Good evening everyone. Welcome to our regularly scheduled commission meeting March 11, 2026. The time is now 6:05. Madame clerk, roll call. >> Commissioner Bass, >> here. >> Commissioner Irvin, Vice Mayor Kelly,
>> present. >> Mayor Taylor, >> I'm here. As we stand for our invocation led by our social services director, Mr. Brandon Cave, followed by a pledge of allegiance led by Baker Free. Most gracious and heavenly father, we want to take tell you thank you for this day.
Father, we thank you that as we commence this meeting that you're leading us with guidance, understanding, wisdom, and knowledge. Bless our mayor, our commission, and our residents. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. 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 moving into our awards, proclamations, and acknowledgements. And I see here that we have a Women's History Month award presentation by
Commissioner Dr. Charlene Bass. Commissioner Bass, you have the floor. Good evening everyone. It is an honor for us as mayor commission to present this proclamation to Miss Rosen Als from Family Christian Association of America.
And we're going to ask you to come forward. Okay. And it reads, and I'm not going to read all the whereases because there's a whole uh encyclopedia of your life, but we're not going to do all of that tonight. It reads, "Whereas International Women's Month month month
is a time to recognize and celebrate the achievement, leadership, resilience, and endurance contribution of women whose service continue to strengthen community with throughout our nation and within the city of Okalaka.
And whereas guided by faith, integrity, and unwavering commitment to service, Rosins exemplified strength, perseverance, excellence demonstrated by women leaders who influence inspire future generations within the city of Opalaka and beyond. Now, therefore, I,
Commissioner Dr. Shirley Bass, along with the citizens and of the great city of Opalaka, and my colleagues of the commission, Mayor John H. Taylor, Vice Mayor Joseph L. Kelly, Commissioner Natasha L. Irvin, and myself,
Commissioner um Commissioner uh Dr. Shirley Baz and Louis Santiago. Um in recognition of her outstanding leadership, long lifelong dedication to strengthening families, empowering youth, and her meaningful contribution
to community adv advancements as we proudly celebrate her achievement during International Women's Month. This is presented to Roslin um today, March 11, 2026. >> Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Bass, for recognizing
Miss Alls for the great work that she's doing at FCAA. and that is a local institution, a school here in the city of Opalaka who've educated thousands of our children and are still educating thousands of our children in the city of
Opalaka. So, thank you for all the work that you are doing at FCA. So, we're going into the approval of the consent agenda. Do we have any pulls, deferrals, or deletions at this time, >> Mr. Mayor? Ma'am,
>> there is a request to defer item 16B1 to the March 25th, 2026 regular commission meeting. And that request is from the sponsor, Commissioner Santiago. >> Got it.
Do I have any other deferrals, deletions, or pulls at this time? Hearing none, Madam Clerk, roll call on the consent agenda. Do we have a motion? >> Can I have a motion to approve tonight's consent agenda? Move it. >> Moved by Commissioner Irvin. >> Second.
>> Second by Dr. Bass. Madam Clerk. >> Commissioner Irvin? >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Kelly? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Bass? >> Yes. >> Mayor Taylor? >> Yes. >> Motion passes 40. >> All right. Can I get a motion to approve tonight's agenda? >> Move it. >> Moved by Commissioner Irvin. >> Second. >> Second by Vice May Kelly. Madam Clerk.
>> Vice Mayor Kelly. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Bass. Yes. >> Commissioner Irvin. Yes. >> Mayor Taylor. Yes. Motion passes 40. >> All right. Can I get a motion to approve the minutes for the regular commission meeting um on February 25th, 2026? The motion was made by Vice Mayor Kelly,
second by um Commissioner Dr. Bass. Madam Clerk, >> Commissioner Bass, yes. >> Commissioner Irvin, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Kelly, yes. >> Mayor Taylor, yes. >> Motion passes 40. >> All right, Madam Clerk, do we have any District 1, District 2, or state reports at this time? >> No, Mr. Mayor. >> All right, we're going to public
presentations. Um Dr. Bass, you had another presentation. I don't think she >> Okay. So, we'll come back. >> All right. Moving on to our citizens forum. Madame clerk, can you please speak for the record how to participate in citizens form? >> Good evening. City of Opalaka Commission
meetings are held in person at the Opalaka Government Center, City Commission Chambers, 780 Fisherman Street, 3rd Floor, Opalaka, Florida. Members of the public wishing to address the commission may do so in person or virtually. Those persons wishing to
participate virtually should register prior to the scheduled meeting time on the city's website at www.opalaka fl.gov. When speaking before the commission, please make sure to give your full name and address for the record. There is a threeminut time limit
for public comments. Please adhere to the decorum policy which is a part of the commission meeting agenda. City commission meetings are aired through liveream at www.youtube.com user city of opao.
>> All right. Um, citizens form is open. Good evening, mayor and commissioners. Audrey Dominguez, 1147 Jan Avenue. First, I would like to thank the city manager for bringing legislation to replace and and or repair the playground
in Seagull Park. This is one place where I don't mind using my tax dollars. Thank you. Um, I would also like to thank the city attorney and the league of cities, uh, attorney Riley for representing and
defending the city of Opalaka versus John Pate. I could talk about it because the case is over. When you come correct and tell the truth, the truth will set you free. I would like to ask the mayor uh, through the attorney if we can get
all the money that we spent for those four years. If so, we need our money back. Okay. Um, I would also um like to put on record
regarding a police officer, officer Sergio Perez, that went to testify on behalf of the petitioner, John P, that was suing the city for $4 million. Now, make make it
make sense. You have been given the opportunity to come back to work here to get paid by my tax dollars. Your loyalty should be with the city of Opa Opalaka, not your friend that was suing the city.
Now, I understand how the law works. If your subpoena, you go and you testify. However, when you swear under oath and lie to the judge and the jurors and use my name, Audrey Dominguez, with false
allegations and lies, I have a problem with that. Now, this is the second time that he has done that where he used my name falsely, false allegations, and he failed a second time.
When you lie, you cheat. This is defamation of character. You have been notified to cis and deceased. Keep my name out of your mouth. I would like the chief to ask him what is the
personal vendetta that he has against me because I don't know him from a campaign. So again, keep my name out of your mouth. >> Citizens form is still open. Good evening. Good evening, mayor, vice
mayor, councils, and all the officers. I'd like to reintroduce myself. My name is uh Chaplain Stanley Young of Freedom Prison and Jail Ministry.
I have been assisting inmates for >> Captain Young, can you give us your um address for the record, please? >> Uh 500 Northwest Second Avenue. >> Got it. Um, I have been assisting inmates for over 36 years in uh, this is the third
state to help inmates get on track as they come out of prisons and jails. Now, I'm here in Miami Dade County and Miami Dave County and Opalaka need some assistance in this area.
Inmates are very unique kind of population that need some specialized attention to get them and keep them on
the track that they start from inside of the jails. They start, you know, getting a GED. They start different classes. They start some, you know, uh different classes that'll help them be a better person. along with what I do as as a
chaplain teaching them biblical studies. But anyway, that I'm here to introduce that off of my service to Opaaka to helping those that are coming out back into
Opaaka that they will continue to stay on that right track like I said that they started inside of the prisons and jails. They really need our help. you know, all they do is open up the doors and let them come out back into our
community without really hardly no assistance whatsoever. There is some there, but it is very small uh very underfunded and it needs our attention. And I have been shouting this for the
last two years down at the uh county uh uh county commission and I had some, you know, stood up and want to also assist in this area. But I'm here at the Opal Locks tonight to let you know that we do
have a problem of recitism rate throughout the country and we need to make a stand to helping these men and women who are coming out of our prisons and jails. I would love to sit down, talk with you, show you the plan. I got
a plan of action. I got a plan that works, that's been working for some years, and I'm here to work it here in Opalaka. Thank you. God bless you uh for all you're doing. >> Thank you. Citizen form is still open. Citizens form is closed.
All right. So, real quick, um Commissioner Dominguez, thank you for noticing the great work and investment that we're doing in our park system. So, thank you for that. Um and Chaplain Young, um we have through the manager, we have our social services director. If she's okay with that, he will introduce
himself and present it back to the manager and she deems it something that the city can take on, then she'll present it to us at the appointed at the appointed time. Madam manager, if you don't mind the chief got it. Okay. All right. All right. So, we're moving on.
Madam, before we get too far, Dr. Bass, you want to >> make your presentation? Okay. All right. So, we're moving on to our action items and the item is madame attorney 16
B2 >> an ordinance of the city commission of the city of Opaaka, Florida amending chapter 11 article 4 of the city of Opaaka's code of ordinances entitled dumpster enclosures and more specifically section 11-81
to require multif family units to use dumpster enclosures and section 11-84 4 to include an additional section entitled penalties, providing for severability, providing for conflict and repealer, and providing for an effective date. First reading public hearing was
held on February 25th, 2026. This is sponsored by Commissioner Bass and Vice Mayor Kelly. >> All right. This is a public hearing item, but first, can I get a motion? >> Move it. >> Moved by um Commissioner Urban, second by Vice Mayor Kelly. Um Madame um Dr. Bass, go ahead and present and then
we'll open up for public hearing. The ordinance stated this is basically to bring a unified look to our city um with m dumpsters in um a multifamily dwelling just to bring good aesthetics to the city and to have proper enclosures.
>> Got it. So this is a public hearing item. Public hearing is open. Hearing none. Seeing none. Public hearing is closed. Do we have any questions for the sponsors on this item?
hearing. None. Madame Clerk. >> Commissioner Bass. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Kelly? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Irvin? >> Yes. >> Mayor Taylor? >> Yes. >> Motion passes 40. >> All right. We're moving on to our city manager's report. Madam manager, you have the floor. >> Thank you. Um I did submit a very
lengthy report to the city commission that um included updates on city sponsored legislation. I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have on those items. Um, also my office has successfully secured a venue for the city's centennial gayla which is
scheduled to be held on May 15th, 2026. Um, planning for the city's Raven Nights parade musical fest is um progressing. We will be providing additional information um hopefully early next week
to be disseminated on social media um radio different platforms. So, we will be um also meeting with the city commission individually before that information is um posted. Again, I did submit a report and I'll be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may
have at this time. >> All right. Any concerns or questions to the manager? >> All right, Mr. Mayor. >> Vice Mayor Kelly. >> Yes, I have some, but I'll submit them to the manager in writing. Thank you. >> Okay. All right. Moving on to Oh, I I will say this, Madam Manager, and we'll
move on. Thank you for the CIP Black report and I do have questions as well. All right, so moving on to Dr. B, you do you one more time and then we'll move on and we'll come back. >> Okay, that's fine. >> You ready? Are you
>> okay? All right, so um we'll start with say yeah or no. >> All right, Commissioner Irvin. >> Thank you. Finally, I think I might have been right this time. short reading. Um,
uh, bingo is this Friday and, um, we're celebrating, um, Easter and St. Patrick's Day. Uh, bingo starts at 6. Please come out, join
us. We have a ball there. Um, also, um, March 28th at 1 PM at Sherbundi Village under the pavilion, uh, you can register your kids to come out and make Easter baskets with me. I don't know what I'm doing, but we're going to, um, put
together some Easter baskets for the kids. You just have to register your kids through the clerk's office, and it's limited to 50 people, and they must have they must be Opalaka residents. Also, if you guys will pray for me for next week, Thursday, I am planning to
take 75 Opaaka children to the youth fair. I need prayers on that one. And uh you got this. You got this. >> And um that's it. This has been a busy
busy time. That was I think that's all. Thank you, >> Vice Mayor Kelly. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, of course, uh, going back, I thought Commissioner G mention uh, as well. Um, I had the opportunity to attend the, uh, Black
History Showcase that the, um, city had with parks and wreck and the young people and the seniors. Um, of course, as part of Black History Month, we also had opportunity to read to the students um from Robert Ingram for Black History Month over at Opalaka Library. Um, able
to give out uh give them some book bags as well. They were very surprised about that. All of them um got book bags as part of being there as well. Um we also um participated continuing our ride along initiative with various
departments. had the opportunity to uh be downstairs, spend the morning with the downtown uh downstairs security, I'm sorry, um with Miss Pat and her group and um it's amazing sometimes what people are doing that you don't know what they're doing and how much they're
doing and just even trying to watch all the things uh folks coming in. So, I definitely want to uh commend them for that. Also spent a morning with our HR uh department. I think she just left. Um, but I was impressed with her and her
staff and the drive to make the uh, department um, even better. So, I want to commend that. Y'all know I don't give out compliments that easy. So, um, but it was very informative. Um, also um, hosted our farm share distribution
last Wednesday. Of course, always a uh, tremendous turnout for that. We hosted our community prayer with the faith-based um community at the butterfly uh garden at 12:05. And we always encourage the community uh
churches at large and everyone to come out for community prayer. Um the first Wednesday of every month at the butterfly garden. Um we invite you to come out. Um, we also want to remind the
community of our upcoming feeding South Florida distribution next Friday at Seagull Park. Uh, but we won't have the DMV portion there this month. Be back next month, but we also um look forward to that. had the opportunity to attend the coffee with the cop community
engagement at Beacon Prep on um yesterday and madam manager they need to go a bigger budget I guess for more donuts cuz they ran out of donuts and they had to go get uh some more but I I think it's a good um initiative as always they move around the community to
engage uh residents um we also hosted our monthly meet Monday was held at the senior citizens building uh this past Monday we had the state department of agriculture there um doing a presentation on scams and frauds which
was very informative. We're going to uh get some more um of those kinds of um presentations to come because there are a lot of challenges and things that are challenging for our community that we believe we can bring that information um to the city. Of course, thank you again,
Madam Manager, for your staff allowing the police department um as well as the other departments to be there uh as well for that. Um and I think that's all I have u to all of our ladies, to all of our women. Happy Women's History Month.
I can't wait for men's history month to come. Um >> when is that? >> When is that? >> When y'all do a resolution and pass Um when is that? Um but commend all of
our um women employees and of course elect officials and administration, all of you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you. >> All right, Dr. Baz, you ready? >> If we get to my report and >> Okay, I want I'll go first. I'll go
first and then um I'll go first and then you go. Um, madame manager, so under my report I had on the financial oversight, is there update or do we have an update? >> Mr. Mayor, while she's coming to the podium, I want to say thank you. I
attended Ramadan. >> Oh, yeah. >> Very educational, >> right? >> Very educational. Good evening. Naima again, finance director. >> Were you doing a presentation?
>> Presentation for you. But I didn't know if you had a specific question. >> No, we wanted to update on financial oversight. If you have anything, if not, we'll >> So, we don't have anything that has been developed or unfolded as of yet. We're still working with our um efficiency audit group, Watson Rice. Okay. on the
last leg of that they presented a draft and we have um been exchanging information answering questions that kind of thing coming to a final report for you which we don't possess at the moment but we're working on that >> and I think you all told me in Tallahassee that we're working right now
on the external audit right >> well yes absolutely so we >> will be on time >> yes we are deep in working with >> I want you to say that >> the C biz group um as as well as CFLG our internal accounting support with the fiscal year 2025 financials Perfect. So, do we have any questions for our finance
director or >> Mr. Mayor? That's the same that's the information I wanted I have under my reports. I wanted to hear you were on place with the timelines and >> yes, >> you know, trying to meet our deadlines. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you. All right. Go ahead.
>> Yes, we are on track. >> Okay. >> We're on track. >> I don't have a question. I just want to say thank you for the hard work that you and your department do are doing. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Garrett. You're the bestest. And I got the name right. >> You got the nameest.
>> Yes, I said bestest. All right. So, I just want to say um we had the opportunity to host our um the tax collector, Mr. Derek Fernandez, who brought TC Connect to city of Opalaka where they were doing driver's license replacement. Um they were reging out registrations, car registrations, your
they had any questions on your taxes, anything that you needed, they were right here in front of city hall. We hosted that LA last week, right? Yeah, last last week. Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. Um, it was on a Friday, but it went so well that he called and asked if
we extend it to Monday because it was a lot of people that came to Opalaka on that day and a lot of our they serve us a lot of our residents. That's what we liked about it. So, thank you madam manager for your assistance in that. We also hosted the centennial stories along with Dr. Bass where we brought um
six cities to the city of Opalaka. Coral Gables, Halia, Miami Springs, Miami Shores, North Miami, and of course the city of Opalaka that was moderated by U. Mr. Hank Tester from CBS um News Miami. And it was right here at historical city hall. And it was us coming together to
celebrate and tell our stories about our centennials. It was a panel discussion. It was very informative. Allowed us to learn about other cities in Miami Day County who are turning 100. So, thank you Dr. Bass as we partner with that. And I want to say thank you to Dr. Baz and Commissioner Irvin for holding it
down on Monday. Um, we hosted Cosmos um, the Coalition of South Florida Muslim Organization um, for Ramadan dinner here in the city of Opa Laka. And y'all know I had an emergency, but they held it down for me. So, thank she said the food was good. So, thank you all for that.
Um, I want to invite everybody out to Friday, March 20th at 10:30 and we're going to be in the triangle at Magnolia North Park. Um, we're doing spring cleaning with the mayor. This year we partner with the Miami Day College. So, what they're doing as a class project, a capstone project. They're bringing
students into the city of Opaakas, about 50 of them, and they're going to clean up in that area on Friday, um, March 20th at 10:30. So, those of you that can and are able, please come out and join us for spring cleaning with the mayor.
Also, we're celebrating this month uh women's history month and every year we have our annual Hatitude brunch where we're celebrating the women of today. Um we partner with um Mayor Cabba's office and 10 North Group to
bring that. is going to be right here at the Ark at 11:00 a.m. That's Thursday, March 26 at 11:00 a.m. So, it's free to all. All we ask that you RSVP. And our keynote speaker is Miss Melanie Burke Simmons from U. Miami Day County Mayor's
Office. So, we ask that all of you come out on um March 26, Thursday. And last but not least, we're in that time of year where all of our students need um community service hours. So we have our students in service program. So if you have a
student who's graduating and they need community service hours, they can see myself any member of the commission or see the fly and scan the QR code and we can help them volunteer in the city of Opalaka and sign off on their community service hours. So that ends the mayor's
report. Madame um Dr. Bass, I will yield to you for your presentation. >> Thank you. I'm gonna move along quickly because this is a what 30-minute meeting. Yeah, you saw I was I was feel so I just want to say thank you to first our manager's office for supporting our
first cohort of bash lash um extension class where we had 10 participants certified as lash technicians under the tul tul tulogist of Miss Stanley who's sitting back there and to um manager she
came she spoke I love your speech Um, um, Commissioner Natasha was there and each and every one of you who supported that initiative. Well, I'm calling initiative. Yes, I got you. Who supported that initiative? The mayor, of course, he was there and I
love your speech. I love his speech as well. But on a serious note, this means so much to me and I'm sure it means a lot to my my colleagues who sit with me and our manager's office. And I just want to say a special thank you to Miss
Stanley because had it not been for her, you know, volunteering her services to make sure this happened, it wouldn't have happened. So I say thank you so much for your hard work and your patience with all of us and we are
looking forward prophetically to working with you in the future. So with that being said, can we >> Hey, Dr. B, give me one second. What we'll do is we'll finish the meeting and then we'll go down let you present and then we'll dismiss from the floor. >> So, I want to move right along and I'll
turn it back over to Dr. Baz. Um, do we have any board appointments? >> No. >> And I see no no board chairs or no board appointments at this time. >> Mr. Mayor, >> um, Vice Mayor Kelly. >> Um, I don't know if the M to go this is go out to everyone because we always hear I thought you might have mentioned
it. You know, we didn't know it was going to be closed and this is important, but I see the flying so it's on our sites. has been delivered. >> Oh, that's what >> I did send the email to the commission first and then um I sent it to it for posting. So, yes.
>> No, I'm saying the folks the businesses they they >> they're notifying them tomorrow. They're hand delivering those >> because you know here and they're going to haul out was going to make money. >> So, if they know by tomorrow plenty of time for them, will they have access to their businesses or >> Yes, they will. >> Yes.
>> Um Commissioner, >> Mr. Um, I was just informed not long ago and I want to say thank you to the manager that some of our employees are taking construction classes. >> Yeah. >> That is amazing.
Right here in Opalaka, by the way. Yes. Right here in certified. Yes. Yes. Thank you. You're welcome. Appreciate it. >> Great job. Great job. And you said manager. I think vice mayor is going to be you said online, right? >> Yes. Okay. And they'll be hand delivered
tomorrow. >> Hand delivered tomorrow. Okay. So, we're going to all go to the floor and then we'll make the motion from the floor to um to I was going to say the benediction. Jesus Christ. To adjourn, Commissioner B. I yield back to you. Okay.
I'm going to ask Miss Stanley to do presentation. Um, she is the teacher of the class and I just want her to have the opportunity to do so. Good evening everyone. My name is Valerie Stanley. I am the founder of
Looks of Paradise, which is a institution um that teaches beauty aesthetics lash extensions and body contouring here in Opalaka. Um so I had the pleasure of completing our first cohort uh this past January and February
and we commenced on March 7th. Um and so one of our students uh had a family emergency that day. She couldn't make it. So, we want to present her today um with her professional lash artist certification presented on this day, March 7, 2026 to
Prianda Foreshi. This certifies that Prianda Forsy has successfully completed the professional training theory instruction and practical examination of 80 18 hours of lash extensions assessments through Looks of Paradise
Academy. Extensive curriculum standards, including application techniques, technical knowledge, and hands-on training, are met for professional certification. This graduate is qualified to perform eyelash extension services with confidence, safety, and
artistry. So again, yes, we want to thank uh the city, city management um for supporting our program and we're looking forward to continued support from the city as well as the city commission and those in the
community as well. Thank you. Can I get a motion to adjurnn? Moved by Commissioner Irvin, >> second by Vice Mayor Kelly. This meeting is a