HomeMy Public PortalAbout06- June 20, 2017 Special Commission Meeting Minutes CITY OF OPA-LOCKA
"The Great City"
CLERK'S ACTION SUMMARY MINUTES
SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday,June 20, 2017
10:00 A.M.
Opa-locka Municipal Complex
780 Fisherman Street 2t' Floor
Opa-locka, FL 33054
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Myra L. Taylor called the meeting to order at 10:04 a.m. on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 on
the 2nd Floor of the Opa-locka Municipal Complex 780 Fisherman Street, Opa-locka, Florida.
2. ROLL CALL:
The following members of the City Commission were present: Mayor Myra L. Taylor, Vice
Mayor Joseph L. Kelley, Commissioner John B. Riley and Commissioner Matthew A. Pigatt.
Also in attendance were: City Manager Yvette Harrell, City Attorney Vincent T. Brown, and
City Clerk Joanna Flores. Commissioner Timothy Holmes 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. PUBLIC INPUT:
(agenda items only)
Mayor Taylor: At this time we will entertain public input from the public, please state your name
and address and this is on agenda items only, public input is open, public input is closed. Mr.
Brown I think we're ready for you.
6. RESOLUTION:
a) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA-
LOCKA, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING A SHORT LIST OF FIVE (5) CANDIDATES
FROM THE POOL OF INDIVIDUALS THAT SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS FOR THE
CITY MANAGER'S POSITION; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF
RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Sponsored by City Commission
The above resolution was read by Attorney Brown.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 1
It was moved by Vice Mayor Kelley, seconded by Commissioner Riley for discussion.
Mayor Taylor: Who wants to start?
Vice Mayor Kelley: It has taken us a long time to get to this point, we have, I think just to be
clear, I think the clerk just gave us, we had 14 applicants, but I think one by the way of email has
withdrawn, If I am not incorrect and that's Mr. Wellman correct?
City Clerk Flores: That is correct.
Vice Mayor Kelley: So we have 13 candidates and based on as we already know 1, 3, and 5
minimum requirements according to the charter all of us know that, I wanted to really since we
have to list 4 and there is only 4 of us here, but to establish the 5 I am just going to ask the chair
what is your thoughts on how we proceed, or do we just go down all of them, or do we just give
ours individually and go from there because we'll just defer to the chair on that.
Mayor Taylor: What I am asking to do, you listening Mr. Brown? I always say that.
City Attorney Brown: Yes ma'am.
Mayor Taylor: Alright what I am asking to do, give your pick, your pick referring to
Commissioner Kelley, Commissioner Pigatt give yours and Commissioner Riley give yours and
if it is more than 5 then we will use the process of elimination and I will give my one or two. Mr.
Brown.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Say that again.
Mayor Taylor: Give yours, who you would like to be on the list. Commissioner Pigatt gives who
he wants on the list and Commissioner Riley gives who he wants on the list then I will give
mine, if it is more than 5, Mr. Brown we will use the process of elimination.
City Attorney Brown: That is your policy.
Mayor Taylor: No this is.
City Attorney Brown: That is what ya'll want to do.
Mayor Taylor: Who wants to start; Commissioner? Vice Mayor since you already have the mic
and we know that actually, and I do apologize, the clerk should have read these 2 into the record
so it would not be any misunderstanding and nobody will be calling and say, "I ain't say that."
So, madam clerk would you read both these letters from the applicant, which ever you want.
City Clerk Flores: The first.
Mayor Taylor: Hold on.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 2
Commissioner Riley: Madam Mayor one is just a question the other is a withdrawal.
Mayor Taylor: Either way I want to this a...
Commissioner Riley: Withdrawal.
Mayor Taylor: Public record.
Commissioner Riley: Yes.
Mayor Taylor: Okay then, I just want to read it into the, Mr. Brown you can let us know, can we
answer this question?
City Attorney Brown: I am not seen...
Mayor Taylor: Alright read honey.
Commissioner Riley: Its simple today's, today's process has nothing to do with interviews, that
answers the question.
Mayor Taylor: Correct. I just want to read since it was given to us.
Commissioner Riley: Okay.
Mayor Taylor: Yes ma'am.
City Clerk Flores: The first email I received is from Michael Wellman and it was sent on
Thursday, June 15, 2017 at 4:20 p.m.
Mayor Taylor: Yeah, but you got one, go right ahead.
City Clerk Flores: And it reads hello City Clerk Flores, please withdraw my application from
consideration, I wish you and the City great success. Thank you, Michael Wellman and it list his
phone number.
Mayor Taylor: Alright the next one.
City Clerk Flores: The second email I received is from Hector Rivera and it was sent Sunday,
June 18, 2017 at 4:18 p.m. and his email reads thanks Joanna, I did email my confirmation of
your email regarding the council meeting on the 20`h. I am scheduled to be in Georgia on some
projects, but if I should be one of the five finalists will the city reimburse me for travel expenses
to return to Florida for the interview? If I was appointed, I would be available in a relatively
short period of time to start. Thanks for your time and responsiveness, Best Hector.
Mayor Taylor: We have a withdrawal for Mr. somebody, Mr. Wellman. And what is the pleasure
of the Commission, do you also want to withdraw Mr. Hector, Mr. Brown.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 3
Commissioner Riley: He is not asking her for that.
City Attorney Brown: He is not asking to be withdrawn, he's asking that if he is selected as one
of the five finalists, will the City reimburse him for his travel to the interviews and only you guys
can answer that question. As to whether you interview anybody who's coming from out of town,
for them seeking a job.
Mayor Taylor: Okay so we need to answer this question. Should we not?
Vice Mayor Kelley: Let's wait madam mayor to see if he even he may not even be...
Mayor Taylor: Who, first of all the reimbursement.
Commissioner Kelley: That would come afterwards, the five I don't think we need to answer that
question at this moment because he may not even be one of the five that's a...
Mayor Taylor: That will be fine.
Commissioner Kelley: That would be a question after we get the five the next step in the process.
Mayor Taylor: Alright who would like to start with their urn, to create the short list?
Commissioner Riley: I would madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: Yes sir, Commissioner Riley has the floor.
Commissioner Riley: I put in...
Vice Mayor Kelley: I can't hardly hear you. I don't know if it's the mic or...
Mayor Taylor: He's talking with his sexy voice.
Commissioner Riley: I put in on the list 4 and 5.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Commissioner?
Mayor Taylor: 4 and 5.
Vice Mayor Kelley: I know you have that deep voice but I can hardly hear you down here.
Commissioner Riley: 4 and 5.
Mayor Taylor: Alright thank you. Commissioner Pigatt.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Madam Mayor just for clarification, are we doing the top 5 or just...
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 4
Mayor Taylor: Yeah.
Vice Mayor Kelley: We doing the top 5.
Mayor Taylor: Correct.
Vice Mayor Kelley: If you're...
Mayor Taylor: No, not all 5, out of the 14, who do you want? Cause out of the 14 everybody is
gonna give theirs and then we're gonna pick 5.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Right.
Mayor Taylor: Who do you want? Cause out of the 14 and everybody give theirs and we're
going to pick 5.
Vice Mayor Kelley: No, I got that, but what I was getting at, I wasn't maybe clear on were we
giving our top 5 picks or was we giving the 2 or whatever? I thought you said we was giving our
top 5 of whoever you want. I wasn't maybe that was my mistake I didn't understand.
Mayor Taylor: When everybody put down who they want, we gonna pick 5.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Right I understand that part.
Mayor Taylor: So you put who you want.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Okay, go ahead maybe...
Mayor Taylor: Solomon said, "In all thy getting, get understanding." Alright so now, who out of
this list would you like to be on the short list?
Vice Mayor Kelley: Naw, naw, I understand that but I thought I heard you say each one of us is
going to give our top 5. Okay maybe I just missed understood.
Mayor Taylor: Or your top 1 or 2.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Now I understand.
Mayor Taylor: Yeah.
Vice Mayor Kelley: I am clear.
Mayor Taylor: I didn't have 5, Commissioner Riley didn't do 5, he picked 2 out of the 14.
Vice Mayor Kelley: I understand.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 5
Mayor Taylor: Do you want to go now or do you need to think?
Vice Mayor Kelley: Naw, let me think about it cause I didn't understand how you were doing
it.
Mayor Taylor: Commissioner Pigatt.
Commissioner Pigatt: Madam mayor I will wait.
Mayor Taylor: Do you have your...
Commissioner Pigatt: Yes.
Mayor Taylor: Okay, what is your numbers?
Commissioner Pigatt: Madam mayor I will wait till the vice mayor present his so...
Mayor Taylor: Well the Vice Mayor is still thinking.
Commissioner Pigatt: Okay, alright, I'll wait until he finish thinking.
Mayor Taylor: Cause the chair goes last.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Well just give me a second urn...
Mayor Taylor: And you...
Vice Mayor Kelley: So you want numbers, not names?
Mayor Taylor: Yes numbers.
Vice Mayor Kelley: So I got to go back and I put the numbers I had names, okay.
Mayor Taylor: You preached yesterday didn't you?
Vice Mayor Kelley: Well urn...listen listen madam mayor, my well I actually did 5 so guess I
didn't understand it, but I will give you my 5,but I actually did 5 my first is number 5, number
2, number 12, number 3.
Mayor Taylor: You going too fast.
Vice Mayor Kelley: And number 4.
Mayor Taylor: Number 2.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 6
Vice Mayor Kelley: Right, number 5 was my first one, number 2, number 12, number 3 and
number 4.
Mayor Taylor: Alright do you want to take any off.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Pardon me.
Mayor Taylor: Do you want to narrow those 5 down to maybe...
Vice Mayor Kelley: Naw, I just gave my top.
Mayor Taylor: Maybe 2 or 3, no? I am just asking.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Well you want me too narrow it down?
Mayor Taylor: I said would you like to narrow it down.
Vice Mayor Kelley: No, I will leave it like that for the moment cause that's, why, cause that's
how I had already did it.
Mayor Taylor: Okay. Commissioner Pigatt.
Commissioner Pigatt: Madam mayor thank you.
Mayor Taylor: Tab number.
Commissioner Pigatt: For the record I would like to have the city clerk take down my comments
verbatim for the minutes.
City Clerk Flores: Yes sir.
Commissioner Pigatt: I am extremely disappointed with directions this commission has decided
to take in this selection process of city manager. We had the opportunity to select a selection
committee made of some of the top professionals in government to leverage their experience and
relationships to get the best person to manage this city, our city, and our community out of this
crisis. However, we have decided to use our limited prospective in reach to bring us to this point
today. Furthermore, we took on the most basic approaches to the search process in limited
advertising for less than one month for this position. We are about to select someone as the CEO
of this forty six million dollar ($46,000,000.00) enterprise and we are doing that in less than one
month and with our limited resources. I don't believe I can look our stake holders, our residents
in the face after this process in selecting these candidates; and I'm wondering if we really we
believe we have confidence in this process that we done our due diligence to get the best person
to navigate us out of this process in this crisis we are currently in. And with that said, I would
like to move that we defer this item till the next commission meeting where we can extend this
process and get better candidates cause at this moment we have very few candidates who applied
with little municipal experience and who have experience outside of the City of Opa-locka, and
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 7
can bring us new ideas and also leverage or resources to move us out of this crisis so I would like
to put that on the table.
Mayor Taylor: Okay, that is a motion to withdraw, I mean that is a motion to do what again.
Commissioner Pigatt: To defer this to the next commission meeting were we can also extend this
process to get a better list of candidates for this selection process.
Mayor Taylor said: Alright we have a motion on the table, it needs a second.
Mayor Taylor: Alright it died for a lack of second. Madam clerk can you put this down verbatim.
City Clerk Flores: Yes ma'am.
Mayor Taylor: From the chair to address ....what the commissioner has said we already have a
process in place that is sanctioned by not only the charter but the code, we have placed these
applications out for one month, am I correct madam clerk?
City Clerk Flores: That is correct.
Mayor Taylor: One month cross the board and everyone and their momma, don't put that in
there, had an opportunity to respond to every paper you placed this in. Madam clerk I'm asking
you how many papers did you put this in?
Commissioner Riley: It's in the book.
Mayor Taylor: I want her to respond.
City Clerk Flores: Okay madam mayor. It was in the Miami Herald employment section.
Mayor Taylor: Write that down please.
City Clerk Flores: The Miami Herald employment section Sunday, May 21st through Saturday,
May 27th. It was on Career Builder from Sunday May 21st to Wednesday June 14; Daily Business
Review employment section Monday May 22nd through Friday May 26th. The Daily Business
Review website, Indeed.com, Zip recruiter.com, City of Opa-locka website, Florida League of
Cities website employment opportunity section, Miami-Dade County League of Cities website,
employment opportunity section, and the National League of Cities website, employment
opportunity section.
Mayor Taylor: So we had the opportunity to place this in every publication that has not just only
gone through Miami-Dade County but throughout.
City Clerk Flores: That is correct.
Mayor Taylor: You said the National League of Cities is that correct.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 8
City Clerk Flores: Correct.
Mayor Taylor: Alright we have that... Now I have all the faith in the world in our process this
isn't the first time it is not a novice, we are not a novice and this not the first time we have done
it we can only work with the applications that has come in that's all we can deal with and I think
we have enough experience and we have enough confidence in our own laws in order to do this.
Now alright, Commissioner Pigatt, I ask you again, from the applications that are before you do
you have any choices to create a short list.
Commissioner Pigatt: Thank you madam mayor for yielding me back my time, in light of the
fact that this has, the deferment has been failed um... I want to make sure that we reflect upon
the time frames that this has been put out, in which our HR Director was not involved in the
process of vetting these candidates urn.. these candidates, our information that we received
currently right now are just resumes and cover letters, we have no background information in
terms of references, we had just less than one week to check references of these individuals to do
research I don't know anybody. I don't have publication and these are pretty please for verbatim
in the records to review if there is any issues with the candidates where there be public records,
background checks so at the moments all we have in front of us are resumes from 14 people who
responded to classified ads in the Miami Herald for one week, 30 days on the website, and that is
it and with that said I am extremely disappointed that this is the process that we are taking for
someone to head a forty six million dollar enterprise, governing over 140 employees and over
sixteen thousand residents. I am extremely disappointed that this is the case and with this limited
pool I will make a few recommendations. I will let you know that I vote no to pass this resolution
and my selections at the moment; and just to be clear for the record, I am also disappointed that
we are using numbers instead of actual names of the candidates, so I am going back I am going
to review the names that were already presented, so that we can be very clear on the decisions
that we're making in regards to the city manager, so right now.
Mayor Taylor: Excuse me, point to the speaker. So when you say you are very clear obviously
you are very disappointed and we're very disappointed that you are not following the process
that you swore at your opening. That you swore when you took this office that you would abide
by not only the constitution of the United States but also the laws of the State of Florida and also
the City of Opa-locka; you swore to that. So therefore, I'm disappointed as the chair that you are
disappointed that we are not following our own laws. Now what I am asking you to do, all I ask
you to do is pick out of the fourteen, one, two, three, or all fourteen, and then in that way then we
can move on to the next phase of this process. So would you please, Commissioner Pigatt, pick
your choice of the applicants that we have in front of us.
Commissioner Pigatt: Madam mayor may I address the city attorney.
Mayor Taylor: Mr. Brown.
Commissioner Pigatt: Are there any laws or regulations that prevent us from stating the names of
the people that we are recommending for this position as city manager.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 9
City Attorney Brown: No, sir.
Commissioner Pigatt: Thank you.
Commissioner Pigatt: At the time, the consensus among the dais are two individuals, number 4
Mr. Ed Brown and also number 5 Newall Daughtrey. Those are the two people that have been
recommended so far. I am, my recommendations right now based upon this limited pool, this
very limited pool, is #1 Milton Vickers, #13, #7 Earl Gloster, and #1 Calvin Anderson. The
reason being behind these three candidates and their positions #1, Mr. Vickers, he has some
experience with the county he has been engaged in quite a few opportunities and projects on a
county level through his relation with the city and also a special advisor of the City of Miami. He
has experience being engaged and has a lot of relationships that he may able to bring leverage to
bring opportunities here. Two, we have Earl Gloster who is currently the director of solid waste
up in Clearwater who has over ten years of experience in a directors role and then#3, Mr. Calvin
Anderson who has experience in government in Pompano Beach. As I said before these are
choices that I made only because of the fact that we have a limited pool and I am very much so
focused on making sure we have people that we have the people with the highest level of
municipal experience so they can leverage resources so that we can make sure we turn this
around who will not tie, to, yeah, who is not engaged in the past. So I believe we need somebody
who is going to move this city forward, so with this being limited, I'm advising I will vote no
and I hope we will defer this item to another commission meeting and also extend this process so
we can get more qualified candidates and get the best professional service to our residents thank
you.
Mayor Taylor: The chair is... #4 and#13 ok. Mr. Brown, ok we have everyone choice so...
Vice Mayor Kelley: Madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: Yes sir.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Since the attorney clarified in terms of names because I had that same
question he didn't chime in until my colleague asked. Let me state my names so it can be clear
too. I don't know if thee, I guest this is to the clerk, does the public have a list of the names? Do
we have a list of the names for anyone in the audience, we need to do that as well.
Commissioner Pigatt: Nope.
Mayor Taylor: Point to the speaker for a minute, I was going to call the names Mr. Brown once
we got all the names when it was time for the vote, was that I was....it wasn't trying, I just
wanted to do, trying to do that and then call the names when it was time to vote but I want to
clear that with you.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Okay, and let me call out mines.....Mr. Daughtrey and number 5 was my
first one; John Bauer which was number 2; Hector Rivera was number 3, number 12 Troy Bell
was my fourth choice and Mr. Brown was my 5th choice. Just want to put,just to say it was clear
on the names that I have listed.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 10
Mayor Taylor: Alright now Mr. Brown now what I would like to do is go through every name
for the five top.
City Attorney Brown: Okay.
Mayor Taylor: For, urn, to bring in for an interview.
City Attorney Brown: From what I have in my notes the clerk can correct me, Mr. Brown had 3
nominations, Mr. Daughtrey had 2 nominations, Mr. Vickers had 2 nominations, that would be
your top 3 nominees. The question would be, who would be your 3`d and 4th nominee.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Who was the third one?
Mayor Taylor: The top three is Brown, Daughtrey and Vickers.
City Attorney Brown: Yes ma'am.
Mayor Taylor: Alright, Brown, Daughtrey, and Vickers. Okay we need 2 more.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Madam mayor I guess... Mr. Vickers was on my short list so I can go along
with that one as an additional pick.
Commissioner Riley: He is already there; he is one of the top three.
Mayor Taylor: He's in the top three, Vickers is.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Vickers he's already in the top three.
Mayor Taylor: Vickers, Brown and Daughtrey are already in the top three. Is that correct Mr.
Brown?
City Attorney Brown: Yes ma'am.
Mayor Taylor: Okay.
Vice Mayor Kelley: He was, sorry.
Mayor Taylor: Alright, we need 2 more to make it 5 or can we stop right there.
Vice Mayor Kelley: I would make a suggestion that Mr. Bauer who has a lot of experience in
government has ran several cities and I look at this and I appreciate the comments from my
colleague, when I look at this I am looking for experience of managers as well obviously
someone who know the community. Although Mr. Bauer is not from Opa-locka, he has
extensive experience in government so I would suggest him as well as a possible candidate,
although he didn't get any more picks but that was one of my pick.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 11
Mayor Taylor: Alright, we have Mr. Bauer's, anyone else? Do we have to vote on Mr. Bauer's?
City Attorney Brown: Yes you have to.
Mayor Taylor: Okay we have a motion on Mr. Bauer's I need a second on him.
Commission Riley: We are just creating a list right now, right?
Mayor Taylor: That is all, but we are trying to put another name, we got two more names if we
are going with the top 5 as we had said, is that correct Mr. Brown?
City Attorney Brown: Yes.
Mayor Taylor: In our meeting, so we are going with our top 5, we have 3 already, we need two
more to complete what we had agreed upon.
City Attorney Brown: If I may madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: Yes sir.
City Attorney Brown: Let me just tell you who have just one nomination Calvin Anderson, John
Bauer, Tony Bell, Earl Gloster, Hector Rivera each one of those have.
Mayor Taylor: One.
City Attorney Brown: One nomination.
Mayor Taylor: Does Bauer have one?
City Attorney Brown: Yes ma'am.
Mayor Taylor: Yes, because Vice Mayor Kelley did him.
Mayor Taylor: Okay, so now let's go with, we still need two, correct? Two more to make 5,
alright so let's take one name at a time. So let's go with Mr. Bauer.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Well.
Mayor Taylor: We need a motion on Bauer and a second so I can vote, we just need 2 more
names.
Vice Mayor Kelley: I move on Bauer.
Mayor Taylor: We need a second.
Mayor Taylor: Okay, no second alright next name.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 12
Mayor Taylor: Mr. Brown who is the next name.
City Attorney Brown: It would be Calvin Anderson.
Mayor Taylor: Anderson... Anderson is #1 in our tab.
Mayor Taylor: Who wants to move on Anderson? Well Commissioner Pigatt you asked for Mr.
Anderson, so do you want to make this motion or not?
Commissioner Pigatt: I do not agree with this process, I've stated my person, I made my
selections, and those stand, thank you.
Mayor Taylor: Alright, I need a motion for Mr. Bauer, I am sorry, I meant for Mr. Anderson.
Mayor Taylor: Okay, none for Anderson alright then who's next Mr. Brown.
City Attorney Brown: Earl Gloster.
Mayor Taylor: Mr. Gloster does anyone want to motion, Commissioner Pigatt you chose Mr.
Gloster you want to go with that motion?
Commission Pigatt: I do not agree with this process. I made a motion; I selected Earl Gloster as
one of the people so that stands.
Mayor Taylor: Alright, Gloster has a motion by Commissioner Pigatt any second on that.
Mayor Taylor: Okay, no for Gloster. Who's the next one Mr. Brown?
City Attorney Brown: Hector Rivera.
Mayor Taylor: Hector Rivera, Mr. Hector Rivera, this was one of your, Vice...
Vice Mayor Kelley: I move on Rivera.
Mayor Taylor: Alright, I got a motion for Mr. Rivera I need a second please.
Commissioner Riley: I second it.
Mayor Taylor: Alright, all in favor for....we need, a Mr. Brown.
City Attorney Brown: Go ahead and take a roll call.
Mayor Taylor: Alright, role call for Mr. Hector Rivera to be on the short list.
There being no further discussion, the motion passed by a 3-1 vote.
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Vice Mayor Kelley Yes
Commissioner Pigatt No
Commissioner Riley Yes
Commissioner Holmes Not Present
Mayor Taylor Yes
Mayor Taylor: Okay, now we need one more, we have four, is that correct Mr. Brown?
City Attorney Brown: Yes ma'am.
Mayor Taylor: We need one more who was the next one.
City Attorney Brown: We are back to the top of the list with Calvin Anderson.
Mayor Taylor: Calvin... We did all of them.
City Attorney Brown: Yes ma'am.
Mayor Taylor: Calvin Anderson.
City Attorney Brown: Yes ma'am.
Mayor Taylor: Alright we are back with Calvin Anderson. Okay, so now we have Calvin
Anderson. Alright Commissioner Pigatt you had put Calvin Anderson, do you want to make that
motion for Calvin Anderson?
Commissioner Pigatt: I do not agree with this process. I stated the person that I move for and it
stands thank you.
Mayor Taylor: I need a motion for Calvin Anderson please.
Mayor Taylor: Okay we have no motion for Calvin Anderson. Any other?
City Attorney Brown: John Bauer.
Mayor Taylor: Bauer, ok vice mayor. You did Bauer, do you want to continue?
Vice Mayor Kelley: Yes, I still have Bauer on my short list.
Mayor Taylor: Yes sir.
Vice Mayor Kelley: On my short list, ok I'll move him again if we're trying to get to five votes.
Mayor Taylor: Yes sir. Alright we have a motion for John A. Bauer, do we have a second?
Commissioner Riley: I will second it.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 14
Mayor Taylor: Alright we have a second madam clerk please...
There being no further discussion, the motion passed by a 3-1 vote.
Commissioner Riley Yes
Commissioner Holmes Not Present
Vice Mayor Kelley Yes
Commissioner Pigatt No
Mayor Taylor Yes
Mayor Taylor: Alright this is Bauer, alright wait one minute.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: Yes sir.
Vice Mayor Kelley: I understand the concern that all of us may have individually and
collectively and it's taken us a long time to get to where we are with all of the challenges we
have in the city. One of the things that I look at, looking at obviously experience and
understanding the dynamics of the city. I would just hope that going forward now that we have a
short list of 5 that all of us really look at the 5 that have been selected and as we go forward in
the process with interviews and due diligence because that was going to be my question to you as
the chair because usually when you have these in this process, the chair kind of makes a
recommendation. I don't know how you want to proceed. It goes along the line I guess what my
colleague was concerned about and that's the vetting process. How do you plan to go forward
with that now that we have the 5? I know we normally we have in the past they have had, I know
we had a level one or two background done. I don't know if that is still the plan. I know in the
past it has been done either in house with our own law enforcement or someone else so I want to
ask that question going forward and maybe even chime in and get a clarity from the attorney
because I don't think that part is...challenge.
Mayor Taylor: Let me, alright fine. I understand your question alright, just give me a moment.
Mr. Brown would you please give me the top 5 please, that is going to be considered for
interviews and/or...what you say and/or?
Vice Mayor Kelley: Top 5.
Mayor Taylor: No no, what did you ask for? Are they going to have...
Vice Mayor Kelley: How, in terms, I will use the term background check.
Mayor Taylor: That's it, ok that's all I want to know. Alright give me the top 5 not necessarily
what order they came in.
City Attorney Brown: I have Bauer.
Mayor Taylor: Hold on.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 15
City Attorney Brown: Brown, Daughtrey, Rivera.
Mayor Taylor: Wait just a minute.
Mayor Taylor: And.
Commissioner Riley: Vickers.
City Attorney Brown: Vickers.
Mayor Taylor: Okay, now let's just take this step, the 5, madam clerk that will be considered for
interviews. Bauer, Brown, Daughtrey, Rivera and Vickers correct? Okay. The next step is going
to be yours. Now what is the pleasure of commission? You want a level one or level two
background check?
Commissioner Riley: Let's take it one step at a time. We need to pass the resolution, then we go
and handle that afterwards madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: Alright I'm coming, alright we will come back to that. Alright madam clerk, we
have a, I need a motion please for the top 5 and a second.
Commissioner Riley: Move it.
Mayor Taylor: Moved by Commissioner Riley.
Inaudible.
Mayor Taylor: Just for the top 5.
City Attorney Brown: You have a concern Vice Mayor?
Vice Mayor: I thought... didn't we vote on the top 5 as of...
Mayor Taylor: No we didn't, we voted on the last two.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Oh, I am sorry.
Mayor Taylor: To get on the list. I have a complete list now. Mr. Brown, I have a complete list?
City Attorney Brown: Yes ma'am.
Mayor Taylor: I have a complete list. I have a motion for the complete, I need a second.
Vice Mayor Kelley: I second.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes-6/20/2017 16
Mayor Taylor: I have a motion and a second. Any objections because I don't want discussions
now alright?
Commissioner Pigatt: I object.
Mayor Taylor: Sir?
Commissioner Pigatt: You said any objections, I object.
Mayor Taylor: Alright noted.
Mayor Taylor: Roll call madam clerk for this.
There being no further discussion, the motion passed by a 3-1 vote.
Vice Mayor Kelley Yes
Commissioner Pigatt No
Commissioner Riley Yes
Commissioner Holmes Not Present
Mayor Taylor Yes
Mayor Taylor: Alright 3-1, now Mr. Brown, then I will go to the clerk in order to send these
notices out.
City Attorney Brown: The question you all have raised is whether you have to do a level one or
level two background check.
Mayor Taylor: Background check ok. Does anyone understand what a level one is or what a
level two is. If you don't mind just for the sake of clarity ok um, who can answer that question
would be the urn...
City Attorney Brown: The HR Director.
Mayor Taylor: The HR Director would you please come forth and tell us the difference between
a level one and a level two, right here, ok alright.
Human Resources Director Kierra Ward: Good afternoon.
Mayor Taylor: Your name is, like we don't know who you are, go ahead.
Human Resources Director Kierra Ward: Good afternoon, Kierra Ward, Human Resources
Director.
Mayor Taylor: Alright.
Ms. Ward: A level 2 background check.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 17
Mayor Taylor: Start with level one.
Ms. Ward: Okay, a level one background check is usually consisted of a background check that
is run by the State of Florida. Of course a level two is more expensive and is recommended for
individuals who have exposure to children. It is usually required within the school board system
as well, I would recommend a level two.
Mayor Taylor: That's through the school board with children and all that.
Ms. Ward: Yes.
Mayor Taylor: Why would you recommend a level two?
Ms. Ward: Yes, it expands outside of the State of Florida.
Mayor Taylor: Alright, that it also extends outside of the State of Florida.
Ms. Ward: Yes, because it is a nationwide search. I would recommend a level two.
Mayor Taylor: Because of the applicants.
Ms. Ward: Because it would include offenses that may have been created outside the State of
Florida.
Mayor Taylor: Alright so level one is just more local.
Kierra Ward: Yes, it's just not extensive.
Mayor Taylor: Alright what is the pleasure of the commission?
Vice Mayor Kelley: Madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: Yes sir.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Because of the position and some of them that I don't really know that well I
would recommend a level two.
Mayor Taylor: Alright any other recommendations?
Commissioner Riley: I agree.
Mayor Taylor: Alright thank you, Ms. Ward.
Commissioner Pigatt: Madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: Yes sir Commissioner Pigatt.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 18
Commissioner Pigatt: Can I get a understanding on why the city clerk is the one handling the
hiring process instead of the Human Resources Director.
Mayor Taylor: To answer your question, she is not hiring all she doing is putting the advertising
out and letting us know who responded and their resume came to her and giving to us. This book
was made up by the clerk she has no; she has no opinion, no comment, no anything. All she does
is get the applications, she sends out all the applications to the publication that she just named
and whoever answers will respond to the clerk. The clerk takes the resumes, places them in order
in the book alphabetically and gives them to us, am I correct?
City Clerk Flores: That is correct madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: She has nothing in this process, none whatsoever.
Commissioner Riley: Madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: Yes sir, he still have the floor.
Commissioner Pigatt: Can you please explain for the record the process we are currently going
through to hire a city manager I understand that so far. We have #1 put an advertisement out, #2
we collected the advertisements, 3 as a city commission we selected 5 candidates for that, what
are the next steps.
Mayor Taylor: No, I haven't gotten to that yet.
Commissioner Pigatt: No I am asking, what are the next steps, for clarification for us and the
public, what are the steps to hiring a city manager moving forward?
Mayor Taylor: Well the next step would be for from the chair prospective, the next step would be
to have the clerk to notify the top 5 applicants to come in for an interview. From that, the
commission will vote on the top 5 and that will give us who is successful, will give us our next
city manager.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: Yes sir, he still has the floor.
Vice Mayor Kelley: I am sorry.
Commissioner Pigatt: Madam mayor, who is conducting the interview?
Mayor Taylor: We are.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 19
Commission Pigatt: So step 4 is all those people will be contacted and they will come before us
at another commission meeting each of them at the same time or we having 5 different
commission meeting to review these the interviewees?
Mayor Taylor: It has been our practice to give each one a time slot on the same day.
Commissioner Pigatt: Okay then, after they interview we vote right then and there at the end or
at a commission meeting.
Mayor Taylor: We vote right then and there.
Commissioner Pigatt: So the candidate will come up before us and then we will interview them
and then we will vote to accept these candidates or deny them.
Mayor Taylor: After everyone is finished.
Commissioner Pigatt: Okay, and that is all information that we are planning on receiving for
these candidates is their resumes and interview.
Mayor Taylor: And their interview and of course the background check will come in.
Commissioner Pigatt: Alright.
Mayor Taylor: How long does that excuse me take, how long does that take a level 2 background
check?
Mayor Taylor: This question has been asked from the chair to the HR Director.
Ms. Ward: The level 2 background check, usually when we run a background check it usually
don't take long if there are no offenses, but if there are, it prolongs the process, but I can't really
say how long. It will be on a case by case basis.
Mayor Taylor: In your experience what has been the longest.
Ms. Ward: A few days.
Mayor Taylor: A week.
Ms. Ward: Less than a week.
Mayor Taylor: Less than a week.
Ms. Ward: No, it shouldn't take longer than a few a week, no.
Mayor Taylor: That is for the entire process.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 20
Ms. Ward: Right.
Mayor Taylor: Okay sir, less than a week, thank you.
Commissioner Pigatt: Madam mayor, I would like to address the HR Director.
Mayor Taylor: Yes sir.
Commissioner Pigatt: Could you explain to us a normal process for hiring and the steps you go
through to hire someone and put out an ad to hire someone.
Ms. Ward: Usually the advertisement has a closing date and from that closing date the
applications received are usually prescreened to make sure that the individual that move to the
next level meets the minimum requirements after that's done.
Commissioner Pigatt: Hold on, how long is the usual time for advertising.
Ms. Ward: Usually we do 2 weeks, if it is expedited we do one but it depends on the flow of
applications we receive so for certain instances it takes longer than others.
Commissioner Pigatt: Okay, and what is the involvement of the prescreen process?
Kierra Ward: We review the resumes and applications that are received to make sure the
applicant meets the minimum requirements on the posting.
Commissioner Pigatt: And the prescreen process is just literally reviewing the resume based
upon minimum requirements.
Ms. Ward: Yes.
Commissioner Pigatt: Okay and keep going.
Ms. Ward: Okay, once the applications are prescreened, the selections are made who will
proceed to the next level of the recruitment process. Those applicants are contacted to verify and
see if they are still interested in the position and on the internal side a panel is usually convened,
and from there interviews are held. In some instances there are phone screenings prior to face to
face interviews with the panel. After that another selection is made as to who progresses in the
process, once the phone screening is completed and the applicants receive notice that they have
proceeded to the next level of the process they come in for a panel style interview. The panel
style interview consist of questions that are usually created by the Human Resources Director
and the department director based on the needs of that position and score is created by each
person that is on the interview panel. The averages are compiled after the interview process and
the people who receive the top 3 scores are usually contacted again for examination, if applicable
or second interview if that is the discretion of the department director. After the interviews take
place usually the drug screening and the background checks are given after the conditional offer
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 21
is made for employment and if that applicant successfully passes those screenings then the job
offer stands.
Commissioner Pigatt: Okay, and thank you very much.
Kierra Ward: You are welcome.
Commissioner Pigatt: I just want to state for the record, that process that was just described to
are a normal process for HR for hiring someone for the city is not the process that we are using
currently right now for the city manager; in particular we have no scoring opportunity and I
guess now there is a background check that was just included in this process and this is the first
time that we have discussed the process to identify our selection committee and to identify our
city manager. Madam clerk please make sure that this is all verbatim in the notes in the minutes
thank you.
Mayor Taylor: Let me say this, when you, what you have said is written, is that a written
process?
Kierra Ward: Yes.
Mayor Taylor: Will you please give that written process, disseminate it to commission
particularly to Commissioner Pigatt. And I also want for the record to show that what we are
choosing is not an ordinary employee, the employee that we are choosing works for the
commission, not for any department, for the commission. The commission process is different
from the process that you have when hiring employees for the City of Opa-locka.
Commissioner Riley: Madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: Mr. Brown, it is named in our charter the process that the commission use to
choose a city manager.
Mr. Brown: Yes ma'am.
Mayor Taylor: Not a regular employee.
Mr. Brown: Correct.
Mayor Taylor: A regular employee comes through H.R.
Commissioner Riley: Madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: Yes sir.
Commissioner Riley: To shorten this up, this is a screening that we are doing this morning. This
is a screening, we are screening the applicants to get down to 5 out of 14, this is the screening.
From the screening we will go to, we choose the selection now, we will do the vetting, the
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 22
background check and etc. Madam mayor I would suggest that we allow H.R. to do the
background checks, the level 2 background on these candidates and from there we will go and
there we will go to the interview and then in the interview we will have another panel. The
commission is the panel and we will make selection based on, that is the process. Can we please
move it forward from there madam mayor I think we moved on the resolution. Can I move on
the resolution at this particular point for 5 or did we vote on that?
Mayor Taylor: Alright, yes we did voted on that, that has been done, do we, Mr. Brown, have to
vote that HR will do the level 2 background check? I just want to dot every I and cross every T
on this.
Mr. Brown: I would...yes.
Mayor Taylor: Need a motion to allow let H.R. do the level..
Commissioner Riley: Move it.
Mayor Taylor: I need a second please, that H.R. will do the level 2 background check.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Second.
Mayor Taylor: We have a motion and a second, any objections that want to be noted.
Mayor Taylor: Alright madam clerk, roll call please.
There being no further discussion, the motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
Vice Mayor Kelley Yes
Commissioner Pigatt Yes
Commissioner Riley Yes
Commissioner Holmes Not Present
Mayor Taylor Yes
Mayor Taylor: Can you expedite that please.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: Yes sir...and the wait, wait right there and give the results. Ok Mr. Brown, do
you want to take those results for the level 2 backgrounds?
City Attorney Brown: My recommendation is that the HR Director through the manager's office
prepare the report, transmit the report to the city clerk and the city clerk will transmit the report
to you all.
Mayor Taylor: Alright did you hear that, Alright Ms. Ward, when you get the results for the level
2 background please.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 23
Inaudible...
Mayor Taylor: I need to address the commission.
Ms. Ward: Yes.
Yvette Harrell: That is the process.
Mayor Taylor: Alright go ahead baby.
Ms. Ward: I just need to put on the record that in order for me to conduct a background
screening, I need an application of consent form signed, to be completed by the applicant. I am
not sure if they provided resumes or if they officially completed an application because that
consent form is included in the application.
Commissioner Riley: Well it is a part of the process. You can actually send them or email them a
copy of the consent form
Ms. Ward: Yes, I just need the information so that won't prolong the process.
Mayor Taylor: That was what I was going to tell her to give you.
Commissioner Riley: Those you know respond that they are interested and those that don't
respond and you have to put a time limit on it to get it back.
Mayor Taylor: Alright, you are going to do what you do today right after this meeting.
City Clerk Flores: I just need directions madam mayor, am I providing them with that consent
form, is that what you are asking me to do?
Mayor Taylor: I think it should come from you since they brought you their application.
City Clerk Flores: I want to be just clear.
Mayor Taylor: You sent the consent form and they have... Is 24 hours good Mr. Brown?
Vice Mayor Kelley: Madam mayor 24 hours.
City Attorney Brown: 24 hours for?
Mayor Taylor: Send a consent form back.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: Yeah I got you.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes-6/20/2017 24
Ms. Ward: 48 hours.
City Attorney Brown: Madam mayor, I think in fairness of the applicants, we need to give them
more than 24 hours.
Mayor Taylor: What is your suggested time?
Commissioner Riley: I would do 48 hours, period.
Mayor Taylor: That is 2 days ok?
City Attorney Brown: Madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: What!
City Attorney Brown: You have a recommendation of 48 hours from one of your colleagues
to give them time once they receive the application and the consent form.
Mayor Taylor: I was asking you your opinion.
City Attorney Brown: Okay, my opinion is in light of the complexity of the situation, no, 24
hours is not enough time.
Mayor Taylor: Okay fine that was my question.
Commissioner Pigatt: Madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: I have a suggestion from one of the colleagues is 48, do I have any more
suggestions?
Commissioner Pigatt: Madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: Commissioner Pigatt.
Commissioner Pigatt: Ms. Ward, HR Director are you saying that, did you just say and made us
aware that these candidates hasn't even apply through our normal process.
Ms. Ward: No sir, I am not saying that, because I did not receive the application. I am not sure if
they completed an actual application form which includes that document or if they have been
submitting resumes. So in order for me to proceed with the background screenings, I need to be
authorized by the applicant by signing that form, that consent form.
Commissioner Pigatt: So, in the process to hiring someone on, an employee of this city, everyone
submits an application and included in that application is the consent form for the background
check, is that correct?
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 25
Ms. Ward: Yes, but sometimes applicants submit their resume in lieu of the application and if
they move forward in the process we require that they complete the application because the
technology we use online when hiring for employees, it does not allow you to complete the
application online, so an employee may upload their resumes and that will suffice until they
move forward with the hiring process.
Commissioner Pigatt: So now we want to make sure everyone at this point and time that we want
everyone to submit to an actual application and consent form.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: My question was on the time, but go ahead.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Okay, well I don't have a problem with the 48 hours, but I just want to be
clear on what the HR Director needs. So to be very clear, so once you get this package basically,
I guess of the 5 folks then you can proceed to what you need to do in terms of the level 2?
Ms. Ward: Well that depends on if the consent was already signed.
Vice Mayor Kelley: If it is not in...
Ms. Ward: I know I need to reach out to that applicant yes.
Vice Mayor Kelley: I know if it is not in here, you got to do what you do.
Ms. Ward: I can, yes.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Cause a couple of them I don't think I know if they got picked, I think I saw
in one or two of them, but I don't think they got picked, but once you get the 5 you can do that.
Ms. Ward: Yes sir.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Alright madam mayor I would...
Mayor Taylor: Let me go back after, what is your recommendation?
Vice Mayor Kelley: No, I'm seconding what my colleagues said for the 48 hours.
Mayor Taylor: For the 2, no for 48 hours, okay did we have motion for the 48 hours?
Vice Mayor Kelley: Cause H.R., once she gets what she needs done, I mean gets the information
she can...
Commissioner Riley: If necessary, I move it madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: I think it was moved by, was it moved by you alright....
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 26
Commissioner Pigatt: Madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: Yes sir.
Commissioner Pigatt: What is the recommendation of the HR Director who is actually going to
be over this process?
Ms. Ward: 48 hours is fine.
Commissioner Pigatt: Thank you.
Mayor Taylor: Okay, now I noticed that commissioner you keep wanting to put, the H.R. is not
in our process. It is not in our code process. You want to draw her in, the only way that she gets
in is through the recommendation of the commission, not that she has a say so in this. I'm
sensing that, that's where that is going. H.R. has no legal anything in our selection of a city
manager. Now we can assign her and ask her to do certain things, but she has, she has no
authority in this. Now with the clerk, now, yes ma'am.
City Clerk Flores: I have a question madam mayor. At the beginning, I had got direction to send
out consent forms, but based on what Vice Mayor Kelley just said to the HR Director, I kind of
understood that she is going to send out the consent forms? So I need direction to that.
Mayor Taylor: Is that what you are suggesting Vice Mayor?
City Clerk Flores: I kind of need direction.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Well I think the clerk has enough. I think because this is the background
screening so I didn't want it to be in one place. So if the clerk,just give her the 5, now it's totally
in her hands as the HR Director for the level 2 background since she is handling it anyway. I
thought that would be a much better, simpler process.
Mayor Taylor: Easier cause she is used to doing it.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Right because she's got to do it.
Commissioner Riley: Madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: Hold on, point to the speaker.
Commissioner Riley: Vice Mayor, the reason behind the rational of the clerk sending out the
consent form is because all of the applicants have be sending everything to the clerk who is the
representative of the commission. So if everything comes through the clerk of who is the
representative of the commission, then the applicant knows that this is what it is. Now once she
receives the consent form, then she forwards those to HR which the commission has asked to do
the level 2 background check on. But their communication, let the communication begin with the
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 27
clerk, let them deal with the clerk because the clerk would also have to set up the time frame for
the interviews and etc... So let them get used to dealing with the clerk, who is acting on behalf of
the city commission.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: You still have the floor.
Vice Mayor Kelley: I can appreciate that. I can see that because the clerk works for us as oppose
to putting that pressure on the H.R. Director that way when she gets the consent, all she has to do
is the actual level 2. Okay, alright, I can go along with that part.
Mayor Taylor: Now here is your... Yes ma'am, go head.
City Clerk Flores: One more thing I want to say because I heard one of the commissioners
question the HR Director about the application itself, the employment application, and just to be
clear that the ad that was put out only asked for resumes.
Mayor Taylor: For resumes.
City Clerk Flores: And this ad was approved by the majority of the commission. So it's not that
they did not go through the process, they're responding to the ad that was placed that they seen
where ever they seen it in advertisement; so they are following directions based on that ad that
the city commission approved.
Mayor Taylor: So what we are going to do now the... We got the list since they are
corresponding with the clerk, then the clerk will ask them, what did you say it was permission...
Commissioner Riley: She will send to them.
Mayor Taylor: A consent form.
Commissioner Riley: Should send to them a consent form and ask if you would return it within
48 hours.
Mayor Taylor: You will send them a consent form since they are working for, you remember you
work for the commission, for the consent form and then you will give the consent form to HR the
names...
Commissioner Riley: Once they have returned.
Mayor Taylor: Sir.
Commissioner Riley: Once they are returned.
Mayor Taylor: Once they are returned.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 28
City Clerk Flores: I got it.
Mayor Taylor: Now they have 48 hours to return, correct?
Commissioner Riley: Right.
Mayor Taylor: I am talking to my colleagues now.
Mayor Taylor: Mr. Brown.
City Attorney Brown: 48 hours to return.
Commissioner Riley: 48 hours to return.
Mayor Taylor: Now if they don't return in 48 we will assume...
Commissioner Riley: That they are excluded.
Mayor Taylor: They are excluded. You write that down. We assume they are excluded.
City Clerk Flores: Yes ma'am.
Mayor Taylor: If they don't have...
City Clerk Flores: I, but I have a motion and second on the 48 hours.
Mayor Taylor: Oh we did not ...
City Clerk Flores: I just didn't call on the vote.
Mayor Taylor: Oh oh, we did not? Give me the vote.
Commissioner Riley: That's what I was talking about.
Mayor Taylor: Go head.
There being no further discussion, the motion passed by a 3-1 vote.
Commissioner Pigatt No
Commissioner Riley Yes
Vice Mayor Kelley Yes
Commissioner Holmes Not Present
Mayor Taylor Yes
Mayor Taylor: Okay that is for the 48 hours.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 29
Clerk Flores: Yes.
Mayor Taylor: Alright you send it out. They have 48 hours, 2 days to bring it back and from that
you give the names to HR.
City Clerk Flores: I'll give her the forms.
Commissioner Riley: The forms.
Mayor Taylor: Alright give her the forms and the forms once she has done the level 2 she gives it
back to you and you disseminate it. Alright now, since its 48 hours, I remember in the last
commission meeting Mr. Brown, we tentatively scheduled for the 26th as the date for the
interviews, but now we have 2 days for the level 2 background check. What is the pleasure of the
commission? Do we still hold that cause today is Monday so if you give it out today...
Vice Mayor Kelley: Today is Tuesday.
Mayor Taylor: Today is Tuesday the 20th correct. So if you give 2 days that means they have 21st
and 22 to answer, correct?
Clerk Flores: Yes.
Mayor Taylor: They have 23`d to send it back. Okay can we be ready for the 26th?
Commissioner Riley: No.
Mayor Taylor: Huh?
Commissioner Riley: Not everything, that's not a week, no that's not, no...
Mayor Taylor: Okay that will be fine. I said we had made a tentative date for the 26th if ya'll
remember at the last commission meeting.
Mayor Taylor: Madam clerk, madam... Now should we move from the 26th now to what?
Commissioner Riley: July 5th, July 5th?
Vice Mayor Kelley: No.
Mayor Taylor: That's a little long.
Vice Mayor Kelley: That's too long.
Commissioner Pigatt: That works for me.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Naw that's...
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 30
Mayor Taylor: I heard July 5th, give me another date.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Let me get my calendar out cause it needs to be that week.
Mayor Taylor: I think so too.
Vice Mayor Kelley: I think so too we got...
Mayor Taylor: It can before or after the commission meeting which is the 28th
Commissioner Pigatt: After.
Mayor Taylor said: Alright do you want the 29th?
City Attorney Brown: I am in court the 29th.
Mayor Taylor: You are in court on the 29th?
City Attorney Brown: Yes ma'am. I am not available.
Mayor Taylor: Don't you have a second person?
City Attorney Brown: I would be here for that. I choose not to defer that to one of my assistants.
Mayor Taylor: You choose not to defer?
Vice Mayor Kelley: Madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: Yes sir.
Vice Mayor Kelley: I think the urgency of where we are in need of getting a manager in place it
dictates that it be next week.
Commissioner Riley: Can everyone do the 30th?
Vice Mayor Kelley: It has to be either Wednesday or Thursday. As much as I don't like Fridays I
will even do it on Friday. But it needs to occur next week, we got to get whomever we are going
to get as city manager to deal with a lot of things that needs to go forward.
Mayor Taylor: We have no problem with that, it's just when it shot to July...
Vice Mayor Kelley: Well I am not for July at all.
Mayor Taylor: Give me date.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 31
Vice Mayor Kelley: I can go with 28th, 29th' lets go for um 29th the day after the commission
meeting lets go for the 29th definitely not...
Mayor Taylor: Alright I have the 5th of July, I have the 6th, 29th anyone else Commissioner
Pigatt?
Commissioner Riley: I have a problem with the...
Mayor Taylor: 6:30? Yes sir Commissioner Riley.
Commissioner Riley: It was just the time I was looking at the time frame but.... next week works
fine for me.
Mayor Taylor: So you just gonna, ok what where you going to say?...Yes sir.
Commissioner Pigatt: The 30th
Commissioner Riley: I think the... I think that... I am looking at Friday would be a better from
coming in and people if those that may have to travel can do it best on Friday.
Mayor Taylor: I have a motion, I have a date of June 29th that is Thursday. Do I have a motion
for that?
Vice Mayor Kelley: I make a motion for the 29tH
Mayor Taylor: Alright I got a motion; need a second for the 29th, alright...
Mayor Taylor: Let's move for the 30th, Friday the 30th, need a motion for that.
Commissioner Riley: Move it.
Mayor Taylor: I need a second for the 30th
Vice Mayor Kelley: I'll go for the 30th, what time are we talking?
Mayor Taylor: Alright just a moment, I haven't gotten there yet. Alright we have a motion and a
second for the 30th on Friday alright madam clerk roll call.
City Clerk Flores: Vice Mayor Kelley.
Vice Mayor Kelley: I need to know what time. Yeah I mean...
Mayor Taylor: No, no, no. Just, I got a date, to put a date out...
Vice Mayor Kelley: No, no, the time.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 32
Commissioner Riley: Let's begin at ten.
Mayor Taylor: You just want to do the date and time together.
Vice Mayor Kelley: I want it all that's why I suggested the 29th
Mayor Taylor: Hold on we got the 30th. I need a suggestion for the time.
Commissioner Riley: 10:00 a.m.
Commissioner Pigatt: After 5:30 p.m.
Commissioner Riley: How would we hold all those interviews after 5:30 p.m.? We will be here
all night.
Commissioner Pigatt: I would like the public input and also I have a job.
Mayor Taylor: Well that's the price you paid for the job you got.
Commissioner Riley: We have to set a time frame for each one.
Mayor Taylor: With a starting... what time?
Commissioner Riley: Starting at 10:00 a.m.
Mayor Taylor: Starting at 10:00 a.m. Alright I need another time. Anybody got another time?
You said 5:00 p.m.
Vice Mayor Kelley: You said Friday.
Mayor Taylor: Yeah for Friday because we didn't do Thursday. I would have liked Thursday as
chair, but then...
Commissioner Riley: If you have a problem with Friday madam mayor I can...
Mayor Taylor: Yes sir.
Commissioner Riley: I can second it for the 29th. Let's move, we just...
Vice Mayor Kelley: I am for the 29th. Let me just suggest something we down to 5 and I am
going based on my experience with this. I like to suggest to my colleagues, the 29th let's start,
let's start. I don't want to start too early, but I would like to be able to encompass cause that was
one of my challenges before having the public involved so I suggested starting somewhere
around two or later so the public can have an opportunity, I understand the needs you can't start
around 5:30 or 6 o'clock that's just too late to do interviews and all of that given that we are
talking about a week. Is it possible for the afternoon to my colleagues?
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 33
Mayor Taylor: You said 2:00 p.m.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Yes, to my colleagues on the 29th
Mayor Taylor: Alright hold before you do that, Mr. Brown you have any input?
City Attorney Brown: Yeah, I am in court. I have an evidentiary hearing on Thursday so it will
have to be after 5o'clock on Thursday. As I stated earlier I got a morning appointment, I got a
afternoon hearing.
Mayor Taylor: And you don't want your colleague to take your place, I just need somebody to
make sure...
City Attorney Brown: No ma'am, I will not defer to one of my associates.
Mayor Taylor: One of your associates? Urn your associate...
Commissioner Riley: That is the reason I brought up Friday.
Mayor Taylor: So we are back to the 30th
Commissioner Pigatt: Can we do both after 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday?
Mayor Taylor: On Thursday. The attorney asked to be here and I am going to oblige the attorney.
Commissioner Pigatt: He said he was available after 5:00 p.m.
Mayor Taylor: You said Thursday?
City Attorney Brown: After 5.
Mayor Taylor: After 5. I don't know if I want to be into the night with this.
Commissioner Pigatt: That's what we signed up for the job.
Mayor Taylor: No that that's not the.... I know you throwing at me, but you know, but you the
one wanted to change it everything after 5, but that's' the price you pay. Alright what do we have
the 29th,that's the 29th
Vice Mayor Kelley: Um.
Mayor Taylor: No, because the attorney said yes, but it will have to be after 5.
Vice Mayor Kelley: We go on the 30th at 2 to start.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 34
Mayor Taylor: Okay let me take a vote on the 29th and then you said the 30th, let me take a vote
on that, what did you say 2:00 p.m.?
Vice Mayor Kelley: 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. I'm thinking because the applicants you have to
interview them by the time you get to the end that would allow the public if they want to.
Commissioner Riley: Madam mayor, we only got a second on the 30th, there was no second on
the 29tH
Mayor Taylor: Alright I thought we had a motion and a second on the 29th, on the 30th do we
have a motion?
City Clerk Flores: We have a motion and a second on the 30th
Mayor Taylor: On the 30th, a motion and a second on the 30th. Alright then I need to go back and
vote on the 29th but finish out on the 30th.
Vice Mayor Kelley: No the 29th is out cause the attorney can't be here.
Mayor Taylor: After 5:00 p.m.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Oh, after 5:00 p.m. okay.
Mayor Taylor: But give me yours you said 2 o'clock.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Yeah I said 2:00 p.m. because that way the time frames the public would
have a chance to be here before the commission would actually vote so we could take a little
break and all that stuff.
Mayor Taylor: Alright Mr. Brown I am going to... this is what I am voting on now for Thursday
June 29th after 5:00 p.m.
City Attorney Brown: Yes ma'am.
Mayor Taylor: I need a motion for that, Thursday the 29th after 5:00 p.m. that's Thursday the 29th
after 5:00 p.m. I need a motion.
Commissioner Pigatt: Thursday and Friday.
Mayor Taylor: No Thursday, I am doing them one day at a time, sweet Jesus Thursday the 29th
after 5:00 p.m.
Commission Pigatt: Move.
Mayor Taylor: I have motion on Thursday the 29th after 5 need a second....need a second...
Special Commission Meeting Minutes-6/20/2017 35
Mayor Taylor: Alright now that's gone now I need a motion for Friday the 30th at 2:00 p.m.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Move it.
Commissioner Riley: Second.
Mayor Taylor: I have motion and second for Friday the 30th at 2:00 p.m.
Commissioner Pigatt: Madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: Yes sir.
Commissioner Pigatt: I am very concern that we are giving candidates a week to rearrange their
schedules to come in on a Friday at 2:00 p.m. in respect of travel arrangements and other duties
and I think it is unfair for other applicants who lives outside of the city or outside of South
Florida. It is unfair process for those applicants and it gives advantage for those that resided
locally, and may not have prior commitments, thank you.
Commissioner Riley: Yes ma'am.
Mayor Taylor: Yes sir.
Commissioner Riley: The commission had stated and agreed upon, virtual interviews at the last
meeting, so they can appear virtually or as well in person... call for the question.
Mayor Taylor: Alright madam clerk give me the roll call for Friday June 30th at 2:00 p.m.
There being no further discussion, the motion passed by a 3-1 vote.
Commissioner Holmes Not Present
Commissioner Pigatt No
Commissioner Riley Yes
Vice Mayor Kelley Yes
Mayor Taylor Yes
Mayor Taylor; Alright you have all this information?
City Clerk Flores: Yes ma'am.
Mayor Taylor: Alright you can line them up... how much time did we give them before?
Vice Mayor Kelley: Whined up about ten minutes.
Mayor Taylor: Anyway.
Vice Mayor Kelley: You let them open up.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 36
Mayor Taylor: Give it on, ok alright fine, that's for me June the 30th, 2:00 p.m. they have...
Commissioner Riley: Leave it for just 10 minutes for them, we doing the city manager.
Mayor Taylor; They have ten minutes to do their presentation ten minutes or less no more than
ten minutes for their presentation and the clerk will keep track of the time.
City Clerk Flores: Madam mayor.
Commissioner Riley: To do a presentation and an interview.
Mayor Taylor: No, no, they're making their presentations...
Commissioner Riley: So the process...
Mayor Taylor: The interview, the interview is the presentation that they are making to us... they
got to talk to us so we are giving them 5 minutes to talk to us, we can look at them.
City Clerk Flores: Madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: Yes ma'am.
City Clerk Flores: Okay so we are allowing them up to ten minutes each to make their
presentation before the city commission, but how far apart do I set them because the commission
may have questions after their presentation so do I set them 15 minutes apart or?
Mayor Taylor: No they have.
City Clerk Flores: Exactly.
Mayor Taylor: And then they leave.
City Clerk Flores: So the commission is not going to have any questions?
Mayor Taylor: If they have questions?
City Clerk Flores: That's what I am saying, that's why I need to know.
Mayor Taylor: Yeah, but that's up to us, but they only have...
City Clerk Flores: That's fine.
Mayor Taylor: How long for the commission, is up to the commission.
City Clerk Flores: We still have an outstanding question for Mr. Rivera he is one of the top 5.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 37
Vice Mayor Kelley: I was going to ask that, I think what the clerk is asking madam mayor how
she would schedule the interviews to say to someone that your interview is at 2:30 or 2:45 that is
what she is asking. So let's say Mr. Bauer is at 2o'clock, she would like to know what time to
schedule Mr. Vickers what would it be 2:15, 2:20. I think that's the question.
Mayor Taylor: Yes.
Commissioner Riley: Madam mayor, I suggest we do that every half hour, because I don't feel
comfortable at all for 10 minutes.
Mayor Taylor: No the 10 minutes is for them not for us.
Commissioner Riley: Well then the process should be every half hour.
Mayor Taylor: So the only thing is you got to wait so the only reason I am not feeling the half
hour commissioner is because if an applicant comes up and he does his 10 minutes or 8 minutes
or less, you have no questions, thank you very much, you have to wait a half hour for the next
person so I want to have the commission, we have chairs out there.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Instead of 30, I understand what you are saying, instead of 30, can I suggest
20?
Mayor Taylor: That is still too long when a person is through.
Vice Mayor Kelley: What happen?
Mayor Taylor: That's even long when a person is finished.
Vice Mayor Kelley: I know that's long, but 20 minutes,just so the clerk can be able to schedule
and 30 minutes is too long, but 20 minutes will be sufficient. I know what you are saying, some
of the interviews go shorter and you just end up just sitting there waiting on the next applicant
but I say 20 minutes is fair.
Mayor Taylor: 20 minutes total them and us?
Vice Mayor Kelley: 20 minutes so she can be able to schedule now obviously like you said if we
go over its on us.
Mayor Taylor: 20 minutes? Now out of those 20 minutes, 10 is theirs or is that 20 minutes plus
10.
Vice Mayor Kelley: No, no, you said, well you said... first of all I would have gave them 5 for
their opening or whatever and we take 15 on Q & A if we need it. And if we need more and
obviously it would be more for the purpose of her scheduling, I was saying twenty minutes apart.
Mayor Taylor: Between each person.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 38
Mayor Taylor: Alright.
Vice Mayor Kelley: That was my suggestion.
Mayor Taylor: Anyone else, we will give them how much up too... what you said up to 10?
Vice Mayor Kelley: No no, I said...
Mayor Taylor: Or plan 5.
Vice Mayor Kelley: They would get 5 minutes on their opening presentation or whatever and the
commission would take 15 minutes or more if they desire, but for the purpose of her scheduling
she would do it in 20 minute intervals if that's what she's doing really asking what to do is how
to schedule.
Mayor Taylor: Alright. Is there any comment on that?
Commissioner Pigatt: Madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: Yes, go ahead.
Commissioner Pigatt: City clerk I would like this whole meeting verbatim and please state for
the record that I feel as though it is absurd that we are leaving 20 minutes to interview a
candidate to be a head of a forty six million dollar ($46,000,000.00) enterprise over 140
employees and the most important position in our government, we are leaving 20 minutes. I
think we give other employees much more time than that when we interview, that is absurd,
completely absurd; so please make sure the whole, that every word of this process is put in the
minutes, thank you.
Mayor Taylor: Alright first of all, also in the minutes, please make it clear that the commission
does not interview employees, we only interview people who are going to work for the
commission and we don't, and we go by the code now you have 20 minutes between everybody.
City Clerk Flores: Yes ma'am.
Mayor Taylor: We... the chair and commission will hold the privilege if we hold or run ahead of
schedule.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Madam mayor let's be clear, Mr. Attorney do we or is that the chair, we
deferring to the chair or do we need to vote on the 20 minute interviews as well so... let's put it
all on the record. Normally we wouldn't, we kind of leave it up, but since we putting everything
for the record and verbatim and everything so let's go all out.
City Attorney Brown: I would like to see you all, whatever policy or process you establish that
you all resolve it through a vote.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 39
Mayor Taylor: We had said 5 minutes for a presentation 5 minutes for a presentation, and then
20 minutes between applicants is that correct?
Vice Mayor Kelley: That's 5 minutes to present then we have 15 minutes or more if the
commission desires but in terms for her scheduling...
Mayor Taylor: That is what I am saying.
Vice Mayor Kelley: Would do it in 20 minutes... so she can schedule that does not mean that the
commission may not interview the candidate more than whatever, we will take whatever time we
need, but for the purpose of her scheduling that's it...
Mayor Taylor: I just don't want to sit and wait if we don't have questions for that person but we
have 20 minutes to wait for the person...
Vice Mayor Kelley: I make a motion on that madam.
Mayor Taylor: Alright 5 minute presentation, 20 minutes between scheduling, Vice Mayor is that
correct?
Vice Mayor Kelley: Yes that is my motion.
Mayor Taylor: That's the motion; I need a second on that please?
Commissioner Riley: Second.
Mayor Taylor: Seconded by, moved by Vice Mayor Kelley, seconded by Commissioner Riley.
Alright, need a vote please.
There being no further discussion, the motion passed by a 3-1 vote.
Commissioner Holmes Not Present
Commissioner Pigatt No
Commissioner Riley Yes
Vice Mayor Kelley Yes
Mayor Taylor Yes
City Clerk Flores: Madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: Now you, for you I need the scheduling, the times, and the people that have for
the scheduling, I need all that written and that disseminated to the commission.
City Clerk Flores: Is there a specific order that I am scheduling them?
Mayor Taylor: So alphabetically.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 40
Commissioner Riley: Madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: Yes sir.
Commissioner Riley: Can we also inform the candidates that they may appear in person or
virtually.
Mayor Taylor: Alphabetically and they may appear in person or virtually thank you.
Commissioner Riley: That answers Mr. Rivera's question.
Mayor Taylor: Okay, alright you got it.
City Clerk Flores: So basically no reimbursement.
Mayor Taylor: Oh I forgot, Mr. Rivera's question, oh yeah.
City Clerk Flores: I have another question madam mayor.
Mayor Taylor: Tell him naw, he better Uber and get here on his own.
City Clerk Flores: I have another.
Mayor Taylor: Okay go ahead.
City Clerk Flores: Just to be clear cause this came up in the past we have the list of candidates
who would be interviewed. Now, in the past they have asked me if they can sit in while the other
candidates are interviewing and I received different answers before so I just want to be clear
would that be yes or no?
Mayor Taylor: Wait don't say anything yet, don't say anything yet, the last...interview I was in,
was in this room too for a manager as one did, they left the room. Everyone had the room to
themselves, and the commission to themselves. Now Mr. Brown, you want to say some, I'm
saying the last one I was in as you made your presentation and you was finish, we ask questions
then you left.
City Attorney Brown: It's a public meeting so they can sit in.
City Clerk Flores: Thank you.
Commissioner Riley: It is a public meeting, but for the purpose of them hearing what is going on
with the other candidates, I think that... just like in a trial you invoke the rules, I think the
candidates should appear before the commission... Do their....
Mayor Taylor: Presentation.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 41
Commissioner Riley: Do their presentation and exit... Then if the others are needed I don't see
why we can't restrict their time. Then everyone after the first candidate has, no has a view, that's
why we have time slots. If there wasn't going to be time slots then have everyone here at once,
that's not how, I rather the candidates appear individually.
Mayor Taylor: I have to go along with that. I know it is a public meeting, but I have to go along
with that because you don't want one to say you gave him more time than me cause I'm sitting
here listening... yeah.
Commissioner Riley: We are not restricting the public, we are not restricting the public.
Mayor Taylor: The public. We're restricting the candidates.
Commissioner Riley: The candidates.
City Attorney Brown: If I may, if I may?
Mayor Taylor: Yes sir.
City Attorney Brown: My ruling will stand, I will research the issue, I've researched it before.
I've opinioned on it before, I will research on the Attorney General opinion that changes my
initial ruling, where there any court changes to my initial ruling, my initial ruling stands that if a
applicant choose to sit in an interview they can do so. That was the ruling I think I gave Joanna
the last time, and my ruling has not changed or waivered since the last time we had the
interviews for the city manager over two years ago.
Mayor Taylor: Okay.
Commissioner Riley: Madam mayor.
Mr. Brown: I would issue an opinion to correct myself or it will stand.
Mayor Taylor: Yes sir.
Commissioner Riley: Mr. Vice Mayor, it's part of the policy of the process of this commission
the candidates. I would move it for the candidates to appear individually... Once they are finish
they can stay,but for their initial appearance, they do it individually.
Mayor Taylor: So what are you saying? So when they come in, they can stay for the next person
if they wish?
Commissioner Riley: Once they are finish.
Mayor Taylor: They can stay in, but everybody so noted.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 42
Vice Mayor Kelley: Madam mayor that ain't gone work. If I got number five, I am not going to
hear nobody. If I am number one, I am going to hear everybody. I think I normally do air on the
side with the attorney. I know what we are saying in terms of not wanting to hear questions,
that's why a lot of times peoples ask the same questions of the candidates so to not have, well
everybody is different, but I think it is another situation. It's a public meeting and the attorney is
saying you can't keep them out, so most folks that have been managers kind of understand that if
they want to sit in they sit in. I don't have a problem because when I look at the diverse of the
candidates there may be certain questions I may ask one that I won't ask of the other, but that is
a part of the process. But the attorney is saying let's just see, say something different, then they
can sit in rather they are 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, and go out. I mean it may appear to give an advantage in
thinking maybe I'll answer it and sway the votes. And so that's why we are here, and that is why
the voters put us here to make decisions to look at the applications that we have and make the
best choice that we believe to run the city. And if we are swayed by somebody who hears
somebody else then we are in trouble anyway so... I will just leave it at that.
Mayor Taylor: Mr. Brown give us your opinion please, when you give us the information, that
we set today, please include Mr. Brown's opinion.
City Attorney Brown: That's only if I find something that varies my...
Mayor Taylor: No, I want your opinion rather you find, I want, if you find something different I
want that, and if you do not find something different I want yours.
City Attorney Brown: Okay.
Mayor Taylor: Alright now listen, alright I don't want no fights in here now, you didn't ask me
that? Ask somebody...
Vice Mayor Kelley: Naw, naw, I don't think that's the issue madam mayor because the
candidates have various backgrounds so what you may ask one you may not ask another. But if
they want to sit in, they sit in. Like I said, the commission hopefully will be able to listen to
every ones presentation and based on what they hear, let me ask this question, it's not a voting
question and I am just saying the way I do it, I can on my own, which I normally do, and I have
already started doing really, using the term vetting. I guess the term, I already, you know looking
at the candidates what they have written down in terms of their resume, references and things
like that. All of us can use whatever resources, connections we have to get a sense or better feel
of the candidates so that is always within our preview...
Mayor Taylor: All hearts and minds are clear? Madam clerk, you have your marching orders and
with the support of H.R. Need a motion to adjourn.
7. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the Commission, it was moved by Vice Mayor
Kelley, seconded by Commissioner Riley to adjourn the meeting at 11:29 a.m.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 43
MAYOR
ATTEST:
k LOA--1\
CITY CLERK
Special Commission Meeting Minutes—6/20/2017 44