Loading...
1978-07-11 Regular229§ ADGOURNMENT There being no further business, President Domer declared the meeting adjourned at 8:15 P.M. President City Council City of Okeechobee ATTEST: S~via Christian Acting City Clerk City of 0keechobee FIRST REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY~ JULY 11~ 197'8 The City Council of the City of 0keechobee, Florida, convened in Regular Session in the Council Chambers at the City Hall, 0keechobee, Florida, at 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, July 11, 1978. ~ President Russell V. Domer presiding. Councilmen Lavon Bass, Edward W. Douglas and Lytle Raulerson were present. Councilman Jim Knight was absent. Others present were: Audley Dunham, Mayor; David Conlon, City Attorney; L. C. Fortner, Director of Public Works; Larry Mobley, Police Chief; E.H. Reutebuch, Assistant Fire Chief; Sylvia Christian, Acting City Clerk and Lola Parker, Deputy Clerk. The Invocation was offered by Co~ucilman Edward W. Douglas. COUNCIL ON AGING Erna J. Barnes, appeared before the Council to submit a request of $1,200 to be allocated in the 1978-1979 Budget of the City of 0keechobee. The Council informed Ms. Barnes that her request would be given every consideration when Budget Session start. WATERWORKS IMPROVEMENTS - RESERVOIR ADDITION - CONTRACT NO. 77-1151 Attorney Conlon informed the Council the contractor on the clearwell had not furnished a bond, and it has been a month since bids were accepted. He stated the contractor had approached Director Fortner and informed him --~ that he was having problems with his insurance company and he wondered if the City would accept a first mort$$ge or some type lien on some acreage he owns in Highlands County. The property is supp~se to be well worth the amount of his contract amount of what his bond would he which is $250,000. Attorney Conlon advised Director Fortner this could not be 2297 done because it would take a certain amount of time and expense in determining if in fact he did own this property and it is free and clear and what incumberances there might be which would entail ordering an abstract. The properSy is now up for sale. Director Fortner felt if the property was sold the money could be put in a trust. The Attorney stated the Broker would object to his share being put in a trust. Attorney Conlon stated with all the legal problems of trying to ~et a man secure his own guarantee the Council could not let this stretch out that long. He recommended to advise the contractor it has been thirty days since he was awarded the contract and has not been entered into yet. The fact he has a dispute with his insurance agency over a credit he owes him from the last time he got a bond is not the City's problem. Director Fortner informed that the contractor has resolved his bond and issue, he did get a bond from the Company. He was made aware that the performance bond he had to supply with his bid was 5~ of the contract amount which is $12,000. The bonding Company could be made to give the City that amount and all bids could be cancelled and re-advertised. The Bill Bond was straightened out and carried to the Engineers office and it was on the wrong form, but it had been signed and sealed. Not acceptable to the Engineer. They are to aquire correct form, get it filled out and returned to the Engineer by the end of the week. The contract has been signed and the Engineer is holding it until the proper form is supplied. Attorney Conlon stated a time limit should be set. Following a lengthy discussion Councilman Raulerson moved for the contractor to have his bond and contract ready to be signed no later than 5:00 P.M., Tuesday, July 18, 1978, seconded by Councilman Bass and vote carried. Councilman Bass moved to instruct Attorney if the contractor does not comply with the above request the contract will be terminated by failure to perform, seconded by Councilman Raulerson and vote carried. BUILDING DEPARTMENT Building Official Spray submitted the following items ~or discussion or aDproval: 1. QUARTERLY REPORT Building Official Spray submitted the Building Department Quarterly Report for the months of April, May and June, 1978. 2. BOARD 0F ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS Building Official Spray informed the Council that Ira Sheppard, Plumbing Contractor has resigned from the Board of Adjustments. He submitted two qualified persons: L. C. Fortner, Sr. and Gene Daniels. Building Official Spray recommended L. C. Fortner, Sr. Following discussion Councilman Raulerson moved to appoint L. C. Fortner, Sr. to serve the unexpired term of Ira Sheppard on the Board of Adjustments and Appeals, seconded by Councilman Bass and vote carried. POLICE DEPARTMENT --~ 1. MONTML¥ REPORT Chief Mobley submitted the Police Department Activity Report for the month of June, 1978. 2. EMPLOYEE EVALUATION - POLICE Chief Mobley submitted an end of probation on Lieutenant Phillip Purvis. He recommended that Purvis be considered permanent in the pomition of Lieutenant with a $725 probation increase bringing his total salary to $12,700 per year. The Council requested that he just be made Lieutenant and not perm- anent Lieutenant. Followiz~g discussion Councilman Raulerson moved to increase Purvis to $12,700 per year and put him in position of Lieutenant, seconded by Councilman Bass and vote carried. 3. EMPLOYEE EVALUATION - POLICE Chief Mobley submitted an end of probation on Sergeant Jesse Aldridge. He recommends Aldridge be considered Sergeant with a $280 probation in- crease bringing his tm~al salary to $10,910 per year. Following discussion Councilman Bass moved to increase Aldridge to $10,910 per year and put him in pesition of Sergeant, seconded by Councilman Douglas and vote carried. 4. EMPLOYEE EVALUATION - POLICE Chief Mobley submitted an end of probation on Sergeant Jonathan E. Rucks. He recommended that Rucks be considered Sergeant with a $330 probation increase bringing his total salary to $10,610 per year. Following discussion Councilman Bass moved to increase Rucks to $10,610 per year and put in position as Sergeant, seconded by Councilman Do~las and vote carried. 5. RESIGNATION - POLICE Chief Mobley submitted the resignation of Patrolman Josoph B. Schumacher effective July 14, 1978. FollOWing discussion Councilman Bass moved to accept Patrolman Schumacher's resignation, ilseconded by Councilman Douglas and vote carried. FIRE DEPARTMENT 1. MONTHLY REPORT Assistant Fire Chief Reutebuch submitted the Fire Report for the month of June, 1978,' 33 ~ 2. EMPLOYEE EVALUATION - FIRE Assistant Chief Reutebuch submitted a six months evaluation on Watt H. Gragg. He recommends he be made a permanent employee with salary increase to $8,531.20 per year. Councilman Raulerson moved to promote Gragg to regular fireman with salary increase to $8,531.20 per year, seconded by Councilman Bass and vote carried. WATERy SEWER AND STREET DEPARTMENTS 1. MONTHLY REPORT Director Fortner submitted the Water, Sewer and Street Departments Report for the month of June, 1978. 2. DRAPES ~QR-0FFICE Director Fortner requested authorization %o replace drapes in Building Official Office and Director of Public Works Office in the amount of $233.40. Following discussion Councilman Douglas moved to replace drapes in Building Official Office and Director of Public Works Office in the amount of $233.40, seconded by Councilman Raulerson and vote carried. 3.24" WATERWORKS IMPROVEMENTS TRANSMISSION LINE - EDA - LPW - CHANGE ORDER NUMBER 4 Director Fortner submitted change order number 4 to inst~ll meter connections, meter pit and by pass line in the amount of $15,3~5~O from LaGmow Irrigation. Following discussion Councilman Douglas moved to authorize change order ~4, seconded by Councilman Bass and vote carried. 4. WATER PLANT IMPROVEMENTS - 00NTRACT Director Fortner submitted a letter from Donald M. Shepherd con- cerning the result of his inspection on June 23, 1978 of contract #751156. He recommended the contractor be advised to make the following corrections under the provisions of the contract: 1. There is a leak on the northwest surface wash sweep of the number D31e (old) filter. 2. There are several cold joints still weeping which will be looked at f~om time to time as if they do not hea~ they will require corrective action. 3. The backwash pump and surface wash electrical switches for the number one and two old filters still have not been re-worked. 4. The back dressing around the new filter area is totally unac- ceptable, and will be redone. 5. The rm~e controller on the new filter does not appear to be adjustmmsnt with the aut~ti¢, rate set, and the equipment manufacture's 2300 representative, should be called in to recalibrate. As soon as the above matters are corrected by the contractor the City should be in a position to recommend final payment and due to --' I , the minor nature of the above matters the City request the contractor have the matters corrected in no more than seven (7) days from the date of this letter. Attorney Conlon recommended that Don M. Shepherd mail certified letter to the contractor. 5. STREET LIGHT AGREEMENTS Director Fortner submitted a letter from Department of Transportation pertaining to Street Light Agreements from north east 5th Avenue, to main street. Attorney Conlon questioned how soon they needed the signed contract. Director Fortner stated they are preparing bids for November, 1979. Attorney Conlon stated that if they signed the contract now the City would have an obligation to furnish the lights. He questioned if it could be postponed for six (6) months? The Council authorized Director Fortner to contact Department of Transportation and see if the City can postpone signing this contract / / for about six (6) months. CITY CLERK 1. EASEMENT FROM HOSPITAL CORPORATION OF AMERICA Attorney Conlon studied the Easement and advised for the easement to be revised. 2. REPORT FROM DR. BARTLEY Acting Clerk Christian submitted a letter and report from Dr. Bartley on the status of the comprehensive planning operation. Attorney Conlon wondered if in lieu of meeting twice a month there could be an extension from the State for a year on the' grounds there may be consmlidation. President Domer stated the City had already hired Dr. Bartley to do the job and a lot of work has already been complied. The Council agreed since the project has already been started for Dr. Bartley to complete now. 3. ALLOCATION OF ANTS-RECESSION FUNDS Acting Clerk Christian stated that Anti-Recession Funds in the amount of $5,880 needed to be allocated. President Domer stated the Fire Department needed $85.29 to purchase pump. Councilman Raulerson moved to allocate $85.29 from Anti-Recession to purchase pump, secmnded by Councilman Bass and vote carried. 2301 Director Fortner stated he could use from $3,000 to $5,000 for equipment repairs in the Street Department. The Police Department could use. the remainder $795 for auto repairs Following discussion CounCilman Bass moved to allocate $5,000 to the Street Department and $795 to the Police Department, seconded by Councilman Douglas and vote carried. DISBURSEMENTS Vouchers on the following fUnds were approved: General Fund $39,453.34 Water & Sewer Operation and Maintenance Fund $27,777.93 Wa~er & Sewer Revenue Fund $34,036.24 Water & Sewer System Revenue Fund $2,024.99 Public Works Fund $17,262.12 Cigarette Tax Fund $50,000.00 Federal Revenue Sharing Trust Fund $27,929.05 Anti-Recession ~-'und $1,405.04 ADJ 0URNI~NT There being no further business the meeting Recessed at 9:30 P.M. Russell'V. Domer President City Council City of 0keechobee ATTEST: ctVia Christian ing City Clerk City of 0keechobee BUDGET WORKSHOP SESSION THURSDAY~ JULY 20, 1978 The City Council of the City of 0keechobee, Florida, convened in a Budget Session in the Clerk's Office at the City Hall, 0keechobee, Florida, at 7:00 P.M., Thursday, July 20, 1978. President Russell V. Domer presiding. Councilmen Edward W. Douglas, and Lytle Raulerson were present. Councilmen Lavon Bass and Jim Knight were absent ' Others present were: David Conlon, City Attorney; L. C. Fortner, Director of Public Works; Sylvia Christian, Acting City Clerk and Lola Parker, Deputy Clerk. 1978-197~ ,G,ENE,RAL EXPENSES AND GENERAL REVENUES The Council entered into Budget Session for 1978-1979 City of 0keechobee