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1980-11-03 Public Hearing2732 PUBLIC HEARING MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3~ 1980 The City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, convened in a Recessed Public Meeting in the Council Chambers at City Hall, Okeechobee, on Monday, November 3, 1980, at 7:00 P.M. for the purpose of holding public hearings as advertised. Chairman/Mayor Edward W. Douglas presided with the following Councilmen present: Lytle Raulerson, Domald Burk, Oakland Chapman, and Jim Knight. Others present were: Bonnie S. Thomas, City Clerk; David Conlon, City Attorney; L.C. Fortner, Jr., Director of Public Works; Larry Mobley, Police Chief and Keith Tomey, Fire Chief. Councilman Chapman gave the invocation. 80~8g FEDERAL REVENUE SHARING HEARING #2 Chairman Douglas stated for the information of those citizens present the proposed use of Federal Revenue Sharing Funds previously requested: 1) $2,000.00 - for the new dog pound operation 2) $i,500.00 - for Chamber of Commerce Christmas season lighting of City streets 3) Total funding of $36,758.75 for construction of bike trails connecting five public schools. 4) Total funding of $36,758.75 for comprehensive drainage plan and/or maintenance for City. Chairman Douglas asked for public input from the audience. Ricky Holt, representative of the Okeechobee City Volunteer Fire Department, explained his organization was an Equal Opportunity organization and desired to comply with the Act. And in order to meet the requirements there was certain safety equipment needed to outfit firepersons safely and properly, such as pagers and bunker gear. The cost of the equipment being: Bunkers - 12 x $295.00 = $3,540.00; Pagers - 12 x $210.00 = $2,520.00, totaling $6,060.00. Mr. Holt made a request for $6,000.00 of Federal Revenue Sharing Funds for the Okeechobee City Volunteer Fire Department. Chairman Douglas asked for more comments from citizens for expenditures of FRS funds. There was no further comments. Chairman Douglas then opened discussion to Councilmen for recommendations. Attorney Conlon stated that in addition to the Volunteer Fire Department p~oposal there was a request from the Library for $9,000.00. Councilman Chapman, in reference to the Chamber of Commerce request Of $1,500.00 for Christmas lighting, asked the City Attorney if this expenditure would be legal. Attorney Conlon explained that if the use was specified "Christmas lighting", yes, it would be illegal. The funds could not be used for purposes specifying religion, race or sex. Councilman Knight asked, in regards to the drainage use of Federal Revenue Sharing funds, whether the City actually needed to use the total funding for that purpose. There being no further comment regarding the above mentioned uses, Councilman Knight made a motion to donate $6,000.00 of the FRS Funds to the Okeechobee City Volunteer Fire 2733 Department, motion seconded by Councilman Chapman. Chairman Douglas asked for discussion from Council and/or comments from the citizens present. There were no comments, Council voted and motion carried. Councilman Chapman made a motion to donate $2,000.00 of the FRS Funds to the new City dog pound operation, Councilman Knight seconded the motion. Chairman Douglas asked for comments from Council and/or citizens present. There were none. Council voted, motion carried. Councilman Burk made a motion to apply the balance of $28,758.75, of FRS Funds, to the Comprehensive Drainage plan of the entire City, motion seconded by Councilman Raulerson. Chairman Douglas asked for further discussion from Council. ~night re-stated his concern of actual need of this proposed use since he under- stood the County Commission was planning a drainage program for the entire County. With no further comments on the issues from those present, Council voted, motion carried. Citizens Frank Altobello and Christine Hooker asked the Council if the FRS funds being allocated at this hearing had been received by the City yet and if priorities had been considered. Councilman Raulerson explained the funds have been received and priorities considered. After a call for further discussion and none heard, Councilman Raulerson made a motion to add the Federal Revenue Sharing Funds totaling $36,758.75 to the 1980-81 General Budget of the City of Okeechobee, the proposed uses being allocated as follows: .$6,000.00 - City Volunteer Fire Department $2,000.00 - New City dog pound operation $28,758.75 - Comprehensive Drainage Plan for entire City Councilman Burk seconded the motion. No further discussion, Council voted, motion carried. 80-95 MILLAGE HEARING #2 Councilman Raulerson being also the City Finance Chairman, explained to those citizens present the millage rate increase as it applies to the 1980-81 Budget needs. He stated that the new rate of 6.08 exceeds by 79.73% the roll back rate of 3.06 as determined by the Property Appraiser's office for the City. Councilman Raulerson further stated for the past three years the millage for the City has gone down. Each year the Tax Assessor has decreased the roll back figure. The City felt instead of using $230,000.00 out of its reserves it should increase the millage because continuing to use the reserves would soon deplete them possibly in two years. Even with the proposed millage increase the City will use $118,000.00 of its reserves this year, Council- man Raulerson explained. Chairman Douglas asked for citizen input. Among those citizens voicing concern about the millage increase were: Chris Newman Reno Bird Gail Newman Chris Hooker Frank Wilbur Ricky Holt Roger Greentyner Jim Dykes Frank Altobello Bela Papp Keith Tomey Nancy Wilbur Council was asked if it had been prudent in asking department heads to cut their budgets. Council explained the department heads had done this to the satisfaction of the Council by cutting back and assisting the Council in reducing the original budget by $60,500.00 or 5.75% overall. Council was also asked why the stated increase all at once and to justify to those present why the City chooses not to use more of its reserves. Councilman Knight stated that for the past three years the City has pulled on its reserves and felt it would not be wise to continue to the point of complete depletion. He also explained the need to hold onto the reserves due to the impending suits the City is now involved in. Also the 201 Facility needs. Knight stated the City should not use up its reserves. The question was asked why the City was cut from Federal Revenue Funds. City Attorney Conlon explained the FRS Law applied to all cities in the United StateS. The law expired September 30, 1980, and was not re-enacted by Congress. Therefore, the City has lost approximately $130,000.00 in Federal Revenue Sharing it had been getting. Chairman Douglas asked for further discussion and hearing none expressed appreciation to the citizens for their input. Chairman Douglas asked the Council, what changes they felt could be made if any. Council agreed on no change from proposed 6.08 as presented. Therefore, Chairman Douglas read the following Ordinance: AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE LEVYING AND COLLECTION OF TAXES FOR THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER l~ 1980, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1981, AND STATING THE PER CENT BY WHICH THE MILLAGE RATE LEVIED EXCEEDS THE ROLLED BACK RATE. AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OKEECHOBEE FLORIDA: SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, hereby levies a tax of $6.08 per thousand dollar valuation on all real and personal property within the corporate limits of said City, subject to tax on the first day of January, 1980, provided however, that such $5.50 Shall not be levied upon property in the City of Okeechobee claimed and allowed as homestead as granted under the constitution or General Laws of the State for the 1980 tax year. SECTION 2. That the City Clerk is hereby instructed and directed to certify to the Okeechobee County Property Assessor, the above and foregoing enumerated millages to be levied for all purposes for the year 1980, in the said City of Okeechobee, Florida, pursuant to the provisions of the laws of the State of Florida. SECTION 3Y The millage rate herein levied exceeds the rolled back rate by 79.73%. SECTION 4. That the Tax Collector of Okeechobee County, Florida, shall proceed to collect the above taxes according to the provisions of the laws of the State of Florida. SECTION 5. That of the total $6.08 per thousand dollar valuation as designated in Section 1 hereof, $5.50 per thousand dollar valuation shall be used for the General City purposes in carrying on and conducting the government of the said City, and $.58 per thousand dollar valuation including Homestead shall be used to pay interest and principal on bonds maturing during said Fiscal year, such levy to be collected in cash and such cash so collected to be kept in separate accounts for the purposes designated herein. --~ SECTION 6. That this Ordinance was proposed, considered and adopted under the provisions of Section 166. and 200.065 Florida Statutes, and was enacted by no less than a two-thirds vote of the City Council and shall become effective upon final passage. I ! I !111 I 2735 DONE AND RESOLVED and made effective this ]~ ~ ~ day of A20(lc~n~, 1980. Motion was made by Councilman Burk to accept the millage rate of 6.08, that the effective date be November 3, 1980, and the Ordinance be Changed to read "enacted by no less than a Four-Fifths majority vote of the City Council. Motion seconded by Councilman Knight, vote unanimously carried. GENERAL BUDGET HEARING #2 Councilman/Finance Chairman Raulerson stated corrections must be made in the anticipated expenditures section of the operating budget under Law Enforcement as follows: Folice Department salaries line item 521.11 from $243,175.00 to $254,985.00 Fayroll Tax line item 519.14 from $36,035.00 to $36,820.00 Fension Flan Contributions line item 519.16 from $13,895.00 to $14,485.00 This changes the total Folice Department budget from $299,600.00 to $311,410.00. With no further discussion, Chairman Douglas read the Ordinance for the adopting of a General Operating Budget for the City of Okeechobee for Fiscal year 1980-81 as follows: AN ORDINANCE ADOFTING A BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA. FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 1980, AND ENDING SEFTEMBER 30, 1981, AND FROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF, AND FROVIDING FOR THE REFEAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 80-3, A RESOLUTION ADOFTING A TEMFORARY OFERATING BUDGET FOR THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 1980, AND ENDING SEFTEMBER 30, 1981. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA: SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, after having held a public hearing on the Annual General Fund Budget, both operating and debt service, hereby adopts as its budget the attached budget, which by this reference is incorporated herein as though fully set forth, for the operation of the government of the City of Okeechobee for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 1980, and ending September 30, 1981. SECTION 2. That it shall be the duty of the City Clerk to set up the aforesaid appropriations of revenue and expenses on the account records of said City, to keep such accounts thereof as required by the Charter of said City, as may be directed from time to time by the City Council. SECTION 3. Upon the effective date of this Ordinance, the Resolution controlling the temporary budget, being Resolution No. 3 is repealed. SECTION 4. That this ordinance was proposed, considered and adopted under the provisions of Section 166 and 200.065 Florida Statutes, and was enacted by no less than a two-thirds vote of the City Council and shall become effective upon final passage. DONE AND RESOLVED and made effective this ~9~q[~ day of Gl ¢1~©~, 1980. Chairman Douglas announced the Finance Chairman has made the aforementioned corrections and asked for further discussion. After discussion, Councilman Raulerson made a motion to have the Ordinance read "enacted by no less than a Four-Fifths majority vote of the City Council", and ad~pt the operating budget for the 1980-81 Fiscal year beginning October 1, 1980, and ending September 30, 1981, as amended. Motion seconded by Councilman Burk, vote unanimously carried. WATER & SEWER BUDGET City AtSorney Conlon read the City's 1980-81 Water & Sewer Budget ordinance as follows: AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE WATER AND SEWER BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 1980, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1981, AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF AND RATIFYING ALL EXPENDITURES MADE DURING THE PERIOD SFECIFIED. 2736 WHEREAS, Because of delays in setting budget meetings, and WHEREAS, The final budget for the Water and Sewer Department of the City of Okeechobee was not adopted prior to October 1, 1980, and WHEREAS, The situation is in the nature of an emergency, and NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA: Section 1. The Budget for the Water and Sewer Department as attached hereto and made a part hereof, is hereby adopted as the Budget for the operation of the Water and Sewer Department of the City of Okeechobee for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 1980, and ending September 30, 1981. Section 2. It shall be the duty of the City Clerk to keep the necessary records as required and as may be directed from time to time by the City Council. Section 3. Ail expenditures made from October 1, 1980, to date by the Water and Sewer Department are hereby ratified and this budget shall relate back to October 1, 1980. Section 4. This ordinance was prepared, considered, and adopted in accordance with Florida Statute 166.041 (3) (b) and was inacted by no less than a two-thirds vote of the City Council and shall become effective upon passage. DONE AND RESOLVED and made this~q'~'day of , Of~O ~ ~, 1980 and retroactively effective October 1, 1980. ~ Motion was made by Councilman Burk that the Ordinance for the Water & Sewer Budget for the Fiscal Year 1980-81 be retroactive to October 1, 1980, and approved as read. Motion seconded by Councilman Chapman, vote unanimous. There being no further business the meeting was Recessed by Chairman Douglas at 9:10 P.M. WORKSHOP SESSION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1980 The City Council of the City of Okeechobee convened into a Workshop session at City Hall on November 3, 1980, with the following Council members present: Chairman Edward W. Douglas, Councilmen Lytle Raulerson, Donald Burk, Jim Knight and Oakland Chapman. Also present was Bonnie S. Thomas, City Clerk. 80-71 ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Chairman Douglas advised the Council that references had been checked out on four of the Administrative Assistant's applicants as Council had requested at the interview meeting of October 29, 1980. Discussion of qualifications of the applicants ensued. The majority of the Council agreed that, Mr. Richard C. Fellows, former town manager of Orange Park, Florida, fit the job discription needs for this position the closest. The municipal government experience and background along with positive comments of people Mr. Fellows has worked with were determining factors in the Council's decision to contact him for the job at this point for negotiations. Chairman Douglas advised the Council he would begin negotiations immediately to arrive at a salary settlement. Councilman Burk recommended staying within range of the budgeted amount while negotiating salary. Councilman Burk stated that Mr. Richard C. Fellows and Mr. Joe Mitchell both have good qualifications. 2737 Council agreed for the applicant to be allowed to hire his own secretary with the approval of the Council. Also, it was agreed the Administrative Assistant would begin work on November 17, 1980. Chairman Douglas presented the subject of office space for the Administrative Assistant. The possibility of the Administrative Assistant using two offices now occupied by the Police Department was discussed at the previous meeting. Chairman Doulgas asked Chief Mobley for comments on this possibility. The Chief stated the present use was for booking, training films, breathlizer operations, finger printing and typing reports. The offices are furnished with equipment for these operations as well as regular office furniture used by the Police Department such as desk, chairs, tables, file cabinets and gun storage. Chairman Douglas asked for further discussion from the Council and asked the Council if they wished to put the Administrative Assistant in the office with the Building Official until he gets organized. Councilman Burk stated that since the two spaces now being used by the Police Department are available we should use them. He further stated he realized this will cause the PoliCe Department to be cramped for space but there was no other option but those two offices. Councilman Chapman agreed by stating items could be placed in the detectives office and use the two offices for the Administrative Assistant. Councilman Raulerson explained he really did not know what the Chief's space problems were nor how you' could expand later but it is a problem that must be dealt with. Council members Chapman, Burk and Raulerson agreed to take the two offices. Councilman Knight abstained from comment. Chairman Douglas was instructed by Council to contact applicant Fellows, negotiate salary, and ask him to report to work on November 17, 1980. Also, the Administrative Assistant would use the two offices discussed and it would be up to him to advertise for his own secretary. Council advised Chairman Douglas if Fellows declined the offer, he should then make the offer to Joe Mitchell. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting was adjourned by Chairman Douglas at 9:45 P.M. EdWard W. Dodglas J ' ~- Chairman/Mayor ~ City of Okeechobee ATTEST: Bonnie S. Thomas City Clerk City of Okeechobee