Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout09-September 08, 2020 FBHCITY OF OPA-LOCKA "The Great City" CLERK'S ACTION SUMMARY MINUTES FIRST BUDGET HEARING Tuesday, September 08, 2020 5:01 P.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Matthew Pigatt called the virtual First Budget Hearing to order at 5:01 p.m. on Tuesday, September 08, 2020. Pursuant to Executive Order No. 20-69, issued by the office of the Governor Ron DeSantis on March 20, 2020, municipalities may conduct meetings of their governing boards without having a quorum of its members present physically or at any specific location, and utilizing communications media technology such as telephonic or video conferencing, as provided by Section 120.54(5)(b)2, Florida Statutes. An opportunity was given to the public to email the City Clerk prior to the Commission Meeting with any questions/comments/concerns on items we will hear on this evening's Special Commission Meeting agenda. This meeting is being streamed live at https://www.youtube.com/user/CityofOpalocka. Since this is a virtual meeting as authorized by the Governor of the state of Florida, again, members of the public wishing to address the commission have been offered the opportunity to do so. Public comments will be included as part of the public record for this virtual meeting and will be considered by the City commission prior to any action taken. 2. ROLL CALL: The members of the City Commission appearing remotely were: Mayor Matthew Pigatt, Vice Mayor Chris Davis, Commissioner Sherelean Bass, Commissioner Alvin Burke and Commissioner Joseph L. Kelley. Also appearing remotely were: City Manager John E. Pate, City Attorney Burnadette Norris -Weeks, and City Clerk Joanna Flores. 3. INVOCATION: The invocation was delivered by Commissioner Sherelean Bass. 4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison. 5. FIRST READING ORDINANCES/PUBLIC HEARINGS: a) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A FINAL MILLAGE RATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 200.065, FLORIDA STATUTES, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019-2020, COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2020 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2021; SETTING FORTH PUBLIC HEARING DATES; PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF Virtual First Budget Hearing Minutes — 9/08/2020 1 ALL PRIOR ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Sponsored by City Manager The above ordinance was read by Attorney Norris -Weeks. Mayor Pigatt opened the floor for a public hearing. There being no persons to speak on the public hearing, the public hearing was closed. It was moved by Commissioner Bass, seconded by Vice Mayor Davis for discussion. Budget Administrator Robert Anathan said the first presentation is very brief and only covers one piece of information that has to be disseminated to everyone. It is necessary information under Florida Statutes for the taxing authority which is the City of Opa-locka. The TRIM Notice which DR420 is at 9.6439 mills is a base line millage rate. The tentative millage rate for discussion tonight is at 9.8000 mills which is 1.62 over the rollback rate. When over the rollback rate, it generates additional revenue which in this case is about one hundred and seventy five thousand dollars ($175,000.00). One of the statutes indicates how the money will be used for the police reorganization which will be discussed later. Vice Mayor Davis asked for clarity on the presentation that was just given. Mr. Anathan said that the state statute establishes a rollback rate which is a base line measure above which, if the City chooses to go to a higher millage rate, it is deemed to be a tax increase which in this case is 1.62% or about one hundred and seventy five thousand dollars. The statute requires that the City make people aware as to how the funds will be used. In this case it will go toward the Police Department. Mayor Pigatt informed the public that the City is aware that the millage rate is high, however, this will make sure we make the proper investments to refill the reserves and take care of infrastructure projects. It is the goal to bring it down within the next few years and that is why the City is working on a five year recovery plan. They understand that the millage is high, but it is something that has to be done to move the City forward. There being no further discussion, the motion on the ordinance passed by a 5-0 vote. Vice Mayor Davis Yes Commissioner Burke Yes Commissioner Bass Yes Commissioner Kelley Yes Mayor Pigatt Yes b) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA, FLORIDA, APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND, PROPRIETARY AND SPECIAL FUNDS BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021, COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2020 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2021; PROVIDING FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS ESTABLISHED BY THE BUDGET; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS; PROVIDING FOR APPROPRIATION OF ALL BUDGET EXPENDITURES; PROVIDING FOR FEES CONSISTENT WITH APPROPRIATION AND AMENDMENT; PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION OF REPESENTATIONS; ; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT AND REPEALER; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Sponsored by City Manager Virtual First Budget Hearing Minutes — 9/08/2020 2 The above ordinance was read by Assistant City Attorney Cobb. Mayor Pigatt opened the floor for a public hearing. There being no persons to speak on the public hearing, the public hearing was closed. It was moved by Vice Mayor Davis, seconded by Commissioner Bass for discussion. Mr. Anathan gave a presentation in which he addressed the budget adjustment and the status of the state review of the budget that was submitted on July 31, 2020. He went on to say that it was necessary to have a budget adjustment given the reorganization of the Police Department with a focus on having all staff at a minimum starting salary of $30,000.00 annually. There will be the hiring of additional staff and the upgrading of the patrol vehicles. The budget will also include funding for infrastructure projects, capital improvement projects, roads and streets, water, sewer and storm water with the hiring of additional staff for that division. The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) will also include facade plan continuation, streetscape enhancement, and an investment in parks among other projects. The Town Center building will have funding for the hiring of a property manager and a Request for Proposal (RFP) will be put out to achieve this. The units will also be rented out to cover the one hundred and sixty thousand dollars ($160,000.00) in property taxes the City will have to pay for the facility. The funding for Risk Management will be divided amongst all of the departments in the City. Commissioner Bass asked for clarity regarding the county school police program. She said it is her understanding that the City will no longer be providing that service so what happens with those funds. Mr. Anathan said he is unfamiliar with the funding for the police program and will have an answer for the commissioner by the next meeting. Vice Mayor Davis told Mr. Anathan that while he is preparing the budget, to take into consideration the Five Year Recovery Plan and the task force that was put in place for collecting funds owed to the City because it is important. Commissioner Kelley asked Mr. Anathan where the increase for the potable and the wastewater will come from since the City will be absorbing the cost. Mr. Anathan said the City will be absorbing it, but at the moment there is no consensus to raise the rate and the amount will not be passed on to the residents since the rates are considered to be high currently. Mayor Pigatt asked that the report for the police reorganization be passed on to the commission for review. He asked if this was the final budget that is going to be placed on the City's website. Mr. Anathan said, "No". He is in the process of putting additional documents together which will detail all of the accounts. Mayor Pigatt said he hopes the breakdown will be easy to review for those who may have difficulty reviewing the information. He said the budget is well put together and thanked Mr. Anathan for the work he has been doing regarding the City's finances. There being no further discussion, the motion on the ordinance passed by a 5-0 vote. Vice Mayor Davis Yes Commissioner Burke Yes Commissioner Bass Yes Commissioner Kelley Yes Mayor Pigatt Yes Virtual First Budget Hearing Minutes — 9/08/2020 3 7. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Commission, it was moved by Commissioner Burke, seconded by Vice Mayor Davis to adjourn the meeting at 5:47 p.m. ATTEST: Virtual First Budget Hearing Minutes — 9/08/2020 4