1999-08-18 Workshop City/Cnty/OUABOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
304 NW 2ND STREET
OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
941-763-6441
941-763-9529 Fax
AGENDA
AUGUST 18, 1999
7:00 p.m.
CLIF BETTS, JR. - CHAIRMAN
JOHN W. ABNEY, SR. - 1ST VICE CHAIRMAN
GENE WOODS - 2ND VICE CHAIRMAN
George A. Long
County Administrator
CLOIS J. HARVEY
DAVID E. HAZELLIEF
John D. Cassels, Jr.
County Attorney
1. Fire Hydrants
When existing water mains (without fire hydrants) are replaced
or extended by the utility, should the cost to install and
maintain fire hydrants in the project area be borne by the
utility or the affected local government?
2. Fee Waiver
Should/can there be a reciprocal fee waiver agreement between
the utility and local governments?
3. Other
Any person deciding to appeal any decision by the BOCC with respect
to any matter considered at this meeting or hearing will need to
ensure that verbatim record of the proceedings is made and that the
record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal
will be based. County Clerk tapes are for the sole purpose of
backup from official records of the Clerk.
08/16/1999 11:0; 941-763-9529 BOARD OF COUNTY COM. PAGE 01
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OKEECHOBEE COUNTY
304 NW 2nd Street, Room 106
OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA 34972
(941) 7634"1
FAX: 763-1557
NAME LANE
TELECOPY
MESSAGE COVER SHEET
Please deliver the following page(@) to:
TITLE_DEP_M_RK
COMPANY CITY QF 12KEECHOSEE CITY
FAX NUM13ER:_763-168li
FROM
NAME_ D Uewls. D.C. TITLE Do Clerk
FAX NUMBER: 9411763-1557
Pot 'a -TT. " ' �1 •�l•t•1 •1 '� i'� 1=1 - :1 ♦i•.1. lLi• • 1. 1- �L'it
follow, Please advlW i%need_MMOno additional from us on session,
TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES ,"2L_ INCLUDING THIS COVER SHEET,
DATE SENT_JWJ"
Please call 9411763.6441 K you do not receive all pages
THANK YOU
08/16/1999 11:01 941-763-9529
BOARD OF CCUNTY COM. PAGE 02
The Okeechobee News
P.O. Box 639, Okeechobee, Floridaa 34973
(941) 763-31.34
Published Daily
STATE OF FLORWA
COUMiY OF OICEECHOBM
Before the uniddt 4md authority personally appeared
Judy Kastea, who on oath says she is Publisher of the Okeechobw
News, a DAILY Newspaper published at Okeechobee, in
Oksechobee County, Florida; that the attached copy of mWettise-
mmt, Wag a
�u b c /Vo4-(,, e
in the matter of
9j"
or...6
CIO c.-V f,..`.
�f►w.tvelow+.0
ZI t r
�„w.Mw.M�.A+wR
�w. taatr
ww r+ it w" Ww'
p
in the 19th Judicial District of the Circuit Court of Okeechobee
snow
�:w : �+ $''"a''
.04 r« d"
County, Florida, was published in said newspaper in the issues
aw go*
ow 16bo".
ow.w
Affnant further says that the said Okeechobee News is
a newspaper published at Okeechobee, in said Okeechobee
County, Florida, and drat said newspaper has heretofore been
published continuously io said Okeechobee County, Florida
each week sad has been entered as secmd class mail matter at
the post ofte in Okeechobee, in said Okeechobee County,
Florida, for a pe rid of one year next preceding the first
publication of the attncW copy of advertisement; and affiant
further says that she bail neither paid nor promised any person,
firm or corporation any discount, rebate, cornmissiott of refund
forthe purpose of secutitrg this adverth"ment for publication in
the said newspaper,
S o J"Iscribed before nut this
day of •t �' D. 19 9
Notary Public, State of Flo"at Largetge Hines
* *My CoMM M CC715604
Expues Mvch 91. 2002
I
OKEECHOBEE UTILITY AUTHORITY
P.O. Box 835
Okeechobee, Florida 34973-0835
June 18, 1999
Mr. Robert Bradshaw
City Administrator
City of Okeechobee
55 SE 3rd Avenue
Okeechobee, Fl. 34974
Re: Fire Hydrants
Tear Mr. Bradshaw:
(941)763-9460
FAX: (941) 763-9036
The Okeechobee Utility Authority, (OUA), is planning to install new water lines in several areas
within the city limits. The drawings of the new water lines are being completed at this time for
the following lines:
1. 8 inch water line along SE 4"' Street from Parrott Avenue to SE 41h Avenue
2. 8 inch water line along SE 4`h Avenue from alley north of SE 41h Street to SE 6"'
Street.
3. 8 inch water line along SW 2"d Avenue from alley north of SW 4th Street to SW
7"' Street.
4. 8 inch water line along SW 5t6 Street from Parrott Avenue to SW 2"d Avenue
The construction for the above water lines will begin as soon as possible. Fire hydrants could be
added to these lines during construction, at a reduced rate, provided the City agrees to pay the
cost to install the hydrants. If the City is interested in adding fire hydrants please let me know
within the next 30 days so they can be added to the drawings and bid documents.
OUA will be constructing additional water lines in the near future and will let you know of the
exact location when the information is available.
t.
Thank you for your assistance in this matter and please let me know if you need any additional
information.
Sincerely,
Landon C. Fortner, r.
Executive Director, OUA
Public Notice
There will be a joint workshop between members of the Okeechobee County Board
of County Commissioners, Okeechobee City Council and Okeechobee Utility
Authority on Wednesday, August 18, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. in the County Commission
Chambers, Courthouse, Okeechobee, Florida for the purpose of discussing matters
relating to the installation of fire hydrants.
Any person deciding to appeal any decision made by these boards/council with
respect to any matter considered at such meeting will need a record of the
proceedings, and that, for such purpose, he or she will need to ensure that a
verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record must include the
testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based.
Clif Betts, Jr., Chairman
Board of County Commissioners
Sharon Robertson, Clerk
Board of County Commissioners
Publish: Daily Okeechobee News
August 12, 1999
e
MINUTES OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
JOINT WORKSHOP SESSION
AUGUST 18, 1999
The Board of County Commissioners of Okeechobee County, Florida convened a joint
workshop session with members of the Okeechobee City Council and Okeechobee Utility
Authority (OUA) Board at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 18, 1999 in Commission Chambers,
Courthouse, Okeechobee, Florida.
Chair Betts presided with the following members present: Commissioners Hazellief,
Woods, Abney and Harvey. Also present were: County Administrator George Long, County
Attorney John Cassels and Deputy Clerk Debra Lewis.
Members of the Okeechobee City Council were present as follows: Mayor James Kirk,
Councilmen Noel Chandler, Robert Oliver and Dowling Watford. Also present were Okeechobee
City Administrator Robert Bradshaw and City Attorney John Cook.
Members of the Okeechobee Utility Authority (OUA) Board were present as follows:
Executive Director L.C. Fortner, Finance Director Jim Paul, Alternate members Melanie Anderson
and Carl Leonard, and members Monica Clark, Kim Collier, Steve Nelson and Elder Sumner.
.d
Also present was OUA Attorney Tom Conely.
Chair Betts called the meeting to order.
County Administrator Long announced that, in accordance with the Board's policy, he
and Commissioner Abney met with Okeechobee Utility Authority (OUA) Executive Director L. C.
Fortner and one (1) OUA staff member to discuss existing policy regarding the installation of fire
hydrants in areas currently served by water mains. Mr. Long advised that he and Commissioner
Abney concentrated specifically on attempting to encourage and convince OUA to take
responsibility for the installation of fire hydrants during the replacement and/or upgrade of existing
water utility lines.
Mr. Tom Conely, OUA Attorney, was recognized. Mr. Conely recommended that today's
discussion be divided into two (2) categories:
1. Existing Water Mains
2. New Construction of Water Mains
1
Mr. Conely requested additional information with regard to the number of hydrant
installations for which the Board of County Commissioners wished for OUA to take responsibility.
He further noted that the OUA Board was currently striving to maintain ' two (2) previously
established goals:
1. Upgrading utility services to residents; and
2. Expanding the customer base for utility services in Okeechobee County.
There was discussion between Mr. Conely and Commissioner Woods with regard to the
future of residential and business utility needs in Okeechobee County.
OUA Executive Director L.C. Fortner was recognized. Mr. Fortner provided details
relating to the installation process for water utility lines located along U.S. Highway 441 North
to Okeechobee High School in 1968.
Commissioner Woods stressed the importance of reaching an agreement for the
installation of hydrants as current lines are extended and/or upgraded.
Chair Betts requested that members of the OUA Board express their view(s) with respect
to the Board of County Commissioners' request for the installation of fire hydrants at the point of
replacing and/or extending water lines.
OUA Attorney Tom Conely recommended that City/County government agree to finance
the cost of installing fire hydrants and OUA assume responsibility for
repair/replacement/extension of water utility lines in Okeechobee County.
County Administrator Long provided detail relating to requirements of Seacoast Utility
Authority for the installation and/or maintenance of fire hydrants within its jurisdiction.
OUA Executive Director L.C. Fortner advised that he had received somewhat conflicting
information from Seacoast Utility Authority with regard to issues associated with costs to install
hydrants. Brief discussion followed regarding these matters.
There was added discussion between Mr. Fortner and Chair Betts with regard to the
strategic location of hydrants and the benefits of such to the process of flushing out existing lines.
In answer to an inquiry from Commissioner Woods, Mr. Fortner provided detail relating
to the installation of T-hydrants, as are found in the Buckhead Ridge area of Glades County.
2
Commissioner Harvey requested, and received from County Administrator Long,
clarification regarding fees charged by Seacoast Utility Authority for fire service lines. Discussion
followed between Messrs. Long and Fortner with regard to anticipated replacement of existing
fire hydrants along water utility lines.
OUA Member Edler Sumner was recognized. Mr. Sumner reminded all in attendance that
issues being discussed in this session were not contained in the initial policy established for
OUA. He further recommended these items be dealt with in a manner that would eventually lead
to an agreed modification of current policy.
City Councilman Dowling Watford was recognized. Councilman Watford recalled that
particular issues relating to hydrant installation had been addressed at a time when the City
owned the water department. He further reviewed policies and procedures for hydrant
installation, as were previously established by the City of Okeechobee.
Chair Betts initiated discussion regarding the possibility of OUA entering into agreements
with the City and County for the installation of fire hydrants during repair/replacement/extension
of water utility lines.
Commissioner Hazellief requested, and received from Mr. Fortner, details regarding two
(2) projects to be encountered by OUA in the near future. There was discussion between
Commissioners Hazellief, Abney and OUA Executive Director Fortner with regard to
anticipated scheduling, location and costs for such proposed improvements.
OUA Member Edler Sumner was recognized. Mr. Sumner requested, and received,
additional information prior to his recommendation for first resolving the dilemma of financing the
costs for hydrant installations. Commissioner Hazellief and Mr. Sumner discussed matters
relating to determining the needed number of hydrants and how to fund installation.
OUA Member Monica Clark was recognized. Ms. Clark advised the number of existing
hydrants for Okeechobee County as follows:
Two hundred forty (240) within the City of Okeechobee
One hundred twenty (120) within the unincorporated area of Okeechobee County
Chair Betts reiterated the County and City's initial request that fire hydrants be installed
simultaneous to water utility line upgrade or extension. There was brief discussion between Chair
Betts and Ms. Clark.
OUA Member Steve Nelson was recognized. Mr. Nelson requested the OUA Board be
afforded an opportunity to conduct a workshop session on this matter and return to the County
and City with recommended solutions.
OUA Executive Director L.C. Fortner stressed that OUA would not object to hydrant
installations and recommended that such activity be funded through special assessments. There
was discussion regarding this recommendation.
Mayor James Kirk was recognized. Mayor Kirk recited wording from the initial agreement
for OUA, dated December 02, 1997. There was discussion between Mayor Kirk and Mr. Sumner
with regard to recognized standards for hydrant location and placement, including the distance
established as acceptable between fire hydrants.
Commissioner Hazellief stated his feeling that this workshop session had proven to
encourage all involved parties to understand and establish similar priorities with regard to the
installation of fire hydrants throughout Okeechobee.
OUA Member Monica Clark was recognized. Ms. Clark recognized various problems
which she felt may arise in the future with regard to possible redevelopment of commercial
corridors. With regard to those concerns, Planning Director William Royce explained that
redevelopment involving changes of use would include reviews for various recommended
services, and would possibly result in petitioners assuming costs for utility line upgrades.
City Fire Chief Keith Tomey was recognized. Chief Tomey requested, and received from
OUA Executive Director Fortner, a proposed time frame of events for current proposed OUA
projects.
Mr. Clayton Williams was recognized. Mr. Williams supported the recommendation to
install fire hydrants during the upgrading/extension process for existing water utility lines. ,
Mr. Elder Sumner recognized the importance of identifying a specific source of funding
for hydrant installations and invited county and city representatives to attend future OUA
workshop sessions intended to address such issues.
n
Commissioner Abney emphasized the need for OUA to monitor resurfacing activities on
roadways which have been cut for the installation/repair/extension of water utility lines. Mr.
Fortner provided details with regard to the established procedure of OUA for cutting and repairing
roads for installation, repair or extension of water utility lines. There was brief discussion
regarding this matter.
County Administrator Long described the usual agreement format of utility companies
as they pertain to the waiver of fees, noting that bonding requirements will sometimes prohibit
such activity. During discussion, Mr. Fortner announced that OUA would waive fees for the
County/City whenever legally permissible.
4
There was discussion between Commissioner Hazellief and OUA Attorney Conely with
regard to requirements for providing water service to properties for which realtors may be acting
as an agent for the property owner(s).
Chair Betts requested, and received from Mr. Fortner, clarification with regard to accepted
procedure for providing water service to construction sites.
Members of the Board of County Commissioners thanked all in attendance for participating
in this workshop session.
There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned.
Board of County Commissioners
Okeechobee County, Florida
R
OZ? Clif Be s Jr., Chairman
Board of County Commissioners
Okeechobee County, Florida