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Call Meeting to order on May 6, 1997.
CITY OF OKEECHOBEE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION
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
Mayor Kirk called the Regular Meeting to order on May 6, 1997 at 7:00 p.m.
Reverend J.P. Ziegler offered the invocation;
Mayor Kirk led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Clerk Thomas called the roll. -
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present (entered chambers at 7:05 p.m.)
Present
Present
Present
D. Motion to dispense with the reading and approve the Sum- Council Member Chandler moved to dispense with the reading and approve the
mary of Council Action for the Regular Council Meeting of 111 Summary of Council Action for the Regular Meeting of April 15, 1997 and the City/County
April 15, 1997. Joint Workshop of April 24, 1997; seconded by Council Member Oliver.
There being no discussion on this item, vote is as follows:
KIRK
CHANDLER
MARKHAM
OLIVER
WATFORD
MOTION CARRIED.
347
PAGE 1 OF 5
MAY 6,1997 - REGULAR MEETING - PAGE 2 OF 5
REQUEST FOR THE ADDITION, DEFERRAL OR
WITHDRAWAL OF ITEMS ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
E. NEW BUSINESS
Hear from Mr. Herb Nix regarding the Veterans'
monuments in the park - Mr. Herb Nix.
Mayor Kirk asked if there were any requests for additions, deferral's or withdrawal of
items on tonight's agenda. There were none.
On behalf of the American Legion, Mr. Herb Nix, Mr. Paul Hyatt and other members
presented a preliminary drawing to the Council revising the Memorial Park. The
proposed plan is to move the existing three monuments and bench to the West end of
Park "En of F L A G L E R P A R K along State Road 70 West and to construct a
concrete wall/ramp behind the monuments. Mr. Hyatt has acquired several de-
commissioned military weapons to display in the park. Lighting will be added and some
type of benches or seating are also being proposed.
This item was discussed at length. It was understood by the Council and American
Legion members present it would be the veteran organization's responsibility to keep up
the maintenance/painting on all items installed in the park including the lighting. The City
will continua, to keep the grounds picked up, mowed and watered. Administrator Drago
advised this proposal will not effect the downtown revitalization project.
Council requested Mr. Nix obtain letters of approval for this plan from all the other
veteran organizations that use the memorial park. Provide Public Works Director Elders
with a copy of the drawings for comments. Look at moving the wall/ramp closer to the
center of the park and discuss this with the Chamber since they have been using the
West half of that park for the festivals and present these finding back to the City Council
for further discussion and/or action at a later date.
2. Motion to re -appoint Linda Ballinger and Matthew Council Member Oliver moved to re -appoint Linda Ballinger and Matthew Seder to the
Seder to the Code Enforcement Board for a term of Code Enforcement Board for a term of three years commencing May 1, 1997 and ending
three years commencing May 1, 1997 and ending April 20, 2000; seconded by Council Member Markham.
April 20, 2000 - City Administrator (Exhibit 1).
MAY 6, 1997 - REGULAR MEETING - PAGE 3 OF 5
E. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
2. Motion to re -appoint Linda Ballinger and Matthew There being no discussion on this item, vote is as follows:
Seder to the code Enforcement Board for a term of
three years commencing May 1, 1997 and ending KIRK
April 20, 2000 continued. CHANDLER
MARKHAM
OLIVER
WATFORD
MOTION CARRIED.
3. Motion to award the purchase of computer software to Council Member Oliver moved to award the purchase of computer software to Public
Public Safety Software in the amount of $20:979.00 - Safety Software in the amount of twenty thousand, nine hundred seventy-nine dollars
Police Chief (Exhibit 2). ($20;979.00); seconded by Council Member Markham.
Following a brief discussion on this item. vote is as follows
KIRK
CHANDLER
MARKHAM
OLIVER
WATFORD
MOTION CARRIED.
4. Discuss Fire Department Overtime - Fire Chief (Exhibit This item was continued from the April 1, 1997 Regular City Council Meeting. Chief
3). Tomey presented to the Council a report on all the overtime money spent to date from
the Fire Department budget; response from a survey he sent to various City Fire
Departments concerning daily management; current annual, sick and school leave
amounts for Fire employees; and current and future equipment needs.
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E. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
4. Discuss Fire Department Overtime continued.
Mayor Kirk stated he had met with Chief Tomey and after becoming somewhat familiar
with how their system has to work he could not come up with a better method for the
overtime in the Fire Department than the Chief was using. He was satisfied that what the
Chief was doing was the best method. He advised the Council not to get too involved in
discussing it but to wait and address the issue further at budget time. Items specifically
noted to discuss during the budget process are:
(1) Separate into two line items the straight scheduled overtime; and the annual
and sick leave (which causes overtime);
(2) Address Annual and Sick Leave;
(3) Salary for paid volunteer/fill-in firefighter. Currently volunteers are paid forty
dollars ($40.00) for a twelve (12) hour shift which is less than four dollars an hour.
It is difficult to hire local firemen or agencies on a per diem basis when most of
them have part-time jobs on their days off which pays significantly more; and
(4), Equipment needs. ChiefT orney may use Truck No. ^ for a service truck umil
the Council decides what will be done with the equipment. The Chief also noted
in his report that he would not be putting any additional money into Truck No. 4.
Council felt they had the confidence in Mayor Kirk that if he was satisfied they would rely
on his opinion on the use of overtime in the Fire Department and address these issues
in the budget workshops for the 1997/98 fiscal year as discussed.
MAY 6, 1997 - REGULAR MEETING - PAGE 5 OF 5
E.
NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED-
5. Update of the 441 North widening (DOT Project, This item was continued from the March 18, 1997 Regular City Council Meeting.
from Railroad Tracks North to Cemetery Road) - City Administrator Drago had the Department of Transportation's (DOT) preliminary drawings
Administrator. for the Highway 441 North widening project from the railroad tracks to cemetery road
posted for the Council to review. The proposed right-of-way "taking" was highlighted. He
advised that he needed a response from the Council tonight as to whether they will sell
or donate thirty-nine hundred square feet of Northwest 14th Street which is not currently
a paved street but is used for the City/County drainage ditch. Council instructed Mr.
Drago to advise DOT the City would negotiate a selling price and Attomey Cook
was instructed to research the legalities of selling a right-of-way. It was also noted
that this right-of-way is in the City of Okeechobee Subdivision DOT should be
advised of the reverter clause in the subdivision and will have to also negotiate
with the Hamrick Estate Trustees. Council Members are to go to the property and look
it all over before making a final "policy decision".
ADJOURNMENT -Mayor Kirk.
III There beina no further items on the agenda. Mayor Kirk adjourned the May 6 1997
Regular City Council Meeting at 8.50 p.m.
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.
ATTEST:
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