1990-08-17 Regular MeetingI
City of Okeechobee
A. Call meeting to order.
B. Mayor and Council attendance:
Mayor Oakland R. Chapman
Councilman R.R. "Nick" Collins
Councilman James "Jim" Kirk
Councilman Oscar Thomas
Councilman Dowling R. Watford, Junior
c� Staff attendance:
^d
City Attorney John R. Cook
City Administrator John J. Drago
City Clerk Bonnie S. Thomas
City Deputy Clerk S. Lane Earnest
C. Motion to remove from the table the Option
Agreement between the City and Southern Electric
International, Inc.
Discussion:
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL FETING
August 17, 1990 - 2:00 P.M.
SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION
COUNCILMEMBERS/ACTION
Mayor Chapman called the meeting to order at 2:00 P.M.
Present
Present
Present
Absent
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Present
Present
Present
Absent
& Wm : •
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Councilman Collins made a motion to remove from the table the
Option Agreement between the City and Southern Electric
International, Inc.; seconded by Councilman Kirk.
Chapman
Collins
Kirk
Thomas
Watford
Motion Carried.
Mayor Chapman indicated to Administrator Drago to proceed with
discussion of the option agreement. Administrator Drago asked
City Attorney Cook to update the Council by going over the changes
made in the option agreement. (each Councilman received a copy
of the revised option agreement).
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AUGUST 77, 1990
PAGE 2 OF 4
Discussion Continued . . .
COUNCILMEMBERS/ACTION
City Attorney Cook explained in detail the three year option
agreement between the City and Southern Electric International,
Inc. going through each of the fourteen paragraphs and pointing
out to the City Council and others present the specific changes
in the agreement that have been made since the last discussions
were held.
Mayor Chapman asked Administrator Drago to introduce the Southern
Electric International, Inc. (SEI, Inc.), Representative.
Administrator Drago introduced Mr. Roger Smith, the Manager of
Business Development for SEI, Inc., and asked him to come to the
podium. Administrator Drago further stated that Mr. Smith was
the one who negotiated the option agreement on behalf of SEI, Inc.
A meeting was held with Mr. Smith Tuesday with engineers, Attorney
Cook, Director Fortner and Assistant Director Stratton with some
of Mr. Smith's engineers. We came away from the meeting pretty
well mutually agreed that the deal can work if a few items fall
into place, and this is the last part of their puzzle that they
need to get done in order to go forward with Florida Power and
Light (FPL). If Council has questions Mr. Smith will answer them.
Mr. Smith proceeded to walk through the process of locating the
appropriate site, obtaining an option agreement and explaining
to those present in detail the studies to be made, DER and SFWMD
requirements to be met; permitting and zoning considerations that
will have to be realized in such a project for the City, SEI, Inc.
and FPL.
"The project itself is a 250 mego watt coal fired electric
generating station, using a CFB Boiler which is a circulating
fluidized bed boiler. It is a technology which is environmentally
very sound." Mr. Smith further explained "all ash generated by
the plant will be removed from the site and returned to the coal
mines in Kentucky, Tennessee and/or Virginia. We (SEI, Inc.)
believe that when you look at the entire package there is the
potential for jobs and increased tax base. We attempt to be a
good neighbor wherever we go."
VOTE
YES 1 NO
Discussion Continued . . .
17. 7990
COUNCILMFMBFRS/ACTION
PAGE 3 OF 4
VOTF
Mr. Smith further expressed concerns of SEI, Inc. and the City
about water, wetlands on the site and air quality regarding the
project. "So, one of the very first things that we will do, if
you choose to exercise the option, we will spend a lot of time
with Administrator Drago, Attorney Cook, your Engineers and our
Engineers talking about water management districts and making sure
we understand exactly where the wetlands are out there and make
sure we can still build on the site after we make that
determination. I can assure you that will be the first thing we
do and so as to keep everybody close to that, our work with DER
and SFWMD on this issue.
"This is the last thing we need to do to do business with FPL but
this is very early on in the whole process. There are a lot of
technical issues that will have to work together to resolve.
There are a lot of permitting issues that we will have to work
together to resolve and we will ask for your assistance in that
as we go along. We will also keep you posted as we go along and
at the appropriate times with more technical details we work out
with FPL and with the City, it is our intent to educate the
citizens of Okee h b th
c o ee so ey are educated in the process as
well. So, everybody can make a fair determination on how we are
going to move on. But in essence, that is where we stand as of
today".
Mayor Chapman asked for questions from the Council. Discussion
ensued with Mr. Smith, the Council and staff; also expression of
support for the project were given by the audience.
After discussion, Councilman Collins moved to ratify this Option
Agreement; seconded by Councilman Kirk.
Chapman
Collins
Kirk
Thomas
Watford
Motion Carried.
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AUGUST 17, 1990
PAGE 4 OF 4
COUNCILMEMBERS/ACTION
VOTE
YES
NO
AUNT
3.70URNXENT
Mayor Chapman:
Mayor Chapman adjourned the meeting at 2:55 P.M.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT IF ANY PERSON SHOULD DECIDE
TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE AT THIS MEETING OF THE CITY
COUNCIL, SUCH PERSON WILL NEED TO INSURE THAT A VERBATIM
RECORD OF THE PROCEEDING IS MADE WHICH INCLUDES THE
TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS BASED.
A COPY OF THE RECORDING CAN BE OBTAINED IN THE CITY
CLERK'S OFFICE.
lf`d
^1
akland R. Chapma,, Mayor
Attest:
Bonnie S. Thomas, City Clerk, CMC
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