Minutes

Town of Shalimar

Commission Meeting

July 13, 2004

 

CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Gary Combs called the regularly scheduled Town Commission 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:  absent     

          Commissioner Jerry McCallister:  absent

         

Others in attendance:  Town Manager Tom Burns, Attorney Mike Chesser, Deputy Town Clerk Tina Smith, Police Chief Charles Self, Steve and Paulette Peterson from Shalimar Yacht Basin, James Murray from SunQuest, Sherri Gregory, Paul Croft, Latisha Creel, and residents Pat Dulian, Ruby Monte, Brad Gable and Rick Garcia.

 

PLANNING AND ZONING BUSINESS – There was a Special Planning and Zoning Meeting on July 8, 2004.  There were no recommendations to approve.

 

TOWN RESIDENTS' TIME – Shalimar Yacht Basin owner, Steve Peterson, relayed to the commission his possible solution to the parking issue.  He stated that he believes the parking problem is more of a control issue.  He proposed that he install nautical rope guides to define the parking slots but asked the commission if it would be possible to angle the parking spaces at a 45 degree angle instead of requiring the patrons to Parallel Park.  Mayor Combs pointed out that these parking spaces would still require the patrons to park on the right-of-way which is not allowed.  The commission agreed that parking on the right-of-way would not be allowed.  Mr. Peterson would need to come up with another solution.

Commissioner Behnken suggested hiring a valet service to park the vehicles.  Mr. Peterson stated that he and SunQuest vessel owner, James Murray, had discussed this option but decided against it because of the time it would take to get the patrons to their vehicles after the cruise is over.

Unfortunately parking tickets will continue until the issue is resolved. 

 

TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT – Billboard Lawsuit Update – Attorney Chesser stated that there has been no new news on the Billboard Lawsuit issue.  We are still awaiting the court date.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

I.

 

APPROVE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 8, 2004 BUDGET WORKSHOP 1 – Commissioner Larson moved to approve the minutes of the June 8, 2004 Budget Workshop 1 as written.  Commissioner Behnken seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

II.

 

APPROVE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 8, 2004 TOWN COMMISSION MEETING – See next agenda item.

III.

 

APPROVE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 15, 2004 BUDGET WORKSHOP 2 Commissioner Larson moved to approve the minutes of the June 8, 2004 Town Commission Meeting and the June 15, 2004 Budget Workshop 2 as written.  Commissioner Behnken seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

IV.

 

FY2004 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS LIST – The Commission went through the attached Capital Improvements List.  Manager Burns stated that there is enough money in the town’s current fiscal year budget (without going into the reserves) to purchase the new electronic marquee and the pavement striper.  Mayor Combs suggested putting the town hall drainage/parking plan and the vehicle/equipment shed on hold until we find out whether or not Mr. Harrell will sell his property.  Mayor Combs then asked Manager Burns if he had completed the new letter to Mr. Harrell.  Manager Burns stated that he had a draft that he would e-mail to the mayor for approval.  Repaving Richbourg Avenue will possibly get done in conjunction with the new hotel going in and the 2004 Police Vehicle is already included in next year’s budget.  Mayor Combs suggested that Manager Burns start talking to vendors about a new marquee.  Commissioner Larson moved that the town purchase a new electronic marquee and paint striper this year.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Behnken and passed unanimously.

           

NEW BUSINESS:

I.

 

TREE TRIMMING IN SHALIMAR COMMONS – Manager Burns explained that he received an e-mail from the President of Shalimar Commons Homeowner’s Association requesting information about the trees that are now hanging over some of their fences.  Commissioner Behnken recalled that a deal was made with Mr. Bonezzi that he would take care of that particular strip of land.  Manager Burns asked Attorney Chesser if the residents could cut the trees that hang into their property and Attorney Chesser stated that they could.  The Commission asked that Manager Burns call Mr. Bonezzi about the trees and get the fence at the end of Brande Court taken care of also.

The e-mail also referenced the Brande Court Park and possible playground equipment.  Mayor Combs stated that the town would buy the equipment when the home owners inform the town what sort of equipment they would like placed there.

II.

 

GUST RESOLUTION – The Commission reviewed the Florida Municipal Pension Trust Fund Amendment Resolution and found quite a few errors and one section that they had a question about.  The Commission decided to table the resolution and Manager Burns will review it, ask Paul Shamoun (who is with the Florida League of Cities) about the questionable section, and bring the corrected resolution back to the next meeting.

 

MAYOR COMBS’ REPORT:

I.

 

OKALOOSA COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES REPORT – The Okaloosa County League of Cities quarterly dinner will be on July 22, 2004 in Crestview.

 

Cherokee Park updates:

-  Manager Burns informed the Commission that the Grant closeout package should be completed by the end of next week. 

-  Mayor Combs stated to Manager Burns that he would like the Cherokee Park sign to be installed as soon as possible because there have been a lot of people in the park after dark.

-  Manager Burns reported that he did order the park equipment but does not have a delivery date yet.

-  Mayor Combs briefed that there has been minor vandalism in the park.

-  There is a community service worker pulling weeds in the park.

 

 

 

COMMISSIONER LARSON'S REPORT:  Commissioner Larson briefed that there will be a Clean Water Initiative Workshop here at the Shalimar Town Hall on July 20, 2004 at 11:30.

 

COMMISSIONER REEVES’ REPORT:  Commissioner Reeves was not present.

 

COMMISSIONER BEHNKEN’S REPORT:  Commissioner Behnken had nothing to report.

 

COMMISSIONER McCALLISTER’S REPORT:  

I.

 

BUDGET REPORT – Commissioner McCallister was not present.  Mayor Combs mentioned to Manager Burns that he would like to talk to a representative from the sign company before the town actually buys anything.  He would also like to know of, at least, one company and a contact person to talk to that has purchased an electronic marquee so that he can find out how much maintenance has been required.  Manager Burns stated that the town would have to go out for bids so the whole process is going to take about a month.  Manager Burns also stated that he could ask someone to come to the next Commission Meeting and talk to the commission.

 

POLICE REPORT:  Chief Self had nothing to report.

 

TOWN MANAGER UPDATE:  Manager Burns briefed that he had received the formal zoning change request for the Shalimar Yacht Basin property.  There will be a workshop on July 20, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. so that The Planning and Zoning Board can research and review all of the requirements for a zoning change within the town.  Manager Burns asked Attorney Chesser if he would be able to attend.  Attorney Chesser suggested that Manager call Gail Easley, who is a planning expert.  Manager Burns also relayed to the Commission that the first public hearing for the zoning change will be at the Planning and Zoning Meeting on July 28, 2004.

 

Mayor Combs briefed Attorney Chesser about the meeting that took place with the Shalimar Yacht Basin condos.  Attorney Chesser again referenced Gail Easley and stated that the town might be able to charge the applicant for her fees.  Manager Burns will give Ms. Easley a call and see if she could make it up here in time for the July 20, 2004 workshop and, if not, for the July 28, 2004 Planning and Zoning Meeting.

 

Manager Burns briefed Attorney Chesser that the applicant sent out certified letters to everyone within 150 feet.  Recipients will include many people that don’t live in the Town Limits.  Manager Burns asked what rights they will have at the upcoming meetings.  Also, should the county be informed and will they have any involvement?  Attorney Chesser will research both of these questions and get the answers to Manager Burns.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

JULY 22, 2004 –- OCLOC QUARTERLY DINNER MEETING, 6:00 P.M.

 

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

 

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

 

Commissioner Behnken informed everyone that she will not be in town for the August 10, 2004 Commission Meeting.

ADJOURNMENT:  Commissioner Larson moved to adjourn the regularly scheduled Town Commission Meeting at 7:41 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Behnken and it passed unanimously.