CLEWISTON — A draft “invitation to apply” for the city manager position was recently distributed to commissioners and will be used in addition to consultants to help them find a permanent chief of staff.

The city has an existing professional services agreement with eGov Strategies LLC, Interim City Clerk Kathy Combass reports. At the request of the city, eGov is providing professional services to redesign the City of Clewiston website for a cost not to exceed $8,375. The result of the redesign will be a website that is more contemporary in its design, is better organized, and better accommodates mobile devices through the use of responsive design technology.

The commission approved the move at its meeting Monday, Feb. 4.

On another information technology front, the city’s IT department is looking into a cloud-based phone system. With the police department moving, it is a good time to start thinking about upgrading the aging phone system. More details to come, but it is looking promising. Also, she reports that although informal reviews were completed during the past for update of the city’s Personnel Policy Manual, no changes have occurred to the current version of the manual dated June 2004. Unquestionably, the manual needs a comprehensive revision for the city to administer a legally sufficient and up-to-date personnel management system. Therefore, the process to prepare a revised Personnel Policy Manual has been initiated, and staff will work aggressively over the coming months to complete the task.

In other action items:

• Published external advertisement for “Recreation Director” position. One application was received during the internal phase and will be considered along with external applicants.

• Interviews were held on Jan. 31 for the “public works superintendent” position; a candidate has accepted the position. The staff wished Superintendent Mike Young luck fishing in the FLW tournament.

• Golf Course Director Robbie Rush has continued with the process to lease new golf carts. A Request for Proposals will most likely be required.

Community Development Director Travis Reese reports:

• Last week, two more houses were permitted for construction in Orchard Park. Both are three-bedroom, two-bathroom structures averaging approximately 1,500 square feet.

• The Fire Department responded to a report of a crash at Airglades Airport during the last week of January. On arrival, a small, single-engine aircraft was found with the front nose gear collapsed. No injuries were reported, the aircraft was removed from the runway, and the airport was allowed to reopen.

Golf Course Director Robbie Rush reports:

• The Clewiston Men’s Senior Club Championship took place on Feb. 5-6. Congratulations! Glen Baxter was the winner of the Gross Division, and Sam Todd was the winner of the Net Division.

• The third Ladies Golf Clinic of the year on Full Swing will be Feb. 15. It will take place at 4 p.m., and there is no charge.

• The Clewiston Ladies Golf Association will host their annual invitational on Feb. 19. The ladies will celebrate the Clewiston Golf Course’s 90th birthday. The golf course was established in 1929.

• CLGA Rally for the Cure Mixed Scramble will take place on Saturday, Feb. 23. Sign-up is in the golf shop.
For more information, please call the Golf Shop at 863-983-1448.

Public Works Director Sean Scheffler reports:

• Mosquito Control: Mike Young and Sean Scheffler were in Gainesville the first week of February getting their required CEUs in public health to keep their license current.

• Street Division: Replaced 100 feet of sidewalk in Trinidad Park. Relocated a crepe myrtle at Trinidad Park. The Boat Basin was mowed and mulched. New “Caution: Slippery When Wet” signs were installed on docks. Bid openings for the paving, sidewalk and hot spot paving projects are set for Feb. 26. Unpaved roads were graded and leveled. New ADA-compliant “parabolic mats” were installed around City Hall.

• Sports Complex: Bleachers and hand rails were inspected and repaired where needed on Field One. Fence maintenance has been completed. Vision block slats were installed in fence around the lift station on Field One and the Small Quad. During a rain event, staff sanded and repaired picnic tables. Foul poles were painted at both quads. Horseshoe pits were serviced.

• Facility Maintenance: NOTICE — The John Boy Auditorium will be closed Feb. 25-28 for maintenance. Outside lights in front of Animal Control Building were repaired. The gate closer on the back gate of Animal Control was replaced. Re-keyed door locks on Cougar Building. The AC installation in Animal Control was finished up. It was quite a chore getting it into the attic; it had to be disassembled and moved in pieces. The bid opening for the new roof on the country club is set for Feb. 26.

• Parks & Playgrounds: Swing sets in the Trinidad Park were painted. Treated Trinidad Park for fire ants. The fence has been repaired on the tennis courts behind the Youth Center. A new gate (old one rotted out) and all pipe connections welded on both sides of the gate will make this a stronger, longer-lasting repair. Staff is working on a “Tennis Court Rules” sign. The plans for the picnic pavilion foundation are here. A construction date has not been determined.

• NOTE from Public Works: The hospital installed new signs on Trinidad at Olympia and Gloria streets, warning us not to drive on that one block while a helicopter is in service.

• Reminder — In order to keep our trash collection operations moving quickly and safe, please do not place yard trash on top of inlet grates and please do not place trash on a canal bank or next to any kind of post, hydrant or transformer. If you are aware of a water valve, don’t place yard trash on or near this, either.

Police Chief Aaron Angell reports:

The following is a brief synopsis of activity over the course of the past week.

• Officers made a total of nine arrests

• Officers responded to 391 calls for service (includes officer-initiated activity)

• Average officer response time to calls for service, 00:01:01

Utilities Director Danny Williams reports

Electric activities:

• Repaired URD that feeds to U.S. 27 streetlights.

• Ran service line to Orchard Park property and four Central Avenue apartments.

• Installed two new security lights for customers.

• Removed old transformers and equipment from the Old Fish House on U.S. 27.

• Cleared vegetation from power lines.

• Assisted customer with meter relocation.

• Set last distribution pole for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Herbert Hoover Dike.

Water-sewer activities:

• Phase one of the Inflow/Infiltration program will be completed soon. Smoke testing began Feb. 11 and should last about two weeks. The contractor, USSI, will be placing door hangers on front doors to notify residents before the work begins in individual neighborhoods. Please call the office if you have any questions or concerns.

Crew activities reported this week:

• Replaced ten water meters.

• Helped South Shore Water staff with a water line break.

• Repaired a break on a 4-inch waterline at the Hampton Inn site.

• Repaired a waterline service at 601 Sabal Ave.

• Inspected a 6-inch main waterline in the Lopez Street area.

• Performed several locates around town.

Dates to remember:
Feb. 12 – Special magistrate hearing
Feb. 18 – City Commission meeting
Feb. 21 – Golf Course Advisory Board meeting.

South Lake O reporter/editor Chris Felker contributed to this report.