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2019-07-09 Strategic Planning WorkshopCITY OF OKEECHOBEE JULY 95 2019, STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP 55 SE 3RD AVENUF ® COUNCIL CHAMBERS ® OKEECHOBEE, . v FL 3497A T SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION PAGE 1 OF 5 5111 11 AGENDA 11 COUNCIL DISCUSSION 11 CALL TO ORDER - Mayor July 9, 2019, City Council Strategic Planning Workshop, 3:30 P.M. II. MAYOR AND COUNCIL ATTENDANCE - City Clerk Mayor Dowling R. Watford, Jr. Council Member Wes Abney Council Member Monica M. Clark Council Member Bob Jarriel Council Member Bobby Keefe City Attorney John R. Cook City Administrator Marcos Montes De Oca City Clerk Lane Gamiotea Deputy City Clerk Bobbie Jenkins Fire Chief Herb Smith Police Chief Bob Peterson Public Works Director David Allen Finance Director India Riedel III. NEW BUSINESS A. Introduction of Moderator, James R. Spratt, Governmental Services, LLC - Mayor. B. Participation guidelines for Council and public - Moderator. C. Discussion of strategic planning and vision for the City's future - Moderator. 1. Mission and Vision Statement Mayor Watford called the Workshop to order on July 9, 2019, at 3:32 P.M. The roll was not called; attendance was noted as follows: Present Present Present Present Present Absent (with consent) Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Mayor Watford introduced Mr. James R. Spratt with Governmental Services, LLC, who will serve as the Moderator. The purpose of the Workshop is to consider ideas in order to develop a Strategic Plan for the City by identifying working goals and objectives to guide the Council and Staff over a defined period. Mr. Spratt explained the participation guidelines asking Council to provide input at any time, then public comments would be opened at the end; everyone agreed. After a brief discussion, the Council endorsed Council Member Keefe's suggestion for the Vision and Mission Statements; both will need to be formally adopted at a future Council meeting. The Vision Statement is worded as "The City of Okeechobee will create and maintain a vibrant community built on our unique character, history and small-town atmosphere." JO.0 JULY 9, 2019 - STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP - PAGE 2 OF 5 AGENDA III. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED CA Mission and Vision Statement continued. 2. City goals for the next one, five, and twenty years. COUNCIL DISCUSSION The Mission Statement is worded as "The mission of the City of Okeechobee is to provide quality services which enhance our businesses and citizen's lives while being committed to a fiscally sound community." Mr. Spratt provided baselines of things to be considered for review such as the City Charter, Code of Ordinances, Code Enforcement, growth, manufacturing, and joint efforts with the County School Board and Board of County Commissioners of Okeechobee to increase training and education facilities. Council Member Keefe provided his vision of how he would like to be welcomed to the City, which included beautiful landscaping and vacant buildings being occupied by businesses. He suggested street paving and striping plans, and a sidewalk maintenance plan be generated. The City should also consider creating a Parks and Recreation Department. Mayor Watford reviewed items the Council previously recommended be placed within the upcoming Fiscal Year (FY) budget to be discussed in August. Some of the items to be included are a Charter Review and updating certain areas of the Code of Ordinances. The City has also partnered with the Okeechobee Economic Development Corporation (OEDC) to promote growth. Council Member Clark requested the landscape, signage, and parking Ordinances be updated. A theme for FLAGLER PARK should be created; the policies that provide guidelines and rules for park use should be updated. She expressed her concerns with the required minimum square footage of homes that can be built within the City, as they do not meet the current Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirements. She also suggested the possibility of merging the City and County Fire Departments. Elaborating that while attending the Institute for Elected Municipal Officials she learned that many municipalities have done this to lower the millage rate and streamline services provided to the citizens. The conversation then turned to resident retention and employment, The Council all agreed that there is a need for sustainable employment other than retail. Council Member Keefe suggested the possibility of a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). Mayor Watford agreed this would be a great tool. Mr. Spratt opened the floor for public comment. Mrs. Jennifer Tewksbury submitted comments to the Council on behalf of the Economic Council of Okeechobee. City Fire Captain Lalo Rodriguez voiced his concerns regarding residents moving from Okeechobee to the Heartland Region. Mr. Gary Ritter asked that the Council consider implementing stormwater activities that focus on water quality. Mr. Frank Irby suggested the Council choose no more than three items to accomplish in the upcoming FY. Mr. Noel Chandler noted many of the goals discussed tonight have been set by previous Councils, but not carried out. Mrs. Libby Pigman of the South Florida Water Management District expressed her concerns with how Okeechobee is being negatively branded by the current water issues surrounding the algal bloom in Lake Okeechobee and water releases from the Lake to the Indian River and Caioosahatchee Lagoons, adding septic to sewer conversion mandates are a great way to be on the forefront of the current water quality issues. Mr. Wes Williamson requested the Council continue to support the OEDC. DULY 9, 2019 - STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP - PAGE 3 OF 5 AGENDA III. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED C.2. City goals for the next one, five, and twenty years continued COUNCIL DISCUSSION Mayor Watford recessed the Workshop at 4:57 P.M. Council Member Abney exited the Chambers during the recess and was absent for the remainder of the session. The Workshop was reconvened at 5:05 P.M. Based on the discussion, the following one-year goals and objectives were highlighted as: Ordinance and Land Development Regulation Review: Parking and Buildings: amend the current requirements to be flexible for existing structures/buildings. Signage: amend to minimize complexity. Design Standards: raise minimum residential sizes, ensuring they mirror the HUD requirements for residential single-family homes. Landscape and Maintenance: develop minimum requirements for residential single-family homes, commercial properties and the downtown areas; maintain a higher level of compliance and consistent enforcement. Beautification: develop and implement design for downtown including parks and future public use facilities; ensure requirements exist for maintenance and enforcement for non-compliance. Right(s)-of-Way: Develop and Implement Plans: Striping of Roadways, Sidewalks, Paving, Drainage, and Medians. Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA): Review and consider establishing a CRA; pursue grant opportunities, Re-Development/Infill of Vacant Storefronts: Continue to work with the Economic Council of Okeechobee and OEDC to attract and recruit new businesses; seek opportunities to work with traditional and new partners; ensure parking is addressed appropriately during the ordinance review to increase parking for businesses to succeed; ensure broadening code compliance to address adequately for these properties, Fiscal Responsibility/General Budget Overview: Ensure transparency and a fiscally sound community; utilize opportunities for City innovative projects including partnerships with companies such as Florida Power and Light/Next Era Energy, Stormwater Master Plans: Develop a Stormwater Master Plan which includes use of technologically and economically feasible best management practices that will help achieve the goals of the Lake Okeechobee Basin Management Action Plan; ensure new development meets highest water quality standards. Septic to Sewer Conversions: Consider adopting a mandatory connection policy for existing and new businesses where feasible; work in partnership with Okeechobee Utility Authority (OUA) to encourage expansion of sewer within the City and new development; aid and support the OUA efforts to securing funding projects. Charter Review: Mr. Spratt noted this could take one to three years. Fund legal services budget for professional services required to facilitate and oversee the review; establish a committee to review the Charter so that it reflects all City functions and obligations to citizens. 521 DULY 9, 2019 - STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP - PAGE 4 OF 5 AGENDA III. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED C.2. City goals for the next one, five, and twenty years continued COUNCIL DISCUSSION The following three-year goals and objectives were highlighted as: Comprehensive Land Use Plan Review: Complete a review of the Plan; focus on inconsistencies between the existing use, future land use, and zoning maps. Workforce Availability: Continue building the relationship with public schools, Indian River State College and other regional training facilities to ensure training programs meet needs of community and create an employee pipeline; work through economic development groups and other partners to identify targeted employee needs. Family Friendly Community: Preserve character and history while providing business and family entertainment opportunities; explore, based on need and capacity, establishing additional recreational areas and opportunities as well as community event locations; continue to be a business/growth friendly community. Annexation: Fund and complete a formal study; identify areas where the City can provide services; identify areas which can provide a benefit to businesses and residents based on services received and tax rates. The following five-year goals and objectives were highlighted as: Housing Availability: Encourage development of affordable housing while ensuring adequate land use for multi -family developments; maintain flexibility for new residents on both ends of the spectrum (i.e. new families and retirees); coordinate efforts with County programs for housing on potential parcels within the City. City Commerce Center: Encourage the recruitment of new businesses as well as retention and expansion of existing businesses; continue partnership with OEDC to identify parcels and potential businesses. Traffic Issues: Improve traffic flow at main intersection and roadway corridors. Mr. Spratt stated the above listed goals and objectives provide a decent snapshot of the expectations, and the focus of budget priorities to assist in meeting the identified goals of the Strategic Plan. He suggested the list of items formulated be reviewed by City Staff, then he would provide a draft for the Council to review. The consensus of the Council was for each Member to provide their suggested changes to the draft Plan as soon as possible for the Administrator to provide it at a future meeting, noting the Council wanted the Plan adopted before the 2019-20 budget was adopted. Additionally, the one-year goals should be included in the proposed budget. The Vision and Mission Statements can be adopted at the August 6, 2019, meeting. JULY 9, 2019 -STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP -PAGE 5 OF 5 59 AGENDA III. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED C.2. City goals for the next one, five, and twenty years continued 3. Governing guidelines 4. Other Council topics COUNCIL DISCUSSION Mr. Spratt provided encouragement to the Council in their ability to formulate a good beginning to create the Strategic Plan, reminding them these are all less than five-year goals. The Council will need to meet again to discuss longer -term goals. Governing guidelines was not discussed. No other topics were presented for discussion. IV. ADJOURNMENT - Mayor There being no further discussion, Mayor Watford adjourned the Workshop at 6:17 P.M. Please take notice and be advised that when 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 ensure that a verbatim record of the proceeding is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. City Clerk media are for the sole purpose of backup for official records of the Clerk. ATT ST: Lane Gamiotea, CMC, City Clerk Dowling R. at ord, Jr., Mayor aNDEPENDENT NEWSMEDIA INC. USA STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY OF OKEECHOBEE Before the undersigned authority personally appeared Katrina Elsken, who on oath says she is the Publisher of the Lake Okeechobee News, a three times a week Newspaper published at Okeechobee, in Okeechobee Cour��t-y, � 1.,,«ua,`►rat u'�e attache copy of advertisement being a i11TXC N��-it S✓ in the matter of in the 19th Judicial District of the Circuit Court of Okeechobee County, Florida, was published in said newspaper in the issues of .1I-)1 -zo101 Affiant further says that the said Lake Okeechobee News is a newspaper published at Okeechobee, in said Okeechobee County, Florida, and that said newspaper has heretofore been published continuously in said Okeechobee County, Florida each week 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 she has neither paid nor promised any person, firm or corporation any discount, rebate, commission or refund for the purpose of securing this advertisemen5 for publication in the said newspaper. Katrina Elsken Sworn to and subscribed before me this day of �! < .� �(; AD Notary Public, State of Florida at Large c. — ANGIE BRIDGES W COMMISSION 0 FF 976149 y a EXPIRES: AMU20,2020 %''6'r Q' Booded Thtu Nokuy PubhoUndamftm Lake Okeechobee News 107 SW 17th S-etouite D Okeechobee, a34 86.ri 13 CaYOFOXESCHOM KMM NOM SMT MC MMN M WORKSHOP ISHBtW;a aty Okaediobm w0 mrduct a Stahajt" np onT93%9, 2U9, 3O0 Pt4 orassDm tlueal0eras per. aOtY ft 555E aid Ave, Rrn 200, Okeednbee, FL Thepupo�aftlisVWldnPkmt6a�s6"ab�jcPhrNn9andvdmforthe. . CtyS fiLme �9 a htkion and NFiorr�rrar� aY 9�far the rrai are, tloe, ardiveiyY Go enkrg g idei arrdatFerCnurdropks iThe Prbk Is iNmd and enmrra9ed a atlad. The a9ad3 maY beo6�ed or M airrg the Cmoe of the C1y AAniY5ha0oS 86i- 33rz e#.9812. cum °tary rrema acrosme,n 1,, Sao 4 sue a wshelin remrd attire p:9Wthapmp�adIe and the rewrd id des the aW aaadmm wth (AG l .a wtlt a d6ab�y as "led FH the AD% tha needs spedal amorm�m `rio patid�le trr nos mNartthe863-7 Oert�t31ioerom6erthanhwhdmsdayspdor W.d BE ADVZW ee dvM you hud to dim any doamrrlt ddue, WaD or tams to the Land in support orappasUorr to arty �n on the a CM d the doamarypI�me, Wdeo, or berm tAu5f be pies ded to the ay Oak forthe(dy .. I. N° i i9 '"` ""ec�,� CITY OF OKEECHOBEE 0 55 SE 3Ro AVENUE ♦ OKEECHOBEE, FL 34974 fi STRATEGIC PLAN WORKSHOP JULY 9, 2019 OFFICIAL AGENDA CALL TO ORDER — Mayor: July 9, 2019, City Council Strategic Plan Workshop, 3:30 p.m. ATTENDANCE - City Clerk Mayor Dowling R. Watford, Jr. Council Member Wes Abney Council Member Monica Clark Council Member Bob Jarriel Council Member Bobby Keefe Attorney John R. Cook Administrator Marcos Montes De Oca Clerk Lane Gamiotea Deputy Clerk Bobbie Jenkins Fire Chief Herb Smith Police Chief Bob Peterson Public Works Director David Allen Finance Director India Riedel NEW BUSINESS A. Introduction of Moderator, James R. Spratt, Governmental Services, LLC. - Mayor B. Participation guidelines for Council and public - Moderator C. Discussion of strategic planning and vision for the City's future - Moderator 1. Mission and vision statement 2. City goals for the next one, five, and twenty years 3. Governing guidelines 4. Other Council topics IV. ADJOURN WORKSHOP — Mayor PLEASE TAKE NOTICE AND BE ADVISED that if any person desires to appeal any decision made by the City Council with respect to any matter considered at this proceeding, such interested person will need a record of the proceeding, and for such purpose may need to ensure a verbatim record of the proceeding is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. City Clerk recordings are for the sole purpose of backup for official records of the Clerk. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), any person with a disability as defined by the ADA, that needs special accommodation to participate in this proceeding, contact the City Clerk's Office no later than two business days prior to proceeding, 863-763-3372. BE ADVISED that should you intend to show any document, picture, video, or items to the Council in support or opposition to any item on the agenda, a copy of the document, picture, video, or item must be provided to the City Clerk for the City's records. City of Okeechobee, July 9, 2019 Workshop Minutes taken during the meeting by Lane Gamiotea CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Watford called the Strategic Planning Workshop to order on July 9, 2019, at 3:32 P.M. in the Council Chambers, Room 200 located at City Hall, 55 SE 3rd Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida 34974. II. MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND STAFF Mayor Dowling R. Watford, Jr. Council Member Wes Abney Council Member Monica Clark Council Member Bob Jarriel Council Member Bobby Keefe City Attorney John R. Cook City Administrator Marcos MontesDeOca City Clerk Lane Gamiotea Deputy City Clerk Bobbie Jenkins Fire Chief Herb Smith Police Chief Bob Peterson Public Works Director David Allen Finance Director India Riedel ATTENDANCE - City Clerk Present Present Present Present Present Absent (with consent/out of state) Present Present Present Present Present Present Present III. NEW BUSINESS A. Introduction of Moderator, James R. Spratt, Governmental Services, LLC - Mayor Jim of Governmental Services B. Participation guidelines for Council and public — Moderator Jim 1It time moderated something like this and 1It time you all have done this. Hope to have a direction for the city. Everyone on CC will be up fro election in 1 to 3 yrs. Not a 30 pg report, setting up the frame work that is useful to all and set a 2 yr mark, get another in here to go from here, thisis a great 15t step. What I envison, working thru points, let council weigh in w/ staff as necessary and then add the public towards the end. If all agree — no objections noted. C. Discussion of strategic planning and vision for the City's future — Moderator 1. Mission and vision statement 3 words or 300 words someing aspirational, city a is a world class city, something like we want to offer x services and be the best at xxx, caputure what your vision is for the city, any council have thoughts on this, penned it out? DW — I think, don't want to put words in BK mouth, want a vision and mission statement, should we do the mission first? Jim — vision first and mission is how to get there.. BK — vision by working with and listen to ciitzens, admin should formulate a vision to aspire to their.... And needs, gov future will look like. Agree vision needs to come first, get input from our stakeholders. Then the mission I s how were going to get there. Jim — vision back to city x is a vibrant city. Mission we're going to do all this to get to be the vibrant city. Public is important but need to get input from you as the elected officials, layout frame work on what you think, if we need to massage comments from the public we can, you all ran for office and have a cause. Bk — Vision "create and maintain a vibrant community built on our unique character, history, and small town feel." "Mission of the City of Okee is to provide quality services that enhance our citizens lives while being committed to a fiscal sound community." DW — like the unique char and history part of the vision. Page 1 of 10 MC — don't have anything to add to that, like it. Jim — good frame work to move off of. BJ — no we just need to deliever that. Jim — next would be the goals, how do we Believer that as our goals for 1, 3, 5 years. MDO — getting screen out. Jim — what do our ordinances look like, do they need to be updated? Do they allow staff to work in that vision, business community to come in, new busiensses, what is your ordinance frame work, and the other side is the code enforcement, customer service on code enforcement is very important, extra on us to be as courteous as possible. How does the public feels aobut code enforcement. Then we get into targeted growth. Looking at the ag community, like ag manufacturing type things? Work with school bd and BOCC to bring in more training and education facilities. What can we build on with the vision to build on the goals. What are your thoughts on the ordinance level? BK — when I drive in the city I want to see and know that Im welcomed, want to see the landscaping be different want to see stores filled, just changed code to police. Were going to be doing a charter review soon. Its more than just planting but taking care of them. The septic tanks, going in with the next 3-5 yrs, know it costs money but we need to see it come in. need people to train in the schools, see they are taking that into consideration. The city is going to have to follow through and make sure the education takes place. Jim — outside overall charter review, things city can do IE: city fronts look like, landscaping update to be more appropriate with the times, make sure a clear follow through, need some accountablility three. Regardless if speeding or trash, if we have a code we follow through on violations. Is that fair? BJ — yes. DW — weve made some changes or good start, think we'll have in the budget for the charter review and we'll begin that process and weve already talked about updating the ordinances. Then the county we're partnering with on ec level and include all in a time frame. Charter review within a 2 yrs or whatever the time frame should be, and continue working with the BOCC on ec dev. Some areas we haven't looked at since we got the CDBG fagade, got several grants to redo that area, it was a hard sell then, people may be more respective now, wanted a theme and is all worn out now, some of those things in the CDB district, need to plug those thigns in. Jim — part of that charter review is in the coming FY budget, is it a 1 or 3 yr goal? Suggest 3 yr goal so it doesn't get ahead of your budget making process. BK — landscapting, Parks and Rec (david still no stop sign) Paving plan Striping plan Need our cditizens to know what our plans are. Don't know what to day to our citizens when they ask when an area is going to be restriped. Sidewalks, get calls on when the maintenance will take place. When there is a plan in place, how ever many feet of side walks we have we can break it downw and budget for it. Always going to have hurricanes, and you know what to get back to and chasing your tail. We can say mr. smith your street is going to be paved on this quarter. Jim — verificable how to meet the goals, whats the maintenance plan, the tangible goals, make sure we met the goals thru dev and implementation plan. Many of those things exist in some form. They usually don't just wake up and say we're going to do thi... BK — DA do we have a sidewalk maintenance plan? DA — no. Page 2 of 10 MC — know were going to start the charter rerview but in the mean time we need to update the landscape, signage and parking ord updated. Need to know what we're going to have in downtown. Weve lost the downtown teheme, we need that. In additional to that is the parks, everyone who drives through the community drives by them. Trying to put in picnic area, need an overall vision for the parks, we have Idrs we're trying to follow and don't think we have as much control as we want. We cant say we don't want this business here or that oen there, agree with those things as far as having those visions. Within the next year think we can update our ordinances. Comp plan & Idrs. The city allows 800 sf homes, not even HUD regs anymore, don't have a lot of land to build on. What are we going to all to be built on land with homes that are demolished. Think we need to have empty buildings used without building new ones. Instead of putting new sidewalks in, to repair what we have but we just need a plan. BJ — charter review very importantant, and the comp plan, want to se it happen in the 4 yrs im here. Want to see our millage rate drop, think its totally out of hand. We need to priorizte that. WA — min standards for owners to maintain, parking ord to allow exisiting buildings to use think turned down more than we realize, need to update LDRs, and landscape and set that in motion to go forward. DW — talked about a little need to consider to expand our city limits, annexation, consider if possible, think its in the ex council letter, as BJ suggested need to look at rev sources, our tax base is small and we need to look at other rev sources. MC — don't think we always have to find other rev sources but efficiencies in the current dept; just got back from classes, to maek millage lower an dmroe efficient found creative ways to work specifc in the poice an dfire dept. most don't have fire dept anymore, most citys our size are contracting 4-800,000 may not be the answer, if we need to cut millage and expenses we have to look at them, busiensses don't have a voice in the city unless they live in it, cant bear the weight. In these goals we have to find a way for property values it will solve our revenue issues. When you have 10,000 sf valus of $400,000 that's pathic busiensses cant expand because theres no equity in the property. Need of help busiensses stay in the city and be successful. MDO — held this specifically now to feed into going into budget. You'll see we'll take some of these and put in the budget true verificable items. MC — we have a triffric fire dept not picking on you all, from our classes we saw almost all have gone to county run fire dept BK — many other depts., need to look at consolidating services, contracting some services out, appreciate MDO comments critical to having this workshop, we should be stragictically driven not budget drivin, good timing thank you. BJ — this is just the start and nto the end or only of our meetings. Jim — think I've done a pretty good job of caputing all the thoughts. 2 things came to life accomplish your V/M, need to refresh every county of years, the ord review can be undertaken under the next 12 to 18 months while the charter is starting. Longer term property values as 1 example. Most of what you all have said are all short term goals. What other things are on your minde july 2023 whats different then? What are they discussing? What are those goals? Thoguths on that? Can be aspirational? BK — common theme is beautification, downtown business district, crate plan detaiilg object to meet that plan would evenutually lead to proepryt values increasing long term. Page 3 of 10 Jim — for example, what the area looks like, coast is growing this way, issue with the lake, tourism comes in, the city really strives to be a labor supply of highwage community for both okee and the coast? If im 22 yrs old looking where I want to move, my timeline may be 2025 what are the markers we can put out there so that 22 yr old says I want to move there, raise my kids there, school system is good there. Do you have those long range type goals? BK — housing and then feeding into industry. Theres a lot that we need to intice that 22 yr old who just graducated college or trade school. I sub at OHS. Most don't know what they're going to do, when asked whose coming back they say the saem thing I say "theres nothing for us here." We have a commerce center that sits empty for the most part. What are some of our goals that we can list. DW — we need the employment. Jim were nto the saem rural area with the ssaem problem, biggest export is the younger adults. Point of have something to shoot for otherwise we really are just shooting in the dark. Housing. Identiaying busieness that would fit in the commerce center .Work skills/work force. MC — soft skills to be taught to the younger group. IRSC working with us to train students to have them here but we need to then have the places for them to be employed. J I M — 3-5 yr? DW — agree employment is big thing, will say people move here because its rural, safe area, family moved from the coast, thrilled to be here, low crime. Mili and next gen.. why doesn't the city have this or that? Unfortunately the city doesn't provide that, free enterprise has to have that industry or business and build the houses. When talking to people about our building dept its very simple and easy to work with. BK — city gov to provide the environment such as a CRA, want to invest my business ehre, provide investment arena for people to invest in. DW — CRA is a wonderful tool. BJ — we need to help the industry, some just came over, hired 8 students, send to school, pay $13/hr and employ them. My wife is bad about wanting to go out of town. Need to fill the jobs with the youth from the area. I still want to be a cowboy. MDO — add couple policies written in the city, dev coming in, see the client come int, hurdles, concurrency review, $3-4million concurrent with SE ext saves on the time line. This year seen more homes /construction than in the last 3 yrs, wont see numbers till next year. Budget have a graphic on the values and intake with the revenue before and after the bubble. Not back to where we are, wont be, but show closer. Make easier for busiensses to come in, we've been doing that. Work within existing buildings. Working with people to get an empty business filled is important. MC — we have to be more flexible with our guidelines, there's not room for those older buildiggs thye cannot meet those regulations. If we don't have some flexibility with them. DW — HAVE TO be careful with the equipty on that. Do we have our goals now? Don't know how were going to go from erher need to put it down in a form and have another workshop and see if we agree on those goals and work on those straticgies or work on all that? Jim — think want of put a wrinkle in what I said earlier. Think allow anyone from the pubic go ahead speak. Then we have a pretty good handle ont eh 1 to 5 yr goals, take a recess to get those on the screen. Then if comfortable, work towards those. Then come back to the council. Try to chartager with a yrs of goals. Page 4 of 10 BK — think only been here an hour pretty good and reasonable bulletize our goals and put some objectives next to it. Not very happy this has gone so far, just being an hour in wont take all night. Don't think we need to go out and beyond council discussion. Why most cities do this over a 2 day period. Jim — appreciate comments. Want to have comments from the public Jennifer — submitted our comments to the council, thank you all for hosting this and all the comments noted. Here to anser any questions. Lalo Rodriguez — youth, they are going to make the money, more to choose from, live here lower tax base but go to the coast to maek the money. What can we do to get the older people to come in here. They are where the money is. Lake placid and Sebring, we're losing people to them. Gary Ritter — really good discussions, to BK expand your comments bringing in businesses to the commerce park, you are now vested in the ec corp that group should be the castialis to bring tthose busiensses in there, you need of make it easy for them to come in here, dev that goal and expand on it may want to increases as that ec dev corp grows .being the woater quality guy, didn't hear anything in this disuccsion today. MDO and I have had discussions, storm water behind busiensses, as you move forward, you all will be forward to implement stormwater activities to get ... new gov its impairivve you all stay on the fore front of water quality think your comments were spot on. Lastly theres all kinds of epole, 1 daughter not going to live in okee in OHS grew up say they love community and want to stay here. 1 lives here and works over there. Think you have that, history community, hertigage, some peole like that some peole don't MC — as we dev busiensses here we'll bring them over to help run one of them. BK — thank you for the water piece. Jim — water lake, how it impacts this county city area, that's a partrencal whatever plans we come up with, don't kid yourselves the lake is akin to a child we're going to hve to stick up for us. Gary — BJ comments on septic tanks. Libby Maxwell — creating a brand for our community, its being created for us, we need to create our own brand and market ourselves with a positive thing with the water quality and keep on top of that. Make them put in the specifc system not the tanks. Have to have it pumpted. [not a law yet] let that be a goal agree if bass pro ever gets here that's going to benefit the city, hunting preserve 10 miles will benefit the cicty, not in it to benefit it. Wives shopping. DW — Robert Stam. Frank Irby — all of you talked aobut ord, look at idea of goals, if ord keep us from doing thise goals then we need to see if the ord are do we have to fix or adopt to do that goal. Think about what 3 things you want to accomplish in 2019-20 FY, you have a long list of things, danger most of us get in is laundry list of stuff. Mine might be #3 others might be #39. Limit the goals. Think we just talked about how nice it was 70 widened. Think aobut narrowing your things to do and whats going to have the biggest impact for the city. MC — noel and Bowling been here their whole lives like to hear from them. I was one of those peole who left to the big city and moved back here. I want to hear what they want to see in Okee, what do you see and what do you want. We don't want to loose that small town feel. Refelction of what we want and you want especially our history. Page 5 of 10 Wes Williamson — we don't want it to change but it has changed. Ec Dev Corp you all have supported it and continue to spport it will be extremely important. Bob have yoru horse sadled. But if we don't get a hold of it, it will change. MC — Clewiston was a planned community and we just stuck our hand out to us sugar who funded everything. Liked okee becaue of the amount of local owned busiens . Noel — back in the day Col Hamrick this was the main hub, no infrastructure. The more we grew we still have more cows in the city. Remember walking down the dirt roads. Houses had to be moved back off the right of ways. Everytime we improve something we make something else happen and maek others made. Local businesses don't have parking. Parking garage. Goals are really good but got to get the good ones first. Sidewalk maintenance. Main is downtown. Change the ordinances to allow those buildings to be able to be used. Culbreth owns oen with no parking. Just left key west. Maintain to do a bypass around okee. Middle of town with traffic during winter. Round tables put in instead of traffic lights. I know kids rather live here and work out of town. Live in the citty get good service from fire and police. Need to look whats here now. Beautifican been on the books but need to get it going. Priorizte that will get people here and help the ones here. Weve had goals before. Some weve done, some we haven't. Gary Ritter — 1 thing we havent' touhed on as you get yoru vision mission, plan, cenerzy with the coucnty, as you dev that you need some partnerships with the county. Some economies to scale with parternships to help both city and county. Mayor recessed the workshop at 4:57 P.M. Wes Abney exited the chambers during the recess and was absent for the remainder of the meeting. Mayor reconvened the workshop at 5:05 P.M. Jim — reset where we were, Vison and Mission statements. Picked the high points. Go over quickly and get them knocked out. Goals 1 year — ord/LDR review: Parking, signage, landscaping, min design standings, min home size. Beautification: landscaping and maintenance down town/med i as, city park plan. Maintenat plans: striping of roads sidewalks roadways CRA exploration — start in next 12 months, do we really need to pull back the onion could be a 3 yrs. Charter Review — will take at least 3 yrs but leave in 1 yr goal until you make your budget decisions and maybe get it started. Redevelopment/Infill of vacant storefronts General budget reiew/over annually, efficiency of departments pubic/private. Stormwater masterplan Septic to Sewer. MDO — we're doing another layer internally before you all see it, all on the same page before we all meet with you. BJ — didn't see anything on the septic tanks. Year 3: Comp plan review Beautification Workforce availability Family friendly community Annexation — tied back to other rev sources. Discussion? None. 5 year: Page 6 of 10 Housing City commerce center park Jobs More businesses Facilitate current business expansion BJ cant do some of these until the comp plan is done. BK — will need to start on. MC— MDO — ord review will help get it going MC — do we need more specific types of zoning in the city. Ratio's. want to see where we are on what's there now. Jim — review ord are the steps you take to get the big comp plan review. Understand how it all ties in. Comfortable with these then we can get the objectives to the first item, with a time frame. Within 1 year what objective can we accomplish? Start with parking — equity for bunessess. Objective Flexibility of parking requiremtns for existing structures/buildings. MC — different criteria for CBD? BJ — landscape is not just it but the maintenance of it as well. Signage — objective. Minimize complexity (legally have to come back to this ordinance because of state changes) Its not conclusive to whats out there. Need to make sure applies to existing and new businesses. MC — when we had the awnings, names of businesses were all the same, more cohesive. Downtown should look different than rest of town. Min Design Standards Minimum hoem size objectives: Raise minimum sizes Landscape and Maintenance — objectives: For RSF homes minimum Min for commercial/downtown areas Maintain higher level of code compliance. Beautification Landscaping and maintenance downtown/medians — objectives: Design for city downtown and city park plan Mainteannce Plans JIM — need to development them and then implement them? BK — master striping plan, appropriate creastes a 1, 3, 5, plan and theres a measurable amount of striping. DA — need to call it a right of way maintenance plan and then sub categories for each type, sidewalerks, etc. Striping of roads Sidewalks Roadways CRA exploration — ojbectives: City has looked at getting grant funds to kick it off, may have to BK — could this be an objective under the downtown plan, its something to get us to accomplish that goal. MDO — cra would establish the beautification and how things will look for the area its over. Page 7 of 10 MDO — does the city want to fund the CRA study to get this going? That's the question. MC — thought it's a combo city and businesses? Can be both or either. DW that's why you have to do that plan and then identify the area. Decide if we want to pursue it the study. #1 to do on this. Jim — that's a stand alone doesn't have to be done with downtown. BK — right and then... MC — work with the county to work with the CRA BK—no DW — we have to get them in on it and approve it. Charter Review — objective fund legal services and establish committee for review update for legal/all city functions/obligations to citizens, etc Jim does this fall into a 1 year or next year. Many other things we've looked at wil take that year. Redevelopmetn/infill of vacant storefronts — objectives MDO — good example Aldi's how we've assisted businesses to come into existing businesses. Jim — recruitment tools? Work with organizations to recruit business, flexibility from the City? BJ — ord that they cannot put paper up in windows, or board it up? MDO — no. DA — redevelopment and infill, parking has to be addressed with this with the infill, how can we increase parking so businesses can succeed. MC — also part of code enforcement. Jim many are intertwined. Budget Review/Overviewe annually —efficiencies public/private. Jim came up many times — insure transparency and responsibility to our tax payers, looking for more efficiencies. BK — goes back to vision .... Fiscally sound community. City Innovative Projects Objectives: team with FPL Solar projects Stormwater maintenance plan — objective: Development master plan updated with best management practices New dev comes under a different plan. MC — need to do a better job. DW — yes. Ensure new dev adheres to highest water quality standards. Septic to Sewer — objectives: Encourage OUA to expand sewer to city parcels and new development Support OUA in efforts of funding. Mandatory connection policy. MC — has to be a financial way to help those home owners. Once they find a way to finance it over years more would connect to it. If you have it within 70 ft of hook up. Other issues is if the house cant put a gravity system. 3 year: Comprehensive plan review objective: Complete comp Ian within 3 years by 2023. Jim is there something in particular that needs to be Inconsistencies with the land uses. DW — consultant will tell us the ratio's. Page 8 of 10 Beautification continued plan Object maintna high level of aesthetics. Workforce Availability Objective — partner with public schools/IRSC to ensure adequate training. Family Friendly community Objective — preservice character and history while providing business and family entertainment opportunities. Jenkins — BK how do we provide that environment where private enterprise will come in and build that new theatre. Be business/development friendly BK — to me that's parks and recreation. Use of city property to create smaller parks/outdoor areas within different areas. Looking at the primitive Baptist church property/community center. Adding parks/open areas/community center. Be business/development friendly. BK — Jim — closer than what we think or feel like we are. Last point Annexation. Objective: fund formal study, identify areas. Revenue source but economically viable for city and businesses. Jim one way to expand tax base. DW — yes. MDO — we never kept with urban growth right around use, annexation tool we can do now. 5Year Housing Avilalbe objective: encourage deevleopemtn of affordable housing and ensure adaqutae future land use for multi family. Work with ship program. City Commerce Center [BJ left chambers 6:04-6:07 PM] More businesses/providing jobs. Facility current business expansion. Objective: continue to work with OCEDC on parcels. Fill the all available open parcels. BK — improved and approved? MDO — we are shovel ready. Continue to work with Megan @Ec Dev Corp on those properties. Jim — other areas/ideas... DW — main intersection, feasible to objective for better traffic plan for Parrott Ave & North Park St. Objective improved traffic flow at main roadway corridors 441/70. 10-20 year lant Not as of yet under this planning session. Jim any other points for this time period and also ask the public to provide. Page 9 of 10 Jennifer — ECK is here to assist where we can on any of this, have to go to the school board meeting. Jim — want to represent with staff and council. Additions or deletion back to us. BJ — if each council has a copy of the rough draft. BK — can officially approve document before budget, they can get it back to us. MDO — we can adopt V/M at Aug 6. Then go ahead and put the 1 years in budget and 2 or more on the agenda. Jim — return gavel to Mayor. DW — turned out better than I anticipated. IV. ADJOURNMENT - Mayor There being no further items on the agenda, Mayor Watford adjourned the Workshop at 6:17 P.M. Page 10 of 10 City of Okeechobee, May 1, 2019 Workshop Minutes taken during the meeting by Bobbie Jenkins 3-13Z. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Watford called the Strategic Planning Workshop to order on July?, 2019, at 3:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers, Room 200 located at City Hall, 55 SE 3rd Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida 34974. MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND STAFF ATTENDANCE - City Clerk M y JkJ V,eF W. Y Mayor Dowling R. Watford, Jr. Present ftVCouncil Member Wes Abney j �� Council Member Monica Clark Present 57`O/PM Council Member Bob Jarriel Present Council Member Bobby Keefe Present City Attorney John R. Cook Absent (with consent/out of state) City Administrator Marcos MontesDeOca Present City Clerk Lane Gamiotea Present Deputy City Clerk Bobbie Jenkins Present Fire Chief Herb Smith Present Police Chief Bob Peterson Present Public Works Director David Allen Present Finance Director India Riedel Present III. NEW BUSINESS A. Introduction of Moderator, James R. Spratt, Governmental Services, LLC - Mayor u it em Page 1 of 18 III. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED B. Participation guidelines for Council and public — Moderator 11 3 5 r plmr) ihj W i! ndoci se aw ew o rK- S� u 9 � — work -th ru h ptints COl c.r) Cal er>mmerrl-s Pull; c co rnn2¢rds Page 2 of 18 III. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED C. Discussion of strategic planning and vision for the City's future — Moderator 1. Mission and vision statement wards-- 306 words Vis SW is lospirafionoL - dVAL�0s ,DW-` bmgh-f * haw be)miss1§v bra' Ulslhisslm /sf Jim- VIV6-'7 whyAY Al"f -& bif� Vlsi Chid r l• � s�4�I � V�m 3 W D r� � {ra7� iG I�cI� r:�_ bGr c s k V i ,�,�/QCf lU4ydS " yam Y LDra� bd PA mC- Sq,Us a)) bo g a jV10 rwd V- 72 Nak e Man a U�b tom �UAJI 6P uhrglu 6h2✓ pmidv Pa- Gjp �'o� ww-& Page 3 of 18 III. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED C.2. City goals for the next one, five, and twenty years bh Jj�m- l�l�aj- Ord (.� lid 2t Pus d MA Jeep 2- rJA 'Noy co G�J saw MOM? 'PIrdo Mtp Gc Gr2/cmd pmzls"Se � �rC1rz� �/t�err-�uC�; 16 SeGv°r 3� 5 s co sf � 2� d �(�,� • (NQ�I�S L�p�?p �1 hC�f- �d OdIOush 4&W hD jith, - LQ,c1dsCC1vVe Q+'dutarlDpu - foo 0- ae ce� rllv'��C�y�Gc— C�CC�¢f C120?01�01 he f!?o7'-ems C�7/Ul` OZU 3y,-ypQ you. Page 6 of 18 III. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED C2. 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A mr IL art I12 1 III '� m Ualss pai w S��s - Oc�2K�S, Lcl�s��r min biz �clSca el��iliu/Y� ,is a�mF p.�an s �rf reads arm�W��i�q.slcvpla� � - �eph� to der �t �ya7/��atim7 ly Drnm We bnlosgs ll �.. ► OL pCUiceCs �aWLJ-�k W/CED Ao f'ficPloco@ �'l�u'J Wrldlor �yl 70 vr - 61d- Hof- &CUSS dffrlr1 Sessiar� iM- P- 17 L.�S . i : « pM I0 i4nu-ted a V WorKshoP Economic Council of Okeechobee 1679 NW 91h Street Eco i of Okeechobee, Florida 34972 oke (863) 467-0200 July 9th, 2019 The Honorable Dowling R. Watford Jr. Mayor, City of Okeechobee 55 Southeast 3rd Avenue Okeechobee, Florida 34974 RE: Strategic Planning Workshop Mayor Watford: On behalf of the Economic Council of Okeechobee, thank you for taking this forward step in hosting a strategic planning workshop to adequately plan for the future needs of the City. As you move forward in this process, we ask that the City Council consider the following items needed for improving our quality of life and to increase opportunities for quality economic growth. Through this continued strategic planning initiative, it would be wise to elevate the prioritization of the design and general appearance of our City. The adoption of necessary fagade ordinances, modern design standards, and a landscaping plan professionally designed by a landscape architect will do much to demonstrate this reprioritization. Significant research directly links the attractiveness of a community and the economic opportunity that accompanies it. This is reason enough to increase our level of expectation for and value of our community aesthetics. The ECO is eager to be of service in any way in this endeavor. Elevating our expectation for the City's appearance along with creating much needed plans to address obligations relative to road paving, street striping, drainage improvements, sidewalk repair and related infrastructure needs will show prudent thought to the future. These design and infrastructure planning projects should be easily executed compared to more complex projects you may consider implementing in your strategic plan, like updating the City's charter and comprehensive plan, both of which will also show prudent thought to the future. We also ask that you continue to consider new approaches to providing improved services to city taxpayers; whether this is through adopting new programs, partnering with other agencies, or contracting for various departmental services to modernize the way we do business. Thank you again for taking time to host this workshop and for demonstrating the forward -thought necessary to improve our City. The professional and timely execution of the items in your strategic plan will certainly elevate our quality of life and should draw new opportunities to our community. As previously stated, we are eager and willing to be of assistance in any of the initiatives listed in this letter. Respectfully, ECO Economic Council of Okeechobee M. Teftsbury ve Director iic Council of Okeechobee County, Inc. Cc: Council Member Wes Abney Council Member Monica Clark Council Member Bob Jarriel Council Member Bobby Keefe Administrator Marcos Montes De Oca Economic Council of Okeechobee 1679 NW 9t1i Street Okeechobee, Florida 34972 (863)467-0200 7/9/2019 How a City's Beauty Affects Its Economic Grow "b 100WI i Y L A13 www.citylab.com li Thank you for printing content from www.citylab.com. If you enjoy this piece, then please check back soon for our latest in urban -centric journalism. More than just a tourist attraction, Manhattan's High Line is a development destination. // Lucas Jackson/Reuters The Beaut`' Premium: How LTl'ban Beaut`' v ,Affects C itles' E� C'()11()mic CiFrowth RICHARD FLORIDA MAY 15, 2019 A study finds that the more beautiful a city is, the more successful it is at attracting jobs and new residents, including highly educated and affluent ones. In a phenomenon economists call the beauty_premium, better -looking people tend to earn more money and are more successful at their careers. But do cities also benefit from a beauty premium? According to a new study by two urban economists, it seems that they do. The study_ by Gerald A. Carlino of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and Albert Saiz of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, examines the connection between a city's beauty and key growth indicators. A raft of previous studies have found a connection between economic and population growth and urban amenities (a broad category ranging from parks to restaurants, art galleries, and museum: x D..L LIL:.. ..L..j_. L...�,__ .. .........7.. ..��...... I- �I- ..L LL..- PLC.. ..L.. ..L L..�.... L�� :L....IL https://www.citylab.com/life/20l9/O5/beautiful-cities-economic-growth-data-beauty-premiuml589480/ 1/4 7/9/2019 How a City's Beauty Affects Its Economic Growth (Vityl ab ,TO get at this, the researchers mc- amwe attractiveness in a unique ways ---)ugh tourist visits and photos of picturesque locations. The photo data comes from Panoramio, a now -discontinued photo -sharing app embedded in Google Maps that geotagged, aggregated, and curated photos of scenic places around the world. The tourism data comes from the travel consulting firm D.K. Shifflet & Associates. The study compares its own measure of urban beauty to more established measures of urban amenities such as parks, historic spaces, proximity to coastlines, bodies of waters or mountains, the size of the tourism industry, and more. The researchers look at connections between the features of beautiful places, key indicators of economic growth of cities, and the resurgence and gentrification of neighborhoods in and around the urban center from 1990 to 2010. The researchers identifi- a new Und of neighborhood thatattracts these newcomers: the (ientPal Recreational District. The study finds evidence of a significant beauty premium for cities and neighborhoods. A city with twice as many picturesque locations as another city saw 10 percent growth or greater in population and jobs from 1990 to 2010. In fact, urban beauty ties with lower taxes as the most important predictor of overall population growth in cities. Plus, these cities disproportionately attract greater numbers of college graduates. Cities in the top 25 percent of picturesqueness saw nearly 3 percent higher growth in the number of college grads than those in the bottom 25 percent. Urban beauty also results in higher housing prices and greater housing appreciation. Housing values were 16 percent higher in the top quartile of picturesque cities than the bottom, according to the study. In nearly each and every category, picturesqueness has the biggest effect —more so than tourist visits or other amenities. City beauty is not an effect of size, the study finds: Smaller and medium-sized places with more parks, historic buildings, proximity to water and mountains, and clearer skies and less rain are perceived as beautiful as well. It's not just metros broadly that benefit from an urban beauty premium, it's specific neighborhoods within them. A large number of studies have documented the back -to -the -city movement of younger, more educated, and more affluent people to the urban center. These studies typically document the urban influx into neighborhoods near the Central Business District (CBD), the downtown commercial core of a city. This gentrification often takes off in the adjacent warehouse, factory, and logistics districts, places like New York's Soho, Tribeca, or more recently in that city, Chelsea and the Meatpacking Dist x https://www.citylab.com/life/20l9/O5/beautiful-cities-economic-growth-data-beauty-premiun✓589480/ 2/4 7/9/2019 How a City's Beauty Affects Its Economic GrowI f_Y.yI_ab ' The researchers identify a new ka lu of neighborhood that attracts thesewcomers: the Central Recreational District (CRD), defined by the prevalence of parks, historic places, landmarks, tourist destinations—"Instagrammable" locations. For example, think of the tourists swarming along New York City's High Line, a decade -old park that was created on once unsightly elevated former railroad tracks. The CRD, not the CBD, is the magnet for the back -to -the -city movement, as more affluent and educated people are drawn to the urban center's abundant amenities and beauty. "Despite worse initial economic conditions, CRDs managed to grow faster than other comparable neighborhoods," the researchers write. Rents, incomes, and education increased relatively faster in such beautiful neighborhoods, at the cost of gentrification." Again, you can see this in the luxury condo towers that have sprung up along the High Line with their high price tags and affluent residents. And they add: "Distance to CBD was mostly irrelevant to the economic and demographic evolution of urban neighborhoods in the U.S., once we control for access to lifestyle amenities. While the American central city generally did not come back in the 1990s, the beautiful city within flourished." Beautiful places do not just occur naturally: They are the product of public policy and investment. Of course, some places are endowed with more natural beauty, in the form of stunning coastlines or scenic mountain ranges. But cities can and do make themselves more beautiful —and thus more attractive to educated and affluent people —by investing in parks and protecting landmarks and historic spaces. Indeed, the study finds that investing 10 percent more in parks and recreation is associated with a 2.3 percent increase in leisure visits and a 1.3 percent increase in employment in the tourism industry. And this is not just a contemporary occurrence. Many of America's most striking landmarks —its great parks, museums, and architecturally striking public buildings —are products of the City Beautiful movement and New Deal spending. The upshot: Urban beauty is a powerful tool for economic growth and urban resurgence, but with it comes gentrification and displacement. As the authors of the study put it: "Rents, incomes, and educational attainment increased faster in urban beautiful neighborhoods but at the cost of minority displacement." Urban policy makers have to take in the full costs, as well as the benefits, of urban beautification into account. They could mandate that developers who create new condominiums adjacent to publicly created and valued amenities pay more in taxes, provide some affordable housing, or employ local residents in their projects. Cities can devote the increased revenues from beautification projects to affordable housing, workforce development, and the reduction of concentrated poverty. In fact, the study notes how concentrated poverty is incontrovertibly bad for how tourists perceive a city's beauty. This, according to the authors, "points to an important motivation for poverty alleviation: By reducing inequality, cities become more attractive for everyone— x ir+nl���ir�n +-k i—l— ;i nit— io I https://www.citylab.comllifel20l9/05/beautiful-cities-economic-growth-data-beauty-premiuml5894801 3/4 Lane Gamiotea From: Jennifer Tewksbury <jennifer@economiccouncilofokeechobee.org> Sent: Tuesday, July 09, 2019 2:48 PM To: Lane Gamiotea Cc: Bobbie Jenkins Subject: FW: Strategic Planning Workshop Attachments: Letter to City RE strategic plan workshop 070919.pdf Lane, Sending this to you for your records. I sent a copy of our statement to each council member also. I will bring a signed copy with me. See you this afternoon! From: Jennifer Tewksbury Sent: Tuesday, July 09, 2019 2:46 PM To: Dowling Watford <dwatford@cityofokeechobee.com> Cc: Marcos Montes De Oca<mmontesdeoca@cityofokeechobee.com> Subject: Strategic Planning Workshop Good afternoon Mr. Mayor, I wanted to reach out to you in regards to the strategic planning workshop scheduled for this afternoon. I've attached a statement from the ECO in support of your Council relative to what we believe would be wise to consider through this planning process. In summary, I guess our statement can be itemized by the following priorities: 1. Elevate the prioritization of the design and general appearance of our City a. Facade ordinances b. Modernizing our design standards c. Implement a professionally designed landscaping plan for downtown to establish a sense of place (professionally designed by a landscape architect, certainly worthy of the investment) (These are particularly of significant interest to me personally, professionally and obviously of high importance to the Economic Council, and I am more than happy to roll up my sleeves and help tackle this in any way I'm able. I am applying for a rural design grant that can pay for the facilitation of these design needs if we are one of the grantees. I hope this can be useful to you somehow). 2. Creating much needed plans to address obligations relative to a. Road paving b. Street striping c. Drainage improvements d. Sidewalk repair e. other related infrastructure needs I may not have considered. Lighting potentially? 3. New approaches to providing improved services to city taxpayers a. Historic Preservation Commission? Beautification and Tree Commission? CRAs? Etc. (The Tree City USA designation you sought is a great example) b. Partnering with other agencies? Potentially contracting for various departmental services c. And soon... I think many of these are easily attainable, short-term goals that the City could accomplish fairly soon. This would allow for fewer long-term goals, like a full charter review or an update of the comprehensive plan. I'm unsure how you believe many of these items should be prioritized, but certainly numbers 1 and 2 are easy, low hanging fruit and will make for quality accomplishments for the City while still striving for the more long-term endeavors you ultimately decide to establish in your strategic plan. Finally, thank you for holding this workshop! I am looking forward to this one and the ones to come. This is such a great initiative and an obvious step forward that my Council appreciates so very much. If I can be of any help with this now or in the future, please never hesitate to reach out and let me know how we can be of assistance. See you this afternoon, X Jennifer M. Tewksbury EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 12 863.467.0200 jennifer@economiccouncilofokeechobee.org 1679 NW 9th St • Okeechobee, FL 34972 www.economiccouncilofokeechobee.org DRHFTOF6oA-LS 0BsemVES O&PUM t3`i � P-M es SPRAT Okeechobee City Council: Strategic Planning Session- July 9, 2019 The Okeechobee City Council conducted a strategic planning session on Tuesday July 9, 2019 for the purposes of identifying working goals and objectives to guide the council and staff over a defined planning horizon. Inasmuch as, this strategic planning session was the first of its kind for the city, there is a large focus on goals and objectives which can be accomplished within the next 12-month period. The council also developed mission and vison statements to be the basis for accomplishing the goals and objectives noted below. Vision Statement: The City of Okeechobee will create and maintain a vibrant community built on our unique character, history and small-town atmosphere. Following the planning session, we received one suggested alternative from an attendee of the planning session: The City of Okeechobee will maintain a vibrant and prosperous community built on our heritage, history and our unique character. Mission Statement: The mission of the City of Okeechobee is to provide quality services which enhance our businesses and citizen's lives while being committed to a fiscally sound community. Following the planning session, we received one suggested alternative from an attendee of the planning session: The mission of the,City of Okeecho4�*-ft vrovide accommodating services that enhance the quality of �, . life for our citizens a'tir Usinesi"a fisca*WU ma'riner. ACTIONITEM- The city courtishould make a determination on the vision and mission statements prior to any adoption of the strategic plan. Strategic Plan: Goals and Objectives: Captured below are the notes and direction given by the city council and members of the general public who attended the planning session. Many of the goals and objectives will specifically fall on staff, with oversight by the council to complete. To this end, the format below highlights the goal, objective and timeframe for completion/ progress. These metrics give a good snapshot of the expectations and the focus of budget priorities to assist in meeting the identified goals of the strategic plan. Goals Objectives Timeline Ordinances a. Parking Flexibility for existing 1 year structures/buildings Review ordinance for new and existing parking requirements b. Buildings c. Signage Review and update to minimize 1 year complexity for existing and new businesses d. Design Standards Review housing standards 1 year ensuring minimum sizes match HUD requirements for Residential Single Family,, e. Landscape/ Review, update and, where 1 year Maintenance appropriate develop minimum landscape requirements for RSF, minimum for commercial and downtown areas. Higher level of code compliance and consistent enforcement f. Beautification Develop and implement design 1 year for development. for downtown including, city Perpetual commitment to parks and future public use ensure success facilities. Ensure there exists requirements for maintenance and enforcement for. �,noncomplia��a� Right of Ways) Develop and'knop eel! Plans 1 year, revisit every 5 years or for a-e as needed a. Striping of Roads b. Sidewalks c. Roadways,,,,,.," d. Drainage e. Medians Community RedevelopmentReview alternative for the Agency (CRA) establishment of a CRA for the City of Okeechobee. Pursue Grant Opportunities Establish CRA area from Report Charter Review Fund legal services and 1-3 years* Time consuming establish committee for review. process there was interest Update for legal, all city expressed to begin Charter functions and obligations to Review process in the upcoming citizens fiscal year contingent upon budget approval. Goals Objective Timeline Redevelopment/ Infill In conjunction with above goals, 1 year continue to work with Economic Development Council and maintain an active partner in the Economic Development Corp. to attract and recruit new businesses. Seek opportunities to work with traditional and new partners Fiscal Responsibility/ General Ensure transparency and Annually, recurring Budget Overview responsibility to our taxpayers Ensuring a fiscally sound community Opportunities for City Innovative Projects including partnerships wlt*companies such as Florida P?1,rand Light Next Era Energy Stormwater Master Plans Develop stormwater master `;; 1 year plan which includes use of technically_and economically feasible BestManagement Practices and helps to achieve . g is of Basin Management Agin Plan. Ensuring new development meets highest water quality standards Septic to Sewer Conversions Consider mandatory connection Annually policy for existing and new business where feasible. ,,,Work in partnership with eechobee Utility Authority to encourage expansion of sewer within city limits and new development. Provide assistance and support Okeechobee Utility Authority efforts to securing funding for projects. Comprehensive Land Use Plan Complete a review of the City's 3 years Review Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Focus on inconsistencies with land uses and zoning. Goals Objective Timeline Workforce Availability Continue and build upon 3 Years relationship with public schools, Indian River State College and other regional training facilities to ensure training programs meet needs of community and create an employee pipeline. Work through Economic Development Groups and other partners to identify targeted employee needs Family Friendly Community Preserve character and history, 3 years while providing business and family entertainment opportunities. Explore, based:on_need and capacity establishing additional recreational areas/ opportunities as well community gathering loca`„ for events, etc: Continue to be a �busi ss �� growth friendly comm Annexation Fund and complete a 'i►iil 3 years study. Identifying areas where city can provide services. Identify areas which can provide a benefit to business and residents based on services received and tax rates Housing Availability ',Encourage development of 5 years "affordable housing while ensuring adequate land use for 4,,nulti-family developments. tillaintain flexibility for new residents on both ends of the spectrum (i.e. new family and retirees). Coordinate efforts with county programs for housing on potential parcels currently within city limits Goals Objective Timeline City Industrial Park Encourage the recruitment of 5 year new businesses as well as retention and expansion of existing businesses. Continue partnership with Okeechobee County Economic Development Corporation to identify parcels and potential businesses. Continue to address and improve upon traffic flow and main roadway corridors. The above plan provides a clear foundation for the city's goals, objectives mission and purpose as it conducts business and interacts with its customers (taxpayers) over the short and long term. The council may choose to formally adopt this strategic plan in total or in part as they deem appropriate. At a minimum this plan provides staff with a road map of expectations and goals to achieve moving forward.