HomeMy Public PortalAbout08- August 18, 2022 ARPA WCITY OF OPA-LOCKA
"The Great City"
CLERK'S ACTION SUMMARY MINUTES
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) WORKSHOP
Monday, July 18, 2022
6:00 p.m.
1. WELCOME/OPENING REMARKS:
Mayor Veronica Williams called the Workshop to order at 6:25 PM on Monday, July 18,
2022.
2. ROLL CALL:
The following members of the City Commission were present: Commissioner Sherelean
Bass, Commissioner Audrey Dominguez and Mayor Veronica J. Williams. Vice Mayor
John H. Taylor Jr. arrived at 6:52 p.m. Also, in attendance were: Interim City Manager
Darvin Williams, City Attorney Burnadette Norris -Weeks 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. AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT:
Presentation by City Manager's Office
Mayor Williams asked Interim City Manager Williams to deliver his presentation on the
American Rescue Plan Act.
Interim City Manager Williams informed the Commission that the Workshop is to discuss
the City's Capital Improvement Projects and to discuss recommendations regarding the
utilization of the American Rescue Plan Act funding that the City has received. The
Manager proceeded to make his presentation to the Commission.
Commissioner Bass inquired about the proposed $298,000 project to enhance the City's
gateways over 18 months, through the general fund, stating that she can think of 3 gateways
and asking how many the City has.
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Interim City Manager Williams informed the Commission that the funding being proposed
for the enhancement of the City's gateways is to rebuild 8 gateways, install plants, in
addition to installing and repairing irrigation.
Commissioner Dominguez asked if the proposed project to enhance the City's gateways
was to restore them or to add more.
Interim City Manager Williams informed the Commission that the proposed plan was to
replace the City's gateways because the 6 current gateways all look different, with different
logos and colors, in addition to 2 gateways not having any signage whatsoever. The
Manager added that the plan is to develop 1 uniform signage and utilize that at all entry
points.
Mayor Williams stated that she is pleased to know about the proposed plan for the City's
gateways, and she said that Public Works Director Airia Austin and a few others know that
it has been something that she has said because she is big on aesthetics and she added that
she thinks that when people drive through the City, it's the first thing they see. The Mayor
went on to point out that there have been several pieces of legislation on illegal dumping,
and she asked if the proposed $604,000 ongoing illegal dumping project was on top of the
previous legislation, or if it all got lumped into one.
Interim City Manager Williams informed the Commission that the proposed illegal
dumping project is in addition to, in support of and in conjunction with the legislation that
was passed. The Manager assured the Commission that the City will continue to run its
illegal dumping program, will continue to run the call center, in addition to continuing to
have officers to go out and address it. He added that the City is going to enhance the illegal
dumping initiative by installing cameras at certain locations, so that when the City gets a
call, the cameras can assist the Police force in locating the culprits.
Mayor Williams pointed out that her illegal dumping legislation included a reward of up
to $1,000, adding that the signage was the regular metal signs that the County makes, and
she asked if the City was going to actually do that because she said it never got done.
Interim City Manager Williams stated that he reviewed the illegal dumping legislation and
did not see the metal signage component, but he said that he will review it and if it's not
done, he assured the Commission that it will get done.
Commissioner Dominguez asked Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross if
the $4,220,225 for staff recommended stormwater and roadway projects was mostly for
canals.
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Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross informed the Commission that the
project recommended by Staff for the Burlington Canal at an estimated cost of $500,000
over 24 month, was the only one of the 3 proposed projects that was for a canal. Ms. Gross
said that the project recommended for the repairs of Sharazad Boulevard Point at an
estimated cost of $165,000 over 6 months, would be for drainage and stormwater, while
the project recommended for Commerce North at an estimated cost of $3,555,225 over 36
months would be for drainage, utilities and the roadway. She added that Commerce North
is one of the areas that has been severely affected by the flooding, and the pavement in the
area is very deteriorated. Ms. Gross stated that all 3 of the staff recommended stormwater
and roadway projects would be paid for with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act
as well as the Stormwater Fund.
Commissioner Bass asked what the address was for Commerce North.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross informed the Commission that
Commerce North is the area between Ali Baba Avenue and 151st Street, between 22nd and
27th Avenues.
Interim City Manager Williams informed the Commission that Commerce North is the area
that has experienced some of the worst flooding in the City and 2 national businesses have
complained to the Governor's Office, the County Mayor's Office and the District
Commissioner's Office.
Mayor Williams asked what percent of the American Rescue Plan Act Funds is being
proposed to go to Capital Improvements.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross informed the Commission that
around 70 to 75 percent of the American Rescue Plan Act Funds are being proposed to go
to Capital Improvements, including pavement throughout the commercial area, drainage
installation throughout several points in the City, the City's waterways and the water and
sewer pump stations.
Mayor Williams recalled that the City received money when the State Legislature was in
session and asked if the City can apply for grants. Additionally, the Mayor asked for the
record, what the total amount the City was given in American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross informed the Commission that the
City received $8 million in American Rescue Plan Act Funds. Mr. Gross added that the
City is consulting with a firm that will cost $400,000 leaving an estimated amount of $7.6
million after the consultant fee is taken out. She went on to state that the proposed projects
are estimated to cost $6.3 million.
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Mayor Williams asked if after everyone gets their administrative fees and everything, if
25% of the American Rescue Plan Act funds would go to the things that the Commission
and the Citizens want to make happen, like beautification projects, while everything else
will go to capital improvement.
Interim City Manager Williams informed the Commission that $2 million from the City's
general fund will fund both beautification as well as the Parks & Recreation Department
projects.
Mayor Williams asked if $2 million was coming from the City's general fund for
beautification projects, and 75% of the American Rescue Plan Act Funds were going to
capital improvements, where would the other 25% be going.
Interim City Manager Williams pointed out that $1 million was set aside for the
Commission's direction, on top of the $1 million for the Parks & Recreation Department
and the $1 million for the beautification program. The Manager went on to state that
because projects need to be funded so that the City can stop the flooding, the raw sewage
in the street and the blockage in the toilets, and because despite the $8 million received in
American Rescue Plan Act Funds the City requires about $20 million immediately, another
$13 million within the next 5 years and probably another $80 million in the next 10 years,
he had hoped to set aside about $6 million to at least stop the bleeding.
Commissioner Dominguez asked if the City has a time frame by which the American
Rescue Plan Act funds need to be spent.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross informed the Commission that the
American Rescue Plan Acts funds need to be encumbered by December 31, 2024 and spent
by 2026.
Mayor Williams asked if the $4,906,563 that was being proposed for the City's buildings
as part of the Capital Improvement Projects, have nothing to do with sewage in the street
and is just to upgrade the buildings in the City.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross informed the Commission that the
estimated cost for the City's buildings, included in the Capital Improvement Projects are
currently funded either through a grant or through the City's general fund. Ms. Gross stated
that the water and sewer infrastructure improvements were being proposed at an estimated
cost of $2,150,000 and the stormwater, waterways and roadway infrastructure project at an
estimated cost of $4,220,225, both at a total estimated cost of $6,370,225 to be funded
through the American Rescue Plan Act Funds.
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Mayor Williams stated her understanding that $6,370,000 would be for everything that the
Manager outlined including dealing with the sewage that people are tired of, which she
acknowledged is true. The Mayor then reiterated her question about the $5 million that
was being proposed for the City's buildings.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross informed the Commission that the
estimated $5 million for the City's buildings, would include Historic City Hall which she
said already has General Obligation Bond funds allocated for it in addition to additional
grand funds that are being sought, in addition to the Police Department which has a grant
allocated for it.
Commissioner Bass acknowledged her understanding that 5 of the City's buildings are
being included in the Capital Improvement Projects, including the Old City Hall and the
Police Department, but she asked what the other 3 were.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross informed the Commission that the 5
City buildings being included in the Capital Improvement Projects are the Historic Fire
Station and the Human Resources Building, the relocation of the Building & Licensing
Depaitinent that has already begun its process to be designed in-house, the Police Station
and the Historic City Hall.
Vice Mayor Taylor asked if the proposed reconstruction of Cairo Lane would bring the
project to completion, because he recalled that the resolution the Commission passed a
couple of months ago, was a temporary fix.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross informed the Commission that the
resolution the Commission passed was for a reassessment of Cairo Lane since the project
had been abandoned for a couple of years. Ms. Gross reported that the reassessment of the
structures and the road has been completed. Explaining that the 2nd phase will be the
redesign of the project, Ms. Gross stated that it will be completed by next year.
Commissioner Dominguez asked if the problem with the Sesame Street Bridge is the
bridge's wind wall that has failed, and whether that was why that area has been closed since
October of last year.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross informed the Commission that any
vehicle passing through the Sesame Street Bridge, can fall into the canal, and per the
directions of Miami -Dade County, the City had to close that space for safety. Ms. Gross
reported that part of the design has already been received and the lengthy permitting
process which involves several agencies, will end by December of this year.
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Commissioner Dominguez asked when the Sesame Street Bridge design and reconstruction
project will actually start.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross informed the Commission that the
Sesame Street Bridge design and reconstruction project will start by December of this year
and will be finished by April of next year.
Vice Mayor Taylor stated that he understands that the City needs to fix the flooding in the
commerce area, but he lamented that he did not see anything addressing the residential
areas. The Vice Mayor offered Atlantic Avenue, going to the Senior Citizen building on
the east side of the City, as an example of the really high flooding that occurs in residential
areas and he asked if that was going to be addressed.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross informed the Commission that the
City has a request for proposals that had been approved by the Commission and presented
to the public and is now supposed to be coming up for review by the 27th for drainage
improvements. Ms. Gross pointed out that the issue in most of those areas is that the
drainage has not been properly maintained for the last couple of years, and once they are
maintained, she said that the flooding will be mitigated.
Vice Mayor Taylor asked if the maintenance being done to fix the flooding in the City's
residential areas was coming from American Rescue Plan Act funds and when the project
would begin.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross informed the Commission that the
funds to fix the flooding in the City's residential areas are coming from the stormwater
fund, and that cleaning and inspecting the residential areas will be one of the first things
addressed.
Mayor Williams pointed out that the American Rescue Plan Act website states that
expenditures should also assist small businesses, households and those industries that were
hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mayor said that the only thing that's listed to
assist households is the paint program for Residents, which she said is only $20,000 and
asked if that was being put under the $1 million that was budgeted for the Commission.
She also said that there's nothing to assist small businesses, and she went on to say that
Residents who were economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are out of work,
late on their rent and need assistance. The Mayor restated her question, asking where
beautification, taking care of Resident's yards, streets and alleys all fits in the proposed
plan.
Interim City Manager Williams stated that he looks at all of the City's resources to address
all of the City's needs. The Manager pointed out that the recommendations being presented
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to the Commission are for the utilization of the American Rescue Plan Act funds, with $3
million allocated for the Parks & Recreation Department, beautification, in addition to
whatever the will of the Commission will be to add on top of those programs. He also said
that funding with the City's taxpayer dollars is also coming from the Community
Redevelopment Agency for several programs including rental assistance, mortgage
assistance and a business grant program which he noted will help Residents and Small
Businesses.
Mayor Williams stated that she wished they had something else outside of the $1 million
for beautification, $1 million for the Commission and the Community Redevelopment
Agency funds for the Residents.
Interim City Manager Williams stated that if it is the will of the Commission to not support
and fund the storm water program and the water and sewer program and allocate more
funding to the programs that the Mayor was suggesting, that's what they are in a Workshop
for, so that they can do the will of the Commission.
Mayor Williams said that she is not saying to fund the storm water program and the water
and sewer program.
Interim City Manager Williams said that he wanted to be really clear that they can put more
American Rescue Plan Act funding into the programs suggested by the Commission, on
top of the allocation of about $2 million from the City's general fund and $1 million from
the Community Redevelopment Agency, but he stressed that it would be at the cost of
supporting programs to address the City's water and sewer and flooding issues.
Mayor Williams asked if all of the Capital Improvement Projects being proposed would
take more money from the City in the long run due to the operating costs associated with
them.
Interim City Manager Williams informed the Commission that they made
recommendations to address the City's greatest concerns so that residents can flush their
toilets, so they don't have sewage on the streets and so they don't have flooding. The
Manager reiterated that if it is the will of the Commission to reallocate some of the funding,
they are prepared to do that.
Mayor Williams stated that she wanted to make it clear that all the Members of the
Commission live in Opa-locka and of course they want to flush their toilets and have proper
drainage, which she said is not the point. The Mayor asserted that the point is that there
was nothing for the Citizens in the proposed plan for the American Rescue Plan Act funds,
and she said that she thinks the Members of the Commission would all like to see and she
suggested that they go back to the drawing board. She then asked if they worked with a
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federal rep to make sure that all of the proposed projects are eligible for American Rescue
Plan Act funding.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross informed the Commission that
because the City received less than $10 million, they have lenience to decide where the
American Rescue Plan Act funds are allocated.
Mayor Williams asked if a federal rep confirmed that the American Rescue Plan Act funds
can be used for infrastructure and asked if a federal rep approved that 75% of the funds
would be used for infrastructure.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross said that she doesn't think the City's
proposed plan for the American Rescue Plan Act funds has been approved by a federal rep
as Mayor Williams asked, but she pointed out that according to the federal guidance for
the funds, 100% could be used for infrastructure. Ms. Gross asked if the Commission had
any additional guidance.
Mayor Williams stated that she would definitely like to see more go to Residents, because
she asserted that right now there's nothing.
Interim City Manager Williams asked if the Commission had guidance on an amount that
they'd like to see allocated for the Commission's proposed projects funded through the
American Rescue Plan Act.
Commissioner Dominguez shared the results of the City of Coral Springs American Rescue
Plan Act community survey and said that their Residents indicated they wanted to see 44%
of the funds used for infrastructure, with the remaining funds used for security
enhancements, city-wide aesthetics, park enhancements, a digital equity initiative, housing
assistance, public health responses, a green initiative, city facility improvements, for
business recovery and the workforce, healthcare, mental health resources, as well as arts
and cultural assistance. The Commissioner said that the City of Coral Springs broke it
down like a pie, but she said that what was being proposed in Opa-locka seemed like
everything was going to infrastructure.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross explained that the proposed plan for
the use of the American Rescue Plan Act funds was intended to be part of the 10 -20 -year
plan for Opa-locka. Ms. Gross acknowledged the importance of the Residents' immediate
concerns from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and noted that they can actually
increase the City's revenue and attract more businesses if the pump stations are fixed and
brought to a higher capacity, as well as by avoiding the flooding areas like the commerce
area.
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Commissioner Dominguez stated that the commerce area sounds new because she said that
she never heard of that and asked where the commerce area name came from.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross informed the Commission that the
City has 2 commerce areas, including commerce north and commerce west. Ms. Gross
explained that commerce north is being addressed at the moment because it has one of the
biggest impacts from flooding.
Vice Mayor Taylor stated that he thinks all of his Colleagues on the Commission are on
the same page, explaining that they're not saying fixing the flooding in the commerce area
is not important, but he said that while the plan being proposed was for 10-20 years from
now, that Residents want something now. The Vice Mayor lamented that they heard about
the 10 -20 -year program, 10 years ago and they're here 10 years later still having the same
argument. He stressed that he thinks that the flooding in the commerce area should be
addressed now, but he said that he also thinks that it should be done in harmony with the
City's residential areas. The Vice Mayor suggested that for every street that is fixed where
there are businesses, they should do a street in a residential area, adding that there's nothing
addressing the flooding on the streets in the residential areas, and everything is addressing
the flooding in the commerce areas. He added that Residents have been in their houses
longer than the businesses in the commercial areas, asserting that they can't just do for one
part of the City and ignore the other.
Interim City Manager Williams pointed out that the City's residential areas already have
storm water drainage and work is being done to unclog those areas so that the flooding
does not continue, and he stated that it was already being done now without requiring
American Rescue Plan Act funding. The Manager also pointed out that the City's
commercial areas have no storm water drainage in place, which he said is the heavy
expenditure that he characterized as the can that keeps getting kicked down the road.
Vice Mayor Taylor stated that the Commission understood that, but he said that it was
never stated, and Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross just stated it during
the Workshop. The Vice Mayor said that if the Commission had known that it was in the
works, that argument would not have taken place. He added that it seems they are talking
about capital improvement for the commercial area and nothing for Residents.
Acknowledging that the Interim City Manager talked about flushing the toilet, Vice Mayor
Taylor lamented that the water pressure on 17th Avenue is really low.
Mayor Williams stated that she sees a common thread of putting the cart before the horse,
lamenting that an email could have been sent to ask for the Commission's thoughts, but it
didn't happen. The Mayor said that the presentation was great, and said she assumed that
it was Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross who put the presentation
together.
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Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross clarified that her team helped to put
the presentation together for the proposed plan for the American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Mayor Williams went on to lament that the work on the proposal and presentation had been
done and now they have to back up because no one got the Commission's thoughts or
opinions in a Workshop setting or with a survey to determine what they would like to see
the American Rescue Plan Act funds used for. The Mayor then said that she can't give a
figure, stating that she can't sit there and say to take $1.2 million from one project to give
it to the Residents, and asserted that it's quite frankly not fair that she is being asked to do
that on the spot now, because she was never asked until the Workshop. She concluded by
reiterating that she believes the Commission would like to see more go to the Residents
who struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, and she said that they are putting it back
on City Staff to come up with something where they are not taking it from the City's budget
and it's actually coming from the American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Commissioner Bass said that she has been sitting there quietly trying to make sense of it
all, and she pointed out that they can use the $1 million that was set aside for the use of the
Mayor and Commission at their discretion, for resident projects.
Interim City Manager Williams confirmed that the Commission can absolutely use the $1
million that was set aside for resident projects, and it is exactly how it was planned. The
Manager also pointed out that by statute, the purpose of a Workshop is for
recommendations to be put together and presented to the Commission, to get their feedback
and go back to work on whatever the will of the Commission is.
Mayor Williams stated that she understands but is saying that all of the work was done and
now she is saying to go back and dismantle some of it to make it fit the Commission's
recommendation. The Mayor added that they could have said it on the front end, and it
could have been included so that the Commission didn't have to stop to ask all of their
questions.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross suggested that the Commission
provide a list of the initiatives that they would like to have worked on and said that they
could provide them with an estimated cost.
Vice Mayor Taylor said that he is good with Capital Improvement Projects Director
Adelina Gross' suggestion to provide a list of initiatives that they can provide an estimated
cost for. The Vice Mayor went on to emphasize that he is okay as long as they have what
Ms. Gross talked about, regarding drainage cleaning, very soon.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross assured the Commission that the
drainage cleaning for the City's residential areas will be happening very soon.
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Mayor Williams reiterated that she would like to see more than $1.2 million given.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross stated that the residential paint
program, some Parks & Recreation Department programs, the City's gateway
reconstruction and the illegal dumping initiative have already been funded through the
City's general fund.
Mayor Williams stated that she is not going to beat a dead horse but asserted that she thinks
$1.2 million is too low.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross assured the Commission that the
$1.2 million amount can be replaced.
City Attorney Norris -Weeks stated for the record that the comments that have been made
are not based on studies or expert testimony. The City Attorney added that regarding the
discussion on infrastructure and flooding, nothing said at the Workshop should be intended
or interpreted to be an admission of liability for flooding or negligence on the part of the
City. She also said that nothing said at the Workshop should be considered as an admission
for any potential claims or an acknowledgement or an admission by the City, as default
liability whatsoever.
Vice Mayor Taylor asked when the stripping would be completed as part of the milling and
resurfacing project.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross informed the Commission that the
milling and resurfacing project began in June of 2018, was completed in March of 2022
with 13 miles being milled, resurfaced and then restriped at a cost of $2,151,354 funded
from the City's general fund, fuel taxes and the Citizens Independent Transportation Trust.
Commissioner Bass asked if the canal that runs side by side with the park was part of the
Ingram Park project.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross informed the Commission that the
canal is not included as part of the Ingram Park project, but the permitting process has
already begun for the dredging and restoration of the canal, with the expectation that it will
be completed by December of this year.
Commissioner Bass recalled that at a meeting several months ago, it was mentioned that
businesses were using the area for dumping, and she asked what the City is doing to make
sure that it doesn't happen again after they spend all the money to unclog the canal.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross acknowledged that it is one of the
biggest issues in the City and she informed the Commission that there is a plan to put out
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a request for proposals for the cleaning and maintenance of the City's canals. Ms. Gross
pointed out that the City currently has a contract with Miami -Dade County for the cleaning
of the canals, but she said that the service does not meet the City's needs because it is a
huge need for all of the City's canals.
Commissioner Bass reiterated that she just wants to make sure that it doesn't happen again
and suggested that Interim City Manager Williams consider installing cameras.
Interim City Manager Williams stated that as part of the City's illegal dumping program,
the contract with Miami -Dade County has begun being renegotiated, a transfer station will
be opened so that Residents have a place to dump, and then cameras will be installed as
established by Mayor Williams' illegal dumping legislation.
Commissioner Bass asked if there was a location in mind for the transfer station.
Interim City Manager Williams informed the Commission that 3 locations are being
considered for the transfer station that have the highest level of illegal dumping, including
Cairo Lane, the Commerce North area, and the old transfer station location near the train
station.
Vice Mayor Taylor asked if 3 different transfer stations were being proposed.
Interim City Manager Williams informed the Commission that just 1 transfer station was
being proposed.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross added that the other 2 locations that
have the highest level of illegal dumping would have cameras installed.
Mayor Williams pointed out that the basketball court at Sherbondy Park is heavily used
and she would like to see it resurfaced and painted, and said she was a little confused as to
why Ingram Park's basketball court is being reconstructed when it is underutilized.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross explained that the basketball and
tennis courts at Ingram Park were being reconstructed because both courts are sinking. Mr.
Gross informed the Commission that it was thought that it was a drainage or water table
issue, but testing concluded that the issue was bad construction. She further explained that
the reconstruction of the courts was recommended to avoid any lawsuits from anyone
falling as a result of the courts sinking.
Mayor Williams acknowledged that they don't want anyone falling and reiterated her
recommendation that the funds being allocated for the projects recommended by the
Commission, include the resurfacing and painting of the basketball court at Sherbondy
Park.
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Commissioner Dominguez asked how much money had been spent on Historic City Hall.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross informed the Commission that the
expenditures to date on Historic City Hall were $2,185,246.
Commissioner Dominguez noted that the cost of the Historic City Hall project is estimated
to be $3,378,402.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross explained that the estimated cost of
the Historic City Hall project would be $3,378,402 including the $2,185,246. Ms. Gross
added that the project will require an additional $1.2 million of funding.
Vice Mayor Taylor stated that he has been asking about Historic City Hall since he got
elected to the Commission and expressed his hope that this time, the City can complete it
by the estimated date.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross said that she too hopes that the City
can complete the Historic City Hall project by the estimated date.
Commissioner Dominguez shared her understanding that the Police Department will be
moving from the 3rd floor to the 1st floor of the City's Municipal Complex, and she asked
what was going to happen with the 3rd floor. The Commissioner also shared that the other
day as she was walking out of City Hall, she saw Police Officers with people they had just
arrested, and she lamented that the Officers were having a difficult time trying to get their
reports done with the inmates inside their cars in the parking lot, and she asked if the
relocated Police Station would have a place to hold inmates.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross informed the Commission that the
relocated Police Department will not have a holding cell because the Department doesn't
have one now, but she did say that it will include a processing area.
City Attorney Norris -Weeks stated that for security reasons, she asked that they refrain
from saying exactly where the holding cell would be. The City Attorney said that it is not
a public record.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross said that a copy of what it's going
to look like can be provided to the Commission.
Vice Mayor Taylor shared his understanding that the 1st floor of the City's Municipal
Complex will be outfitted as a Police Department.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross confirmed that the 1st floor of the
City's Municipal Complex will be outfitted as a Police Depth tnient.
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Vice Mayor Taylor recalled that prior to Interim City Manager Williams administration,
there were some talks about turning the Historic Human Resources Building into
restrooms, and he asked if that wasn't on the table anymore.
Interim City Manager Williams informed the Commission that every option was
considered for the Historic Human Resources Building and he said that it would be cheaper
to demolish it and construct something new, rather than try to use it as a restroom.
Vice Mayor Taylor asked if the project for pump stations 9, 12 & 16 would just rehabilitate
what already exists, and if they would be enclosed.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross clarified that the project would
reconstruct pump stations 9, 12 & 16 and part of the idea is to enclose them.
Commissioner Bass noted that the NW 127th Street Canal Erosion Control Project
proposed to have fencing around the canal.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross confirmed that fencing would be
installed around the canal to avoid illegal dumping.
Commissioner Bass asked if the proposal was to install 35 feet of fencing around the canal.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross explained that the NW 127th St.
Canal Erosion Control Project proposes to restore the easements to their original 35 feet.
Ms. Gross explained that they actually thought that the commercial businesses in the area
had taken part of the easement, but she said that it had been eroded by the waterway in the
canal.
Vice Mayor Taylor stated that he loves the idea of adding a northern entrance to Ingram
Park and asked if the canal would be fenced off and if it would be the main entrance.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross confirmed that the project to add a
northern entrance to Ingram Park would add it as an additional entrance or exit, fence off
the canal, add a sidewalk and an actual roadway to go into the parking lot.
Vice Mayor Taylor also asked if as part of the proposed northern entrance to Ingram Park
if the area would be beautified.
Interim City Manager Williams explained that the actual reason the City is adding a
northern entrance to Ingram Park is because in order for Miami -Dade County to fund
signage for Ingram Park, it is required to have an ingress and egress.
Vice Mayor Taylor asked if the Wilmington area of Ingram Park would be developed.
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Interim City Manager Williams stated that there are some very big plans for Ingram Park.
Vice Mayor Taylor stated that he loves the idea proposed by the Sharazad Blvd. Pathway
and Drainage project, characterizing it as a passive park and noting that the expected
construction timeline is 18 months.
Commissioner Bass stated that she can't wait to see the Sharazad Blvd. Pathway and
Drainage project.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross stated that a lot of Residents walk
on the Sharazad Blvd. median, so they want to add some benches and puppy stations.
Mayor Williams asked if the proposed Streetscape for Ali -Baba Medians project would be
for all of Ali -Baba Avenue.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross confirmed that the proposed
Streetscape for Ali -Baba Medians project would be for all of Ali -Baba Avenue.
Mayor Williams asked how the proposed Streetscape for Ali -Baba Medians project would
impact Ali -Baba Avenue between 22nd and 27th.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross acknowledged that Ali -Baba
Avenue between 22nd and 27th is one of the major areas of concern because trucks park
in the middle during the day. Ms. Gross explained that to avoid that, medians will be added
so that the trucks cannot park there.
Vice Mayor Taylor shared his understanding that the Streetscape Ali -Baba Medians project
proposed to add means from 37th Avenue all the way into the Triangle.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross confirmed that the Streetscape Ali -
Baba Medians project proposed to add means from 37th Avenue all the way into the
Triangle.
Mayor Williams stated that she takes Ali -Baba Avenue every day and one of her concerns
has always been the Police getting from Fisherman Street to the other side of Opa-locka by
going down Ali -Baba Avenue because she has gotten stuck behind trucks that are
delivering cars to the body shops. The Mayor also expressed concerns about the potholes.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross stated that the effort to stop trucks
from parking in the street has had the Public Works Department, Code Enforcement
Department and the Police Department working together. Ms. Gross said that the Public
Works Department will regrade the swales city-wide and install plants, which she reported
has been very effective on NW 30th Avenue so that they cannot park. Adding that the
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installation of green infrastructure would also address the issue with the potholes because
it will help avoid flooding in the area.
Mayor Williams recalled that about a year ago, she recommended installing pay to park
signs and said that it was an easy ticket and another option for a revenue source for the
City. The Mayor added that she hopes the plants that are being proposed to be installed in
the swales work, and that they are not just run down.
Commissioner Dominguez suggested that the business owners can have a schedule for a
set time that truck drivers can make deliveries.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross suggested that the Community
Development Depat linent could work to establish a set time that truck drivers can make
deliveries.
Vice Mayor Taylor stated that he loves the idea proposed for the Sherbondy Park Parking
Lot and asked if there was any way for the City to acquire the property where the hotel
used to be, to extend the parking lot.
City Manager Williams stated that he would love to explore having the City acquire the
property where the hotel used to be.
Vice Mayor Taylor observed that the proposed Police Station / Emergency Operation
Center was repurposing the parking lot near the train station.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross confirmed that the parking lot is
being repurposed and she said that the building will include 2 floors of parking and the rest
will be for the Police Station and Emergency Operations Center.
Vice Mayor Taylor asked if the proposed Police Station / Emergency Operation Center
would be 4 floors.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross confirmed that the Police Station /
Emergency Operation Center would be 4 floors.
Commissioner Bass stated her understanding that the proposed Police Station / Emergency
Operation Center would be 4 floors, including 2 parking floors.
Vice Mayor Taylor asked what the start date and timeline for construction would be for the
proposed Police Station / Emergency Operation Center.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross informed the Commission that the
City already applied for grants for the Police Station / Emergency Operation Center and
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that the expected construction timeline would be 24 months from the date that the funding
is received. Ms. Gross also stated that the City will most likely get the funding because it
is for a safety structure.
Mayor Williams noted that Chen Senior Medical Center had taken over the City's parking
lot and she asked if they were paying the City for it.
Interim City Manager Williams informed the Commission that he has had 1 meeting with
representatives of Chen Senior Medical Center, and he is preparing to send them an official
notice that the City will be taking enforcement action on the parking lot, to bring them to
the table for discussion.
Commissioner Bass asked to clarify if the parking lot in question is the one on Ali -Baba
Avenue across from Juice Defined.
Interim City Manager Williams confirmed that the parking lot he is speaking with
representatives of Chen Senior Medical Center about, is the lot on Ali -Baba Avenue, across
from Juice Defined as Commissioner Bass stated.
Mayor Williams stated that the proposed plans were great and offered her thanks.
Vice Mayor Taylor shared his understanding that the proposed Wakeboarding Park &
Property Development for Ingram Park would include a housing development,
supermarket and wakeboarding park.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross confirmed that the proposed
Wakeboarding Park & Property Development for Ingram Park would include a housing
development, supermarket, wakeboarding park, ramp, pavilions and areas for family
entertainment.
Vice Mayor Taylor asked if the City could explore building a splash park at Ingram Park
since it already has waterways and can be beautified for the children.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross informed the Commission that a
splash park is already included in the design proposal for the Property Development at
Ingram Park.
Mayor Williams asked if the cost for the proposed Wakeboarding Park & Property
Development at Ingram Park would be divided equally between the City's general fund
and the Community Redevelopment Agency.
Interim City Manager Williams informed the Commission that the City is in the early
stages of planning for the proposed Wakeboarding Park & Property Development, and he
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said that there have been discussions about a public -private partnership with some private
developers that are willing to support the project, and he said that the City can participate
in the revenue stream on the back end.
Mayor Williams shared that she hangs out at splash pads, and she said that every city that
has them, makes a lot of money.
Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross concluded her presentation by
offering the Commission the opportunity to share their proposed projects for the
$1,229,775 in available American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Mayor Williams noted that it was 8:23 pm and that it wasn't until the last slide in the
presentation that the Commission was asked what they would like to see. The Mayor asked
if it was something that their ideas were needed for and what the turnaround was, because
she didn't know if the Commission had flushed it, pointing out that they weren't given any
heads up to bring their ideas.
Interim City Manager Williams reminded the Commission that they have until 2024 to
encumber the funds available through the American Rescue Plan Act.
Mayor Williams acknowledged that the City wants to get the ball moving and she said that
the Commission doesn't want to hold up other projects because there are really great
projects that need to happen. The Mayor asked if the Commission should provide their
ideas within a month and whether they can have another Workshop to which they can bring
their information.
Interim City Manager Williams suggested that the Commission could individually email
him their thoughts and ideas for the use of the $1,229,775 available in American Rescue
Plan Act funds and he committed to start acting on them immediately, with a follow-up
Workshop being scheduled in September.
Mayor Williams stated that she didn't want anything in August.
Vice Mayor Taylor said he liked Manager Williams' suggestion that the Commission
individually email him their ideas for the use of the $1,229,775 available in American
Rescue Plan Act funds.
Mayor Williams asked if the Commission could provide Manager Williams with their ideas
for the use of the $1,229,775 available in American Rescue Plan Act funds through a
Google survey.
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City Attorney Norris -Weeks stated that Manager Williams can use tools like Google
surveys to schedule meetings with the Commission, but that compiling their ideas would
be a sunshine issue.
Mayor Williams acknowledged that the Commission could share their ideas for the use of
the $1,229,775 available in American Rescue Plan Act funds through individual meetings
with Manager Williams. The Mayor also said that she would like to research what other
cities are doing for their Residents, asserting that she thinks the City needs to do more and
asking if more could be added to the available funds so that the Commission has $2 million
available for their proposed projects. She stressed that as Residents, the Commission is
going to default to how their neighbors will be getting help with the funds and asked if the
Commission agrees or disagrees.
Vice Mayor Taylor stated that he totally agrees with the Commission working with the
Manager on the proposed projects for the American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Mayor Williams asked if the Commission agrees to raise the amount allocated for
Commission Proposed Projects to be funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, to $2
million from the allocation of $1.2 million.
Vice Mayor Taylor asked how increasing the amount allocated for Commission Proposed
Projects to be funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, to $2 million from the allocation
of $1.2 million, would affect the other proposed projects.
Interim City Manager Williams stated that there is an $800,000 buffer with the Miami
Gardens water & sewer project, and he said that they could easily allocate $2 million for
Commission Proposed Projects to be funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.
Mayor Williams said it would be great for the amount allocated for Commission Proposed
Projects to be funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, to be increased to $2 million from
the allocation of $1.2 million.
Vice Mayor Taylor suggested that the City's Residents be polled to see what they want to
have included in the Commission's Proposed Projects to be funded by the American
Rescue Plan Act.
Interim City Manager Williams stated that he thinks the best way to determine the
Commission's Proposed Projects to be funded by the American Rescue Plan Act would be
to meet with each Commission Member individually to get a list of projects that they think
the Residents would like to see, which he said would inform the poll.
Mayor Williams asked if a Town Hall could be organized to discuss the Commission's
Proposed Projects to be funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.
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Vice Mayor Taylor stated that he agrees with the Town Hall and that they could explain in
general what was discussed at the Workshop, so that the ideas that are proposed by
Residents for the Commission to propose to be funded by the American Rescue Plan Act,
won't conflict.
Interim City Manager Williams asked if the Commission was considering organizing a
Town Hall in August or September to discuss the Commission's Proposed Projects to be
funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.
Mayor Williams asked that the Town Hall not be in August and asked that it be in
September to discuss the Commission's Proposed Projects to be funded by the American
Rescue Plan Act.
Commissioner Bass shared that before her colleagues on the Commission made their
suggestions, she stated to Clerk Flores that they could schedule a Zoom meeting with the
City's Residents to let them know what the City is doing and have their input on the
Commission's Proposed Projects to be funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. The
Commissioner added that if the Commission does it on Zoom, they can do it from home,
and it would not have to be in September.
Mayor Williams stated that they kind of have to flush it out and really explain to Residents
with a simple presentation, to let them know where the money is going so that they
understand why they're only talking about $2 million of the $8 million available from the
American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Commissioner Bass agreed with Mayor Williams but said that she thinks they might have
more participation on Zoom instead of in person, for the Town Hall to discuss the
Commission's Proposed Projects to be funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.
Mayor Williams suggested that the Town Hall to discuss the Commission's Proposed
Projects to be funded by the American Rescue Plan Act could be a hybrid with Residents
participating on Zoom and in person.
Vice Mayor Taylor suggested that a campaign could be promoted through the City's
website for Residents to share what they want to see for their city, to be funded by the
American Rescue Plan Act.
Mayor Williams said that she believes it is safe to say that they are all going to wake up
one day and the entire City is going to be under construction, which she said is a great thing
that they are excited to see. The Mayor thanked Capital Improvement Projects Director
Adelina Gross, the Manager's Office, every Department and City Staff Member who
worked on the presentation.
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Vice Mayor Taylor offered kudos to Capital Improvement Projects Director Adelina Gross
for her work on the presentation.
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Agenda item(s) only
Mayor Williams opened public comments.
There being no members of the public to address the Commission, Mayor Williams
closed Public Comments.
City Attorney Norris -Weeks announced a private closed -door session pursuant to Florida
Statutes Section 447.605, in the Commission Chambers at Sherbondy Village Auditorium
at 215 Perviz Avenue or in some other nearby room designated by the City Manager on
July 20, 2022 at 5:30 pm to discuss union negotiations between the City of Opa-locka and
the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, with the meeting
anticipated to last approximately 10 minutes. The City Attorney then announced another
meeting to start at approximately 5:40 pm on July 20 or soon thereafter to discuss union
negotiations between the City of Opa-locka and Dade County Police Benevolent
Association PBA, also known as South Florida Police Benevolent Association.
8. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, it was moved by
Vice Mayor Taylor, seconded by Commissioner Dominguez to adjourn the Workshop at
8:33 p.m.
Veronica J. Williams
Mayor
ATTEST:
Jonna Flores, CMC
City Clerk
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