1976-03-23 RegularSecond Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 23, 1976
The City Council of the City of 0keechobee, Florida, convened in regular
session this 23rd day of March, 1976 at 7:00 P.M. at the City Hall, 0keechobee,
Florida, President Russell V. Domer presiding. Councilmen E. H. Hunt, Edward
W. Douglas, Lavon Bass and Clif Betts, Jr. and Mayor Audley DuD_ham were present.
Others present were: Sandra B~nnett, City Clerk; David Conlon, City Attorney;
Edward Chisholm, Police Chief; 01en Godwin, Fire Chief; L. C. Fortner, Jr,
Director of Public Works and Richard B. Spray, Building Official.
CHARTER BUS STATION ~EB~4I~IREQUEST
Mr. Eri~ Annett appeared requesting a permit to operate a charter bus
station in Okeechobee and requested the City Council represent his application
at a public hearing at the City Hall in Sebring April 6, 1976 at 9:30 A.M.
Mr. Jack Coker and Mr. Herb Nix both voiced their approval of the service
and recommended the Council seriously consider Mr. Annette's request.
The Council agreed to represent Mr. Annett's application and appointed
Councilmen Hunt and Bass to attent.
WATER LINE EXTENSION
Mr. Jack Coker appeared representing Mr. Bob Bell of Bell Corstruction
Company of West Palm Beach who has purchased the Oak Lake Apartments complex
and adjoining land at Eagle Bay Drive and Wolff Road. He explained that Mr.
Bell is in process of clearing the property west of the apartments to con-
struct a 48 unit subdivision and presented plans to ~mplement his project.
He stated that he wanted to assure the Council that the County Engineer had
drawn plans to be sure the water supply is put in adequately and that the
Health Department will be contacted,
Presiden~ Domer stated that the City's Engineers should look at the plans
before the water lines are installed to be sure they conform to the standards
of the City's water system.
REZONING ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 271 -(First Reading)
Mr. Herb Nix appeared presenting a~rezoning application from Mr. T.H. Nix
requesting that Lots 3, 4, 5 and 6, Block 183, Original Town of 0keechobee
from Residential (R-D) to Commercial for the purpose of leasing the property
to 0kee Glass and Window Company and Lind~'s Ceramics.
It was moved by Councilman Douglas, seconded by Councilman Bass and vote
carried that a notice be published in the paper advertising a public hearing
for the rezoning of said property.
9RDIN~CE.'.NU~ER 382 - ~~)~~j~D FIRST READING
Agtorhe~?0'onlon read Ordinance No. 382 for the ~o~d reading which
abolishes Ordinance No. 318 and amends Ordinance No. 315 by abolosh Section D
Being an Ordinance permitting House Trailers in any zoning district on a
temporary basis up to six months duration in hardship cases.
Ordinance No. 382 was declared read for the first time upon a motion by
Councilman Hunt, seconded by Councilman Dog~as and vote carried.
1957
RESOLUT~0N REGARDING TRANSFER OF MUNiCiPAL COURTS DISCUSSED
Adoptin~ a Resolution to be send to Governor Aske~ and the Legislature re-
questing support for the enactment of a repeal of Article V, Section 20(D)(~) of
the Florida Constitution permitting the continued existence of municipal courts
was discussed. President Domer read a resolution that Boynton Beach had adopted
and suggested that if the City of 0keechobee adopted a similar resolution~ a
clause should be included whereby the cities be required to have legally trained
people to serve as municipal judges.
Mayor Dunham remarked that he felt that if there was~a duly trained person
as judge, it would be approved by the people.
Following discussion, the Council agreed to direct Attorney Conlon to draw
up a resolution requesting support for the enactment of a r~epeal 9f Article V,
includin~ a cluse to have legally triced people to serve as judge.
CITY LICENSE REQUEST
An application for a city occupational license was read from Mr. Gary D.
~ri~ht from Jensen Beach to peddle tapes at the corner of S.E. 5th Street and
Parrott Ave. on Mondays.
Attorney Conlon was asked to report. He informed the Council that the City
can't refuse to sell a license ~to anyone that applies, unless they have a
criminal background. He stated that City Ordinance list list peddlers at large
for ~187.50 which would apply to Mr. Wrights request.
Mayor Dunham reported receivin~ complaints from merchants regardin~ Mr.
Wright sellin~ these tapes.
Councilman Betts suggested the Clerk be directed to require applicants
show pro6~ of purchase of State and County license.
After much ~iscussion, the Council directed the Clerk to sell Mr. Wright
a peddlers license for $]87.50.
EMPLOYEE APPLICATION - PO~I~E DEPT.
Police Chief Chisholm presented an application for employment from Riley E.
Tomlinson for Policeman and recommended the Council confirm his employment for
a six months probation as Patrolman ].
Councilman Bass moved to confirm the ~mployment of Tomlinson as of March 17,
1976 for a six months probation period, seconded by Councilman Betts and vote
carried.
EMERGENCY GENERATOR - POLICE DEPT.
Chief Chisholm reported that the estimated cost to connect the emergency
~enerator~ donated by Mr. Kauffman, was $~50.00. He stated that the ~enerator
would be used by the the Police Department only for lichts and radio. The cement
platform would cost $50.00.
It was moved by Councilman Bass, seconded by Councilman Betts and vote
carried to authorize the concrete platform be constructed and the generator
moved to the City Hall.
958
NOTARY COMMISSION AUTHORIZED
Chief Chisholm informed the Council that Mr. Patch, Juvenile Authority,
had contacted him regarding the Supreme Court rulling that all Juveniles send --~
to the detention center by any Police agencies are required to have a detention
hearing within 24 hours. The City's detention area is in Fort Pierce. He
stated that to keep from having to send the officers there to the hearing, they
will accept a sworn affidavit showing proper cause why the juvenile is being
detained. The Police Department has only one notary and he recommended two
more officers be authorized to apply which will cost $35.50 for four years per
person.
It was moved by Councilman Bass, seconded by Councilman Betts and vote
carried to authorize two officers and the City Clerk to apply for notary
commission.
EMERGENCY FIRE PHONE AT HOSPITAL
Fire Chief Godwin ~epQ~ted receiving a letter from the United Telephone
Company informing him of a change in the rates on the emergency line between
the ambulance service and Fire Department. New rates are installation charges
$60.00 and monthly service of $7.75. Chief Godwin stated that the hospital
still agreed to pay half the cost.
It was moved by Councilman Bass, seconded by Councilman Douglas and vote
carried to approve the additional cost with the hospital paying half the cost.
EMPLOYEE EVALUATION - FIRE DEPARTMENT
Chief Godwin presented an employee evaluation on Bobby Dean, Fireman First
Class and recommended he be promoted to AssisCanB. 5 Fire Chief. He stated that
there has never been an official appointment to Assistant Fire Chief to his
knowledge and in the past when there were only two men in<. 'the Fire Department,
it was assumed that the second man be Assis¢&n~¢ and recommended that Bobby
Dean be official declared Assis~m~i.
Councilman Betts s~ate~. ~hat he remembered making a motion appointing
Edmond Reutebuch as Assistant Fire Chief after he was elected as City Council.
The Council agreed to table action and directed the Clerk to research the
minutes for any action taken appointing Reutebuch as Assistant Fire Chief.
ADVERTISING FOR BIDS ON SCHOOL WATER LINE APPROVED
Director Fortner reported that Engineers,Robert E. Owen & Associates, Inc.,
had requested the Council set a date to receive bids for the water line to the
new middle school and to authorize the advertising of the bids. A tentative
date of April 27 was recommended by the Engineers. Director Fortner stated that
the specifications require the contractor to have a firm price for sixty days,
this will give the Council and the School Board time for approval.
It was moved by Councilman Hunt, seconded by Councilman Bass and vote
carried to authDrize the specifications drawn up and approved April 27th as
the date for opening the bids.
1959
EAS~V[ENTS ON
President Domer stated that Attorney Conlon recommended the City offer to all
the property owners along 441 to bring their abstract in and the City will up-
date them for an easement on their property to install water mains.
I~ was moved by Councilman Hunt, seconded by Councilman Douglas and ~ote
carried to authorize Attorney Conlon to contact the property owners informing
them if they will bring their abstracts in, the City will update them in exchange
for the easmment.
EMPLOYEE APPLICATION - WATER DEPT
Application for employmemt from Joseph Stanley for Water plant operator
was presented by Director Fortner.
It was moved by Councilman Hunt, seconded by Councilman Bass and vote carried
to employ Joseph Stanley as a water plant operator for a six months probation
period.
RIVERBEND MOBILE HOME PARK - REQUEST FOR NO CONFLICT LETTER ON SEWER PLANT
President Domer reported that Mr. Gordon Leggett was in the process of
having a waste water treatment plant constructed at the Riverbend Mobile Home
Park but needed a no conflict with future planning statement from the Council
to their Engineers. He read a letter that had been written for the Councils
approval.
It was moved by Councilman Hunt, seconded by Councilman Bass and vote
carried to approve the letter as read.
JAIL MATTRESSES
President Domer informed the Council that pursuant to Governor Askew's
notification of fire safety of institutional mattress the City has to purchase
twelve fire resistence mattresses at $33.40 each.
It was moved by Councilman Bass, seconded by Councilman Betts and vote
carried to authorize the purchase of twelve mattresses for $482.00.
CABLEVISION
President Domer reported Mr. Sam Marion, Vice President of UltraCom had
contacted him requesting the City to lease 440 feet of land behind the water
plant to place the tower for a ten year lease at $50.00 a month.
Following discussion, the Council agreed to deny the request, and directed
Attorney Conlon to contact County Attorney Hendry regarding the amendment of
UltraCom's franchise ordinance.
MERIT SALARIES INCREASE
Councilman Douglas spoke in favor of granting the employees the incentive
raise of $~00.00 less $40.00 for disability insurance, on recommendation of the
Department Heads, to be retroactive to April 1, 1976. He suggested each
Department Head to present an evaluation on each employee at the April
meeting.
The Council agreed with Councilman Douglas recommendation.
1960
!
ADJOURN~ENT
There being no further business, President Domer declared the meeting
adjourned.
RUSSELL V. DOMER
,, PRESIDENT CITY COUNCIL
~ 2/~/~/~,~~/ __~ CITY 0F 0KEECHOBEE
ATTEST: ~- ] .~Z ~
SANDRA M. BENNETT
CITY CLERK
Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 13, 1976
The City Council of the City of 0keechobee Florida, convened in regular
session in the Council room at City Hall, 0keechobee, Florida, on Tuesday,
April 13, 1976 at 7:00 P.M., President Russell V. Domer presiding. Councilmen
E. H. Hunt, Edward W. Douglas, Lavon Bass and Clif Betts, Jr. were present.
Others present were: Sandra M. Bennett, City Clerk; David Conlon, City Attorney;
L. C. Fortner, Jr., Director of Public Works; Edward Chisholm, Chief of Police;
01eh Godwin, Fire Chief and Richard B. Spray, Building Official.
The invocation was offered by Councilman Douglas.
Volunteer Firemen - Telephones %
A contract from the United Telephone Company for additional three lines to
be added to the existing fire reporting equipment was presented for Council3~s
consideration.
Attorney Conlon stated that the contract includes an indemnification agree-
ment and questioned if the ~ity has to sign this a~reement to ~et the phone
service and if the City has signed an indemnification agreement in the past.
It was a~reed that the City Attorney should research the matter and report
at the next Council meeting.
FIRE DEPARTMENT - WALKIE TALKIES
Fire Chief Godwin requested authorization to modify the two Motorola
walkie talkies to be able to use converters as they are continually using
batteries.
It was a~reed to deny the request as it wouldn't be feasible to spend the -----
funds to modify the ole walkie talkies when new ones will have to purchased in
the near future, i
STATE FIREMEN CONVENTION
Chief Godwin requested authorization to attend the State Firemens Conven-
tion in Tallahassee May 5 through May 8, 1976. i
It was moved by Councilman Betts, seconded by Councilman Bass and vote
carried that authorization be granted for Chief Godwin to attend the convention.