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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.14.2010 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - JULY 14 2010 CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JULY 14, 2010 A. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL The City Council for the City of Miami Gardens, Florida, met in regular session on Wednesday, July 14, 2010, beginning at 7:15 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, 1515 NW 167th 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 Andre Williams, Melvin L. Bratton, Sharon Pritchett and Oliver G. Gilbert III. Councilwoman Barbara Watson was out of town. Motion offered by Councilman Gilbert, seconded by Vice Mayor Campbell to excuse Councilwoman Watson's absence. This motion passed and carried by a 6-0 voice vote. Also in attendance were: City Manager Dr. Danny 0. Crew, City Attorney Sonja K. Dickens and City Clerk Ronetta Taylor. B. INVOCATION Invocation delivered by Dr. Lester Brown C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Recited in unison. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES D-1) Regular City Council Minutes—June 9, 2010 Motion offered by Vice Mayor Campbell, seconded by Councilman Gilbert to approve the minutes, with necessary corrections, if any. This motion passed and carried by a 6-0 voice vote. E. ORDER OF BUSINESS (Items to be pulled from Consent Agenda at this time) Motion offered by Councilwoman Pritchett, seconded by Councilman Bratton to pull item J-3 from the Consent Agenda. This motion passed by a 6-0 voice vote. The following item, sponsored by Vice Mayor Campbell was added to the official agenda as Item K-1: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 2010-48-123, AND THE APPOINTMENT OF AARON CAMPBELL JR AS VICE MAYOR; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE." Regular City Council Minutes-July 14, 2010 Page 1 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - JULY 14 2010 Motion offered by Councilwoman Pritchett, seconded by Vice Mayor Campbell to approve the official agenda with the necessary additions/deletions/changes. This motion passed and carried by a 6-0 voice vote. F. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS (5 minutes each) F-1) Mayor Gibson—Proclamation— Parks and Recreation Month Mayor Gibson, along with members of the City Council presented a Proclamation proclaiming the Month of June as Parks and Recreation Month to Derrick Coacker, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director. F-2) Chief Boyd— Police Department Monthly Report. Chief Boyd presented April Manning with the distinguished recognition as Civilian of the Quarter for April 2010 for exemplary services. Ms. Manning is assigned to the Support Services Division of the Miami Gardens Police Department. Chief Boyd presented Officer Eddo Trimino, with the distinguished recognition as Officer of the Month for June 2010, for exemplary police work. Chief Boyd reported when compared to May 2010, June crimes were down five (5%) percent. When comparing June 2009 to June 2010 crimes were reduced by twenty-seven (27%) percent. Year-to-date, crime is down by sixteen (16%) percent. Most noticeable is the reduction in sexual assault cases, and burglaries. Total arrests were up sixteen (16%) percent in June. Robbery arrests increased from three (3) to thirteen (13), and several open cases were closed. Burglary arrests decreased slightly. Many of the open cases were closed. G. PUBLIC COMMENTS Martha Crawford, 1401 NW 173rd Terrace, Miami Gardens, Florida, appeared before the City Council to express concern with the increase in break-ins in her neighborhood. More particularly, several individuals are walking the streets between the hours of 2:00-4:00 in the morning. Mayor Gibson asked Ms. Crawford to speak with the Police Chief or his designee about her concerns. Sonia Mannings, 20560 NW 17th Avenue, Miami Gardens, Florida, appeared before the City Council to commend the City on its Youth Sports Program. She further shared that she wanted to submitt a proposal whereby utilizing one of the City's parks children would have a venue and platform to recite original poetry and or song. This would provide a place for our youth to go to get them off the streets, and would provide more than just sports and play. In closing she stated perhaps the City can accept this type of proposal in the future. Regular City Council Minutes-July 14, 2010 Page 2 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - JULY 1412010 Rita Pierre, 1000 NW 197th Terrace, Miami Gardens, Florida appeared before the City Council to thank Vice Mayor Aaron Campbell Jr., for appointing her to the Caribbean Affairs Advisory Committee. Councilman Bratton shared that each year elected officials from municipalities throughout Miami-Dade County attend Dade Days, in Tallahassee, Florida. He then presented those Council members not in attendance at this event, with a Dade League of Cities Tie. H. ORDINANCE(S) FOR FIRST READING: H-1) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING A LOCAL HIRING PROCESS FOR CITY RESIDENTS; ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES; PROVIDING FOR DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING FOR EXCEPTIONS; PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY COUNCILMAN OLIVER G. GILBERT III) Councilman Gilbert explained his rationale for sponsoring this item. Motion offered by Councilman Gilbert, seconded by Vice Mayor Campbell to adopt this item on first reading. Councilwoman Pritchett asked the City Manager to invite the HR Director to come forward to explain the hiring process. Taren Kinglee, Human Resource Director appeared before the City Council and explained applications from applicants are received through the Human Resource Department. Staff in the Human Resource Department reviews the applications to determine whether the applicant meets minimum qualifications based on the Job Description the Department Head has reviewed. After the applications have been screened those applications are then given to the Department Head. The Department Head then looks at the applications and makes a determination as to whether he/she wants to interview any of those applicants. There may be fifty (50) applications that meet the minimum qualifications. The Department Head may come back and tell HR they only want to interview 10-15 of those applicants, depending on the number of positions they may have open. When the applications are returned to the HR Department, the selected individuals are then scheduled for interviews. In the interview process, HR has a questionnaire that is based on a separate process where the applicants are all asked the same questions. Those questionnaires are scored by the panel members. The scores are averaged out. The scores are structured: Most highly qualified; most qualified; qualified...The Department Head advises the HR Department which of those applicants interviewed they want to select. This starts the hiring process,which includes background screening. Councilwoman Pritchett said from what Ms. Kinglee just explained, the way the process works that out of those fifty (50) applicants, which might include Miami Gardens residents, none of those residents could conceivable be selected for an interview. Regular City Council Minutes-July 14, 2010 Page 3 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - JULY 14 2010 Ms. Kinglee in response to Councilwoman Pritchett's comments said that is correct. Councilman Gilbert commented that is exactly the point. When you have a process, this process would not affect the minimum qualifications. When you have a Miami Gardens resident that meets the minimum qualifications, when they get to that point, they are going to have five (5) points, which is a preference this Council is establishing with this ordinance. We need to be saying, if you have those minimum qualifications we prefer to have you than a non-resident. Councilwoman Pritchett opined if a resident is not in the most qualified category, the five point preference would not help. Manager Crew said if a candidate is in the second category, the five point preference would move them into the top category. Councilwoman Pritchett said that five point preference still does not guarantee he/she a job. Councilman Gilbert said preference is exactly as it sounds, it is a preference and not a guarantee. Ultimately people are going to be put into positions that can actually do the job and do the job well. We are not trying to just give someone a job. The five points can move a resident into another spot on the list. It can get you an interview when you would not have gotten it. That five points is a preference and the Council's desire by preference to hire someone. It is not a guarantee that the resident will get a job automatically. Councilman Williams asked if there were preferences in other municipalities. Ms. Kinglee in response to Councilman Williams said other municipalities did have residential preferences. She explained she did not know how other municipalities preference worked but thought that it might be something given at the end of the interview process. Councilman Williams asked what is the process, now to encourage the hiring of Miami Gardens' residents. Ms. Kinglee said the City's process at present is to hire the most qualified person to do the job. Whether they are a resident or not, the ultimate goal is to have the most qualified, skilled person to do the work. There being no further discussion on this item the motion to adopt this ordinance on first reading did not pass because of a tie vote as follows: Councilman Bratton: No Vice Mayor Campbell: Yes Councilman Gilbert: Yes Councilwoman Pritchett: No Councilwoman Watson: Out of town Councilman Williams: No Mayor Gibson: Yes Regular City Council Minutes-July 14, 2010 Page 4 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - JULY 14 2410 H-2) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 10 ENTITLED "CIVIL PENALTIES AND RELATED TERMS CONSTRUED" OF ORDINANCE NO. 2004-11-27 (CODE ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES); DELETING SECTION 18 ENTITLED "SCHEDULE OF CIVIL PENALTIES" OF ORDINANCE NO. 2004-11-27; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; REPEALING SECTION 8CC-10 OF THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY THE CITY MANAGER) Officer Roderick Potter, Code Compliance Division Director appeared before the City Council to expound on this ordinance. He shared this ordinance would allow the City to be governed by the Florida Statutes instead of Miami-Dade County's Code of Ordinances, as it relates to civil penalties. Motion offered by Vice Mayor Campbell, seconded by Councilman Gilbert to adopt this item on first reading. Councilwoman Pritchett asked whether the City imposes a fine only after a warning notice has been given to the violator. Attorney Dickens in response to Councilwoman Pritchett's question shared that generally the answer is yes. However, there are some instances where severe damage can occur and the violation needs to be taken care of right away, a fine is imposed because it is just not prudent to provide a warning. Generally, the City's policy is to give warning notices. She further shared that in many instances, the City has given more than one warning notice. Councilwoman Pritchett suggested putting language into the ordinance indicating that warnings will be given prior to fines being imposed. Attorney Dickens said the information relating to providing warnings is in the original ordinance. What is before the Council tonight is an amendment to the original ordinance. The only provision being amended tonight is the penalty provision. There being no further discussion on this item, the motion to adopt on first reading passed and carried by a 6-0 vote. Vice Mayor Campbell: Yes Councilman Gilbert: Yes Councilwoman Pritchett: Yes Councilwoman Watson: Out of town Councilman Williams: Yes Regular City Council Minutes -July 14, 2010 Page S CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - JULY 142010 1_ -- 'd Councilman Bratton: Yes Mayor Gibson: Yes H-3) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A SERIES 2010A GROUND LEASE; PROVIDING FOR THE GROUND LEASING OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY, FROM THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA ("THE CITY") TO THE MIAMI GARDENS LEASING CORPORATION IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE LEASE-PURCHASE BY THE CITY OF A NEW TOWN CENTER FACILITY CONTAINING A CITY HALL, POLICE STATION AND PARKING GARAGE TO BE LOCATED THEREON; PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY THE CITY MANAGER) Manager Crew explained this is the first step the City is taking in the financing of the new City Hall. He recounted as part of the financing package, the City was required to establish a non-profit corporation, which was done (Miami Gardens Leasing Corporation). The City will lease the Wachovia property that that corporation. That corporation, which is comprised of the City Council, which will be the vehicle that the Certificate of Participation will be issued to. That is where the financing will come from. The money will then be placed in the Trustees' Account at Wells Fargo. As the City Hall is constructed, funds will be drawn down from the Trustees' Account. At this point, this is just moving the property to the Miami Gardens Leasing Corporation. Motion offered by Vice Mayor Campbell, seconded by Councilman Gilbert to adopt this item on first reading. Robert Gang, the City's Bond Counsel, 1221 Brickell Avenue, Miami, Florida, appeared before the City Council to address any question the Council might have. Mayor Gibson asked when there are certain legal decisions to be made with regard to the Miami Gardens Leasing Corporation, how would that be handled. Attorney Gang in response to Mayor Gibson's question said the Miami Gardens Leasing Corporation is a nominal party to all of the initial financing documents. Because of the City's Charter requiring any leasing of land by the City be done through an ordinance, we are doing this separately from the rest of the financing package. Everything else will be authorized by resolution. Once the initial financing documents are signed first by the City and by the leasing company and other parties, the "lasing company" will sign everything over to the Trustee Bank. Therefore, after the closing there is nothing else for the "leasing company" to do other than when an amendment it needed. For example, to add property; other than filing an annual report with the Secretary of State, the "leasing company" will not be doing anything. Regular City Council Minutes-July 14, 2010 Page 6 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - JULY 14 2010 There being no further discussion on this item, the motion to adopt on first reading passed and carried by a 5-1 vote. Councilman Gilbert: Yes Councilwoman Pritchett: No Councilwoman Watson: Out of town Councilman Williams: Yes Councilman Bratton: Yes Vice Mayor Campbell: Yes Mayor Gibson: Yes I. ORDINANCE(S) FOR SECOND READING/PUBLIC HEARING (S): None. J. CONSENT AGENDA: RESOLUTION NO. 2010-120-1302 J-1) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ISSUE A PURCHASE ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF SIXTY-TWO THOUSAND , EIGHT HUNDRED AND SEVENTY DOLLARS ($62,870.00) TO CHEN AND ASSOCIATES CONSULTING ENGINEERING, INC. FOR TWO (2) STORMWATER PROJECTS; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY THE CITY MANAGER) RESOLUTION NO. 2010-121-1303 J-2) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, IMPLEMENTING MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM VALUES FOR LIEN AMNESTY PROGRAM; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY THE CITY MANAGER) RESOLUTION NO. 2010-122-1304 J-4) 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, RESPECTIVELY THAT CERTAIN AGREEMENT WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (FDOT), ATTACHED HERETO AS EXHIBIT "A", FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000.00) FOR SCHOOL SAFETY ENHANCEMENT AND EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS AND TO EXECUTE ANY ATTENDANT DOCUMENTS; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF Regular City Council Minutes -July 14, 2010 Page 7 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - JULY 14 2010 REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY THE CITY MANAGER) RESOLUTION NO. 2010-123-1305 J-5) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, CONFIRMING VICE MAYOR AARON CAMPBELL'S APPOINTMENT OF RITA PIERRE TO THE CARIBBEAN AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO FILL AN UNEXPIRED TERM ENDING MARCH 10, 2012; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY VICE MAYOR AARON CAMPBELL JR.) Motion offered by Councilman Gilbert, seconded by Vice Mayor Aaron Campbell Jr., to adopt the Consent Agenda as presented. This motion passed and carried by a 6-0 voice vote. K. RESOLUTION(S): RESOLUTION NO. 2010-124-1306 J-3) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE SOUTH FLORIDA AND TREASURER COAST REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCILS IN PREPARING A COMPREHENSIVE JOINT APPLICATION UNDER THE FEDERAL SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, ATTACHED HERETO AS EXHIBIT "A"; AUTHORIZING A TWENTY PERCENT LOCAL IN-KIND MATCH FUNDS; PROVIDING FOR INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CITY CLERK; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY THE CITY MANAGER) Motion offered by Councilwoman Pritchett, seconded by Vice Mayor Campbell to adopt this item. Councilwoman Pritchett asked for an explanation for the term "twenty-percent local in-kind matching fund." Manager Crew in response to Councilwoman Pritchett's question explained this means for example, the Development Services Director's salary and time can be applied against the grant. There being no further discussion, the motion to adopt this item passed and carried by a 6-0 voice vote. RESOLUTION NO. 2010-125-1307 K-1) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 2010-48-123, AND THE Regular City Council Minutes -July 14, 2010 Page 8 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - JULY 14 2010 APPOINTMENT OF AARON CAMPBELL JR AS VICE MAYOR; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE (SPONSORED BY VICE MAYOR AARON CAMPBELL JR.) Motion offered by Vice Mayor Campbell to adopt this item. This motion died for a lack of a second. L. RESOLUTION(S/PUBLIC HEARING(S): RESOLUTION NO. 2010-125-1307 L-1) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FIFTH PROGRAM YEAR ACTION PLAN, ATTACHED HERETO AS EXHIBIT "A"; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY THE CITY MANAGER) Mayor Gibson opened the floor for this public hearing. After there were no interested parties to speak on this item, the public hearing closed. Daniel Rosemond, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director appeared before the City Council to expound on this item. He said this item submits the annual action plan to HUD. The document outlines the activities to be undertaken by the City for Fiscal year 2010-2011. Motion offered by Councilman Gilbert, seconded by Vice Mayor Campbell to adopt this item. Councilwoman Pritchett made reference to the Activity column and asked for an explanation for "Program Administration." Mr. Rosemond in response to Councilwoman Pritchett's question explained that "Program Administration" refers to the dollars to pay the staff salaries of the Community Development Department, as well as all of the administrative activities (rental of office space, copy machine, and all of the expenses related to the administration of the program. He said the allocations are formula driven. Councilwoman Pritchett asked for a breakdown of cost for the Program Administration portion of this Plan. Manager Crew said he would provide this information. Mayor Gibson asked because the program is formula driven, is the City required to used the full percentage amount allocated. Regular City Council Minutes -July 14, 2010 Page 9 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - JULY 14 2010 Mr. Rosemond in response to Mayor Gibson's question said the City is not required to use the full percentage allocated. However, there is usually some sort of carryover that the General Fund has to make. In the City's case, we have been very fortunate that the General Fund has not had to do that within the first five years. There being no further discussion, the motion to adopt this item passed and carried by a 5-1 vote. Councilman Bratton: Yes Vice Mayor Campbell: Yes Councilman Gilbert: Yes Councilwoman Pritchett: No Councilman Williams: Yes Mayor Gibson: Yes RESOLUTION NO. 2010-126-1308 L-2) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING A SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT THIRD YEAR ACTION PLAN, ATTACHED HERETO AS EXHIBIT "A"; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS: PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY THE CITY MANAGER) 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 Vice Mayor Campbell, seconded by Councilman Gilbert to adopt this item. Mr. Rosemond explained this is a similar item however it is an amendment to the City's existing Action Plan. The amendment entails the redistribution of the funds for the activities. This item reduces the Infrastructure improvements and commercial redevelopment by $50,000.00 each. It increases an activity called Code Enforcement in the amount of $100,000.00. This will help with some timelessness issues. Councilwoman Pritchett asked whether there was a reason Code Enforcement was not included from the beginning. Funding was basically for those activities in the City's Comprehensive Plan. The Infrastructure Improvements were funded at $500,000 per year up until now. Only a portion of those dollars have been spent. One of the things the City needs to do is to be mindful of our timelessness, if not HUD will cited the City and will be in danger of losing entitlement. When looking at the things that are happening within the City, Code Enforcement is essentially in line with the Comprehensive Plan. Furthermore, discussion has Regular City Council Minutes-July 14, 2010 Page 10 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - JULY 14 2010 taken place about addressing the abandoned and foreclosed properties. By funding the Code Enforcement Activity it frees the City up to be able to do that and carry out the activities without the burden of having to document all the things that HUD would have the City do if it was going to fund the boarding up and lot clearing exclusively. Staff has determined this is a better way to carry out the activities in line with the Comprehensive Plan. Councilwoman Pritchett asked whether the $100,000.00 would go toward the boarding up and lot clearing cost. Mr. Rosemond, in response to Councilwoman Pritchett's question said the $100,000.00 would actually go toward the cost of staff. Councilwoman Pritchett asked whether staff was using the $80,000.00 originally approved for the board up project. Mr. Rosemond said the City is not using the $80,000.00 that was originally approved. In reviewing the first option it was very cumbersome. However, staff thought this was a better way to do the board up project. Councilwoman Pritchett asked Manager Crew for a breakdown of the administrative cost for this program as well. Mayor Gibson asked about the Infrastructure Improvements Activity. Mr. Rosemond said that particular project has not been dismissed altogether. Staff is basically waiting on two of the existing Homeowners Associations to collect the required signatures to be able to convey the roads to the City. He stated that he was hopeful and optimistic but at the same time he has to watch the facts, and make sure the City is not in danger of losing the money. Mayor Gibson shared that she brought this matter up because the City has been trying to focus on the Westside of the City's Private Developments infrastructure. The City cannot move forward with those improvements until it has ownership of the infrastructure. The City has been working diligently for the past four (4) years trying to get the residents to sign for the City to actually take ownership in order for the City to repair those streets and sidewalks. Mr. Rosemond said a deadline has been imposed with those residents. Vice Mayor Campbell shared that the infrastructure on the Westside was severely neglected by Miami-Dade County prior to this are becoming a City. Once the City incorporated one of his main focuses was to improve the Westside. However, many of the residents there appear to not want the City to improve the roads. He said he finds this hard to believe that these residents do not want the City to improve the conditions in their communities. For years Regular City Council Minutes-July 14, 2010 Page 11 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - JULY 14 2010 these residents complained about the conditions. Now, the City wants to improve this infrastructure. Mr. Rosemond shared that his assessment is there is a lack of trust. Councilman Bratton for clarification purposes as that the Westside of the City being discussed was not in Residential Area Seat 4. Mayor Gibson in response to Councilman Bratton's comment stated for the record that the Westside of the City being mentioned is in Residential Area Seat 1, and not Residential Area Seat 4. Councilwoman Pritchett stated she would like to have further information before voting in the affirmative for this item. There being no further discussion, the motion to adopt passed and carried by a 5-1 vote. Vice Mayor Campbell: Yes Councilman Gilbert: Yes Councilwoman Pritchett: No Councilwoman Watson: Out of town Councilman Williams: Yes Councilman Bratton: Yes Mayor Gibson: Yes M. REPORTS OF CITY MANAGER/CITY ATTORNEY/CITY CLERK Attorney Dickens stated for the record that as a result of the Zoning Hearing held on July 71h, a workshop between staff and the property and business owners of the Sunshine Industrial Park to discuss the LDR will be held on Wednesday, July 28, 2010, beginning at 5:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers. Manager Crew announced that a budget workshop between the City Council has been scheduled for Monday, July 26, 2010, beginning at 10:00 a.m. He said he would have the budget available this coming Friday, which would give the Council approximately ten days to look it over. Clerk Taylor announced that Monday, July 12th was the last day that passports could be obtained for a fee of $75.00 therefore, over 64 passport applications were processed on that day. In addition, the Office of the City Clerk was audited earlier today by a representative from the Federal Passport Agency. There were a few minor suggestions made however for the most part the City passed the inspection/audit. Councilwoman Pritchett asked whether the minor suggestions impacted the Citys position to issue passports. Regular City Council Minutes-July 14, 2010 Page 12 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - JULY 1412010 Clerk Taylor said one of the suggestions was the use of a different type mailing envelope. Mayor Gibson shared that the Post Office is now only accepting passport applications by appointments. She said she has noticed a significant decrease in the number of people standing in line now. She asked whether the City Clerk anticipates doing anything to promote or advertise the fact that the City of Miami Gardens is a passport facility. Clerk Taylor in response to Mayor Gibson's inquiry shared that previously she had placed an announcement in the Police Department and Parks and Recreation Department Newsletters. Mayor Gibson suggested also placing an advertisement in the Community Newspaper. Clerk Taylor shared that she had asked one of the applicants how did he hear about the City of Miami Gardens being a passport facility. This individual who happened to be a resident said he got the word from the community that the City of Miami Gardens is the only game in town, they get you in and they get you out in a timely manner. N. REPORTS OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS Vice Mayor Campbell said usually when an elected official sponsors an item that individual is allowed to comment on the item before a motion is made. He said tonight he was denied that opportunity. He said he believe he understands why that was done. He stated for the record that he do not wish to be the Vice Mayor. He said his main reason for not wanting to be the vice mayor is that the Mayor is doing a lot of things, commitments throughout the City. He shared that he retired from the Miami-Dade County Police Department eight (8) years ago, and he made a promise that he was not going to be working full time anywhere. He said he can do the job of Council member and represent the constituents in his residential seat area, but he did not wish to be the vice mayor. Secondly, he is fully supportive of Mayor Gibson's efforts to be elected to the next highest position, and when she becomes elected it means that the vice mayor becomes Mayor. He said if he did not want to be the vice mayor, he most certainly do not want to be the Mayor. Councilwoman Pritchett invited everyone out to the 7th Annual All-Star Basketball Jam at Miami Carol City Senior High School. The event will take place Sunday, August 8, 2010, from 1:00-5:00 p.m. The City of Miami Gardens staff members will be playing members of the HOT- 105 Radio Station Staff members. Councilman Bratton provided each Council member with a copy of the City of Miami Gardens Sign Code as it related to Campaign Signage. He shared as he drove through the City earlier today, there were campaign signs placed any and everywhere throughout the City. Most were illegal as per the City's Sign Code. Regular City Council Minutes -July 14, 2010 Page 13 COUNCIL MINUTES - JULY 14 2010 Manager Crew shared that staff was out this morning addressing this issue. Most of the illegal signs are now all gone. Attorney Dickens highlighted the campaign sign requirements: one sign per property is allowed; the sign is not to be located over or on the public rights-of-way, public lands or utility poles; the signs are not allowed to be placed on vacant lots without the consent of the property owner (that information has to be filed with the City Clerk); political signs cannot obstruct the flow of traffic; if the sign is not removed by the candidate, the City can remove it. The sign can be erected 90 days before and are to be removed five days after the last election, which the candidate or issue are on the ballot. Councilman Williams asked how much did the City pay for the Royal Palm Trees as part of its beautification efforts. Manager Crew in response to Councilman Williams said approximately$1,000.00 each. Councilman Williams said there are political signs nailed to those trees. He opined this damages the trees. He asked the City Manager to please remove those signs. Councilman Bratton asked that the signs announcing DJ's be removed as well. O. WRITTEN REQUESTS, PETITIONS & OTHER WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC None P. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before this Body, and upon a motion being duly made by Councilman Bratton, the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. XirlKy Gi son, Mayor Attest* R netta Taylor, MM , City Clerk Regular City Council Minutes-July 14, 2010 Page 14