HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.08.2021 Special Meeting 1st Budget Hearing
City of Miami Gardens
Special City Council Meeting - 1st Budget Hearing Minutes
September 8, 2021
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The City Council for the City of Miami Gardens, Florida, met in regular session,
Sep 08 2021, beginning at 06:00:00 PM, in the Council Chambers, 18605 NW
27th Avenue, Miami Gardens, Florida.
The following members of the City Council were present: Mayor Rodney Harris,
Councilwoman Shannon Campbell, Vice Mayor Reggie Leon, Councilman
Robert Stephens, Councilwoman Shannan Ighodaro, Councilwoman Linda
Julien, and Councilwoman Katrina Wilson.
Also in attendance were: City Manager Cameron Benson, City Attorney Sonja
Dickens, and City Clerk Mario Bataille.
Mayor Harris announced this is the first of two public hearing for the adoption of
the operating millage rate and budget for the City of Miami Gardens for fiscal
year 2021/2022.
2. INVOCATION
Councilman Stephens 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,
2021, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 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.
City Manager Cameron Benson introduced Deputy City Manager Craig
Clay who presented the proposed operating millage rate, voted debt
service millage rate, and summary on the operating budget. Lastly,
Deputy City Manager announced the second budget hearing will be held
on September 22, 2021 at 6:00 PM.
Mayor Harris stated the proposed millage rate for the city for fiscal year
2021/2022 is 6.9363, which is 10.03% over the roll-back rate, and the
voted debt service millage rate is 0.7284. The aggregate millage rate for
fiscal year 2021/2022 is 7.6647.
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Special City Council Meeting – 1st Budget Hearing
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Mayor Harris opened the floor for public comment.
There being no public comments, Mayor Harris closed the floor.
A motion was made by Councilman Leon, seconded by
Councilwoman Campbell, to adopt the proposed millage rate and the
voted debt service millage rate Resolution.
A motion made by Councilman Stephens, seconded by
Councilwoman Campbell, to defer the Millage Resolution until after
discussion on the budget passed and carried by a unanimous voice
vote.
A motion made by Vice Mayor Leon, seconded by Councilwoman
Campbell, to recall the Millage Resolution passed and carried by a
unanimous voice vote.
There being no further discussion, Mayor Harris called the question.
A motion offered by Vice Mayor Leon, seconded by Councilwoman
Campbell, to approve the Millage Resolution passed and carried by
a 7 to 0 roll call vote of the City Council.
Mayor Harris Yes
Councilwoman Campbell Yes
Vice Mayor Leon Yes
Councilman Stephens Yes
Councilwoman Ighodaro Yes
Councilwoman Julien 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 2021-2022 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.
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Special City Council Meeting – 1st Budget Hearing
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The City Manager indicated staff is available to answer any questions
regarding the proposed budget.
Mayor Harris opened the floor for public comments.
There being no public comments, Mayor Harris closed the floor.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Leon, seconded by Councilman
Stephens, to adopt the Budget Ordinance on first reading.
Answering a question posed by Councilwoman Julien referencing the City
of Miami Gardens Radio Station, City Manager Benson indicated the
proposed budget for the Miami Gardens Radio Station is $10,000 and the
usage is extremely low. The latest report showed us of 5-8 individuals
listening in.
Councilwoman Julien requested the City Manager provide a
recommendation on how the funds for the City of Miami Gardens Radio
Station can be reallocated.
Councilman Stephens suggested should the City Manager's recommend
allocating those funds that he explore the possibility of utilizing those
funds for the enhancement on how the City communicates with the
residents.
Councilwoman Ighodaro stated that it is important that the City Manager
consider the importance of having some level of funding on how we
communicate to the residents.
Vice Mayor Leon commended the staff for presenting a budget that
proposes a 4% cost of living increase to all non-bargaining employees.
Vice Mayor Leon recommended increasing the budgeted amount for the
Orange Blossom Classic.
Answering a question posed by Mayor Harris, City Manager Benson
indicated last fiscal year the total allocation was $57,000 toward the
Orange Blossom Classic which was a combination of cash and in-kind
services.
Vice Mayor Leon further clarified his request the budget include a line item
for $57,000 towards the Orange Blossom Classic.
Vice Mayor Leon questioned the increase of police officers from 151 to
185.
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Deputy City Manager Clay explained the increase in relation to the
completion of the cops grant which no longer available. One of the
provisions of the grants received by the City is that once the grant expires
the positions roll over to the general fund.
Answering a question posed by Vice Mayor Leon, Mr. Clay indicated the
City will be hiring for the vacant positions in the police department.
Answering a question posed by Councilman Stephens, Mr. Clay indicated
there are no new Police Officer Positions in the budget however the
proposed budget include 4 new Sergeant positions.
Answering a question posed by Councilwoman Julien, Mr. Clay explained
the re-appropriation of fund balance within the transportation funds.
Councilwoman Julien requested the Citizen Independent Trust Fund be
utilize to upgrade bus stops across the City.
Vice Mayor Leon requested the City Manager provide the cost for at least
adding 10 police officers and additional services aides at the next budget
hearing.
Answering a question posed by Councilman Stephens, Deputy City
Manager Clay stated the City currently has 19 vacancies.
Councilman Stephens requested a report on the vacancies within the
Police Department.
Councilwoman Wilson requested the City Manager provide a fiscal impact
comparison on the requested changes to the budget.
Councilwoman Julien requested the data on the amount of police officers
the City has had since the start of the department to now.
Answering a question posed by Councilman Stephens, Mr. Clay provided
an overview on the portion of the budget as it relates to infrastructure.
Councilman Stephens requested a report on the various infrastructure
projects.
Councilwoman Wilson recommended the budget also includes funds to
address placement of traffic calming devices across the City in those
problematic areas.
Deputy City Manager Clay made it known those funds related to traffic
calming devices is within the CITT fund.
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Answering a question posed by Councilman Stephens, Attorney Dickens
provided the process on amending the budget by motion during the
second hearing.
Councilman Stephens shared concerns with not having a workshop as it
relates to City events.
Deputy City Manager Clay spoke on the City events listed on the change
memo provided to the City Council.
The City Council continued to discuss the budgetary process.
By consensus without opposition, the City Council decided to hold
a budget workshop prior to the second budget hearing.
A motion made by Vice Mayor Leon, seconded by Councilwoman
Julien, to defer the Budget Ordinance until after approval of the
Millage Resolution passed and approved by a unanimous voice
vote.
A motion was made by Councilman Stephens, seconded by
Councilwoman Julien, to recall the Budget Ordinance.
There being no further discussion, Mayor Harris called the question.
A motion offered by Vice Mayor Leon, seconded by Councilman
Stephens, to approve the Budget Ordinance on First Reading
passed and carried by a 7 to 0 roll call vote of the City Council.
Mayor Harris Yes
Councilwoman Campbell Yes
Vice Mayor Leon Yes
Councilman Stephens Yes
Councilwoman Ighodaro Yes
Councilwoman Julien Yes
Councilwoman Wilson Yes
6. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Harris stated the next public hearing will be held on September 22, 2021
at 6:00 p.m. via virtual zoom meeting. At that time, we will consider the final
millage rate and budget for fiscal year 2021/2022.
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There being no further business to discuss before this body, the meeting
adjourned without objection at 6:55 PM.
Rodney Harris, Mayor
Mario Bataille, City Clerk
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