CITY OF LABELLE ANUARYII,2V24  REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING  CALLTO ORDER, INVOCATION. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  Vice-Mayor Akin called the regular commission meeting to order at 5:47 p.m. Members present were Commissioner Bobbie Spratt, Vice-Mayor Daniel Akin, Commissioner Jackie Ratica, and Commissioner  Hugo Vargas. Mayor Julie Wilkins was absent.  PUBLICI HEARINGS (PUD) REZONE  FINAL READING OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES 2023-23. 2023-24. 2023-25-LABELLE FRUIT CO. ANNEXATION. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT. AND PLANNEDUNITI DEVELOPMENT Commissioner Akin recused himself from the matter due tol his real estate agency handling the development.  Attorney Derek Rooney read all three ordinance title blocks into the record.  Josephine Medina, City Planning Staff summarized the property information and the requested actions to be taken. She noted the change to the conditions since the first reading which added that the property may be  subject to impact fees or capital assessments in the future.  Commissioner Vargas motioned to approve Ordinance 2023-23.  Commissioner Spratt seconded: the motion. There was no public comment. The motion carried. 3-0. Commissioner. Akin abstained from voting. Commissioner Spratt seconded. the motion. There was no public comment. The motion carried. 3-0. Commissioner Akin abstained from voting. Commissioner Spratt motioned to approve Ordinance 2023-25 Commissioner Vargas seconded the motion. There was no public comment. The motion carried. 3-0. Commissioner Akin abstained from voting.  Commissioner Ratica motioned. to approve Ordinance 2023-24.  FINAL READING OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE 2023-20 BOAT AND TRAILER CODE Josephine Medina, City Planner told the Commission of the changes made to the ordinance since the last public hearing. She explained that they had researched codes from surrounding areas and that the proposed Commissioner Vargas told the Commission that he liked Charlotte County's code on having recreational The Commission discussed removing the screening requirements, as well as the parking location oft the  AMENDMENT  ordinance was compatible with those researched.  vehicles in the front yard without screening were required to be parked on a driveway.  recreational vehicles.    Zane Mungillo, Code Enforcement Officer told the Commission that thè current code was enforceable, but  the proposed changes would have more leniency.  Attorney Rooney read the ordinance title block into the record.  Laurie Wells asked the Commission ifthere was any space available in the City for public storage.  Discussion continued on storage location in the front yard.  Commissioner Vargas motioned to approve Ordinance 2023-20 with the amendment that any vehicle parked in thej front yard must be parked in the driveway or afinished area and to remove the screening  requirement. Commissioner Spratt seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.  FIRST READING OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE 2023-26 MINI-STORAGE LAND DEVELOPMENT  CODE AMENDMENT  Attorney Rooney read the ordinance title block into the record.  Ms. Medina explained that the regulations were to assure aesthetic appearance and quality of development.  She noted that mini-storages would be required to meet commercial design standards.  There was no public comment. NON-PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS SABAL PALM COURT SPEED LIMIT  Jessica Gonzalez Property Manager ofTall Pines on Sabal Palm Court told the Commission of the speeding that occurs on1 the roads by the property. She noted that her main concern was for the safety ofthe minors that live in the area while they play outside. She requested lowering the spéed limit or adding more speed Lt. Allen Hudson ofl Hendry County Sheriff's Office told the Commission that the Deputies were going to  bumps.  make that area a priority.  There was then further discussion on how to discourage speeding ini the area, to see what improvements could be made to improve the safety of the children.  Superintendent of] Public Works Mitchell Wills told the Commission that they would take a look at the road  EENCEORDINANCE REVIEW DISCUSSION  Superintendent ofPublic Works Mitchell Wills asked the Commission for direction to clarify what type of fence would be allowed in front yards. He told the Commission ofa few houses that had fences that were in question with board fencing facing out with metal wire fencing behind the wood boards that had not been permitted. There was discussion on the primary material of the fence and what the finish should be on the face ofthe fence. There was then conversation about the gates at the subject houses and their material. Clay Howard of Clay Howard Fencing addressed the Commission about what kind of fence materials were permitted in front yards. There was then conversation on updating the fence code and permitting process.  2    Commissioner Vargas expressed his concern that the fences were built without permits being pulled.  There was briefconversation on the allowed height of fences in the front yard.  Ms. Crespo told the Commission that the code would need tol be revised chapter by chapter in order to Attorney Rooney recommended that no action be taken until it was clarified what the Commission's Conversation continued. on revising the code and the need for permits for the constructed fences.  simplifyit.  interpretation of the fence code was in relation to the materials in the frontage.  The matter was tabled until further review of the code could be performed.  PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS  Shendeya Thomas of] Ford and Sunset Community addressed the Commission with concern about the roads int the community that remained unpaved for many years. She asked that the City pave the roads. She also told the Commission oft the flooding that occurred on Sunset Drive, and Kissimmee Avenue. Commissioner Vargas asked Superintendent Mitchell Wills to update the Commission on the road improvement plans for the community. Mr. Wills explained that the bidding process would begin the following month and that the drainage needed to be addressed before the newi roads were put in. Attorney Rooney explained that the majority of the roads in the City ofLaBelle were developer-built. Some subdivisions were not completed due to the developer's lack of funds. He explained that water, sewer, and  stormwater needed to be updated in the community before the roads were constructed. Diane Brown told the Commission how her commute was affected by the dirt roads.  Attorney Rooney then explained that the costs of construction were very high and suggested creating an Mitchell Wills told the Commission that there were two streets ready to. be paved once the bidding process Diane Brown told the Commission that it was very frustrating but she appreciated what the current Vice Mayor Akin told the residents that the planning for that community had been listed as a legislative  assessment district to help accelerate the process.  was completed. He told the residents that the drainage still needed to be addressed.  Commission was working towards.  priority.  CONSENT AGENDA discussion.  Commissioner Ratica asked to pull the fire department staff report and the code enforcement staff report for  Commissioner Spratt motioned. to approve the remainder ofthe staffreport.  Commissioner Vargas seconded the motion.  The motion carried 4-0.  3    There was then discussion on how the City ofLaBelle could be reimbursed for fire calls that the LaBelle Fire Zane Mungillo, Captain of Safety and Training for the LaBelle Fire Departmènt told the Commission that Commissioner Ratica commended Code Enforcement Officer Zane Mungillo.on his implementation ofthe Attorney Rooney said that. he would reach out to Jennifer Davis once Chief Stevens gave him specific  Department has responded to outside of the district. there was no written mutual aid agreement. Dockwa software for the City docks.  details.  Commissioner Spratt motioned to approve the two pulled reports.  Commissioner Vargas seconded the motion..  The motion carried 4-0.  BUSINESS BY COMMISSIONERS  Commissioner Spratt explained why the Commission raised the millage rate. She told the Commission that Commissioner Ratica told the Commission of a meeting she had earlier that dày with L.K. Nandam of Commissioner Akin then told the Commission ofl his meeting with Mr. Nandam as well. There was then discussion on the routes that FDOT had presented to the Commission at previous meetings. Rene Pratt of] Harold Curtis Honey Company told the Commission that the traffic problems were caused by the trucks and thel bridge. She also told the Commission how they needed to preserve the oak trees on Main Leonard Enriquez also expressed his concern about where the new traffic patterns would fall. Discussion Commissioner Vargas told the Commission of events he had attended in the past month. He then told the Commission of ai resident who had reached out to him asking about the maintenance ofa canal bordering her property. It was determined that the canal was a regulatory floodway, but staff was going to look further into the matter. Commissioner Vargas then asked for an update on the property that was performing horticulture recycling. Attorney Rooney explained that they had reached out to ask for an extension for one oft the conditions. Commissioner Vargas also updated the Commission on the happenings at the Economic Development Council. He told the Commission that he wanted to put stipulations on the funds provided to There was continued conversation about the maintenance of the ditch from earlier discussions. Nikki Yeager told the Commission of the parade the Community will be having on Martin Luther King Jr. A change order was presented as a walk-on agenda addition. Superintendent Wills explained to the Commission that the changes were needed to get the paving done in the neighborhood where the septic to  she wanted tol be sure that the public could see that the money was being used wisely.  FDOT.  Street., There was also conversation on a truck bypass.  continued on a truck bypass route.  Barron Library annually.  Day.  sewer conversion was being done.  4    Gracie. Morton told the Commission that the: funds would come out ofa a contingency fund for the project.  Commissioner. Ratica motioned to approve the change order of$93,884.30.  Commissioner. Akin second The motion carried 4-0.  Vice-Mayor Akin told the Commission about the Septic to Sewer Workshop that was tol be scheduled for February 8, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. He also briefly updated the Commission on the Recreation Board activities. Kelly Boone asked the Commission about prohibiting trucks from using the air brakes. Attorney Rooney Commissioner Spratt asked Laura Constantino of] Four Waters Engineering how long it would take for the roads to be paved after the septic to sewer project. She informed the Commission that she was going to Commissioner Vargas noted that the Commission was not on the same page foras solution to the! FDOT  noted that there were State laws inj place regulating the use oft the brakes.  request a. paving date from the contractor.  bridge project. Discussion continued on the FDOT proposed changes.  Commissioner Spratt motioned to adjourn. Commissioner Ratica seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m.  APPROVED:  DoAa COMMISSIONER DANIELAKIN, VICE-MAYOR  Attest:  GOAvo Abouz JESSIZUBATM DEPT.CITYCLERK  5