Town of Shalimar

Town Commission Meeting Minutes

October 9, 2007

 

CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Gary Combs called the meeting to order at 6:04 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 - absent

 

Commissioner Ursel Behnken -  present

 

Commissioner Glenn Wagner -  present

 

Others in attendance:  Town Manager Tom Burns, Deputy Clerk Tina Smith, Police Chief John Cash, Planning and Zoning Member Johann Behnken and Ronald Cotton.

 

PLANNING AND ZONING BUSINESS - The Planning and Zoning Board had nothing for the Commission to approve.

 

TOWN RESIDENTS' TIME:  There were no residents present.

 

TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT:  Town Attorney, Mike Chesser, was not present.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

I.

 

APPROVE MINUTES FROM THE SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 FINAL BUDGET HEARING AND SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 BOND ISSUE SPECIAL MEETING - Commissioner Wagner moved to approve the minutes from the September 25, 2007 Final Budget Hearing and the September 25, 2007 Bond Issue Special Meeting as written.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Garcia and passed unanimously.

II.

 

STORAGE LOT UPDATE - The certified letters went out and several of the property owners have contacted either town hall or the town attorney with questions.  At this time, no one has returned their quit-claim deed.

III.

 

BRENT ACREE LOT UPDATE - The last e-mail received from the town was from attorney Dana Matthews.  Attorney Matthews relayed that Gary Brandon Industries would take $300,000 for the lot between Shalimar Yacht Basin and Snug Harbor.  There have been no other updates.

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

I.

 

MR. WICKLIFFE “DE-ANNEXATION” DISCUSSION - The town received a letter from resident Harry Wickliffe of 179 and 181 Richbourg Avenue.  Mr. Wickliffe has requested de-annexation of both of his properties due to the fact that he and his wife live on a fixed income and the “…combination of property tax increases and house insurance premium increases has created a great burden…”  Manager Burns forwarded Mr. Wickliffe’s letter to the Commission and Town Attorney Chesser.  Attorney Chesser’s legal opinion was that, although we sympathize with the problem, it’s no different from that of other residents of other cities/towns.  Manager Burns drafted up a letter which he presented to the Commission.  All commissioners read the letter and concurred with it.  None believed that these properties should be “de-annexed”.

II.

 

FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 2008-03 - BOND POWERS - Attorney Chesser was forwarded this ordinance and was told that if he had changes, he could make them before the second reading.  This ordinance will cover any possible future bond issues (from dams to prisons).  Commissioner Behnken moved to approval Ordinance 2008-03 for the first reading.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Garcia and passed unanimously.

 

MAYOR COMBS’ REPORT:

I.

 

OCLOC DINNER INVITATION - There were 2 different dates posted so Deputy Clerk Tina Smith will call Mary Esther to find out the correct date.  That information will be forwarded to all commissioners first thing tomorrow. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARCIA’S REPORT - Commissioner Garcia stated that he and Manager Burns have discussed moving the current part-time police officer, Steve Shadwell, to full-time.  Manager Burns explained that the money is in the budget to start Steve Shadwell out at $22,000 plus benefits.  Chief John Cash isn’t planning (at this time) to hire another part-time officer.  Commissioner Garcia moved that Steve Shadwell be elevated to a full-time position.  Commissioner Behnken seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

COMMISSIONER MCCALLISTER’S REPORT:  Commissioner McCallister was not present.

 

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

 

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

 

POLICE REPORT:

-  Chief Cash served pancakes on Saturday for Crimestoppers donations

-  The ’55 Chevy will be in the car show at the Eglin Armament Museum

-  The Department has had several encounters with homeless people in the town.  Chief Cash will establish a policy that will direct the officers what to do with future homeless people

-  Residents of Snug Harbor have made complaints about an unleashed dog at Shalimar Yacht Basin.  The dog owner has already come by town hall to retrieve a complaint form.  Manager Burns stated that they are all trying to work the issue internally without the help of PAWS

 

TOWN MANAGER UPDATE:

-  Manager Burns still needs to write a letter to Rob Harrell regarding the storage shed on the adjacent property.

-  They are still working on purchasing a metal building for the new maintenance department

-  Garbage contract RFPs still need to go out

-  The Waste Management “claw” is too large to pick up the small garbage cans without the cans falling into the trucks.  Small cans will no longer be available, only medium and large.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

OCTOBER 17, 2007 - PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING - 5:30 P.M.

 

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

 

ADJOURNMENT:  Commissioner Wagner moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:31 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Behnken and it passed unanimously.