1974-08-22 Recessed I..7i51
'the meetin~j was called in due form in accordance with Charter and upon written notice
siamed by each councilman, the City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, met in special
session at the City Hall on the above date at 6:30 P.M. with the follo~ing present: Mayor Audley
Dunham, President, Donald L. Burk, Councilmen: E. H. Hunt, Edward W. Douglas, Russell V. Domer,
Clifford C. ~etts, Jr, and Chief of Police, De~tt H. 3taats, City Clerk~ Sandra Bennett.
Pr~:~sident Burk stated that the purpose of the called Special ~leeting was to discuss
resi~ations that had been sub~tted to the l~yor.
President Burk read L. M. B~er's resignation effective August 16, 197~. Counci~an Domer
moved to accept the resignation of L.M. B~er, seconded by Councilman Betts and carried.
President Burk informed the audience that Baker was in uniform and working on Monday,
Au~st 19, al'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~hi~,had happnened. B~er returned the Police car to the
station after bein~ ordered to do so.
A resi~ation from Dewitt H. Staats was read effective September 9, 197~. President Burk
i~ormed the Council that Chief Staats had sub~tted a withdrawal dated Au~st 17, 197~ of his
notice of intent to resign his position as Police b~ief. The Co,oil accepted Chief Staats
withdrat as ~.~e date of his resignation was not in effect and declared his resignation null and void.
President Burk stated that according to City Charter, the ~yor and City Council were the
only ones to ~ke appointments. President Burk f~ther stated that in the past the Department
heads present, ed the Council and }~yor with their reco~endations but the decision was the Councils.
City Charter ~ction 8, 2~, ~2, 29 and 3~ were read and e~l~ned proving further of the Councils
and Mayors r~sponsibility. President Burk asked Chief Staats if he and ~s officers would meet with
the Council at a workshop to discuss the differences of opi~on in operating the Police Department.
A resignation from Beverly Beasley, Radio Dispatcher was read, effective August 30, 197~.
Chief Staats i~o~ed the Council that Beasley had verbally withdrawn her resi~ation. '~e Council
tabled actior, on the resi~ation and advised Chief Staats to instruct Beasley to sub~t a written
withdra~.~al before Au~st 30, 197~.
~c Council reco~zed L. M. Baker from the audience. Mr. B~er stated that he had
submitted a withdrawal. President Burk read the ~thdrawal of his resignation dated Au~st 19, 197h.
The Council infomed Mr. Baker that his resi~at~on date had already t~en effect but ~hat he could
re-agply for emp!o~ent in the Police Department.
There bein~ no further business the Council recessed to Thursday, Au~st 2~, 197~ at
6:30 P.M.
/ P~SID~T CITY CO~CIL
Ci~ CLERK
august 22, 197h
~e 0it~ 0ounoil of the City of Okeechobee, ~orida, met in recessed session at the City
Hall on the above date ~.at 6:30 P.M. with the followin~ present: President Donald L. Burk~ Councilmen:
E. H. Hunt, E,~ard 'd. Domjlas~ Russell V. Domer, Clif Betts, Jr. Also present were City Clerk, Sandra
Bennett, Attorney J. Edward Curren and members of the Police Department.
President Burk stated that the main purpose of the meeting was to inform the Police Depart-
i!ment staff of action that had been taken and to answer any questions the Department might have.
tresident Burk stated that the first item of business was Beverly Beasley, Radio Dispatcher,
~,Jithdrawal of resignation ~ffective Au,~st 30, 197~4. Attorney Curren was asked to explain the laws
lipertainin~ to resignations, afterwhich Councilman Domer moved to accept Beasleys withdrawal, seconded
by Councilman Douglas and carried
!i ?resident Burk e:cplained the course of action taken at Au~ust 20th meeting due to an
,r~5_sunderstanding of h~.ef Staats in which he had filled an appointment. President Burk further stated
that according to City Charter only Che City Council and Mayor has the authority to fill vacancies
lin all City ~asition~, therefore, the City Council had rejected Chief Staats appointment. Chief
iStaats, L. M. Baker and Be,~erly Beasley had subrnitbed their resignations but had withdrawn their
iiresignations after the August 20th meeting. Bakers resignation had already taken effect, therefore,
i the Council had to accept it. President; Burk voiced his desire for the D~partment to overcome any
iiproblems and to work together to make the D~partment a better place.
Jim Devine was recogni:~ed. He asked the Council if they didn't have the power to re-
~I! consider Bakers resi~ation. The Council informed i~r. Devine that they had informed Mr. Baker he could
i
i~re-apply for emptoy~rment. .ir. Devine stated that he felt Chief Staats should run the office as he sees
il he should. The Council advised Mr. Devine that they had to go by the City laws.
Discussion was h~ard on appointing two Sergeants in plaice of one Lieutenant and one
i Sergeant. No action was taken.
I At this time the Police Department staff was di.~missed and The Council went into a worshop
l'Ibudget session.
The Council rece3sed to meet at 6:30 P.M., August 27, 197~. ~ ~~~
~ PRESIDENT CITY COUNCIL
CITY CLERK
August 27, 197h
The City Council of The City of Okeechobee, ~lorida, met in recessed session at the City
~Hall on the sbove ~ate at .~:30 P.M. with the following, present: President Donald L. Burk, Councilmen:
'.E.H. Hunt, Cli-ff C. Betts, Jr. Russell ~¢. Domer and ~ward W. Douglas. Also present were City Clerk,
~'~Sandra Be~ett, A~tormey, ~. Edward Curren, Director of Public Works, L. C. Fortner, Jr.
Councilman Domer announced that courses on'~'affmc' Homocide at Indian River Co~mnunity College
Fort Pierce would be starting ~oon and reco~ended that the City authorize Perry Lamb and Rudy
Dyer, R~dio Dispatchers, I~o a~tend these classes, as ~hey wou]~d be promoted to Patrolman ] when the
~position is vacant. AFter discussion, Councilman Domer moved to authorize Lamb and ~er to t~e the
~course, seconded by Councilman Douglas and carried.
Councilman Hu~t reported that City Occupational ' ~ ~
lzc~n.~e would be due in October 1, 197~ and
letters had been send to each merchant requesting the amount of their stock so that a re-evaluation
of their license cou[Ld be ~eter~ned. He further stated that theco.~t~ ~ of a merchant's license is based
on the amount of stock of :~erchandise according to Ordinance ~ Z, Section 22 and that the cost of
some z~tore o~mers license ~ould triDple since the last evaluation. He reco~ended a study of a more
de~er~n.> the cost should be investigated since ~censes were more a permit than a t~
feasible way of ~ ' ' '~