1985 Fire
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A G R E ENT
By, and under, the authority vested in those here undersigned; it is
recognized and affirmed that there exist this agreement between
CITY OF OKEECHOBEE and FR . for the
purpose of providing mutual aid rec ly in the event that either fire
department experiences a condition of f , or other disaster that requires
fire department service that exceeds the capability of the forces of the
stricken area,. district, or municipality which is a party to this agreement.
A copy of a Vehicle Response Schedule is marked Exhibit "A" and 4,%tacbed here-
to and made a part hereof by this refere a as though set out here in full.
However; it,is recognized and agree by all parties, that no party to
this agreement shall be expected, or req red to provide mutual aid, if such
shall cause the lack of adequate protect` e'forces and equipment for the pro-
tection of the subject area, district, o municipality.
It is further agreed, that no party this agreement shall be held
liable by the other to any degree, for failure to provide mutual aid, or for
any act arising out of having provided such aid.
* Additional agreements continued on erse.
Mayor, City of Okeechobee an, Board,of County Commissioner
' ~a_15-8y' y-a.S-SAS
Date Date
- ire Chief 6= City of 0 eechobe Fire Chlef (•onty o eechobee
Date Date
i
* Additional agreements agreed her t by both parties:
When a department responds to a request for mutual aid
' it shall come under the Jurisdiction of the requesting
department and government and all p sonnel and equipment
shall be deemed to be in the employ of that department
and government for purposes of paym at for injuries to
'people or equipment.
Y
i
After discussion, Councilhan Watford moved t approve the change order. Councilman
Chapman seconded the motion. Motion carried.
The fifth change order: Increase the force main from a 6" line to an 8" line to accomodate
certain areas for future use, the cost $7,155.
Mr. Broome stated this was for Council's information only at this time, no decision needed
to be made.
Director Fortner stated there was a request for first payment from. Widell and Associates
in the amount of $21,307.18 subject to FmHA's approval.
Councilman Watford moved to approve the payment. Councilman Chapman seconded the motion.
Motion carried.
Administrator Fellows stated, "In response to Councilman Knight's request to check into the
plans of State Road 70, we received a letter back from the D.O.T. indicating the district has no long
range plans for converting Highway 70 into a major cross Florida highway. We do however, have near
term plans within the next 5 - 7 years to reconStruc ost of Hghway 70 within St. Lucie County.
- In response to Councilman Chapman's question concerning the sand falling into the ditch near
the nursing home, the contractor has stated they we coming back to clean the ditch out.
- We have received a letter from the EPA that the City has received an additional grant of
$137,409.00 on the Sewage Treatment Plant which in eases the City's grant to a total $1,477,109.00
which needs to be voted on by the Council to accept he grant".
Councilman Watford moved to accept the grant, Councilman Knight seconded the motion.
Andy Rubin asked where the funds would bed osited. Administrator Fellows answered, "The
construction fund."
Motion carried.
- Administrator Fellows stated the City was notified of their eligibility for a grant in the amount
of $165,000. of Inovative and Alternative Treatment t be available in 1987-88.
Attorney Conlon stated that he had the contra t between Okeechobee Beachwater and the City,
but he had a couple of questions, adjustments to tall. over with Administrator Fellows and Director 01
Fortner.
The completed contract will be brought before ouncil for approval January 7, 1985.
Councilman Chapman -made a motion to appro the Warrant Registers in the amounts of
$27,552.79 and $19,015.50 for the Water and Sewer F d, $13,829.61 for the General Fund.
Councilman Thomas seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Councilman Thomas asked Superintendent Elders about the status of the signal lights at the
main intersection of town.
Superintendent Elders stated the loop detectors were on order and should be in anytime.
Councilman Watford stated, "I have something t at I would like to bring up. We have talked a
long time about the city and County Fire Departments, there is all kin d of talk about consolidation,
that might come about, thats up to the Council, nex year you can do what you want to, but this is my
last shot at this so I have to take it. One thing tha as concerned me since I first came on the Counci
is that we do not have a mutual agreement with the ounty. So several months ago I began trying to
work out one and this is what I came up with. Everyone has looked at it, I don't know if Chief Tomey
has any comments to make on it, I don't know. It i something that everybody could live with. The
County Commissioners could live with it and so could we. Basically what it says is: if there is a
fire that the City cannot handle they can call the County Fire Department and they will respond. If
there is a fire that the County cannot handle they i 1 call the City Fire Department and we will
respond. There is one good clause in it in the second paragraph which say: "However, it is recognized
and agreed by all parties that no party to this agree ent shall be expected to or required to provide
mutual aid if such shall cause a lack of adequate protected forces and equipment for the protection
of the subject area, district, or municipality." In other words, if they call Keith to come to a fire at
Bassinger, and he says that will leave the City unprotected, he does not have to respond. It does
say that we will respond every time they call us. T one thing that really got me thinking about
this is when we annexed the nursing home into the City. That could be of course a disaster. I
think the County has the same thing with the hospital. I think this is a good first step and some-
thing that I think we should act on. Mr. Chairman, I would like to move that we approve this agree-
ment and present it to the County Commissioners for their approval."
Chief Tomey stated that there had never been a ything in writing but there was a verbal
agreement between the Fire Departments, and state that he did not have anything against the
agreement being approved.
Councilman Chapman seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Councilman Watford stated, "Gentlemen, before I leave, I would like to encourage the Council
to work on several problems that I think we have w r ed on and that will continue to face the City.
One is the solution to the Twenty-Five Thousand Do 1 r Homestead Exemption, people tend to forget
about that. When the Legislative delegations begin meet, I hope that is one item that you would
present to them.
I would also like to encourage you to appoint another member in January to the- Central
Florida Regional Planning Council. It is very impor a t, I think, for the City to remain a member
of the Central Florida Regional Planning Council.
The third thing is, I had another call today in ft s dog situation. A former Councilman used
to kid me when I came on here and he would ask m 'Hey, what are you goirg to do about these
dogs", I thought he was kidding me, but I can see now, after four years up here, that it is a con-
tinuing problem and I hone that something can '-)e va K-ed out there.
If I may have a few personal moments, IVir Chairman, I would like to thank all of the
Citizens that have allowed me to serve up here. I would like to thank the Department Heads, I
really appreciate all of the work that they 'do and all of the support and cooperation they have given
me, and the Employees, I think we have probably the best employees and department heads and I
include the Staff. I would like to thank the Council for putting up with me. I know sometimes I
am a little hard headed. Even Donald Burk when he as on here, and especially the Mayor, because
the mayor has put up with a lot of my foolishness arid my procedural rules and this type of things,
I think it is very, although it makes me wonder that - how the election turned out you know, if
somebody that sued the City and got a settlement frorn the City and somebody that apparently cannot
decide what they majored in in College could get elected to the City Council, I still think our
political system is probably the greatest system going, but it saddens me when I see things occur that
are unprofessional and things that are done to manipulate the outcome of the election that just
saddens me. But I do wish the winners and this Cou it the best of luck and there will be many
problems that the City is goinng to have to face in a near future and they will require some very
hard answers. I'm just relieved that I won't have to ear that responsibility. Although I will still
continue to follow what goes on.
There were two things that happened in the election that somewhat upset me, because I felt
they were personal attacks against me. When people ay something against the Council it usually
doesn't bother me, but when things are said that I take as a personal afront I can't help but respond,
I apologize to the Council that I have to do this in a council meeting, but I will have no other chance
to do it. Mr. Rubin made the comment in an article in the Miami Herald, Sunday, December 2nd,
and I will read his quotation: "I have a better attend ce record at Council meetings than the
encumbents". I would just like to clarify that - that i incorrect. He did not have a better attendance
record at the Council meetings than I do and I resent that remark. The second one I would like
to comment on is a quote Mr. Collins' comment and I will quote him: "I have the welfare of the City
more in mind than the people who are seeking re-ele ion." I would be more than happy or willing
to match my civic and church activities against any o ys and I think I can best rebut that