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HomeMy Public PortalAbout06-June 20, 2016 Special Commission Meeting CITY OF OPA-LOCKA "The Great City" CLERK'S ACTION SUMMARY MINUTES SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY,June 20, 2016 6:00 P.M. Sherbondy Village Community Center 215 Perviz Avenue Opa-locka,FL 33054 1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Myra L. Taylor called the meeting to order at 6:00p.m. on Monday, June 20, 2016 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: Mayor Myra L. Taylor, Vice Mayor Timothy Holmes, Commissioner Joseph L. Kelley, and Commissioner Luis B. Santiago. Also in attendance were: Acting City Manager Yvette Harrell, City Attorney Vincent T. Brown, and City Clerk Joanna Flores. 3. INVOCATION: The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Joseph L. Kelley. 4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison. 5. CITIZENS' INPUT: Agenda Items Only Eric Redmon, Villa Francine, said that he has some serious concerns about monies that he heard was collected, but no one seems to know where it is. He said that the finance director needs to come to the podium and speak on where the City's money is. He is not sure what the process is, but something needs to be done to replace the finance director because she is not doing her job and the City is in trouble. He acknowledged the fact that John Riley would make a great candidate for a seat on the commission. The others are not qualified; one has publicly bashed the city and ridiculed each one of the commissioners, and two others have no government experience. He said that he supports John Riley. There being no further persons to speak, Mayor Taylor closed the floor for citizens input. 6. RESOLUTION: Special Commission Meeting Minutes—06/20/2016 1 a) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA- LOCKA, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO FUND PAYROLL FROM THE WATER AND SEWER FUND RESERVES; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Sponsored by City Manager The above resolution was read by title by Attorney Brown. It was moved by Commissioner Kelley, second by Commissioner Santiago for discussion. Commissioner Santiago said that he heard what the citizen said about the item and asked the manager where all the revenue was that was collected for this month. Acting City Manager Harrell said that the money that was collected comes from several sources including the flea market and the Building and License Department. That money goes into general funding. Unfortunately the projected cash flow had the City in a deficit of one point three nine million dollars ($1,390,000.00) at the beginning of this month. The City was budgeted to have a certain amount and from that budget there was a shortfall which left that deficit. Even if the one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) that Building and License has collected is more than was budgeted; there is still a deficit of the amount mentioned before. Unfortunately the City has to take into account that when the budget was passed last year, there was one point seven million dollars ($1,700,000.00) that had to be paid that was unaccounted for. There was also additional funds from several employees who were terminated and then rehired that put the City in a total deficit of well over two million dollars ($2,000,000.00) before the fiscal year even began. Not receiving the ad valorem taxes that were budgeted also added to the deficit. There were also payouts of over two hundred thousand dollars (200,000.00) in benefits that was paid to employees who were terminated. She said that when the numbers are added it is not that the money has not been properly used; the City just cannot overcome the deficit that it has with the money that it has. Commissioner Santiago said that he wants to know why water and sewer funds are being used to pay the next payroll. He also asked when the next payroll was and when was the State coming in to help the City with the five million dollar ($5,000,000.00) deficit. He asked if the City can wait for the State instead of tapping into the funds. Acting City Manager Harrell said that it is not that the State is not coming in to assist, but there is a protocol that must be followed. The State has not had the opportunity to review the finances and do not know what the City needs assistance with. They will need to come up with a number to request funds from the governor that is going to take time. The next payroll is June 29, 2016 and she cannot afford to wait until the lights are turned off before she comes before the commission. She said that she will not take funds out of the reserve unless it is absolutely necessary. In a perfect world, the State would come in on Wednesday and then release funds on Friday, then this would not be an issue and she would not have to touch any of the reserve money. Commissioner Kelley said that he knows that the State will have to determine what is needed before providing any relief. He said that that he heard the manager say that the Special Commission Meeting Minutes-06/20/2016 2 revenue is coming from several different sources; he wants to know where the money that is owed to the City comes from. Acting City Manager Harrell said that about ninety five percent (95%) of the money is from liens and the remaining amount comes from other sources. She said that the estimated amount previously mentioned of four million dollars ($4,000,000.00) is grossly overstated. She along with the city attorney has gone through the documents and the numbers and has estimated the deficit of one point five million dollars ($1,500,000.00) or in that area. Commissioner Kelley said that is the reason why he is always reluctant to make comments and is concerned when it comes to voting because he has to vote based on the information that is given him. The previous manager and attorney said one thing and now it is something else. That is frustrating because the numbers keep moving all over the place. He hopes that when the State comes in there will be an accurate number of debt and revenue streams. He said that he does not see any backup documents to support the resolution and wants to know what is the plan and timeframe for repaying the water and sewer reserve funds. Acting City Manager Harrell said that until she is actually given instructions from the state, she does not want to commit to anything at this time. Commissioner Kelley said that while the State is taking the lead, she is still the manager so she should know the route she is going to take to repay the funds as the State will ask for her recommendation. Acting City Manager Harrell said that the repayment of the funds used for payroll will be included in the five (5) year repayment plan with the help from the State. Commissioner Kelley said that he will notate this recommendation in case something comes up later. Vice Mayor Holmes asked if there is enough money to cover the payroll. Acting City Manager Harrell said that the money she is requesting tonight is for the first payroll in July. She is requesting the money in advance because after speaking with the attorney general, she determined that the State will not provide relief until they have the exact numbers. Vice Mayor Holmes thanked the manager for all of her hard work. There being no further discussion, the motion on the resolution passed by a 4-0 vote. Commissioner Kelley Yes Commissioner Santiago Yes Vice Mayor Holmes Yes Mayor Taylor Yes Special Commission Meeting Minutes—06/20/2016 3 b) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA- LOCKA, FLORIDA, APPOINTING TO FILL THE VACANCY ON THE CITY COMMISSION CREATED BY THE PASSING OF COMMISSIONER TERENCE K. PINDER; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Sponsored by Mayor and City Commission The above resolution was read by title by Attorney Brown. Mayor Taylor asked the attorney if they have to make a motion and a second now or do they make the nomination first. City Attorney Brown said that a motion and a second can be made now. Commissioner Kelley asked the attorney if the e-mail that was sent late this afternoon was the final report regarding the vacancy. City Attorney Brown said, "Yes". It was moved by Commissioner Santiago, second by Vice Mayor Holmes to nominate a candidate. Commissioner Santiago nominated John Riley to fill the vacancy. It was moved by Commissioner Santiago, second by Vice Mayor Holmes to appoint John Riley as commissioner. Commissioner Kelley asked the clerk when the position will be filled officially for the seat left by Commissioner Pinder. City Clerk Flores said that in November there will be a special election to permanently fill the seat created by the passing of Commissioner Pinder. Mayor Taylor asked about the appointment for tonight; she wanted to know if it is temporary. City Clerk Flores said that tonight's appointment will last until the November election. Commissioner Kelley asked if the appointment precludes the individual appointed today for running in the November election. City Attorney Brown said that there is no preclusion; he said that if the person who is running tonight wishes to do so and they qualify, there is nothing in the Charter that prevents them from doing so. Commissioner Kelley said that sometimes when he asks questions for clarity; it seems that people are offended that they have to answer the questions. He said that out in the community the residents are confused about certain processes. The best way to provide Special Commission Meeting Minutes—06/20/2016 4 answers is to have it come from the dais from staff who handles these processes. He wants the residents informed and to know that they could run if they chose to. There being no further discussion, the motion on the nomination passed by a 4-0 vote. Commissioner Santiago Yes Vice Mayor Holmes Yes Commissioner Kelley Yes Mayor Taylor Yes City Attorney Brown informed the mayor that the commission approved the nomination and they need to approve the underlying resolution. There being no further discussion, the motion on the resolution passed by a 4-0 vote. Vice Mayor Holmes Yes Commissioner Kelley Yes Commissioner Santiago Yes Mayor Taylor Yes Mayor Taylor told Mr. Riley that he can make a brief statement regarding his appointment. She also asked him if he wanted to be sworn in tonight or wait until tomorrow when he his family was present. Mr. Riley wanted to be sworn in tonight. Vice Mayor Holmes congratulated Mr. Riley on his appointment. He said that he knows that he has been championing for the City for over thirty (30) years and he has experience. He said that he wants Mr. Riley to help the commission to get the City back on track. He wants him to do the right thing. Mr. Riley was sworn in to office by City Clerk Flores. City Clerk Flores congratulated Commissioner Riley. Mayor Taylor congratulated Commissioner Riley on his appointment and thanked all of the other candidates for their interest in being a public servant for the City. Vice Mayor Holmes told Commissioner Riley that he has four (4) months to do what he has to do for the City. If after four (4) months he decides he wants to run again then he will have to make the residents proud to have him working on behalf of the City. Commissioner Riley thanked Vice Mayor Holmes for his words of encouragement and said that he wants to be on the commission because he is a team player. 7. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Commission, it was moved by Special Commission Meeting Minutes-06/20/2016 5 Commissioner Kelley, seconded by Commissioner Santiago to adjourn the meeting at 6:35p.m. / OR ATTEST: CITY CLERK Special Commission Meeting Minutes—06/20/2016 6