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2024-05-21 Draft Meeting Minutes`\�,.OF•O/FF,Cy CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA MAY 21, 2024, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING REVISED AS OF 5/29/2024 DRAFT MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Mayor Watford called the regular meeting of the City Council for the City of Okeechobee to order on May 21, 2024, at 6:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers, located at 55 Southeast 3rd Avenue, Room 200, Okeechobee, Florida (FL). The invocation was offered by Pastor Don Hanna of the First Methodist Church; followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Chandler. ATTENDANCE City Clerk Lane Gamiotea called the roll. Members present to establish a quorum: Mayor Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Vice Mayor Monica M. Clark, Council Members Noel A. Chandler, Robert "Bob" Jarriel, and David R. McAuley. III. AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS A. A modification was made to the agenda to withdraw New Business Item VII. A. B. Motion and second by Council Members Jarriel and McAuley to adopt the agenda as amended. Motion Carried Unanimously. C. There were two comment cards submitted for public participation for issues not on the agenda, by Mr. Jose Cruz, owner of Manny's Sunflowers and Gift Shop, and Mr. Luis Espinoza regarding the issue of the Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicles (Food Trucks). Mr. Cruz stated he is disappointed that the Council is considering changes to the current Ordinance. Mayor Watford advised the issue will be on the June 4, 2024, agenda and extended an invitation for him to attend and participate in the discussion then. Vice Mayor Clark clarified her statement made at the May 7, 2024, meeting during Council Comments, regarding propane tanks being affixed to the exterior of Food Trucks. Her comment about safety and propane tanks was because her brother was asked to install equipment on a Food Truck that would allow it to connect to a free standing propane tank, which is not allowed. Mr. Cruz inquired to the procedures the Mayor and Council follow when receiving citizen complaints, how they are documented for public record, and to ensure citizens were not harassing each other. It was explained there is not a formal process. Complaints are forwarded to the appropriate City Staff to handle. When complaints are received and forwarded verbally by phone conversations there is not a public record to retain. Mr. Espinoza decided to wait until the next meeting to speak on the Food Truck issue. IV. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS A. Mayor Watford proclaimed the week of May 19 through 25, 2024, as National Public Works Week, Exhibit 1. The Proclamation was presented to the Public Works Department Maintenance Foremen Mr. Willie Hall and Mr. Marvin Roberts, Administrative Secretary Ms. Kay Matchett, and Maintenance Operators Mr. James Bass, Mr. Otis Jackson, Mr. Drako Phillips, and Mr. Rufus Rhoden, and read into the record as follows: "Whereas, Public Work professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities, and services that are of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities and to the public health, high quality of life, and well-being of the people of the City of Okeechobee and; Whereas, these infrastructure, facilities, and services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works professionals and employees who are responsible for rebuilding, improving, and protecting our city's transportation, 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 Okeechobee to gain knowledge of and maintain an ongoing interest and understanding of the importance of public works and public works programs in our community; and Whereas, the year 2024 marks the 64th annual National Public Works Week sponsored by the American Public Works Association. Now Therefore, I, Dowling R. Watford, Jr., by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Okeechobee, FL, do hereby proclaim May 19 through 25, 2024, as National Public Works Week in the City of Okeechobee." V. CONSENT AGENDA Motion and second by Council Members Chandler and Jarriel to: A. Dispense with the reading and approve the Minutes for May 7, 2024 [as presented in Exhibit 2]; and B. Approve the April 2024 Warrant Register [in the amounts: General Fund, $961,930.87; Public Facilities Improvement Fund, $418,117.38; Capital Improvement Projects Fund, $70,005.65; Other Grant Capital Fund, $13,870.48; Industrial Development Grant Fund, ;750.00; as presented in Exhibit 3]; and REVISED AS OF 512912024 DRAF t MAY 21, 2024, CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, PAGE 1 OF 3 V. CONSENT AGENDA CONTINUED C. Approve the disposal of a 1999 Chevrolet Bucket Truck and a 2003 Chevrolet Pickup Truck [as presented in Exhibit 4]. Motion Carried Unanimously. VI. MAYOR WATFORD OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:22 P.M. A. Motion by Vice Mayor Clark, second by Council Member Jarriel to postpone the second reading of the title only, and final Public Hearing date for proposed Ordinance No. 1289, adopting Application No. 24- 001 -CPA, updating the Comprehensive Plan Capital Improvements Five -Year Schedule, to June 4, 2024 [as presented in Exhibit 5]. Motion Carried Unanimously. MAYOR WATFORD CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:23 P.M. VII. NEW BUSNESS A. Discussion by Adam Ramsey regarding Park Street Commerce Center was withdrawn. B. Motion and second by Council Members Jarriel and McAuley to approve an Independent Contractor's Agreement with Roger Azcona, Esquire, to perform the City's Code Enforcement Special Magistrate services. Initial term being May 21, 2024, through May 20, 2026, and an additional two-year extension [as presented in Exhibit 6]. Motion Carried Unanimously. C. Motion by Council Member McAuley, second by Vice Mayor Clark to approve the Local Government Cyber Security Grant Program Contract, DMS -24/25-066 with the State of FL, Department of Management Services and to authorize the City Administrator, Gary Ritter, to electronically sign the Agreement [as presented in Exhibit 7]. Motion Carried Unanimously. D. The annual evaluation of Administrator Ritter was conducted. On May 7, 2024, Human Resources Generalist Heather Prince provided individual evaluation forms to the Mayor and Council to complete and submit at the meeting. The evaluations contain 14 questions with each having a score of one to five. The Tally Sheet, providing the individual overall rating scores, was read aloud by Mayor Watford as follows: Watford 4.9, Chandler 5.0, Clark 4.9, Jarriel 5.0, and McAuley 5.0; for an average overall score of 5.0, or Excellent. A copy of the tally sheet, evaluations, and materials provided in the evaluation packet have been incorporated into the official minute file, labeled as Exhibit 8. VIII. CITY ATTORNEY UPDATE • Gathering information regarding Business Impact Estimates, which revised a new law pertaining to Ordinance adoptions as requested by Clerk Gamiotea. • Looking into options for Council review regarding Food Trucks. • Researching zoning opinions for the Glenwood Park multi -family development. Administrator Ritter responded to a status inquiry on the project, they need to go back to the Technical Review Committee due to changes from dorm style units back to apartment style units, as well as parking issues. • The Parking Use Agreement with Primitive Baptist Church is almost complete. • Working on changes to the FL Department of Transportation (FDOT) Traffic Light Maintenance Agreement. Administrator Ritter further explained the changes would be to give the maintenance back to FDOT. • Continuing to work on changes to the Code Enforcement Special Magistrate Ordinance. • An inquiry was asked about the City Commerce Center land sales. Administrator Ritter advised the closing on the portion of Tract A is being scheduled. Landmark PreCast, LLC has questions on the Sales Agreement and are in touch with the City Attorney. IX. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE • City Staff has been discussing moving to a digital cloud storage, and has reached out to companies to obtain prices. • In response to when the next Fiscal Year Budget would be ready, he answered big ticket items would begin being discussed at the next meeting, Budget Workshops will be in late July and through August. • Responded to the progress on the City Hall Hardening Project, advised the GeoTech Group was at City Hall on May 17 getting building specifics together to create engineered drawings. Construction documents are produced once the drawings have been rendered, then the construction bidding process can begin; construction needs to be started prior to June 2025. REVISED AS OF 512912024 DRAFT MAY 21, 2024, CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, PAGE 2 OF 3 X. COUNCIL COMMENTS • Council Member Chandler, glad to be here. • Council Member Jarriel reminded everyone to complete their Financial Disclosure Form 6 before the deadline in July. • Council Member McAuley stated he remembered Mayor Watford saying he did not give a 5.0 or perfect score to anyone on an evaluation; but had he been able to, he would have given Administrator Ritter a 6.0 for his work especially since February and his handling of the tragedy in the Public Works Department. Vice Mayor Clark appreciated Staff getting FDOT to change the traffic light timing, she's noticed a difference. Chief Hagan added, there used to be a 4 -second delay between a yellow to red light, but now there is only 2 -seconds; while it appears people are running the light, they are not. Council Member Chandler clarified drivers are safe when they have crossed the large white line into the intersection before the light turns red. XI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further items of discussion, Mayor Watford adjourned the meeting at 6:44 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. REVISED AS OF 5/29/2024 DRAFT MAY 21, 2024, CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, PAGE 3 OF 3