1985-09-03 Regular Meeting3"794
REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1985
The City Council of the City of Okeechobee met in regular session in
Council Chambers, 55 S.E. Third Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida at 2.-00 P.M.
with the following Councilmen present:
Mayor Oakland R. Chapman
Vice Mayor Andy Rubin
Councilman Edward W. Douglas
Councilman Nick Collins
Councilman Oscar Thomas
Others present were:
L.C. Fortner, Jr., Administrative Assistant
Bonnie S. Thomas, City Clerk
Jerry Bryant, City Attorney
Larry Mobley, Police Chief
Keith Tomey, Fire Chief
Chuck Elders, Street Superintendent
Johnny Bennett, Water Plant Supervisor
Steve Figley, Acting Director of Public Utilities
Lydia Jean Wilkerson, Deputy Clerk
AGENDA ITEM # II & III - INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Invocation was presented by Councilman Edward W. Douglas followed
by the Pledge of Allegiance.
85-2 AGENDA ITEM # IV - MAYOR OAK -LAND CHAPMAN ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
WITH A PRESENTATION TO JOHNNv BENNETT IN RECOGNITION OF 25 Y ARS CONTINUOUS
SERVICE WITH THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE
Mayor Chapman presented City employee Johnny Bennett with a certificate
of appreciation for 25 years continuous service with the City of Okeechobee.
85-21 AGENDA ITEM # V - FINAL READING AND PUBLIC HEARING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, AMENDING -CHAPTER 18
PERTAINING TO WATER. SEWERS AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL; AMENDING SECTIONS 18-22,
18-_31, 18-48 AND REPEATING SECTION 18 29 PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Attorney Bryant began the discussion by stating that the Council has
previously agreed to the rates as stated in the proposal submitted by
Hunsberger, Bower and Walsh, and therefore, the ordinances needed to be
amended to include those new rates.
Council discussed the proposed new rates briefly.
Ms. Wanda Summerall addressed Council and expressed her concern on the
amount of rate increases since 1977, as compared to the amount of rate
increases by Florida Power and Light.
Councilman Rubin stated that he was opposed to the rate increase. He
stated that the City was presently losing 3.8 Million Dollars on the
Okeechobee Beachwater Contract. Administrative Assistant Fortner and Public
Utilities Director Figley explained the present contract the City has with
Okeechobee Beachwater.
Citizen,Mr. Frank Wilbur, addressed the Council and stated that he was
also opposed to the rate increase.
After further discussion, Councilman Douglas made a motion to have the
ordinance read by title only. Councilman Collins seconded the motion.
Mayor Chapman asked for a vote on the motion. Councilmen Douglas and
Collins voted for the motion. Councilmen Thomas and Rubin voted against the
motion. Mayor Chapman voted for the motion. Motion carried. Attorney
Bryant read the ordinance title as follows:
ORDINANCE 554
3795
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Councilman Douglas made a motion that the ordinance be adopted.
Councilman Collins seconded the motion. Mayor Chapman asked for a vote on
the motion. Councilmen Douglas and Collins voted for the motion.
Councilmen Rubin and Thomas voted against the motion. Mayor Chapman voted
for the motion. Motion carried.
85-21 I AGENDA ITEM # VI - FINAL READING AND PUBLIC HEARING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE• AMENDING CHAPTER 2
PERTAINING TO CONSOLIDATED BILLING FOR CITY SERVICES AMENDING SECTIONS
2064, 2-65 AND 2-66• PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DA F
Councilman Douglas made a motion for the ordinance to be read by title
only. Councilman Thomas seconded the motion. Mayor Chapman asked for a
vote on the motion. Councilman Rubin voted against the motion. Motion
carried. Attorney Bryant read the title as follows:
ORDINANCE 555
Councilman Collins made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Councilman
Douglas seconded the motion. Mayor Chapman asked for a vote on the
ordinance. Councilmen Thomas and Rubin voted against the motion. Mayor
Chapman voted for the motion. Motion carried.
85-22 AGENDA ITEM #VIT - INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE VACATING.
ABANDONING AND CLOSING THE ALLEYS IN BLOCK 90 OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOB F
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE (WILLARD MAYS).
Councilman Collins made a motion that the ordinance be read by title
only. Councilman Thomas seconded the motion. Motion carried. Attorney
Bryant read the ordinance title as follows:
ORDINANCE 556
Councilman Thomas made a motion that the ordinance be set for second
and final public hearing on September 17, 1985. Councilman Douglas seconded
the motion. Motion carried.
Councilman Douglas made a motion that the ordinance be read by title
only. Councilman Collins seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Attorney Bryant read the title as follows:
ORDINANCE 557
Councilman Collins made a motion that the ordinance be set for second
and final public hearing on September 17, 1985. Councilman Thomas seconded
the motion. Motion carried.
85-29 AGENDA ITEM #IX - DISCUSSION AND ACTION BY THE COUNCIL TO APPROVE A PAYMENT
REQUEST SUBMITTED BY TADDI. UNDERGROUND -UTILITY COMPANY: -APPROVAL OF COUNCIL
CONTINGENT UPON APPROVAL BY FARMERS HOME ADMINISTRATION,
Administrative Assistant Fortner stated the pay request in the amount
of $84,447.45 was ready for Council's approval, contingent upon Farmers Home
3796
approval. This pay request is only for the work completed during the month
of July which has been approved by Engineer Broome.
Engineer Broome recommended that the Council approve the pay request in
the amount of $84,447.45.
Councilman Thomas made a motion to approve the pay request in the
amount of $84,447.45 for Taddie Underground Utility Company upon the
recommendation of Engineer Broome, pending Farmer's Home approval.
Councilman Collins seconded the motion. Mayor Chapman asked for a vote on
the motion. Councilmen Thomas, Collins and Douglas voted for the motion.
Councilman Rubin opposed the motion. Motion carried.
Councilman Rubin stated that he felt the City should not pay anything
until the entire job was completed and approved by the Engineer.
Attorney Bryant suggested the Council authorize him to find a law firm
that handled these type of law suits. After discussion, Council agreed.
Attorney Bryant stressed the importance of the Council members allowing
the Engineer to handle the various situations concerning this company since
he was appointed as the owner's representative.
AGENDA85-34 ITEM # X - DISCUSSIQN AND ACTION BY THE COUNCIL TG DECLARE SEVEN
CARS, - B LONGI-N.G—TO THE -POLICE DEPARTMENT., AS SURPLUS
THE /PROPERTYTHESE CARS BY AU HORIZING
SALE i SEALED BIDS,
•5-7 Com nThomas•Motion declaring
-les as
•
Douglas seconded the motion, Mot -ion carried,
Property and authorizing the sale of them bv sealed bids. Councilman
VETERANS
f
Mayor Chapman read the proclamation as follows:
PROCLAMATION IN RECOGNITION OF THE VIET NAM VETERANS
Councilman Rubin requested that everyone stand, and have one minute of
silent prayer for those men who served in the Viet Nam war. Mayor Chapman
asked that Councilman.Thomas' brother and Coach Elijah Robinson be included
in this special time of prayer.
AGENDA ITEM #XII - MAYOR TO CALL ON ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WISHING TO
ADDRESS THE COCiNCIL.
Administrative AU -ant reminded the Council of the different meetings
to be held in the month of September concerning the budget.
Administ 4liY Assist -an Fortner stated that the Council had previously
authorized the purchasing of a gift for long time City employees. Since
that time, it has been determined that it is not legal to use public funds
to purchase gifts for individuals. He then requested the Council consider
adopting an ordinance establishing a policy that would set out longevity
service awards for City employees. After discussion, Council agreed for the
Attorney and Administrative Assistant to draw up an ordinance for Council's
consideration.
—• ,6J,+11QII iiiwucts cjue5LloneO the .S
Porter's Dry Cleaners and Jack Butler.
Enforcement Officer was taking care of
stated that in his original letter written
to remove the dumpster that was blocking
agreement, Mr. Porter was given 30 days t<
concrete. Attorney Bryant stated that he
representing Mr. Porter and Mr. Butler.
explained that the Code Enforcement Offic
time, due to the fact that he was not sure
the 7 day notice given by the Attorney, c
original agreement. Mayor Chapman stated t
the Code Enforcement Officer from this po
Code Enforcement Officer handle the situat
that the dumpster is removed from the al:
gone.
tatus of the situation between
Mayor Chapman stated the Code
the situation. Attorney Bryant
to Mr. Porter he was given 7 days
the alley, but in the original
vacate the alley was applied to
has been contacted by attorneys
Administrative Assistant Fortner
�r has not done anything at this
of which amount of days applied,
r the 30 day notice given in the
he situation was being handled by
int on. Council agreed that the
ion from this point on in seeing
ey since the 7 days are already
379"7
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Councilman Rubin stated there was going to be a public hearing in
Jacksonville concerning the Grants (Madray Homes) which he was going to be
attending. Administrative Assistant Fortner stated that he would go and
represent the City if the public hearings were required. Council agreed.
Councilman Rubin made a motion that the City go out of town to hire a
qualified appraiser to give the City an appraisal on the City's 154 acres.
Mayor Chapman asked if there was a second to the motion. Motion died for
the lack of a second.
Councilman Rubin submitted to the local newspaper reporter a letter
written to him from 11 year old Sandy Abraham concerning the City's recent
homicide cases.
AGENDA ITEM #XIV - ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at
4:20 P.M.
MAYOR OAKLAND R. HAPMAN
ATTEST:
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BONNIE S. THOMAS, CITY CLERK