CITY OF LABELLE REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING JULY13,2023  CALLTOORDER  Mayor. Julie Wilkins called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. A roll call was taken. Members present were Commissioner Hugo Vargas, Commissioner Bobbie Spratt, Mayor. Julie Wilkins, Commissioner Jackie  Ratica, and Commissioner Daniel Akin.  Mayor Wilkins added the approval oft the health insurance to the consent agenda.  NON-PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS BARRON PARK MASTER PLAN PROPOSAL  Kelly Boone, thel Executive Director oft thel LaBelle Revitalization Corporation (LDRC) presented a summary ofthe conceptual plan and proposed design phases. She noted that each phase would only begin after all funding for that phase had been obtained, and all permits were obtained. She told the Commission Commissioner Spratt thanked Mrs. Boone for revisiting the design and noted that she felt it captured LaBelle  that the Everett Hotel was the design source for the conceptual design.  better than thej prior design presented.  Commissioner Akin asked Mrs. Boone ifs she had factored in the FDOT plans for the bridge. Mrs. Boone stated that she had been in contact with FDOT and they had agreed to take the design into City Attorney Derek Rooney noted that all work that would meet the threshold would need to go through the  account.  City'sp procurement process.  Discussion was had on the work going into the City's Capital Improvement Plan.  Kelly clarified that she was looking for approval oft the design proposal before she moved forward with any Commissioner Spratt asked City ofLaBelle Maintenance Supervisor. Mitchell Wills for an update on the electrical upgrades inl Barron Park. Mr. Wills told the Commission that the electrical work was ongoing, and there were still panels to be changed out. He noted that ifthe plan were implemented all the electric would Mayor Wilkins noted that there was work that could be done ini the interim to show progress. Attorney Rooney noted that an agreement would need to be signed that included ai time frame.  additional work.  need to be changed.  Commissioner Vargas motioned to approve the proposed Master Plan for Barron Park.  Commissioner Spratt seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.    BARRON: LIBRARY  Barron Library Board Member Danny Nelson addressed the Commission to request additional funds for the library. He explained that it had been seventeen years since there had been an increase in funding from the City. He explained the need for upgrades to the building due to age and the need for additional funds due to the increase in the cost ofc operating. He asked for the City's consideration to increase their donation to the Commissioner Spratt asked how much the library was going to ask oft the County. Commissioner Vargas clarified that the amount being requested totaled $45,000 according to the documentation. There was discussion on whether thel library had any reserve funds and where the funding was currently coming from in order for it to operate. Mayor Wilkins clarified that Barron Library was aj public library run by a foundation on funds from local funding sources as well as the County, City, and State. The Commission asked Gracie Morton, City ofLaBelle Finance Director where the requested funds could be pulled from. Mrs. Morton stated that there were currently no funds available.. Discussion continued on where Commissioner Akin noted: for the record that he wanted to be mindful oft the funds that were pulled from the  total sum of $40,000.  the funds would come from within the budget.  general fund.  MILDRED BRYSONI LIEN'S FORGIVENESS REQUEST  Commissioner Vargas asked Ms. Bryson to clarify the grounds on which she was requesting forgiveness. Mildred Bryson told the Commission that she had not received any code violation notices for the property. Mayor Wilkins clarified that the notices were incorrectly addressed due to the wrong information from the There was discussion about the reasons for the violations, and if orl how they were resolved. Ms. Bryson noted that the property had been mowed in February by her son. There was further discussion on the Attorney Rooney clarified that the City's hard costs were $255.00 for the mowing that was done. He then explained that the City would consider charging only the hard costs and waiving the other fees. Code Enforcement Officer Zane Mungillo told the Commission that there was not a current violation on the There was discussion on the City performing an audit oft the lists ofc outstanding liens to try to recuperate the Commissioner Vargas motioned to recover, the hard costs for the mowing, upon the presentation ofa  Property Appraiser, which is why Ms. Bryson did not receive the notices.  maintenance of the property and how often it should be mowed.  property. hard costs.  signed agreement) for monthly mowing at the property. Commissioner Spratt seconded the motion.  Ms. Bryson stated that she did not feel it was fair for her to be required to have a contract for monthly  mowing.  2    Discussion continued on whether a contract should be required.  Mr. Mungillo noted there was a program instituted that would allow contractors to mow lots and the cost to  be added to the taxes due every year.  The motion failed 1-41 with Commissioner Vargas being the only one in favor.  Commissioner Ratica motioned that Ms. Bryson pay the hard costs, with five days to bring the property  into compliance.  The motion failed for lack ofas second. Commissioner Spratt seconded. the motion. The motion carried. 5-0.  Commissioner Akin motioned to recover. the hard costs of $265.  ZAHEER UTILITY DEBTLIENI FORGIVENESS  Mayor Wilkins explained that the liens were for the fixed demand charges.  Commissioner Spratt motioned to deny, forgiveness. Commissioner. Akin seconded the motion. The motion carried. 5-0.  Commissioner Vargas reminded the audience to do their research prior to purchasing aj property.  RV. TRAILER. AND BOAT ORDINANCE  Mr. Mungillo explained that he was seeking direction on whether to enforce the current code relating to Attorney Rooney told the Commission that it was common to allow parking or storing in the side yard within the setbacks, and behind the leading edge ofthel building with restrictions including that the vehicles must Commissioner Spratt recommended mirroring the County's code. Discussion continued on the current code The Commission directed stafft to come back with recommendations on amending the code to mirror the  where utility vehicles, boats or RVs can be parked on a property.  appear operable and must be tagged.  requirements. County.  PUBLICCOMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS  Shendeya Thomas addressed the Commission to request that the Ford and Sunset Park areai name be changed  to Ford and Sunset Community. Mayor Wilkins further explained the request.  Commissioner Spratt moved to officially change the name to Ford and Sunset Community.  Commissioner Vargas seconded the motion. The motion carried. 5-0.  Mayor Wilkins told the Commission that the Community was still ini need ofimprovements.  3    Attorney Rooney suggested drafting ai resolution to formalize the name change. PROPOSED ORDINANCE: 2023-IIOLDGROVES PUD AMENDMENT  PUBLICI HEARINGS speak on the item.  Attorney Rooney read the ordinance title block into the record and swore ini those present who wished to Mayor Wilkins noted that she did have conversations with. Attorney Rooney about the existing uses ofthe  property prior to the hearing.  All Commissioners noted that they had visited the site prior to the hearing.  Alexis Crespo presented her staff report with the modified conditions reflecting comments from the Local Planning Agency meeting which also incorporated the requested conditions from the Hendry County Staff. Jack Morgan spoke on behalfo oft the applicants to address the removal oft the air burner. He told the Commission that the applicants had retained an expert in fire mitigation to assess the fire burner and draft a Commissioner Vargas expressed his concern with the proximity ofthe piles to: neighboring properties and There was discussion on berms and sprinklers around the perimeter oft the property and how they were: not There was then conversation on the amount oftime it would take to reduce thel horticultural piles ifboth the burner and grinder were to be used and how the burn box was needed for the cabbage trees. Commissioner Ratica stated that the piles were beyond the agreed-upon boundaries.  proposal regarding the use oft the air burner along with the grinder.  the possibility of fire hazards.  deemed necessary by the Fire Marshall.  Commissioner Vargas asked Chief Brent Stevens ofLaBelle Fire Department what the response time would be to put out ai fire at the property. Chief Stevens explained that they would be able to respond quickly and suggested that Fire Marshall Josh Rimes explain to the Commission the mitigation measures that they had Attorney Rooney then recommended that depending on the fire assessment, ai reporting system with a third- Fire Inspector Josh Rimes told the Commission that he had done a complete review oft the fire mitigation plan and location. He stated that in his opinion, the plan was solid, and noted some oft the concerns expressed There was discussion on the amount of debris on the property and how long the debris was allowed on the Commissioner Akin asked that the site plan reflect the location ofthe grinder and the burn box. Mrs. Hansen explained that the grinder was mobile. There was then discussion on how much and how fast debris could be  discussed with the applicant.  party engineer should be had toi inspect for compliance.  that were, going to be addressed by the applicant.  property.  processed.  4    Helen Gallegos expressed her opposition to the project.  Daniel Vasquez told the Commission that he was concerned that it would be an eyesore and that the  proposed new high school would bei in close proximity to the burning. Mayor Wilkins noted that a school was not on the schedule ofuses for the PUD. Josh Rimes noted that the pile sizes were under thei requirements that the code requires. Todd Bottoms spoke ini favor ofa allowing the grinder to diminish the pile sizes.  Commissioner Vargas asked for Mr. Risen to research moving the burn box away from the mobile homes.  The item was moved to the. August 3rd hearing.  CONSENT AGENDA  The personnel handbook and the Attorney's Memo were pulled from the Consent Agenda.  Commissioner. Akin motioned to approve the remaining items in the Consent Agenda.  Commissioner Ratica seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.  Commissioner Spratt told the Commission that she did not believe that jeans were acceptable professional Gracie Morton expressed her support for the wearing ofjeans and noted that may be ai monetary issue for Hendy County Commissioner Mitchell Wills told the Commission that the County did have separate dress  attire. There was then conversation on what constituted professional attire.  some staff to purchase slacks or khakis.  policies for office personnel and field personnel.  ChiefBrent Stevens asked ift the dress code would apply to the fire department. Discussion continued on what constituted professional office attire.  Commissioner Spratt motioned. to assert the dress code policy and that jeans only be worn on Fridays  going into effect. January 1, 2024. Commissioner Vargas seconded the motion. The motion carried. 3-2. Mayor Wilkins and Commissioner. Akin were noti inj favor.  Attorney Rooney explained the offices that needed to be confirmed by the Commission as requested at the last meeting. He recommended that the reporting structure be revised and updated along with some job There was then discussion on the proposed caps on the hours of sick leave and vacation hours. The rest ofthe  descriptions be amended.  handbook was. left to be discussed at the next meeting.  5    Commissioner Vargas requested that the portion oft the anti-harassment in the handbook that stated "pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation" be taken out and just left as "sex". There was then discussion on the purpose ofthe anti-harassment policy.  Mayor Wilkins asked for direction from the Commission on whether to allow for the refund of deposits for  Civic Center Rentals after the six-month deadline.  Commissioner Akin recommended that the Mayor be authorized to make the decision.  Commissioner Vargas motioned to leave the policy as is written. Commissioner Spratt seconded: the motion. The motion carried. 3-2. Mayor Wilkins and Commissioner-4kin were. not inj favor.  Commissioner Akin expressed his concern with traffic in the area. There was then discussion on another Commissioner Ratica also expressed her concern with traffic and the proposed second bridge.  joint meeting with FDOT.  Commissioner Vargas expressed his desire to have a policy for protesting.  Mayor Wilkins briefly discussed the milling and paving oftl the roads in Ford and Sunset Community. The Commission then discussed possible dates for an additional joint meeting with Hendry County  Commissioners and FDOT.  Attorney Rooney updated the Commission on the current litigation. There was then discussion on possible dates for budget workshops and hearings.  Commissioner Spratt motioned. to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Ratica. seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 9:01 p.m.  APPROVED:  Julie  Mayor  Attest:  ok  GNNS huo Jessi Zubaty, DepityCiy Clerk  6