2021-03-22 Approved Minutes136
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CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORID/�
MARCH 22, 2021, TOWN HALL MEETING
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Watford called the Town Hall me�ting of the City Council for the City of
Okeechobee to order on Monday, March 22, 2021, at 6:00 P.M. at the Okeechobee
Freshman Campus Auditorium, located at 610 Southwest 2nd Avenue, Okeechobee,
Florida. The invocation was offered by Mayor Watford with the Star Spangled Banner
being sung by Mr. Jim Clark, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council
Member Jarriel.
Mayor Watford explained those who would like to address the Council needed to
complete a comment card or a written comment form. Both were to be turned into Deputy
Clerk Jenkins.
II. ATTENDANCE
Members present: Mayor powling R. Watford, Jr., Council Members Wes Abney,
Monica Clark, Bob Jarriel, and Bobby Keefe. Staff Present: City Clerk Lane Gamiotea,
City Administrator Marcos MontesDeOca, City Attorney John Fumero, Fire Chief Herb
Smith, Polic� Chief Bob Peterson, Public Works Director David Allen, and Deputy City
Clerk Bobbie Jenkins.
III. INTRODUCTION
A. Administrator MontesDeOca provided a brief overview of the City's activities.
Through a joint effort with Okeechobee County, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and
Economic Security Act (CARES) funds were disbursed, with the City receiving
approximately $70,000.00. Through grants provided by Florida Department of
Environmental Protection and Florida Department of Transportation, three
projects are in various stages of completion: Southeast 8th Avenue Stormwater
Conveyance Bid No. PW 02-00-12-20; Southeast 6t" Street Resurfacing Bid No.
PW 01-10-11-20; and Southeast 3�d Avenue ResurFacing Bid No. PW 05-10-09-
20. Due to the age of pipes within the City, discussion has begun on infrastructure
repairs. The City will be applying for funding for infrastructure projects.
Current development projects in various stages are: revitalization of Burger King,
604 East North Park Street; RaceTrac Truck Stop, 975 East North Park Street;
Wawa Convenience Store, 200 block of West North Park Street; the construction
of approximately 30 new single-family homes; and several multi-family residential
projects.
Current community projects in various stages are: vehicle charging stations on
East South Park Street at City Hall Park; LED streetlights; installation of traffic
signal at North Parrott Avenue and North 9t" Street; USB solar powered charging
stations at Centennial Park; solar powered wi-fi connection points in FLAGLER
PARKs; and closed captioning services for all video broadcasted meetings, which
will allow the public to comment on the web during meetings.
The City remains fiscally responsible with a total operating budget of
approximately $7.5 million dollars, with $4.5 million dollars in reserve funds. The
interlocal agreement for fire services with the County is moving forward and will
be in fu(I operation June 1, 2021. The Citizens Charter Review Advisory
Committee (CCRAC) began meeting in December 2020; its next meeting is
March 25, 2021 at 6:30 P.M. The Flagler Park Design Review Advisory
Committee (FPDRAC) began meeting in March; its next meeting is March 29,
2021 at 3:00 P.M. Both Committees have individual pages on the City's website
where information is posted for the public.
B. City Attorney John Fumero provided a brief update on the purpose of the CCRAC
and a summary of the meetings held to date. He explained a Charter is the
foundation of local government and functions as the equivalent of a state
constitution, setting the guiding principles for governance. The Charter
establishes a framework for how the City operates in terms of its structure,
responsibilities, functions, and processes.
Minutes, March 22, 2021, Town Hall Meeting, Page 1 of2
137
III. INTRODUCTION CONTINUED
ITEM B CONTINUED: He provided examples of these components and
explained the CCRAC has been tasked with reviewing the existing Charter,
making recommendations for amendments, and presenting its recommendations
to the Council for approval. The Council will review and decide on adoption of the
proposed amendments. The proposed amendments will then be presented by
referendum and voted on by City voters.
The CCRAC has developed a Citizens Bill of Rights and is currently reviewing
Article II of the Charter. This Article pertains to the powers and duties of City
Officers. Mayor Watford presented a historical overview of the City's form of
government at the last meeting to build the groundwork of Article II's review.
As there will be on-going meetings over the next year, citizen input is paramount.
He reiterated the importance of the citizens utilizing the CCRAC webpage to
provide feedback. All meetings are advertised and open to the public.
C. Mayor Watford opened the public comments portion of the Town Hall meeting
and took a moment to recognize Mr. Clyde Durrance who passed earlier in the
day.
There was one written comment form submitted by Ms. Genia Arbogast. She
explained her property floods after heavy rainfall due to the lack of drainage
maintenance along Southwest 3�d Avenue. Pictures were provided as evidence.
She requested the drainage be inspected and maintained to prevent this from
continuing in the future. Mayor Watford noted for the record Ms. Arbogast had
reached out to him prior to the meeting and he referred the information to the
Administrator. The pictures were passed to all Council Members for review.
IV. Mayor Watford adjourned the Town Hall meeting at 6:39 P.M. The political forum for the
May 4, 2021, Special Election for one City Council Member was held at the close of this
meeting. The Town Hall meeting and political forum were broadcast live and recorded
by WOKC. A copy of the entire recording has been incorporated in the official record.
Su itted B � :.
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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.
Minutes, March 22, 2021, Town Hall Meeting, Page 2 of 2