Town of Shalimar

Town Commission Meeting Minutes

July 10, 2007

 

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

 

Mayor Pro-Tem Ricardo Garcia - absent

 

Commissioner Jerry McCallister - present

 

Commissioner Ursel Behnken -  present

 

Commissioner Glenn Wagner -  present

 

Others in attendance:  Town Attorney Mike Chesser, Town Manager Tom Burns, Deputy Clerk Tina Smith, Detective Sam Roberts, Planning and Zoning Member Johann Behnken, Michael Kent, Laura Wright, Cynthia Wilcox and Ramona Speer.

 

PLANNING AND ZONING BUSINESS - The Planning and Zoning Board recommended that the Commission approve a contract with Jack Dorman that will not exceed $21,000 (any work the town does will reduce the end cost).  Manager Tom Burns reported that the contract hasn’t been drawn up yet but there is an attached memo that outlines what will be included in the contract.  He also stated that $7,000 is already in this year’s budget.  Commissioner McCallister moved to authorize Planning and Zoning Board Chairman, Brad Gable, to sign a contract with Jack Dorman and to add $15,000 to the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wagner and passed unanimously.

 

TOWN RESIDENTS' TIME - Ramona Speer asked if the parking area at the end of Shalimar Drive (next to Garnier’s Cay town homes) could be used as overflow parking.  It was suggested that the homeowner’s association put in more parking spaces if they are necessary.  Also, the association may make a request to the commission to designate that area as overflow and define the parameters of its use.

 

TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT - Attorney Chesser reported that the town is not shown on record as the owner of the lot across from Meigs Middle School.  He stated that a requirement to trade lots with the school would be to have all 9 owners sign a quit claim deed but we would have to get 100% of the owners to sign it.  Another option is that the school board could authorize the town to use the lot.  It was decided that on 1 August, the town-owned lot will be opened up for temporary storage.  No fees will be collected for now and the residents will have to sign up at the town hall.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

I.

 

APPROVE MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 12, 2007 TOWN COMMISSION MEETING - Commissioner McCallister moved to approve the minutes from the June 12, 2007 Town Commission Meeting as written.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Behnken and passed unanimously.

II.

 

STORAGE LOT UPDATE - This item was discussed under the Town Attorney’s report.

III.

 

BRENT ACREE LOT UPDATE - Manager Burns reported that Gary Brandon Enterprises e-mailed him back with their original offer.  The Commission agreed that they did not want to consider offering more then $225,000 for the lot.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

I.

 

BOND ISSUE - Mike Kent, with the Non-Profit Organization of Emerald Coast Housing II, Inc., recounted the history of his company’s past bond issue request with the town.  Shalimar’s Commission signed a resolution in 2003 to move forward with the agreement but it never went further.  Mr. Kent relayed that his company had everything in place but the storms hit and they are just now getting back on track.  There was some discussion and questions.  Attorney Chesser stated that if the commission is inclined to move forward with this, the town should hire someone to act as bond counsel.  Pat Lott was suggested because the town has worked with her in the past.  Manager Burns noted the commission’s questions and will refer all of them to Ms. Lott before the next meeting.  The Commission agreed to have a special meeting on July 24, 2007 before the budget meeting.

II.

 

HOMELESS ORDINANCE DISCUSSION - There is no new information on this issue so it will be tabled until the next regular meeting.  Detective Sam Roberts feels that a homeless ordinance is unnecessary.

 

MAYOR COMBS’ REPORT:

I.

 

OCLOC UPDATE - Everyone was reminded to RSVP for the OCLOC dinner.  Also, Mayor Combs recognized Kent Beck for doing so much work adding new plants all over town.

 

COMMISSIONER GARCIA’S REPORT - Commissioner Garcia was not present.

 

COMMISSIONER MCCALLISTER’S REPORT - Commissioner McCallister reported that he attended the Shalimar Post Office’s lighthouse dedication ceremony.  He was presented with a gift that he then dedicated to the town.  Commissioner McCallister also stated that the budget workshop is scheduled for July 24, 2007 and Manager Burns does not believe that 2 budget workshops will be necessary.

 

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

 

COMMISSIONER WAGNER’S REPORT - Commissioner Wagner (also a former Planning and Zoning Board Member) reported that a residence on Dana Court now has a cell tower in the back yard.  He recalled that the cell tower company agreed to put up a privacy fence.  Also, Commissioner Wagner doesn’t feel that the storage lot landscaping is “first class” as they originally agreed it would be.  Manager Burns will look into both situations and take care of each.

 

POLICE REPORT - Detective Sam Roberts iterated that he has been actively writing parking tickets all over town but there is some question about writing tickets to someone blocking the sidewalk.  Mayor Combs suggested letting each Homeowner’s Association decide how they want that handled on their streets but to continue writing tickets to cars parked on the street and town rights-of-way.

 

TOWN MANAGER UPDATE - Manager Burns said that he will be driving to Tallahassee for Chief Cash’s graduation.

  

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

JULY 25, 2007 - PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING 6:00 P.M.

 

AUGUST 13, 2007 - TOWN COMMISSION MEETING  6:00 P.M.

 

ADJOURNMENT:  Commissioner Behnken moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:42 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wagner and it passed unanimously.