Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.15.2020 Special City Council Meeting City of Miami Gardens Special City Council Meeting Minutes May 15, 2020 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL The City Council for the City of Miami Gardens, Florida, met in regular session via the Zoom meeting platform on May 15 2020, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The following members of the City Council were present: Mayor Oliver Gilbert, Vice Mayor Rodney Harris, Councilman Erhabor Ighodaro, Councilwoman Lillie Odom, Councilman Reggie Leon, Councilman David Williams Jr., and Councilwoman Katrina Wilson. Also in attendance were: City Manager Cameron Benson, City Attorney Sonja Dickens, and City Clerk Mario Bataille. Mayor Gilbert stated Pursuant to Executive Order Nos. 20-69 and 20-112, issued by the Office of Governor Ron DeSantis, municipalities may conduct meetings of their governing boards without having a quorum of its members present physically or at any specific location, and utilizing communications media technology such as telephonic or video conference, as provided by Section 120.54(5)(b)2, Florida Statutes. Procedures for the public comment will be explained by the City Clerk shortly. The members of the City Council appearing remotely for this meeting are Vice-Mayor Rodney Harris, Councilwoman Lillie Q. Odom, Councilwoman Katrina Wilson, Councilman David Williams, Jr, Councilman Reggie Leon, and Councilman Erhabor Ighodaro and Mayor Oliver Gilbert, III. The City Manager, Cameron D. Benson, City Clerk, Mario Bataille, and City Attorney, Sonja K. Dickens are also appearing remotely. The meeting will be opened with a prayer and The Pledge of Allegiance. City Clerk Bataille provided the uniform rules of procedures for the virtual City Council Meeting. The procedures were accepted by the Mayor and City Council without objection. 2. INVOCATION Mayor Gilbert delivered the Invocation. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. 5. ORDER OF BUSINESS Councilman Williams pulled both Items 6.1 and 6.2 from the consent agenda. Motion to approve the agenda as amended was made by Councilman David Williams Jr., seconded by Mayor Oliver Gilbert, passed and carried by a unanimous voice vote. 6. CONSENT AGENDA 6.1. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO FOREGO THE ANNUAL COMMITMENT (2020 PAYMENT) MADE TO THE CITY BY CLEAR CHANNEL AND AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MIAMI GARDENS BUSINESS BILLBOARD PROGRAM; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY MAYOR OLIVER G. GILBERT) Councilman Williams Jr. requested for additional details on the item. Mayor Gilbert indicated Clear Channel will not be able to make there annual payment to the City this year. Therefore, in lieu of the payment for this year a short-term business billboard marketing program has been created to utilize excess or unused billboard inventory to assist Businesses, Programs, Developments located and operating in the City of Miami Gardens as they open/reopen and regain their financial footing. A motion to approve the item was made by Mayor Gilbert and seconded by Vice Mayor Harris. Answering questions poised by Councilman Williams Jr., Mayor Gilbert responded the City currently has an agreement with Clear Channel and are unable to make their annual payment. By creating this program allows for a continued partnership with Clear Channel and provides advertisement opportunity to local small businesses in the City. Councilman Williams Jr. indicated he supports the item however he is uncertain on the true benefit this item would have for small local businesses in lieu of collecting the annual payment. Councilman Williams Jr. indicated he notices Clear Channel have advertisement currently placed on their billboards and questioned their inability to pay. Mayor Gilbert stated Clear Channel has sufficiently informed the City that they are struggling financially. Answering a questioned posed by Councilwoman Odom, Mayor Gilbert indicated by approving this item we are abating the payment and instead of having to litigate a breach of an agreement this item provides for a program to advertise the businesses that are unique to Miami Gardens Awash Ethiopian Restaurant and Stadium Dinner. Additionally, Mayor Gilbert anticipates this program could assist with the establishment of Miami Gardens Chambers of Commerce. Page 2 of 7 May 15, 2020 Special Virtual City Council Meeting Minutes Councilwoman Katrina Wilson spoke in support of the Item as it provides an opportunity to assist local businesses. Councilwoman Wilson spoke on the need to get our local businesses open and how Clear Channel has been a great civic partner with the City. Councilman Reggie Leon spoke in support of the item and the importance of rolling out a plan that will allow all small local business the opportunity to be part of this program. Vice Mayor Rodney Harris spoke in support of the Item. Answering a question posed by Vice Mayor Harris, Mayor Gilbert indicated that businesses outside of the City of Miami Gardens would not be able to participate in this program. Mayor Gilbert stated that it is his hope this program will allow an opportunity for the future City Council to take the steps necessary to create a Miami Gardens Chambers of Commerce as it is the last pillar for the City's finances. Councilman Williams Jr. stated he would like more details on this item and questioned if there is a rush to approve this item now. Mayor Gilbert indicated there is no rush for this item and encourage Councilman Williams Jr. to speak with the City Manager on how this program is administered. Answering a question posed by Councilman Williams Jr., City Manager Benson indicated while the City is in a good spot economically, however there is a need to focus on our small businesses and how we assist them. Therefore we have to provide opportunities for a local business to continue to grow and sustain themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Mr. Benson made it known we are not the only City Clear Channel has requested relief from their annual payment, however we are the only City to coordinate a program to benefit local businesses in lieu of their payment. Answering a question posed by Councilwoman Odom, City Manager Benson upon approval of this item staff will work with Clear Channel on the development of this program and the program will be part of the City's overall City plan to reopen businesses. Answering a question posed by Councilwoman Odom, Mayor Gilbert indicated the urgency of this item is to have it as part of the reopening plan. Page 3 of 7 May 15, 2020 Special Virtual City Council Meeting Minutes Councilman Ighodaro indicated he hopes we have a fair way at looking at redress for local businesses. Answering a question posed by Councilman Ighodaro, City Attorney Dickens provided the current arrangement the City has with Clear Channel. Councilman Ighodaro spoke in support of the item. Additionally, he hopes the program has a fair process and political advertisement should not be part of the program. Lastly, Councilman Ighodaro requested for a copy of the plan once it is created. Councilwoman Wilson indicated while there is not payment being made there is value in the advertisement opportunities this program will provide small local businesses they normally wouldn't have. Councilman Williams Jr. spoke in support of this item in theory. He continued to state Clear Channels' current agreement already provides where they provide community opportunities and he has not been to get Clear Channel to participate with his Science Initiative. He continued to opine on the financial benefits Clear Channel received as part of the recent Super Bowl and the impact billboard advertisement will have for local businesses. Nonetheless he believes this plan will support local business in theory. There being no further discussion the question was called. A motion offered by Mayor Gilbert, seconded by Vice Mayor Harris, To approve this Item passed and carried by a 7 to 0 voice vote of the City Council. 6.2. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CREATION OF A COVID- 19 EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY MAYOR OLIVER G. GILBERT) Answering a question posed by Councilman Williams Jr., Mayor Gilbert provided an overview on the item. A motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Gilbert and seconded by Vice Mayor Harris. Answering a question posed by Councilman Williams Jr. Deputy City Manager Craig Clay responded the allocated amount is $300,000 towards this program with the maximum award amount of $4,500. The Page 4 of 7 May 15, 2020 Special Virtual City Council Meeting Minutes funding sources for this program is CDBG and SHIP funds. Answering a question posed by Councilwoman Odom, Mr. Clay did confirm the legislation in Florida which delays eviction but it does not prevent landlords from serving notices of eviction to their tenants ultimately allowing the landlords to proceed with the eviction process once the moratorium on evictions has lifted for past due rent. Councilman Leon spoke in support of the item and recommended notification of this program includes that it is first come first served program based on the availability of funds. Councilwoman Wilson recommended prioritizing the applications for individuals who has contracted the COVID-19 virus. Additionally, Councilwoman Wilson stated we need to look at how we support homeowners as well. Mayor Gilbert agreed with the comments made by Councilwoman Wilson without exposing the medical history of the applicants. Councilman Williams spoke in support of the item. Vice Mayor Harris requested staff provide the guidelines for this program to the City Council. There being no further discussion, Vice Mayor Harris called the question. A motion offered by Mayor Gilbert, seconded by Vice Mayor Harris, to approve this item passed and carried by a 7 to 0 voice vote of the City Council. 7. RESOLUTION(S)/CITY BUSINESS 7.1. DISCUSSION ON THE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR REOPENING THE CITY. (SPONSORED BY THE CITY MANAGER) Mayor Gilbert provided an overview on the plans of the State and County. In addition, Mayor Gilbert provided the current status of the City as it relates to COVID-19 and the discussion he has had with the City Manager as it relates to reopening the City with the premise on safety and less on reopening quickly. City Manager Benson provided an overview on the item and how the City has responded during this pandemic. Mr. Benson turned over the Page 5 of 7 May 15, 2020 Special Virtual City Council Meeting Minutes presentation to Deputy City Manager Craig Clay who also answered questions posed by the Council. Councilman Williams Jr. commended the police department for their responses during this pandemic. Councilman Ighodaro commended the City Manager and staff on the steps taken during this pandemic. No action was taken on this Item. 8. REPORTS OF CITY MANAGER/CITY ATTORNEY/CITY CLERK (3 MINUTES EACH) City Manager Benson indicated staff is working diligently to prepare the City for Hurricane Season. City Clerk Bataille announced the qualifying period opening at 8:00 am Monday, May 18, 2020 and closing sharply at 4:00 pm Thursday, May 21, 2020. 9. REPORTS OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS (3 MINUTES EACH) Councilman Reggie Leon recognized staff for their efforts with the emergency meal program. Councilwoman Lillie Q. Odom thanked everyone who participated with her Birthday Celebration drive by that took place on May 8, 2020. Councilwoman Odom reminded everyone to take part of the City's Meatless Monday Program. Vice Mayor Harris recognized staff for their efforts during this pandemic. Mayor Gilbert recognized the City's Birthday. He continued to state the City will get through this pandemic as long as we remain steadfast and believe in Miami Gardens as a community. Mayor Gilbert thanked the City Council for supporting the items placed on this Agenda. Mayor Gilbert recognized staff for their services with the emergency meal program. Mayor Gilbert encouraged everyone to get tested for COVID-19. Page 6 of 7 May 15, 2020 Special Virtual City Council Meeting Minutes 10. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss before this body, the meeting adjourned without objection at 11:35 a.m. Oliver Gilbert, Mayor Mario Bataille, City Clerk Page 7of7 May 15, 2020 Special Virtual City Council Meeting Minutes