The following is a report for the April 1 Clewiston City Commission meeting.

Dates to Remember
April 15, 2021 – Golf Course Advisory Board Meeting
April 19, 2021 – City Commission Meeting

Office of the City Manager:
Citizens, Business Owners & Other Interested Parties:
As you can see from several of the updates in this FYI, the City is in the process of doing a number of Spring clean-up type activities and improvements to public properties. From the looks of some of the city’s streets on solid waste pickup days, it appears many citizens and businesses are doing likewise by sprucing up their private properties. Unfortunately, with the high wind speeds that frequent our area, these and other activities during the busy season can lead to debris and litter that take away from the natural beauty of our community. Let’s all continue to do our part and encourage others to do likewise to control litter to keep our City looking as good as possible.

Clewiston is seeing encouraging signs of economic development type activities as well. A couple of new business startups and some existing business renovations and expansions are either already under construction or slated to begin soon. New scattered site housing starts and apartment construction are also either on the horizon or underway. The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Board recently approved the purchase of vacant property on Olympia Street to construct a new regional operations facility to replace their older facilities currently located outside the city. Not only does this major project create positive economic impacts during the construction process, but it also keeps the existing SFWMD jobs local and provides for even greater future impact with an anticipated increase in staffing at this facility as the agency develops plans for new water management assets in the Hendry County area. The agency had been evaluating options for relocating either locally or moving to other communities in the region, so City officials worked closely with their agents to encourage them to stay in Clewiston and Hendry County.

Also, I am pleased to report that the current phase of the Herbert Hoover Dike (HHD) rehabilitation project is rapidly coming to a close within the city. This important project to improve the integrity and safety of the dike being undertaken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has out of necessity limited access and otherwise periodically impacted the city managed recreation areas along the dike as well as access to Lake Okeechobee, the LOST perimeter trail and the City’s boat ramps and basin. Despite the dust, traffic implications and limiting factors to access, this project has, on the other hand, also provided a much welcomed positive boost to the local economy over the past year or so and will continue to do so for at least another year until the contract for the larger scale project is closed. Fortunately, for local and tourism related interests, the final elements of improvements in the lake recreation access area are expected to be entirely complete during May, 2021.

Lastly, the City of Clewiston continues to actively market remaining parcels of property in Commerce Park on Olympia Street for light industrial uses. During March, the commission authorized four contracts for interested parties that are expected to construct facilities valued for tax purposes in excess of $2 million in private investment and create an estimated 44 private sector jobs. The city will receive $262,431.36 in revenue from the sale of these five acres. The City had previously sold three parcels and after the approved sales are final will have seven parcels remaining containing 15.7 acres. Two additional contracts are pending and a couple of other offers are also under consideration. City officials are pleased that economic interest in Commerce Park has improved and believe this activity bodes well for the overall local economy in the years ahead.
Thank you for your continued support and interest in the City of Clewiston,
Randy Martin
Staff Reports

Community Development Director Travis Reese reports:
• We have received plans for the installation of Harbor Freight, which will be going into the suite next to Save-A-Lot.
• We have also received plans for Alan Jay Dodge Ram Jeep’s remodel of their mechanic shop.
• We have received multiple new business tax receipt applications.

Public Works Director Sean Scheffler reports:
Parks Department Activities:
• The basketball court at Osceola and San Gabriel was striped.
• Ball season has started. Staff spends most of the day prepping fields for that night’s play.
• The Sports Complex was power washed and hidden areas were checked and treated for wasps.
• Two truck loads of red clay were delivered to the Sports Complex and will be used to maintain the infields.
• Staff took delivery of an agricultural additive (iron) to be applied to all playing surfaces and the city hall. This should really green up the grass.

Street Division Activities:
• Irrigation on Central Avenue was repaired.
• The never ending duties of the Pot Hole Patrol continue. A special operation was performed this month at two different times.
• Palm trees were trimmed in the Candy Cane Park and the entrance to Seminole Manor.
• Flowers were replaced in the atrium of the city hall. The whole property was mulched.
• With youth baseball season starting up, City staff have taken over the mowing of the ten acre field. We are happy to do this, because many people use that field in the evening for recreation and exercise. The area looks great and residents are using it properly.
• One hundred twenty feet of pipe and two inlets were installed on East Osceola Avenue
• The street sweeper has been sweeping residential streets the past couple weeks. We are targeting the road shoulders where the grass is growing over the edge because of the organics left behind by mow clippings and falling leaves. Residents are encouraged to edge the street adjacent to their property. This will allow storm water to get off of the road and into the swell to be treated before it enters the storm drain system. The sweeper has also been deployed frequently in other heavily traveled areas with the construction activity underway around portions of the city. Please be aware when approaching the equipment in a vehicle and give it space to operate safely.
• Staff rebuilt a catch basin at the corner of Avenida Del Rio and San Jose.
• Staff did a maintenance sweep down Bond Street and the Memorial Park. Trimming hedges and general clean up. We are scheduled to power wash the sidewalks next week.

Facility Maintenance:
• Lights were serviced and upgraded to LEDs where needed.
• AC repairs were made at the Operations Building and Sub Station control room.
• A new sink faucet was installed at the High School Girls’ Field.
• The city hall, museum and chamber were disinfected to prevent spread of the COVID virus. All city facilities are treated before and after large gatherings.
• City hall, utilities, community development and the fire house were power washed.
• The lower section of the walls in the John Boy Auditorium got a fresh coat of paint. Boots, tables and “oops” finally marked it up enough to get a coat of paint.

• The Lobby in the John Boy Auditorium was painted. Bathrooms off the lobby are scheduled to be painted next.
• The John Boy Auditorium was also treated to prevent spread of the COVID virus this week after the ALPI group finished their program.
• A circulation pump, valves and copper pipe on the water heater at the operations building were replaced.
• Two new ceiling fans were installed in the concession stand at the Small Quad.
• The John Boy Auditorium was closed for maintenance the first week of April. Floors were stripped and waxed. Carpet in the Beardsley Room will be cleaned. Doors in the auditorium will be painted.

Reminder: All debris offered for collection must be in the tipper cart with the lid closed all the way. Boxes are to be recycled or broken down and placed in the tipper. Mulch bags, empty cardboard boxes and plant material containers are to be placed in the tipper. Smash them down so they take up less room in your tipper. Do not place boxes or plastic bags and containers loosely by the street for collection.

Golf Course Director Robbie Rush reports:
• Get all information of what’s going on at Clewiston Golf Course via the Facebook page.
• 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 7:45 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. The first tee time is 7:45 a.m. Tee Times are required. Contact Golf Shop at 863-983-1448.
• Golf Carts have to be in at 7 p.m.
• Starting April 15, 2021 the first tee time will be 8 a.m.
• 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.
• Sam Todd and Debbie Miller teamed up this year in the Clewiston Golf Course Mixed Championship and won the tournament in a Pinehurst Modified Alternate Shot format. Congratulations!
• Monday’s Special after noon - 18 holes cart included $26 plus tax. Tee Time required.
• March 13, 2021 - VFW LaBelle had their annual tournament. 96 players participated this year raising money for local veterans in need.
• March 27, 2021 - Presbyterian Nicaragua Medical Mission Tournament took place. They raise money every year for medical supplies to send to families in Nicaragua. It was their 9th Annual Tournament this year.
• April 17, 2021 - Moore Haven Terrier Boosters Tournament is scheduled.
• May 8, 2021 - Clewiston Tiger Boosters Tournament is scheduled.
• Repairs on the greens started last week and is going well. The golf course has planted sprigs in areas where needed.
• Painting of the clubhouse gets started Monday, April 5, 2021.
• City of Clewiston is taking applications for three vacant jobs at the golf course now. Pro shop clerk, part-time bag room attendant and part-time grounds keeper.
• Summer Memberships will be available starting May 15, 2021.
• Rates for Non-Members go down May 15, 2021.

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

Code Enforcement Officer Debbie Clay reports:
Article VI. – Solid Waste Division 1. – Generally

Dear Clewiston Property Owner/Tenant:
On behalf of Clewiston Community Improvement Division, I want to share with you the following City of Clewiston Ordinance:
Article VI. – Solid Waste
Division 1. – Generally
Sec. 74-170. – Prohibitions

(b) Unauthorized placement. The placement or scattering of yard clippings, tree limbs and/or other refuse in or upon street gutters and/or the street surface, or drainage canal banks is hereby declared a nuisance and a danger to storm drainage control and shall be prohibited.

Sec. 74-187. Collection scheduling and placement
(b) Horticulture waste.
(1) The city will collect on weekly basis one pile of horticulture waste, including limbs, trimmings, and cuttings, not to exceed the volume dimensions which measure four feet by four feet by eight feet. Limbs shall not exceed eight feet in length and four inches in diameter. Bushy limbs shall be cut apart and trimmed to lay flat. Persons placing wastes for collection which exceed these standards shall coordinate with the public works department for proper removal as a special pickup service.
(2) Horticulture waste shall be placed for collection immediately adjacent to the premises producing such wastes, but not upon the paved street, sidewalk, storm gutter or canal bank. The city will not be responsible for damage to sprinkler systems, sprinkler heads, water meters and other objects, including fences, gates and hedges, other plants and trees damaged due to horticulture waste being placed over or piled on or against such items as a result of being placed there for collection by the occupants and/or owner of the property.
(3) No horticulture waste shall be placed for collection against or within ten feet of any wall, fence, vehicle, electric pole, down guys, utility lines, traffic control device, telephone interface junction panel, water valve box, manhole, tree, or any other obstruction so as to impede collection.
(4) No garbage or other solid waste materials shall be placed for collection commingled with horticulture waste. Commingled waste of this nature shall constitute a contaminated waste pile and will only be removed by special pickup service.
(5) Waste placed for collection in violation of any section of this article shall be tagged with written notice stating that the occupant of the premises must remove same within 48 hours; if the occupant fails to remove the waste, the city will pick up this accumulation and the occupant will be charged for a special pickup service. The special pickup fee will be charged with the occupant’s monthly utility bill.

(e) Special pickup. A special pickup is a collection service for items not authorized on a regular collection schedule.
Such pickups include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) All bulky wastes and white goods exceeding size thresholds;
(2) Contaminated horticulture waste piles; and
(3) Any other unacceptable residential waste as determined by the public works director.
Special pickups will be coordinated by the resident and the public works department as to time, place, date and items to be picked up. A minimum fee, found in appendix A to this Code, will be charged. The director of public works or his designee shall charge an additional amount above the minimum based on excessive volume, difficulty of collection, and other relevant factors. This fee shall be charged with the customer’s next regular utility bill.

Both our Public Works and Code Enforcement personnel will begin focused enforcement on this ordinance as well as continued enforcement of all City of Clewiston Ordinance.
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.

Utilities Director Danny Williams reports:
We are excited to be able to upgrade our T1 network service (fiber network) for all our city facilities. When complete, our network reliability will be dramatically improved.
The Board of Commissioners approved our AMI consultant QUANTA’s recommendation to negotiate a smart meter contract with proposer SENSUS. We hope to reach an agreement by May.

Electric Crew Activities:
• Replaced nine wood distribution poles;
• repaired street lights;
• removed vegetation from power lines;
• consulted with contractors on substation capital improvement project: installed new bank breaker, new relays, new SCADA equipment, replaced PT junction box;
• changed 300 KVA transformer;
• removed torn banners at boat basin parking lot;
• changed pad mount transformer leaking oil on Del Rio;

Water Sewer Crew Activities:
• Evaluated our sewer lift stations for phase three inflow and infiltration repairs;
• looped a waterline in the Community of Harlem for improved flows;
• cleaned three lift stations;
• repaired a 2” waterline that was damaged by a truck;
• assisted SouthShore with a waterline repair.

Customer Service Department
• 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 .
• 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.
• If you are considering replacing your air conditioner or insulation, remember the city offers a rebate program for those items. Most local contractors participate in the program and can give you information. You can also visit our website at www.clewiston-fl.gov or call our office.
• IT’S LIGHTNING SEASON! Don’t forget to sign up for your meter based surge protection! Visit our office today.
• ONLINE BILL PAY IS AVAILABLE on our web site at www.clewiston-fl.gov or www.municipalonlinepayments.com/clewistonfl.

Addendum for April 1, 2021
Animal Control:
INTAKE *Cats: 14 *Dogs: 62 OUTCOME

See the above photo for the OUTCOME

• March 1, 2021 Clewiston Animal Control received a phone call reporting a missing senior dog from Montura named “Beau”. His owner expressed great concern and ACO Amanda Nelson reassured CAC would do everything to help find him. She advised him to send pictures to help ID Beau. Few weeks later on March 20 during a regular patrol in Montura, Clewiston AC seen an abandoned trailer, later discovered to be deemed unlivable, condemned and to be demolished in the future. In the window stood two large dogs. Amanda Nelson immediately recognized one of the dogs as Beau! Hendry County Sherriff Office was called along with Code Enforcement and arrived to assist CAC with the seizure of two dogs and one juvenile pigeon. Beaus owner was called to share the great news Both were shortly reunited and happy to have the family whole again!

• On December 31, 2020 a residence in City of Clewiston was issued a search warrant. At this residence 10 dogs were present, three large adults and seven juvenile pups approximately seven months old. Clewiston Police Department requested CAC to come help remove the k9s. Due to being unsocialzed these dogs proved difficult to apprehend. Over the next few months Clewiston Animal Control managed to catch six of the dogs. During those months there were reports of the last four remaining dogs running the streets, chasing cars, bicycles, destroying yards and garbage. At this point we requested assistance from neighboring ACOs at LaBelle Animal Control. With their help we managed to catch three of the four remaining dogs. With the last dog still remaining CAC was working against the clock as we had been informed the property was deemed to be demolished. Finally after multiple attempts and assistance from neighbors Friday March 19, 2021 the final dog was caught. We are proud of everyone involved and greatly appreciated the patience from the community along with their information on the dogs whereabouts and popular locations.