Loading...
2006-03-23 Workshop w/County506 y,oF° k v' m a 1915 ' I. CALL TO ORDER. II. BOARD AND STAFF ATTENDANCE: Mayor James E. Kirk Council Member Noel A. Chandler Council Member Lowry Markham Council Member Dowling R. Watford, Jr. Council Member Lydia Jean Williams City Attorney John R. Cook City Administrator Brian Whitehall City Clerk Lane Gamiotea CITY OF OKEECHOBEE AND OKEECHOBEE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MARCH 23, 2006 JOINT WORKSHOP SUMMARY OF WORKSHOP DISCUSSION Board of County Commissions Chairperson John Abney County Commissioner Cliff Betts County Commissioner Ray Domer County Commissioner Elvie Posey County Commissioner Gene Woods County Attorney John Cassells County Administrator George Long County Deputy Clerk Debra Lewis III. DISCUSSION. A. Discuss topics of mutual concern. PAGE 1 OF 2 Board of County Commissioners Chairperson Abney called the March 23, 2006 joint workshop to order at 5:35 p.m. The workshop was held at the Okeechobee County Health Department Annex Building located on Northwest V Avenue. Present Present Absent Present Present Absent Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Chairperson Abney opened the floor for discussion regarding the cook -off challenge for the First Annual American Cancer Society Fundraiser Barbeque, "Denim to Diamonds." He wanted to make sure everyone was on board. The event will take place on Saturday, April 8. Attorney Cassels researched the sunshine law requirement and advised we are okay to meet and discuss strategies for the cook -off. I MARCH 23, 2006 - CITY/COUNTY JOINT WORKSHOP - PAGE 2 OF 2 'J b 7 III. DISCUSSION CONTINUED. A. Discuss topics of mutual concern continued. IV. ADJOURN WORKSHOP. 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 ' ade, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. City perk tapes are for the a pu of backup for official records of the Clerk. ATTEST: James E. Kirk, Mayor Lane Gamiotea, City Clerk Drainage. The first matter of discussion was drainage. The County and City have received numerous complaints over the last two hurricane seasons. The plan that is in place is to work together with South Florida Water Management District to develop a Master Stormwater Plan that would comprise of the County and City. The plan would outline problem areas for flooding. Upon completion of the study, a consultant and/or firm would then have to be hired to offer solutions and projected budgets for the solutions. Both boards agreed that they needed to keep this matter fresh and on the top of the lists for legislative representatives as well. Impact Fees. Chairperson Abney then asked County Administrator Long for a status report on the Impact Fee Study. He advised that the firm was still processing and obtaining information from both the County and City. They are basically 50 percent completed. Once it is completed we will need to call a County, City, and School Board workshop to review what direction to move forward in. EOC Center. The next item of discussion was the new County Emergency Operations building. The County has requested direction from the City as whether a combined City/County 911 operations center could be developed as opposed to the 911 being in two separate departments (Sheriff and Police). An option would also be to have a city designated area for dispatch/communications during emergencies/hurricanes should the City lose operations at the police department building. OUA. Chairperson Abney then asked whether the City had any topics to discuss. Council Member Watford asked whether everyone was satisfied with the progress of the Okeechobee Utility Authority? The last workshop they held with the OUA reviewed the wastewater plant expansion and the time table to meet the expansion and have it on-line. County members stated their satisfaction. County Administrator Long, who also sits on the OUA Board gave a brief update of changes since the resignation of Director Fortner and progress of the wastewater plant expansion. Mayor Kirk, Council Members, Chairperson Abney and Commissioners individually thanked one another for their time to review these matters and looked forward to the next workshop. There being no further discussion, Chairperson Abney adjourned the workshop at 7:22 p.m. AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLISHER OIMlCHOUS TIMES 106 S.l. Sth S1•0 Okeesbebeer FL 34974 (863) 763-7483 Published weekly STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY OF OKEECHOBEE: Before the undersigned authority personally appeared James A. Hughes, Jr., who on oath says that he is publisher of the Okeechobee Times, a newspaper published weekly at Okeechobee in Okeechobee, Florida: that the attached copy of advertisement, being a Public Noti in the matter of wnrkshon N4 NW 2nd Stool. Room 106 7 7 1 In the art, was published in said newspaper in the issues of 03/1612ME Affiant further says that the said Okeechobee Times is a newspaper published at Okeechobee, in said Okeechobee County, Florida, and that said newspaper has heretofore been continuously published in said Okeechobee, Florida as a daily, weekly, or bi-weekly and has been entered as second class mail matter at the post office in Okeechobee, in said Okeechobee County, Florida, for a period of one year next preceding the first publication of the attached copy of advertisement; and affiant further says that he has neither paid nor promised any person, firm or corporation any discount, rebate, commission or refund for the purpose of securing this advertisement for publication in the said newspaper. Jame4 A. Hughes, Jr., (Publisher) `J Sworn to and subscribed before me this & tL day of M 6.4- A.D. 2006 (SEAL) Notary Public I /Iclxe�� -77= Rosealee A. Brennan R.• `44,, Commission#DD318483 • Expires- Jun 25, 2008 z, Bonded'ihtuu 1nA 1„f N AtianheBonding •------------ ruaucrtar>c># ,- TM gcasapo0ae cows? iwN of 1r�Y Cororola�lat..a WIR cc%"ena a�ik*f.rp . .a.eioa With m.o"n of, de Olia+etlebaa t iy c.6.il on 1Lwulgy. mwch 23. IC166 Kilo m. . pin AWhOdUtn IuFAW m 1798 WW 9thAveftae, 0loardtoi�ee• FlririJoAo JUc�M+ ; Issnes r poJacfebr.mut„a1 bt�,u. , . An.pa"i. asdd6a tn'am aln:aaciebn . MOW. b7 do Hord of County Cotmdsetoea►s.. frith test .0 to o4Y M°— mnday W i11 aeaa a feaord orAhe rapeeeaio11. . to ensufe that a •arbatifn rce ld of'sach. p sisrook,W%-h—Wd*W1in1Wft- . aM u, i.y and eVWVM W opoe which the. appal ij 26 to bwd - 9oo,d orCataO'=•-ofssliifxnt. slprea.�.t+entl.ci� . so.dofcAttMyca,ea°i 48— . rawwt: ht:en>�oos+ h1.nn ?O M"t 1719;'7 • 0 Page -1- Tape side CITY OF OKEECHOBEE - March 23, 2006 - CITY/COUNTY JOINT WORKSHOP HANDWRITTEN MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Abney March 23, 2006, City/County Workshop 5:36 p.m. III. MAYOR, COUNCIL AND STAFF ATTENDANCE - City Clerk. Present Absent Mayor James E. Kirk Council Member Noel A. Chandler Council Member Lowry Markham Council Member Dowling R. Watford, Jr. Council Member Lydia Jean Williams City Administrator Brian Whitehall City Attorney John R. Cook City Clerk Lane Gamiotea BOCC Chairperson John Abney County Commissioner Cliff Betts County Commissioner Ray Domer County Commissioner Elvie Posey County Commissioner Gene Woods County Attorney John Cassells County Administrator George Long County Deputy Clerk Debra Lewis III. DISCUSSION. A. Discuss topics of mutual concern. X X X X X X It X X X X X X X X Abney - demims and diamons cook off competition between the city and county for the bbq. Drainage 1s' issue to discuss. Mrs. Kirk was at our meeting today, $3 million outline for drainage, divert anythign else coming into the city, city limits and sw 3'd avenue trying to divert more through there, need more help through that area, right away, staff needs to work together. Easement through mark treondle with the city, had to put underground, cut a ditch through there. Mayor around your house, number of houses built next to you and higher elevation, we're trying in the county to mitigate infill, Kirk, something already in code book, they will be required to put in some ditches on their property to resolve that problem. Abney, smaller lots in city, any thought storm water retention within the city? Haven't talked about that because we don't have much area to do. Abney IE bryant existing lake to use as storm water retention, sfwmd will not be able to handle this alone, they will need us to take things on like that we need to look at the storm water retention. Noel, big development coming in across city limits require them to put in some holding retention ponds to use since the water could be pumped across 7" avenue, Gene, • Page -2- Abney, developer comes in, take care of water, but that water has to leave that property and see what the down stream impacts are. Those areas need to be looked at as well. Elvie, whatever we do we need to make sure we are all working together on this so each knowns what the other is doing. Ray, city thinking about doing a drainage plan kirk under the impression the county's included the city as well, george, working on southwest area of county, feasibility to establish a utility to fund the overall project, will need to know how, area? Lazy 7,....which includes the city, study the sfwmd is fund, county funding, kick off meeting, feasibiity study, where are we in that process, just starting finished sept 30, 2006, funding runs out at that point cliff, not to say we couldn't have interlocal so we could access their portion of it george, can do that one system to try to help all of us, not city do little, county do little, overall comprehensive plan and one standard assessment, independent and city/county each have to collect, etc, share same boundaries, couldn't impose, cliff - watford, when we get this plan, that will give suggestions, ideas or solutions and future problems, what will be wehave? Jim hoped to have questionaire to allow citizens to put in where they know there are problem, community & govt identified, areas targetted, then costs to do, then we'll know assessment rate. Watford, will it give us solutions? Possible ones, not detailed enough to tell you this size of pumping, etc. Cliff, costs don't mean anything if you don't know what you've got to do to solve it. Jim give some solutions but not details, show this is where you need to put the first area, wont be studied to tell you this is the best solution, prioritize what is most important, then solutions, best and then a budget to do enough topo info to know where water coming from? George, think so , conseptual, not for construction or bidding, just identify in a broad way. Abney at what point .. George, swfs designed to determine assessment is feasible cliff, elvie, south end and work your way back, don't care where the problem area is if you don't start on south end and work your way back all your doing is moving one problem to another. Kirk? Who Craig A Smith George, $1.5 million committed to e/w corridor to go into sda that does not exist yet,1/3 go to design & survey, portion on acquisition of property, Brian, assesment clarification? Know project boundaries, feasibility study focus on southwest part of county, project area, Kirk still have great deal understanding, rim canal being up doesn't force water from coming back, cannot get that through my mind, need help on that end, during a storm water pumped from rim canal into lake, they admit pumps can't keep up, 6 yrs to permit a pump, temporary pumps put in, Abney, pumping station built 30 year ago, 1954, Watford, you've been invited to a meeting on Monday, their info to us didn't make common sense, some way to join forces to put preasure on them to get that water lowered during approaching storms? Elvie 2 jurisdictions based on level of lake. 0 Page -3- Watford, whatever, we're so small they don't pay attention, with your help they may listen better, cliff, they have to go to court to take levels down, 13-15 feet, control of the district above or below it's the corp control, before storms, issue, higher level than purdent tape 1 side B watford, maybe we need to go hirer than district, federal or whatever, somebody should have the authority to say they can drop that lake due to hurricanes, whatever. Wood, senator claud pepper, got things done, us senators may be the people to call, abney important to all be on page legislators be herer, somefrom city be there to address drainage, governing board here on 12'h of April, shrine club, freshman campus or civic center ray highest left in rim canal 16 feet is what sfwmd says, brian, they will tell you they have scientific evidence that they don't need to lower the canal ray, when city has developer, design show discharge and how it will be handled, developments in past drainage not been an issue, using the same gullies and natural flow of areas, meet same criteria? Are we all doing that the same? Brian the site is engineer for drainage that is about it. Watford, there is limited areas for development, but when we do, ie property across from Johns house, we told him he'll have to take care of his problem. Infill development is a lot of our problems. Ray, comments of how development has changed the topo and flows of water over the years, if you don't have some data your not going to be able to have something, if 16 feet is thier issue, we'll have to .... some of the older homes you'll not be able to keep them from flooding during these extreme events, some we need to design for, 14 inches in 24 hours, where are we going to be going with this, what we are going to be able to retain is unrealistic to some people, amount of rain wilma dropped on us, our system now works so well we don't retain any water, going to have to have some structures, will have to retain some water from the north rather than moving it the whole time with the water trying to also flow in the south, experienced the flooding and amazing how fast it did go away, wilma was an extreme rain event George, one thing we tried to come up with are number of houses that flooded, problem with demonstrating, Cliff kind of with Ray, people will complain, but keep it just below breaking in someone's house, they can tolerate 5-6 inches standing in their yard, but keep it from breaking into their home. Gene that's the reason to start in low area and start holding it back ray board as made a commitment that drainage is a very serious issue with us an dnot try to waiver from, costs never been done before, with these ways that they are going to be able to actually put all on computer where what it what size who owns it how to access it start more documented fashion than calling 30 year road employee, trying to become more formal with ti, but amount of money it will take I amazing Elvie, major conveyances not west of 441, ray, more ability to pump than what we might think, they don't run all at one time, etc, that schedule as to how and when will be factored in this drainage plan to maintain their highest volume. Noel/Ray, everything comes to a head and then starts backing up, east/west area, r tape 2 side a kirk, excited you are looking at moving the water to the west, best thing to help E u Page -4- Watford, need to make sure it remains on time, someone from county/city doesn't have good experience with them keeping projects on time. Ray, you guys are ones with the density, any plans for curb and gutter for roads, future developments, Elvie identify areas for conveyances, do whatever is necessary to acquire them? Gene I am, Kirk we don't have a choice, Elvie don't know if we've tried to do it. Watford, tried it and cost us a bundle of money. Impact Fee's. Where are we? George, there basic info captial improvements and costs county would fund with part of that, got 1 more meeting w/ engineer to wrap up, also would need to meet from the city, brian met with him twice, nothing recent, last we heard march was suppose to be the deadline for rough draft, purpose of last meeting approaching mid march dragged him him to press him on it, need to apply the heat to get this thing done, basically regarded process to 50% complete to implementation of the fee's. whenever we get this we'll need a city county school board workshop to get this done, snag with city not being a asked for the data, brian will give him a call something else he might need from school board, no he has it all, time is of the essence, EOC new operation system, final assesments 12,000 sf and $5million, 911 dispatch will be in this building, need city will have space needs there an dispatch, dispatch at city police dept, expectation to move there what point will you need to vacate, make sense to plan to have it all in one location from the beginning, need to allowcate space if you think you will need it, noel, all the families come to that building, at , we wont to be sure we ar ein the same plannin gmode, communications we're working on new system, consultant, when that starts evolving need to communicate need to get the chief in with you on this, would be expected to fund some of that. Gut feeling is we don't want to move our dispatch, we haven't moved in that direction, whatever we do we need to plan for it, more reasons than just hurricanes to have a centered EOC, if city wants to be a part of planning, how to make it work George, storm activity, unanimious decsion number 1 problems is communications and the resources that you use for communications has to be protected at all costs, communication systems is also another thing to protect, unless we make provisions in the 911 then there will be a huge gap, 911 system now can flow through independent, some redundentcy, dispatch is going to be buried, is this an all or nothing? Can we have a stand by facility to put the personnel over there tornado, etc, Need imput from city as soon as possible with in the 4 weeks, kirk, we probably need to meet in workshop with the chief, at least a room with our equipment. Watford, big meeting about OUA, are we satisfied with the progress being made there moving in direction, design been underway for some time, cash committment from developer will be known, original expansion is adaquate or more than we need, still some decisions to be made, john hayford, package have workshop to bring us all up to speed and se if there need sto be anotheg else fo rthat progress for our concerns one issue is tring to get that pump in the rim canals, costly adventure, brought a lot of things to light, increase the capacity at the plant, quality has increased plan b drawing water our of rim canal. Elvie, focus on treatment plan than distribution system, topic that quite a bit discussion design for water treatment plant, didn't make whole lot of difference, still have some work to be done, one good thing that happened actually fair amount of meeting that involved number of positive comments that have Back on communications, need to have someone appointed to consultatns for that project as well. Expect our board next agenda, confirm ranking, negotiate and then start on project, evaluation of what we have, recommendations, and what to do timetable and budget. Appreciate both siade Adjourned at 7:22 p.m. MINUTES OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS JOINT WORKSHOP WITH OKEECHOBEE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 23, 2006 The Board of County Commissioners of Okeechobee County, Florida convened a workshop session with members of the Okeechobee City Council at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 23, 2006 at the HRS Auditorium, 1798 NW 9th Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida. Chair Abney presided with the following members present: Commissioners Domer, Woods, Betts and Posey. Also present were: County Administrator George Long, Deputy County Administrator Jim Threewits, County Attorney John Cassels and Deputy Clerk Debra Lewis. Members of the City Council were present as follows: Mayor James Kirk and Council members Noel Chandler, Dowling Watford and Lydia Jean Williams. Also present for the City were: City Administrator Brian Whitehall and City Clerk Lane Gamiotea. Chair Abney called the meeting to order, announcing the purpose of this meeting to discuss issues and/or projects of mutual interest to both groups. STORM WATER DRAINAGE MASTER PLAN Chair Abney requested that commissioners and council members first discuss drainage issues in the southwest section of the County. He advised of the importance of the County having a cooperative relationship with the City in order to properly divert water draining from properties within City limits. There was discussion of the following: X Recommended methods for preventing newer and higher elevation homesites from diverting surface water to adjoining properties X Recommended methods for providing adequate drainage of stormwaters from the southwest section of the County Mayor Kirk expressed concern for the recommended use of a particular pond in the southwest section for drainage / retention purposes. During discussion, Chair Abney advised of a situation in Lazy 7 that required improvements to be made to the downstream drainage system in order to improve the immediate problem. When asked by Commissioner Domer to respond, Mayor Kirk advised of his understanding that the County would be developing a stormwater drainage plan that would include the City of Okeechobee. County Administrator Long provided details of the County's proposed drainage plan and Deputy County Administrator Threewits confirmed that the plan would include much of the City of Okeechobee. There was discussion as to whether the City and County should consider executing an Interlocal Agreement for development of a Stormwater Drainage Master Plan Councilman Watford requested, and received from Deputy County Administrator Threewits, details relating to the anticipated progress toward completion of the stormwater drainage system and of impending solutions to existing drainage issues. There was discussion of: X Identifiers for major drainage problems X Methods for determining drainage system priorities X Topographical information needed to help identify problem areas as a means for creating solutions X Best method(s) for creating a better drainage system X Need to consider an assessment mechanism for funding the development and maintenance of an adequate drainage system City Administrator Whitehall requested, and received from County Administrator Long, clarification with regard to possible funding mechanism(s) for development and maintenance of a functional drainage system. Mayor Kirk expressed concern for a rise in water in the Rim Canal during past hurricane events. He encouraged consideration for pumping water from the Rim Canal to the Lake proper in an effort to lower water volumes prior to hurricane events. During discussion, Councilman Watford encouraged joint effort between County and City officials to influence the appropriate entity or entities to lower water levels in the Rim Canal prior to an impending hurricane event. There was added discussion regarding the combined responsibilities of South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for controlling lake water levels. County Administrator Long advised of his understanding that thirteen (13) to fifteen (15) feet of water in Lake Okeechobee would be managed by SFWMD, while any levels above or below those depths would be controlled by the Corps of Engineers. During discussion, Councilman Watford reiterated his suggestion that Okeechobee City and County work together to influence the appropriate entities to lower Rim Canal water levels prior to a major storm event. Chair Abney announced the SFWMD Governing Board would be meeting at the Okeechobee Shrine Club on Highway 78 West on April 12`h and he encouraged the City Council to send a representative to that meeting to state their concerns. City Administrator Whitehall advised of difficulties experienced in dealing with SFWMD on the Rim Canal issue, 2 c noting SFWMD's feeling that the level of waters in the Rim Canal should not influence flooding conditions inland. Councilman Watford advised of various impacts created within the City by new construction. There was discussion of this matter, as well as issues associated with the magnitude of rainfall required in a specific time frame to create flooding conditions for residents. Commissioner Domer expressed doubt that some conditions would be cured in a short period of time and he noted successful efforts only within the past year to effectively drain stormwaters in some areas of the County. County Administrator Long advised of efforts to collect data to support the HGMP Grant application, specifically the number of homes in Okeechobee County that were flooded during Hurricane Wilma in 2005. It was agreed that the retention of waters in some areas would contribute to the successful curbing of flood conditions. Commissioner Posey advised of his concern for the lack of major water conveyances west of Highway 441 and Lock 7. During discussion, Councilman Chandler suggested construction of a structure at a particular point in the southwest section of the County intended to improve drainage in that area. During discussion of this matter, Mayor Kirk advised of his concern for the fact that his residence flooded during the last hurricane, noting that the elevation of his property measures twenty-two feet (22') and he had been advised that water levels in the Rim Canal had peaked at only sixteen feet (16'). There was discussion of the progress made with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) grant funding for projects to remedy / prevent flood conditions. Commissioner Posey stressed the importance of focusing on maintaining consistent culvert size and elevation as the best effort for addressing the conveyance of stormwaters throughout the County. Mayor Kirk advised of his feeling that despite the fact that both City and County drainage ditches seem to be flowing as well as can be expected, severe flood conditions have still occurred in his residence and others in the southwest section of the County. There was discussion between Commissioner Domer and Mayor Kirk regarding the importance of recognizing facts associated with flood conditions. During added discussion, Councilman Chandler encouraged the use of realistic, rather than historical, rainfall criteria as a gauge for determining expectations for flood levels. 3 In closing, Chair Abney urged consistent cooperation between the City Council and County Commission for achieving goals to alleviate countywide flood conditions. When asked, County Administrator Long advised of deadline dates and proposed timeframes for completion of the drainage projects funded by SFWMD grant funding. Commissioner Domer requested, and received from City Administrator Whitehall, plans by the City to require curb and gutter drainage systems for new developments within that jurisdiction. IMPACT FEES Chair Abney requested, and received from County Administrator Long, an update of progress on the impact fee study for Okeechobee County. There was discussion as to how both entities could best work together to obtain the information needed in the least amount of time. Chair Abney noted anticipation by the County Commission to hold a joint workshop with County, City and School Board officials once the impact fee study has been completed. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER (EOC) Chair Abney presented to City Council members, an update of the County's efforts to plan for design of a new Emergency Operations Center (EOC). He inquired as to whether the City anticipated the use of space within the EOC structure for dispatch and/ or other public services. Mr. Abney further advised of plans by the County to procure a new emergency communications system. During discussion, it was noted by City Councilman Watford that the police chief had expressed that he was not in favor of operating city police dispatch from the new EOC building. Commissioner Domer prompted discussion of additional reasons for the City to consider reserving operations space in the new EOC structure. County Administrator Long advised that the lack of adequate communications during recent hurricane events had been determined the number one reason for a slower response to some public needs. He further advised of his anticipation that a gap may occur in communications process if the City chooses not to locate the police department dispatch in the new EOC Center. During discussion, County Attorney Cassels recommended consideration for temporary location of City Police Department dispatch activity during a major disaster situation. County Administrator Long suggested a space needs assessment be completed for any need the City 4 r , • might anticipate in the line of emergency operations. During discussion, there was a recommendation for the City and County to consider future disaster events as joint, rather than individual concerns. Mayor Kirk suggested the City Council conduct a workshop with the Police Chief to discuss EOC issues. OKEECHOBEE UTILITY AUTHORITY (OUA) Councilman Watford inquired as to whether the County was satisfied with current efforts and progress made by Okeechobee Utility Authority (OUA) to increase countywide wastewater processing capacity. County Administrator Long advised that OUA should know by its next board meeting whether the original expansion will provide adequate capacity. During discussion, Commissioner Betts requested that a workshop be scheduled between City, County and OUA board members once data has been finalized. Discussion followed with regard to the work needed to determine if an improved quality of water has been achieved with completion of the new water processing plant There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned. Sharon Robertson, Clerk Board of County Commissioners Okeechobee County, Florida John W. Abney, Sr., Chairman Board of County Commissioners Okeechobee County, Florida 5