the next meeting.

COMMISSIONER BEHNKEN’S REPORT: Commissioner Behnken raved about the current condition of the park. Also, she stated that she attended the last EDC Roundtable Breakfast and learned a lot from the speaker, Susan Story.

TOWN MANAGER UPDATE: Manager Burns stated that after the rocks are put in the Cherokee Park parking lot, he will start working on closing out the grant. It was then suggested that the Maintenance Department rent a tractor to complete this job.

Mayor Combs has received 2 complaints about the big boat at Shalimar Yacht Basin running its generator constantly. Also, there was some discussion about drafting up an ordinance that would require any new homes built in a residential area to retain continuity with the rest of the neighborhood. Manager Burns will contact Attorney Chesser about rewriting the ordinance.

ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Larson moved to adjourn the regularly scheduled Town Commission Meeting at 7:59 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Behnken and it passed unanimously.

I.		APPROVE MINUTES OF THE MAY 11, 2004 COMMISSION MEETING – Commissioner Behnken moved to approve the minutes of the May 11, 2004 Meeting as written. The motion was seconded by Commissioner McCallister and passed unanimously.
II.		RESOLUTION 2004-05 (OCLOC SSN SUPPORT) – Deputy Clerk Tina Smith explained that the City of Fort Walton Beach passed a resolution asking the Florida League of Cities to work with the Legislature to change the laws governing some public records which include residents’ social security numbers. Commissioner Larson moved to approve Resolution 2004-05 as written. Commissioner Behnken seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

	JUNE 15, 2004 -- BUDGET WORKSHOP II, 5:00 P.M.
	JUNE 30, 2004 -- PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING, 6:00 P.M.
	JULY 13, 2004 -- TOWN COMMISSION MEETING, 6:00 P.M.