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HomeMy Public PortalAbout09-September 29, 2014 Recessed Second Budget HearingCITY OF OPA -LOCKA "The Great City" CLERK'S ACTION SUMMARY MINUTES RECESSED SECOND BUDGET HEARING September 29, 2014 6:00 P.M. Sherbondy Village Auditorium 215 President Barack Obama (Perviz) Avenue Opa- locks, FL 33054 1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Myra L. Taylor called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 29, 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: Vice Mayor Joseph L. Kelley, Commissioner Dorothy Johnson, Commissioner Luis B. Santiago, Commissioner Timothy Holmes and Mayor Myra L. Taylor. Also in attendance were: City Manager Kelvin L. Baker, Sr., City Attorney Joseph S. Geller and City Clerk Joanna Flores. 3. INVOCATION: The Invocation was delivered by Mayor Myra L. Taylor. 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 the millage rate of the City of Opa -locka for Fiscal Year 2014 -2015, commencing Recessed Second Budget Hearing Minutes — 09/29/2014 1 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. Terence Pinder of 250 Sabur Lane, Opa- locka, Florida, appeared before the City Commission and said as he looks at the millage rate he noticed it is heartbreaking for the employees to have to take furlough days. The City Commission should have placed a moratorium on all events, go wireless to reduce the cost on postage, make sure advertising cost is recouped to go back into the City Clerk's budget, settle lawsuits, and due diligence has not been done in the City Manager's Office. 2. Deborah Sheffield Irby of 14202 NW 17th Avenue, Opa- locka, Florida, appeared before the City Commission and said if the employees have to take a furlough day that's a sacrifice they have to take because the tax payers need a break on the millage. 3. Jesus Lopez of 13205 Cairo Lane, Opa- locka, Florida, appeared before the City Commission and spoke about the $50,000 that was approved for Cairo Lane. He asked for an explanation of how the funds were spent. 4. Ricky James of 1156 Jann Avenue, Opa- locka, Florida, appeared before the City Commission and spoke on behalf of the employees. He asked, what is the reason for the employees having to take six furlough days. 5. Dante Starks appeared before the City Commission and voiced his concerns regarding the city hiring temporary employees while regular employees have not received raises. 6. David Norris of 260 Perviz Avenue, Opa- locka, Florida, appeared before the City Commission and said as a resident he loves this city, but listening to the Commission Meetings and hearing statements such as "the employees should be glad to have a job" is very disturbing. 7. Angel (Inaudible) of 13070 Cairo Lane, Opa- locka, Florida, appeared before the City Commission to voice his concerns regarding the amount of money that was spent to repair Cairo Lane. 8. Alvin Burke of 1240 Jann Avenue, Opa- locka, Florida, appeared before the City Commission and said several employees would like to speak. He requested that the Commission reiterate to the employees that there will not be any repercussion for them voicing their concerns. 9. Willie Witherspoons of 12950 LeJeune Road, Opa- locka, Florida, appeared before the City Commission and spoke on behalf of the employees. He said it is a shame because the employees give their best and it's time for a change. There being no additional persons to speak, the public hearing was closed. Recessed Second Budget Hearing Minutes — 09/29/2014 2 It was moved by Commissioner Holmes, seconded by Commissioner Johnson to pass the above ordinance. Commissioner Johnson said she does not know staff can make recommendations to change the millage rate, but the numbers remained the same. The city currently has 51 temporary employees and most of them are now career employees and make more than the staff that has been here. She further spoke about the loan for city hall, the RFP documents states that it should not exceed $8.5 Million Dollars. She asked, how did they recommend a bid proposal of $11.7 Million Dollars? In addition, she will not support furloughs and she wants a detailed reported regarding the $48,000 temporary fix on Cairo Lane, and the tax payers deserve a relief. Commissioner Santiago said something is wrong with the city's administration and it starts with the head. He will not support the employees taking furlough days. Mayor Taylor apologized to the business owners for not being able to live up to what was stated. She asked the City Manager when can they expect to receive the $40 Million Dollars? Manager Baker said once the legislation is approved he will submit it to Tallahassee for approval then it can go out on the street. Mayor Taylor directed the City Manager to expedite the process of receiving those funds so they can start repairing Cairo Lane. She said the City Commission will not balance this budget on the backs of the employees and she is not in support of furlough days. She further asked the City Manager can they cut car allowances, gas, take home vehicles, advertisement? She said the furlough days are off the table, what can they cut? Commissioner Johnson said the city need a pool of cars to be available for anyone needing to use a vehicle for official city business. Mayor Taylor directed the City Manager to cut car allowances which will be deducted from $256,000. She asked, what is the exact amount of temporary employees? Manager Baker said the total amount is 50 which include the college interns, police reserve officers, and jobs program employees. Vice Mayor Kelley said the employees in the jobs program are city residents and their salary does not affect the budget because some of them are being paid from PTP funds. Mayor Taylor asked, do the jobs program employees put a weight on the budget? Manager Baker said no, they are paid from the enterprise fund. Faye Douglas said three people receive a car allowance included CRA which is not part of the general fund. She asked, for clarification on whose car allowance will be cut. Recessed Second Budget Hearing Minutes — 09/29/2014 3 Mayor Taylor said the CRA is being undergirded by the enterprise fund. Faye Douglas said she estimated a $20,000 savings for advertisement, cut car allowance for the City Manager, City Clerk, and CRA Director. Commissioner Johnson suggested a car pool for anyone to use for official city business. Commissioner Santiago asked, how much is being spent for gas? Mrs. Liburd said she does not have the exact amount, but she will go to the office to get the amount. Commissioner Johnson requested that the Finance Director bring back the amount that was spent last year for events and how much was spent on office supplies. Commissioner Holmes said they have to be truthful and not scare the people. Mayor Taylor said this is not a scare tactic; they have to do something to fix the budget. She further said the City Commission must lead and with that being said they have to cut back on social event. Mayor Taylor requested a copy expenses for the commission's social events. Commissioner Johnson requested backup documents to support the information that was just presented to the City Commission. Mayor Taylor made reference to the document that was distributed to the City Commission regarding social events. The total cost was $170,000, but the contributions were only $48,000. Commissioner Holmes said if they want to cut the budget they have to direct the City Manager. They can start by cutting the temporary staff in half and that will satisfy the budget. Mayor Taylor said she wants to set the millage rate at 8.5 and she knows that can happen without the employees having to take furlough days. She asked how much does the commission have in their line item? Ms. Douglas said for special events there's $5,000 per commissioner which is $25,000, plus $5,000 for MLK which is $30,000, and $10,000 for Christmas Trimming which is a total of $40,000. Commissioner Santiago said he sponsored the 4 1 of July event and he raised $30,848 in addition to his $5,000 for special events, however according to the document in front of him he spent the most money which is incorrect. In addition, he raised money for the convertible cars for the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade. It is not fair what they are doing to him. Recessed Second Budget Hearing Minutes — 09/29/2014 4 Mayor Taylor requested that her colleagues stop having individual events and have one citywide function. Commissioner Johnson said she does not think one function for a city that is looking at branding is acceptable. Vice Mayor Kelley thanked all the business owners and citizens for coming to the meeting. He said when you talk about advertising he hope they are clear on which item because the City Clerk has advertising that is mandated so he does not want her budget to be impacted by what they are cutting. The jobs initiative brings valuable service to the city and he does not want to see them cut. The City Attorney's budget has a line item that deals with risk management in the amount of $415,000, he would like to suggest taking $100,000 from that line item, $5,000 from the City Commission budget, and $100,000 from the reserve which will total $220,000. He is suggesting these cuts because he does not want to see any employee layoffs and it was surprising to see the City Manager proposing furloughs. Ms. Douglas said the risk management line item is payment for the city's liability insurance with the Florida League of Cities and it cannot be reduced. The reserves can be reduced if it is the consensus of the Commission, they have to budget $500,000, but the Commission can use up to $200,000. Commissioner Johnson said other professional services went from $40,000 to $115,000 so staff needs to take a look at that as well as cellular phones. Ms. Douglas said thus far she have $14,400 for car allowances, $20,000 savings in advertisement, $5,000 savings from the City Commission travel budget, and $100,000 from reserves which gives a total of $117,095. Vice Mayor Kelley asked, is it possible to take money from the postage line item? Ms. Douglas said the postage line item referenced is in the water & sewer fund which has no impact on the general budget. Commissioner Johnson requested that staff look at the City Commission membership and monthly allotment. She further made reference to a line item in the Police Department's budget and suggested cutting that item because they are not going to purchase additional vehicles this year. Commissioner Holmes said the Police Department needs the vehicles they currently have in addition to more cars. As previously stated, the City Commission can direct the City Manager to eliminate 25 temporary employees. Vice Mayor Kelley asked, what is the amount of temporary employees they can eliminate without a great impact? Manager Baker said he can eliminate another four temporary employees to balance the budget. Recessed Second Budget Hearing Minutes — 09/29/2014 5 Vice Mayor Kelley said for the record when the employees took furloughs he took furloughs as well so he knows the pain. Ms. Douglas said they can balance the budget. Commissioner Johnson asked, does the city have temporary staff as inspectors? Manager Baker replied, yes. The city has a building department that averages three permits per day; therefore, they don't need too many full time employees there so they have the inspectors on an as needed basis. Commissioner Johnson asked, how long have they been employed with the city? Manager Baker said about a year. Commissioner Johnson requested legislation for the next Regular Commission Meeting to freeze the salary of all top employees. Mayor Taylor asked, can they balance the budget with setting the millage rate at 8.5? Ms. Douglas replied, yes. Mayor Taylor and Commissioner Johnson said there will be no furloughs. Mrs. Liburd appeared before the City Commission and said according to the August bill the city pays $2.72 per gallon for gasoline at approximately 5,000 gallons per week; $460,188.56 was spent from the line item. Commissioner Santiago requested a copy of the gasoline statement. Vice Mayor Kelley said he suggested to take $100,000 from the reserves account. He asked, can that be done? Mrs. Liburd said the budget has $500,000 in the reserves, but the actual amount in the bank is $244,447.86. Ms. Douglas said the financial integrity principals says they must budget $500,000 in the general fund to add to the reserves every year, of which the City Commission can authorize up to $200,000 to be used towards operations. It was moved by Commissioner Holmes, seconded by Commissioner Johnson to amend the above ordinance to set the millage rate at 8.5. There being no further discussion, the motion passed by a 4 -1 vote. Commissioner Santiago Yes Commissioner Holmes Yes Vice Mayor Kelley No Commissioner Johnson Yes Recessed Second Budget Hearing Minutes — 09/29/2014 6 Mayor Taylor Yes It was moved by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Holmes to pass the above ordinance. There being no further discussion, the motion passed by a 5 -0 vote. Commissioner Santiago Yes Commissioner Holmes Yes Vice Mayor Kelley Yes Commissioner Johnson Yes Mayor Taylor Yes 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. The above ordinance was read by title by Attorney Geller. Mayor Taylor opened the floor for a public hearing. There being no persons to speak, the public hearing was closed. It was moved by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Holmes to amend the above ordinance to adopt the budget reflecting the amendments. There being no further discussion, the motion passed by a 5 -0 vote. Vice Mayor Kelley Yes Commissioner Johnson Yes Commissioner Santiago Yes Commissioner Holmes Yes Mayor Taylor Yes It was moved by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Holmes to pass the above ordinance. There being no further discussion, the motion passed by a 5 -0 vote. Commissioner Holmes Yes Vice Mayor Kelley Yes Commissioner Johnson Yes Recessed Second Budget Hearing Minutes — 09/29/2014 7 Commissioner Santiago Yes Mayor Taylor Yes 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. The above ordinance was read by title by Attorney Geller. Mayor Taylor opened the floor for a public hearing. There being no persons to speak, the public hearing was closed. It was moved by Commissioner Holmes, seconded by Commissioner Santiago to pass the above ordinance. Commissioner Johnson said several salaries need to be reviewed because they are in the enterprise budget, but they are showing up in the general fund. There being no further discussion, the motion passed by a 5 -0 vote. Commissioner Holmes Yes Vice Mayor Kelley Yes Commissioner Johnson Yes Commissioner Santiago Yes Mayor Taylor Yes 6. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Commission, it was moved by Commissioner Holmes, seconded by Commissioner Johns to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m. I /-----/Ix Y A TEST: CITY CLERK Recessed Second Budget Hearing Minutes — 09/29/2014 8