2020-01-07 MinutesCITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA
JANUARY 7, 2020, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION
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 of the First United Methodist Church.
B. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Watford.
11. ATTENDANCE
City Clerk Lane Gamiotea called the roll. Mayor Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Council Members Wes
Abney, Monica Clark, Bob Jarriel, arid 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 Keefe to approve the consent agenda item A
[approve the December 17, 2019, Regular meeting minutes]; seconded by Council
Member Jarriel.
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.
The current education reimbursement agreement included within Exhibit 1 states an
employee must remain as a lull -time employee with the City for a continuous period of
two -years following completion of any particular training/education/certification session
for which the City advances the costs. However, should an employee voluntarily or
involuntarily leave the employment of the City within the two-year window measured from
date of completion of a particular training session to date of separation from the City, then
the employee shall reimburse the City in full for all expenses reasonably related to the
attendance at such training/education/certification session. At the meeting, Clerk
Gamiotea distributed a copy of the policy as provided in the City personnel policies and
procedures manual; the education reimbursement contract program is not required for
employees with 10 -years or more of continued service. As talks of the City Fire
Department possibly being merged with or contracted to the County continue, direction is
needed from the Council to determine how employees are to proceed with obtaining their
Paramedic Certification, as this certification is needed to be considered for employment
by the County.
Mayor Watford introduced Mr. Russ Brown, Provost of Indian River State College's
(IRSC) Dixon Hendry Campus, and Dr. Ann Hubbard, IRSC Dean of Health Science. He
explained they were in attendance to provide information and answer questions regarding
the Paramedic course. Administrator MontesDeOca distributed two documents; one
being the course costs breakdown, the other being a County memorandum dated
September 14, 2015, explaining promotional requirements. Dr. Hubbard explained this is
normally a two-year program with breaks for the summer and costs approximately
$9,000.00 per student, which includes tuition, books, uniforms, Field Internship Student
Data Acquisition Project (FISDAP), lectures, labs, ride times, and clinicals.
January 7, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 1 of 2
V. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
Due to the need in Okeechobee, and the students being currently employed in their field,
IRSC is willing to make accommodations to make the classes work, shortening the time
of completion to approximately one year which reduces the cost to approximately
$6,000.00 per student.
Fire Captain Rodriguez informed the Council there are approximately 10 employees
interested in taking the course (himself, two Lieutenants, seven full-time and one part-
time Firefighter/EMTs); one already has their certification. After much discussion,
Attorney Fumero recommended a separate contract be generated as Paramedic
certification is not a requirernent of the City's Firefighter/EMT job. Depending on the
outcome of the merger, absorbing the costs of the certification should be part of a potential
severance package. Contract language would also be included 1:o address repayment
obligations whether the merger passes or fails. The subject of an employee being paid to
attend class while not on shift was then questioned. Fire Lieutenant Crum answered an
employee is not paid for attending class on days they are not scheduled to work; while on
shift employees are permitted to leave class for a call and return. There was no discussion
to make changes, as this is the policy followed by all Departments. Finance Director
Riedel questioned the eligibility of new hire probationary Firefighters of which there are
currently three; two full-time and one part-time. Mayor Watford stated the opportunity
should be provided to all Firefighters eligible to attend the certification course; there were
no objections from the Council.
A motion was made by Council Member Clark instructing the Attorney to compose
a new reimbursement agreement for paramedic certification as discussed this
evening; seconded by Council Member Jarriel.
To prevent the delay of employees starting the course, the consensus of the Council
was to have the Mayor and Administrator review and approve the contract in lieu
of presenting it for Council approval at the next meeting. Finance Director Riedel was
tasked with generating a budget amendment in the amount of $60,000.00 for the costs of
the course and present it for approval at a future meeting. Administrator MontesDeOca
added salary adjustments for the certified Paramedics will need to be discussed at a later
date should the merger fail. There being no further discussion, Mayor Watford called for
a vote.
Mayor Watford, Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel, and Keefe voted: Aye.
Nays: none. Motion Carried,,
VI. COUNCIL COMMENTS
The Council wished everyone a Happy New Year and congratulated Administrator
MontesDeOca on his recent marriage nuptials. Council Member Jarriel welcomed the new
Attorney, and was glad to have another item completed regarding the fire service discussion.
Council Member Keefe thanked the Administrator and Public Works Director for the street
striping plan he was provided, adding he looks forward to the implementation of the plan as it is
a welcomed need.
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
Lane' Gamiote", 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.
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