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1983-06-29 Special Meeting3330 83 -58 Register in the amount of Fifty -Seven Thousand Two Hundred Eighty -Two and 11 /100ths Dollars ($57,282.11), Seconded by Councilman Thomas. Motion Carried. AGENDA ITEM #XIV - ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M. ATTEST: BONNIE S. `i S, CMC City Clerk City of Okeechobee �_,C W. DOUGLAS, D.C. Chairman /Mayor City of Okeechobee THERE IS A TAPE OF THIS MEETING IN ITS ENTIRETY ON FILE IN THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE. SPECIAL MEETING WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1983 The City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, met in Special Session in Council Chambers, 55 Southeast Third Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida, at 6:00 P.M. Chairman /Mayor Edward W. Douglas called the Special Meeting to Order with the following Councilmen present: Edward W. Douglas, Chairman /Mayor James H. Knight, Vice Chairman Dowling R. Watford, Jr. Oakland Chapman Oscar Thomas Others present were: Bonnie S. Thomas, City Clerk Richard C. Fellows, City Administrator David M. Conlon, City Attorney L.C. Fortner, Jr., Director of Public Works L. Keith Tomey, Fire Chief Rosemary Lear, Executive Secretary Janice M. Mann, Deputy Clerk AGENDA ITEMS #II & III - INVOCATION AND PLEDGE The Invocation was offered by Councilman Jim Knight followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. AGENDA ITEM #IV - PETITION FOR VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION - 'WILCOX Chairman Douglas acknowledged receipt of the Petition for Voluntary Annexation and the attached "Certificate of Title" certifying the Petitioners have lawful right to file said Petition. With everything in order, Chairman Douglas advised that a Public Hearing should be set for August 1, 1983, and so advertise if Council deems appropriate. The Chair then opened the floor for discussion, comments and /or objections. Citizen Kim Glassburn presented a Petition signed by residents of Eighteenth (18th) Street and Okeechobee Avenue that are opposed to the Annexation. Glassburn noted that Mr. McDonald, owner of Lot 13 (within the property to be annexed) also is opposed. The Council reviewed the Petition and discussed same. Councilman Watford asked Mr. Glassburn 3331 3 - 83 -66 what specific reasons the property owners had for opposing the annexation. Glassburn stated, "With the contruction of low income homes (FHA), the new sewer line will be extended to the area, forcing property owners within one hundred feet (100') to connect to it in spite of on- jections. The septic tanks now in use are perfectly good and fairly new." The Chairman called for discussion by the Council. The Council discussed various possible problems. Citizen Glassburn asked of the status on the possibility of an enclave being created. Attorney Conlon advised he would have to abstain from any decisions and /or advice regarding this annexation Petition, due to a conflict of interest. Administrator Fellows stated he has contacted an outside attorney, Claude Mullis, with the firm Livermore, Lott & Klien, to render a decision on this matter prior to the Final Hearing. Councilman Watford stated that any problems would be addressed at the Final Hearing, so the application should be set for Final Hearing. With no further discussion, Councilman Thomas moved to advertise for Final Hearing on August 1, 1983, Seconded by Councilman Watford. Motion carried unanimously. AGENDA ITEM #V - COUNTY /CITY FIRE /RESCUE OPERATIONS. County Attorney Kyle Van Landingham, Commissioner Jim Lashly and County Fire Chief, Phil Roman were present to discuss their proposal for a possible joint City /County Fire Rescue Program funded through Special Assessments. Attorney VanLandingham elaborated on the proposal, and asked the City Council if they would be interested in pursuing the idea of a county wide Fire Rescue System including the City. The Council discussed the Proposal at length, receiving input form Commissioner Lashly, County Fire Chief Roman, City Attorney Conlon and City Fire Chief Tomey. Commissioner Lashley noted he has proposed to the County Commissioners, if the two departments are combined, three men would be put at Treasure Island and increase the County to four men per shift to compensate for the City population. The Chair opened the floor for citizens to comment. Mary Arnold, a concerned citizen of Treasure Island, urged the Council to work with the County to reach the goal of one Fire De- partment with a sub - station at Treasure Island, Ft. Drum and Bassinger, and let every tax payer pay be Special Assessment. Citizen Andy Rubin stated that the Taxpayers Association is opposed to the latest proposal, however, he himself is still undecided. The proposal needs further study. The Council discussed the possibilities of lower taxes, insurance ratings, a Fire Board in lieu of two Fire Chiefs, and the proposed assessment charges to be levied. Chairman Douglas noted the questions, he felt, that should be answered: (1) What is the Special Assessment going to finance? (2) Why is the citizens going to be charged this amount? (3) What type of fire protection are you going to provide in Bassinger and Ft. Drum? (4) What level of service and what kind of equipment will be made available? (5) How much is it going to cost to set up and operate each year? (6) Will the Special Assessments cover the working budget? Following lengthy discussion, the Council determined that more detail was needed to be able to answer these questions. It was the unanimous decision of the Council to wait until the Special Assessment System was in operation in the County for a year prior to making any decisions. AGENDA ITEM #VI - ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Special Meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M. EDWARD W. DOUGLAS, D.C. Chairman /Mayor City of Okeechobee ATTEST: BONNIE S. THOMAS, CMC City Clerk City of Okeechobee THERE IS A TAPE OF THIS MEETING IN ITS ENTIRETY ON FILE IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE. AGENDA CITY OF OKEECHOBEE COUNCIL CHAMBERS SPECIAL MEETING JUNE 29, 1983 6:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order Invocation - Councilman Jim Knight Pledge of Allegiance - Mayor Edward Douglas IV. Receipt of petition for annexation and discussion relative to setting a public hearing for August 1, 1983. V. Discussion on the operation of county/city fire/rescue operations. VI. Adjournment.