HomeMy Public PortalAbout09-September 13, 2020 V2ndBHCITY OF OPA-LOCKA
"The Great City"
CLERK'S ACTION SUMMARY MINUTES
VIRTUAL SECOND BUDGET HEARING
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
5:01 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Matthew Pigatt called the virtual Second Budget Hearing to order at 5:01 p.m. on
Wednesday, September 23, 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/CitvofOpalocka.
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 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. Commissioner Sherelean Bass joined the meeting at 5:35 p.m.
3. INVOCATION:
The invocation was delivered by Commissioner Joseph L. Kelley.
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.
5. SECOND 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 Second Budget Hearing Minutes-9/23/2020 1
ALL PRIOR ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING
FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (first reading/public hearing held on September 8, 2020). Sponsored
by City Manager
The above ordinance was read by Assistant 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 Commissioner Burke, seconded by Vice Mayor Davis for discussion.
City Manager Pate read the following into the record regarding the item:
The taxing authority is the City of Opa-locka, Florida, the current year rollback rate is 9.6439 mills.
The tentative millage rate to be considered at this meeting is 9.8000 mills. The millage rate is a 1.62
percent increase over the current year rollback rate.
He went on to ask the budget administrator if he had anything to present to the commission.
Budget Administrator Robert Anathan said he had a one pager, but it is not central to the discussion, it is
background information. He explained that the 9.8 mills is split in two accounts. One being the general
fund and the other is the Tax Increment Financing (TIT) Revenue for the Community Redevelopment
Agency (CRA). He said he is open for discussion regarding the millage rate.
Mayor Pigatt said he understands that the millage rate is high, however the City is working with the state
to lower it and so he encouraged the citizens to have patience while the finances are being out of order.
There being no further discussion, the motion on the ordinance passed by a 4-0 vote.
Vice Mayor Davis Yes
Commissioner Burke Yes
Commissioner Bass Not Present
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 SEVERABQ.ITY; PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE first reading/public hearing held on September 8, 2020). Sponsored by City
Manager
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 Commissioner Burke, seconded by Vice Mayor Davis for discussion.
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Mr. Anathan explained that the budget schedule is moving forward with the initial millage rate and first
budget hearing being held on September 8, 2020, the state approved advertisements that were placed in
the Miami Herald on September 20, 2020, and the fmal millage rate and second budget hearing tonight.
Upon approval from the city commission, the millage ordinance will be sent to the Tax Collector's and
the Property Appraisers Office, and the state on tomorrow September 24, 2020. Then on October 23, 2020
the TRIM Compliance Package will be sent to the state. He said the state has reviewed the FY 21 Budget
and approved it and he is prepared to answer any questions from any attendees of the budget hearing.
Mayor Pigatt asked Mr. Anathan to give the viewers information on where they can find the information
and provide a brief summary of the budget.
Mr. Anathan gave funding highlights that include the City having a Tax Base Growth being one of the
highest in the county. The Police Department along with the PBA is making it possible for every
employee to have a minimum staring salary of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000.00). He went on to give a
very brief summary of the funding accounts and line items and stated that he is available for questions
from the commission.
Commissioner Kelley asked when the cost of living adjustments would be available to all employees. He
also asked about the approval from the state wanted to know what changes can be made as discussed.
City Manager Pate said they will look into the increases for staff in the first quarter of the budget year and
see where the reserves are and the state made the approvals while knowing the water and sewer rates have
not been increased and the reserves for that has not been touched.
Mayor Pigatt asked the manager how the budget will affect the City's debt, and how is the City handling
the debt issue. He also asked how the City is addressing the flooding, roads and streets, and the capital
infrastructure projects moving forward.
City Manager Pate said staff is prepared to present all of that information to the City, but he was reserving
that presentation until the regular meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Pigatt asked for a brief summary of the questions he asked for the residents to have the
information.
City Manager Pale said the City thoroughly paid close attention to the budget and the budget process
dealing with all of the major issues the mayor mentioned. If the residents have tuned in they saw that the
City has been taking strides to getting the flooding emergency addressed through an independent
engineer. The third party property owners are also being held accountable for their part in resolving the
issues. The state has been involved with the Five Year Recovery Plan which also addresses many of the
issues and he looks forward to continue to address the budget process and keep the residents informed as
he works 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
Mayor Pigatt informed the residents that the residents that the City is working on their behalf to
address all of the major issues that have been going on. He encouraged them to remain vigil
while all of their concerns are being resolved.
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7. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the Commission, it was moved by Commissioner
Burke, seconded by Commissioner Bass to adjourn the meeting at 5:42 p.m.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
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