December 19, 2023

The City of Clewiston will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, December 25-26, 2023 and Monday, January 1, 2024 for the Christmas and New Year holidays. All solid waste collection for Monday, December 25 will be collected on Tuesday, December 26 and collection for Tuesday, December 26 will be collected on Wednesday, December 27. All solid waste collection for Monday, January 1, 2024 will be collected on Tuesday, January 2 and collection for Tuesday, January 2 will be collected on Wednesday, January 3.

Dates to Remember
• December 21, 2023 – Golf Course Advisory Board Meeting
• December 25-26, 2023 – Christmas Holiday – City Offices Closed
• January 1, 2024 – New Year Holiday – City Offices Closed

Office of the City Manager
Citizens, business owners & other interested parties:

Once again borrowing a time honored phrase from a popular holiday song: “IT IS BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS” in Clewiston, Florida! Holiday season activities are in full swing, and there is a buzz in the community that is quite exciting. It is very pleasing to live in such a wonderful place. Early in the holiday season, the City kicked-off the celebration with the December 1 Second Annual Christmas Tree Lighting event & Holiday Festival in Civic Park and adjacent recreational facilities.

Thanks to significant volunteer efforts, private donations and the diligent work of dedicated city staff in multiple departments, this year’s event and holiday decorations were even more impressive than in past years. The culmination of all the preparatory work is a Civic Park display that is a huge attraction throughout the month of December judging by the constant visitors gathering to stroll through the fantastic lighting display.

The 2nd Annual Tree Lighting event was an even bigger success than last year’s inaugural event with an estimated 4,000 attending. Community feedback was very positive and I thank all the individuals and organizations that played a part in making this year’s event such a success.

The Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Awards event followed on December 5th with the excellent activity held on a city staff supported well-lighted and decorated Bond Street that also had a festive seasonal feel as the air temperatures were cooler. During the event, several very deserving citizens and businesses were recognized for their contributions to the chamber and community including Frank & Tena Harris as the City of Clewiston Outstanding Community Service Award winners for 2023. A significant number of organizations and community entities have also held other worthwhile activities and events this month that add to the seasonal holiday flavor. All the many volunteers are to be commended for making this such a wonderful time of year.

As the holidays draw closer, a number of other celebrations will follow hosted by various organizations including our local churches to likewise celebrate the season. On behalf of the City of Clewiston staff, we wish all a happy and safe holiday season and a prosperous new year.

In what has become another holiday tradition, I have prepared the annual State of The City report to the City Commission which I presented at the December regular meeting as I have done since 2019. This is management’s effort to highlight Clewiston’s major municipal activities and accomplishments of 2023 with insight on expectations for 2024. To access the information, please use the following link: https://www.clewiston-fl.gov/egov/documents/1703002685_39387.pdf .

In closing, from your Clewiston city family, and from my personal family to yours, we wish all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
Thank you for your continued interest in the City of Clewiston,
Randy Martin

Staff Reports

Recreation & Leisure Services Director Lauren McGinnis reports:

This past month Recreation was thrilled to partner with the Police Department to bring you a fun filled Public Safety Appreciation Day! We were able to partner with state and local agencies to bring out some of the coolest equipment they have! The event included vehicles from: Clewiston Police Department, Hendry County Sheriff’s Department, The department of Forestry, Fish and Wild Life, Florida State Troopers, Hendry County Fire and Hendry County EMS. On top of the awesome vehicles, we had bounce houses, games, music, and a certified Police obstacle course! We had a blast working with each agency to bring this event to life!

The Youth Center is back open daily for students to enjoy, even during holiday breaks! The hours of operation for students to enjoy our building are 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM Monday – Thursday and 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM on Friday. We invite all of our youth to come and enjoy all of the board games, books, xbox game systems, and 3D printers at the Youth Center every day after school.

This month we were so lucky to have some amazing parents donate to our snack cart! With their children loving our building and coming every day they wanted to show their appreciation, and we are touched. We wanted to say thank you for the help and support to keep our building open and available at no cost for our students daily!

Our 3D printer runs each Thursday. If you would like to be a part of our 3D print club and/or volunteer for the club please call us to find out how. We are always looking for volunteers to help with our clubs and activities here at the Youth Center, if you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering please call us at 983-1492 to find out how you can get involved.

Our sports complex team is already beginning the process to prepare the fields for baseball season. While AYSO is still enjoying our beautiful complex we will begin working on the areas that are not being used for practice or games. We are thrilled to see so many families joining the sport and enjoying our field. If you would like to use the fields or batting cages but have found the gates locked please call the Youth Center to find out how you can gain access.

We have upgraded our facility rental process to make it fully digital. This includes a new information sheet that will help us prepare a more accurate quote, and help us find the facility that will best serve you for your event.

On top of our wonderful events this past month, our recreation support, maintained, and sports complex staff has been very busy all across the city! Some things you may have seen and some you may not have, here is what we have been up to this month:

Youth Center

• The Youth Center is open for our students to enjoy Monday – Friday from 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM
• 70 students enjoyed the Youth Center game room X-boxes, Mac Books, and 3-D Printers throughout the month.
• We now offer freshly cooked snacks for our students each week!
o Monday - Pop into the week with fresh popcorn
o Thursday - Warm your heart with fresh baked cookies
o Friday - Butter be happy it’s Fridays and you can enjoy fresh popped popcorn
• The Youth Center and Sugar Festival field hosted the Public Safety Appreciation day with more than 500 families attending!
• The Youth Center back room hosted 1 private event this month.
• The Youth Center back room hosted 1 meeting this month.
• The Youth Center back room hosted 1 corporate brunch this month.
• The Youth Center front room hosted a Little League Board meeting.
• The Youth Center back room hosted a Southern Bacon 4H meeting.
• Daily afternoon Youth Activity Groups continue to meet with new groups being added every month. If you are interested in any of the classes stop by the Youth Center to get more information on how to sign up.
o 1st and 2nd Monday of the month – 4H hosts cooking classes
o 3rd and 4th Monday of the month – DIME mentoring is held
o Tuesday - Sugar Dolls
o Wednesday & Thursday - DIME Dance Class
o Thursday - Boy Scouts
o Monday, Wednesday, & Friday - Taekwondo classes
• 18 Facility Rental Requests were processed this month.
• Staff landscaped around the facility.
• Staff deep cleaned the outside of the facility including windows and doors.
• Staff reset the kitchen breakers.
• Staff addressed a leak in the back restroom.
• Staff addressed a plumbing issue in the woman’s restroom.
• Staff repaired toilet in women’s restroom.
• Staff assembled sprinkler system around the Youth Center Lawn.
• Staff removed hay and pumpkins from back lawn.
• Staff repaired damaged lawn area from pumpkin patch.
• Staff set up festival area with games, activities, seating, tables, and trash bins for Public Safety Appreciation Day.

• Staff maintained building, restrooms, and fields during Public Safety Appreciation Day.
• Staff began installing Christmas Lights around the Youth Center.
John Boy Auditorium and Beardsley Room
• The John Boy Auditorium hosted 1 private event this month.
• The John Boy Auditorium hosted 1 nonprofit fundraiser this month.
• The John Boy Auditorium hosted 1 corporate event this month.
• The John Boy Auditorium hosted 2 mobile food pantries this month.
• Staff trimmed and weeded planters and green areas around the facility.
• Staff deep cleaned all restrooms throughout the building.
• Staff touched up paint throughout the building.
• Staff continues to keep facility ready for upcoming events.

Parks

• Sugar Festival Field hosted the Public Service Appreciation Day, there were more than 500 attendees.
• Sweetest Town Playground and Pavilions hosted 1 private event this month.
• Sweetest Town Playground and Pavilions hosted 2 fieldtrips this month.
• Civic Park hosted 1 private event this month.
• Esperanza Park construction and fencing was completed!
• Staff repaired cracks in the court flooring on Central Park East courts.
• Staff lined and painted 2 pickle ball courts on Central Park East courts.
• Staff prepared Sugar Festival Field for the Public Safety Appreciation Day.
• Staff trimmed, edged, and weeded to maintain the landscape in Civic Park.

• Staff trimmed, edged, and weeded to maintain the landscape around the Youth Center.
• Staff addressed safety concerns at Civic Park.
• Staff made repairs to restrooms at the Lake Okeechobee Boat Ramp.
• Staff began installing Christmas decorations at Sweetest Town Playground.
• Staff made repairs to restrooms at Trinidad Park.
• Staff continues to inspect all parks, playgrounds, and public areas daily picking up debris and litter so that residents can continue to enjoy a clean and beautiful space.
• Staff cleaned and sanitized outdoor restrooms at: Youth Center, Lake Okeechobee Boat Ramp, Sugarland Sports Complex, and Trinidad Park.

Sugarland Sports Complex and Park Pavilion

• Staff spent 63 hours removing trash and litter from fields.
• Staff spent 79 hours mowing.
• Staff spent 37 hours weeding.
• Staff spent 20 hours painting the fields.
• Staff spent 10 hours adding and raking clay to baseball fields.
• Staff spent 6 hours repairing fencing and soccer nets damaged this month.
• Ballfields Maintenance crew has been diligently working to maintain the grass and paint field lines for the AYSO season.
• Sugarland Sports Complex hosted CHS boys and girls soccer teams for both practice and games this month.
• Sugarland Sports Complex hosted 3 different travel baseball teams weekly practices this month.
• Staff replaced the control arm on the ground master.
• Staff aided in removing a bee hive from Stalls Field.
• Staff changed tires on workman vehicle.
• Staff cleaned and sanitized all restrooms throughout the park.

C.S. Mott Pool and Splash Pad

• The pool was completely drained.
• Pool walls, floor, and filters were acid washed and cleaned thoroughly.
• Staff refilled pool with fresh water.
• Staff deep cleaned the pool deck, locker rooms, and office areas.
• Staff performed maintenance on chemical delivery systems.
• Staff removed old chlorine dosing pump and installed a new pump.
• Staff measured and monitored chemical levels of pool water.
• Staff weeded fencing line around pool deck.
• Staff removed debris from Splash Pad drains.
• Staff cleaned Splash Pad base of dirt and debris.
• Staff adjusted time clocks on splash pad for the end of daylight savings time.

We are working on organizing more family fun community events, and we would love to know what you would like to see. No idea is too big or small, we want it all from video game tournaments to movies in the park and everything in between. Please send any ideas or recommendations to lauren.mcginnis@clewiston-fl.gov. If you are willing to donate and/or sponsor an event or activity please reach out. We would love to hear from you!

If you have any pictures enjoying any of our parks or facilities that you would like to share please tag us on facebook or email them to lauren.mcginnis@clewiston-fl.gov. We love to see our community enjoying the many spaces we have to offer.

Library Director Natasha Hayes reports:

• Library staff provided ready reference/computer assistance, circulation activities, and patron programming to 1, 437 patrons this month.
• This month’s programming activities have included:
o We had a fantastic Dinovember at the library!
• On November d, we kicked off Dinovember with Virtual Dino Photo Contest. Thank you to everyone who submitted a dinosaur themed picture.
• Beginning November 8, we celebrated Dinosaur STEAM week and had activities for six different dinosaur projects. At our Dino STEAM workshop, participants focused on science, technology, and the arts. It allows them to put on their critical thinking caps. We conducted excavation activities as we take on the role of young archaeologists.
• On November 30, we wrapped up Dino-vember with crafts, STEM activities, and games. We had a variety of crafts set up , all with a dinosaur connection. We hope to see the Dinosaurs back next year with more dino fun!
o AWE Learning Stations were accessed and used by a total of 101 children. Make sure to stop by and let the kids try it out!
o There were 82 participants who completed Dinosaur mystery challenge!
o Fall Diamond painting was held on Wednesday, November 15th.
o LEGO Club was held on Thursday, November 16 with a total of 21 builders. This month’s challenges were to build dinosaurs and guess how many LEGO bricks in the jar. Congrats to Alexandria for winning the challenge.
o It is that time of year again where the library comes alive with beautiful, handcrafted holiday pieces. On Tuesday, November 28, The Green Thumb Garden Club came and
decorated the library for Christmas with all-natural materials.
o The Adult Book Club met on November 29 to discuss “A Most Agreeable Murder” by Julia Seales. There were a total of 15 participants.

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAMS AND EVENTS:
• Book Club: Come join the fun at our next TWO meetings: Wednesday, December 20th 2:00 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. to discuss the newest book club title, “The best/worst Christmas Pageant ” by Barbara Robinson. With lively discussions, this group truly enjoys their meetings as they exchange their thoughts about each new title. New readers are always welcome.

• Anime Club
• I Spy…. Winter!: Stop by the library anytime starting Monday, December 13 until Friday, December 29th for I-Spy challenge!
• Video Game Club: Join us in-person for Super Smash Bro’s challenge, a Mario Kart race, or see who can survive the longest in Minecraft! Open to all skill levels. Children ages 7 and up. Please be advised that space is limited. Please call the library for more information.

• The Clewiston Public Library Hours are as follows:
o December 15, 2023 – CLOSED by noon
o December 25, 2023 – CLOSED
o December 26, 2023 – CLOSED
o January 1, 2024 – CLOSED

• Need a place to hold a meeting? What about a computer lab to host your organization’s/company’s training? The Clewiston Library offers a classroom and computer lab with a total of 16 computers for use. For more information or to secure the room, please stop in or call the library at any time.
• If you have not done so already, please join our Facebook page (Clewiston Public Library) in order to remain up to date on the library’s events and programs.
• Stop by the library to pick up a calendar with a list of events and programs so you can join in on the fun.

Golf Course Director Robbie Rush reports:

• Get all information of what’s going on at Clewiston Golf Course Facebook.
• Get on our E-mail list by going to the City of Clewiston website. Go to the golf course division and at the bottom of the page you can sign-up on Constant Contact and get all Clewiston Golf Course information.
• Rates have changed to Winter Rates. Non-members $45.00 Plus Tax 18 Holes and $22.52 Plus Tax for 9 Holes.
• Monday Special 18 holes after 12:00pm $33.00 plus tax.
• Golf Shop Hours are 7:15am to 5:00pm. The first tee time is 7:30am. Carts are due in at 5:45pm daily.
• Advertise a Tee Sign out on the golf course. If you are interested in advertising your business at the golf course, call 863-983-1448.
• The Driving Range has a new token machine now. Get your tokens in the golf shop.
• Golf lessons and Club Repair are available at the club from PGA Professional Robbie Rush. Contact golf shop at 863-983-1448.
• Clewiston Golf Course can supply all your golfing needs. You can inquire in the golf shop for whatever merchandise you need.
For more information call the golf shop 863-983-1448

Community Development Director/Fire Chief Travis Reese reports:

• Holiday Safety Tips from the Clewiston Fire Department
o Inspect holiday lights each year before you put them up. Throw away light strands with frayed or pinched wires.
o Water your live Christmas tree every day! A dry tree is a dangerous tree, because it can catch on fire easily.
o Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which can look, smell and feel like real candles.
o Keep all heat sources away from tree, should be at least 3 feet between the tree and any heat source, including candles.
o If you do use lit candles in your home, make sure they are in stable holders and placed where they cannot be knocked over easily.
o Make sure the batteries in your smoke detectors are working.

• New single-family residential home has been completed at 434 E. Sagamore.
• New Flex Gym will be relocating from 341 Central Ave to Clewiston Plaza located on Sugarland Hwy next Real Life Church.
• The Clewiston CVS has permanently closed it’s doors. According to the Naples Daily News over 900 CVS locations will be closing by the end of 2024, including 54 stores in Southwest Florida.

Police Chief Tom Lewis reports:

Police Department

Internet Exchange Safe Zone – As we get into the holiday season, many members of the community will be purchasing things online. We want to remind everyone that if you purchase something online from someone you don’t know, you have the option of meeting them and/or exchanging money for the item at the Clewiston Police Department, located at 300 South Berner Road. We want everyone to have a safe and scam-free holiday season.

Seeking Neighborhood Watch Participants – the Police Department is moving forward with starting a neghborhood watch program. There are many benefits to neighborhood watch such as building stronger relationships between the police and the community we serve, residents becoming more educated about police operations, getting help in reducing the risk of crime for you and your neighbors, working together for disaster preparedness, etc. If you are interested in joining our program or learning more, please email Chief Tom Lewis at Thomas.lewis@clewiston-fl.gov.

On November 14, 2023, the department held it’s Coffee with the Chief Program. The program, coordinated by the Clewiston Chamber of Commerce, was hosted at Seacoast Bank. This is an opportunity for members of the community to sit down in a relaxed atmosphere and speak directly to the Chief on any issue. The Chief spoke on topics such as adult arcades, homeless, neighborhood watch, and the happenings at the department.
On November 14, 2023, Chief Lewis and Commander Brophy attended the Emergency Services Council Meeting at the Hendry County Emergency Management building. In addition to networking and discussing local issues with our public safety partners, AT&T FirstNet provided a demonstration of their emergency public safety communications system.

On November 16, 2023, Chief Lewis and Commander Brophy attended the Palm Beach County Chiefs of Police Association meeting. This monthly meeting of police executives was held in West Palm Beach, Florida. There was a presentation from FPL on the current and on-going threats to the electric grid infrastructure.

On November 16, 2023, the police department hosted the West Side Elementary Pre-Kindergarten class. Approximately 60 kids arrived and got a chance to see the inside of a patrol car and got a Stranger Danger presentation from Commander Tom Levins. What an amazing group of future leaders.

On November 18, 2023, the police department partnered with the Clewiston Recreation department to host a Public Safety Day event at the Clewiston Youth Center and Sugar Festival Field. The event, which was free to public was well attended and included a police obstacle course, a K9 demonstration, a fire engine, an ambulance, a ton of games, and lots of food. We would like to thank the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, the Clewiston Fire Department, the Hendry County EMS, the Florida Highway Patrol, Clewiston Police Explorers, and the many other folks that made the event possible. It was a great community success!

ACCREDITATION – Over the last 26 months, we have been working hard to prepare the police department to be accredited for the first time in the 98-year history of the city. We are very pleased to report that three subject matter experts from around the state provided our agency with a multi-day mock assessment to better prepare us for the official state assessment. That mock assessment went very well. The dates of December 12-14, 2023 are our official accreditation assessment dates. During this time, the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) will send a team of subject matter experts to the Clewiston Police Department for a three-day on-site assessment. This accredited status will show the public, whom we proudly serve every day, that every aspect of our operation is operating under best practices and outside experts get a continuing first-hand look at our operation.

Animal Services

In the month of November 2023, Animal Services reported the intake of more than 25 cats, 11 dogs, 2 pigs, and a hawk.

During the month of November, the RotoKids of West Side Elementary School did a donation drive for the animal shelter. They delivered bags full of needed laundry and dog food. We are very blessed to have a community of mentors teaching our children the value of helping others.

On November 7, 2023, the police administration conducted applicant interviews for the newly created open position of Shelter Manager. A total of (7) seven applications were received and (6) six interviews conducted. WE'RE HIRING A SHELTER MANAGER. If you have a desire to make a difference in your community, you can pick-up an application at Clewiston City Hall, 115 West Ventura Avenue. This is a newly created position that will assist the police administration in the animal shelter operation. We are looking for someone with supervisory experience and a love for animals. Starting pay is $18.00/Hour with full city benefits (medical, dental, vision, etc.). If you have any questions, you can email Police Chief Tom Lewis at thomas.lewis@clewiston-fl.gov.

Highlighted Training

During the month of November, all members of the police department participated in virtual training sessions on NamUs, a national information clearinghouse and resource center for missing, unidentified, and unclaimed person cases across the United States. On November 6, 2023, all sworn members of the police department finished advanced driving training in the Precision Immobilization Technique, commonly known as the PIT maneuver. The PIT maneuver is used to quickly disable a fleeing vehicle forcing a conclusion to a vehicle pursuit. The training was hosted, free of charge, by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office in Naples, Florida. Beginning November 6, 2023, Officer Eric Williams attended Line Supervision class. The 80-hour grant-funded class was hosted, free of charge, in Fort Myers, Florida at the Southwest Florida Public Safety Academy. The class focuses on topics to prepare a new line level supervisor. Beginning November 6, 2023, Sergeant Lionel Conyers attended Special Tactical Problems. The 40-hour course was hosted, free of charge, in West Palm Beach, Florida at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Sergeant Conyers is the agency’s in-house firearms instructor and active assailant instructor. On November 22, 2023, sworn members of the department received updated training on Tasers as the department transitioned to an updated model. Tasers are an important de-escalation tool as our officers focus on peaceful resolutions.

General Services Director Williams reports:

We’re pleased to report that Clewiston Utilities Online Utility Portal is now live. If a door hanger was left on your door notifying you that your electric meter upgrade is complete, you can access the portal for near real-time utility usage data from our ongoing Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project.

The easy-to-use portal features a comprehensive dashboard with water and electric utility data and, as the water meter installations progress, will allow you to toggle between the two easily. View your usage for a billing cycle, review utility alerts or set threshold alerts for utility usage for billing cycles or when you’re on vacation. This helps you better understand your usage nearly in real time to help your family plan for its utility costs.

Visit the link to learn more about the portal and access it for yourself! Clewiston-Fl.gov/AMI

•  Electric Crew Activities:
o Installed Christmas decorations in Civic Park and all around town!
o repaired bad underground service (2);
o installed a new transformer in Commerce park;
o replaced cutouts (3)
o repaired stinger wire on feeder to Wastewater Treatment Plant;
o supported contractor UPA with electric meter installations;
o street light repairs ongoing;
o replaced distribution pole on 12th Street;
o replaced broken street light pole at John Boy Auditorium;
o changed breaker on Bond Street;
o disconnected services for electricians, to enable meter lug repairs.
• Water Sewer Crew Activities:
o Repaired numerous valve leaks/water line breaks,
o Prepared water meter boxes to support AMI meter installations
o performed Lift Station inspections (50) and made repairs as needed
o replaced water line on Della Tobias Avenue, sanitizing and tying in the service lines this week.
o assisted contractor with the lift station rehabilitation project
• Customer Service Department
o Your Utility partners with customers to bring renewable power to the electric grid. If you’d like to learn more about net metering, please visit the FTC consumer information site at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0532-solar-power-your-home .
o Please remember to register with CodeRed (Reverse 911). This system allows us to contact you in case of an emergency or with other informational announcements. You may register by clicking on the CodeRed link at the bottom of the City‘s website page www.clewiston-fl.gov . You may update your information at any time through the same link.
o If you are considering replacing your air conditioner or attic insulation, remember the City offers a rebate program for those items. Most local contractors participate in the program and can give you more information. You can also visit our website at www.clewiston-fl.gov or call our office.
o IT’S LIGHTNING SEASON! Don’t forget to sign up for your meter based surge protection! Visit our office today.
o ONLINE BILL PAY IS AVAILABLE on our web site at www.clewiston-fl.gov or www.municipalonlinepayments.com/clewistonfl.
• Facility Maintenance:
Air condition repairs (2) and filter replacements in city units.
Plumbing repairs (2).
Sprinkler repairs (2)
Other work:
o Set up Christmas Decorations at Civic Park;
o Set up stage for Homecoming Parade
o Lighting modifications in server room
• Street Division:
Ongoing:
o shopping carts collected and returned to businesses
o landscape maintenance
o pot hole repair
o street signs replaced and guard rails repaired
o debris removed from streets, catch basins and welcome signs
Other work
o installed Christmas banners
o installed temporary fence around Osceola Park
• Solid Waste:
o Solid waste collection is being transported to Ortona transfer station.
If you’d like to schedule a special pickup service, please call the Public Works Department at 983-1471
• Central Garage:
Staff continues to maintain the city’s fleet.