HomeMy Public PortalAbout06-June 04, 2020 VWS Covid-19CITYOF OPA-LOCKA
"The Great City"
CLERK'S ACTION SUMMARY MINUTES
VIRTUAL WORKSHOP (COVID-19)
Thursday, June 04, 2020
5:30 P.M.
1. WELCOME/OPENING REMARKS:
Mayor Matthew Pigatt called the Virtual Workshop to order at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 04,
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 Virtual Workshop with
any questions/comments/concerns. This meeting is streamed live at
https://www.youtube.com/user/Cityof0palocka.
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 Workshop.
2. ROLL CALL
The members of the City Commission appearing remotely were: Mayor Matthew Pigatt, Vice
Mayor Chris Davis, Commissioner Joseph L. Kelley, and Commissioner Alvin Burke. Also
appearing remotely was: Assistant City Attorney Candice Cobb, City Manager John E. Pate, and
City Clerk Joanna Flores. Commissioner Sherelean Bass arrived 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. PUBLIC INPUT:
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Clerk Flores stated the protocols for virtual participation at public meetings.
Clerk Flores read the following public comments into the record:
Natasha Ervin
670 Dunad Avenue
Opa-locka, Florida
Let me say I am extremely proud of my community during these times of protest.
I'm hoping that going forward we're at the table now planning for the "what ifs" and uncertainties
of life. While we're at the table, I would like to make sure that we are planning to adequately train
our officers and making sure that they have adequate equipment to deal with the uncertainties of
life and its situations.
Do we have an Emergency procedure Policy in place? If NOT, we need one ASAP.
I'm also extremely concerned about Summer Camp in our City. As many of you know, I love Parks
and Recreation and I love the kids in our community. It pains me to say this, however, I DO NOT
AGREE WITH OUR CITY HAVING SUMMER CAMP. If the County hasn't decided to have
summer camp for the obvious reasons, then how are we moving forward? Let's follow the County's
lead. Let's be smart with this one.
All lives Matter!! ! ! Thank you!!
Trina Brinson
13875 NW 22th Ave
Opa-locka, Florida
Mayor, Commission and City Manager,
I have been a resident of the Great City of Opa-locka for 15 plus years, I was watching the
workshop last week and I heard some things that really concerns me. Needless to say, we should
not authorize any program to be held in any of our facilities during this pandemic. We are all aware
that Opa-locka has over 300 coronavirus cases in our City. The safety of our citizens should
come first. How could anybody expect children to stay in one place for a period of 8 hours? It
would be impossible for staff to keep all the masks on the children. Why can't we just do virtual
camp like most of Miami -Dade County Parks and Schools for the summer? Any state
funded programs has guidelines and we must follow them. For example, in order for City staff to
assist private sector, everyone has to be DCF certified. Why do we have to give free space to
private sector and they charge the parent a fee. Last year the registration fee was $100.00 per child.
The Parks Department has suffered a great deal with this program coming into our park. Check
the numbers from this favor costing our Parks Department thousands of dollars and padding the
pocket of the private sector. We don't need the private sector to pay salaries or stop lay-off or
furloughs. They need to find another location so they can stop tearing up our building. They get
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free rent and pocket the monies for weekly fee. But just remember, in case of an emergency, the
City of Opa-locka is fully responsible for everything that happens in its facility
Mayor Pigatt stated the Commission will be discussing the protests and how the police was being
supported during the time.
6. DISCUSSION ITEMS:
a) City's Response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
b) Parks and Recreation
Summer Camp 2020 Post COVID-19 Reopening Plan
Chief James Dobson, Opa-locka Police Department reported that in the last week the police issued
69 facemasks warnings, 115 social distancing warnings and 1 COVID positive curfew arrest. Both
of the officers who were involved in the positive COVID case were tested and their test returned
negative. The officers were also quarantined. He said officers will be getting more training once
the training facilities are finished. He reported there had been no uprisings within the community.
The police was providing nightly security from 5pm to 6am for the walk up COVID testing site.
Commissioner Kelley asked Chief Dobson if there were 2 warnings for wearing masks and 11 at
one complex and 29 social distancing warning at another complex. He asked if that was social
distancing.
Chief Dobson stated "Yes".
Vice Mayor Davis requested Chief Dobson to speak about the training the police officers were
going to attend.
Chief Dobson explained that the training would involve de-escalation and human diversity.
City Manager Pate asked if there were any officers already trained with the subjects discussed or
if no one has been trained yet.
Chief Dobson explained that all of the officers had been trained in human diversity, but some of
the other trainings are still being worked on to be implemented on the entire police department.
City Manager Pate asked Chief Dobson if they had all of the necessary equipment in the case of
uprisings.
Chief Dobson reported that the department had issued some of the PPE equipment for the officers.
He stated some of it was contaminated so he reached out to several other departments and agencies
to receive more and to vendors to purchase more.
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City Manager Pate asked if the department did not have anti -riot equipment at the time.
Chief Dobson stated half the department has and the other half does not.
City Manager Pate asked Chief Dobson if there were any policies or procedures that addressed
riots or protests.
Chief Dobson replied, no.
Mayor Pigatt requested clarification relating to the police department not having riot control
policies that govern large crowds.
Chief Dobson explained he misunderstood the question and stated there was a policy. He stated
the policy was being updated.
Mayor Pigatt asked if the update was inclusive of the requests the people were pushing forward or
if it was a standard update.
Chief Dobson did not understand the question.
Mayor Pigatt explained that he was asking if the Chief was looking into use of force policy
recommendations or de-escalation and not using excessive force as a part of the update.
Chief Dobson stated "Yes"
City Manager Pate requested a copy of the policy.
Chief Dobson agreed to provide the copy.
Jessica Modkins, Public Relations Consultant for the City of Opa-locka reported that the food drive
that takes place on Tuesdays was advertised and the palm cards were printed in Spanish and Creole
in addition to English. All postings on social media have been in English, Spanish and Creole. She
continued reporting on the launch of City of Opa-locka Newsletter and the Souls Take Control
event for which she made a flyer, issued a press release, and scheduled radio interviews.
Commissioner Bass thanked Ms. Modkins for her work and she was looking forward to the
newsletter.
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Commissioner Kelley thanked Ms. Modkins on the Souls Take Control project for the Churches
to get involved.
Commissioner Burke informed Commissioner Kelley that he would be there on Sunday at the
Souls Take Control event.
Commissioner Bass asked Ms. Modkins if the newsletter was going to be bi-lingual or tri-lingual.
Ms. Modkins stated the second one will be in three languages.
City Manager Pate asked IT Director Nelson Rodriguez if he could add to the database all City
related emails for everyone to receive the newsletter.
Mr. Rodriguez replied yes and asked if it could be advertised for new residents to sign up.
City Manager Pate asked Ms. Modkins if a constant contact link was sufficient.
Ms. Modkins suggested Mr. Rodriguez add a Constant Contact link under contact for residents to
be able to sign up. She also stated she will be advertising it on all social media platforms.
Mayor Pigatt requested Ms. Modkins to explain how the newsletter information was selected and
how often it would be published.
Ms. Modkins stated it was all of the press releases, but she suggested offering the commissioners
an opportunity to add any information they would like promoted. The newsletter is scheduled to
be published once a month.
Mayor Pigatt asked that the four major challenges be included as a part of the newsletter.
Ms. Modkins offered adding a Mayor's greeting on the newsletter to add some of the bullet points
he was mentioning.
Mayor Pigatt welcomed the suggestion.
City Manager Pate reported that the testing site was having issues with getting 100 tested
individuals per day on a regular basis. The daily average was about 70 and the County is pushing
the City to get at least 200 per day. The City was working on a plan to do mask distribution of
which they have approximately 37,000 masks to distribute as a part of the Mask -Up Campaign.
He said a contract was executed for a new phone system and Mr. Rodriguez was rolling it out. He
said he had plans to open up City Hall within the next 30 days after installing a temperature
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monitoring system. He introduced Ms. Jannie Russell of Teen Upward Bound to do a presentation
in regards to Summer Camp 2020.
Jannie Russell, Executive Director of Teen Upward Bound briefly introduced the presentation for
Summer Camp 2020. She said that joining her would be Alexis Russell, Program Director, who
would be presenting the plan. The County issued an Executive Order Amendment that allows
Summer Camps to open on June 8, 2020. She asserted that her organization follows the rules and
regulations stipulated by the County and her organization provided the required certificate of
insurance.
Alexis Russell provided an overview of the proposed Summer Camp program which would be
operated following all State, County and CDC guidelines.
Commissioner Bass asked how many students will be in each group.
Ms. Russell replied, 9 students per group.
Commissioner Bass asked if the insurance was in conjunction with the City of Opa-locka.
Ms. Russell replied, no, the City of Opa-locka is an additional insured.
Commissioner Bass asked for a copy of the contract and asked when it was last updated. She stated
she was referring to the contract between the City of Opa-locka and Teen Upward Bound.
Vice Mayor Davis inquired about the summer feeding program for youth at -large. He asked if
there had been any information regarding implementing that program.
Ms. Russell explained that the guidelines were to limit meals to children that were enrolled in the
program only. She explained that children's individual meal deliveries were being planned.
Commissioner Kelley asked that Ms. Russell provide an update on the things that have been
ordered.
Ms. Russell said they already had the thermometers and the tables, but there was no update
regarding the individual desks.
Commissioner Kelley requested clarification on the capacity of the camp and if it was about 75
kids.
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Ms. Russell stated "yes". She spoke about virtual engagement and staggering groups of children
on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Mondays and Wednesdays.
Mayor Pigatt asked for the proposed start date.
Ms. Russell replied, on the 15`h.
7. ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, it was moved by
Commissioner Kelley, seconded by Vice Mayor Davis to adjourn the Virtual Workshop at 6:31
p.m.
Matthew A. Pigatt
Mayor
Al 1'EST:
a Flores, CMC
Ci Clerk
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