Town of Shalimar

Town Commission Meeting Minutes

January 8, 2008

 

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 -   absent

 

Commissioner Glenn Wagner -   present

 

Others in attendance:  Town Manager Tom Burns, Deputy Clerk Tina Smith, Police Chief John Cash, and resident Arthur Johanson.

 

PLANNING AND ZONING BUSINESS - The December Planning and Zoning Board Meeting was canceled.

 

TOWN RESIDENTS' TIME - Town Resident Arthur Johanson commented that he’d like to see more officers added to the police force.  Mayor Combs stated that they’d look at the need for more officers but it’s hard to find anyone worth hiring for the money we have budgeted.

 

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

 

OLD BUSINESS:

I.

 

APPROVE MINUTES FROM THE DECEMBER 13, 2007 SPECIAL TOWN COMMISSION MEETING - Commissioner McCallister moved to approve the minutes from the December 13, 2007 Special Town Commission Meeting.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Garcia and passed unanimously.

II.

 

MAINTENANCE BUILDING BIDS - The bids for the new maintenance building closed on Friday.  We received 4 bids ranging from $109,000 to $170,000.  Mayor Combs and Town Manager Tom Burns contacted the 4 bidders to ask that they change certain things so the 4 bids are comparable.  They are also trying to cut out some of the extras to work the price down - things that can be done at a later date or by the town’s maintenance department.  Commissioner McCallister moved to authorize Mayor Combs to negotiate the Construction contract, not to exceed $125,000.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Garcia and passed unanimously.

III.

 

STORAGE LOT UPDATE - Manager Burns mailed a letter to Meigs School Principal, Lamar White.  In the letter, Manager Burns asked Principal White if he would support the town in writing with something that the town could include in their upcoming mail effort.  Attorney Mike Chesser asked Attorney Jeff McInnis if they would support the effort and Attorney McInnis stated that they would definitely sign a letter of support.  Commissioner Wagner suggested making it clear in the letter that the property owners on Richbourg have no claim to the property.

IV.

 

BRENT ACREE LOT - Manager Burns e-mailed Gary Brandon Industries but hasn’t heard back from them.

V.

 

'55 CHEVROLET - Mayor Combs explained that he feels the ’55 Chevy is a nice thing to have, if we have the money.  He would like to sell it and get a new car.  Manager Burns suggested that we wait until the next budget cycle and let the car appreciate.  He doesn’t want to take a loss.  Mayor Combs asked that they compromise and list it right now for what the town’s got into it.  Everyone agreed that it could wait until after the new maintenance building project is underway.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

-  Manager Burns updated the commission on the current CD rates.  The interest on a 6-month CD is 3.95.  The commission agreed that Manager Burns should put $150,000 into a 6-month CD.

-  Mayor Combs stated that he met with the paver guy and is waiting for a bid on 2 speed bumps; one for Old Ferry Road (between Gardner Drive and Meigs Drive, possibly in front of the Tucker’s residence) and one for Cherokee Road (across from the entrance to Cherokee Park).  Mayor Combs believes the bid will be between $4,000 and $5,000.  Commissioner McCallister moved to authorize Mayor Combs to sign a contract with the paver company for 2 speed bumps, not to exceed $5,000.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wagner and passed unanimously.

 

MAYOR COMBS’ REPORT:

I.

 

OCLOC DINNER INVITATION - MARK YOUR CALENDARS…JANUARY 15 AT THE NICEVILLE COMMUNITY CENTER - Mayor Combs reminded everyone of the dinner.  He also announced that he is the new 2008 president of the Okaloosa County League of Cities.

-  Mayor Combs asked Maintenance Supervisor Kent Beck to get estimates to get the maintenance truck fixed.  He also stated that the next time it gets dinged or wrecked, Supervisor Beck will be responsible to pay for the damages.

 

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

 

COMMISSIONER MCCALLISTER’S REPORT:

I.

 

TREE TRIMMING - Manager Burns gave Commissioner McCallister the list of Shalimar Commons residents who have not yet signed the hold harmless agreements.  Commissioner McCallister stated that he will personally take the agreements to his neighbors’ houses.

  

COMMISSIONER BEHNKEN’S REPORT - Commissioner Behnken was not present.

 

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

 

POLICE REPORT

-  Detective Roberts will likely have to have surgery.

-  Officer Shadwell’s deployment date has been pushed back to March.

-  The county received a grant for the new radio program.

-  A new 23 year old part-timer will be sworn in on Tuesday.

 

TOWN MANAGER UPDATE

-  The Police Department is getting more aggressive about parking on the right-of-way.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

JANUARY 30, 2008 - PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING

 

FEBRUARY 12, 2008 - TOWN COMMISSION MEETING

 

ADJOURNMENT:  Commissioner Garcia moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wagner and it passed unanimously.