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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. Special Commission Meeting Minutes — November 16, 2022 3 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