2024-07-16 Approved Official Minutes 405
rs�'oF'oKff`y� CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA
ALL ► mz JULY 16, 2024, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
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OFFICIAL MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Watford called the regular meeting of the City Council for the City of Okeechobee to order on July 16,
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 Pastor Doug Ryan of the Treasure Island Baptist
Church; followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Chandler.
II. ATTENDANCE
City Clerk Lane Gamiotea called the roll. Members physically present to establish a quorum: Mayor Dowling
R. Watford, Jr., Vice Mayor Monica M. Clark, Council Members Noel A. Chandler and Robert "Bob" Jarriel.
Council Member David R. McAuley attended electronically via Zoom.
III. AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
A. Mayor Watford announced the following requests for modifications to the agenda: Public Hearing title
should read for Resolution not Ordinance adoption; Exhibit 11 was added to New Business item A, and
correct the September 19, 2023 date to be September 17, 2024 for item D.
B. Council Member Chandler made a motion, seconded by Council Member Jarriel, to adopt the agenda as
amended.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
C. There were no comment cards submitted for public participation on issues not on the agenda.
IV. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
A. Mayor Watford and Public Works Maintenance Foreman Willie Hall recognized Mr. Wade Wheeler for
his years of service. He was presented a pen engraved with his name and a framed Longevity Service
Certificate. that was 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 28, 2019,
through May 28, 2024." A copy of the certificate and letter inviting Mr. Wheeler to the meeting, and any
benefit changes, were added to the Official Minute file, labeled as Exhibit 12.
B. Mayor Watford recognized Mrs. Lane Gamiotea for her years of service. She was presented a monetary
award and a framed Longevity Service Certificate, that was read into the record as follows: "In
recognition of your thirty-five years of service, hard work, and dedication to the City, its citizens,
and your fellow employees from July 14, 1989, through July 14, 2024." A copy of the certificate and
letter inviting Mrs. Gamiotea to the meeting, and any benefit changes, were added to the Official Minute
file, labeled as Exhibit 13.
C. Mayor Watford called for a November 5, 2024, General City Election to be held by reading the following
Proclamation into the record as follows, as presented in Exhibit 1: "Whereas, under and by virtue of
the provisions of the City of Okeechobee Charter, Code of Ordinances Chapter 26 titled Elections,
and FL State Laws, it is the duty of the Mayor to Proclaim and Call a General City Election at least
90-days prior to the date of holding such an Election. The Proclamation shall specify the Office(s)
to be filled, the cause of the vacancy of such Office(s), and the date of the expiration of the terms
of such Office(s); and Whereas, the City Clerk shall publish the Proclamation in the local
newspaper at least twice, once being in the fifth week; and once being in the third week, prior to
the week in which the General City Election will be held; and Whereas, qualifications to run for
Office(s) in the General City Election: Candidates must be a City registered voter; must have
resided continuously within the City Limits for at least one year preceding the date of filing to run
for Office(s); pay the required fees and file all required documents with the City Clerk during City
Qualifying Week, beginning at noon, August 19, 2024,through but not later than noon, August 23,
2024. Now,Therefore, I, Dowling R.Watford,Jr., as Mayor of the City of Okeechobee, FL do hereby
proclaim and declare that a General City Election be held on November 5, 2024, by the qualified
electors of the City who have registered to vote by October 7, 2024, for the purpose of electing
two City Council Members whose terms expire on January 6, 2025. The two Candidates with the
highest votes will serve as City Council Members for four years, beginning January 6, 2025, and
ending January 1, 2029, following such Election and until their successors are elected and
qualified.Voting for said Election shall be held from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M., on Election Day at the
City Voting Precinct;
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IV. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS CONTINUED
C. Continued. during Early Voting to be held from October 21, through November 2, 2024, at the
Okeechobee County Supervisor of Elections Office during the times to be established by the
Supervisor of Elections; or Vote-by-Mail as provided by State Law."
V. CONSENT AGENDA
Council Member Jarriel made a motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Clark to:
A. Dispense with the reading and approve the July 2, 2024, Regular Meeting Minutes [as presented in
Exhibit 2];
B. Approve the June 2024 Warrant Register [in the amounts: General Fund, $482,125.28; Industrial
Development Grant Fund, $107,812.68.00; Capital Improvement Projects Fund, $44,982.60; Public
Facilities Improvement Fund, $22,265.96; and Other Grant Capital Fund, $11,138.79; as presented in
Exhibit 3]: and
C. Approve the disposal and destruction of obsolete radios [as presented in Exhibit 4].
Motion Carried Unanimously.
VI. MAYOR WATFORD OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR RESOLUTION ADOPTION AT 6:19 P.M.
A. Vice Mayor Clark made a motion. seconded by Council Member Jarriel, to adopt proposed Resolution
No. 2024-02, providing the Residential Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Services Preliminary Rates,
the Assessed Cost for Services, and the estimated Assessment Rate for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 [as
presented in Exhibit 5].
City Attorney Greg Hyden read into the record the title of proposed Resolution No. 2024-02 as follows:
"A PRELIMINARY RATE RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FL; PURSUANT TO THE
SECTION 2.08 OF ORDINANCE NO. 784 RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF SOLID WASTE
COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL SERVICES; SETTING FORTH A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SOLID
WASTE SERVICES PROVIDED; DETERMINING THE SOLID WASTE ASSESSED COST FOR THE
UPCOMING FY; ESTABLISHING THE ESTIMATED ASSESSMENT RATE FOR THE UPCOMING FY;
AUTHORIZING AND SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER COMMENTS FROM THE
PUBLIC CONCERNING ADOPTION OF AN ANNUAL RATE RESOLUTION; DIRECTING THE CITY
ADMINISTRATOR TO UPDATE THE ASSESSMENT ROLL, AND TO PROVIDE NECESSARY
NOTICE THEREOF TO AFFECTED LANDOWNERS IN THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE; PROVIDING
FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE."There
were no comments or questions from the public.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
B. Council Member Jarriel made a motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Clark, to adopt proposed Resolution
No. 2024-03, providing the Residential Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Services Rates, continue
Imposition of the Assessment, and Certifying the Solid Waste Assessment Roll for FY 2024-25 [as
presented in Exhibit 6].
City Attorney Hyden read into the record the title of proposed Resolution No. 2024-03 as follows: "A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FL; RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF SOLID
WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL SERVICES; CONTINUING IMPOSITION OF THE SOLID
WASTE COLLECTION ASSESSMENT PREVIOUSLY ESTABLISHED BY RESOLUTION NO. 01-08;
ADOPTING THE ANNUAL RATE RESOLUTION AS PERMITTED BY ORDINANCE NO. 784 FOR FY
2024-25; APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY RATE RESOLUTION; AND CERTIFYING THE SOLID
WASTE ASSESSMENT ROLL AS AUTHORIZED BY THE FL STATUTES; PROVIDING FOR PUBLIC
HEARING AND COMMENT; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE." There were no comments or questions from the public.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
MAYOR WATFORD CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:24 P.M.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Mr. Gregg Maynard gave a presentation, with the support of several Veterans in attendance, requesting
to raise the Vietnam Era Helicopter (Huey) on display in Flagler Park Veterans Memorial Square and
potential funding to cover some of the expense. A one-page drawing of construction specifications to
construct a pedestal the Huey would rest on. Council Member Chandler made a motion, seconded
by Council Member Jarriel, to approve the concept to raise the Huey off the ground [as presented
in Exhibit 11]. Funding for the project will need to be discussed during the Budget Workshops, and the
design will need to follow the Flagler Park Master Plan.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
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VII. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
B. Council Member Chandler made a motion, seconded by Council Member Jarriel, to adopt proposed
Resolution No. 2024-04, revising the Rate Schedule for Commercial Solid Waste Collection and Disposal
Services for FY 2024-25 [as presented in Exhibit 7].
City Attorney Hyden read into the record the title of proposed Resolution No. 2024-04 as follows: "A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FL; REVISING THE COMMERCIAL RATE
SCHEDULE FOR SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL SERVICES WITHIN THE CITY OF
OKEECHOBEE FOR FY 2024-2025; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE."
Motion Carried Unanimously.
C. Council Member Chandler made a motion, seconded by Council Member McAuley, to approve the
maximum Millage Rate for advertisement for 2024 Tax Notices, Millage Rate of 6.7172 for budget year
[FY] 2024-25 [as presented in Exhibit 8].
Motion Carried 3 to 2,Vice Mayor Clark and Council Member Jarriel voting No.
D. Council Member Chandler made a motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Clark, to approve the budget
calendar for FY 2024-25, setting Workshops for August 6, and 20, 2024, following the Regular City
Council Meeting commencing at 5:00 P.M.; and first Budget [Public] Hearing for September 3, 2024, at
6:00 P.M. [or as soon thereafter as possible], during the Regular City Council Meeting, [Exhibit 9].
Motion Carried Unanimously.
Setting September 23, 2024, as the final Budget Public Hearing at 6:00 P.M. and rescheduling the
September 17, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting to be held the same date, was removed from the
motion as it was realized during discussion that Mayor Watford nor Council Member McAuley would be
able to attend. The matter of setting the final Budget Public Hearing date will be presented once a date
that the entire Council can be in attendance is coordinated. [Notation: see July 24, 2024, Called Special
Meeting Minutes.]
E. As instructed at the meeting on July 2, 2024, staff provided the topic of selling fireworks in the City for
discussion. A copy of the current regulations was provided in Exhibit 10. A page was distributed at the
meeting,to be added to the Exhibit, providing the FL Statute definition of fireworks. There was a majority
consensus of the Council to instruct the City Attorney to research and submit for the Council to
review at a future meeting, sample ordinances from like size municipalities that allow the sale of
fireworks.
VIII. CITY ATTORNEY UPDATE
• Amendments to the Commerce Center Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions are in the process
and/or review.
• Working on the wording for submitting an Attorney General Opinion related to changes to the food truck
regulations.
• Submitted to the City Clerk and Administrator for their review, a rough draft of amendments to the Code
of Ordinances based on the new Charter.
• Code Enforcement Staff reviewed and approved on July 10, 2024, the proposed amendments to the
Code Enforcement Special Magistrate Hearing regulations, an Ordinance will be presented to the Council
at a future meeting.
• The following items were read by Attorney Hyden as the information was provided to him. These have
been resolved and/or finalized: Business Impact Statement rule for City Clerk Gamiotea. Glenwood
Design Zoning opinion.Traffic Signal and Maintenance Agreement. Corrections to the Advanced Medical
Sanitation and Landmark Precast real estate contracts.
IX. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
• Enthusiastically distributed a copy of letter from South FL Water Management District, certifying the
completion and acceptance of the City's Environmental Resource Permit No. 47-108440-P within the
Commerce Center subdivision. This was a huge undertaking by Administrator Ritter, and congratulations
were rightfully extended by the Council.
X. COUNCIL COMMENTS
• Council Member Chandler noted he was glad he and his wife made it back from their trip.
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X. COUNCIL COMMENTS CONTINUED
• Council Member Jarriel asked for the last date the Millage Rate could be amended. Mayor Watford
responded, technically at the Budget Hearings.
• Council Member McAuley expressed his gratitude to Clerk Gamiotea for her 35 years to the City and
apologized for any issues he may have caused with having to attend via Zoom.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further items of discussion, Mayor Watford adjourned the meeting at 7:19 P.M.
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Submitted By:
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Lane Gamiotea, CM , 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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