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1997-01-21 Regular Meeting• A. I70 CITY OF OKEECHOBEE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION Call Meeting to order on January 21, 1997 Invocation offered by Reverend John Paul Ziegler; Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Kirk. C. Mayor and Council Attendance: Mayor James E. Kirk Council Member Noel A. Chandler Council Member Lowry Markham Council Member Robert Oliver Council Member Dowling R. Watford, Jr. Staff Attendance: City Attorney John R. Cook City Administrator John J. Drago City Clerk Bonnie S. Thomas Deputy Clerk S. Lane Gamiotea D. Motion to dispense with the reading and approve the Sum- mary of Council Action for the regular meeting of January 7, 1997. Mayor Kirk called the meeting to order on January 21, 1997 at 7:00 p.m. Revend Ziegler offered the invocation; Mayor Kirk led the Pledge of Allegiance. Deputy Clerk Gamiotea called the roll: Present Present Present Present Present Absent Present Absent Present Council Member Chandler moved to dispense with the reading and approve the Summary of Council Action for the regular meeting of January 7, 1997; seconded by Council Member Oliver. KIRK CHANDLER MARKHAM OLIVER WATFORD MOTION CARRIED. PAGE 1 OF 4 X X X X X 309 E. Motion to approve Warrant Registers in the amount of $47, 737.79. REQUEST FOR THE ADDITION, DEFERRAL OR WITHDRAWAL OF ITEMS ON TODAY'S AGENDA. F. NEW BUSINESS 1. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 97-1 - City Clerk (Exhibit 1). JANUARY 21,1 997 - REGULAR MEETING - PAGE 2 OF 4 Council Member Watford moved to approve the Warrant Registers for the month of December, 1997 in the amount of forty-seven thousand, seven hundred thirty-seven dollars, seventy-nine cents ($47,737.79); seconded by Council Member Markham. KIRK CHANDLER MARKHAM OLIVER WATFORD MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Kirk asked if there were any requests for the addition, deferral or withdrawal of items on today's agenda. Council Member Oliver requested to add new business item number two to discuss Fire Department items in the staff report from Administrator Drago. Council Member Watford moved to adopt proposed Resolution No. 97-1 supporting Hospice in it's attempt to obtain a Community Services Block Grant; seconded by Council Member Oliver. Mayor Kirk read proposed Resolution No. 97-1 by title only as follows: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA SUPPORTING HOSPICE OF OKEECHOBEE IN ITS ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN A GRANT FUNDED THROUGH THE COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT, FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 1997." X X X X X 310 F. NEW BUSINESS 1. Adoption of Resolution 97-1 continued. JANUARY 21, 1997 - REGULAR MEETING - PAGE 3 OF 4 Vote on motion to adopt Resolution No. 97-1 is as follows: KIRK CHANDLER MARKHAM OLIVER WATFORD MOTION CARRIED. 2. Discuss Fire Department Staff Report Items - Council Council Member Oliver asked if the Council felt this was the time to discuss the items in Member Oliver (Item added to agenda). the Staff Report from the Administrator concerning the bids for the fire truck equipment; Request For Proposals (RFP) on the financing for the fire truck; what fire trucks will be sold; and the overtime in the Fire Department. Administrator Drago advised that the bids for the fire truck equipment have gone out and the RFP's on the financing will be ready to go out soon. Council Member Watford suggested the Council discuss the above items after the bids and RFP's are received and opened. Council agreed. Council Member Oliver also suggested Administrator Drago check the status of the RFP's the County is sending out concerning the "Needs Assessment" on the County Fire Department. Council agreed. Fire Chief Tomey requested a copy of the staff report. Mayor Kirk instructed the Administrator to provide him with a copy. Ir 311 ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Kirk. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE AND BE ADVISED that if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Council with respect to any matter considered at this meeting, he/she may need to insure that a verbatim record of the proceeding is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. A tape recording of this meeting is on file in the City Clerk's Office. i James E. Kirk Mayor ATTEST: Bonnie S. Thomas, CMC City Clerk JANUARY 21, 1997 - REGULAR MEETING - PAGE 4 OF 4 There being no further items on the agenda, Mayor Kirk adjourned the meeting at 7*12 p.m. CITY OF OKEECHOBEE 1121/97 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING HANDWRITTEN MINUTES A. Call meeting to order: B. Invocation: ;Pledge: C. Mayor & Council attendance: PRESENT ABSENT Mayor Kirk Councilman Chandler Councilman Markhamr Councilman Oliver Councilman Watford Attorney Cook Administrator Drago Clerk Thomas Deputy Clerk Gamiotea D. Council Member moved to dispense with the reading and approve the Summary of Council Action for the Regular Council Meeting of January 7, 1997; seconded by Council Member i t VOTE: YES NO ABSENT KIRK CHANDLER �w OLIVER v WATFORD MOTION: ARRI /DENIED DISCUSSION: oou— E. Council Member I-) 1._ moved to approve the Warrant Register for the month of December 199b in the amount of forty-seven thousand, seveen hundred thirty-sevn dollars, seventy-nine cents ($47,737.3@); seconded by Council Member LrY(- 'r VOTE: YES NO ABSENT KIRK CHANDLER OLIVER WATFORD MOTION: ARR E /DENIED DISCUSSION: /jc-v� REQUEST FOR THE ADDITION, DEFERRAL OR WITHDRAWAL OF ITEMS ON TODAY'S AGENDA. (© QA�� QUra- Z 9�► f A4 A 1 F. NEW BUSINESS / 1. Council Member r)" moved to adopt Resolution No. 97-1; seconded by C'buqik Member r6. read proposed Resolution No. 97-1 by title only as follows: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA SUPPORTING HOSPICE OF OKEECHOBEE IN ITS ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN A GRANT FUNDED THROUGH THE COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT, FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 1997. VOTE: YES NO ABSENT KIRK r CHANDLER OLIVER WATFORD MOTION: CARRIE /DENIED DISCUSSION: G� ��QQ-t , 4(,0 joue�t ,-I�p (s � QQ(obulj,c) I Lague- criq0&40--( ($¢rk.V , C�- Glo C'Q� ,l.tsb � q o?o/(�^C�a , &Ott Le� ' yes OnD, cry ct di oft r7 12ork 2 __, u R1 oUo m I Nq a co U) D � �7nnC��C7C�C�n�ty D ^* r (D O O O O (U U C7�'3°U3���n�� �. o -; a'aa•a-�' D O O D (D (D tD l , (D °g Z�zi Q D (� Z3 1 ZZ (D O [U Cu (? D Q 1 0 *fl itv of Okeechobee. �r Office of the City Clerk & Personnel MEMORANDUM TO: John J. Drago, City Administrator DATE: January 8, 1997 FROM: Bonnie S. Thomas, City Clerwp SUBJECT: Agenda Item Please add to the January 21, 1997 City Council Agenda adoption of the attached, proposed Resolution No. 97-1 concerning Hospice's attempt for a Community Services Block Grant. Thank You!! /ig ,1 RESOLUTION NO. 27-1 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA SUPPORTING HOSPICE THROUGH OKEECHOBEE 'IN ITS ATTEMPT TO COMMUNITY SERVICES OBTAIN A GRANT FUNDED BLOCK GRANT, FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 1997. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, recognized the benefits of the I Iospice organization to the residents of the City of Okeechobee; and WHEREAS, the City of Okeechobee desires to support Hospice in its attempt to obtain a grant through the Community Services Block Grant. NOW THEREFORE, BE 1T RESOLVED BY 'TIIE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, OjaiECHOBEE COUNTY, FLORIDA, THAT: Section Oue: The City of Okeechobee does hereby support Hospice in its attempt to obtain a grant through the Community Services Block Grant. Section Two: That this resolution shall take effect upon its adoption. This resolution introduced and adopted this 21st day of January, 1997. James E. Kirk Mayor ATTEST: Bonnie S. Thomas, CMC City Clerk CITY OF OKEECHOBEE L�^ MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Council DATE: January 16, 1997 SUBJECT: Status Report FROM: John J. Drago, City Administrator 1. Enclosed is a copy of a letter from Mr. Nelson requesting closing parts of his property near the American Legion. The Legion has no objection to Mr. Nelson's request so I granted his request. 2. Since the departure of the Finance Director, we have been slowly checking all facets of the financial system. We discovered that he swept the payroll account causing the account to be overdrawn as well as Public Facilities. The Public Facilities checkbook, since 1994, only had checks recorded, no deposits or balances listed. This makes it difficult to reconcile any figures. The accounting firm has been reconciling the bank statements to the financial reports, thus keeping the City up-to-date on its fund balances. Certain employees were retained on street insurance policies after they left the City and the City paid the premiums. There was one employee that owed the City money because not enough deductions were taken from his pay. Again, nothing was checked. We corrected those mistakes. I will keep you informed as other problems are discovered. I can say that if it wasn't for the contracting out of the accounting, I believe we would have a very large problem on our hands. This experience confirms the fact that the current financial system as designed in 1987 works, and enabled the City to keep operating effectively. 3. Representatives of the Genesis Group were here yesterday to do a walk -around our downtown area in preparation for our facade work. 1 4. 1 received a set of specifications from the Fire Chief for equipment for the new fire truck. He estimated the cost of the equipment to be approximately $17,000420,000. He had approximately $23,000 to spend. The specifications should have been given to me much earlier. You recall discussion at Council meetings where l stressed the importance of proper planning in relation to when the new fire truck would be delivered so both would coincide at the same time. This now will not happen. The Chief wanted to bid only the 3" hose and quote the rest of the equipment. I refuse to do this because all items should be bid together. It also appears that he has told some elected officials that the equipment can be here when the truck arrives if the bids are left out for only a week or two. We normally leave bids out 30 days to be fair. The Chief also expects everybody to drop what they are doing to address his needs because of poor planning. If any Councilman wishes to discuss this item in more detail, especially the specifications, please contact me. 5. The Fire Chief was to formally notify me in plenty of time so I can prepare an RFP for financing of the new fire truck. He made a passing comment to me today that February 13 is the date when the unit will come off the assembly line. I must now reallocate my time from the Wal-Mart and downtown projects to prepare the RFP and equipment bid to have it coincide with a City Council Meeting. 6. The City Council will need to address what fire trucks the City will keep and what fire trucks will be sold. You will need to do this fairly quickly because this could effect future equipment purchases. 7. The City agreed to pay for one trip to the plant where the fire truck is being built. The Chief will be going some time in February with possibly one other person. 8. After signing the paychecks for January 10, 1 noticed a large amount of overtime for the Fire Department. I asked Lydia to give me the overtime hours used to date for the Fire Department. From October 1, 1996 to January 10, 1997, the Fire Department used 821 hours of overtime. This equates to approximately $9,800. The Fire Department budget is $12,000. 1 know that the Council has not addressed this issue formally. However, other departments are watching this closely and will assume that if it's good for the goose, it's good for the gander. 9. Councilman Chandler and I delivered a police car to Sewell's Point Police Department. The police chief confirmed the purchase of one of our 1997 cars. JJD:nb Enclosure ON OKEECHOBEE DRUGS 412 N.E. PARK ST. • (813)763-5100 • FAX (813)763-7550 • OKEECHOBEE, FL 34972 January 7, 1997 City Administrator Mr. John Drago 55 SE 3rd Avenue Okeechobee, Florida 34972 Dear Mr. Drago: I would like to request permission to close off our properties as we did last year form the fair presented by the Legion Post Of Okeechobee. Respectfully, teven D. Nelson OKEtr 1� � oa T City of Okeechobee January 16, 1997 Mr. James A. Minix, Chairperson 19th Circuit Judicial Monitoring Committee 215 South Federal Highway, Suite 303 Stuart, Florida 34994-2075 Re: Circuit Court Judge Applicant John R. Cook, Esq. Dear Mr. Minix: k., It is with great pleasure that I send you this recommendation for John R. Cook's application as Circuit Court Judge. I have known Mr. Cook for many years, both professionally and personally. His honesty and integrity have always been of the highest standard. Mr. Cook has been the City attorney for many years, and his work product has always been excellent. Mr. Cook is active in the community and gives his time and effort to coach the youth of our City. His manner of dealing with children and adults has always been with feeling and understanding, treating all people equally. believe Mr. Cook's personality will serve him well as a judge. cerely, Dowling R. Vidtford City Councilman 55 S.E. Third Avenue • Okeechobee, Florida 34974-2932 • (941) 763-3372 • Fax: (941) 763-1686 OKEE Of C,S �A 0% f Okeechobee City o January 13, 1997 Mrs. Daniel Delagall 1157 N. E. 13th Avenue Okeechobee, Florida 34974 Dear Mrs. Delagall: I would like to thank you for your invitation to St. Stephens Church for January 19 at 7:00 p.m. My church, the First United Methodist Church, is also having a function on January 19 at 6.30 p.m. As I previously committed to this function, I will not be able to attend St. Stephens. I hope you have a very successful evening. Sincerely, Dowling R. Watford City Councilman DRW:nb 55 S.E. Third Avenue • Okeechobee, Florida 34974.2932 • (941) 763.3372 • Fax: (941) 763-1686 facsimile TRANSMITTAL to: Tom Murphy, President, Okeechobee Contractors Association c/o Close Construction fax #: 763-6337 re: January 21, 1996 City Council Regular Meeting Agenda date: January 20, 1997 pages: 3, including this cover sheet. Should you require any additional information please contact the City Clerk's Office. Thank You and Make It A Great Day!!! From the desk of... City Clerk's Office Bonnie S. Thomas 55 S.E. 3rd Avenue Okeechobee, FL 34974 9411763-3372 Fax: 941 /763-1686 facsimile TRANSMITTAL to: Helen, Okeechobee Economic Council fax #: 467-6266 re: January 21, 1997 City Council Regular Meeting Agenda date: January 20, 1997 pages: 3, including this cover sheet. Should you require any additional information please contact my office. Thank You and Make It A Great Day! ! ! ! From the desk of... City Clerk's Office Bonnie S. Thomas 55 S.E. 3rd Avenue Okeechobee, FL 34974 9411763-3372 Fax: 9411763-1686