Town of Shalimar

Town Commission Meeting Minutes

February 15, 2006

 

CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Gary Combs called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. in Town Hall chambers.  He led the "Pledge of Allegiance" to the Flag.

 

ROLL CALL FOR THE RECORD         

 

Mayor Gary Combs :  present

 

Commissioner Jerry McCallister:  present

 

Commissioner Ursel Behnken:  present

 

Commissioner Ricardo Garcia:  present

 

Commissioner Glenn Wagner:  present

 

Others in attendance:  Town Manager Tom Burns, Police Chief John Cash, Deputy Town Clerk Tina Smith, Town Attorney Mike Chesser, Rachelle Graves, Frank and Gloria Kane, Debbie Dantin, Dana Matthews, Scott Work, Adam Russell, Randy Longenbach, Mike Richardson, Mike Munson, Kenneth Holt, Steve Peterson, Brad Gable, and Mickey Clements.

 

PLANNING AND ZONING BUSINESS:  2/2/06 and 2/13/06 Minutes are attached - Mayor Combs rearranged the agenda at this point to move this item to later in the meeting (right before the “Mayor’s report” section).

 

TOWN RESIDENTS' TIME -- Kenneth Holt, whose home backs up to Cherokee Park, inquired about the park hours and stated that there had been activity in the park after hours.  Mayor Combs asked the Police Chief John Cash to increase the emphasis on patrols through the park in the evenings.

 

TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT -- Attorney Chesser’s report was discussed during Mayor Combs’ report.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

I.

 

APPROVE MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 10, 2006 TOWN COMMISSION MEETING -- Commissioner McCallister moved to approve the minutes of the January 10, 2006 meeting as written.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Behnken and passed unanimously.

II.

 

SNUG HARBOR REQUEST -- This issue is still being resolved by the homeowners so Mayor Combs requested it be tabled and put on the next meeting’s agenda.

III.

 

ORDINANCE 2006-04 (attached) -- Commissioner Garcia moved to approve Ordinance 2006-04.  Commissioner McCallister seconded the motion.  Commissioner Wagner believes the rates for marinas are too high.  There was a suggestion that the fee chart include a sliding scale which would stagger the prices in increments of 10 wet slips (1-10 wet slips would pay $1200, 11-20 would pay $2400, and so on).  It was agreed that the ordinance will be rewritten to include this sliding scale and the Commission will have a 3rd reading at the next scheduled Commission meeting.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

I.

 

10 CHEROKEE ROAD -- The owner of 10 Cherokee Road asked the Commission for a deadline extension because he is not through with the house yet.  He stated that he has more time to work on it now.  Mr. Holt, who lives at 13 Cherokee Road, stated that he has no complaints about the noise and also verified that he hears owner is working on this house.  Commissioner Behnken moved to extend the deadline to May 15, 2006.  Commissioner Wagner seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

PLANNING AND ZONING BUSINESS:  2/2/06 and 2/13/06 Minutes are attached -

- The minutes from the February 2, 2006 meeting were approved by the Planning and Zoning Board at the February 13, 2006 meeting.  Dana Matthews questioned the recommendation made at the February 13, 2006 meeting and P&Z Chairman, Brad Gable, and Manager Burns explained that it was an overall summary based on things that the Planning and Zoning Board went through at the February 2, 2006 meeting.

- Attorney Chesser stated that all of the documents that have been submitted and/or generated to/by the town in reference to this project are a part of this record.  He then swore in Debbie Dantin, Mike Richardson, Brad Gable, and Tom Burns.

- Dana Matthews briefed the history of this development.  He stated that the developers have updated all of their plans to include all recommendations made by the Planning and Zoning Board, Town Commission, and Okaloosa County.  Mayor Combs inquired about the sort of marina-activity would be taking place and Mr. Matthews stated that there would be very little because of all the restrictions put on the property at past meetings.

- Mayor Combs suggested that all traffic calming measures be included in the Development Order and if the town finds that they need more after the property is populated, the town will pay for them.  Manager Burns will e-mail his suggested traffic calming measures to the developers so they will be included in the updated plans.

- Mayor Combs would also like to see more marina-activity and would like to do something about the aesthetics of the buildings.  The current artist’s renderings of the buildings are too dorm-like.  The architect agreed that the buildings could be made to look better if the Commission would raise the height restriction to 70 feet on the buildings along Old Ferry.  Some units will be rearranged to allow for a boat maintenance yard on the west side of the development and they will work with the roof angles which affects the current appearance.  All other previous recommendations will be adhered to.  Mayor Combs would also like to see the length of Building D down to 217 feet.

- The developers should have updated plans within 30 days.  When the town receives the plans, a special meeting will be scheduled.

 

MAYOR COMBS’ REPORT:

I.

 

HARRELL PROPERTY UPDATE -- Mr. Harrell wants $475,000 for the 3 lots next door.  The appraisal that the town paid for showed the lot as “Commercial” property so it appraised quite a bit higher.  Mayor Combs didn’t believe that the town should pay for the appraisal because the product isn’t what was asked for.  Attorney Chesser stated that Mr. Humphries may sue him, because he’s the one that requested the appraisal.  The board agreed that Attorney Chesser would get with Mr. Harrell and find out the name of another appraiser that the town could pay for a second appraisal.

II.

 

OCLOC UPDATE -- The sales tax referendum is still an issue but the League hasn’t really gotten any farther with it at this point.

 

COMMISSIONER GARCIA’S REPORT -- Commissioner Garcia had nothing to report.

 

COMMISSIONER MCCALLISTER’S REPORT -- The 1955 Chevrolet Bel-Aire needs a new engine and the Police Department has decided on a new police vehicle.  Commissioner Garcia moved to approve spending money for a new engine.  Commissioner Wagner seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  Manager Burns briefed the commission that Chief Cash has looked at the state contract information and picked out a truck.  Commissioner Wagner moved to approve the purchase of a new police truck.  Commissioner McCallister seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  Manager Burns recommended that the options purchased with the truck be discussed with Commissioner Garcia.

 

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

  

COMMISSIONER WAGNER’S REPORT -- Commissioner Wagner had nothing to report.

 

POLICE REPORT -- Police Monthly Activity Report (attached)

 

TOWN MANAGER UPDATE -- Manager Burns had nothing to report.

  

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

FEBRUARY 22, 2006 – PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING

 

MARCH 14, 2006 – TOWN COMMISSION MEETING

 

Attorney Chesser suggested that the Commission consider hiring an expert witness.  Mayor Combs asked Manager Burns to get in touch with Wendy Grey and find out if she is available.  He also suggested that Ms. Grey attend the developers’ meetings so that they don’t include anything in the new plans that are nonconforming.  Manager Burns will contact the developers and ask if they would approve of our expert attending those meetings.

 

ADJOURNMENT -- Commissioner McCallister moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:16 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Garcia and passed unanimously.

 

 

 

___________________________________

Tina Smith, Secretary