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1979-11-13 Regular Meeting2546 E~ward W. Douglas v / President City Counci~ --~ City of Okeechobee ATTEST: Bonnie S. Thomas City Clerk City of Okeechobee FIRST REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY~ NOVEMBER 13~ 1979 The City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, convened in a Regular Meetin in the Council Chambers at City Hall, Okeechobee, Florida, at 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, November 13, 1979. President Edward W. Douglas presiding. Councilmen Oakland Chapman, Donald Burk, Lytle Raulerson and Jim Knight were present. Others present were David Conlon, City Attorney; L.C. Fortner, Jr., Director of Public Works; Keith Tomey, Fire Chief; Lieutenant Purvis, Police Department; Sylvia Christian, Deputy Clerk and Janice M. Mann, Secretary. The Invocation was offered by Councilman Oakland Chapman. 79-1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilman Burk moved to accept the minutes of the September 11, 13, 18, 19 and 24, 1979, meetings, seconded by Councilman Raulerson, vote carried. 79-99 BERGER INSURANCE As per City Council's request, Philip Berger appeared before the Council to discuss insurance coverage on the Fire Station. After brief discussion, Councilman Knight moved to insure the Fire Station and contents, seconded by Councilman Burk, vote carried. ERNA BARNES - COUNCIL ON AGING Mrs. Erna Barnes appeared before the Council representing the Council on Aging, to request a donation of One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00), for salaries. President Douglas informed Mrs. Barnes the Council will take action on this and other donations at a later part of the meeting. The City Clerk's office will inform Mrs. Barnes of the outcome the next day. 79-43 L.P. SANITATION LETTER President Douglas presented a letter from L.P. Sanitation for Council's approval regarding guidelines for trash and garbage pick-up. The Council discussed a few changes in the proposed letter. Then instructed the Clerk's office to notify Jay Huffman of the changes. PUBLIC HEARING BID TABULA'T'I'ONS It being the hour of 7:30 P.M., and pursuant to the notice published sealed bids were received, opened and read. Bids were as follows: TWO 1980 AUTOMOBILES - STANDARD ?OLICE ?ACKAGE OKEECHOBEE MOTOR CO. 2 LTD - 4 door sedans - $14, 348.00 GILBERT CHVROLET CO. 2 Chevrolet - 4 door sedans - $16,870.00 Less trade in 2~800.00 Net bid $14,070.00 Since there were some questions about the bids, Councilman Burk moved to reject both bids and readvertise for bids, seconded by Councilman Knight, vote carried. BIDS - TRACTOR~ BACKHOE~ LOADER Director Fortner asked the Council to reject all Backhoe bids, return them unopened and readvertise. The Backhoe specs were for a piece of equipment not adequate in size. Councilman Burk moved to reject all the unopened bids for the backhoe and readvertise with different specifications, seconded by Councilman Chapman~ vote carried. BIDS - DUMP TRUCK GILBERT CHEVROLET CO. 1980 2 ton truck - $13,250.68 MINTON EQUIPMENT CO. 140" wheel base truck - $15,607.28 OKEECHOBEE MOTOR CO. 2 ton truck - $1B,899.00 Councilman Burk moved to award low bid to Gilbert Chevrolet Company with the seventeen thousand (17,000) pound rear axle for a total price of Thirteen Thousand Two Hundred Fifty and 68/100ths Dollars ($13,250.68), seconded by Councilman Knight, vote carried. BIDS - 3/4 TON CAB & CHASSIS OKEECHOBEE MOTOR CO. 1980 3/4 ton truck - $7,674.00 OKEECHOBEE CHRYSLER - DODGE 3/4 ton truck - $7,499.00 GILBERT CHEVROLET CO. 3/4 ton truck - $7,855.00 Councilman Knight moved to accept low bid of Okeechobee Motor Company (meeting specifications), total price of Seven Thousand Six Hundred Seventy-Four Dollars ($7,674.00), seconded by Councilman Burk, vote carried. BIDS - 4 DOOR SEDAN OKEECHOBEE MOTOR CO. 1980 4 door sedan - $6,863.00 OKEECHOBEE CHRYSLER - DODGE 1980 4 door sedan - $7,035.26 GILBERT CHEVROLET CO. 1980 4 door sedan - $6,854.37 -'~ Councilman Burk moved to award low bid from Gilbert Chevrolet Company of Six Thousand Eight Hundred Fifty-Four and 37/100tbs Dollars ($6,854.3?), seconded by Councilman Raulerson, vote carried. 79-91 PLANNING BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS A. REZONING REQUEST - LOWRY MARKHAM Councilman Knight moved to instruct the City Clerk to advertise for public hearing the request of Lowry Markham to rezone a parcel of land from Holding to Residential, Mobile Home, seconded by Councilman Chapman, vote carried. ERNEST EVANS Citizen Ernest Evans speaking for Hiram Hogg, appeared before the Council to voice an objection to a water bill he felt was excessive. They didn't think the ninety-one thousand (91,000~ gallons of water was used while Mr. Hogg was still up north. The area was checked for any evidence of standing water. The meter was re-read by three different Water Department personnel, the reading was found to be consistant with the charge by all three meter readers. Finally, the meter was pulled, placed on a water meter test bench, and checked for accuracy. __~ Council agreed to investigate this problem further and decide at a later date what to do. 79-74 COMMUNICATIONS FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS A. CITY ATTORNEY 1) LETTER FROM DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Attorney Conlon read a proposed Resolution regarding reclaimed lake bottom parcel as follows: BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, that it is determined, after due consideration, to be in the public interest to apply to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund for a conveyance of that certain parcel of reclaimed lake bottom as referred to in the letter of August 17, 1979, from the State of Florida, Department of Natural Resources, concerning property located in Okeechobee County and containing approximately 1.728 acres. DONE this I~y~ day of November, 1979. Councilman Raulerson moved to adopt the Resolution as read and authorize President Douglas signature, seconded by Councilman Burk, vote carried. 79-100 2) DISCRIMINATION SUIT Attorney Conlon asked the Council how they wish to respond to the suit. The magnitude of the suit will be quite large in regard to monies and time spent gathering data. After discussion, Councilman Burk moved to instruct the City Attorney to reply to the suit deny the allegations and prepare for trial, seconded by Council- man Chapman, vote unanimous. 2549 79-62 B) NEMAC CASE Attorney Conlon presented an order that was entered in the Seventh Avenue properties (Nemac case) which denies the City any damages for removal of the concrete. CounciIman Burk voiced his wish to appeal the order. Individual vote of the Council to appeal was unanimous. 4) PLANNING BOARD MEETINGS Attorney Conlon reported to the Council, after attending three Planning Board meetings he felt there was no need for him to continue. Councilman Burk instructed the City Attorney to discontinue attending the meetings unless there is special need at a certain meeting. Remaining Council concurred. 5) MORMAN CHURCH LEASE The Clerk's office reported to Attorney Conlon the records were searched and no motion was found authorizing the Mayor to sign the lease agreement. Consequent. ly the Morman Church must start over with a new lease. B. POLICE CHIEF 1) ACTIVITY REPORT Lieutenant Purvis presented the Police Department Activity Report for the month of October. C. FIRE CHIEF 1) ACTIVITY REPORT Chief Tomey presented the Fire Department Activity Report for the month of October. 2) LETTER OF RESIGNATION Chief Tomey presented a letter of resignation from Pete Winder. Councilman Knight moved to accept the letter of resignation, seconded by Councilman Chapman, vote carried. APPLICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT Chief Tomey presented two applications for employment and requested the Council hire either individual to replace Pete Winder. Councilman Knight moved to employ Ronald Eugene Suit as fire fighter, seconded by Councilman Chapman, vote carried. 4) FIRE CHIEF TRUCK Councilman Knight moved to allow the Fire Chief to use the Ford Courier truck for Department use, seconded by Councilman Burk, vote carried. 79-65 D. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS 1) MEMORANDUM #1 Director Fortner presented Memorandum #1 regarding transfer of funds to the pension plan. 255O After brief discussion Councilman Raulerson moved to table the transfer of ?9-65 funds until research is done on uniform accounting, seconded by Councilman Knight, vote carried. --~ 2) MEMORANDUM #2 Director Fortner presented Memorandum #2 requesting the purchase of a level, tripod and rod (all budgeted items) in the amount of Nine Hundred Ninety-Five Dollars ($995.00). Councilman Knight moved to authorize the purchase of the budgeted items, seconded by Councilman Raulerson, vote carried. 3) MEMORANDUM #3 Director Fortner presented Memorandum #3 requesting permission to purchase four budgeted items concerning the new merchanic~'s equipment. Councilman Burk moved to purchase the budgeted items as listed for a total of Three Thousand Eight Hundred Seventy-Six Dollars ($3,876.00), seconded by Councilman Chapman, vote carried. 4) ACTIVITY REPORTS Director Fortner presented the Water, Sewer and Street Departments Activity Reports for the month of October. 5) 201 FACILITY PLAN Director Fortner presented a request for payment #7 from the 201 Facility -'~ Plan in the amount of Three Thousand Five Hundred Six Dollars ($3,506.00). Councilman Burk moved to authorize payment, seconded by Councilman Chapman, vote carried. 79-14 6) LA GROW IRRIGATION - CLEARWELL Director Fortner presented a payment request estimate #2 on change order #1 from LaGrow Irrigation Systems. Payment was denied at the September 25, meeting because of the leaks in the existing 'clearwell, The leaks have since been corrected with most of the work on the clearwell completed. Councilman Burk moved to continue to deny payment and request that Mr. LaGrow meet with the Council on this matter, seconded by Councilman Chapman, vote carried. 79-4 7) EMPLOYMENT EVALUATION Director Fortner presented an employment evaluation, on Lawrence W. Johnson and recommended acceptance as a permanent employee. Councilman Knight moved to classify Lawrence Johnson ss a permanent employee with a Five Hundred Dollar ($500.00) pay increase, seconded by Councilman Chapman, vote carried. 79-85 8) LEGGETT LIFT STATION - RIVERBEND TRAILER PARK Director Fortner presented change order #1 on Riverbend Trailer Park Lift Station deleting the chain link fence and gates from the contract. The new agreement needed Council's authorization for the Mayor's signature. 2551 Councilman Knight moved to accept the change order #1 deleting the chain link fence in lieu of landscaping, seconded by Councilman Raulerson, vote carried. E. CITY CLERK 1) WORKSHOP - DR. BARTLEY Clerk Thomas set a tentative date for a Workshop with Dr. Bartley on Thursday~ November 29, at 7:00 P.M.~ to discuss the City Comprehensive Plan. The Council agreed with the date. 79-58 2) REZONING REQUEST - DR. HUSAIN Clerk Thomas wanted the records to show that Dr. Husain cancelled his rezoning request. He was issued a permit to build his residence. 79-71 COMMUNICATIONS FROM COUNCILMEN A. EDWARD W. DOUGLAS 1) MRS. FULWIDER - SURVEY President Douglas informed the Council he reveived a telephone call from Mrs. Fulwider claiming the survey stakes were lost when the lift station was installed at the edge of her property. She requests the City have her two lots resurveyed so she can sell her property. Councilman Burk noted the Lift Station is on a City right-of-way so the City is not responsible for replacing them. Each Councilman agreed. 2) DONATIONS President Douglas brought up the topic of donations, stating that Thirteen Thousand Dollars ($13,000.00) has been set aside in the budget for them. Councilman Burk reminded the Council that when the monies were set aside for donations it was stipulated that each organization justify the expenditures by appearing before the Council. Since Mrs. Barnes appeared before the Council, Councilman Chapman moved to grant the Council on Aging One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) as requested, seconded by Councilman Knight, vote carried. Council instructed Deputy Clerk to notify the Chamber of Commerce, Public Library and O.C.R.A. to come before the Council by requesting to be placed on the Agenda. B. OAKLAND CHAPMAN 1) TRUCK PARKING Councilman Chapman inquired if it would be possible to erect "No Truck Parking" signs along Highway 441 north in front of the Sportsmen North Motel. Semis parking there cause a traffic hazard. Director Fortner noted in order to make it legal the request should go through the Fort Lauderdale office of D.O.T. then have the State put the signs up. The signs must state, however, "No Parking". Councilman Chapman moved to erect "No Parking" signs on North 441 and North- west 6th Street, seconded by Councilman Knight, vote carried. 79-69 2) POLICE DEPARTMENT Councilman Chapman informed the Council the storage room at the Police Department will be converted into a briefing room which is greatly needed, if agreeable with the Council. Council had no objections. The Police Department has set up a committee to draw up a department manual setting up guidelines to be followd. C~ JIM KNIGHT l) QUARTER BACK CLUB Councilman Knight stated the Quarter Back Club contacted him regarding the sign to be put on the concrete pole at the main intersection. They request permission from the Council. Director Fortner noted the pole is the property of the Department of Trans- portation (D.O.T.), so they would have to be contacted. 2) OKEECHOBEE ESTATES BRIDGE Councilman Knight noted the bridge in Okeechobee Estates on Eighth Avenue needs widening, it is a traffic hazard. Council asked Director Fortner to check into the dedication and have City Attorney determine who owns the bridge. DISBURSEMENTS Water & Sewer Operation & Maintenance $32,087.88 Water & Sewer System Revenue Fund $1,983.32 Water & Sewer Revenue Fund $400,064.05 Federal Revenue Sharing Trust Fund $139,265.81 Anti-Recession Fund $886.35 Cigarette Tax Fund $682,317.07 General Fund $38,042.67 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Meeting adjourned at 11:30 P.M. Edward W. DoUglas- ' President City Counc~ City of Okeechobee ATTEST: B~nnie S. Thomas City Clerk City of Okeechobee SECOND REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY~ NOVEMBER 27~ 1979 The City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, convened in a Regular Meeting in the Council Chambers at City Hall, Okeechobee, Florida, at 7:00 P.M., --~ Tuesday, November 27, 1979. President Edward W. Douglas presiding.