1978-09-12 Regular Meeting 2322
:
FIRS~ REGUI~AR MEETING TUESDAY.:. SEPTEMBER 1.2.~ 1978
The City Council of the City of 0keechobee, Florida, convened in Regular
Session in the Council Chambers at the City Hall, 0keechobee, Florida,
at 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, September 12~ 1978.
President Pro-Tern EdW~r~ W. Dou~laslfpresiding.
Councilmen Larch Bass~ Jim Knight and Lytle Raulerson were present.
Presidmm~rfl~ussell V. Domer was absent.
Others present were: David Conlon~ City Attorney; L. C. Fortner,
Jr., Director of Public Works; Larry Mobley, Police Chief; E. H. Reutebuch,
Assistant Fire Chief; Don Sheppard, Engineer; Sylvia Christian, Acting
City Clerk and Shirley Till, Deputy Clerk.
The Invocation was offered by Councilman Jim Knight.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Councilman Bass and seconded by Councilman Raulerson
and vote carried that the minutes of July 25, 27, August 3, 8, 10, 15 and
17, 1978 be approved and recorded as corrected.
PUBLIC HEARING
FEDERAL REVENUE SHARING FUNDS
It being the hour of seven o'clock P.M. and pursuant to a notice
published August 31, 1978, the meeting was opened ms a public hearing
as required by Section 121 (b) (1) of the State and Local Fiscal Assistance
Act of 1972 which requires each recipient government to have a public
hearing on possible uses of funds.
President Pro-Tem Edward W. Douglas informed that the Council had
discussed uses as follows:
General Insurance $3~,000.00
Street Lighting and Electricity $~6~000.00
Maps and Reproductions $2,300.00
Fire Hydrant Demand Charge $22,440.00
He asked for any remarks or comments from anyone regarding the pro-
posed uses of the Tenth Entitlement of Federal Revenue Sharing Funds.
Councilman Raulerson stated he did not think the City should take
Federal Revenue Funds for use on the County.Is share of Fire Hydrants.
President Pro-Tem Edward W. Douglas asked if the Council wished
for the County to pay their share of the Fire Hydrant Charge. The
Council agreed that the County should pay their share.
Councilman Raulerson moved to take $5,160.00 dollars from the Fire
Hydrant Demand Charge and put in Parks and Recreational making the total
$17,280.00 for City Fire Hydrant Demand Charger seconded by Councilman
Knight and vote carried.
2323
SEWER LINE AGREEMENT - CITY AND 0KEECHOBEE PLAZA
Mr. Charles Royal and Andrew Beaver appeared before the Council for
discussion on the Sewer Line Agreement.
Attorney Conlon informed that this was just a rough draft of the
proposed agreement.
Mr. Royal stated that they were unaware from Item #3 that a deposit
had to be put up for future plant capacity. He informed they had agreed
to pay for this system 100~ and turn it over to the City. They request
for Item #3 to be deleted.
Following a lengthy discussion Councilman Knight moved to delete any
charge in item #3, seconded by Councilman Bass and vote carried.
Director Fortner stated if they go through with this contract how
does the Council want to handle the money situation?
Following discussion Councilman Bass moved to receive payments as
billed by the owners on a draw schedule, seconded by Councilman Raulerson
and vote carried.
New Agreement rough draft to be drmwn.
PUBLIC HEARING
BID TABULATION - LIFT STATION AND FORCE MAIN TO SERVE COM~RRCIAL AREA
It being the hour~of seven thirty P.M. and pursuant to a notice
published August 31, and September 7, 1978, sealed bids were received,
opened and read for installing Lift Station and Force Main to serve
Commercial Area.
One Bid was received from Clemons Construction Company for a total
Bid amount of $112,159.80. Begin in 14 calendar days and complete in
ll4 calendar days.
Following a lengthy discussion Councilman Raulerson moved to reject
bid, not to rebid and give approval for Royals and U-Save to do their
own contracting negoitions for this proposed agreement with the approval
of our Engineer, seconded by Councilman Knight and vote carried.
0KEECHOBEE LIMITED
Attorney Conlon stated he had found their project to be legitimate
and they have made financial arrangements with a local bank.
Tapes from previous meetings to be listened to. Further discussion
at a later date.
COMPENSATION CLAIM
Atte'rney Conlon stated that the Workmens Compensation claim had
been filed with Tallahassee on Fire Chief 01eh Godwin.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
1. MONTHLY REPORT
Chief Mobley submitted the Police DeDartment Activity Report for -'~
the month of August, 1978.
2. PROMOTION - POLICE
Following a lengthy discussion Councilman Bass moved and Councilman
Raulerson seconded and vote carried to make the following promotions in
the Police Department with increases.
Promotion of Eugene O'Neill from Patrolman to Investigator with a
salary increase of $500.
Promotion of Richard Walker from Patrolman to Sergeant with a
salary increase of $560.
Evaluation and end of probation report on Vernon Harrison, Dis-
patcher. Recommend that his probation be ended and receive a aalary
increase of $500 bringing total annual salary to $8,350 per year.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
1. MONTHLY REPORT
Assistant Fire Chief Reutebuch submitted the Fire Report for the
month of August, 1978.
2. RESUSCITATORS
Assistant Fire Chief Reutebuch informed the Council that they have
two breathing resuscitators in need of repair.
The Council granted Assistant Fire Chief Reutebuch permission to
inquire the cost to have them repaired and report to Co~uacil.
CITY CLERK
1. SOUTHEAST NATIONAL BANK OF ST. PETERSBURG
Acting Clerk Christian submitted a letter from t~e Southeast National
Bank of St. Petersburg informing the City that they were resigning as
co~pon paying agent as of October 2, 1978.
Acting Clerk Christian to contact the local Banks and inquire if
they would accept the position of paying agent for the General Obligation
Refunding Bond.
2. SCHEDULE OF REGULAR MEETINGS
The Regular Meetings of the City Council are to be as follows:
October 10th and 24th, 1978
November 14th and 28th, 1978
December 5th, 1978
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3. RENEWAL BOND FOR 0KEAIRC0~ INC.
Actin~ Clerk Christian submitted a letter from UltraCom~ Inc.~ enclosing
the renewal bond of 0keAirCo, Inc. in the amount of ~5,000.00.
4. 0KEECHOBEE COUNTY
Actin~ Clerk Christian submitted a letter from Kyle S. VanLandingham~
County Attorney, requesting the City to close and abandon that portion of
North East l~th Street described as follows:
A strip of land, 20.00 feet in width~ lyin~ within Sections 15 and 16,
Township ~7 South, Range ~5 East, 0keechobee County, Florida. Said parcel
of land bein~ more particularly described as follows; That part of the
North 20.00 feet of North East l~th Street~ formerly known as 20th Street,
lyin~ East of the East ri~ht-o£-way line of Parrott Avenue~ (also known
as State Road #15 and U.S. ~1) ~ City of Okeechobee~ acoordin~ to the Plat
thereof recorded in Plat Book 1~ pa~e 10, of the Public Records of
0keechobee County~ Florida, and West of the West right-of-way line of
Taylor Creek Water Shed, as shown on Plat #2 of Taylor Creek Water Shed,
accordin~ to the plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 3, pa~e 26, of the
Public Records of 0keechobee County~ Florida.
The above 20 feet, alon~ with an additional strip of land located
north of the Roadway will be used to facilitate drainage by improvin~
and reroutin~ the "airport ditch" from N. U.S. ~1 East to ~aylor Creek.
The board of County Commissioners respectfully request the City
Council to hold a public hearin~ to consider this matter.
Actin~ Clerk Christian also submitted a letter from David Conlon~
City Attorney in response to the letter concernin~ the necessary steps
and procedures to abandonin~ a City Road. He submitted the followin~
information and statutory authority:
Case law indicates that prodedures for municipal abandonment of
roads under its jurisdiction are identical to those for a County as
codified in Florida Statute Section D36.09 et seq. This section states in
part;" ... the request of any a~ency of the State~ or the United
States, or any person to the commissioners to take such action shall be
in writin~ and shall be spread upon the minutes of the ~ommissioners~"
After such a petition is received~ notice must be published once
in a local newspaper of ~eneral circulation, and this notice must contain
the date, time and place of a public hearing to consider the matter.
In conclusion, based upon statutory authority, the City should re-
quire a petition from the County or any private citizen, prior to con-
sideration of street abandonment in this case. In requiring this petition
there will be no question as to the City's complieuace with State Law.
Also, as indicated above, notice and hearings must be held prior to
any official act of abandonment by the City. --'
Following discussion Councilman Raulerson moved to accept petition,
authorize clerk to advertise in paper and hold public hearing on
Spetember 26, 1978, seconded by Conncilman Bass and vote carried.
5. REMOVAL OF SCREENS
Acting Clerk Christian requested to have the screens removed from
windows in Clerk's Office and stored.
Council approved.
HIGH PRESSURE PUMP TO NEW CLEARWELL ADDITION
Don Sheppard, Engineer informed that if the Council agreed they could
negotiate with LaGrow for a change order for a high service pump to
be connected to the clearwell.
Following discussion Councilman Bass moved to allow Engineer, Don
Sheppard to negotiate change order with LaGrow for high service pump
on new clearwell and stay within $25,000 of budgeted amount, seconded
by Councilman Knight and vote carried.
WATER~ SEWER AND STREET DEPARTMENTS
1. MONTHLY REPORT
Director Fortner submitted the Water, Sewer and Street Departments
Report for the months of July and August, 1978.
2. WATER TANKS
Director Fortner informed the Council that the Water Tanks are not
covered by Insurance. A price from Berger Insuranc~ is $325 dollars per
tank p~m year. Director Fortner feels this is too expensive.
Council agreed not to insure.
3. AOREEMENT - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION - UTILITY RELOCATION
Director Fortner submitted a Utility Relocation Agreement from
Department of Transportation for 441 South four lane section. Need
signatures.
Councilman Bass moved to accept agreement for relocation of -.
ulilities from Department of Transportation, seconded by Coruacilman
Raulerson and vote carried.
4. COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
Director Fortner informed the Council the County Fire Department
is using water from the fire hydrants. The Fire Chief has been in-
forming Director Fortner of the amount of gallons used per month, but
there has not been a rate set up as to what to cha~ge.
Following discussion Councilman RauAerson moved
~oumty $1~00 ~dotta~ per ~heusand gaAlons fOP wa%er ~eiheri th~,h~4~Lnt
2327
is located in the City or County, seconded by Councilman Knight and vote
carried.
5. RETIREMENT
Director Fortner informed the Council that he had contacted an
Attorney in Ft. Pierce who agreed to look at Retirement Plan and m~ke
recommendations and corrections at $50.00 per hour.
Director Fortner to get back in contact with AttOrney in Ft. Pierce
and see if he would look at the Retirement Plan and give an estimate.
He also informed that the City's Attorney is on the Retirement
Plan. To be on the Retirement Plan an employee must work 20 hours
per week.
Director Fortner to investigate and discuss with Attorney Conlon.
6. CLIMBING OF WATER TANK
Director Fortner submitted a bill from Billy McKnight and Danny
Heito~ of $25 each for climbing water tank and repairing hole from gun
shot.
Councilman Knight moved to pay Helton and McKnight $25 each for
climbing water tank and repairing hole from gun shot, seconded~by
Councilman Bass and vote carried.
DISBURSEMENTS
Vouchers on the following funds were approved:
Water & Sewer Operation & Maintenance Fund $91,780.29
Anti-Recession Fund $3,208.34
General Fund $42,310.13
Cigarette Tax Fund $100,000.00
Water & Sewer Revenue Fund $114,063.32
Water & Sewer System Revenue Fund $2,024.99
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting Recessed at 10:35 P.M.
until Thursday, September a4, 1978 at 7:00 P.M.
Russell V. Domer
President City Council
City of 0keechobee
ATTEST:
Syria Christian
Acting City Clerk
City of 0keechobee