HomeMy Public PortalAbout11-November 16, 2022 SCMCITY OF OPA-LOCKA
"The Great City"
CLERK'S ACTION SUMMARY MINUTES
SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING
November 16, 2022
6:00 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Williams called the meeting to order at 6:13 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16,
2022 at Sherbondy Village, 215 Perviz Avenue, Opa-locka, Florida.
2. ROLL CALL:
The following members of the City Commission were present: Commissioner Dr.
Sherelean Bass, Commissioner Chris Davis, Commissioner Audrey Dominguez, Vice
Mayor John H. Taylor Jr. and Mayor Veronica Williams. Also, in attendance were: Interim
City Manager Darvin Williams, City Attorney Burnadette Norris -Weeks and City Clerk
Joanna Flores.
3. INVOCATION:
The Invocation was led by Commissioner Bass.
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.
5. PUBLIC INPUT: (agenda items only)
Mayor Williams opened the floor for Public Input.
There being no members of the public to address the Commission, Mayor Williams closed
Public Input.
6. RESOLUTIONS:
1. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA-
LOCKA, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE ELECTION RESULTS OF THE
CITY OF OPA-LOCKA GENERAL AND SPECIAL ELECTION HELD ON
NOVEMBER 8, 2022 AS SET FORTH IN ATTACHED EXHIBIT "A";
Special Commission Meeting Minutes — November 16, 2022 1
PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS;
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Sponsored by City Clerk
The above resolution was read by City Attorney Burnadette Norris -Weeks.
It was moved by Vice Mayor Taylor, seconded by Commissioner Dominguez to
discuss Agenda Item 6-1.
Mayor Williams asked City Clerk Flores to introduce Agenda Item 6-1.
City Clerk Flores stated that the City of Opa-locka held a general and special
election on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 and received the certification from Miami -
Dade County on Monday, November 14th. The Clerk explained that the resolution
proposed by Agenda Item 6-1 would adopt the election results, as certified by the
Miami -Dade County Elections Department.
There being no discussion, the resolution proposed in Agenda Item 6-1 passed by
a 5-0 vote.
Commissioner Davis Yes
Commissioner Dominguez Yes
Vice Mayor Taylor Yes
Commissioner Bass Yes
Mayor Williams Yes
7. RECOGNITION AND SEATING OF NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS:
Mayor Williams thanked the current Commission Members for their service and all that
they do. The Mayor expressed her belief that they will continue to be great Citizens and
Commissioners of the great City of Opa-locka. Mayor Williams proceeded to invite
everyone to clap for the newly elected Mayor John Taylor and the new Commission
Members, Vice Mayor Natasha Ervin, Sherelean Bass, herself and Commissioner Joseph
Kelley. The Mayor then invited the new Commission Members up to the Dais.
City Clerk Flores stated that the arrangement for the seating of the newly elected officials
would be done to switch the seats over and then the newly elected officials would be
allowed to make brief comments before the meeting was adjourned.
Mayor John Taylor recognized the new Vice Mayor Natasha Ervin to the Dias and
returning Commissioner Pastor Joseph Kelley. The Mayor thanked Commissioners
Audrey Dominguez and Chris Davis for their years of service in the City, stating that they
had an exciting time working with them and expressing his hope that they are not strangers
to Opa-locka adding that they look forward to working with them again. Welcoming the
Special Commission Meeting Minutes — November 16, 2022 2
new Commission, Mayor John Taylor acknowledged Vice Mayor Natasha Ervin,
Commissioner Joseph Kelley, Commissioner Sherelean Bass and Commissioner Veronica
Williams. The Mayor said that it is truly an honor and a privilege to serve as Mayor for
the next 4 years, expressing his excitement for the direction the City is going in, offering
assurances that they are going to do some good things on the Dais in the great City of Opa-
locka. He then asked Vice Mayor Ervin if she had any words to share.
Vice Mayor Ervin stated that she is excited about the new position she has and promised
that she will do everything in her power to continue to make Opa-locka a great City. The
Vice Mayor thanked those that voted for her, and she promised not to let them down. She
concluded by stating that she looks forward to the next 4 years, doing the best that she can
on the Dais.
Mayor Taylor asked Commissioner Kelley if he had any words to share.
Commissioner Kelley stated that he doesn't have much to say at the moment and said he
wanted to defer his time to allow Commissioner Audrey Dominguez and Commissioner
Chris Davis to share any words of wisdom, noting that Commissioner Davis left.
Commissioner Kelley acknowledged that Mayor Taylor thanked them for their service, but
he said that having been on the Dais and having served voters, he will give his time to
Commissioner Dominguez. The Commissioner concluded by thanking Commissioner
Dominguez and Commissioner Davis for their service, adding that he is not new to this and
pointing out that he has plenty of time to talk.
Commissioner Audrey Dominguez thanked Commissioner Kelley, stating that she truly
appreciated it and gave thanks. The Commissioner acknowledged that she had already said
it, but said she would say it again, and thanked everybody for supporting her when she was
appointed, sharing that she was very grateful. She said that she learned a lot, stating that
it's very different sitting in the public than sitting on the Dais, adding that there is a lot of
stuff happening on the Dais that nobody knows that is tough, but she said that they got
through it. Commissioner Dominguez went on to say that she wanted to repeat that she
was very proud to say that she was the first Hispanic Latina woman to be a Commissioner
of the City of Opa-locka, recognizing it as a great accomplishment for her, her children and
her grandchildren. She offered assurances that she is going to continue to be involved in
the City and they will see a lot of her, stating that they shouldn't think she is leaving
anywhere. Commissioner Dominguez concluded by expressing her thanks for the
opportunity.
Commissioner Kelley thanked Mayor Taylor, said that it was all he had, gave God the glory
and urged the Commission to get to work.
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Commissioner Bass thanked everyone who supported her in her journey as Commissioner
of Opa-locka. Moving forward in the 4 years that she is facing, the Commissioner
recognized that there are going to be ups and downs but said that the only thing she
promises is to be true, transparent and honest. Commissioner Bass concluded by asserting
that together they can make things happen, reminding everyone that together they will
stand but divided they will definitely fall.
Commissioner Williams offered glory to God and thanked God for the Commission
continuing to serve. The Commissioner reminded her colleagues that they are public
servants and urged them to make sure that's what they do at all costs. Acknowledging that
it is a statement she loves to say, Commissioner Williams concluded by stating that she is
a change agent and urged everyone to be the change that they want to see in the world.
Mayor Taylor concluded the meeting by recognizing his colleagues as the new
Commission in the great City of Opa-locka.
7. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, it was moved by
Commissioner Kelley, seconded by Vice Mayor Ervin to adjourn thSpecial Commission
Meeting at 6:26 p.m.
Attest:
Jo nna Flores, CMC
Ci . Clerk
Johii'H. Taylor Jr.
Mayor
Special Commission Meeting Minutes — November 16, 2022 4