Town of Shalimar

Town Commission Meeting Minutes

May 8, 2007

 

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 Ricardo Garcia - present

 

Commissioner Jerry McCallister - present

 

Commissioner Ursel Behnken -  present

 

Commissioner Glenn Wagner -  absent

 

Others in attendance:  Town Attorney Mike Chesser, Town Manager Tom Burns, Deputy Clerk Tina Smith, Police Sergeant John Spohn, P & Z member Johann Behnken, Vlad Diacomm, Fort Walton Beach Chamber Representative Ted Corcoran, and residents Sherry Davis, Joseph Brownlee, and Arthur Johanson.

 

PLANNING AND ZONING BUSINESS - There was no Planning and Zoning Meeting in April.  There won’t be any more information on the EAR until Manager Burns hears from the Department of Community Affairs.

 

TOWN RESIDENTS' TIME:  Vlad Diacomm with Clear Wire applied for a permit to add an antenna to the tower on the courthouse property, no concrete will be added.  Mayor Combs directed to approve the permit as long as Clear Wire is using the existing pad.

 

Ted Corcoran reported that the Fort Walton Beach Chamber has a Local Issues Committee and representatives from most of the local cities attend.  They meet monthly but the times and dates vary.  Mr. Corcoran asked if someone from Shalimar could attend these meetings.  Most of the commissioners concurred that they would need to know the date and time before they could agree to attend.  Mayor Combs stated that Linda with a Shalimar travel agency once showed interest in starting up something similar to a Shalimar Chamber for Businesses.  Also, Lynn Dominique, our newest Planning and Zoning Board Member, is already active in the Fort Walton Beach Chamber.

 

TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT:

- Attorney Chesser explained that the Richbourg lot that is intended to be traded with the School Board has no recorded deed showing that it belongs to the Town of Shalimar.  There is a dedication of this lot on the original plat map.  The 9 property owners must agree to a quit claim deed.  Attorney Chesser will mail the letters out to these 9 owners.

 

- Manager Burns e-mailed Gary Brandon Enterprises about the Brent Acree lot but hasn’t heard back from them yet.  Mayor Combs stated that he would like to personally talk to them on the phone.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

I.

 

APPROVE MINUTES FROM THE APRIL 10, 2007 TOWN COMMISSION MEETING - Commissioner Garcia moved to approve the minutes from the April 10, 2007 Commission Meeting as written.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner McCallister and passed unanimously.

II.

 

WASTE MANAGEMENT CONTRACT - Manager Burns was authorized to agree to the new terms from Waste Management.  He was also directed to go out for RFPs before the budget process begins.

III.

 

STORAGE LOT UPDATE - This item was discussed during the Town Attorney Report

IV.

 

BRENT ACREE LOT UPDATE - This item was discussed during the Town Attorney Report

V.

 

60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION - Mayor Combs asked Commissioner McCallister if Shalimar Commons annual Yard Sale would be moved to Cherokee Park.  Commissioner McCallister stated that some of his neighbors will be at the park.  Mayor Combs briefed that there will be a dedication ceremony, food, music, and the yard sale tables.

VI.

 

EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT UPDATE - The project will be complete before the Anniversary Party.  Okaloosa Counties Master Gardner reviewed the plants and their names.  There will be extra supplies left at the Town Hall for future use.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

I.

 

PROCLAMATION 2007-01 - ARSON AWARENESS WEEK - Mayor Combs proclaimed this week Arson Awareness Week.

II.

 

SENIOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION - The State of Florida passed a law allowing low income seniors to receive more of a homeowner’s exemption but municipalities are required to pass an ordinance by June 1, 2007.  The Commission looked over the property appraiser documents but there was some confusion with the income and exemption amounts.  Attorney Chesser stated that an Emergency Ordinance only requires one reading.  Manager Burns was directed to find out more information and call an Emergency Meeting if necessary.

   

 MAYOR COMBS’ REPORT:

I.

 

OCLOC UPDATE - The wasn’t a OCLOC Meeting in May.

 

Mayor Combs reported that he and Manager Burns met with the County yesterday to discuss annexing the enclaves on Old Ferry Road.  They also discussed the Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) option.  Commissioner Janazzo asked the mayor to draft up letters to the residents.  He also stated that he will support the town’s efforts.  Mayor Combs will draft up the letter and a survey to mail to enclave residents and he will also plan an annexation workshop to get information out.

 

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

 

COMMISSIONER MCCALLISTER’S REPORT - Commissioner McCallister had nothing to report.

 

COMMISSIONER BEHNKEN’S REPORT - Commissioner Behnken reported that she will be available at 10:00 to help with the 60th Anniversary in the park.

 

COMMISSIONER WAGNER’S REPORT - Commissioner Wagner was not present.

 

POLICE REPORT:

- Sergeant Spohn reported that there is a fire on Green Acres that has the road closed.

- Detective Roberts is having tests and trying to get better before Saturday.

- The new police phone is working out.

 

TOWN MANAGER UPDATE

- Everyone is invited to the Polyengineering Open House is at lunch this Friday

- Roy with Polyengineering will get our surveys done for Mande and Brande Courts

- The preliminary audit done by the Department of Revenue shows that the Town of Shalimar only owes $109

- 2 of the 4 people in the Mike Woll accident have been settled

- The Cadillac is listed on GovDeals for $3000.  Commissioner McCallister moved to lower the bid to $2500.  Commissioner Behnken seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

  

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

MAY 30, 2007 - PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING 6:00 P.M.

 

JUNE 12, 2007 - TOWN COMMISSION MEETING  6:00 P.M.

  

ADJOURNMENT:  Commissioner McCallister moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:57 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Garcia and it passed unanimously.

 

 

 

___________________________________

Tina Smith, Secretary