HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.11.2013 Special Meeting MINUTES -SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING 1 2013
CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 11, 2013
(A) CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The City Council for the City of Miami Gardens, Florida, met in Special Session,
Wednesday, September 11, 2013, beginning at 6:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, 1515 NW
167`h Street,Building 5, Suite 200, Miami Gardens, Florida.
The following members of the City Council were present: Mayor Oliver Gilbert, Vice
Mayor Lisa C. Davis, and Council members Lillie Q. Odom, Rodney Harris, Felicia Robinson,
David Williams Jr.,and Erhabor Ighodaro.
Also in attendance were: City Manager Dr. Danny O. Crew, City Attorney Sonja K.
Dickens and City Clerk Ronetta Taylor.
(B) INVOCATION
Delivered by Mayor Gilbert
(C) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of Allegiance recited in unison
(D) RESOLUTION(S)/PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Gilbert stated. "This is the first of two public hearings for the adoption of the
Millage Rate and Budget for the City of Miami Gardens for Fiscal Year 2013-2014".
RESOLUTION NO.2013-195-1891
D-1) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS,
FLORIDA, ADOPTING A PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE AT A
PUBLIC HEARING, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING
OCTOBER 1, 2013, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2014;
ESTABLISHING THE ROLLBACK RATE; 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 title of the resolution was read into the record by the City Clerk, Mayor Gilbert
stated. "The proposed Millage rate for the city for Fiscal Year 2013/2014 is 6.9363, which is
12.02%over the roll-back rate."
Manager Crew shared when the budget process was initiated for this fiscal year it was
started with the knowledge that the city was approximately Two Million Dollars short from last
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MINUTES -SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING 1 2013
fiscal year. This was caused by: 1) use of reserve funds to balance, which are not available again;
2) the Property Appraise the Miami Dade County Property Appraiser's office that the property
value had actually declined, resulting in a One Million Dollar loss. On the positive side there are
some new revenues that will be generating more revenue next year. A lot of these revenues are
economy based. In order to address the shortfall, between eight—ten positions will be eliminated.
The savings associated with the elimination of those positions is approximately a half million
dollars. Over the last four to five years,over 100 positions have been eliminated.
Manager Crew stated the Two Million Dollar shortfall has been addressed, the budget is
balanced. However, several years ago this Council established crime reduction as its number one
priority. A city in South Florida, the size of Miami Gardens generally has 2.8 to 3.0 police officers
per thousand, per population. The city is down to approximately 2.0 per thousand. Several years
ago, the Council said it wanted to increase the number of police officers by ten (10) every year.
Three years ago, the city was fortunate enough to get a couple of grants, which paid part of the cost
for ten officers. This past fiscal year, the city hired additional officers, as well. This proposed
budget accommodates the hiring of another ten(10)additional officers.
Manager Crew said the police department has had some success. The City of Miami
Gardens' crime rate is now lower than Aventura, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Hollywood, Orlando, and
St. Petersburg. However, there is still a lot of violent crime in the city. Protecting the residents is
still the number one priority.
Manager Crew recommended the Council approve the 12% tax increase to be used to fund
the ten (10) additional police officers for fiscal year 2014. The impact of this 12% tax increase to
property owners, according to the medium taxable value on homes in Miami Gardens would add
$19.47 per year to those tax bills. This equates to $1.62 per month. He opined this is a small
investment to pay to ensure the safety of our residents.
Mayor Gilbert opened the floor for the public hearing.
Joseph A. Obadeyi, 18520 NW 42nd Avenue, Miami Gardens, Florida, appeared before
the Council representing the City of Miami Gardens Elderly Affairs Advisory to ask the Council
to consider allocating $2.5000.00, to the Committee.
There being no other interested parties to speak on this item, the public hearing was
closed.
Motion offered by Councilman Williams, seconded by Vice Mayor Davis and
Councilwoman Robinson to adopt this item.
There being no discussion on this item, Mayor Gilbert asked for a motion to defer the
item until after discussion on the budget.
Motion offered by Councilman Ighodaro, seconded by Councilman Williams to defer this
item, until after discussion on the budget. This motion passed and carried by a unanimous voice
vote.
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MINUTES -SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING 2013
After discussion took place on the budget, and a motion and vote taken to recall the
proposed millage resolution, the motion to adopt the millage resolution passed and carried by a
unanimous voice vote.
Upon a vote being taken on the proposed millage resolution, Mayor Gilbert asked for a
motion to recall the Budget Ordinance.
Motion offered by Councilman Williams, seconded by Vice Mayor Davis, and
Councilwoman Odom to recall the budget ordinance. 'Ibis motion passed and carried by a
unanimous voice vote.
(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 2013-2014 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)
After the title of this ordinance was read into the record by the City Clerk,the City Manager
stated that Miami Gardens is still a financially secure city. The city has a minimum reserve that
staff feels is necessary to assist the city through emergencies, for Fiscal Year 2013-2014. The total
budget for 2014 is 128 Million Dollars,which includes 76 Million in the General Fund.
Manager Crew stated, "It has been a tough four(4)years. The city has been very fortunate
to have some good things happen that has helped the city to maintain its financial position. The city
has maintained its"A Plus" bond rating. This is extremely good for a city that is less than 20 years
old.
Manager Crew shared the move to City Hall will take place this upcoming fiscal year. The
City of Miami Gardens' City Hall complex is the world's largest"LEEDS Platinum"facility.
Mayor Gilbert opened the floor for this public hearing.
Stephanie Rodriguez, 4931 SW 102 Court, Miami, Florida, 33165, a reporter with the
Miami Herald appeared before the Council to ask for press access to public records, as well as a
statement from the City Manager after this meeting.
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MINUTES -SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING 1 2013
There being no other interested parties to speak on this item,the public hearing was closed.
Motion offered by Councilman Williams, seconded by Vice Mayor Davis and
Councilwoman Odom,to adopt the budget on first reading.
Mayor Gilbert asked for clarification on the request for $2,500.00 funding for the Elderly
Affairs Advisory Committee.
Clerk Taylor explained that the Elderly Affairs Advisory Committee is involved with the
State of Florida Elderly Affairs Initiative of a Lifetime, which provides assistance by sponsoring
speakers for the various workshops relating to senior issues. The Committee also wanted to travel
to Tallahassee, March 2014 to participate in Senior Day.
Mayor Gilbert indicated to Mr. Obadeyi that it was too late to add this request the budget;
however he would ensure the Elderly Affairs Advisory Committee received a $2,500.00
contribution to assist with their initiatives.
Mayor Gilbert asked for a motion to defer the budget ordinance, until after the adoption
of the proposed millage resolution.
Motion offered by Councilman Williams, seconded by Vice Mayor Davis to defer the
budget ordinance until after the adoption of the proposed millage resolution. There being no
discussion,the motion to defer passed and carried by a unanimous voice rote.
Mayor Gilbert asked for a motion to recall the proposed millage resolution
Motion offered by Councilman Williams, seconded by Vice Mayor Davis to recall the
proposed millage resolution. There being no discussion this motion passed and carried by a
unanimous voice vote.
After the vote was taken and voted on to recall the budget ordinance, the motion to adopt
the ordinance on first reading passed and carried by a 7-0 vote.
Councilman Harris: Yes
Councilman Ighodaro: Yes
Councilwoman Odom: Yes
Councilwoman Robinson: Yes
Councilman Williams: Yes
Vice Mayor Davis: Yes
Mayor Gilbert: Yes
(F) ADJOURNMENT.
There being no further business to come before this Body, and upon a motion being duly
made, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
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MINUTES -SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING 1 2013
Attest: T
Oliver Gilbert, Mayor
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Ronetta Taylor, M NO,'City Clerk
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