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DRAFT 2021-02-02 Minutes DRAFT Minutes, February 2, 2021, Page 1 of 2 CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 2, 2021, 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, February 2, 2021, 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 led 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 AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS A. Mayor Watford asked whether there were any agenda items to be added, deferred, or withdrawn. New Business Items G and H were added; New Business Item A was deferred; Consent Item B was withdrawn. B. Motion by Council Member Jarriel, seconded by Council Member Keefe to approve the agenda as amended. Motion Carried Unanimously. C. There were no agenda item forms or comment cards submitted for public participation for any issues not on the agenda. IV. PRESENTATION AND PROCLAMATIONS A. Calling the 2021 Special City Election, Mayor Watford read the proclamation in its entirety for the record, scheduling Qualifying Week as 12:00 noon February 8 through 12:00 noon February 12 and the Special Election date as May 4, 2021. “Whereas, under and by virtue of the provisions of the Charter, Elections Chapter 26 of the Code of Ordinances for the City of Okeechobee, and Florida State Laws, it is the duty of the Mayor to proclaim and call a Special City Election at the time and manner provided therein; and Whereas, proclaiming a Special City Election shall be issued by a Proclamation, at least 90 days prior to the date of holding such election, signed by the Mayor, and attested by the City Clerk; and Whereas, such Proclamation shall specify the office or offices to be filled, the c ause of the vacancy of such office or offices, and the date of the expiration of the terms of such office or offices; and Whereas, the City Clerk shall publish the Proclamation in the local newspaper at least twice, once being in the fifth week and once being in the third week, prior to the week in which the Special City Election will be held; and Whereas, as provided by said Elections Chapter 26, individuals are to qualify with the City Clerk commencing at 12:00 noon on February 8, the first Monday following the issuance of this Proclamation, and not later than 12:00 noon on February 12, the Friday following; and upon being duly qualified as a candidate shall be entitled to have their name placed on the ballot for the Special City Election. Now, Therefore, I, Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Mayor of the City of Okeechobee, Florida do hereby proclaim and declare that a Special City Election is to be held on May 4, 2021, by the duly qualified electors of the City of Okeechobee for the purpose of electing One (1) City Council Member to serve upon taking the oath of office following said Special Election through January 6, 2025, and until their successors are elected and qualified. The cause of said Special Election is due to the resignation on November 30, 2020, by the individual who was to take office on January 4, 2021. Said Special Election shall be held during the regular hours of voting; to be held in the County polling or voting places within the Municipal Precinct, which have been established by the Supervisor of Elections and Board of County Commissioners for Okeechobee County; or Vote- by-Mail as provided by State Law.” B. Council Member Jarriel recognized Ms. Bailey Harden as the only local South Florida Fair Scholarship recipient and extended gratitude to her for all her hard work and representing Okeechobee well. Ms. Harden thanked the Council and spoke briefly about her future plans following graduation. DRAFT Minutes, February 2, 2021, Page 2 of 2 V. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Council Member Keefe, seconded by Council Member Clark to approve consent agenda item A [January 19, 2021 Regular Meeting minutes]. Motion Carried Unanimously. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. The introduction of the Okeechobee County School Board Buddy Mentoring Program was deferred to the February 16, 2021 meeting. B. Motion by Council Member Keefe, seconded by Council Member Abney, to award Bid No. PW 02-00-12-20, FDEP Agreement No. LP 47020, to B&B Site Development, Inc., in the amount of $184,813.65 for SE 8 th Avenue Stormwater Conveyance. Motion Carried Unanimously. C. Motion by Council Member Clark, seconded by Council Member Abney, to approve additional costs to BIS Digital in the amount of $3,557.19 for on -site setup, installation, and training for the new audio and video equipment. Motion Carried Unanimously. D. Motion by Council Member Clark, seconded by Council Member Jarriel, to approve a budget amendment for legal services in the amount of $25,000.00 for additional Code Enforcement foreclosure fees. Motion Carried Unanimously. E. Motion by Council Member Jarriel, seconded by Council Member Clark to adopt the Citizen Board and Committee Selection Matrix as presented. Motion Carried Unanimously. F. Motion by Council Member Clark, seconded by Council Member Abney to move Mrs. Jennifer Tewksbury from alternate to regular member replacing Mr. Frank Irby, and appoint Mrs. Paulette Bragel as the alternate member to the Flagler Park Design Review Advisory Committee. Motion Carried Unanimously. G. Motion by Council Member Keefe, seconded by Council Member Jarriel to approve a temporary street closing application submitted by Okeechobee Christian Academy for Southeast 2nd Avenue from Southeast 6th to 7th Streets on February 12, 2021 from 8:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. for a School Field Day. Motion Carried Unanimously. H. Fire Chief Smith provided a status update on the completion of the paramedic classes and a progress report concerning logistical preparations for the transition of the City firefighters to County employees. VII. CITY ATTORNEY UPDATE City Attorney Fumero provided an update on the pending legal action in Code Enforcement proceedings and briefly reviewed some of the items scheduled to be discussed at upcoming Citizens Charter Review Advisory Committee meetings. VIII. COUNCIL COMMENTS Council Member Keefe inquired about options for property upkeep during the Code Enforcement foreclosure process. Council Member Clark voiced her concerns on the recent COVID-19 vaccine issues and shortages. IX. Mayor Watford adjourned the meeting at 7:21 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.