Town of Shalimar

Town Commission Meeting Minutes

September 9, 2008

 

CALL TO ORDER – Mayor 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 -   present

 

Others in attendance:  Town Manager Tom Burns, Deputy Clerk Tina Smith, Town Attorney D. Michael Chesser, Chief John Cash, Lieutenant John Spohn, Detective Sam Roberts, Planning and Zoning Member Johann Behnken, and residents Ken Holt, Bryon Woram, Joseph Ray, Joy Bates, Frances Brown, Georgia and Lyle Crews, Karen Jackson, Vic and Joan Martire, Lee McCallister, Harry Wickliffe, Genevieve McGowan, Joe Livingston, and Gloria Turner.

 

PLANNING AND ZONING BUSINESS - The Planning and Zoning Board did not have a meeting in August.

 

TOWN RESIDENTS' TIME - Many residents present live on lots that abut Meigs Executive Park and have asked that the trees on the commercial property that are overhanging onto their lots be trimmed back.  Mayor Combs asked Manager Burns to get an estimate for the pruning job.  Commissioner Behnken moved to authorize Manager Burns to hire an arborist to prune all of the overhanging limbs.  The pruning job should not exceed $1000.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wagner and passed with Commissioner McCallister abstaining.  Manager Burns stated that destruction of property will be his criteria.  If the arborist doesn’t believe the tree can be pruned without killing it, the issue will be brought to the Planning and Zoning Board to get approval before the tree is removed.

 

One Shalimar Commons resident reported that there is Sumac growing rampant right outside her fence.  Manager Burns stated that this is an issue that he will handle separately.

 

Many residents along Sara Drive and Carl Brandt Drive received an anonymous letter that the town is trying to acquire the county right-of-way property to add a boat ramp.  Mayor Combs explained that the town has inquired to the county about this property but has no plans, at this time, to build a boat ramp.  The town has a new agreement with the Shalimar Yacht Basin to allow residents to use their boat ramp for free.

 

TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT - The town attorney had nothing to report.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

I.

 

APPROVE MINUTES FROM THE AUGUST 12, 2008 TOWN COMMISSION MEETING - Commissioner McCallister moved to approve the minutes from the August 12, 2008 Town Commission Meeting as written.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Garcia and passed unanimously.

II.

 

MAINTENANCE BUILDING UPDATE - Manager Burns reported that the ramps were poured today.  The interior has been painted once but needs another coat.  Maintenance Supervisor Kent Beck is now working on the punch list.  Mayor Combs suggested that he and Commissioner Garcia walk through the building and help with the list before the engineers come through.

III.

 

RICHBOURG STORAGE LOT UPDATE - Attorney Chesser stated that the lawsuit has been filed and tomorrow is the default date.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

I.

 

FLORIDA SUNSHINE LAW RESOLUTION 2008-04 - Commissioner Garcia moved to approve Resolution 2008-04 as written.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Behnken and passed unanimously.

 

MAYOR COMBS’ REPORT:

I.

 

TIDBITS - ARTICLES DUE TO TINA BY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 - Commissioner Behnken asked if she would need to do a “Yard of the Quarter” article.  Clerk Smith informed her that Supervisor Beck can do the article, like last quarter.

 

COMMISSIONER GARCIA’S REPORT:

I.

 

SAM ROBERTS RELEASE - Commissioner Garcia briefed the commission on the history of Detective Roberts and read the attached letter.  Manager Burns added that Detective Roberts position was held for over 3 months while he was going through Physical Therapy.  Detective Roberts is uncertain when he might be able to return to work.  Mayor Combs believes that Detective Roberts should be laid off but stated that he can reapply when he’s ready to work again and, if there’s an opening, he will get preference.  Commissioner McCallister was concerned that Detective Roberts may be unable to continue receiving Workmen’s Compensation payments if the town lays him off.  Manager Burns checked into this and stated that, since the injury occurred while Detective Roberts was a full-time employee, he will continue to receive payment from Workmen’s Compensation.  Commissioner Garcia moved that he agrees with the content of the letter and authorized Manager Burns to submit the letter to Detective Roberts.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Behnken and passed unanimously.

 

Manager Burns reported that the Police car was fixed but something small went wrong when it was road tested.

 

COMMISSIONER MCCALLISTER’S REPORT:

I.

 

BUDGET AND AUDIT UPDATE - Commissioner McCallister reminded everyone that there will be a budget meeting tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. and next Wednesday, September 17, at 5:30 p.m.  He and Manager Burns met with the auditor tonight and will meet again after the audit draft is complete.

 

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

 

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

 

POLICE REPORT - Chief Cash stated that the Police Report is attached and checked to make sure everyone is still receiving the WAR reports via e-mail.

 

TOWN MANAGER UPDATE - Manager Burns reported that the new marquee signs have been ordered and should be delivered and installed in approximately 6-8 weeks.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 - FIRST BUDGET HEARING

 

SEPTEMBER 17, 2008 - SECOND BUDGET HEARING

 

SEPTEMBER 24, 2008 - PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING

 

OCTOBER 14, 2008 - NEXT TOWN COMMISSION MEETING

 

OCTOBER 21, 2008 - NEXT OCLOC DINNER MEETING HOSTED BY CINCO BAYOU

 

ADJOURNMENT:  Commissioner Behnken moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:09 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Garcia and it passed unanimously.

 

 

 

 

___________________________________              __October 14, 2008________

Tina Smith, Secretary                                                                                              Date approved