2020-11-05 Economic Council of Okeechobee LetterNov. S, ?-0)-0 P ee�nq
EC`0 Economic Council of Okeechobee
1679 NW 9u' Street
Economic Council of Okeechobee, Florida 34972
Okeechobee (863) 467-0200
November 5, 2020
Honorable Members of the City Council
City of Okeechobee
55 SE 3rd Avenue
Okeechobee, Florida 34974
RE: Town Hall statement from the Economic Council of Okeechobee
Members of the City Council:
First and foremost, the Economic Council recognizes the great measures this City Council has taken
to improve our community. These include, but of course are not limited to:
• Increased investment in and value placed on professional legal counsel
• Demonstrating fiscal responsibility by approving the interlocal agreement for fire rescue
services
• Increased transparency with the implementation of your website, publishing public meeting
materials online and on -time, and the video -recorded City Council meetings
• Engaging the community in the citizen -led charter review initiative
• Collaborating with our organization on the Flagler Park improvements and welcoming citizen
engagement with the implementation of the Design Review Committee
• And the recent request for qualifications from landscape architect professionals
Each of these actions demonstrate your leadership and thought for our future. To continue this
forward momentum you've accomplished, we ask that you also consider:
• Placing a greater importance on community aesthetics through facade programs, thorough
review of design ordinances, the professional services of a horticulturist, establishing a CRA,
and/or other useful tools other cities utilize to improve our physical environment
• Raising our expectations for road improvements, drainage, and other vital infrastructure
developments. When taxes are levied each year to complete these projects, please require
staff execute all projects for which the people and city businesses have been taxed.
• Continue your support of the code enforcement department through the hiring of full-time
code enforcement professionals. Please also consider the implementation of a nuisance
abatement fund to clean up problem properties without the time and expense of foreclosure
proceedings. Many communities fund these programs through the collection of existing code
enforcement fines.
• Continue your support for the citizen -led charter review and design review initiatives. Please
do everything possible to ensure the time and energy volunteered by our citizens is not in
vain, and that their efforts are guided by and fully supported by you and city staff.
ECO
Economic Council of
Okeechobee
Economic Council of Okeechobee
1679 NW 91h Street
Okeechobee, Florida 34972
(863)467-0200
Thank you all for the progress you've made, the time you've dedicated, and for your continued
service to the City of Okeechobee. As always, this organization is eager and willing to assist you in
these efforts to improve our community.
J5yAfifer M. Tewksbury
xecutive Director
Economic Council of Okeechobee County, Inc.
CC:
John Fumero
Marcos Montes De Oca