MINUTES

TOWN OF SHALIMAR COMMISSION MEETING

SEPTEMBER 14, 1999

Mayor Gary Combs opened the regular meeting of the Shalimar Town Commission on Sept.14, 1999 at 6 p.m. and dispensed with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag since it was done in the Public Hearing.

ROLL CALL FOR THE RECORD:
Mayor Gary Combs - present
Mayor Pro Tem Tom Callen - present
Commissioner Gene Brown - present
Commissioner John Henderson - absent
Commissioner Elaine Tucker – present

Others present were Mack Kirkland, Theresa Norris, Merritt McEvoy, Jeff Dowda, Patty Culjak, Chief John Blackburn, Ursel Behnken and Nell Webb, Town Clerk.

P & Z RECOMMENDATIONS:

I. REVIEW RESULTS OF AUG. 25, 1999 P&Z MEETING

OLD BUSINESS

I. APPROVE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 10, 1999 TOWN COMMISSION MEETING – Comm. Callen moved to approve the minutes of the Aug. 10, 1999 Town Commission meeting. It was seconded by Comm. Tucker and passed unanimously.

 II. APPROVE MINUTES OF THE BUDGET WORKSHOPS – JULY 20 AND 22, 1999 – Comm. Callen moved to approve the minutes of the budget workshops on July 20 and 22. It was seconded by Comm. Tucker and passed unanimously.

 III. APPROVE MINUTES OF THE JULY 22, 1999 FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 99-07- Comm. Tucker moved to approve the minutes of the First reading of Ordinance No. 99-07. It was seconded by Comm. Callen and passed unanimously.

IV. STATUS OF LAW SUITS - Town Attorney Mike Chesser said the lawsuit with Mr. Thornton was resolved and dismissed. The suit with Racetrac is a bit more complicated, he said. He submitted an interim order to the Judge. Peterman’s letter arrived in this morning (Sept. 14). Now Mr. Chesser has 20 days to answer. Mayor Combs asked when Mr. Chesser would issue a law suit about Racetrac’s illegal signs. Mr. Chesser advised to file an order in County Court where it will go before Judge Maney. Comm. Brown said that Racetrac is the tackiest oil company and the town needs to get their attention. It will also put the other businesses on notice. Como Marina still has not submitted a letter to town hall. Rob Maxon is out of town, but if the town does not have a letter by 12 noon on Friday, Sept. 24, 1999, the town will go for everything they owe us. Mayor Combs instructed the attorney to tell them what will happen, if they do not produce the letter.

V. STATUS OF CDBG STORM WATER MANAGEMENT GRANT - Theresa Norris from BCM said that the valve for the pond fountain will be in by Thursday, Sept. 23, 1999 and the pump will be fixed. Construction Services will also put ribbon curbing on Clifford Drive and reimburse the town for sodding at the pond.

VI. STATUS OF PARK GRANTS – Rudy Sutton asked to have authority to order anything under $3,000 with commission approval. Purchases over $3,000 will have to go out for bid. Comm. Callen moved to give Rudy Sutton authority to order items under $3,000. It was seconded by Comm. Brown and passed unanimously.

VII. STATUS OF HURRICANE GEORGE’S RELATED HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT REQUEST – As per Rudy Sutton the County is moving on this.

VIII. TOWN HALL RENOVATION – Mayor Combs asked if money for Town Hall was considered in the upcoming budget. Comm. Callen said that Rudy Sutton is still working on grant money for Town Hall.

IX. ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT - Building Permits and Contractor Licenses – Mayor Combs said that he is updating the database. He suggested to print out a list of current licenses and permits to give to the Police Department so they have the capability to see who is permitted and who is not.

X. MRS. LAURA CROUCH’S REQUEST FOR VARIANCE – Withdrawn by Mrs. Crouch.

NEW BUSINESS:

I. TOWN RESIDENTS’ TIME –
a. Merritt McEvoy suggested to rename Cherokee Road into Shalimar Drive to continue across Eglin Parkway. Comm. Tucker said it would be very expensive, besides the residents on Cherokee should have some input. The Mayor suggested to place a survey in the next Tidbits and have Mr. McEvoy write up a little story to go with it.
b. Patty Culjak said that Gulf Coast Waste Services is violating their terms of the contract. They came to pick up garbage at 2:53 a.m., 6:03 a.m., and 5:54 am. and it’s very loud, she said. Also, the wild cat situation is rearing its head again, because they are getting into the garbage.

II. RESOLUTION NO. 99-07 IN SUPPORT OF THE EMERALD COAST DENTAL HYGIENE ASSOCIATION – Comm. Callen moved to support Resolution 99-07. It was seconded by Comm. Tucker and passed unanimously.

III. RESOLUTION NO. 99-06 REQUESTING LEGISLATIVE ACTION TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF GROUP HEALTH PROGRAM TO ALLOW PARTICIPATION B LOCAL GOVERNMENT WHICH PARTICIPATES IN FL. STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM – Comm. Brown moved to approve Resolution No. 99-06. It was seconded by Comm. Callen and passed unanimously.

IV. RESOLUTION NO. 99-08 SUPPORTING A LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE TO REFORM THE MUNICIPAL REVENUE SHARING PROGRAM AND THE MUNICIPAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TRUST FUND – Comm. Callen moved to support Resolution No. 99-08. It was seconded by Comm. Tucker and passed unanimously.

V. RESOLUTION NO. 99-09 SUPPORTING A LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE TO PROVIDE A DEDICATED REVENUE SOURCE FOR THE RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUND – Comm. Callen moved to approve Resolution No. 99-09. It was seconded by Comm. Tucker and passed unanimously.

 VI. CHANGING CURFEW FROM MIDNIGHT TO 11:00 PM – Chief Blackburn would like to change the curfew from 12 midnight to 11 p.m. to get youngsters ages 14-17 off the streets, if they are not accompanied by an adult. This will be hard to do since some of the Choctaw games and church functions do not let out until midnight. It also would require an ordinance change.

VII. POLICE CAR – Chief Blackburn would like sealed bids. Comm. Tucker suggested a minimum bid of $1,000. Comm. Tucker moved to declare the police car surplus, advertise on the web for sealed bids, and note that the Town can refuse all offers, deadline to be on noon Friday before the next Commission meeting. It was seconded by Comm. Callen and passed unanimously.

VIII. ATTORNEY FEES – Attorneys fees were budgeted last year at $5,000 but they are now at $16,000. The Town never paid a retainer to Mr. Chesser and he needs a new contract. Mr. Chesser argued that his bills could have been much higher. Comm. Callen moved to pay Mr. Chesser a flat rate of $125. It was seconded by Comm. Brown and passed unanimously.

MAYOR’S REPORT:
I. LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION STANDUP BUFFET – 6-9 PM DESTIN COMMUNITY CENTER ON SEPT. 23, 1999.- HOSTED BY OKALOOSA LEAGUE OF CITIES EXECUTIVE BOARD – It will be catered by A.J’s
II. OFFICE POLICIES – PERSONNEL MANUAL – Will be taken up at the next meeting.
III. WEB SITE UPDATE IV. COMPUTER PROGRAMMER FOR DATA BASE UPDATE V. LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX DISTRIBUTION – The Mayor is not sure that the County is going after this.

COMM. TUCKER’S REPORT:
I. FINANCIAL REPORT - submitted
II. BUDGET REPORT –Line item changes have to be done. It means that money has to be moved from one account to another.
III. SET A DATE FOR TOWN PERSONNEL PARTY – Oct. 15 at 1 p.m.
IV. DISCUSSION ON TAKING MONEY OUT OF RESERVES TO CLOSE OUT THIS YEAR - Will recommend if necessary.
V. COMPUTER SURPLUS – Comm. Callen moved to declare the computer in the storage room surplus and to give it and some old radios to the mission. It was seconded by Comm. Tucker and passed unanimously.

COMM. BROWN’S REPORT:
I. NATIONAL CLEANUP DAY FOR AREA BEACHES – SEPTEMBER 18, 1999
II. CELEBRATION 2000 – Crestview is planning to have a capsule in which the Town can place something. They also want each Town to provide a float. They are anticipating lots of donations. Commission members said that the Town will not have a float, but maybe Chief Blackburn can ride in the parade.

COMM. CALLEN’S REPORT: - no report

COMM. HENDERSON’S REPORT:
I. NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH AREA – Comm. Tucker suggested to have an article in the October Tidbits asking for volunteers to come forward. If enough people participate the Town can start this program.

ADMIN REPORT:
I. CONSTRUCTION REPORT – as attached

POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT: - as attached

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
I. OKALOOSA LEAGUE OF CITIES FALL DINNER – SEPT. 16, 6 P.M. AT FORT WALTON YACHT CLUB
II. DEP LETTER GIVING PERMISSION TO START WITH MEIGS PARK - Received.
III. Patty Culjak said that Tom Thornton – T Square – had the wrong windows in the back of his new building, but that other windows were already ordered. She also said that she had not heard anything from FEMA concerning her letter. Comm. Tucker said the Town would get in contact with FEMA to ask about a response to the letter.

ADJOURNMENT: Comm. Callen moved to adjourn the meeting at 8 p.m. It was seconded by Comm. Tucker and passed unanimously.

Nell Webb, Town Clerk


Gary Combs Mayor