2021-02-02 Approved Minutes127
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CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA
FEBRUARY 2, 2021, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL
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 powling 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deferred, or withdrawn.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Item A was deferred; Consent Item B was withdrawn.
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Motion by Council Member Jarriel, seconded by Council Member Keefe to
approve the agenda as amended. Motion Carried Unanimously.
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 cause 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 c�ndidate 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.
Minutes, February 2, 2021, Page 1 of 2
128
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 MemberAbney, 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 8t" 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, installatior�, 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. IVlotion 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 2"d Avenue from Southeast 6t" 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.
Sub itted By: �
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Lane amiotea, C , 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.
Minutes, February 2, 2021, Page 2 of 2