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2024-09-30 Official Minutes • • p"t"" `- CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA ``'>_ ' :04 SEPTEMBER 30, 2024, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND ` ..` FINAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING FOR FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2024-25 igi door -4.%1.0. OFFICIAL MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Watford called the regular meeting of the City Council for the City of Okeechobee to order on September 30, 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 Mayor Watford; 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 David R. McAuley. III. AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS A. There were no requests for modifications to the agenda. B. Vice Mayor Clark made a motion, seconded by Council Member McAuley, to adopt the agenda as published. Motion Carried Unanimously. C. There were two citizens who addressed the Council on items not on the agenda. Mr. Paul Hiott, Veterans Services Representative for Okeechobee County distributed business cards and a flyer for a Veterans Town Hall and Resource Fair to be held at 11:00 A.M. on October 23, 2024, at Okeechobee's Indian River State College(IRSC)campus,which will be attended by representatives from the Federal Veteran's Affairs St. Petersburg Office, and Our Village Okeechobee; the doors open at 10:00 A.M. Since Mr. Hiott took the current position,700 Veterans have been seen in the local doctor's office, about 200 claims have been placed, around 700 incomingphone calls received, and roughly 1 100 000.00 has been recovered 9 Y$ , by local disabled Veterans. The Mayor and Council thanked him for the update and his service. Mr. Luis Valdez, the State Director for Gun Owners of America, addressed the Council regarding Emergency Ordinance No. 1297 that the City Council adopted prior to Hurricane Helene. He quoted FL Statute (FS) 870.043 within the Ordinance and noted it is for riots. The City's official statement about the Emergency Declaration released earlier today did not cover all the issues Ordinance No. 1297 presented. FS 870.042 requirements must be met before the sections stated in the Ordinance could be enacted. Additionally, the State's Conceal Carry Law recently adopted pre-empts portions of the FS quoted in the Ordinance. The City could be liable, up to$5,000.00 per Council Member and Chief of Police, should the City be sued. Mr. Valdez offered to train City staff on current gun laws to help avoid situations like this in the future. Mayor Watford thanked him and responded it was a mistake, and assured him this would not happen again. IV. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS A. Mayor Watford proclaimed the month of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month; Exhibit 1. The Proclamation was presented to Mr. Jonathan Bean, Executive Director of Martha's House and was read into the record as follows: "WHEREAS, domestic violence is a crime threatening the safety and lives of hundreds of residents of Okeechobee, women, men, teenagers and children, directly or through the traumatic experience of living with it at home; and WHEREAS, victims of domestic are found in every race, culture, and socioeconomic strata of our community, and the cost to our community in lost time at work, increased emergency services, missed days at school, increased medical bills, and other economic and social costs makes domestic violence a community health issue; and WHEREAS, the City of Okeechobee is taking a proactive stance to counter domestic violence through partnerships between Martha's House, Okeechobee's only certified domestic violence center, law enforcement, school programs, and more; and WHEREAS, in the past year Martha's House has provided emergency services to more than 790 residents, including over 4,121 bed nights in shelter, 923 hotline calls, 810 safety plans, 764 survivors; and WHEREAS, domestic violence is condemned as not only a crime, but as a travesty in an advanced society such as ours, from the President of the United States, Congress, the Governor and legislature of FL, to the Okeechobee City Council. 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 October 2024, as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Okeechobee in recognition of the suffering the Victims of Domestic Violence endure,and the important work done by Domestic Violence Programs and victims' service providers. I urge all citizens to become involved in ending this crime by participating,not only in October, but all year long, in the works, events, and programs sponsored by Martha's House and other community organizations to work toward the elimination of violence against women and girls." OFFICIAL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 30,2024,CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING&FINAL BUDGET HEARING FOR FY 2024-25,PAGE 1 OF 4 • V. CONSENT AGENDA Council Member Jarriel made a motion, seconded by Council Member McAuley to: A. Dispense with the reading and approve the Minutes for September 11,2024, [as presented in Exhibit 2]; B. Approve the August 2024 Warrant Register [in the amounts of: General Fund, $680,293.42; Public Facilities Improvement Fund, $17,288.29; Other Grant Capital Fund, $15,166.55; Capital Improvement Projects Fund, $13,754.80; and Industrial Development Grant Fund, $675.00; as presented in Exhibit 3]; C. Approve the sale of two Police vehicles [declared as surplus equipment] to the Okeechobee County Sheriff Office (OCSO) [as presented in Exhibit 4]; and D. Cancel the November 5, 2024, Regular Meeting. Motion Carried Unanimously. VI. MAYOR WATFORD OPENED THE FINAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING FOR FY 2024-25 ORDINANCE ADOPTION AT 6:24 P.M. A. Mayor Watford announced the purpose of this Public Hearing is to consider the final reading of ordinances for the proposed Millage Rate levy and proposed Budget for FY October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. B. Mayor Watford announced the proposed Millage Rate levy represents 5.69 percent more than the roll- back rate of 5.8286 computed pursuant to FS 200.065(1). C. Council Member Jarriel made a motion, seconded by Council Member Chandler, to read by title only, proposed Ordinance No. 1293, levying a Millage Rate of 6.1602 on all real and tangible personal property for proposed FY October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025 [as proposed in Exhibit 5]. Motion Carried Unanimously. City Attorney John Fumero read into the record the title of proposed Ordinance No. 1293 as follows: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FL; LEVYING THE AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE RATE FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES ON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY WITHIN THE CITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF STATE LAW FOR THE FY BEGINNING OCTOBER 1,2024 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,2025; PROVIDING THAT 6.1602 PER THOUSAND DOLLAR VALUATION SHALL NOT BE LEVIED ON HOMESTEAD PROPERTY; THAT 6.1602 VALUATION SHALL BE USED FOR GENERAL CITY PURPOSES; THAT SAID MILLAGE RATE IS 5.69 PERCENT MORE THAN THE ROLL-BACK RATE OF 5.8286 COMPUTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH FS 200.065(1); PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE." Council Member Chandler made a motion, seconded by Council Member Jarriel, to adopt proposed Ordinance No. 1293. No comments or questions were offered from the public. Roll Call Vote: Chandler—Yea, Clark—Yea, Jarriel—Yea, McAuley—Yea, Watford—Yea. Motion Carried Unanimously. D. Vice Mayor Clark made a motion, seconded by Council Member McAuley, to read by title only, proposed Ordinance No. 1294, adopting the annual Budget for FY October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025 [as proposed in Exhibit 6]. Motion Carried Unanimously. City Attorney Fumero read into the record the title of proposed Ordinance No. 1294 as follows: "AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AN ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FL; FOR THE FY BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2024, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2025; APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR OPERATING EXPENSES OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE FOR THE GENERAL OPERATION OF THE SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS OF THE CITY AND OTHER FIXED OBLIGATIONS OF THE CITY FOR AND DURING THE FY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT AND SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE." Council Member Jarriel made a motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Clark, to adopt proposed Ordinance No. 1294. [The "Budget Book" that accompanies the Ordinance lists the specific line items for the revenues and expenditures of each Fund, and notable changes within each Department Budget. The following content is being noted for documentation as the annual salaries, job titles, number of employees within each job title and any increases in salaries have historically been provided within the Budget Book with further explanations in the Minutes. At the July 2, 2024, Meeting, the Council instructed staff to prepare this FY Budget to provide a 4 percent Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) to all the employees excluding the Mayor and Council, whose salary increases were addressed as provided in the City Charter. They also agreed to change the employee salaries from a Merit Based Plan to a Position Grade Assignments Plan as outlined in the Evergreen Solutions Compensation Study. OFFICIAL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 30,2024,CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING&FINAL BUDGET HEARING FOR FY 2024-25,PAGE 2 OF 4 • • VI. FINAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED D. Continued. At that meeting, the Police Department's request was approved to make the following personnel changes: promoting one Lieutenant to Major and one Officer to Corporal. Since then, another position has been added to the Police Department Budget, an IT Technician. The page with the Grade Assignments and Job Titles for each Grade is included at the end of the Budget Book. In addition to ensuring all positions had a starting salary that was competitive with surrounding areas, the Compensation Study provided recommendations to address the disparity within the salaries including total longevity, longevity within the current job title, education, and duties within the job descriptions. One particular recommendation the staff highlighted for the Council to act on at the July meeting was the Class Parity. However, due to the costs to implement those salary increases in one FY, the Council chose to spread the cost over three years. The salaries for the 22 positions identified in the Study were increased by 33 percent of the total recommended amount in this FY. This amount, with the 4 percent COLA has been incorporated on the last page of the Budget Book and provides for each Position Grade Assignments, the Minimum annual and hourly salary, the Midpoint annual and hourly salary, the Maximum annual and hourly salary, the Range Spread percentage and the Midpoint Progression percentage. No merit increases were approved for this FY. However, Employee Performance Evaluations will still be conducted. The 22 positions identified whose salary included the 33 percent Class Parity are: the Accounts Supervisor; the City Clerk; the Deputy City Clerk; the Executive Assistant; the Finance Director; the Human Resources Generalist; two Maintenance Operators, one Police Dispatcher; the Police Lieutenant; 11 Police Officers/Detectives; and one Police Sergeant.] No comments or questions were offered from the public. Roll Call Vote: Chandler—Yea, Clark—Yea, Jarriel —Yea, McAuley—Yea, Watford—Yea. Motion Carried Unanimously. MAYOR WATFORD CLOSED THE FINAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:28 P.M. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. Vice Mayor Clark made a motion, seconded by Council Member McAuley, to approve the First Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement [with OCSO] for Animal Control Services [as presented in Exhibit 7]. Motion Carried Unanimously. B. Council Member McAuley made a motion, seconded by Council Member Chandler, to approve the Software Maintenance Contract with Avenu Enterprise Solutions, LLC for the Computer Assisted Special Assessment (CASA) Software for one year with the option to continue for two additional years [as presented in Exhibit 8]. Motion Carried Unanimously. C. Council Member Jarriel made a motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Clark, to approve the Agreement with Lenslock for the purchase of, and online services for, 14 body-worn cameras at a cost of$49,445.00[and authorize Chief Hagan to execute the Agreement, five year term with annual automatic renewals thereafter, as presented in Exhibit 9]. Motion Carried Unanimously. D. Vice Mayor Clark made a motion, seconded by Council Member Jarriel, to approve the purchase of four, 2023 Dodge Charger Police Pursuit Vehicles [from Woody Folsum Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Georgia] at a cost of$35,200.00 each, as presented in Exhibit 10]. Motion Carried Unanimously. E. Council Member McAuley made a motion, seconded by Council Member Jarriel,to approve the purchase of an Elgin Broom Barger Streetsweeper from Sourcewell [in Minnesota] in the amount of$287,000.00 [as presented in Exhibit 11]. Motion Carried Unanimously. F. Council Member Chandler made a motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Clark, to approve an Encroachment Agreement with Ray Arrants for the South 30-feet of Lots 6 and 12 of Block 28, FIRST ADDITION TO SOUTH OKEECHOBEE, Plat Book 1, Page 17, Okeechobee County public records [as presented in Exhibit 12]. Motion Carried Unanimously. G. Council Member Jarriel made a motion, seconded by Council Member McAuley, to approve Piggyback Agreement Addendum No. 7 with Okeechobee Medical Providers, Inc. to continue medical services with Treasure Coast Medical Associated which is based on the same rates as last year [as presented in Exhibit 13]. Motion Carried Unanimously. OFFICIAL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 30,2024,CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING&FINAL BUDGET HEARING FOR FY 2024-25,PAGE 3 OF 4 • ! VII. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED H. Clerk Gamiotea learned the Okeechobee Economic Council would not be hosting a second Political Forum this year as they normally do, which then provides City Candidates the opportunity to participate. Since the City hosted a Political Forum for the Special Election, staff asked Council for direction. Unfortunately, the costs to host such an event were not readily available, the City Clerk's staff is awaiting responses from WOKC Radio Station to broadcast it live, a local DJ to provide the sound equipment, and the Okeechobee County School Board Freshman Campus for availability. All Council Members were interested in hosting the Forum should the logistics work out. Attorney Fumero advised the two Council Members who are involved in the Election should abstain from voting on this matter. Council Member Jarriel made a motion, seconded by Council Member McAuley to approve hosting a Political Forum for the 2024 City General Election. Motion Carried Unanimously,with Vice Mayor Clark and Council Member Chandler abstaining*. [The Political Forum was not held due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and the limited dates available to hire the DJ and WOKC]. VIII. CITY ATTORNEY UPDATE • Working on revisions to the pending Park Hours Ordinance. Mayor Watford inquired about following West Palm Beach's lead and make it illegal to sleep in parks. City Attorney Fumero advised West Palm was considering sleeping as loitering, and that the City could do the same. • Reviewing the CW Roberts Piggyback Agreement and making necessary corrections. • Compiling information regarding the proposed Recreational Marijuana Amendment. Mayor Watford asked about the Amendment's effective date to guarantee sufficient time to adopt the required ordinance, as the City would need time for two readings and advertising, and reminded all the November 5, 2024, Meeting is now cancelled.Attorney Fumero advised he would verify the effective date of the Amendment to ensure it was adopted timely. • Continuing to work on the Fire Services Agreement. • Working on the IT Contract renewal. IX. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE • The City received the funds from the land sale (Commerce Center Lots 17, 17A, and 17B) to Landmark Precast, LLC. • The Piggyback Agreement with CW Roberts will be presented at the October 15, 2024, Meeting, along with the list of priority streets. • Will be presenting at the Central Florida Regional Planning Council on October 9, 2024. • Will be attending the Treasure Coast Regional League of Cities meeting at the Indian River State College Williamson Center on October 16, 2024, followed by the presentation to the Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class at City Hall. X. COUNCIL COMMENTS • Council Member Chandler conveyed we should all pray for those who were devastated by Hurricane Helene. • Council Member Jarriel asked for there be at least one Department update at the next Council Meeting. • Council Member McAuley advised that his family in North Carolina fared well throughout Hurricane Helene, but he still has some friends who are unaccounted for. XI. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Watford adjourned the meeting at 7:04 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. *Note:A copy of the Memorandum of Voting Conflict Form for New Business item H completed by Vice Mayor Clark and Council Member Chandler is on file in the Office of the City Clerk. OFFICIAL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 30,2024,CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING&FINAL BUDGET HEARING FOR FY 2024-25,PAGE 4 OF 4