2024-02-06 Published Agenda & Exhibit ListCITY OF OKEECHOBEE
55 SE THIRD AVENUE
OKEECHOBEE, FL 34974
FEBRUARY 6, 2024
6:00 PM
REGULAR MEETING OFFICIAL
AGENDA
Mayor
Dowling R. Watford, Jr.
Vice Mayor
Monica Clark
Council Members
Noel Chandler
Bob Jarriel
David McAuley
Mission Statement: The mission of the City of Okeechobee is to provide accommodating services that
enhance the quality of life for our citizens and businesses in a fiscally sound manner.
Vision Statement: The City of Okeechobee will maintain a vibrant and prosperous community built on
our heritage, history, unique character, and small-town atmosphere.
CALL TO ORDER
II. ATTENDANCE
III. AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
A. Requests for any modifications to the agenda.
B. Motion to adopt the agenda as published and amended.
C. Public participation for any issues not on the agenda requires an Agenda Item Form or Comment
Card. Citizen comments are limited to 3 minutes per speaker unless otherwise approved by the
Mayor.
IV. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
A. Presentation honoring Police Lt. Belen Reyna for 20 years of service.
B. Recognition of Luke Larson, Lilly Maxwell, Paisley Norman and Tess D'Ariano for receiving a
South Florida Fair Scholarship.
V. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Motion to dispense with the reading and approve the Minutes for January 16, 2024 (Exhibit 1).
B. Motion to temporarily close a portion of SE 2nd Avenue between SE 6th and 7th Streets from
8:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. on March 8, 2024, for a field day as submitted by Okeechobee Christian
Academy (Exhibit 2).
C. Motion to temporarily close a portion of SW 2nd, 3rd and 4th Avenues between North and South
Park Streets from 5:00 P.M. on March 8, 2024, to 6:00 P.M. on March 10, 2024, for the Speckled
Perch Festival as submitted by Okeechobee Main Street (Exhibit 3).
D. Motion to approve sale of Police Vehicles through Insight Auctioneers (Exhibit 4).
VI. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
A. Motion to read by title only and adopt proposed Ordinance No. 1284, amending the Optional
Forms of Benefits for the General Employees Retirement System (Exhibit 5).
B. Motion to read by title only and adopt proposed Ordinance No. 1285 amending Section 2-131 of
the Code of Ordinances removing the Personnel Administrator duties from the City Clerk
(Exhibit 6).
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Motion to approve the designation of India Riedel as the City's Representative and Board
Member and Heather Prince as Alternate to the Public Risk Management Group Health Trust.
B. Motion to read by title only and set March 5, 2024, as a final Public Hearing date for proposed
Ordinance No. 1286, merging the Police Officer's and Firefighters Pension Funds and providing
for a retired firefighter medical stipend (Exhibit to follow).
C. Motion to approve the amendments to the Personnel Policies and Procedures related to
transferring personnel duties from the Finance Department and City Clerk's Office to Human
Resources staff within the Administration Department and revising the Education
Reimbursement Policy to coordinate with the Education Reimbursement Agreement as
amended by City Council on February 2, 2022 (Exhibit 7).
D. Motion to adopt proposed Resolution No. 2024-01, amending the duties of the City Clerk in
previously adopted Resolution No. 2022-11 (Exhibit 8).
E. Motion to approve the Grant Agreement with the State of Florida Department of Commerce in
the amount of $1,200,000 for City Hall Hardening (Exhibit 9).
F. Discussion of longevity awards (Exhibit 10).
G. Discussion of raising the helicopter in Veteran's Square,
VIII. CITY ATTORNEY UPDATE
IX. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
X. COUNCIL COMMENTS
XI. ADJOURN MEETING
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE AND BE ADVISED that if any person desires to appeal any decision made by the
City Council with respect to any matter considered at this proceeding, such an interested person will need a
record of the proceeding, and for such purpose may need to ensure 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
recordings are for the sole purpose of backup for official records of the Clerk. In accordance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with disabilities needing special accommodation to participate in this
proceeding should contact the City Clerk's Office in person or call 863-763-9814, Hearing Impaired: Florida
Relay 7-1-1 no later than four business days prior to proceeding.
BE ADVISED that should you intend to show any document, picture, video, or item to the Council in support
of or opposition to any item on the agenda; a copy of the document, picture, video, or item must be provided
to the City Clerk for the City's records.
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Exhibit 1
Exhibit 2
Exhibit 3
Exhibit 4
Exhibit 5
Exhibit 6
Exhibit 7
Exhibit 8
Exhibit 9
Exhibit 10
CITY OF OKEECHOBEE Mayor
55 SE THIRD AVENUE Dowling R. Watford, Jr.
OKEECHOBEE, FL 34974 Council Members
FEBRUARY 6, 2024 Noel Chandler
6:00 PM Monica Clark
Bob Jarriel
LIST OF EXHIBITS David McAuley
January 16, 2024 Minutes
Okeechobee Christian Academy Temporary Street Closing Permit Application
Okeechobee Main Street Temporary Street Closing Permit Application
List of Police Vehicles to be sold at auction
Ordinance No. 1284
Ordinance No. 1285
Personnel Policies and Procedures amendments
Resolution No. 2024-01
Grant Agreement with the State of Floride Department of Commerce
Longevity Service Awards