2022-09-26 Handwritten MinutesSEPTEMBER 26, 2022, COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
LANE GAMIOTEA HANDWRITTEN MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Watford called the regular meeting of the-Ci o eI or the City of Okee- c�iobee to
order on Monday, September 26, 2022 at `
- —�. —�Q P.M. in the City Council
`Chambers, located at 55 Southeast 3rd Avenue, Room 200, Okeechobee, Florida. The
invocation was offered by Pastor Don Hanna of First United Methodist Church; followed by the
Pledge of Allegiance led by , iinorx. y
II. ATTENDANCE taken by City Clerk Gamiotea to establish a quorum:
PRESENT ABSENT
Mayor Dowling R. Watford, Jr. ✓ r
Council Member Chandler
Council Member Clark
Council Member Jarriel
Council Member Keefe -
Staff present were:
City Attorney John Fumero City Clerk Lane Gamiotea ✓�
City Administrator Gary Ritter Executive Assistant Robin Brock
Police Chief Donald Hagan Deputy City Clerk Heather -Prince v
Public Works Director David Allen -ABSENT Finance Director India Riedel A
General Serv=or. Patty Burnette Planner Ben Smith -Not Required
III. AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS c
A. Requests for the addition; deferral, or withdrawal of agenda items.
New Business item D, Exhibit 5 was added.
tc
ui�=h e'�1ZQ� (.fVl i. •(U QjJti.V.wk ctw-S�"
B. Motion and second by Council Members _ and t..1 >`Qf aw to
approve the agenda as presente amen .
VOTE: Chandler, ClarkYl k , Jarriel Qom, Keefe Watfor
Motion= -Car Fed. '- - — -- -
^: There were agenda item forms or comment cards submitted for public
participation for any issues not on the agenda.
IV.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
A. Mayor Watford proclaimed September 2022 as "Hunger Action Month." The
Proclamation was presented to Ms. Debra Neufeld and Elisha Gohl and read into the
record as follows: "Whereas, hunger and poverty remain issues of grave concern in the
United States, the State of Florida, the Treasure Coast, and the City of Okeechobee, with
17,489 children and adults in Okeechobee County now categorized as food insecure; and
Whereas, the City of Okeechobee is committed to taking steps to raise awareness about
the need to combat hunger in every part of our City and to provide additional resources
that the citizens of Okeechobee need; and Whereas, the City of Okeechobee is committed
to working with the Treasure Coast Food Bank in mobilizing people about the role and
importance of food banks and other hunger relief organizations in addressing hunger and
bringing attention to the need to devote more resources and attention to hunger issues;
and Whereas, food banks and hunger relief organizations across the country, including
the Treasure Coast Food Bank, coordinated Hunger Action Day on September 23, 2022
and will continue to host numerous events throughout the month of September to shed
light on this important issue and encourage involvement in efforts to end hunger in their
local 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 September 2022 as Hunger Action Month."
Handwritten Minutes, 9-26-2022, CC Reg Mtg and Final Budget Public Hearing, Page 142
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion and second by Council Members and to:
A. [Dispense with the reading and] approve the meetings Minutes for August 2, 2022, August
16, 2022, and September 6, 2022; and
B. Approve the August 2022 Warrant Register [in the amounts: General Fund, $467,280.26;
Public Facilities Improvement Fund, $17,771.50; Capital Improvement Projects Fund,
$2,311.46; and Industrial Development Grant Fund, $11,377.65, as presented].
VOTE: Cndler , Clark , Jarriel , Keefe , Watford
: Carrie / Motio Failed.
MAYOR WATFORD OPENED THE FINAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING AT I P.M.
A. Mayor Watford announced that the purpose of this public hearing is to consider for
adoption the final reading of ordinances for the proposed Millage Rate levy and proposed
Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23.
B. Mayor Watford announced that the proposed Millage Rate levy represents zero percent
more than the roll -back rate computed pursuant to Florida Statute 200.065(1).
C. Motion and second by Council Members and JWAhMT to
read by title only, proposed Ordinance No. 1266, levying a Millage Rate of 6.8987 on all
real and tangible personal property for proposed FY October 1, 2022 through September
20, 2023 [as presented in Exhibit 1].
VOTE: Chandler , Clark , Jarriel Keefe , Watford
Motion: Carried/Failed.
City Attorney John Fumero read into the record the title of proposed Ordinance No. 1266 as
follows: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE,
FLORIDA; LEVYING THE AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE RATE FOR
MUNICIPAL PURPOSES ON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY WITHIN THE CITY IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF STATE LAW FOR THE FY BEGINNING
OCTOBER 1, 2022 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2023; PROVIDING THAT 6.8987
PER THOUSAND DOLLAR VALUATION SHALL NOT BE LEVIED ON HOMESTEAD
PROPERTY; THAT 6.8987 VALUATION SHALL BE USED FOR GENERAL CITY
PURPOSES; THAT SAID MILLAGE RATE IS ZERO PERCENT (0.00%) MORE THAN
THE ROLL -BACK RATE OF 6.8987 COMPUTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH FLORIDA
STATUTE 200.065(1); PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;
AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE." .{
�' "d r
Motion and second by Council Members andtot ''a '. to adopt
proposed Ordinance No. 1266.
VOTE: Chandler_ , Clark-, Jarriel 1 , Keefe , Watford- -.
Motion: arrfed/Failed.
Handwritten Minutes, 9-26-2022, CC Reg Mtg and Final Budget Public Hearing, Page o? of
-7 , ,
71�
Wr
VI. FINAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUEP
D. Motion and second by Council Members P and
to read
by title only, proposed Ordinance No. 1267, setting the annual Budget for FY 2022-23 [as
presented in Exhibit 2].
VOTE: Chandler Clark
Jarriel Keefe Watford
MotioQ:Carrie Failed.
Attorney Fumero read into the record the title of proposed Ordinance. No. 1267 as
follows: "AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AN ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF
OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2022,
AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2023; APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR OPERATING
EXPENSES OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE FOR THE GENERAL OPERATION OF
THE SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS OF THE CITY AND OTHER FIXED OBLIGATIONS OF
THE CITY FOR AND DURING THE FISCAL YEAR; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT AND
SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE."
Motion and second by Council Members ChW-&kr and Jah-Y-A to adopt
proposed Ordinance No. 1267.
TC-
V7t)
v
4A&
seg, moo,
an i *Pe OP
-.� A wo kou>A 4 irw�rkff load
ak`
VOTE: Chandler , Clark_, Jarriel-, Keefe_, Watford
Motiory- tarrieoFailed.
MAYOR WATFORD CLOSED THE BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING AT / . I P.M.
Handwritten Minutes, 9-26-2022, CC Reg Mtg and Final Budget Public Hearing, Page 3 of ! 0 --
r
VII.
D0
NEW BUSINESS
A. Mr. Russ Brown, Campus President of Indian River State College, presented an
update regarding the Promise Program.
� r
,kr rye. su cg,
fnO-4h^ 4ard On more 2cweahai
9-26-2022, CC Reg Mtg and Final Budget Public Hearing, Page _ of
r 1
VII. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
B. Motion and second by Council Members �ril1�CY12� and to
approve Grant Agreement [No. A30671 for funding [$50,000.00] with the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection for the Centennial Park [ADA Kayak Launch and
Landscaping] projqq,[as presented in Exhibit 3 .
G.>� ass. c� -c zQ r�3 Acs r,r � )ct � �� -
+Fla_ncir �M4 wa-cfcx-
o - U je- CA 4kL. roory% -h< 4-ka,
VOTE4-aMmed
, Clark , Jarriel ,Keefe ,Watford
Motioailed.
Handwritten Minutes, 9-26-2022, CC Reg Mtg and Final Budget Public Hearing, Page of '-'
ii'�
NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
C. Motion by Council Members O( I and 7w to [approve a
piggyback [Agreement from] the Okeechobee County School Board's Agreement with CRA
Architects, Inc. for outside renovation of City Hall and the Public Safety Building [as
presented in Exhibit 4].
Q vw �2 vexo.�
. hive_ bin _ c6in , I\)G-o+ —ium 4-o
eonA-iz,�Wn blek �,-- --
,
-4- 5ho w n eye.. ua (.s bu-'a _ r�ussu
a
mod
0w� 066 4`000.
VII. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
D. ITEM ADDED: Motion by Council Members and Mond
to approve a Letter of Understanding of the current Agreement with CAS Governmental
Services, LLC in the amount of $18,000.00 for the term October 1, 2022, to September 30,-
. 2023 [as presentecLin Exhibit 5].
VOTE: Chandler Y , Clark , Jarriel , Keefe , Watford
Motio arrie - ailed.
CITY ATTORNEY UPDATE
Handwritten Minutes, 9-26-2022, CC Reg Mtg and Final Budget Public Hearing, Page of
III
pry opun�d _ P}}-h1(���_------
Lr4-1k - 21uh m -4-u iL , remern kur W had- we. +a
&x pc►.�.exs:.�[YLe,n we.. (3A� -f-hL A;e e(qpf- deal'.
(rlczy\ _C(�rn2 4-0_ 6L n� � _�_ 1115, pacr*d
JqJpft- W/--d1cd0ml,�ALI U�cc�ri�e,
54y rocr.L#-•—MW who 60.0 o�uess � off- bl s
Ino4hu-� �-� a3.v Ld us 1� q W-o . -1-�0 )--Le 6avO,
-S°�c�; 4h- uu� wW--0AA-hWrnC-44AC C6u.n-W
L��- 44a v o .(p,� f ujyt-"kp�?
Prej Lmu' —n tN&- ry\4t
e�s wren Otis • _.
is shoes �-o�c�. WL`'"�
c�l(xbh fxj--�- bvury�7PL-(-;�
5s�1a moai� `!-ha�Q.9 W
C; rc- maw, gag- gayd_
XI. ADJOURN M NT There being no further items of discussion Mayor Watford adjourned the
meeting at P.M.
Handwritten Minutes, 9-26-2022, CC Reg Mtg and Final Budget Public Hearing, Page ` of t
«)l
-P to
Rey - scr�ooi c�a� _
fl
0 se�c S+tQQ �l1Nl �1`q
J-
Gc�j-Ca'%�u� sin
44
SEPTEMBER 26, 2022, COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
HEATHER PRINCE HANDWRITTEN MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Watford called the regular meeting of the City Council for the City of Okeechobee to
order on Monday, September 26, 2022, at 0:00 P.M. in the City Council
Chambers, located at 55 Southeast 3rd Avenue, Room 200, Okeechobee, Florida. The
invocation was offered by Pastor Don Hanna of First United Methodist Church; followed by the
Pledge of Allegiance led by
ATTENDANCE taken by City Clerk Gamiotea to establish a quorum:
PRESENT
Mayor Dowling R. Watford, Jr. • l
Council Member Chandler
Council Member Clark --
Council Member Jarriel
Council Member Keefe
Staff present were:
City Attorney John Fumoro
City Administrator Gary Ritter
Police Chief Donald Hagan
Public Works Director David Allen -ABSENT
General Serv. Coor. Patty Burnette
ABSENT
City Clerk Lane Gamiotea
Executive Assistant Robin Brock
Deputy City Clerk Heather Prince
Finance Director India Riedel
Planner Ben Smith -Not Required
I I lll: AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
A. Requests for the addition, deferral, or withdrawal of agenda items.
New Business item D, Exhibit 5 was added.
B. Motion n seco d by Councl 1Glem and i 4'0
approve the agenda as -presented/ meride .
VOTE: Chandler, Clark, Jarriel___(-;�., Keefe, Watford.
Motion: Carried/Fai d. U
C. There were CD agenda item forms or comment cards submitted for public
participation for any issues not on the agenda.
IV. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
A. Mayor Watford proclaimed September 2022 as "Hunger Action Month." The
Proclamation was presented to Ms. Debra Neufeld and Elisha Gohl and read into the
record as follows: "Whereas, hunger and poverty remain issues of grave concern in theg
United States, the State of Florida, the Treasure Coast, and the City of Okeechobee, with
17,489 children and adults in Okeechobee County now categorized as food insecure; and
Whereas, the City of Okeechobee is committed to taking steps to raise awareness about
the need to combat hunger in every part of our City and to provide additional resources
that the citizens of Okeechobee need; and Whereas, the City of Okeechobee is committed
to working with the Treasure Coast Food Bank in mobilizing people about the role and
Importance of food banks and other hunger relief organizations in addressing hunger and
bringing attention to the need to devote more resources and attention to hunger issues;
and Whereas, food banks and hunger relief organizations across the country, including,:;
the Treasure Coast Food Bank, coordinated Hunger Action Day on September 23, 2022
and will continue to host numerous events throughout the month of September to shed
light on this important issue and encourage involvement in efforts to end hunger in their
local 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 September 2022 as Hunger Action Month."
ao V&U Lof- P Mo �� i do f;&
Handwritten Minutes, 9-26-2022, CC Reg Mtg and Fit udget Public Haring, Pag of �'
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion and second by Council Members and c to:
A. [Dispense with the reading and] approve the 6etings Minutes for August 2, 2022, August
16, 2022, and September 6, 2022; and
B. Approve the August 2022 Warrant Register [in the amounts: General Fund, $467,280.26;
Public Facilities Improvement Fund, $17,771.50; Capital Improvement Projects Fund,
$2,311.46; and Industrial Development Grant Fund, $11,377,65, as presented].
VOTE: kChannjcU� Clark, Jarriek, KeefeWatfordMotion id.
VI. MAYOR WATFORD OPENED THE FINAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING AT _LE�_Qq P.M.
A. for Watford announced that the purpose of this public hearing 1s to consider for
adoption the final reading of ordinances for the proposed Millage Rate levy and proposed
Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23.
B. Mayor Watford announced that the proposed Millage Rate levy represents zero percent
more than the roll -back rate computed pursuant to Florida Statute 200.065(1).
C. Motion and second by Council Members and O(Wts to
read by title only, proposed Ordinance No. 1266, levying a Millage Rate of 6.8987 on all
real and tangible personal property for proposed FY October 1, 2022 through September
20, 2023 [as presented in Exhibit 11.
"E: Chandier-LL,Clark, Jarriel�, Keefe, Watford.
ion: "eda' d.
City AttoJohn Fumero read into the record the title of proposed Ordinance No. 1266 as
follows: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE,
FLORIDA; LEVYING THE AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE RATE FOR
MUNICIPAL PURPOSES ON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY WITHIN THE CITY IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF STATE LAW FOR THE FY BEGINNING
OCTOBER 1, 2022 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2023; PROVIDING THAT 6.8987
PER THOUSAND DOLLAR VALUATION SHALL NOT BE LEVIED ON HOMESTEAD
PROPERTY; THAT 6.8987 VALUATION SHALL BE USED FOR GENERAL CITY
PURPOSES; THAT SAID MILLAGE RATE IS ZERO PERCENT (0.00%) MORE THAN
THE ROLL -BACK RATE OF 6.8987 COMPUTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH FLORIDA
STATUTE 200.065(1); PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;
AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE."
Motion and second by Council Members &ak and to adopt
proposed Ordinance No.1266.
VOTE: nCarried/Foed.
,Clark, Jarriel�, Keefe, Watfor�i�.
Motion ;;JJ TJ
Handwritten Minutes, 9-26-2022, CC Reg Mtg and Final Budget Public Hearing, Page -� of ! �-'
------ a VI. FINAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUEDD. Motion and second by Council Members and ` Z 6[k'1 to read
by title only, proposed Ordinance No. 1267, settiny the annual Budget for FY 2022-23 [as
presented in Exhibit 2]. -
VOTE: Chandler, ClarkJarriel�, Keefe lam(, ;Watford. ._.,�_..
Motion: �rrie IFai d. Q
�1
AttorneyF mere read into the record the title of proposed Ordinance. No. 1267 as
ollows: "AN ORDIINANCE ADOPTING AN ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF
OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2022, ,
AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2023; APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR OPERATING
EXPENSES OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE FOR THE GENERAL OPERATION OF
THE SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS OF THE CITY AND OTHER FIXED OBLIGATIONS OF
THE CITY FOR AND DURING THE FISCAL YEAR; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT AND
SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE."
Motion and second by Council Members a and to adopt
proposed Ordinance No. 1267.
M N(zca- t�n-t
iutjw h h�►.
Go
J �
LAJ L�) MW - OTNO U& �Oluc f1t, ct W�& 6L/l Coorf M21
C�&-L ��Ob (M., %voted �Y� sw �z h
AW jXadAi �m JL"tud �-khel� &q Itt,
a. 3
�I■
_I■
-I■
-It
VOTE: CI ,Clark , Jarri ,Keefe Watford
"`- Motion: arrdedlled.
MAYOR WATFORD CLOSED THE BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING AT t P.M.
Handwritten Minutes, 9-26-2022, CC Reg Mtg and Final Budget Public Hearing, Page of /0
9
VII.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Mr. Russ Brown, Campus President of Indian River State College, presented an
update regarding the Promise Program.
A, zt4-k ✓ 6 �t
jq/ki- i� 4-e- bing-
�vie�Ze. �CSYh-�x�rute�
-itten Minutes, 9-26-2022, CC Reg Mtg and Final Budget Public Hearing, Page of U
VIL NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED Mox&
B. Motion and second by Council Members and to
approve Grant Agreement [No. A3067] for funding [$50,000.00] with the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection for the Centennial Park [ADA Kayak Launch and
Landscaping] project [as presented in Exhibit 3].
i)�-h G1 GUa) K� � oil
/9 4%nP4-1-
t
_ h C�-ck - �(Sl cxi -2 mLn(-j - l� �
{
VOTE: Ch er ,-, Clark, Jarriel, Keefe�atford,
Motion: arrie a ed.
Handwritten Minutes, 9-26-2022, CC Reg Mtg and Final Budget Public Hearing, Pages of
III. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED y
C. Motion by Council Members Ohkdz and 11 to [approve a]
piggyback [Agreement from] the Okeechobee County Sc of Board's Agreement with CRA
Architects, Inc. for outside renovation of City Hall and the Public Safety Building [as
presented in Exhibit 4].
�- (L)j OLj,(Xk
D
Ljy-h
( � n 1)holy-,
rn
r►�
iYl _-Iko Gcx1.w - 'k .&c.eca Li lid, acx�
,-)h64 jj)�Cod,&,j
VOTEC-Ca7rrie
��, Clark , Jarriel , Keefe , Watford
Motio ailed.
andwritten Minutes, 9-26-2022, CC Reg Mtg and Final Budget Public Hearing, Page _ of ILI
11, rut,-)
PUA1c,
(%� aku� Lo 3<< Pry
n6-tcr�l too late-,
�n� bOJ l�� - Q,cc cJI �cury -
" lU�/� - 'J 4-yIt¢,1C A-Z CWi bi-I *i�,f. Wc.1,
9
ha&'�
ML-
Cj� s Jlt�u�u -uxu
>ro VII. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED - 1
D. ITEM ADDED: Motion by Council Members and
to approve a Letter of Understanding of the current Agreement with CAS Governmental
Services, LLC in the amount of $18 000.00 /f,o�r thep term October 1, 2022, to S ptember 30,
2023 [as presented in Exhibit 5]. i (�ll�K�f ?� l,�U
VOTE: Chandler—, Clark, Jarrielgri, Keefe*, Watford ----
Motio : Carried/F d.
Vill. CITY ATTORNEY UPDATE
bal,6�� Uj
G�-.cr)(kp(j fu-
- IX.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
co 1�zvf' 1-nt
P&4 ��Jl�(,� ern u� t6l--
hat- 6'ah
LILO Lrktlo LiL�� -/-z)
�g Mtg and Final Budget Public Hearing, Page
of t �'
c-� We
ItiJe`� ojmVie& -h: i LY- qVJV p&WaIV 111MAla-(��r�
A
hp� �i 4pJzeA
�Unem t2u7U/i 6yt_ PaXt A�kloil
I.h atn.kFc� Ct�,u-� ae � �.Qb�xn�i��- C(purtVt.o
LlJ)'b-4:h
ad����c� n%�;c ,�t�u�e �o P�-q 4-1*,
���- Gtryumrn.��•� ? U��d�(,�1� k�6f dcvakmc6».
1 (),14C,(LI-Y)
�c�x Gad
CC/Ae- -2� . N `,6 - CLe,Yt vot'` ke, PPd -1
d,�i>curnu� � rr�t m4
L- h U5-h q oWc , 44-c, "o &/1 &/-v J W-#) n4q-
,WUN 19�Lotvo (�014 �L�
- ✓,�(1 �f�'Y: C%J Cif 1 �l - ! (fJK�l
J A v
'LV - CUUI&T J�'v Lv),-7 np' �-kvwlut'd I'Aw'Ld �O a-Lfl.
M 6�LncU hi��J 'U'CM)l
XI. ADJ6 �jENT I here being urthe tir emdiscussion,
s of Mayor Watford adjourned the
meeting at `n. 5 P.M.
Handwritten Minutes, 9-26-2022, CC Reg Mtg and Final Budget Public Hearing, Page (L of 1 L
r
Can A CAirXLQ4tb
� Lz{x13
0`PJVV16uaJY" h o� bw/7 p/,Vg, vxy 0o LqB, maAtn
—
__ �Y1� Wed '0_6 dceu.�d m Vaj_� CGc - �a