HomeMy Public PortalAbout01-January 14, 2022 SCMCITY OF OPA-LOCKA
"The Great City"
CLERK'S ACTION SUMMARY MINUTES
SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING
January 14, 2022
5:30 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Williams called the meeting to order at 5:37 p.m. on Friday, January 14, 2022 at
Sherbondy Village, 215 Perviz Avenue, Opa-locka, Florida.
2. ROLL CALL:
The following members of the City Commission were present: Commissioner Sherelean
Bass, Commissioner Chris Davis, Commissioner Audrey Dominguez, Vice Mayor John H.
Taylor Jr., and Mayor Veronica Williams. Also, in attendance were: City Manager John E.
Pate, Assistant City Attorney Michelle Pamies and City Clerk Joanna Flores. City Attorney
Burnadette Norris -Weeks participated virtually via Zoom.
3. INVOCATION:
The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Bass.
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.
S. PUBLIC INPUT: (agenda items only)
City Clerk Joanna Flores announced the protocol for public participation at City
Commission meetings.
Mayor Williams opened the floor for Public Input.
Mr. John Riley who resides at 2963 NW 135th Street stated that he has been a participant
in the City of Opa-locka since 1974, as an active member of the community, having held
plenty of positions including being in the position that the Commission is in, having sat on
the dais. Mr. Riley said that as a veteran, he finds that Opa-locka is an American city and
the Constitution of the United States grants freedom of speech, which means that officials
can talk to any person. He asserted that America and Opa-locka are democracies where no
one entity runs everything, and "we the people" are all part of it. Pointing out that
Special Commission Meeting Minutes — January 14, 2022 1
tomorrow is Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday, he asked the Commission to imagine where
we would be today if Dr. King had not had backbone and forethought as he went through
threats and intimidation. Mr. Riley encouraged the Commission to not let anything deter
them from doing their duty and job by doing whatever is in the best interest of the people
of Opa-locka, which he said they were sworn to do. He concluded by thanking the
Commission for their service.
Retired Police Chief Cheryl Cason of 781 Curtiss Drive stated that she has a very heavy
heart, having been born in the City and adding that she is back. Ms. Cason said that she is
here to stand firm with the Commission who she said have a duty to do what's right. She
expressed her dissatisfaction with the way the City is being talked about in the law
enforcement community, recalling that she brought the Commission some information,
which now they know about. Ms. Cason said she is upset because they don't deserve this
and said that Officers are afraid to come to work because of what she called a dictatorship.
She said that whatever she must do, she will do it and is getting a cart and is going door-
to-door. Ms. Cason also said that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement governs
law enforcement, and she lamented that an Officer was arrested yesterday, adding that we
knew he was going to be arrested. She said that Sergeant Michael Steel took the hit, and
she also said that Jesus took the hit for us, adding that she believes every Police Officer
became the victim that day and it is being allowed. Ms. Cason asserted that this is serious
and is her community, and those who don't respect it with their foot on their necks, will
respect it. Expressing that she does not cry easily, she said it was heartfelt and urged the
Commission to do it today and let the chips fall where they may.
Mr. Leon Grant identified as the fiance of retired Police Chief Cheryl Cason and said that
she is very passionate about the City doing everything right, urging the Commission to
listen to her and give the residents some help.
Mr. Ario Lundy who resides at 14911 Duval Street stated that he has been around for 20
years and that he loves them all. He said that ever since he's been here, the City Manager
has been doing his job and asked the Commission to tell him what he's not doing right,
also expressing that he is starting to realize that people don't like changes. Asserting that
the City Manager runs the day-to-day operations for the City after being appointed by the
Commission and the Mayor that was previously on the dais, he stressed that people should
not be coming to the Commission talking about the Manager who is doing his job. He
shared that as a developer, he had never had a very good conversation with the City
Manager until he met Mr. Pate who he said is listening to the community and asked how
his business could be taken to the next level. Urging the Commission to stop ego problems,
he said they should look at what is in the best interest for the City. He expressed concerns
that if the Commission brings someone from the local community to be the City Manager,
that they are going to play politics and will get nothing done like before. Adding that the
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old situations of the City are not needed, he said that he thinks City Manager Pate
understands that Opa-locka is going in a different direction, but he lamented that during
the couple of times he's been at the Commission meetings, the members of the Commission
don't know what direction they want to go in because he said they are all learning. He
urged the Commission to let people do their job like Police Chief Dennis Jackson who he
thinks is doing a very good job. Recalling when Rudy Crew came to the Miami -Dade
County School Board, he said that he was doing a good job building all the schools and
they put him up. He concluded by asking the Commission to give Mr. Pate a chance to do
his job and support him, reminding those sitting on the dais that Opa-locka has had many
city managers and he said they have never gotten anything done.
Mr. Joe Curtis introduced himself virtually via Zoom as legal counsel for City Manager
Pate, stating that a letter was sent that states the legal counsel's position. Mr. Curtis said
that neither he nor Mr. Pate will make any comment.
Mayor Williams pointed out that the Public Input portion of the Special Commission
Meeting is the only place for City Manager Pate's legal counsel to say anything.
Mr. Joe Curtis acknowledged he understood that he would not b:; able to address the
Commission during any other part of the Agenda.
There being no additional members of the public to address the Commission, Mayor
Williams closed Public Input.
6. RESOLUTION:
1. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA-
LOCKA, FLORIDA, TERMINATING CITY MANAGER JOHN E. PATE;
PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Sponsored by Vice Mayor Taylor
The above resolution was read by Attorney Pamies.
It was moved by Vice Mayor Taylor, seconded by Commissioner Dominguez to
discuss Agenda Item 6-1.
Mayor Williams asked Vice Mayor Taylor to introduce Agenda Item 6-1.
Vice Mayor Taylor stated that the resolution proposed by Agenda Item 6-1 would
terminate City Manager Pate's contract without cause, effective 10 days from
today.
Special Commission Meeting Minutes — January 14, 2022 3
Mayor Williams expressed her hope that the discussion is not too lengthy and asked
the members of the Commission to not engage in hot-headedness or speak from
emotion and passion. The Mayor urged her colleagues to be specific and clear.
Commissioner Dominguez noted that this is her first Special CommissionMeeting
on the dais and shared that she has been literally sick to her stomach since she
received the notification of the meeting. Recalling that as a resident, she witnessed
the national search for the City Manager and having supported John Pate from day
one, she said that she is now in the position where she must choose what is right
for the City. Commissioner Dominguez offered assurances that she is an
independent thinker and is not persuaded by anyone on the dais or what the streets
are saying, believing in honesty, transparency and integrity. Having asked God for
discernment, she shared that she reached out to a retired Chief of Police that she
has known for over 20 years and asked him how he would have handled the incident
with Captain Sergio Perez. The Commissioner said that the retired Chief told her
that it should have never gotten to the district attorney's office and should have
been handled internally with the Chief of Police, adding that it was the result of a
lack of leadership from the City Manager. Recalling that Police Chief Steven
Barreiros left right after the incident with Captain Perez occurred, Commissioner
Dominguez said that in her opinion, he left because he didn't want his reputation to
be tainted, especially with the knowledge, experience and background he had. The
Commissioner asserted that if it was up to her, Chief Barreiros would be Police
Chief right now and she stressed that the City Manager should never interfere in
any decision the Police Chief has to make.
Commissioner Bass lamented that where the Commission is today, is not a place
where she wants to or intended to be because the decision they will make can make
or break the City and is a hard decision she does not want to make. The
Commissioner said that City Manager Pate knows that she is not 100% satisfied
and is not 100% dissatisfied with his leadership. She urged her colleagues to do
what they believe in their hearts, is the right thing to do. Acknowledging that the
City has been through several City Managers because something always happens
that leads the Commission to feel it is necessary to release the Manager,
Commissioner Bass offered assurances that she has no grudges or animosity with
anybody including Mr. Pate, sharing that she has a soft spot for him. Stating that
no dollar amounts the residents of Opa-locka pay the members of the Commission
would make it easier, Commissioner Bass added that $550 per month does not cut
it to make this decision that can destroy one human being or a city of 17,000
residents. Commissioner Bass concluded by noting that Vice Mayor Taylor said
his proposal was to terminate City Manager Pate's contract without cause, but she
Special Commission Meeting Minutes — January 14, 2022 4
said that it has to have a cause and that in her heart she feels that she has to do
what's right.
Commissioner Davis said that he feels obligated to state his position as the longest
sitting member on the Commission. Acknowledging that he sees where it is all
going, he said he doesn't necessarily totally agree, adding that in the 2 years Mr.
Pate has been the City Manager, the Commissioner believes the dais has moved to
release the Manager more than they decided to work with him. He pointed out that
the Commission had several opportunities to evaluate City Manager Pate and it still
has not happened. The Commissioner recalled that when he was elected in 2018,
Opa-locka had a revolving door of City Managers which he said hurt the progress
of the City. He pointed out that he has never voted to fire a City Manager and said
that as a straight shooter with his own mind that doesn't listen to what others say,
he does what he must do to make the best decision for the community and his
constituents. Commissioner Davis said that nobody sitting on the dais has his back,
nobody working in the City has his back, but he knows the community is going to
have his back, so he is always going to make a decision in favor of the community,
even when he is outnumbered.
Mayor Williams stated that when she was voted into office in November one year
ago, she had high hopes despite people saying a lot of stuff including that the
Commission was too young and were novices, and that she did not live in Opa-
locka. The Mayor asserted that everyone up on the dais, all want what is in the best
interest of the City, especially her. She lamented that the year she has been on the
dais has been chaotic with hearsay and many forces behind the scenes that have
attempted to dismantle the Commission. Mayor Williams said that there havebeen
times when City Manager Pate has been non -responsive to the Commission's
questions and the things they have asked for, and she said that the job performance
has been lackluster in addition to it being very difficult at times to work in a very
confrontational environment, despite some good things that have happened this
year in Opa-locka. Asserting that she wants to stick to the working of the resolution
proposed in Agenda Item 6-1, Mayor Williams recommended the termination of
City Manager Pate, without cause.
There being no additional discussion, the resolution proposed in Agenda Item 6-1
passed by a 4-1 vote.
Commissioner Davis No
Commissioner Dominguez Yes
Vice Mayor Taylor Yes
Special Commission Meeting Minutes — January 14, 2022 5
Commissioner Bass Yes
Mayor Williams Yes
2. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF 1 HE CITY OF OPA-
LOCKA, FLORIDA, APPOINTING AS THE INTERIM
CITY MANAGER; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OFRECITALS;
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Sponsored by Vice Mayor Taylor
The above resolution was read by Attorney Pamies.
Mayor Williams recommended Police Chief Dennis Jackson or Vernita Nelson to
be considered as possible appointments to serve as Interim City Manager. The
Mayor stated that she was recommending Chief Jackson due to the fact that he is
level-headed and has not wavered since he's been the Police Chief, adding that with
his long history of leadership he would be a great fit.
Vice Mayor Taylor said that he had 2 recommendations for the appointment ofthe
Interim City Manager as well, but he recommended James Wright.
Commissioner Davis stated that if the motion was on the floor to appoint James
Wright as Interim City Manager, he would like to second the motion.
Commissioner Dominguez stated that she would like to appoint Darvin Williams
as Interim City Manager.
Commissioner Davis raised a point of order, stating that there is a motion on the
floor to appoint James Wright as Interim City Manager.
Mayor Williams asked if the Commission was discussing before they vote on the
appointment for Interim City Manager, or if they were going to vote on each
individual proposed.
Attorney Pamies stated that it is the Mayor's discretion if she wants to let the
Commission discuss the proposals for the appointment of the Interim City Manager,
but if a motion was made by Vice Mayor Taylor and it was seconded, it would have
to be taken up by the Commission.
Commissioner Davis noted that after Mayor Williams proffered the 2 names she
recommended for the appointment of the Interim City Manager, there was no
discussion and that's when Vice Mayor Taylor threw out a name, the Commissioner
seconded it.
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Mayor Williams stated that she can suggest that a discussion be allowed before the
vote on the appointment of the Interim City Manager.
Commissioner Davis said that after Mayor Williams opened Agenda Item 6-2 for
discussion, she said 2 names and he didn't know if it was a motion.
Mayor Williams pointed out that she opened the discussion on Agenda Item 6-2
and that Commissioner Davis was moving something that she didn't make a motion
for.
Commissioner Davis explained that he wasn't seconding Mayor Williams' motion
and that he was seconding Vice Mayor Taylor's.
Commissioner Dominguez asked Mayor Williams to repeat the names of those she
was recommending being considered for the appointment of the Interim City
Manager.
Mayor Williams repeated that she recommended Police Chief Dennis Jackson or
Vernita Nelson to be considered for the appointment of the Interim City Manager
and opened the floor for discussion.
Vice Mayor Taylor repeated that his recommendation for the appointment of the
Interim City Manager was James Wright.
Commissioner Bass stated that her recommendations for the appointment of the
Interim City Manager were Police Chief Dennis Jackson or Darvin Williams.
Commissioner Dominguez repeated that her recommendation for the appointment
of the Interim City Manager is Darvin Williams.
City Clerk Joanna Flores confirmed that the members of the Commission had
recommended that Police Chief Dennis Jackson, Vernita Nelson, James Wright and
Darvin Williams be considered for the appointment of the Interim City Manager.
Mayor Williams noted that there were 4 names on the floor to be considered for the
appointment of the Interim City Manager and said that a motion is needed from the
Commission to vote.
It was moved by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Vice Mayor Taylor to appoint
James Wright as the Interim City Manager.
There being no additional discussion, the motion passed by a 3-2 vote.
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Vice Mayor Taylor Yes
Commissioner Bass No
Commissioner Davis Yes
Commissioner Dominguez Yes
Mayor Williams No
Vice Mayor Taylor asked if the appointment of James Wright could be changed to
be effective immediately so that there would not be a gap before it is effective, per
the original proposed resolution which stated that the appointment would be
effective February 1.
Attorney Pamies stated that even if Mr. pate is not physically present because he
will be on administrative leave, he is still the City Manager for the next 10 days.
She recommended that the Commission could appoint James Wright in a support
capacity to be the Deputy City Manager and give him a role for 10 days that is not
City Manager because the City can't have 2 at a time.
Vice Mayor Taylor stated his understanding that if the Commission makes a motion
to appoint James Wright as Deputy Manager until February 1st, he will become
City Manager at 12:01 a.m.
Attorney Pamies confirmed that Vice Mayor Taylor's understanding was correct.
City Attorney Burnadette Norris -Weeks stated that the recommended change to the
resolution would be to have City Manager Pate serve until February 1st at 12
midnight and James Wright would begin serving as Interim City Manager on
February 1st at 12:01 a.m., with Mr. Wright serving as Deputy Manager until then.
The City Attorney also said that she thinks the City's Code of Ordinances calls the
role an Assistant City Manager and the Commission can appoint Mr. Wright as
Deputy City Manager, starting immediately for 2 weeks.
It was moved by Vice Mayor Taylor and seconded by Commissioner Dominguez,
to reconsider the original motion.
There being no discussion, the motion passed by a 4-1 vote.
Commissioner Davis Yes
Commissioner Dominguez Yes
Vice Mayor Taylor Yes
Commissioner Bass Yes
Mayor Williams No
Special Commission Meeting Minutes — January 14, 2022 8
It was moved by Vice Mayor Taylor and seconded by Commissioner Davis, to
appoint James Wright as Deputy City Manager effective immediately until
February 1st at midnight and to appoint him as Interim City Manager effective
February 1st at 12:01 a.m.
There being no discussion, the motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
Commissioner Bass Yes
Commissioner Davis Yes
Commissioner Dominguez Yes
Vice Mayor Taylor Yes
Mayor Williams Yes
7. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Williams
adjourned the meeting at 6:27 p.m.
eronica Willi
Mayor
Attest:
Jo j na Flores, CMC
Ci Clerk
Special Commission Meeting Minutes — January 14, 2022 9