1989-04-04 Regular Meeting�A
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CITY OF OKEECHOBEE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
April 4, 1989 - 2:00 P.M.
SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION
COUNCILMEMBERS/ACTION
VOTE
ABSENT
YES
NO
Call meeting to order.
Mayor Chapman called the meeting to order at 2:
P.M.
Invocation offered by the Reverend Ross Denslow;
Reverend Ross Denslow;
Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Chapman
Mayor Chapman.
Mayor and Council attendance:
Mayor Oakland Chapman
Present
Councilman Nick Collins
Present
Councilman Jim Kirk
Present
Councilman Oscar Thomas
Absent
Councilman Dowling Watford
Present
Staff attendance:
City Attorney Cook
Present
City Administrator Drago
Present
City Clerk Thomas
Present
Deputy Clerk Finch
Present
Motion to dispense with reading and approve the Summary
Motion by Councilman Collins, seconded by
of Council Action for the regular meeting of March 21,
Councilman Kirk to dispense with reading and
1989.
approve the Summary of Council Action for the
regular meeting of March 21, 1989.
Chapman
X
Collins
X
Kirk
X
Thomas
x
Watford
X
Motion Carried.
April 4, 1989
Page Two
COUNCIIrEMBERS/ACTION
VOTE
ABSENT
,YESI
NO
Motion to approve warrant registers for February, 1989:
Motion to approve the warrant registers for
March 1989 by JCouncilman Watford, seconded
by Councilman Kirk (General Fund $23,871.22;
Public Utilities $93,015.01).
General Fund $23,871.22
Public Utilities 93,015.01
Chapman
X
Collins
X
Kirk
X
Thomas
X
Watford
X
Motion carried.
REQUEST FOR THE ADDITION, DEFERRAL OR WITHDRAWAL OF ITEMS ON
There were none.
TODAY'S AGENDA.
OPEN PUBLIC HEARING FOR REZONING:
a:
1. Consider petition 4252-R for the rezoning of
Motion by Councilman Watford, seconded by
property located at S.W. 23rd Street and S.W 2nd
Councilman Kirk to uphold the Planning and
Avenue from Residential to Commercial II - -
Zoning Board's recommendation to deny -rezoning
Exhibit 1.
Petition #252-R.
Citizens Frank Bower and Lyda Heath discussed
the proposed project with Council, showed
photographs of the subject and surrounding
properties and informed Council that "property
is useless as it is".
Mayor Chapman asked for public input in this
matter - there was none.
After lengthy discussion between Council,
I
Chapman
X
Collins
X
Kirk
X
Thomas
X
Watford
X
April 4, 1989
Page Three
COUNCILMEIMERS/ACTION
VOTE
ABSENT
YES
NO
After further discussion by Council concerning
the vote,
Motion was made by Councilman Watford, seconded
by Councilman Kirk to table the matter until the
next Council Meeting (4/18/89) when there is
a full Council to vote.
Chapman
X
Collins
X
Kirk
X
Thomas
X
Watford
X
Motion Carried.
CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING
.� G. NEW BUSINESS
1. Motion to appoint Mr. Charles Moore as a new water
Motion by Councilman Watford, seconded by
treatment plant operator and Mr. Russell Burden as a
Councilman Collins to appoint Mr. Charles
maintenance operator assigneT to the Public Utilities
-Moore as a new water treatment plant operator
-
Department - Director of Public Utilities.
and Mr. Russell Burden as a maintenance operator
assigned to the public utilities department.
Mr. Moore was not present to be introduced to
Council. Mr. Burden was introduced by Director
Fortner. Mr. Fortner explained that Mr. Burden
is working with Johnny Bennett's crew.
Chapman
X
Collins
X
Kirk
X
Thomas
X
Watford
X
Motion Carried.
2. Motion to appoint Mr. Willie James Griffieth as a
Police officer - Police Chief. ne
3. Consider a request from Mrs.
a waste water deposit refund Karrolyn Rhoades for
(Exhibit 2). - ors. Karolyn Rhoades
4. Consider a request from Mr.
to maintain a and Mrs. Gary Eubanks
Portion of an alleyway behind their
house at 1
Eubanks 4th Avenue - Mr. & Mrs. Gary
(Exhibit 4).
Page Four
COUNCIIIEMgERS/ACTION VOTE
YES NO
Motion by Councilman Kirk, seconded by
Councilman Watford to appoint Willie James
Griffieth as a new police officer.
Mr. Griffieth was introduced Captain Farrenkopf. to Council by
Chapman
Collins X
Kirk
Thomas X
Watford Ix
Motion Carried. IX
Motion by Councilman Watford, seconded by
Councilman Kirk to refund the deposit paid
by Mrs. Karolyn S. (Gambino) Rhoades. After
discussion,
Chapman
Collins
Kirk X
Thomas X
Watford X
Motion Carried. IX I I X
Mr. and Mrs. Eubanks did not appear, however
the property owners to the rear of the Eubanks
property, Mr. and Mrs. James E.
Shirley
addressed Council and requested the use of
7 1/2 feet of the alley adjoinin property (Lots 7 & 8, Block 9, Southeir
Okeechobee).
X
ABSENT
April 4, 1989
Page Five
COUNCILMEMBERS/ACTION
VOTE
ABSENT
YES
NO
After lengthy discussion between Council, City
Attorney Cook and Mr. and Mrs. Shirley, and
Citizen Tommy Close,
'lotion by Councilman Kirk, seconded by
Councilman Watford to have both property owners
adjoining the alley (the Shirley's and the
Eubanks) in Block 9, South Okeechobee to submit
an application to the City Clerk spelling out
what part of the alley they wish to use,
state the purpose and thereafter Council
may act upon the request.
Chapman
X
Collins
X
Kirk
X
Thomas
X
Watford
X
Motion Carried.
;,RECESS: 3:00 P.M.
Mayor Chapman called the meeting back to order at 3:15 P.m.
--
5. Consider the City installing a water and waste water
Danny Mullins spoke to Council regarding the
system for the new Okeechobee Park - Mr. Danny
proposed "Okeechobee Park". Mr. Mullins
Mullins (Exhibit 3).
explained to Council that the funding was
under estimated for the facility. No bids
were received since bidders were aware of
the budget figures and knew the park could
not be built for the amount budgeted. In the
"joint use proposal" $650,000.00 was
allocated by the State, the County Commissioners
are to match this with another $650,000.00
($130,000.00 Cash and the remainder as in -kind
services - i.e. roads, drainage, etc.). The
$1.3 million dollar project will have to be
drastically phased back, eliminating ball fields,
tennis courts, racketball courts, etc. under
the present financial conditions.
April 4, 1989
Page Six
COUNCIIrR-fBERS/ACTION
VOTE
ABSENT
YES
NO
Mr. Mullins requested that the Council consider
material and in -kind labor donations and waiving
of capacity and connection fees for Phase III
(the utilities - package: water and sewer)
by purchasing approximately $75,000.00
in materials, installation/labor (approximately
$100,000.00) and by waiving capacity and
connection fees for the proposed project.
After lengthy discussion by Council, City
Administrator Drago, Mr. Mullins and Citizen
Tommy Close, Council requested more precise
figures and specific plans/requests prior to
making any type of commitment(s) in this matter.
Mr. Mullins will work with Mr. Drago and return
before Council when more specific information
is available for Council to consider.
d:
CD
6. Update of items of interest to the city from
Commissioner Nilliamson informed Council that
�,►
County Commissioner Jack Williamson.
under the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, the County
is obligated to establish a task force on
--
housing (which is a -subcommittee of the Central
Florida Regional Planning Council). The City
needs to have a member/representative to attend
the subcommittee meetings. Mr. Williamson
recommended City Administrator Drago be the
City's representative and asked Council to
authorize this request and to allow Mr. Drago
to attend the meetings.
Council agreed to the request.
April 4, 1989
Page Seven
COUNCIIMEMBERS/ACTION
VOTE
ABSENT
YES
NO
H. COUNCIL REPORTS AND/OR REQUESTS:
1. Councilman Collins:
a) Requested that all Department Heads meet with
Administrator Drago to discuss the feasibility
of closing all alleys in the City.
b) Expressed Council's sympathy to Mayor Chapman
and his family.
2. Councilman Thomas:
Absent.
3. Attorney Cook:
Discussed a Florida Statute he reviewed and
informed Council that they cannot single out
individuals and/or developers and enter into
contracts with them agreeing to give
tax breaks to entice people/developers/
businesses to come into the City or County.
He stated that there is a procedure for a
referendum to have the matter/question put
before the voters which he can obtain for
Council if they desire.
4. Councilman Kirk-
Nothing at this time. —
--
5. Councilman Watford:
a) Requested Council give Mr. Charlie Farmer
information/answers to his request for
assistance on the S.E. 9th Street work.
City Attorney Cook stated he had met with
Director Elders and discussed the Special
Assessment Statute and the possibility of
future adjoining users paying a portion
of the work which has been performed.
b) Expressed his thanks to Sylvia Firestine
for her service to the City and wished her
well in her retirement.
April 4, 1989 Page Eight
COUNCIIMENBERS/ACTION
VOTE
ABSENT
YES
NO
6. Mayor Chapman:
Nothing at this time.
___JOURNMENT
Mayor Chapman adjourned the meeting at 3:40 P.14.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT IF ANY PERSON SHOULD DECIDE TO
APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE AT THIS MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL,
SUCH PERSON WILL NEED TO INSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE
PROCEEDING IS MADE WHICH INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE
UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS BASED.
OAKLAND R. CHAPMAN,, AYOR
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pTEST:
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BONNIE S. THOMAS, CMC
CITY CLERK
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