Town of Shalimar

Town Commission Meeting Minutes

January 13, 2009

CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Combs called the meeting to order at 5:58 p.m. in Town Hall chambers.  He led the "Pledge of Allegiance" to the Flag.

ROLL CALL FOR THE RECORD         

Others in attendance:  Town Manager Tom Burns, Deputy Clerk Tina Smith, Town Attorney D. Michael Chesser, Chief John Cash, Police Lieutenant John Spohn, Planning and Zoning Member Johann Behnken, Angela Balent and Kristen McCalister from O’Sullivan Creel and Resident Art Johanson.

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

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

TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT:

OLD BUSINESS:

NEW BUSINESS - There was no New Business

MAYOR COMBS’ REPORT - The Okaloosa County League of Cities met yesterday and received an Okaloosa County Growth Management on the 7^th Special Forces move and how the surrounding cities can help facilitate it.  Also, the Quarterly Dinner Meeting is next Tuesday at 6:00 in Crestview.

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

COMMISSIONER MCCALLISTER’S REPORT - The auditors suggested that Manager Burns distribute a monthly budget summary instead of just reporting about it so that the commission can see it on paper.  Commissioner McCallister went through the report (the monthly Fiscal Year to date snapshot handout).

- Account #315-000 - the Communications Tax amount is more than what was budgeted

- Account #519-491 - the $1000 elections expense will be moved to account #519-490 since we will not have an election this year

- Account #539-460 - the Repair and Maintenance is higher than what was budgeted because there was a $1400 unbudgeted tractor repair done

- Account #539-640 - This account is higher that what was budgeted because money was paid out this fiscal year that was budgeted for last year ($2000 on Marquee and $10000 for Maintenance Building)

- Account #541-431 - Amounts should be 217 and 2335

- Manager Burns stated that the current interest rate is pretty low and he feels he could get a CD with a little higher rate.  The Commission authorized him to get a $50,000 CD for the best rate he can find.

Commissioner Garcia moved to approve all of the above changes.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Behnken and passed unanimously.

The auditors also suggested that the Purchase Order (PO) minimum amount either be raised in the ordinance or the signing of POs should be more closely adhered to.  Manager Burns had a copy of the current ordinance with his suggested changes written in.  Mayor Combs asked him to draft the amended ordinance and e-mail it out to everyone so there can be a first reading at the next meeting.

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

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

POLICE REPORT - Chief Cash reported that he included the percentages (he compared 2007 numbers with 2008 numbers) and his 2009 goals list.  Also, there was a dog bite incident over by Cherokee Park.  The victim had surgery this morning.  The 2 dogs were taken for a 10-day quarantine and the owners were cited by PAWS for $120 per dog.  The “Dangerous Dog” designation procedure has already been started.  This procedure costs the pet owner $500 but Manager Burns feels the town may end up paying this fee for the safety of other residents.

Officer Shadwell will be back from Iraq on March 11.

TOWN MANAGER UPDATE - Manager Burns asked Regions Bank about direct deposit for the payroll checks.  They quoted him at $2.50 per check, approximately $35 per month.  Commissioner Wagner stated that he uses electronic banking through Regions Bank for free.  Manager Burns will look into the different options.

The Town Hall parking lot hasn’t been sealed/resurfaced in over 10 years.  Someone recently gave the town an estimate of $650 which is less than what it cost us to do it ourselves.  The man said that they would fill the cracks, resurface the lot, and repaint all of the stripes.  The Commission suggested that Manager Burns look into this more and it could get done after everything has been cleared from the parking lot.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

ADJOURNMENT:  Commissioner Garcia moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:52 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner McCallister and passed unanimously.