HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.14.2022 - 1st Budget Hearing/Special Meeting
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Special City Council Meeting – 1st Budget Hearing Minutes
September 14, 2022
City of Miami Gardens
Special City Council Meeting - 1st Budget Hearing Minutes
September 14, 2022
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The City Council for the City of Miami Gardens, Florida, met in regular session,
Sep 14 2022, beginning at 05:01:00 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.
2. INVOCATION
Councilman Stephens delivered the Invocation.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. RESOLUTION(S)/PUBLIC HEARING(S)
Mayor Harris stated 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 2022/2023.
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,
2022, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 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 Harris stated the proposed millage rate for the city for fiscal year
2022/2023 is 6.9363, which is 13.13% over the roll-back rate, and the
voted debt service millage rate is 0.6070. The aggregate millage rate for
fiscal year 2021/2022 is 7.5433.
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City Manager Cameron Benson stated staff recommends the proposed
millage rate and introduced Deputy City Manager Craig Clay who briefed
the City Council on the Item.
Mayor Harris opened the floor for public comment.
There being no public comment, Mayor Harris closed the floor.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Julien, seconded by
Councilman Stephens, to approved the Resolution.
Councilwoman Julien shared her appreciation that the City has not had to
raise it's millage rate for the last decade.
A motion made by Vice Mayor Leon, seconded by Councilman
Stephens, to defer the item until discussion on the Budget
Ordinance passed and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
A motion made by Vice Mayor Leon, seconded by Councilwoman
Campbell, to recall the item 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 Councilwoman Julien, seconded by
Councilman Stephens, to approve the 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 2022-2023 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;
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PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Manager Benson provided an overview of the item where he
recognized the City has had previous budget workshop and recommends
the item.
Mayor Harris opened the floor for public comment.
There being no comments, Mayor Harris closed the floor.
A motion was made by Councilman Stephens, seconded by
Councilwoman Wilson, to approve the Ordinance on First Reading.
Councilwoman Wilson requested the Council consider increasing the
stipend account and special event account as it related to the increasing
in cost economically.
Deputy City Manager Clay explained each Council Member has a stipend
account in the amount $14,400 and special events account in the amount
of $12,000 annually.
Councilwoman Wilson recommended increasing the accounts combined
by $5,000 annually.
Attorney Dickens recommended the increase be reflected in the Special
Events account as that account is not consider professional services.
Answering a question posed by Deputy City Manager Clay,
Councilwoman Wilson further clarified she is recommending the special
events account of each City Council Member be increased by $4,000.
Answering a questioned posed by Councilman Stephens, Deputy City
Manager Clay explained why staff has merged the special events account
and the public affairs special events account into one special event
account in the proposed budget.
Answering a questioned posed by Councilman Stephens, Deputy
Manager Clay confirmed this discussion is only the special events
account and not the salary and stipend account of the City Council.
A motion made by Councilwoman Wilson, seconded by Councilman
Stephens, to increase the budget line item for each Council
Members Special Events/Public Affairs Account by $4,000 passed
and carried by a Unanimous Voice Vote.
Councilwoman Wilson provided an overview of the Juneteenth Event and
the rise in cost that effects the event. Therefore, Councilwoman Wilson
recommended the budget line item for the Juneteenth Event be increased
to a more realistic amount.
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Vice Mayor Leon spoke in support of raising the budget for Juneteenth
however he would like to City the raise the amount it receives in
sponsorship and donations for the event to help off set the rise in cost.
Answering a question posed by Mayor Harris, Deputy City Manager Clay
indicated Juneteenth is considered a City Event.
Councilman Stephens spoke on the growth of the Juneteenth Event and
spoke in support of increasing the budget to $100,000 form it's current
$95,000 amount.
Answering a question posed by Councilwoman Julien, Deputy City
Manager Clay confirmed the City raised $30,000 in donation/sponsorship
for the last Juneteenth Event.
Councilwoman Julien spoke in support of the Juneteenth Event and
raising the budget amount to $120,000 and look at receiving contributions
to off set the cost for the event.
Councilwoman Wilson added that the City's position should be to make
every effort to offset the cost of the event through
donations/sponsorships.
Deputy City Manager understood the Council consensus was that no
more than $120,000 from the general fund be contributed to the event
and that general fund contribution is reduced based on the amount of
donations we receive for the event.
Councilman Stephens recommended possibly bridging some of the
services procured for Jazz in the Gardens with the Juneteenth event.
In an effort to reduce pricing, City Manager Benson spoke on the
consideration on possibly going out to bid for some of the services as well.
City Attorney Dickens further clarified the City Manager already has that
authority to bid these services.
A motion made by Councilwoman Wilson, seconded by Councilman
Stephens, to increase the line item budget of the Juneteenth Event
from $95,000 to $120,000 passed and carried by a unanimous voice
vote.
A motion made by Vice Mayor Leon, seconded by Councilman
Stephens, to defer the Budget Ordinance until after approval of the
millage resolution passed and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
A motion made by Councilwoman Julien, seconded by
Councilwoman Campbell, to recall the Budget Ordinance passed
and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
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There being no further discussion, Mayor Harris called the question.
A motion offered by Councilwoman Wilson, seconded by
Councilman Stephens, to approve the Ordinance on First Reading
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 Ighodaro Yes
Councilwoman Julien Yes
Councilwoman Wilson Yes
6. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Harris stated the next public hearing will be held on September 28, 2022
at 5:01 p.m. at the city hall. At that time, we will consider the final millage rate
and budget for fiscal year 2022/2023.
There being no further business to discuss before this body, the meeting
adjourned without objection at 5:42 p.m.
Rodney Harris, Mayor
Mario Bataille, City Clerk
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