1978-06-27 Regular 2291 .
SECOND REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY~ JUNE 27, 1978
The City Council of the City of 0keechobee, Florida, convened in
Regular Session in the Council Chambers at the City Hall, Okeechobee,
Florida at 7:00 P.M., ~uesday, June 27, 1978.
President Russell V. Domer presiding.
Councilmen Lavon Bass, Edward W. Douglas, Jim Knight and Lytle
Raulerson were present.
Others present were: Audley Dunham, Mayor; David Conlon, City
Attorney; L. C. Fortner, Jr., Director of Public Works; E. H. Reutebuch,
Assistant Fire Chief; Richard B. Spray, Building Official; and Sylvia
Christian, Acting City Clerk.
The Invocation was offered by Councilman Edward W. Douglas.
LOT SIZE VARIANCE
Mr. Jack Butts appeared before the Council requesting a written
variance on his lot 5 block 3, 0keechobee Heights, which is only 76
feet wide and ll7 feet deep.
President Domer questioned Mr. Butts if he was ready to build on this
lot now.
Mr. Butts stated that he is ready to start construction.
President Domer informed that a variance can be issued.
Following discussion Councilman Raulerson moved to make a variance on
Lot 5, Block 3, seconded by Councilman Douglas and vote carried.
Attorney Conlon to prepare a Resolution.
0KEECHOBEE COUNTY LIBRARY
Mr. Buddy Arrants appeared before the Council requesting $11,500 dollars
for their budget figure in the 0keechobee County Library.
President Domer questioned if grants had been looked into?
Mrs. Rhea Hunt stated that $10,000 dollars was needed annually to
pay a certified librarian or they would not be eligible for any state
aid or grants.
The Annual State Aid Grants are based on a proration formula which
fluctuates greatly from year to year.
Attorney Conlon stated if the County is to pay $44,046.24 and the
City $11,500 then it would be double taxation. It is a County owned
Library.
President Domer stated no decision could be made until after Budget
Sessions begin.
L. P. S.ANITATION
President Domer informed Mr. Jay Huffman that hr had received no
complaints on the garbage pick up but there were many complaints on trash
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pick-up. Council informed Mr. Huffman the situation must improve.
Mr. Huffman asked the Council if they would notify him when they
receive a complaint?
AVENUE OPENING REQUEST
President Domer asked Director Fortner for the status on the
avenue near ~ohnnie Boromei residence.
Director Fortner informed the Council the records had been searched
from 1915 to 1940 and there is no record of 4th Avenue from 2nd to 3rd
Street being closed.
President Domer stated he saw no need to open this Avenue at this
time.
President Domer asked for a motion not to open this Avenue.
Director Fortner stated the Street had never been closed, the only
thing needed is fill dirt.
FIRE HYDRANT
Attorney Conlon informed the Council he had the accident report on
the fire hydrant. The driver was a man's 17 year old son who was driving
the car with no insurance. Attorney Conlon stated his Certified letter
had been refused.
Attorney Conlon stated if the Council wanted to file suit the owner
of the car would have to pay all court cost and Attorney fees.
Following discussion Councilman Douglas moved to authorize Attorney
Conlon to file suit, seconded by Councilman Knight and vote carried.
OPENING OKEECHOBEE AVENUE - NEMEC
Attorney Conlon requested authorization to file a complaint for dec-
laratory lien against James Nemec and the public at la~ge to declare City
rights in the Street that was closed in 1940.
President Domer stated that block of Street would be worth a lot
to the future to open that Avenue.
Following discussion Councilman Bass moved to authorize Attorney
Conlon to file complaint for declaratory relief to open 7th Avenue over
the property now claimed by James Nemec, seconded by Councilman Raulerson
and vote carried.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT
Building Official Spray requested permission to use the $500 dollars
left in his budget to clean the property where the old Lightsey Fish
House was condemend in 1972.
Building Official Spray and Attorney Conlon to meet and discuss.
Following discussion Councilman Raulerson made a mot~n to authorize
Building Official Spray to clean lots in the City, seconded by Councilman
Bass and vote carried.
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WATER~ SEWER AND STREET DEPARTMENTS
1. ANNUAL REPORT
Director Fortner submitted the annual report for the Water~ Sewer and
Street Departments.
2. GUARANTY BLUEPRINTER.S~ INC.
Director Fortner submitted a letter from Ronald Turner, Guaranty
Blueprinters, Inc. informing him a price of $2,700 dollars to have the
City records microfilmed.
Following disoussion Councilman Knight moved to authorize Director
Fortner to loeate and rent micro film machine and hire individual to do
work, seconded by Councilman Bass and vote carried.
3. EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION - WATER
Director Fortner submitted an employment application for Billie Wayne
McKnight for Water Plant Operator for the Councils approval.
Councilman Douglas moved to employ McKnight on a six months probation
period with starting salary at $7,500 per year, seconded by Councilman
Bass and vote carried.
%. FILL DIRT
Director Fortner submitted two prices on moving the pile of dirt in
back of City Hall.
Paul Gray $1,240
Rock-A-Way - 50¢ per yard - $500
Council requested Director Fortner to hire Roo~-A-Way to move fil~
dirt ~o South East 4th Avenue.
GtTY CLERK
1. 24" WATERWORKS IMPROVEMENTS TRANSMISSION LINE - EDA - LPW - PAYMENT
REQUEST NUMBER 6
Acting Clerk Christian requested authorization to confirm payment to
LaGrow Irrigation in the amount of Seventeen Thousand Tw~ Hundred Sixty-
Two and 12/lO0 (17,262.12) for estimate No. #6.
Councilman Douglas moved to authorize payment No. #6 to LaGrow Irrigation
in the amount of Seventeen Thousand Two Hundred SixtY-Two and 12/100
(17,262.12), seconded by Councilman Knight and vote carried.
2. EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION - WATER
Acting Clerk Christian requested authorization to hire a girl to type
meter sheets.
An application was submitted from Shannon Dale Thomas
'
Following discussion Councilman Douglas moved to hire Shannon Dale
Thomas to type meter sheets, secon4ed by Councilman Raulerson and vote
carried.
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CLOSE STREET
Mayor Dunham informed the Council the CB Club wanted permission to
close 5th Avenue between North and South Park Street for a Street dance.
The Council refused for 5th Avenue to be closed for a dance because
of traffic hazard, but they would approve to close 4th Avenue.
Mayor Ih/rd/am to contact CB Club and advise them they can not close
5th Avenue, but they can close %th Avenue.
STOP SIGNS
Councilman Knight requested for relocation of some stop signs in
0keechobee Estates. He would like a stop sign to stop northbound traffic
on 9th Drive, eastbound traffic on 9th Street the West Side of 9th Avenue
and make 9th Avenue a through Street.
Councilman Knight and Attorney Uonlon to meet and discuss.
RESIGNATION - CHAIRMAN OF THE CITY COUNCII,
President Domer submitted his resignation from the City Council with
the effective date November 21, 1978. He stated that this is in con-
formance with the State Election Laws, as he will be a candidate for the
County Commission in this year's election.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, President Domer declared the meeting
Recessed at 9:45 P.M.
Russell's. Domer
President City Council,
City of Okeechobee
ATTEST:
S~via Christian
A'~ting City Clerk
City of Okeechobee