1985-02-18 Special Meeting3630
85-19
SPECIAL MEETING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1985
The City Council of the City of Okeechobee met in special
session in Council Chambers, 55 Southeast Third Avenue, Okeechobee,
Florida at 6:00 P.M.
Chairman Oakland R. Chapman called the meeting to order with
the following Councilmen present:
Oakland R. Chapman, Chairman/Mayor
Andy Rubin, Vice Chairman/Vice Mayor
Oscar Thomas, Councilman
Nick Collins, Councilman
Councilman Edward W. Douglas was absent-.
Others present were:
Bonnie S. Thomas, City Clerk
L.C. Fortner, Jr., Administrative Assistant
Lydia Jean Wilkerson, Deputy Clerk
Chairman Chapman stated the purpose of the Special Meeting was
to decide on who would be the new City Attorney: Applicants! r.aero„
Jennings or Jerry Bryant.
Chairman Chapman stated that Mr. Jennings had to withdraw his
bid for health reasons.
Chairman Chapman opened the floor for questions from Council -
members.
Councilman Collins asked Attorney Bryant if he would expect
the City to pay for any seminars or courses that he took concerning
City government. Attorney Bryant stated that he would not ask the City
to pay for a course he was planning to take in March concerning Munici-
pal Law. Chairman Chapman asked Attorney Bryant if he were out sick,
would he have a replacement to attend the meetings. Mr. Bryant stated
that he and Attorney Jennings had an agreement between each other, that
if one or the other, whichever one was chosen to be the City's Attor-
ney, they would attend the meetings in the others absence.
Councilman Rubin asked Attorney Bryant if his office would be
open to members of the Council and City employees, even in his absence.
Attorney Bryant replied by saying his office was open to any of the
City employees or officials, anytime, during normal business hours, and
if after, business hours,(and he was needed), his phone number was
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listed in the phone book.
Director Fortner asked Attorney Bryant, "What portion of your
time is spent in the courtroom?" Attorney Bryant stated the majority
of his time was spent in his office, not in the courtroom.
Director Fortner then asked what field was he intending to
specialize in. Attorney Bryant stated that he was leaning toward Real
Estate work, but he would also handle business law and some personal
injury.
Councilman Collins asked Attorney Bryant if he would feel
comfortable representing the City in a court case. Attorney Bryant
answered that he felt very comfortable in court, as long as he
understood the law that applied to that case.
Councilman Rubin questioned Attorney Bryant concerning the
amount of his yearly fee. Attorney Bryant stated that after speaking
with Bonnie Thomas and other City employees, he estimated how many
hours he felt it would take to handle the City Attorney's job, this is
how he determined the monthly fee.
Councilman Thomas asked Attorney Bryant if the fee he quoted
was a yearly fee, to be changed each year. Attorney Bryant answered
yes.
Clerk Thomas stated the elections was one of the most impor-
tant things that she would need the attorney's assistance. Also the
budget, trim bill, millage, customer problems, etc.,for which she would
need the attorney's assistance. Attorney Bryant stated that he would
help the Clerk in the areas required.
Councilman Rubin asked Attorney Bryant if he would keep the
Council advised on important deadlines of which the Council should be
aware. Attorney Bryant stated he would advise the Council on anything
he felt the Council needed to know.
Councilman Collins asked if the City Attorney would be hired
on as an employee, or on a contract. Chairman Chapman stated that it
was his understanding that the attorney would be hired on as an em-
ployee (with benefits included). Councilmembers agreed that the attor-
ney would be considered an employee. Attorney Bryant thanked the
Council for the benefits he would be receiving, although he was unaware
of them.
Director Fortner explained to Attorney Bryant about the list
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Of items of matters to be handled, and asked if he would be able to
begin work on these the following day (Tuesday, February 19th, 1985).
Attorney Bryant stated that he would rather not begin the job until the
beginning of the next week (February 25th), due to prior obligations,
unless there was something very pressing which needed to be handled.
Director Fortner stated that he would submit the list to Attorney
Bryant for him to begin working on the beginning of next week.
Councilman Rubin asked Attorney Bryant if the Council were to
vote for him to be the City's Attorney tonight, would he represent the
City beginning tonight. Attorney Bryant stated that he felt it would
be a conflict of interest for him to represent the City tonight when he
was representing Mr. Allen Markham who was on the agenda concerning a
street paving request. Director Fortner asked Attorney Bryant if he
would represent the City after he represents Mr. Markham. Attorney
Bryant stated that would be fine with him. Council members agreed.
Attorney Bryant stated that he also represented Harte Hanks
against the County, in a franchise matter, and if Mr. Jim Morris was
going to come before the Council tonight, he would rather not be
representing the City so there would not be a conflict of interest,
but he would be glad to represent the City after these two agenda items
were finished. Council members agreed.
Chairman Chapman asked the Council if there were any further
questions or comments concerning Attorney Bryant. There were none.
Chairman Chapman asked if anyone in the audience wished to address the
Council. There were none.
There being no further comments, Chairman Chapman adjourned
the meeting at 6:35 P.M.
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