HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.27.2016 - City Council MinutesDRAFT CITY COUNCIL MINUTES, APRIL 27, f 2016
CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
APRIL 27, 2016
(A) CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The City Council for the City of Miami Gardens, Florida, met in regular session,
Wednesday, April 27, 2016, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, 18605 NW
27th Avenue, Miami Gardens. Florida.
The following members of the City Council were present: Mayor Oliver Gilbert, Vice
Mayor Felicia Robinson and Council members Lisa C. Davis, Lillie Q. Odom, Rodney Harris,
David Williams Jr., and Dr. Erhabor Ighodaro.
Also in attendance were: City Manager Cameron D. Benson, Sonja K. Dickens, City
Attorney and Elsa Thompson, Assistant to the City Clerk, sitting in for City Clerk Ronetta
Taylor.
(B) INVOCATION
Delivered by Mayor Gilbert
(C) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Recited in unison
(D) APPROVAL OF MINUTES
D-1) Regular City Council Minutes —April 13, 2016
Motion offered by Councilman Williams, seconded by Councilman Harris to approve the
minutes with necessary corrections, if any.
There being no discussion, the motion to approve passed and carried by a unanimous
voice vote of the members present.
(E) ORDER OF BUSINESS (Items to be pulled from Consent Agenda at this time)
The following item was added to the official agenda by Mayor Gilbert, as Item K-03) "A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA,
AUTHORIZING THE USE OF ROLLING OAKS PARK FOR A HCBU PICNIC ON JULY 9,
2016; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE"
Motion offered by Councilman Williams, seconded by Vice Mayor Robinson to adopt the
official agenda with the necessary addition.
There being no discussion, the motion to adopt passed and carried by a unanimous vote
of the Council members present.
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(F) SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS (5 minutes each)
F-1) CouneilmaR Efhaberighedafe SpeerReeognifie
(G) PUBLIC COMMENTS
Amy Coleman, 2841 NW 212th Street, Miami Gardens, Florida, appeared before the City
Council to inquire as to why the City of Miami Gardens allows the City of North Miami Beach
to use the city's water. She questioned whether the City of Miami Beach paid rent for the
utilization of the water plant located in Miami Gardens.
Mayor Gilbert informed Ms. Coleman that Assistant City Manager Vernita Nelson would
speak with her about this matter.
Elizabeth Wells, 2210 NW 175th Street, Miami Gardens, Florida, appeared before the
City Council to inquire about the status of a 3.5 Million Dollar health grant allocated to the City
of Miami Gardens. She said during the initial application stage for this grant a representative
visited the senior citizen groups asking what services they wanted to see provided. She further
shared that she is a Delegate candidate for the Democratic National Convention and asked for the
Council's support.
Janice Coakley, 19681 NW 33�d Avenue, Miami Gardens, Florida, appeared before the
City Council to expound on comments made by Ms. Coleman. She said the City of North Miami
Beach is looking to enter into a partnership with another organization. She asked the Council to
take a look at this issue to see if there would be an additional service charge to Miami Gardens'
residents. She referenced an article spotlighting the fact that Miami -Dade County has rolled out
new energy efficient solid waste trucks in several municipalities. She said she was bringing this
to the Council's attention because the City of Miami Gardens was not on that list. She also
shared that she too is a Delegate candidate for the Democratic National Convention.
Glenford Merrifield, 7618 Kismet Street, Miramar, Florida, appeared before the City
Council to express support of the Empowering Youth rezoning item. He encouraged the Council
to consider this item for approval.
Dorothy Smith, 20484 NW 14d' Place, Miami Gardens, Florida, appeared before the City
Council and stated that everyone on the dais is responsible for our children. She stressed the
importance of having recreation facilities for our children in the Coconut Cay and Andover
areas.
(H) ORDINANCE(S) FOR FIRST READING:
H-1) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, AMENDING ARTICLE III of
CHAPTER 2 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO ADD
DIVISION 8 TO CREATE A JUNIOR COMMISSION FOR
WOMEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE; PROVIDING FOR
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MEMBERSHIP; PROVIDING FOR TERMS OF OFFICE;
PROVIDING FOR ORGANIZATION; PROVIDING FOR DUTIES
AND POWERS; PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION OF
REPRESENTATIONS; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN
CONFLICT; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE;
PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN CODE; PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY COUNCILWOMAN LISA
C. DAVIS)
Councilwoman Davis stated it is so important that we continue to engage our children.
She shared that she along with Karen Tynes, Chair of the Commission For Women put this
initiative together. Ms. Tynes and the Commission For Women Advisory Committee members
are willing to mentor this group of young ladies. She reiterated the importance of engaging our
children.
Motion offered by Mayor Gilbert, seconded by Councilmen Harris and Ighodaro to adopt
this ordinance on first reading.
Councilwoman Odom asked whether it was necessary to have an additional council for
the youth. She inquired about whether there would be an additional staff person for the Junior
Commission For Women.
Councilwoman Davis said this committee would hold their meetings in conjunction with
the Commission For Women.
Councilman Williams pointed out a typo on page three of the documentation. The word
should be corrected to read "health".
Mayor Gilbert said this would be addressed as a scrivener's error.
Vice Mayor Robinson stated that she totally agree with Councilwoman Davis about the
need to engage our youth. She expressed concern that the Council continuously duplicates the
same things. She recount approximately two years ago she had brought forward a mentoring
initiative. This group has been meeting every second Thursday of the month at City Hall. She
said it is interesting that Councilwoman Davis and Ms. Tynes collaborated on this item and
shared that she had reached out to the Commission For Women a couple of months ago. She
also met with Ms. Tynes to get this committee engaged with her mentoring group. She
expressed concern with duplicating continuing programs already in existence, and did not see
this to be necessary.
Mayor Gilbert said this is really for our kids. In theory, we could have a thousand
mentoring programs.
At the conclusion of this discussion, the motion to adopt passed and carried by a 6-1
vote.
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Councilwoman Davis:
Yes
Councilman Harris:
Yes
Councilman Ighodaro:
Yes
Councilwoman Odom:
Yes
Vice Mayor Robinson:
No
Councilman Williams:
Yes
Mayor Gilbert:
Yes
(I) ORDINANCE(S) FOR SECOND READING/PUBLIC HEARING(S)
None
(J) RESOLUTION(S)/PUBLIC HEARING(S)
None
(K) CONSENT AGENDA:
RESOLUTION NO. 2016-83-2982
K-1) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, RECOGNIZING MAY 25, 2016, AS
NATIONAL MISSING CHILDREN'S DAY IN THE CITY OF
MIAMI GARDENS; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION
(SPONSORED BY COUNCILWOMAN LISA C. DAVIS)
RESOLUTION NO. 2016-84-2983
K-2) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, APPOINTING BEATRICE
CAZEAU AS LEGAL ADVISOR TO THE UNSAFE STRUCTURES
BOARD; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF
REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(SPONSORED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY)
RESOLUTION NO. 2016-86-2985
K-3) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE USE OF
ROLLING OAKS PARK FOR A HCBU PICNIC ON JULY 9,2016;
PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS•
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY THE
CITY MANAGER)
Motion offered by Mayor Gilbert, seconded by Councilman Harris to adopt the Consent
Agenda.
There being no discussion, the motion to adopt passed and carried by a unanimous voice
of the City Council.
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(L) RESOLUTION(S)
RESOLUTION NO. 2016-85-2984
L-1) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, APPROVING LANGUAGE IN
SUBSTANTIAL FORM TO BE PLACED ON THE BALLOT TO
AMEND SECTION 9.6 OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS'
CHARTER; AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO RESOLVE THE
PENDING LITIGATION WITH MIAMI DADE COUNTY
RELATING TO SECTION 9.6 OF THE CITY'S CHARTER;
PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS;
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY
MAYOR OLIVER GILBERT)
Mayor Gilbert passed the gavel to Vice Mayor Robinson before recounting, a couple of
years ago the City Council authorized the Mayor and City Attorney to move forward with
litigation against Miami -Dade County to change the charter language to Section 9.6. The
Miami Gardens City Council and Miami -Dade County Commission held a joint meeting to try
to find a compromise. This language before the Council tonight for consideration gives the City
of Miami Gardens and Miami -Dade County joint authority.
Motion offered by Mayor Gilbert, seconded by Councilwoman Davis to adopt this item.
There being no further discussion, the motion to adopt passed and carried by a 6-1 vote
of the City Council.
Councilman Ighodaro:
No
Councilwoman Odom:
Yes
Councilman Williams:
Yes
Councilwoman Davis:
Yes
Councilman Harris:
Yes
Mayor Gilbert:
Yes
Vice Mayor Robinson:
Yes
After the vote was taken Vice Mayor Robinson relinquished the gavel to Mayor Gilbert.
QUASI-JUDICIAL ZONING HEARINGS:
Judith Marsie-Hazen, Development Services Director appeared before the City Council
to share the process used for the Quasi -Judicial Proceeding.
Elsa Thompson, Assistant to the City Clerk administered the Oath to those individuals
participating in the Quasi -Judicial Process.
Councilwoman Davis declared a conflict and left the room.
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(M) ORDINANCES ON FOR FIRST READING(S):
M-1) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE APPLICATION
SUBMITTED BY EMPOWERING YOUTH, INC., FOR THE
REZONING OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 530 NW 183"
STREET, MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, MORE PARTICULARLY
DESCRIBED ON EXHIBIT "A", ATTACHED HERETO, FROM R-
1, SINGLE FAMILY TO NC, NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL;
PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS;
REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN
CODE; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE (SPONSORED BY
THE CITY MANAGER)
Mayor Gilbert opened the floor for this public hearing.
Dr. Andrea Wilder, Executive Director of Empowering Youth, appeared before the City
Council to solicit approval of this rezoning application. The property is currently zoned as a
home day care. The proposal is to provide educational services such as speech therapy,
occupational therapy, and counseling.
After there were no other interested parties to speak on this item, the public hearing
closed.
Motion offered by Mayor Gilbert, seconded by Councilman Williams to adopt this item
on first reading.
Mayor Gilbert opined it is not a bad idea to rezone the entire corridor, as the area
transactions.
There being no further discussion on this item the motion to adopt on first reading
passed and carried by a 6-0 vote.
Councilwoman Odom:
Yes
Vice Mayor Robinson:
Yes
Councilman Williams:
Yes
Councilwoman Davis:
Not resent
Councilman Harris:
Yes
Councilman Ighodaro:
Yes
Mayor Gilbert:
Yes
(N) ORDINANCES ON FOR SECOND READING/PUBLIC HEARING(S)
None
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(0) RESOLUTION(S)/PUBLIC HEARING(S)
None
(P) REPORTS OF CITY MANAGER/CITY ATTORNEY/CITY CLERK
P-1) City Manager — Miami -Dade Fire Rescue Department Services
P-2) City Manager - Annual Flood Report
P-3) City of Miami Gardens Police Department Monthly Report for March 2016
(Q) REPORTS OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
Councilman Ighodaro commended the City Clerk on her leadership and doing the right
thing by providing opportunities and training for her staff. He recognized Mykita Cherry -
Prime, Chair of the Progressive Young Adult Advisory Committee on the growth of this
committee.
Councilman Williams inquired as the enforcement process for zoning ordinances. For
example the city has an ordinance that requires parking on paved surfaces. He further asked
about the campaign signage and the city's ordinance that prohibits the erection of campaign
signage before 90 days prior to an election.
Attorney Dickens in response to the campaign signage said there was a ruling handed
down by the Supreme Court that states as it relates to certain signage it has to be consistent in
the Code. Therefore right now the Code is difficult to enforce. The city currently has a
consultant who is an expert on that particular reviewing the city's code to determine what
changes will need to be made.
Councilwoman Davis shared that she will be hosting her 5t" Annual Mother's Day in the
Gardens event, Wednesday, May 11, 2016. This year the five honorees are women who either
reside or own a business in the City of Miami Gardens. She further wished all the mothers a
Happy Mother's Day.
Councilman Williams said the second part of his inquiry was not addressed.
Mayor Gilbert said the city's Code Enforcement Department is very responsive and
citations are issued for non-compliance parking requirements.
Councilman Williams said most offenses occur on the weekends.
Councilwoman Odom shared the Post -Mother's Day event for the 80 plus will take place,
Thursday, May 12, 2016, from 12-2:00 PM, at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreation Center
Auditorium. The Immigration/Naturalization workshop will take place, May 21, 2016, from
11:00 AM — 1:00 PM in the Community Room at City Hall. Seating is limited therefore
registration is required.
Councilman Harris commented Chief Brooklen and staff for a very successful Coffee
with the Cop event held earlier today. He further wished all administrative staff a Happy
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Professional Assistant Day.
Vice Mayor Robinson shared on last Saturday the Relay for Life event was held in Miami
Gardens. She thanked staff and those that participated in the poo -up farmer's market, which
was done as a fund raiser. Five Hundred, Forty One Dollars ($541.00), was raised from the
fundraising event and donated to Relay For Life. She further shared that her Reading with Style
Initiative kick-off event took place on last evening. This is a partnership with local Barbershops
throughout the City of Miami Gardens. The initiative was initially for school age boys who
reads a book and engages in dialogue about the book with the stylist on a specific day and time
assigned by the owners. This will take place every Tuesday at the designated Barbershops,
from 3:00-7:00 PM.
Vice Mayor Robinson invited everyone out to her Meet Me Monday meeting every
second Monday of the month, at Carol City Park from 6:00 — 8:00 PM.
Mayor Gilbert encouraged everyone to take advantage of the Cultural Express. He
announced the State of the City Address is scheduled for May 17, 2016, with a reception at 5:30
PM, the event will start at 6:00 PM. He encouraged everyone to rsvp.
(R) WRITTEN REQUESTS, PETITIONS & OTHER WRITTEN
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
None
(S) ADJOURNMENT
There being no other business to come before this Body, and upon a motion being duly
made the meeting adjourned at 7:48 PM.
Attest:
Oliver Gilbert, Mayor
Ronetta Taylor, MMC, ity Clerk
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