214 CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA OFFICIAL MEETING MINUTES MARCH1 15, 2022, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING CALLTO ORDER Mayor Watford calledt the regular meeting oft the City Council for the City of Okeechobee to order on March 15, 2022, at6 6:00P.M.i int the City Council Chambers, located at 55 Southeast (SE) 3rd Avenue, Room 200, Okeechobee, Florida. Thei invocation was offered by Pastor Chad Keathley, Okeechobee Church of God, Roll was taken by Deputy Clerk Rose Torres to establish ac quorum. Members present: Mayor Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Council Members Noel A. Chandler, Monical M. Clark, Robert" "Bob" Jarriel, and Robert" "Bobby" followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led! by Council Member Chandler. II. ATTENDANCE M. Keefe, Jr. IlI. AGENDA ANDI PUBLIC COMMENTS A. There were nor requests for items be added, deferred, or withdrawn from the agenda. B. Motiona ands second! by Council Members Keefe and. Jarrielt to approve the agenda as presented. Motion Ani introduction and one comment card were submitted for public participation for issues not on the Finance Director Indial Riedeli introduced Ashley' Weikert, who was recently hired tof fillt thet full-time Mr. Devon Nelson of 19975 Northwest (NW) 80th Drive, Okeechobee, spoke on the future development of Okeechobee, proposing the leadership of the community mobilize people and resources toa attract millions of dollars ofi investments in various business avenues. Asserting that existing architecture should be utilized better. He suggested that organizing as a community with real estate development would cause ar rebound toi increase educational outcome, employment Carried Unanimously. agenda. Administrative Secrelary/Business Tax Receipt (BTR) Specialist position. success, family, asseth building, and community resilience. IV. CONSENT AGENDA Motion ands second by Council Members Keefe and Clark to: A. [Dispense with the reading and] approve the meeting Minutes for March 1; 2022 [as presented. B. Approve the Warrant Register for February 2022 [in the amounts of: General Fund, $403,169.78; Public Facilities Improvement Fund, $19,646.57; and Capital Improvement Projects Fund, $3,621.02, as presented). Motion Carried Unanimously. V. MAYORI WATFORD OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR QUASI-JUDCIAL ITEMS AT6:23P.M. A. Motion and second by Council Members Jarriel and Keefe to read by title only, proposed Ordinance No. 1249, regarding Petition No. 22-001-R, rezoning Blocks 110 and 121, CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, Plat Book 5, Page 5, Okeechobee County public records; 3.9+1- acres from! Heavy Commercial (CHV) toF Residential Multiple Family (RMF), submitted by property owner F. Mitch Stephens/Gienwood Park, LLC. The vacantp propertyi is located! between Northeast (NE) 2ndt to 3rd/ Avenues and 3rdt to 5th Streets, for the proposed use of a multi-family structure. The Planning Board recommends approval [as City Attorney Greg Hyden was in attendance on behalf of Attorney John Fumero, and read proposed Ordinance No. 1249 by title only as follows: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE BY REZONING CERTAIN TRACTS OF LAND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN, FROM CHV TO RMF, PETITION NO. 22-001-R; AMENDING THE ZONING MAP ACCORDINGLY; PROVIDINGFOR CONFLICT; PROVDINGFORSEVERABILTAPROVDNGFORANEFECTIVE Motion and second by Council Members Jarriel and Keefe to adopt proposed Ordinance No. 1249. Mayor Watford opened the floor for public comment once they were sworn in. Attorney Hyden collectively administered an Oath to City Planner Jim LaRue, of LaRue Planning and Management Services, 1375. Jackson Street, Suite 206, Fort Myers, Florida, and Mr. Steve Dobbs of 209NE2nd Street, Okeechobee. Planner LaRue presented the Planning Staff Report findings included in Exhibit 1.Mr. Dobbs, representing Mr. Stephens, thanked the Council Members for supporting ther rezoning. presented in Exhibit 1. Motion Carried Unanimously. DATE." 3-15-2022, CITY COUNCIL REGULARMEETING, PAGE10F5 215 V. QUASI-JUDCIAL PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED A. Continued. Mr. Stephens submitted a written comment and Mayor Watford read iti into the record as follows: "lwant to reiterate my appreciation to the Council for approving the Glenwood Park rezoning, andl plan on attending many more meetings in thei future. My projecti is progressing on schedule, and we hope to submit plans to the Technical Review Committee (TRC) in the next few months." Motion B. Motion ands second by Councill Members Keefe and Clarkt tor readb byt title only, proposed Ordinance No. 1245, regarding Petition No. 22-002-R, rezoning at total of 54.8+- unplatted acres from Holding and Residential Mobile Home (RMH) to CHV (16.8+)- acres) and RMF (38.0+/- acres), submitted by property owner Gad Reggev/Blue Spring Holdings LLC. The vacant property is located in the NE section oft the City boundaries, situated East of Taylor Creek, South oft the railroad track, West oft the NE Cityl Limits (NE 13th Avenue), ands surrounds River Run Phase 2 subdivision to thel North, East, and South. The proposed use is a multi-family residential community and household storage facility [as Attorney Hyden read proposed Ordinancel No.1 1245 by title only as follows: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE BYI REZONING CERTAIN TRACTS OFI LANDI MORE PARTICULARLYI DESCRIBED HEREIN, FROMI HOLDING ANDI RMHT TOCHV ANDI RMF, PETITION NO. 22-002-R; AMENDING THE ZONING MAP ACCORDINGLY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; Motion and second by Council Members Keefe and Chandler to approve the first reading of proposed Ordinance No. 1245 and set April 5, 2022, as the final public hearing date. Mayor Watford opened the floor for public comment once they were sworn in. Attorney Greg Hyden collectively administered an Oath tol Planner LaRue of 1375. Jackson Street, Suite 206, Fort Myers, Florida, and! Mr. Dobbs of 209 NE 2nd Street, Okeechobee. Planner LaRue presented the Planning Staff Report findings included in Exhibit 2, and the Planning Board's recommendation for approval. Mayor Watford inquired as to the accessibility of the development should the only option be NE 8th Avenue, through the River Run subdivision. Mr. Dobbs stated, for now thati is the only option, we are working toward adding another entry point att the SE 10th/Domer Avenue traffic lighti in coordination with the new RaceTrac Truckstop. Mayor Watfordt then stated! his concern witha anyt traffich being addedi tot the River Runs subdivision. Motion Motion ands second by Council Members Jarriel and Clark tor read! byt title only, proposed Ordinance No. 1246, regarding Petition No. 21-006-R, rezoning Lots 23-24 of Block 3, CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, Plat Book 5, Page 5, Okeechobee County public records; 0.4+-/ acres from RMF to CHV, submitted by property owner Muhammad Nooruddin. The vacant property is located at 204 NW 13th Street, the proposed usei is as storage facility [as presented in Exhibit 3J. Motion Carried Unanimously. Attorney Hyden read proposed Ordinance No.1 1246 byt title only as follows: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE BY REZONING CERTAINT TRACTS OFL LAND MORE PARTCULARLYDESCRBED HEREIN, FROM RMF TO CHV, PETITION NO. 21-006-R; AMENDING THE ZONING MAP ACCORDINGLY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING Motion and second by Council Members Keefe and Clark to approve the first reading of proposed Ordinance No. 1246 and set April 5, 2022, as the final public hearing date. Mayor Watford opened the floor for public comment once. they were sworn in. Attorney Hyden collectively administered an Oath to Planner LaRue of 1375 Jackson Street, Suite 206, Fort Myers, Florida, and Mr. Nooruddin of 7993 Steeplechase Court, Port Saint. Lucie, Florida. Planner LaRue presented the Planning Staff Report findings includedi in Exhibit 3, andt the Planning Board's recommendation for approval. Motion Carried Carried Unanimously. presented inl Exhibit 2). Motion Carried Unanimously. PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE." Carried Unanimously. FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE." Unanimously. VI. MAYORI WATFORD CLOSED THE QUASI-JUDICAL PORTION OF THE AGENDA AND OPENED THE A. Motion ands second! by Councill Members Clark and. Jarriel to read by title only, proposed Ordinance No. 1231, closing the alleyway inl Block 110, CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, Plat Book 5, Page 5, Okeechobee County public records; Abandonment of Right-of-Way Petition No. 21-001-AC, postponed from the January 18, 2022, final public hearing. The Planning Board recommends approval [as presented in PUBLIC HEARING FOR ORDINANCE. ADOPTION AT 6:47P.M. Exhibit 4). Motion Carried Unanimously. 3-15-2022, CITY COUNCIL REGULARI MEETING, PAGE20F5 216 VI. PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED A. Continued. Attorney Hyden reread proposed Ordinance No.1231 by title only as follows: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; VACATING AND ABANDONING CERTAIN RIGHTS-OF-WAY BEING AN UNIMPROVED PORTION OF AN ALLEYWAY LYING WITHIN BLOCK 110, CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 5, PAGE 5, PUBLIC RECORDS OF OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, FLORIDA (PETITION NO. 21-001-AC); RESERVING UNTO THE CITY, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, Al NON-EXCLUSIVE EASEMENT FORI PUBLIC UTILITIES PURPOSES; DIRECTING1 THE CITY CLERKTO RECORD' THE ORDINANCE IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF THE CLERKOFTHE CIRCUIT COURTI INA ANDI FOR OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, FLORIDA; PROVIDINGI FORC CONFLICT; Motion and second by Council Members Clark and Jarriel to adopt proposed Ordinance No. 1231. Mayor Watford opened the floor for public comment. Planner LaRue presented the Planning Staff B.N Motion ands second by Council Members Keefe and Chandler tor read by title only, proposed Ordinance No. 1232, closing the alleyway in Block 121, CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, Plat Book 5, Page 5, Okeechobee County publicr records; Abandonment of Right-of-Way Petition No. 21-002-AC, postponed from the January 18, 2022, final public hearing. The Planning Board recommends approval [as Attorney Hyden readp proposed Ordinance No. 1232 byt title only as follows: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; VACATING AND ABANDONING CERTAIN RIGHTS-OF-WAY BEING AN UNIMPROVED PORTION OF AN ALLEYWAY LYING WITHIN BLOCK 121, CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF AS RECORDED IN PLATE BOOK 5, PAGE 5, PUBLIC RECORDS OF OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, FLORIDA (PETITION NO. 21-002-AC); RESERVING UNTO THE CITY, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS A NON-EXCLUSIVE EASEMENT FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES PURPOSES; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO RECORD THE ORDINANCE IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT IN AND FOR OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR Motion ands secondb by Council Members Chandler and Clark to adopt proposed Ordinance 1232. Mayor Watford opened thef floor for public comment. Planner LaRue stated this mirrors Ordinance No. 1231. Motion ands second by Council Members Jarriel and Clark tor read! byt title only, proposed Ordinance No. 1250, updating the Capital Improvements Five-Year Schedule within the Comprehensive Plan. The local Planning Agency recommends approval [as presented in Exhibit 6). Motion Carried Attorney Hyden read proposed Ordinance No.1 1250b by title only as follows: "AN ORDINANCE OFT THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; UPDATING THE FIVE-YEAR SCHEDULE OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS OF THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AS MANDATED BY FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 163.3177/3)b); PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, PROVIDING FOR Motion ands second by Council Members Keefe and Clark to adopt proposed Ordinance No. 1250. Mayor Watford opened thet floorf for public comment. Planner LaRue presented the Planning Staff PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR ANE EFFECTIVE DATE." Report and the findings oft the TRC. Motion Carried Unanimously. presented in Exhibit 5). Motion Carried Unanimously. SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE." Motion Carried Unanimously. Unanimously. SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE." Report findings. Motion Carried Unanimously. MAYOR WATFORD CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:55P.M. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Motion ands second by Council Members Clark and. Jarriel to adopt proposed Resolution No. 2022-02 for authorization toi implement al Florida Boating Improvement Program Grant [for the SE 4th Street Attorney Hyden read proposed Resolution No. 2022-02 byt title only as follows: "AI RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR AUTHORIZATION FOR THE CITYTO MAKE AND PERFECT A GRANT APPLICATION FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER THE FLORIDA BOATING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM; PROVIDING FORI LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS ANDI INTENT; PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTING ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS; PROVIDING FOR A SAVINGS PROVISION; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING boat ramp as presented in Exhibit7). FOR ANI EFFECTIVE DATE."N Motion Carried Unanimously. 3-15-2022, CITY COUNCIL REGULARI MEETING, PAGE30F5 217 VI. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED VII. CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS B. Motion ands second by Council Members Keefe and. Jarriel to award RFQI No. ADM-01-32-11-21, General Planning Services to Morris-Depew: Associates, Inc. Motion Carried Four to One. Finance Director Riedel distributed at three-page report, which has been incorporated in the official minute March activity report whichi included the comparison of Fiscal Year 2021-22 General Fund budgeted amounts to actual. A mid-year Budget Amendment will be presented at a future meeting for the increased allocation for the Cattleman's Square in Flagler Park, the purchase oft the Primitive Baptist Church property, the increase in the new Planner contract, increased fuel expenses and the Canal Cleanup contract that was recently approved. The Fiscal Year 2020-21 Auditi isi inp process and should Administrative Secretary/BTR Specialist Weikert has been helping new business owners get acclimated int the City andi isi in charge of collecting all delinquent BTR's; as oft today, 121 business will be forwarded to Code Enforcement. In the month of February, 13 new or ownership change BTR applications were processed. This makes 54 total since October 2021, compared to the 32 from the file. bep presented tot the Councili inl May. previous fiscal year. Building: General Services Coordinator Patty Burnette: Permits issuedt the first fiver months surpassed thep projected budget revenues. New RaceTrac Truck Stop project is on schedule and will be opening in. June. First Baptist Church is doing well on building their new sanctuary. The permits have been issued for the new car wash Brahman Car Wash, 1612 South Parrot Avenue] ands site worki is coming along. The 12 condominiums [Bridgewater on Taylor Creek) that are being! built on SE 8th Avenue are on schedule. Altobello property [1105 South Parrott Avenue] sold and the new owner is working on submitting a Ane expired site plan to develop a 190-unit residential complex [Emerald Greens, SW 6th Street) may At the upcoming March 17, 2022, Planning Board meeting, Administrator Ritter will address the Joint Administrator Ritter has sent a letter tot the owner oft the 80-acres located tot the East oft the Airi Acres Presented a 12 slide PowerPoint, which has been incorporated into the official minute file, covered work completed from January to early March, which included 70 work orders. Most were drainage issues, others were City facilities, street signs, potholes, leveling sidewalks, and the progress of the Currently down one Maintenance Operator. Recently hired two new Maintenance Operators, Dalton Distributed al list of the top eight priority roadways to be paved and the estimated costs. Two projects notp prioritized are SW 5th Avenue and SE 8th Avenuet that are highlighted for grants to covert the cost. Weekly inspections willb be completed ons services provided! by the City'scurrentl landscaping contractor. Will be sending three employees to obtain their required Commercial Driver's License (CDL). The two In February, 150 citations and 354 warnings were issued. There were 29 crashes, with 497i incidents. 412 calls fors service, including but not limited to crimes, thefts and/or barking dogs. Hackers have gotten better ats scamming. A business received a call from their supposed bank that unfortunately ledt the scammers tot thel business's banki information andr money. Best advicei is tol hang Filled one oft two vacant Officer positions, they will bei introduced oncet training is completed. Ther new Dispatcher is working well learning the position. It has been a difficult time flling positions because Treasure Coast law enforcement agencies' starting salaries are higher, and due to the decrease of Chief Smith gave an update on the remaining Fire Department equipment. Engines 5, 6, and 7 were sold, leaving one truck to! be sold by the end oft the month as well as any remaining equipment. The Planning: future land use change andi rezoning. ber resubmitted andr reissued. Workshop to! be held on May 24, 2022. subdivision, to consider annexing the property into the City. Public' Works Director David Allen and Maintenance Foreman Marvin Roberts: Street Striping Project, and Canal Cleanup Project. Pitts andt the firste ever female, Pamela Barton. Cattleman Square of Flagler Parki is coming along great. The one-page list has beeni incorporated into the official minute file. new hires! have their CDLS. Police Chief Donald Hagan: up and call yourf financial intuition yourself. police academy cadets. Fire Chief Herb Smith radios will be transferred tot the Police Department. 3-15-2022, CITY COUNCILI REGULARI MEETING, PAGE40F5 218 IX. CITY ATTORNEY UPDATE X. ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE Attorney Hyden hadr nor newi information top provide. Thanked Attorney Hyden for the work hel has done with Codel Enforcement. Update on the State Appropriations Funds. Thel Floridal Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) wil fund $200,000 for lighting, and other fixtures needed in Cattleman's Square of Flagler Park, and $50,000 for improvements to Centennial Park. The SE 8th Avenue Storm Water Quality Assistance Granti is pending approval. Not approved was the request for improvements to City Hall. However, he will contact thel Departmento ofE Economic Opportunity tos see what grantst the City can apply May 24th at6:00P.M. willl bet the. Joint City Council and Planning Board Workshop, witha ar representative for. Ar revised Reserve Fund Policy will be presented next month for adoption. from the Central Floridal Regional Planning Council tot facilitate. Thanked the Stafff for theirh hard work and dedication. XI. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS Council Member Chandler: meet the regulations. Council Member Jarriel: Thanked the Staff for theirr reports. of service. Council Member Keefe: Suggested to Director Allen toi investigate whether a Class BI Driver's license instead of a CDL may Wantst tos senda al letter tol LaRue Planning and Management Services, Inc., thanking them fort theiry years Thep parade was a success even through the rain. Cityi is growing and! he is proud tol be aj part of Okeechobee. andt their achievements for the City and community. sidewalks, and asphalt projects are budgeted needs. Thanked the Administrator for adding the City'sr mission statement on the agenda. This monthi is Women's History Month, wanted tor recognize and honor the Staff who work for the City The Country of Ukraine is currently at War with Russia andt tol keept both Countries in your prayers. Budget Workshops will be coming up, he would like to save the taxpayers money, andr requested that proposed Budget requests address actual Department needs. For example, the Public Works annual Appreciates thel hard work of the Police Officers and pleased with their response time. Council Member Monica Clark XII. ADJOURN, Mayor) Watford adjourned the meeting at 8:17F P.M. Submitted By: K intie Lane Gamiotea, CMC, City Clerk Pleaset taker noticeĆ  andbela adyisedt thatw whena apersono decidest toa appeala anyo decisionr made! by the Cily Council withr respecttoa anyr matter considereda atthisr meeting, s/hen mayr need,toe ensure.t thatav verbatimr recordo ofti thep proceedingism made, whichr recordi includest thet testimony ande evidence uponw whicht thea appeali ist tobeb based. City Clerk media aref forti thes solep purpose ofbackupf foro officialr records ofthe Clerk. 3-15-2022, CITY COUNCIL REGULARI MEETING, PAGE50F5