DRAFT 2020-11-17 Minutes
DRAFT November 17, 2020, Regular Meeting, Page 1 of 3
CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA
NOVEMBER 17, 2020, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL
DRAFT MEETING MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Watford called the regular meeting of the City Council for the City of Okeechobee
to order on Tuesday, November 17, 2020, at 6:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers,
located at 55 Southeast 3rd Avenue, Room 200, Okeechobee, Florida. The invocation
was offered by Mayor Watford, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance by Council Member
Jarriel.
II. ATTENDANCE
To establish a quorum, 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. AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
A. No items were added, deferred, or withdrawn from the agenda.
B. Motion by Council Member Abney, seconded by Council Member Keefe to
approve the agenda as presented. Motion Carried Unanimously.
C. There was one comment card submitted for public participation for issues not on
the agenda. Mr. Dale Barrett voiced his opposition of Council Member Elect Russ
Cale taking office in January and advocated for his resignation, with several
Council Members stating their agreement. City Attorney Fumero provided legal
counsel on the issue.
IV. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
A. The week of November 18 through 25, 2020, was proclaimed as “Farm City
Week.” Mayor Watford presented the Proclamation to Mr. Mickey Bandi and Miss
Lexi Bandi representing Florida Farm Bureau.
B. Mrs. Robin Brock was presented a $250.00 Longevity Service Award and a
framed certificate which read “In recognition of your 20-years of service, hard
work, and dedication to the City, its citizens, and your fellow employees from
November 3, 2000 through November 3, 2020.”
V. CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Council Member Keefe, seconded by Council Member Clark to approve
consent agenda items A, October 2020 Warrant Register; B, $51,514.00 purchase of
two 2021 Dodge Challenger Police Package Cars; and D, Temporarily close Southwest
3rd and 4th Avenues on December 11 and 12, 2020 for the Okeechobee Main Street
Christmas Festival and Parade. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Item C was discussed, then a motion was made by Council Member Keefe, seconded
by Council Member Jarriel to approve request for $40,000.00 to further economic growth
through Okeechobee County Economic Development Corporation. Motion Carried
Unanimously.
VI. MAYOR WATFORD OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:01 P.M.
A. Motion by Council Member Jarriel, seconded by Council Member Keefe to read
proposed Ordinance No. 1218 by title only, regarding Land Development
Regulations Text Amendment Application No. 20-001-TA. Motion Carried
Unanimously.
Attorney Fumero read proposed Ordinance No. 1218 by title only as follows: “AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; AMENDING CHAPTER
90 OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS OF THE CITY OF
OKEECHOBEE; AMENDING SECTION 90 -162, REVISING PERMITTED USES IN
THE RESIDENTIAL MOBILE HOME ZONING DISTRICT; AMENDING SECTION
90-165, REVISING MINIMUM LOT AND STRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS;
PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING
FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE .”
DRAFT November 17, 2020, Regular Meeting, Page 2 of 3
VI. PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED
ITEM A CONTINUED: Motion by Council Member Clark, seconded by Council
Member Jarriel to adopt proposed Ordinance No. 1218. Mayor Watford opened
the floor for public comment; there was none. Motion Carried Unanimously.
B. Motion by Council Member Keefe, seconded by Council Member Clark to read
proposed Ordinance No. 1219 by title only, regarding Land Development
Regulations Text Amendment Application No. 20-002-TA. Motion Carried
Unanimously.
Attorney Fumero read proposed Ordinance No. 1219 by title only as follows: “AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; AMENDING CHAPTER
70 OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS OF THE CITY OF
OKEECHOBEE; AMENDING SECTION 70 -340, BROADENING THE
APPLICABILITY OF THE FINDINGS REQUIRED FOR GRANTING PETITIONS;
AMENDING FORM 1 OF APPENDIX A TO CLARIFY THE PROCEDURES FOR
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT PETITIONS; AMENDING FORM 3 OF
APPENDIX A TO CLARIFY THE PROCEDURES FOR ZONING DISTRICT
BOUNDARY CHANGE PETITIONS; CREATING FORM 19 IN APPENDIX A TO
PROVIDE STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES FOR ADMINISTRATIVELY
INITIATED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FUTURE LAND USE MAP AMENDMENTS;
CREATING FORM 20 IN APPENDIX A TO PROVIDE STANDARDS AND
PROCEDURES FOR ADMINISTRATIVELY INITIATED ZONING DISTRICT
BOUNDARY CHANGE PETITIONS; PROVIDIN G FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING
FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE .”
Motion by Council Member Jarriel, seconded by Council Member Abney to adopt
proposed Ordinance No. 1219. Mayor Watford opened the floor for public
comment; there was none. Motion Carried Unanimously.
MAYOR WATFORD CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:05 P.M.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Motion by Council Member Jarriel, seconded by Council Member Clark to
approve Addendum No. 4 incorporating Exhibit C Reimbursable Operating
Expenses and Exhibit D Monthly Administration Fee to the Agreement with
Treasure Coast Medical Associates, Inc. Motion Carried Unanimously.
B. Motion by Council Member Clark, seconded by Council Member Keefe to
approve an agreement with the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office to provide
animal control services. Motion Carried Unanimously.
C. Motion by Council Member Jarriel, seconded by Council Member Clark to
approve a [railroad reimbursement] maintenance [synchronization of grade
crossing traffic control devices] agreement from CSX as required for the
installation of a new traffic signal at North 9th Street and North Parrott
Avenue/U.S. Highway 441. Motion Carried Unanimously.
D. Motion by Council Member Jarriel, seconded by Council Member Keefe to
approve a contract with Verizon under State Contract No. DMS -10/11-008C and
K&K Systems for the implementation and installation of Wi-Fi hotspots in City
[Flagler and Centennial] parks in the amount of $33,056.31. Motion Carried
Unanimously.
E. Motion by Council Member Clark, seconded by Council Member Jarriel to
approve Fiscal Year 2019-2020 End of Year Budget Amendments. Motion
Carried Unanimously.
F. The Council discussed Flagler Park and City Hall Park hours of operation with no
action taken on this Item.
G. Motion by Council Member Keefe, seconded by Council Member Jarriel to
change the minute format to action minutes only. Motion Carried four to one.
DRAFT November 17, 2020, Regular Meeting, Page 3 of 3
VIII. CITY ATTORNEY UPDATE
City Attorney Fumero provided the Council with an update on the Fire Services Interlocal
Agreement with the County, and Code Enforcement cases.
IX. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council Member Keefe requested a copy of the current landscaping contract and
questioned the Public Works Department performing work that is included in that
contract. Council Member Clark announced her husband will be providing the music for
the City’s Tree Lighting Ceremony.
X. Mayor Watford wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving and adjourned the meeting at
8:28 P.M.
Submitted By:
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.