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1985-02-06 Worksop Meeting362'7 WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH, 1985 The City Council of the City of Okeechobee held a Workshop Meeting in Council Chambers 55 Southeast Third Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida, at 7:00 P.M., with the County Commissioners to discuss the possible Building Department Merger. Chairman Chapman called the meeting to order with the following City Councilmen present: Oakland R. Chapman, Chairman Andy Rubin, Vice Chairman Edward W. Douglas, Councilman Oscar Thomas, Councilman Nick Collins, Councilman Others present were: Bonnie S. Thomas, City Clerk L.C. Fortner, Jr., Administrative Assistant Lydia Jean Wilkerson, Deputy Clerk County Commissioners present: James Lashley, Chairman J.C. Bass, Commissioner Jim Broome, Commissioner Clif Betts, Commissioner Charley Harvey, Commissioner Others present were: Kyle VanLandingham, County Attorney 85-9 !� DISCUSSION ON THE CITY AND COUNTY BUILDING DEPARTMENT MERGER Mayor Chapman began the disucssion of the City Building Department merger with the County Building Department. He stated that in his own opinion, he would like to see both the City and the County work on one department merger at a time. Chairman Lashley explained that he felt this was the opportune time to discuss this action. One reason being the County doesn't have a Department Head at the present time. Commissioner Harvey asked what the City's budget and fees were. Director Fortner handed out the Budget worksheets to the Councilmen and Commissioners. Director Fortner stated that the total City budget for the Building Department was $64,497.00 Councilman Rubin stated that in 1981 Hardee County and the City of Wauchula were merged. And they were working together fine. The City of Wauchula gave everything to the County, and has saved $63,000.00. He then said that he was for the merging of the building departments. Commissioner Harvey stated, "At the time the County made the proposal we were told that both departments could be handled with the personnel the County had at that time, probably not now. We could, if the two are combined, have one Department Head over the Building and another over the Zoning. Two department heads is what will be needed. I don't think one Department head can handle everything." Chairman Chapman asked how the County felt about the Code Enforcement Board and the Planning and Zoning Board being mixed (City and County members), for those changes inside the City limits. Attorney Kyle VanLandingham stated, "Would you still have the two ordinance? The City still have it's own zoning ordinance and the County have theirs? Or do you think one zoning comprehensive ordinance would cover it? The City has the incorporated area." Councilman Rubin suggested the Boards have 3 City residents and 3 County residents. Attorney VanLandingham stated the state law states the number needed for Planning Board. Commissioner Betts stated that he would like to see a mixed board. Commissioner Harvey asked how many employees were there in the City Building Department. Chairman Chapman stated there were 2 employees. The Building Official and the secretary. But the secretary stays with the City. Chairman Chapman stated that if the building departments merged - the City would give the County the Building Inspector and one vehicle, the occupational licenses stay with the City, and on the City permits the City would get half (amount negotiable). Commissioner Betts questioned the fact that the City would still require Contractors to have 3628 ff a license to do business in the City limits. Attorney VanLandingham stated that the County Occupational licenses were not handled by the Building and Zoning Department, the Tax Collector's office handles these. Commissioner Betts asked if the City's building department was self supporting. Chairman Chapman answered no. Councilman Douglas stated that he felt we shouldturn over the Building Department to the County one employee and one vehicle and let than have all of the building permits and take over everything, and have the one zoning board make the decisions and give to the City the decision on the zoning and let the City Council have the opportunity to go over decisions made, and if there are any decisions that we object to - we bring them before the Council and if the majority objects to the decision made by the zoning board then let the Council have the right to appeal back to the board. Attorney VanLandingham stated the one board would be OK, but the elected board must have final decision. The Planning Board makes final decision on special exceptions or varience. It goes straight to Citcuit Court for appeal. Councilman Douglas stated, "I was referring to when the Zoning Board made the decision before it came to the legislative body, which would be the County Commissioners, then the Council would have a report on all of the minutes of the zoning meeting, so we would be aware of what was going on. Between the interim between the Zoning Board meeting's decision and before it comes to the County Commissioners for the final decision, we would have an opportunity to appeal that,so that we would be able to come back to the Zoning Board and let them know our feelings." Councilman Collins stated that the County have the final say in the County, and the City have the final say in the City. Commissioner Broome stated that there were two Compentency Boards, one .for the City and one for the County. He said that he did not have a problem with combining the two Boards, but what about the contractor's licenses. Commissioner Lashley stated that they would completely eliminate duplication of services. Councilman Thomas stated that the County Contractor's license could be used in the City limits. Commissioner Bass stated, "If you just have one man, and looking at the figures it looks like the County has a plus, and the City has a negative. Let's get our figures together. I'm for this combining - but I think that you are really going to have to take a look at it, figure out your different boards, but I think the fees are going to have to go the County." Commissioner Harvey asked what the permit fees were. Director Fortner read the permit fees as follows: Building Permits 15,000.00, Electrical Permits $3,000.00, Mechanical Permits $1,000.00, Plumbing Permits $2,000.00, Sign Permits $10.00, Gas Permits $25.00, Compentency Cards $1,400.00, Fence Permits $100.00 (Total $22,535.00). Commissioner Lashley stated that he felt the County could take over the City's Building Department, the one employee and one vehicle and save the City tax payer's $64,000.00 and not cost the County one dime. Commissioner Lashley asked if the County Attorney and someone from their finance department get with the City Attorney and someone from the Clerk's office to find out exactly what we are talking about finance wise. Clerk Thomas agreed to gather whatever information necessary. Commissioner Betts requested the building officials be present also. Commissioner Lashley stated that we could get a committee together to work out the differences in the Code, and get everything uniform. Attorney VanLandingham stated that the Comprehensive Plan was going to have to be II addressed. The City has some requirements the County does not have, but I believe an ordinance might be upgraded to suit both. Councilman Collins summarized the concept being, one Planning Board made up of City and County people, one Code Enforcement Board made up of Citv and County people, turn building permits over to the County, County gets all the rronev for the permits, the City has the final say on anything within the City. 3629 The County has the say on anything in the County. If it goes any further - we can take it to Court. (zoning matters only). Commissioner Lashley stated that we needed to appoint a Planning Commission, to avoid doubling everything. Discussion ensued concerning the Building Codes for the County and City being combined, the cost and the person to contact. Commissioner Lashley asked the County Commissioners if it was alright with them that the County Attorney and the Finance Office meet with the City Clerk and Director Fortner t o work out the finances. Commissioners agreed. Councilmembers agreed to have the finances worked out. A copy submitted to the County Commissioners for them to discuss at their next Commissioner's meeting. A copy submitted to the City Council for them to discuss at their next Council meeting. And then possibly another workshop set for the City and County to meet to discuss further the Building Department Merger. Chairman Chapman adjourned the Workshop Meeting at 8:10 P.M. -CrAK LAND R. 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