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1980-07-08 Regular Meeting 2671 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairman Douglas called for a motion to adjourn at 8:00 P.M. Councilman Knight made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Chapman. Vote carried. -E~w~r~ W. Douglas Chairman/ Mayor City of Okeechobee ATTEST: ' B~nnSe S. Thom~s City Clerk City of Okeechobee FIRST REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1980 The City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, convened in a Regular Session in Council Chambers at City Hall on Tuesday, July 8, 1980, at 7:00 P.M. Chairman Edward W. Douglas presiding with the following Councilmen present: Oakland Chapman, Donald Burk, Lytle Raulerson and Jim Knight. Others present were: Bonnie S. Thomas, City Clerk; L.C. Fortner, Jr., Director of Public Works; Larry Mobley, Police Chief; Dean Tooker, Assistant City Attorney and Sylvia Christian, Deputy Clerk. The Invocation was offered by Councilman Donald Burk. 80-1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilman Burk moved to approve the minutes, as presented, of the June 10th and 12th, 1980, meetings, seconded by Councilman Chapman, vote carried. COMMUNICATIONS FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS A. CITY ATTORNEY 80-72 1) L.F. SANITATION FRANCHISE After a study of the L.P. Sanitation Franchise, Assistant Tooker recommended a Workshop be set to rewrite the franchise. Tooker felt several words and phrases were inadequate and ambiguous. Councilman Burk spoke as a citizen as well as a councilman expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of service provided by L.F. Sanitation. Councilman Burk requested the Council withhold payment until such time the contract can be rewritten, cancelled or put out for bids. Council discussed at length the different alternatives and agreed to set up a Workshop at a later date. 80-7 2) CLEARWELL Assistant Attorney Tooker reported sending certified ~etters to the attorney for LaGrow 2672 Irrigation and to Don Sheppard, City engineer, regarding boring for core samples of the clearwell. The reply received from LaGrow's attorney was for the City to "drill all the holes --'~ you like but do it at your own expense and risk." City Engineer Don Sheppard has not responded to the letter. Tooker recommended Council wait until receiving an answer from Don Sheppard, before arriving at a decision as to who will take the core samples. 80-67 3) SOUTHWEST 5th AVENUE & 19th STREET In researching, Assistant Attorney Tooker discovered that there are no procedures set out in the statutes for mmnicipalities to abandon or close roads. However, the home rule law (Ch. 166) gives to the municipalities some of the same powers enjoyed by the State and Counties. Assistant Attorney to gather the sample forms from Stuart and tailor them to the City's needs. Afterwhich the legal description will be obtained for public hearing. 4) NOTICE OF INJURY Assistant Attorney Tooker informed the Council of a letter received from a law firm out of Miami regarding a woman injured three (3) miles west of Okeechobee. Tooker to send a response to the law firm stating the accident occured outside the City limits, and notify the City's liability insurance carrier. 80-71 5) CITY MANAGER --~ The City manager of Stuart could not appear before the Council, however, he provided copies of the Stuart City Charter which describes the duties of a City Manager. Council to study. 80-~q RONNIE WATTS - STREET OPENING Citizen Ronnie Watts appeared before the Council to have a street opened that was approved by Council two (2) years ago. Mr. Watts is prepared to build several homes on the street which has recently been surveyed. (Southwest 5th Avenue between 18th and 21st Streets) Citizen Watts also requested that a designated street extension be closed between Blocks 21 and 22 (Southwest 6th Avenue between 7th Avenue & 19th Street) instead of the City going to the expense of one day making it passable. Mr. Watts discussed the possibility of putting in the street requested at his own expense in exchange for closing the section of Southwest 6th Avenue Council discussed lessoning the width of the road to save some of the trees, also, Florida Power & Light Co. installing power lines underground. Councilman Knight moved to instruct L.C. Fortner research the feasibility of opening the street requested as far as the house presently under construction, seconded by Council- man Chapman, vote carried. COMMUNICATIONS CON'T. B. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS 2673 1) APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT Director Fortner presented six (6) applications for employment of a Street Department Equipment Operater #1 and recommended temporary employee Joe Booker be hired. Councilman Knight moved to hire Joe Booker, seconded by Councilman Chapman, motion passed. 2) EMPLOYEE DISCHARGED Director Fortner informed the Council, after consulting Councilman Burk, he discharged a Water Plant employee for lack of a Florida Driver's license and refusal to obtain one. 3) DELTA OIL - ALLEY Delta Petroleum has requested the alley in back of the station be made passable, at an approximate cost of Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00). Councilman Knight moved to open up the alleyway, seconded by Councilman Burk, motion passed. 80-77 4) WATER RATE INCREASE Director Fortner is compiling information for a possible water rate increase for Council ~iscussion at a later date. C. POLICE CHIEF 1) QUARTERLY REPORT Chief Mobley presented the Police Department Quarterly Report for the months of April, May and June, 1980. 2) CRIMINAL JUSTICE SEMINARS Chief Mobley requested permission to attend a Criminal Justice Seminar in Houston, Texas or Atlanta, Georgia. Councilman Chapman moved to authorize Police Chief Mobley to attend the seminar in Atlanta, Georgia, August 5th thru 8th, 1980, seconded by Councilman Knight, vote unanimous. D. FIRE CHIEF 1) QUARTERLY REPORT Chief Tomey presented the Fire Department Quarterly Report for the months of April, May and June, 1980. 80-38 2) DELTA PETROLEUM Chief Tomey reported Delta Petroleum has included two items not on their original plans: a) An oil and water separater underground to take care of any spills. b) A vapor recovery system to circulate fumes back into '~ ~ the tanks. These improvements are being done on their own as an added safety factor. E. CITY CLERK 80-78 1) CITY HANDBOOK City Clerk Thomas presented copies of the City's Handbook ready for publication and distribution. 2674 Director Fortner questioned the sick leave conversion rate which was eliminated when sent through the word processor. Chairman Douglas questioned the paid Holidays. Chief Mobley questioned the disciplinary rules. Council to take action on July 22, 1980. 80-79 2) POWER PURIFICATION SYSTEM Clerk Thomas requested Council consideration to purchase a Power Purification System for the City's Burroughs computer which would eliminate the reoccuring problems. Council instructed Clerk Thomas to see if the system is available from another company at a lower rate. 3) DISPOSAL OF RECORDS Clerk Thomas suggested the purchase of a paper shredder at a cost of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) to destroy old paid City water bills and cancelled checks. This would be done with written authorization from Tallahassee regarding items to be shredded. Records of historical value would not be involved. 4) FILE CART Council approved the purchase of a file cart at a cost of Two Hundred Dollars $200.00). 5) LAW SUIT A pending law suit regarding Aetna Casualty was refered to the City Attorney. 6) 1980-81 MILLAGE Council discussed completing the budget to meet the millage deadline of August 15, 1980. COMMUNICATIONS FROM COUNCILMEN A. EDWARD W. DOUGLAS 1) BUDGET CALENDAR Chairman Douglas proposed meeting July 21, 22, 23 and 24, 1980, to complete the budget in July. Council agreed. 2) CITY MANAGER Council to study the material supplied by the Stuart City Manager, afterwhich, a Work- shop will be set up. 3) LETTER - FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH Chairman Douglas read a letter from Richard E. Whipple, First Baptist Church, commending the City Police Department for "the efficient way they are handling the enforcement duties of our community." B. JIM KNIGHT Councilman Knight presented a request for shell on Southwest 6th Street between 12th and llth Avenue. The road is there bu~ in need of repair. Councilman Knight moved to improve the above mentioned section of Southwest 6th Street with shell, seconded by Councilman Chapman, vote carried. 80-8 201 FACILITY PLAN Chairman Douglas contacted County Commissioner Jim Lashley regarding the County's position 2675 on the 201 Facility Plan. The County in willing to cooperate with the City in any way, however, felt the City is the lead agent in this matter. DISBURSEMENTS Vouchers on the following funds were approved: Water & Sewer Operation & Maintenance $49,662.44 Water & Sewer Revenue Fund $163,138.37 General Fund $77,076.18 Payroll Account $18,934.13 I & S Refunding Bonds $282,142.15 Federal Revenue Sharing Trust Fund $11,290.80 Cigarette Tax Fund $185,507.12 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairman Douglas Recessed the meeting until Thursday, July 10, 1980. Edward W. Douglas Chairman/Mayor City of Okeechobee ATTEST: Bo~ie S, Thoma~ City Clerk City of Okeechobee BUDGET WORKSHOP SESSION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1980 The City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, convened in a Budget Session in the City Clerk's office at City Hall, Okeechobee, Florida, at 7:00 P.M., Thursday, July 10, 1980. Chairman Edward W. Douglas presiding with the following Councilmen present: Lytle Raulerson, Donald Burk and Oakland Chapman. Councilman Jim Knight was absent. Others present were: Bonnie S. Thomas, City Clerk; Larry Mobley, Police Chief; L.C. Fortner, Jr., Director of Public Works and Sylvia Christian, Deputy Clerk. ANTICIPATED GENERAL BUDGET REVENUES Council discussed the anticipated General Budget revenues to prepare themselves for the budget. Also discussed were the expense accounts to the City Council and City Clerk. 80-71 CITY ADMINISTRATOR Council discussed the possibility of a City Administrator and his expenses, touching on office & office expense, secretary, car & car expense. 1980-1981 BUDGET SESSION FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT The Council entered into Budget Session for 1980-1981 Police Department. Tentative figures were submitted for consideration.