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2019-10-01 Handwritten minutesCity of Okeechobee, October 1, 2019 Meeting Minutes taken during the meeting by Bobbie Jenkins CALL TO ORDER Mayor Watford called the Regular City Council Meeting to order on October 1, 2019, at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers, Room 200 located at City Hall, 55 SE 3rd Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida 34974. The invocation was offered by Pastor Richard Barker of Westside Christian Church/Okeechobee Correctional Institute Chaplain. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Watford. II. 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 Attorney John R. Cook Present City Administrator Marcos MontesDeOca Present City Clerk Lane Gamiotea Absent (with consent) Deputy City Clerk Bobbie Jenkins Present Fire Chief Herb Smith Present Police Chief Bob Peterson Present Public Works Director David Allen Present III. AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS - Mayor A. Requests for the addition, deferral or withdrawal of agenda items. Mayor Watford asked whether there were any requests for the addition, deferral, or withdrawal of items on today's agenda. Item E New Business update from Connie with CAS Governmental Services. B. Public participation for any issues not on the agenda - Agenda Item Form or Comment Card is required. Citizen comments are limited to 3 minutes per speaker unless otherwise approved by the Mayor. Mayor Watford asked whether there were any comment cards presented for public comment. There were none. IV. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS A. Acceptance of a donation from Gil and Marie Culbreth of an American Flag and Flagpole to be placed in Flagler Park. JD Mixon, Christa Luna, Mr. and Mrs. Culbreth were all present for the presentation. Mr. Mixon distributed information explaining that the flagpole and monument honoring Colonel R.E. Hamrick and Annie B. Hamrick will be installed at the Center of Park til between 4th and 5th Avenue. The flagpole is 60' high with a 15'x25' American flag and four high -efficiency LED flood lights, along with a pillar placed at the flag's base honoring the contributions of Colonel R.E. Hamrick and Annie B. Hamrick. Estimated cost approximately $20,000.00 estimated to be completed by the end of this calendar year. Same flag as the pole at Gilbert Chevrolet and Gilbert Ford. MDO this will be a project that will require a permit but no permit fee just to cover liability purposes. MC -is there room for handicap accessibility. JD- currently there is a palm tree where the pole will go so it doesn't take up additional footprint. WA -make sure there is no ordinance conflict; MDO no BJ motion to accept donation as presented with flag; seconded by CM Clark; motion carried DW -thank the Culbreth family very much and a great addition to the community. MC -where is the monument going to located; not on sidewalk right? Just want to be sure we still have accessibility. JD -will not interfere with ADA Gil -flag needs to be changed 3 to 4 times a year to keep from getting ragged. Page 1 of 6 DW -we will ensure that there is enough funds to cover the replacement. The Council took a photo with the Gilbert family. B. Proclaim the month of October 2019 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Mayor Watford proclaimed the month of October 2019 as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month." The Proclamation was presented to Mr. Jonathan Bean and Ms. Shirlean Graham of Martha's House and read into the record as follows: "Whereas, one in every four women will experience domestic violence during her lifetime; and Whereas, victims should have help to find the compassion, comfort and healing they need, and domestic abusers should be punished to the full extent of the law; and Whereas, fleeing domestic violence has caused women and children to be the fastest growing homeless population; and Whereas powerful partnerships exist locally between the City of Okeechobee and Martha's House Domestic Violence Services; and Whereas, the President of the United States and Congress as well as other federal agencies have expressed a commitment to eliminating domestic violence both nationally and internationally. Now Therefore, 1, Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Mayor of the City of Okeechobee, hereby do proclaim October 2019 as `Domestic Violence Awareness Month' in the City of Okeechobee in recognition of the important work done by domestic violence programs and victims' service providers, and urge all citizens to actively participate in the scheduled activities and programs sponsored by Martha's House of Okeechobee and other community organizations to work toward the elimination of personal and institutional violence against women and girls." MR. Bean thanked the Council on behalf of all the women and children victims in Okeechobee county. Ms. Graham has worked relentlessly on behalf of the victims of domestic violence. She is such a great example of the type of people we need to end these issues. Domestic Violence should be looked at as a public safety issue. Walk in my Shoes activity 10/26/19 in Flagler Park interactive activity where public can walk in a victims shoes. Obtain a story card, then read the story and make decisions by walking to different areas of the park, which will have another story card for a decision to be made. Free lunch will be provided. Brunch & Bubbly for ladies only held at freedom ranch. Lunch buffet, mimosa bar, silent auction on 11/2/19. Tickets on sale at Martha's House and Everglades Pediatric Dentistry. C. Proclaim October 24, 2019 as World Polio Day. Mayor Watford proclaimed October 24, 2019 as "World Polio Day." The Proclamation was presented to Rotary Club District Governor #6930 Ms. Donna Gaiser, Rotary President Mrs. Amy Daniels, and President Elect Mrs. Melisa Jahner. The Proclamation was read into the record as follows: "Whereas, Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem -solvers who unite and take action to create lasting change in communities across the globe; and Whereas, the Rotary motto, Service Above Self, inspires members to provide humanitarian service, follow high ethical standards, and promote goodwill and peace in the world; and Whereas, Rotary in 1985 launched PolioPlus and in 1988 helped establish the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which today includes the World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to immunize the children of the world against polio; and Whereas, polio cases have dropped by 99.9 percent since 1988 and the world stands on the threshold of eradicating the disease; and Whereas, to date, Rotary has contributed more than LIS$1.9 billion and countless volunteer hours to protecting more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries; and Whereas, Rotary is working to raise an additional $50 million per year, which would be leveraged for maximum impact by an additional $100 million annually from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; and Whereas, these efforts are providing much-needed operational support, medical staff, laboratory equipment, and educational materials for health workers and parents; and Whereas, in addition, Rotary has played a major role in decisions by donor governments to contribute more than $8 billion to the effort; and Whereas, there are over 16,425 Rotary members in more than 584 clubs throughout this state of Florida that sponsor service projects to address such critical issues as poverty, disease, hunger, illiteracy, and the environment in their local communities and abroad. Now Therefore, 1, Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Mayor of the City of Okeechobee, do hereby proclaim October 24, 2019 `World Polio Day' in Okeechobee and encourage all citizens to join me and Rotary International in the fight for a polio -free world." 10/16 is the 75th Anniversary of the local rotary club. Ms. Gaiser thanked the Council. Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only countries to still have Polio. India had the most Polio in the world. Page 2 of 6 V. CONSENT AGENDA A. Planning Advisory Services Agreement with Central Florida Regional Planning Council to assist with the Competitive Florida Partnership Grant (Exhibit 1). Council Member BJ moved to approve the consent agenda [Planning Advisory Services Agreement with Central Florida Regional Planning Council]; seconded by Council Member BK . VOTE: WATFORD — YEA ABNEY — YEA CLARK — YEA JARRIEL — YEA KEEFE — YEA MOTION CARRIED. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Motion to adopt proposed Strategic Plan and Mission Statement (Exhibit 2). Opened for discussion prior to motion BK -appreciate Mr. Ritter for coming to the workshop, great input and did a good job tweaking the vision and mission statement. think we should go with the 2nd Vision and Mission Statement; acceptable from the Council. BK -guest moderator did a great job filling out the plan. WA -under ordinances B -buildings; it is blank, is there anything for that? I would like to encourage doing something with the vacant unoccupied buildings. Mainly along the commercial corridor. DW -I have been in contact at the FLC that have all the displays and I have never seen this type of a study but it's a retail strategy study instead of industrial development. They come into the community (Lake worth and Delary) and look at existing buildings and businesses especially those that are emplty and come up with a plan that provides suggestions on what type of businesses to recruit in certain locations. Different programs that they will go out and recruit for you, geared more toward mom&pop businesses. Mawybe get aproposal from them to present to Council or partner with other agencies to get this dones. Vacant buildings are the worst to have in the community. Great suggestion, "redevelopment of vacant buildings an dproperties". MDO-starting with a new budget, I foresee us getting a lot of these things wrapped up and revisit this at the next town hall meeting which will give us direction for the next few years. WA -Item A thru E in right of ways blank. MDO-wants to develop these plans, working with public works. WA -Comp Plan Land Use Review -way to implement a plan to work on the discrepancies with the FLU and zoning MDO-currently under way. Reached out to Ben with Larue and he is working on that in his off time, to continue on what Bill was working on when he retired. Council Member bj_ moved to adopt proposed Strategic Plan and Mission Statement (with changes); seconded by Council Member bk . VOTE: WATFORD — YEA ABNEY — YEA CLARK — YEA JARRIEL — YEA KEEFE — YEA MOTION CARRIED. B. Motion to adopt proposed Resolution No. 2019-13, supporting a School Safety Resolution enacted by the Okeechobee County School Board (Exhibit 3). Council Member mc moved to adopt proposed Resolution No. 2019-13, supporting a School Safety Resolution enacted by the Okeechobee County School Board; seconded by Council Member bk. Attorney Cook read proposed Resolution No. 2019-13 by title only as follows: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; SUPPORTING AND ADOPTING SCHOOL SAFETY RESOLUTION ENACTED BY THE Page 3 of 6 OKEECHOBEE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD ON AUGUST 1, 2019, IMPLORING THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO FUND THE STATE MANDATE TO PROVIDE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS AT EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL IN THE STATE; DIRECTING THE RESOLUTION TO THE GOVENOR AND LEGISLATURE; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE." DW -Any discussion on the motion? None VOTE: WATFORD — YEA ABNEY — YEA CLARK — YEA JARRIEL — YEA KEEFE — YEA MOTION CARRIED. C. Motion to approve a School Resource Officer Agreement with Okeechobee County School Board (Exhibit 4). Council Member bkw moved to approve a School Resource Officer Agreement with Okeechobee County School Board; seconded by Council Member _wa_. MDO-ability for City to work with school board independently, even though the units are combined, this is a mechanism we need to be able to get those dollars back. DW -any other questions or discussions? NO issues with officers at all VOTE: WATFORD — YEA ABNEY — YEA CLARK — YEA JARRIEL — YEA KEEFE — YEA MOTION CARRIED. D. Discuss a Request for Proposal (RFP) and a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Legal Services. DW -does anyone have any particular comments they would like to make or suggestions? BK -Page 1 paragraph 1 what does Contractual part-time position or contractual contract. What does that mean? Paragraph 11 -scope of work, 2nd line city personnel not town personnel 14 -fee proposals -shouldn't we include annual fee option as well if they want to provide the option 15-a I would like to delete that subparagraph; I don't agee with mandatory presence every week. Accessibility is definitely critical but every week no justified if its warranted as needed for the week as it is part of is part of accessibility. I don't think a mandated presence should be p 17 -benefits strike altogether, not for giving out benefits without negotiations. MC -benefits -asking if this was typical having an independent contractor being provided benefits by the city. MDO-background from staff to modify this agreement; idea so we can modify this directive; no part-time gets benefits. Do we cut out benefits; I had questions on part=time availability as well; change the labeling to have two at the same time, one for individuals and one for firms. Two different options. C DW -Contractural part-tim eis individual? We need to clarify that to take care of paragraph 1; change the word town to city. DW -fee proposals; we usually pay on a monthly basis not an annual basis. I think it should be paid monthly not annually BK -clarified the wording that it was an option in several examples. MDO-currently there is an annual rate with additional hours. JC -mines month to month DW -other comments on accessibility? I know we started that because other city staff needed some legal advice on issues and it was nice to know that those 2 days were available. I think staff would be in a better position to tell us whether that is helpful or not MDO-must set office hours but not mandate the days. WA -I understand the logic on the Tuesday/Thursday due to meetings. WA -Benefits, independent contractors provided those? BJ -I agree I don't think there should be no benefits under contract WA -I don't know if it is typical DW -do you want to provide for Conferences? Page 4 of 6 WA -if it is City related than I would support that BJ -I agree MC -under fees not benefits; reimburseable expenses for fees and travel for city related. MC -physically being at city hall and since we are in the world of technology no one needs to be physically anywhere. WE can facetime or call DW -do you think we should have something in there that the attorney may at some time be required to be at city hall. MC -he has to be here for city council, planning board, trc. MDO-there are other times that the attorney can be physically present. DW -there needs to be something in there that states that DW -you have your direction there. Do you think it should come back at the next meeting for approval? Council -yes BK -are we creating two separate items RFP/RFQ for firms/individuals. Some of these examples were RFQ but verbiage was geared toward both. MDO-I would like to gear it toward both. I sent JC a question asking if it needs to be two separate or one JC -I think we could do it in one, just give questions or comments to marcos to get this finalized MDO-same insurance requirements for both WA -page 2 number 5, I know that JC is here until the end of the year, I think the interviews should be before December 17th. JC -we can certainly speed that up. WA_i just don't want to get to the 11th hour and we are still negotiating. Is 12/17 enough time? MDO-it all depends on the response we have to the document. If we don't get a response then we will have to extend. After modifications and approvals we can get it out quick DW -do you want them to go ahead and put it out with the suggestions made tonight? 10/15 is the next meeting. Put it out and say have it back by the 12th of November. You could set a special meeting to do the interviews. Tentative 10/15 have back by 11/19, and it depends on how many we have to give a recommendation and Council make a decision from there. DW -put the suggested changes together and put the RFP/RFQ out. JC -I think the people that are going to apply have done this before and we should get quite a few. Consensus of the council is to go with he suggested changes tonight and put it on October 15th agenda. ITEM ADDED TO AGENDA. E. Update from CAS Governmental Services Connie -on behalf of CAS Governmental Services, we thank you. WE have finished our first committee week 1 September. A lot of budgets were being presented to different committees. Senate and House appropriations committee presenteations stated state is on verge of economic slow down, next couple of years less 867 million less over the two years. Agencies asked to present requests with a 10% reduction. It was done and presented at a decreased rate. CAS were in attendance the whole time hearing testimony and presentations. There are two sessions in October (dates) appropriation process has started for 2020; 54 proposals 120 million on house side. Based on the economic freview for the next couple of years, the house and senate appropriations are saying be cautions. Last year at this point they weren't able to accommodate the proposal amounts, 600 at 400 million price tag; 60 vetoed at a cost of 131 million. The process is starting we will be there representing your issues. Every session things come up and we will work with the agencies with the Lake 0 issues. The legistalature is moving towards getting away from the appropriation process and going toward more of a grant program. 8th street stormwater was brought to light and funded through that process. Everything we have been working for is coming to fruition. 8th Ave Stormwater grant reports are due, im working with staff to get that done to submit to DEP on time. mD0-we requested a grant for drainage structure at the boat ramp, we received it. Thursday historic courthouse at 9 am, delegation packet, pigmans office got the info. Session starts January 14, 2020. No questions for connie-we will see you Thursday. VII. COUNCIL COMMENTS DW -none WA -thanked the Culbreth family for their downation; great asset, beautiful Page 5 of 6 BJ -today is the first day of the new budget and we have a lot of things on it and a lot of these things we are discussing and doing today were brought up at the Town Hall Meeting; reminded everyone of the 10/22 informal town hall meeting; please come; thanked the Culbreth family as well BK-Ive been wanting to ask about this but forgotten; Our charger provides for a Vice Mayor to serve in your absence. Just wanted to know why we haven't appointed one? Is that something that is not done before hand. Vice Mayor appointed by the Council to serve in your absence. DW -traditionally — that's news to me and we will have to investigate. Mayor appoints pro - tempore when the mayor cannot attend. We will investigate that. Deputy Clerk be sure to have that investigated. DW -to the best of my recollection, there was only one meeting that I missed due to the Soccer regional playoffs; I've even came out of the hospital to be here. My grandmother lived to a 100 so I don't MC -Ordinance is 75' so you can make the flagpole even higher VIII. ADJOURN MEETING There being no further items on the agenda, Mayor Watford adjourned the meeting at 7:02_ P.M. Page 6 of 6