1997-10-07442
I. Call Regular Meeting to order on October 7, 1997 at 6:00
p.m. - Mayor Kirk.
Opening Ceremonies:
Invocation offered by Reverend John P. Ziegler;
Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Kirk.
III. Mayor and Council Attendance - Clerk Thomas:
Mayor James E. Kirk
Council Member Noel A. Chandler
Council Member Lowry Markham
Council Member Robert Oliver
Council Member Dowling R. Watford, Jr
Star Attendance:
City Attorney John R. Cook
City Administrator Robert J. Bradshaw
City Clerk Bonnie S. Thomas
Deputy Clerk S. Lane Gamiotea
IV. Motion to dispense with the reading and approve the
Summary of Council Action for the Special Meetings of
September 8 and 23, 1997 and the Regular Meeting of
September 16,1997.
CITY OF OKEECHOBEE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION
PAGE 1 OF 5
Mayor Kirk called the October 7,1997 Regular Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Reverend Ziegler offered the invocation;
Mayor Kirk led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Clerk Thomas called the roll:
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Council Member Chandler moved to dispense with the reading and approve the Summary of Council Action for the Special Meetings
of September 8 and 23,1997 and the Regular Meeting of September 16,1997; seconded by Council !Member Oliver. There being no
discussion on this item, the vote was as follows:
KIRK - YES
CHANDLER - YES
MARKHAM - YES
OLIVER - YES
WATFORD - YES
MOTION CARRIED.
05
OCTOBER 7,1997 - REGULAR MEETING - PAGE 2 of 5
V. Request for the addition, deferral or withdrawal of items on Mayor Kirk asked whether anyone had any requests for addition's, deferral's or withdrawal's of items on today's agenda? New
today's agenda - Mayor Kirk. Business item `D' was withdrawn from the agenda.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Discussion/Review of the Community Development Concerning the Community Development Block Grant Downtown Revitalization Project, Administrator Bradshaw introduced Mr. Steve
Block Grant -Downtown Renovation Project - Sobieralski architect from Genesis Group; Mr. Len Gullick, project manager and James Darden from W.C. Mills, contractors for the
Administrator Bradshaw. project and Mr. Fred Fox of Fox Enterprises consultant for the project He thanked all the property and store owners for attending the
11 meeting tonight
Mr. Sobieralski gave an overview of the project since his company has been involved over the last year, what progress has been made
and how they came up with the idea's for the project He presented a color chart for all to agree on with accent colors. Individual stores
will need to select their canopy color tonight Windows have not been addressed, unless Council decides otherwise, store owners may
put up whatever they wish in the windows as far as signs. Side Road businesses were discussed and they will address this issue on
an individual building basis to attract traffic for the businesses on the side streets.
tdr. Gullick listed his companies credentials and various projects recently completed in the Okeechobee area. He explained the
construction tentative schedule and that the project will begin on the East side of Park Street (Daniel's Building) and work to the Nest
side. Demolitior, cle:.ning, painting. roofing and finally t Ie canopy installed.. full tim e super„sor wild be avail=cle cn site -::;;-id
construction is to be kept to a minimum to keep from interfering with the stores' day to day operation so they can stay open for
business. The project is scheduled to begin mid November 1997 and is tvvo hundred seventy days long.
Mr. Fox explained why it has taken three years to progress this far along with the project is because it is very complicated due to
Federal and State required regulations, plus the gas tax issue with the County contributed to the delay. He explained that not more
than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) can be spent on each store front A "store front° is an entrance with an occupied business. Any
property owned by or occupied by a church or nonprofit organization are not eligible for the grant monies. The contractor will give the
property owner a list of prices to do each job for that store front that they occupy. A property owner may decide to pay for all the work
or a partial amount of the work. There can also be arrangements made to get the church/non-profit organizations involved. For
example the contractor can tell them what color the paint is and it can be purchased and the congregation/non-profit members can
paint it Currently two churches are renting in the grant area and one store is owned by a nonprofit organization. No vacant stores will
be done, a signed lease is permissible, but that business must move into the building after it is completed. If a business should move
out after work begins that is allowed, since they were there when the work began. Businesses with a "captive audience' such as
restaurants and beauty parlors must upgrade their restroom facilities for disability access. Entrances to businesses are also to be
addressed for disability access.
VI. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
RECESS
A. Discussion/Review of the Community Development
Block Grant -Downtown Renovation Project
continued.
B. Swearing in of new Chief of Police by Judge
Brennan.
OCTOBER 7,1997 - REGULAR MEETING - PAGE 3 0 F 5
Mayor Kirk called for a recess at 7:00 p.m. to hold the advertised Planning Board Meeting. Mayor Kirk reconvened the City Council
Regular Meeting at 7:17 p.m.
Property/Store owners discussed with project staff and Council the issue of existing signs. Several owners want to be able to put their
signs back up. Project staff and Council extensively explained that their business may lose a little individuality but as a whole everyone
will gain. By creating a uniform area that attracts the public with an atmosphere of excitement, which will be the draw, not their
individual signs. Those store owners who do not want to participate in the grant may sign a waiver and their business will not be
included. By the end of the lengthy discussion most of the owners favored the project, colors and keeping the signs down. The Council
also reminded them that the streetscape is the next phase of the grant project and that city matching funds will be used for that This
phase will add lighting to the area along with trees, benches, and brick pavel's. But if most of the property owners do not participate
in the facade the street scape will not be done.
Council Member Watford moved that the City go forward with plans as presented and not allow individual business signs to go back
up; seconded by Council Member Oliver. Vote on motion was as follows:
KIRK - YES
CHANDLER - YES
MARKHAM - YES
OLIVER - YES
WATFORD - YES
MOTION CARRIED.
Continuing on the subject of revitalizing downtown and using grant monies to purchase Christmas decorations Council was informed
by Mr. Fox that after researching he found that the monies could only be used to purchase decorations for the specific area in the grant'
which is only fourteen poles. Council requested this item be on the October 21 st agenda to discuss further and that any decorations'
on hand be inventoried and that information provided at that meeting.
County Judge Brennan requested Buck Farrenkopf come forward and she administered the following oath of office: `I, Rehmund
Farrenkopf do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, protect and defend the Constitution and
Government of the United States and of the State of Florida Against all enemies domestic or foreign, and
that I will bear true faith, loyalty and allegiance to the same, and that I will faithfully perform all the
duties of the Office of Police Chief of the City of Okeechobee on which I am about to enter, so help me God."
445
OCTOBER 7,1997 - REGULAR MEETING - PAGE 4 OF 5
VI.
NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
C. 1) (a) Motion to read by He only, proposed Ordinance Council Member Watford moved to read by title only, proposed Ordinance No. 706 rescinding Ordinance No. 251 closing a portion
No. 706 rescinding Ordinance No. 251 closing a of Southwest 2nd Avenue and set October 21,1997 as a public hearing date; seconded by Council Member Oliver. There being no
portion of Southwest 2nd Avenue and set October discussion, vote was as follows:
21,1997 as a public hearing date - Attorney Cook
(Exhibit 1). KIRK - YES
CHANDLER - YES
(b) Vote on motion to read by He only. MARKHAM - YES
OLIVER - YES
WATFORD - YES
MOTION CARRIED.
Attorney Cook distributed a revised Exhibit 1 and read proposed Ordinance No. 706 by He only as follows: "An Ordinance of
the City of Okeechobee, Florida rescinding Ordinance No. 2, 1; Which Ordinance incorrectly closed a City
Street or Right -of -Way described as that portion of ICissirrnnee Avenue bet)veen Ninth and Tenth Streets;
Providing for an effective date. "
L� ;a) Motor; t3 appr:,,r- r r;,: i �..'�ui� ..I �,r ..,..,� I�I k1ounai Member Oliver moved to approve the frSi reading of proposeo Orainance No. 706. seconded c1 OVUIIcii i'de ber .-Ina c,er.
Ordinance No. 706.
There was a brief discussion concerning the city street that this ordinance should have closed which is now know as Southwest 2nd
Avenue between 15th and 16th Street That streetwas to be closed since it ran through the "50-yard line" of the old high school football
field. Attorney Cook stated to Mr. Frank Altobello and his legal representative, Devin Maxwell, that this ordinance only rescinds the
ordinance with the incorrect legal description, (which is an open and paved City street), and it does not close the street Mr. Altobello
is concerned with as he is an adjoining land owner.
(b) Vote on motion to approve first reading. There being no further discussion, vote was as follows:
A KIRK - YES
CHANDLER - YES
MARKHAM - YES
OLIVER - YES
WATFORD - YES
MOTION CARRIED.
M0
OCTOBER 7,1997 - REGULAR MEETING • PAGE 5 OF 5
VI. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
D. Consider executing a Donation of Property, Closing Item was withdrawn from the agenda.
Statement and Subordination Agreement to the
Department of Transportation for right of way
acquisition on the Highway 441 North Widening
Project - Attorney Cook (Exhibit 2).
E. Continued discussion of Downtown Renovation III Discussion continued after recess.
Project (if needed).
VII. Adjourn Regular Meeting - Mayor Kirk. 111 There being no further items on the agenda, Mayor Kirk adjourned the October 7, 1997 regular meeting at 8:41 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:
BONNIE S. THOMAs, CMC
CITY CLERK
7�
.IAMEs E. KIRK, MAYOR