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2020-01-07 Handwritten minutesCITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA JANUARY 7, 2020, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION -BOBBIE JENKINS NOTES CALL TO ORDER Mayor Watford called the regular session of the City Council for the City of Okeechobee to order on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, at 6:01 P.M. in the City Council Chambers, 55 Southeast 3rd Avenue, Room 200, Okeechobee, Florida. A. The invocation was offered by Pastor Jim Dawson FUMC. B. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Watford. II. ATTENDANCE City Clerk Lane Gamiotea called the roll. Mayor Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Council Members Wes Abney, Monica Clark, Bob Jarriel, and Bobby Keefe were present. CITY STAFF: City Attorney John Fumero, City Administrator Marcos MontesDeOca, Police Chief Bob Peterson, Fire Chief Herb Smith, Public Works Director David Allen, Deputy City Clerk Bobbie Jenkins, and Finance Director Riedel were present. III. AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS A. There were no requests for the addition, deferral, or withdrawal of agenda items. B. There were no agenda item forms or comment cards submitted for public participation for any issues not on the agenda. IV. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Council Member BK to approve the consent agenda item A [approve the December 17, 2019, Regular meeting minutes]. seconded by Council Member BJ . Mayor Watford, Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel, and Keefe voted: Aye. Nays: none. Motion Carried. V. NEW BUSINESS A. Consider amendments to the Education Reimbursement Agreement related to Firefighters obtaining Paramedic Certification. MDO-reason we have this meeting because of timing instead of special meeting. Consensus of council to find out what to do for firefighters. LG -if we waive the 2 year requirement, ensure language stays in if the merger/contract doesn't happen the 2 year agreement still applies. Mayor -reimbursement agreement is the current? Yes. No recommended changes. We need to answer the questions tonight. Russ Brown with IRSC is here this evening. BK -I do have a question regarding the necessity. MDO-the reason is particular to its not part of the job description. Russ Brown and Ann Hubbard Dean of Health Sciences oversees EMT Paramedic program. WE both have had some discussion with the employees and staff here to share cost numbers. We want to be here to answer any questions you may have. Ann can share some information regarding amounts. Ann Hubbard -a few employees have come to me and stated Okeechobee may have a need for a paramedic program and there were employees interestd in taking this program. Totally new with no $9128. However, employees have already had costs absorb CPR 6000 per individual student for the two year program, tuition, books, uniforms. FISDAP is also included in the amount and keeps track of all the skills that the individuals have and their ride times. The program is a 2 year program. We are willing to work with you on a start date. They will need to be in class, labs, and ride times. John Bray is the instructor. Lecture and labs will be in Okeechobee. Mayor -when we met with the County, the County Fire Chief stated it took a year to get the certification. Ann -it is a little bit less than two years and it is tailored to your needs without breaks during the summer. BJ -when is the application date? Ann -it would be whenever you need $30 app fee January 7, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 1 of 3 Mayor -this program would be strictly set up for Okeechobee? Yes MDO-minimum number of 10? Wes -it was my understanding there was something already setup. Ann -your decision BJ -do you have any nmbers from the County? Russ -may have 6. Our job is to bring it to Okeechobee and come up with a customize program that will work for you. The number that makes it economically feasible to us. Ann -our goal is to meet your needs. Mayor -thanked Russ and Ann. Opened Council discussion. Wes -do we have any city employees that want to take this class? CPT Rodriguez -I made contact with employees and there are roughly 10 guys that want to take the program. Mayor -the County has approximately 6. CPT -they are ready to start and are putting their names in the hat. Wes -how is this going to work out as far as scheduling. CPT -I've talked to Mitch about scheduling. There is still a few things to work out and they may still be able to be on shift and attend class. Wes -when it comes back to the agreement, I understand that this has a two year past the time to take the class. If we decide to do this then we should waive. BK -the handout from the employee handbook under education reimbursement "read from the book" as MDO previously stated, obviously this is not a requirement. Is there an amendment that needs to be made to the agreement and/or handbook? Wouldn't' we as a city council have them sign a contract and then waive the requirement. Is there really an amendment necessary? Cant we just say here is the agreement, start training as nothing has taken place. Mayor -in my opinion an amendment is necessary. He referred to number 2. This isn't city required so its going to have to be amended. I think the employees are looking to see if they are going to be reimburse. We are only encouraging them to take it. I think we have to make some type of amendment. The Attorney may tell us different. BK -the necessity and legality of it. John Fumero-not a good idea to amend the policy. If and only if it's a requirement of the job. Forevermore, if amended, you'll allow for any amendment. This would be part of a severance package, we are saying if the city goes through, we are going to offer this to you. One time offer with a contract. Write the contract as "if x happens, then we do this. If y happens, then we do this." Contract can be written with all language and scenarios. There would be no obligation if the merger happens. Monica -my comment is I like the idea of it being a contract/severance package with alternatives. The County has made it very clear that tey will not hire our employees without paramedic school. I agree we need a separate contract. Mayor -so it doesn't apply to other departments. Monica -I don't' want to hold off on getting them into school as the County was very clear they need to be paramedics. BJ -I feel that we owe it to them to get them trained. This is a win/win. Mayor -except spending over $60k, for which we haven't budgeted. MDO-if it doesn't go thru, we will have 10 paramedics with a difference in pay over an EMT. Mayor -do we feel that this is premature or are we convinced that in a year we will be in a position that we will need that? No one wants to comment? Monica -yes I feel that we will be in that position. The attorney said he's going to word it that way. Wes -I feel that this is a good faith CPT -I was in agreeance with CM Clark. If we do it now, it will be the best way as we will be partly through the program. Mayor -Attorney suggests coming up with new contract. Motion to instruct attorney to compose a new reimbursement agreement for paramedic certification as discussed this evening. MC -motion; BJ -second Attorney -according to the personnel manual you can take the training with accrued leave with pay. The only question is, the CPT said they are going to try to work something out where they are going to be on shift. Bob -we do this every other week. We let the training day count as a workday if it is something that will benefit the police department. Mayor -in this instance we need a body there. January 7, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 2 of 3 LT Crum -if you are off, you are off. If you are going to take that class and its your work day, something happends you leave and come back. You are not going to be paid for class on your day off. Monica -we are not requiring them to have Tess than 10 years? Attorney -just to be clear we are not doing this in accordance with this policy? Lane -how many employees have more than 10 years? CPT -4 Attorney -this is not being liminted by the policy. This is something Council is doing above and beyond. Finance Director -the only thing I can think of is if we recently hired a FF and they are still on probation and we pay $6000 for their education and there is some reason why they don't make it through probation, what happens? Mayor -if they leave employment of the City, are we paying? Bob -if they leave, they pay back. If we fire, they don't BJ -how many are on probation? 3. Then we will have to address that. Monica -are all 16 in class at the same time. Ann -they lecture usually all together but we can alternate lab and ride times. Echo 360 syncro or a-syncro and the Okeechobee location has that capability. Attorney -approve the contract with the amendments as discussed today. You can delegate authority to Mayor or Administrator. Or I can bring it back to the next meeting. The Chief should ultimately be making that decision or is it for everybody? Mayor -we are offering to everybody that is a City emkployee. Abney -is that ok with you Chief? Herb -thank you for asking but I don't' have an issue. Mayor -the question is are we going tohave to wait two weeks? Consensus -have the administrator and mayor sign/approve it. VI. COUNCIL COMMENTS Abney -Happy New Year Jarriel-Starting the new year off and welcome the new attorney. We have one issue covered and now we will move to the next step. Hopefully the next meeting will have info from County. Keefe -happy new year. Recently the administrator made me a street striping plan? Did you all get a copy of it? Fabulous job, thanks David, look forward to that being implemented. Downtown business district really needs some striping. SW 5th ave has no striping, etc. Welcome aboard john. Clark -I think everything has been said. Congrats MDO on your wedding. Happy New Year. VII. There being no further items on the agenda, Mayor Watford adjourned the meeting at 6:38 P.M. The next regular meeting is scheduled for January 21, 2020, at 6:00 P.M. Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Mayor ATTEST: Lane Gamiotea, CMC, City Clerk 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. January 7, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 3 of 3 JANUARY 7, 2020, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING HANDWRITTEN MINUTES TAKEN BY LANE GAMIOTEA CALL TO ORDER Mayor Watford called the regular session of the City Council for the City of Okeechobee to order on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, at 6:01 P.M. in the City Council Chambers, 55 Southeast 3rd Avenue, Room 200, Okeechobee, Florida. A. The invocation was offered by Jim Dawson B. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Watford. II. ATTENDANCE City Clerk Lane Gamiotea called the roll: Mayor Dowling R. Watford, Jr. - Present Council Member Abney - Present Council Member Clark - Present Council Member Jarriel - Present Council Member Keefe - Present CITY STAFF: City Attorney John Fumero - Present City Administrator MontesDeOca - Present Police Chief Peterson - Present Fire Chief Smith - Present Public Works Director Allen — Present Finance Director Riedel — Present City Clerk Gamiotea - Present Deputy City Clerk Jenkins - Present III. AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS A. There were requests for the addition, deferral, or withdrawal of items. B. There were agenda item forms or comment cards submitted for public participation for any issues not on the agenda. IV. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Council Member Keefe and Jarriel to approve the consent agenda item A [approve the December 17, 2019, minutes]. Mayor Watford, Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel, and Keefe voted: Aye. Nays: none. Motion Carried. V. NEW BUSINESS A. Consider amendments to the Education Reimbursement Agreement related to Firefighters obtaining Paramedic Certification. MDO — have two more handouts coming from Robin. Lane Exhibit 1 is the current contract without any proposed changes. MDO — they haven't taken it so far because its not required for their jobs. Rus Brown IRSC Provost and Ann Hubbard, Dean of Life Science for the Fire Academy Ann — employees came to me have need for paramedic program, approx. $9128.00, includes CPR, insurance, and other, 2 yr $6,000.00 per person, tuition and books, FISDAP program. Here in Okee, but may have to travel to Ft Pierce campus for a few of the classes. DW — County fire chief stated 1 year. Ann — it's a little over a 1, just under 2 years. Can tailor it to help. Bob J — when does it start. Ann — we can start when you needed it, strictly set up for Okeechobee. MDO — minimum? Ann — understand it to be 10. Wes — thought already set up? Ann we can yes. Rus — bring to Okee and customize it to help you all, length would change if no semesters off. If we hve 10 we will definitely make the class. January 7, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 1 of 3 DW — thank you both for being here. DW — something we want to offer and then iron out details. Wes — have any employees who want to take this class? Lalo — made contact, roughly 10 want to take the class. The County has approx. 6. Hope to start in Feb Wes - how will 10 effect our schedule? Lalo — the instructor believes they can work out a situation. Wes — when back to contract, 2 year binding if the merger doesn't happen. Keefe — the agenda language handbook line. Is there an amendment needed or just have them sign it, then the city signs waivers negating the education agreement to pay back. DW — think it is required, item #2 of the contract wording. For the employees to see to make sure that they would be reimbursed, not requiring them to take it but encouraging them to take it. I think we have to make some type of amendment. Keefe — and I agree to get them all trained. John F — don't want to amend the policy, now forevermore ti would be open to any improvement. In my view I see this as a severance package, if the city goes through with this we want you to have all the tools possible to employ them. Contract with proviso's for if this happens this, etc. If nothing happens then they would have to work the 2 years. Another scenero is the merger then its like an incentive package. MC — like the contract with alternatives, made clear if do merger or contract they wont hire our firefighters unless certified or attending classes. DW — and doesn't' apply to other departments. MC — don't want them to hold off getting to school. BJ — obligated to give them the opportunity, don't see a losing side DW — except spending $60,000.00 MDO — large pay discripencies to pay them for that certification, need to increase their salaries if merger doesn't' happen. DW — are we .... [tissues] MC — yes I feel we're going to be in that position. If it doesn't' happen Wes - ..... Lalo — agrrement with Clark, 3/4 of the way through the program when Oct rolls around. DW — ask attorney for his suggestion, new contract? JF — yes sir. DW instruct him to draft a new agmt for paramedic Clark moved/Jarriel second. Wil need a budget amendment. John F — training with approved leave with pay? Be on shift? When guys are in class are they on shift? Police allows them to take training days instead of annual leave of theirs. What about the guys that are on shift, don't charge against them, and vice versa. Adam — if you're off, you're off, if you're on shift, something happens you NOT paid for going to class on your day off. MC — employees with over 10 years. Lalo — 2 and 1 about to hit 10 years. India — recently hired FF on probation, new hire employees? MDO — discretion of the Fire Chief. 3 on new hire probation. MC — all 16 students in class every day. Ann — lecture yes, lab and ride times no. Recordedd to make up lecture time. John F approve contract with amendments, delegate to Mayor, bring back at next meeting. Chief making those determinations or everybody? DW — offering to all fire employees. DWj — are they boign to have to wait 2 weeks to know what they is going to say? Approve next meeting Wes admin and mayor reviewing it. All yea. January 7, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 2 of 3 VI. COUNCIL COMMENTS Wes — look forward to 2020. Jarriel — welcome new attorney, looking forward, one issue resolved. Hopefully at next meeting have information from the county and can make some decisions. Keefe — street stiping plan provided, good job and look for to it being implemented. And look forward to seeing the plan for sidewalks and street paving. Clark — ditto, ditto. Congrats to MDO wedding. VII. There being no further items on the agenda, Mayor Watford adjourned the meeting at 6:38 P.M. The next regular meeting is scheduled for January 21, 2020, at 6:00 P.M. January 7, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 3 of 3