Regular Commission Meeting (2026-04-09)

CITY OF LABELLE

2025

MINUTES

Regular Commission Meeting Thursday, April 09, 2026, at 5:30 PM

LaBelle Commission Chambers 481 West Hickpochee Ave LaBelle, FL 33975

CITY COMMISSION: Julie C. Wilkins, Mayor Kevin Holland, Commissioner Jackie Ratica, Commissioner Bobbie Spratt, Commissioner Hugo Vargas, Commissioner

ADMINISTRATION:

Tijauna Warner, MPA, MMC, Deputy City Clerk Derek Rooney, Esq., City Attorney Mitchell Wills, Superintendent PW

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Minutes

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Wilkins at 5:31 p.m.

2. Roll Call

PRESENT

Mayor Julie C. Wilkins Vice Mayor Jackie Ratica Commissioner Bobbie Spratt Commissioner Hugo Vargas Commissioner Kevin Holland City Attorney Derek Rooney Deputy City Clerk Tijauna Warner

3. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

Invocation by Commissioner Holland and Pledge of Allegiance lead by Vice Mayor Ratica.

4. Additions of Emergency Basis From Mayor, Deletions and Approval of Agenda Items None.

5. Presentations

A. Arbor Day Proclamation

6. Consent Agenda Items for Consideration

(Any commissioner or citizen may request to have an item removed from the consent agenda and placed on the regular agenda for further discussion.)

A. Approval of March Check Register

B. Approval of Staff Reports:

-Building Department- Mark Lynch

-Code Enforcement- Zane Mungillo

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-Woodard & Curran- Justin deMello

C. WWTP MASTER LIFT STATION REPAIRS

D. RESOLUTION 2026-07 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LABELLE, FLORIDA AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE BY THE CITY OF NOT EXCEEDING $20,000,000 IN PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF ITS WATER AND SEWER REVOLVING CREDIT BOND, SERIES 2026, TO FINANCE THE COST OF THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPPING OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CITY'S WATER AND SEWER SYSTEM; PLEDGING THE NET REVENUES OF SAID SYSTEM TO PAY THE SERIES 2026 BOND; AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF THE SALE OF THE SERIES 2026 BOND UPON COMPLIANCE WITH CERTAIN PARAMETERS; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THE FORM OF ATTACHED REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE

E. Four Waters Engineering Contract

Motion made by Commissioner Vargas to approve Consent Items pulling Item B: Woodard & Curran Staff Report, Seconded by Commissioner Spratt. Mayor Julie called for the question. Motion passed unanimously. Voting Yea: Mayor Wilkins, Vice Mayor Ratica, Commissioner Spratt, Commissioner Vargas, Commissioner Holland

7. Non-Public Hearing Items for Consideration

(Limited to 15 minutes per item: 3-5 minutes optional presentation time with the remaining time for discussion by the Commission)

Woodard & Curran Staff Report:

Commissioner Vargas raised concerns about the water loss percentages shown in the water production and distribution table, which ranged from 6.37% to as high as 53%. He explained these numbers are reported to the South Water Management District and could affect the city's water allocation permits if they appear excessive.

Motion made by Commissioner Vargas to approve Woodard & Curran Staff Report, Seconded by Commissioner Holland. Mayor Julie called for the question. A discussion ensued. Motion passed unanimously.

Salvador Mora from Woodard & Curran explained that much of the water loss is due to calibration issues with meters and inconsistent reporting from utility billing. He noted there's little accountability for water used by the fire department and for line flushing. Mayor Wilkins suggested setting up a meeting between Mora, the utility billing department, and a supervisor to resolve the discrepancies.

Voting Yea: Mayor Wilkins, Vice Mayor Ratica, Commissioner Spratt, Commissioner Vargas Commissioner Holland

A. Mavis Tires - Architectural Review