MINUTES
SHALIMAR TOWN COMMISSION
MONDAY, MARCH 8, 1999
The regular Town Commission meeting was called to order by Mayor Harry Montague at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 8, 1999 at Town Hall Chambers. The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL FOR THE RECORD:Others present were Jean Wilkinson, Town Clerk; John Blackburn, Chief of Police; Mike Chesser, Town Attorney; Nell Webb, Deputy Clerk; Ursel Behnken, secretary; and those on the attached sign-in sheet.
P& Z RECOMMENDATION:
I. REMODELING TO ANTONIOS - This was approved by P & Z pending the validation of storm water retention. The Town received a letter from Mr. David Campbell with validations. Attorney Grimsley said they would not change the storm water drainage. Their maintenance will take the storm water system and bring it up to standard at their expense. The Town's engineers have not verified the numbers yet, said the Mayor. Mr. Rausch said in the P & Z meeting that they are adding about 700 square feet on the building and they foresee no problem with the drainage. He is willing to rebuild the backside of the berm adjoining so it will not drain to the subdivision behind Antonio's. Comm. Combs moved to accept the Planning and Zoning recommendation. It was seconded by Comm. Wilkinson and passed unanimously.
II. FINAL APPROVAL/RECOMMENDATION FOR CHANGES TO NEW FIRM MAP - The new flood map changes some of the flood zones in the Town, although the new lines are confusing as the map is not clear. There are some concerns by the residents. The elevation requirements will affect construction from now on in. There are also differences in the guidelines and what the insurance companies say. Attorney Chesser said he has a case in Okaloosa County where people did not have flood insurance because the map showed that they did not have to. But they found themselves under 6 ft. Of water and are trying to figure out who dropped the ball advising those people. Mr. Chesser cautioned the Commissioners to be careful in advising people about what flood insurance people need. Mrs. Wilkinson said she had a call from a resident who said that an insurance would not give her insurance. So Mrs. Wilkinson called and the insurance was provided in 45 minutes. Comm. Combs moved to not approve the changes to the FEMA map but to contest it as a participating municipality for further study.
OLD BUSINESS:
I. APPROVAL OF BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS MINUTES, FEBRUARY 9, 1999 - Comm. Combs moved to approve the Board of Adjustment minutes of Feb. 9, 1999. It was seconded by Comm. Wilkinson and passed unanimously.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM TOWN COMMISSION MEETING OF FEBRUARY 9, 1999 - Comm. Combs moved to approve the minutes of the Feb. 9, 1999 Town Commission minutes. It was seconded by Comm. Callen and passed unanimously.
III. CDBG CHANGE ORDER - The project is under way now, said the Mayor. The second change order had to be changed from 1 to 2 since the pipes were changed from plastic to concrete, and also the amount of asphalt used. Change Order No. I is signed. On the asphalt the Town needs a detailed diagram from Couch's determining what was donated to the Town and what the Town had to pay for. Snug Harbour is not quite completed because the shoulder has to be redone. Couch Construction provided 277 tons asphalt at Snug Harbour.
IV. ELECTIONS, 7 AM TO 7 PM, TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1999
V. STATUS REPORT ON LEGAL SUITS -
2) The Racetrac people think they are entitled to Eglin Parkway, 6th and Second Ave as basis for their sign Mrs. Wilkinson had a disposition which was very difficult. It is now scheduled for a hearing. Mrs. Wilkinson said that Racetrac has signs all over. They are not conforming. Other gas stations have been complied with our ordinances. The ordinances just have to be enforced equally. Mrs. Patti Culjak asked whether Racetrac had applied for a permit. She said the permit was granted and the admin official had made a mistake.
3) The suit with T-Square is pending said Mr. Chesser. A petition has been filed.
NEW BUSINESS:
I. WASTE BID OPENING - EVALUATION FORM - The Town had two proposals - one from Gulf Coast Waste and one from Waste Services. It was determined to put an evaluation together for the next Town Commission meeting. Comm Brown said to look over the proposals and come back prepared and be able to vote on it. He also said the guidelines should be laid out tonight and then be passed on to the new commission. Mr. K.L. Love from Gulf Coast Waste said he would be happy to answer questions.
II. COASTAL BUSINESS PRODUCTS PROPOSAL FOR NEW FAX WITH LASER PRINTER - Mrs. Wilkinson said the offer is only good until the end of March. Comm. Callen pointed out that it was not in the budget. Comm. Wilkinson said that it does not look like a bargain and not to worry about it now. Comm. Wilkinson moved to buy a plain paper FAX and find a way to pay for it. It was seconded by Comm. Combs and passed unanimously.
III. LETTER FROM REPRESENTATIVE JERRY MELVIN
IV. REQUEST BY RAY MORGAN - Mr. Morgan, a resident of Snug Harbour, requested that Snug Harbour Road be repaved since it had not been done for the past 15 years. He knows the cost is high on this and wants to take it one step at a time. Curbing the sides would be the next step
IV. CLARIFICATION AND READING OF POLICY CHANGES ON EMPLOYEE
A. REIMBURSEMENT - The Mayor said that there is ambiguity on travel expenses which is a matter of clarification. Each trip has to be preapproved, and for every meal there has to be a receipt. Comm. Callen moved to change the Travel Policy as amended. It was seconded by Gary Combs and passed unanimously.
VI. FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES JOINT LEGISLATIVE POLICY - The Mayor said they are looking for something in writing. The Town has no key o fficial now, which may change after the election. The Town may have somebody who wants to go to Tallahassee on their own expenses. The Town also needs support on the Police Pension Trust Fund.
VII. REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION OF SHALIMAR COMMONS ISSUES
Mrs. Patti Culjak had several questions to the Town Commission.
1) Meigs Office Park - She said the Sheriff's office is only less than 22 ft. from Brande Court residents. How was that approved? She said the Town might be able to ask for a thicker screening to assist the residents.
2) T-Square - She said that the site plan for T-Square is higher in the front than in the back which would mean if the drainage overflows, it goes down into the residences.
3) Park Property- The gazebo gives the appearance it belongs to the Meigs Office Park. It should be designated as belonging to the people of Shalimar.
4) Meigs Office Park - The builders said they would put shrubbery around the air conditioning, said Mrs. Culjak. Now there is a sidewalk, she said, and it is impossible to put shrubbery around it.
Mayor Montague said that he looked at the park and it is beautiful. He talked to the landscape people and they have gone way beyond the code requirements. The trees will soon be higher than the fence. The dumpsters are screened with a wall to match the building. Resident McCallister said that the sidewalk is elevated and people can look right into Janet Oldaker's living room. Mr Culjak also addressed the commission.
VIII. PROCLAMATION FOR WORLD TRADE EXPO WEEK - Comm. Wilkinson moved to pass the proclamation for World Trade Expo Week. It was seconded by Comm. Combs and passed unanimously.
MAYORS REPORT:
ANNEXATION - Velma Bruner asked for annexation of three of her lots adjacent to the Town, because she appreciated Policeman Chuck Deckard's response to her call when she needed the police. Comm. Callen moved to table this issue for some more information. It was seconded by Comm. Combs and passed unanimously.
COMM. WILKINSON'S REPORT:
FINANCIAL REPORT - Comm. Wilkinson said the Town is very solvent. There should be a review of the budget by the end of March. He said he'll help the town with the transition and sit down with the new finance commissioner and help him prepare for the coming year.
I. LETTER FROM KEVIN REEVES - Mr. Reeves requested Shalimar Drive be blocked off at the big curve to prevent traffic from using Shalimar Drive as a through street.
II. PURCHASE OF TRUCK - Jeff Dowda and Tom Burns went to Starke and bought a full-sized truck for $400. They could also buy generators and pumps there, it's available. The old truck will have to be disposed off. Comm. Callen moved to declare the old truck surplus, to advertise for sealed bids and sell it. It was seconded by Comm. Combs and passed unanimously.
COMM. COMBS' REPORT
CONSTRUCTION REPORT - attached
POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT: as per attached report. The new laser gun is working pretty good, said John Blackburn. He or his officers will demonstrate it in Court, so the judges understand the procedure.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:ADJOURNMENT: Comm. Callen moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m. It was seconded by Comm. Combs and passed unanimously.
Mayor Gary Combs
ATTEST:
Jean Wilkinson, Town Clerk