MINUTES

SHALIMAR TOWN COMMISSION

JULY 13, 1999

The July 13, 1999, regular Town Commission meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. by Mayor Gary Combs at Town Hall Chambers. He led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

ROLL CALL FOR THE RECORD:
Mayor Gary Combs - present
Comm Gene Brown - present
Comm. Tom Callen - present
Comm. John Henderson - present
Comm. Elaine Tucker – present

Others present were Tom Thornton, Brian Justice, Sally Henderson, Nell Webb, Monika Gillette, Attorney Mike Chesser and Police Chief John Blackburn.

P & Z UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF BYLAWS - Comm. Henderson moved to allow P & Z change the dates of their meetings unless it is in violation of exiting bylaws. It was seconded by Comm. Tucker and passed unanimously. The Mayor will write letter to request draft ordinance.

OLD BUSINESS:

I. APPROVAL OF THE MAY 11, 1999 REGULAR TOWN COMMISSION MEETING - Comm. Callen moved to approve the June 8, 1999 minutes as written. It was seconded by Comm. Tucker and the motion passed unanimously.
II. LAW SUITS – Town Attorney Mike Chesser gave updates on Racetrac and Como Marina. The recommendation was made that Racetrack be given the newly proposed sign ordinance in advance for review and to offer an "olive branch" to come to some settlement. The Mayor said he had talked with Como Marina and is close to resolvement and will update the board when talks come closer to fruition.

III. T-SQUARE – Tom Thornton and Brian Justice from T-Square submitted drainage plans that doubled drainage ability to 2 inches. The plans included putting pipes underground and having ascetically pleasing landscaping around outlets. The Mayor said the plans looked good but wanted the town engineer, BCM, to give input before final approval. Comm. Henderson and Comm. Brown were concerned with the ingress from Eglin Parkway. Mr. Thornton said the entry is a 12-foot wide, one-way street that is clearly marked. Comm. Callen moved to approve the changes and issue a permit contingent on BCM approval. It was seconded by Comm. Henderson and the motion passed unanimously.
IV. TOWN HALL RENOVATION AND PROGRESS REPORT – The Mayor reported that the bathroom was almost complete and that a Shalimar resident was donating the marble and it would be in shortly.

V. ANNEXATION – The Mayor reported the request was dropped according to a letter from Mrs. Bruner.

VI. CDBG STATUS – The Mayor stated that he was unhappy with BCM and that they were not present at the meeting. The Punch List was reviewed and the change order for Mrs. King was approved.

VII. PARK GRANTS – The Mayor gave update on park grants. He stated that Rudy Sutton requested an extension for Cherokee Park. The Meigs Park is waiting on a "title letter" that Attorney Mike Chesser was submitting later this week.

NEW BUSINESS:

I. CITIZENS’ REQUEST TIME – Mrs. Sally Henderson, Garner Drive, voiced concern with her neighbor, Mr. Holt, acquiring a 40 foot fishing boat which is tied to his dock. Safety issues included the bilge pump constantly running and that the dock is being pulled out on the opposite side because of the size of the boat. It was currently held down with an anchor. She asked if the problem could be addressed with any existing ordinances. The Mayor suggested he write a letter to Mr. Holt asking his intentions with the boat. Comm. Tucker agreed to check ordinances and write the letter. Attorney Mike Chesser suggested to first talk informally with Mr. Holt to find out his intentions. Mr. Chesser suggested that an ordinance should be drafted for future issues. The Mayor agreed to first speak to Mr. Holt informally.

II. LETTER FROM MO BLUMENTHAL AND LINDA MADDOX– A letter submitted by Mr. Blumenthal of Clifford Drive was reviewed. Mr. Blumenthal addressed three concerns: underground utilities, reducing size and placement of signage and repaving of Eglin Parkway. The board noted: underground utilities are the responsibility of Gulf Power and would be cost prohibitive; a sign ordinance is already under consideration and the repaving of Eglin Parkway has already been approved and should start soon.

The letter from Linda Maddox, Clifford Drive, stated that she wanted a "no parking" sign on Clifford Drive to prevent bridge fishermen from parking there. Attorney Mike Chesser stated that parking could not be limited to residents only. It was either open parking or no parking for everyone, because it was a public right of way. It was stated that a sign is already present. A suggestion was made that if all the residents wanted "no parking" enforcement, a petition should be circulated. An informal survey showed most residents did not have problems with the occasional bridge parking.

III. ONE-CENT SALES TAX – The Mayor stated that area Mayors are not happy with the County’s split of the one-cent sales tax, which would give the county a 2/3 split and the cities to share the 1/3 split per capita. The Mayor stated he would keep the board advised.

IV. SIGN ORDINANCE – ORDINANCE 99-07 – The first reading of the Sign Ordinance is scheduled for July 22, 1999 following the Budget Meeting. A suggestion was made by Mr. Chesser that all business should be sent a copy of the preliminary Sign Ordinance. The Mayor suggested a letter be sent inviting them to stop by Town Hall to review the Ordinance.

V. COX CABLE FRANCHISE – ORDINANCE 99-08 - A first reading of Ordinance 99-08 was given. Comm. Callen moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 99-08. It was seconded by Comm. Henderson and the motion passed unanimously.

VI. GULF POWER FRANCHISE – ORDINANCE 99-09 – A change was made to the ordinance reducing the years in effect from 30 to 15. Comm. Henderson agreed to check if it would be feasible for underground lines be installed and added as a condition in the Ordinance. Comm. Callen moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 99-09. It was seconded by Comm. Tucker and the motion passed unanimously.
VII. PAWS CONTRACT – LETTER FROM AL HOLZSCHUH – Comm. Tucker addressed the letter from Mr. Holzschuh and stated that several other residents were not happy with services provided by PAWS, in particular having to pay for a trap to catch a nuisance fox. Comm. Tucker questioned the services of PAWS and wondered if the approximately $1395 spent each year from the Town of Shalimar was necessary. Chief Blackburn stated that although he took care of any pets, he was not equipped or trained to handle wild or vicious animals and that PAWS was responsive to those requests. Comm. Henderson agreed to check what calls PAWS had answered and to make a recommendation before the next budget meeting.

MAYOR’S REPORT:

I. FEMA DESIGNATION PLACQUE – The Town of Shalimar received its FEMA designation primarily based on the work by Rudy Sutton.

II. FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES REVIEW - The Mayor again stated his and the other Mayors concern about the one-cent sales tax splitting of revenue.

III. The Mayor took the time to also announce the "Employee of the Quarter". He suggested Ursel Behnken be nominated because of her extra effort and dedication. Everyone agreed.

COMM. TUCKER’S REPORT:

I. FINANCIAL REPORT -

II. BANK CHANGE REQUEST - Comm. Tucker requested permission to change the bank account from Nations Bank because of the $40 per month bank fee. Comm. Henderson moved to give permission to Comm. Tucker to negotiate better bank fees with any bank. It was seconded by Comm. Callen and the motion passed unanimously.
III. BUDGET WISH LIST – Comm. Tucker stated that this was the time to submit items for the wish list because the budget meetings would soon get underway.

IV. BUDGET WORKSHOP DATES – Comm. Tucker stated the budget workshops will be held next Tuesday and Thursday, July 20 and 22, 1999, at 5 pm.

COMM. BROWN’S REPORT:

NAME FOR PARK AT MEIGS OFFICE – Comm. Brown stated that he talked with former Mayor Harry Montegue who said he did not want the park named after him, rather he would appreciate a plaque in his honor near the lake. It was discussed that the park be named for Mr. Smith who had an impact on the history of the Town of Shalimar. Comm. Callen moved to name the park behind the Meigs office park "Miles "Smitty" Smith Memorial Park" with a dedication date of July 1999. It was seconded by Comm. Tucker and the motion passed unanimously.

COMM. CALLEN’S REPORT:

Comm. Callen reported that the maintenance staff was pretty thin with Jeff finishing up the bathroom in Town Hall and that several lawn mowers were undergoing maintenance. He said to assure the citizens that the lawns will be taken care of. The Mayor addressed Jeff Dowda’s line of supervision and stated that Rudy Sutton would be his direct supervisor and that all requests should go through him.

COMM. HENDERSON’S REPORT:

Comm. Henderson stated that less than half of the citations were written compared to last year and that revenue was down. He suggested that the police department focus on all Shalimar streets, not just Eglin Parkway. Comm. Tucker stated that trucks were speeding down Old Ferry Road early in the morning. She also stated the need for "Slow, Children at Play" signs for Old Ferry Road.

ADMIN OFFICIAL’S REPORT:
CONSTRUCTION REPORT - as attached

POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT:
POLICE REPORT - as attached

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
I. FLOC ANNUAL CONFERENCE AUG. 19-21 IN ORLANDO

II. UWF SEMINAR – DISABLITY AWARENESS – PEOPLE FIRST, JULY 14.

ADJOURNMENT: Comm. Callen moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. It was seconded by Comm. Henderson and it passed unanimously.

Gary Combs, Mayor

ATTEST:

Nell Webb, Town Clerk