1974-08-20 Special August 1~, 197~
The City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, met in recessed budget session at the
City Hall on the ab~ve date at 6:30 P.M. with the followin~ present: President, Donald L. Burk,
Councilmen: Russell V. Domer, E. H. Hunt, Edward W. Douglas and Clif Bette~, Jr. Also present were:
City Clerk, Sandra Bennett and Director of Public Works, L. C. Fortner, Jr.
Preliminary work was done on the 197~-7~ '~eneral budget and water and sewer budget.
'The Florida Power and Light Company thirty year Electric Franchise was discussed. It was
reported that the Franchise wouldn't expire until 1976 but Florida Power and Light Company had requested
a meetin~ to discuss the possibility of an earlier settlement with the same provision of 6% franchise
fee as the present franchise provides. It was suggested that a survey be conducted to find how much
franchise fees Power and Light Companies were paying other small cities. The Clerk was instructed to
contact several cities for the survey.
Upon motion the Council adjourned.
CITY CLERK
August 20, 197~
TO:
HON. DONALD BURl(
HON. CLIFF BETTS, JR.
HON. RUSSELL V. DONER
HON. EDWARD W. DOUGLAS
HON. E. H. HUNT
M~BERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY 0F OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA
I, AUDLEY DI~NHA, Mayor of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, do hereby call
a Special meetinf[ of the City Council of the City of 0keechobee, Florida, to be
held at the Council Chamber, within the City of Okeechobee, on the 20th day of
August, ~.D. i197~, at the hour of 6:30 P.M. for the purpose:
POLICE DEPARTMENT BUSINESS AND SUCH OTHER ~iAITERS AS MAY
BE BROUGHT BEFORE SUCH MEETING AT THE DISCRETION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL.
You, and each of you are hereby requested and notified to be at and attend
the aforesaid meeting at the place herein named.
IN ~¢ifi~ESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand as Mayor of the City of
Okeechobee, Florida, and caused the corporate seal of said City to be affixed
hereto and the same attested by the City Clerk, this 16th day of August, A.D.
197L .
Audley Dunham
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE
OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA
ATTEST: Sandra Bennett
'
CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE
0KEECHOBEE, FLORIDA
DONALD L. BURK
RUSSELL DOMER
MI~MBERS Oi? THE CITY COL~CIL CLIFF BETTS~ JR.
CITY OF OKEECHOBEE
0KEECHOBEE, ~LORIDA E. H. HU]~T
I I I I'1' '1' [
1.7151
The meeting was called in due form in accordance with Charter and upon written notice
si~ned by each councilman, the City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Elorida, met in special
session at the
~mty Hall on the above date at 6:30 P.M. with the following present: Mayor Audley
· Dunham, President, Donald L. Burk, Councilmen: E. H. Hunt, Edward W. Douglas, Russell V. Domer,
Clifford C. Betts, Jr, and Chief of Police, Dewitt H. Staats, City Clerk, Sandra Bennett.
President Burk stated that the purpose of the called Special Fleeting was to discuss
resignations that had been submitted to the ~ayor.
Preside~nt Burk read L. M. Baker's resignation effective August 16, 1972. Councilman Domer
moved to accept the resignation of L.M. Baker, seconded by Councilman Betts and carried.
President Burk informed the audience that Baker was in uniform and working on Monday,
Au~u~ 19, a2'ter the effective date of his resignation, and due to the fact he had no authority to
act, the City stood in jeopardy if an~thi~had happnened. Baker returned the Police car to the
station after being ordered to do so.
A resignation from Dewitt H. Staats was read effective September 9, 197~. President Burk
informed the Council that Chief Staats had submitted a withdrawal dated August 17, 1972 of his
notice of intent to resign his position as Police Chief. The Council accepted Chief Staats
qm~,hdral as l.ae date of his resignation was not in effect and declared his resignation null and void.
President Burk stated that according to City Charter, the Mayor and City Council were the
only ones to make appointments. President Burk further stated that in the past the Department
heads presented the Council and Mayor with their recommendations but the decision was the Councils.
~ City Charter Section 8, 2~, ]2, 29 and 3] were read and explained proving further of the Councils
and Mayors re~sponsibility. President Burk asked Chief Staats if he and his officers would meet with
the Council at a workshop 'to discuss the differences of opinion in operating the ~olice Department.
A resignation from Beverly Beasley, ~dio Dispatcher was read, effective August 30, 1972.
Chief Staats informed the Council that Beasley had verbally withdrawn her resignation. '~ne Council
tabled actior~ on the resignation and advised Chief Staats to instruct Beasley to submit a written
withdrawal be3?ore August 30, 1972.
Thc; Council recognized L. M. Baker from the audience. Mr. Baker stated that he had
submitted a withdrawal. President Burk read the withdrawal of his resignation dated August 19, 1972.
The Council i~formed Mr. B~ker that his resi~mat~on date had already taken effect but that he could
re-a~ply for employment in the Police Department.
There bein~ no further buccaneers, the Council recessed to Thursday, August 2~ 197~ at
6: 0
/' PP~SID~NT CITY COUNCIL
C~TY CLERK
August 22, 1972
The City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, met in recessed session at the City
~ Hall on the above date ~at 6:30 P.M. with the following present: President Donald L. Burk, Councilmen:
E. H. Hunt, Edward W. Douglas, RusseLl V. Domer, Clif Betts, Jr. Also present were City Clerk, Sandra
Bennett, Attorney J. Edward Curren and members of the Police Department.