Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout03-March 09, 2022 RCMCITY OF OPA-LOCKA "The Great City" CLERK'S ACTION SUMMARY MINUTES REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING March 9, 2022 7:00 P.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Williams called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, 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 J. Williams. Also, in attendance were: Interim City Manager James B. Wright, City Attorney Burnadette Norris -Weeks, Assistant City Attorney Candice Cobb and City Clerk Joanna Flores. 3. INVOCATION: The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Bass. 4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison. 5. AWARDS/PROCLAMATIONS/ACICNOVVLEDGMENTS: There were none. 6. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA AND PULL LIST (deferrals and deletions): It was moved by Vice Mayor Taylor, seconded by Commissioner Bass, to approve the Consent Agenda. There being no discussion, the motion to approve the consent agenda passed by a 5-0 vote. Commissioner Davis Yes Commissioner Dominguez Yes Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 9, 2022 Vice Mayor Taylor Yes Commissioner Bass Yes Mayor Williams Yes 7. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: City Clerk Flores informed the Commission of the request to add Item 14-1 to the Agenda and she read it into the record. 14-1: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA- LOCKA, FLORIDA, REJECTING ALL BIDS RECEIVED IN CONNECTION WITH RFP NO. 21-1130100; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO RE- ADVERTISE AND ISSUE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR QUALIFIED FIRMS FOR COMMUNITY SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE, WITHIN THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. It was moved by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Vice Mayor Taylor to approve the addition of Item 14-1 to the Agenda. There being no discussion, the motion to amend the agenda to include the add-on item passed by a 5-0 vote. Commissioner Dominguez Yes Vice Mayor Taylor Yes Commissioner Bass Yes Commissioner Davis Yes Mayor Williams Yes It was moved by Vice Mayor Taylor, seconded by Commissioner Bass, to approve the Agenda. There being no discussion, the motion to approve the agenda passed by a 5-0 vote. Vice Mayor Taylor Yes Commissioner Bass Yes Commissioner Davis Yes Commissioner Dominguez Yes Mayor Williams Yes 8. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — February 23, 2022 Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 9, 2022 2 It was moved by Vice Mayor Taylor, seconded by Commissioner Bass to approve the minutes from the Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — February 23, 2022. There being no discussion, the motion to approve the minutes passed by a 5-0 vote. Commissioner Bass Yes Commissioner Davis Yes Commissioner Dominguez Yes Vice Mayor Taylor Yes Mayor Williams Yes 9. DISTRICT ONE / DISTRICT TWO - COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: There was none. 10. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS: There were none. 11. CITIZENS' FORUM: (Opportunity for discussion of any concerns — please limit to 3 minutes) City Clerk Joanna Flores announced the protocol for public participation at City Commission meetings. Mayor Williams opened the Citizens' Forum. Ms. Deborah Dorsett introduced herself as the director of the Greater Miami Service Corps and informed the Commission that she met with Interim City Manager Wright and Police Chief Michael Steel earlier that day to talk about opportunities for young people within the City of Miami. Ms. Dorsett stated that they ran the Summer Right Turn program that was supported with CARES Act funds and shared a presentation with the Commission, assuring them that the Greater Miami Service Corps stands ready to work with them to engage young people that are residents within the City of Opa-locka. Ms. Dorothy Johnson of 13724 NW 22nd Place stated that she didn't know the protocol had been changed to not respond to Citizens during the Commission Meeting, and she expressed her opinion that she doesn't think it's fair. Ms. Johnson also reminded the Commission that she asked about the cell towers located in the City and said that she would like to know when the public hearing was held and what legislation supported it, asserting that she really needs to have an answer and suggesting that it can be put in writing since she said the Commission has been given legal advice that they don't have to answer. She informed the Commission that for reference, they can look at Coral Springs where she said Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 9, 2022 3 their citizens are also attesting cell towers. Expressing that she is glad that the Citizens Bill of Rights was brought up at one of the meetings, she also said she has some concern about things she is not seeing observed from the public view. Recalling that she and her former colleagues on the Commission formed several committees in 2012, she said that some of the same members are on them in the same official capacity and asked who is clerking the boards and when it will change. Ms. Johnson also reported that she along with other Citizens have filed public records requests, and she acknowledged that there is no legislation that defines reasonable time, asking the Commission to define that because she said it doesn't take 6 or 7 months to get information that doesn't have to be reconstructed and is just a photocopy. She also asked for an update on the Integrity Group, recalling the Commission said they were on a timeline and that they don't want to lose the money. Ms. Johnson concluded by thanking the Commission and asking God to bless them on their decisions. Ms. Natasha Ervin who resides at 670 Dunad Avenue stated that she comes before the Commission all the time to complain but didn't have any complaints today. Ms. Ervin reported that for the first time in years the lot behind her house was cut completely so that her gardener doesn't have to cut extra. She also expressed being thankful to see employees coming to work in a timely fashion, adding that she'll be watching. Ms. Ervin thanked Interim City Manager Wright and urged him to keep up the good work, expressing her hope that everything will continue to look better in the City soon. She concluded by informing the Commission that the Booster Club will soon be asking for donations of Easter baskets for their Easter Egg Hunt. Toroni Mitchell who resides at 14225 NW 22nd Place joined Ms. Johnson in expressing concern about getting a response to the questions that Citizens have, adding that she understands there's no more responding right back during Commission Meetings, but lamenting that she has yet to receive a phone call, email or anything from anyone regarding the questions she had. Ms. Mitchell said that she hasn't received any response regarding the schedule for the cutting of alleyways, stating that they are growing too high, and she said that she noticed it doesn't get cut unless she contacts the City for them to cut the ones behind her house. She informed the Commission that her husband takes care of the ones right behind her house but said that he shouldn't have to do that because it is the City's job. Ms. Mitchell also said she was trying to get answers about the Seniors program, expressing concern that normally those programs have an expiration date and pointing out that Seniors need their homes repaired. She also reported that the road by Segal Park still has one side striped, but the other side is not, and she said that it is important for the safety of kids in the streets who are not utilizing sidewalks as well as the 2 -way traffic, because she said that some people don't know their side of the road. Ms. Mitchell urged the Commission to come up with a better and quicker way to respond to Citizens regarding questions they have when they come to Commission Meetings, recalling that she has gotten call backs the Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 9, 2022 4 day of a meeting and asserting that if there are answers that could be provided during the meeting, she thinks it should be done. She concluded by asking if there are public records from Miami -Dade County that she can request about the mortgage assistance, and said that if she can't get an answer, she is going to raise the question in the Capitol in Tallahassee. There being no additional members of the public to address the Commission, Mayor Williams closed the Citizen's Forum. 12. ACTION ITEMS (items from consent agenda pull list): There were none. 13. ADMINISTRATION: CONSENT AGENDA: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA- LOCKA, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO PIGGYBACK THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY CONTRACT WITH H&R PAVING, INC. FOR QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR ROADWAY RESURFACING SERVICES AND SIDEWALK INSTALLATION, AND ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH II&R PAVING, INC FOR THE INSTALLATION OF 2.7 MILES OF NEW SIDEWALK WITHIN THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED FOUR HUNDRED SEVENTY-FOUR THOUSAND, NINE HUNDRED FORTY-THREE DOLLARS ($474,943); PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Sponsored by City Manager 2. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA- LOCKA, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO PIGGYBACK THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY CONTRACT WITH H&R PAVING, INC. FOR QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR PUSH BUTTON INTERSECTIONS IMPROVEMENT, AND ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH H&R PAVING, INC. TO INSTALL NEW PAVEMENT AND REGRADE THE SWALES ON NW 147TH STREET FROM NW 24TH COURT TO NW 22ND COURT, WITHIN THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ONE HUNDRED TWENTYSEVEN THOUSAND, NINE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS AND EIGHTEEN CENTS ($127,950.18); AUTHORIZING A TEN PERCENT (10%) PROJECT CONTINGENCY BUDGET, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED TWELVE THOUSAND, SEVEN HUNDRED NINETY-FIVE Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 9, 2022 5 DOLLARS (512,795.00); PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Sponsored by City Manager Vote taken on Consent Agenda items can be viewed under Agenda Item 6 — Approval of the Consent Agenda. 14. NEW ITEMS: 1. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA- LOCKA, FLORIDA, REJECTING ALL BIDS RECEIVED IN CONNECTION WITH RFP NO. 21-1130100; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO RE- ADVERTISE AND ISSUE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR QUALIFIED FIRMS FOR COMMUNITY SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE, WITHIN THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. The above resolution was read by Assistant City Attorney Candice Cobb. It was moved by Vice Mayor Taylor, seconded by Commissioner Dominguez to discuss Add-on Agenda Item 14-1. Mayor Williams asked Interim City Manager Wright to introduce Add-on Agenda Item 14- 1. Interim City Manager Wright informed the Commission that Add-on Agenda Item 14-1 proposes to reject the 3 proposals for the community shuttle bus service because the company with the lowest bid was unsatisfactory and the other 2 bids were extremely high, stating that a wider net can possibly be cast to get more proposals to meet the needs of the Citizens. Commissioner Davis asked if any consideration has been given to putting out a request for quotations instead of a request for proposals, to have more control over the solicitations received. Interim City Manager Wright stated that one of the reasons he is asking the Commission to reject the proposals that were received is so that the things they actually want to see can be included. There being no additional discussion, the Add-on Agenda Item passed by a 5-0 vote. Commissioner Davis Yes Commissioner Dominguez Yes Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 9, 2022 6 Vice Mayor Taylor Yes Commissioner Bass Yes Mayor Williams Yes 15. PLANNING & ZONING: A. PUBLIC HEARINGS: There were none. B. APPEALS: There were none. 16. ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. FIRST READING ORDINANCE(S)/PUBLIC HEARING(S): AN ORDINANCE OF THF, CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE RENAMING OF "HELEN L. MILLER CENTER", WITHIN THE CITY, TO "HELEN L. MILLER SENIOR CENTER"; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Sponsored by Vice Mayor Taylor The above ordinance was read by Assistant City Attorney Candice Cobb. It was moved by Commissioner Bass, seconded by Commissioner Davis to discuss Agenda Item 16-A-1. Vice Mayor Taylor asked that Agenda Item 16-A-1 be deferred to a later date. Mayor Williams asked City Clerk Flores if a motion is required to defer Agenda Item 16-A-1. City Clerk Flores informed the Commission that because Agenda Item 16- A-1 was sponsored by Vice Mayor Taylor, no motion is needed for his request to defer his Agenda Item. B. SECOND READING ORDINANCE(S)/PUBLIC HEARING(S): Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 9, 2022 7 There were none. C. RESOLUTION(S): There were none. 17. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: Interim City Manager Wright informed the Commission that the majority, if not all the concerns that were raised at the last Commission Meeting, in addition to some of those concerns raised at this Commission Meeting, are incorporated in the report that was sent to the Commission. He said that he had the report in time to send it out to the Residents, but after reviewing it, he wanted more information in it and committed to sending it out to the Residents who raised concerns. Mr. Wright reported that the conversation earlier that day with the Miami Service Corps was very robust and he expressed excitement to partner with them and other people in the City to meet the needs of seniors, children and residents. He also stated that based on conversations with the City's red light camera provider, 4 additional cameras will be installed. The Interim Manager said that less than 3% of violators over the last year are Opa-locka Residents. He also said that Opa-locka is a major thoroughfare for people coming from Hialeah and other parts of the City and he added that they do want to capture those individuals. Mr. Wright added that when people are cited for traffic violations, they don't look at those violations as education, but he said that it is really part of ongoing education. He also told the Commission that Police Chief Steel will be meeting with the Code Enforcement Department, the Miami -Dade County Police Department, and the Miami -Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management to address illegal dumping. Additionally, Mr. Wright said he has a meeting tomorrow with the Director of the Miami -Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management, to talk about how beautification of the City can continue to be improved by ensuring that enough Code Enforcement Officers are assigned to the City and that they are responsive to curbside trash. Interim City Manager Wright said that he could probably speak for another 20 or 30 minutes about what is being done in the City but concluded his report with that. Commissioner Dominguez stated that installing 4 new red-light cameras is a great idea, but she thinks the Residents are going to want to know where they're going to be installed so they can avoid getting the red-light camera ticket. The Commissioner also said that it is awesome that the Commission got the City Manager's report but recommended that it be printed and have a couple out there, in addition to being sent via email. Interim City Manager Wright said that Commissioner Dominguez's idea to print a couple of copies of the City Manager's report is a great one. The Interim Manager also informed the Commission that while the project has not started, he is being very progressive with the City and the Information Technology Department to limit the amount of paper that is printed. He added that in the upcoming year, a number of things will go online to push information out technologically. Mr. Wright recalled discussions with Commissioner Dominguez about several the City's businesses who are uncertain about how to interact with the City and unnecessary phone calls are being made that take up Staff time. He Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 9, 2022 8 concluded by offering assurances that those who don't have access to social media and computer technology, will be provided printed copies. Commissioner Bass thanked Interim City Manager Wright for his clarification on being able to disperse information to the people who are not on social media. The Commissioner stressed that not all the City's Seniors are on social media, and she thinks the focus and goal should be to reach all of them. Interim City Manager Wright stated that his Staff is in the early stages of looking into Commissioner Dominguez's idea to provide a monthly newsletter to Residents with what's going on in the City, as he's seen in other cities. Mayor Williams recalled that she has asked for a mailer to be pushed out with the do's and don'ts for following the City's Code on beautification of each resident's home, including grass being kept and not having an excessive number of cars. The Mayor said that before it was inside of water bills and stressed that they need to make sure residents know and asked if it can happen soon since they're talking about beautification. Interim City Manager Wright said that he thinks he will task Code Enforcement with identifying the number of complaints like high grass or abandoned cars and will push out a mailer with respect to the violations that seem to be the highest. Commissioner Davis stated that the City has had a history of Code Enforcement being inadvertently and inconsistently enforced in the residential community, and he asked that the same level of consistency be enforced within the business community and commercial spaces. Interim City Manager Wright stated that Commissioner Davis' concern was duly noted. Vice Mayor Taylor asked for an update on the American Rescue Plan Act Funds and the process to pick an agency, recalling that at the last meeting the Interim City Manager said that a request for quotes was going to be issued. Interim City Manager Wright stated that there are 2 State of Florida lists, despite having thought there was 1, and he assured the Commission that his Staff is very close to making a recommendation to them. Vice Mayor Taylor pointed out that the Commission has been dealing with the American Rescue Plan Act Funds since October and he wants to make sure that they are moving. The Vice Mayor recalled that one of his colleagues stated they wanted Citizen's input, but he said they need to get an agency to hear what Citizens want to do with that money. He asked if the Commission can know where it's going in the coming days. Interim City Manager Wright stated that the documents are large and after the last Commission Meeting, he had an opportunity to go back through the document and said that while he is a firm believer in moving things forward in the City, because Opa-locka has a population under 250,000, the April timeline that was originally provided does not Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 9, 2022 9 apply to the City. The Interim Manager assured the Commission that he and his Staff will move expeditiously to resolve the outstanding issue for them. Vice Mayor Taylor said that he believed it was stated last year that the deadline for the 2020 audit was March 31st and he asked if the deadline will be met. Interim City Manager Wright stated that when the City first began the audit process, there was more Staff than there is now, and he said he probably needs 3 additional bodies to bring it back up to speed. The Interim Manager informed the Commission that he has been in conversations with Miami -Dade County, who he said has been very supportive, and he said that they have an accountant on loan from Water and Sewer. In addition to being in weekly conversations with the Mayor's Office and the Chief Operating Officer regarding technical support, he said that he has an upcoming meeting with one of the Elected Officials who represents the area, for additional technical support. Mr. Wright asked the Commission to trust him that he is on Financial Consultant Gerri Lazarre every single day about getting the 2020 and 2021 audits done. He also stated that Miami -Dade County is looking for Opa-locka to come up with 3 clean audits to have the advanced money from the Citizens' Independent Transportation Trust, which he said is one of the reasons he asked the Commission to reject the proposals. Interim City Manager Wright stated that they are working every single day to have conversations with Miami -Dade County with respect to Opa-locka's financial condition and moving the City forward. He offered assurances to the Commission that they are close despite about 5 outstanding issues, and that the Audit Committee will then begin on the process. Vice Mayor Taylor asked if the March 31st audit deadline will be met. Interim City Manager Wright stated that he can't say right now if the March 31st audit deadline will be met. Vice Mayor Taylor expressed his concern that extensions had been asked for previously, and he asserted that he wants the City to get out of the habit of always asking for extensions and get on time with the paperwork. The Vice Mayor re -stated his concern that another extension will be requested and then the 2021 audit deadline is right around the corner, which will also require another extension. Interim City Manager Wright assured the Commission that they are getting there and asked them to trust him because he wants to get out from under child support as much as the Commission does. City Clerk Flores stated that she had an item for the Commission and explained that for over a month she has been requesting her annual and sick leave time that she has accrued since she was appointed as Clerk. The Clerk explained that the reason for her request was that it appears that she has not been getting the right time credited to her, per the resolution approved by the Commission at the time of her appointment. She added that she has been going back and forth with the Human Resources Depai talent and they are not telling her anything other than that it's pending, and she is not being told how long it's going to take. Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 9, 2022 10 City Clerk Fores requested that the City Commission direct the City Manager to provide her with an accounting of her time from 2012 through 2021, and she also asked that a time frame be put on that if possible. The Clerk expressed that she did not want to bring this up on this platform, but because she works for the Commission, it is the only way she knows to move this forward. Mayor Williams expressed that she was speechless. Commissioner Bass asked when City Clerk Flores first requested the info on the accounting of her annual and sick leave time. City Clerk Flores stated that she has been going back and forth with the Human Resource Department since January 31st, 2022. Commissioner Bass noted that the City Clerk had been going back and forth with the Human Resources Department for about 6 weeks. City Clerk Flores confirmed that she has been going back and forth with the Human Resources Depaituient for just about 6 weeks and assured the Commission that she will wait if it's going to take some time to be provided with the accounting of her annual and sick leave but asked that somebody just let her know how long it would take because she feels like she is getting the runaround and is not being told anything. Mayor Williams stated that she is not going to add any commentary but asserted that everyone knows that the Human Resources Depai tinent is the heartbeat and bloodline of an organization. Lamenting that they have been down this road before, the Mayor asked Interim City Manager Wright if he would like to respond to City Clerk Flores' concerns about the delay in providing her an accounting of her annual and sick leave, or if they can have the Human Resources Department Director respond. Interim City Manager Wright asked Human Resources Department Director Kierra Ward to respond to City Clerk Flores' concerns about the delay in providing her an accounting of her annual and sick leave. Human Resources Department Director Kierra Ward confirmed that she did have email communication with City Clerk Flores in regards to her benefit accruals. The Human Resources Director informed the Commission that an inquiry was submitted to ADP which is the City's Human Resources Information System that actually accrues and manages employee time. She said that the time of Clerk Flores' appointment predates the tenure of Ms. Ward's and her Staff's service in the Human Resources Department, which is why she does not have a personal or specific answer but did assert that it is going to take some time to calculate annual and sick leave time from 2012. Human Resource Director Ward offered Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 9, 2022 11 assurances that her Department has been following up and has escalated the matter to the account manager, but has not received any results, does not have an estimated time period and doesn't have an answer at this point. Mayor Williams expressed that she was disturbed that this has been going on since January and asked Interim City Manager Wright to please handle it and ensure that the City Clerk gets the response that she needs sooner than later. Commissioner Davis acknowledged that City Clerk Flores has been requesting her annual and sick leave time since January of 2022, but he said that he is aware of a larger issue, which he said is the way the City accounts for sick and unpaid leave which leads to the City paying an astronomical amount every time an employee leaves. The Commissioner recognized that the Clerk might have certain things that are due based on legislation that was passed in 2012, and he asserted that he supports her on that because the City is obligated if it is in black and white. He also recognized that there is a problem with the leave structure and stressed that it needs amending, stating that he has had those conversations with the City Manager's Office who he said is also aware of those issues. Commissioner Davis concluded by stating that he wanted to highlight that point and put it on the record, so that the Commission knows that it's not just something that popped up in January of this year, but he said that it is a long-standing problem with the City, and he added that like Ms. Ward said, it predates her tenure here. City Clerk Flores thanked the Mayor and Commission. 18. OFFICIAL BOARD REPORTS: There were none. 19. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Mayor Williams proposed that watercraft legislation be considered by the Commission as a Future Agenda Item. Recalling that she mentioned it before, the Mayor said that after doing some research she found that Miami -Dade County was the first to propose the legislation and that other cities such as North Miami and Miami Gardens have also proposed similar legislation. She asserted that she is not saying to get rid of your watercraft, but sometimes it becomes unsightly and requiring a permit with the City will provide additional funds. Commissioner Bass requested to co-sponsor Mayor Williams' proposed Future Agenda Item to consider watercraft legislation. Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 9, 2022 12 It was moved by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Bass to have Mayor Williams' proposed Item considering watercraft legislation, added to a future Agenda. There being no discussion, the motion to approve the Future Agenda Item passed by a 5-0 vote. Vice Mayor Taylor Yes Commissioner Bass Yes Commissioner Davis Yes Commissioner Dominguez Yes Mayor Williams Yes Commissioner Davis stated that Opa-locka is at a pivotal point in its history, given where it is financially and all the funds that are coming down the pipeline. The Commissioner said he thinks that the City's comprehensive plan lapsed a couple of years ago and is coming due for an update, and he informed the Commission that he had echoed that to the last administration. He explained that a comprehensive plan is a document that's required by the State of Florida of municipalities every 5 - 7 years, which he said is a blueprint for development land use. Commissioner Davis recalled being a part of the process in his role as a community organizer prior to politics, the last time the comprehensive plan was updated was in 2012 and he said that prior to that it had not been updated since the 80s when he was born. He stressed that is bad for a city because the code is not constantly being updated, which he said hurts the city when developers are looking around in different cities to bring their funds. Commissioner Davis stated that though a downtown development plan has already been established and initially had a downtown development strategy, he said that he thinks it's important to not only look at one corridor within the community and urged the Commission to look strategically City-wide. The Commissioner concluded by stating that it would be prudent and the right thing for the Commission to lead in that way and proposed that as part of a Future Agenda Item, they consider implementing a new strategic plan and have a strategic planning session to provide input on where they would like to see the City head in the next 5 to 7 years. Mayor Williams said that Commissioner Davis is correct, acknowledging that they have a lot, and it starts with planning backwards, adding that she would like to co-sponsor his proposed Future Agenda Item to consider implementing a new strategic plan and have a strategic planning session. Vice Mayor Taylor indicated he wanted to co-sponsor Commissioner Davis's proposed Future Agenda Item to consider implementing a new strategic plan and have a strategic planning session. Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 9, 2022 13 It was moved by Commissioner Dominguez and seconded by Vice Mayor Taylor to have Commissioner Davis' proposed Item considering a new strategic plan and strategic planning session, added onto a future Agenda. There being no additional discussion, the motion to approve the Future Agenda Item passed by a 5-0 vote. Commissioner Bass Yes Commissioner Davis Yes Commissioner Dominguez Yes Vice Mayor Taylor Yes Mayor Williams Yes 20. MAYOR/COMMISSION REPORTS: Vice Mayor Taylor informed the Commission that earlier that morning, Opa-locka was recognized as the municipality of the year by Bike 305 for the City's health and wellness initiatives. The Vice Mayor said it was a great honor, commending the Parks & Recreation Department, Police Department, Public Works Depailuient and the City Manager's Office because he said that the City looked good out there and it was a good sight to see Opa- locka on top. Mayor Williams stated that to focus on health is always a beautiful thing and thanked Vice Mayor Taylor. As part of the continued celebration of Women's History Month, the Mayor thanked the women on the Commission. Mayor Williams also informed her colleagues on the Commission that she will be a panelist for the Congressional Black Caucus as part of the Sojourner Truth Project on March 23rd, and she thanked Congresswoman Frederica Wilson for nominating her for that. Commissioner Bass thanked everyone who came out that morning to take part in the Farm Share feeding, reporting that they had support from the Parks & Recreation Department, Public Works Depailntent, Police Depailuient, some of the members of the Commission and the City Manager, adding that this is the first time she can recall that the City Manager has come out to a feeding. The Commissioner said it was a success and it will be done again soon. She also thanked City Clerk Flores and her Staff who she said were making sure residents signed their documents correctly and did what they had to do. Commissioner Bass said that they went above and beyond, literally in the street, sweating and making sure residents were getting taken care of, and she concluded by thanking them. Mayor Williams reported that she saw Public Works Maintenance Superintendent King Leonard, pulling up grass on Saturday, noting that it was on the weekend. The Mayor Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 9, 2022 14 thanked everyone that does amazing work, even when no one's watching. Shen then noted that Budget Administrator Bob Anathan was on the Agenda next. Interim City Manager Wright stated that because Commissioner Davis missed the last Commission Meeting, he asked Budget Administrator Anathan to present a couple of new items. Budget Administrator Anathan presented the details of the FY 22 second Budget Amendment that was approved by the Commission at the previous Commission Meeting. Commissioner Davis noted that a lot is being drawn from various funding sources including many general fund vacancies in various Departments, and he pointed out that the Commission went through the budget process and allocated those positions in the hopes of bringing the City's parks and public services up to speed. The Commissioner asked Interim City Manager Wright if he would like to share the thought process 011 why some positions are being cut and different services are being included. Interim City Manager Wright explained that from the beginning of the budget year until this point, some of the vacancies had not been filled for whatever reasons, and because they were already budgeted, the budget amendment is just a reallocation of the money that was already there. The Interim Manager also reported that he has been having consistent communication with the Human Resources Department about recruitment and retention. He shared that his philosophy is that money and people run all organizations and he said that during his short time as Interim Manager, he has been focusing on the talent that the City is able to attract and the money that the City is able to pay that talent, putting in a lot of time and energy to recruit those people and create an atmosphere to retail those people. Commissioner Davis pointed out that the City has more than one park and said that Sherbondy seems to be the park that is better staffed. The Commissioner also highlighted Segal Park, which he said is adjacent to his home and Ingram Park, which he said the Commission hears all the complaints to see the park at full service. He said that his concern with the budget amendment was the reduction in staff when the Commission had established the allocation of resources for parks including staffing and programming dollars to make sure the Depailuient is offering full service. Commissioner Davis then asked about the reduction in off -duty compensation for the Police Department, sharing his understanding that some compensation passed through the City payroll, and it was significantly less than anticipated. Interim City Manager Wright stated that he believes the City was impacted when off -duty compensation was processed through the City's payroll and said that vendors who hire the City's Police Officers for off duty service, can pay them directly. Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 9, 2022 15 Commissioner Davis recalled that there was a problem with an audit finding that the City wasn't accounting the right time for off -duty Police Officers which he thinks would be considered as independent contractors, and taxes weren't being paid in addition to the Officers being paid directly. The Commissioner also said that the State of Florida said that those payments should be made directly to the City, and he asked if that was not occurring. Budget Administrator Bob Anathan explained that the City was paying Police Officers who were doing off -duty work as independent contractors on a 1099 Miscellaneous form, but the Internal Revenue Service said that if the City is going to pay them, it had to be through the payroll system, which he said creates all sorts of problems. The Budget Administrator added that it was originally thought that the off -duty Officers were going to be paid through the City and payroll expenses were going to go up, but it was subsequently determined that it had not happened since last July because it is much more efficient and cheaper for those who are hiring the Officers, to pay them directly. He informed the Commission that the budget amendment pulled back on the compensation that they thought was going to pass through the payroll. Commissioner Davis asked Budget Administrator Aanathan to explain the information included in the budget amendment about holiday pay and excess accrued sick leave payouts being previously broken out of regular salaries and now being put back into regular salaries with separate accounts no longer being required, despite him acknowledging that it has no impact. Budget Administrator Anathan explained that the City had 3 accounts and recognized that 2 of the accounts were not necessary because the holiday and additional sick pay costs could be identified without having separate accounts, so the accounts were just rolled back together into a single account. Commissioner Davis asked about the $9,500 expense for the State of the City. Budget Administrator Anathan stated that the expense for the State of the City was $10,000, explaining that the original budget was $500, and they had to add $9,500 for this State of the City. Commissioner Davis pointed out that he has been on the Commission for a while and has had a chance to look at previous budgets and the amount that the City usually spends on the State of the City Address, also noting that because the City has been in a financial emergency, the Commission has decided to take a more frugal approach, which he said is why the $500 budget was proffered. The Commissioner asked how it got to a point where $9,000 is added to the budget. Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 9, 2022 16 Interim City Manager Wright stated that he approved the expense for the State of the City, explaining that the public relations team that was in place prior to him beginning his service as Manager, terminated the contract and he made the decision to go with another firm. The Interim Manager said that he doesn't believe this is going to be an ongoing expenditure, but he approved it because he thought it was in the best interest of the City, even understanding the City's financial position. Commissioner Davis noted that the budget amendment denotes savings and stated his assumption that because the previous public relations firm suddenly decided to leave the City, the budget amendment was added to the State of the City line item to compensate for the loss of public relations and all the benefits that would come with having a contract with a public relations firm. Commissioner Davis expressed that he doesn't necessarily agree with Interim City Manager Wright because he tends to take the more frugal approach but acknowledged that it is within the Interim Manager's scope, and he said it seems to be right at the limit. Interim City Manager Wright said that the limit of his scope is expenditures of $25,000. Commissioner Davis asked about the $2,700 expenditure included in the budget amendment, which he said he believed was for a Black History Month event. Budget Administrator Anathan explained that he believed there was a Black History Month dinner, and the City took a table to participate in that event. Commissioner Davis stated his understanding that the dinner was to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Trayvon Martin. The Commissioner concluded by stating for the record that the reason he reserved his time during the Mayor and Commission Reports to ask for the budget amendment presentation, is because he was unable to attend the last Commission meeting due to a last-minute work emergency, but he said he noticed changes between the first and second reading of the amendment and he thought it would be prudent for the public to know this information, noting that it wasn't presented at the last Commission Meeting and stressing that he asked for the presentation to continue full transparency and accountability of our local government. Mayor Williams asked for information on what the bills from the previous marketing firm generally were, sharing here recollection that the City was billed for even some of the smallest things. 21. OFFICIAL BOARD APPOINTMENTS: There were none. Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 9, 2022 17 Mayor Williams asked City Clerk Flores to provide the Commission with the status of the City's Boards, so they know what they need to do to reinvigorate most of the Boards. Vice Mayor Taylor also asked for information on the City Boards that are missing Board Members. City Clerk Flores reminded the Commission that the last page on their agenda included the vacancies on the City's Boards but assured them that she will include that in her report on the status of the Boards. 22. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the City Commission, it was moved by Vice Mayor Taylor, seconded by Commissioner Bass to adjourn the Meeting at 8:20 p.m. Veronica J. W ams Mayor Attest: o na Flores, CMC Ci Clerk Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 9, 2022 18