1986-08-19 Regular Meeting3956
REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY. AUGUST 19, ~986 --~
The City Council of the City of Okeechobee met in regular
session in Council Chambers, 55 Southeast Third Avenue, Okeechobee,
Florida.
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 2:00 P.M.
with the following members present:
Oakland R. Chapman, Mayor
Nick Collins, Councilman
Oscar Thomas, Councilman
Edward Douglas, Councilman
Andy Rubin, Councilman
Others present were:
Bonnie S. Thomas, City Clerk
Jerry Bryant, City Attorney
Sylvia Firestine, Acting Adm. Asst.
L.C. Fortner, Jr., Public Utilities Director
Keith Tomey, Fire Chief
Larry Mobley, Police Chief
Chuck Elders, Street Director
Lydia J. Wilkerson, Deputy Clerk
AGENDA ITEM 9II & III - INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Invocation was offered by Councilman Andy Rubin, followed
by the Pledge of Allegiance.
86-1 AGENDA ITEM #IV - APPROVAL QF THE MINUTES
Mayor Chapman asked if there were any additions or deletions
to the following minutes: -~
Budget Workshops of July 8,9,10, and 14, 1986
Special Meeting of July 17, 1986
Workshop of August 4, 1986
Regular Meetings of July 15 and August 5, 1986
There being no additions or deletions, the minutes were
approved as presented.
AGENDA ITEM 9V - ~PEARAN~ES
86-14 a. Jim Broome of Broome, Van Ostran & Assoc.. Inc., with
a request for final payment for Widell Associates, Inc.
Mr. Broome recommended Council approve the final payment to
Widell Associates, Inc. in the amount of $167,036.54, withholding
5% retainage, contingent on FmHA's approval.
Following discussion, Councilman Douglas made a motion
approving final payment to Widell Associates, Inc. in the amount of
$167,036.54., contingent on FmHA's approval. Councilman Rubin
seconded the motion.
Mayor Chapman asked for a vote on the motion.
Yeas
Douglas
Rubin
Thomas
Collins
Nays
none
Motion carried.
Director Fortner explained the Committee, as appointed by the --~
Council at the last regular meeting, has selected the following
engineering firm under the guidelines of the Consultants
Competitive Negotiations Act: Broome, Van Ostran and Associates,
of Okeechobee. The charge for the study not to exceed $7,500.
3957
AUG 19 1986
Following discussion, Councilman Thomas made a motion
· approving the hiring of Broome, Van Ostran and Associates to
complete the study on the expansion of the water plant, fees not to
exceed $7,500.
Councilman Douglas seconded the motion.
Mayor Chapman asked for a vote on the motion.
yeas
Douglas
Thomas
Collins
Nays
Rubin
Motion carried.
b, Harvey Hamrick tQ discuss a proposal relative to
S.Eo 6th Avenue.
Item bypassed at this time.
86-10 AGENDA ITEM #VI - ACTION BY COUNCIL TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF
SGT, L~RY COONFARE TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE POLICE OFFICERS
R~TIREMENT FUND
Mayor Chapman introduced the agenda item.
Councilman Collins made a motion to approve the appointment of
Larry Coonfare to the board of trustees of the Police Officers
Retirement Fund to complete the term of Retired Employee Phillip
Purvis.
Councilman Rubin seconded the motion.
Mayor Chapman asked for a vote on the motion.
Yeas
Douglas
Thomas
Collins
Rubin
Nays
none
Motion carried.
6GENDA ITEM #IX - DISCUSSIQN AND ~CTION BY COUNCIL TO APPROVE A
pOLICY OF CHARGES FOR RECORD RESEARCH
Clerk Thomas explained the schedule of fees to be charged for
record research:
Due to the increase of requests for Records Retrieval and copying
of City records by and for the public and its consequential cost
to the City taxpayers, we find it necessary to increase from the
standard charge of twenty-five (25) cents per copy for all
documents to the following schedule:
Document ~har~es
1. For making copies by photographic process of
any instrument in the public records consisting
of pages not more than 8-1/2 inches by 11 inches
per page ......................................... 35
2. For making copies, etc.
8-1/2 by 14 per page ............................. 50
3. For making copies by photographic process of any
instrument in the public records of more than 8-1/2
by 14 per page ............................... 1.00
4. For making microfilm copies per page ............ 2.00
For Records Research involving time in hours the wage of the
Deputy Clerk may be charged if the matter keeps the Deputy Clerk
away from regular job assignments. Also, if the request is of
major proportions involving more than one employee and/or
requiring an unusual amount of time the individual may be
requested to return at a later date, to be determined by the
Clerk, to obtain the desired material.
For certifying any of the above .................... 1.00
3958
AUG 19 1986
Councilman Rubin stated that he felt the $2.00 being charged
for microfilm copies should be reduced to $1.00.
Councilmen Collins and Thomas agreed for the charges to remain
as suggested by the Clerk.
Following discussion, Councilman Thomas made a motion that the
policy be approved setting fees for record research. Councilman Collins seconded the motion.
Mayor Chapman asked for a vote on the motion.
Yeas
Douglas
Thomas
Collins
Nays
Rubin
Motion carried.
86-9 AGENDA ITEM #VII - ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION REOUESTINg A REDUCED
R~TE 0F INTEREST ON THE CITY'S FmHA WASTE DISPOSAL LOANS;
AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR TQ SIGN THE REQUEST
Attorney Bryant read the resolution as follows:
A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE
REQUESTING THE FARMERS HOME ADMINISTRATION TO CHANGE THE INTEREST
RATE ON THE $1,000,000.00 LOAN EXTENDED TO THE CITY TO FINANCE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE CITY'S WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND COLLECTION
SYSTEM FROM 9.750 PERCENT TO 8.625 PERCENT AND AUTHORIZING THE
MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO SIGN THE REQUIRED REQUEST FORM.
WHEREAS, the City of Okeechobee, Florida on October 3, 1983 entered
into a $1,000,000, loan agreement with the Farmers Home
Administration, and
WHEREAS, the interest rate in effect at the time of approval of
said loan was 9.750 percent and the interest rate in effect at the
time of the closing of said loan was 8.625 percent, and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Public Law 99-88, 7 U.S.C. 1927 (a) and
implementing regulations 7 CFR 1951.221, a borrower has the option
to select the lower interest in effect at either the time of
approval of the loan or at the time of closing of the loan.
NOW, THEREFORE, Be it resolved by the City Council of Okeechobee as
follows:
1. The City of Okeechobee hereby requests the Farmers Home
Administration to change the interest rate on the loan closed
October 1, 1985 from 9.750 to 8.625 percent.
2. The Mayor and the City Clerk are hereby authorized to execute
the necessary documents to submit this request to Farmers Home
Administration.
3. This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its
adoption.
ADOPTED this 19th day of August, 1986.
Councilman Collins made a motion that the resolution be
adopted reducing the interest rate on the $1,000,000. loan from
9.750 to 8.625 percent.
Councilman Thomas seconded the motion.
Mayor Chapman asked for a vote on the motion.
Yeas
Douglas
Thomas
Collins --~
Rubin
Nays
none
Motion carried.
3959
Attorney Bryant read the next resolution as follows: AU8 1 9 1986
A REsoLuTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE
86-23 REQUESTING THE FARMERS HOME ADMINISTRATION TO CHANGE THE INTEREST
RATE ON THE $1,212,900.00 LOAN EXTENDED TO THE CITY TO FINANCE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE CITY'S WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND COLLECTION
SYSTEM FROM 9.750 PERCENT TO 8.625 PERCENT AND AUTHORIZING THE
MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO SIGN THE REQUIRED REQUEST FORM.
WHEREAS, the City of Okeechobee, Florida on October 3, 1983 entered
into a $1,212,900. loan agreement with the Farmers Home
Administration, and
WHEREAS, the interest rate in effect at the time of approval of
said loan was 9.750 percent and the interest rate in effect at the
time of the closing of said loan was 8.625 percent, and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Public Law 99-88, 7 U.S.C. 1927 (a) and
implementing regulations 7 CFR 1951.221, a borrower has the option
to select the lower interest in effect at either the time of
approval of the loan or at the time of closing of the loan.
NOW, THEREFORE, Be it resolved by the City Council of Okeechobee as
follows:
1. The City of Okeechobee hereby requests the Farmers Home
Administration to change the interest rate on the loan closed
October 1, 1985 from 9.750 to 8.625 percent.
2. The Mayor and the City Clerk are hereby authorized to execute
the necessary documents to submit this request to Farmers Home
Administration.
3. This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its
adoption.
ADOPTED this 19th day of August, 1986.
Councilman Collins made a motion that the resolution be
adopted reducing the interest rate on the $1,212,900. loan from
9.750 to 8.625 percent.
Councilman Rubin seconded the motion.
Mayor Chapman asked for a vote on the motion.
Yeas
Douglas
Thomas
Collins
Rubin
Nays
none
Motion carried.
AGENDA ITEM #VIII - COUNCIL DISCUSSION AND ACTION TO APPROVE AN
AGREEMENT WITH LEE COUNTY TO PROVIDE FOR A RISK MANAGEMENT STUDY
Mayor Chapman introduced the item for discussion. Following
discussion concerning the agreement with Lee County to provide a
risk management study for the City of Okeechobee, Councilman
Collins made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to sign the
agreement providing the Attorney approves the agreement.
Councilman Thomas seconded the motion.
Mayor Chapman asked if there was any discussion concerning the
agreement before voting. Attorney Bryant stated he had approved
the agreement before it was presented to Council. Councilmen
Douglas and Rubin stated they would have to vote against the
agreement being approved at this time, since they did not have a
copy of the agreement to look over before they voted.
Mayor Chapman asked for a vote on the motion.
Yeas
Thomas
Collins
Chapman
N~ys
Douglas
Rubin
Motion carried.
396O
{AU6 19 1986
~GENDA ITEM {X - COUNCIL DISCUSSION AND ACTION TO AUTHORIZE AN
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE HUMANE OFFICER TO PROVIDE FOR
EMERGENCY WEEKEND CALLS
Mayor Chapman introduced the agenda item explaining the
problems involving the Humane Society Agreement with the City.
Following discussion, Attorney Bryant stated he would like the
opportunity to meet with the Humane Society President to discuss
the agreement. Council agreed for the attorney to report back to
the Council after meeting with the Humane Society.
MEETING RECESSED AT 3:10 P.M.
MEETING RECONVENED AT 3:25 P.M.
AGENDA ITEM #V - APPEARANCES CONT'D.
b, Harvey Hamrick to discuss a proposal relative to
~,E. 6th Avenue.
Mr. Harvey Hamrick explained to the Council the proposal
relative to S.E. 6th Avenue. He proposes to deed the City a strip
70' x 179.62' in exchange for a parcel 30' x 150' bordering Highway
70 East.
Mayor Chapman asked the Attorney if there would be any
problem exchanging the property. Attorney Bryant stated that he did
not see any legal problem with the exchange of property between the
City and Mr. Hamrick.
Councilman Thomas stated that he has looked over the area, and
he was in favor of the exchange.
Councilman Collins stated that he would go along with the
proposal.
Councilman Thomas asked Street Director Elders if he had any
comments concerning the proposal. Street Director Elders stated
the only thing he was concerned about was the possibility of a
traffic light in the future (not having the required amount of feet
for the turning lanes).
Mr. Hamrick stated the developer would be the one to bear the
expense of any traffic lights.
Councilman Collins made a motion for City Attorney Bryant and
Mr. Hamrick's attorney to meet and draw up the necessary papers for
this exchange. Councilman Douglas seconded the motion.
Mayor Chapman asked for a vote on the motion.
Yeas
Douglas
Thomas
Collins
Rubin
Nays
none
Motion carried.
86-51 AGENDA ITEM 9XI - ~ISCUSSIO~ AND ACTION BY COUNCIL TO APPROVE THE
LEASE WITB THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Attorney Bryant stated that he did not have the opportunity to
study the lease in detail, and then requested the Council to table
any discussion until the next meeting.
Councilman Collins made a motion to table discussion
concerning the lease with the Chamber until the next regular
meeting. Councilman Thomas seconded the motion.
Mayor Chapman asked for a vote on the motion.
Yeas
Douglas
Thomas
Collins
Rubin
Nays
none '"-~,
Motion carried.
AGENDA ITEM #XII - MAYOR TO CALL ON ANYONE IN TH~ AUDIENCE WISHING
~Q ADDRESS THE COUNCIL
No response from the audience.
3961
19 1986
AGENDA ITeM #XIII - MAYOR TO CALL ON THE CITY CLERK. CITY ATTORNEY.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AND MEMBERS OF THE CQUN~IL FOR REPORTS
~ND/QR REOUESTS
Clerk Thomas presented the Warrant Registers for Council's
approval.
Councilman Collins stated that he received a complaint
concerning Harte Hanks Cable Service's answering service not
relaying messages or complaints. He suggested the City write Harte
Hanks requesting more immediate attention be given to their
customers.
Mayor Chapman announced the meeting would be recessed to
reconvene Wednesday at 7:00 P.M. to interview applicants for the
position of Administrative Assistant.
Mayor Chapman read the following letter from the State
Attorney's office cohcerning the Police Department:
Honorable Larry Mobley
Chief of Police
Okeechobee, Florida
Dear Larry:
Please accept my sincere compliments for an outstanding job well
done by the Okeechobee Police Department in the drug raids and
arrests conducted on the evening of July 25, 1986. This was one of
the most professional operations I have had the privilege of
participating in during the more than twenty-two years I have spent
in law enforcement.
Every officer who was involved is worthy of commendation, but I
would especially commend to you: Sergeant Brock, Sergeant Coonfare,
and Officer John Emmons of your Tactical Unit. Their actions from
the procuring of the search warrants to the briefing of their
respective search teams and execution of the subsequent searches
and arrest reflects the greatest of credit upon you, the Okeechobee
Police Department, and themselves as police officers.
With warmest personal regards and sincere appreciation for your
leadership in creating and maintaining an outstanding police
department, I am
Sincerely,
EDWARD A. MILLER
Mayor Chapman stated he would also like to thank the water
department crew for repairing the water line break immediately this
past weekend.
Mayor Chapman asked Chief Mobley if there were a lot of
speeding tickets being written on N.W. 9th Avenue since the stop
sign had been removed. Chief Mobley answered yes - several tickets
had been written.
Councilman Doualas made a motion to approve the Warrant
86-8 Registers as presented to the Council. Councilman Collins seconded
the motion.
Mayor Chapman asked for a vote on the motion.
Yeas
Douglas
Thomas
Collins
Rubin
Nays
none
Motion carried.
3962
AUG 19 1986
AGENDA ~TEM #XIV - COUNCIL MEETING RECESSED TO RECONVENE WEDNESD6Y,
AUGUST 20, AT 7:00 P.M. TO INTERVIEW APPLICANTS FQR THE POSITION OF
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was
recessed at 3:55 P.M. to reconvene Wednesday, August 20, at 7:00
P.M. to interview applicants for the position of Administrative
Assistant.
ATTEST:
BONNIE S. THOMAS, CMC
CITY CLERK