2021-03-16 Approved Minutes134
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CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA
MARCH 16, 2021, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
I. CALL 1'O ORDER
Mayor Watford called the regular meeting of the City Council for the City of Okeechobee
to order on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at 6:02 P.M. in the City Council Chambers, located
at 55 Southeasfi 3rd Avenue, Room 200, Okeechobee, Florida. The invocation was
offered by Pastor Richard Barker of the Westside Christian Church, 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 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A. No items were added, deferred, or withdrawn from the agenda.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 Jarriel, seconded by Council Member Keefe to
approve the agenda as presented. Motion Carried Unanimously.
C. There was one comment card submitted for public participation for any issues not
on the agenda. Mr. Brandon Tucker, Chairperson of the Economic Council of
Okeechobee (ECOK), presented a request for the City to show a heavy code
enforcement presence within the commercial corridor. He then distributed a list
of six businesses that were reported on February 17, 2021, to code enforcement.
The document has been incorporated into the minute file.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Council Member Abney, seconded by Council Member Jarriel to approve
consent agenda items A[March 2, 2021 regular meeting minutes], B[February 2021
Warrant Register: General Fund $484,332.81, Public Facilities Improvement Fund
$9,742.17, and Capital Improvement Projects Fund $26,751.44], and C[ratify the
appointment of J.P. Zeigler as the Fifth Member to the General Employees' Pension
Fund Board of Trustees, term being March 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 ].
Motion Carried Unanimously.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Motion by Council Member Keefe, seconded by Council Member Clark to
approve a request from the Board of County Commissioners to relocate the
Tourist Development Council office to the Chamber of Commerce building at 55
South Parrott Avenue. Motion Carried Unanimously.
B. Motion by Council Member Keefe, seconded by Council Member Jarriel to
approve a professional service agreement [$250.00 per month] with MacVicar
Consulting, Inc. for participation in the planning process for the development of a
new Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM) by the Army Corps
of Engineers. Motion Carried Unanimously.
C. Based on the citizen board selection matrix, individual ranking forms and tally
sheets, Motion by Council Member Clark, seconded by Council Member Jarriel
to appoint Mr. Robert "Bob" Burdge as an alternate member to the Flagler Park
Design Review Advisory Committee. Motion Carried Unanimously. Ranking
forms completed by the Mayor and Council and the tally sheet have been
incorporated into the minute file.
D. Assistant City Attorney Carlyn Kowalsky provided a presentation on the Code
Enforcement Magistrate Hearing process, including what Florida Statutes
Chapter 162 requires, the specific steps followed by Code Enforcement staff, and
any new procedures recently implemented. The purpose of the presentation was
to give the Council a level of comfort when considering the adoption of proposed
Ordinance No. 1222 at the next meeting.
Minutes, March 16, 2021, Page 1 of 2
135
V. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
ITEM D CONTINUED: The Council amended the proposed changes at the first
reading which were intended to streamline the process fior fine reductions and
foreclosures. The Counci� requested a reduction chart or fee schedule be
presented to assist in their consideration. Attorney Fumero made it clear the
ultimate goal of code enforcement is compliance. A copy of the presentation has
been incorporated into the minute file.
E. Motion by Council Member Clark, seconded by Council Member Abney to
approve the use of FLAGLER PARKS No. 2 and 3 to recognize the High School
graduating class of 2021 with temporary signs featuring a photograph and name
of each senior, displaying approximately one week before graduation on May 28,
2021. Motion Carried Unanimously.
VI. CITY ATTORNEY UPDATE
Attorney Fumero gave a summary of the meetings held to date for the Citizens Charter
Review Advisory Committee. He also provided an update on the Fire Services Interlocal
Agreement and confirmed receipt of a letter received today from a Law Firm
representing the Local 2918 Fire Union requesting a legally binding Collective
Bargaining Agreement.
VII. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council Member Keefe requested and received a status update on the sinkhole located
at Southwest 2"d Avenue and 8th Street. Mayor Watford confirmed that traffic will be
rerouted from North Parrott Avenue at the railroad crossing due to construction for
approximately 10 days in June 2021.
VIII. Mayor Watford adjourned the meeting at 7:18 P.M. :�
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L' ne amiotea, C� C, City Clerk
Please take notice and be advised that when a person decides to appeal any decision m.ade 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 16, 2021, Page 2 of 2