Town of Shalimar

Town Commission Meeting Minutes

August 12, 2008

 

CALL TO ORDER – Mayor 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 - present

 

Commissioner Ursel Behnken -  present

 

Commissioner Glenn Wagner -  absent

 

Others in attendance:  Town Manager Tom Burns, Deputy Clerk Tina Smith, Town Attorney Allison Sebastian, Police Chief John Cash, Police Lieutenant John Spohn, Planning and Zoning Member Johann Behnken, and resident Ken Holt.

 

PLANNING AND ZONING BUSINESS - The Planning and Zoning Board had no new recommendations for the Town Commission to approve.

 

TOWN RESIDENTS' TIME - The resident present had no new business.

 

Mayor Combs proclaimed September 17-23, 2008 as Constitution Week.

 

TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT - Attorney Sebastian reported that the Quiet Title Action process could take 2-5 months.  The residents who signed the Quit Claim deeds will still be served because the legal description on the paperwork was incorrect.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

I.

 

APPROVE MINUTES FROM THE JULY 8, 2008 BUDGET WORKSHOP II, EAR MEETING AND TOWN COMMISSION MEETING - Commissioner Garcia moved to approve the minutes from the July 8, 2008 Budget Workshop II, EAR Meeting, and Town Commission Meeting.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Behnken and passed unanimously.

II.

 

MAINTENANCE BUILDING UPDATE - Manager Burns reported that we are waiting on the electric inspections.  Also, he consulted with the Town Engineers last week about the bolt placement and the cracks in the concrete.  The phone company representative came out yesterday.  Maintenance Supervisor, Kent Beck, is on Emergency leave but will be back this week.

III.

 

RICHBOURG STORAGE LOT UPDATE - This item was discussed during the Town Attorney’s Report.

 

NEW BUSINESS - Manager Burns stated that some damage of the electronic marquee sign may have been from our sprinklers.  The sign company offered to give the town new sign for free if the town will pay for a second sign and installation of both all for $12,000.  Commissioner Garcia moved to authorize Manager Burns to work out a deal under $12,000.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner McCallister and passed unanimously.

 

MAYOR COMBS’ REPORT - Due to recent vandalism in Cherokee Park, Manager Burns reported that they decided to remove the memorial table.  He briefed a few plans for security lighting, etc.  Mayor Combs recommended that Manager Burns come up with a security plan and execute it then brief the Commission on what has been done.

 

COMMISSIONER GARCIA’S REPORT - Commissioner Garcia reported that last week, there were several instances of kids breaking into unlocked vehicles and stealing items retrieved from inside.

 

COMMISSIONER MCCALLISTER’S REPORT:

I.

 

SET DATES FOR BUDGET MEETINGS (9/10 AND 9/17?) - Both dates are good for everyone.  The meetings will be held at 5:30 p.m.

 

O’Sullivan Creel’s contract needs to be renewed and they have quoted a fee of $11,600.  Commissioner McCallister moved to authorize Manager Burns to renew O’Sullivan Creel’s contract.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Garcia and passed unanimously.

 

The town has a $220,000 CD that will mature on September 12.  Manager Burns would like to split the money and reinvest it into 2 FDIC insured local banks.  He would also like to consolidate 3 of the other CDs.  The commission looked over the paperwork and agreed with his idea.

 

COMMISSIONER BEHNKEN’S REPORT - Johann Behnken has been approached by several residents that there should be some sort of warning to drivers who are turning right onto Eglin Pkwy. from Shalimar Drive.  Mayor Combs asked why the speed limit is 40 MPH here and 30 MPH in Fort Walton Beach.  There was some discussion over different resolutions about the left turn at the light.  The Commission asked Chief Cash and Manager Burns to look into both issues.

 

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

 

POLICE REPORT:

-  Everyone should be receiving the WAR reports

-  There has been a rash of counterfeit $5 and $10 bills

 

Chief Cash was asked about the issue with Art Johanson and his neighbor’s tree.  Mayor Combs believes that it is a civil matter.

 

TOWN MANAGER UPDATE - Manager Burns already made his report but reminded everyone that school starts on Monday.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS - Mayor Combs clarified that the 2 upcoming budget hearings will be held at 5:30 p.m.

 

AUGUST 27, 2008 - PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING

 

SEPTEMBER 9, 2008 - NEXT TOWN COMMISSION MEETING

 

ADJOURNMENT:  Commissioner McCallister moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:08 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Garcia and it passed unanimously.