OKEECHOBEE — During the May 19 Okeechobee City Council meeting, the week of May 18 through 24, 2025 was proclaimed as National Public Works Week.

Jackie Dunnam was appointed to serve as an alternate on the Planning board, Board of Adjustment and the Design Review Board.

The council voted to approve amending the Future Land Use map from single-family to multi-family residential for the .65 acres located at 2104 SW Second Avenue, behind South State Bank. This project went through the Planning Board already and was approved. There were no public comments on the subject. Next month, there will be a second reading regarding zoning changes. The applicant intends to build two duplexes for a total of four apartments.

A unanimous vote approved extending the firefighters medical stipend to the beneficiaries of deceased retired firefighters.

They also approved changing the years to participate in DROP from five years to eight.

Regulations for camping or sleeping on public property were amended during the meeting. Public sleeping or camping is now also forbidden during daytime hours. This was changed so it would be clearer. The bill passed by the federal government last year forbids municipalities from allowing sleeping or camping on public properties. There will be a presentation during the June 3 meeting by the Heartland Homeless Coalition.

Finally, the council voted 3 to 2 to amend the original ordinance pertaining to the sale of fireworks to allow city businesses to sell fireworks. Business owner, Anita Nunez, spoke and asked for one more change allowing the sales to extend to July 5 and Jan. 1 so they can have a “blowout” type sale after the holidays.

City Administrator Gary Ritter asked representatives from the fire department to speak about the safety requirements involved in the sale of fireworks. Fire Marshal Keith Bourgault explained some of these requirements and said some of the rules are based on the quantity being sold. Vice Mayor Monica Clark said she was not in favor of allowing the extra days because she believes people will ignore the ordinance regarding the dates fireworks can be used and will set them off when they purchase them. She said she has a screen over her swimming pool and has had to replace it many times after fireworks burn holes through the screen. In addition, she said fireworks can be terrifying for some dogs, children and veterans.

Councilman David McAuley said he did not think the dates of sale will affect when the fireworks are used. “If they are not going to obey the law, they are not going to obey it.”