2024-10-15 Official Minutes 426
,+N CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA
► OCTOBER 15, 2024, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
.•' OFFICIAL MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Watford called the regular meeting of the City Council for the City of Okeechobee to order on October
15, 2024, at 6:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers, located at 55 Southeast(SE) 3rd Avenue(AVE), Room
200, Okeechobee, Florida (FL). The invocation was offered by Emmaline Harris of Joseph's Outreach
Ministries, Inc.; followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Chandler.
II. 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 Council
Member David R. McAuley.
III. AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
A. Mayor Watford announced the following requests for modifications to the agenda: withdraw New
Business item "C," and add New Business item "H," Ordinance No. 1298, Exhibit 10.
B. Council Member Jarriel made a motion, seconded by Council Member Chandler, 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 proclaimed the week of October 21 through 27, 2024, as FL City Government Week;
Exhibit 1.The Proclamation was provided to City Clerk Gamiotea to mail to the FL League of Cities, and
was read into the record as follows: "WHEREAS, city government is the government closest to most
citizens and the one with the most direct daily impact upon its residents; and WHEREAS,
municipal government provides services and programs that enhance the quality of life for
residents, making their city their home; and WHEREAS, city government is administered for and
by its citizens and is dependent upon public commitment to and understanding of its many
responsibilities;and WHEREAS,city government officials and employees share the responsibility
to pass along the understanding of public services and their benefits; and WHEREAS, FL City
Government Week offers an important opportunity for elected officials and city staff to spread the
word to all citizens of FL that they can shape and influence this branch of government; and
WHEREAS, the FL League of Cities and its member cities have joined together to teach citizens
about municipal government through a variety of activities. 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 the week of October 21 through 27, 2024, as FL City Government Week in the
City of Okeechobee supports and encourages all FL city governments to actively promote and
sponsor FL City Government Week."
B. Mayor Watford proclaimed the week of October 25 through November 2,2024,as Mobility Week; Exhibit
2. The Proclamation was provided to City Clerk Gamiotea to be mailed to Carmen Gonzalez of the FL
Department of Transportation (FDOT), and was read into the record as follows: "WHEREAS, Mobility
Week is a cooperative effort by the FDOT and its partner agencies to promote awareness of safe,
multimodal transportation choices by hosting an annual collection of outreach events; and
WHEREAS, Mobility Week is an ideal time for counties, cities, and transportation agencies to
highlight transportation achievements, roll out new initiatives, and/or implement new policies
promoting multimodal transportation; and WHEREAS, Mobility Week is an opportunity for
individuals to explore how various active travel choices like walking, biking, riding transit or
carpooling reduces traffic congestion and can be excellent alternative travel choices; and
WHEREAS, since inception more than 1,000 Mobility Week events have been held statewide with
over 500,000 safety materials to improve safety of people; and WHEREAS, during Mobility Week
2023, over 220 workplaces and 1,000 Floridians recorded almost 18,000 trips through
carpool/vanpool, biking, transit, and walking; and WHEREAS, Mobility Week is consistent with
the City of Okeechobee's key priorities of exploring how active and various travel choices like
walking, biking, riding transit, or carpooling reduces traffic congestion and can be excellent
alternative travel choices.
OFFICIAL MINUTES OCTOBER 15,2024,CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING,PAGE 1 OF 5
427
IV. PESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS CONTINUED
B. Continued. 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 the week of October 25 through
November 2, 2024, as Mobility Week in the City of Okeechobee and encourage all citizens to
explore transportation options available to them and to participate in Mobility Week events."
V. CONSENT AGENDA
Vice Mayor Clark made a motion, seconded by Council Member McAuley to:
A. Approve the September 2024 Warrant Register [in the amounts: General Fund, $665,150.37; Capital
Improvement Projects Fund, $129,458.23; Public Facilities Improvement Fund, $22,470.78; and Other
Grant Capital Fund, $21,686.12; as presented in Exhibit 3];
B. Approve the temporary closure of a portion of Southwest (SW) 4th Street(ST) between 5th and 6th AVE
from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. on October 31, 2024,for the Fall Festival as submitted by First Baptist Church [as
presented in Exhibit 4]; and
C. Approve the temporary closure of a portion of SW 2nd AVE between North (N) and South (S) Park ST
from 9:00 A.M.to 3:00 P.M.on November 11, 2024, for the Veterans Day Service as submitted by Thank
You For Your Service [as presented in Exhibit 5].
Motion Carried Unanimously.
VI. MAYOR WATFORD OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ORDINANCE ADOPTION AT 6:07 P.M.
A. Council Member Jarriel made a motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Clark, to read by title only, proposed
Ordinance No. 1295 revising Lots 4 through 5, TAYLOR CREEK MANOR, Plat Book 3, Page 4, [0.534
acres±] from Single-Family Residential (SFR) to Commercial (C) on the Comprehensive Plan Future
Land Use Map (FLUM), Application No. 24-001-SSA submitted by Chris Ossa, PE, Kimley-Horn and
Associates, Inc. [as presented in Exhibit 6].
Motion Carried Unanimously.
City Attorney John Fumero read into the record the title of Ordinance No. 1295 as follows: "AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FL; AMENDING THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, ORDINANCE NO. 635 AS AMENDED, BY REVISING THE FLUM ON A
CERTAIN TRACT OF LAND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN FROM SFR TO C;
APPLICATION NO. 24-001-SSA; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION OF ORDINANCE AND REVISED
FLUM IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE."
Council Member Chandler made a motion, seconded by Council Member Jarriel, to adopt proposed
Ordinance No. 1295.
City Planner Ben Smith, Morris-Depew Associates, Inc., 2914 Cleveland AVE, Ft. Myers, FL, attended
electronically via Zoom and presented the Planning Staff's findings, together with the Planning Board's
review on September 19, 2024, both are recommending approval. The subject property is located at 102
SE 8th AVE. There is a coordinating Rezoning Petition No. 24-001-R, that will be considered on tonight's
agenda, New Business item "A." Should the Council approve this FLUM change to C, the most
appropriate type of zoning would need to be considered. The decision on this item and the Rezoning
Petition hinges on whether the applicant will move forward with Special Exception Petition No. 24-005-
SE, to be heard by the Board of Adjustment to allow a drive-thru service in a Heavy Commercial Zoning
District (CHV) for the subject property together with Lots 1 through 3, located at 100 SE 8th AVE. The
applicant initially submitted Special Exception Petition No. 24-003-SE for only Lots 1 through 3. It was
withdrawn based on the Board of Adjustment feedback. In order to include Lots 4 and 5 in Petition No.
24-005-SE, the change to the FLUM and Rezoning were required. A real estate transaction is pending
for Lots 1 through 5, to construct a 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee Shop. There were no comments from the
public.
Roll Call Vote: Chandler—Yea, Clark—Yea, Jarriel—Yea, McAuley—Yea, Watford—Yea. Motion
Carried Unanimously.
MAYOR WATFORD CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:17 P.M.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Vice Mayor Clark made a motion, seconded by Council Member McAuley, to read by title only, proposed
Ordinance No. 1296 amending Lots 4 through 5, TAYLOR CREEK MANOR, Plat Book 3, Page 4, from
Residential Multiple Family(RMF)to CHV on the Zoning Map, Petition No. 24-001-R submitted by Chris
Ossa, PE, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.to develop the property into a new 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee
Shop [as presented in Exhibit 7].
Motion Carried Unanimously.
OFFICIAL MINUTES OCTOBER 15,2024,CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING,PAGE 2 OF 5
428
VII. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
A. Continued. City Attorney Fumero read into the record the title of Ordinance No. 1296 as follows: "AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FL; AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF
THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE BY REZONING A CERTAIN TRACT OF LAND MORE PARTICULARLY
DESCRIBED HEREIN, FROM RMF TO CHV; PETITION NO. 24-001-R; AMENDING THE ZONING
MAP ACCORDINGLY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING
FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE."
Vice Mayor Clark made a motion, seconded by Council Member McAuley, to approve the first reading,
and set November 19, 2024, as the final Public Hearing date for proposed Ordinance No. 1296.
City Planner Smith presented the Planning Staffs findings. This Petition is for the same property as the
previous approved Public Hearing item "A.," Ordinance No. 1295, Application No. 24-001-SSA. There
were no comments from the public.
Roll Call Vote: Chandler—Yea, Clark—Yea, Jarriel—Yea, McAuley—Yea, Watford—Yea. Motion
Carried Unanimously.
B. Ms. Alexandra Tijerina, Director of Existing Industry with Okeechobee County Economic Development
Corporation (OCEDC), gave a Fiscal Year (FY) end 2023-24 update including a 22 slide PowerPoint
presentation which was added to the Official Minute file, labeled as Exhibit 11. Ms. Tijerina advised
OCEDC undertook 13 new projects and assisted four privately owned Industrial Parks. They hosted a
Grand Opening for Slim Chickens, bringing 60 new jobs to Okeechobee, and a New Business Blitz Day
which was attended by 13 local business owners. OCEDC completed a Lodging Study by partnering with
the City and Central FL Regional Planning Council. There are 26 projects still active.The scope of these
projects includes housing, aviation, industrial, manufacturing, commercial, and agriculture; with an
estimated capital investment of$139,000,000.00 and 470 new jobs.
OCEDC started a Business Retention and Expansion Program (BREP) which is a complimentary
resource connecting local companies with solutions to sustain and accelerate their operations and
growth. BREP's main goals are to aid with issues which could force a company to fail and close, prevent
companies from relocating to a new community, and to assist existing industries to grow their business
and add jobs.
The BREP offers workforce development programs for the local youth. These programs include: the
Okeechobee High School's Career and Technology Education program which allows students to attain
future career knowledge while earning high school credits; courses range from 911 Dispatch, Fire and
Emergency Services, and Nursing. The Okeechobee Junior Leaders Summer Camp is a weeklong
program built around introducing soft skills and leadership initiative into our future workforce as early as
possible. Students are hosted,daily, by local businesses while also completing group projects with fellow
campers. On the last day, each group presents their"new business" project and a graduation. OCEDC
partners with the Education Foundation of Okeechobee and Children's Services Council of Okeechobee
County to provide a$24,000.00 grant which aided in the stipend received by the students. Two students
from last summer's camp even launched their own online business ForeverFlowers863, which is a floral
bouquets company. Then, the Touch a Truck program provides an early career exploration event open
to the community.
A Re-Entry Job Fair was held at the Indian River State College Okeechobee Campus, which was co-
hosted by CareerSource Heartland and the FL Department of Corrections, with more than 13 employers
in attendance. Ms. Tijerina closed by stating these programs and events are only possible due to the
support from the community and local businesses, and thanked the City for their yearly participation.
C. The Fire Services update was withdrawn as Fire Chief Wooten was unable to attend.
D. Mr. John Hayford, Executive Director for Okeechobee Utility Authority (OUA), gave a projects update,
noting many of them are the same as the last. Pine Ridge Park is almost complete,the SW section/Eagle
Bay Drive sewer extension is estimated to be completed by the Spring of 2025, and the OUA is applying
for $2,500,000.00 in grants to help offset the costs for SW 5th AVE sewer extension, which is a
$7,500,000.00 project. They are currently working with the Army Corp of Engineers on the extension to
Okee-Tantie with the hope of also closing out the project in the Spring of 2025. The Taylor Creek Isles
project, connecting 15 homes to the OUA service, is set to be completed in November. Treasure Island
is a larger project, broken into three sections, with construction set to begin early next year. The OUA is
expanding their service within the King's Bay subdivision. In closing he announced his new Assistant
Director was hired recently.
Vice Mayor Clark inquired about the reason for the Boil Water Notice that was issued prior to Hurricane
Milton.
OFFICIAL MINUTES OCTOBER 15,2024, CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING,PAGE 3 OF 5
429
VII. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
D. Continued. Director Hayford explained it was a precautionary measure to allow customers to know in
case lines break or the pressure drops, and was rescinded as soon as it was possible. The reason it
seemed so early was due to the fluctuation in the storm's landfall projection. Director Hayford also
responded to questions related to various properties located outside City Limits.
Administrator Ritter added the OUA does not get enough credit for work completed behind the scenes.
They have gone above and beyond with Park ST Commerce Center by working with the developer, even
though they are not required to. He thanked Director Hayford and his staff for seeing the end game and
working together to help the growth of our community.
E. General Services Director Patty Burnette gave a department update on current/present projects.The City
received more permitting fee revenues than what was actually projected for the FY 2023-24 Budget.
Calendar year totals for the number of building permits issued to date are approximately 100 less
compared to this time last year. However, it is anticipated that several projects that did not get submitted
or finalized will be processed in FY 2024-25.
Glenwood Manor is a two City block multi-family development in the Northeast (NE) section. Their most
recently revised Site Plan, that has been reviewed by the City's Technical Review Committee features
20 total units on each block(five buildings, each containing four units), no other amenity type buildings,
and no on-street parking will be needed. Their architect is currently working through the City's Building
Official and Planner's comments and adjustments to submit building permits soon. The final re-plat of a
portion of the OKEECHOBEE subdivision to be titled Mallard Landing, a 103 single-family subdivision
within the Northwest section, is anticipated to be submitted soon.Within the City Commerce Center: Lots
17, 17A, and 17B recently sold to Landmark Precast, LLC. They have submitted a Joinder Application
for the three Lots. Westlake Royal Roofing is expanding and constructing additional storage facilities on
their property.
The building permits were submitted but put on hold for the Culvers restaurant and a carwash in the Park
ST Commerce Center[16-acre commercial subdivision along NE Park ST]. In just the last few days, the
developer obtained the necessary documents from the Army Corp of Engineers and reached an
agreement with the owners of the RaceTrac Truck Stop to connect into their wastewater master lift
station. Once the developer submits the revised Master Site Plan, these two pending permits can be
processed. Site plans that are reviewed/pending review are: Dr. Syed's office building extension [510 N
Parrott AVE]; Detox of South FL[608 NE 2nd AVE] is expanding its facilities on property to the south they
recently purchased; Mavis Tire and Brakes, to be located [in the 1700 block of S Parrott AVE] south of
the [formerly named] Porters dry cleaners; and the previously mentioned Special Exception Petition for
a 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee Shop [at SE 8th AVE and NE Park ST].
Other projects include a new building for Haven of Rest Church located at SW 2nd ST and SW 7th AVE;
construction of several new homes; the final required documents were recently received to process the
First Methodist Church's Right-of-Way Abandonment Petition; and two Bids, the City Hall Hardening
project and the SE 8th ST Drainage project.
F. Council Member Jarriel made a motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Clark, to approve a [three year term,
retroactive to August 29, 2024, through August 28, 2027,] Piggyback Agreement [with Okeechobee
County]with C.W. Roberts Contracting, Inc., for paving services [as presented in Exhibit 8].
Motion Carried Unanimously.
G. Council Member McAuley made a motion, seconded by Council Member Jarriel, to approve a Renewal
Engagement Letter with Gabriel, Roeder, Smith and Company for[two years]actuarial services [relating
to the Governmental Accounting Standards Board 75 Other Post-Employment Benefits for Fiscal Years
ending September 30, 2024, and September 30, 2025, by using the "Alternative Measurement Method"
as presented in Exhibit 9].
Motion Carried Unanimously.
H. ITEM ADDED. Council Member Chandler made a motion, seconded by Council Member Jarriel, to read
by title only, proposed Ordinance No. 1298 [as presented in Exhibit 10].
Motion Carried Unanimously.
Attorney Fumero read into the record the title of Ordinance No. 1298 as follows: "AN ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FL, REPEALING EMERGENCY ORDINANCE
NO. 1297 IN ITS ENTIRETY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE."
OFFICIAL MINUTES OCTOBER 15,2024,CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, PAGE 4 OF 5
430
VII. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
H. Continued. Vice Mayor Clark made a motion, seconded by Council Member Jarriel, to approve the first
reading, and set October 28, 2024, as the final Public Hearing date for proposed Ordinance No. 1298.
Roll Call Vote: Chandler—Yea, Clark—Yea, Jarriel—Yea, McAuley—Yea, Watford—Yea. Motion
Carried Unanimously.
VIII. CITY ATTORNEY UPDATE
• Continuing to work on the pending Park Hours Ordinance. Advised Palm Beach passed an Ordinance
stating "no sleeping" in public parks, but it has yet to be tested.
• C.W. Roberts Piggyback Agreement was finalized tonight.
• Researching Emergency Ordinances and their procedures.
• Looking into legal opinions for Board of Adjustment and rezonings.
• Still compiling research on Amendment 3 for possible Council action.
IX. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
• Gave kudos to staff in the wake of Hurricane Milton, especially the Public Works staff, for their work pre
and post storm, and thanked the Mayor, Chief Hagan, and Major Taylor for attending all Emergency
Operation Center meetings.
• Reminded staff about the Interlocal Agreement with the County for debris pickup. Russell Rowland with
Okeechobee County oversees this coordination effort.
X. COUNCIL COMMENTS
• Council Member Chandler noted his agreement with Administrator Ritter's comments pertaining to the
staffs hard work.
• Council Member Jarriel stated he set 11 bags of oak tree storm debris by the road and it was gone by
Friday.
• Council Member McAuley advised the Treasure Coast Regional League of Cities' meeting was
postponed to November 20, 2024.
• Vice Mayor Clark advised the Hospice Boots and Pearls fundraiser was postponed to November 9,2024.
She also cautioned for everyone to beware of air conditioning and appliance issues that can be caused
by power surges through usage of generators.
Xl. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Watford adjourned the meeting at 7:18 P.M.
Submitted By:
Lane Gamiotea, C C, 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.
OFFICIAL MINUTES OCTOBER 15,2024,CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, PAGE 5 OF 5