HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.24.2019 CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
April 24, 2019
(A) CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The City Council for the City of Miami Gardens, Florida, met in regular session, Wednesday,
April 24, 2019, 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: Vice Mayor Rodney Harris Council
members: Lillie Q. Odom, Reggie Leon, Katrina Wilson, Erhabor Ighodaro and David Williams
Jr.
Also in attendance were: City Manager Cameron Benson, Deputy City Manager Craig Clay, City
Attorney Sonja K. Dickens and City Clerk Mario Bataille.
A motion offered by Vice Mayor Harris, seconded by Councilwoman Odom, to excuse the
absence of Mayor Gilbert passed and carried by a unanimous voice vote of all members
present.
(B) INVOCATION
Basil Cole delivered the Invocation.
(C) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Recited in unison
(D) APPROVAL OF MINUTES
D-1) Regular City Council Meeting Draft Minutes—April 10,2019
City Clerk Bataille withdrew the minutes from the agenda.
(E) ORDER OF BUSINESS (Items to be pulled from Consent Agenda at this time)
Item K-1 pulled from the consent agenda by Councilman Ighodaro.
There being no further discussion,the amended Agenda was approved without opposition.
(F) SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS (5 minutes each)
None
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - April 24, 2019
(G) PUBLIC COMMENTS
Marie Lawrence-Doyer, 790 NW 179 Street Miami Gardens, FL, appeared before the City
Council to express her frustrations over the increase of the water bill.
Steve Pierre, 3835 NW 170'h Street, Miami Gardens, FL, appeared before the City Council to
express his concerns over the lack of opportunities available to small local businesses.
Amos Perry, 1360 NW 192nd Street, Miami Gardens, FL, appeared before City Council to
express his concerns about the lack of opportunity available to small local businesses.
Dorothy Smith, 17944 NW 440'Ave, Miami, FL, appeared before the City Council requesting
the City Council to hold a public hearing with the Coconut Cay Homeowner Association to
address concerns regarding the flooding issues within the area.
(I) ORDINANCE(S) FOR FIRST READING:
H-1) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS,
FLORIDA GRANTING TO FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT
COMPANY, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, A
NONEXCLUSIVE ELECTRIC FRANCHISE, IMPOSING
PROVISIONS AND CONDITIONS RELATING THERETO;
PROVIDING FOR MONTHLY PAYMENT OF A FRANCHISE FEE
TO THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION OF
REPRESENTATIONS; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN
CONFLICT; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE;
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY THE
CITY MANAGER)
City Manager Cameron Benson provided a brief overview on the Item.
A motion offered by Councilman Williams Jr., seconded by Councilwoman Odom, to approve
the item on first reading passed and carried by a 6-0 roll call vote of the City Council.
Councilwoman Odom: Yes
Councilwoman Wilson: Yes
Councilman Ighodaro: Yes
Councilman Leon: Yes
Councilman Williams: Yes
Vice Mayor Harris: Yes
Mayor Gilbert: Absent
(I) ORDINANCE(S) FOR SECOND READING/PUBLIC HEARING(S)
None
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(J) RESOLUTION(S)/PUBLIC HEARING(S)
None.
(K) CONSENT AGENDA:
RESOLUTION NO.2019-112-3241
K-2) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR
THE TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY OF MIAMI-DADE
(TAMD) AS PROPOSED BY MIAMI-DADE COUNTY MAYOR
CARLOS GIMENEZ; RECOMMENDING THAT THE FLORIDA
LEGISLATURE CREATE THE TAMD; PROVIDING FOR
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CITY CLERK; PROVIDING FOR THE
ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY MAYOR OLIVER
GILBERT)
RESOLUTION NO.2019-113-3242
K-3) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER AND THE CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE AND
ATTEST THAT CERTAIN AGREEMENT WITH THE
MIAMIDADE ECONOMIC ADVOCACY TRUST YOUTH
DEVELOPMENT DIVISION, A COPY OF WHICH IS ATTACHED
HERETO TO AS EXHIBIT "A", INDEMNIFYING AND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS TO SERVE AS
A SUMMER WORKSITE COMMENCING JUNE 17, 2019
THROUGH JULY 26, 2019; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION
OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE. (SPONSORED BY VICE MAYOR RODNEY HARRIS)
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-114-3243
K-4) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING A RENTAL FEE
WAIVER FOR THE USE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
GARDENSSHOWMOBILE, PORTABLE RESTROOMS, LIGHT
TOWERS AND OTHER FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF
ROLLING OAKS PARK, FOR THE MUSIC IN THE PARK
CONCERT ON MAY 3, 2019; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION
OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE. (SPONSORED BY COUNCILMAN REGGIE LEON)
RESOLUTION NO.2019-115-3244
K-5) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY
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MANAGER'S SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION TO THE
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS ("BCC") FOR FUNDING FROM THE
BUILDING BETTER COMMUNITIES GENERAL OBLIGATION
BOND FOR A PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ANY AND ALL
STEPS NECESSARY TO ACCEPT THE FUNDS AND
FACILITATE THE FUNDING OF THE PROJECT; PROVIDING
FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING
FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY THE CITY
MANAGER)
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-116-3245
K-6) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO RECEIVE AN AWARD FOR A 2019 STREET
TREE MATCHING GRANT WITH MIAMI DADE COUNTY AND
TO TAKE ANY AND ALL STEPS NECESSARY TO ACCEPT
GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF SEVEN THOUSAND FIVE
HUNDRED-SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($7,575.00) TO SUPPORT
THE CITY'S "URBAN TREE CANOPY PROGRAM;" A COPY OF
WHICH IS ATTACHED HERETO AS EXHIBIT "A";
AUTHORIZING MATCHING FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF
SEVEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED-SEVENTY-FIVE
DOLLARS ($7,575.00); PROVIDING INSTRUCTIONS TO THE
CITY CLERK; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF
REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(SPONSORED BY THE CITY MANAGER)
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-117-3246
K-7) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE IMPACT FEES
FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT; PROVIDING FOR THE
ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY THE CITY MANAGER)
A motion offered by Councilman Williams, Jr., seconded by Councilwoman Odom, to approve
the consent agenda passed and carried by a voice vote of all members present.
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-111-3240
K-1) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER'S SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION TO THE
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE, DIVISION OF CULTURAL
AFFAIRS, FOR THE CULTURE BUILDS FLORIDA GRANT TO
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FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
GARDENS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER; AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ANY AND ALL STEPS NECESSARY
TO ACCEPT THE GRANT FUNDS AND TO FACILITATE THE
GRANT; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF
REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(SPONSORED BY MAYOR OLIVER GILBERT AND THE CITY
MANAGER)
Councilman Ighodaro spoke in support of the Item and the concept of establishing a performing
arts center however he shared concerning with the fiscal impact statement within the Agenda
Cover Memo.
Answering a question posed by Councilman Ighodaro, City Manager Benson acknowledge part
of this project is part of the General Obligation Bond Project Implementation Plan.
Answering a question posed by Councilman Ighodaro, Attorney Dickens indicated there is no
fiscal impact to apply for a grant. However, there may be a fiscal impact should the grant be
awarded. In closing, Attorney Dickens stated this item is only authorizing staff to apply for the
grant.
Councilman Ighodaro understood there is not fiscal impact in applying for the grant however
there will be a fiscal impact for the entirety of the project.
Councilman Ighodaro continued to state he has not seen any conceptual business plan or project
cost for the development of the performing art center and questioned will this be provided to the
Council in the future. Lastly, he opined it would be productive to have these conversations on
the front end of the project.
Answering a question posed by Councilman Williams Jr., City Manager Benson confirmed any
grant agreement as a result of this application will come before the City Council for
consideration. Additionally, Mr. Benson explained this project is part of the overall planned
development of 35 acre land which has been presented to Council.
Answering a question posed by Councilman Leon, City Manager Benson confirmed the item is
only seeking approval to apply for the grant.
Councilman Ighodaro offered clarification on his line of questioning, stating it is
counterproductive to seek funding for a project that has not been finalized.
A motion offered by Councilman Leon, seconded by Councilman Ighodaro, to approve the
Item passed and carried by a unanimous voice vote of all members present.
(L) RESOLUTION(S):
L-1) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY TO RENEGOTIATE THE
GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI
GARDENS AND FLORIDA MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY (FMU)
FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WEST MIAMI
GARDENS/FMU SPORTS COMPLEX, PROVIDING FOR THE
ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY COUNCILMAN
ERHABOR IGHODARO)
A motion offered by Councilman Williams Jr., seconded by Councilwoman Odom to approve
the Item.
Councilman Ighodaro acknowledged the presence and of Dr. Jaffus Hardrick, President of
Florida Memorial University and Chairperson Charles George. Councilman Ighodaro provided
an overview and background information on the Item.
Councilman Ighodaro expressed an interest of extending the deadline for the amended FMU
contract to option "A" to extend the timeline for securing the university's portion of additional
funding for the project to December 2020 or option "B" explore a value engineering approach to
the original scope of the project to allow for the entire amount required for completing the
project to be consistent with the available funds ($2,000,000) for the project.
Councilwoman Odom inquired if the University is in a position to meet the matching fund
obligation originally proposed.
Councilman Ighodaro explained this item is does not require matching funds from the
University. Lastly, Councilman Ighodaro opined the original agreement was flawed and
indicated the scope of the agreement can be renegotiated.
Councilman Williams, Jr. offered comments in support of renegotiating the contract with FMU
to offer a recreational facility to the students and residents in the area.
Councilman Leon offered comments suggesting the University and the current administration is
going in a different direction and this particular item does not support the vision of the current
present; therefore it would be irresponsible to force monetary support on the University at this
time.
Councilwoman Wilson stated she is unsure if we can revise this partnership agreement into a
grant. Councilwoman Wilson spoke in opposition of the item continued to opine it is the
responsibility of the Council to insure the expenditure of any bond funds is towards a quality
project and with good stewardship.
President Jaffus Hardrick of Florida Memorial University appeared before City Council stating
that the University is not in a position to seek matching funds in order to receive funding from
the City as stated in the expired partnership agreement, but was open to have a conversation with
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the City to see how the funding can be best utilized for a different project such as an aquatics
facility or a potential soccer/track practice field.
Councilman Ighodaro reiterated the Item was clear that it provided two options and is basically
directing the City Manager to renegotiate the contract.
Answering a question posed by Councilwoman Wilson, Vice Mayor Harris indicated this item
speaks to a sports complex.
Councilman Ighodaro clarified the direction of this item giving the Manager direction to
renegotiate the agreement which can make the project plan compatible with the vision of the
University President and Board.
Answering a question posed by Councilman Williams, Jr., City Attorney Dickens advised the
City Council has strict parameters on how they can spend bond funds.
Councilwoman Odom suggested the Council should vote on canceling the current expired
agreement and direct the City Manager and Attorney to meet with FMU in order to bring forward
a new contract for Council consideration.
Answering a question posed by Councilwoman Wilson, City Manager Benson stated the funding
amount in question has been reallocated to the City reserves and is not slated for any FMU
project. Mr. Benson further clarified once they did not meet the requirements we reallocated it
back into our reserves. Keep in mind that we did that because if we need that money at some
point and time we will have to come back to you to reallocate some of that money to projects
that might lack funding because of the cost of steel and all those things that have been happening
because of the tariff that we are dealing with currently.
Councilman Ighodaro expressed his frustration, explaining this was the first time he was made
aware that the money was reallocated.
City Manager Benson concluded staff would not leave funding in a line item that is no longer a
project.
Councilman Ighodaro withdrew the Item, stating he would bring an Item in the future that
addressed all concerns raised
As a point of clarification; Councilwoman Wilson stated whenever an agreement expires and that
agreement was not fulfilled, the unspent funds associated with the agreement has to be returned
to it appropriate place. Therefore, it is not improper for that to happen. What would be improper
is if that funding was spent without Council authorization, which did not occur.
M QUASI-JUDICIAL ZONING HEARINGS/JENNINGS DISCLOSURE:
None
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(N) ORDINANCES ON FOR FIRST READING/PUBLIC HEARING(S):
None
(0) RESOLUTION(S)/PUBLIC HEARING(S)
None
(P) REPORTS OF CITY MANAGER/CITY ATTORNEY/CITY CLERK
City Attorney Dickens announced the joint special meeting with the City of North Miami Beach
over the water surcharge litigation on May 10, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at the Miami Dade County
Commission Chambers.
(Q) REPORTS OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
Referencing public comments made earlier regarding opportunities for local businesses,
Councilman Ighodaro spoke on the Business and Resident Economic Growth Plan (BREP) to
insure City residents and businesses have fair contract opportunities in any development project.
Councilman Ighodaro urged the developers of 35 acre project to host an"Industry Day" in order
to provide opportunities to community.
Councilman Ighodaro gave an update on his inquiry regarding Ecotech.
Councilman Ighodaro made comments regarding the political climate among Council Members
and the City.
Referencing Jazz in the Gardens, Councilman Ighodaro indicated he has completed his inquiry
and will leave the matter for further investigation(s)by appropriate authorities.
Councilman Leon expressed his gratitude to Parks and Recreation Director Paulette Murphy and
staff for the excellent work her department did with the Easter event.
Councilman Leon also announced his first community connection meeting which will be held at
the Holy Family Church regarding the pedestrian bridge budget as well as the Beautiful
Struggle mentoring group, and the PSWAP National Water Safety Day Event.
Councilwoman Wilson elaborated on bullying and the effects bullying has on everyone.
Councilwoman Wilson stated that you can't be a bystander of bullying when it's beneficial and
opposed when you are the victim.
Councilwoman Odom commended staff for the Easter event.
Councilwoman announced the 6t'Annual Pre-Mother's Day Luncheon.
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Answering a question posed by Councilwoman Odom, City Attorney Dickens advised any City
expenditures and/or resources have to meet a valid City of Miami Gardens municipal purpose
(benefit to City residents).
Vice Mayor Harris concluded the meeting by stating that we can't control the monsters that live
on the street, but we can control the monsters that resides in our house. Let's continue to look
out for each other, love one another, don't be bullied by nobody.
(R) WRITTEN REQUESTS, PETITIONS & OTHER WRITTEN
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
(S) ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss before this body, the meeting adjourned without
objection at 8:07 p.m.
Attest:
Oliver Gilbert, Mayor
C
MarA Bataille, City Clerk
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