1976-07-06 Regular1986
REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, JULY 6, 1976
The City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, convened in regular session
in the Council Chambers at the City Hall, 0keechobee, Florida, Tuesday, July 6,
1976, at 7:00 P.M., President Ru~ell Domer presiding. Councilmen E. H. Hunt,
and Clif Betts, Jr. were present. Councilmen Lavon Bass and Edward W. Douglas
were absent. Others present were: Sandra Bennett, City Clerk; David Conlon,
City Attorney; Edward Chisholm, Chief of Police; John M. Bennett, Water Super-
visor; Richard B. Spray, Building Official and L. C. Fortner, Jr., Director of
Public Works.
The invocation was offered by President Domer.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
President Domer pointed out an error in the February 10, 1976 minutes re-
garding the Fire Chief's request to make the extra room at the back of the new
fire building into a private office instead of a storage room. President Domer
remarked that Chief Godwin was referring to the room adjoining his present
office.
It was moved by Councilman Hunt, seconded by Councilman Betts and vote
carried to approve the minutes of the meetings held February 10th, 24th, March
2nd, 9th, 23rd, April ]3th, 20th and 27th, 1976 as recorded except for corrected
item in the February lOth minutes.
PUBLIC HEARING
ORDINANCE NO. 27] -(117) - REZONING
Pursuant to a public notice published June 17, 1976, the meeting was
opened as a public hearing to consider the request of Thelma L. McFarland to
amend the zoning map by changing the zoning from Agricultural to Commercial on
property described as "Beginning 500 ft. S of the NE corner of the SE¼ of the
NE~ of Section 28, Township 37 S of Range 35E, running thence W 361 fi., more
or less, to the E line of Parrott Ave.; thence S along said E line of Parrott
Ave. 100 ft.; thence E 361 ft., more or less, to the E boundary li~ of Section
28; thence N along said Section line 100 ft. to the Point of Beginning, and
being a part of the SE~ of the NE~ of said Section 28, Township 37 S, Range
35 E." Original Town of 0keechobee.
No objections were heard or filed.
President Domer read the Ordinance, whereupon Councilman Betts moved the
adoption of Ordinance No. 271-(117) which was seconded by Councilman Hunt and
vote carried.
RESOLUTION
President Domer presented the resolution required in order to make
application to State of Florida, Department of Administration, Division of
State Planning, Bureau of Criminal Justice Planning and Assistance beginning
October 1, 1976.
Councilman Betts moved adoption of the resolution which was seconded by
Councilman Hunt and passed unanimously of those present.
LETTER OF .APPRECIATION TO POLICE DEPARTMENT
A letter was read from the School ~us Drivers to Police Chief Chisholm,
giving special thanks to the Police Department for their help in directing
traffic during the school year.
RESIGNATION - POLICE DEPARTMENT
A letter of resignation from Jon Rucks was presented by Chief Chisholm
to the Council effective June 25, 1976.
It was moved by Councilman Hunt, seconded by Councilman Betts and vote
carried to accept Patrolman's Rucks resignation.
REZONING ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 27] - INTRODUCTORY AND FIRST READING
President Domer presented on first reading amended Ordinance rezoning
from Residential (R-I) to Commercial for property described as First Addition
to the City of 0keechobee, Lots ]0,11 and 12, Block 220. Requested by George
Markham.
Attorney Conlon recommended the Council request verification of ownership
from Mr. Markham before advertising as the property presently in in estate.
After discussion, Councilman Betts moved to approve the Ordinance on first
reading and notice of a public hearing be advertised after clarification of
ownership is submitted and he has authority to rezone the property~ seconded by
Councilman Hunt and passed unanimously.
EASEMENT AGREEMENT - TELEPHONE COMPANY
Attorney Conlon presented the Lease Agreement between the City of 0keechobee
and the United Telephone Company of Florida which gives permission for the Tele-
phone Company the right to use the alley way in Block 69 for parking and storage.
Councilman Betts moved that the Mayor sign the lease agTeement for recording
which was seconded by Councilman Hunt and passed unanimously of those present.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING ACT
President Domer read a letter from R.G. Whittle, Jr., Director of the
State of Florida, Department of Administration, Division of State PlarLning
granting an extension to the City until July ], 1977 for designating a local
planning agency pursuant to the Local Government Comprehensive Planning Act.
A letter was also read from Ernest R. Bartley, Consultant - Urban Planning
and Zoning of Gainesville, Florida. Mr. Bartley set out in his letter a contract
for the performance of drafting a zoning ordinance and the Comprehensive
Planning Act.
The Council ordered the letter filed for future reference.
SPECIFICATIONS AND ADVERTISING APPROVED ON HUMANE TRUCE
President Domer reported that at the June 22nd meeting, Mr. Jimmy Ewert
had been awarded the bid on purchasing the Chevrolet E1 Camino Humane Department
truck for SDO0.O0 but had rejected the purchase after being informed.
The City Clerk submitted specifications on the Chevrolet to be placed out
on bids a~ain and requiring a $100.00 deposit with each bid as advised by City
Attorney Conlon.
It was moved by Councilman Hunt, seconded by Councilman Betts and vote
carried to advertise for bids to be opened August 10, 1967 City Council meeting.
SPECIFICATIONS AND ADVERTISING APPROVED ON INSURANCE GROUP PLAN
President Domer presented a notice to Insurance Companys and specifications
to bid on group insurance for the City to be opened August 10, 1976 at 7:00 P.M.
It was moved by Councilman Betts, seconded by Councilman Hunt and vote
carried to approve Specifications and advertising.
FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET FOR COUNTY 1976-77
President Domer presented the Council with the requested fire budget for
0keechobee County for the year 1976-1977 for'gheir consideration.
The Council approved of the budget request and letter upon voice vote
from the members present.
AIR CONDITIONER - POLICE DEPARTMENT
President Domer reported that at the June 22, 1976 meeting, the City Council
approved the purchase of a 12,O00 B.T.U. air conditioner from Sears. He stated
that the price was $364.88 instead of $339.45 as recorded in the minutes.
It was moved by Councilman Betts, seconded by Councilman Hunt and vote
carried that the minutes of June 22nd be amended to reflect the difference
in price.
AGREEMENT
The City Clerk presented an agreement for professional services from Robert
E. Owen & Associates, Inc. for preparing maps for the City.
Councilman Betts moved that President Domer sign the a~reament which was
seconded by Councilman Hunt and passed unanimously.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Chief Chisholm submitted the Police Department Activity monthly report for
the month of June, 1976 and the feed bill report .
EMPLOYEE APPLICATION - POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chief Chisholm presented an employee application on Jesse Zollie Aldridge
for Police Officer and recommended he be hired on a six months probation period.
Chief Chisholm reported that he would have to get a ]20 day waiver from the
State until he was certified.
It was moved by Councilman Hunt, seconded by Councilman Betts and vote
carried to employ Aldridge on a six months probationary pariod.
EMPLOYEE EVALUATION - POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chief Chisholm submitted a satisfactory employee six months performance
evaluation on Sergeant Stafford and recommended the Council approve Staffords
rank of Sergeant permanently.
It was moved by Councilman Betts, seconded by Councilman Hunt and vote
carried to approve Staffords rank of Sergeant permanently.
EMPLOYEE EVALUATION - POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chief Chisholm also presented a satisfactory employee performance evaluation 'i
1989
on Patrolman Bruce M. Triolo and reported that he had completed his six months
probationary period. Chief Chisholm recommended he be advanced to Patrolman
It was moved by Councilman Betts~ seconded by Councilman Hunt and vote
carried to promote Triolo to Patrolman ]] with increase in salary.
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
The Fire Department report for the month of June 1976 was submitted.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT - PURCHASE OF CODE BOOKS
Building Official Spray requested authorization to order Standard Fire
Prevention Code Books from Southern Building Code Congress Internationsl, Inc.
for the Councils consideration for adoption.
It was moved by Councilman Betts, seconded by Councilman Hunt and vote
carried to authorize one book for study.
EMPLOYEE LEAVE OF ABSENCE - STREET DEPARTMENT
Director Fortner reported that Forest Gainer, Back Hoe Operator in the
Street Department, was unable to work due to medical reasons not relating to
his work. He inquired what procedure to take as he is short of help in the
Department.
After discussion, the Council agreed for Director Fortner to hire another
person and put Gainer on a medical leave of absence.
FIRE HYDRANTS
John Bennett~ Water Supervisor, reported that all fire hydrants have been
repaired.a~d/or r~placed but two, which they will repair within the week.
DISBURSEMENTS
Vouchers on the following dunds were approved:
General Fund $ 23,338.29
Water & Sewer 0per. & M~int. Fund 16,870.2]
Water & Sewer Revenue Fund 108,0~8.30
Water & Sewer System Rev. Fund ~,97~.98
I & S Refunding Bonds Fund 25,787.50
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was Rdjourned ~t 9:~0 -P].M.
~USSEL~ V. DOMER
PRESIDENT CITY COUNCIL
SANDRA M. BENNETT
CITY CLERK