1976-06-22 Regular 1983'
SECOND REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1976
The City Council of the City of 0keechobee, Florida convened in regular session
in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 0keechobee, Florida, on Tuesday, June 22,
1976, at 7:00 P.M., President Russell V. Domer, presiding. Councilmen Edward
W. Douglas, Lavon Bass and Clif Betts, Jr. were present. Councilman E. H. Hunt
was absent. Others present were: Sandra Bennett, City Clerk; David Conlon,
City Attorney; Edward Chisholm, Chief of Police; John M. Bennett, Water Super-
visor; Olen Godwin, Fire Chief and Richard B. Spray, Building Official.
The invocation was offered by Councilman Douglas.
PUBLIC HEARING
ORDINANCE NO. 271-(116) - REZONING
Pursuant to a public notice published June 3, 1976, the meeting was opened
as a public hearing to consider the request of Charles E. and Myrna D. Farmer to
amend the zoning map by changing the zoning from Agricultural to Industrial on
property described as "Unplated land of City, all that part of N 668.71 ft. of
E ~ of SWt of SEt, Section 15, Township 37 S, Range 35 E. 5.06 Acres., Original
Town of 0keechobee.
No objections were heard or filed.
President Domer read the Ordinance, whereupon Councilman Bass moved the
adoption of Ordinance No. 271-(116) which was seconded by Councilman Betts and
unanimously pass ed.
REZONING ORDINANCE - AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 271 - SECOND READINg
President Domer submitted on second reading by title only, an Ordinance
amending Ordinance No. 271 to amend the zoning from Agricultural to Commercial
for property described as "Beginning 500 ft. S of the NE corner of the SEt of
the NEt of Section 28, Township 37 S of Range 35 E, running thence W 361 ft.,
more or less, to the East line of Parrott Avenue; thence S along said E line of
Parrott Ave. 100 ft.; thence E 36] ft., more or less, to the E boundary line
of Section 28; thence N along said Section line 100 ft. to the Point of Beginning
and being a part of the SEt of the NEt of said Section 28, Township 37S, Range
35 East." Requested by Thelma L. McFarland.
It was moved by Councilman Betts, seconded by Councilman Bass and vote
carried to approve the Ordinance on the second reading.
0KEAIRC0~ INC. CABLE TELEVISION
Attorney Conlon reported that 0keAirCo, Inc. had send a drawing showing the
main lines of construction for the purposed service area as required by Ordinance
No. 384 and had requested a letter from the City of their compliance.
It was moved by Councilman Bass, seconded by Councilman Douglas and vote
carried to send the letter as requested.
ABOLITION OF THE MUNICIPAL COURT
Police Chief Chisholm reported on a meeting with Judge G.E. Bryant, Jr.
and State Attorney, Tony Young, regarding the abolition of the Municipal Court
pursuant to Article V, Section 20 (D) (4) of the Florida Constitution. The
following items were pointed out by Chief Chisholm.
A. If the city transfers the Court before the manditory date of January
l, 1977, action by the Council should be taken by ResolUtion or by an
Ordinance.
B. The City will not issue any warrants.
C. Certified copies of the City Ordinances must be filed at the County
Clerk's office.
POLICE DEPARTMENT - COMMUNICATIONS
Chief Chisholm presented a letter from Robert W. Sutphen, Criminal Justice
Planner for the Central Florida Regional Planning Council regarding a grant to
apply for eight portable radios and one cross band repeater to be able to leave
the 0keechobee Police Department in the UHF radio band pursuant to revising the
Florida County. and Municipal Law Enforcement Communications Plan. In order to
do so, the City will be required to purchase said equipment in the amount of
$13,720.00, with the City paying only 5~ of cost.
The Council approved by voice vote to apply for the grant.
HUMANE DEPARTMENT - TRUCK
President Domer reported at the June 8th meeting the Council approved the
purchase of a repossed truck for the Humane Department for $2,500.00. He stated
through error, $]26.36 interest wasn't included in the price.
It was moved by Councilman Bass, seconded by Councilman Douglas and vote
carried to amend the amount of $2,500.00 agreed on to $2,636.26 for the truck.
BIDS
The City Clerk reported receiving three bids on the 1966 Chevrolet E1
Camino Truck used by the Humane Department
It was moved by Councilman Bass, seconded by Councilman Douglas and vote
carried to accept the highest bid from Jimmy Ewert for $300.00.
EMPLOYEE EVALUATION - FIRE DEPARTMENT
Chief Godwin presented a satisfactory employee performance evaluation on
Fireman Charles Hood and recommended he be hir~ as a permanent employee and his
salary increased to $135.00.
It was moved by Councilman Douglas, seconded by Councilman Bass and vote
carried to increase Hood's salary to $135.00 as a permanent employee.
FIRE HYDRANTS
Chief Godwin requested the fire hydrant in front of the fire station be
repaired.
Attorney Conlon advised that all hydrants out of order be repaired or
replaced immediately as it could result in litigation.
It was moved by Councilman Betts, seconded by Councilman Bass and vote
carried to replace ~r repair all hydrants immediately and report the progress to
the City Council.
AGREEMENT
Charles Farmer and Jim Diamond appeared to submit a contract for the
Councils consideration to store, dismantle, compress~ bail and dispose junked
wrecked or inoperable motor vehicles.
It was agreed for the City Attorney to review the contract and report at
the next meeting.
GROUP LIFE INSURANCE
The City Clerk reported that the City's group insurance plan through
Aetna Life Insurance has increased their rates and requested Council action
on the new rates effective June ], 1976.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilman Betts, seconded by
Councilman Bass and vote carried to advertise for bids on a new insurance
plan using Aetna's plan as specifications.
0KEECHOBEE BEACH WATER ASSOCIATION~ INC.
A letter was read from Leland C. Pearce, President of 0keechobee Beach
Water Association, Inc. requesting a meeting between the City and the Beach
Water Board to discuss the water agreement and new projects.
The Council agreed to contact the Association agreeing to a joint meeting
as soon as a contract is awarded for the new water intake line and plant
improvements.
COUNCIL OF AGING
A letter of appreciation was read from Fra~ Kerce, Project Director's of
the 0keechobee Council of Aging for the $500.00 donation.
HOLIDAY
Councilman Betts moved to designate Monday, July 5, 1976 for the Indepen-
dence Day holiday as July 4th falls on Sunday.
STREET DEPARTMENT - EMPLOYMENT
Councilman Douglas reported that the Street Department was short of help
and requested authorization to interview applicants for employment in the
absence of Director Fortner.
The Council agreed with Councilman Douglas request.
POLICE DEPARTMENT - AIR CONDITIONER AUTHORIZED
Councilman Bass reported a need for a air conditioner in the Police Depart-
manet office and recommended the purchase of a Sears 12,000 B.T.U. for ~559.45.
It was moved by Councilman Bass, seconded by Councilman Betts and vote
carried to authorize the purchase of a Sears Air conditioner in the amount of
$339.45.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, President Domer declared the meeting ad-
journed at ~;30 P.M.
SANDRA M. BENNETT RUSSELL V. DOMER
CITY CLERK PRESIDENT CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF 0KEECHOBEE