DRAFT 2021-03-08 Minutes
DRAFT FLAGLER PARK DESIGN REVIEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES, MARCH 8, 2021, PAGE 1 OF 2
CITY OF OKEECHOBEE
FLAGLER PARK DESIGN REVIEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MARCH 8, 2021
DRAFT OFFICIAL MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
The initial meeting of the Flagler Park Design Review Advisory Committee (FPDRAC)
was called to order by City Clerk Lane Gamiotea on Monday, March 8, 2021, at 4:00
P.M. in the City Council Chambers, located at 55 Southeast 3rd Avenue, Room 200,
Okeechobee, Florida.
ATTENDANCE
Deputy City Clerk Bobbie Jenkins called the roll. Regular Members Robbie Chartier,
Susanne Clemons, Bert Culbreth, Regina Hamrick, Kathy Scott, Jennifer Tewksbury,
and Denise Whitehead were present. Alternate Member Greg Maynard was present. It
was noted for the record that Alternate Member Paulette Bragel resigned effective
March 5, 2021.
A. ELECTION OF CHAIR
City Clerk Gamiotea opened the floor for nominations for Committee
Chairperson. A nomination was made by Alternate Member Maynard and
seconded by Member Whitehead. No other nominations were offered. Motion
Carried Unanimously. NOTE FOR CLARIFICATION: An alternate member
cannot offer motions when not sitting in place of a regular member. To clear up
this issue, the nomination is noted to be made by Member Whitehead as a second
is not required per Roberts Rules of Order.
The Chairperson’s seat was relinquished by Clerk Gamiotea to the newly
appointed Chairperson, Robbie Chartier. Chairperson Chartier opened the floor
for Vice-Chairperson nominations. Member Scott nominated Bert Culbreth. No
other nominations were offered. Motion Carried Unanimously.
AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
A. Motion by Member Clemons, seconded by Member Scott to approve the agenda
as presented. Motion Carried Unanimously.
B. There were no comment cards submitted for public participation for any issues
not on the agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Attorney Fumero presented and reviewed the application of sunshine, public
records, and ethics laws as they relate to and govern the FPDRAC and City Staff.
The State Code of Ethics key concepts are: members cannot accept gifts that
would influence a decision; cannot do business with the City of Okeechobee; and
cannot misuse their positions to secure a special privilege, benefit, or exemption
for themselves or on behalf of others. Committee Members are also held to the
State public records and open public meetings laws, known as the “Sunshine
Laws.”
DRAFT FLAGLER PARK DESIGN REVIEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES, MARCH 8, 2021, PAGE 2 OF 2
NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
ITEM A CONTINUED: Members cannot discuss with one another, outside a
convened publicly advertised meeting, any topic that will or could come before
the FPDRAC. He reviewed the three-part test as to whether an item is a public
record and explained Members cannot destroy anything that falls under the test.
He strongly advised against using personal devices to conduct FPDRAC
business, such as their personal computers and/or cell phones. A copy of the
PowerPoint presentation has been incorporated into the minute file.
B. DISCUSS GOAL OF COMMITTEE
The FPDRAC's purpose is to gather analysis and information to recommend
proposed Flagler Park improvements, landscape plans, structures, signs, design
guidelines and other relevant considerations to the City Council based upon
deliberations and public input. Funding sources were discussed briefly. Member
Whitehead advised she would contact the County’s grant writer, Ryan Ruskay
with RMPK Funding, to ascertain what he would charge the City to assist in
applying for grants. Member Scott added that grants are also available through
the Main Street Arts Alliance Program. At the next meeting items to be
presented and discussed are: the conceptual plan approved by the City
Council on August 4, 2020, as presented by the Economic Council of
Okeechobee; a presentation by Landscape Architect Tammy Cook-Weedon
with Calvin, Giordano, and Associates; and the Flagler Parks maintenance
budget for the current Fiscal Year.
C. DISCUSS RULES AND PROCEDURES
Attorney Fumero distributed and reviewed a memorandum that provided
information pertaining to the rules and procedures of the FPDRAC. A copy has
been incorporated into the minute file.
D. DISCUSS WEBPAGE AND ASSIGN CITY EMAILS FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS
To ensure transparency, a separate page for the FPDRAC has been created on
the City’s website to post information for the community. Administrator
MontesDeOca explained City email addresses have been assigned to all
Members. Detailed instructions will be provided to each Member via email.
E. DISCUSS UPCOMING MEETING SCHEDULE
After a brief discussion, the consensus of the FPDRAC was to meet on Mondays
at 3:00 P.M. How often they meet will be determined after the presentation has
been made by the Landscape Architect. The next meeting will be Monday, March
29, 2021, at 3:00 P.M.
ADJOURN MEETING
There being no further items for discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 4:54 P.M.
Submitted by: Lane Gamiotea, CMC, City Clerk
Approved on: _______________
Please take notice and be advised that when a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Special
Magistrate with respect to any matter considered at this Hearing, 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.