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Home My Public Portal About03-March 05, 2015 Special Commission Meeting MinutesCITY OF OPA -LOCKA "The Great City" CLERK'S ACTION SUMMARY MINUTES SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING March 5, 2015 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 Thursday, March 5, 2015 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 Timothy Holmes, Commissioner Terence K. Pinder, Commissioner Luis B. Santiago, and Mayor Myra L. Taylor. Also in attendance were: City Manager Kelvin L. Baker, Sr., Attorney Michael Pizzi, and City Clerk Joanna Flores. Commissioner Joseph L. Kelley was not in attendance. 3. INVOCATION: The Invocation was delivered by Mayor Myra L. Taylor. 4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison. 5. CITIZENS' INPUT: Agenda Items Only 1. Patricia Ellis of 1146 Dunad Avenue, Opa- locka, Florida, appeared before the City Commission and said she would like to know if any of the attorneys has a conflict of interest. She asked if any of them represent any of the Elected Officials or staff? She said she is asking because of perception, they do not want to retain an attorney that already represents someone that may be a conflict. She advised the City Commission not to retain the services of someone that represents someone on the dais or who is in litigation with the city. She has done her background check and all of the attorneys are in good standing. Mayor Taylor acknowledged Mr. Michael Pizzi from Pizzi & Associates. Special Commission Meeting Minutes — 03/05/2015 1 Attorney Pizzi said Mr. Geller is in Tallahassee and he could not be in attendance so he will be filling in this evening at Mr. Geller's request. 6. PRESENTATIONS — CANDIDATES FOR THE POSITION OF CITY ATTORNEY FOR THE CITY OF OPA- LOCKA, FLORIDA Jean - Claude F. Dugue, Esq. Mayor Taylor asked Mr. Dugue is he representing anyone on the Commission? Mr. Dugue replied, no. He appeared before the City Commission and gave a brief synopsis of his career. He attended City College and University of Buffalo School of Law and later received three job offers. He further said his office has several attorneys and he comes with over twenty years of law experience. Mr. Dugue closed by thanking the City Commission for the opportunity to speak before them. Mayor Taylor asked, is Mr. Dugue part of a firm? Mr. Dugue said he is incorporated with other attorneys because each person specializes in specific areas. Vincent T. Brown, Esq. Mayor Taylor asked Mr. Brown is he representing anyone on the Commission? Mr. Brown replied, no. He appeared before the City Commission and thanked them for the opportunity to appear before them this evening. He said he appeared before the City Commission a few years ago seeking to be the City Manager but it was not his season so he patiently waited for this opportunity. He spent nearly fifteen years in county government as an attorney and the last four years as outside counsel for the City of Miami Gardens. He further informed the Commission of his goals if he is selected as the City Attorney. Commissioner Santiago asked Mr. Brown, how fast does he answer calls when his clients call him? Mr. Brown said most of his clients have his personal contact number so he makes sure he speaks to them. • Norman C. Powell, Esq. Mayor Taylor asked Mr. Powell is he representing anyone on the Commission? Mr. Powell said yes. He currently represents Vice Mayor Holmes. Special Commission Meeting Minutes — 0310512015 2 He appeared before the City Commission and thanked them for giving him an opportunity to present his qualifications for City Attorney. He practiced law twenty four years and most of his practice centered in governmental municipal work. He has been very active in representing several local municipalities. • Alfredo Gonzalez, Genovese Joblove & Battista, P.A. Mr. Gonzalez appeared before the City Commission on behalf of Genovese Joblove & Battista, P.A. Mr. Sarafan is head of the municipal practice and he could not be in attendance due to a scheduling conflict. He has been practicing in the government relations area for thirty five years. The firm has fifty lawyers that have the manpower and expertise the city need. Omar Bradford appeared before the City Commission on behalf of Genovese Joblove & Battista, P.A. He has extensive experience in procurement law and comes with an expertise in employment law. Jesus Suarez appeared before the City Commission on behalf of Genovese Joblove & Battista, P.A. He thanked the Commission for allowing their law firm to introduce themselves. He gave a brief synopsis of his career. Mayor Taylor asked, if selected who will be representing the City of Opa- locka? Mr. Gonzalez said they designated a team to be the city's primary lawyers. 7. RESOLUTIONS: 1. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA- LOCKA, FLORIDA, TERMINATING JOSEPH S. GELLER AND GREENSPOON MARDER, P.A. AS THE CITY ATTORNEY FOR THE CITY OF OPA -LOCKA EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY UPON THE APPOINTMENT OF A NEW CITY ATTORNEY; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Sponsored by M. T. The above resolution was read by title by Attorney Pizzi. It was moved by Commissioner Pinder, seconded by Vice Mayor Holmes to pass the resolution. There being no discussion, the resolution passed by a 4 -0 vote. Commissioner Pinder Yes Commissioner Santiago Yes Commissioner Kelley Not Present Vice Mayor Holmes Yes Mayor Taylor Yes 2. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA- LOCKA, FLORIDA, APPOINTING A NEW CITY ATTORNEY AND DIRECTING Special Commission Meeting Minutes — 03/05/2015 3 THE CITY MANAGER TO BRING BACK TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR APPROVAL BY THE CITY COMMISSION PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Sponsored by M. T. The above resolution was read by title by Attorney Pizzi. It was moved by Vice Mayor Holmes, seconded by Commissioner Pinder to pass the resolution. Commissioner Pinder asked, is this the appropriate time to select an attorney? Mr. Pizzi said now is the time to entertain discussion and a motion to select one of the four candidates for the new City Attorney. It was moved by Commissioner Pinder, seconded by Commissioner Santiago to appoint the Brown Law Group, LLC as the City Attorney for the City of Opa- locka. Mayor Taylor asked, is the Commission privileged to nominate other candidates? Mr. Pizzi said the appropriate procedure is to vote on the resolution with the Brown Group and if someone wants to nominate someone else they may do so at this time. Mayor Taylor asked, are there any other nominations? There being no further discussion, the resolution to appoint the Brown Law Group passed by a 4 -0 vote. Commissioner Santiago Yes Vice Mayor Holmes Yes Commissioner Kelley Not Present Commissioner Pinder Yes Mayor Taylor Yes Mr. Pizzi said the Brown Law Group, LLC is currently the new City Attorney. Mayor Taylor thanked all of the applicants for showing interest in the City of Opa- locka. Commissioner Pinder asked, can the Brown Group move forth with the next City Commission agenda? Mr. Pizzi said Mr. Brown is the City Attorney and it is his job effective immediately to move forth with the agenda and he has the responsibility to do everything the City Attorney has to do. Mr. Brown thanked the City Commission for giving him an opportunity to serve. He comes with passion and he will always be accessible. He will build a team that they will be proud of and appreciate. He thanked his colleagues of the Bar for their support. 8. ADJOURNMENT: Special Commission Meeting Minutes — 03/05/2015 4 There being no further business to come before the Commission, it was moved by Commissioner Pinder, seconded by Commissioner Santiago to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 p.m. MAY R T: CITY CLERK Special Commission Meeting Minutes — 03/05/2015 5