HomeMy Public PortalAbout09-7945 Amnensty Program Sponsored by: City Manager
RESOLUTION NO. 0 9-7 9 4 5
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF OPA-LOCKA, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO IMPLEMENT AN AMNESTY
PROGRAM TO BRING ALL USERS OF THE CITY OF OPA-
LOCKA WATER UTILITY INTO COMPLIANCE WITH
STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL REGULATIONS
WHEREAS, the City Manager of the City of Opa-locka ("City") has reviewed data to
suggest that there may be a number of unauthorized users of the City's water utility; and
WHEREAS,the City Manager is proposing the implementation of an amnesty program for
unauthorized users of the City's water utility; and
WHEREAS,the objective of the amnesty program is to provide a limited period of amnesty
to the unconfirmed number of unauthorized users of the City's water utility in an effort to
simultaneously bring them into compliance with municipal regulations and maximize the number of
customers using the City's overall utility services; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amnesty program would last for a period of sixty (60) days and
offer "no questions asked" forgiveness to all user accounts that provide deposits and commence
monthly payments; and
WHEREAS, after the expiration of the sixty (60) day amnesty period, the City will
commence a formal audit of all documented and undocumented accounts and/or users, and then
prosecute unauthorized users to the full extent of the law; and
WHEREAS,the City Commission of the City of Opa-locka("City Commission") desires to
authorize the implementation of an amnesty program for unauthorized users of the City's water
utility.
Resolution No. 0 9—7 9 4 5
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA:
Section 1. The recitals to the preamble herein are incorporated by reference.
Section 2. The City Commission of the City of Opa-locka hereby authorizes the City
Manager to implement an amnesty program for unauthorized users of the City's water utility. The
amnesty program shall last for a period of sixty(60)days and offer"no questions asked"forgiveness
to all user accounts that provide deposits and commence monthly payments.
Section 3. After the expiration of the sixty(60)day amnesty period,the City Manager is
authorized to commence a formal audit of all documented and undocumented accounts and/or users,
of the City's water utility and prosecute unauthorized users to the full extent of the law.
Section 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 1 4 day of OCTOBER , 2009.
JO 'H 17 K, LLEY
MA OR
Attest: Approved as to form and legal sufficiency:
AlkiL
D eborah S. rby Burnadette Norris eeks
City Clerk City Attorney
Resolution No. 0 9—7 9 4 5
Moved by: JOHNSON
Seconded by: HOLMES
Commission Vote: 5-9
Commissioner Holmes: YES
Commissioner Johnson: YES
Commissioner Tydus: YES
Vice-Mayor Taylor: YES
Mayor Kelley: YES
" THE GREAT CITY "
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Bryan K. Finnie 305-953-2821
Interim City Manager 305-953-2823
Fax:305-953-2870
Memorandum
To: Mayor Joseph L. Kelley
Vice Mayor Myra Taylor
Commissioner Timothy Holmes
Commissioner Dorothy `Dottie" • son
Commissioner Rose Tydus
From: Bryan K. Finnie, Interim Pi Manager
Date: October 2, 2009
Re: Amnesty User 0 upant Accounts
Request: APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE AMNESTY TO USER
OCCUPANT ACCOUNTS IN AN EFFORT TO BRING ALL WATER
UTILITY CLIENTS IN-LINE WITH ALL APPROPRIATE, STATE,
COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL REGULATIONS.
Description: Based on a review of data from a number of sources, there is an
unsubstantiated belief that the City may have a number of user occupant accounts
accessing water utility services. This proposal seeks to provide amnesty to this
unconfirmed population in an effort to come into compliance with municipal regulations
and maximize the number of customers using the City's water utility services. Amnesty
will be limited to 60% of any outstanding account. The repayment balance will be
negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
The Amnesty program will last for sixty (60) days. During this period and up to two
weeks before its commencement, the City will launch an advertising campaign to notify
all interested parties of the program's existence. Staff will pursue affordable newspaper
advertisement; work with local papers to generate news stories on the issue; send letters
to all appropriate user occupied accounts; coordinate with the City's Crime Watch
meeting network; distribute information through local churches and Town Hall and
Workshop meetings, if required.
The Amnesty Program will be based on the following four elements:
1. Forgiveness to all user occupant accounts that provide deposits and commence
monthly payments, business and commercial users.
2. No questions asked.
3. The Amnesty period will last for sixty (60) days only.
4. After the sixty (60) day period, the City of Opa-locka will commence a formal
audit of all documented and undocumented accounts and/or users. Those found
who meet the above description will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
CITY HALL• 780 FISHERMAN STREET,4TH FLOOR, OPA-LOCKA, FLORIDA 33054 • (305)688-461k
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF HANDICAP
Finally, the City will enforce or sign all the appropriate interlocal agreements necessary
to implement this program in Miami Gardens and unincorporated Miami-Dade County.
Financial Impact: If the program is successful, the City of Opa-locka will benefit by
receiving additional gross revenues in its water utility fund.
Implementation Time Line: To Be Determined
Legislative History: None
Recommendation(s): Staff recommends approval of a sixty (60) day Amnesty
Program for user occupant account
Prepared By: Bryan K. Finnie, Interim City Manager
End of Memorandum
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