CLEWISTON -- There will be no solid waste collection on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Jan. 17, 2022. Monday’s routes will be collected on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. Please have your tipper carts roadside by 6 a.m. for collection.

Dates to Remember
Jan. 17, 2022 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – City Offices Closed
Jan. 20, 2022 – Golf Course Advisory Board Meeting
Jan. 24, 2022 – City Commission Meeting
Jan. 31, 2022 – City Commission Workshop

Office of the City Manager:

Citizens, business owners and other interested rarties:

In keeping with a standard practice of providing an end-of-year assessment and New Year’s prognosis, management presented a “State of the City” report to the commission at the Dec. 20 regular meeting. This document was intended to provide an administrative perspective on 2021 progress made and a view of what is expected to lie ahead for 2022. Since 2019, management has maintained a standard of regular weekly updates to the commission, but a collective assessment and reflection is believed to be a worthy complimentary effort. The full report can be accessed by the following link: https://www.clewiston-fl.gov/egov/documents/1641480637_43396.pdf. Interested individuals are encouraged to review the report to follow efforts to progressively benefit the Clewiston community.

I conclude by expressing my sincere hopes that each of you had a blessed Christmas holiday season and wishing everyone a happy and prosperous new year!

Thank you for your continued support and interest in the City of Clewiston.

Randy Martin

Staff Reports

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.
• Golf Shop Hours are 7:15 a.m. - 5 p.m. The first tee time is 7:30 a.m. Carts are due in at 5:45 p.m. daily. The golf course is open 7 days a week. Tee Times are required. Golf Shop 863-983-1448
• Clewiston Golf Course has a driving range. The driving range has lights which means you can hit golf balls after (Night Time) hours. Tokens for the range ball machine can be purchased in the golf shop or the Clewiston Police Department after hours.
• Golf lessons are available at the club from PGA Professional Robbie Rush. Contact golf shop at 863-983-1448.
• Monday Special after noon 18 holes with cart $30 plus tax per person.
• Walking is permitted all day.
• Deputy Brian Haas Tournament is scheduled for January 15, 2022. For information call the golf shop at 863-983-1448.
• 2-Person Team Tournament is Jan. 22, 2022. Must have an established U.S.G.A. Handicap to play.
• Ladies Golf Clinic Jan. 25, 2022 from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Free of charge.
• Jan. 28, 2022 Horse Race Tournament.

For more information call the golf shop 863-983-1448.

Code Enforcement Officer Debbie Clay reports:
City of Clewiston Ordinance
Sec. 18-44. - Permits required.
A permit will be required to do any alteration, construction or repair of a building or structure or make any changes or extensions.
(Code 1960, § 16-12; Code 1982, § 6-151; Code 1999, § 18-46)
Applications for building permits can be obtained through the Community Development Division.

The dangers of pulling an Owner/Builder Permit without verifying a license
If you do not intend to do the work yourself and have been asked by someone without a construction license to pull the permit, you are at risk of financial harm.

The Department of Business & Professional Regulation is the regulatory agency for unlicensed activity and you can find further information on the subject matter here: http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/unlicensed-activity/

The complete City of Clewiston Ordinances is available online and may be accessed utilizing the City of Clewiston website: https://www.clewiston-fl.gov/ or Municode Library website: https://library.municode.com/fl/clewiston/codes/code_of_ordinances.

If you have any questions about how to achieve/maintain compliance with this or any other City of Clewiston Ordinance you may contact our office at 863-983-1454 extension 309 or Code Compliance Supervisor:debbie.mcneil@clewiston-fl.gov

Police Chief Tom Lewis reports:

Police Department
On Dec. 1, 2021, at approximately 11 p.m., officers responded to the Executive Royal Inn in reference to an armed robbery. Two victims reported that two males, one armed with an AR-15 style rifle, robbed them at gunpoint. One of the victims was able to access the “Find My IPhone” feature which lead to an address in the Harlem Gardens Apartment Complex. With the assistance of the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, officers located the suspect’s vehicle (a Ford Edge). Officers observed, in plain sight, an AR-15 style rifle in the back seat .

Based on the victim’s description of the suspect, Cordell A. Washington, 34 years old, residing in the Harlem Gardens complex was detained. It was later learned that he was released from prison in March for charges including armed robbery. A show-up was conducted with the victims and Cordell Washington was positively identified. The rifle was determined to be a modified paintball gun.

Washington is a suspect in other armed robberies. He was arrested, transported to the Hendry County Jail and charged with home invasion, aggravated assault with the deadly weapon, false imprisonment, theft, and depriving a person of 911 communications.

Animal Services
In the month of December 2021, Animal Services reported the intake of 33 cats and 66 dogs. There were a total of 56 animal-related calls-for-service in the month of December (32 outside the city limits).

On Dec. 2, 2021, Animal Services transitioned to being open seven days per week! We encourage members of the public to visit the shelter and find your fur-ever pet and to visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ClewistonAnimalControl, where you can see the latest news and pictures of our four-legged friends.

Highlighted training

On Dec. 6, 2021, Commander Tito Nieves began the second week of a three-week FBI leadership course through the Command Leadership Institute. The Command Leadership Institute’s focus is to provide real life contemporary, best-practice strategies and techniques. Topics are based on credibility, command discipline and liability, dealing with problem employees, and leading change within an organization.

On Dec. 29, 2021, the department held its annual firearms qualifications at the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office gun range. The department also held their annual Taser recertification course, taught by Hendry County Deputy Chris Norwood.

Other News

On Dec. 11, 2021, the police department held their annual Shop with a Cop Event. Police officers, firefighters, EMTs, Police Explorers, and students the Clewiston Criminal Justice Class helped provide a better Christmas for 30 local children. What an amazing event. So many of our local businesses and residents supported us this year.

On Dec. 18, 2021, the Clewiston Police Department’s Christmas Sleigh, driven by none other than Santa and Mrs. Claus, drove all over the city giving toys to boys and girls! An enormous amount of toys were donated by employees and the community. We are always humbled by the amount of generosity we see. A huge thank you to all those that made this event what it was.

General Services Director Danny Williams reports:

• Facility Maintenance Activities:
o Staff was busy with the Christmas holiday decorations.
o The Youth Center renovation continues: new doors have been installed and the electrical contractor is installing the conduit, wiring boxes and new lights.
o Staff repaired the sprinkler system on Bond Street.
o Staff completed (4) Air conditioning repairs.

• Street Division Activities:
o Staff assisted with the set up and take down of tables and chairs for the Chamber of Commerce supper event on Bond Street.
o The pothole crew has been making it’s rounds throughout town.
o Staff provided the needed materials for an Eagle Scout project at the Police Department.
o One of our new drivers is being trained to operate the Street Sweeper and has been doing a great job.
o The mowing crew has made its rounds to ensure that all of our green areas are kept up.

• Solid Waste Activities:
o All of our new drivers have been crossed trained for all Residential Solid Waste route collections.
o We placed all available construction bins throughout the city for residents to use for disposing of their Christmas debris, and it was a success. (Christmas debris tonnage: 9.77 )

• Ballfields Activities:
o The crew is maintaining the sports fields.

o More loads of clay have been brought in for the crew to finish repairing the rest of the ball fields.
o We have had Travel teams playing on different fields this month.
o All needed repairs to structures are under way before the 2022 regular season begins.

• Central Garage Activities:
o Repairs have been made to both of the Residential Solid Waste trucks so the rental truck utilized in the interim will be returned as soon as possible.
o The Street Sweeper is in the shop for repairs.
o Staff are working on removing all equipment and decals from surplus equipment to ensure that it will be ready to take to the 2022 Weeks auction as soon as they begin to set up.

• John Boy Auditorium Activities:
o December has been a very busy month but staff has kept up with the demand.
o Staff has been cleaning and sanitizing after all events.
o Staff set up for the annual City Employee Appreciation luncheon and USSC delivered turkeys to the luncheon for all employees as they do every year.

• Electric Crew Activities:
o Repaired street lights,
o installed underground primary for Sweet Lake Villas service,
o removed vegetation from power lines
o storm hardened power lines, replacing eleven distribution poles,
o changed contactor in control box for lighting circuit on Central Avenue,
o installed new distribution line pole for wastewater treatment plant
o raised three low services
o repaired broken “jumper wire” on tenth street,
o installed six new “fish” decorations at the boat basin.

• Water Sewer Crew Activities:
o Installed new water meters for Sweet Lake Villas units,
o Installed new service for Bond Street customer
o Vacuumed collection system lift stations, installed new pump
o Repaired water break on Francisco Avenue
o Assisted with vegetation debris pick up.

• 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.