276  CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA MEETING MINUTES  NOVEMBER1,2022, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING  CALLTOORDER  Mayor Watford called the regular meeting of the City Council for the City of Okeechobee to order on November 1, 2022, at 6:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers, located at 55 Southeast (SE) 3rd Avenue, Room 200, Okeechobee, Florida. The invocation was offered by Mayor Watford; followed by the Pledge of Roll was taken by City Clerk Gamiotea to establish a quorum. Members present: Mayor Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Council Members Noel A. Chandler, Monical M. Clark, Robert "Bob" Jarriel, and! Robert' "Bobby" M. Keefe, A. There were no requests for items to be added, deferred, or withdrawn from the agenda. Mayor Watford noted Item A, under IV., Consent Agenda, should read, approve the Minutes for October 18, 2022, as B. Motion and second by Council Members Keefe and. Jarriel to approve the agenda as amended. Motion One comment card was submitted by Mrs. Raia Black conveying her concern that the Referendum question on the November 8, 2022, General Election ballot adopting a new City Charter, included the position of the City Clerk being changed from an elected position to an appointed one. She questioned why the change for the position of the City Clerk was included when that was not the recommendation from the Citizen Charter Review Advisory Review Committee and why the Council did not separate the twoi issues on the ballot into two questions, as requested by the public at two Hearings. She stated she will be voting No for the Charter ifonly to keep the City Clerk position elected by the people. A. Motion ands second by Council Members Keefe and Chandler to [dispense witht the reading and] approve the meeting Minutes for October 18, 2022, as revised. Motion Carried Unanimously. V. MAYOR WATFORD OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR QUASI-JUDICIAL ITEMS AT 6:07 P.M. Thef followingi items arec quasi- -judiciali in nature. Ina accordance withs section 286.0115, Florida Statutes (FS), ano opportunity forp personst tos speak on eachi item will ber made available after the applicant and staff have made their presentations on each item. All testimony, including public testimony and evidence, may ber made under oath or affirmation. Additionally, each person who gives testimony may be subject to cross- examination. Ifyoud don notv wisht tobee either cross- examinedo fors sworn, yourt testimonyy willb beg given its duev weight. Theg generalp publicr may request the Board toa ask questions ofs staff or witnesses ont their behalf. Any person presenting documents tothe Council should provide the City Clerk witha ar minimum of 10copies. Further details of the quasi-judicial procedure may be obtainedf from the Clerk. No verbatim record bya a certified court reporteri isi made oft these proceedings. Accordingly, any person whor may seek toa appeal any decisioni involving ther matters noticedh herein willb ber responsiblet forr making av verbatim record oft thet testimony ande evidence att these proceedings upony which any appeali ist tobe! based (see Section 286.0105, FS). In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 286.26, FS, persons needing a special accommodationt top participate int this proceeding should contact the City Clerk's office at863-763-9814: seventy-two (72) hours in advance oft this A. Motion and second by Council Members Jarriel and Clark to read by title only, proposed Ordinance No. 1264, regarding Rezoning Petition No. 22-006-R, submitted by the City as the property owner, tor rezone Lots 6a and7of Block 5, ROYAL OAK ADDITION, located at Southwest (SW) 3rd Avenue and 23rd Street, from Public Use (PUB) to Residential Single Family-One (RSF-1) [approximately 0.33 acres, the proposed usei is tol list the property for sale, as presented in Exhibit 1. Motion Carried Unanimously. City Attorney John Fumero readi into ther record thet title ofp proposed Ordinance No. 1264 asf follows:" "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE BY REZONING A CERTAIN TRACT OF LAND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN, FROM PUB TO RSF-1, PETITION NO. 22-006-R; AMENDING THE ZONING MAP ACCORDINGLY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING Motion and second by Council Members Chandler and Jarriel to adopt proposed Ordinance No. 1264. The Planning Board unanimously recommends approval based on the findings required per Code of Ordinances Section 70-340 and analyzed in the Planning Staff Report which finds the request is reasonably compatible with adjacent uses, consistent with the urbanizing pattern of the area, and consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. There were no comments from the public or the Council. Clerk Gamiotea noted for the record 23 courtesy notices were mailed to the surrounding property owners, advertisements and two signs were properly posted, with no objections or comments received to date. This Petition was submitted concurrent with Application No. 22-006-SSA that was adopted on October 18, ,2022, reclassifying the Futurel Land Use (FLU) from Publicl Facilities (PF)t to Single Family Residential  Allegiance led by Council Member Jarriel.  II. ATTENDANCE Jr.  III. AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS  revised.  Carried Unanimously.  IV. CONSENT AGENDA  proceeding.  FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE."  (SFR). Motion Carried Unanimously.  MOWBMBERL,A.CIYCOuNCLREGUUAMETNG PAGE10F3    277  V. QUASI-JUDICIAL PUBLICI HEARING CONTINUED  B. Motion and second by Council Members Keefe and Clark tor read byt title only, proposed Ordinance No. 1265, regarding Rezoning Petition No. 22-007-R, submitted by the City as the property owner, tor rezone Lots 9t through 12 of Block 8, SOUTH OKEECHOBEE, located at 1003 SW 3rd Avenue, from RSF-1to PUBI lapproximately 0.65 acres, for the proposed use of allowing the operation of a public museum, as City Attorney Fumero read into the record the title of proposed Ordinance No. 1265 as follows: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE,FLORIDA: AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE BY REZONING A CERTAIN TRACT OF LAND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN, FROM RSF-1 TO PUB, PETITION NO. 22-007-R; AMENDING THE ZONING MAP ACCORDINGLY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING Motion and second by Council Members Clark and Keefe to adopt proposed Ordinance No. 1265. The Planning Board unanimously recommends approval based on the findings required per Code of Ordinances Section 70-340 and analyzed in the Planning Staff Report which finds the request is reasonably compatible with adjacent uses, consistent with the urbanizing pattern of the area, and consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. There were no comments from the public or Council. Clerk Gamiotea noted for the record 31 courtesy notices were mailed to the surrounding property owners, advertisements and one sign were properly posted, with no objections or comments received to date. This Petition was submitted concurrent with Application No. 22-007-SSA that was adopted on October 18, 2022, reclassifying the FLU from SFR tol PF. Motion Carried Unanimously. MAYOR WATFORD CLOSED' THE QUASI-JUDICIAL PUBLIC HEARING AT6:13P.M.  presentedi in Exhibit 2). Motion Carried Unanimously.  FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE."  VI. NEW BUSINESS  A. Ms. Alainal Barron, Executive Director, oft the Education Foundation of Okeechobee, gave ap presentation utilizing a 12-slide power point [as presented in Exhibit 3). It provided their mission, her education, background, ande experience; theirs scholarship program which distributed 216 scholarships lasty year; the mini-grants" thats support Okeechobee County teachers, $42,510.00 was awarded last year. The Pencil Depot Program, of which 61 percent oft teachers are currently participating inp provides schools supplies to students and teachers. The Foundation is increasing the economic opportunities and social mobility for Okeechobee by assisting local students with securing financial aid for college through their College and Career Readiness Program, which is their largest program. The statistics showt that 60t to 70 percent of local students receive free or reduced lunch but only 20 to 30 percent completed the Free Application Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) last year. Okeechobee Countyr ranks 54th among the 67 counties in Florida for the number of residents with al high-quality degree or credential. Ther main activities of the College and Career Program are: FAFSA workshops offered at OHS and Indian River State College (IRSC) with an meal, raffle, and on-site assistance to complete their FAFSA. The first one hundred students who complete al FAFSA are awarded a $20.00 gift card as ap part oft the FAFSA Challenge. The Foundation, along with FAFSA experts from IRSC, travel to low-income areas, where travel may be al barrier to participationi int the workshops. Ther reason for thef focus on getting aFAFSA completed ist that 90 percent ofs students who submit a FASFA go ont to attend college. The SATIACT testp preparation was successful lasty year and has been expanded from af five-day workshop to a weekly program thisy year. Thisi item was Administrator Ritter noted the Shared Services funding in the City Council Budget will be paid to the Education Foundation. [Notation: the Shared Services Board is no longer in existence and will be removed from the City Liaison Board list. The Mayor was appointed to serve on that Board. The Education Foundation Board does noti include al liaison member from the City Council.] B. Motion and second by Council Members Chandler and Clark to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between Okeechobee County Economic Development Corporation and the City of Okeechobee for Installation of Landscaping Endcaps [along the South side of South Park Street, as C. Based on the discussion during the Okeechobee Utility Authority's (OUA) last update at the October 4, 2022, meeting, Executive Director, Mr. John Hayford, addressed the Council regarding the SW 5lh Avenue Septic-to-Sewer Conversion Project. A nine-page document was distributed and has been incorporated into the official minute file, outlining the service area oft the Project andt the three options to install a vacuum sewer, gravity sewer, orl low-pressure sewer system. Mr. Hayford reviewed the factors considered int the decision-making process andy whatl led the OUAt to consider a low-pressure system for the service area West of SW 3rd Avenue and then a gravity system East of SW 3rd Avenue for the  fori informational purposes only andi no official action was required.  presented in Revised Exhibit 4). Motion Carried Unanimously.  Commercial Corridor area.  NOVEMBER 1, 2022, CITY COUNCIL REGULARI MEETING, PAGE20F3    278  VI. NEWI BUSINESS CONTINUED  Continued. OUA Chairperson, Mr.. John Creasman, ando consultinge engineer, Mr.. Jeff Sumner, responded to questions and concerns raised. When askedi for a consensus, Council Members Jarriel andl Keefe did not have ap preference on an option used. Council Member Chandler's homei is on agravity system which hes said works great. Mayor Watford wasi inf favor of proceeding witht the OUA's recommendation. Council Member Clark requested to use either the gravity or vacuum: system. The conclusion was for any of the D. Motion ands second by Council Members Jarriel andl Keefe to approve thep purchase ofa Caterpillar [430 07a] Backhoe Loader from Kelly Tractor in the amount of $135,276.00 [per the Florida Sheriff's Association Contract/State Bid, as presented inl Exhibit 5). Motion Carried Unanimously. . Motion ands second by Council Members Keefe and Chandler to approve the purchase ofa2 2023 FordF F- 250 [single-cab, 2x4]T Truck from Bozard Government Salesi int the amount of $40,778.00 [per thel Florida Sheriff's Association Contract/State Bid, as presented in Exhibit 6] for the Public Works Department. . Motion and second by Council Members Keefe and Clark to approve authorizing payment to SHI International Corporation for six laptops [per State Contract] regarding FDLE Florida Incident-Based Reporting System (FIBRS) Grant 2021-FBSFA-F2-043 and to [approve as sole source] purchase for the TRACS Interface Software to meet State compliance [as presented in Exhibit 7. Motion Carried G. Motion and second by Council Members Jarriel and Clark to approve a Florida Department of Environmental Protection Grant Agreement LPA0350, Taylor Creek SE 8th Avenue Stormwater Conveyance Improvements Phase II [as presented in Exhibit 8). Motion Carried Unanimously. Reviewing a Special Exception Petition fora ar new cellt tower that was deferred att the Board of Adjustment Working on the title and legal description of Cattlemen's Square, required for the Department of Drafting ordinances on storm water, food trucks, and an appeal process for Business Tax Receipts  Council to attend the OUA meeting to convey their concerns tot the Board.  Motion Carried Unanimously.  Unanimously.  VII. CITYA ATTORNEY UPDATE  meeting on October 20, 2022; Environmental Protection Grant;  revocation;  Continuing to work with Staff tor revise the Code Enforcement lien reduction matrix.  VIII. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE  Working ona a goals, objectives, and priorities list for Fiscal Year 2022-23, planning top present to Council Will be meeting with the Veterans on November 4, 2022, to further discuss placement of the guns in Veteran's Square of Flagler Park and noting Okeechobee Main Street will be brought in eventually on Council Member Chandler noted, in regard to Veteran's Square, the Veterans should decide what goesi int the Council Member Jarriel remindede everyone to vote int the upcoming General Election on! November 8, 2022. Council Member Clark expressed concern over phone calls she received regarding the Charter andi inquired abouthowi tor respond ons social media without violating Sunshinel Laws, Attorneyl Fumerop provided clarification. Mayor Watford stated! he wantedt to clarify the statement! being circulated thatt the Charter has not beenu updated since the 1960s. There have been several revisions madet tot the Charter, just not a complete overhaul since  byt thef firstr meeting inl December;  this. Council Member Chandler will be attendingi inl Mayor Watford's absence.  IX. COUNCIL COMMENTS park, rather than others.  then. X. ADJOURNMENT Submitted By:  There beingr nof further items of discussion, Mayor Watford adjourned the meeting at 7:50P.M.  Binsiale Lane Gamiotea, CMC, City Clerk  Pleaset take notice and be advisedt that when ap person decides to appeal any decision made byt the City Council with respect to any matter considered att this meeting, s/he may needt to ensure that a verbatim record oft thep proceedingi is made, which recordi includes thet testimony ande evidence upon whicht thea appeali ist tobeb based. City Clerk mediaa aref fort thes sole purpose ofbackupf for officialr records  oft the Clerk.  NOVEMBER 1,2 2022, CITY COUNCILI REGULARI MEETING, PAGE30F3