HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.13.2016 - Special City Council MeetingCITY OF MIAMI GARDENS
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 139 2016
(A) CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The City Council for the City of Miami Gardens, Florida, met in Special Session, Tuesday,
September 13, 2016, beginning at 6:00 PM, in the City Council Chambers, 18605 NW 27th Avenue,
Miami Gardens, Florida. The following members of the City Council members were present: Vice
Mayor Felicia Robinson, and Council members: Lillie Q. Odom, Lisa C. Davis, Rodney Harris,
David Williams Jr., and Dr. Erhabor Ighodaro. Mayor Oliver Gilbert arrived at 7:10 PM.
Also in attendance were: City Manager Cameron D, Benson, City Attorney Sonja K.
Dickens and City Clerk Ronetta Taylor.
(B) INVOCATION
Invocation delivered by Councilman Ighodaro.
(C) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Recited in unison
Vice Mayor Robinson announced "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 2016/2017."
(D) RESOLUTION(S)/PUBLIC HEARING
RESOLUTION NO. 2016-142-3041
D-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, 2016, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30,
2017 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. (SPONSORED BY THE CITY MANAGER)
After the City Clerk read the title into the record Vice Mayor Robinson stated "The
proposed Millage Rate for the City for Fiscal Year 2016/2017 is 6.9363, which is 8.44% over
the Roll -Back Rate, and the voted Debt Service Millage Rate is 1.1571. The Aggregate Millage
Rate for Fiscal Year 2016/2017 is 8.0934."
Manager Benson stated the proposed millage rate for FY 22016-2017 is 6.9363.
Special City Council Minutes - September 13, 2016 Page 1
Vice Mayor Robinson opened the floor for the public hearing. After there were no
interested parties to speak on this item, the public hearing closed.
Motion offered by Councilman Ighodaro, seconded by Councilman Harris to adopt the
proposed millage rate.
There being no discussion on the proposed millage rate, a motion was offered by
Councilman Williams, seconded by Councilman Harris to defer the adoption of the proposed
Millage Rate and voted Debt Service Millage Rate until after the discussion on the budget.
The Motion to defer the adoption of the millage rate until after discussion on the budget
passed and carried by a 6-0 voice vote.
At the conclusion of the budget ordinance discussion, and the recall of the millage
resolution, there was no further discussion on this item.
vote.
The motion to adopt the proposed millage rate of 6.9363, passed and carried by a 7-0
Councilwoman Davis:
Yes
Councilman Harris:
Yes
Councilman Ighodaro:
Yes
Councilwoman Odom:
Yes
Vice Mayor Robinson:
Yes
Councilman Williams:
Yes
Mayor Gilbert:
Yes
After the Millage Rate and voted Debt Service Millage Rate was voted on, a motion was
offered by Councilman Williams, seconded by Vice Mayor Robinson to recall the Budget
Ordinance. There being no discussion, the motion to recall the budget ordinance passed and
carried by a unanimous vote of the City Council.
(E) ORDINANCE(S) FOR FIRST READING/PUBLIC HEARING:
E-1) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, APPROVING AND ADOPTING
THE CITY'S BUDGET FOR THE 2016-2017 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. (SPONSORED BY
THE CITY MANAGER)
Special City Council Minutes - September 13, 2016 Page 2
Manager Benson acknowledged Assistant City Managers Craig Clay and Vernita Nelson as
well as Finance Director Patricia Varney for their invaluable assistance in putting this budget
together. He explained the General Fund Balance is approximately eighteen (18%) percent, which
is very positive because fifteen (15%) percent is the norm. He said there are several issues
discussed during the previous three meetings. One of the issues that need to be resolved involves
staffing. Assistants to the Council Staffing Options - 1) Add one (1) Floating position for a total
cost of $75,945; 2) Add three (3) part-time 30 hours for a total cost of $146,441; 3) Three (3)
additional full-time staff positions for a total of $227,837. This scenario is currently included in the
FY 2017 Budget. Another recommendation was made to rewrite the job descriptions to better
capture Council needs; maintain current three (3) positions for a total of $13,238.
Manager Benson stated there is a two (2%) percent COLA for employees not covered by
union contracts. There are three (3) Real Time Crime Center Analyst positions being funded. This
budget also addresses legal expenses and pending litigations, which has increased.
Manager Benson highlighted the Special Revenue Funds: 1) Development Services Fund:
$2,060,470; Transportation Fund: $8,722,103; Stormwater Fund: $4,548,190.
Manager Benson highlighted the Special Events Categories:
Legacy Events: $300,000, which includes: Food & Wine; Science Fair; Paint the City
Pink/Cancer Awareness; Black History; July 4t' Celebration; Food Truck/Open Mic and Heritage
Bowl.
Other City Events: $92,500, which includes: Martin Luther King Celebration,
Mentoring/Reading Initiative; Christmas Tree Lighting; Easter; and Memorial Day. These events
are paid for by the City of Miami Gardens.
Community & Awareness Events: $49,000, which includes: Diabetes Event; Toy Drive,
Turkey giveaway(s); Cancer Awareness; Thanksgiving; Inclusion Concert; Art Basel; Haitian Flag
Day; International Music Festival; Hispanic Heritage Event; Senior Events; Toys/community
Outreach; Yard sale; Red Dress; Kwanza. These events will be funded by individual council
members from their monthly allocation, funds in the budget for special events for each council
member, city manager's budget through special events, as well as sponsorships.
Manager Benson stated the Operating AD Valorem tax revenue Proposed Millage rate is
6.9363 Mills, the Roll -back rate is 6.3064 Mills. Based on the average homestead taxable value for
FY of $39,477 as opposed to FY 2016 of $40,930, there is a decrease of $10.08 annually. As it
relates to the Debt Service Millage Rate of 1.1571 Mills, based on FY 2017 the average homestead
taxable value of $39,477, the impact is $45.68, which is $5.06, less than FY 2016.
Manager Benson said he would like to get final direction from the Council as it relates to
staffing and special events. Allocations for the Summer Employment For Youth is also included in
this budget.
Special City Council Minutes - September 13, 2016 Page 3
Mayor Gilbert opened the floor for this public hearing.
Tanya James, Chair of the Elderly Affairs Advisory Committee, 18721 NW 11 h Place,
Miami Gardens, Florida, appeared before the City Council to solicit $5,000.00, in funding for the
Elderly Affairs Advisory Committee's community events.
After there were no other individuals to speak on this item, the public hearing was closed.
Motion offered by Vice Mayor Robinson, seconded by Councilman Williams to adopt the
Budget.
Councilwoman Odom asked for clarification purposed as it relates to the additional staffing
for the City Council and the leadership to be provided for that staffing.
Mayor Gilbert in response to Councilwoman Odom's inquiry said it was decided by the
Council that the staff would report to the Office of the City Clerk.
Mayor Gilbert in response to Ms. James' funding request stated that he did not know
whether he would be making a change to the budget at this time but he would raise the requested
$5,000.00 funding for the Elderly Affairs Advisory Committee.
Mayor Gilbert shared that he did not think there was a need to add three additional
assistants. This is a big step up. He opined the positions should be re -advertised so that the
Council can get individuals they can work with. Positions are being added because the skill set of
the position has changed since it was created. He opined maybe the people that are there still fills
that need or maybe they don't. That will be for the Council members to decide. He opined that the
Council should go without adding the additional staff person and re -advertise and if the present staff
qualifies they get the position and if they do not, those individuals should be accommodated by
being placed in other city departments. He said he did not think three full-time positions should be
added because the people who are currently in those positions are not working out well.
Motion offered by Councilman Ighodaro, seconded by Councilman Harris to defer the
adoption of the budget on first reading until after the adoption of the Millage Rate. There being no
discussion, the motion to defer the adoption of the budget on first reading passed by a unanimous
voice vote.
Motion offered by Councilman Williams, seconded by Councilman Harris to recall the
Millage Rate resolution. There being no further discussion on this item, the motion to recall the
Millage Resolution passed and carried by a unanimous vote.
After the Millage Rate and voted Debt Service Millage Rate Resolution was adopted and the
Budget Ordinance was recalled, the motion to adopt the budget ordinance on first reading passed
and carried by a 7-0 vote.
Councilman Harris: Yes
Special City Council Minutes - September 13, 2016 Page 4
Councilman Ighodaro:
Yes
Councilwoman Odom:
Yes
Vice Mayor Robinson:
Yes
Councilman Williams:
Yes
Councilwoman Davis:
Yes
Mayor Gilbert:
Yes
Mayor Gilbert announced "the next public hearing will be held on September 28, 2016, at
6:00 PM, in City Council Chambers, at that time, we will consider the final millage rate and budget
for fiscal year 2016/2017.
(F) ADJOURNMENT.
There being no further business to come before this Body, and upon a motion being duly
made and seconded this meeting adjourned at 6:30 PM.
Attest:
Ronetta Taylor, IIYC, City Clerk
Oliver Gilbert, Mayor
Special City Council Minutes - September 13, 2016 Page 5