1981-03-05 Recessed Meeting2789
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2) GARBAGE FRANCHISE
This item to be discussed at March 5, 1981 workshop.
Councilman Burk complimented the City Clerk and Staff for the presentation of monthly Financial
reports from the Citys General and Water & Sewer Funds.
ADJOURMENT
There being no further business, Chairman Douglas recessed the meeting at 8:50 P.M. until
March 5, 1981 at 7:00 P.M.
ATTEST:
Bonnie S. Thomas
City Clerk
City of Okeechobee
wa d W. Douglas
Chairman /Mayor
City of Okeechobee
RECESSED MEETING
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1981
The City Council of the City of Okeechobee met in a recessed meeting in the Council
Chambers at City Hall, 55 S.E. Third Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida, Thursday, March 5, 1981
at 7:00 P.M.
City Council Chairman /Mayor Edward W. Douglas presided with the following Coux.il
members present: Dowling Watford, Donald Burk, Oakland Chapman and Jim Knight.
Others present were: City Clerk Bonnie S. Thomas, Administrative Assistant R.C.
Fellows, City Attorney David Conlon, Director of Public Works L.C. Fortner and Deputy
Clerk Janice Mann.
The invocation was offered by Council Chairman Edward W. Dougals.
81 -2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Councilman Donald Burk made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 19th Workshop.
With no further discussion, Councilman Watford seconded the motion, vote by Council unanimous.
81 -23
Minutes approved.
201 PLAN OVERPAYMENT
Chairman Douglas asked for action of Council regarding disposition of excess 201 Funds
the City paid to Okeechobee County July 26, 1978 on an invoice submitted by the County Clerk.
Charges to date for Step Two of the 201 program are $208,330.00. The City's share of this
figure amounts to $35,416.10. The City has paid to the County $30,236.00 leaving a balance due
of $5,180.04. On a County Clerk's requisition dated July 20, 1978, the County asked the City
for payment of $37,184.00.
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The amount was remitted by the City resulting in an overpayment. After deducting from the
$37,184.00, the $5,180.04 owing, the City still has an overpayment balance due them of
$32,003.96.
Therefore, Councilman Chapman moved to send a request to the County Commissioners for
reimbursement to the City of the overpayment of $32,003.96,(after deducting amount owed of
$5,180.00), motion seconded by Councilman Jim Knight.
Councilman Dowling Watford asked if the County has acknowledged the fact they requested
this sum in error.
Administrative Assistant Fellows confirmed they had. Motion unanimously carried.
ROAD PAVING CITY STREETS
Chairman Douglas asked for discussion by Council of proposals to Okeechobee County
for construction and maintenance of City streets and County streets located within the City
limits. Items mentioned were: Grading, shelling, paving, drainage and mowing.
Councilman Chapman requested that first, "Collector Roads" be defined, then suggested
responsibilities of construction and maintenance should be put in writing and agreed upon
by both parties for a positive approach.
Administrative Assistant Fellows suggested the Director of Public Works prepare a list
of all City streets. Council agreed on this suggestion and instructed the Director of Public
Works to prepare the list, to present at a later date.
GARGAGE FRANCHISE
Chairman Douglas presented, for discussion by Council, possible regulations for mandatory
garbage pick -up and renegotiation of a franchise agreement to cover rates and franchise fees.
L.P. Sanitation representative, Jay Huffman appeared before the Council to ask about its
progress concerning mandatory garbage pick -up. Huffman also informed the Council of the County's
plans to run the new land fill, and it will be charging L.P. Sanitation for using the dump.
Huffman stated that approximately 1/3 of the City population only has garbage pick -up at
present. He explained that he estimates a cost impact of $150,000.00 because the land fill is
being moved.
Councilman Knight stated the majority of the citizens will pay for a garbage pick -up
rather than take the long trip to the new landfill.
Huffman listed items which will make the $150,000.00 increase:
1) one hour extra per load to dump
2) 3 to 4 more employees
3) Gas increase - price and consumption
4) Parts, maintenance, increased labor costs
5) More equipment
6) Increased postage
7) Dump fees
Councilman Knight suggested checking into cost of a dumpster per household for the
City and possibility of one truck handling the job for the entire City.
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Chairman Douglas asked Mr. Huffman if it would be agreeable for the City's auditors to
go over the books of L.P. Sanitation to determine its gross income and expenses. Mr. Huffman
agreed. Motion by Knight, seconded by Councilman Chapman to proceed with audit of L.P. Sanitation
books by City's auditors, motion passed.
Administrative Assistant Fellows will work with Mr. Huffman and the auditors to prepare
approximate cost by the Council meeting of March 10, 1981.
CABLE T.V. FRANCHISE
The status of the franchise agreement with the City and OkeAirCo Cable T.V. Company was
discussed. Administrative Assistant Fellows gave the Council an up date report stating that
originally it was agreed OkeAirCo would pay a 5% franchise fee on gross revenues. This agree-
ment, however, had been later amended, (5- 23 -72) to a 3% franchise fee of the company's
base subscriber revenue. The franchise was later amended in 1976 to remain until 1986.
Administrative Assistant Fellows suggested an increase to 6% on gross revenue be
considered.
TELEPHONE FRANCHISE
A Franchise Agreement between the City and the United Telephone Company was discussed.
There is none at present. Administrative Assistant Fellows estimated that if a 6% franchise fee
were in effect it would return to City revenues close to $13,000.00.
Councilman Knight moved to require an audit, (income and balance sheet statement), from
each company the City has a franchise with. Motion seconded by Councilman Chapman.
Councilman Watford asked if the City could require this financial information legally.
Attorney Conlon stated if current franchise requires any rate increase or change the City could
request an audit.
Councilman Burk suggested all franchises in the future should present the City with
financial statements.
Vote on motion, passed unanimously..
COMMUNICATIONS FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS
ATTORNEY DAVID CONLON
1) DISCRIMINATTON SUIT
Attorney Conlon gave the council an up -date report on the discrimination suit. He explained
a settlement was close at hand, however, he is still preparing for a trial.
Attorney Conlon asked the Council its wishes concerning a possible appeal to a court
ruling regarding the press withholding information.
Councilman Watford stated he did not want anything to slow the process of a settlement.
Councilman Burk stated any appeal should be based on necessity. Council agreed to appeal
only if necessary.
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CITY CLERK
1) NEW EMPLOYEE
City Clerk Bonnie S. Thomas informed the Council of the hiring of a new employee in her
office. Mrs. Theresa C. Edwards is now assuming the position of Secretary I in the Clerks
office. This action was taken as a result of a vacancy created by resignation last December.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM COUNCILMEN
A. DOWLING WATFORD, JR.
1) REPORT REMODELING OF CITY HALL
Councilman Watford asked Administrative Assistant to prepare a report of the remodeling
of the City Hall, for the Councils information, now taking place under the new C.E.T.A.
program.
MAYOR EDWARD W. DOUGLAS
Chairman Douglas asked the Council to consider amending the Zoning Ordinance fees for varience
and reducing it to $50.00 for Senior Citizens. This will be discussed in more detail at the
meeting of Tuesday, March 10, 1981.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chairman Douglas adjourned the meeting at 9:30 P.M.
ATTEST:
Bonnie S. Thomas
City Clerk
City of Okeechobee
Edward W. Douglas
Chairman /Mayor
City of Okeechobee
FIRST REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1981
The City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, met in regular session at City
Hall in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, March 10, 1981, at 7:00 P.M.Chairman /Mayor Edward
W. Douglas presided with the following Councilmembers present: Oakland Chapman, Donald Burk,
and Dowling Watford. Councilman Jim Knight was absent.
Others present were: City Clerk Bonnie S. Thomas, Administrative Assistant Richard C.
Fellows, Assistant City Attorney Dean Tooker, Police Chief Larry Mobley, Fire Chief Keith
Tomey, Director of Public Works L.0 Fortner, Jr. and Deputy Clerk Lola Parker.
The invocation was given by Councilman Dowling Watford, Jr.
ORDINANCE - FIRST READING - FIRE PREVENTION CODE BOARD
Chairman Douglas read in its entirety a proposed Ordinance Amending the Zoning Ordinance
to allow the Board of Adjustments and Appeals to hear appeals concerning Administration of
the Standard Fire Prevention Code and setting of a public hearing date as follows:
AGENDA
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF OKEECHOBEE
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CONTINUATION OF FEBRUARY 24th RECESSED MEETING
March 5, 1981
7 :00 P.M.
-Lon—
of he minutes of_1094krhop, meeting of February the 19th.
III: Discus on on Council action as to disposition of excess 201 funds paid
to echobee County July 26, 1978 on invoice submitted by the County
l t
Dis
to
VI.
VII.
on proposals to Okeechobee County for construction and main -
City Streets; and of County Streets located within City limits._
Di scus s .
on on possible reguIatians f61- mandatory garbage pickup and re-
Dq�tiation of franchise agreement to cover rates and fra ch'se
- , ,`�1 � t': ��� ...C•� L!i;
Discussions relative to status of franchise agreement with OkeAirCo Cable
T.V.sfipany
Discission relative to status of franchise agreement with United Telephone
r any
VIII. Mayo
lx.
on anyone in audience wishing to address the Council.
Mayor call on
Councilmen regardin
Attorney, it Clerk Administrative Assistant, and
eguests an reports..,._
a
AGENDA
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF OKEECHOBEE
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CONTINUATION OF FEBRUARY 24th RECESSED MEETING
March 5, 1981
7:00 P.M.
I. Invocation
II. Approval of the minutes of workshop meeting of February the 19th.
III. Discussion on Council action as to disposition of excess 201 funds paid
to Okeechobee County July 26, 1978 on invoice submitted by the County
Clerk.
IV. Discussion on proposals to Okeechobee County for construction and main-
tenance of City Streets and of County Streets located within City limits.
V. Discussion on possible regulations for mandatory garbage pickup and re-
negotiation of franchise agreement to cover rates and franchise fees.
VI. Discussions relative to status of franchise agreement with OkeAirCo Cable
T.V. Company
VII. Discussion relative to status of franchise agreement with United Telephone
Company
VIII. Mayor to call on anyone in audience wishing to address the Council.
1X. Mayor to call on City Attorney, City Clerk, Administrative Assistant, and
Councilmen regarding requests and/or reports.
X. Adjournment