CITY OF LABELLE REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING MARCH09,2023  CALLTOORDER  Commissioner Daniel Akin, Vice Mayor, called the regular March meeting oft the City ofLaBelle Commission to order at 5:39 p.m. A roll call was taken. Members present were Commissioner Hugo Vargas, Commissioner Bobbie Spratt, Commissioner. Jackie Ratica, and Commissioner Daniel Akin. Mayor Wilkins  was absent.  NON-PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS LDRC SPECIAL EVENTS REQUESTS  Kelly Boone from the LaBelle Downtown Revitalization Corporation (LDRC) addressed the Commission to  ask permission to continue with the events that the LDRC holds annually.  Commissioner Vargas motioned to approve the special event requests by the LaBelle Downtown  Revitalization Corporation. Commissioner Spratt seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.  OPEN DISCUSSION NON-PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS) There wasi no public comment on non-agenda items.  Attorney Derek Rooney then asked Vice Mayor Akin when during the meeting he could bring forth additional agenda additions. Vice Mayor Akin stated that he could do SO after the public hearings. PUBLICI HEARINGS, ORDINANCES. RESOLUTIONS. ACTIONI ITEMS PROPOSED ORDINANCE 2022-13 KMJ INVESTMENTS PUD AMENDMENT  Attorney Rooney stated that the item had been continued until the April regular Commission meeting. PROPOSED ORDINANCE 2023- AMENDING THE LDC IN) REFERENCE TO FENCES  Attorney Rooney read the title of the proposed Ordinance into the record. height in the front yard ofai residential property without requiring a variance.  Alexis Crespo explained that the proposed amendments to the code would allow for a fence up to six feet in There was discussion on the materials that the fencing could be made of. Ms. Crespo clarified that ift the changes were approved, ai masonry wall or chain link fence would be allowed to be up to six feet in height Commissioner Vargas noted that the resident that had requested the code change to allow: for a six-foot high fence had already erected the fence prior to the approval of the code change. There was brief discussion on Zane Mungillo, Code Enforcement Officer noted that the resident did obtain aj permit for the fence in discussion and that the permit did state that a: four-foot fence would be built. Het then explained that the fence had not had a final inspection from the Building Official. He explained that once the permit expired in six months or had a final inspection it would be considered a code violation. Discussion continued on how the  without a variance.  whether or not the fence had gone through the permitting process.  fence was not in compliance with code.  1    Commissioners Vargas and Ratica expressed their desire tol keep the height restriction for fences in front Mitchell Wills addressed the Commission to agree that the referenced six-foot-tall fence was clearly not in Commissioner Spratt requested that Mr. Mungillo contact the homeowner to inform him that the fence was Commissioner Akin stated that he believed homeowners should be allowed to do what they would like on  yards at four feet. Commissioner Spratt agreed.  compliance with the code. non-compliant.  their property, but limits should be placed.  Commissioner Vargas made ai motion to deny proposed Ordinance 2023-02.  Commissioner Ratica seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.  RESOLUTION 2023-06 SETTING FEES FOR CITY DOCKUSAGE Attorney Rooney listed the fees established by the proposed fee schedule.  Zane Mungillo clarified that no more than six calendar days in ai month were permitted for dock slip usage. There was discussion oni ift the amount to be charged would be enough to cover maintenance fees on the dock  and ift the fees were comparable to what other docks charge.  Mr. Mungillo then explained to the Commission how the software would function.  Commissioner Ratica motioned to accept Resolution 2023-06. Commissioner Spratt seconded. the motion. The motion carried 4-0.  MECHANICAL INTEGRITY TESTING (MIT) FOR DEEP WELL INJECTION  Attorney Rooney explained to the Commission that the testing was a requirement from FDEP for the consent order and that ifthe Commission awarded the contract to All Webb] Enterprises, Inc. the City could piggyback on West Palm Beach's contract with them for the same services and expedite the process. Gary Hull explained to the Commission how an injection well functioned and why the MIT testing was  necessary.  There was discussion on the cost and ift the funds were available.  Commissioner Vargas motioned to award the contract to. All Webbs Enterprises, Inc. to piggyback offt the  contractfrom West Palm Beach. Commissioner Spratt seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.  Attorney Rooney explained that the City of Stark had requested toj piggyback off oft the City's contract with Woodard & Curran for operations and maintenance and that if approved, a letter of approval would be  needed from the City.  2    Commissioner Vargas motioned. to approve the City of Stark to piggyback offthe CityofLaBelle's  contractfor operation and maintenance with Woodard & Curran.  Commissioner Ratica seconded the motion.  The motion passed 4-0.  Attorney Rooney then took up discussion on aj property that was initially discussed at the previous meeting. He explained that Mayor Wilkins had initiated a contract to acquire David Farmer's property to the East of Barron Park. He then explained that a tentative offer was also made on the adjacent property that belonged to David Curtis and that Mr. Curtis was willing to give the City a six-month financial contingency to determine  iffunds would be available to finance the property.  Commissioner Akin noted that the City had many other things that needed funding.  Commissioner Spratt expressed her opinion that to commit the City to the purchase oft the property would be reckless. There was discussion on the market values of the properties and possibly vacating the right of way There was then conversation on the length of the contingency and the possible funding sources. Kelly Boone then explained that the current house on the property would not need to be demolished, but could be transitioned into other uses and that LDRC may be able to search for grants as well to aid with the  between the two.  financing of the purchases.  They then discussed the access road to thej properties.  Gracie Morton the Finance Director for the City ofLaBelle provided her opinion that it was a great opportunity, however, the funds were: not currently available toj pay the monthly payments. She explained that insurance rates will most likely go up, and provided estimates ofhow much coverage would be for the  properties.  Discussion continued on possible funding and investment opportunities.  The Commission directed Mr. Rooney to inform the property owners that the City was interested in purchasing the properties and to ask them how long ofa contingency could be given to look for financing. Commissioner Spratt expressed that she thought a three-month contingency period was adequate and that she did not want to use funds that would come from the General Fund to purchase the properties.  CONSENT AGENDA  Commissioner Ratica asked ift the payment for the use ofal buggy for the Commission to ride on during the Swamp Cabbage parade could be made payable to the owner ofthe buggy, Sue Sweetman. Gary Hull explained that the original buggy to be used was unable to: make it.  Commissioner Spratt suggested that a call be made to the owner of the buggy to determine ift they would  accept the money.  3    Commissioner Vargas made a motion to issue the check to Sue Sweetman, should she accept.  Commissioner Ratica seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.  CONSENT AGENDA  Vice Mayor Akin took up the Consent Agenda as an item for approval.  Commissioner Ratica motioned. to accept the Consent Agenda.  Commissioner Spratt seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.  BUSINESS BY COMMISSIONERS  There was discussion on aj possible crosswalk between Parrish Chiropractic and the Dollar General Market. Attorney Derek Rooney advised against putting a crosswalk at the location until a study was done due to the Commissioner Spratt asked Mr. Hull for an update on the traffic light at Wal-Mart. He explained that FDOT was in the process ofrewiring and installing a new power supply. There was no update on a timeline for the project. The conversation then shifted to the street light request for the intersection at MLK Blvd. and SR 80. Commissioner Spratt asked Code Enforcement Officer Zane Mungillo for an update on the derelict boat in the river. Mr. Mungillo explained that FWC was aware of the boat and that it did not meet the state definition ofa derelict boat. He stated that the owner of the boat was working to repair the boat sO that it would be There was discussion on1 the status and need ofhiring a second Code Enforcement Officer. Attorney Rooney explained to the Commission the citation process, and why the Special Magistrate process was more Commissioner Spratt commended Hendry County Sheriff's Office Deputy George on a job well done monitoring the speeding on SR. 80 through town. She then explained that four-wheelers and dirt bikes have Hendry County Sheriff's Office Lt. Hudson informed the Commission of] previous operations he had put together to address the use ofa atvs on the roadways and that he could do the same within the City. Commissioner Akin noted the constant running of stop signs on Ft. Thompson and Elm Street. He also addressed the use of] Park Avenue and Main Street as truck routes to which Lt. Hudson offered to monitor Commissioner Vargas told the Commission that turning left from Ace Hardware onto SR. 80 proved tol be difficult with the new FDOT crosswalk int the median. There was discussion on options to make that  proximity to SR. 80.  Mr. Hull explained that FPL did not show interest inj placing al light at the intersection.  moved.  beneficial to the City.  been speeding on1 the roads in the Belmont neighborhood.  those areas for that activity.  intersection safer for pedestrians and for vehicle traffic.  Commissioner Vargas told the Commission that a resident that ran an organization of volunteers to clean up along the roadways had reached out to see ift they could be reimbursed for the cost oft the disposal ofthe  trash.  4    Attorney Rooney explained that there needed tol be a volunteer policy prior toi issuing reimbursements. There Vice Mayor Akin then took up the discussion item of rescheduling the regular May Commission meeting. Jessi Zubaty explained the need for rescheduling was due to the Hendry County Centennial Celebration being on the same evening. The Commission decided to move the meeting to Thursday, May 4th,2023, ,at The next topic of discussion was to schedule a workshop with Woodard & Curran to discuss their scope of work and possibly to amend their existing contract with the City for water and wastewater operations and management. It was the decision of the Commission to hold the Workshop/Special Meeting on Tuesday, Vice Mayor Akin took up the discussion item of strategic planning that Mayor Wilkins had wanted to be put Vice Mayor Akin told the Commission that the Arts ofthe Inland was having its annual fundraising event the Jessi Zubaty also told the Commission of an event the Kiwanis were having that Saturday to support literacy Superintendent of] Public Works, Gary Hull informed the Commission that Lisa Sands had approached him to request the use ofthe Civic Center for the YMCA Summer Program. He indicated that he could have Mrs. Sands present the request to the Commission at another meeting. There was discussion on exploring that option further and possible conflicts with events already scheduled at the Civic Center. Commissioner Mitchell Wills explained why the Summer Program could not be done at Christ Central. He then informed the Commission that the County was only operating with one Code Enforcement Officer and noted the average amount of County cases heard by the Special Magistrate monthly had not been affected. Discussion continued about the possible use of the Civic Center for the YMCA Summer Program. Superintendent Gary Hull told the Commission that the employees ofthe City had requested that the Mitchell Wills again addressed the Commission to explain that National studies had been conducted that showed that four-day workweeks resulted ini more productive employees. He noted that the County had been on a four-day week for forty years. He encouraged the Commission to research the topic and entertain the A conversation was had about the Black Heritage Festival. Jessi Zubaty explained that unless the function was requesting alcohol, or road closures all decisions for the event would be at the discretion oft the Rec Brent Stevens, the Fire Chiefofthe City ofLaBelle Fire Department, explained to the Commission that Fire, EMS, and the Sheriff's Office were: required to sign off on the event this year. He also recommended that the  was then briefdiscussion on what the policy should include and specify.  5:30 p.m.  March 219t, 2023, at 5:30 p.m.  on the agenda. As the Mayor was absent, the discussion was deferred.  following evening and invited all to attend.  and how the Kiwanis had invited Commissioners to attend.  possibility ofa four-day workweek be visited.  idea. He clarified that he was only asking for the maintenance department.  Board, not the City.  event be required tol hire private security.  5    Commissioner Spratt motioned to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Ratica seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at. 7:33 p.m.  APPROVED:  290 Commissioner Daniel Akin, Vicel Mayor  Attest:  pohhoduy Jessi Zubaty, Deuty City Clerk  6