2021-02-16 Approved Minutes129
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= 6 a� FEBRUA►RY 16, 2021, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL
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� ' 9� � i MEETING MINUTES
CALL TO ORDEI�
Mayor Watford called the regular meeting of the City Council for the City of Okeechobee
to order on Tuesday, February 16, 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 Clark.
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A. No items were �added, deferred, or withdrawn from the agenda.
B. Motion by Council Member Abney, seconded by Council Member Jarriel 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. Mrs. Kaylee King of the Okeechobee Economic Development
Corporation extended an invitation to the Council to attend a training session
being offered at the Indian River State College Okeechobee campus on April 1,
2021.
IV. PRESENTATION AND PROCLAMATIONS
A. Mayor Watford proclaimed the week of February 21 through 27, 2021 as
"Engineers Week." He presented the document to Administrator MontesDeOca
and Mr. Steve Dobbs, which was read into the record as follows: "Whereas,
engineers design, construct, and maintain the infrastructure and facilities that
contribute to a high quality of life for all residents of the City of Okeechobee; and
Whereas, the City of Okeechobee growth depends on engineers executing
innovative, creative, and high-quality solutions to technical problems; and Whereas,
the purpose of the Florida Engineering Society is to advance the public welfare,
promote the professional, social and economic interests of the engineering
professions, and stimulate and develop professional concepts amount all engineers
through education and excellence in practice; and Whereas, members of the Florida
Engineering Society and the Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers are making
strides to interact with the engineering education sector to prepare future engineers
to maintain our economic leadership and quality of life; and Whereas, it is important
that we recognize and honor the continuing contributions of America's engineers.
Now Therefore, I, Dowling R. Watford, Jr., by virtue of the authority vested in me as
Mayor of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, do hereby proclaim February 21 through
27, 2021 as `Engineers Week' in the City of Okeechobee."
V. CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Council Member Clark, seconded by Council Member Jarriel to
approve consent agenda items A[January 2021 Warrant Register, General Fund
$738,028.30, Public Facilities Improvement Fund $29,966.04, and Capital
Improvement Projects Fund $93.34], B[Re-appaint Mr. Tommy Clay as the regular
member (term ending 1Vlarch 1, 2025) and Mr. Jeff Fadley as the alternate member
(term ending March 1, 2023) to the Okeechobee Utility Authority Board of Directors]
and C[disposal of obsolete surplus equipment that is no longer needed by the City:
Asset No. 63 1997 Ford F150 Truck Vehicle Identification No. (VIN)
1 FTDF17WXVNC96963; Asset No. 859 2011 Ford Crown Victoria VIN
2FABP7BVOBX135155; Asset No. 899 Dell mobile workstation Model No. M2800;
Asset No. 714 25-foot christmas tree with lights; four filing cabinets; a 20-foot
Communications VHF or UHF Fiber Glass Collinear Gain Base Station Antenna; eight
various computer towers; an Auto Data Base; two small filing cabinets; a multi-line
phone system; a small bookshelf; and a 2009 black Dodge Charger VIN
2B3AA4CT1AH163995]. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Minutes, February 16, 2021, Page 1 of 2
130
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Motion by Council Member Keefe, seconded by Council Member Abney to accept
a donation of a new well in Veterans Park by American Drilling Services, Inc
[valued at $7,800.00]. Motion Carried Unanimously.
B. Mrs. Heather pobbs, Director of Grants and Special Programs, introduced the
Okeechobee County School Board Buddy Mentoring Program and asked for
those interested in volunteering to contact her.
C. Motion by Council Member Clark, seconded by Council Member Keefe to
approve a settlement proposal in the case of City of Okeechobee, Florida v.
Gloria Rodriquez, et.al., Case No. 47 2020 CC 000 190 CC AX MX [Code
Enforcement Case No. 18-043]. Motion Carried Unanimously.
D. The consensus of the Council was to hold the semi-annual Town Hall meeting on
March 22, 2021, 6:00 P.M., at the Okeechobee County Freshman Campus
Auditorium located at 610 Southwest 2�d Avenue. The opening will be a
presentation by the Administrator on current and future development projects
followed by a presentation by the City Attorney on the progress of the Charter
Review Committee. Questions and comments from the audience will commence
upon completion of the presentations. The second portion will be a candidate
forum for the City Special Election. Council requested Clerk Gamiotea to
research having the event broadcasted on WOKC and present the findings at the
next meeting.
VII. CITY ATTORNEY UPDATE
Attorney Fumero gave a summary of the Citizens Charter Review Advisory Committee
meeting held February 11, 2021. He then briefly summarized proposed changes to
Chapter 18 of the Code of Ordinances that is forthcoming for Council consideration.
VIII. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council Member Abney questioned the status of the audio and video system upgrade.
Council Member Keefe asked about and was provided an update on the sinkhole located
on Southwest 7th Avenue and 2"d Street. Council Member Clark commented about the
COVID-19 vaccination process in the County. She also provided information from the
Okeechobee County Healthy Start Coalition, and the Tourist Development Council.
IX. Mayor Watford adjourned the meeting at 6:48 P.M.
Sub itted By: �
� ���
Lane G miotea, CMC, ity 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 16, 2021, Page 2 of 2