Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.24.2015 - City Council MinutesCITY OF MIAMI GARDENS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JUNE 249 2015 (A) CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL The City Council for the City of Miami Gardens, Florida, met in regular session, Wednesday, June 24, 2015, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the City Hall, 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 and Erhabor Ighodaro. Councilman David Williams Jr., was out of town. Motion offered by Vice Mayor Robinson, seconded by Mayor Gilbert to excuse the absence of Councilman Williams. This motion passed and carried by a unanimous vote of the Council members present. Also in attendance were: City Manager Cameron Benson, City Attorney Sonja K. Dickens and 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 — June 10, 2015 Motion offered by Councilman Harris, seconded by Councilwoman Davis to approve the minutes, with necessary corrections, if any. This motion passed and carried by a unanimous vote of the members present. (E) ORDER OF BUSINESS (Items to be pulled from Consent Agenda at this time) Two presentations were added to the official agenda as Item F-3 and F-4 Councilman Ighodaro pulled Item K-1 from the Consent Agenda. Motion offered by Councilman Ighodaro, seconded by Councilwoman Davis to approve the official with the additions. There being no further discussion, the motion to approve passed and carried by a unanimous vote of the members present. Regular City Council Minutes June 24, 2015 Page 1 (F) SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS (5 minutes each) F-1) Councilwoman Lisa C. Davis — North Dade Youth & Family Coalition Councilwoman Davis along Phillip Tavernier, a representative from North Dade Youth & Family Coalition presented ten outstanding fathers with Certificates of Special Recognition. F-2) Councilwoman Lisa C. Davis — Father's Day Presentation Councilwoman Davis recognized community leaders as well as City of Miami Gardens staff members as Outstanding Fathers. Each was presented with a plaque and a token of appreciation. F-3) Vice Mayor Felicia Robinson — Women's Breast and Heart Initiative Andrea Ivory, Founder/Director of the Women's Breast and Health Initiative, as well as a ten (10) year breast cancer survivor appeared before the City Council to expound on the Initiative. She shared that the Initiative has just completed a two year study in the City of Miami Gardens, which is an integral part of a nation-wide study. She thanked the Council as well as the Parks and Recreation Department for their overwhelming support. Vice Mayor Robinson announced for the month of October, they will be painting the city pink in recognition of breast cancer awareness. F-4) Councilman Harris — Rolling Crest Lakes Homeowners Association Councilman Harris shared it is truly an honor to have the Rolling Crest Lakes Homeowners Association in the audience, tonight. Former County Commissioner Betty T. Ferguson appeared before the City Council and shared that Rolling Crest Lakes is comprised of three homeowner associations. The organization presented two checks to the City of Miami Gardens to be used as follows: $40,000.00, for the Youth Summer Program for providing summer jobs to youth between the ages of 14-20, residing in the Rolling Oaks, Crestview, and Lake Lucerne areas. Upon acceptance of the funds, the city will need to provide a detail report to Rolling Crest Lakes, Inc., on the use of these funds on or before September 30, 2015. Any remaining funds should be held in escrow pending directions from Rolling Crest Lakes, Inc.; $12,000.00, for the 2015 City of Miami Gardens Science and Engineering Fair Awards. The city will need to provide a detail report to Rolling Crest Lakes, Inc., on the use of these funds on or before September 30, 2015. Any remaining funds should be held in escrow for the 2016, event. (G) PUBLIC COMMENTS Dorothy Smith appeared before the City Council to request that the Council look at the property on NW 10th Avenue and 212 Terrace for a possible park for Coconut Cay. Betty T. Ferguson appeared before the City Council and stated that perception is reality. She said the City has a perception in the community that the city just cannot get its act together. This perception has been around a long time and the residents do not believe the City of Miami Gardens is doing enough to change that perception, especially as it relates to the media. She Regular City Council Minutes June 24, 2015 Page 2 further shared that the City of Miami Gardens will be getting more low-income people relocating to this community. She further opined the City Council meeting should be televised. She said she wanted the residents to be able to see and hear what is going on in the Council meetings. A prime example is the wonderful awards that were given at tonight's meeting. She stated, "We need to paint our own picture". This could be done if the meetings were televised. We need to make sure that we recognize people from the community who are doing good jobs. She stated half of the people that live in Miami Gardens do not have a clue as to what the Council is doing. She stated that she wanted this initiative a part of the campaign of those council members up for reelection next year. Beverly Bush 2125 NW 205th Street, Miami Gardens, Florida, appeared before the City Council representing North County Citizens Association, which is very proud of its community. This organization is available to assist in any way that it can. She expressed concern with the loitering on the westside of Buccaneer Park. She asked for a status of the Senior Facility to be built on NW 12th Avenue and 184th Street. Mayor Gilbert said the RFP is out on that project, as well as for Bunche Park Pool and Buccaneer Park. Willie Pearl Stevens, 2750 NW 207th Terrace, Miami Gardens, Florida, appeared before the City Council to express concern with the maintenance and updating of equipment at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreation Complex. Mayor Gilbert in response to Ms. Stevens' concern said a lot of the issues involve the users/visitors of the facility. He asked that if anyone sees someone doing something that is inappropriate as it relates to the maintenance of the facility to report them. (H) ORDINANCE(S) FOR FIRST READING: None Please note, Councilwoman Davis left the meeting at 7:40 p.m. (I) ORDINANCE(S) FOR SECOND READING/PUBLIC HEARING(S) ORDINANCE NO. 2015-08-338 I-1) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE IX, DIVISION 5 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO ADD SECTIONS 2-797.1 THROUGH 2-797.12 TO ESTABLISH THE "CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH PROGRAM" PURCHASING PREFERENCE; 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 Regular City Council Minutes June 24, 2015 Page 3 MANAGER) (1sT READING — JUNE 10, 2015) Mayor Gilbert opened the floor for this public hearing. After there were no interested parties to speak on this item, the public hearing closed. Motion offered by Vice Mayor Robinson, seconded by Councilman Harris to adopt this item. There being no discussion, the motion to adopt this item passed and carried by a 5-0 vote. Councilwoman Davis: Not present Councilman Harris: Yes Councilman Ighodaro: Yes Councilwoman Odom: Yes Vice Mayor Robinson: Yes Councilman Williams: Out of town Mayor Gilbert: Yes (J) RESOLUTION(S)/PUBLIC HEARING(S) None (K) CONSENT AGENDA: RESOLUTION NO. 2015-107-2304 K-2) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING SENATE BILL 2-A; WHICH WILL CREATE THE FLORIDA HEALTH INSURANCE AFFORDABILITY EXCHANGE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE HIGH- QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE COVERAGE TO LOW-INCOME, UNINSURED FLORIDIANS; PROVIDING FOR INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CITY CLERK; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY COUNCILWOMAN LISA C. DAVIS) RESOLUTION NO. 2015-108-2305 K-3) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE GRANT APPLICATION SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL RESOURCE NETWORK, AS PART OF THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION'S STRONG CITIES, STRONG COMMUNITIES (SC2) INITIATIVE; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ANY AND ALL STEPS NECESSARY TO ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS; AUTHORIZING A TWENTY-FIVE (25%) MATCH OF IN-KIND AND OR MONETARY FUNDS; PROVIDING FOR THE Regular City Council Minutes June 24, 2015 Page 4 ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY THE CITY MANAGER) RESOLUTION NO. 2015-109-2306 K-4) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RIGHTS-OF- WAY LOCATED IN THE VISTA VERDE NEIGHBORHOOD, FROM THE MIRAMAR GARDENS TOWNHOUSE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED ON EXHIBIT "A" ATTACHED HERETO; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY THE CITY MANAGER) Motion offered by Vice Mayor Robinson, seconded by Councilman Harris to adopt the Consent the Consent Agenda. There being no discussion, the motion to adopt passed and carried by a 5-0 voice vote. (L) RESOLUTION(S) Please note that even though this item was pulled from the Consent Agenda, it was heard first because Councilwoman Davis was not feeling well and left immediately after the item was discussed at 7:40 PM. RESOLUTION NO. 2015-110-2307 K-1) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, RECOGNIZING NOVEMBER AS NATIONAL DIABETES PREVENTION MONTH IN THE CITY; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ANY AND ALL STEPS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE FOURTH ANNUAL DIABETES PREVENTION EVENT TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 8,2015; AUTHORIZING AN ALLOCATION OF FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($5000.00) FROM THE SPECIAL EVENT FUND, UPON APPROVAL OF SAID FUND IN THE 2015-16 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY COUNCILWOMAN LISA C. DAVIS) Councilman Ighodaro said he did not pull the item in order to be opposed to it. He commented he pulled the item because of the timelessness as it relates to the 2015-2016 fiscal year budget. He commented this is a questionable business practice, if we are going to be making an expenditure when we have not approved that budget year. He asked whether this is an established business practice for the City. Even if this is an established business practice is there any reason why this cannot wait. Regular City Council Minutes June 24, 2015 Page 5 Manager Benson in response to Councilman Ighodaro said this has been the practice for the last couple of years. The reason why it is done this way is that it allows for Council members who are anticipating using these funds to plan accordingly for their event. He said if the Council wants him to change this practice they need to let him know. Councilwoman Davis shared that for the past three events, funds were raised for this event. Therefore, any initial outlay was refunded. End result, no tax dollars were used for the event. In fact, last year's event had a surplus of funds. Mayor Gilbert conveyed understanding of Councilman Ighodaro's concern. He said if the budget for FY 2015-2016, is funded without $5,000.00.00, for each Council member's signature event, this resolution would be an unfunded item. The timing is before the adoption of the budget, but if the budget is not passed, this item is not important. He shared we do this for Jazz in the Gardens every year because we have to plan. Motion offered by Mayor Gilbert, seconded by Councilman Harris to adopt this item. There being no discussion, the motion to adopt passed and carried by a 5-1 vote. Councilman Ighodaro cast the dissenting vote. QUASI-JUDICIAL ZONING HEARINGS: Shellie Ransom -Jackson appeared before the City Council the process used for this Quasi -Judicial Proceeding. Clerk Taylor administered the oath to those individuals participating in this Quasi - Judicial Process. (M) ORDINANCES ON FOR FIRST READING(S): None (N) ORDINANCES ON FOR SECOND READING/PUBLIC HEARING(S) None (0) RESOLUTION(S)/PUBLIC HEARING(S) RESOLUTION NO. 2015-111-2308 0-1) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT LLC, FOR THAT CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2780 NW 167 TERRACE, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED ON EXHIBIT "A" ATTACHED HERETO, FOR A NON-USE VARIANCE OF SECTION 34-342 OF THE CITY'S LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE TO ALLOW A 50 FEET LOT FRONTAGE WHERE A 75 FEET Regular City Council Minutes June 24, 2015 Page 6 MINIMUM LOT FRONTAGE IS REQUIRED; AND TO ALLOW A 5,250 SQUARE FEET LOT AREA WHERE A 7,500 SQUARE FEET MINIMUM LOT AREA IS REQUIRED; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY THE CITY MANAGER) Ms. Ransom -Jackson stated this request is consistent with the Land Development Code and surrounding neighborhood. Mayor Gilbert opened the floor for this public hearing. After there were no interested parties to speak on this item, the public hearing closed. item. Motion offered by Vice Mayor Robinson, seconded by Councilman Harris to adopt this There being no discussion, the motion to adopt passed and carried by a 5-0 vote. (P) REPORTS OF CITY MANAGER/CITY ATTORNEY/CITY CLERK P-1) City Manager's Quarterly Report (Q) REPORTS OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS Councilman Harris thanked the Rolling Crest Lakes Homeowners Association for investing in our youth and community. Councilman Ighodaro announced that his Uni'Tea will take place at Wednesday, July 1St, at Carol City Park, at 6:00 PM. He invited everyone to come out for this informative event. He further announced that the 4th of July event will take place at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreation Complex. He thanked the Parks and Recreation Department staff for their support of this event. Vice Mayor Robinson said each year Council members has held individual back to school events. She said she wanted to know if the Council members would be in agreement to host one large back to school event, this year. She opined this would be a great idea in order to bring all resources together. Mayor Gilbert opined this is a worthwhile endeavor and wonderful idea if those organizations that partner with Council members would participate. He said a resolution would need to be adopted to reserve the space at the community center. Vice Mayor Robinson said she would bring this item back in resolution form. Mayor Gilbert shared that he was honored by an organization and traveled to Boston to receive the award. He further wished everyone a Happy Fourth of July and invited all out to the fireworks event taking place at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreation Complex on July 4th. Regular City Council Minutes June 24, 2015 Page 7 (R) WRITTEN REQUESTS, PETITIONS & OTHER WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC None (S) ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before this Body, and upon a motion being made, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM. Attest: 4RonettaT�alylor, M C, City Clerk Regular City Council Minutes June 24, 2015 Page 8 Z t� Oliver Gilbert, Mayor