2020-06-02 Handwritten MinutesCITY OF OKEECHOBEE; FLORIDA
JUNE 2, 2020, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
HANDWRITTEN MINUTES BY LANE GAMIOTEA
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Watford called the regular meeting of the City Council for the City of
Okeechobee to order on -Tuesday—,June 2, 2020, at (p'•00 P.M -in -the 13ity
Council Chambers, located at 55 Southeast 3rd Avenue, Room 200, Okeechobee,
ond`a. The ni6etirig w sa a so broadcasted by means of using-Zoom.com Meeting
ID 2459713294 with the Host computer operated by Executive Assistant Brock. The
video,audio, and digital comments are recorded and retained as a permanent record.
A. The invocation was offered by Mayor Watford.
$.--The Pledge of Allegiance was led -by Mayor Watford.
ATTENDANCE
May Dowling R. Watford, Jr.
Council Member Wes Abney
Council Member Clark
Council Member Jarriel
Council Member Keefe
City Attorney John Fumero
City Administrator Marcos Moi
Police Chief 1366-Pefe`rson
Fire Chief Herb Smith
Public Works Director David A
Deputy City Clerk Bobbie Jenl
Executive Assistant Robin Brc
Finance Director India Riedel
III. AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
A. There were no requests for the addition, deferral, or withdrawal of agenda
items. G:. ACd_i z
-13. Council Membere moved`" to approve the agenda as
-wesente amendseco ded by Council Member (,JI--+
Mayor \'Watford, Council Members Abney, Clark Y, Jarriel ,
Keefe V �.
Motio�iebenled.
C. There were no agenda item forms or comment cards submitted for public
participation for any issues not on the agenda.
C-LAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
On behalfQfth_e-City, Mayor WafoLd_and Police Cj3jgf Peterson presented Ms.
Terisa Garcia with a Longevity Service Award of $1,000.00 and a framed
J ertificate which read "In recognition of your -35 -years of service, hard
a. work, and dedication to the City, its citizens, and your fellow employees
----from June 7, 1985 through June 7, 2020."
QAr f . `AI's rz�-�cln 3=((�� S -'
JGC�-�S OL[ /•�. C a G�U+LecGrnGry l d `Iv yo tv W40
/
Lane Gamiotea Handwritten Minutes - June 2, 2020 - Page 1 of 13
V.
CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Council Member to approve the consent
agenda ite A [May 5, 2020, Regular meeting minutes]; seconded by Council
Member L
Mayor Watford, Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel-)L,
Keefe
Motion arrie' enied.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Update from Tiffany Collins, Florida Department of Health Okeechobee
County, regarding COVID-19.
LA- PUk*0 tA (.% fn �.
#' ( M-'jJ v� Gam- to ad Y4 SO
S �
U ('I 1 , Saar=- 5 D �C� % 07C (t, 66 9 L% 6- � J
l�U� �� W� Stu. Ct�'L l.�l' G� �� c9`►� .._. i Yi1FFt 5 ;�'irtC�
39 /r)(,i/ '6l4 /PW �{ lea ,I as di.id • ao/ d&A, ra-6t
Ike mO r -+d -t t rctt, -Per( WVI,6 60 M(kGu ktc) M4#- Y -ic.
lab
CP
�, �-hl6ed -�4d-do j�R
a pprb via', rc/)() rte `� 7 �# q- rulu. Ox Ujt
dw k-hd . W oLd 1-3 wes i -P 76-wa buk �-*(Xad U-t--�
-Oo cv� t,' Cib4ae+ +r�
��� ��rrur l D 4 -n' (,w --r ul rJ GLUE
ZZ -66le- Wter,
Lane Gamiotea Handwritten Minutes - June 2, 2020 - Page 2 of 13
:r New 6Lkb cMvxo
B. Update from Central Florida --Regional Planning Council regarding the --
Community Planning Technical Assistance Grant [as provided in Exhibit 1].
---- == VLCS- moorr�, hod pt(;<.nrleCt to hk 64�, ptumo G_dlv�L►�ceL
Ms. nnifer Codo-Salisbu from the Central Florida Regional Planning Council (CFRPC)
prove a an update. The City has received two grant away s from the on a epartmen
of.E nomic Opportunity__.(DEO) Fiscal Year 2019-2020; COmpetitive Florida Partnership
Granfl to prepare an Economic Development Strategy and Disaster Resiliency Pla%
Community Planning Technical Assistance Grant to draft amendments-to-Ahe City's
Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code to implement the Economic
Development Strategy and Disaster Resiliency -Plan.
t.vcck.Si-
Qty a pcorxaipg Ct11dr" -: A_Virtual Community
Workshop will be held on Thursday, June 4, 2020 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm to review the
raft City of Okeechobee Economic Deve opT—meet_8trategy andDisaster Resiliency Plan. It__
can ;be accessed vie https;//www.gotomeet.me/cfrp%keechobee---virtual-community-
workshop or by phone number 866-453-0405 Participant Passcode 4275032. On June 16,
2020, the CFRPL-will present to the City Council the draft City of Okeechobee Economic,
Development Strategy and Disaster Resiliency Plan-, On June 16, 2020, the CFRPC will
present to the -City Council a -draft report outlining next steps to implement the Economic
Development Strategy and Disaster Resiliency Plan including updates to the City's
Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code. ✓
Virtual Community Wor s op une 2020 from 3�to 5:00 P.M.
4 6,� q-6-1- cmt�L
Lane Gamiotea Handwritten Minutes -June 2, 2020 - Page 3 of 13
i
C. -A-nie#Gn-was to kview afnd-aeve the Fiscal
Year (FY) 2018-19 Audited Financial Statements as presented [as provided
in Exhibit 2]; seeerrded-bq-Eo
L,vr� 4w_z- C-1 .
Ms. Debbie A. Goode, Senior Auditor and partner of Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC, reviewed
the highlights of the Audit Report completed by her Firm under the Government Auditing
Standards and Chapter 10.550, Rules of the Florida Auditor General. The Independent
Audit Report reflects the following: The City's total assets exceeded its liabilities at
September 30, 2019, by $20,400,951.00. The total revenues were $7,166,137.00 for FY
2018-19 compared to total expenses of $6,942,746.00, which resulted in a $223,391.00
increase in net position. The total net position increased by $223,391.00 primarily as a result
of $685,155.00 increase in total assets a`nd a $4,847.00 decrease of total liabilities. Deferred----
outflows
eferred `- -outflows and inflows related to pensions decreased by $795,682.00 and $329,071.00
respectively. The increase in total assets was primarily due to a $444,633.00 increase in
current assets, _a $538,219.00 increase in non-current assets due to an increase in net
pension asset, offset by a decrease in capital assets of $297,697.00. The net change in
current and non-current liabilities was $4,847.00 as current liabilities decreased by
$17,622.00 related to timing of payables and non-current liabilities increased by $12,775.00
resulting from a $4,849.00 increase in the Other Post -Employment Benefits (OBEB)_Pq
obligation with the total offset by an increase in compensated absences of $7,926.00. The
City experienced an increase of 5.1 percent in total revenues, or $347,253.00 increase to
$7.16 million. This was primarily due to a $150,446.00 increase in charges for services and
the shared revenues increase of $138,112.00 in general revenue. An increase in the
assessed taxable values and continuing millage rate of 7.9932 were contributory factors in 960
the increase of $136,202.00 property tax revenue. Utility tax and franchise fee revenues
increased by $6,563.00, and $14,497.00 respectively, primarily based on higher consumer
P
consumption. The City experienced an increase of 13.7 percent in total expenses, or
$835,004.00 to $6.9 million. The increase is primarily due to a $477,290.00 increase in
expenses for general government. The $235,527.00 increase in transportation expense and
$128,539.00 increase in public safety also were large contributors to the overall increase in
expenditures for the year. The combined increase in expense and increase in revenues
resulted in an increase in net position of $223,391.00.
Ms. Goode continued with the FY 2018-19 Audit review by explaining as of the end of the
current fiscal year, the City's governmental funds reported combined ending fund balances
of $11,495,123.00 an increase of $458,977.00 in comparison with the prior year.
Approximately 73 percent of this total amount $8,43,872.00, constitutes unassigned fund
balance, which is available for spending at the government's discretion. Assigned fund
balances include $1,914,755.00 for subsequent year's expenditures. Public Facilities Fund
balance of $1,103,396.00 plus Law Enforcement Special Fund $8,145.0.0 are restricted
funds based on their specific stipulated purpose. The remainder of fund balance is non -
spendable inventory of $34,955.00. The General Fund is the chief operating Fund of the
City. At the end of the current FY, assigned and unassigned fund balance of the General
Fund was $10,086,277.00 while total fund balance was $11,224,628.00. -As a measure of-
the
f the general fund's liquidity, it may be useful to compare both assigned and unassigned fund
balance and total fund balance to total fund expenditures. The total assigned and
unassigned fund balance and total fund balance represent approximately 142 percent and
158 percent respectively of total General Fund expenditures.
CLM+ s ..Q4_1 a.en�. S -0�a..
c 0_a p� y InQ (�rv���- - y (Jl(, , LUQ -,nwC -
-� F� cQ� �g�-f � �-•�-�a.�.. e�j c�.c� c� w� ���o, n� �- r chow.,
—73 P0
75 110 CCMKJ� (tom ic�o
X977 lr� C�u�i. 07 c c tl �wuCA-Fcrxt .- GEdc1G� l�C![CtVI (�ctaL� l () ULulltci�
Mayr--Wat e r'.,��n.-il Mem ers—, -- ; .ylark--- -!a riel
Keefe ---T
rAed Wiwi.—
Lane Gamiotea Handwritten Minutes - June 2, 2020 - Page 4 of 13
f r
N ko bmnh&�
C, Cco+ U,
�- Qn1-�b4 c, h:l urs wL�4-
Naw &Z
),. —A Motion --was made -by Council Member to rea proposed
Ordinance No. 1211 by title only; seconded by Council Member
atford Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel�,
Motioh Carried/Denied.
Attorney Fumero read proposed Ordinance No. 1211-by—title only as follows: "AN—
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; AMENDING SECTION 6-1
OF CHAPTER 6 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO PROVIDE FOR THE SALE OF
ALCOHOL INCLUDING PACKAGE SALES WITHIN THE CITY AT CERTAIN TIMES
EVERY DAY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE."
Council Member. a L� moved to approve the first reading, and set a Final Public
Hearing date of July 7, 2020, for proposed Ordinance No. 1211, amending the Sunday sale
time and to -allow for package sale§ of alcoholic beverages [as provided in Exhibit_
seconded by Council Member
In a memorandum submitted by Attorney Fumero, it was explained that the City historically
prohibited retail package sales of alcohol on Sundays and recently amended Chapter 6,
Section 6-1 to allow alcohol sales except package sales beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday.
As previously di cs ussed by the council, proposed Ord inan� ceTTo. T21-1 goes a stepTuIrther
to allow for the sale of alcoholic beverages from 7:00 A.M. to 2:00 A.M, daily.
Mayor Watford, Council Members
Keefe�.
N oUon Fa n /Denied.
Abney, Clark�dT Wr+ ,
E. Consider a letter of support from the Cattlemen's Association to increase
!M negotiated cattle purchases [as provided in Exhibit 41.
The United States Cattlemen's Association (USCA) is leading the effort to designate -a
minimum percentage of negotiated cash cattle purchases by each of the major meatpacking
plants that are required to report to' USDA AMS under the Livestock Mandatory Reporting-
program.
eportingprogram. What does this mean? Our proposal would require a minimum of 30 percent of
each packer processing plant's weekly volume of beef slaughter to come as a result of
purchases made on the open market or spot market, defined as those,purchases which fall
under Negotiated Purchase Beef cattle purchased on the open or spot market, under the
required minimum, would be delivered to the packer not more than 14 days after the date
on which the livestock are sold to the packer. How does it help? Fewer and fewer cattle are
sold ori a negotiated cash basis, which reduces the ability for true price discovery in the-------s�-
cattlelnarketplace. Negotiated cash cattle make up less than 20 percent of the market yet
set the price for the other 80 percent of cattle sold through formula contracts and or cattle
futures market. What happens next? USCA is requesting this change through the
reauthorization of the—Livestock Mandatory Reporting program, which is se�to expire on
September -30, 2020. We are asking U.S. cattle producers to consider signing on to our
letter in support of this change.
ea Handwritten Minutes -June 2, 2020 - Page 5 of 13
T , l PGlhbVU6&-I
F. A motion was made by Council Member81"to review and approve the 2020-
2021 School Resource Officer Agreement for Okeechobee C ristian Academy
[as provided—in Exhibit 5 ; seconded by Council Member,
The City Council approved the initial Agreement at the July 16, 2019, meeting. The renewal
term is July 1, 2020_to.June 30, 2021- OCA is to -reimburse theCrty_ quarterly beginning July
1, 2020.
�I ho (5C oc.[ 30br ro6fc da vi '4- mudL-
C��dc,�, ol-�-�w��c��. lQ1na�
ri
Q
Mayor Watford ,
Keefe
MotioCarriedJDenied.
Council Members
Abney, Clark, Jarriel—Y-1
G. A motion was made by Council Member &[ Itto approve a purchase
agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation for the acquisition of
6,089 square feet, Parcel 125, from the City in the amount of $12,200.00
regarding the State Road 710 yp,ss Project [as provided in Exhibit 6];
seconded by Council Member - - - -
rn4a Sri-\- fir, T -. Loy �� �- G C, t uT� . cw� m�
Motion Carried/ enied.
Clark .Y , Jarriely,
Lane Gamiotea Handwritten Minutes - June 2, 2020 - Page 6 of 13
N evi &,SaL��
H.—Discuss Fire Services Interlocal provided by Okeechobee County [as provided
I in Exhibit 5].
Changes are annotated as follows: underlines are additions, strikethroughs are removals.
Page 1:
WHEREAS, the CITY is desirous of maintaining a high level of professional fire services in
conjunction and-harmen-y with its continuing strategies pelis+es of on sound budgeting and
fiscal management geing forw and
WHEREAS, the CITY is therefore desirous of contracting with the COUNTY for the
COUNTY to provide fire sbFvices for the benefit of the-CITY's residents, ffd,.
WHEREAS, the COUNTY has agreed to render to the CITY a reliable, high leve o
professional fire services upon the terms and conditions set forth herein; and.: _
WHEREAS the COUNT --and the CITY recognize the importance of maintaining a high
level of professional fire services consistent with reasonable performance criteria, along with
establishing a strategic approach to development of an annual fire services budget.
Page 2' Section 2. Services; Additional Services, subsection i.: -The COUNTY shall
nd
couct inspections pursuant to the Florida Fire Prevention Code ("Fire Code") and all
applicable Florida Statutes and Administrative Codes within 10 calendar days of the date of
request of inspection. The_COUNTY shall assume authority na d responsibility to enforce
the Florida Fire Prevention Code. Such enforcement requires inspection of each new
building subject to the Florida Fire Prevention Code and includes periodic inspections of
each existing building subject to the Florida Fire Prevention Code.
__iJ_-
Page �, Section 2. Services, B. Additional Services, subsection ii.: Water providers.
COUNTY -shall coordinate with OUA and shall"ensu"re water purveyors provide adequate
fire flows and hydrants as required for fire protection and training purposes within the CITY.
The` ith,,,,+ Gest tG the COUNTY,, and the CITY shall coordinate and work with OUA to
ensure that wateF purveyeFs provide adequate fire flow and hydrants, as
determined by the COUNTY, for fire protection and training purposes within the CITY.
Paged 2, Section 2. Services, B. Additional Services, subsection iii: m. Fire HydraRt
IRspeGtiens. The CITY and COUNTY shall weFk with QUA to ensure that QUA annua-4y
RspeGts all fire hydraRtS withiR the CITY eRSU GlearanGe and that aR appropriate
hydraRt street FnarkeF is iRstalled. The GATY and COUNTY shall work with 01JA to eRSUFe'
that OUA iRstalls replaGeFneRt markers as Reeded. The GIP� and COUNTY shall work with
QUA to eRSUre that QUA flow tests andflush U—.q.te, within the CITY annually.
Page 1, Section 2. Services, B. Additional Services, subsection iv: iv -.iii. Fee Schedule
Adoption. The COUNTY adopts a published fee schedule setting forth the cost of various - �A
services provided by the COUNTY. The CITY agrees that the current fee schedule and any
additional fee schedules adopted by the COUNTY pursuant to enforcement of the Fire
Prevention Code shall be effective for Fire Services provided within the CITY upon the
Commencement Date of Services. The current COUNTY adopted fee schedule is attached
hereto as Exhibit B. The CITYCOUNTY shall remit to the QQkWT-YCITY, no less than
quarterly per each fiscal year, the amounts set forth in the attached Exhibit B for each
applicable permit issued by the CITY. Said fee schedule may be updated from time to time
by the COUNTY and shall be incorporated into this Agreement without further amendment
to this Agreement upon written notification to the CITY.
Pages 2 and 3, Section 3 Budget COUNTY shall submit a proposed budget to the CITY
on Mav 15th. The budqet shall have a summary of major classifications (Personnel
Services Operating Expenses Capital Outlay -etc.). At the request of the CITY Manager,, --
COUNTY shall provide supporting documentation for the budgeted line items to include, but
not he limited to_ the cost to outfit and eauip Fire Emplovees_(i.e. uniforms, fire safety pear,
Lane Gamiotea Handwritten Minutes - June 2, 2020 - Page 7 of 13
computer, etc.), and a breakdown of compensation and benefits budgeted by position. The
CITY will not request supporting documentation more than twice a year.
Page 3, Section 3. Effective Date and Term. This Interlocal Agreement and any subsequent
amendment hereto shall be effective upon signing by both of the parties and recording with
the Okeechobee County Clerk of the Circuit Court as provided by Section 163.01(11),
Florida Statutes. The provision of Fire Services shall commence at 8:00 a.m. on January 1,
2021, ("Commencement Date of Services") and end at 8:00 a.m. on January 1, 20242026,
unless this Agreement is otherwise extended.
Pag a 13, Section 4. CITY's Base Payments for Services and Adjustments.
A. In exchange for the COUNTY's provision of the services set forth herein, and together
with all of the CITY's other obligations set forth herein, the CITY shall pay to COUNTY, no
later than January 15th in the specified year, an amount not to exceed the assessed value
Of City DroDerties as aenerated by the Countv's existing fire rescue fee structure. the
Payments for QoryiGes 1\•
Year 1 r I i 2021 through DeGember' -• 9• i
■- ' 708,039.79
Year 3 r 1, 2023 through \- - 686,261.82
Page - • Base Paymentsfor Services
The pa4jp$�-�Gegnize that the COUNTY's - ing- - bargaining agreement
the COUNTY
r firefighters- - - ♦ will expire on September
2021, and that the -rms ef a - GBA will be subjeGtnegetiatiensbetween the COUNTY
and the ba that may result in an iRGrease IR -GGStS te the COUNTY. The parties
furtheF reGG)gnize that the COUNTY is contemplating - -
terms of t e ■ ♦ orier to the ■ ♦ expiratien that may result in an inGrease
r r ♦ 1. gly, the parties agFeethe Base Payments- -
- ameunt of the total iRGF-ts
subjeGt tG upward adjustment by the COUNTY in
to the COUNTY FeSUltiRg from the reRegotiatieR of GBA terms and Genditiells as GOMpared
to the existing ■ ♦ terms and GeRditiens, multipliedSevendivided- tetal
number Of fuRded positiens in the bargaining unit. The parties agree that SLAGh tetal inGrea
n GGStS may be attributable te, without limitation, iRGreases in salary, - - pay, health
beRefit te the members- bargaining Unit GF GGSt tG the COUNTY. The COUNTY sh
provide n0tiGe te the CITY of any upward adjustmentBase Payments for Ser
aftervi
pursuant tG this subSeGtOOR RE) later than the 1ateF ef 30 days - effeGtive date of the
44146--baFgain*Rg Unit.
appFeved by both the COUNTY an
Pag�14, Section 4. CITY's Base Payments for Services and Adjustments.
G. The paFties reGognize that • - COUNTY rnay alsobesubjeGt
-relatiRg tG- - r -PFGVISIGR and outside theGGRtFGI -
tetal GeSt te prGvide the seFViGes set forth hereon. AGGGFdaRgly, the parties agFee that the
Base PayrneRtS foF SeFViGes shall be subjeGt tO upward adjustment by the COUNTY in the
amount ef - - - in GG-StS to theCOUNTYFesulting -
industryresulting fFem GhaRges OR eRtitlerneRt tG or Gest of disability GF death beRefits, legislati
best praGtiGes- - geaF,equipment,
-ennel, multiplied by SeVeR (7) and divided by the total number Of fURded pesition-S
in the bargaining unit. The COUNTY shall nGtify - rGf any 6ipwaFd adjustment
■ - Payments-S—v
■ • -SectionBase Payments • Services AdjustrneRtS.
D. -parties- -that the COUNTY may alsobesubject-
th-e COUNTY as a
-and outside theCOUNTY's GGRtFGI that will inGrease
Paymentsto provida- the -seWiGeS set forth- hesi�m-. AGGGWiRgly, the paFties agree that the Base
riGes shall be subj- W upward adjustmeRtthe r
Lane Gamiotea Handwritten2020 Page 8 of
Page 4, Section 4. CITY's Base Payments for Services
Pages 4 and 5, Section 5. Personnel. As of the Commencement Date of Services, the
COUNTY shall hire all the specified CITY personnel at the rank and classification set forth
in Exhibit int o hire civ (6) firefighter/ parnmerdiGS and ene /1\ fire inspects as a
rrr� v-.-,-Jnr-�vlTrr 9rrcc�rr-F„cr,-crr-rTccrr cr-vrr��r7 fore rr,— p�,��
result of additional work necessitated by the services contemplated in this Agreement.
There is ne guaraRtee that aRy par-6113611ar firefigz-, hter/ pararnediG or fore inspeGter will be hired
to fill the poSitiGRS OR the COUNTY. ExiSt*R,, empleyees ef the CITY will be given IGGal
Gensistent with existing Geunty employees and shall be eligible te jean the IGGa1 firefighters
„ „.
provided, heweveF, RE) ether prefereRGe will be given to fermeF City
by FedeFal, State, OF GeURty law er under the CE3A-.
PeFsens to be hired to. 11I pesition.ns with the COUNTY shall be hired in aGGeFdanGe weth
the COUNTY's existing standards and pFeGedures, and ne eXGeptiens shall be granted frem
AgreemeRt. CITY persennel who wish te apply f9F a PGSitiell with the COUNTY's f
depar-trnent should apply to the COUNTY Re later than QGteber 1, 2020. AttaGhed as Exhib-4
department All perquisites for newly hired personnel, including, but not limited to pay,
benefits, retirement, and seniority, shall be as prescribed in the then existing collective
bargaining agreement (hereinafter "CBA") of the Okeechobee County Fire Department.
[Once the rank is established benefits for that rank would be as set forth in the CBA)
It is understood that CITY Fire personnel in a promotional probationary status with the CITY
shall be required to complete the remainder of such promotional probation under the terms
and conditions of the existing COUNTY Collective Bargaining Agreement.
It is understood that the CITY Fire personnel will carry over their respective sick and annual
leave accrual balances up to the maximum of allowable hours per the Collective Bargaining
Agreement (CBA). Upon commencing their employment with the COUNTY, the CITY Fire
personnel shall accrue and utilize leave pursuant to the CBA and COUNTY policies and
procedures.
Section 6. Standards and Responsibilities. COUNTY shall be responsible for setting
employment standards (i.e., hiring discipline training) for Fire Employees consistent with
the COUNTY agency standards. COUNTY is committed to providing the CITY with highly
skilled emergency medical fire protection and fire prevention personnel to provide Fire
Rescue to the CITY.
CITY Fire Emalovees shall be and remain COUNTY employees, and such employees shall
not be considered employees of the CITY for purposes of pension benefits, insurance
benefits civil service benefits compensation and/or any status or right. Accordingly,
COUNTY not the CITY shall be responsible for direct payment of any salaries, wages, or
other compensation contributions to pension funds insurance premiums, worker's
Lane Gamiotea Handwritten Minutes - June 2, 2020 - Page 9 of 13
,
�t-
compensation, vacation or compensatory time, sick leave, benefits or any other amen ities=,=
of emolovment to anv Fire Emnlovee whatsoever. arisina out of COUNTY's emglovment of
such Persons or arising prior to COUNTY's employment of the Employee if set forth herein.-
The'
erein:
The' CITY and COUNTY understand and acknowledge that all costs, including the
employment related costs, are included in the consideration_ payable by the CITY to the
COUNTY in accordance with this Agreement.
Section 7. Staffing Continuity. The CITY and COUNTY recognize the importance of
combining the efforts and resources of the COUNTY, the CITY and community members in
order to have a positive impact on the CITY, including creating a public awareness to the
Public safety related issues thus enhancing the quality of life throughout the CITY. It is
further recognized that such collaborative effort requires fire and emergency rescue
personnel that have intimate knowledge of the community. In furtherance of such objective,
COUNTY shall make every reasonable effort to maintain the continuity of COUNTY
ernergency medical fire protection and fire prevention personnel assigned.
Pages 5 and 6, Section 6. Vehicles. On the Commencement Date of Services, the COUNTY
shall purchase from the CityClTr-Y-shall lease te-the COUNTY, and -the -COU NTYc"^'-tease
from theTTT one (1) ladder truck (VIN ), one (1) fire engine (VIN
nntj rano (I) st�tFUGk (VIN ,, together with all
firefighting equipment and apparatus -Used in connection with the leased vehicles. The
purchase amount shall be $1.00. , and together with SUGh vehiGles FeplaGerne tc p irs pant
Genditiens-
Page 6, Section 6. Vehicles, subsection i: i. The rental amount shall be $1.00 per yea -r-,
payable one lump sum ef $3.00 on or befere the GemmeRGemeRt Date of SeWiGes, the
►
te returned to the GITY-.
'OR or before the GemmenGement Date -et- SeWiGes, the CITY shall -delmyw te the COUNTY
- - - - harmless-
;-Qcen,.t?h.le to the COUNTY. The GITY agrees to iRdemnify and held
the COUNTY
-•e - -•. _cc da,r f,&.r 2ny liens QF enGumbranGes eR said VehiG!es-.
Page 6, Section 6. Vehicles, subsection ii: ii. DUFORg the term of this AgreemeRt, the
COUNTY shall peFferm routine maintenaRGe OR SUGh VehiGles
standards. The COUNTY shall - the CITY feF the Gests and expeRses
within 494ays afteF- - -
Page 6, Section 6. Vehicles, subsection ii: ii. During the term of this Agreement, the
COUNTY shall peFferm repaiFs aR.d extFaerdinary mainteRanGe OR SUGh VehiGles
te COUNTY standaFds. The COUNTY shall invotee the CITY for the Gests and expenses Gf -
T►
• days afteF- - - -
Page 6, Section 6. Veffic—les, subsediro-n ii: ii. DUFiRg the teFrn of this AgreerneRt, the
COUNTY shall ebtaiR and pay for - fer suGh N4-hir-lesT►
standards. The COUNTY shall - the the roests and expeRses Gf iRSuraRGe
• days after- - - -
Page 6, Section 6. Vehicles, subsection ii- ". DuFiRg the teFm ef this AgFeement, the
QQUNTY shall - the VehiGleSwith the -
- the GITY fGF the GGsts and- - -
Lane Gamiotea Handwritten Minutes -June 2, 2020 - Page 10 of 13
Page 7, Section 7. Equipment and supplies, paragraph A: A. On the Commencement Date
of Services, the CITY shall transfer, free and clear of all liens or encumbrances, all bunker
gea� (a/k/a turn -out gear) and air packs, and fire radio equipment owned by the CITY to the
COUNTY.
''.•- - • • • •supplies,paragraphC - - -the CITY and used by its fire depai4meRt shall be leased to the CITY _ns fMWMEWAX
• - -
Page 7,
Page 7, Section 9, CITY Payments toward Building Construction Costs; Interim Use of
CITY's Apparatus Storage Bays, paragraph A: -A TWe paFties aGkR ,wiodge and agree that
15 11 W.- N.
..;.e ......-...o.: _=�e...� :.
Page 7, Section 9, CITY Payments toward Building Construction Costs; Interim Use of
CITY's Apparatus Storage Bays, paragraph A: -A TWe paFties aGkR ,wiodge and agree that
Page 7, Section 9, CITY Payments toward Building Construction Costs; Interim Use of
CITY's Apparatus Storage Bays, paragraph B: B. From the Commencement Date of
Services through January 1, 2022, the CITY agrees to allow COUNTY to exclusively utilize
and occupy, with 24 hour access thereto, the CITY's apparatus storage bays located at
to house the Vehicles and equipment necessary to
provide the services contemplated by this Agreement. No calls for service, must pay utilities,
etc.
Page 8, Section 11. Service Performance Goal and Reports to CITY by COUNTY,
paragraph A: A. The County shall adopt a performance standard for fire services and shall
use its best efforts to maintain the same level of fire protection. ISO rating, areas of`--�
coverage, types of coverage, and response times. Service performance metrics are as
follows. The COUNTY will provide calls as per the COUNTY's operating procedure and shall
maintain an annual averagegoal is... R responses timeo to calls for fire shall be at or under
4.23 minutes, as an annual average and a maximum of 6 minutes, not inclusive of a
cancellations. Cancellations will not be included in average times. Should the COUNTY's
average not be the 4.2 minutes or any call longer than 6 minutes, a portion of the contract
shall be returned to the CITY in the amount of up to $50,000, based on averages up to 30
seconds above the 4.2 minutes and $100,000 for any additional times or any call taking
more than 6 minutes. [This paragraph needs revising - Does the City want a performance
met or a performance goal?]
Page 8, Section 11. Service Performance Goal and Reports to CITY by COUNTY,
paragraph B: B.'The COUNTY shall make a quarterly written reports to the CITY bNe times
a -year setting forth statistical information concerning the provision by the COUNTY fire
Lane Gamiotea Handwritten Minutes -June 2, 2020 - Page 11 of 13
-
r
the term
ef this Agree—e—,
_ exteR-th,e
-anyextensiGRGthereof
rshall
gh
pay te the COUNTYa surnequalpeFGentthe
r
Of Genst—tion
15, 2021 of
the estomated
of the
Building.GOSt COUNTYshall previde
total GGSt Of r .
january
COUNTY
•
Building, f9F
GaIGulatien
of the
r
y 15, 2022 payment and
subsequent payments.
Ther15,
20222 papient shall also inGlude
a true up ef the amount
ef
- r
- -
-
Page 7, Section 9, CITY Payments toward Building Construction Costs; Interim Use of
CITY's Apparatus Storage Bays, paragraph B: B. From the Commencement Date of
Services through January 1, 2022, the CITY agrees to allow COUNTY to exclusively utilize
and occupy, with 24 hour access thereto, the CITY's apparatus storage bays located at
to house the Vehicles and equipment necessary to
provide the services contemplated by this Agreement. No calls for service, must pay utilities,
etc.
Page 8, Section 11. Service Performance Goal and Reports to CITY by COUNTY,
paragraph A: A. The County shall adopt a performance standard for fire services and shall
use its best efforts to maintain the same level of fire protection. ISO rating, areas of`--�
coverage, types of coverage, and response times. Service performance metrics are as
follows. The COUNTY will provide calls as per the COUNTY's operating procedure and shall
maintain an annual averagegoal is... R responses timeo to calls for fire shall be at or under
4.23 minutes, as an annual average and a maximum of 6 minutes, not inclusive of a
cancellations. Cancellations will not be included in average times. Should the COUNTY's
average not be the 4.2 minutes or any call longer than 6 minutes, a portion of the contract
shall be returned to the CITY in the amount of up to $50,000, based on averages up to 30
seconds above the 4.2 minutes and $100,000 for any additional times or any call taking
more than 6 minutes. [This paragraph needs revising - Does the City want a performance
met or a performance goal?]
Page 8, Section 11. Service Performance Goal and Reports to CITY by COUNTY,
paragraph B: B.'The COUNTY shall make a quarterly written reports to the CITY bNe times
a -year setting forth statistical information concerning the provision by the COUNTY fire
Lane Gamiotea Handwritten Minutes -June 2, 2020 - Page 11 of 13
Coa-I' co ak4,,
services- in the -CRY: -Such reports shall include
service calls, number of plans reviewed, number
inspections conducted:
the number -and-s of incidents -an-d----
of,
nzf----
of site plans reviewed, and number of
Page '-g—,Section 11. Service Performance Goal and Reports to CITY by COUNTY,
paragraph C: C. The COUNTY Fire Chief will monitor response time reports and provide
copies to the City Administrator. For emergency medical and fire protection calls COUNTY
shall make every reasonable effort to respond within established Commission on Fire
Accreditation International (CFAI) agency accreditation and National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) 1221, and 1710 standards for responsible guidelines.
Page 8, Section 11. Service Performance -Goal and Reports to CITY by COUNTY,
paragraph D: D. Revisions to the response standards determined y CFAI and NFPA will be
applied as they occur for COUNTY to remain current with established industry standards
and accreditation requirements. The COUNTY Fire Chief will provide the City Manager with
response time metrics annually or more often as needed or required as the nationally
established guidelines, accreditation standards and metrics are modified or revised.
Response time shall be calculated from the time of intake until the appropriate unit arrives
on the scene of the incident as required in COUNTY's system.
Page 8, Section 117-S-ervice Pe orT'rmance Goal `ana Reports to CITY by COUNTY,
paragraph E- E. COUNTY shall provide quarterly reports (on or about October 1st, January
1st, April 1st and July 1st) to the City Manager that include the following information:
a. Calls for service based on units responding
b. Staffing and Transfers
c. Response Time reports, trends and other relevant performance data
d. GmtizeCitizen complaints and their status/disposition
Pages 8 and 9, Section 11. Service Performance Goal and Reports to CITY by COUNTY,
paragraph E, subsection: -
e. Encumbered times for units by day of week
f. Fire prevention activities jpast month and plannedcum- enim'onth)
q. Annual inspections and re -inspections including progress toward all required annual
inspections.
At any time during the term of this Agreement, the City Administrator shall have the right to
make reasonable modifications to the reporting format(s), reporting content, and reporting period(s).
ern o UJ 4- U4&U4aJ A�- fad �zl t
-yTkk (IA4
P
Lane Gamiotea Handwritten Minutes - June 2, 2020 - Page 12 of 13
CI(11111�
P --lo L
,( ,... , :.L it
n?
L& ukk- �t 00-�- �'-4
k�-
h,�
f.
�; f3ac�. l;Nl. err
i--
li W i c t�
t
t,�
wP*we. {,eek. f.P.c w� w7� u� `711tc.i • —
_ I V-h� (Le �n� �c C��`
� C�t Sc��h� �Ut�l�i !ac �cD�..v..� `I a `� tUl� l� dU�CaQ. k -90A . L,�-) u-
0� rt I iA n a (a Wa of iG� MU11�
-01).1,74PI _-7 One 'c u- T . / �Q G 1 �6rod
MOM Q-1-
� ON Jt�
V 4OU )4-V PMVUJ TO 0 MJ9 P n -d / 4`7 4CJ_" U
"-moo *--1
-�-G.�'�'� Wiz'► �'+ �,�,1-���
nRG
uRa iii
-a _ wryp
e. CTO
- mRdd_0__" AQJ
yuco 9_49 -go
hi -L.
v -PCU fl-,1�' oLL. J10 I I
c °d o� , ; c ti _oma G�
c-4a)ssmsi�
c o��
—l�_aj
Uw .--tLCDree VJQce,, -(t -�—�Ja�✓�d- at, n,A
AV
&A-1 f ntQ_
�RA,� -r- u��,_VYtOI� � 'CA�Qn�y'-d t 1ho�#-
U -,A- bw(t &,�
A Ir.
Q'vi�
XMI-affic Mv
CJOMtW bC- Ut &af-
rR
4�o --Ei. CLQ- .Q�r�'tS
—
�-�y
G c�os��� Cc�U�nT�Sol�o��
`I c'-
�onita u o, do
LS,IM
Opro
J
T qSoC�
m
hcM J V'
Maw- Mt ezw�j dlo�ln�e
CI -LL Co ry"'- avdaz!s
m 0- , Con v t/ab� 6 p-o'uy
at" pr-
,wa
-Ul
f7 Qh iT3�l� LB�t'Fcr gQ°F�L.@2!,'�{ a
�eA i�F-_moi IS o CC.__Ao--LlR. Oire��c.J]-
_
P -a
J(a) J,3G�o �fr� lrlccir��ea-
slo -up
S c
I IRS MI R rte.
1C) 4- 4vi
9 066 k P—all,6 ci patc
4 Cj
S
Lk�K CA -3 a doll
OUb dISLC R s� %l o - _ �-�_ coo JC V-�.,� Couu, Woven Ctid�..luen v—uj wook6l k W-�`,
-L 1� 0"A. �rc.) 1 UJUn�c�,
WOtd�� kms. Y`+�x�a,�XXXLV
[�uJ
bad-
� lc� � C� POLPcu+-L�E OLP Wthf— —I --
q� ou-\av�
O—«7 ncn e_&A h-#--
A
�, f c—C (11 90ip,v0 -F/03"a- lo?.c #b
Page ���3 Jl��,�a �-Gamiofaa.l�tcir�w
OkAA-i v�_
9�-o�ay d
VII.
Wk
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Scor) , WU ncl-k&a Ai:�am�� unid
ild�- 4-fa� cu-_) MAj ghsg, rJQ CD ryuAidn - CIL) a- �,cd
-k-A vrs
c n
� 7
�►_ Loil
1
TITe-Wbeing no further items on the agenda, Mayor Watford adjourned the meeting
at '� ' 1'7 P.M. The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 16, 2020, at
6:00 P.M.
Lane Gamiotea Handwritten Minutes -June 2, 2020 - Page 13 of 13
Transcribed by L. Gamiotea
6/4/2020
Verbatim of specific discussion for Item H., 6/2/2020 CC Meeting:
DW- and I failed to mention one other thing that was mentioned at their meeting and
mentioned to me again today; and I'm trying to do this from memory, so if I call the wrong
commissioner I apologize, I believe it was commissioner Hazellief, and another
commissioner agreed with it, his suggestion was that the two Administrator's and two
Attorney's meet to negotiate the finer items rather than negotiation this in public as we
have to do. Then today it was suggested perhaps don't know if you call it a committee,
suggestion was that the BOCC Chair, and the Mayor, along with the Administrators and
Attorneys to sit down to negotiate as they called it the finer items. It was suggested at
their meeting and suggested by other entities.
MC- ... one of the things were missing from all of this is the labor aspect from the union,
think if we are going to put together a task force then we need to have Tori and/or Josh
involved in the process to look at it ... we have an opening here to talk about all of this
and she (Tori) said there is a way to work through all this ....
WA -my thoughts are very parallel to CM Clark; from day 1 always suggested we get a
consultant to come on and help us; City/County staff have worked diligently and
appreciate that; but if there is someone who is knowledgeable in this would be a great
thing so if Tori and/or Josh can be a part of that then that would be great .... I care much
about the city fire department, I would like to see this worked out I'm in favor of this task
force, don't know if we would call it a committee, call it a joint meeting of the people you
(Watford) discussed, and if Tori could be a part of that I think she could bring a lot of
information to that and I am for that.
BK -comments, didn't note opinion on committee.
DW- .... I assume we are not going to try to discuss the proposed contract we have in
front of us, we are going to try to set up a task force, that is a good term, is that were we
are headed? (looks at council members for verification)
JF -please keep in mind if you create, whether you call it a committee, or call it a task
force, you are now creating a sunshine body; crating a group like, formally appointing
them, I would recommend what I think the mayor started with, which is the Mayor, and/or
Administrator and respective attorneys to have a meeting to go over this, my guess is
almost with any deal that would be more productive rather than with the public back and
forth, and I think you can do this without creating a sunshine body or task force or
committee.
DW -okay so we kind of think that's the way we are leaning ....
WA- make sure it's clear from this group it has to come back to the city and county .....
definitely like to see Tori be a part of that group, if she will come.
DW -and the county will also have to agree to meeting ....
CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA
JUNE 29 2020, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
HANDWRITTEN MINUTES BY BOBBIE JENKINS
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Watford called the regular meeting of the City Council for the City of Okeechobee
to order on Tuesday, June 2, 2020, at _6:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers,
located at 55 Southeast 3rd Avenue, Room 200, Okeechobee, Florida. The meeting was
also broadcasted by means of using Zoom.com Meeting ID 2459713294 with the Host
computer operated by Executive Assistant Brock. The video, audio, and digital
comments are recorded and retained as a permanent record.
A. The invocation was offered by Mayor Watford.
B. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Clarak.
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 in the
Chamber.
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, Finance Director India Riedel, and Executive
Assistant Robin Brock were present.
III. AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
A. New Business Item VI.I. was added. New Business Item VI.E. was withdrawn.
B. Council Member _BJ_ moved to approve the agenda as amended; seconded
by Council Member _WA
Mayor Watford, Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel, and Keefe voted:
Aye. Nays: none. Motion Carried.
C. There were no agenda item forms or comment cards submitted for public
participation for any issues not on the agenda.
IV. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
A. On behalf of the City, Mayor Watford and Police Chief Peterson presented Ms.
Terisa Garcia with a Longevity Service Award of $1,000.00 and a framed
certificate which read "In recognition of your 35 -years of service, hard work,
and dedication to the City, its citizens, and your fellow employees from
June 7, 1985 through June 7, 2020."
BP -Like to point out this is her final award and retires at end of year. Dispatched in 3
different buildings. We have two employees 12 and 13 years experience, Terisa has
trained them, 7 & 8 years respectively both are Sergeants and neither one were born
when Terisa started working here. Lifetime achievement award, people inside give soul
and character and she's certainly done thatn.
DW -courage she has, city employee and when PD was upstairs in the FD I came in to
see Chief Mobley, she's at the reception desk, and she looks at me and go through the
door right there. She sent me into the bathroom. We wrote a letter of reprimand for her
as a "gag" that's the kind of courage she has.
BP -she admitted that one of her relatives on her mothers side was hanged in the 1600s
for being a witch in salem so we know where her meanness comes from.
TG -thank you ive enjoyed it, hard to believe its been this long until I look in the mirror. I
think India gave it to me.
V. CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Council Member _BK_ to approve the consent agenda
item A [May 5, 2020, Regular meeting minutes]; seconded by Council Member
MC
Mayor Watford, Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel, and Keefe voted:
Aye. Nays: none. Motion Carried.
B. Jenkins Handwritten Minutes Page 1 of 16
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Update from Tiffany Collins, Florida Department of Health Okeechobee County,
regarding COVID-19.
Tiffany Collins -updates from FDOH new executive order 20-131 extends full phase 1
with youth activities, embracing social distancing, limiting large social gatherings,
continuing messaging, hand hygiene, cleaning, focusing on the spread of the
community. Lots of work to expand testing in the community. Updating numbers
cases 57,477, deaths 2,530 4.4% hospitals 10,412, okee 85 cases, 0 deaths,
tested 1,793, testing nursing home twice, second round was negative all clients.
6 to 87 years of age, 50/50 split male/females. DOJJ outbreak makes of 25% of
cases. When non DOH sources report data, when there's outbreaks, not just
okee residents. 4.7 positivity rate, florida at 5.5% positivity rate 10% governor
wants to continue with phases. Look at dashboard. Compared to flu, cdc kind of
gives preliminary estimates for 2019-20 flu season, 7 months into it, estimate
about 39-56 million had flu, about 24-62k probably died. .001 % death rate. That's
compared to a 5.8% death rate for COVID-19. We are only 3 months into COVID
vs 7 months of regular annual flu. CDC has expanded symptoms, same as last
meeting. Call provider or DOH, test for free. Uploading a new lab tomorrow.
However with all of the rioting in Miami at the main lab, closing early.
Myquestvocid 1 9.com. Antibody testing -basically blood test thru a provider. Want
to make sure FDA approved. They report these electronically to the DOH, 62
done in Okee, 2 positive. 1 to 3 weeks for exposure if you want of go the antibody
route. 3.23% positivity antibody rate. Not included in the case investigation
contact tracing. Not included in theh process. Do not have any recommendations
for individuals testing positive for antibodies. The reason is because you would
have already shed the cells and we wouldn't know how long you had been
positive. Basically we don't know if there is long term immunity against covid 19,
meaning maybe a vaccine.
DW -hearing about a 2nd round of this may be coming in the fall
TC -you know we talked a lot about the flattening of the curve in the beginning, basically
not overwhelm our health care system. As we get back to work, our parents are
contracting COVID-19 and bringing them home to families, traveling, second
wave is just coming back into communities. Don't know if you can catch it again.
WA -verified numbers in okee.
B. Update from Central Florida Regional Planning Council regarding the Community
Planning Technical Assistance Grant [as provided in Exhibit 11.
Ms. Jennifer Codo-Salisbury from the Central Florida Regional Planning Council
(CFRPC) provided an update. The City has received two grant awards from the
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Fiscal Year 2019 -2020 -
Competitive Florida Partnership Grant to prepare an Economic Development
Strategy and Disaster Resiliency Plan; Community Planning Technical
Assistance Grant to draft amendments to the City's Comprehensive Plan and
Land Development Code to implement the Economic Development Strategy and
Disaster Resiliency Plan.
Please note the following upcoming activities regarding the grants: A Virtual
Community Workshop will be held on Thursday, June 4, 2020 from 3:00 pm to
5:00 pm to review the draft City of Okeechobee Economic Development Strategy
and Disaster Resiliency Plan. It can be accessed via
https,//www.gotomeet.me/cfrpc/okeechobee --- virtual -community -workshop or by
phone number 866-453-0405 Participant Passcode 4275032; On June 16, 2020,
the CFRPC will present to the City Council the draft City of Okeechobee
Economic Development Strategy and Disaster Resiliency Plan; On June 16,
2020, the CFRPC will present to the City Council a draft report outlining next
steps to implement the Economic Development Strategy and Disaster Resiliency
Plan including updates to the City's Comprehensive Plan and Land Development
Code.
Virtual Community Workshop June 4, 2020 from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M.
Joined by Zoom-jennifer. Thank you I apologize I had planned to be there in person, local
circumstances prevented that. Look forward in person on June 16 to provide full presentation.
B. Jenkins Handwritten Minutes Page 2 of 16
Right now we are working to hold a virtual community workshohp this Thursday from 3-5 pm,
info circulating.oveview of a draft economic development strategy plan, solicit comments
during virtual workshop. Will keep comment portion open 10-15 days on the website. We are
working on developing implementation strategies including looking at inconsistencies with
FLU and Zoning, and disaster preparedness strategies. Look a viability for local businesses
as well. Look forward to seeing everyone on June 16t"
DW -we do have a flyer on the virtual workshop on the facebook page. I would encourage
members of the community to participate in that. We have the information and im sure the
clerk or admin office can get it to anyone who would like it.
NO COUNCIL COMMENTS
C. Review the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018-19 Audited Financial Statements as presented
in Exhibit 2.
IR -1 just wanted to make a brief introduction. She was employed by the previous firm.
Entertain several individuals in the firm, good thing different set of eyes, appreciate having a
firm that can give us new eyes each year. Also consistency.
PG 20 -city funds, general funds, community development capital project fund,
non -major funds are combined. State law requires separation of capital fund.
Look down towards the bottom of general fund to fund balance: Inventory can't
spend, public facilities local option gas tax funds, subsequent years expenditures
assigned appropriated in the next year to spend, that leaves you with the
unassigned fund balance. Is that a good balance? Final condition of the City to
ensure that you are financially sound. GASB looks at expenditures to determine
that amount. Total expenditures need to be backed out, 6.5 million in
expenditures, with 8 million unassigned gives you about 1 year expenditures. You
want to have at least 2 months of expenditures, I would argue you need a little
more than that. The other thing you would have an unassigned money, you can
move it up to an assigned line or commit that (council can do). So that money is
what you have available right now to spend. So I will tell you based on other cities,
this is a strong fund balance to be in. not saying too much, or too little, but I say
the city is financially sound based on what you have in the unassigned balance.
At this point in time, there is a lot of unknown with COVID-19. We do look at it
from "are you financially sound".
PG 61 -budget to actual for the city in the general fund, 3 columns, original, final,
actual. See that the originally budgeted 1.5 million to use, final budget
PG 62 -Police how are our pension plans doing? The actuaries can dtermine that.
Have more in the plan than you need 106.68% funded. Often do not see City's at
80% at least. So this is as of 9/30/19.
PG 63-107.369% funded -FF
PG 64-114.72% funded -general
PG 73 -internal controls. Take a hard look every year. Very good internal controls,
if you didn't I would be writing a comment. We look at this every year.
PG 75 -management letter. In the previous year, we had a comment on asset
disposals and completing a form. It has been cured this year and it is being done
this year.
PG 76 -required by auditor general -no issues
PG 77 -compliance with investment policy -in compliance with all required
investment policies.
Separate letter -required communications, estimates in the statements, require
that we communicate. Totally clean letter issuing to you. Also report any journal
entries that we need to make; there was none.
DW -congratulate india, holds her breath every year. Last years comment was not
that major, so India to you and your staff thank you very much.
IR -group effort.
NO COUNCIL COMMENTS
Ms. Debbie A. Goode, Senior Auditor and partner of Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC,
reviewed the highlights of the Audit Report completed by her Firm under the
Government Auditing Standards and Chapter 10.550, Rules of the Florida Auditor
General. The Independent Audit Report reflects the following: The City's total
assets exceeded its liabilities at September 30, 2019, by $20,400,951.00. The
total revenues were $7,166,137.00 for FY 2018-19 compared to total expenses
of $6,942,746.00, which resulted in a $223,391.00 increase in net position. The
B. Jenkins Handwritten Minutes Page 3 of 16
total net position increased by $223,391.00 primarily as a result of $685,155.00
increase in total assets and a $4,847.00 decrease of total liabilities. Deferred
outflows and inflows related to pensions decreased by $795,682.00 and
$329,071.00 respectively. The increase in total assets was primarily due to a
$444,633.00 increase in current assets, a $538,219.00 increase in non-current
assets due to an increase in net pension asset, offset by a decrease in capital
assets of $297,697.00. The net change in current and non-current liabilities was
$4,847.00 as current liabilities decreased by $17,622.00 related to timing of
payables and non-current liabilities increased by $12,775.00 resulting from a
$4,849.00 increase in the Other Post -Employment Benefits (OBEB) obligation
with the total offset by an increase in compensated absences of $7,926.00. The
City experienced an increase of 5.1 percent in total revenues, or $347,253.00
increase to $7.16 million. This was primarily due to a $150,446.00 increase in
charges for services and the shared revenues increase of $138,112.00 in general
revenue. An increase in the assessed taxable values and continuing millage rate
of 7.9932 were contributory factors in the increase of $136,202.00 property tax
revenue. Utility tax and franchise fee revenues increased by $6,563.00, and
$14,497.00 respectively, primarily based on higher consumer consumption. The
City experienced an increase of 13.7 percent in total expenses, or $835,004.00
to $6.9 million. The increase is primarily due to a $477,290.00 increase in
expenses for general government. The $235,527.00 increase in transportation
expense and $128,539.00 increase in public safety also were large contributors
to the overall increase in expenditures for the year. The combined increase in
expense and increase in revenues resulted in an increase in net position of
$223,391.00.
Ms. Goode continued with the FY 2018-19 Audit review by explaining as of the
end of the current fiscal year, the City's governmental funds reported combined
ending fund balances of $11,495,123.00 an increase of $458,977.00 in
comparison with the prior year. Approximately 73 percent of this total amount
$8,433,872.00, constitutes unassigned fund balance, which is available for
spending at the government's discretion. Assigned fund balances include
$1,914,755.00 for subsequent year's expenditures. Public Facilities Fund
balance of $1,103,396.00 plus Law Enforcement Special Fund $8,145.00 are
restricted funds based on their specific stipulated purpose. The remainder of fund
balance is non -spendable inventory of $34,955.00. The General Fund is the chief
operating Fund of the City. At the end of the current FY, assigned and unassigned
fund balance of the General Fund was $10,086,277.00 while total fund balance
was $11,224,628.00. As a measure of the general fund's liquidity, it may be useful
to compare both assigned and unassigned fund balance and total fund balance
to total fund expenditures. The total assigned and unassigned fund balance and
total fund balance represent approximately 142 percent and 158 percent
respectively of total General Fund expenditures.
Mayor Watford, Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel, and Keefe voted:
Aye. Nays: none. Motion Carried.
D. A Motion was made by Council Member _BK_ to read proposed Ordinance
No. 1211 by title only; seconded by Council Member _BJ_
Mayor Watford, Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel, and Keefe voted:
Aye. Nays: none. Motion Carried.
Attorney Fumero read proposed Ordinance No. 1211 by title only as follows: "AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; AMENDING
SECTION 6-1 OF CHAPTER 6 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO PROVIDE
FOR THE SALE OF ALCOHOL INCLUDING PACKAGE SALES WITHIN THE
CITY AT CERTAIN TIMES EVERY DAY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE."
Council Member _MC moved to approve the first reading, and set a Final
Public Hearing date of July 7, 2020, for proposed Ordinance No. 1211, amending
the Sunday sale time and to allow for package sales of alcoholic beverages [as
provided in Exhibit 3]; seconded by Council Member _BK
B. Jenkins Handwritten Minutes Page 4 of 16
In a memorandum submitted by Attorney Fumero, it was explained that the City
historically prohibited retail package sales of alcohol on Sundays and recently
amended Chapter 6, Section 6-1 to allow alcohol sales except package sales
beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday. As previously discussed by the Council,
proposed Ordinance No. 1211 goes a step further to allow for the sale of alcoholic
beverages from 7:00 A.M. to 2:00 A.M. daily.
DW -basically allow the same hours as every other day for package sales.
Comments from public -none; no zoom comments.
No council discussion.
Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel, and Keefe voted: Aye. Nays: DW.
Motion Carried.
E. ITEM WITHDRAWN FROM AGENDA. Consider a letter of support from the
Cattlemen's Association to increase negotiated cattle purchases [as provided in
Exhibit 41.
The United States Cattlemen's Association (USCA) is leading the effort to
designate a minimum percentage of negotiated cash cattle purchases by each of
the major meatpacking plants that are required to report to USDA AMS under the
Livestock Mandatory Reporting program. What does this mean? Our proposal
would require a minimum of 30 percent of each packer processing plant's weekly
volume of beef slaughter to come as a result of purchases made on the open
market or spot market, defined as those purchases which fall under Negotiated
Purchase Beef cattle purchased on the open or spot market, under the required
minimum, would be delivered to the packer not more than 14 days after the date
on which the livestock are sold to the packer. How does it help? Fewer and fewer
cattle are sold on a negotiated cash basis, which reduces the ability for true price
discovery in the cattle marketplace. Negotiated cash cattle make up less than 20
percent of the market yet set the price for the other 80 percent of cattle sold
through formula contracts and or cattle futures market. What happens next?
USCA is requesting this change through the reauthorization of the Livestock
Mandatory Reporting program, which is set to expire on September 30, 2020. We
are asking U.S. cattle producers to consider signing on to our letter in support of
this change.
F. A motion was made by Council Member _BJ to review and approve the 2020-
2021 School Resource Officer Agreement for to
Christian Academy
[as provided in Exhibit 5]; seconded by Council Member _MC_
The City Council approved the initial Agreement at the July 16, 2019, meeting.
The renewal term is July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. OCA is to reimburse the City
quarterly beginning July 1, 2020.
MDO-bascially the same, privately funded through PD. One caveat, Article III, Section C. New
due to COVID-19, out for 30 days with maximum value.
DW -clarify for everyone. They had asked if there was some way, there was a situation with no
school for an extended period of time. It has to be a formally declared state or local state of
emergency with school being about more than 30 days, could not exceed $20,000.00 refund.
They were saying that it's not their fault that school wasn't in and they were funding the officer
they had no use for. Maybe we can use the officer some way.
MDO-we've used them to cover shifts,
BP -we don't use our taxpayers money for a private school. If it's a local state of emergency,
we actually need the help and it's a compromise.
DW -no questions from the Council.
Section B, commencement date change July 1, 2020.
Mayor Watford, Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel, and Keefe voted:
Aye. Nays: none. Motion Carried.
B. Jenkins Handwritten Minutes Page 5 of 16
G. A motion was made by Council Member _MC_ to approve a purchase
agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation for the acquisition of
6,089 square feet, Parcel 125, from the City in the amount of $12,200.00
regarding the State Road 710 Bypass Project [as provided in Exhibit 6]; seconded
by Council Member _BK_
MDO-this is a small piece of property between Taylor Creek and OUA GWTP. This is their
negotiated number based on state appraiser. Attorney has review, pretty standards.
DW -any discussion from the Council.
Mayor Watford, Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel, and Keefe voted:
Aye. Nays: none. Motion Carried.
H. Discuss Fire Services Interlocal provided by Okeechobee County [as provided in
Exhibit 7].
DW -several letters and other information provided this evening. I imagine that most of you have
watched the last BOCC meeting, they had a discussion at the end of the meeting on the ILA. I
would like to make a couple of comments. I hope I speak for the council, I kind of apologized
to the BOCC, we asked for this, not them. The BOCC has caught more flack than what they
deserve. There was some comments made and several commissioners feel like they were
derogatory to their staff. The county staff is very professional. I don't think we'd enter into a
contract if they didn't do a good job. Theres a couple of things before we begin our discussion.
know we will have some comments from the public and the zoom meeting. Read a couple of
letters that have been asked to be read into the record.
IAFF Letter read into the record: INPUT HERE
ECOK Letter read into the record: INPUT HERE and fire services fact sheet provided
BOCC Letter read into the record: INPUT HERE
DW -1 think that if you watched or listened to the BOCC meeting, its quite evident that the
proposals we made at our last meeting are not accepted by them, they did not want to go with
the fee proposal, but were willing (impression I got) to negotiate on some items. Agreeable to
the original ILA. So we will open it up for discussion. I assume do we want to onctinue with the
negotiation process: YES CONSENSUS
BJ -brought up for one reason, to reduce the expenses to the city and the taxes to the residents.
Not fair to senior citizens that are on a fixed income. If we can save 5 or 6 thousand a year and
give them the same service. All the meetings that have been held, there has been no
complaints of EMS. They're covergin 87% of the costs. There's still room to come down on that
figure. I disagree that they needed 7 people, if that's what they need, that's fine. Last ILA
unacceptable, what we are providing is unacceptable. If we have had no complaints in all these
years, why would we complain now. I want to continue to give us an ISO and service, we need
to get final figures that are realistic. They gave us those figures, little room for adjustment, they
said you need 7 people, biggest expense is wages. Come back and we propose to hire 12
people, I was in business all my life, if I needed one or two, im not going to hire 7. We can't tell
them they have to hire. I think we need to be realistic. I think tonight we need to go step by step
and be realistic.
DW-faile dto mention one other thing. At their meeting, im trhing to do this from memory, believe
_ Hazellief suggested that the two Administrator's and Attorney's meet to negotiate the finer items
instead of in public. Then today it was suggested perhaps a committee, BOCC Chair, Mayor,
_Administrators, Attorneys to sit down and negotiate. It was suggested_ at their meeting, and
perhaps by other entities.
MC -i just want to let you know that im so disappointed by the comments that have been about
the city firefighters and the county, making false accusations, disgusted with some of the
comments that have been made. I don't feel that what we have before them is what we need,
I don't feel like im an expert on negotiating this, go to a committee for help, had a very lengthy
conversation with TORI IAFF, shes been involved in many mergers because the small cities
cannot afford the fire departments any more. Fiscally we can not afford to continue a fire
department. She said she'd be willing to work with us. She said in every situation they have
hired all the FF's at the current rank and pay, and it can be done. One of the things we are
missing, the labor aspect of the union, if we are going to put this committee together the IAFF
needs to be involved. I would never agree to this is the FF"s didn't receive the same pay and
rank, it's a stickler for me. We have an opening here to really talk about it. There was no
discussion without opening the union contract and she said there is a way to do that.
DW -county not willing
B. Jenkins Handwritten Minutes Page 6 of 16
MC -i don't know if they've been informed or not, but they've been told they have to open the
entire contract, they would still vote on it, but I think it would be worth a try to do this. If its not
worth a try to do this, then we don't need to continue to discuss this. If we can't pull together
then we don't need to continue. The IAFF is willing to work with us to come up with ideas. I
don't think we need to waste any more time on this. I feel so bad that our FF's have been living
an uncertain life since July 2019. I was against the Fire Assessment, its 3 times higher. .33
cents per square foot for fire assessment in County. To fund our FD, theres got to be a way to
work together. Questioned if they have a problem working with the County, they said no they
are a brotherhood. I don't believe that I would get any less "great service" if our people were
working with the county.
WA -my thoughts are very similar to CM Clark. Suggested we get a consultant to come on to
help us, City/County staff has worked diligently, but if there is someone who is knowledgeable,
Tori and/or Josh, if it's good fo the citizens and the firefighters and it saves money then it should
be an easy situation. Family who was a fire chief, care a lot about the fire department. I am in
favor of this joint "taskforce" and if tori can be part of that, she could bring a lot of information
to that. Im for that.
BK -1 may be the one to call out what's being presented. Doesn't sound like we are going to go
through this line by line. I don't recall Hallandale and Broward County stuff being brought up.
The language being added to the original draft, obviously the county was referencing that. A
lot of that language did not come from the council. I appreciate the studying of other
municipalities have gone through. Could have been presented in a memo form. But the
direction we gave as a city council did not include a lot of the language being presented this
evening. That's a lot of the problems the County has in my opinion.
DW -so the public knows, I assume from what I am hearing, we are not going to discuss the
proposed contract we have in front of us. We are going to try to set up a task force?
MC -didn't you talk with Tori from IAFF, you feel that she was offering you information that would
benefit us in the journey.
JF -1 did speak to Josh and Tori and anyone else who had information that could provide some
bearing on this. Tori has actually done these several times and provided us with model
agreements. Hallandale and Broward County were very similar to us. There was language in
that agreement that covered the employees.
MC -so the Hallandale information was put into the draft.
MDO-JF and I did sit down and go through and catch the intent, even went through with Lane,
every section we tried to come up with language as direction by Council. We literally hit every
item that they asked us to incorporate.
JF -please keep in mind if you create a committee, you are now creating a sunshine body,
would recommend what the mayor started with, the Mayor and/or Administrator and attorneys
to go over this would be productive and you can do that without creating a sunshine committee.
I heard three things at the last meeting: ECOK language, existing fire personnel beign
protected, concept that was introduced by the administrators memo about a metric level of
service to ensure the same leve of service would carry forward. Not intended to challenge, just
merely capture. Those were the three principals I had in mind when I reviewed this agreement.
WA_be clear that this group meets, it has to be presented to the City and County and both
would have to agree. Definitely like to see Tori be part of that. I think she would be a great
asset.
DW -the county would have to agree to be one of the members. Once Council Member can't
make the decision for the Council. It may take some coming back and forth, if we get to a
deadlock, it may not be something we determine in one meeting of that task force. I would think
it is going to take some time. Everyone knows how I stand on this, I am not in favor of this. I
will say that I take my responsibility very seriously, I would do the best I could for the city and
I'll give you an example, PB Post reporter used to come to our meetings, talking a lot at that
meeting, he thought I was in favor of it. He left the meeting and wrote an article that it passed
unanimously and I had to call him to let him know that was incorrect. Whether I agree with the
premise or not, I don't want anyone to say I won't do a good job because I wasn't in favor of it.
BJ -that would be an issue. I have a hard time thinking that if you're against it, if you debate on
it.
WA -1 feel the Mayor would be objective as he would try to get the best deal for the city residents.
DW -open up for public comment. Please keep your comments civil, chair has the right to ask
you to sit or calm down.
Fire Chief Herb Smith -I just want to say that for the OUR there has never been an issue with
that as well as my FF"s. I don't follow social media and all I can tell you is what I have
experienced over the years. We are equal and trained the same. When it comes down to it, I
trust them like I would my own people. Please don't rush at this point and take your time.
Exhaust all options. Thank you for even going to a committee to try an dwork it out. As a chief
B. Jenkins Handwritten Minutes Page 7 of 16
I appreciate that for my employees. It means a lot. And I can tell you from experience with my
guys, I have even told them how proud I am of them, they have had this hanging over their
heads for a long time. It has destroyed my department. They have not given less. The
professionalism my people have, and I've told them that, with COVID-19, close calls, isolation,
went home with a mask on because I thought I was exposed. Everything on top of that, there's
a lot of feelings and emotions going on. Ask that you have empathy and put yourself in our
situation. We can't start over in our careers, regardless of what the law states. But in the real
world, we don't hire that, I do, but naturally in your bigger departments, they go for the 20 year
old kids because they don't have the baggage. The seasoned FF"s it has taken a toll on us.
Your FF's have kept their standard of care up through all of this and we're going to do it until
the day we leave. Just want that known to you and the citiazens. As your're looking at your
committee, there are other options given to you. There are unknowns with EMS, I've looked
into public safety, combining police and fire, eliminate one position. There are some options
we can talk about if you take some time. Don't just take whatever deal we can. If we have to
hire a third party, then lets do that, so an expert can give you some data and direction because
it's workth it. Basically just give it a chance and give it some time.
Kieth Walpole-ECOK-it is a very emotional subject, chief community thanks you and your staff
for your dediciation to this community. COVID-19 is driving concern for everything, the council
has been prudent on looking at ways to save money in the future. There are some people that
have gotten lost, we could have done a better way to discuss this. ECOK is to facilitate the
discussion and hopefully you can meet with the county to talk about these things, turnovers,
vacancies, all of these things that have happened these 8 or 9 months. Its extremely important
to talk one on one or the administrators and attorneys and IAFF reps to get over this to have
good frank discussion and negotiating at the dias because there are too many missed
opportunities. Council Member Jarriel — I disagree with your statement, all of us at the ECOK
know the Mayor's love for this city, we recommended him for that, hands down the community
is in good hands. It's a significant savings, we didn't get into the financial aspect of it but the
COVID-19s affect on the economuy is unknown at this time. Appreciate leadership from the
council, we don't have the growth rate to sustain the department, and there are some other
areas that could use some shoring up.
Frank Wesley Williamson III -echo something that Keith said, is the integrity that dowling has,
the fact that he admits this and we know that we have 100% confidence in the Mayor. Was
your position that the County had to hire all of your FF"s and if so, is that the position Dowling
will have to negotiate.
BK -I think that the intent that was put forward was our desire that no one's jobs were harmed.
Knowing that the county is only requesting 6 and an inspector. It is our desire that all 12 go
over. Honestly knowing full well that wasn't going to fly, but if we can get the negotiations going
to make that happen, that was what we proposed last meeting.
Wes -I would want to know that if I was dowling before I negotiate.
BJ -ideally taking all the employees, but taking all of them will increase our cost.
MC -at the last meeting, the county was very clear that they would only take 6 ff's and 1
inspector, so realistically from what the county told us that thye would only take 6 paramedics
and one employee. But after talking to Tori, it is possible that you can sit down and do an
amendment to that agreement and if the council wants to they can make a provision to hire all
employees, but I don't want to get into details but what she was saying that essentially they
end up down to the 6 people in a couple years, because the city is a separate taxing district
and the city could pay them a hire amount of money the first, lower the wnd, but I don't think it
realy matters. They have to come to an agreement. According to the County, they would have
to open the entire agreement and Tori said that is not true. I think there is options available.
think what happens, they have to understand it can be done.
Wes -so is your position that they need to take all 12?
MC -I don't know
WA -I think that they should take as many as they can, with 2 openings and 6, that's 8, we could
pay for 4 more, within 2 years, we're down the base rate already. We are saving money in year
one. I think that can be worked out. As many as you can possibly take, and if its two or three
more that we have to pay for, it's a win-win.
Wes -my only point is that if Dowling negotiates that they take all 12, that may be a short
negotiation.
DW -that's why it will have to come back.
MC -i guess in my thoughts, we'd be offering packages. The county was adamant that they had
to be a paramedic. Then also if that doesn't work out, there's another alternative. I think what
happens that is part of that discussion.
B. Jenkins Handwritten Minutes Page 8 of 16
Lawrence Fipps-lve just been trying to wrap my head around this the last week or two. I sit on
the planning board fo rth eocunty. I spoke with BOCC yesterday. Just listening tonight and what
you've had to say. I really expect your opinion and that you're opposed to this, according to the
lady that was here you have $8 million unassigned. You have a strong financial system working
right now, she's just commended them. I don't' understand the push, BJ sai dwe're doing it for
the community and tax savings. Walpole spoke about svings it will bring. Why are we not asking
the residents, this can be put on a referendum. Those people elected you. Why are we not
asking the public. They're the ones putting out the money. Put that in the referendum. If ou're
really interested in helping the community, ask the community about this first, see what they
really want.
Russell Cale -I stepped in this City in 1996, came a part of the City PD, time effort to the City
residents, to the Council, I've seen a lot of good. In this case, what we're doing here is trying
to find a way to help the city residents, I live in the city, and I appreciate it, however, every
December the COunil takes the employees to the Fire Departent and call us family. Which one
of these are your family members, which one of them are you wiling to let go? Why are you
willing to make judgements without slowing down, we're effecting the families and not really
thinking it through.
Karyne Brass -I'll try to keep it shorter, its important, its big, worth the repetition. Mayor Dowling
has always been objective and he's always kept this city first, the common good first, and
would trust him to negotiate any issue. Yes the ECOK reports sites of heavy duplication of
services that can be remedied. We know that, there's a cushion there for ems services on the
horizon. The svaings, if any, I'm a little bit of a doubting Thomas, extreme cost to city residents
and fire departments, slow down what is being proposed can be done at any point in the future
and make sure we've explored all avenues before we can't go back. I watched the BOCC
meeting, hiring all of our employees was not on the table, but when I see a board say we're not
going there. If we can't have that number one projective, why proceed? The city has increased
it's financial position, we're not looking at a drain on assets by a department that's not at the
top of a food chain, we are looking at a department that will be more financially feasible. Why
are we fighting so hard for something, that agin I don't think the public is behind, from everything
im hearing and seeing, this should be our decision to make. If you're going to take our assets
and give them away, there are a lot of things about the proposal on the tables, rubs us wrong.
So please continue to consider an dcontemplate and step back and look at what your
contituents want. Be a representative of the city you were elected to be.
DW -zoom comments or chats? No
DW -thank you everyone very much for your comments. We appreciate everyones thoughts.
MC -i want to make a clarification. County was adamant that they did not want to go referendum.
Didn't the attorney receive information from the County Attorney that they did not want to do a
referendum.
DW -that's for taxing authority
MC -if there is a question about what kind of referendum, that is exactly what was said to me, it
was sent to me.
JF -that is correct.
MC -so that's where the information came from. How can you go to a referendum if you don't
know what its going to cost you. Most business people can't vote because they don't live in the
icty. If we can't bring in business, we're going to be on an island.
DW -if we did the referendum, it wouldn't be at our assessment,
MC -we're alking about two different things.
BJ -the whole thing started a year ago to cut the taxes and save money. Every year, we have
to pull money from a savings account to balance our budget. One day its going to run out. Yes
the finance department does a great job, but every year they pull out savings. I don't have an
issue with the Mayor, he represents the City well, I would dlike him to go in open minded. Im
for the group, the administrators, the mayor, the attorneys, and chair and IAFF rep. I'd be glad
to make that a motion if we need a motion.
DW -do we need a motion to set up that task force. Just by consensus.
JF -you don't have to have a motion, this is just a communciaiton conduit.
DW -consensus then to move forward with that? So we'll instruct the Amdinistrator and Attorney
and the Mayor will work with the county to agree for the union rep to be involved.
WA -in our last meeting, we said that our base pay of service would be generated by the
county's existing fire assessment. I know we voted it down before, the county is in the middle
of the study now. If we brought in the city as part of that study, if they brought the city into the
county, as a whole, I think it would bring that assessment down. If that is the case, for a small
B. Jenkins Handwritten Minutes Page 9 of 16
fee I feel that is a very small amount to possibly bring our fee down to use the formula for the
city.
DW -1 don't know if the county will agree. If you listen to the meeting, they were adamant that
the price.
MC -we put a ceiling on it. No end to that number.
WA -if they're open to that, keep that as a thought of get into that study.
DW -I remember there was some discussion in the city participating in that study.
WA -if they're open to that pay structure, I feel it would be advantageous.
BK -on that note, the BOCC meeting, the Administrator did bring up and she did mention the
city's portion to be added, and it was in her purchase price authority but the commission told
her not to do it? I'm wondering why we didn't do it? Can you ask them if we're willing to pay for
it.
MC -the county was not interested in using the fire assessment as a means of collecting the
money. They wanted it to be a sub contract. So I thought why waste money for a study that
produced information that's not going to be used.
DW -if we can get them to agree to use that as a bench mark, then it would be advantageious.
Captain Lalo Rodriguez -make a comment to clarify issues. Clark you're saying the 1.2 million
we are going to have to go into the reserves out of the capital fund. Previously we're having to
go into our funds every year in order to stay sound. I pulled some information from finance.
2019 none of the budget reserves were utilized for the General Fund. We didn't have to go into
our reserves. 2018 it says none of the budget reserves were utilized in the general fund. We
grabbed it in case we needed it but we didn't need it. In 2017 none of the budget reserves were
utilized for the gernal funds. The only year was 2015 and 2016 projected 899441, only thing
103392 is what we pulled out. Savings 2965264.00 by not going into reserves. 1.2 million is
projected, not saying we're physically going to pull it out.
BJ -we don't need to get into an argument. I hate to disagree withyou, let them bring it to the
next meeting.
Changes are annotated as follows: underlines are additions, strikethroughs are
removals.
Page 1:
WHEREAS, the CITY is desirous of maintaining a high level of professional fire
services in conjunction and harms with its continuing strategies Vie# on
sound budgeting and fiscal management going f9PN ; and
WHEREAS, the CITY is therefore desirous of contracting with the COUNTY for
the COUNTY to provide fire services for the benefit of the CITY's residents; and.,
WHEREAS, the COUNTY has agreed to render to the CITY a reliable, high level
of professional fire services upon the terms and conditions set forth herein; and,
WHEREAS, the COUNTY and the CITY recognize the importance of maintaining
a high level of professional fire services consistent with reasonable performance
criteria, along with establishing a strategic approach to development of an annual
fire services budaet.
Page 2, Section 2. Services, B. Additional Services, subsection i.: The COUNTY
shall conduct inspections pursuant to the Florida Fire Prevention Code ("Fire
Code") and all applicable Florida Statutes and Administrative Codes within 10
calendar days of the date of request of inspection. The COUNTY shall assume
authority and responsibility to enforce the Florida Fire Prevention Code. Such
enforcement requires inspection of each new building subject to the Florida Fire
Prevention Code and includes periodic inspections of each existing building
subject to the Florida Fire Prevention Code.
Page 2, Section 2. Services, B. Additional Services, subsection ii.: Water
providers. COUNTY shall coordinate with QUA and shall ensure water purveyors
provide adequate fire flows and hydrants, as required, for fire protection and
training purposes within the CITY. TheWitheUt Gest tO the COUNTY,�pA-tha
SAY shall coordinate and work with OUA to ensure thattheCITY's water
adequate fire flow and hydrants, as determined by the
COUNTY, for fire protection and training purposes within the CITY.
B. Jenkins Handwritten Minutes Page 10 of 16
Page 2, Section 2. Services, B. Additional Services, subsection iii: iii. Ciro Hydra4#
Page 2, Section 2. Services, B. Additional Services, subsection iv: +viii. Fee
Schedule Adoption. The COUNTY adopts a published fee schedule setting forth
the cost of various services provided by the COUNTY. The CITY agrees that the
current fee schedule and any additional fee schedules adopted by the COUNTY
pursuant to enforcement of the Fire Prevention Code shall be effective for Fire
Services provided within the CITY upon the Commencement Date of Services.
The current COUNTY adopted fee schedule is attached hereto as Exhibit B. The
SITYCOUNTY shall remit to the GOUNTYCITY, no less than quarterly per each
fiscal year, the amounts set forth in the attached Exhibit B for each applicable
permit issued by the CITY. Said fee schedule may be updated from time to time
by the COUNTY and shall be incorporated into this Agreement without further
amendment to this Agreement upon written notification to the CITY.
Pages 2 and 3, Section 3. Budget. COUNTY shall submit a proposed budget to
the CITY on May 15th. The budget shall have a summary of major classifications
(Personnel Services, Operating Expenses, Capital, Outlay, etc.). At the request
of the CITY Manager, COUNTY shall provide supporting documentation for the
budgeted line items to include, but not be limited to, the cost to outfit and equip
Fire Employees (i.e. uniforms, fire safety gear, computer, etc.), and a breakdown
of compensation and benefits budgeted by position. The CITY will not request
supporting documentation more than twice a year.
Page 3, Section 3. Effective Date and Term. This Interlocal Agreement and any
subsequent amendment hereto shall be effective upon signing by both of the
parties and recording with the Okeechobee County Clerk of the Circuit Court as
provided by Section 163.01 (111), Florida Statutes. The provision of Fire Services
shall commence at 8:00 a.m. on January 1, 2021, ("Commencement Date of
Services") and end at 8:00 a.m. on January 1, 2-0242026, unless this Agreement
is otherwise extended.
Page 3, Section 4. CITY's Base Payments for Services and Adjustments.
A. In exchange for the COUNTY's provision of the services set forth herein, and
together with all of the CITY's other obligations set forth herein, the CITY shall
pay to COUNTY, no later than January 15th in the specified year, an amount not
to exceed the assessed value of City properties as generated by the County's
existing fire rescue fee structure. the fetlowi g,an GLIRtS for e-aGh of tkxpeGifiP-rd
years of the term of this Agreement PaymentsforSServTn�
r . RISI
la.
• . ■ _ . •
Page 3, Section 4. CITY's Base Payments for Services
:�:r_rii■�a■���arrean:er_*r.�.
- -
-- - -
rrrr_rr.�:r_�.rs.�
-
.NX3.-.
.
,ZWPI
I.
.NMI-.
..
1,111,111,111,11 110,11111111161��
- -
_-
KM.
-
B. Jenkins Handwritten Minutes Page 11 of 16
fire department sh uld applly the (COUNTY nn later tr thaR QGteber 1 7mn
rrr a-r-n-rrcrrr��'crrm rr}-�rr� r'rr-r�v� ���, c c,.
for theCOUNTY's fire departmen+. All perquisites for newly hired personnel,
including, but not limited to pay, benefits, retirement, and seniority, shall be as
prescribed in the then existing collective bargaining agreement (hereinafter
"CBA") of the Okeechobee County Fire Department. [Once the rank is
established, benefits for that rank would be as set forth in the CBAI
It is understood that CITY Fire personnel in a promotional probationary status
with the CITY shall be required to complete the remainder of such promotional
probation under the terms and conditions of the existing COUNTY Collective
Bargaining Agreement.
It is understood that the CITY Fire personnel will carry over their respective sick
and annual leave accrual balances up to the maximum of allowable hours per the
Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Upon commencing their employment
with the COUNTY, the CITY Fire personnel shall accrue and utilize leave
pursuant to the CBA and COUNTY policies and procedures.
Section 6. Standards and Responsibilities. COUNTY shall be responsible for
setting employment standards (i.e., hiring, discipline, training) for Fire Employees
consistent with the COUNTY agency standards. COUNTY is committed to
providing the CITY with highly skilled emergency medical, fire protection and fire
prevention personnel to provide Fire Rescue to the CITY.
CITY Fire Employees shall be and remain COUNTY employees, and such
employees shall not be considered employees of the CITY for purposes of
pension benefits, insurance benefits, civil service benefits, compensation and/or
any status or right. Accordingly, COUNTY, not the CITY, shall be responsible for
direct payment of any salaries, wages, or other compensation, contributions to
pension funds, insurance premiums, worker's compensation, vacation or
compensatory time, sick leave, benefits or any other amenities of employment to
any Fire Employee whatsoever, arising out of COUNTY's employment of such
Persons or arising prior to COUNTY's employment of the Employee if set forth
herein. The CITY and COUNTY understand and acknowledge that all costs,
including the employment related costs, are included in the consideration paw
by the CITY to the COUNTY in accordance with this Aareement.
Section 7. Staffing Continuity. The CITY and COUNTY recognize the importance
of combining the efforts and resources of the COUNTY, the CITY and community
members in order to have a positive impact on the CITY, including creating a
public awareness to the public safety related issues thus enhancing the quality
of life throughout the CITY. It is further recognized that such collaborative effort
requires fire and emergency rescue personnel that have intimate knowledge of
the community. In furtherance of such objective, COUNTY shall make every
reasonable effort to maintain the continuity of COUNTY emergency medical fire
protection and fire prevention personnel assigned.
Pages 5 and 6, Section 6. Vehicles. On the Commencement Date of Services,
the COUNTY shall purchase from the CitVGITY shall -lease te theCOlNTY, and
the COUNTY shall lease f� rn the CITY, one (1) ladder truck (VIN
), one (1) fire engine (VIN ), ,and GRe(1)
stafftryrk (VIN ), together with all firefighting equipment
and apparatus used in connection with the teased vehicles. The purchase amount
shall be $1.00., and together with si inh vehinles renlonements pursuant to this
athe r,
) UpeR the following terms and
mens
Page 6, Section 6. Vehicles, subsection i- i. The rental arnount shall be $1.00 per
year, payable in one Iurnp surn Gf 0• en or before the GernmenGement ■
r
aGknowledged by beth parties. The CITY shall retain title to the VehiGles d i _
the
.r of this Agreement,
this Agreement, SUGh VehiGles (GF SUGh Veh iGles' rep laGernents) shall be return
te the CITY-.
B. Jenkins Handwritten Minutes Page 13 of 16
COUNTYPage 6, Section 6. Vehicles, subsection ii- ii. During the term ef this AgFeernefit-,
the per-rotrna-nanGe en SUGh VehiGles
► s.- COUNTYthe
CITY shall pay SUGh inveiGe within • days after- - - -
COUNTYPage 6, Section 6. Vehicles, subsection ii- ii. During the teFrn of this AgFeernen_t-,
the shallperferm repairsextFaerdiRary
COUNTY►
extraordinaryfor the GOsts and expenses of repairs and
VehiGIeS OR a quarterly basis, and the CITY shall pay SUGh inveiGe within • days
after FeGeipt thereof.
Page 6, Section 6. Vehicles, subsection Vs,= +enrwx A,f Vaic Awr'Mmwam-a+
► - PLITV 7 - -
CITY
within • days after reGeipt thereof-.
COUNTYPage 6, Section 6. Vehicles, subsection ii: ii. During the term of this AgFeernenmt,
the shall replaGe the - es on - with the ► -
existing- - COUNTYshall- - CITY feFthe
Of SUGh VehiGles, and the CITY shall pay SUGh inVOiGe within •days after
Page 7, Section 7. Equipment and supplies, paragraph A- A. On the
Commencement Date of Services, the CITY shall transfer, free and clear of all
liens or encumbrances, all bunker gear (a/k/a turn -out gear) and air packs, and
fire radio equipment owned by the CITY to the COUNTY.
'.•- 7, Section• supplies,paragraph C equipment
ewned by the CITY and used by its fire department shall be leased te the CITY
as of the GernmeriGerneRt Date of SerViGes- •• per -
payable OR One lump sum ef $3.00 en or befere the GemmeRGemeRt Dat
by both parties. The COUNTY shall bill the CITY for the GGSt ef FeplaGernent
•
Pay SUGh bpi! within • days after- - -
Page 7, Ser-tien A ReplaGernent of VehiGlees and Equipment. In the event new
fore apparatus, vehiGleS or equipment need to be purGhased er existing fore
apparatus, vehiGles er equipment Reed te be repaired er replaGed during the term
ef the Agreement,► - the
making su-h repairs.
'.•- 7, Section• CITY Payments• • Building • •Costs, Interim
Use of Apparatus Storage Bays,paragraph ' A. The
parties
- _ r •
WO -E_ - - -
_ r • - _ -
B. Jenkins Handwritten Minutes Page 14 of 16
_ - _ -
-'= -
_
. pCup—
r
A.I. MI2% Z a IMIMr
Page 7, Section 9, CITY Payments toward Building Construction Costs; Interim
Use of CITY's Apparatus Storage Bays, paragraph B: B. From the
Commencement Date of Services through January 1, 2022, the CITY agrees to
allow COUNTY to exclusively utilize and occupy, with 24 hour access thereto, the
CITY's apparatus storage bays located at
to house the Vehicles and equipment necessary to provide the services
contemplated by this Agreement. No calls for service, must pay utilities, etc.
Page 8, Section 11. Service Performance Goal and Reports to CITY by
COUNTY, paragraph A: A. The County shall adopt a performance standard for
fire services and shall use its best efforts to maintain the same level of fire
protection, ISO rating, areas of coverage, types of coverage, and response times.
Service performance metrics are as follows. The COUNTY will provide calls as
per the COUNTY's operating procedure and shall maintain an annual
averagegoal is... R responses timeo to calls for fire shall be at or under 4.23
minutes, as an annual average and a maximum of 6 minutes, not inclusive of
cancellations. Cancellations will not be included in average times. Should the
COUNTY's average not be the 4.2 minutes or any call longer than 6 minutes, a
portion of the contract shall be returned to the CITY in the amount of up to
$50,000, based on averages up to 30 seconds above the 4.2 minutes and
$100,000 for any additional times or any call taking more than 6 minutes. [This
paragraph needs revising - Does the City want a performance metric or a
performance goal?]
Page 8, Section 11. Service Performance Goal and Reports to CITY by
COUNTY, paragraph B: B. The COUNTY shall make a quarterly written reports
to the CITY two tornes a yea setting forth statistical information concerning the
provision by the COUNTY of fire services in the CITY. Such reports shall include
the number and type of incidents and service calls, number of plans reviewed,
number of site plans reviewed, and number of inspections conducted.
Page 8, Section 11. Service Performance Goal and Reports to CITY by
COUNTY, paragraph C: C. The COUNTY Fire Chief will monitor response time
reports and provide copies to the City Administrator. For emergency medical and
fire protection calls COUNTY shall make every reasonable effort to respond
within established Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) agency
accreditation and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1221, and 1710
standards for responsible guidelines.
Page 8, Section 11. Service Performance Goal and Reports to CITY by
COUNTY, paragraph D: D. Revisions to the response standards determined y
CFAI and NFPA will be applied as they occur for COUNTY to remain current with
established industry standards and accreditation requirements. The COUNTY
Fire Chief will provide the City Manager with response time metrics annually or
more often as needed or required as the nationally established guidelines,
accreditation standards and metrics are modified or revised. Response time shall
be calculated from the time of intake until the appropriate unit arrives on the scene
of the incident as required in COUNTY's system.
Page 8, Section 11. Service Performance Goal and Reports to CITY by
COUNTY, paragraph E: E. COUNTY shall provide quarterly reports (on or about
October 1 st January 1 st April 1 st and July 1 st) to the City Manager that include
the following information:
a. Calls for service based on units responding
b. Staffing and Transfers
c Response Time reports trends and other relevant performance data
d. QfizeCitizen complaints and their status/disposition
B. Jenkins Handwritten Minutes Page 15 of 16
Pages 8 and 9, Section 11. Service Performance Goal and Reports to CITY by
COUNTY, paragraph E, subsection:
e. Encumbered times for units by day of week
f. Fire prevention activities (past month and planned current month)
q. Annual inspections and re -inspections including progress toward all required
annual inspections.
At any time during the term of this Agreement, the City Administrator shall have
the right to make reasonable modifications to the reporting formats) reporting
content, and reporting period(s).
ITEM ADDED TO AGENDA: Motion by Council Member _BJ to extend Landscape
Services May 8, 2020 to August 4, 2020 (90 -days); seconded by Council Member
MC
MDO-we are trying to continue RFQ going out pretty quick, new one pretty inclusive.
BK -delay due to
MDO-adding more services and further review. Higher standard of service required in new one.
Mayor Watford, Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel, and Keefe voted:
Aye. Nays: none. Motion Carried.
VII. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Wa-none
Bj-appreciate meeting, hope that you all would come to a conclusion very soon, not hear this
discussion again for recommendation.
BK -Mr. Fipps, Mr. Cale, appreciate you being here this evening. Appreciate comments. In my
mind, the tax savings, I grew up here and didn't intend to come back. I don't hve anything
agriculture but I did come back. But when I did return after 20 years, nothing has changed
except more banks and churches. Don't want to be big city but we can't be stagnant any more
because we need to attract new business. The purpose of a local government to provide
services, because we were part of Saint Lucie County and they couldn't provide the services.
So in the past 100 years, we've been providing services and we've grown and the services
have not grown to meet the needs. Case in point, the sidewalks, oak tree growing underneath
it. Can't even maintain our current infrastructure. We are just trying to provide a better quality
of life and imiprove our city. I hve a good friend that were looking to move, look at the city taxes,
he said absolutely not and moved into the cOUnty. In response to savings that were brought
up, I would pose a lot of capital projects were budgeted and not completed. 2015 we had plans
for the centennial pakr, since I've been on this cocnil, things are being built. I feel that reasons
we have saved, those expenditures were not done. We're not paying for the services for our
citizens. Raods, striping, sidewalks, these are the things we are lacking and we should be
providing. We are elected to be a voice for the residents of the city and we represent a great
number of people and I know not everybody is going to agree with us.
MC -none.
VIII. There being no further items on the agenda, Mayor Watford adjourned the meeting at
8:17 P.M. The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 16, 2020, at 6:00 P.M.
B. Jenkins Handwritten Minutes Page 16 of 16