1985-11-19 Regular Meeting3830
PADnITRAM
The City Council of the City of Okeechobee, met in regular session in
Council Chambers, 55 S.E. 3rd Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida, at 2:00 P.M.
with the following Councilmembers present:
Mayor Oakland R. Chapman
Vice Mayor Andy Rubin
Councilman Edward Douglas, absent
Councilman Oscar Thomas, absent
Councilman Nick Collins
Others present were:
Milton Davis, Adm. Asst.
Bonnie S. Thomas, City Clerk
Jerry Bryant, City Attorney
L.C. Fortner, Jr., Dir. of Public Utilities
Steve Figley, Asst. Dir. of Public Utilities
Lieut. Ronald Suit, Fire Department
Captain Buck Farrenkopf,,Police Department
Chuck Elders, Street Superintendent
Lydia J. Wilkerson, Deputy Clerk
�; u , •0 • 4 •
The Invocation was offered by Steve Figley, followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance.
--I
85-1 AGENDA ITEM #IV - APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
No minutes of previous meetings were presented.
A__�ENDA 1= #Y - APPEARANCES: "
a) Trudy Kogut, Jack Hanes and Pat Patterson to discuss filing an
application for a federal grant.
Bypassed.
b) Richard Hales and Steve Porter to request street paving; alley
closing.
Richard Hales and Steve Porter appeared before the Council to request
street paving and an alley closing.
85-22 Paving
Discussion was held concerning the paving of S.W. Second Avenue behind
the Brahman Theater. Director of Public Works, Chuck Elders, gave a street
counter report and stated that by the next regular meeting S.W. Second
Avenue (behind the Brahman Theater) would be countered.
Alley
Mr. Hales presented a letter to the Council stating: "I, Richard
Hales owner of the Brahman Theater, respectfully request that the alley on
this property be closed. The legal description of the aforesaid property
is Block 29, First Addition to South Okeechobee, lots 1 to 12 inclusive".
Mr. Hales stated, "The alley has not been used the past twelve years."
Mayor Chapman explained the proper procedures involved that Mr. Hales
would need to follow in order to have the alley closed.
Attorney Bryant explained that he would draw up the necessary
documents including cost to the applicant.
Councilman Collins stated that he had no problem with closing the
alley.
Councilman Rubin expressed that he was in total agreement with closing
the alley.
Mr. Hales stated that he would pay the necessary costs involved in
closing the alley.
a) Trudy Kogut, Jack Hanes and Pat Patterson to discuss filing an
application for a federal grant.
Trudy Kogut and Jack Hanes representing Madray Enterprises appeared
before Council to discuss filing (by the City), for a federal grant. Ms.
Kogut and Mr. Hanes informed the Council of specific grants, UDAG, CDBG -
State Economic Grant and the dates they will be coming available and their
3831
respective funding amounts. They asked the City what it wanted to do as
far as applying for a grant.
Mayor Chapman asked, "Do you want us to talk to Mr. Patterson, (a
grant specialist) about getting a grant?"
Ms. Kogut stated her company, as a private entity, couldn't apply for
a grant. A grant has to be applied for by a governing body. The CDBG
filing date is December 21, 1985. We want to know who is going to pay the
fee for the filing of an application, Ms. Kogut stated.
Councilman Rubin stated, "We need to go after these grants and we need
to hire someone with Grants Management expertise. Mr. Patterson can do the
job. This Council voted Mr. Patterson in several months ago to make a
grant application, lets give him the job."
Councilman Collins commented to the Madray representatives that we
want to be sure they wanted this grant. Last time Mr. Patterson did a lot
of foot work and when he went to see you, you dropped out because you
didn't want to pay the fee of $4,500.00.
Mr. Hanes stated the fee as represented to him was $22,000. instead of
$4,500. and the timing was bad.
Councilman Collins stated that it would be difficult to explain to the
taxpayers how the City paid $22,000. for a grant for Madray. If the City
get the grants it would be dkay for the City to pay the fee, but if the
City doesn't get the grant - then Madray should pay the fee in his opinion.
Councilman Rubin stated, "lets get the grant."
Further discussion ensued relative to the cost of filing, who was
going to pay, what the fee was for and what the application procedure was
in Ft. Pierce when Adm. Asst. Davis was employed there.
Attorney Bryant stated the City should have a signed agreement from
Mr. Patterson.
Mayor Chapman asked Utilities Director Fortner whether such an
agreement existed and Fortner responded that there was no agreement, but
that a letter had been sent requesting Patterson's assistance.
Councilman Collins stated, "Mr Patterson gets paid for making
application whether we get the grant or not. Normally the people you make
the application for pays for the grant (filing fee). Also, one quarter of
the total filing fee is to be paid "up front" - approximately $4,500. Our
question is who pays for the application service. It will benefit Madray
as well as the City.
Mayor Chapman suggested that, before the City commits to paying the
filing fee, all five Councilmen be present and this meeting should be
recessed at which time a final decision can be made of this agenda item.
Council agreed.
c) Gerda James to discuss water service charges.
Ms. Gerda James appeared before the Council to discuss excessive water
charges and her water meter problems at her business location.
Council agreed with Mayor Chapman's suggestion that the ordinance
covering the City's water meters, etc., be re-evaluated at a later Council
meeting or workshop.
d) Mr. Lavon Bass to discuss zoning designation of Blocks 141 and 142
as RG-2.
Mr. Bass was not present.
e) J.J. Zayti Street paving contractor.
Street Paving Contractor James J. Zayti of J.J. Trucking Company
appeared before Council requesting payment for his services.
The Council discussed with the contractor and others present who were
involved in the paving project the inequities in the paving materials used
in the project.
Council further discussed the different responsibilities of those
involved in order to work toward preventing a re-occurrance of the problems
arising out of this first paving project for the City since it's takeover
from the County of the City's street paving program.
Council agreed to place this item on the agenda for further
consideration and action at the recessed meeting to be announced. The
Mayor asked that the Engineering firm of Broome, VanOstran be represented
at the recessed meeting.
Discussion was held by the Council concerning the location of a new
post office buiding. Recent correspondence from the U.S. Postal Service
3832
indicated their "preferred area" for the site and the one selected for
development is located on the southeast corner of State Road 70 (N.E. Park
Street) and S.E. loth Avenue in Okeechobee.
The correspondent asked for further comments from the City Council.
Council agreed that a letter should be sent by Adm. Asst. Davis stating the
City has not changed its mind as to its location preference being site
number 4 located south of the Seaboard Coastline Railroad and north of N.W.
5th and 6th.
85-18 1 AGENDA ITEM #VII -
An ordinance to prohibit off -site advertising signs was discussed by
the Council and other City Officials.
It. was decided upon motion by Councilman Collins, seconded by
Councilman Rubin that this item be tabled until the next regularly
IJ scheduled meeting of December 17th, 1985, at which time more research will
have been done on such an ordinance.
Vote by all present carried, by: Collins yes, Rubin yes, Chapman yes.
85-34 AGENDA ITEM #VI I1 - AUTHORIZATION OF COUNCIL TO DECLARE A NUMBER OF IT MS
AS SURPLUS PROPERTY TO BE 19§ INCLUDED IN SAL BY PUB IC AUCTION NOV MBE 23
Authorization of Council to declare a backhoe, mower, 3 desks and 3
calculators as surplus property to be included in sale by public auction on
November 23, 1985. Councilman Rubin agreed to be the auctioneer for the
sale.
Upon motion of Councilman Rubin, seconded by Councilman Collins to
authorize Department heads to hold the auction, Council agreed by the
following vote: Collins yes, Rubin yes, and Chapman yes. Vote by those
present carried. Clerk Thomas to advertise in paper and by radio.
AGENDA ITEM #IX - FINAL REApTNG AND PUBLIC HEARING OF AN ORDINANCE TO
N ERAL OLD AGE AND SURVIVOR BENEFITS TO CITY EMPLOYE
EXCLUDED ES pREVIOUSry
Final reading and public hearing of an ordinance to extend Federal Old
Age and Survisor Benefits to City employees previously excluded retroactive
to the summer of 1981.
Upon motion by Councilman Rubin seconded by Councilman Collins,
Council agreed to have the ordinance read by title only. Vote: Collins
yes, Rubin yes, Chapman yes. Vote carried.
AN ORDINANCE DECLARING THE POLICY AND PURPOSE OF THE CITY OF
OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA, TO EXTEND TO THE EMPLOYEES AND OFFICIALS OF SAID
CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA, NOT EXCLUDED BY LAW, NOR HEREINAFTER
EXCEPTED, THE BENEFITS OF THE SYSTEM OF FEDERAL OLD AGE AND SURVIVORS
INSURANCE, AS AUTHORIZED BY THE FEDERAL SOCIAL SECURITY ACT, AND
AMENDMENTS THERETO, UPON THE BASIS OF APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL
LAWS OR REGULATIONS: AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR (OR OTHER
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER) TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS AND AMENDMENTS THERETO
WITH THE STATE AGENCY AUTHORIZED TO ENTER INTO SUCH AGREEMENTS, FOR
COVERAGE OF SAID EMPLOYEES AND OFFICIALS; PROVIDING FOR WITHHOLDINGS
FROM SALARIES AND WAGES OF EMPLOYEES AND OFFICIALS OF SAID CITY SO
COVERED TO BE MADE AND PAID OVER AS PROVIDED BY APPLICABLE STATE OR
FEDERAL LAWS OR REGULATIONS; PROVIDING THAT SAID CITY SHALL
APPROPRIATE AND PAY OVER EMPLOYER'S CONTRIBUTIONS AND ASSESSMENTS AS
PROVIDED BY APPLICABLE STATE OR FEDERAL LAWS OR REGULATIONS;
PROVIDING THAT SAID CITY SHALL KEEP RECORDS AND MAKE REPORTS AS
REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE STATE OR FEDERAL LAWS OR REGULATIONS;
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
After discussion and upon motion of Councilman Collins, second by
Councilman Rubin, Council decided to table action on this public hearing of
the Social Security ordinance until the recessed meeting Thursday when a
full Council would be present. Vote: Collins yes, Rubin yes, Chapman yes.
Vote carried.
Action by Council on a request to close the alley in Block 41 between
Highway 441 South and Second Avenue S.W. and between 20th and 21st Streets,
3833
85-32
85-32
85-16
I i 19 -S5
S.W. This item postponed until recessed meeting of Thursday, November 22,
1985 at 7:00 P.M.
• • ;�� • • • •;_ •: • •
• '•�low;M • •4 ;_
Final reading and public hearing to rezone Lots 1 and 12 of Block 41,
First Addition to South Okeechobee less the South 7-feet of Lot 12 from
Residential Single Family to Commercial. This item postponed until
recessed meeting of Thursday, November 22, 1985 at 7:00 P.M.
lova Mem • ; • • • _ • ; _ y • : •
. • • ,
Final reading and public hearing to rezone 9-1/2 acres, lying east of
Taylor Creek, from holding to Residential Mobile Home with possible special
exception.
After discussion by Council and other City officials with Mr. Jim
Baughman, developer and his attorney, Lester Jennings, concerning the
rezoning request, it was agreed by Council to grant the request.
Upon motion of Councilman Rubin to approve the application for
rezoning 9-1/2 acres from Holding to Residential Mobile Home. Motion was
seconded by Councilman Collins. Vote: Collins yes, Rubin yes, Chapman
yes. Vote carried to rezone the property as stated.
Mrs. Pearl Godwin, wife of Okeechobee's former Fire Chief Olan Godwin,
appeared before the Council for information concerning the status of Mr.
Godwin's eligibility to participate in the City's Group Health plan. At a
previous meeting Mrs. Godwin had request that Mr. Godwin be added into the
City's Health Insurance plan and the matter is still pending.
Mrs. Godwin was asked if Olan had continued when insurance coverage
when he retired and.she stated yes he did for several months, but had to
drop it because of the expense.
Public Utilities Director, L.C. Fortner, stated the problem is the
lapse from Godwin's retirement and the time he applied for coverage by the
Florida Municipal Trust.
City Attorney, Jerry Bryant, explained he wanted copies of past
documents showing Godwin continued coverage with the City's Health Insurer
Aetna when he retired, but since he dropped it and the City doesn't have
self- insurance, the law doesn't require that the City have the Municipal
Trust Fund cover Mr. Godwin.
Attorney Bryant suggested the Council pass a special ordinance (for
retired employees) that would cover Olan Godwin with health insurance; and
further asked Mrs. Godwin if she had any information that the attorney
could use please bring it to him so he can try to help her.
Mrs. Godwin expressed appreciation to the City official for anything
they could do to help Olan Godwin obtain the coverage.
Mayor Chapman asked Mrs. Godwin and the City Attorney to work together
on the matter.
George Tismanakis of the Okeechobee Rehab appeared before the Council
about the City's plans to curtail advertising within the City. He asked
that Council not have a restrictive advertising ordinance and that the
Okeechobee Rehab Facility would give Council it's assurance of protection
of City beautification.
Councilman Collins reminded Council that this matter has been
rescheduled for the meeting of December 17th.
Adm. Asst. Davis will get in touch with Mr. Tismanakis as to the
upcoming December agenda item after the ordinance has been advertised.
REQUESTSAGENDA ITEM #XIV - MAYOR TO CALL ON THE CITY CLERK, ADMINISTRATIVE
ASSISTANTX CITY AjTORjjEY- AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL FQR REPORTS ANQ/QR
e Clerk, Thomas presented the City's Warrant registers for approval.
Upon motion of Councilman Collins, seconded by Councilman Rubin the warrant
registers were approved. Vote: Collins yes, Rubin yes, Chapman yes. Vote
carried.
3834
IA -Iq - ?S
$ Adm. Asst. Davis asked for Council authorization to pay Attorney
Lester Jennings $850.00 for services rendered by him for research done on
the City's Franchise agreement with its CATV Company, Harte Hanks.
Council agreed for payment of $850.00 be made to Attorney Jennings as
requested.
2) Davis updated Council about South Park Street signal light and
stated we have the plans and specs ready and were going to send out bids
for the job and bring the results of the bidding back to Council for its
approval.
3) Davis informed the Council that Burton Connors of the Exchange Club
has requested the streets between the parks be closed to traffic for the
craft show to be held on November 29 and 30. Council agreed.
4) Davis asked for input from Council as to its preference for the new
letterhead stationery. Council discussed the various styles of stationery
available.
5) Authorization to hire Jane Clair Wiliams as dispatcher in the
Police Department. Council Collins explained this authorization was note
needed from Council. Ms. Williams will be hired by the Police Department.
Councilman Rubin stated he felt all new employees of the City should
have physicals (as a prequesete to hiring).
6) Davis informed Council the Police Department wishes to purchase a
copy machine as budgeted. Council approved the purchase as budgeted.
7) Holidays presented to Council for consideration by Davis were for
Wednesday, December 25, Thursday, December 26 and Friday, December 27 for
this year.
C Lieut. Ron Suit requested Council to declare the old City Fire
Department bunker gear as surplus and donate it to the Buckhead Ridge Fire
Department. Upon motion by Councilman Collins, seconded by Council Rubin
to declare the old Bunker gear surplus and donate it to the Buckhead Ridge
Fire Department. Council agreed by the following vote. Collins yes, Rubin
yes, Chapman yes. Motion carried.
p Mayor Chapman recommended Council consider the City redoing memorial —'
park this budget year and working on the other parks next budget year.
2) Mayor Chapman instructed Adm. Asst. Davis to research ordinance
provisions in other cities concerning requirements of citizens for the
clearing of overgrown lots relative to having the cost involved added to
the land owners property tax statement.
3) Mayor Chapman asked about the City's progress in refurbishing the
band stand in the park and was told the bids have been sent out. It was
agreed this job should be accomplished by Christmas.
E, Councilman Rubin explained to Council that at the upcoming Veterans
meeting, planned discussion was to be on the memorial park and that a
request was to be made for concrete to be poured for chairs in the memorial
park for the Ladies Auxiliary among other things such as Plant City has
agreed to move the plants from the first park to the desired location in
the second park. Councilman Rubin stated he saw no problm with the
monument park being relocated as long as the City pays the cost.
2) Councilman Rubin stated that a problem was being caused by Highway
70 East Flea Market = No parking provided and dangerous situations is being
created by vehicles entering and leaving.
3) Councilman Rubin volunteered to remove the dead trees in the park
if someone would provide him with a saw to do the job.
f: Mayor Chapman stated the Chamber of Commerce has requested the City
continue maintaining their lawn. The Mayor further recommended the City
mow the lawn but wait for final decision at a later meeting when all
Councilmembers were present.
There being no further business to be brought before the Council at
this time, Mayor Chapman recessed the meeting at 5:45 P.M. u it Thursd
at 7:00 P.M.
ATTEST:
BONNIE S. THOMAS, CMC
CITY CLERK
ay
� C
MAYOR OA LAND R. 9fiAPMAN
AGENDA
CITY OF OKEECHOBEE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
November 19, 1985 - 2:00 P.M.
2:00 p.m. I. Call to order.
II. Invocation offered by Dr. Edward Douglas.
III. Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Oakland Chapman.
IV. Approval of the minutes of the October 1, and October 15, regular
Council meetings.
2:03 p.m. V. Appearances:
a. Trudy Kogut, Jack Hanes and Pat Patterson to discuss filing
an application for a federal grant.
b. Richard Hales and Steve Porter to request street paving;
alley closing.
c. Gerda James to discuss water service charges.
d. Mr. Lavon Bass to discuss zoning designation of Blocks 141
and 142 as RG-2.
2:45 p.m. VI. Discussion, by Council, relative to location of new post office
building.
2:50 p.m. VII. Discussion and possible action relative to an ordinance to prohibit
off -site advertising signs.
3:00 p.m. VIII. Authorization of Council to declare a number of items as surplus
property to be included in sale by public auction November 23, 1985.
3:05 p.m. IX. Final reading and public hearing of an ordinance to extend Federal
Old Age and Survivor Benefits to city employees previously excluded.
3:10 p.m. X. Action, by Council, on a request to close the alley in Block 41
between Hwy. 441 South and Second Avenue S.W. and between 20th and
21st Streets S.W.
3:20 p.m. XI. Final reading and public hearing to rezone 9-1/2 acres, lying east
of Taylor Creek, from Holding to Residential Mobile Home with
possible special exception.
3:35 p.m. XII. Final reading and public hearing to rezone Lots 11 and 12 of Block
41, First Addition to South Okeechobee less the South 7-feet of Lot
12 from Residential Single Family to Commercial.
3:50 p.m. XIII. Mayor to call on anyone in the audience wishing to address the Council.
XIV. Mayor to call on the City Clerk, Administrative Assistant, City Attorney
and members of the Council for reports and/or requests.
XV. Adjournment.
74,
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