205  CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA JANUARY 24, 2022, TOwN HALL MEETING OFFICIAL MEETING MINUTES  I.  CALL TO ORDER  Mayor Watford called the Town Hall meeting of the City Council for the City of Okeechobee to order on Monday, January 24, 2022, at6 6:00P.M. at the Okeechobee Freshman Campus Auditorium, located at610 Southwest 2nd Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida. Thei invocation was offered! by! Mr. Hoot Worley, followed by Mayor Watford explained those who would liket to address the Council needed to complete a comment card Members present: Mayor Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Council Members Noel A. Chandler, Monica M. Clark, Robert' Bob" Jarriel, and Robert "Bobby" M. Keefe. Staff Present: City Clerk Lane Gamiotea, City Attorney John Fumero, City Administrator Gary Ritter, Police ChiefDonald! Hagan, Public' Works Director David Allen, Deputy City Clerk Rose Torres, Administrative Secretary Merydian Causier, General Services Coordinator A presentation was made to the Citizens Charter Review Advisory Committee (CCRAC) Members who were able to be in attendance. The framed certificates of appreciation, which read, "the City of Okeechobee Florida recognizes the valuable contributions of community involvement and hereby extends this expression of grateful appreciation," with their appointed terms were presented by Mayor Watford individuallyt to Sandy Perry, Carey Pigman, Hoot Worley, Jamie Gamiotea, and Myranda Whirls. A. City Administrator Ritter provided an update on various activities within the City.  the Pledge of Allegiance led! by Mayor Watford.  orav written comment form andt turn themi into Deputy Clerk Torres.  II.  ATTENDANCE  Patty Burnette, Finance Director Indial Riedel, and Police Lieutenant Bettye Taylor.  III.  INTRODUCTION  The City recently acquired the property of the Primitive Baptist Church located at 1003 Southwest 3rd Avenue [legal description Lots 9t through 12ofE Block8 8, SOUTH OKEECHOBEE, Plat Book 1,F Page 12, Okeechobee County Public Records). Grants will be applied to restore the structures. Decisions regarding whatt the purpose or use of property and structures will be Many businesses are assisting the City and Okeechobee Main Street with Cattleman's Square within Flagler Park; the sculptures are anticipated to! be delivered! byt the end of March ore early A$131,000.00 grant for South Park Street and downtown landscaping is being completed. Public Works staff are staying busy working on storm water projects to prepare for the rainy season. The American Recovery Act funds are being used toi improve underground drainage that! has collapsed and to complete the Master Storm Water Permiti int the Commerce Center. Highlighted the sections of roadways scheduled to be repaved and that the street Stripping $500,000.00 in State Appropriation funds have been applied for City facility repairs and B. City Attorney Fumero provided an update on what has transpired over the last year with meetings held byt the CCRAC Members. Usingt the 11-slide power point [a copy has been incorporated into the official minute file), he gave a presentation on thei importance andr role ofa a municipal Charter. Ther mission oft the CCRAC, andi issues that were of concern discussed att theirr meetings. Reviewed thep proposed Charter by Article andt thes specificr recommended changes. Thef finals steps are public outreach andi input, City Councili final approval, thens schedule to! be areferendum ont the November Mayor Watford offered the floor to any CCRAC Members to make comments or ask questions. Member Gamiotea asked how will the Charter be presented to the voters? Mayor Watford responded that was one of the issues the Council still has to resolve. The hope was that more citizens would have beeni in attendance tonight to get theirf feedback. Attorney Fumero explained once all issues are resolved, it would be in question form for voters to check yes or no. CCRAC Member Worley encouraged the Council to have someone monitor social media to ensure misinformation was corrected as it transpires. In response to Council Member Keefe's question where people could view the most recent version of the Charter, it was explained iti is posted on the City website with their own designated page. Mayor Watforde encouraged the Council tos speak and address the subject att the various organizations they! belong to sucha ast thel Economic Council,  addressed atf future Council meetings.  April.  Plan would begin soon. upgrades.  2022 General Election ballot.  Kiwanis, Rotary, andt their churches.  January 24, 2022, Town! Hall Meeting! Minutes, Page1 1of2    206 III.  INTRODUCTION CONTINUED  B.  Council Member. Jarriel requested Clerk Gamiotea work up costs tos send a copy oft the Charter to all Citizen people. He was disappointed in the lack of attendance noting further it was advertised Mayor Watford then asked for any comment cards or written comments, none were: submitted. No one from the public had any other issues to present to the Council. He reminded everyone all Council meetings are open to the public and anyone can speak att those meetings.  very well.  IV.  Mayor Watford adjourned the Town Hall meeting at7 7:00P.M.  Submitted By:  MMnta  Lane Gamiotea, CMC; City Clerk  Pleaset take notice and. be advisedt that when ap person decides toa appeal any decision madel byt the City Council with respectt to any matter considered att this meeting, he/sher may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceeding is made, which record includes the testimony ande evidence upon whicht the appeali ist tob be! based. City Clerk media aref fort thes sole purpose ofk backup for official records of  the Clerk.  January 24, 2022, Town! Hall Meeting Minutes, Page 2of2