2024-06-04 News Article 32 June 12,2024 I Lake Okeechobee News I SouthCentralFloridaLife.com
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DEBATE
No decision made on food trucks in the city Iimits\
By Cathy Womble leave each day. Several say I am disappointed. they should or some- pensing vehicle)shall the first option.
LAKE OKEECHOBEE NEWS of the council members The city council is sup- thing,"said Mayor operate on one parcel at The second option
OKEECHOBEE— said they intended for posed to be for the cit- Dowling Watford. the same time."He said was similar but estab-
Once again,food trucks the trucks to be tempo- izens."He added that City Administrator this could be changed lished a 60-day,one-
were a topic of discus- rary,but the ordinance he hoped the change Gary Ritter provided from two MFDVs to truck rule rather than
sion during the June 4 does not specifically would be to better the council with the one. a two-day,one-truck
city council meeting. address this. things and not extend ordinance as it is pres- In addition to this rule.
After the food truck One local business favoritism for people or ently written,and then change,he said the The third possibility,
ordinance was drafted owner,Joe Cruz,has other businesses. they went over some council could add that he said,would be to
and approved several two food trucks on "Like many of the possible changes. the trucks could not only allow food trucks
months ago,questions his property and was ordinances we have One possible change, stay on one parcel of in areas with industrial
arose about whether not happy to hear this passed,sometimes, he called the Two-day, land for more than 48 zoning.
the trucks could have might not be permit- we have to make One-truck rule. hours and must stay Finally,they could
permanent homes on ted if the ordinance is adjustments to them Right now,the away for a minimum of choose to leave the
privately owned prop- amended.During the after they go into effect ordinance states,"No 24 hours before return- ordinance the way it is
erty or if they would last city council,he because things didn't more than two MFDVs ing. • See Food trucks
need to pack up and said,"I kind of want to work like we thought (Mobile food dis- Those changes were on page 33
N. RETREAT
Veterans may get a residential treatment center
By Cathy Womble the council concerning Road and will be a fully This is more of a pri- will be no firearms used the council voted to
LAKE OKEECHOBEE NEWS a residential retreat encapsulated concierge vate approach involving in the program.It will designate 10 gear lock-
OKEECHOBEE center for transitioning service that provides service dogs and equine be a secure location ers,now located in the
—During the June veterans,first respond- access for first respond- therapy—more of a with staff on the prop- Public Safety Building,
4 Okeechobee City ers and law enforce- ers,veterans and law holistic approach,he erty at all times.They as surplus property and
Council meeting, ment officials. enforcement to receive explained.The length hope to could break donate them to Glades
Anthony Longo from If approved,the care and treatment that of each person's stay ground late in 2025 if County.In addition,
the Warriors Choice facility will be located is not readily accessible would depend on their everything is approved. two trucks will be sold
Foundation spoke to on Dark Hammock otherwise. individual need.There In other business, at auction.
DEVELOPMENT
Builders upset over proposed developer impact fees
By C.M. in June,during the tive with neighboring based its recommended median income in over the past two years
Schmidlkofer commission's May 28 counties offering lower fees on,builders and surrounding counties is coming to an end and
LAKE OKEECHOBEE NEWS meeting in LaBelle. housing prices and developers will flee the charging impact fees now things are starting
LABELLE—Ac- The proposed more amenities. county for neighboring was$60,000,with to slow.
cording to builders and impact fee schedule Builder Brian Quinn counties resulting in an homes starting at He said the county
building developers do- would start at 50% said he understands the opening for hedge fund $131,000 compared to was already under-
ing business in Hendry of the amounts set for need for impact fees developers to take over. a median home price performing its plan by
County,the adoption residential,industrial but considers them just "We don't have a of$390,000 in Hendry 200%to 300%,mean-
of a proposed developer and commercial builds, another tax. lot to offer people,so County.To qualify for ing its income will fall
impact fee ordinance increasing 10%each It would add$8 we're trying to bring a 7%loan for a Hendry short.
has put a decided year until reaching the million to his expenses people here to grow our County home an appli- With a$280 million
chill on the county's 100%mark. initially to build on community,"he said. cant needs a median in- fee schedule on the line,
growth trajectory. Speakers during the his properties,he said, "...Our only attraction come of$90,000 with a Svirk said anything less
Several had the public comment section but by the time he gets today is affordable pric- 10%deposit,which to than a meeting with all
opportunity to briefly said the fees were too permitting he'd end ing.People are driven him suggested perhaps the players is unfair.
share their thoughts on high,with local build- up paying the 100%at here because they have the county needed to LaBelle builder
the upcoming impact ers complaining they $16 million. nowhere else to live." hear from area develop- Mike Newell said he'd
fee ordinance,ex- wouldn't be able to He warned that Country Homes& ers and how they will like to see a study
pected to come before afford them and larger without a competitive Land Owner Chuck be impacted. with something not
the Hendry County developers saying the edge against surround- Svirk agreed with Svirk pointed out •See Impacs fees
Commission for a vote fees weren't competi- ing counties the study Quinn,saying the that the building boom on page 33
SouthCentralFloridaLife.com I Lake Okeechobee News I June 12,2024 33
HEAT INJURY
It's not the heat, it's the humidity. Ok, it's both
temperatures rise above have more body surface and long sleeve shirts if Even with the best take a cool bath.
By Dr.Adele de Vera 90(or 84 F with 70 area related to their children younger than heat preparation,it's Signs of heat stroke
The carefree days of percent humidity). weight,which means 6 months can't avoid important to watch include high body
summer without school Temperatures above they absorb more heat the sun. for overheating,as the temperature,hot red or
and schedules beckon 100F can be dangerous than adults do. •For children older combination of high damp skin,fast pulse,
children to go outside. for anyone. Some tips for out- than 6 months,choose temperatures and hu- headache,dizziness,
Pool,bicycles,play- The AAP does door survival when it's lightweight,lightly col- midity add up.Humid- nausea,confusion and
grounds! recommend limiting hot: ored breathable fabric ity makes it harder for passing out.If you
But with global sun exposure between •Look for shade, like cotton,but with the cooling evaporation suspect heat stroke,
warming,and this year, 10 a.m.and 4 p.m., whether at the park, a tight weave for UV of sweat to be effective, call 911,take the steps
El Nino,which pushes when the sun is stron- the pool or the beach. protection. so it feels hotter.The above and don't give
up global temperatures, gest.It can take babies •If there isn't shade •Drink water and Heat Index measures the person anything to
the National Weather and children up to two available,bring some fluids to avoid dehydra- how hot air tempera- drink.
Service outlook for weeks to acclimate to with an umbrella or a tion. tures really feels be- What's great about
summer 2024 predicts hotter temperatures, tent. •Plan for rest time. cause of humidity. Florida in the summer?
Florida temperatures so plan to gradually •Avoid draping a Heat can make people Signs of heat ex- Fewer seasonal visitors
will be warmer than increase outdoor time blanket over the stroller feel tired. haustion or heat-related and traffic competing
normal,particularly in as they transition from or car seat due to the •Cool off with conditions,which are for 663 miles of beach-
the hottest months of air conditioning to possibility of poor air water.Swimming or a generally related to an es.There's more time
July and August. outdoors. circulation and suffoca- cool bath help to keep excessive loss of water and room to check out
How hot is too This is especially tion risk. cool. and salt,include: cooling Florida springs,
hot for children to be important for infants, •Wide brimmed •Apply sunscreen High heat can cause take out a kayak,go
outside?The American who are less able to hats help protect that protects against dehydration,heat ex- tubing or scalloping,
Academy of Pediat- sweat to regulate their young faces and necks. UVA and UVB rays. haustion,heat cramps jump in a pool,turn
tics doesn't specify body temperature. Sunglasses protect •Stay informed and heat stroke,which on the sprinklers,visit
temperatures that are Children's bodies eyes from the sun and about the weather, is a medical emergency. a water park,go see
too hot for babies and haven't become very potential damage. as conditions change For any kind of heat a matinee movie,and
children to be outdoors. efficient at making use •Avoid overdressing. quickly and extreme distress,move to a cool enjoy ice cream or wa-
Experts do recommend of sweating for cooling, Choose lightweight and heat can lead to thun- place and put cool,wet termelon.
using caution when either.Also,children light-colored long pants derstorms. cloths on the body or
J lowed every rule to the who was complaining feel the ordinance does trucks are not perma- Clark was unable to
//F00d truck T,"he said.He believes and if it was the same not reflect the council's nent.They still have be at the meeting,and
•From page 32 they are only dealing person each time.He intention.He believes their tires and can be they wanted to wait for
with this because of added that anonymous all of the council mem- moved if needed. her input before making
now. complaints made by tips violated state law. bers did not plan for Councilman Bob decisions.Therefore,
Cruz,who owns anonymous people."I He asked the council to the food trucks to be Jarriel said he thought food trucks will be on
Manny's Sunflower want to know if some- be unbiased when they permanent."I never in when they made the the next agenda for
shop,spoke to the body is just harassing or made their decision. my wildest dreams an- ordinance,the trucks the meeting on July 2.
council again about if it's a couple people or Mayor Watford ticipated they would be would only be there for The meeting originally
the issue.Cruz has two a lot of people."During said he did receive a permanent,and it's our a few hours at a time scheduled for June 18
food trucks on his prop- the last meeting,he complaint.He said fault we did not make and there would be no has been canceled.
erty."I'm beginning questioned the council most of the things in that clear." benches or tables. As always,the
to like it up here,"he about complaints made the complaint have "I think we didn't After some discus- meeting is open to the
joked."I may run.You and was told the com- been corrected and his do the ordinance right sion,the council decid- public.It will be held in
never know." plaints were informal concerns about food in the first place,"he ed to take more time the council chambers in
He told the council and were not written trucks have nothing to said."I'm not doing to read and consider city hall at 6 p.m.
he thinks the ordinance down.Cruz said he did do with that complaint. this because someone the Florida Statutes
they have in place now not feel this was right They are revisiting the complained." regarding the issue.
is a good one."I fol- and wanted to know ordinance because they Cruz said the food Vice-mayor Monica
more infrastructure," example of the housing He lamented the way to pay for them. at the school district,
pact fees
•From page 32 he said."If we could let slowdown. county didn't reinstate Addressing the cities of Clewiston
the tax base grow just "As far as Heartland impact fees five years workshops that were and LaBelle and the
from 2022 because he a little bit more,I think Homes we pulled over ago,when today the expected to be held county.
doesn't think the num- it would probably work 150 permits last year," county would be far- with the area's builders Wills offered to meet
bers are right for today. better that way." he said."I met 30." ther along in its prog- and developers,Wills with anyone who want-
He said he builds in Heartland Homes' Vice Chair Mitchell ress instead of 20 years said that initially it was ed to discuss impact
six counties,including Kevin Burns blamed Wills said he had faith behind its neighbors. thought the county fees,although there
Hendry,and they all interest rates,saying in the county's project- The county needs a would hold two work- isn't much time left
have impact fees. his company is just ed growth and doesn't water and sewer plant shops earlier on in the before it comes to the
"But they have a now completing homes see a downturn in anticipated to cost$40 process,but instead it board for a vote.
lot more to offer and started in 2022,as an building in the future. million with no other offered public meetings