1978-09-26 Regular MeetingSECOND REGULAR MEETING TU~S. DAY., SEPTEMBER 26, 1978
The City Council of the City of Okeechobee~ Florida, convened in
Regular Session in the Council Chambers at the City Hall, 0keechobee,
Florida at 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, September 26, 1978.
President Russell V. Domer presiding.
Councilman Edward W. Douglas, Jim Knight and Lytle Raulerson were
present. Councilman Lavon Bass was absent.
Others present were: Audley Dunham~ Mayor; David Conlon, City
Attorney; Larry Mobley, Chief of Police; L. C. Fortner, Jr., Director
of Public Works; E. H. Reutebuch, Assistant Fire Chief; Richard B. Spray,
Building Official; Sylvia Christian, Acting City Clekk and Lola Parker,
Deputy Clerk.
The Invocation was offered by Councilman Jim Knight.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Conncilman Raulerson and seconded by Councilman
Douglas and vote carried that the minutes of August 22, 24 and September
5, 1978 be approved as recorded.
PUBLIC HEARING
ORDINANCE NUMB.ER #403 - ADOPTION. .OF BUDGET - FINAL READING
President Domer submitted for final reading Ordinance Number
which is "An Ordinance adopting a budget for the fiscal year beginning
October 1, 1978 and ending September 30~ 197~, and providing for the
effective date hereof."
President Domer asked if there were any objections or comments to
this Ordinance. No objections were heard or filed.
Councilman Knight moved to adopt Budget Ordinance Number #403,
seconded by Councilman Douglas and vote carried.
PUBLIC HEARING
ZONING ORDINANCE - BURK - FINAL HEARING
President Domer submitted the final hearing on rezoning of property
described as Lot 10 Block 18. From RG-1 to Commercial.
President Domer asked if there were any objections or comments to the
requested rezoning. No objections were heard or filed.
Councilman Douglas moved to rezone the above described property as
requested and to amend Ordinance No. 271, seconded by Councilman Raulerson
and vote carried.
TAXI CAB RATES
Mr. Daniel Pompeo appeared before the Council stating he wished to
have a taxi cabiin the City. The rate in the Resolution says for the
rate to be 60¢ and 10¢ and he requested it be 80¢ and 20¢. He plans to
start as soon as possilbe.
Attorney Conlon stated if the Council wishes to change the rates a
public hearing will have to be advertised to amend the present Resolution
and get rates in similiar areas.
Following discussion Councilman Knight moved to have public hearing
on meeting to be held on October 10, 1978, seconded by Councilman
Raulerson and vote carried.
MORMON CHURCH - LEASE
Mr. Bill Hendry appeared before the Council on behalf of the Mormon
Church in regards to the alleyway located in Block 195. They wish to
attain the title to the entire block for the construction of their
church. The Church request the entire alleyway be closed. Their land
is approximately 2 acres.
President Domer stated that the new zoning Ordinance requires
5 acres for a church.
Attorney Conlon stated that if the property was acquired before
new.zoning came into effect the 5 acre~ requirement would not apply.
Following a lengthy discussion Attorney Conlon to research new
zoning and report back.
Building Official Spray to collect data and requirements on
Building and Parking and report back.
SEWER LINE AGREEMENT
Attorney Conlon submitted the Sewer Line Agreement ready for final
draft to be approved between the City and Royal & Sons and City Market
Building,
Following discussion Councilman Raulerson moved to approve final
draft of Sewer Line Agreement and insert proper s~gnatures, seconded
by Councilman Knight and vote carried.
OPENING 0KEECHOBEE AVENUE - NEMEC
Attorney Conlon informed that the suit against Nemec has been dis-
missed. Will be refiled. He stated a lot of concrete would need to
be remov4d. Attorney Conlon and Director Fortner figured it would cost
approximately $5,000 to remove. Ammending the complaint. Ammended it
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and added a seperate cause of action that in addition to asking for the
Street back that the present owner be required to return it to the City
in the condition it was given. Mr. Nemec has until November 20, 1978
to file an answer.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
1. EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION - POLICE
Chief Mobley submitted an employment application from Ivan Beasley
as a partolman with starting salary of $10,050.00 per year effective
October l, ~978.
His application shows him having had a back injury. Chief Mobley
submitted a release from his doctor.
Following discussion Councilman Douglas moved to employ Beasley
as a patrolman starting salary at $10,050 on a probationsmyy period,
seconded by Conncilman Knight and vote carried.
2. EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION - POLICE
Chief Mobley submitted an employment application from William
Suggs as a Dispatcher with starting salary of $8,450 per Year effective
October l, 1978.
Follewi~ discussion Councilman Knight moved to employ William
Suggs on six months probation as dispatcher starting salary at $8,450,
seconded by Councilman Raulerson and vote carried.
3. EMPLOYEE PROMOTION - POLICE
Chief Mobley presented an employee evaluation on Dispatcher Jerome
Smith and recommended he be promoted to Patrolman and attend school with
salary increase to $9,650 per year.
Following discussion Councilman Raulerson moved to accept Chief
Mobley's ~ecommendation to move Jerome Smith from Dispatcher to Patrol-
man and send h~m to school in October, seconded by Councilman Douglas
and vote carried.
WATER~ SEWER AND STREET DEPARTMENTS
1. LETTER FROM GLADES GAS
Director Fortner submitted a letter from Glades Gas in reply to
a request for having the 500 gallon LP Gas storage t artk replaced with
a 1~0 gallon tank, to be used to heat the Fire Department.
The following price chart was quoted:
D08 gallons - $138.75 Re,undraWn Gas
52.00 Credit on Tank
Net to City $190.75 Credit
Following discussion Councilman Raulerson moved to authorize
Director Fortner to have gas tanks exchanged at the Fire Department~
seconded by Councilman Douglas and vote carried.
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2. NEW RADIOS FOR TRUCKS
Director Fortner requested authorization to purchase 3-2 Way Radios
at $779.00 at a total cost of $2,337~00.
Following discussion Councilman Douglas moved ~o authorize Director
Fortner to purchase 3-2 Way Radios a~ a total cost of $2,337.00, seconded
by Councilman Raulerson and vote carried.
3. SEWER PLANT OPERATION PERMIT
Director Fortner stated the Engineer needs to have authorization from
the Council to re-apply for sewage treatment plant operation permit.
It has to be done through the Engineering Firm.
Councilman Douglas moved to authorime Director Fortner to advise
Engineer to re-apply for sewage treatment plant operation permit, sec-
onded by Councilman Raulerson and vote carried.
4. 0KEECHOBEE ESTATES
Director Fortner stated he had two prices on installing signs to
prohibit speeding on canals entering 0keechobee Estates from Taylor
Creek.
Council agreed for Director Fortner to make signs.
5. EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS - WATER PLANT OPERATOR AND SEWER PLANT OPERATOR
Director Fortner submitted an employment application from Bobby
L. Birts for Water Plant Operator and Anthony D. McDowell for Sewer
Plant Operator.
Following discussion Councilman Douglas moved to employ Birts
and McDowell each at $8,000 per yen, seconded by Councilman Raulerson
and vote carried.
6. EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION - METER READER
Director Fortner submitted employee applications from Jeffery W.
Elders and Glen Pope for the second meter reader position.
Following discussion Councilman Douglas moved to 'accept Director
Fortner's recommendation to hire Elder's starting salary at $8,000
per year on six momths probation, seconded by Councilman Knight and
vote carried.
7- EMPLOYEE EVALUATION - WATER
Director Fortner submitted an employee evaluation on Billy W.
McKnight. Director Fortner stated McKnight has been employed with the
City ~or six months. He recommended McKnight be made a permanent em-
ployee with a yearly salary increase of $500 dollars.
Councilman Douglas moved to make McKnight a permanent employee with
a salary increase of $500 dollars annually, seconded by Councilman
Raulerson and vote carried.
8. RETIREMENT
Director Fortner informed that he had be~n back in contact with
the Attorney in Ft. Pierce on the Retirement Plan. He stated that
he could not give a firm dollar amount figure. He suggested the City
contact an actuary.
The City Attorney who is on the Retirement Plan does not meet
qualifications an employee must work 40 hours per week to be eligible.
He could pay his own premium if he wishes to keep the policy issued
in his name.
PAY ERROR
President Domer stated that when Phillip Pur¥is was given a pay
increase he was put on the wrong pay saale. Purvis was over pa~d 25
weeks at a total of $383.61.
Chief Mobley stated he had brought this to Purvis' attention, If
the Council agreed he would pay this amount in a lump sum.
The Council instructed Acting Clerk Christian to discuss the
matter with Purvis and work out the best solution.
SUBDIVIDE A STRIP OF LAND
Councilman Raulerson stated Coot Williams owns some property sout~
of where they now live. The property is joined on the North side by
a eanal coming from Taylor Creek to 2nd Avenue. The property is only
140 or 144 feet deep from the canal to the South face of the pro-
perty. Williams wishes to know how much right-of-way they must have for
Streets if they curb and gutter this property. Could they use a
foot right-of-way? Leaving them a 110 feet deep on the properSy and
possibly get a rezoning for a Mobile'Home Park which joins it on the
north side of this canal. At the present time it is zoned Holding.
The property shows it to be acreage. Aacording to the new zoning it
has to be 75 by 142½ feet. They want to sub divide a strip of land.
Zoning to be checked more
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting Recessed at 9:37 P.M.
Russell V. Domer
.... President City Council
t City of 0keechobee
ATTEST:
~Xria Christian "
A~ting City Clerk
City of Okeechobee