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DRAFT 2021-03-02 Minutes DRAFT Minutes, March 2, 2021, Page 1 of 3 CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA MARCH 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, March 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 Roll was taken by City Clerk Lane Gamiotea to establish a quorum. Members present: Mayor Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Council Members Wes Abney, Monica Clark, and Bob Jarriel. Council Member Bobby Keefe was absent. III. AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS A. No items were added, deferred, or withdrawn from the agenda. B. Motion by Council Member Jarriel, seconded by Council Member Clark to approve the agenda as presented. 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. Ms. Bobbie J. Jenkins was presented with an engraved stationary set and a framed longevity service certificate which read “In recognition of your 5 -years of service, hard work, and dedication to the City, its citizens, and your fellow employees from March 7, 2016 through March 7, 2021.” B. Mr. James Pickering was presented with an engraved mantel clock and a framed longevity service certificate which read “In recognition of your 15-years of service, hard work, and dedication to the City, its citizens, and your fellow employees from March 6, 2006 through March 6, 2021.” C. Mayor Watford proclaimed the month of April 2021 as “Water Conservation Month.” He presented the document to Mrs. Libby Pigman with the South Florida Water Management District, which was read into the record as follows: “Whereas, water is a basic and essential need of every living creature; and Whereas, the State of Florida, Water Management Districts and the City of Okeechobee are working together to increase awareness about the importance of water conservation; and Whereas, the State of Florida has designated April, typically a dry month when water demands are most acute, as Florida’s Water Conservation Month to educate citizens about how they can help save Florida’s precious water resources; and Whereas, the City of Okeechobee ha s always encouraged and supported water conservation through various educational programs and special events; and Whereas, every business, industry, school, and citizen can make a difference when it comes to conserving water; and Whereas, every business, industry, school, and citizen can help by saving water and thus promote a healthy economy and community. 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 the month of April 2021 as ‘Water Conservation Month’ in the City of Okeechobee.” D. Mayor Watford proclaimed the week of May 16 through 22, 2021 as “Water Reuse Week” and presented the document to Mrs. Libby Pigman with the South Florida Water Management District, which was read into the record as follows: “Whereas, safe, clean, and sustainable water resources are essential to Florida’s environment, economy, citizens, and visitors; and Whereas, although Florida’s water supplies are finite, the state’s population and need for water resources continue to increase. DRAFT Minutes, March 2, 2021, Page 2 of 3 IV. PRESENTATION AND PROCLAMATIONS CONTINUED ITEM D CONTINUED: and Whereas, Florida has established the encouragement and promotion of water reuse as state objectives in Chapters 373 and 403, Florida Statutes; and Whereas, Florida’s permitted reuse capacity is more than 1.7 billion gallons per day (approximately 67 percent of Florida’s total permitted capacity for all domestic wastewater treatment facilities); and Whereas, the City of Okeechobee has implemented a water reuse program and encourages efficient and effective use of reclaimed water. 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 May 16 through 22, 2021 as ‘Water Reuse Week’ in the City of Okeechobee.” V. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Council Member Abney, seconded by Council Member Clark to approve consent agenda items A [February 2, 2021 and February 16, 2021 regular meeting minutes], and B [Approval of Temporary Street Closing for the Annual Speckled Perch Festival from 5:00 P.M. on March 12, 2021 to 10:00 P.M. on March 14, 2021]. Motion Carried Unanimously. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Information regarding Florida League of Cities priorities and Home Rule was presented by Ms. Jolien Caraballo, Florida League of Cities 2nd Vice President/Treasure Coast Regional League of Cities President. She also asked for a volunteer from the Council to join the League’s advocacy team. B. Motion by Council Member Clark, seconded by Council Member Jarriel to rea d proposed Ordinance No. 1222 by title only. Motion Carried Unanimously. City Attorney Fumero read proposed Ordinance No. 1222 by title only as follows: “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; AMENDING CHAPTER 18, ARTICLE II OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES; AUTHORIZING THE CODE ENFORCEMENT MAGISTRATE TO CONSIDER FINE REDUCTIONS; INCREASING ADMINISTRATIVE FEES AS PROVIDED IN THE ORDINANCE; AMENDING OTHER REVISIONS TO REFLECT THE USE OF A MAGISTRATE; AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO INSTITUTE FORECLOSURE PROCEEDINGS AS PROVIDED IN THE ORDINANCE; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.” The following changes will be made and presented at the Final Public Hearing: Section 18-34, page two, first paragraph, strike the word board and replace with magistrate and leave the last sentence in (unstricken); Section 18-38, page three, first paragraph, replace the word commission with council and remove item seven; page three, remove added Section 18-39 in its entirety. Motion by Council Member Abney, seconded by Council Member Jarriel to approve the first reading and set April 6, 2021, as the Final Public Hearing date for proposed Ordinance No. 1222. Motion Carried Unanimously. C. City Clerk Gamiotea presented the costs associated with broadcasting the Town Hall meeting and Candidate Forum live with WOKC , with Administrator MontesDeOca adding Mr. Brandon Tucker has agreed to moderate the Candidate Forum. VII. CITY ATTORNEY UPDATE Attorney Fumero gave a summary of the agenda for the next Citizens Charter Review Advisory Committee meeting, and made mention of the Flagler Park Design Review Advisory Committee’s initial meeting scheduled for March 8, 2021 . He also confirmed receipt of payment for the approved settlement agreement for 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]. VIII. COUNCIL COMMENTS Council Member Clark provided information from the Okeechobee County Healthy Start Coalition. DRAFT Minutes, March 2, 2021, Page 3 of 3 IX. Mayor Watford adjourned the meeting at 7:32 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 th e appeal is to be based. City Clerk media are for the sole purpose of backup for official records of the Clerk.