HomeMy Public PortalAbout07-July 02, 2020 VSCMCITY OF OPA-LOCKA
"The Great City"
CLERK'S ACTION SUMMARY MINUTES
VIRTUAL SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING
Thursday, July 2, 2020
6:30 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Matthew Pigatt called the virtual Special Commission Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. on
Thursday, July 2, 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 Regular
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,
Commissioner Sherelean Bass, Commissioner Alvin Burke, Vice Mayor Chris Davis, and
Commissioner Joseph L. Kelley. Also in attendance 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. PUBLIC INPUT:
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City Clerk Flores reported that there were no public comments.
6. RESOLUTIONS:
(a) AN EMERGENCY RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSIONER OF THE CITY
OF OPA-LOCKA, FLORIDA, REQUIRING "FACE MASKS" OR "FACE
COVERINGS" TO BE WORN IN PUBLIC PLACES DURING THE COVID-10
PANDEMIC; ISSUING THE ORDER ATTACHED HERETO AS EXHIBIT "A";
PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE. Sponsored by Commissioner Kelley
The resolution above was read by City Attorney Norris -Weeks.
It was moved by Commissioner Kelley, seconded by Vice Mayor Davis for discussion.
Commissioner Kelley requested City Manager Pate's advice on deferring this resolution and the
other options available as far as educating residents, such as career sources.
City Manager Pate stated he believes the County's order for wearing facemasks was sufficient at
the time and this resolution could be deferred until the County rescinds the order and if the City
decides to continue such order. He further stated that using Career Source is a possibility.
Commissioner Kelley acknowledged and asked if there was a need to pass an order for Career
Source's assistance.
City Manager Pate stated it was not needed, as the current emergency orders provide that option.
Vice Mayor Davis requested City Manager Pate to explain the penalties to residents for violating
the order in place by the County.
City Manager Pate stated the County order is a criminal penalty and that the Mayor of the
County has stated that the County is working towards having civil penalties instead.
Mayor Pigatt reiterated that the County is working on civil penalties instead.
The motion was deferred and withdrawn by its sponsor, Commissioner Kelley.
7. FIRST READING ORDINANCE/PUBLIC HEARING:
(a) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA,
FLORIDA, REPEALING EMERGENCY ORDINANCE 2020-04 WHICH
IMPLEMENTED A CITY-WIDE CURFEW FOR THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA,
FLORIDA, DUE TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19);
PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE. Sponsored by Vice Mayor Davis
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The above ordinance was read by City Attorney Norris -Weeks.
City Clerk Flores reported there were no public comments.
It was moved by Commissioner Burke, seconded by Commissioner Bass for discussion.
Vice Mayor Davis stated his reasons for sponsoring this item. He believes the curfew was no
longer needed, as other preventative measures of COVID-19 have been implemented, such as
face masks, social distancing and testing.
Commissioner Bass advocated for removing the curfew on behalf of the residents, but she was
still somewhat hesitant as implementing all efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Commissioner Burke shared his experience and observations as far as the curfew being effective
and he was concerned residents would act irresponsibly if the curfew was lifted.
Commissioner Kelley requested City Manager Pate and Chief Dobson to further explain why
their position has changed.
City Manager Pate asked Chief Dobson if he had recently recommended for the curfew to be
lifted.
Chief Dobson stated "Yes". He went on to explain that there are only 4 cities in Miami -Dade
County that currently had a curfew in place. He shared the residents' comments on the curfew,
how it is confusing for them and how it is unnecessary. He further stated that social distancing
and facemasks should be enough.
Commissioner Kelley asked if this ordinance was passed, if it could be repealed.
City Attorney Norris -Week stated that as an Emergency Order, it will only require one reading,
and the same way it was implemented, it can be repealed.
Commissioner Kelley requested the recommendations of City Manager Pate.
City Manager Pate stated that as long as the Police Department enforces face masks and social
distancing, he would recommend it.
Mayor Pigatt stated the data does not support the theory that curfews lower case numbers and the
County already has orders in place to help prevent the spread. He said he fully supports repealing
the order. He further asked what the current law was limiting the number of peoples that can
gather in public.
Chief Dobson stated that it was up to 5 people.
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Mayor Pigatt then explained the reasons this order should be repealed and how it negatively
impacts the residents of the City. He further asked City Manager Pate if he had anything else to
add.
City Manager Pate stated the County was ordering the curfews and enforcing it.
Vice Mayor Davis agreed to repeal the order.
Commissioner Kelley acknowledged his understanding and agreed with enforcing social
distancing, face masks and the limit of people congregating. He further asked if cases rise and it
was necessary, that this order could be implemented again.
City Attorney Norris -Week stated "Yes".
There being no further discussion, the motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
Commissioner Burke Yes
Vice Mayor Davis Yes
Commissioner Kelley Yes
Commissioner Bass Yes
Mayor Pigatt Yes
7. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the Commission, it was moved by Commissioner
Kelley, seconded by Vice Mayor Davis to adjourn the special meeting at 7:09 p.m.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
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