2022-02-15 Approved Minutes209
F•OI(`y CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA
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FEBRUARY 15, 2022, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
- a OFFICIAL MEETING MINUTES
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I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Watford called the regular meeting of the City Council for the City of Okeechobee to order on
February 15, 2022, at 6:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers, located at 55 Southeast (SE) 3rd Avenue,
Room 200, Okeechobee, Florida. The invocation was offered by Mayor Watford, followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance led by Council Member Chandler.
ATTENDANCE
Roll was taken by City Clerk Lane Gamiotea to establish a quorum. Members present: Mayor Dowling R.
Watford, Jr., Council Members Noel A. Chandler, Monica M. Clark, Robert "Bob" Jarriel, and Robert "Bobby"
M. Keefe, Jr.
III. AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
A. There were no requests for items be added, deferred, or withdrawn from the agenda.
B. Motion by Council Member Keefe, seconded by Council Member Clark to approve the agenda as
presented. Motion Carried Unanimously.
C. No comment cards were submitted for public participation for issues not on the agenda.
IV. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMTIONS
A. Police Officer Jeremy LaRue, accompanied by his wife, was recognized by Mayor Watford and Police
Chief Donald Hagan for his years of service. He was presented with a personalized leather embossed
portfolio and framed certificate, which read "In recognition of your 10 years of service, hard work,
and dedication to the City, its citizens and your fellow employees from February 10, 2012,
through February 10, 2022." Additionally, he was honored for his service as a member of the Citizen
Charter Review Advisory Committee (CCRAC). Mayor Watford presented a framed Certificate of
Appreciation, with his terms of service.
V. CONSENT AGENDA
Motion and second by Council Members Keefe and Clark to:
A. [Dispense with the reading and] approve the meeting Minutes for January 18, 2022 [as presented].
B. Approve the Warrant Register for January 2022 [in the amounts of: General Fund, $614,310,00; Public
Facilities Improvement Fund, $31,550.28; and Capital Improvement Projects Fund, $101,387.90, as
presented].
C. Approve a request from Okeechobee Main Street to temporarily close Southwest (SW) 2r,d 3rd, and
4th Avenue's between North and South Park Street's, from 5:00 P.M. on March 11, 2022, through 6:00
P.M. on March 13, 2022, for the Annual Speckled Perch Festival [as presented in Exhibit 1].
Motion Carried Unanimously.
VI. MAYOR WATFORD OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:09 P.M.
A. Motion and second by Council Members Clark and Jarriel to read by title only, proposed Ordinance No.
1248, regarding Application No. 22-001-SSA, reclassify Blocks 110 and 121, CITY OF OKEECHOBEE,
Plat Book 5, Page 5, Okeechobee County public records, 3.9+/- acres from Commercial (C) to Multi -
Family Residential (MFR) on the Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use (FLU) Map, submitted by
property owner F. Mitch Stephens/Glenwood Park, LLC, located between Northeast (NE) 2r,d to 3rd
Avenue's and NE 3rd to 5th Street's [as presented in Exhibit 2]. Motion Carried Unanimously.
City Attorney John Fumero read proposed Ordinance No. 1248 by title only as follows: "AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; AMENDING THE CITY OF
OKEECHOBEE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, ORDINANCE NO. 635 AS AMENDED, BY REVISING
THE FLU MAP ON A CERTAIN TRACT OF LAND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN
FROM C TO MFR, APPLICATION NO.22-001-SSA; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION OF ORDINANCE
AND REVISED FLU MAP IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; AND
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE."
Motion and second by Council Members Keefe and Clark to adopt proposed Ordinance No. 1248.
City Planner, Mr. Jim LaRue presented the Planning Staff Report findings (included within Exhibit 2),
and the Planning Board's recommendation for approval.
Mayor Watford opened the floor for public comment. Mr. Steve Dobbs of 209 NE 2r,d Street, Mr. Frank
Irby of 1385 SE 23rd Street, and Okeechobee Economic Development Corporation Business Manager
Kaylie King of 2229 Northwest 9th Avenue, addressed the Council in support of adopting the ordinance
and responded to various questions from the Council.
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210
VI. PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED
A. Continued. Pastor Chad Keathley submitted a written comment to be read into the record. Mayor
Watford read the following "I am the present pastor of the Okeechobee Church of God located at 301
NE 4tn Avenue. I would like to express my support for the proposed building plan on the adjacent
property of our church. I have spoken to Mr. Stephens and have shared details of the proposed project
with our governing board of elders. While we are very understanding of possible concerns from nearby
residents, we welcome the opportunity to have additional families within walking distance of our
property. Rental options are very limited in Okeechobee, and we have experienced that firsthand from
new attendees and new staff who are still searching for permanent living accommodations. The plan
that Mr. Stephens has shared with me seems to be something that will be very beneficial to our church
and our community."
Mr. Stephens of 17705 Middlebrook Way, Boca Raton, disbursed a revised potential site plan and
responded to various questions from the Council. Motion Carried Four to One.
MAYOR WATFORD CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:54 P.M.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Motion and second by Council Members Jarriel and Clark to read by title only, proposed Ordinance No.
1249, regarding Petition No. 22-001-R, rezoning Blocks 110 and 121, CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, Plat
Book 5, Page 5, Okeechobee County public records, 3.9+/- acres from Heavy Commercial (CHV) to
Residential Multiple Family (RMF), submitted by property owner F. Mitch Stephens/Glenwood Park,
LLC, located between NE 2nd to 3rd Avenue's and NE 3rd to 5tn Street's, for the proposed use of a multi-
family structure [as presented in Exhibit 3]. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Attorney Fumero read proposed Ordinance No. 1249 by title only as follows: "AN ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY
OF OKEECHOBEE BY REZONING CERTAIN TRACTS OF LAND MORE PARTICULARLY
DESCRIBED HEREIN, FROM CHV TO RMF, PETITION NO. 22-001-R; AMENDING THE ZONING
MAP ACCORDINGLY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE."
Motion and second by Council Members Keefe and Jarriel to approve the first reading of proposed
Ordinance No. 1249 and set March 15, 2022, as the Final Public Hearing. Following Planner LaRue's
review of the Planning Staff Report, Mayor Watford opened the floor for public comment. It was noted
for the record that Pastor Keathly's written comments as provided in the previous item were restated
for this ordinance. Motion Carried Unanimously.
B. Motion and second by Council Members Jarriel and Clark to read by title only, proposed Ordinance No.
1250, updating the Capital Improvements Five Year Schedule within the Comprehensive Plan [as
presented in Exhibit 41. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Attorney Fumero read proposed Ordinance No. 1250 by title only as follows: "AN ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; UPDATING THE FIVE-YEAR SCHEDULE OF CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS OF THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AS MANDATED BY FLORIDA
STATUTES SECTION 163.3177(3)(b); PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE."
Motion and second by Council Members Clark, and Jarriel to approve the first reading of proposed
Ordinance No. 1250 and set March 15, 2022, as the Final Public Hearing. Motion Carried
Unanimously.
C. Administrator Ritter provided an update on the services provided by the City's Landscape Architect,
Calvin, Giordano & Associates, Inc. regarding the schedule for the remaining deliverables for The
Flagler Park Master Plan. The City received the property surveys, a comprehensive tree assessment
and survey, and the topography surveys. On February 21st, the architect will meet with City Staff and
Okeechobee Main Street representatives to coordinate and clarify designs for the remainder of the
Master Plan. The schedule of items that will be due to the City is as follows: March 25tn, revisions for
Park 7, Butterfly Square; March 31st, Conceptual Planting Plan for the curb extension along the South
side of South Park Street from SW 6tn to SE 2nd Avenue's; April 29tn, Park 5, Settlers Square; May 27tn
Park 4, Seminole Square; June 24tn, Park 3, Speckled Perch Square; July 29tn, Park 2, Veteran's
Memorial Square; August 26tn, Park 1, City Hall Plaza. That will bring them to the end of their contract.
No official action was required.
D. Following discussion, a Motion and second by Council Members Clark and Jarriel to postpone to the
March 1, 2022, meeting the request to approve a recommendation from the Technical Review
Committee to deviate from the standards listed in Section 78-36 of the City's Land Development
Regulations regarding the requirements for installation of sidewalks pertaining to the Budget Home,
LLC, triplex project located at NE 3rd Avenue and 5tn Street [as presented in Exhibit 51. Motion Carried
Unanimously.
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211
VII. NEW BUSINESS CONTINED
E. Mayor Watford yielded the floor to Ms, Magi Cable of the Okeechobee Historical Society to present
potential uses of Primitive Baptist Church property [located at 1003 SW 3rd Avenue, legal: Lots 9
through 12 of Block 8, SOUTH OKEECHOBEE, Plat Book 1, Page 12, Okeechobee County public
records], The Historical Society would like to partner with the City to utilize at least one of the two
buildings as a museum to feature Mr. Gordie Peer, Mr. Pete Clemons, and other local family's historical
artifacts as well as feature historical information about the churches in Okeechobee. A copy of a power
point that provided local church establishments, including the Primitive Baptist Church in 1919, and
current photographs of the property and inside the buildings, is incorporated within the official minute
file. The Council thanked Ms. Cable for her presentation. No official action was taken at this time.
F. Police Chief Hagan and Finance Director India Riedel provided for informational purposes recent
developments related to the Florida Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System. After the 2004 and
2005 hurricane seasons, the state-wide system was mandated for all agencies and hospitals to
participate in by 2008. At that time, there were grants/state appropriations to assist with the initial
purchases. The new system will be required to be implemented as of 2023. To date, there are no
grants/state appropriations available for the City to apply to cover or off -set the costs for a new console
and radios. However, they are hopeful this will change. Senator Ben Albritton of District 26 has recently
been a champion on this issue and understands the financial hardship these costs will have on rural
agencies. There are many things going on behind the scenes and equipment available to purchase
now, which are not budgeted items. Staff will continue to monitor the situation and weigh options on
equipment purchases; this issue will be a costly item in the upcoming Fiscal Year budget.
Vill. CITY ATTORNEY
• Working on the draft ordinance to adopt the Charter, will send the template to be reviewed soon.
• There are several preemption bills moving through the current Legislative process that are troubling,
he will continue to monitor them closely.
• Continues to draft a quasi-judicial ordinance to adopt a policy for land use and rezoning issues. The
City currently has a Resolution that needs to modernize the procedures.
IX. ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
• Working with the Central Florida Regional Planning Council to assist/moderate the Council -Planning
Board Joint Workshop to review the FLU and Zoning Maps inconsistencies and the best methods to
address the properties.
• The two companies who submitted to the Planning Services Request For Qualifications will be making
presentations to the Council at the March 1st meeting. From there, a contract will need to be negotiated
for Council approval.
• As part of the public outreach recommended by the CCRAC regarding the proposed Charter, he will be
highlighting the proposed changes on the local radio station, WOKC, once a month starting in March
to provide information.
• Chief Smith has sold another fire truck and 4 pallets of equipment on gov deals.
• The City's two appropriation bills are still in place at this time.
X. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council Member Chandler:
• Suggested that instead of replacing the two large oak trees located on the front lawn of City Hall that
were recently removed, to install different landscaping closer to the building. With the trees gone, you
can now see the actual architecture of the building.
Council Member Jarriel:
• Asked that monthly Department Head reports begin again.
• Suggested that the Mayor and Council ride on the vintage fire truck in the next parade.
Council Member Keefe:
Inquired to when the Council -Planning Board Joint Workshop would be held. No date has been set to
allow for the City to enter into a contract for Planning Services.
Agreed with Council Member Chandler's idea.
XI. ADJOURN, Mayor Watford adjourned the meeting at 8:02 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, s/he 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.
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