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Home My Public Portal About09-2nd Budget Hearing September 24, 2014CITY OF OPA -LOCKA "The Great City" CLERK'S ACTION SUMMARY MINUTES SECOND BUDGET HEARING September 24, 2014 5:01 P.M. Ova-locks Municipal Complex 780 Fisherman Street, 2° d Floor Opa- locks, FL 33054 1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Myra L. Taylor called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 in the Auditorium at Sherbondy Village, 215 President Barack Obama (Perviz) Avenue, Opa- locka, Florida. 2. ROLL CALL: The following members of the City Commission were present: Commissioner Dorothy Johnson, Commissioner Luis B. Santiago, Commissioner Timothy Holmes, Vice Mayor Joseph L. Kelley and Mayor Myra L. Taylor. Also in attendance were: City Manager Kelvin L. Baker, Sr., City Attorney Joseph S. Geller, Assistant City Attorney Alicia Lewis and City Clerk Joanna Flores. 3. INVOCATION: The Invocation was delivered by Vice Mayor Joseph L. Kelley. 4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison. 5. FIRST READING ORDINANCES/PUBLIC HEARING: a). AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA- LOCKA, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE FINAL MILLAGE RATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 200.065, FLORIDA STATUTES, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014 -2015, COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2014 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2015; SETTING FORTH PUBLIC HEARING DATES; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ALL PRIOR ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (first reading held on September 10, 2014). Sponsored by C.M. The above ordinance was read by title by Attorney Geller. Faye Douglas, Budget Administrator read Section 2 of the ordinance into the record as follows: "The City Commission of the City of Opa -locka hereby adopts and establishes Second Budget Hearing Minutes — 09/24/2014 1 the millage rate of the City of Opa -locka for Fiscal Year 2014 -2015, commencing October 1, 2014, through September 30, 2015, at 8.9000 mills, which is $8.9000 per $1,000.00 of assessed property value within the City of Opa- locka. This represents a 4.15% increase over the rolled -back rate of 8.5454 mills. Mayor Taylor opened the floor for a public hearing. 1. Dante Starks appeared before the City Commission and said he is still looking for the report to reflect the amendment that was passed by Commissioner Johnson and Commissioner Holmes to show the contrast to lowering the millage rate to 8.5 which according to the county it does not increase the taxes to the citizens of the City of Opa- locka nor does it show a decrease in revenue to the city's budget. Setting the millage rate at 8.9 will give the citizens an increase of 4.15 which will increase their taxes in addition to the water rates from the county. He asked, is the report available for public view? Manager Baker said the report was made available to the Commission so it is certainly available to the public. Mayor Taylor said they will make sure the citizens receive a copy of the document. Commissioner Johnson said this ordinance is a public hearing so whatever documents they have it should have been available for the public to speak on. Mr. Starks said the Mayor along with the Vice Mayor and City Commission has led the charge for annexation which provides for a lot of leadership effort in making crucial decisions. They are trying to expand the city limits but a motion was passed by Commissioner Johnson and second by Commissioner Holmes then when they come back as public hearing the public has no information to show the comparison. At this point he is steadfast against 8.9. Mayor Taylor said during the Town Hall Meeting she asked to have the 8.5 evaluated in an effort to reduce the millage rate. She would like to see how the 8.5 will affect the people. She previously suggested that the City Commission eliminate their events to one major event per year to help the city's budget. There being no persons to speak, the public hearing was closed. Mayor Taylor asked, how much time do they have before they have to send the budget to the county? Manager Baker said the budget has to be approved by September 301h Mayor Taylor said she does not want to do this tonight because they have not given the public ample notice and they did not give them a chance to weigh in on it to see what it will mean. They want to include the people in whatever they do. She would like to see the 8.5 evaluated and provided to the City Commission and made available to the public. Attorney Geller said if it's the pleasure of the Commission; if they are not going to precede tonight he strongly urge them to go with Monday evening to allow them time. Second Budget Hearing Minutes — 09/24/2014 2 Mayor Taylor said she was not going to suggest cutting it that tight. She does think they should have a meeting on September 291h to allow citizens input. Commissioner Santiago said he has the same concerns because they need to inform the public and let them voice their concerns. Commissioner Holmes said they previously discussed the 8.9 at the First Budget Hearing and they gave the City Manager directives to evaluate the 8.5. Mayor Taylor said she still wants 8.5 and she will schedule a Town Hall Meeting to give the citizens an opportunity to voice their concerns. She wants the people to see the comparison because it will affect their lives and they need to be included. The City Commission can make the budget work because they can have one major event and that will bring in at least $200,000. Commissioner Holmes requested that the City Attorney prepare legislation for the next Commission Meeting for the City Commission to have one major event. Attorney Geller said the Mayor previously requested that he prepare that legislation, unless there is some objection he can add Commissioner Holmes as a sponsor. Commissioner Santiago asked, who they want to sacrifice, the citizens or employees. He said they need to cut the City Commission events, travel expenses, and car allowances. Commissioner Johnson said it appears this item will be deferred and if it is she strongly suggest that they meet with the City Manager. Attorney Geller said if they defer the budget meeting until a time certain, although they had a public hearing and they closed it certainly in view of the fact that they providing more information it is proper that they re -open the public hearing when they meet again on Monday evening. Vice Mayor Kelley said he needs clarity on the information they want from the City Manager regarding the 8.5. Mayor Taylor said the City Manager gave them the break down on 8.9, but she would like the same break down for 8.5. Note: This portion of the minutes is transcribed in verbatim form. Vice Mayor Kelley: I do not have a problem with the breakdown and deferral, but I'm going to say this Mr. Manager, I do not want you to come back here Monday with some breakdown that is not realistic that just kind of get us passed Monday and then reality hits us on October P. Even on your projects of what you referred to for the 8.9 to get us to that I have some heartburn, so if you're going to go lower I want to see the real numbers that you are going to present to us and not projections of hopefulness because once we pass it we are locked in. This budget if I'm not mistaking Madam Mayor, I would like to ask the Manager impacts a whole lot of other stuff surrounding, correct? When I Second Budget Hearing Minutes — 09/24/2014 3 made the same concerns about the loan and other things you said everything was kind of tied together and that's still the case, correct? Manager Baker: Yes Sir. Vice Mayor Kelley: So when you come back with the 8.5 proposal please let it be real numbers, because I don't want something that gets us a 8.5 and all of us are sitting here in December with heartburn because it's not realistic so I will support the deferral and see what you have to come back with. Note: This concludes the verbatim portion of these minutes. Commissioner Holmes said if they are going to cut it down to 8.5 please keep in mind that the City Manager might have to cut some jobs. Commissioner Santiago said when he gave the suggestion about choosing between the citizens and employees, he was trying to make everyone understand that they can work together to see how they can bring down the millage rate to 8.5. Mayor Taylor relinquished the gavel to Vice Mayor Kelley. It was moved by Mayor Taylor, seconded by Commissioner Johnson to continue agenda items 5a, 5b, and 5c until September 29, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. There being no further discussion, the motion passed by a 5 -0 vote. Commissioner Santiago Yes Commissioner Holmes Yes Commissioner Johnson Yes Vice Mayor Kelley Yes Mayor Taylor Yes Vice Mayor Kelley returned the gavel to Mayor Taylor. b). AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA- LOCKA, FLORIDA, APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2014 -2015, COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2014, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2015; 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 INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT AND REPEALER; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (first reading held on September 10, 2014). Sponsored by C.M. Agenda item 5b was continued until September 29, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. Second Budget Hearing Minutes — 09/24/2014 4 c). AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA- LOCKA, FLORIDA, APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE CITY'S PROPRIETARY AND SPECIAL REVENUE FUND BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2014 -2015, COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2014, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2015; 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 INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (first reading held on September 10, 2014). Sponsored by C.M. Agenda item 5c was continued until September 29, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. Marisol Medina, Miami Herald Reporter appeared before the City Commission and said at the last meeting Commissioner Johnson requested that City Manager come with a 8.5 budget. She requested a copy of that information. Attorney Geller said he will be happy to give her an explanation. 6. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Commission, it was moved by Vice Mayor Kelley, seconded by Commissioner Johnson to ad' urn the , eeting at 5:38 p.m. MA OR CITY CLERK Second Budget Hearing Minutes — 09/24/2014 5