1981-02-05 Workshop 2771
81-9 D. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
1) SELF INSURANCE PROGRAM
Assistant Fellows reported he had contacted Florida League of Cities regarding a
Self Insurance Program covering Workman's Compensation, liability, etc.
Fellows has received a proposal, Councilmen's copies to follow for review at a later
date.
81-15 2) COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
As reported previously, the Central Florida Regional Planning Council has agreed to
complete the City's Comprehensive Plan by July 1 at a cost of Four Thousand One Hundred
Seventy-Five Dollars ($4,175.00) a savings to the City.
81-30 3) BID LIMIT
Assistant Fellows asked Council to consider authorization of drafting of an ordinance
to increase the bidding limit (State Statutes limits the bidding to $1,000.00).
Councilman Burk was concerned with the legal aspect of such an increase. Conlon to
study.
Chairman Douglas suggested increasing the Bid limit to $5,000.00 as opposed to the
present $1,000.00 limit. Councilman Knight noted the School Board's limit is set at $2,000.00.
Council to study bid limit increase and set a reasonable amount. Assistant Fellows
asked permission to draft an ordinance leaving the amount blank, to be determined later.
Permission granted.
4) WORKSHOP
Assistant Fellows reminded those present of the Workshop set for Thursday, February 5,
1981, at 7:00 P.M.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM COUNCILMEN
A. OAKLAND CHAPMAN
Councilman Chapman commended the City Police Department for working with the County
Sheriff Department on a recent case.
However, Chapman noted improvement is needed on the communications system.
Assistant Fellows and Chief Mobley will check into the cost of a new system.
81-17 B. DONALD BURK
Councilman Burk commented on the appointment of the City Clerk as Finance Director.
Before assigning the position it would be the responsibility of the Council to make plain
to the City Clerk what her duties would be as Finance Director. Then determine if an
elected official can be appointed to an additional position.
Councilman Burk asked that this matter be workshopped to go into depth.
Clerk Thomas stated she felt she is qualified to do the job properly, but feels
additional study is needed by the Council regarding the job description.
C. DOWLING WATFORD~ JR.
1) SEMI[~AR
Councilman Watford reported on his attendance to a seminar for newly elected officials
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held in Orlando on Thursday, January 22, 1981.
Watford returned with Form 3A "Interest in Competitive Bid for Public Business",
to be filed with the City Clerk.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 9:17 P.M.
EdWard W. DoUglas
Chairman/Mayor
City of Okeechobee
ATTEST:
Bonnie S. Thomas
City Clerk
City of Okeechobee
WORKSHOP THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1981
The City Council of Okeechobee, Florida, met in Workshop session at the City Hall Council
Chambers, 55 S.E. 3rd Avenue, Thursday, February 5, 1981, at 7:00 P.M.
Chairman/Mayor Edward W. Douglas presided with the following Councilman present: Donald
Burk, Oakland Chapman, James Knight and Dowling Watford, Jr.
Others present were: City Clerk Bonnie S. Thomas, Administrative Assistant Richard C. --~
Fellows, Assistant City Attorney Dean Tooker, and Director of Public Works L.C. Fortner, Jr.
Also present was Planning Board Chairman Dale Burk.
The advertised workshop was for the purpose of discussing amendments to Zoning Ordinance
402 and to draft a possible street closing policy.
81-5 NARROWING RIGHT-OF-WAY / S.W. 5th AVENUE
Discussion ensued regarding the feasibility of narrowing a Portion of South West 5th
Avenue right-of-way from one hundred (!00) to seventy (70) feet. This reduction would be
between South West 15th Street and South West 18th Street and would standardize the entire
length of South West 5th Avenue.
Councilmen Chapman and Burk asked if there were any objections from the audience to the
right-of-way reduction. There were no objections.
Director of Public Works Fortner distributed copies of a map indicating the exact
location of the proposed reduction. Councilman Burk asked if the Council should hold
hearings for citizens input concerning giving away public property along 5th Avenue.
Assistant Attorney Tooker responded with the comment of no. The City would simply
be relinquishing the property to its owners, providing the road was dedicated originally.
Discussion of an existing house on the right-of-way resulted in a recommendation by
Councilman Burk to have the owner remove his house back off the City property.
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Chairman Douglas asked if it was the consensus of the Council that the 5th Avenue
right-of-way be narrowed as discussed. Ail Councilmen agreed.
First reading of an ordinance to vacate thirty feet (30') of right-of-way on South
West 5th Avenue between South West 15th Street and South West 18th Street will be held at
the February 10, 1981, regular Council meeting.
81-8 ZONING ORDINANCE 402 AMENDMENTS
Proposed amendments from the Planning Board were discussed with recommendations as
follows:
A. Member Kirk moved to recommend the front footage requirement for
Residential, General (RG-2) zoned districts be decreased from
100' to 95', seconded by Member Altobello, vote unanimous.
Councilman Burk ascertains this to be a necessary amendment. All Council agreed.
Amendment to Ordinance 402 will be drawn up and first reading held at the regular Council
meeting February 10, 1981.
B. Member Wright moved to recommend the 20' rear setback requirement for
Commercial zones be eliminated, providing there is adequate off-street
loading space in front or on the side, seconded by Member Kirk, vote
unanimous.
Councilman Burk recommended this item be returned to the Planning Board for research
and advised workshop be rescheduled for it. All Council agreed.
C. Member Altobello moved to require paving for Commercial and Multi-
family structures, where off-street parking is required, and that
it be either asphalt or concrete, with proper drainage and marking~
seconded by Member Ferneau, vote unanimous.
Councilman Burk asked Chairman Douglas if he would recommend returning this item to
the Flanning Board for further study, Chairman Douglas agreed, Council concurred.
D. Member Wright moved to recommend Council draft an Ordinance requiring
any metal building to be architectually compatable with the
surrounding structures in Commercial zones, seconded by Member
Altobello, vote unanimous.
Council discussed metal building issue and agreed to return it to the Planning Board
for more study also.
Other items discussed were:
1) The possibility of a future Code Enforcement Board for the City.
2) The progress of the ordinance codification which is beginning to materialize.
3) The need for a finance officer for the City.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 P.M.
Edward W. Douglas
Chairman/Mayor
City of Okeechobee
ATTEST:
Bbfinie S. Th6~a~ --
City Clerk
City of Okeechobee
I -?! I 11111 I
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FIRST REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1981
The City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, convened in a regular session
in Council Chambers at City Hall, Okeechobee, on Tuesday, February 10, 1981, at 7:00 P.M. ---~
Vice Chairman Donald Burk presided with the following Councilmen present: Jim
Knight, Dowling Watford, Jr., and Oakland Chapman. Chairman/Mayor Edward W. Douglas was
absent.
Others present were: City Clerk Bonnie S. Thomas, Administrative Assistant Richard C.
Fellows, City Attorney David Conlon, Fire Chief Keith Tomey, Police Chief Larry Mobley,
Director of Public Works L.C. Fortner, Jr. and Deputy Clerk Janice M. Mann.
The Invocation was offered by Councilman Jim Knight.
81-2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Councilman Knight moved to approve the minutes of the January 27th regular meeting
and the February 5th, 1981, workshop, seconded by Councilman Watfordo
Councilman Chapman noted a correction was needed in the February 5th minutes: Change
the seventy feet (70') to one hundred feet (100') in regards to the City right-of-way
along South West 5th Avenue.
Correction noted, Vice Chairman called for a vote, motion to approve the minutes passed.
81-20 ~ OFFICE OF REVENUE SHARING
Attorney Conlon reported on the final outcome of a settlement with the Office of
Revenue Sharing regarding their findings. Office of Revenue Sharing is forwarding a
proposed settlement, with the sewer issue deleted.
In addition to the improvements, Conlon explained the City will have to pay attorney
fees and costs. Attorney Conlon noted the State laws require the City to pay these costs.
Vice Chairman Burk stated a settlement is at hand, baring any last minute problems,
and asked for Council's recommendation.
City Council instructed Attorney Conlon to pursue negotiations.
81-24 RESOLUTION - 701 PLANNING FUNDS
City Council was presented a resolution, for adoption, authorizing the filing of a
joint application with Okeechobee County for 701 Planning Funds in connection with a
feasibility study for a bypass road.
Vice Chairman Burk read the resolution as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THECITY OF OKEECHOBEE AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION WITH
OKEECHOBEE COUNTY IN AN APPLICATION FOR LOCAL PLANNING ASSISTANCE FUNDS.
WHEREAS, the City Council of Okeechobee has recognized a need to provide for orderly
growth and management as contemplated by the passage of the Florida Local Government
Comprehenmive Planning Act of 1975, and
WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Planning Assistance Program administered by the Department
of Community Affairs provides funds to assist localities in meeting requirements of this
Act by preparing plans, implementation strategies, programs and mechanisms. __~
NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of Okeechobee requests the Department of Community
Affairs to consider including the application of Okeechobee City with the joinb applica-
tion from Okeechobee County in its application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban