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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.28.2011 special CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 28, 2011 (A) CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL The City Council for the City of Miami Gardens,Florida,met in special session on Wednesday, September 28, 2011, beginning at 5:11 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, 1515 NW 16701 Street, Building 5, Suite 200, Miami Gardens,Florida. The following members of the City Council were present: Mayor Shirley Gibson,Vice Mayor Aaron Campbell Jr.,and Council members Lisa C. Davis,Andre Williams,Felicia Robinson,David Williams Jr., and Oliver G. Gilbert III. Also in attendance were: City Manager Dr. Danny O. Crew, City Attorney Sonja K. Dickens and City Clerk Ronetta Taylor. (B) INVOCATION Reverend Lionel Ridgley delivered the Invocation. (C) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Pledge of Allegiance recited in unison. Mayor Gibson announced, "This is the second of two public hearings for the adoption of the millage rate and budget for the City of Miami Gardens for fiscal year 2011-2012. (D) RESOLUTION(S)/PUBLIC HEARING RESOLUTION NO. 2011-148-1541 D-1) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS,FLORIDA, ADOPTING A FINAL MILLAGE RATE AT A PUBLIC HEARING, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2012; ESTABLISHING THE ROLLBACK RATE;PROVIDING FOR DIRECTIONS TO THE CITY CLERK; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY THE CITY MANAGER) After the title of this resolution was read into the record by the City Clerk Mayor Gibson stated, "The proposed final millage rate for the city for fiscal year 2011-2012 is 6.5616, which represents an eleven(11%)percent increase over the roll-back rate." Manager Crew stated the budget before Council for consideration has a rollback rate of 5.9123 over our current rate of 5.7141. The budget is based upon going to the rollback rate, which according to the state is a zero percent increase. On top of that he was recommending that Council to a different rate, which is an eleven (11%) percent higher rate, or 6.5616, which will generate approximately 2.1 Million Dollars. The purpose of this increase is to replenish the City's reserve fund (1.5 Million), and utilize approximately $650,000.00 to fill nine (9) vacant police officer Special City Council Minutes September 28, 2011 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES] 2011 positions in the police department. He emphasized the importance to have the police department staffed at full operational level. He shared that all the ad valorem(property)taxes do not pay for the police department. This tax increase would affect the average property owner by approximately $23.00 annually. He further shared however,with the decreases proposed by Miami-Dade County, overall tax bills for residents in Miami Gardens will decrease. Mayor Gibson opened the floor for this public hearing. Dannie McMillon, 4420 NW 176th Street, Miami Gardens, Florida, Chair of the Miami Gardens Commission For Women appeared before the City Council to request that an additional $2,500 be allocated for the Commission For Women's budget. She shared initially the Commission For Women's budget was $10,000. That amount was decreased to $5,000. Now the amount budgeted for this fiscal year is $2,500. She asked the Council to support the Commission For Women. W. Ervan Miller, 1370 NW 207th Street,Miami Gardens,Florida,appeared before the City Council in support of the tax increase. He opined the budget presented by the City Manager for the Council's approval in his view is a "shared sacrifice." He said the city is nine (9) years old, and cannot stop growing. The voters elected the city officials to represent them.He shared that he along with his wife are of the opinion that the city needs to do whatever is necessary to get where it is trying to go. Sharon Frazier-Stephens, 145 NE 193rd Street, Miami, Florida, appeared before the City Council in support of the tax increase and the City of Miami Gardens' police department. She opined the City of Miami Gardens is not a poor city. It is a working city. She also asked the senior citizens, and handicapped residents on fixed incomes be considered. Beverly Bush,3125 NW 205th Street,Miami Gardens,Florida,representing the North County Citizen Association appeared before the City Council in support of the tax increase and the Miami Gardens Police Department. She opined the proposed millage rate is a reasonable amount because we as a growing city cannot afford to lose the services being provided currently. To cut services means the city is going backwards. Denise White, 1210 NW 179th Terrace, Miami Gardens, Florida, appeared before the City Council and thanked the City Manager for responding to her questions in a timely manner. She shared the information provided by the City Manager indicated that in the fiscal year of 2010 the Jazz in the Gardens Festival,the city realized a profit of$115,900.00,over cost for production. In 2011 it cost the city$139,700 to produce. She asked whether the city made a profit on the 2011 Jazz in the Gardens Festival. She said the 1212 budget reports 2 Million for production,and 2 Million for profit, which is a break event. Manager Crew in response to Ms.White's question about whether the city made a profit from the 2011 Jazz in the Gardens Festival,stated the city did not make a profit from the 2011 Jazz in the Gardens Festival. Special City Council Minutes - Sept. 28, 2011 Page 2 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 2011 Mayor Gibson further expounded on this item and shared it actually cost the city$139,700.00 to produce the 2011 Jazz in the Gardens Festival. There being no other interested parties to speak on this item,the public hearing closed. Motion offered by Councilwoman Robinson,seconded by Councilwoman Davis to adopt the final millage rate. Councilman Gilbert shared he is a property owner in Miami Gardens and pays taxes just like other property owners in the city. He said one of the things he looks at is what we need. He referenced the increase in crime, which happened over the summer. He opined this was the worst summer in the media for the city. Every day it seemed like someone was losing their life. He said as he talks with residents there is one thing that he is sure of,the city needs to have more police on the street. He said he knows we need to have more police officers on the street. The community police do an excellent job with the crime watches. However, this is not a crime watch problem. This is more difficult, it is violent crime. The question is not whether we can afford to pay the taxes, the question is whether we can afford not to. He stated we cannot allow this to get much worse. He cannot surrender this city to people who think they have a right to take your life or your property. He said he voting to pay more taxes. There is no going back. He said he like the fact that police officers are on the street. Vice Mayor Campbell referenced comments made by Councilman Gilbert and shared if you look at the published 2011 Census data, for District 1, which includes the City of Miami Gardens. Compared with District 2, the census numbers for District 1 increased by 2% and decreased in District 2 by 2%. The city has no control over that,but if we decided to do nothing about it,it would be irresponsible. We have a population increase,and we have to deal with it. If that means we have to increase our police department by increasing ad valorem taxes by$24-30,then that is what needs to be done. He stated that he was voting in favor of the millage increase. Mayor Gibson shared to balance out this current budget year the city manager instituted furlough days for his upper management staff this included staff who earned$40,000 and up. Those employees had to take off days and did not get paid for those days. To ensure that the proposed budget for FY 2011-2012 is balanced,the city manager is proposing that every employee within this city will take furlough days next year. She opined the employees have taken this on with a great deal of responsibility and commitment to the city. She commended the employees for not having an issue about this. She stressed the importance of having a balance in the lives of the residents. This is dine through the wonderful programs being offered at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex. Mayor Gibson made reference to the request made by Ms. McMillion, Chair of the Commission For Woman. She stated that she understands the great work being done by this Commission. However,one of the challenges is that every department is going to have to figure out a way to stretch the dollars that they have. She said the committees especially are going to have to search out other organizations for funding by partnering with these organizations. It is difficult,and economic times now demand that we do some difficult things. She stated her belief that this Council has not acted in a manner that is irresponsible when it comes to items being considered. The Council Special City Council Minutes - Sept. 28, 2011 Page 3 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 2011 was here to provide the leadership that the voters elected them to provide. It has not been easy. The Council has had to make some decisions that the voters were not pleased with. Leadership does not mean that you always get to have it the easy way. When it is real leadership that is when you have to make the hard decisions. She asked the voters to continue to have confidence in the Council's leadership. After the conclusion of this discussion, motion offered by Councilman Gilbert,seconded by Vice Mayor Campbell to defer this item until after a discussion on the budget. This motion passed and carried by a unanimous voice vote. After the budget was discussed, and a motion was placed on the floor to recall the millage resolution,the motion to adopt the final millage rate of 6.5616 was adopted by a 6-1 vote. Vice Mayor Aaron Campbell Jr.: Yes Councilwoman Lisa C. Davis: Yes Councilman Oliver G. Gilbert III: Yes Councilwoman Felicia Robinson: Yes Councilman Andre Williams: No Councilman David Williams Jr. Yes Mayor Shirley Gibson: Yes Once the resolution adopting the final millage rate was approved, a motion was offered by Councilman Gilbert, seconded by Vice Mayor Campbell to recall the Budget Ordinance. (E) ORDINANCE(S) FOR SECOND READING/PUBLIC HEARING: ORDINANCE NO.2011-20-262 E-1) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS,FLORIDA,APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE CITY'S BUDGET FOR THE 2011-2012 FISCAL YEAR;PROVIDING FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS; PROVIDING FOR CARRYOVER OF FUNDS; PROVIDING A SURCHARGE AND FEE INCREASE FOR PERMITS; PROVIDING FOR INTERFUND TRANSFERS; PROVIDING FOR AUTOMATIC AMENDMENT; PROVIDING FOR ISSUANCE OF TAX ANTICIPATION BOND; PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY THE CITY MANAGER) (1st Reading — September 14,2011) Manager Crew shared when the city found out that property values had declined 7.5%,which cost approximately$650,000.00,in the budget. The city lost another 1.7 million in revenues due to the Public Service Commission's decision(state level). There was also a reduction of approximately a Special City Council Minutes - Sept. 28, 2011 Page 4 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1 2011 half million dollars in state revenue in the Public Communication Division. That is the kind of revenue shortfall the FY2010-2011 Budget year started out with. Staff looked through the budget and made approximately 5 Million dollars in cuts this coming year. Furloughs, no merit increases, no cost of living increases,not funding approximately 20 positions. Overall the budget is down by approximately 8.2% from last year. That is due largely to department heads cutting their budgets and trying to do more with less;over the past three years over 100 positions have been cut from the workforce. Mayor Gibson shared that the property appraiser provides its ad valorem tax numbers to municipalities in June; when those numbers drop, the anticipated revenue from ad valorem taxes changes. At that particular time,the city manager very quickly has to try and rebalance the budget. The city has no control over state revenues. However it has to make sure there is a balanced budget at the end of the fiscal year,which is September 301'. Mayor Gibson 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 Councilwoman Robinson,seconded by Councilman David Williams Jr.,to adopt this ordinance. At the conclusion of the discussion,motion offered by Councilman Gilbert,seconded by Vice Mayor Campbell to defer this item until after the approval and adoption of the final millage. This motion passed and carried by a unanimous vote. Motion offered by Vice Mayor Campbell, seconded by Councilwoman Davis to recall the millage resolution. This motion passed and carried by a unanimous vote. After the budget ordinance was recalled, Mayor Gibson opened the floor for discussion. Mayor Gibson shared when the city starting looking at financing the City Hall/Police Department Complex it hired a financial expert. That individual has saved the city over 2 Million Dollars. She emphasized the importance of having a financial advisor on board to always look at financial aspects to ensure the city is getting the very best deal it can get. She said this is a discussion that needs to be held by the Council after the adoption of this budget. Councilman Gilbert shared that he had drafted a letter to the Deputy Secretary of HUD. He shared he had met with the Deputy Secretary of HUD this past week, in Washington, D.C. to talk about the Section 8 housing that Miami Gardens has, and the apartment complex on NW 183rd Street. He further shared that the other issue,which is a state issue is the water rate charged by the City of North Miami Beach. He said the lobbyist both state and federal made some progress on these issues,and opined at some point the city might need to do some contract lobbying for the water issue and the HUD issue. There being no further discussion the motion to adopt the budget for FY 2011-2012 passed and carried by a 6-1 vote. Special City Council Minutes - Sept. 28, 2011 Page 5 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 2011 Councilwoman Lisa C. Davis: Yes Councilman Oliver G. Gilbert III: Yes Councilwoman Felicia Robinson: Yes Councilman Andre Williams: No Councilman David Williams Jr. Yes Vice Mayor Aaron Campbell Jr.: Yes Mayor Shirley Gibson: Yes (F) ADJOURNMENT. There being no further business to come before this Body,and upon a motion being duly moved and seconded this meeting adjourned at 5:57 p.m. Attest: Shirley GibsMayor netta Taylor, MMC ity Clerk Special City Council Minutes - Sept. 28, 2011 Page 6