2020-11-05 Approved Minutes112
CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA
NOVEMBER 5, 2020, TOWN HALL MEETING
} SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Watford called the Town Hall meeting of the City Council for the City of
Okeechobee to order on Thursday, November 5, 2020, at 5:00 P.M. in the City Council
Chambers, located at 55 Southeast 3rd Avenue, Room 200, Okeechobee, Florida.
II. ATTENDANCE
Roll was taken by City Clerk Lane Gamiotea. Members present: Mayor Dowling R.
Watford, Jr., Council Members Wes Abney, Monica Clark, Bob Jarriel, and Bobby Keefe.
III. PUBLIC COMMENTS
A. Mayor Watford explained those who would like to address the Council needed to
complete a comment card or a written comment form. Both were to be turned into
Deputy Clerk Jenkins. Those attending via Zoom will need to use the appropriate
icon for Mrs. Brock to identify they wish to make a presentation.
Comment Card No. 1 was submitted by Mrs. Suzanne Bowen who voiced her
concerns with the overgrown vegetation and lack of maintenance on the drainage
ditches surrounding her property on the corner of Southwest 7th Avenue and 9th
Street. She has personally removed some of the overgrown vegetation to help
alleviate the flooding of her property. Public Works Director Allen will ensure this
issue is resolved.
Mrs. Jennifer Tewksbury submitted a letter- on behalf of the Economic Council of
Okeechobee. It was read into the record recognizing improvements to the
community. They asked the City to place importance on community aesthetics,
establish a Community Redevelopment .Agency, raise expectations for road
improvements, drainage, and other vital infrastructure developments; require
staff to execute all projects for which the people and the City businesses have
been taxed; continue supporting full-time code enforcement professionals and
the Charter Review Committee; and implernent a nuisance abatement fund.
Board of County Commissioners David I-lazellief and Brad Goodbread were in
attendance. Commissioner Hazellief responded to the Council's questions in that
the County does not host Town Hall meetings but provides for public comments
at each meeting, and the County's code compliance abatement program has
been useful since its adoption.
City Clerk Gamiotea announced copies of citizen board/committees' applications
were available for anyone to take as well as the flyer regarding the Flagler Park
Design Review Advisory Committee and encouraged sharing information for all
citizen board vacancies.
IV. Mayor Watford adjourned the meeting at 5:18 P.M.
owling R. #Vatfo(d, Jr., Mayor
ATTEST
Lane Gamiotea, CMC, City Clerk
Please take notice and be advised that when a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Council
with respect to any matter considered at this meeting, he/she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the
proceeding is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.
City Clerk media are for the sole purpose of backup for official records of the Clerk.
November 5, 2020, Town Hall Meeting, Page 1 of 1
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Council Member Clark then distributed an events calendar from the Okeechobee County
Tourist Development Council and emphasized there will be a youth football
championship tournament held in Okeechobee on November 18 through 22, 2020,
which will bring in over 80 teams. All hotels have been booked, and she wanted to
ensure businesses were made aware in order to prepare. She further explained the
fishing tournaments scheduled bring approximately $600,000.00 to $1,000,000.00 per
event to the County. She encouraged everyone to check the calendar on a regular basis.
There being no further items on the agenda, Mayor Watford adjourned the meeting at
7:31 P.M. The next regular meeting is scheduled for November 5, 2020, at 6:QG P.M.
Dowling R. Watf d, Jr., Mayor
ATTEST:
Lane 6amiotea, CIMC, City Clerk
Please take notice and be advised that when a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Council
with respect to any matter considered at this meeting, he/she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the
proceeding is -made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.
City Clerk media are for the sole purpose of backup for official records of the Clerk.
October 20, 2020, Regular Meeting, Page 7 of 7