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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.09.2025 - Special City Council MeetingCity of Miami Gardens Special City Council Meeting - 1st Budget Hearing Minutes September 9, 2025 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL The City Council for the City of Miami Gardens, Florida, met in special session, Sep 09 2025, beginning at 5:06 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 Katrina Wilson, Councilwoman Katrina L. Baskin, Councilman Reggie Leon, Councilwoman Michelle C. Powell, D.O., MPH, Councilwoman Linda Julien, and Vice Mayor Robert Stephens. Also in attendance were: City Manager Cameron Benson, City Attorney Sonja Dickens, and City Clerk Mario Bataille. 2. INVOCATION Vice Mayor Stephens delivered the Invocation. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Recited in unison. 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 2025/2026. 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, 2025, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 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 2025/2026 is 6.9363, which is 7.90% over the roll-back rate, and the voted debt service millage rate is 0.4331. The aggregate millage rate for fiscal year 2025/2026 is 7.3694. City Manager Benson recognized all staff members who participated in the budget process, along with the support of the Mayor and Council. He provided an overview of the FY Budget planning process and its alignment with the City’s Strategic Plan, and he recommended approval. Docusign Envelope ID: 9AB28562-E684-4167-A4B7-BD64137A0B13 Page 2 of 5 September 9, 2025 Special City Council Meeting – 1st Budget Hearing Mayor Harris opened the floor for public comment. There being no public comments, Mayor Harris closed the floor. A motion was made by Councilwoman Julien, seconded by Councilman Leon, to approve the Resolution. Councilman Leon recognized the City Manager and staff for their efforts following a Resolution he sponsored, by providing options on how the millage rate could have been lowered. He noted that he plans to bring forward a similar Resolution as the City continues to grow. Councilwoman Julien commended the City Council and staff for presenting a millage rate that has not increased for the thirteenth consecutive year. Councilwoman Wilson expressed her support for the Strategic Plan and thanked the City Manager for presenting a proposed budget that aligns with the plan. A motion made by Vice Mayor Stephens, seconded by Councilwoman Baskin, to defer the Millage Resolution until after a discussion on the Budget Ordinance passed and carried by a unanimous voice vote. A motion made by Councilman Leon, seconded by Vice Mayor Stephens, to recall the Millage Resolution passed and carried by a unanimous voice vote. There being no further discussion, Mayor Harris called the question on the motion. A motion offered by Councilwoman Julien, seconded by Councilman Leon, to approve the Resolution passed and carried by a 7 to 0 roll call vote of the City Council. Mayor Harris Yes Vice Mayor Stephens Yes Councilwoman Baskin Yes Councilman Leon Yes Councilwoman Powell, D.O., MPH Yes Councilwoman Wilson Yes Councilwoman Julien Yes 5. ORDINANCES ON FOR FIRST READING/PUBLIC HEARING(S): Docusign Envelope ID: 9AB28562-E684-4167-A4B7-BD64137A0B13 Page 3 of 5 September 9, 2025 Special City Council Meeting – 1st Budget Hearing 5.1. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE CITY’S BUDGET FOR THE 2025-2026 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. City Manager Benson recommended approval 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 Councilman Leon, seconded by Councilwoman Baskin, to approve the Ordinance on First Reading. Answering a question posed by Vice Mayor Stephens, Deputy City Manager Clay confirmed the portions of the budget that address infrastructure within the Transportation Fund and Stormwater Fund. He added that a total of twenty-seven million dollars (including carryover funds and a two-million-dollar increase) has been budgeted to address infrastructure needs. In response to another question from Vice Mayor Stephens, Deputy City Manager Clay provided an update on the status of the lighting districts and confirmed the budgeted amount for the Community Development Department, which includes funding from the State, Federal Government, and the Formula 1 Community Benefit. Vice Mayor Stephens continued to highlight the importance of addressing the City’s infrastructure needs. Answering a question posed by Councilwoman Powell, Deputy City Manager Clay provided an overview of the Police Department budget, which reflects a 10% increase from the previous year, along with a breakdown of the department’s staffing levels. Responding to another question from Councilwoman Powell, Deputy City Manager Clay provided an overview of how the budget will address homelessness in the City. Answering a question posed by Vice Mayor Stephens, Deputy City Manager Clay expanded on the details of various programs intended to Docusign Envelope ID: 9AB28562-E684-4167-A4B7-BD64137A0B13 Page 4 of 5 September 9, 2025 Special City Council Meeting – 1st Budget Hearing address homelessness, including home rental and mortgage assistance programs administered through the Community Development Department, as well as the analyses conducted to appropriately budget for social services. Regarding the Police Department, Vice Mayor Stephens expressed concerns with the department’s hiring practices. He stated that he does not necessarily see a funding issue, but rather an inability to fill positions. He questioned whether the City could develop a specialized Human Resources unit dedicated to Police Department recruitment. City Manager Benson noted that he has been working with both the Human Resources Department and the Police Department to improve internal processes, which has already resulted in some positive changes. He added that additional improvements are anticipated to further strengthen recruitment. Vice Mayor Stephens reiterated the importance of improving the Police Department’s recruitment process. Councilwoman Wilson shared concerns regarding lighting throughout the City. Answering a question posed by Councilwoman Wilson, Deputy City Manager Clay stated that once all lighting district projects are completed by FPL, the City will conduct a lighting photometric study. He further opined that the City may need to consider adding additional lighting poles. In response to a question from Mayor Harris, Deputy City Manager Clay indicated that there are currently no plans to add new lighting districts. Vice Mayor Stephens continued to express concerns regarding lighting and requested that a meeting be scheduled with FPL to address these issues amid the ongoing lighting improvement project. Deputy City Manager Clay concurred with the recommendation to hold a meeting with FPL. Councilwoman Wilson requested that, in preparation for the meeting with FPL, the City ask for information comparing the wattage of the lighting currently in place to what may be required. City Manager Benson confirmed he will work on scheduling a future workshop with FPL. Councilwoman Julien added that another matter needing attention is the average response time for addressing streetlight outages. Docusign Envelope ID: 9AB28562-E684-4167-A4B7-BD64137A0B13 Page 5 of 5 September 9, 2025 Special City Council Meeting – 1st Budget Hearing Councilwoman Wilson also noted that the City needs to prioritize seawall infrastructure improvements. A motion made by Councilman Leon, seconded by Councilwoman Baskin, to defer the Ordinance until after approval of the Millage Resolution passed and carried by a unanimous voice vote. A motion made by Councilman Leon, seconded by Vice Mayor Stephens, to recall the Budget Ordinance passed and carried by a unanimous voice vote. There being no further discussion, Mayor Harris called the question on the motion. A motion offered by Councilman Leon, seconded by Councilwoman Baskin, to approve the Ordinance on First Reading passed and carried by a 7 to 0 roll call vote of the City Council. Mayor Harris Yes Vice Mayor Stephens Yes Councilwoman Baskin Yes Councilman Leon Yes Councilwoman Powell, D.O., MPH Yes Councilwoman Wilson Yes Councilwoman Julien Yes 6. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Harris announced the next public hearing will be held on September 24, 2025, at 5:01 p.m. at City Hall. At that time, we will consider the final millage rate and budget for fiscal year 2025/2026. There being no further business to discuss before this body, the meeting adjourned without objection at 5:45 p.m. Rodney Harris, Mayor Mario Bataille, City Clerk Docusign Envelope ID: 9AB28562-E684-4167-A4B7-BD64137A0B13