2024-06-04 Official Minutes 397
,..oKy; CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA
LLW JUNE 4, 2024, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Watford called the regular meeting of the City Council for the City of Okeechobee to order on June 4,
2024, at 6:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers, located at 55 Southeast 3rd Avenue (AVE), Room 200,
Okeechobee. Florida (FL). The invocation was offered by Council Member McAuley; followed by the Pledge
of Allegiance led by Mayor Watford.
II. ATTENDANCE
City Clerk Lane Gamiotea called the roll. Members present to establish a quorum: Mayor Dowling R. Watford,
Jr., Council Members Noel A. Chandler, Robert"Bob" Jarriel, and David R. McAuley. Vice Mayor Monica M.
Clark was absent with consent.
III. AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
A. There were no requests for modifications to the agenda.
B. Motion and second by Council Members Jarriel and McAuley to adopt the agenda as published.
Motion Carried.
C. There were no comment cards submitted for public participation for issues not on the agenda.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
Motion and second by Council Members Chandler and Jarriel to:
A. Dispense with the reading and approve the Minutes for May 21, 2024 [as presented in Exhibit 1];
B. Approve rescinding part of the action taken on May 21, 2024, Consent Item V.C., to dispose of a 2003
Chevrolet Pickup Truck; approve the disposal of a 2003 Ford F-150 Super Cab 4x4 Pickup Truck, and
surplus both Trucks using Insight Auction [as presented in Exhibit 2]; and
C. Approve 10 gear lockers located in the Public Safety Building as surplus property and donate them to
Glades County.
Motion Carried.
V. MAYOR WATFORD OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:02 P.M.
A. Motion and second by Council Members McAuley and Jarriel to read by title only, proposed Ordinance
No. 1275, adopting Land Development Regulations (LDR) Text Amendment Application No. 23-002-TA,
revamping the Stormwater Management regulations within Chapter 78 of the Code of Ordinances [as
presented in Exhibit 3].
Motion Carried.
City Attorney Greg Hyden read into the record the title of proposed Ordinance No. 1275 as follows: "AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FL; AMENDING PART II OF THE CITY OF
OKEECHOBEE CODE OF ORDINANCES, SUBPART B LDRS, WITHIN CHAPTER 78
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, BY SPECIFICALLY AMENDING ARTICLE IV STORMWATER
MANAGEMENT, AS SUBMITTED IN LDR TEXT AMENDMENT APPLICATION NO. 23-002-TA;
PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE."
Motion and second by Council Members McAuley and Chandler, to adopt proposed Ordinance No. 1275.
Mayor Watford opened the floor for public comments, there were none. Roll Call Vote: Chandler—Yea,
Clark—Absent, Jarriel—Yea, McAuley—Yea, Watford—Yea.
Motion Carried.
B. Motion and second by Council Members Jarriel and Chandler to read by title only, proposed Ordinance
No. 1289, adopting Application No. 24-001-CPA, updating the Five-Year Schedule of Capital
Improvements to the Comprehensive Plan [as presented in Exhibit 4].
Motion Carried.
JUNE 4, 2024, CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, PAGE 1 OF 3
398
V. PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED
B. Continued. City Attorney Hyden read into the record the title of proposed Ordinance No. 1289 as follows:
"AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FL, UPDATING THE FIVE-YEAR SCHEDULE
OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS OF THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AS MANDATED BY FL
STATUTES SECTION 163.3177(3)(b); PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.-
Motion and second by Council Members Chandler and Jarriel, to adopt proposed Ordinance No. 1289.
Mayor Watford opened the floor for public comments, there were none. Roll Call Vote: Chandler—Yea,
Clark—Absent, Jarriel—Yea, McAuley—Yea, Watford—Yea.
Motion Carried.
MAYOR WATFORD CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:11 P.M.
VI. NEW BUSNESS
A. Mr. Anthony Longo of Jupiter, FL gave a presentation on the Warriors Choice Foundation, a proposed
residential treatment center to be built in the Northwest (NW) area of the County, for Veterans and First
Responders. Housing will be on premises, the length of treatments are based on the individuals' needs,
roughly ranging from five days to six weeks. Firearms will not be allowed on the premises. It will be staffed
24-hours a day, 7-days a week, including cameras and security. The Foundation is hoping to break
ground in the third quarter of 2025, after acquiring property and completing the permitting process. The
Council extended their support for the endeavor.
B. Motion and second by Council Members Jarriel and McAuley to read by title only, proposed Ordinance
No. 1290, adopting Abandonment of Right-of-Way (R-O-W) Petition No. 24-001-SC that will vacate a
portion of NW 5th AVE between NW 9tt, Street (ST) and the Railroad, submitted by Jay and Stephanie
Walpole [as presented in Exhibit 5].
Motion Carried.
City Attorney Hyden read into the record the title of proposed Ordinance No. 1290 as follows: "AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FL; VACATING, AND ABANDONING A PORTION
OF NW 5TH AVE (FORMERLY KNOWN AS OSCEOLA ST) BETWEEN BLOCKS 46 AND 47,
OKEECHOBEE,ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 5, PAGE 5,
PUBLIC RECORDS OF OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, FL, AS SUBMITTED IN ABANDONMENT OF RO-
W PETITION NO. 24-001-SC; PROVIDING FOR RESERVING UNTO THE CITY, ITS SUCCESSORS
AND ASSIGNS A NON-EXCLUSIVE EASEMENT FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES PURPOSES; PROVIDING
FOR DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO RECORD THE ORDNANCE IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF
THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT IN AND FOR OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, FL; PROVIDING FOR
CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Motion and second by Council Members Jarriel and Chandler to approve the first reading, and set July
2, 2024, as the final Public Hearing date for proposed Ordinance No. 1290. Roll Call Vote: Chandler—
Yea, Clark—Absent, Jarriel—Yea, McAuley—Yea, Watford—Yea.
Motion Carried.
C. The Council deferred discussing Food Truck regulations and possible amendments [as presented in
Exhibit 6] to the June 18, 2024, meeting due to Vice Mayor Clark's absence, which was then later
deferred to July 2, 2024, during Council Comments. However, the floor was opened for any comments.
Administrator Ritter read four options for the Council to consider. A copy of the document will be
distributed for Council to review. The document has been added to Exhibit 6.
Mr. Jose Cruz of Manny's Sunflowers and Roses Shop and Gift addressed Council regarding the benches
on his property for customers to sit while waiting for their Food Truck order. It was his understanding that
complaints have been made to Code Enforcement. There is no record of who placed the complaints then
cited Florida Statute 162.21(3)(b) which states Code Enforcement complaints may not be investigated if
they are anonymous. Mayor Watford clarified the complaints he originally received have been addressed
and remedied. His concern is the permanence of Food Trucks on properties. Mr. Cruz pointed out the
Taqueria Yanez Food Truck attends multiple events hosted on other properties and the La Granja Food
Truck is not a permanent structure because it has its'tires and is not on blocks.There are other properties
within the City Limits with Food Trucks that never move but are closed on the weekends. He asked how
the number of consecutive days is calculated and whether closing for a certain number of days would
satisfy that issue. He ended by adding, his flower shop and the Food Trucks add market competition to
the area's other businesses, which is beneficial for both the town's businesses and citizens.
JUNE 4. 2024. CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING. PAGE 2 OF 3
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VI. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
D. A presentation was given by Finance Director India Riedel to review high level proposed budget items
for upcoming Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 and beyond. A copy of the PowerPoint was distributed at the
meeting and has been incorporated into the official minute file, labeled as Exhibit 7. There were no
objections to the project/purchases presented. However, the consensus of the Council was to spend as
much money on road repairs as possible in FY 2024-25. Related to road repairs, Administrator Ritter
stated the City Attorney is reviewing the Covenants for the Commerce Center.The City should have been
collecting an assessment from the property owners to place into a fund for maintenance to that area's
infrastructure.The Council agreed this should be enforced.The matter will be included in a future meeting
for approval.
VII. CITY ATTORNEY UPDATE
• For the City Commerce Center: Working on the tax revenue sharing proposal, Declaration of Covenants
and Restrictions, and an amended Master Development Agreement was signed May 30, 2024.
• Continuing to gather information regarding Business Impact Estimate Statements, which revises a new
law pertaining to Ordinance adoptions as requested by Clerk Gamiotea.
• Looking at alternative parking options for possible revisions to Food Truck regulations.
• Researching a Zoning Opinion for the Glenwood Park multi-family development.
• Gathering information to create a comprehensive ordinance amending the Code based on the new
Charter. Once compiled, this information will be sent to Clerk Gamiotea and Administrator Ritter.
• Working on changes to the FL Department of Transportation (FDOT) Traffic Signal Maintenance
Agreement to give the maintenance back to FDOT.
• Provided a copy of proposed amendments to the Code Enforcement Special Magistrate Hearing
regulations for Staff's review on May 1, 2024.
VIII. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
• Gave Council a"heads up"regarding an email he sent to Waste Management advising them of yard debris
and tree trimmings being placed in the City's R-O-W and stormwater drainage areas. Citizens are having
a problem with the 4-cubic feet yard debris carts since they have been accustomed to all debris being
picked up via the clam shell.
IX. COUNCIL COMMENTS
• Council Member Chandler congratulated Mayor Watford on recently being honored as a recipient of the
2024 Home Rule Hero Award.
• Council Members McAuley and Jarriel stated they would be absent from the June 18, 2024, meeting. In
light of this information Mayor Watford suggested the Food Truck discussion be postponed until all
Council Members are able to attend.
X. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further items of discussion, Mayor Watford adjourned the meeting at 7:57 P.M.
Submitted By:
Lane G miotea, 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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