1977-07-12 Regular 2129
FIRST REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY~ ~ULY 12~ 1977
The City Council of the City of 0keechobee, Flprida, convened in regular
session in the Council Chambers at the City Hall, Okeechobee, Florida, at 7:00
P.M., on ~uesday, Ju~¥ 12, 1977.
President Russell V. Domer presiding.
Councilmen Jim Knight, Edward W. Douglas, Lytle Raulerson and Lavon Bass
were present.
Others present were: Sandra Bennett, City Clerk; David Conlon, City At-
torney; Larry Mobley, Acting Chief of Police; L.C. For~ner, Director of Public
Works; Olen Godwin, Fire Chief; Audley Dunham, Mayor and Sylvia Christian, Deputy
C ~
The invocation was offered by Councilman Edward Wo Douglas.
REZONING- FINLEY
City Clerk Bennett re-submitted a rezoning application from Frank Finley on
Lots i and 7, Block 46, First Addition to South 0keechobee.
President Domer inquired of Mr. Finley if the prpperty was current~r~ybeing
used as Commercial.
Mr. Finley stated that the building was being used as an.' Attorney's office
nOW.
Attorney Conlon stated that he had met with Attorney Beasley. It was pointed
out in the Charter that a Doctor may have an office in a Residential area, and
Attorney Beasley produced a copy of his Doctor's degree.
Councilman Douglas moved to instruct the Clerk to proceed with notification
to the owner and to advertise public hearings, seconded WY Councilman Bass, motion
carried.
CITY CHECKING ACCOUNTS - RESOLUTION
Mr. Haynes Williams, Chairm~n of Commercial Bank and Mr. John Pullen, Presid,
of Commercial Bank, appeared before the Council request~m~gthe City to open some
accounts with the Commercial Bank.
President Domer informed Mr. Williams that the City has purchased checks to
last until January, 1978.
Mr. Williams stated that the Commercial Bank Would be agreeable to purchase
the blank check for the switch over.
Follwwing discussion Attorney Conlon worded a Resolution as follows:
Be it resolved ~athe City Council of the City Council of Okeechobee that
with the commencement of the 1977-1978 Budget Year all funds for deposit upon the
demand account of the General Fund of the City of 0keechobee shall be deposited
with the Commercial Bank of 0keechobee.
It was moved by Councilman Bass to adopt a Resolution transferring General
Fund to be deposited into the Commercial Bank of 0keechobee, seconded by Council-
man Raulerson motion carried.
2130
BEACHWATER~,CO~RACT ~,
Attorney Conlon read agreement between 0keechobee Beachwater Association
and the City of 0keechobee.
Councilman Raulerson moved to approve(lcontract as amended and designated
President Domer to execute document, seconded by Councilman Bass motion carried.
Attorney Conlon stated for the Clerk to send copies of contract to Beach
water Association for their approval~~
OPENING 0KEECHOBEE AVENUE
Attorney Conlon reported on the progress of opening that part of 0keechobee
Avenue lying west of block 164, south of south park street and nor~h~ of seventh
street, owned by James Nemec.
Attorney Conlon requested authorization to have Tom Miller do an abstract
document on this piece of property back to 1964 when Markham purchased the
property. Attorney Conlon stated that he needed to see these records to kmow if
the City could file suit. If the records show that the City can fil~ suit
Attorney Conlon will proceed with the legalities.
President Domer stated that if there was a suit filed on this piece of pro-
perty it would cease the possibility of the prpperty being sold.
Following discuasion, Councilman Douglas moved to authorize Attorney Conlon
to have an abstract document drawn up by Tom Miller, seconded by Councilman
Bass motion carried.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Acting Pblice Chief, Larry Mobley, presented the following items for dis-
cussion or approval:
1. MONTHLY REPORT
Acting Chief Mobley submitted the Police Department activity report for the
month of June, 1977.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Fire Chief, 0ten Godwin, submitted the following items ~or discusaion~-or
approval:
1. MONTHLY REPORT
Fire Chief Olen Godwin submitted the Fire Department Report for the month
of June, 1977.
2. EMPLOYEE EVALUATION - FIRE
An employment evaluation on H. Jodith Rhymes, Fire Department, was submitted
by Fire Chief ~odwin for the Councils approval. He recommended that he be
granted a $10 dollar a week pay increase as he has completed his six months
probation period.
It was moved by Councilman Raulerson to grant $10 dollar pay increase to
Fireman Rhymes, seconded by Councilman Bass motion carried.
EMPLOYEE EVALUATION - FIRE
An employment evaluation on Richard D. Whitten~ Fire Department, was sub-
mitred by Fire Chief Godwin f6r the Councils approval. He recommended that he
be granted a $10 dollar a week pay increase as he has completed his six months
probation period.
It was moved by Councilman Raulerson to ~rant $10 dollar pay increase to
Firmm~n Whitten~ seconded by CouncilmaniTiBass motion carried.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT
Building Official, Richard Spray, submitted the Building Department quarterly
report.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes of the meetings held May 10, 12, 17, 24, 26, June 2 and 7, 1977 were
approved upon a motion by Councilman Douglas, seconded by Councilman Bass
carried.
CITY CLERK
City Clerk, Sandra Bennett~ submitted the following items for discussion:
1. ANTI - RECESSION FUNDS
Clerk Bennett reported on receiving $51,084.00 dollars as of J~ly 7, 1977,
and allocated $15,502.66. These funds must be ~dcated within six months.
Following discussion~ Councilman Knight moved to authorize Director Fortner
to make a list of items needed for allocation in the S~e~ Department, seconded
by Councilman Raulerson motion carried.
2. REZONING APPLICATION
Clerk Bennett, presented a rezoning application from George Pickering, re-
questing the Council to rezone the North 132 feet of the North West ~ of South
West ~ of South East ~ of Section 22, Township 37 South, Range 35 East, Original
Town of 0keechobee, from Agricultural~to Residential (R-l).
Councilman Raulerson moved to instruct the Clerk to proceed with notification
to the owner and to advertise public hearings, seconded by Councilman Douglas
motion carried.
3. BUDGET MEETING
Clerk Bennett infOrmed the Council of the first budget session to be held
at 7:00 P.M. on July 19th, 1977.
Council approved.
ANIMAL NUISANCE
Mayor Dunham reported on horse nuisance at 501 North East 3rd Avenue.
FolloWing a lengthy discussion~ Attorney Conlon suggested that the Council
have the owner file a complaint with the Police Department~
TRAFFICE MEDIAN
Councilman Knight ~re~ted.o~, receiving a complaint from Mr. Ernest Evans
~garding traffic going into the median over in east 0keechobee Estates.
Following a lengthy discussion, no action was taken.
2132
~ATER~ SEWER AND STREET DEPARTMENTS
L. EMPLOYEE APLICATION - STREET DEPARTMENT
Director Fortner submitted an employment application from Herbert C. Rewis --~
for employment in the Street Department.
Councilman Knight moved to employ Rewis, seconded by Councilman Bass m~i~nn
carried.
MICR0~ILM VIEWER
Councilman Raulerson reported on receiving a request for a microfilm viewer
for the Building Department at approximately $135 dollars.
Councilman Raulerson moved to purchase microfilm viewer, seconded by Council-
man Bass motion carried.
MICROFILMING CITY RECORDS
Councilman Raulerson reported that the State will furnish services for micro-
filming City Records.
Following further discussion the Council a~thorized Councilman Rmulerson to
investigate and report back.
DISBURSEMENTS
Vouchers on the following funds were approved:
General Fund $ 24,656.82
Water & Sewer Operation & Maintenance Fund $ 55,256.~2
I & S Refunding Bonds Fund $ 25,412.65
Water & Sewer Revenue Fund $221,185.01
Water & Sewer System Revenue Fund $ 3,886.88
Federal Revenue Sharing Trust Fund $ 53,219.~8
Cigarette Tax Fund $250,000.00
Federal Revenue Sharing Anti-Reesssion Fund $ 11,600.25
ADJOURNMENT
There being no furtner business the meeting recessed at 9:30 P.M. until
July 19, 1977 for Budget Session.
Russell V. Domer
Presi4ent City Council
City of Okeechobee
ATTE ST:
Sandra Bennett
City Clerk
City of 0keechobee