HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.08.2020 First Budget HearingCity of Miami Gardens
Special City Council Virtual Meeting - 1st Budget Hearing Minutes
September 8, 2020
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The City Council for the City of Miami Gardens, Florida, met in a virtual special
session, September 08, 2020, beginning at 6:20 PM, via the Zoom meeting
platform.
The following members of the City Council were present: Mayor Oliver Gilbert,
Vice Mayor Rodney Harris, Councilwoman Lillie Odom, Councilman Reggie
Leon, Councilman Robert Stephens, Councilman David Williams Jr., and
Councilwoman Katrina Wilson.
Also in attendance were: City Manager Cameron Benson, City Attorney Sonja
Dickens, and City Clerk Mario Bataille.
Mayor Gilbert announced this is the first of two public hearings for the adoption
of the operating millage rate, the voted debt service millage rate, and budget for
the city of Miami Gardens for fiscal year 2020/2021.
2. INVOCATION
Mayor Gilbert delivered the Invocation.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Recited in unison.
4. RESOLUTION(S)/PUBLIC HEARING(S)
4.1. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA,
ADOPTING A PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE AT A PUBLIC HEARING TO
BE LEVIED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1,
2020, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 FOR OPERATING
PURPOSES; ESTABLISHING THE ROLLBACK RATE; ESTABLISHING
THE DEBT MILLAGE RATE APPROVED BY THE ELECTORATE;
SETTING A DATE AND TIME FOR A FINAL PUBLIC HEARING TO
ADOPT THE FINAL MILLAGE RATE; PROVIDING FOR DIRECTIONS
TO THE CITY CLERK; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Mayor Gilbert stated the proposed millage rate for the city for fiscal year
2020/2021 is 6.9363, which is 8.09% over the roll-back rate, and the voted
debt service millage rate is 0.7803. The aggregate millage rate for fiscal
year 2020/2021 is 7.7166.
The City Manager Cameron Benson introduced Deputy City Manager
Craig Clay who presented the proposed operating millage rate and the
voted debt service millage rate.
Mayor Gilbert opened the floor for public comment.
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Special City Council Meeting – 1st Budget Hearing
September 8, 2020
Maria Della-Torre, 18115 NW 23rd Avenue, Miami Gardens, FL,
questioned why is the City's millage rate higher than neighboring Cities
such as Miami Lakes and Aventura.
Sharon Benjamin, 1471 NW 179th Street, Miami Gardens, FL, shared
concerns that the City's millage rate is very high and that every year she
has seen an increase in her taxes while she has not seen any
improvements in the Scott Lake area.
Yohara Hernandez, 3875 NW 171st Terrace, Miami Gardens, FL, shared
concerns that the City has one of the highest millage rates in South
Florida.
Paula Fuentez, 18125 NW 43rd Avenue, Miami Gardens, FL, shared
concerns that the City's millage rate is higher.
There being no further public comments, Mayor Gilbert closed the floor.
Mayor Gilbert stated the millage rate has not increased. It has remained
the same since he has been Mayor. In addition, the millage rate has been
at the level it has been because when this City was incorporated it was
incorporated with a millage rate based on single-family homes.
Mayor Gilbert further stated that it would be necessary for the City to
consider increasing density and uses to include industrial, office, and
retail space as a way to lower the overall millage similar to those
neighboring Cities that have the density and mix uses.
Councilman Williams Jr. acknowledged 3/4 of the tax bill is not paid to the
City of Miami Gardens.
Motion was made by Councilman Williams, seconded by Vice Mayor
Harris, to approve the adopted proposed millage rate and the voted
debt service millage rate Resolution.
Answering a question posed by Councilman Leon, Deputy City Manager
Clay explained the historical downward trend of the combined operating
and debt service millage.
Answering a question posed by Councilman Williams Jr., City Manager
Benson indicated the City's fund balance is currently at 26.1%.
A motion made by Mayor Gilbert, seconded by Councilman Williams
Jr., to defer the millage Resolution until after discussion on the
budget passed by a 7-0 voice vote.
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Special City Council Meeting – 1st Budget Hearing
September 8, 2020
After discussion on the Budget Ordinance; a motion to recall the
Millage Resolution made by Councilman Leon, seconded by Vice
Mayor Harris, approved by a 7-0 voice vote.
There being no further discussion, the Mayor called the question on the
item.
A motion offered by Councilman Williams Jr., seconded by Vice
Mayor Harris, to approve the Millage Resolution passed and carried
by a 7 to 0 roll call vote of the City Council.
Mayor Gilbert Yes
Vice Mayor Harris Yes
Councilwoman Odom Yes
Councilman Leon Yes
Councilman Stephens Yes
Councilman Williams Jr. Yes
Councilwoman Wilson Yes
5. ORDINANCES ON FOR FIRST READING/PUBLIC HEARING(S):
5.1. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
GARDENS, FLORIDA, APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE CITY’S
BUDGET FOR THE 2020-2021 FISCAL YEAR; PROVIDING FOR THE
EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS; PROVIDING FOR CARRYOVER OF
FUNDS; PROVIDING FOR INTERFUND TRANSFERS; PROVIDING
FOR AUTOMATIC AMENDMENT; PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION OF
REPRESENTATIONS; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT;
PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
Mayor Gilbert opened the floor for public comment.
Sonia Flowers appeared before the City Council and shared concerns
regarding the City's local business tax fee for at home business. She
requested the City looks into lowering the fee.
There being no further comments, Mayor Gilbert closed the floor.
Deputy City Manager Craig Clay provided an overview of the recent
analysis on the local business tax fees.
A motion was made by Councilman Williams, Jr., seconded by Vice
Mayor Harris, to approve the Budget Ordinance on first reading.
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Special City Council Meeting – 1st Budget Hearing
September 8, 2020
Councilman Leon thanked the City Manager's Office and the Finance
Department for the work they have done.
A motion made by Councilman Williams, Jr., seconded by Vice
Mayor Harris, to defer the Budget Ordinance until after approval of
the Millage Resolution was approved by a 7-0 voice vote.
Upon approve of the Millage Resolution, a motion made by Councilman
Williams, Jr., seconded by Vice Mayor Harris, to recall the Budget
Ordinance was approved by a 7-0 voice vote.
There being no further discussion on the item Mayor Gilbert called the
question.
A motion offered by Councilman Williams Jr., seconded by Vice
Mayor Harris, to approve on first reading passed and carried by a 7
to 0 roll call vote of the City Council.
Mayor Gilbert Yes
Vice Mayor Harris Yes
Councilwoman Odom Yes
Councilman Leon Yes
Councilman Stephens Yes
Councilman Williams Jr. Yes
Councilwoman Wilson Yes
6. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gilbert announced the next public hearing will be held on September 23,
2020 at 6:00 p.m. via virtual zoom meeting. At that time, we will consider the
final millage rate and budget for fiscal year 2020/2021.
There being no further business to discuss before this body, the meeting
adjourned without objection at 6:54 PM.
Oliver Gilbert, Mayor
Mario Bataille, City Clerk