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HomeMy Public PortalAbout08--August 20, 2020 VWCITY OF OPA-LOCKA "The Great City" CLERK'S ACTION SUMMARY MINUTES VIRTUAL WORKSHOP (COVID-19) Thursday, August 20, 2020 5:30 P.M. AGENDA 1. WELCOME/OPENING REMARKS: Mayor Matthew Pigatt called the virtual Regular Commission Meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, 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, and Commissioner Alvin Burke. Also in attendance were: City Manager John E. Pate, City Attorney Burnadette Norris -Weeks, and Assistant City Clerk Sherine Bullock. Commissioner Joseph L. Kelley and Vice Mayor Chris Davis joined the meeting at 5:59 pm. 3. INVOCATION: 1 Virtual Workshop Meeting Minutes — August 20, 2020 The invocation was delivered by Commissioner Sherelean Bass. 4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by City Manager Pate. 5. PUBLIC COMMENT: City Clerk Joanna Flores stated the protocols for public comments. There were no public comments. 6. DISCUSSION ITEM: a) City of Opa-Iocka five year plan. Mayor Pigatt began the discussion by briefly explaining the reason for the meeting and introduced City Manager Pate to discuss the five year plan. City Manager Pate asked Budget Director Anathan to introduce the plan. Director Anathan explained he would be sharing a preview of the five year plan requested of his department, but that his department will have a more detailed and final plan by the September 8, 2020. He briefly explained the requirements of the plan which are driven by the finances of the City, such as: increasing the fund reserves of the City, infrastructure plan, reducing the cost of living, staff compensation, among other things. He stated he will be sharing a preliminary plan based on estimates and assumptions. He went on to explain the general fund highlights. He stated that the state of Florida requires the City to have reserve funds of $3.2 million by FY 25, and that so far, the plan's goal is $4.6 million. He explained the City can also allocate the $1.4 million projection to impact other areas instead, such as reducing the millage rate. He explained that the largest investment the City will make in the plan will be for the Information Technology Department, totaling $180,000 in the five year projection. He further explained the reason the millage rate is higher than other municipalities and he shared the project is to slowly lower it from 9.800 to 9.4500 by FY 25. He also presented a table comparing three other cities to the City of Opa-locka's tax revenue. He continued explaining the projected assumptions for tax base growth. He asked if there were any questions and if the Commission would provide feedback on the assumptions provided. Mayor Pigatt announced Commissioner Kelley and Vice Mayor Davis joined the meeting. Vice Mayor Davis stated he would be more cautious on the assumptions in reference to FY 2022. 2 Virtual Workshop Meeting Minutes — August 20, 2020 Commissioner Kelley requested clarification on a few items mentioned by Director Anathan as he could not hear him well. Director Anathan explained what was requested by Commissioner Kelley. Mayor Pigatt asked Director Anathan to continue with his presentation. Director Anathan continued explaining the projections and information provided in the slides regarding property taxes and the millage rate, among other things. Vice Mayor Davis advocated for a quicker lowering of the millage rate as a means to attract more business to the City and compete with the surrounding cities. Director Anathan stated that the City needs other sources of revenue in order to be able to lower the millage rate dramatically. City Manager Pate stated that Miami Gardens has much more diversity in funds and in space and it will be very difficult to meet their millage rate. He further advocated to gradually lower the millage rate. Mayor Pigatt stated the plan is missing a strategy to pay the debts in full, how much would be added annually to the reserve, and the infrastructure plan. Director Anathan stated all debt schedules are being met with the exception of the prior year's red light camera fees. Mayor Pigatt asked City Manager Pate for a date when the Commission will receive the Fiscal year plan for review. Director Anathan stated he will have it by Tuesday, August 25, 2020. Mayor Pigatt proposed to the Commission to have a meeting on Thursday at 5:30 pm for the Special Commission Meeting before the workshop at 6:00 pm. Mayor Pigatt concluded that this discussion will be continued at 6:00 pm on Thursday. 7. ADJOURNMENT: 3 Virtual Workshop Meeting Minutes —August 20, 2020 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 6:37 p.m. Matthew A. Pigatt Mayor ATTEST: Jo at a Flores, CMC City Jerk 4 Virtual Workshop Meeting Minutes — August 20, 2020