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2019-10-22 Minutes - Town Hall MeetingCITY OF OKEECHOBEE OCTOBER 22, 2019, TOWN HALL MEETING 55 SE 3RD AVENUE ♦ COUNCIL CHAMBERS ♦ OKEECHOBEE, FL 34974 DRAFT SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION PAGE 'I OF 3 II AGENDA 11 DISCUSSION II CALL TO ORDER A. Invocation B. Pledge of Allegiance ATTENDANCE PUBLIC COMMENTS A. If you wish to address the City Council with your public comments, complete and submit a comment card. You may also submit written comments without addressing the City Council. Citizen comments are limited to three minutes per speaker unless otherwise approved by the Mayor. Mayor Watford called the October 22, 2019, Town Hall meeting to order at 2:02 P.M. The invocation was offered by Mayor Watford. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Watford, City Clerk Gamiotea called the roll: Mayor Dowling R, Watford, Jr. Present Council Member Wes Abney Present Council Member Monica M, Clark Present Council Member Bob Jarriel Present Council Member Bobby Keefe Present City Clerk Lane Gamiotea Present Deputy City Clerk Bobbie Jenkins Present Mayor Watford explained comment cards and written comment forms were located on the West side of the Council Chambers. For individuals wanting to address the Council, a comment card needed to be completed and turned into the City Clerk; a time limit of three minutes would be given. All written comment forms would be read into the record at the end of public comments. The council would not be replying to comments offered, as they will be routed to the appropriate Staff member for review and appropriate response. This Town Hall meeting was purposely held during the week that recognizes City Government. Mayor Watford encouraged everyone to take a "My City: I'm Part of It, I'm Proud of It" button and bumper sticker. Voter registration information flyers were available. He reminded everyone to update their signature with the County Supervisor of Elections Office. Citizen Board applications were available for citizens looking to fill vacancies. Comment Card No. 3 was submitted by Ms. Angie Griffin, who is a City business and property owner and who also represented Okeechobee Main Street. She explained her main focus is on the downtown area, and commended the City for the installation of the four-way stop at Southwest 5th Avenue and South Park Street as well as the installation of the 20 -miles per hour speed limit signs, as they both seem to be performing well. However, her current concern is the lack of consistency of business signage. She recommended applying for a fagade grant to help alleviate costs as what has been done in the past, Lastly, she voiced her concerns with the placement of handicapped parking on South Park Street, as they are very difficult to maneuver and seem to be unsafe for those individuals utilizing mobile chair devices. In /_Tr1A►19-11 III. PUBLIC COMMENTS CONTINUED A. Comments continued. OCTOBER 22, 2019 - TOWN BALL MEETING - PAGE 2 OF 3 DISCUSSION Comment Card No, 2 was submitted by Mrs. Sandra Pearce, whose comments included her appreciation for the four-way stops recently installed at the intersections along Southwest 5th Avenue at South Park and 6th Streets, as both seem to be a positive contribution. She then focused her comments toward the possibility of merging the City and County Fire Departments. She supports this based on a news article that the City could save approximately $1,000,000.00 by the merger, but one of the biggest issues was ensuring the 12 City firefighters retained employment. While she did not want anyone to lose their jobs, she stated further that the Council has to look at the situation as a business, because the City is a business, ran by the Council for all residents, decisions should be based on what is best for everyone not 12 individuals. She concluded by recognizing the City's initiative on improvements throughout the City. Comment Card No. 1 was submitted by Mr. Noel Chandler, who expressed this displeasure with the discussion of dissolving the Fire Department over finances, as he was sure options for other avenues have been provided. There are some employees who have dedicated 20 -years or more of service to the City; this dedication cannot be compared to those of private businesses. Combing the Fire Departments will cause all City residents to pay a fire assessment in addition to ad Valorem taxes. He then commented on the recent foreclosure proceedings on property owned by Lorene Mott, located at 1006 Southwest 5t1 Avenue [Code Enforcement Case No. 17-028, Parcel ID: 3-21-37-35-0040-0010Y-0020]. He stated the City right-of-way that adjoins this property to the South has overgrown vegetation, as is the adjoining Northwest corner of the property. He agreed that the property should be cleaned up, but objected to the method using foreclosure. He thanked the Mayor and Council for their continued efforts of improving the overall appearance of the City. Comment Card No. 5 was submitted by Mrs. Jennifer Tewksbury, who echoed Ms. Pearce's comment regarding the Fire Department merger. She also commended the City Police Department for their increased presence and enforcement of speeding, as it is refreshing to see and very noticeable. Comment Card No. 4 was submitted by Ms. Louise Brewer, who voiced her concerns with a property that has numerous vehicles parked on the lot, as she feels the owner is operating a business within the residence. She then asked the question of "what could be done about the number of families living in one home?" Ms. Brewer would like to see an increase in Code Enforcement in her neighborhood. Mayor Watford explained to Ms. Brewer that her concerns would be forwarded onto the Administrator and the Police Department. Mr. Jim Vavra's written comment form was read by Mayor Watford as follows: "Being unable to attend the meeting today, Mr. Vavra phoned in the following issues of concern: repaving of City streets, many need to be repaired; street striping, all should have center lines and stop lines; sidewalks need to be repaired and cleaned; trees need to be trimmed and kept trimmed, not only on City property but on private property with the use of Code Enforcement as needed; keep trash picked up better throughout the City; coordinate a monthly City-wide clean-up day using volunteers to help clean public and private areas, residential and commercial; work on a better drainage system for the Southwest area, especially areas without alleyways." 0 AGENDA OCTOBER 22, 2019 - TOWN HALL MEETING - PAGE 3 OF 3 DISCUSSION IV. ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Mayor Watford provided and opportunity for additional comment cards to be submitted. There being none, Mayor Please take notice and be advised that when a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Council with Watford adjourned the Town Hall meeting at 2:27 P.M. 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. s i AT ST; ' • Dowling R. Watf6r , Jr., ayor %k — 'Q— Laney Glamiotea, CMC,tity Clerk INDEPENDENT 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 CoPi,, ty, Florida, _that the attached copy of advertisement being a V) �- � C- in � �1f; in the matter of t!'+ %(:f'. C J- ri p') r'\ 4CG t' Me F+1 i V--'% 0 0 A in the 19th Judilcial DiJtrict of the Circuit Court of Okeechobee County, Florida, was published in said newspaper in the issues of 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 advertisement for publication in the said newspaper. �v✓ Katrina Elsken Sworn to,and subscribed before me this ill C day of C : r- A- ; he—C AD Notary Public, State of Florida at Large ANGIE BRIDGES *, *. MY COMMISSION # FF 976149 9j P EXPIRES,Aprn 20, 2020 Fd, Bonded Thru Notary Public Undew tars 10-22-(q Lake Okeecho OPY 107 SW 17th S uite 4: OkeechobeF grid 8636 -3134 r� +� OCT 2019 ntsr ist�nt$rGt�r� ggn�tthe�Y farthe orate hob. g M,yl 555 3dA�RRM Mo aay t tu+� �o avvenl ary dion made nr av ca�.,a wit, � m� �� k,hts rn�9 wi need m ar IM d of the p-- a�pnpwi�bebased. N aon�dar� evda A2 (�+)��"Mh aylr 6 E ined b/ ft ADA, that needs spemalfio0D P mrdadme aedBoero�ertl�ntswt>umem Os PV terdtoshma mmpX/d==hs �a °f, beppu, v 3pr�laay�err k 6 11le/1 X19 _ ' '>� '117 SW I t Okeecho ANDEPENDEN � NEWSMEDIA INC. US(A7,7 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 Cou.',I Florida, that t e attached copy of advertisement being a � 7 c li i c`� in the matter of/l C t l Mn e- T in R'• Q in the 19th Judicial District of the Circuit Court of Okeechobee County, Florida, was published in said newspaper in the issues of oI L f ; a. Aril ClAoL9 • 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 advertisement fore publication in the said newspaper. Katrina Elsken Sworn.t<o and, subscribed bore me .this n day of ( _)C"+r) �^ uJ- cel, I. , AD Notary Public, State of Florida at Large J _J hobee News E treet, Suite D Florida 34974 63-3134 ANGIEBRIDGES MY COMMISSION # FF 976149 EXPIRES: Apri120,2020 BorxW Thru Notary PuW Underwriters hobee News E treet, Suite D Florida 34974 63-3134 City of Okeechobee, October 22, 2019 Town Hall Meeting Minutes taken during the meeting by Bobbie Jenkins CALL TO ORDER Mayor Watford called the Town Hall Meeting to order on October 22, 2019, at _2:02 P.M. in the Council Chambers, Room 200 located at City Hall, 55 SE 3rd Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida 34974. The invocation was offered by _Mayor Watford . The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Watford. ATTENDANCE Mayor Dowling R. Watford, Jr. Present Council Member Wes Abney Present Council Member Monica Clark Present Council Member Bob Jarriel Present Council Member Bobby Keefe Present City Clerk Lane Gamiotea Present Deputy City Clerk Bobbie Jenkins Present Mayor -first of all celebrating florida city government week by FLC, appropriate TH mtg during this week. There are bumper stickers and buttons. Please take one if you would like. On the table there are citizen board applications, need citizens "city residents" for our pension boards. If you feel so led to service your city we do appreciate it. Also voter registration information. One thing the clerk reminds everyone of is updating signatures at the SOE office. I can attest to that because I signed a qualification card for a candidate and it was rejected due to my signature. I would like to thank you again for attending our 2nd town hall meeting; we wanted to have one during the day for those who could not get out at night or had prior arrangements. The first one was very successful. Procedure: comments card on the table if you want to comment to the council. There is also written form if you don't want to speak. This is for us to hear from you. We won't be answering any questions or getting into a debate. The written comments will be read into the record at the end of the public comments. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS - Mayor A. If you wish to address the City Council with your public comments, complete and submit a comment card. You may also submit written comments without addressing the City Council. Citizen comments are limited to three minutes per speaker unless otherwise approved by the Mayor. Angie Griffin President of OKMS and a business and property owner on Park Street. 1st I think this is a great idea. I want to focus on downtown. Like the way the red light was taken out and a 4 -way stop placed. Speed limit sign doing a good job, still have a few problems, but it has helped. Really enjoy working with the City and you all have always gone out of the way for OKMS. I see they are replacing the chickees in Park 3.1 am really excited about the Flag the culbreths donated. I;m concerned about our downtown image. If our downtown looks good and is busy that will promote to the community. There is no consistency with signage. I believe there was a fagade grant for the awnings. The signage on Park street is randon. I don't know what a solution would be, maybe research new grant, historical theme since we are in a historical area. The soda machines and paper machines don't appeal to me. The handicap parking is a concern because they are at the end of the streets. I know down on my block, you have to get out of your car and stand in the street to get their device out of the vehicle and then go around again to get to the sidewalk. I'm not quite sure how to fix that, I have some clients that use the back of my building because we have an ADA door, but because we have a flooding problem, Ive had to put a 6" threshold in the door so the water doesn't come in because I can't afford to continuje to replace the door from water damage. Not quite sure what the solution would be and I know it won't be inexpensive. Sandra Pearce -I attended the last town hall meeting. The one question that I had is did you advertise this like you did the last one? Clerk responded. I also want to thank you for the 4 -way stop by Central. I go thru there all the time and it works well just like the one up there by the OUA. It's a positive thing to do so you don't have to sit there. Those signs certainly get your attention when yore coming thru. I have a particular interest in the Fire Department, I was reading in the ON about Page 1 of 2 consolidating or what we're going to do. I totally understand looking out for the 12 people who work there but if im running a business I can't worry about 12 indviduals verses the entire city. I am city and county, but if I call the City Fire Dept, who's going to be able to come. We can do a much better job if we consolidated the two. IF we put them both together, shift work, I don't want anyone to lose their jobs but we can't look at it as 12 people losing their jobs. I have no problem with the people bueing there but if you're going to make things better, we need to look at this as a business that's run by you for us. Ive paid city taxes for a very long time. I want to see that million dollars towards something that you are going to approve. I think that you are doing a very good job at improving things. I think that there is a way to work with the County and work around where these people can be consolidated with them. I'll make sure to look for the ads next time. When you're city and county who do you call? If you pay both taxes I'll pay either. Mayor-weve had some people come in late. If you would like to speak, you need to fill out a comment card. Noel Chandler -I'm here on several occasions, appreciate everything especially streetes. The Fire Department, its hard to see dedicted men and women lose their jobs for things we can't work out like finances. Im sure the Admin has come up with things we can do. Now everyone is going to pay a fire tax and ad valorem. As far as employees, id work very hard on keeping employees because we have a few that have put over 20 years. I think some of the business people in the city do not have employees that are as dedicateda s ours. I'm sure its going to work out with the county. Next thing is ordiannces. Mott property, when property is said it is a known drug house, I asked what does that have to do about overgrown vegetation. I've abdicated foreclosing after cleaning up. I've lived there by that property all my life, if you look at the overhead view of the lot, there is a lot of property that the city own's with overgrown vegetation, and another property owner. I want it cleaned up and gone so it will bring my orperty value up. Thank you for what you're doing. Jennifer Tewksbury -I wanted to reiterate what Ms. Pearce said about a tax payer. Commend the city on the Police Department and the recent crack down, overwhelming presence, for the speeders. It is refreshing to see and it is very noticeable. Thank you for that. Louise Brewer -live on 8th avenue across from cowboys. We have one homeowner that has numerous vehicles parked in his yard and I understand that if they have tags they are ok. Why is it allowed for that many automobiles and buses in the yard. This other problem remedied itself. A family that had a lot of teens that smoked marijuana and a lot of trash but they finally left due to non-payment. What can we do about how you should live in the community. I just want to keep people mowing their grass and honest. Who knows who will get in there next. I would like to see making some new rules. I feel that the guy is running a business in a residential neighborhood. Thank you so much. Mayor -we are not here to answer questions today, we will have some staff to contact you. Im sure we have ordinances, but the Police Department and the Administrator will be contacting you. Written Comment Form -Jim Vavra "get information from the form -input here" Since there are no written comments or comment cards. Thank you for attending today. IV. ADJOURN MEETING Mayor Watford provided an opportunity for additional comment cards to be submitted. There being none, Mayor Watford adjourned the Town Hall meeting at 2:27 P.M. Page 2 of 2 City of Okeechobee, October 22, 2019 Town Hall Meeting Minutes taken during the meeting by Lane Gamiotea I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Watford called the Town Hall Meeting to order on October 22, 2019, at 4 ' L' P.M. in the Council Chambers, Room 200 located at City Hall, 55 SE 3rd Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida 34974. The invocation was offered by 11-1,�� '.� �Q d The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Watford. ATTENDANCE pII. h10f c" Mayor Dowling R. Watford, Jr. Present rYUeos rnbo Council Member Wes Abney Present Council Member Monica Clark Present �bb P6ww" Council Member Bob Jarriel Present Council Member Bobby Keefe Present 00 RW ' v u City Clerk Lane Gamiotea Present Deputy City Clerk Bobbie Jenkins Present QAk III. PUBLIC COMMENTS - Mayor &Dqt— A. If you wish to address the City Council with your public comments, complete and submit a comment card. You may also submit written comments without addressing the City Council. Citizen comments are limited to three minutes per speaker unless otherwise approved by the Mayor. di -LA In) r , a, 3 1--Ub-� hat -a auea�u�� -�G,wGL 61u, Cu"A� i �rc.6�w - OIC,i`tiS Pr end . � 1�1,co n9�o � (�` a � Uu.ph Pry c9xl �clnk- S} , - roCuls CAC d u"w'kfnuc� WP a Xto-AJ, +-i�' 0.0 a- Ms isf acv Com- v.occ�. 4�s 1-ub ad +D c 4 &U4 . -Sw cdovthw Page 1 of e -r t -6 Qdm PaA 0�-- , 1 GZeaa�a� ahem `� �2e c�f � 0✓� ��u cc,�cQ �Qo a�. � �' .Lix J�tt� cc &a �T t�bouj Opp1e rp <1 h& �cuf)6(L 61 VhV "pjwl� AUu4&T- C ad a14 allx l �zaiuG uu o.at.W td&C GL t2idtt ,5ff-yahm) 0-0/4� jwt 9.� nc� Sav Oppl 1 LJe ha, -t Vic; /oaf aY �4e �C" Cel � b&lo� ju Ck 0 CPO C� t I WaAA,+ 46 d6 bt#W -�oru ppLa LjhG Ca�x�- jv�- �a�, --C� o04- a7o . �cn� Q ��u � (m �eoo In cu,� l�.� 1�. &�� � > q a -(s q -o �a dA�,A toos�-e �nr6 - S(w c4,-- Ca�1 &"u,Ot6lad, Q�clu%�n�-eve Ido#- p.r ap.�:fr '`fin �� C�n��oua�, " h�t� doCp -I-rnc�411cu,.� � � ao wJ U ate?cr pucpe�J� �Yer cw.� I/NWA - ktdcUA W'-� S W&� �%6 -,, 01.LN. �i �-c, �. dc�-us-�,ti C,07�� Njz�)a/#u 6�),[ Com- `2CU.Z- l?p . Mtg: eve, hors caw-tiuA-- as M(C� Pad a cr- .sva�c-- 4putkoE (bi��nj, s+kuA- c�pc�od.� COZA-vt c3 i hc1a 4-z ssC9- w ap&- a7o . �cn� Q ��u � (m �eoo In cu,� l�.� 1�. &�� � > q a -(s q -o �a dA�,A toos�-e �nr6 - S(w c4,-- Ca�1 &"u,Ot6lad, Q�clu%�n�-eve Ido#- p.r ap.�:fr '`fin �� C�n��oua�, " h�t� doCp -I-rnc�411cu,.� � � ao wJ U ate?cr pucpe�J� �Yer cw.� I/NWA - ktdcUA W'-� S W&� �%6 -,, 01.LN. �i �-c, �. dc�-us-�,ti C,07�� Njz�)a/#u 6�),[ Com- `2CU.Z- l?p . Mtg: eve, hors caw-tiuA-- as M(C� Pad a cr- 4 ��-e�-o�- vel ; h� -lam � �� 6ttt. r Wu,�, 4 aA n, D t Ru -e a� 6�� C�- In bfA kxA-. K jo 0,,� o,-- 0 ru--,, Q��6 p had n tv , COW UJB 4tJ 0 6rfl rx� - � ice. V o-vm - (►ucx.el N'., a� pl� OPEN INVITATION TOA ... 'OF-0K�FC yoTOWN HALL 0 MEETING r The City of Okeechobee Mayor & Council want to hear from City residents, property & business owners in an informal setting. Do you have issues, concerns, or ideas pertaining to properties within the City limits? Have questions? Contact City Clerk Lane Gamiotea City Hall, 55 SE 3r1 Ave, Rm 100 863-763-3372 x9814 Igamiotea@cityofokeechobee.com City of Okeechobee Boundary NW II iN r -J-7 N....N.1, ..1.1N.1 r � i T— §--—ae�tiiumL I =I InuiR f aen A � 4 4 -- - TOWN BLVE -CENTER w`� HERON arta WALNART .W 11110 /i See You On - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2019 AT 2 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall 55 SE 3rd Avenue, Rm 200 ANY PERSON DECIDING TO APPEAL any decision made by the City Council with respect to any matter considered at this meeting will need to ensure a verbatim record of the proceeding is made and the record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal will be based. 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 Cleric's Office no later than two business days prior to proceeding, 863-763-3372 ext. 9814. Posted: io/18/19-BJ L�t.of.OKFfC'Y WRITTEN COMMENTS FORM OCTOBER 22, 2019 TOWN HALL MEETING w 91 Written comments are being accepted by the City Clerk/Deputy City Clerk. These will be read into the record at the end of the October 22, 2019 Town Hall Meeting. If you complete a Comment Card to make a presentation to the City Council, you do not need to complete this form on the same topic. PLEASE PRINT Name: Phone No.: E-mail: Topic/Location of comment: BE ADVISED that should you intend to show any document, picture, video or item to the Council in support or opposition to any comment, a copy of the document, picture, video, or item must be provided to the City Clerk for the City's records. y6tober 25, 2019 Lake Okeechobee News City council holds second town hall By Cathy Womble Lake Okeechobee News OKEECHOBEE — Okeechobee City Council's second town hall meeting took place on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 2 p.m. and lasted approximately 30 minutes. There were not as many participants as there were for the first meeting, and Sandra Pearce, one of the commenters, asked if the meeting had been advertised because she said she did not remember seeing it in the paper. City Clerk Lane Gamiotea said they spent over $1,000 on advertising for the meeting and had put it on social media, the newspaper and radio. Mayor Dowling Watford announced this week is Florida Government Week, and he was happy to be having the town hall meet- ing during that week. "It's one of the most democratic things we can do, so we are glad we can do it now," he said. He also let it be known they are looking for applicants to fill vacancies on some citizen boards. You must be a city resident to apply for the pension boards, he said. "If you feel led to serve your city, we would really appreciate it; because we need to fill those vacancies." In addition, he re- minded everyone to update their signatures at the office of the supervisor of elections. As a reminder, Mayor Watford said the council would not be answering questions at the meeting. The meeting was meant as a time for the citizens to air their concerns and give their input. The council and staff will listen and will get back with them later about the things brought up during the meeting. Angie Griffin, president of Okeechobee Main Street and a business and property own- er on Park Street, said she thought the meet- ing was a great idea, and she was not able to be at the last one. She said she really likes the four-way stop on Park Street and feels it is working very well there. She is also happy with the speed limit signs. "We still have some speeders running through there that are crazy, but it's better than it was," she said. Their clients have to be very careful backing out, and that is a concern. She said she no- ticed they were replacing the Chickees across the street from her business in park three, and she said they really needed to be replaced. She is excited about the new flag that the Culbreths have donated and can't wait to see it go in the park. "That's going to help with our downtown image," she said. "That's like the heart beat of Okeechobee." She asked them to think about signage in the downtown area. She said it is not very consistent. She No talked about handicapped parking, and explained the handicapped spaces are at the end of each street and the people who use them have to go out into the street to get their wheelchairs or equipment out of their trunks. She said she did not know what the solution might be though. Sandra Pearce said she likes the four way stop by Central Elementary School. It's nice not to have to sit there and wait anymore, she said. In addition, she spoke about the consoli- dation of the city and county fire departments. She said she understands wanting to look out for the 12 employees of the fire department, but when you are running a business, you can't think about 12 people if you have the whole city to think about. "You go to work. You apply for your job, and you do your job, but sometimes jobs are removed, and you have to find other places to work. All of us in here are city and county. If I call the city fire department what will happen if I need an ambulance? Are they going to be able to come, or will I have to go to the county?" She believes they will do a better job if they con- solidate rather than working with -one here and one there. She does not want anyone to lose his job, but said the city cannot look at it on the basis of 12 jobs, "not when we can save a million dollars." She said no one wants to see 12 people lose their jobs and she hopes an agreement can be made with the county so they can be hired there. "You need to look at it like a business, because it is a business, run by you, for us," she said. "I want to see that million dollars go to something that is going to improve which you are working very hard at, and I want to commend you for that." Former Okeechobee City Councilman Noel Chandler commended the council on the work that has been done recently on the streets. He said he hated to see hardworking men lose their jobs because finances couldn't be worked out and he hoped they could come to some solution other than consolidat- ing the fire departments. "It may look good, but the county will be getting excess money from the city," he said. "As far as employees, I would work very hard to keep them. We have had some of them for twenty some years and they are about ready to get out. I've heard some people in the audience talk about employees getting another job, but I don't think they have had employees as dedicated for this long. I'd just hate to see that happen." He also spoke about ordinances. He did not understand foreclosing on a property for little over $3,000 in fines which he said was what was being done with the Mott property, his meeting deceased grandmother's property. In the past, they never recommended foreclosure for such a small amount, he said, and he was on the council for many years. Jennifer Tewksbury spoke, not on behalf of the Economic Council, but as a taxpayer and said she wanted to reiterate what Sandra Pearce said, and because Ms. Pearce said it so eloquently, she would not restate any of those points. She wanted to commend the city on the police department and their overwhelm- ing presence throughout the city cracking down on speeders. One woman said she lived across from Cowboys and had some concerns about the number of vehicles parked at one of the homes. She feels there should be a limit to the number allowed at a private home on a reg- ular basis. She would like to see some more regulations for how many people are allowed in a single family dwelling and she would like ordinances to make people keep their yards clean and mowed. The final comment was phoned in by Jim Berra• stating "many city streets need to be re- CIavrA paved and/or repaired. All streets should have center lines and stop lines. Sidewalks need to be repaired and cleaned. Trees need to be trimmed and kept trimmed not only on city property, but on private property with the use of code enforcement as needed. Keep trash picked up better throughout the city. Coordi- nate a monthly, city-wide cleanup day using volunteers to help clean public and private areas, residential and commercial. Work on a better drainage system for the southwest area especially areas without alleyways." The Okeechobee County Rec Roll has been certified by the I for collection of 2019 taxes, � Okeechobee City, in the office Building, 307 N.W. 5th Avent 34972. For information regarding: • EMS, Fire, Garbage and call 863.763.9312 • City Garbage assessment, • Conuina Water Control 10