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HomeMy Public PortalAbout03-March 23, 2022 RCMCITY OF OPA-LOCKA "The Great City" CLERK'S ACTION SUMMARY MINUTES REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING March 23, 2022 7:00 P.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Williams called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, 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 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/ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: There were none. 6. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA AND PULL LIST (deferrals and deletions): There were no Items on the Consent Agenda. 7. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was moved by Commissioner Dominguez, seconded by Vice Mayor Taylor, to approve the Agenda. Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 23, 2022 1 There being no discussion, the motion to approve the agenda passed by a 4-0 vote. Commissioner Dominguez Yes Vice Mayor Taylor Yes Commissioner Bass Yes Commissioner Davis Not Present Mayor Williams Yes 8. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 9, 2022 It was moved by Commissioner Bass, seconded by Vice Mayor Taylor to approve the minutes from the Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 9, 2022. There being no discussion, the motion to approve the minutes passed by a 4-0 vote. Commissioner Davis Not Present Commissioner Dominguez Yes Vice Mayor Taylor Yes Commissioner Bass 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. Mr. Alex Van Mecl introduced himself as the proud new owner of one of Opa-locka' s few remaining historic homes, located at 806 Jan Avenue. Mr. Van Mecl noted that the street he resides on mirrors his own middle name, which he said was one of the many cosmic happenings that led him to discovering the exceptionally historic city of Opa-locka. He Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 23, 2022 2 said that he wanted to address the Commission about an issue that he is aware many homeowners are concerned about and would like action on, as they look to the future of the city substantial. Sharing his vision of a city that takes great pride in its upkeep and appearance, he acknowledged that a large part of that requires legislation and a commitment to enforcement. Mr. Van Mecl asked the Commission to seriously consider an immediate addition to the City's municipal code, that would require single and multi- family residences to comply with an open storage ordinance for unsightly miscellaneous items that are clearly visible from the streets and negatively affect another property. Lamenting that there are countless eyesores in the City, he pointed out that there is currently not an ordinance to enforce that no materials, refuse or waste materials can be stored or accumulated outside of a fully enclosed building within any zoning district. Mr. Van Mecl stated that he is advocating for items such as those to be placed in an approved, permitted and enclosed structure with 4 walls and a roof because he doesn't believe any property owner should be allowed to place their items on or against another's property, including a fence, wall or zero lot line circumstance as is the case that he is contending with. He informed the Commission that the verbiage he is proposing is consistent with other municipal ordinances of similar effect, adding that this is an important moment to elevate enforcement and prevent it from going on, helping to manage the appearance of the City and any associated health risks as well as animal intrusions to other properties. Offering to speak with any of the Members of the Commission to help them understand his own experience, he shared his belief that it is important he is proposing an important solution to one aspect of the City's broader beautification agenda. Mr. Van Mecl thanked the Commission for their time and added that he looks forward to continued discussion on this and his other passion point, which he said is historic preservation. He also pointed out that he emailed the Commission a fantastic, digitized archive of Bernhardt Muller's entire architectural drawings from the University of Miami, and he looks forward to imparting all the historical knowledge that he's recently uncovered. Mr. Ario Lundy who resides at 14911 Duval Street stated that he has a problem in the triangle in Magnolia where there are abandoned houses. Mr. Lundy said he is trying to figure out how liens can be put on them by the City, to take those properties back and revitalize them. He asked the Commission how the solution can be found. Mayor Williams stated that Interim City Manager Wright would answer Mr. Ario Lundy's question during his report, but not during Citizens' Forum. Mr. John Riley who resides at 2963 NW 135th Street reminded Mayor Williams that he had spoken to her previously about Opa-locka's insurance premium and what it is costing the City. Mr. Riley stated that the procedure to revoke or not renew a business license is not happening in Opa-locka, and he said that the City gets sued and has lost so much taxpayer money because the Code has been violated. He went on to say that if a person's Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 23, 2022 3 license is not going to be renewed, the City must give them notice of the grounds in writing and provide them a public hearing with the opportunity for appeal to the City Commission, but he expressed disappointment that none of that is happening, which he said is in violation of the law. Mr. Riley said that Florida Statute 162 stipulates how Code Enforcement is supposed to work, stating that before a citation is issued, a warning is given with time to cure a problem, also adding that it doesn't happen in Opa-locka. Reminding the Commission that they are the policy makers and that they took an oath to obey the United States Constitution, to enforce the laws of the State of Florida and the ordinances of the City, and obey the County and the City's Charter, Mr. Riley concluded by asserting that he expects them to carry out that oath. Ms. Gloria Hayes who resides at 1724 NW 154th Street stated that she was before the Commission to bring attention to a matter that she believes is a necessity for the health and well-being of the residents living between 151st and 155th, east of 22nd Avenue. Ms. Hayes reported that the area is still using a primitive septic system that she said is a financial burden to the elder and low-income families in that area, is a burden to repair and maintain, and is environmentally toxic to all the homeowners. Sharing that she has been in this community for well over 40 years, with her parents being one of the first families that moved here from Overtown, and she said that she acquired the property after her Mom's death. Ms. Hayes stated that they've had the same system with the same problem all her life. Pleading to Opa-locka and Miami -Dade County, she said that she can't even sit outside because of the stench and asked that any plans in place for this, to be expedited for environmental justice. Ms. Dorothy Johnson who resides at 13724 NW 22nd Place thanked Mr. Alex Van Mecl and said that she truly hopes that he continues to come to the Commission Meetings because his expertise and youthfulness are needed. Ms. Johnson also thanked Interim City Manager Wright for providing a written response to inquiries made by her and other Citizens. She reported that she took pictures of some of the roads that are being repaired and is also thankful for the Main Street initiative which she said she knows about because she is on the Planning & Zoning Board. Ms. Johnson reported that she finally got her public record request completed, and said that even without looking at it, she knows that public safety is the top priority and the salaries for the City's Police Officers should not be compared to Miami -Dade County Police. She stated for the record that if the Commission wants more money, the Police need money for safety. Ms. Johnson informed the Commission that she purchases from local businesses and has been questioned about how they get awards. She urged the Commission to crank up the Community Relations Board that she is appointed to, so that it can make recommendations, set goals and objectives for who gets recognized. Additionally, she encouraged the Commission to look at the progress in the last couple of months that she said she knows can be felt, seen and smelled, asking them to adhere to the City Charter and allow the Interim Manager to do his job. Recalling Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 23, 2022 4 that City Staff always said she was smarter than a 5th grader, she said she believed she is. Ms. Johnson said that they all want a better City where they can work, have fun and live in a safe environment. Adding that she knows the majority of the Members of the Commission didn't come in with the expertise, she said that she thinks Interim Manager Wright came in because of his experience. Ms. Johnson also shared that before he was sworn in, she asked Mr. Wright to do the right thing and he told her that he would never mess up his family name. She concluded by stating that resume enhancement isn't needed because promotions come from God. Retired Police Chief Cheryl Cason of 781 Curtiss Drive welcomed Mr. Alex Van Mecl and stated that she is sure he will get a warm welcome from the Commission as well. She went on to echo what Ms. Dorothy Johnson said. Retired Chief Cason also reported that she spoke with some new people about investment and told them that the City had a new City Manager and said that he is well known. She also said that she was riding with her fiance and ran into some folks cleaning up and noted that positive stuff is being done. Retired Chief Cason also said that City Employees are happier, and when they're happier, they work better. Addressing old City Employees, she said that experience makes them better for the most part and expressed her opinion that she thinks they need a chance, adding that just because someone has a title, it doesn't mean they're the best for the job. She added that City Employees who have dedicated their lives, having raised their families here, need to be utilized and stop being looked over. Retired Chief Cason said that most of the Members of the Commission are educators and shared that she raised her boys in the City who she said played in the park, but she also said that she thinks some of the City's programs need to be opened, offering the example of the pool. She said that she knows Interim Manager Wright knows, recalling that he was the Chief of Police, expressing that she knows he has the experience. Informing the Commission that she has spoken to Mr. Wright, she said that he still listens. Also stating that they must make people feel important and let them know they are appreciated, she pointed out that those people who stay could have gone to other places. Retired Chief Cason urged Interim Manager Wright to keep up the good work, sharing that people are speaking highly of him, including Mother Daniels. She also stated that one of the main reasons people were very receptive to her, was because he lived here and they knew her and she wasn't any better than them other than her job, which she said somebody had to do. Asserting that everybody is essential and important, she also stressed that the City needs to do better for the Police Department, stating that she is glad that Interim Police Chief Steel has the bid out because the leadership is needed. Retired Chief Cason concluded by stating that they have the confidence and were the ones that got the Commission elected. Toroni Mitchell who resides at 14225 NW 22nd Place thanked the Police Department for having a visual presence at Segal Park, reporting that they have not had any of the homeless laying around and stopping the kids. Ms. Mitchell shared that she had an event at the park Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 23, 2022 5 on Saturday and she did have to call the Police to have 2 homeless people removed, but she said that the young Office came right away and was very courteous and professional. She also asked that the timer on the lights be checked because she said it is still dark since the time change. Ms. Michell also informed the Commission that she had been given the confirmation for one of the residents who applied for the mortgage assistance, and offered to provide them a copy, urging them to investigate it because she said it's not fair that people put in their application on time to receive assistance and didn't get a reply. She concluded by expressing her appreciation for the people who cut the alley being sent out but lamented that the big bult of tree limbs and other trash is being left and asked that they be told to get that as well as part of the cleanup, and said they want to keep doing what they're doing to move the City forward. Ms. Chris Roberts who resides at 640 Dunad Avenue stated that everybody complains about change, but when change is made, they always have a problem with it. Ms. Roberts said that it's very bad that they live in a city where everybody pays taxes, and everybody is complaining and doing so many favors. She went on to say that at one point in time, Teen Upward Bound would not step foot in a Commission Meeting until the Dias changed and she said that they did nothing for us, adding that if you've been in business for 30 plus years and you don't own your own business and are still begging, she expressed her opinion that she believes there's a problem. Ms. Roberts also expressed concern over not having Interim City Manager Wright's number and she said that she doesn't know how everybody talks to him on the phone, adding that she takes any complaints through the City Manager's Office, asserting that she doesn't want anybody's phone number because she will say anything she has to say, to the people. Also expressing her feeling as a resident that she is tired of the same thing, she said that the City was paying $160,000 worth of salaries to the Parks & Recreation Staff and asked why everybody was complaining that they resigned. Ms. Roberts said that they did nothing for 2 years but collect the check, and she also stated that the only kids playing in the park are the ones who like the Coaches and she added that if they didn't have the Coaches, nobody would be there. She concluded by stating that they have people on the Dais whose children are at Teen Upward Bound and she asked if the management of the Parks & Recreation Department was so good, why their children are at Teen Upward Bound. Mr. Enyer Martinez who resides at 88 Bahman Avenue reported that he had a couple of complaints from his canvassing of the community, stating that on Superior Street people are saying that the potholes were fixed but they don't see it as a permanent solution and want to know when the roads will be fully repaired with the money that the City is getting. Mr. Martinez shared that people who have been there for over 30 years say that the road has never been fixed. He also said that near the 135th Street canal, people are complaining that their bill is still high due to the canal not being clean. Recalling that Florida State Representative James Bush stated that $7 million was going to be given to the City, he Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 23, 2022 6 stated that he wanted to know when that report will be public and what repairs will be done, asserting that people want transparency and he said it is the main way to get the support of the community. Mr. Beltran Walthour who resides at 1781 NW 154th Street stated that he owns about 4 or 5 properties on the east side of 22nd and between 152 and 154, and he said that he was speaking before the Commission to push for them to get sewer through that area. Mr. Walthour said that if you make an addition to your house and don't have the required setback, you must get an aerobic system which he said is about $20,000 and requires having a service agreement with a separate septic company and going through the Miami -Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources Environmental Resource Management Division. He stated that he thinks it is overdue, noting that the roads have been paved and storm drains have been installed, but he thinks the sewer connection will help everybody in the long run, and urged the Commission to make it a priority. 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: There were no Items on the Consent Agenda. 14. NEW ITEMS: There were none. 15. PLANNING & ZONING: A. PUBLIC HEARINGS: There were none. B. APPEALS: There were none. 16. ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS: Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 23, 2022 7 A. FIRST READING ORDINANCE(S)/PUBLIC HEARING(S): There were none. B. SECOND READING ORDINANCE(S)/PUBLIC HEARING(S): There were none. C. RESOLUTION(S): There were none. 17. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: Interim City Manager Wright stated that the Commission was provided with a report addressing Citizen's concerns from the previous meeting. The Interim Manager also reported that the Building & Licenses Department collected approximately $88,000 for occupational licenses and permits during the period from March 4th through the 17th. He informed the Commission that because of a grant that had been applied for, the City was notified about 2 weeks ago that it will receive $500,000 to develop an African American cultural center as part of the restoration of Historic City Hall with no requirement to match those funds. Additionally, he said that the City received a $50,000 grant from Miami -Dade County, primarily to plant approximately 150 trees on Perviz Avenue, with the City being obligated to provide a match of $16,667. Interim Manager Wright reported that ongoing complaints had been received with respect to Cairo Lane, and he said that the Cairo Lane assessment has been submitted to the State of Florida for evaluation, to determine what additional funding will be provided through the State's revolving loan program. He also stated that his Staff is attempting to finalize discussions with Enterprise to upgrade the City's fleet with an additional 15 Police vehicles and 16 trucks for the Public Works and Code Enforcement Departments. Interim Manager Wright reported that the gas station located at 27th Avenue and Superior Street is nearing the completion of its construction which is expected to be finalized by the end of April and the ancillary project to extend the water main and supply the required adjacent new fire hydrant, is also nearing completion and he believes the date is around April 5th. He went on to state that because of a Police auction that occurred a few weeks ago, the City received approximately $62,000 from the first round. Interim Manager Wright also shared that he had a conversation with the City's league to get a better understanding of the policy premium and why it's so high, assuring the Commission that he is reviewing that information to see where the City can improve. Expounding further, he said that the amount of money that was paid out in claims in 2016 is why the premium is so high but based on the decrease in claims over the years, they indicated that the City should begin to see a reduction in that premium. Commissioner Bass stated that there's a lot going on behind the scenes that some people are not privy to, adding that the Commission hears them and will continue to hear them. The Commission also shared her major concern that they were having a meeting with no Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 23, 2022 8 Agenda Items and expressed her hope that it is the last meeting that they will walk into with an Agenda like that. Vice Mayor Taylor asked what the projected date was for the completion of Historic City Hall. Interim City Manager Wright stated that there were some initial discussions between him and Public Works Director Airia Austin with respect to the time frame for the completion of Historic City Hall and he has asked the Public Works Director to be aggressive in his approach to see if they can get it completed prior to the end of the year. Vice Mayor Taylor recalled that the City's website previously had included information on when roads were going to be resurfaced as part of the roadway restoration project and asked if that could be done again. Interim City Manager Wright stated that he would coordinate with Information Technology Department Director Nelson Rodriguez to post details about the road restoration project, and he informed the Commission that he had conversations this week about pushing out as much information as possible on the City's website regarding some of the progress that is being made in several areas. Commissioner Dominguez stated that she had the same question about Interim City Manager Wright not having anything on the Agenda when she had her briefing, but she said that the items were not ready for him to review. The Commissioner recalled that the prior Mayor complained that he didn't have backup documentation when the Agenda was presented, and she said that if the Interim Manager didn't have anything, it was because he requested the information from his Staff, and they didn't have it ready. Commissioner Bass stated that she would like Interim City Manager Wright to answer by himself, and she said that she doesn't think he needs her assistance. Vice Mayor Taylor stated that the Commission was elected as legislators and said that there are 8 people who can put legislation on the Agenda. The Vice Mayor said that it was not fair to talk about the Manager and attack him, because everybody on the Dais can put legislation on the Agenda. Commissioner Bass said that no one is attacking and that she was just asking questions. Mayor Williams said that Commissioner Bass asked Interim City Manager Wright a question and he didn't respond, but that everybody on the Dais is responding. Interim City Manager Wright stated that he perceived what Commissioner Bass said as a statement that she does not want to come to another Commission Meeting where there's nothing on the Agenda, and he didn't respond to that. Commissioner Bass acknowledged that all of those sitting on the Dais were accountable like Vice Mayor Taylor said, offering assurances that what she said was not an attack. Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 23, 2022 9 Mayor Williams informed the Commission that she was on a Zoom with Legislative Aide Randy Grice and the Florida Department of Health on February 9th, to inform her that the City received a $500,000 federal grant and she wanted to let the public know. The Mayor asked Interim City Manager Wright for an update on the proposal that needed to be written. Interim City Manager Wright stated that he was under the impression that there was some application process for the $500,000 federal grant that the Florida Department of Health informed Mayor Williams about and he said that he directed City Staff to prepare the documentation under the criteria and come up with creative ideas for those dollars. The Interim Manager informed the Commission that initially he was provided with a proposal for COVID testing sites and sending COVID testing kits to homeowners, and he rejected that and asked the City Staff to go back to the drawing board. He shared that Mr. Corion DeLaine from the Community Development Department came up with a proposed work program partly administered through Miami -Dade College to employ individuals in the community. Interim Manager Wright reported that the item was recently returned to have some additional information provided and he assured the Commission that the outstanding questions would be resolved by April 1st for the City to participate. Mayor Williams stated that the update Interim City Manager Wright provided on the $500,000 federal grant opportunity that she was informed of through the Florida Department of Health, was great and thanked City Staff for the proposals for the grant, adding that she thinks they need to make sure they highlight that in the City. 18. OFFICIAL BOARD REPORTS: City Clerk Flores stated that a request was made at the last Commission Meeting to provide the status of the City of Opa-locka Boards, and she said that she provided everyone on the Commission with a memorandum detailing the status of the Boards, offering to take any questions. Mayor Williams asked if the information about the Boards could be made public and suggested that it be put on the City's website, so that the public knows which Boards are available and which vacancies are open. The Mayor acknowledged that former Commissioner Dorothy Johnson stated the City has Boards, but the Commission needs to make sure that they fill them as soon as possible. City Clerk Flores pointed out that the information about the City's Boards is currently on the City's website in addition to the Board application, and she encourages anyone interested in serving on one of the City's Boards to visit the website and fill out the application. Mayor Williams asked if the information included in the memorandum that the City Clerk's Office provided to the Commission, is posted on the City's website. Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 23, 2022 10 City Clerk Flores confirmed that all the Board vacancies along with the ordinance that spells out the terms and duties of each Board are on the City's website. Mayor Williams expressed her hope that the Commission can get more residents involved, to fill the vacant positions on the City's Boards. 19. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Vice Mayor Taylor proposed to have the City Manager negotiate with Miami -Dade County to establish a special taxing district in the City's commercial areas where there are heavy equipment transporters using the roadways. The Vice Mayor also proposed an annexation study for the industrial areas to the west and south of the City, stating that Opa-locka needs to be more revenue driven and get a little more money flowing into the City to help bring taxes down for residents. It was moved by Commissioner Dominguez, seconded by Commissioner Bass to have Vice Mayor Taylor's proposed Items considering a special taxing district in the City's commercial areas and an annexation study, added to a future Commission Meeting Agenda. There being no discussion, the motion to approve the Future Agenda Items passed by a 4- 0 vote. Vice Mayor Taylor Yes Commissioner Bass Yes Commissioner Davis Not Present Commissioner Dominguez Yes Mayor Williams Yes Mayor Williams stated that based on the interesting conversation about beautification, she would like to proffer a future Agenda Item ensuring that residents contain unsightly items in their yard, acknowledging that it has been a prolonged issue and other municipalities have had that established into law. It was moved by Commissioner Bass and seconded by Vice Mayor Taylor to have Mayor Williams' proposed Item considering an open storage ordinance, added onto a future Agenda. There being no discussion, the motion to approve the Future Agenda Item passed by a 4-0 vote. Commissioner Bass Yes Commissioner Davis Not Present Commissioner Dominguez Yes Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 23, 2022 11 Vice Mayor Taylor Yes Mayor Williams Yes Commissioner Dominguez proposed the enacting of a Code Enforcement Board, pointing out that other cities have one, including City of Miami, North Miami Beach, City of Fort Lauderdale and the City of Vero Beach. The Commissioner said that she knows the Special Magistrate meetings were being done on Zoon because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but she requested that they go back to meetings in person to avoid technical issues because she has seen screenshots of a resident trying to log on and failed to be able to call in and was therefore unable to present his case. She also recommended having a second Special Magistrate as a backup to avoid prejudice and favor against one person or group considered as biased, reporting that in the past a business owner went in front of the magistrate who knew the respondent. The Commissioner pointed out that the Opa-locka Code of Ordinances states that no Special Master shall act in any case in which that Special Master has a conflict of interest, and if that Special Master has a conflict of interest with any case, he or she shall orally announce such at the scheduled hearing and shall notify the clerk of court enforcement whereby that case shall be rescheduled or heard before another Special Master. She acknowledged that the City has a secondary Special Master, but they were serving in the Florida Legislative Session and the Special Master Code Enforcement calendar is backed up about a month, with the last one having been in February, meaning that in April all the code enforcement tickets will be backed up. Commissioner Dominguez asserted that the City must give residents and businesses due process because everybody has a right to present their case in front of the Magistrate and Board, and if both groups find them guilty, the City can say it was a fair process and if they must pay, then they will just have to pay, but she thinks they need to be fair. City Attorney Norris -Weeks informed the Commission that cities have either a Code Enforcement Board or they have a Special Magistrate, adding that most cities have gotten away from the boards. The City Attorney also pointed out that there is a process in the Opa-locka Code of Ordinance, to have multiple Code Enforcement Magistrates, recalling that the issue had come up before and she had made the former City Manager aware of it so that the process can be initiated by the City Manager. She said that the City can have multiple people sit as Special Magistrates to get the cases moving, but they won't see a Board in a Magistrate process because Florida State Statute allows for one or the other, not for both. The City Attorney offered to talk with the Commission about it offline but wanted to be clear on what the law is. Commissioner Dominguez shared that she read Florida State Statute 162 and said that it states that a municipality can have a Code Enforcement Board, and she pointed out that other cities have it. Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 23, 2022 12 City Attorney Norris -Weeks stated that she was simply saying that a municipality has one or the other, and that right now, Opa-locka has a Special Magistrate process. The City Attorney went on to say that the Commission can improve that by doing part of what Commissioner Dominguez suggested, but they can't set up a Board with a Special Magistrate Process under the State Statute. She suggested that the issues can be addressed by simply having the City Manager upstart the process for the selection of additional Special Magistrates. Interim City Manager Wright informed the Commission that City Staff had indicated some of the issues and concerns from one of the Special Magistrate meetings. The Interim City Manager reported that he has the resume of 1 attorney and was looking for 2 more to begin the process for the selection of additional Special Magistrates. Mayor Williams stated that with the illegal dumping legislation she proffered, the Magistrate is involved in that process, and she said that having someone steady would be great because it ensures that those that need to be heard will be able to do so in a timely manner and the City can collect the fines. 20. MAYOR/COMMISSION REPORTS: Mayor Williams shared that she and her Commission colleagues went to the Florida Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials Spring Conference in Kissimmee, and she said it was amazing that they were able to network with a lot of other cities and got to see and hear what's going on. The Mayor also said that they found out that Opa-locka's very own former Mayor John Riley and former Commissioner Dorothy Johnson were the catalysts of the movement as founders, thanking them for their vision and adding that they were encouraged to be at the founder's day event next year. The Mayor also stated that she was able to be on a national Zoom earlier that day with the Congressional Black Caucus, on which the participants talked about women leading and how women continue to be at the forefront of making things happen, which she said was amazing. She also recalled that when she joined the Commission, she talked about being a change agent, and lamented how disheartened she was to know that there's always a meeting before the real meeting taking place. Mayor Williams also expressed being disheartened by many City Employees leaving the City or being removed from the City while the Members of the Commission were out of town. She pointed out that under the Commission's powers outlined in the City Charter, they can inquire, but she said that it was unfortunate that communication failed to trickle down to the Commission. As a leader, Mayor Williams said she knows people leave people, not organizations, and she concluded by offering assurances that she is going to continue to work hard even if she's the lone vote, because she will not form alliances or try to make others look bad to build others up, committing to always make the right decision, no matter what. Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 23, 2022 13 21. OFFICIAL BOARD APPOINTMENTS: Commissioner Dominguez appointed Ms. Floralba Wright to the Civil Service Board. 22. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the City Commission, it was moved by Commissioner Dominguez, seconded by Vice Mayor Taylor to adjourn the Meeting at 8:04 p.m. Veronica J. Williams Mayor Attest: Jonna Flores, CMC City Clerk Regular Commission Meeting Minutes — March 23, 2022 14