1980-08-26 Regular Meeting 2595
2 Special suits @ $800.00 each = $1,600.00
i Typewriter 400.00
Total $2,000.00
REFUSE COLLECTION
City Council discussed the possibility of purchasing the necessary equipment for
collecting refuse.
Councilman Knight suggested having Director Fortner check into the necessary equipment
and report back. Council so instructed.
EMPLOYEE INSURANCE
Director Fortner requested creating a line item to pay for the term life insurance now
in force. Presently the $25,000.00 policy for twenty-seven (27) employees of five or more
years service is being paid out of the Pension Plan contributions.
Councilman Raulerson suggested the Retirement Board discuss this and present their
findings to the Council.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:25 P.M.
City of Okeechobee
ATTEST:
~Bonnie S. Thomas
City Clerk
City of Okeechobee
SECOND REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 26~ 1980
The City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, convened in a Regular Session in
Council Chambers at City Hall, on Tuesday, August 26, 1980, at 7:00 P.M.
Chairman Edward W. Douglas presiding with the following Councilmen present: Oakland
Chapman, Jim Knight, Donald Burk and Lytle Raulerson.
Others present were: Bonnie S. Thomas, City Clerk; Mallette Westbrook, Building Official;
L.C. Fortner, Jr., Director of Public Works; Keith Tomey, Fire Chief; Larry Mobley, Police
Chief; David Conlon, City Attorney; Dean Tooker, Assistant 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 of the July 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 31st and
August 7th, 1980, meetings with the corrections noted, seconded by Councilman Knight, vote
unanimous.
2696
80-83 ORIN LEE - SHELLING N.E. 10th STREET
Orin Lee appeared before the Council requesting an up-date on the shelling of Northeast
10th Street. --~
Councilman Raulerson reported regretfully the Workshop had not been held to set up
guidelines.
JIM DYKES - REQUEST STREET CLOSING
Citizen Jim Dykes appeared before the Council and requested Southwest 8th Street at
8th Avenue be closed.
Chairman Douglas advised that in the last ten years only one street has been closed. ~
Councilman Knight reported that he and Director Fortner looked at the surrounding
property when Mr. Dykes last requested this closing. They refused, then, because of possible
growth of the City.
Councilman Burk commented he could not give public property to private citizens, and
moved to deny the request, seconded by Councilman Raulerson, vote carried.
80-57 COMMUNICATIONS FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS
A. CITY ATTORNEY
1) DISCRIMINATION SUIT
Attorney Conlon.reported the Federal Court judge has entered a pre-trial order which has
set the discrimination suit trial for November 17, 1980, in Fort Lauderdale.
2) LA GROW SUIT
The suit against the City, filed by LaGrow, has been dismissed. However, LaGrow plans
to file a counter suit.
3) NEMEC SUIT
The final brief is due the first of October on the Nemec case. Conlon reported he was
visited byMr. Dennis Mulberger who is purchasing the Nemec property. Mr. Mulberger advised he
will be offering an out of court settlement.
4) TAX EVALUATION
The 1980 tax evaluation is due from the Assessor's office Friday, August 29, 1980, which
will allow the Council to prepare a tentative budget.
To operate into 1980-81 fiscal year the City can re-adopt last year's budget, by
Resolution according to Attorney Conlon.
B. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
1) APPLICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT
Director Fortner presented applications for employment of two persons in the street
division.
Upon the recommendations of Director Fortner, Councilman Knight moved to hire Donald
Boully as Operater III (motor grader) beginning annual salary of $10,400.00 and Raymond Roe
as Operater I (truck driver) beginning annual salary of $8,736.00, seconded by Councilman --~
Chapman, vote unanimous.
2697
2) GENERATOR - SEWER ?LANT
Director Fortner requested permission to purchase a 150 KW generator from Surplus
?roperty Warehouse in Mariana, Florida, to be placed at the sewage treatment plant and/or
a mobile unit. (generator mounted on wheels)
Councilman Burk moved to authorize the purchase of the generator total price of Three
Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty-Five and ~8/100ths Dollars ($3,925.48) which includes delivery,
seconded by Councilman Raulerson, vote carried.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM COUNCILMEN
A. EDWARD W. DOUGLAS
1) BUDGET SESSION
The Council agreed to cancel the Budget session scheduled for August 28, 1980, and
re-schedule it for Thursday, September 4, 1980.
2) NATIONAL CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE
Chairman Douglas reported the National Christian Alliance has requested the City
purchase an advertisement in their program for their national convention at a cost of Nine
Hundred Ninety-Five Dollars ($995.00).
Councilman Burk moved to deny the request for advertisement, seconded by Councilman
Knight, motion passed.
80-71 3) CITY ADMINISTRATOR
City Administrator services as needed in regards to the City's continuing progress was
discussed.
Councilman Burk stated he feels there is a dire need for a City Administrator. The City
has grown at a rapid pace and this warrants an administrator.
Councilman Knight stressed he expects the budget to run in excess of $100,000.00 into
the reserve. Consequently he feels the Council should not consider hiring a manager, the
City is not large enough, and he strongly opposes it.
Councilman Raulerson, speaking as Finance Chairman, stated the financial problems being
as they are, feels a need for a City Manager or full time Finance Director.
Chairman/Mayor Douglas noted he is spending an increasing amount of time attending to City
business and feels momeone is needed to take care of administrative problems full time.
Councilman Chapman stated that many of the City's problems could be solved by an adminis-
trator before being brought to the Council if the position were created.
Police Chief Larry Mobley, being allowed to comment by Chairman Douglas, remarked .that
consolidation was vetoed because of one man having too much power and this is similar.
Councilman Burk moved to advertise for a City Administrator, setting forth certain
criteria, interview and hire in October, seconded by Councilman Raulerson.
Chairman Douglas questioned if this ~uld be a violation of the City Charter. Attorney
Conlon advised the advertisement should be for an Administrative Assistant to the Mayor.
Councilman Burk amended his motion to state, "to advertise for an Administrative Assistant
to the Mayor", seconded by Raulerson. Councilmen Burk, Raulerson and Chapman voted yes.
2698
Councilman Knight opposed. Motion passed.
80-8R B. LYTLE RAULERSON
1) ROBERT JOINER - REQUEST FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE __~
Councilman Raulerson moved to accept Robert Joiner's letter of resignation from the
?lanning Board, seconded by Councilman Burk, motion passed.
Councilman Raulerson moved to advertise for applications to fill the vacancy on the
Planning Board/Board of Adjustments and Appeals, seconded by Councilman Chapman, vote
carried.
C. JIM KNIGHT
1) CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Councilman Knight presented a request from the Chamber of Commerce to use the first park
for the Labor Day festivities. They felt the wiring in the second park is not adequate.
The third park is not ready for use yet.
Councilman Knight moved to approve the use of the first park, motion died for lack of
second.
Councilman Burk suggested using the second park for the main events of Labor Day.
Chairman Douglas added the booths could be set up on the west end of the first park. Council-
man Burk objected.
Council agreed to inform the Chamber to use park two with as minimal use of park one as
possible.
ABNEY & ABNEY
Director Fortner presented a request for payment from Abney & Abney for the new barn
and barn addition in the amount of Twelve Thousand Four Hundred Eighty-Nine and 60/100ths
Dollars ($12,489.60) and Nine Thousand Two Hundred Twenty-Nine and 50/lO0ths ($9,229.50)
respectively.
Councilman Raulerson moved to authorize payment as requested seconded by Councilman Burk,
vote carried.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting Recessed at 9:20 P.M. until September 4,
1980.
Edward W. Douglas f
Chairman City Council
/
City of Okeechobee
ATTEST:
Bonn±e S. Thomas
City Clerk
City of Okeechobee
I I "' I IHt ' ti I