2023-05-16 Approved Minutes 320
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MAY 16, 2023, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
§- MEETING MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Watford called the regular meeting of the City Council for the City of Okeechobee to order on May 16,
2023, 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 Pastor Don Hanna, First United Methodist Church;
followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Chandler.
II. ATTENDANCE
Roll was taken by City Clerk Lane Gamiotea to establish a quorum. Members present: Mayor Dowling R.
Watford, Jr., Vice Mayor Monica M. Clark, Council Members Noel A. Chandler, and Robert "Bob" J. Jarriel.
David R. McAuley was absent with consent.
III. AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
A. There were no requests for items to be added, deferred, or withdrawn from the agenda.
B. Motion and second by Council Members Jarriel and Chandler to approve the agenda as published.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
C. There were no comment cards submitted for public participation for issues not on the agenda.
IV. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
A. Mayor Watford proclaimed the week of May 21 through 27, 2023 as Public Works Week. The
Proclamation was presented to Public Works Director David Allen and read into the record as follows:
"Whereas, public works professionals focus on infrastructure,facilities,emergency management,
and services that are of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities and the public
health, high quality of life, and well-being of the people of; and Whereas, these infrastructures,
facilities, and services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works
professionals, who are federally mandated first responders, and the engineers, managers, and
employees at all levels of government and the private sector,who are responsible for rebuilding,
improving, and protecting our nation's transportation, waste systems, public buildings, parks,
and other structures and facilities essential for our citizens; and Whereas, it is in the public
interest for the citizens, civic leaders, and children in the City of Okeechobee to gain knowledge
and maintain ongoing interest and understanding of the importance of public works first
responders and public works programs in their respective communities; and Whereas, the year
2023 marks the 63rd annual National Public Works Week sponsored by the American Public Works
Association. Now Therefore, I, Dowling R. Watford, by virtue of the authority vested in me as
Mayor of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, do hereby proclaim the week of May 21 through 27,
2023, as "National Public Works Week" in the City of Okeechobee, and call upon all citizens to
pay tribute to our public works professionals, engineers, managers and employees and to
recognize the substantial contributions they make to protecting our national health, safety, and
quality of life."
B. Mayor Watford proclaimed the month of May 2023 as Building Safety Month. The Proclamation was
presented to Building Official Jeffery Newell and read into the record as follows: "Whereas, the City of
Okeechobee is committed to recognizing that our growth and strength depends on the safety and
essential role our homes, buildings and infrastructure play, both in everyday life and when
disasters strike; and WHEREAS, our confidence in the resilience of these buildings that make up
our community is achieved through the devotion of vigilant guardians—building safety and fire
prevention officials,architects,engineers, builders,tradespeople,design professionals, laborers,
plumbers and others in the construction industry—who work year-round to ensure the safe
construction of buildings; and WHEREAS, these guardians are dedicated members of the
International Code Council, a nonprofit, that brings together local, state, territorial, tribal, and
federal officials who are experts in the built environment to create and implement the highest-
quality codes to protect us in the buildings where we live, learn, work, play; and Whereas, these
modern building codes include safeguards to protect the public from hazards such as hurricanes,
snowstorms, tornadoes, wildland fires, floods, and earthquakes; and Whereas, Building Safety
Month is sponsored by the International Code Council to remind the public about the critical role
of our communities' largely unknown protectors of public safety—our local code officials—who
assure us of safe, sustainable, and affordable buildings that are essential to our prosperity;
MAY 16, 2023, CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, PAGE 1 OF 3
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IV. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS CONTINUED
B. Continued. and Whereas, It Starts with You,the theme for Building Safety Month 2023, encourages
us all to raise awareness about building safety on a personal, local and global scale; and Whereas,
each year, in observance of Building Safety Month, people all over the world are asked to consider
the commitment to improve building safety, resilience and economic investment at home and in
the community, and to acknowledge the essential service provided to all of us by local and state
building departments, fire prevention bureaus and federal agencies in protecting lives and
property; and Now Therefore, I, Dowling R. Watford, by virtue of the authority vested in me as
Mayor of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2023, as Building
Safety Month."
C. Sergeants Jessica Francis and K-9 Luna were recognized by Mayor Watford and Chief Donald Hagan
for their years of service. Sergeant Francis was presented with a pen, engraved with her name, and a
framed Longevity Service Certificate, read into the record as follows: "In recognition of your five years
of service, hard work, and dedication to the City, its citizens, and your fellow employees from
May 2, 2018 through May 2, 2023." Sergeant K-9 Luna was presented with a leather K-9 badge holder
and personalized treat jar.
V. CONSENT AGENDA
Motion and second by Vice Mayor Clark and Council Member Jarriel to:
A. Approve the April 2023 Warrant Register [in the amounts: General Fund, $753,904.50; Public Facilities
Improvement Fund, $23,575.99; Capital Improvement Projects Fund, $112,623.74; Industrial
Development Fund, $1,377.00; and Appropriations Grant Fund, $675.00; [as presented]; and
B. Ratify the appointment of John Creasman to the General Employees' Pension Fund Board of Trustees
as the Fifth Member, term being May 1, 2023, through December 31, 2025, replacing Dawn Martin.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Motion and second by Council Member Jarriel and Vice Mayor Clark to read by title only, proposed
Ordinance No. 1273, for Rezoning Petition No. 22-001-R, submitted by Rene Griffith, Registered Agent,
on behalf of the property owner, Be A Man, Buy Land, LLC., to rezone 0.36 +/- unplatted acres from
Holding to Industrial. The property is a triangular-shaped vacant, unaddressed parcel, located contiguous
to the West-side of the East City Limits Boundary Line, North of the railroad tracks, and South of
Northeast 12th Avenue. The proposed use is outdoor storage[as presented in Exhibit 1]. Motion Carried
Unanimously.
City Attorney John Fumero read into the record the title of proposed Ordinance No. 1273, as follows:
"AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; AMENDING THE
OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE BY REZONING A
CERTAIN TRACT OF LAND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN, FROM
HOLDING TO INDUSTRIAL; PETITION NO. 23-001-R; AMENDING THE ZONING
MAP ACCORDINGLY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE."
Motion and second by Vice Mayor Clark and Council Member Jarriel to approve the first reading of
proposed Ordinance No. 1273 and set June 20, 2023, as the final public hearing date.
Planner Ben Smith, attending electronically via Zoom, presented the Planning Staff Report which finds
the request is reasonably compatible with adjacent uses and consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
Planning Staff and Planning Board recommend approval. Motion Carried Unanimously.
B. Motion and second by Council Members Jarriel and Chandler to read by title only, proposed Ordinance
No. 1274, amending Chapter 18, Code Enforcement Procedure, to include a Fine Reduction Process [as
presented in Exhibit 2.] Motion Carried Unanimously.
Attorney Fumero read into the record the title only of proposed Ordinance No. 1274 as follows: "AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; RELATING
TO REQUESTS FOR CODE ENFORCEMENT FINE REDUCTIONS, AMENDING PART II OF THE
CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE WITHIN CHAPTER 18 CODE
ENFORCEMENT, ARTICLE II CODE ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURE, BY SPECIFICALLY
AMENDING SECTION 18-38 POWERS OF MAGISTRATE; SPECIFICALLY AMENDING
SECTION 18-39 FINE REDUCTION REQUEST PROCESS; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF
ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE."
MAY 16, 2023, CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, PAGE 2 OF 3
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VI. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
B. Continued. Motion and second by Vice Mayor Clark and Council Member Jarriel to approve the first
reading of proposed Ordinance No. 1274 and set June 20, 2023, as the final public hearing date. Motion
Carried Unanimously.
C. Attorney Fumero reviewed the options for a tax abatement program, utilizing a 15-slide Power Point
presentation, a copy of which has been incorporated into the official minute file.There are three programs:
Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption,Tax Exemption for Affordable Housing, and the Live
Local Act 2023. Following discussion, the Council by consensus agreed not to pursue the matter
further.
D. Motion and second by Council Members Chandler and Jarriel to approve closing City Hall at 1:00 P.M.
on Friday, September 1, 2023, to fumigate City Hall and the Public Safety Building. City Hall will remain
closed through Monday, September 4, 2023 for the Labor Day holiday. Motion Carried Unanimously.
E. The Annual Evaluation of Administrator Ritter was reviewed. On May 2, 2023, Clerk Gamiotea disbursed
individual evaluation forms to the Mayor and Council to complete prior to the meeting. The evaluations
consist of 14 questions and have been incorporated into the official minute file.The Tally Sheet, providing
the final scores as follows: Chandler 5.0, Clark 4.9, Jarriel 5.0, McAuley 4.9, and Watford 4.9; for an
overall average of 4.9 out of 5.0, has also been incorporated into the official minute file.
VII. CITY ATTORNEY UPDATE
• Reviewed Request for Proposals for audit services;
• Drafting ordinance to merge the Police and Fire Pension Plans;
• Ordinances regarding stormwater management, the installation and removal of storm shutters, and the
regulation of food trucks scheduled for discussion at the Planning Board Meeting on May 18, 2023;
• Researching regulations for the distribution and sale of fireworks.
VIII. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
• Ordinance addressing mandatory water and wastewater connections will be reviewed at a future Council
meeting;
• Reminder of the Memorial Day Event coordinated by the VFW South Post, scheduled for Saturday, May
27, 2023, at 10:00 A.M.
IX. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council Member Jarriel commended the Police Department for their quick response to a citizen complaint.
X. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further items of discussion, Mayor Watford adjourned the meeting at 6:51 P.M.
Submitted By:
• ;74-
Lane Garniotea;.CM'C, 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.
MAY 16, 2023, CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, PAGE 3 OF 3