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HomeMy Public PortalAbout07-July 24, 2015 Special Commission Meeting CITY OF OPA-LOCKA "The Great City" CLERK'S ACTION SUMMARY MINUTES SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING July 24, 2015 10:00 A.M. Sherbondy Village Auditorium 215 President Barack Obama (Perviz) Avenue Opa-locka, FL 33054 1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Myra L. Taylor called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 24, 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, Commissioner Joseph L. Kelley, and Mayor Myra L. Taylor. Also in attendance were: Assistant City Manager David Chiverton, City Attorney Vincent T. Brown, 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. CITIZENS' INPUT: Agenda Items Only 1. Eric Redmon of 2766 NW 131St Street, Opa-locka, Florida, appeared before the City Commission and stated regarding the City Clerk's position, that the previous clerk was terminated and the City Commission did not go out to find a replacement, they made a good decision to use the person that was already in place. He reminded the Mayor that she previously said the city take care its own and Ms. Flores is one of the best Clerk's the city had. He said they are back at the same scenario with the departure of the previous City Manager. The city has a man in place that can do the job. He has always made himself available to the City Commission. He said he received a lot of disturbing telephone calls last night that someone from the Task Force was going to be the City Manager or Dorrin Rolle. All the good work this man has done, now they don't want to give him the position when he earned it. Special Commission Meeting Minutes—07/24/2015 1 2. Dorothy Johnson of Magnolia Manual Addition 1 appeared before the City Commission and said she echoed the same concerns as the previous speaker because the rumor is that one of the members from the Task Force was being considered to be the City Manager. As a sitting Commissioner, she had the opportunity to serve as the Team Leader to select the previous City Manager and she think they made a good choice because they had a good process. She said in all fairness and due diligence there has to be a process. She hopes the Commission will give the community an opportunity to have a City Manager. She said citizen's input is important and they have to build up the trust of the people. She asked them to use integrity and make sure their value represents the people. 3. (Inaudible) appeared before the City Commission on behalf of the citizen's in the community regarding the CET Program. He said he does not know much about the Assistant City Manager, but if a person have been working as an assistant then they should step in and carry on the duties because they are aware of what is taking place. 6. RESOLUTIONS: a. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA- LOCKA, FLORIDA, APPOINTING AN INTERIM CITY MANAGER; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. The above resolution was read by title by Attorney Brown. It was moved by Commissioner Santiago, seconded by Commissioner Pinder to pass the resolution to appoint Steve Shiver as Interim City Manager. Commissioner Kelley requested that someone give him some information on Mr. Shiver. Mayor Taylor said they have a nomination, but a vote was not taken. She wants to vote on the fact that they are going to appoint an Interim City Manager. Commissioner Kelley said if he's going to vote to appoint an Interim City Manager to run the city, he needs to know who he's going to appoint. Attorney Brown said a motion and second is on the floor and from a point of order stand point, Commissioner Kelley has asked for information on Mr. Shiver. It is within their purview to have Mr. Shiver come up to discuss his qualifications for the position of City Manager or the Commission can take a vote on the item. Steve Shiver appeared before the City Commission and said he come from Florida City where he was born and raised. In addition, he served as the Mayor of Homestead and the Manager for Miami-Dade County. He had the privilege of working with the City Attorney, Vincent Brown during his tenure with Miami-Dade County. He offered to answer any specific questions. Special Commission Meeting Minutes—07/24/2015 2 Commissioner Kelley said he knows Mr. Shiver and his family, but he does not like this flavor. If someone was being considered for the position it would have been good to have their resume prior to voting. This is not transparent and it is no reflection on Mr. Shiver's skill set or ability. He thanked Mr. Shiver for acknowledging himself. Commissioner Santiago requested that Mr. Shiver tell the City Commission about his Governmental Administrative experience. Mr. Shiver said he was 27 years old when he was elected as Commissioner for the City of Homestead. His father is the longest serving Elected Official in the State of Florida. He has been mentored by many in the school of Government. Mayor Otis Wallace is a close friend and he look at the things he's done in Florida City which is similar to the City of Opa-locka. He had the opportunity to serve in both the Appointed and Elected capacity which gives him a unique perspective to be able to work with the Commission and implement their mission properly. It is his understanding that Mr. Chiverton is a remarkable man and he would love to work with him. He is a community based person and would love to reach out to the citizens that spoke before him. Commissioner Santiago said the city is in the middle of the ocean and at this time they need professional people to get the ship back to land. Vice Mayor Holmes said the City Manager have only been gone for two days and the Assistant City Manager have been with the city for years. They should be willing to give him an opportunity to serve as the Interim City Manager until they go through the process. He asked them to be fair. Commissioner Pinder said he understands the dialogue, but when he started serving in November he gave a snap shot of where the city was financially and after meeting with several departments he made a recommendation to terminate the City Manager because of the city's financial situation. The room was filled with over 300 people, many who spoke against him. With his experience in government and knowledge he received over the years he gained a great maturity level of what government is about. At that time he said if it's the will of his colleagues to keep the Manager in his capacity then he was all for it because they represent the community, but he did predict in six months the bottom will fall out. If they don't make changes now, the Governor's office will be there to make those changes. Last night was a perfect example; they said what happened to their plan of action to reduce spending and employee's salaries. People don't like change; they like to do the same thing because they are comfortable. As a leader you have to make difficult decisions. He asked, that they move forward and move the community forward. Mayor Taylor said they have not put out a search for City Manager, this is only for an Interim City Manager to get over the hump. She requested to defer the item until Monday or Tuesday to give her colleagues a comfort level. Commissioner Pinder said at this time the city does not have a City Manager, they do not have a CEO. As a leader of the community he does not have a comfort level of not selecting an Interim City Manager. If something happens this community does not have any protection. Special Commission Meeting Minutes—07/24/2015 3 Commissioner Kelley said he is baffled by the concern of no one over the city because he made the same comment to the City Attorney on Wednesday when the previous Manager left. He said this is Interim, meaning its temporary so he would prefer that they make Mr. Chiverton the Interim City Manager so the city will be covered. He also said he would like an opportunity to meet with Mr. Shiver, but he is not supportive of making him the Interim City Manager as oppose to Mr. Chiverton who is always sitting here on an Interim basis. Vice Mayor Holmes said on Wednesday when the previous City Manager left Mr. Chiverton took the seat because he is the Assistant City Manager. He was under the impression that Mr. Chiverton would serve until they appoint a City Manager. He asked that they give Mr. Chiverton a chance to serve as Interim until they go out for search of a City Manager. Attorney Brown said a motion to table an item or defer takes precedence over a motion. Commissioner Pinder said a motion and second was made to appoint Steve Shiver as the Interim City Manager and the Mayor took Chairman Privilege to allow discussions. There being no further discussion, the motion to appoint Steve Shiver as Interim City Manager failed by a 3-2 vote. Commissioner Kelley No Commissioner Pinder Yes Commissioner Santiago Yes Vice Mayor Holmes No Mayor Taylor No It was moved by Commissioner Kelley, seconded by Vice Mayor Holmes to appoint David Chiverton as Interim City Manager. There being no discussion, the motion failed by a 3-2 vote. Commissioner Pinder No Commissioner Santiago No Vice Mayor Holmes Yes Commissioner Kelley Yes Mayor Taylor No It was moved by Commissioner Pinder to appoint Esin Abia as the Interim City Manager; motion died for lack of a seconded. It was moved by Mayor Taylor to appoint Roosevelt Bradley as the Interim City Manager, motion died for lack of a seconded. It was moved by Commissioner Kelley, seconded by Commissioner Santiago to appoint Eddie Brown as Interim City Manager. Special Commission Meeting Minutes—07/24/2015 4 Mayor Taylor said whoever serves as the Interim City Manager has to have a good history with money. This is nothing to play with because the city is at the edge. There being no discussion, the motion passed by a 4-1 vote. Commissioner Santiago Yes Vice Mayor Holmes No Commissioner Kelley Yes Commissioner Pinder Yes Mayor Taylor Yes 7. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Commission, it was moved by Commissioner Pinder, seconded by Vice Mayor Holmes to adjourn the meeting at 10:40 a.m. MA FOR AT EST: 4 ,, CITY CLERK Special Commission Meeting Minutes—07/24/2015 5