HomeMy Public PortalAbout07-July 02,2020 VWS Covid-19CITYOF OPA-LOCKA
"The Great City"
CLERK'S ACTION SUMMARY MINUTES
VIRTUAL WORKSHOP (COVID-19)
Thursday, July 2, 2020
5:30 P.M.
1. WELCOME/OPENING REMARKS:
Mayor Matthew Pigatt called the Virtual Workshop Meeting to order at 5:30 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 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 Sherelean Bass, and Commissioner Joseph L. Kelley. Also
appearing remotely was: City Attorney Burnadette Norris -Weeks, Assistant City Attorney Candice
Cobb, City Manager John E. Pate, and City Clerk Joanna Flores. Commissioner Alvin Burke
arrived at 6:00 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.
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5. PUBLIC INPUT:
Clerk Flores stated the protocols for public participation at virtual meetings.
There were no public comments.
6. DISCUSSION ITEMS:
a) City's Response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
City Manager Pate reported that COVID-19 positive cases have risen in Miami -Dade County and
Florida. The testing site's capability has doubled from 200 tests a day to a little over 400. The
average wait time for walk ups was 4-6 hours and those with an appointment have a separate line.
He stated that employees were working at City Hall at alternated shifts. A temperature checkpoint
was installed at the entrance of City Hall. The County Mayor signed an Executive Order mandating
face masks with steep fines. He recommended keeping parks facilities closed.
Vice Mayor Davis suggested the possibility of giving Opa-locka residents priority at the testing
site.
Mayor Pigatt informed the Commission that City Manager had to step out. He said that the priority
should be implemented to the 33054 zip code. He expressed his gratitude to the County Mayor for
his support of the testing site.
Jessica Modkins, Public Relations Consultant for the City of Opa-locka reported that two of the
videos posted received close to 900 views. She updated the commission on the advertisement
efforts, such as weekly Opa-locka staff mask up photos, weekly Opa-locka we are working for you
campaign, continuing COVID-19 awareness, hurricane preparedness and curfew reminders. She
reported on the press releases for the Food Distributions, provided a recap on the Virtual Town
Hall Meeting, partnership with the Opa-locka Community Development Corporation (OLCDC),
issuance of two newsletters, and provided an update relating to the upcoming Mask -up Campaign.
Commissioner Bass requested an update on Parks and Recreation Summer Camp and on the testing
site in terms of walk-ups and appointments.
City Manager Pate advised that there was not going to be Summer Camp and stated that the
majority of individuals being tested are walk ups.
Commissioner Kelley asked if there had been any dramatic changes regarding COVID-19 and
social distancing.
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Chief James Dobson, Opa-locka Police Department reported that for the current week there was
455 face masks warnings and 226 social distancing warnings.
Commissioner Kelley asked about educating restaurant patrons or giving out warnings.
Chief Dobson stated that there were 185 businesses checks within the week and most restaurants
were abiding by the guidelines according to the County.
Vice Mayor Davis suggested having residents take on the burden of enforcing guidelines as
"watchdogs" of the businesses.
Mayor Pigatt asked for an update regarding the call center.
City Manager Pate stated it would be another 60-90 days before it is ready.
Commissioner Kelley requested to know where residents could call to report guideline violations.
City Manager Pate stated that other than calling the police department, there is no alternative.
Commissioner Kelley asked if the residents were calling the 2877 number which would go through
the County or was there another number to call?
Chief Dobson confirmed residents were calling the 2877 telephone number.
Commissioner Kelley asked if those calls were recorded.
Chief Dobson replied, yes.
Mayor Pigatt said the mask ordinance was not going to be issued by the City, but that the County
does have one in place. He explained that the penalties will be civil penalties instead of
misdemeanors.
b) Resolution requiring that all fines, fees and Code Enforcement liens are paid for properties
brought before the City Commissioner from the city's Planning Zoning and Appeals Board
or the city's department of Community Development
Commissioner Burke requested an update regarding an investigation in code enforcement.
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City Manager Pate said he did a five year search on certain properties and emailed the information.
He explained that there were 2 signatures on a document requesting a dismissal, and rulings issues
by the Special Magistrate dismissed by the City's request. He briefly explained a few of the
findings of his investigation. He explained he will be doing an analysis on voids and dismissals in
the past five years in a random manner.
Commissioner Burke asked who voided the citations in question.
City Manager Pate reminded Commissioner Burke this was a public meeting and he would not
like to disclose that information.
Commissioner Kelley said he reviewed some of the information and was troubled at the findings.
He asked how long would it take for City Manager to have some results.
City Manager Pate replied, 2 weeks or less.
Vice Mayor Davis agreed with Commissioner Kelley and expressed his concerns relating to the
fines.
City Manager Pate stated that his deepest concern was the level of checks and balance in regards
to voiding or dismissing a ticket and its documentation. He noticed many of the tickets dismissed
or voided were lacking the appropriate information.
Commissioner Bass asked if not having 3 signatures or the correct amount of signatures waves the
fee.
City Manager Pate explained that the City takes the responsibility should a ticket be dismissed. He
said he will consult with the City Attorney.
Commissioner Burke suggested holding individuals responsible for dismissing/voiding tickets
illegally.
City Attorney Norris -Weeks made a disclosure stating that Commissioner Burke's comments were
not directed to City Manager Pate but that he was stating his feelings.
Commissioner Burke thanked City Attorney Norris -Weeks for the disclosure.
Mayor Pigatt thanked Commissioner Burke for bringing up the issue and stressed the importance
of transparency and acting responsibly. He thanked City Manager Pate for investigating the issue
and addressing the process to ensure it does not happen again.
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c) Commission Priorities
Mayor Pigatt discussed implementing quarterly Commission Priorities and consolidating priorities
with very clear guidelines to direct the City Manager and hold him accountable. He shared the
recent experience of the Commission receiving training by the Florida League of Cities. He
requested the Commission provide their input as to how they should go about implementing the
commission priorities (i.e. retreat, workshop, in writing, etc.).
City Manager Pate explained that typically the City Manager leads this part and each department
would do a brief presentation outlining their responsibilities, challenges, priorities, and then the
commissioners provide their feedback. After the initial meeting, a resolution can be created using
the feedback to create a working document.
Vice Mayor Davis asked if staff was going to collaborate.
City Manager Pate stated that in a retreat, staff will share with the Commission their priorities and
tasks and use that information to create the document.
Vice Mayor Davis shared his experienced on doing the retreats with staff.
City Manager Pate agreed that a retreat was the best way to approach it.
Commissioner Kelley stressed the importance of focusing on the budget and the Five Year Plan at
this time. He stated there will be a time for a retreat.
Commissioner Burke asked if he could write down what he felt he was interested in and submit it
to the City Manager.
Mayor Pigatt explained that was one of the ideas put on the floor as well as strategic planning
sessions.
City Manager Pate said he recently sent an email to the Commission requesting their priorities. He
reminded the commission about a Financial Emergency Board Meeting scheduled for July 14,
2020 at 2:00 p.m. The meeting will be focused on the Five Year Plan and the City's upcoming
budget.
Mayor Pigatt stated he would like to go over the strategic plan as soon as possible.
7. ADJOURNMENT:
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There being no further business to come before the City Commission, it was moved by
Commissioner Burke, seconded by Vice Mayor Davis to adjourn the meeting at 6:34 p.m.
Matthew A. Pigatt
Mayor
ATTEST:
l&A
a Flores, CMC
Ci Clerk
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