1980-03-11 Regular Meeting2616
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the Meeting adjourned at 9:52 P.M.
Edward W. Douglas J
Chairman City Council
City of Okeechobee
ATTEST:
City Clerk
City of Okeechobee
FIRST REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH ll, 1980
The City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, convened in a Regular
Session in the Council Chambers, City Hall, Okeechobee, Florida, at 7:00 P.M.,
Tuesday, March 11, 1980.
President Edward W. Douglas presiding with the following Councilmen present:
Lytle Raulerson, Oakland Chapman, Donald Burk and Jim Knight.
Others present were: Bonnie S. Thomas, City Clerk; David Conlon, City
Attorney; Richard B. Spray, Building Official; Keith Tomey, Fire Chief; L.C.
Fortner, Jr., Dicector of Public Works and Sylvia Christian, Deputy Clerk.
The Invocation was offered by President Edward W. Douglas.
80-1 ~-.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Councilman Burk moved to accept the Minutes of the February 14th, 19th,
and 26th, 1980, meetings as presented, seconded by Councilman Knight, motion
passed.
80-35 ~[, PLANNING BOARD - JOHN CASSELS~ JR.
John Cassels, Chairman of the Planning Board, appeared before the Council
as spokesman for the Planning Board. Members Frank Altobello, Christina
Hooker and Robert Joiner were present also.
Mr. Cassels stated, "As the first year of the Planning Board's operation
draws to a close there are several items which the Planning Board would like
to bring to the attention of the Council, and to get some input from the
Councilmen as to whether there are misconceptions on the part of the Planning
Board as to their powers, duties and obligations. Perhaps to set up a Work-
shop to make sure there is an effective meshing of the Planning Commission
and the City Council, for the betterment of the citizens of Okeechobee at
large."
Mr. Cassels listed certain items he felt were very important and bore
brief discussion; 1) preparing a landscape ordinance, 2) legal representation,
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3) Zoning Ordinance #402 guidelines, and 4) newly proposed amendment to
Ordinance #402.
To sumarize, Mr. Cassels noted the Planning Board feels they are not
receiving the proper support or cooperation from City employees and there
is a definite lack of communication. And feels a Workshop is imparative.
Councilman Burk commented on the present work load of City employees.
President Douglas expressed his graditude for the efforts to date of
the Planning Board and stressed the tremendous work load the Council has
been under in recent months.
A Workshop was set for Thursday, April 3, 1980, between City Council
and Planning Board.
80-36 ~UNITED TELEPHONE SERVICE - ROGER GURGANUS
Roger Gurganus, representative of United Telephone Service, appeared
before the Council requesting permission to use a ten foot (10') easement
between Wolff and Durrance Roads, adding that the details were worked out
with Director Fortner.
Director Fortner requested that the cable be placed in ducts, and the
easement be surveyed.
After discussion, Councilman Knight moved to grant United Telephone
Service use of the easement, with it surveyed and cable placed in ducts;
also, in case of interruption of a water line United Telephone will be
responsible for repair, seconded by Councilman Chapman, motion passed. City
Attorney to draw up agreement.
KEITH TOMEY AND LARRY WILLIAMS
Keith Tomey and Larry Williams requested the closing of thirty-five feet
(35') of the fifty foot (50') right-of-way located at Southwest 14th Street.
Citizens Roy Pearce and J.O. Pearce III objected to the request reason
being the granting of this would open the door for others.
Citizen Sandra Pearce objected noting that their request for the closing
of the right-of-way was denied by the Council three years ago.
Councilman Burk hoped the Council would follow the decision of a prior
Council and deny the request.
Councilman Raulerson sympathized with Tomey but is against closing of
streets and alleyways.
Councilman Burk moved to deny the request to close a portion of the fifty
foot (50') right-of-way on Southwest 14th Street, seconded by Councilman
Chapman, motion passed.
President Douglas presented the meeting dates of the second quarter of
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1980, for Council's approval. Dates as follows:
April 8th and 22nd, 1980
May 13th and 27th, 1980 --~
June 10th and 24th, 1980
Council was reminded of the Workshops scheduled for March 20, 1980, and
April 3, 1980.
Council approved calendar dates.
80-23 U-SAVE SUPERMARKET - SEWER EXTENSION AGREEMENT
Mr. Hendrix representing Mr. Andrew Bever of U-Save Supermarket appeared
before the Council to request a one year extension of the sewer line agree-
ment granted eighteen (18) months ago. Mr. Hendrix stated, "if the granting
of this extension will result in any loss of revenue or expense to the City
we will be willing to reimburse any reasonable expense."
The orginal agreement guarantees a reserve sewer capacity of thirty
thousand (30,000) gallons.
Council discussed at length the possibilities and need to lessen the
guaranteed reserve. The present sewer moratorium was also discussed.
Councilman Knight moved to grant U-Save Supermarket and proposed shopping
complex a reserve sewer capacity of twenty thousand (20,000) gallons for one
(1) year, seconded by Councilman Raulerson. Councilmen Knight, Raulerson and
Chapman voted yes. Councilman Burk opposed amount of capacity granted. Motion
passed.
~ COMMUNICATIONS FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS
~'~A. BUILDING OFFICIAL
80-38 1) BULK PLANTS
Building Official Spray informed the Council the City of Okeechobee has
no ordinance governing bulk plants. There are three (3) bulk plants within
the City.
A firm has purchased the old Mobile Station with plans to renovate and
turn it into a bulk plant with three (3) twenty thousand (20,000) gallon tanks.
Fire Chief Tomey, also present, explained the many problems in allowing
bulk plants within the City, pointing out the fact that bulk plants must be
in an area zoned Industrial not Commercial.
Councilman Burk suggested contacting the Fire Marshall, Chief Tomey
gather all pertinent data, contact cities of like size as to their solution
to this problem then set up a Workshop in near future. Council concurred.
Chairman Douglas instructed Chief Tomey to make a report of his findings to the Council at the
first meeting in April.
B. CITY ATTORNEY
80-39 1) 154-AC~ES OF LAND
City Attorney informed the Council the City can enter into a lease of the
one hundred fifty-four (154) acres with private parties only.
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80-34 2) CONTRACTOR LICENSES - STATE CERTIFIED
Attorney Conlon stated he had received a reply from the Attorney General's
office. The opinion of licensing is as before, contractors holding an oc-
cupational license in another city are not required to purchase one locally.
80-39 LEASING OF LAND
Councilman Knight moved to advertise leasing of 154 acres for grazing on
a sealed bid basis, seconded by Councilman Chapman.
Councilman Raulerson questioned the fact that with the property under a
lease the citizens of Okeechobee would be unable to use it. Councilman Knight
noted the lease would be set up on a short term basis to be revoked at any
time with proper notification.
Councilman Burk objected strongly to any leasing of public lands unless
it was government lands set aside for various uses.
President Douglas called for a vote on the motion. Councilmen Knight
and Chapman voted yes, Councilmen Raulerson and Burk opposed. President
Douglas voted yes, with a termination clause of thirty (30) days notice. Motion
passed.
C. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
80-7 1) CLEARWELL - PATCHING MATERIAL
Director Fortner received word by telephone from DER in Fort Pierce re-
garding materials used to patch the clearwell leaks. Mr. Platt, representative
of DER, confirmed the fact that the materials are on the list of approved
materials, therefore, the DER would approve them.
However, Mr. Platt was researching further the matter of the steel structure
of the tank and is holding up written confirmation until research is complete.
Director Fortner stated that with the verbal approval the clearwell was
filled. Since that time twenty-eight (28) leaks have been observed and will
be monitored.
80-8 2) 201 FACILITY PLAN
Director Fortner reported that the engineering firm of Sverdrup & Parcel
are prepared to meet with the Council to discuss the 201 Facility Plan
'
3) RAILROAD SEWER LINE CROSSING
The Railroad is requesting immediate action regarding the sewer line
from the new hospital that crosses the railroad.
80-29 4) DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
REQUEST TIME ELEMENT
Director Fortner reminded the Council of the possibility of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to reissue the City's sewer plant permit.
Director Fortner was told by Engineer Bell there should be no problem
meeting the 1982 deadline.
Councilman Raulerson felt the City could not secure a Bond issue by 1982.
Councilman Bruk suggested requesting extension of time until 1984. Council
agreed.
5) SHELL FOR STREET REPAIR
Director Fortner stated the City is in dire need of shell for street
repair. Grade of shell being purchased presently is Very poor.
Councilman Raulerson suggested, if cost is minimal, core different areas
of the one hundred fifty-four (154) acres to 'see if shell is present. Director
Fortner to check into prices.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM COUNCILMEN
A. OAKLAND CHAPMAN
Councilman Chapman had a "SCHOOL ZONE" sign placed near the Grace Brethern
Church School to prevent possible accidents.
B. EDWARD W. DOUGLAS
President Douglas presented the bill for final payment on the Leggett
Trailer Park Lift Station. Council felt Mr. Leggett must landscape prior to
power being turned on.
Councilman Burk moved to make payment of Four Thousand Eight Hundred Two
and 14/lOOths Dollars ($4,802.14) to LaGrow Irrigation, seconded by Councilman __~
Raulerson, motion passed.
Councilman Burk suggested the landscaping shrubbrey should grow tall
enough and dense enough to hide the fence, some type of evergreen. Council
agreed.
DISBURSEMENTS
Vouchers on the following funds were approved:
Water & Sewer Operation & Maintenance $93,981.21
General Fund $97,515.55
Payroll Account $26,013.01
I & S Refunding Bonds Fund $30,000.00
Cigarette Tax Fund $15,000.00
Federal Revenue Sharing Trust Fund $20,614.30
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business the Meeting Recessed until the Workshop
Session, March 20, 1980.
Edward W. Douglas
ATTEST: President City Counc
City of~Okeechobee
Bonnie S. Thomas
City Clerk
City of Okeechobee