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:
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Commissioner Kelley, seconded by Commissioner Santiago to adjourn the meeting at
6:35p.m.
/ OR
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
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