1997-06-03 Regular Meeting358
CITY OF OKEECHOBEE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION
A. Call Regular Meeting to order on June 3, 1997.
B. 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.
Sta11 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 June 3, 1997 Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
In Reverend Ziegler's absence, Reverend John Hudson offered the invocation;
Mayor Kirk led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Clerk Thomas called the roll:
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
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 Summary of Council Action for the regular meeting of May 20, 1997; seconded h,
May 20, 1997. Council Member Oliver.
There being no discussion on this item, vote was as follows:
KIRK
CHANDLER
MARKHAM
OLIVER
WATFORD
MOTION CARRIED.
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JUNE 3, 1997 -REGULAR MEETING -PAGE 2 OF 7
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REQUEST FOR ADDITION, DEFERRAL OR WITHDRAWAL OF
Mayor Kirk asked if there were any requests for addition's, deferral's or withdrawal's of
ITEMS ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
items on today's agenda? New Business item number two was moved ahead to number
one since Attorney Cook would be leaving early due to his son's baccalaureate services
also being held tonight.
E. NEW BUSINESS
1. Hear from American Legion regarding proposed
Mr. Herb Nix, representing the American Legion addressed the Council concerning the
memorial park - Herb Nix.
proposal to redesign the memorial park. After reviewing the preliminary drawings at the
May 6, 1997 meeting, Council requested that 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.
Mr. Nix provided letters of approval of the of the design from- VFW Post 10539. VFW
Post 4423, Okeechobee Chamber of Commerce. and Mr. David Hamrick, a trustee of the
R.E. Hamrick Trust who established the parks. The drawings have had some minor
chaJna_es which include the wall/ramp which was moved fifteen feet to the East. The Wall
oI 'Honor IJ pl o�oJea L go l�l I Ll I beck Jll��. Tne guns were mode a �ul LU Li I -the JI�-J mlJr-
and the wings on the helicopter were shortened. The American Legion stated they accept
all maintenance and upkeep of the decommissioned military equipment, electrical,
lighting and painting.
Council Member Watford expressed his comments that he had a philosophical difference
concerning the memorial and that he had a vested interested in it since a family member
is listed on the memorial. He did not feel armor should be part of the park, he agreed with
the idea of modernizing it, but felt the emphasis should be kept on the memorial. He
stated this is a sensitive issue for him; that he had strong feelings for his point of view;
but if the majority of the veteran organization members wanted the park displayed this
way and the Chamber did not have any objections he would support a motion.
After a lengthy discussion, Council Member Markham moved to accept the memorial
park as presented in the drawing on the easel, that the City continues to have the
say for the use of the park; seconded by Council Member Chandler.
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E. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
1. Hear from American Legion regarding proposed
memorial park continued.
2. Discuss granting an easement at Northwest 4th
Street and Northwest 5th Avenue - City Attorney
JUNE 3, 1997 - REGULAR MEETING - PAGE 3 OF 7
Discussion continued, Council instructed Attorney Cook to draw up an agreement
between the City and the American Legion listing all items of concern:
1. The American Legion accepts maintenance and upkeep, with the City still
keeping the grounds (mowing/irrigation system).
2. The park is a public park and not just for the use of the veterans organizations.
Others may use the memorial park with City approval provided they understand
to preserve the integrity of the memorial and respect of the monuments must be
realized by whomever uses it.
3. If any sprinklers have to be moved it will be at the cost of the American Legion.
4. The City is held harmless.
Vote on motion was as follows:
KIRK
CHANDLER
MARKHAM
OLIVER
WATFORD
MOTION CARRIED.
Attorney Cook advised the Council he has been contacted by Gil Culbreath Realty
concerning an encroachment of a residence on Lots 7 and 8 of Block 105, City of
Okeechobee Subdivision. The encroachment was discovered by a recent boundary
survey completed by Hoover and Associates which indicated the structure encroaches
into the City right of way on Northwest 4th Street at the corner of Northwest 5th Avenue
by approximately one and a half feet. The property owner is in the process of selling
these lots. Attorney Cook felt this was the simplest and easiest way to resolve this
problem and that the easement goes one step further tying itself to the structure and
once the structure is removed the easement will terminate.
Council Member Markham moved to approve the Grant of Easement (with Lisa A.
Beaty and Linda G. Stillman) for Lots 7 and 8 in Block 105, City of Okeechobee
Subdivision, seconded by Council Member Watford.
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JUNE 3, 1997 - REGULAR MEETING - PAGE 4 OF 7
E. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED Vote on motion is as follows:
2. Discuss granting an easement at Northwest 4th
Street and Northwest 5th Avenue continued. KIRK
CHANDLER
MARKHAM
OLIVER
WATFORD
MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Oliver moved to award a street sweeping contract to Charlie's Tree and
3. Motion to award a street sweeping contract to Lawn, Inc. of Okeechobee, Florida in the amount of twenty-five thousand, twelve dollars
Charlie's Tree & Lawn in the amount of $25,012.00 ($25,012.00) per year for five years (5 year total 5125,060.00) upon the recommendation
per year for five years - Director of Public Works of Public Works Director Elders; seconded by Council Member Chandler.
(Exhibit 1).
JW Power Sweeping, Inc. representative addressed the Council giving them a
comparison of his bid to Charlie's Tree and Lawn, Inc. He explained that his contention
was that the City should award his company the street sweeping bid for at least the first
twenty-four months since for that period of time he was the low bidder.
Public Works Director Elders explained that in Exhibit One he recommended to award
the contract for five years rather than from year to year and the bid package gave the
option to submit a yearly price and if the company was awarded a five year contract, give
that price also. When all the prices are multiplied for the five year period, Charlie's Tree
and Lawn, Inc. is the lowest bidder by six thousand, three hundred ten dollars
($6,310.00).
Vote on motion was as follows:
KIRK
CHANDLER
MARKHAM
OLIVER
WATFORD
MOTION CARRIED.
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JUNE 3, 1997 - REGULAR MEETING - PAGE 5 OF 7
E. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
4. Motion to award a gas tank removal/replacement Council Member Oliver moved to award a gas tank removal/replacement contract tc
contract to Tanktek, Inc. in the amount of $57,680.00 Tanktek, Inc. in the amount of fifty-seven thousand, six hundred eighty dollars
- Director of Public Works (Exhibit 2). ($57,680.00) (upon the recommendation of Libbg Webb of Lawson, Noble and Webb, Inc.),
11 seconded by Council Member Chandler.
Ms. Webb of Lawson, Noble and Webb Engineers, distributed a new tally sheet for
Council and advised the first one did not fully explain what the Public Works Department
wants to accomplish with awarding this bid. $57,680.00 is the lowest bid submitted by
Tanktek. There were alternate items to bid on, Tanktek was the lowest on these and they
need to be awarded which are $3,100 for additional contamination and $800 for concrete
slab making the total to be awarded $63,080.00. Council Member Chandler withdrew
his second to the motion. Council Member Oliver withdrew his motion from the
floor.
Council Member Oliver moved to award a gas tank removal/replacement contract
to Tanktek Inc not to exceed sixty-three thousand. eighty dollars ($631080.00)
upon the recommendation of Libbey Webb of Lawson. Noble and Webb. Inc. (City's
Engineers) who noted the low base bid is considered to be an unweighted and
valid bid• seconded by Council Member Chandler.
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CHANDLER
MARKHAM
OLIVER
WATFORD
MOTION CARRIED.
5. Motion to appoint Jerome Smith as the Police Council Member Chandler moved to appoint Jerome Smith as the Police Department
Department alternate member to the Grievance alternate member to the Grievance Committee to replace Gene O'Neill; seconded by
Committee to replace Gene O'Neill - City Clerk. Council Member Markham.
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363
E. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
5. Motion to appoint Jerome Smith as the Police
Department alternate member to the Grievance
Committee to replace Gene O'Neill continued.
6 Discuss the relocation of the City Clerk's Office -
Councilman Chandler.
JUNE 3, 1997 - REGULAR MEETING - PAGE 6 OF 7
Police Chief Mobley advised the Council Gene O'Neill's last day was Friday, June 6th,
there is a going away reception planned for 9:30 a.m. and extended the invitation to all
the Council Members to attend. There being no further discussion on this item, vote was
as follows:
KIRK
CHANDLER
MARKHAM
OLIVER
WATFORD
MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Chandler stated he would like to recommend the City Clerk's Office
move back to it's original location once occupied by the Public Utilities Department.
further explaining that all the city documents on records retention have had to be housed
in a shed in the back of the parkina lot. The Clerks o11ice is out of room and since she
is an elected official she deserves an appropriate office for that position. Council
Members Markham and Oliver stated they were in agreement with Council Member
Chandler.
Council Member Watford explained he did not object to the Clerk's Office moving but
thought the "whole picture" of all the offices needed to be looked at. Mayor Kirk
questioned why the Council would be making these types of decisions. Council Member
Watford advised the Council has always decided where each office will be located at City
Hall. Discussion continued on new carpet being installed and if new office furniture
should be purchased.
Council Member Chandler moved to move the City Clerk's Office back; seconded
by Council Member Markham.
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JUNE 3, 1997 - REGULAR MEETING - PAGE 7 OF 7
E. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
6. Discuss the relocation of the City Clerk's Office Council Member Watford moved to amend the motion to move the City Clerk's
continued. Office back in the back part of the building and General Services to the front part,
reserve the old Public Utilities Assistant Director's Office for future use for a
Planning Director and that bids for remodeling be submitted in next years budget
(1997-98); seconded by Council Member Chandler for discussion.
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 a�eting
' en c upon which the
appeal is to be based. A tape recording of this is �n file in the City�Clerk'�
Office. /
James E. Kirk, Mayor
ATTEST:
Bonnie S. Thomas, CMC, City Clerk
Discussion continued concerning Clerk Thomas coming up with a plan to move the two
offices and submit prices for Council to discuss. Council Member Watford moved to
table this item until the next reqular meeting; seconded on second call by Council
Member Oliver after it was understood Clerk Thomas is to come to the next
meeting with a plan and prices.
KIRK
CHANDLER
MARKHAM
OLIVER
WATFORD
MOTION CARRIED,
There being no further items on the agenda, Mayor Kirk adjourned the June 3, 1997
Regular City Council Meeting at 9:13 p.m.
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