I'm ready. >> Good evening everyone. Welcome to our joint workshop. The time is now 6:34, Monday, April 6, 2026. Madame Clerk, roll call. >> Commissioner Bass, here. Commissioner
Irvin, here. Commissioner Santiago >> here. >> Mayor Taylor >> here. >> Uh me board member Bria >> here. >> Board member Dennis >> here. >> Board member Hassan.
>> Vice May Vice Chair Williams >> and Chair Allen >> here. All right. As we stand for our invocation. Madam Chair Allen, you want to Right. Father,
thank you each continue to give us strength. >> I pledge allegiance >> to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all. All right, we're going into our discussion items and we'll um uh I'll turn it over to Chairwoman Allen. So the first discussion item is the
charter review board recommendations followed by consider the potential placement of proposed charter amendments on the upcoming ballot. Um the city charter um I guess the attorney will be doing that and address any other related matters as deemed appropriate by the
city commission. Um chair Allan you have the floor. >> Okay and thank you. >> No problem. Um what we brought to our discussion we had was the increase in the salary to 1,000. With that it was
also proposed that for the insurance that it will be paid on behalf of the city. Now if the individual would like to have their spouse or family then that money will be at their expense to pay
which will be deducted from their 1,000 but it's what we propose um the board any more they were to add in at this time. >> Okay. So that's it.
>> Okay. Any questions >> on the recommendations? >> I have a question. >> Mhm. >> Um, so if we wanted to add our spouse, we would have to pay out of our pocket for our spouses. >> Yes.
>> Okay. So, if I may ask madame manager a question because I don't think we we know I don't think some of my colleagues know. So,
um so as we know for the police officers we pay for their spouses insurance. Am I correct? >> All city employees. So for all city employees, the employee itself it's covered under 100%. For um any
dependent, the city pays 50%. So if it's a spouse, if it's children, the city pays 50%. >> Okay. So So would that be granted to us as an employee of the city as well? I
guess that question is to the board. >> Yeah, I'm asking the board. No, we're honored as elected official. >> Yeah, elected official is a is an employee of the city. >> Oh, madam madam commissioner >> through the chair.
>> Yes, >> that it is it is um stipulated in there that any um any payment will come out of the saddle for the commissioner. So the com the the if if I'm not mistaken listen to the manager if the city's
paying 50% then that is coming out the the other 50% is probably coming out the the employee salary. So that would that would be the same thing for the commission. >> Okay. I just wanted to know >> question may >> any other questions? Yes sir madam chair
commissioner Santiago >> well the same is something to making clear what commissioner Irvinson and to the manager first I understand the the money that we
talking about that you talking about to about the dependent that any employment is supposed to have if they had children or something like that. How are the city we are pay 50% of that money and we and
it is not doing like the way outside doing it in any any place that they that you be uh employment. >> Yeah, absolutely correct. >> Yeah. because they I know when I used to be unemployment for some company they take the money that I make
or from the money that I made the gross is the gross that we calling all the gross that we make they deducting the taxes and for sure I have some uh uh uh credit for my dependent for my children but it's coming from my money they don't
pay it for me my taxes >> you're absolutely correct the city of opalaka is probably one of few that's still doing that for its employees. So the city has done that for a very long time and continue to do it. Um and
you're right, most employers don't do that. So that is a a great benefit >> and let me tell you to the board because I going to make that you know on public and I'm going to keep in defending my city because we live here and we know
how we love the place that we live. It's a city that have a lot of benefits for the workers. A lot of things that we giving to nobody giving to nobody around the area. And like that we heard some comments
about that we are a toxic city. We not my city is good is clean. It's nice and we do a lot of things for our people here inside. And I hope they recognize that everybody thing that you don't do for the elected
official. Elected official somebody say before that we unemployment for the city. We not well by some consent yes but let me tell you that what whatever they give you the gift that they give you they it's not even you know uh money to you put gas
and go all the way around to serve the community me and oh and let me tell you you uh uh you finance department I think is correct they take from my
$500 that I get every month. They take the money from my taxes. >> Yes. >> Uh member of the board. You see, they take it from us, from the elected official. And you calling the we unemployment, but we don't have the benefits to have the 50% for the city.
And we don't say anything. But they taking from my 500 and I receive $492.35 every month. >> You're getting a dollar more than me. I get $4.95. >> Okay. What's something like that? And and if I may,
>> hey, something I think that something like that, but that's the point. Okay. >> And if I may, I just with this weekend and the other day, Dennis talked with the benefits and the events that we have, we no longer before did not see
that. And it's just great benefits that I do think commissioners and I know we had this topic before, but that they should be getting paid more for what they're doing because they're showing up to these events whether they're with their family or not, but they're showing
up and in this case I don't even know if they have to. I'm assuming maybe because politics or whatever, but maybe you have to. But um and and I've said this before, the events that I've seen progress in
Opalaka has been great. And I haven't been here for the last two meetings, but Dennis did mention that for the newer generation, and I don't think I'm wrong, but I think I'm the youngest in this in
here right now. And the difference is real and it's good. And that's literally what we need. So I think that the support the fi the 500 doesn't even add up to what it should be. And if you ask
me I don't know the number but it could be more is is what I see. >> That's going to be my chair. >> Oh who who said that? >> Oh I'm sorry. Oh, I I don't I don't know
if he was done. >> Uh yeah, it's only my last statement that I want to say. Um uh the thing is I'm not I'm not begging you the board,
okay, to to do something that probably is not correct to doing it, okay, like an elected official that we are. or by your experiences and by what you already know about the past and everything. Just take some consideration about us when
all these changes that we have and I think that everybody is supposed to be uh take care equal like us and if the city pay the 50% that they're talking about for the tax I think that we deserve that too. If it's
not, take it off from everybody. >> Okay. >> Um, you you need Go ahead. >> Okay. Thank her. >> William, no. No. Go ahead. >> Say, "Y'all had a mic already." Enough.
Okay. Enough. >> I'll wait. Um I want to say um if we could have if we could say 30 $40,000 right if we could make it a salary we we
that would be spectacular because I of all people know how much especially now with the increase of gas and housing costs and everything. $1,000 is not is remotely not even
enough. Um we know that the city we live in we have to go small increments because it's also and I mentioned this before um it's marketing and there has to be a big marketing push around this
so that um and I think as the board and as well as the commission as well as um getting citizens to push and market what this means and why this is important. I will say that that did not come up in
terms of our conversations, but I see no problem. I have no problem with saying that the city because that's the least something else that we can do in terms of elected officials is pay the 50%.
Now, I will be honest, no other company, Day County Public Schools does not do that. Um, I have to pay for all my dependents. Um, I am I'm not that that is very that's that's an an incentive out of this world to work for the city
of Opalaka. Um, and so I but I do agree that if as a commission even $1,000 is not enough. So the least we can do is say the 50% for
dependent is something else that we can do in order to supplement the salary. That's it. >> Thank you. I I want to say thank you to the board for bringing this forward and to um for you all to be able to see the
value of what we do and like you said that $1,000 is not even a drop in the bucket, but we understand our city. We know our city's financial wos. We know all of that. Um I I again I thank you. But at the end of
the day, the voters have the final say. And as it relates to the insurance, I totally agree on the insurance, but I just want to want someone to make someone to make it more clear to me. Um, are we saying that the city hopefully the city would pay for the insurance for
mayor commission? um the $1,000. You have a choice to have 50% of your spouses or your dependence paid from that thousand and then you are um accountable for the other half. Is that
what we're saying? >> I'm through the commissioner bad. So what we were looking at is what the city's guidelines is as far as regular employees. So the 50% would come from that. What we wanted to do was just get
get something done that wasn't as status quo because what was taken from the commission, we're trying to give it back, but we only could do it in increment. So if we, as Commissioner Williams had had said,
had we decided to go forth, and I'm quite sure it probably would have passed and we would have actually brought it up to increase the salary more. Now we have to worry about and it's not really word. We have to see what the voters is going are going to say. And now we're looking at at marketing. Um even when we were
discussing this, it was like a back and forth. This was coming up every meeting. And so and so knowing the value of what the commission does. It it could be and it it should be,
but that's not our determination as far as the board. It would be the voters. So, so >> if we decided to say, "Hey, mayor commissioners, we could go back, we could re rework this, not because you want to, because we want to, and then bring this back forth to y'all, we could
do that. Create something, get the attorney and everybody involved and bring something forth." Now, the next picture of what are those who are going to the poll in November going to say? That's the that's the quandry that that that's the elephant in the room. So, we
just wanted to just bring something other than what was given because the um I think it was uh uh city manager P it he took it away from from the commission. So, him taking it away from the commissioner and then we know what
happened with uh commissioner former commissioner Burke when he was up here. So those those logistics and those things did come up to where hey we want to make sure that regardless to what's going on none of the other commissioners have to go through that. But again this
is a workshop and if need be if the board decides or want us to even from this standpoint there's a sentiment and I'm listening to Commissioner Williams and I've thought about this myself. If need be let's do what we need to do and then market it to the voters to see what can happen for the improvement of what
the commission does. >> Mr. May I continue? Yeah. Okay. I hear you. I understand you. But I want you to address the question that I asked. I just wanted to make sure you're saying that the city's taking care of mayor commission. >> Yes. >> The $1,000
are are um spouses or children. 50% will come out of that thousand. Yes. >> So the other 50% will come from where? >> The city. >> The city. >> Another question. >> Okay. One other question. Are we in a financial position to be able to do that
if it were to pass? >> We have not did the numbers. Um, of course, we will work the numbers and we will um bring that back to the commission. We don't know the numbers yet. We have not we have not did that work. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you. >> I have a question >> through the chair. Um,
>> one second. One second. Mr. B, you finished? >> Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Commissioner was next. >> Yeah. Yeah. Um go ahead commission and then board member name. >> Thank you. Uh something very important that I uh heard from uh board member um
Brian Dennis. Okay. Um and you mentioning the all the benefits that the commission had before in the past is been taken off out of the uh city uh you know uh budget or whatever uh happened
for one of the manager that we have before for one of the manager not for the people outside for the boring people not not for them for the manager he came with something and boom. Oh nice. I love that. And now we had to
go through this and we have a manager right there right now sitting in that table and she can do it. Do you know the same thing to reverse that? >> No. >> Well, that's not in the shadow when he took it off >> through the chair. That that's not how that happened. >> Explain that to me please. I want I want
it to be clear like that. Don't talk too much. >> What do you mean is he never been in the chat or will we receive benefits everything? >> But how? um through the chair. >> How we running a city like that before? >> Well, that's not us.
>> Through the chair because we were under financial oversight at the time. Um it wasn't just the city manager. It was the city manager P along with um the state. Um so this that actually came down from
Tallahassee. >> Okay. And that to be honest and I'm since we won I can say say what I want to say about that dude but uh okay I'll be nice but >> no problem be be >> but I do think that he may have been the
catalyst for that change >> um by you know making that an issue and so when they agreed to it it did the the appearance that it came from the state but no she miss Lawson would not be able to make that decision whatsoever.
>> God, I understand but that's only a comment that I do a question because I want to learn why that happened. Do do you understand of everybody of the board? >> You know, we have to be sure what what we are right now. Perfect. I understand now with the pen
in November 4 for the people outside made the decision and I want to tell to all my colleagues the only way that we're going to get that is let's go let's work together and let the city run in the right way show
people that we really work >> and >> by the end let me tell you I I I still feel they are not I'm not unemployment for the city of Opalaka. Okay. The money coming from the people
that you'll get. >> Board member N. >> Um through the chair to the manager and or attorney to clarify because I've heard Commissioner Santiago say this a few times. To clarify, are the commission
board considered city employees? That's part one. >> The commission the commission they are considered as employees. Okay. So, my follow-up question would be, and I'm kind of throwing a ranch out there, but I don't know. So, I'm gonna ask, is there a way, if not now, but in the
future, how we could bypass the voting part of raises for the commission? Like, can't that be done through the management if they are city employees >> as every other employee? No, because um the compensation for the city commission
is outlaid in the the city charter and you can't change that without a referendum. >> Okay. Thank you. >> It could be take commercial >> if if if I may in having conversations
with other cities, it can be removed from the charter. So that's what you would take to the in order for the city manager to oversee it. It would have to go out to the community and asking them to remove our
salaries from the charter and then it would fall under the manager or the board at that point. So it can be done but just through the same way to the community at voting time. Am I
correct? >> Well, that's that's what a referendum is. Okay. I didn't hear you say. I'm sorry. I didn't hear you say that. >> Okay. All right. Any other questions on the first item? >> Commission. >> Yes. Thank >> I want Oh,
>> said I want to >> I was just a little bit lost with what Santiago said in regards to unemployment. The last thing you said, I was a little lost. Well, I I I believe that I say that
myself and not consider that we are employment for the city and now I heard you know that comment the commissioner Irvin say and I believe I still believe it because if we under the shadow we are
under the people not by the uh authority of the uh uh city managers or the authority for the city there is a very good idea uh I I don't know but I love that uh to bring to bring that in November 4 to make that change to make
the change you know for the shadow and giving the uh you know the the power to the uh to the city manager to deal with that situation when us >> okay >> through the chair. Can I >> Oh, thank you. Go ahead. >> Through the chair. Personally, I would
get a feel first of this um of of this particular item before you jump to that next item with a referendum. See what the voters think. We've been down this road before with charter review. Um we
have to change as much as we think we're touching and reaching all the voters. We have to change perceptions and perception becomes reality. And so once we figure out how to market and change the perception of voters, if we can pass
this, then that would definitely to in my opinion be that next step of getting cuz we know that's what city of Miami Gardens did. That's what they have now. They're able to vote on their own salaries because of a referendum. Um, and a lot of cities do that. I believe
commissioners should be salaried salaried employees. I do because it's a lot of work >> and you know that from experience. >> It's a lot of work and and right now you know cost of living, gas, you're going to events. I mean I just literally go to
school and back and it's over $50 gas. So I mean you guys driving these big monster trucks and I know it's a hundred. So I'm just Yeah. >> Hello. Okay. I'm going to go back to um
you guys have mentioned it before is definitely the marketing and this younger generation, myself included. Like I said, I feel like I'm the youngest here and um I've lived here for
29 years and I'm 29 years old and I have seen the change, but um the marketing and I wasn't here for the last two meetings, but uh I did see that Dennis made a point that the wording is it
that's what's affecting us. It really is because young adults to put it in that perspective don't understand it. So, how do you expect people to vote? They don't even know half the time what you're talking about. I mean, in politics
alone, people don't even know what they're talking about. But people always say, "Oh, vote for number this. They're going to do this." And they kind of shorten it. But, um, I do think marketing is very important. And again, from my perspective, from
what I see, I mean, from what I follow with the city, Facebook alone has been doing great. Um, I I I don't follow no one on Instagram from the city, but as a younger generation, that's what matters
unfortunately is social media, but it is the reality. And it's just marketing better reality because look going to these events this weekend this weekend was great. Friday, Saturday and Sunday my kids we did Easter Friday,
Saturday and Sunday which was great but things like that in those events is where I feel like it should be a little bit more projected. you know, when I don't know, like I'm thinking about the Sunday event, it was three to five, maybe before the raffle,
talk about, hey, um, you know, we want this, we want that, so people can listen because if you leave it for last, people are not going to listen. So, um, I went with a friend of mine from high school and she was like, "Oh, the best event was Saturday." For me, I like
the Friday event. I thought it was great. It was fun with the kids. But then again, me as a Hispanic, I feel like there was more Hispanics on Sunday, which is fine, but I personally liked
the Friday event. And my and my friend that was Hispanic too said the Saturday event, which not to say nothing about the Sunday event, but I feel like this these are the events where we should be marketing. We did a raffle
from what I can remember. Friday and Sunday. Saturday, I don't think we did a raffle Saturday, but the point is right before the raffle. That's where things should be mentioned. And a little quick short things, guys. Um, you know, your Opalaka
citizens, Spanish and English, so everybody can understand what we want to do so they can understand cuz I definitely, and Dennis had already said it, it's the grammar. I'm telling you guys the grammar is and again it's a
politic thing but the grammar is where it's at. And for marketing, you guys are worried too much Facebook, social media, this and that. But these events right before the raffle cuz that's where people stay the raffle right before the event. A little one minute, two minute
talk. I feel that it should be a little more projected or or spoken about is my opinion. Commissioner, >> I I I'd like to ask a question to the attorney
and and I definitely agree with what she's saying, but would it be as far as the It would not be legal. Correct. >> Um with marketing, you would be able to educate, but marketing is um a little different. So, the city wouldn't be able
to be marketing as far as a position on these referendums and these these items. Um, but there could be education and that would have to be talked about further because there could be a thin line. >> Mr. May,
I'm going to move on. >> Yeah, thank you. Yeah, we're going to move. Um, let me see if I'm clear. marketing is me uh advertising that all over the city uh to the uh voters
>> and you know what >> for that for the coming election it's only a question because I heard the city attorney say that is not correct that is not legal to doing it but I see it in
the in all all kind of media uh television, radio, everything when they have some kind of uh amendment or referendum for that. They telling to people don't do that. Go here, go for
there. Whoever whoever is is allowed for number three, they want the number three pass and they announcing it. They advertising. I don't see anything wrong with that. I don't know why we always >> Yeah. So you you do see that that but
it's probably not the local government entity that's doing that campaign. >> So I have a question. >> Who do that? >> I'm sorry. I don't I don't >> It would be some organization. It wouldn't be the local governing body. >> Oh yeah. And in the bottle they have a
little letter say pay uh make and pay by. Okay. >> So my question way to doing it? >> Yeah. Because my question is so anyone could just say hey look we're trying to help out whatever we decide what does it
make it I guess marketing because now that I realize it I guess I use the wrong term in marketing cuz it's just talking the truth whether I mean I guess whether you see it as marketing or not but I think sometimes it's just the truth because people don't know
or like what we're looking for in the future wise in the So, >> all right. Any other questions on the first item? All right. Moving on to the second item. Madam Chair, >> I'm sorry. >> What what Alyssa is talking about, and I
hear what you're saying, Commissioner Santiago, that would be a pack. So, we would need a a pack to push this referendum through. And as as a boy, we just wanted to get something up like cuz
we see what y'all do. So, we just wanted to start somewhere and then whatever happens after that, then these are these are gradual baby steps to get to the step that that we need to get to. >> Yeah, that's good. I I I want to go uh with the idea the uh commissioner member
board, Miss Williams say before. This is the beginning. Let's start it with whatever we have and then when when when that in place we figure out in the future what we're going to do with advertisings and everything.
>> Right. Uh Madam Chair, item number two, the second one. >> Hey, um we're going to talk about now trying to put on the ballot, but look like as we proposed it, we started coming up with more questions.
Okay. So, as was said earlier, we would like >> another >> uh I had to make concession. >> You had two, >> right? That was the >> Oh, oh, that was the next one. Okay. All
right. The next one was um proposed was um once someone have served their terms and to sit out for a two year waiting period before they can come back in to
run again for an office. >> All right. Any questions? >> Yes. In particular to the item, I have a question. I think before we have
uh we passed something in the past regarded about that about the time limit that's how they call him t time limit for the elected official and I remember the you only can be in the c a is
consecutive years and after that you have to escape up and wait for running for the same position. But if by the eight years you serving like a commissioner, you can go to the next election for
mayor and running with any any problem because that's another that's a different seat for the commission and seat. If you if I'm sure I think that we pass something in uh before with that
and go out to the boardings >> to the church >> and they change that shadow. Yeah. I just make a reviews because I think that we have something in place with for that turn limit and it started when uh when uh uh let me tell you uh commissioner
uh Timothy home uh I I think uh the mayor Taylor uh uh vice mayor Kelly but I think I even there when we pass that I only make some s research H
>> board member mail. >> Um to answer Commissioner Santiago, there is a term limit of eight. However, in black and white, there is no term limit of the sit out. So, it just says to sit out, but there is not an actual
number there. So, we are now putting an actual number. Everybody assumed, we're going to use the word assume, it was 2 years, but it was never in black and white. And what I've learned in business and in other stuff, if it's not in black and white, I could try to get away with
anything. So, we're now putting it in black and white that even after the terms that's already in the rule book, you must sit out two years before being able to run for any other commission or mayor seat
or you including both in this for now. It mean if any commissioner that we hear not counting the mayor. Okay. uh in the in the middle election uh like what we have now we had to race him for
the position of mayor in this coming this coming election by the presidential election we have another uh race for three seat the commissioners the do you know what I go okay if that's two
different terms now what what I want to make clear is what are we going to do? Uh, Commissioner Santiago, he running from 22 to 20 Wait a minute. What? 24 to 28. Okay, that's four years. But then I
decide to running again the 28 to 30 32nd 32. Okay. After that, you told me I had to step up. Not even the next year coming an election again to reelecting
or to have a new mayor in the city. That's different to the race of the commissioner. I can't participate in that. >> Correct. You would have to sit out two years because if you run again, you would then be adding another four years.
>> You see what I'm saying? So that's a different position. >> But it's still a four year totally different position. But it's still a four-year term. In your book, it says a 8year term, which is four and four. So, if you're doing four as commissioner and then you want to go four as mayor, that's fine. But once you get to your
eight, you must fit out two years. >> Yeah. A board member. Okay. I only try to figure out how we going to work with that. Right now, if I make a decision, it's not going to happen. It's only like a sample. Okay. All right. I decide,
okay, to go to the rightful mayor, okay, I have to come and tell the clerk or the uh the authority or the election department that I give him my two year left, okay, because I going to go and running for against the mayor or
whatever, you know. Okay, it has me. I already get two years for my seat. All right. >> And I win or I lost. If I lost, I had to wait for another two years or four years to run. Or if I win, I going to make the
two years that I already did plus the four years coming for the mayor. And if I go to re-election, I'm going to have another eight years plus the two is 10. >> Yep. >> Why? So everybody's quiet.
>> That's a good if I may. >> But that's a good you know you know what is a Okay. >> I don't know how we have it before but I think you say it's not in writing. Okay. It's not in black and white. It's supposed to be in black and white if we pass a resolution or we take that before
to the uh uh voting people outside. But I I remember loud and clear that any commissioner do eight eight years they had to step off to get back to the commission and see commissioners. But if he if he the next year is an election
for mayor you know in the two year he can running for that position for mayor not for commissioner mayor. >> That's what we had to check. That's what I said to check and reviewing it. >> Um, >> Commissioner Santiago,
>> I actually I'm Go ahead. Want to say something? >> Sorry, Commissioner. I just wanted to note that um it doesn't differentiate between mayor and commissioner in the charter. >> It doesn't >> is that is what is >> there's no differentiation? No. >> No. >> So, it's just
Can I read it? I can read it for you. >> It's straight. It says, "The limitation on appearing on a ballot set forth in subp paragraph A relating to eight consecutive years shall not be extended by switching from mayor to commissioner or vice versa or by running for
different positions on the city commission, including mayor." So, it's right there. >> That answers your question. >> Okay. Thank you. >> If he's there, he's there. So, so if I may may ask because I did talk with um
Madame Clerk about this some time ago. It says eight years, but in some senses in some situations it's going to be 10. And she said that that was perfectly legal.
Um so with the charter mentioning eight years, it's really not right. Because if I give up my seat to jump out there in the maya may mayoral election, I can serve that seat for two year for four eight years, but I've already had
two years in my commissioner seat prior to or my vice mayor's seat prior to. So, it's really not clear is what we decided, but it it only talks about eight years. I don't think that they saw
it through to say that it actually wound up being 10 years in some situations >> through the chair. So what one of the things that um when looking at this we want to differentiate
seats if there's a a a straight eight years and we use um I I I was using uh information from Miami Day County uh Miami guards and now
looking at our seat. Okay. So the mayor was a commissioner, Mayor Teller was a commissioner for two years. He leaves his two-year seat. So in the process of his two years seats, he's now set as mayor for four. So for the next four,
it'll be 10. But what we wanted to differentiate was if you are sitting in the seat, let's say uh Commissioner Baptist, she has sit eight years or you will sit eight years, the mayor, the mayoral seat is a different seat.
It is a completely different seat. M uh the the mayor of D County was a commissioner before she ran for mayor. She wasn't punished. Neither was uh Francis Suarez. They was not punished. Neither was Oliver Gibber. They was not punished from going from commissioner to
mayor. What is said here in our childhood is once you serve eight, you're done. And that's not fair to the person that wants to make make the next jump. But it's not it's
>> it's is it's not filled that way. >> Mayor Mayor Taylor gets his reelected as mayor. He's going to do his next four years. You can't two years in say, "Hey, you've done your eight. You got to go." >> So that was that was the question and
that's the way the charter is set up. And so again, we we're looking at we're punishing you by saying, "Okay, you're eight years up. you can't finish your term as mayor. So, we got the city can't afford that. Now, we now we're spending dollars that we shouldn't be able to
spend. But the charter didn't make that clear. So, a a few years right after this was done that was issued there was an issue that came up when Commissioner Holmes ran and I was having this this discussion with uh former commissioner
Dy Johnson and I wind up saying this to her. the the charter is not clear-cut outside of if you sit as a commissioner for eight years. If there's a leak to another seat, you cannot punish a person
to run for the next seat. If I sit as a commissioner for eight years, the mayoral seat should be a completely different seat. you you we are punishing we're punishing elected officials or people that have the ambition to run for
another seat because of the the eight the eight-year rule. The mayoral seat should be a completely different seat. So if if if you decide to jump out of the chair of two years and the mayorial seat is open, why
should the commissioner be punished if a commission runs for that? If somebody's coming that's not a part of the commission say I want to be the mayor for eight years or they feel like they could be the mayor. That's completely different because you're going to walk in on four years as the mayor if you get that's eight years but to punish someone
that's running from commissioner to the mayor. That's where the divide should be because you're looking at a completely different seat. It's not punishable like that in Miami Day County. It's not punishable like that in the city of Miami. It's not punishable
like that in Miami Gardens. Hala and the city of Halia, they're not punishing the ambition of an elected official that wants to go from commission to mayor. So if I may um
so do we need to since charter review amend that little portion saying that there is an exception that if a per if a sitting commissioner give up their seat to run
for mayor that it's that there's a chance that that commissioner providing they win mayor will more than likely asserb up to 10 years cuz it's not clear. So
>> that that's the >> elephant in the room. >> That's the elephant in the room >> because if you read the charter, it's not spelled out. It's just saying eight. >> And so the these this is one of the items that was I won't I think Miss Russell bought this. I wasn't here. Miss
Russell wind up uh bringing it. And so when um it was given to us and we went back and actually looked at the language, if you're reading the language, the language is not clear outside of eight years. Outside of eight
years, it's not clear. So what what what we were proposing was the separation. The the the the commission seat is the commission seat. The mayoral seat is the mayor mayorial seat. But if you're looking at a totality of eight years on the commission, then you're saying
somebody that's not a part of the commission, if they run for mayor, they're just the mayor for eight years. Okay, now you have to sit out for two. But it shouldn't punish, let's say, if Commissioner Santiago, Commissioner Bash or Vice Mayor Kelly decide that, okay, I did my eight years, I want to run for
mayor. It shouldn't punish it because it's not there's no other charter in the county written like that. the the commission if you say eight years on the on the Miami day county commission you have to sit out their races are pretty much every four years so for that particular seat it would be four our
election is held every two years that's why we went with with two years but again the separation should be the mayoral seat for the ambition of a commissioner who wants to run for a mayor should not be punished to eight
years that just my thought so when there's another one that that went went long and back and forth. So these these items um that we're bringing were bought to us. We researched them and if need go
back if we have the actual time frame to go back and meet again to um amend what needs to be amended, I have no problem with doing it. I have the time now. I ain't scoop. So >> it's very interesting, >> but it it needs to be done. And so we we
have to look at the the commitment to the child to be able to allow others the the others to feel their ambition whether they win or lose if that's what they want to do. But if we don't if the child doesn't afford them the opportunity to actually move forward now
we're stifling a person's ambition and that's what we're not trying to do. I >> I just >> Anyone else on this item? >> Um um >> sorry, one second. Board member um
Naomi. >> Another part that's also not clear that we believe should be also added is you got to take into consideration a person that's been appointed. That person shouldn't be penalized as well. So let's say for whatever reason
somebody gets ill or moves on and they appoint a new person and that person is appointed for two years somehow someway just like if you move from commissioner to mayor that two years shouldn't count against you the appointed seat also shouldn't be counted to you. There should be some writing in
the sense of if you weren't elected for the seat then your time don't start counting but being appointed to the seat shouldn't count cuz you weren't elected into it. But again, there's no terminology for that.
>> Mr. Mayor, >> how how old is our shadow? >> Yeah. How old it is? >> How old is >> Yeah, we never update it. We are starting to update it now. Okay. No. All right. Um I'm be calculating here you
know a year that they're going to be benefit for me and and I already uh planning okay to be sitting in the great city opalaka 14 years
it's not nothing wrong with that. No, because I going to run from 24 to 26 do my four years, but in 26 I going to run in again for uh commissioner and when the uh year 30th coming uh to uh
electing again a new mayor for the great city of Paloka, I going to give you my two years and I going to run it for mayor. I'm going to stay a year. That's 14. time limit. Oh, when he coming back, he can maybe answer that question.
>> So, through the chair, may I just make a note? Um, >> you said I can go. Go ahead. Go. >> Okay. Um, for that language, the eight consecutive years, um, I'll note for you all, as it was noted for the board, was that, um, this language was actually in
court. Um, and the court found that it was unambiguous. Um, so I just wanted to put that all out for you all. The city went to court regarding this language and the court said that it was unambiguous what it meant.
>> That's me, Mr. Mayor. Do you have something to say there? Oh >> what we can call in that no to more understand when we go to the court is me that's illegal what we do >> that's
>> no I I'm I'm glad we're having this discourse um that's not good when you say unambiguous and I will say this that came up um and it it did and it does feel like we're kind of making and
creating what we think it should be. Um, I think it definitely needs to be in it needs to be outlined, but I also know that we're not going to be able to fix all of this
in one election because if we keep throwing out all these different amendments on that ballot in November, the voters are just going to just put no all over the place. So I I'm I'm thinking we just you know this is great
discourse and we need to continue it >> also remember as a commission you can also um you know create that those amendments yourself you don't need the us I think right madam attorney
>> they can make changes to your recommendations is what you're saying >> yes correct okay so you can make your own you can make that those changes um moving forward forward. But I think that if we could just try to bucket and keep there's my word bucket
all of these ideas and let's keep them I keep them on our forefront of what we need to do and make those changes. The reality of it is is because that did come up and I did mention the 10 years but it is two separate seats and it's
just what it is. Unless you're going to say that as a commissioner you can't run for mayor. If you say that as a commissioner you can't run for mayor, then that keeps that person at a eight 8-year window as opposed to 10. But you can't do that because again and we also
talked about um if you recall Miss Naomi why we appoint um people to the I think through for us we had to appoint someone for Burke. we had to appoint several people and it was
easier to go for people that we knew, Commissioner Dominguez and that knew and understood the way the city runs so that we can keep keep the the the the city going. Um so it, you know, it doesn't
take away I don't think it took took took away the two years. It's just um Commissioner Dominguez had to finish a term and also you um Commissioner Bass had to finish someone else's term. So, it doesn't take away from an 8-year term
when when they run. It is they finish a term and that's just how that works. But it is kind of choppy because I finished a term as well. Okay. Ah, right. Okay.
I leave it alone. But I finished the term as well and I had to do four years and that's what was told to me. So, but so those things are just a little choppy at times. Okay. >> Okay. Any other questions on this topic? All right. Moving on to um discussion
item two. Consider the potential placement. We consider the um potential placement um of proposed chart amendments on the upcoming ballot. the clerk provided in the book um madam chair uh the ballot
issue um deadline dates is at the last page and then I turn it back over to you >> any comment may I >> yes >> on the terms one of the things that was brought up when we had our meeting was
to give the opportunity for other people to run for positions and especially as I was stressing with the young generation cuz Commissioner Santiago just gave a point of why this limit was
there cuz I also brought up that if people jumping from one position to the next that they will end up with in position for a very long time and we have seen that in the city where they jump from one position to the next and
they'll end up in that spot for a long time. And Commissioner Santiago just gave that as an example. If you jump from here to that position, he just said 14 years. So that is one of the reason why we have
this term here and with comments with it to avoid that to give other people opportunity to be able to go and run. Okay, so that's just my comment on in regards to the proposed eight years that
was proposed and then we sit out two years. But of course, we did consider in our meeting those of us who had to finish out a term for one reason or another and you end up going past the eight years and we did not penalize
someone for going for the example that was given with the two and then two terms of the eight. So now once that person has f finished those two terms, yes, they have 10 in all, but you have to sit out two years before you go and
run for another position. And as me as the chair, my goal, I was to give other people opportunity to have the chance to run for a position in our city except for the same people. Now don't get me wrong, now when you're good, you're good, okay? But you still give
opportunity for other people and especially how we need to know that we're only a shepherd for a while for these position but we must give opportunity for the next generation that they will need to know what is going on
in our city and what we need to have done. So that's my comment in regards to the proposed that was for the eight um the term of the eight and the reason why now we have here on our ballot. Please help me out cuz I'm still learning. I
feel like one of the young people in the city. >> She we she explained it there in the commission. >> Okay. >> So um if we were to do the primary election which is August 18th, this would need to be submitted to um the supervisor election no later than
Friday. May 22nd. But here's the the the challenge with that is >> whatever you all decide comes to the commission and we have to do two readings. >> So that's two that's one month worth of it sitting. So right now we're in Well, we just we're in April. We're in April.
>> We're in April. >> So we will not make the we won't make the May unless we put it on the very next No, because we we missed the we we missed we missed the deadline to go on the next ballot. So the commission. We didn't we never came
up with a decision at the meeting, but that's why we were here today >> to discuss this. So, the next best option would be the November 3rd election, which is the general election. And that means all of all of this would need to be to the supervisor of the
election no later than July 24th. I said that right? Yeah. Yeah. Later than July 24th. No, I'm sorry. >> July. >> Yeah. July 24th. Yeah, July 24th. >> July 24th. >> So, it's actually up to the
commissioners to meet either May 22nd or if we don't meet that, then we go to July 24th, which >> I'm telling you right now, we won't meet the 22nd. Okay. It's not >> because we have to do two readings and it has to be public. It's not possible for us to meet them the second. >> I'm sorry for cutting. I can tell from
our discussion >> that I'm like, we're not going to meet that. So the the next best thing is either we do it in July 24th that deadline to be on November 3rd or we wait to the next
cycle which will be uh next year next year. So so >> yeah I believe we can. >> So it's just they have to get the
information on the agenda. So right no they the um the charter board has already made their recommendation. So as the attorney was saying it it comes now to the commission. So it needs to come on the commission as an ordinance. We pass the two readings and then we go from there.
But we can make the to your point the July 24th not the 22nd. But we would need we can't vote on it. But madam um attorney you can get a consensus. um a consens consensus on
>> the deadline. >> Oh, the um yeah, you can get a consensus. >> Okay. So, yeah. I think the 24th would be the best day. July 24th. >> July. Yes. >> All right. And if if there any other changes, madam um madam attorneys, we'll
make it on the on the the commission side. >> All right. And then the next item on the agenda um madam chair on your agenda is um city charter. >> I don't know what we were discussing there.
>> No, for the board. We didn't have any >> nothing on the charter. Okay. >> For the charter board. And last but not least is to address any related matters as deemed appropriate. The only question that I have as it relates to the charter amendments. I see that y'all did a lot that dealt with the commission a lot,
but I did have a question to the manager. Are there any recommendations administratively that you would like to change in the charter? >> Um, not at not at this time. I'll go back and I'll um tomorrow I'll work with
my staff. I know one of them was with within my finance department, but we're not moving forward on that forward on that one right now. >> Okay. But that's came up during the fin the um budget amendments. >> Okay. >> All right. Yeah. All right. So, any other questions
or concerns? >> No, just a comment. >> Wait, I'm sorry, madam madam manager. Do you want what you're going to do on this or you just going to >> No, we're not moving forward. We're not moving forward at all. No, sir. >> Okay. >> All right. Yes. >> Thank you. Um to the chair, Miss Allen.
So, are we going to be suns setting this board? >> Are we going to do what? >> Sunset the board. >> Okay. >> Sunset. >> It is sunset already. >> Okay. >> Okay. Excuse me. I know. Give me the definition of sunset when it comes in
regards to political because my definition of sunset like how vice board just said there is already occurred. So I'm so sorry for my lack of knowledge. >> No, it's okay. >> We're all learning together. >> Yeah, that's what that means. You're right.
>> The board has ended. >> Okay. See, that's what I thought as the second definition, but I didn't want to go out there and say that. Okay. But I'm like, you know, I want to make sure um doing it correct. You understand? Not throwing things out, but feel like just
throwing things out. >> And my my second comment is just I just want to say thank you all for the work that you put into it. Each and every one of you, thank you for seeing the heart of the city and the heart of those who serve. And um thank you. Okay. And last
but not least, before we do our thank yous and goodbyes, we have to open up for public comment. Public comments is open. And those of you that are speaking on public comments, you must stay germanine to the topic at hand. Public comments is open.
>> Maybe he want to speak. Good evening, Audrey Dominguez, 1137 Jen Avenue. I was watching this at home and I decided to come because I had a couple of questions. Now, I did ask a question, but it was to the
city clerk. She's not here. But if someone did eight years and their term is up, they did their time and something happens to one of the commissioners or not saying anything to
happen, but something should happen and there's an opening. Can that person run? And she told me it could be a day. They could be out for a month and they can run. So that's kind of a gray area right
there. It's not very clear. So that's something that should be discussed. Um also what um former mayor Williams stated, I think we need to do baby steps because
if you're going to put this out and out to the public, they want to start little by little. You can't come and say, "I want to give the commission uh $5,000 salary." They're not gonna buy
it. So, I think what she stated was correct. Let's, you know, put that out there so for them to know that this is going to come out. Um, also, I wanted to know because this has been the question prior to when they did try to put it in
the ballots, they don't mind, residents don't mind um supporting this. However, their concern was are we out of financial oversight totally and completely because if we're
not, that's going to be a concern for the residents. So, that would be that question if they can answer it. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you, Commissioner. So, let's go backwards. So, as it relates to financial oversight, um, as you're aware, the city is not out of financial
oversight as of yet, but we're diligently working. So right now we are conducting the efficiency audit which is the first step for us to um be released from financial oversight. So once that comes back with those findings we send that to the governor and then that
decision is made there. Um the baby steps that well that wasn't the question. Um I think we all agreed that the baby steps that um Williams raised. So, there's that. And I I'll lean to the attorney to answer the question about the after eight. Um, can someone run for
office? >> Um, well, what the court said regarding these this uh provision is for people going for a reelection. So, and the fact that um there is the charter is silent regarding how long they have to sit out.
There is there is no requirement. As she said, it could be um just a short amount of time, but the court said that this these provisions had to do with someone that is going for reelection. So, they would be currently in a position at the
time. >> Okay. Um >> yes, thank you again. Um the comment for former commissioner address is is bring questions again. Uh
in the position that something happened to anybody like uh remember what happened when uh one of the mayor that he resigned and somebody had to take over you know the team. Okay. And also we have another situation when uh our
friend and commissioner arber you know passed away. the commission. I wonder everybody remember they took the decision to uh bring somebody okay from uh whoever uh stay in the third position
and the and the shadows permitting that to us to not going out and making an election because an election for a commission cost a lot of money for the city. And what they do is this appoint him. Okay. Whoever is going to uh
replace that person in that in that thing we are very clear that if we don't have the morning to go to an election we had to bring the person that in that past election take the third place or second place and bring in but that's the
decision of the commissioner in that time. Now another another good point though even the uh she's one bringing it that's a good point about the oversight with the state the situation that we still have it I know and I heard that we
doing very well very well but I be listening the same thing already for a year and a half and that's and that's that's the reality we have to be sure okay that we fix first one situation and Then after that,
you know, be sure that if that happen, we don't have to go through the state because if we go after the people voting yes or no or whatever and we had to go out there, they can make a decision and say no because we still have under the
rules and and if we still under the rules from now to November 3rd is going to be the election of the fourth, let me tell you this mean something is wrong. But the finance in the city mean let's take that in consideration too my
colleagues okay the way the where we are if we had to wait a little bit more but let's concentrating first and whatever we have to fix to get out of the oversight with the state uh and that's
that's my position and I'm not the only one take a decision here everybody have you know the way to think but that's my way tonight and also let me make it clear uh both board members to everybody up there. Yes. thinking about the eight
years uh time limit. Uh we have here in Opalaka two terms I mean two every two year we have an election and when somebody left the 26 to running
for that position that's what I talking about everything change everything change he's not going to be there for six years he going to be there for 14 years that's my point okay we had two election
for now yes ma'am 14. >> Yeah. >> Mark, how did you come up with the 14 years again? >> Oh, that's that's something that I, you know, uh starting, you know, to say because if we uh right now I ending my
my four years that it's going to be ending at the 28. Okay. And the 28 I decide to running for reelection for commissioner. I gonna have another four. But what happened in 2030? We're gonna have again. Yes. You see what we're
going to have again a reelection or election for a new mayor for a new mayor and then I can left my six year already that I have and running for mayor. And what what is going to happen? I going to win. I going to take another four years.
Six and four is 10. And when they're coming to re-election, you're not going to have another four. That's faulting. I But after the after you do your first two terms as commissioner, you have to sit out after the eight years. >> No, you see that's a that's a problem.
That's a problem. That's a problem. >> Okay. >> Hey, remember the mayor the mayor running >> in the in the in the midtime election. Okay. And we running whoever sitting
from 26 until the 28 in the presidential election. We don't take that in consideration. >> That's no different. >> Thank you. I think the that we have a lot we had time to think uh everybody
for the board. We had time to think about this and um let's see what happened. But let's take in consideration what what we are with the state that we not over yet. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
>> No problem. So, Commissioner Bass already said my speech. I was going to say thank you all for your time and your patience. Um Chairwoman, um Miss Allen, um Mayor um Williams, um board member Bria, um Mr. Dennis, who's on like every
board in the city, and Miss Assange. So, we thank you all for your time and your talents and your patience with this matter because I know it was no easy task and like Commissioner um Dr. Baz said, looking at the heart of Opalaka because our charter
is our Bible and the heartbeat of the city of Opalaka. So, thank you all. So, we're going to move if there are no other concerns. >> Just one just one in this brief. >> Mr. Dennis, >> um what I want to answer Commissioner Dominguez's question. What we didn't
want to do is take the discretion of the commission to decide who they wanted to appoint. So when it comes like if you just get out of office and they decide, hey, we want somebody up here that already has the experience if that's their choice or that's their will, we didn't want to impose on that. So
that'll still come back to the commission to decide if they want to appoint or have an election. So they have a consensus that they want to bring someone up with their own experience. That's why we didn't bother that. All right. Any other concern? All right. Can I get a motion to adjurnn?
>> Move it. >> Wait. I think she was trying to say something. >> I'm sorry. >> The young lady was saying something. >> Who's that? >> I don't have a concern. It's just a comment. And I just want to say thank you guys for >> with the city. And I'm sure if you guys saw me in the events this weekend, not
that I show up cuz with my kids, but thank you guys for everything. And And it's like you Exactly. It's not like the military, but thank you for what you do. And because like that, we're a better better
city. And I see it again. 30 years. Oh lord, I sound old. 29 cuz I'm not 30. But 29 years. 29 years. And I see the difference. And I appreciate it. And honestly, it's it's great even
for my kids cuz I already have kids and I was born in Opalaka and I I see the difference and thank you guys and hopefully we can agree to make the city better whether we disagree cuz we do.
But as together I hope we can get something resolved and thank you guys. >> And I'm going to speak for my colleague Mr. by saying thank you for noticing the change in the city of Opaaka cuz we we have been working together and we have been making some great strides in the great city and we're just going to make
Opaaka >> shine even brighter >> and since I started in this chair I know I've noticed the difference and again thank you guys and it's not even for my kids because even I used to show up to bingo night now I can't because of my kids cuz I can't play bingo with my kids
if they're just throwing at it but something small like that is is but it's great and that is a really big difference and you know >> it's it's different because my high school friends see it that I rode the bus with we're in Opalaka and everyone
sees a difference and that's why when you guys speak about the younger generation not that I speak for a but I just feel like not even marketing or advertising I just feel like we are going at it the wrong way because
you guys think oh marketing advertising But it's specific things where in events we can mention stuff and and it'll help and and get better. I don't want to get into the political views of it, but that'll be for the next meeting, but I think that there is ways that it can get
better. And again, thank you guys with everything. So, >> all right. So, we um we're moving to adjourn. Thank you again. It was moved by Commissioner Santiago. And I get a second for adjournment. Second by Commissioner Irvin. This meeting is adjourned. Have a great night everyone.