CITY OFI LABELLE REGULAR COMMISSION: MEETING JUNE 8, 2023  CALLTOORDER  Mayor Wilkins called the regular June Commission meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. A roll call was taken. Members present were Commissioner Hugo Vargas, Commissioner Bobbie Spratt, Mayor. Julie Wilkins, and Commissioner Jackie Ratica. Commissioner Daniel Akin was absent at the time oft roll call.  NON-PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS BARRON PARK MASTER PLAN PROPOSAL  Kelly Boone, thel Executive Director ofthel LaBelle Downtown Revitalization Corporation (LDRC) presented tot the Commissioners aj proposed Master Plan for Barron Park that she felt preserved the historic features while adapting to the changing needs ofLaBelle. She noted all oft the proposed changes includinga  new entrance and sign, a new pavilion, and a new stage. Commissioner Daniel Akin joined the meeting at 7:35 p.m.  The Commission discussed their favorite parts oft the Master Plan proposal. There was also discussion on how LDRC would acquire grants to fund the proposed updating of the park, followed by conversation about Commissioner Spratt asked Mitchell Wills for an update on the electrical upgrades in Barron Park. Mr. Wills Mr. Wills expressed his concern with the Master Plan moving too quickly and that he felt there was a need Daniel Rodriguez expressed interest in attending meetings in the future, and his concern for the financial Mrs. Boone explained that the work would need to be done in phases and that it was still in the beginning It was decided that the proposal would go on the following month's agenda for additional public input. City ofLaBelle Fire Chief] Brent Stevens addressed the Commission to request approval to decommission and sell a 2008 F550. He noted that there was already a replacement truck ready and that the old truck had not been in use. He also stated that someone had already made an offer to purchase the truck. There was then discussion on the current condition and value oft the truck and the possible conditions that may apply when  parking. Mayor Wilkins expressed her desire to allow for public input on the matter.  explained that the work was fifty percent completed. for additional options and public input.  viability oft the project.  stages and didn'thave any quotes as ofyet ofhow much the work would cost.  DECOMMISSION OF FREAPPARATUS  selling the truck.  Commissioner. Akin motioned to decommission and sell the 2008. F550.  Commissioner Spratt seconded the motion. The motion carried. 5-0.  Chief Stevens informed the Commission that there would be another apparatus up for decommissioning  within the next 3 months.    PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS  Dorothy Johnson addressed the Commission to note her concern with the labor camps in her neighborhood of Ford and Sunset Community. She also noted that there were drainage issues in the area and asked for help to clean up the community. There was discussion on the bus stop locations used to pick up thei migrant farm workers. Attorney Derek Rooney explained that the Health Department was not conducting inspections oft the migrant houses Ms. Johnson continued to voice her safety concerns with the migrant houses in her community. She also stated that the Commissioner Spratt suggested that] Ms.. Johnson contact the Sheriff's Department to report the suspicious activity. Jocelyn Escobedo with the Hendry County Sheriff's Office instructed Ms. Johnson to contact her directly when she Diane Brown: informed the Commission of the owner oft the buses and noted her concern with the number ofr migrant houses ini the community. There was then discussion on1 the state of the roads in Ford and Sunset Community, and how Nora Ned asked if Ford and Sunset Community was residential or commercial. She then voiced her complaints about Attomey Rooney explained that the H2A program was issued by the State legislature, and explained that the Health Ada Johnson asked the Commission how to find out if any oft the occupants in the migrant housing were sexual  and that the City had no authority to govern them.  men were: stealing her wifi. witnesses the activity.  they were in need of repair.  thei migrant housing and asked who approved the H2A housing.  Department was: in charge of the permitting and inspections of the housing. predators. She was directed to contact the Hendry County Sheriff's Office. PUBLICI HEARINGS. ORDINANCES. RESOLUTIONS. ACTION ITEMS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT. AND: 2023-06 RIDGDILL: PUDI REZONE  FINALI READING OF PROPOSEDORDINANCES 2023-04 RIDGDILL/ ANNEXATION. 2023-05 RIDGDILL City ofLaBelle. Attorney, Derek Rooney read all three ordinances by title into the record. Attorney Rooney then swore Ms. Crespo noted the key changes made, including condensing the request down to one: master concept plan, reducing the building height to three stories, removal of the gas station use, and that the mini-warehouse use would comply with Mayor Wilkins, Commissioner Spratt, Commissioner Vargas, and Commissioner Akin disclosed that they had ex parte Jennifer Sapen of Barraco and Associates, representing the applicant, also summarized the changes made since the There was briefd discussion on any potential buyers, ift the City's water and seweri improvements would be completed Mayor Wilkins expressed] her concern with the small lot widths. Ms. Sapen clarified that there would be additional Commissioner. Akin noted that buffering was needed between residential and commercial areas. Ms. Sapen then  in anyone who wished to speak on the item.  commercial land use standards.  communication with the applicant and staff.  previous meetings elaborating on Ms. Crespo' s conditions noted in the staff report. by thel beginning oft the construction of the project, and the need for al hotel. sized lots available depending on what the buyers would want. presented the buffering options noted int the master concept plan.  2    Commissioner Akin also noted that pedestrian sidewalk connectivity was listed in the conditions.  Commissioner. Ratica made a motion to approve Ordinance 2023-04. Commissioner Vargas. seconded the motion. The motion carried. 5-0. Commissioner Vargas motioned to approve Ordinance 2023-05. Commissioner Spratt seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. Commissioner Vargas motioned to approve Ordinance 2023-06. Commissioner. Ratica seconded: the motion. The motion carried. 5-0.  FINAL READING OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE 2023-09 RELATING TOFATS. OIL. AND GREASE (FOG) Attorney Rooney read the ordinance by title into the record. He noted that the only substantial change was that he  added additional enforcement to turn off the system for non-compliance.  Commissioner. Ratica motioned to approve Ordinance 2023-09. Commissioner Vargas seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.  415 8TH AVENUE FENCE VARIANCE He then swore in those who wished to speak on1 the topic.  Attomey Rooney provided a summary of why the applicant was requesting reconsideration of the denied variance.  Commissioner Ratica disclosed that she had spoken with staffr regarding the matter. Mayor Wilkins disclosed that she had also spoken with staff and the applicant regarding the matter.  Terry Kramer, the attorney on behalfoft the applicant addressed the Commission regarding thej permit issued fort the fence. He expressed his interpretation oft the fence code and how he felti it contradicted itself. He told the Commission There was then discussion on thei interpretation oft the fence code and the safety concerns of the family. There was then  that he felt the variance request met the required criteria for the variance. conversation on the details listed on the issued fence permit.  Attorney Derek Rooney listed the criteria that needed to be met in order to grant the variance.  Commissioner Vargas motioned: to deny the variance request because it would confer special privilege on the property, it was erected by a person having interest in the property, and the property was not different in location, size or characteristics ofland, or structure compared to other residentially zoned lots ini the City. There was discussion on what the applicant would do ift the motion was passed. Further discussion on the details oft the  Commissioner. Ratica seconded the motion.  permit and the conflicting interpretations.  The motion carried 3-2.  Commissioners. Spratt and. Akin were not inj favor ofthe motion.  CONSENT AGENDA  Attorney Rooney explained that the previous interlocal with the County approved to be able to piggyback for construction services and use of the fuel farm had been revised. Hes stated that aj previous fueli interlocal was revised to  3    include all City vehicles, rather than just the fire department, and that a separate interlocal had been drafted for the Commissioner Spratt asked to pull the employee handbook from the consent agenda for discussion. She stated her issue with the paragraph that proposed that all heads of departments be confirmed by the Commission was to be stricken. There was then conversation as to which employees would qualify for confirmation by the Commission. Attorney Rooney stated his desire to revise the code in order to designate and clarify the positions that would qualify Commissioner Spratt also expressed her opinion that jeans were not appropriate professional attire and that employees Commissioner Vargas then stated that he did not agree with the gender identity portion oft the anti-harassment policy in Attorney Rooney explained that the referenced portion of the handbook was recommended by the labor attorney to After further discussion regarding the use of gender identity, Mayor Wilkins suggested removing the handbook from Commissioner, Ratica motioned. to approve the removal of the handbook, with the approval oft the remaining items  construction services.  for confirmation.  should not be able to wear them on days other than Fridays.  the handbook.  protect the City from possible future litigation.  the consent agenda for additional review and discussion at the next meeting.  on the consent agenda. Commissioner Vargas seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.  BUSINESS BY COMMISSIONER  Mayor Wilkins asked the Commission to approve the closing of SR 80 during the Veteran's Day program sO that the  noise from traffic would not interfere with the prayer and presentations.  Commissioner Ratica made a motion to approve the road closure for Veteran'sl Day.  Commissioner Spratt seconded the motion. The motion carried: 5-0.  There was then discussion on the services desired from our solid waste provider. Ed Farmer of Waste Pro addressed the Commission to clarify the recycling process.  There was then conversation on the amount of weekly pickups for garbage as well as recycling, horticulture and bulk Mitchell Wills asked for clarification on the services that Waste Proj provided and then explained how the franchise Commissioner Vargas asked Hendry County Sheriff's Deputy Escebedo for a report that showed the number of speeding tickets written in the City. There was conversation on the priority ofs slowing down traffic through town. He also noted that he met with FDOT about alternatives for the pedestrian crosswalk. He stated that he had visited at town Commissioner Spratt asked for signs to be placed in Ford and Sunset Community to prevent trucks and busses from  pick-up.  agreement: for the roll-offs aided in keeping the roadside pick-up costs down.  where al bypass had been constructed andl how reduced through traffic tremendously.  being able to drive though the Community.  4    Mitchell Wills explained how most oft the complaints received in that area were due to the worker busses. There was then discussion on the City of LaBelle acquiring al large. American flag similar to the one in Clewiston. Mitchell Wills asked the Commission to contact FDOT to request additional coverage in the City for the monitoring of  Conversation was then had about the speed limit on some roads throughout the City.  Big flag  speeding on HWY 80.  There was brief discussion on the maintenance of the traffic signal lights ini town.  Commissioner Vargas addressed the Commission about a group that had held a protest which he thought was a safety issue. There was discussion on what measures could be taken to allow for peaceful and safe protests in the future. Mayor Wilkins also discussed her meeting with FDOT about her concerns with the crosswalk and noted that they were The Commissioners then discussed possible dates for another joint meeting with FDOT and Hendry County  open to conducting as study for al bypass.  Commissioners.  Commissioner Spratt motioned to adjourn. Commissioner. Ratica: seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned. at 10:17p.m.  APPROVED:  Ond  Commissioner Daniel Akin, Vice Mayor  Attest:  Fy  5