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Home My WebLink About09.22.2021 Special Meeting 2nd Budget HearingCity of Miami Gardens Special City Council Meeting - 2nd Budget Hearing Minutes September 22, 2021 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL The City Council for the City of Miami Gardens, Florida, met in regular session, Sep 22 2021, beginning at 06:00 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 Katrina Wilson, Councilwoman Shannan Ighodaro, and Councilwoman Linda Julien. Also in attendance were: City Manager Cameron Benson, City Attorney Sonja Dickens, and City Clerk Mario Bataille. Mayor Harris announced this is the second of two public hearings for the adoption of the operating millage rate and budget for the city of Miami Gardens for fiscal year 2021/2022. 2. INVOCATION Councilman Robert 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 FINAL 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; PROVIDING FOR DIRECTIONS TO THE FINANCE DIRECTOR THROUGH THE CITY MANAGER; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 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. Mayor Harris opened the floor for public comments. There being no comments, Mayor Harris closed the floor. A motion was made by Councilman Stephens, seconded by Councilwoman Julien, to approve the final Millage Resolution. DocuSign Envelope ID: 8CF2115E-810F-43F0-9037-784A5CD5B090 Page 2 of 5 Special City Council Meeting – 2nd Budget Hearing September 22, 2021 Councilman Stephens shared his pleasure that the City Council will not be raising the millage rate for the ninth year. Motion made by Vice Mayor Leon, seconded by Councilman Stephens, to defer the the Final Millage Resolution until after discussion on the Budget Ordinance passed and carried by a unanimous voice vote. Motion made by Vice Mayor Leon, seconded by Councilman Stephens, to recall the Final Millage Resolution passed and carried by a unanimous voice vote. There being no further discussion, Mayor Harris called the question on the item. A motion offered by Councilman Stephens, seconded by Councilwoman Julien, to approve the Final 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 Wilson Yes Councilwoman Ighodaro Yes Councilwoman Julien Yes 5. ORDINANCES ON FOR SECOND 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. Deputy City Manager Craig Clay presented the proposed budget ordinance amendments. DocuSign Envelope ID: 8CF2115E-810F-43F0-9037-784A5CD5B090 Page 3 of 5 Special City Council Meeting – 2nd Budget Hearing September 22, 2021 Mayor Harris opened the floor for public comment. Sharon Frazier Stephens, 6324 NW 1st Place, Miami, FL appeared before the City Council spoke on the importance of local Parent Teach Associations (PTA) and encouraged the City Council to support the PTAs within the City of Miami Gardens. Mary Reeves, 1521 NW 168th Terrace, Miami Gardens, FL, appeared before the City Council and spoke on the City's budget. She shared concerns removal or funding reduction of the following programs: Heritage Program, Science Fair Event, Cultural Express, and the mentor reading initiative. She requested the City Council become further involved with the local PTAs and PTSAs. There being no further comments, Mayor Harris closed the floor. A motion was made by Councilman Stephens, seconded by Councilwoman Julien, to approve the Budget Ordinance on Second Reading. Motion made by Councilwoman Julien, seconded by Councilman Stephens, to discontinue Miami Gardens Radio and allocate the funding towards a government access channel or print material passed and carried by a 6-1 voice vote. Councilwoman Ighodaro cast the dissenting vote. A motion was made by Councilman Stephens, seconded by Councilwoman Julien, to amend the budget by incorporating the changes as presented by staff. Referencing the Orange Blossom Classic, Councilwoman Ighodaro stated she would like the City to do more for Florida Memorial University. Mayor Harris indicated the City will and always will support Florida Memorial University. There being no further discussion, Mayor has called the question on the motion to amend. Answering a question posed by Vice Mayor Leon, Deputy City Manager Clay indicated we are currently processing several applications to fill current certified vacancies and if necessary we would add additional officer with the mid-year budget amendment. Answering a question posed by Councilwoman Julien, City Manager indicated the applicants are certified officers. DocuSign Envelope ID: 8CF2115E-810F-43F0-9037-784A5CD5B090 Page 4 of 5 Special City Council Meeting – 2nd Budget Hearing September 22, 2021 Answering a question posed by Councilman Stephens, Deputy City Manager Clay indicated they expect to fill the vacancies within the next 30 days. Answering questions posed by Vice Mayor Leon, Deputy City Manager Clay indicated the City is currently recruiting for telecommunication position. In addition, Mr. Clay opined the City does not have to out source telecommunication and fully expect the positions to be filled. Councilwoman Julien recommended reviewing the telecommunication job description to more robust and competitive in order to influence more people to apply. Motion was made by Councilman Stephens, seconded by Councilwoman Julien, to amend the budget by incorporating the changes as presented by staff passed and carried by 7-0 voice vote. Motion made by Councilman Stephens, seconded by Councilwoman Julien, to defer the Budget Ordinance until after approval of the Millage Resolution passed and carried by a unanimous voice vote. Motion made by Vice Mayor Leon, seconded by Councilman Stephens, to recall the Budget Ordinance passed and carried by a unanimous voice vote. There being no further comment, Mayor Harris called the question on the item. A motion offered by Councilman Stephens, seconded by Councilwoman Julien, to approve the Budget Ordinance as amended 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 Wilson Yes Councilwoman Ighodaro Yes Councilwoman Julien Yes 6. ADJOURNMENT DocuSign Envelope ID: 8CF2115E-810F-43F0-9037-784A5CD5B090 Page 5 of 5 Special City Council Meeting – 2nd Budget Hearing September 22, 2021 There being no further business to discuss before this body, the meeting adjourned without objection at 6:28 p.m. Rodney Harris, Mayor Mario Bataille, City Clerk DocuSign Envelope ID: 8CF2115E-810F-43F0-9037-784A5CD5B090