Good evening everyone. Welcome to our regularly scheduled commission meeting. Um, Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026. The time is now 6:05. Madame clerk, roll call. >> Commissioner Irvin, >> here. >> Vice Mayor Kelly, >> present. >> Commissioner Santiago,
>> here. >> Mayor Taylor, >> here. We have our invocation by assistant city manager followed by the pledge of allegiance by our chief of police in that order. 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, Madame Clerk, I see we have no awards, proclamations, or acknowledgements at this time. >> No, Mr. Mayor. >> All right, so we're going into the approval of the consent agenda. Do we
have any deletions, deferrals, or pulls at this time? I'll start. I would like to >> I would like to defer item number 10, >> which is my item. So, I defer item number 10. Any other polls, deletions,
or deferrals at this time? >> Um, can I pull number 11? And I like to uh pull for discussion or comment. I
think that's from two from 2 to 7 regarded about change order for K9 through eight through eight. Thank you. >> I would
>> I would like to uh pull number nine. Okay. All right. So, for the record, oh, mayor, >> I don't I don't have a poll. I just want to I you may have already, so I don't want to overstep. I know we had some challenge before with the translator person for that item, so I
don't know if it's possible. under your purview as the chair. We can make sure we move that up enough so we don't get caught up in that challenge. >> We we have a translated. >> Yes. >> Yes. Cuz it's on the on an agenda. >> What's the What's the um what's the stop? Madam managers.
>> Um 8:00 p.m. >> 8 p.m. >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. What we got? >> That's up to you and the sponsor. I just want to make suggestions so we have enough time >> so we don't have that challenge of translation if it comes to that. >> Yeah. Well, in case that we um be early and they're not here, it's fine. But
let's see. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, for the record, duly notice, for the record, I have two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight that is pulled by Commissioner Santiago. Um number nine by Commissioner Irvin. Um
number 10 was deferred. And number 11, um by um Commissioner Santiago. >> Thank you. >> It's number 11. agenda. >> All right. Can I get a motion? >> 11. >> Can I get a motion? >> Move it. >> Moved by Commissioner Santiago. >> Second.
>> Second by um Vice Mayor Kelly. Madam clerk, roll call. >> Commissioner Irvin? >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Kelly? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Santiago? >> Yes. Mayor Taylor? >> Yes. >> Motion passes. 40. >> All right. Can I get um a motion to approve tonight's agenda? >> Move it.
>> Moved by Vice May Kelly. >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Irvin. Madame Clerk. >> Vice Mayor Kelly. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Santiago. Yes. >> Commissioner Irvin. >> Yes. >> Mayor Taylor. >> Yes. >> Motion passes 40 Z. >> All right. Can I get approval? Uh motion to approve the minutes from city
commission meeting city commission and charter review board workshop April 6, 2026. >> Move it. >> Moved by Commissioner Irvin. >> Second. >> Second by Vice Mayor Kelly. Madam clerk. >> Commissioner Santiago. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Irvin. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Kelly. >> Yes. >> Mayor Taylor.
>> Yes. >> Motion passes 40. I would like to entertain a motion to approve the minutes from the regular commission meeting April 8th, 2026. >> Move it. >> Moved by Vice May Kelly. >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Irvin. Madame Clerk. >> Commissioner Irvin.
>> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Kelly. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Santiago. Mayor Taylor. Yes. >> Motion passes 40. >> All right. Moving on to item number nine. Madam clerk, do we have any district one, district two or state reports at this time? >> No, Mr. Mayor, we do not presentations at all. Right? >> No. >> All right. cuz we're now we're moving
into our citizens forum. Madame clerk, can you please state for the record how to participate in citizens forum? >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Good evening. City of Opalaka commission meetings are held in person at the Opalaka Government Center City Commission Chambers, 780
Fisherman Street, Opaaka, 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.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 livereamed I'm sorry. City
commission meetings are aired through liveream at www.youtube.com/user/city of opalaka. And Mr. Mayor, at this time we do not have any virtual public comments. >> Okay. Citizens forum is open. >> Good evening. Um, members of the
commission, honor guests, members of Opalaku. My name is Andrew Herman, 1770 Opalaka Boulevard. I'm here tonight to briefly discuss um Pine Tree Lake. It's my understanding that if we can somehow find a way to maintain it, the city of
Opalakco would give us some some kind of help to try to get it done initially. Tonight, I brought the gentleman from the um the lake management company to answer any and all questions anybody may have or concerns. My just anxious to try to get this done
and trying anything any help or any Thank you. >> Thank you, madam. One second, sir. Madam manager, will you have a contract relate management? >> Okay. Um, Mr. Herman, >> yes. >> One second before you come up, sir. What What What is your What are you trying to
accomplish with lake management? >> Speak in the mic, please. to going forward once approved by the commission we're going to start uh an association to utilize this company to maintain Pine Tree Lake after initially
being cleaned. >> Okay. So, um and we don't normally do this but I'm going to say it because he's here. >> Um we don't do that >> that we don't the dialogue between the commission and citizens form but I will say this we have a process through procurement. So we can't just arbitr not
sorry arbitr we can't just pick a vendor right now. It doesn't work that way. So we this has to go through the manager if it so passes tonight. It goes to the manager. She gets her I don't know how you do procurement sends it out for bid and comes back and then we select but we
can't do it this way. >> Okay. Well I I didn't know I just brought Jim here. In case there was any questions or concerns he could answer it tonight. >> So that was a mistake on my part. >> Understood. It's it's >> but you tell that he's welcome to participate when it's come out if it is >> that's that's solely up to um his
company but we just can't entertain it at this moment because we don't have a contract with all right so other than that thank you Mr. No problem. >> How are you? >> Hey, Dr. >> Good evening, Mark Cooper, 6801 Southwest 75 Terrace. Uh, I'm here about
the change orders. I'm not sure if the items themselves are public comment issue, but uh, first of all, I want to say thank you for the work that's being done on 127th Street. It helps immensely. Uh I own four properties there and so thank you for the investment and hopefully that area gets
better and it brings more value to the city. Uh in so far as the change orders I I I presented to you uh the tax rule those properties this particular property that I'm highlighting
uh I get paid $16,500 a month in rent and I pay 51,000 a year in taxes. So, I pay three and a half months of rent in real estate taxes. And so, what I would hate for this to happen is that the change orders add additional costs to
the project. And I've heard in the past that the city's talked about making a special taxing district in the area to come up with the money for these expenses. And at a certain point, you can't pay four months of taxes. You can't. It becomes too much. So, please,
I know the money came from the feds and you guys also, but please be wary of how you're investing the money. Make sure the change orders are valid. Sometimes contract, I don't know anything of anything, but sometimes contractors get into projects knowing that the change orders are coming in the future to come up with some extra money. And so, please
don't let that happen to us because us, the taxpayers, I'm hurting. you know, three and a half months of rent and real estate taxes lowers the value of the properties and makes you get stuck with tenants that you may not want to keep. It's not good for the area, but you're stuck with them and they're stuck with you and we're trying
to make the area better. So, please keep that in mind. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Mr. Cooper. Um, citizens form is still open. Citizens form is closed. All right, madam. Um, so Mr. Herman, you know, we're going to discuss Pine Tree Lake is
on the agenda tonight and Mr. Cooper to change orders the manager will explain when we get to that item as well. All right. Um, Madame Attorney 13 two, >> a resolution of the city commission of the city of Opalaka, Florida, approving
construction change order number one for the Cairo Lane Northwest 127th Streetway reconstruction project, providing for a corporation of recital, providing for scriveners errors, providing for an effective date. This is sponsored by the city manager.
All right. Um, madam manager, no, I'm sorry. Can I get a motion? >> Move it. >> Move um by Commissioner Santiago. Second by Vice May Kelly. Madam Manager, >> during excavation activities at Northwest 127th Street and Port Set Road, unsuitable native soils were
encountered that could not support the proposed pavement pavement structure. These subs subsurface conditions were not were not identifiable during the design due to limitations. To ensure long-term roadway stability and prevent
premature pavement failure, the contractor removed the unsuitable materials and installed compacted lime rock. This corrective action was necessary to maintain construction process and to avoid future structural deficiencies. I also have Miss Adelina
Growth here to answer any questions you may have. Okay. So, I'll yield to Commissioner Santiago because you pulled the item. Commissioner Santiago. >> Uh, yes. Thank you. Um, Mr. Mayor, uh, uh, the reason why that I, um, approve
these seven items is is related to the same thing to the work that we do in Catalane. Um we listen the public what they say and question for the manager and for the
other department is in charge. How can we not have that kind of announcement from then or or that analysis when they come here and presenting the project and give you
the amount or the money that we're going to need in our budget to you know to get the um repair of construction uh going forward and I see that all the time here that anytime that we have anything in the construction in the city the company
they had the time to change orders founding teams that we don't even know they are really they are not and that's what I want to be sure that what we doing is the right thing that unffecting us in our budget every year
that's one and always take you know or chooses the right company to do the job when the capacity to found everything before they sign a Contraos. >> Um, madam manager. >> Oh,
>> good evening mayor and commissioners. And regarding the kit lane change orders specifically for change order number one which is subgrade stabilization 127 street could not be evaluated at the moment of the design. The reason for
that is because the amount of my apologies, the amount of trash, tires and truck parts and car parts that were in the in the field at the at the moment they did the surveys and they were doing the design was uh more than than what
they could escap at the moment uh at the moment of the design. And there was a previous survey that was done, there was geological work that was done, but it was limited to due to the conditions of the of the roadside. Uh for 127 in specific,
we the city spent um under this contract around 500 or 600,000 only in trash disposal. Uh that's between tires, truck parts, bad soil. So >> okay, let me
>> let me let me let me say this to you. I have some pictures here for something that you're sending. I don't know. Okay. And bro, the question coming now for that now it's impossible that a company go there and the first time because I'm not even a construction person you know
for ropes and anything but when I see the road before they start they they start there coming and and you know and do the calculation that what they're going to spend there to fixing it to repair the road. I see so much garbage and you know and tires and everything
out there be accumulated for the same people that they owns their places okay and that's what I want to know where where we are when that happened there we don't have no camera we don't have anybody they are searching what
they do and then what happen is they come with that but they see it they see the mountains or things that we have there in H uh what are we calling the little stretch um uh road that we have there? Yes. Okay. Because I see it.
>> Yeah. >> But now we had a situation. It is now it's not only because I think that's number two that is only $11,000 and 600. No 116. That's the one. Two. >> Number one is 45,000.
>> Oh. Oh. Okay. 41. Um >> number one. >> 45. >> 45. Uh 47. Yeah. $46,000. See, we we keeping at it. >> And the problem is when any construction that we have or any repair that we have for pump station for this road and
everything when coming thing coming like that in so price to us, it cost money >> to the city. It cost money to our budget. And one of the thing that we had to have is try to not spend too much money in what we do. We have to saving.
We have to reduce the cost that we cause here or that we have in the city to see if we can very soon in the future we be out of the oversight that that's a thing that they killed us. We spending too much money.
>> And this is one that's one of the point here. Um my my my point in all these items here when all this change order my colleague is to let's keeping eyes let's keeping more eyes with this when they
coming the contractors to do work here in the city to be sure that they do the right thing and to not coming when this type of uh announcements in the future for more money for more money for the company to keeping going doing the job. If they do a contract with us, I believe
that that's the amount that we already signed and they know whatever it is there because they had to go and do some story. Uh they had to put some uh I don't know uh uh machine to see what they have under the ground everything they have it they have the technology.
This is a game that sometime they play. >> That's the only thing. And I believe um Mr. mayor that after we discussing this item, it covered out the rest of the item because they all um um >> yeah, >> change order, >> but because you pulled it now, we have to go.
>> Yeah, we we can go. We're going to get soon, you know, quickly with that. But may I interject? >> Yes. >> Yes, ma'am. Go ahead. And regarding the trash that was on place at Kit Lane, we did allocate funding for removing the trash and we overspend the funding for
the trash due to the reason that we cleaned and at the next week or the next day we had more tires, more truck parts, more everything at the same location. So it's not something that even though we did plan ahead for it, >> well there is nothing we can do to
control uh the commercial finish. the commercial businesses in the area and the people that goes to the area to dump um trash and garbage to the to the to the area. So most of the of the of the funding that we had allocated for um on
on unforeseen expenditures were were uh invested in removing trash and and stuff that were not supposed to be at Kit Lane um for the change orders. uh a large part of the of the cost of all of them
were absorbed by contingency of the project. So for example uh change order number one which is uh 132 and the the cost that is being presented to the city commission is 45,676. However, the amount of the change order
that was absorbed by the contingency was 173,000 for that specific item. Now I have the opportunity. >> Thank you. Um let me asking you okay about these
pictures they use um putting in our table today. >> Yes sir. >> Okay. I see that's a private a private uh >> uh business or a private property but we working inside of a private property. >> That's actually pump station 16 and
that's uh >> but that's in Caroline. >> No that's not Caroline. That's Palm Station 16. Okay. All right. Okay. Good. Now, regarded about the garbage that you found the next day that you clean. >> Yeah. >> It's very easy that you know for the
authority that we have here in the city and that's including co enforcement of public work and police department. Madame manager example I want to give you to you right now. Somebody passed through my house and by the side of my house they throw a
bunch of tires or whatever you know type of garbage or track in there and I don't see it myself. There is a very famous guy you know passing out there to my ro from co enforcement. He said oh my god 1156 has
some tracks and decide right away he going to sign you know something against my property. He don't he don't know who throw it out the things there. It the same thing that we supposed to do after the next day they they cleaned the part
of the property. Why they don't go there and siding and made that person you know responsible because they are responsible for a lot of thing that happen out there. they are responsible and I know very easy to fix it and like that we
don't pay extra money. >> Thank you Adelina. >> All right. Any other questions to the manager or Miss Gross at this time? >> M Mr. Mayor >> Vice Mayor >> I just have one uh question and really pertains you can answer for all of them
with all these change order cuz I'm never a big fan of change orders. um what are we doing as best we can to mitigate these kind of situations going forward? So since the area is more accessible right now to police, code enforcement and the poly works
department, they are doing regular monitoring through uh through them through the order of the city manager. The so they they are they actually can access the road now. There was the the road was not suitable for either trucks
or anything to pass by 127 specifically where is the where the where most of the of the issues were found. >> Okay. So to my colleague's point, I guess what you're saying is going forward because we can access the roadway, we're going to take um
precautionary steps to address those kind of things. I don't like to see change orders like that. I know was difficult um as a part of the um making sure that we don't have these challenges. What kind of are we doing cameras? Are we doing I heard code
enforcement like that, but what other we doing in terms of technology? There have been cameras installed at Kyle for monitoring the the dumping and any other bad behavior at Kyle. So I think uh it and police are monitoring those. >> They work. >> Yes, they do.
>> Okay. So we can well the manage office can go back and check and look and see etc so forth when those when Okay. because I I would hope that we're um going to mitigate. I realize we couldn't get to it before in a sense, but um with the money we're spending and and I know
change orders do occur, but what I'm hearing primarily is the access challenge that you had to get to um a lot of these areas. So, okay. All right. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> All right. And we'll go ahead and call a question. Before madam manager, I asked this in my briefing. I just want to make
sure it was finding number 75 that once off same subject with a little off it. Um once this contract is completed that we go out and verify that the work is done before the city gives prime payment and that was one of our findings and it was finding number 75 and we cured that
finding and we put something in place. But I want to just make sure that we are adhering to that. This is a lot of money. >> We are adhering to that and Miss Gross and um Mr. Carlos, her assistant, goes out there on a regular and not every day. They're out there
>> at least every other day. >> Okay. >> We do go out there and as part of the the payment backups, we have uh pictures. We have uh any questions that have been sent material that have been that have been installed. Everything is part of the pay application that is being processed and submitted to them.
>> Mr. Mayor, Vice Mayor, >> I want to piggy back on what you just said. as a part of um that finding cure um will the documentation that you are putting together and providing and accumulating will that address that that curing of that finding that the mayor's
represent that he's talking about? >> Yes, it will. And then the director also has to sign off on it. >> Okay. I know you all would >> Yeah, that all right. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> All right. So, we are good. Um we can go ahead and call the question. Wait, before we call it,
>> bring me up to speed, please. >> We were talking about the change um change the change order >> for Ky Lane. >> Um before we call the question, madam attorney, um Commissioner Santiago, do you all your questions answered for 2, three, four, and five and six, seven, and eight?
>> Uh yes, the all my question be answering. What? Okay. The answer that I want in the future is before that we um make all this old um change order they more have to be proven or we have to see
that is true what they do. And I and I recommend them uh to the manager's office to be sure wherever we uh do the contract in the beginning they tell everything everything in once. What is
the be the cost for that project? >> Got it. All right, madame attorney. >> I don't like change. >> So, we g we'll call the question for this one and then we'll take the motion and the manager can briefly explain and then we'll call the question. >> All right.
>> I just I'll just call each um title into >> Yeah. into the record. Right. All right. Um u madam madam clerk. >> Commissioner Irvin. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Kelly. >> Yes. Commissioner Santiago. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Bass,
>> again, it's in relationship to the change orders. Okay. So, I was brief on it. Thank you. Yes. It's a yes. >> Mayor Taylor. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. 50. >> Madame attorney. >> A resolution of the city commission of the city of Opalaka, Florida, approving construction change order number two for
the Cairo Lane Northwest 127th Street roadway reconstruction project. Providing for incorporation recitals, providing for scriveners errors, providing for an effective date. This is sponsored by the city manager. >> All right. Um, madame clerk, go ahead and call the question. And we Well, can I get a motion? Then we call the question. >> Move it.
>> Moved by Commissioner Santiago. Second by Vice Mayor. Madam Clerk. >> Vice Mayor Kelly? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Santiago. Yes. Commissioner Bass. Yes. >> Commissioner Irvin. >> Yes. >> Mayor Taylor. Yes. Motion passes. 50. Madam Attorney, >> a resolution of the city commission of the city of Opaaka, Florida, approving
construction change order number three for the Cairo Lane Northwest 127th Street roadway reconstruction project providing for incorporation of recital providing for excursion errors providing for an effective date. This is sponsored by the city manager. >> Can I get a motion? >> Move it. >> Move by Commissioner Santiago. Second.
>> Second. Move it. >> Second by Commissioner Irvin. Madame Clerk. >> Commissioner Santiago. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Baz. Yes. >> Commissioner Irvin. >> Yes. Yes. Vice Mayor Kelly. Yes. >> Mayor Taylor. Yes. >> Motion passes 50. >> Madam Attorney, >> a resolution of the city commission of the city of Opalaka, Florida, approving
construction change order number four for the Cairo Lane, Northwest 127th Street roadway reconstruction project, providing for a corporation of recital, providing for scriveners errors, providing for an effective date. This is sponsored by the city manager. >> Can I get a motion? >> Second. >> Moved by Commissioner Santiago, second
by Dr. Bass. Madam Clerk, >> Commissioner Bass, >> yes. >> Commissioner Irvin, >> yes. Vice Mayor Kelly. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Santiago, yes. Mayor Taylor, yes. >> Motion passes. 50. >> Madam Attorney, >> a resolution of the city commission of the city of Opalaka, Florida, approving construction change order number five
for the Cairo Lane Northwest 127th Street roadway reconstruction project, providing for a corporation of recitals, providing for scrier's errors, providing for an effective date. This is sponsored by the city manager. >> Um, hearing a motion. >> Move it. >> Moved by Commissioner Santiago. Second,
>> second by Commissioner Irvin. Madam Madame Clerk, >> Commissioner Irvin, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Kelly, >> yes. >> Commissioner Santiago, yes. >> Commissioner Bass, yes. >> Mayor Taylor, yes. >> Motion passes 50. >> Madam Attorney, >> a resolution of the city commission of the city of Opalaka, Florida, approving construction change order number six for
the Cairo Lane Northwest 127th Street roadway reconstruction project, providing for incorporation of recital, providing for scrier's errors, providing for an effective date. This is sponsored by the city manager. >> Um, can I get a motion? >> Move it. Moved by Commissioner Irvin, second by Dr. Bass. Madame um clerk.
>> Vice Mayor Kelly. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Santiago. Yes. >> Commissioner Bass. Yes. >> Commissioner Irvin. Yes. Mayor Taylor. Yes. >> Motion passes 50. >> And Madam Attorney, >> a resolution of the city commission of the city of Opalaka, Florida. Approving construction change order number seven
for the Cairo Lane Northwest 127th Street Reconstruction Project. Providing for a corporation of recitals. Providing for scriveners errors. Providing for an effective date. This is sponsored by the city manager. >> Um, can I get a motion? >> Move. >> Second. >> Moved by Commissioner Irvin, second by
Dr. Bass. Madame um, clerk. >> Commissioner Santiago. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Baz. Yes. >> Commissioner Irvin. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Kelly. >> Yes. >> Mayor Taylor. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. 50. >> All right. Madam Attorney 139. A resolution of the city commission of the city of Opaaka, Florida, directing the
city manager to take all necessary steps to expand the city's canal maintenance initiatives to include Pine Tree Lake. Further directing the city manager to develop and implement a maintenance and afterare plan to ensure the long-term cleanliness and preservation, providing
for a corporation of recitals, providing for scriveners errors, providing for an effective date. This is sponsored by Mayor Taylor. All right. Can I get a motion on this item? Move it. Moved by Commissioner Santiago. >> Second for discussion. >> Second for discussion by Commissioner Irvan. All right. So, I sponsor this
item. Simply put, I want the city to um clean Pine Tree Lake one time and the manager to develop a plan going forward to maintain it. So, and bring it back to the commission. That plan, that's simple.
and I give it to Commissioner Urban that she pulled it. >> Okay. So, I would like before we get too deep into approving this to
find out what is it going to cost us to do this. Yeah, she's going to bring it back before she >> It is going to come back because I don't want us to put Ourel in a situation where we approve this, we pay for it, and then every private person come cuz
they need help with getting something fixed and then we're in a do for one, do for all type situation and it get too costly. I want our city to look beautiful as well, but I just wanted to know if it was going to actually come
back to us to with an amount. Yes, ma'am. >> I don't want to give the residents false hope either. >> No, she's going to bring >> Okay. Thank you. >> Um, Commissioner Santiago. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um,
I see something uh good in this item. It is we going to send in the manager for sure to see uh what is going to be the cost uh to helping uh that neighborhood there. uh that they are part of the uh
uh beautiful resident in Taspea for the great city of Opalaka and I don't know I'm not worrying about uh how much it's going to cost because it's going to be only one time and the thing is that we going to use the money for something
that is necessary for the community for us for the people for the people it's not that we using something for something else and I don't want to Hey, anything. I know that we have to have parties and everything, but we use the money for the people.
Let's send in the manager to do the research. See how much it's going to cost and we're going to look for the money to do that for one time because it's only one time I I believe to the sponsor. No. >> Yes. >> Okay. And after that, I've been talking to many of the residents uh for this uh
area and I say the whatever implementing in the taxes that they're going to do is not really us. We want to helping you. We want to do the best that we can for the resident for the taxpayer of the city. But after that we have another war
that we had to fight. It is with the day county to see what they can do for us, what they can do for that neighbor. But that's in the future. We had to be together be attending that the we going
to helping you and we're gonna support that area and this uh uh residential area for that lake because it's a lot of thing that I learned about it. They say the water coming from the big lake under the ground and it's coming out to the
other side through another through another canal. It's a lot of thing. We had to, you know, find out what is the reality to this to see if the resident have to pay for it or is including already and the taxes that they
pay that you people pay already every year for your property. Let's leave it like that. Let's making that in practice. Um I'm going to supporting Mr. Mayor because I I think that's a very good initiative. uh like that we know and we learn how to use the money uh
when we need it for the people in the great city of Pala. Thank you, >> Mr. Mayor. Vice Kelly, >> thank you. Um when I saw this item, I was really almost uh flabbergasted because I've been working on Pine Tree Lake for almost a year and a half, initially with
two residents, Mr. Herman and and I won't call her name, but um I've got emails and correspondence going back to previous management on this issue. And then to see this item that we would actually clean up the late um I was
they say in the movies taking a back. So let me go back and just let's go back from the beginning. Um because let me say from the outset, nobody wants to see the lake not clean. Nobody wants to see an environment where it's not beautiful. So, let's take that off the table. Uh,
Mr. Herman is here. He can tell you I've been back and forth with him and some of the other residents over there for over a year and a half trying to get a resolutions issue. But, Mr. Mayor, if I can call the um, manager to have Mr. Austin come up.
Now I can pull my my emails and my my documentation. So I'm going to just trust that you're going to uh give me your your memory of it. Um, I've been working on this for over a year and a half, and was told from previous
management, which included yourself, that the city could not clean this because it was not our property, number one, and number two, there was dispute on who actually owned the property. And that's taken some time. That went
through some several months. Then it was uh determined that the county would not take cleaning up the place cuz they say they didn't own it. That it was actually part of a homeowners association agreement, whatever that had to be done. Now, the last I remember was earlier
this year wherein I was told through the manager's office um and again, most of this predates the current manager that um the homeowners would have to absorb it and that letters were sent out, correspondents sent out, and they would
have to um assume ownership of getting it clean. So, now I pick up from there if you can and let me know what has changed now that the city now can clean it up. So, uh, Vice Mayor, uh, pertinent to that, uh, there are four to six
homeowners and in order for us to clean the lake, we would have to get a special taxing district developed. Uh to accomplish that task, we need to have 50% of the homeowners
commit to uh paying $1,500 for the first year and $1,400 for the second year. Of of the four to six homeowners, we only got responses from three of
them. Letters went out. Everyone except 15 homeowners where the mail was returned received uh notification that this was necessary
to develop a special taxing district in order to clean the lake. In addition to that, as part of the process, we had to acquire a permanent easement to access the lake for cleaning. that was also
procured by the city and it's it's in place right now. So without the 50% of the homeowners agreeing that this is the process they need to follow to clean the lake, there's nothing else we could do
until that is accomplished. Okay, let let's go back a little bit because originally what I was told by management including yourself was we couldn't even access the place and we could we need access to even see what was going on and and I pushed for legislation push to get
that taken place which we got access to access >> then we came up with all the well what we didn't come up with I was told all the other challenges simply put the legislation here um says to direct and manage develop and implement a maintenance and afterare care plan. So,
it's not just one time. It's actually a long-term based what I'm I'm looking at because it says in section two to develop implement a maintenance and advocare plan for long-term cleanness and preservation. Again, I'm not against cleaning the lake. What I'm challenged
with is what my colleague mentioned earlier is we're getting into business of private development or private property. If the county won't do it, um I'm I'm concerned that we would take ownership of cleaning it and we don't even know the cost of it. Your
assessment you're saying is based on reaching out to the homeowners and you said only how many responded? >> Only three. >> Three responded out of how many? >> Out of four to six. >> Out of 46. Okay. And that was with a
proposal of the $1,500 and what have you? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Um, see that that's where my dilemma lies because I'm I'm hearing what we've done as a city versus what the legislation wants to do. And nobody, you know,
nobody wants to be on the outside of saying, you don't want to help 46 homeowners or 46 residents that live in that area. What I'm concerned about is once we do this, what that cost is and what that means. Cuz we go over there
and do something. Whatever we do, the manager comes back with a plan. We go over there and do something. Whether we spray something, clean something, are we on the hook now in the future for anything that happens over there? I don't know the answer to that. I don't know the answer to that. I want to clean more than anybody else. But what I was
told was it was going to take the special taxing district and access. And the only part of the city could do way back then was to get the access, which we've done. You're saying the only way we should be doing it from um your perspective is the assessment, special
assessment, >> special tax and district or the ownership has the prerogative of developing a homeowners association to deal with it internally. >> Well, I did hear something about that, but the mayor, like you said, we couldn't entertain that at that point. I
understand home ownership could do a whole lot more. Um, and that's where a lot of these things are done, but that's not really on the on the table at this moment. So I I'm really baffled um how we can accomplish it until the sponsor
although you're saying one time the legislation really says um our current canal maintenance that we have to include Pine Tree Lake which would do all the other things we do which have a maintenance and afterare plan for long term. So that's where my challenge
really lies. Um and again let me say it because I know how things get spent. It's not about clean the lake because I've been trying to get that lake clean for a year and a half. How can we do it without the city absolving what I call long-term liability and we don't even
have the cost of what it's going to be? I like the idea of of assisting a homeless association or something that's in place, but I'm not sure um if that's in place at this moment. I I heard it was mentioned earlier uh from the resident that they were working on
putting something together, but to your knowledge is one in place now that's on record. >> No, right now there's nothing in place with the residents for to accomplish this task. My understanding of the legislation is that we're going to do
one-time cleanup and then we will bring back a plan demonstrating that the residents must choose an option. The first one being a homeowners association or to go with the special
tax and district. That's the only way this could progress beyond the one-time cleanup. >> Okay. So, vice I'm sorry. I'm sorry because I I don't know what the last part that he said that's the intent of the legislation. So the 1,500 was a
letter that the city pull out we did a couple weeks ago and that was with the residents cleaning it up. >> That's the $1,500. That's not the cost. >> That's not them paying for the one-time cleanup, but that's what you explained at the beginning. So I don't want to conflate the two. One, there's two
items. One is the initial cleanup and the second part of the legislation is longterm after care which can evolve into either HOA or a special taxing district. >> Mr. Mayor to Mr. Vice Mayor >> whatever whichever one the manager
brings back after she does her analysis. That's what you see here. So the $1,500 that the city that we all got those letters, we all got those phone calls. I live down the street from that. So they always call in. So that right there every no I was not in an agreement with that but I wanted and this is not the
first time that this has come up. I understand that you brought it up um um you said year and a half ago but we've been here before and the city cleaned it before. The only thing which is what I was under the understanding if we get can get permission from the homeowners
to clean the lake we can go ahead and do it. Then after that we can we can assist them into creating an HOA or we can develop a special taxing district going forward for maintenance. Is that not is that not
>> cuz I what you are saying is not my what you initially started off with with the $1,500 I that is not this and I did not agree and I'm that's not so I don't I don't want >> that's for the special taxing district. That's not even for the that was with the special taxing district with them
cleaning it initially was that $1,500. So let let's I want to be very clear. One has nothing to do with the debt. >> Okay, Mr. Mayor saying that then what what did we spend to clean it the first time? Because when I asked about cleaning this, I was told that the city
could not clean it and should not be cleaning it and we had not cleaned it. The county had cleaned it way back in the day as they say, but we had no record and no cost. cuz I asked that first question. >> Vice Mayor, I cannot answer that. What was what it costed before? That was way before my tenure. >> Well, the mayor just said we cleaned it
before. So, there has to be some record or document that shows that we cleaned it. >> So, where's that where's that document? >> Uh where's that cost? Cuz the mayor said we cleaned it before >> and but when I asked you, you said to your knowledge, we hadn't cleaned it. The county had done some stuff back
years ago, but there was no record. So I was trying to initially find out then what the cost would be to clean it. So what what was that what was that cost? We did it before. What was that cost? >> So um we don't have any record of that cost because it was it was it was a very long time ago and it's my understanding
from speaking to different people that it was something that was done by the county as a one-time favor, but I'm not sure because I don't have any records on it. Well, >> okay. I I I'll yield but I I want to reserve my time to come back. I'll listen to my
colleagues. >> Go ahead. >> Okay. I I heard both comment for Vice and the mayor, but we not there yet because they asking you for record for the last time that they
cleaned that um that lake by the city. But that happened long time ago. M 10 years ago, 12, 14 years ago. Hello. One second. You all one second. One second. Thank you. >> Okay. We don't know how long ago, madame manager, but we're going to get that
information. But whatever whatever years ago that happened for sure is not going to cause what it's going to cost today because everything changed. What we propose or the the sponsor proposed today is to send the manager to
found how much it's going to cost to us to clean it for one time and after that we already be talking to residents and people from out there and they understand they try clear understand that now it's not going to be under us
that it's going to be under the properties uh owners and yes we're going to helping you to talk you know to the county we're going to How can we do it? Because question where is the 1500s coming from? From your department or from day county.
>> So when we reached out to Miami date county to create the special taxing district, they had a contractor that works with the parks and recreation department of Miami date county come out and assess the lake to establish what
the cost will be for the initial cleanup and one year of maintenance. That's how that $1,500 and $1,400 fee was developed for assessment to develop a special taxing district. After that 2-year period, it
was going to be incumbent upon the city to further tax the residents as the costs uh attributed to those. >> Okay, that we have have a lot of time to to go through that process. um my recommendation to my call and everything I understand you know what is the uh uh
proposal of this but we had to first find out how much it's going to cost for the first time and then after that we have time to discussing whatever coming in the future and we can make that I think that we be talking about uh uh I think with your department or or Mr.
educate department to do a workshop when everybody and explaining to them what is the situation are teaching them okay that the money have to come from somewhere after the matter >> yes I I I think um and and again I understand the intent of legislation and
I would have done this way back when if I could but I was told we couldn't do it um that we could not clean private property. That's what I was told. Correct. Correct. Thank you. So to even see this
um I I was really kind of surprised because nobody wants to see it clean more than me. I I if I had a number, I would have proposed that number way back then to at least to do it. We don't even have the number. But what other thing that I'm concerned about? We keep saying one time cleaning. Okay. Miss Herman, I
see your hand, but I can't acknowledge you. uh the chair the chair. We don't do that. So I see your hand. Don't think I don't see it. Um you're raising more than offering plate, but I can't I can't but I can't do that. But but what I'm getting at is um we all want to see it clean. We don't
have a cost of it. And I'm concerned about taking on something in a private setting. The legislation also calls for us to implement a maintenance and afterare plan for us to do it, which to me is something that should be done by
HOA homeown association that should be done with them, you know, and again, the city could assist, but that's a private matter. I I'm going to, you know, I know it ain't popular, but I'm going to suggest um to the sponsor to just defer
it and allow the manager to if you can or maybe you can't. Let me just maybe not defer the item, actually defer it. Madam manager, have you exhausted all means to the mayor to the manager? Have you exhausted all means trying to find out that one time cost
that we did it or somebody did it before? >> No, we have not. We have not started that process. No, this doesn't I don't interpret this as bringing the cost back. I interpret this as implementing. >> She's going to bring it back. We spoke about this. >> We have not we have not started bring >> I know you haven't started the process,
but is this to find out a cost or is this to implement? Because I keep seeing the word implement >> to get the cost. It's my understanding I'm supposed to be getting the cost and bring it back to the commission for final um approval. And the implement is us assisting either the creation of a
HOA or implementing of um what's that thing? A special tax and district. >> No, I I'm not that far down the road. I I'm reading and these whereas direct city managers implement a maintenance and afterare plan to ensure long-term cleanness. Show me the whereas that
simply says for the manager to get the cost and bring it back to the commission for approval. That that's the whereas I'm looking for because I don't see that separated out. What I do say see in the staff summary is the financial impact no impact with approval of this legislation
which I find kind of challenging. However, this will lead to additional expenses and future budgets depending on the plans implemented because we're asking you to go get a cost even to do it that there's going to be a cost. You got to go out and do something whether you do RFP, RFQ, RF, whatever, there's a
cost associated with that. Not to say it's a major one, but there's still a cost. But I'm looking for the whereas that simply says go find out what it will cost for one-time cleaning, bring it back to the commission so that we can pass it or whatever you want to do with
it. That that's the whereas I'm looking for. Now maybe I missed it and that's what I'm looking forward to the sponsor to the to the manager or whoever just that one whereas to get the cost bring it back to us and then we'll say yay or
nay if the manager uh through the sponsor wants to add on some of the other implementation as a part of it that's fine but I'm just looking for now as the mayor saying his intent the manager to go out and find what it cost and bring back to us for us to decide. Well, vice mayor, so it is my
legislation and that is my intent. But if you want that language in the resolution, we can add it as an amendment. Well, it's my nothing to amend because I can add it. I can add it to it that we won't move on until this comes back for final approval before the commission. So, we can we can do that.
>> Okay. If you want you put that where in there somewhere. >> Madam Madam, I'm sorry. I mean, go ahead, question. No, I I just want that to be the where because you got a lot of where's that directs demand to do a whole lot of stuff after those last two actually give directors to bring back as
a part of a long longer term plan. The one I'm I'm looking for is the one you just said the where it says find the cost bring it back to us and the commission you know can decide based on that um if we want to do that go further entertain whatever else but that's the
initial thing whatever that cost is >> madam attorney well there's no motion needed because I'm make changing it now um can we add that language >> that's the intent vice may but you it's not there but the me and the manager have discussion >> um you can add that language but I also
wanted to note note that we did update the um the resolution to reflect the agenda cover memo for the one time um cleaning. So, as long as you understand that's supposed to be in there, we can um >> note that
>> you can that language, but what vice mayor is requesting. Yes. >> Is add the language that before we do anything, before the manager does anything, she will bring it before the commission for final approval. Is that what you're saying? >> Yes. And I like the I like the idea of my colleague so that the folks will know
too. Make sure they're they're aware of this too cuz it's going if we do it it's going to be one time and it has to be some succession plan we're not going to carry out. But that's not you know it's part of the legislation to make sure we do the one time. >> Okay. >> I do the rest bar. >> All right. Um Madam, do you need to read
that in the record or you >> um No, it's it's on the record. >> All right. So to be clear, it's before the manager does anything, she will submit it and we put a date on it. Madam manager, 60 90 30 60 90 30
>> um 60 days. 30 days is too short. 60 days >> between 30 to 60 days. And if you can get it early >> between 60 to 90 days. 60 days. Within 60 days, the manager will bring it back to the commission for final approval before she does anything.
>> What did madam Mr. Mayor? What did what did the attorney just say about the language? >> I didn't I didn't hear what she said about the language. >> I didn't provide specific language. I was saying that it's on the record what the um what he's amending the resolution with. >> Okay. What does that do to the other
wherees? >> Well, the only thing that you approved was to just add that one whereas. So, if you're taking away from the rest of the resolution, then you're going to need to vote on all of that. >> No, Vice Mayor, she's not going to do
anything until she brings it. That's that that's not She's not going to do anything. She's going to bring it before the commission. >> All right. >> Before she does anything, >> bring it before the commission and then we'll go from there. >> Thank you. Okay. >> All right. Madame attorney, do we Well, it's not there's no motion needed
because it's my item. I'm asking you to tweak it now, but what do you need from us now? >> Um, it's been it's been noted that you're changing it. >> Got it. All right. So, we can go ahead and call the question if you have
nothing else. Right. >> I've not seen what we just noted and I'm I'm kind of taken with that, but it's your legislation. I want to hold it up cuz I'm not a post clinic now but >> or the late but >> what is supposed to be added is that the city manager will bringing back will be
bringing back the cost of the one-time payment within 60 days >> before >> and before she does anything she will not do any work >> right okay got it got it okay all right um so you accept that so we don't need
Okay thank you Mr. here. No problem. Um, so Madame Clerk, >> Commissioner Bass, >> yes. >> Commissioner Urban, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Kelly, >> yes. >> Commissioner Santiago, >> yes. >> Mayor Taylor, >> yes. >> Motion passes 5.
>> All right, moving on to item number 11. 1311. A resolution of the city commission of the city of Opalaka, Florida, directing the city manager to take all necessary steps for the city of Opalaka to become a certified autism city. Further
providing for staff training, community awareness and inclusive practices, providing for a corporation of recital, providing for scrier's errors, providing for an effective date. This is sponsored by Mayor Taylor. >> All right. Can I get a motion? >> Move it for question. >> Move by Commissioner Santiago.
>> Second. >> Second by Vice Mayor Kelly. Um, so this item is simple. I just want Opalaka to become a certified autism city. There are free programs out there that will help our staff with training, help us recruit um help us help us with our
officers and just and help train our community to be autism um awareness for community autism awareness. That's that's that legislation. And um Commissioner Santiago, you pull this uh >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I think that you already answering you know one of the question that I have is me um what
is the uh uh the staff is going to be training who who who we going to take to training. So, >> what department? Who? >> Any any of our um our public facing departments, anybody that deals with people. So, our parks and wreck, our
police department, uh building and license, um the cashiers downstairs. That's what it is. it helps train our our staff how to deal and treat >> um yeah that you see that's a very important uh question because
what I what I see um the you know like the the personnel they have the capacity okay and the authority to you know to get to any kind of emergency like that in case that we have anyone is the uh our police force I don't know if they
training uh the police in the academy uh with the situation like that and that's what I believe you know that this is the best thing to know because they are certified uh public safety people okay in in in in
Miami day county and the state and whoever they're going to go touch a child whatever they know that's a police officer that is not anybody civilian okay like us it's good I hope I can get that training part it's going to be uh do more professionally and more uh
carefully if it does our police officers. That's one. The other the other one is >> Let me respond first and then you can get the second second question. Um so that legislation we pass I sponsored it. We passed it a couple months ago and chief is already working on that for our department but the police department. So
that's already been done. >> And if we already have it with the police department, why we bringing another one forward? >> Because this is for the the city as a whole. That's what you see. Training for city as a whole. This says the city of Opalako. >> Okay. >> The other one was for the police
department specifically. >> For me, it's almost the same thing. But okay. Um let me let me see that. This is Okay. Um you say that we we going to call it the city certified when upstates mean. What does that mean? Certified
city. We want our we want our employees that work in Opaaka to help us be inclusive with all of our residents and anybody that is dealing with neurode diversion issues. So when they come in
we'll be more sensitive. We will be able to um recognize we would um be aware. So that's what this is. It's it's there's no cost to the city and it's the same thing literally that we brought last week when Commissioner Regalado did the
presentation. It's the exact toolkit. >> Good. Okay. That answer me my other question is me. You say loud and clear that it's not going to cost anything to our city to our budget. >> That's what you say. I think that is say it's not cost. >> It doesn't. There are programs out there
that helps with this stuff. >> Okay. But that's a that's that's the answer. It's not it's not cost to us. >> I said that in the presentation. That's there's no there's no cost to the city. >> Okay. Well, that's good. That's good with me. If it is not going to cost anything because we already have a program, too. That's fine. That's something good for the um for the
workers. Thank you. >> Mr. Mayor, >> Mr. B, >> quick question. You said it's for city at large. >> Does that include employees and non-employees? Just residents of Opalaka. >> Residents and Right. >> Okay. So, our residents will have an opportunity to be trained.
>> All right. Any other questions on this item? All right, Madame Clerk. >> Commissioner Irvin, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Kelly, >> yes. >> Commissioner Santiago, >> yes. >> Commissioner Bass, yes. Mayor Taylor, yes. Motion passes 5. >> All right. So, we're going to go to
we're going to deviate really, really quick because the hours are spent. Um, and we're going to move to item number I can't find it. 16 A. Which one is it? four
>> 1684. Thank you. And um madam manager, you can bring up the trans. All right. So, we'll um madam attorney, for the record, we'll start with 1684. We'll do that one. I think it's under
first reading and then we'll go back to our planning and zoning items. An ordinance of the city commission of the city of Opaaka, Florida, amending article 5, section 22-116 of the city of Opalaka's land development regulations pertaining to
storage of recreational vehicles. Amending certain definitions within section 22-116 to include the definition of travel trailer to reduce the overall body length from 40 ft to 35 ft. to amend the definition of camping trailer to remove
the word vehicular and require camping trailers to be loaded onto or a fixed to wheels. To remove the word truck from truck camper to amend the word motor home to require a built-on requirement to motor vehicle
chassis. To amend the definition of screen, to add the words, the condition of being and expand the definition of the words to expand the definition of significantly
hidden from view to encompass a combination of structures to delete residential townhouse district, moderate density, residential district, high density, residential district, and certain residential mixeduse designations. s bearing the prefix HD
OD, CMU, and MNMU to delete the requirement that recreational parking vehicle parking uh and storage is pro is deleted. I'm sorry to delete the requirement that recreational vehicle
parking and storage is prohibited but requires the certification process and fee of $100 with an accompanying affidavit that the vehicle will not be used for occupancy. Requiring proof of current title and registration as required by applicable law. allowing a
recreational vehicle not exceeding 35 ft in length to be parked in a sideyard not closer than 3 ft from the residence with all expanded panels retracted. Requiring recreational vehicles to be unobstructed, mounted on wheels, and easily movable.
Prohibiting recreational vehicles parked on residential property from being used for living, sleeping, cooking, or storage. allowing no more than one recreational vehicle on the single family or duplex property. Requiring the recreational vehicle owner to hold a
valid lease agreement with the property owner. Prohibiting utility connections except through an extension court for brief weight maintenance related activities that to exceed 24 hours. prohibiting parking on townhouse and multif family
properties amending chapter 2 article 11 section 2-570.33 of the city of Opaaka's code of ordinances to decrease the civil penalty for non-compliance fine amount from $500 to $250 for the first offense providing
for severability providing for cotification providing for an effective date this is sponsored by commissioner Santiago >> this is a public hearing item Can I get a motion? >> Move it. >> Moved by Commissioner Santiago. >> Can I get a second? >> Second.
>> Second by Commissioner Baz. This is a public hearing item. Um Um Commissioner Santiago, I'm going to do this. Can you please explain it and then can I know we we've heard this like five different times, but it's it moved from second reading to first reading. So, we need a
clear understanding of what changed. I was in my briefing, but we like we just want to make sure our residents understand what has changed um between vice I mean sorry between um Commissioner Santiago and the manager. You all can do that. You have the floor. >> Okay. Thank you. Um I'm going to start
it. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. Um well I can see um uh today u yes the change that we have to the first reading and what happened is in uh two uh two meeting uh commissioner
meetings ago uh one of the resident uh bring to the floor >> the same thing >> uh well we only had one resident and I think that she understand English Okay. Okay. Uh would you like me to translate the whole the whole thing that was read or just
>> No. Uh she she already know about it. The only thing that I want to explain to her is that we bringing back to first reading it because we fixing the situation the two commissioner meet
before a go. uh one of the resident bring and we found out the uh when uh Mr. Gate department out there the the language that that we using it is making a little confused with that but we already uh
beat down and we check all the cities and we fix what word that we going to use. >> Okay. For charge the fee. >> Okay. Yeah. uh the language that they um that
they try to uh uh say that we doing improper to not say the other words. >> Uh yeah, we um you know we modificate it to to some words that is make it you know more easy to understand to the
residents. Um that's for sure that we cannot register any type of vehicles in the state of Florida, Florida because we don't give no registration and no tax. >> No, no place no tax that place. That's
what they say. Yeah. Yeah. And that's only DMB, but he bring that because he found it and he believe it did the same thing. But okay, but it is not it's not the same thing. Well, >> now um the reason why you don't see too
many people here today is because they already know what's going on and they love to that um uh or oldening past already today starting to have a normally life. Okay. They understand
and the rules and regulation that we have. There's only a vehicle for recreation to take out from vacation. There is nothing that you can put anybody there to leave because it's totally illegal to have
people living in a trailer. Okay. Yes. And what we do is try to avoid the first ordinance that they bring a year and a half ago. My guys more than a year and a half. No, Mr. Gay, that we've been dealing with this. And thank God today is going to be um
you know uh the first reading to see if we by the next commission meeting we closing it and we end it with this uh Oh my god. Because they supported they supported that it and and they not permit to less
the authority code enforcement or the police department or whoever is in charge to make you remove that vehicle for your property and go to another property and pay another rent when you already be paid a mortgage there in your house.
We believe that you have the right to park in your RV and your house when all the regulations and rules that we already implanted in this ordinary. Thank you. Okay. Yeah. May I say something because I want to make clear to who that I want the
resident say thank you is to all my colleagues to the mayor vice mayor and commissioner Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. All right. Um Madame Manager, so the um the
understanding for the change. >> So the legislation remains the same. It's just changing one item and that's to require a certification process and that fee is $100. >> Got it. All right. Okay. So, this is a public hearing item. Public hearing is
open. Public hearing item. You But you got to state your name and your name and 77 Boulevard. Quick question with that. Does that apply to ambulances? >> To who? >> Ambulances. >> Ambulances. Madame manager.
>> No, sir. >> Thank you. >> All right. >> All right. Um, >> in Spanish. She can you his question was can you um translate in Spanish does that apply to ambulance? Oh, sorry.
>> And the answer was no. Okay. >> I'm sorry. I didn't know spoke English. >> Also, um, can you say that public hearing is open? >> Anybody that wants to speak? >> Okay. Public hearing is closed. All right. Do we have from my colleagues? Do we have any questions for
the sponsor on this item? All right. Hearing none. Madam clerk, you can go ahead and call the question. >> Vice Mayor Kelly, >> yes. >> Commissioner Santiago, >> yes. >> Commissioner Bass, >> yes. >> Commissioner Irvin, >> yes. >> Mayor Taylor, >> yes.
>> Motion passes. 50 first reading. >> All right. So, madam manager, we're we're done with that item. We can move on to uh we'll go back to item 15 15A1 >> a resolution of the city commission of
the city of Opaaga, Florida to consider the site plan application for the renovation and construction of a 5,250 square foot office and mechanical repair building and the renovation of the parking area on the properties located
at 1480 00 Northwest 24th Court and identified by Folios 08-2122- 025- 0510 and 08-2122- 025- 050 0 and the I2 zoning district
and within the innovation district providing for a corporation of recital providing for scriers errors providing for an effective date this is sponsored by the city manager >> all right this two is a public hearing item can I get a motion >> move it Moved by Commissioner Santiago, second by Commissioner Baz. Madam
manager, go ahead and present. We'll open up for public hearing. >> The applicant LDM Florida LLC proposes to construct a office and mechanical repair building and to renovate the existing parking area at 14800 Northwest 24th Court. The project also includes
providing adequate parking and landscaping in accordance with the city's land development regulations. The applicant has submitted a site plan application requesting approval to construct a proposed office and mechanical repair building within the industrial plan zoning district I2 and
within the innovation district. The planning and zoning board of the city of Oblak reviewed the request and a duly noticed public hearing was held on March 3rd, 2026 and determined that the approval of the site plan is in the best interest of the city and its residents.
The board voted 30 to recommend approval of the application. Mr. Gay is also available to answer any questions you may have. >> All right. This is a public hearing item. Public hearing is open. >> Mr. Mark >> Mark Cooper 681 Southwest 75. I know the
I know the area. I own property in the area. I stand in opposition. The previous uh property owner had a warehouse there. It might have been a 30,000 square foot warehouse. It's been a vacant lot for a long time. Now the owner wants to put a small building and
make it into a mechanic shop. And so the entrance into that area is right by the new elderly housing on 147th Street or on 151st Street right up against Miami Gardens. So, you're going to have I think the lot's 40,000 square feet and you're going to have a small building
which doesn't really add to the tax base and you're going to have all this truck traffic coming through an area that's looking much nicer now. There's a marble company that just opened up to mean 11 million investment comes out opaka to put a mechanic shop for heavy trucks and mechanics that there's only way to get
in there is through residential areas or areas that we're trying to better. So, I don't think it's the best use of the land and uh thank you. All right. Public hearing is still open. Public hearing is closed. All right. Any
questions to the madam manager on this item or Mr. Gay? Madam, he's going to present you. >> Mr. Mayor, >> um, Vice Mayor Kelly. >> Um, thank you. There was a couple of questions I guess came up in the planning and zoning board meeting that
was asked about parking inside of the um spaces. It says that uh also reconfirm 12 space including space for trucks and employees and that there will be um I guess if there would be parking
outside on the streets and it was responded no. I am challenged every time I hear that especially in that area as well as others and the chair of the planning community development asked that
question. So I I'm just going to ask it again just for the record. So there will be no parking outside on the street um with this proposed development. Gregory Gay, the director of planning community development. The lot size is
over an acre. So there's more than opportunities for parking to be placed inside the property which would be required. There will be no parking outside of the property. >> Okay. All right. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. his first reading. So
>> no, think well he has the first reading. No. >> Yeah. Um I had the same concern uh to my colleague about after you know the matter that we approve and they
already be operating out there. Yes. only see what problem that we have in Kaido Lane in 127 and even in Alibaba when all the trucks and car parking even
sometime double park. I hope that they understand that by rules and regulation that your department make for them. They respect that
to not have trucks broken into parts or be disarmed in front of the business like every operation that they want to do they're supposed to do it inside after the war that they have after the uh property line inside.
I think that's a good, you know, point of view that my colle and I'm going to be concerned also about that. I don't think that we can a safety trucks in a place like that parking outside of the uh working area, >> Mr. Mayor.
>> One second. Commissioner, >> thank you. >> Yeah, >> thank you. Um, Mr. Mayor to the manager. Um, I'm going to support this for tonight, but I would love for Mr. Gay to take me to where
this is at so I can make a decision based on what I see because after Mr. Mark spoke, it raised some red flags for me. So, I would like to see it first, but I will support it for tonight only until further. We'll do. >> All right. Any other questions or
concerns? All right. Madam manager, my issue was the same with the residential being right there. And then I just don't want to repeat obviously the parking was issue them parking on the side of the road. I just don't want to repeat a carro lane 27th street. So
if we can talk to the applicant and even put that in the agreement once it comes to hold them hold their feet to the fire to that then yeah cuz that that's my concern. I think we all on the same page for that.
>> I think we all >> his first reading. So by next time it comes you have a between now and then a conversation and bring us back a resolve. >> We'll do. >> All right. Any other concerns or questions for the manager? Hearing none.
Madam clerk. >> Commissioner Santiago. >> Uh yes. >> Commissioner Baz. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Irvin. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Kelly. >> Yes. >> Mayor Taylor. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. 5. >> Uh Mr. Gay, don't go nowhere because the same one just in case. Um, madame
attorney, >> a resolution of the city commission of the city of Opa Laka, Florida to consider the development agreement request for the renovation and construction of a 5,250 square ft office and mechanical repair building and the renovation of the
parking area on the properties located at 14800 Northwest 24th Court and identified by folios 08-2122-025- 0510 and 08- 2122-025-05000 in the I2 zoning district and within the
innovation district providing for a corporation of recitals providing for scrier's errors providing for an effective date this is sponsored by the city manager >> right um madam manager oh second motion I'm sorry can I get a motion >> move it moved by commissioner Santiago >> second >> second by vice mayor Kelly this is a public hearing item madam manager go
ahead and present and then we'll open up for public hearing >> this is a companion item to item to agenda item 151 however this is to consider consider a development agreement for the property located at 1480 Northwest 24th Court. >> All right, this is a public hearing
item. Public hearing is open. Public hearing is closed. >> Do we have any um questions or concerns to um madam manager or Mr. Gay at this point? At this >> Mr. Mayor? >> Vice Mayor. >> Anytime I see um Thank you. Anytime I
see development agreements, I'm going to ask the same question regarding to hiring and job opportunities. And I always see the same language about how you get folks hired, but yet we have folks in our community um that are not
hired. So, what's going to be different with this one? I see the career source. I see coordinate with opa and the same language that I don't really see any teeth into it. So what are we
doing different with this one um to try to ensure better compliance with the others through the manager Gregory Gay. Um the language that we have within the development agreement is the best language that we can do as it relates to
in encouraging the opportunity for employment. We cannot force an employee or or or a potential business to hire individuals from the city of Opalaka, but we try to create opportunities where they will be um in a good position to
provide the opportunities either through job fairs, training opportunities, things of that nature in order to encourage them to hire people that are within our city limits. >> In other words, Mr. here. Um, how much engagement for example is done
with our own city initiate efforts? Do our own HR department? Um, is that on the front line or usually on the back line? Because I know the answer is always career source because they got a database etc. But on the front end, for example, this passes and the second
reading in passes is the first line to to reach out to IHR to say, you know, um what are you all looking for? Here's the job opportunities we anticipate are going to be available. How can we work together to make sure the city's at the
fair, at the whatever? Um because as we've seen, well I've seen in the past and you've seen as well, some of these job defa what are we doing to address that? I know we can't tell folks who to hire, >> but we what are we doing to make sure that occur? Well, one of the things that we're we're
looking at doing and I've had communications with our HR director is that if we are having any type of job fair or any type of fair that will be city sponsored that these particular companies will also be given an opportunity and invited to be a part of
those particular job fairs as well. So, we are trying to coordinate to have that particular activity take place. um we have not had one as of yet, but we're working very closely with HR to do that. On the other end, um we do speak with
the developers and and people that are associated with them, and we let them know what resources are available. We do have training facilities. We have one training facility that just um opened not too long ago within the city of Opalaka and we try to connect that
training institute with the um developers in order to possibly have people to be transitioned from that training facility into job opportunities with that development. >> Okay. And I and I appreciate that. So, let me just say this to the manager.
While we cannot make anybody do anything, if we do send out something to them or you have a meeting encouraging that and it is like refused or frowned upon or we don't want to do it, I'd like to know about it. I'd like to know about it because as you indicated, we do have
some um places here that do job um you know, help folks to learn the skills, the trade, etc. So, I'm very interested to make sure that that occurs going forward. Um, and one of the things just jumps out at me, so I just got to say it. All trash and garbage containers
shall comply with all city dumpster and closure requirements. That just jumped out at me right in the middle of the thing. I don't know why it did. Maybe I'm having an epiphany moment because to me, a lot of times these folks, businesses come in and even in the area
where you're referencing that this possibly could be um dumpsters are there but not enclosed, not whatever. So even with those kind of things, we need to do a better job. But I definitely look forward to seeing that coordination on the job um opportunities. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
>> Vice Mayor, >> if I may. Um so the city does have a new HR director. This would be the first project under her as the as our HR director. So I would say to Mr. Gay, tomorrow, make sure that you schedule a meeting with the HR director to make
sure that this process is followed through. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. >> And she ready, madam manager? She about to shake her head and smile, man. >> Mr. Mayor, wish to >> Thank you. Thank you. Um, let me see if I I if I get it, if I
understand the whole complete uh question. um in our um I think to the clerk or to the manager in our uh city shadow that we have any rules that make us obligating
any uh company or any uh investment people that they want to come to investing money here in Opalaka to telling that they have to hiding some percent of people from the city. No. Okay. Um because I want to give you that
facility to people to come here and investing money to not put in so hard for them. That's one. And the other one is okay. I think that we have to uh do something regarded about us. Let's start by the house. us. Uh this morning I
found uh let me say not a Spanish uh man but a very a very young guy and a beautiful person and very educated afroamerican kid a young kid. And he
told me are you a commissioner for the city? Yes I am. May I ask you a question? I say yeah why not? He asked me I be calling two of you callies for more or three weeks and they don't answering the phone regarded about an application that he
already making it five times. five times. I know it's not your department, but I say and he from Opalaka, born in Opalaka, growing in Opalaka and the city don't even put attention to his application
or to at least, you know, give it a code to that person and let him know what's going on if the position is going to be open or not. what I say to that young person because I really I really that's really you know hurt me now with the thing that I heard about what we do in
private company but why why we don't do it with us too to take care of our people first and people that they really interest and they educated or probably they have a good record why we don't try with them well I don't know if he come
to the office today because I tell go to the fourth floor and go to the close office and making an appointment with me Monday at 900 a.m. and I going to take care of that person. I think that we have to start him from there. Thank you. >> Okay. Um
Mr. Gay, any other any other anything else? All right. Um we can go ahead and call the question. >> Commissioner Bass? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Irvin? >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Kelly? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Santiago? Yes. >> Mayor Taylor.
>> Yes. >> Motion passes 5. >> All right. Moving on to our um ordinances 16 A1, >> an ordinance of the city commission of the city of Opalaka, Florida, amending chapter 22 of the land development regulations, article 12, division 5,
entitled water and sewer impact fees. Specifically amending section 22-379F entitled legislative findings to change the name of the updated rate study consultant to Stantech consulting services in amending section 22-385
entitled computation of the amount of water and sewer impact fee to update water and sewer and related facilities fees amending section 22-386 entitled payment of fee to update impact fee payment terms, providing for
adoption of representations, providing for conflict and repealer, providing for severability, providing for inclusion in the code, providing for an effective date. This is sponsored by the city manager. It was deferred from the April 8th, 2026 regular commission meeting.
>> All right. This is a public hearing item. I entertain a motion at this time. >> Moved by Vice Kelly. >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Irvin. Madam manager, go ahead and present. We'll open up for public hearing. The recommended amendments to the water and sewer water and sewer and related
facilities impact fees are necessary to ensure that adequate levels of services are provided and maintained for new growth in residential, commercial, and industrial areas. The the the existing impact fees are $1,439
per residential unit for water and $1,276 per residential unit for sewer. are are insufficient to meet the city's current and future infrastructure needs. Mr. Gay
is available also to answer any questions. All right, this is a public hearing item. Public hearing is open. Public hearing is closed. Any questions or concerns to Mr. Gay at this moment?
Uh, hearing none. Madam um sorry madam >> I I have some but I this is only first so I >> Okay, >> I'll just let it go. >> All right. Madame Kirk, >> Commissioner Irvin. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Kelly. >> Yes.
>> Commissioner Baz. >> Yes. >> Mayor Taylor. >> Yes. >> Motion passes 40. First reading. >> All right. Moving on to item two. >> An ordinance of the city commission of the city of Opalaka, Florida, amending chapter 22 of the land development regulations article 12 impact fees.
Specifically amending section 22-310F entitled legislative findings to update the methodology and analysis report title amending section 22-316A entitled computation of the amount of public safety impact fee to update the
public safety in the public safety fee schedule a meeting amending section 22-317 entitled payment of fee to update impact fee payment terms provide Providing for adoption of representations, providing for conflict and repealer, providing for
severability, providing for inclusion in the code, providing for an effective date. This is sponsored by the city manager. It was deferred from the April 8th, 2026 regular commission meeting. >> All right. Um, can I get a motion? >> Second by Commissioner Irvin. Um, this
is a public hearing item. Madam manager, go ahead and present and then we'll open up for public hearing. This item is similar to the previous previous approved item. However, this is to um in to change the impact fees for relating to our public safety. Um the current
rate of 0.166 per square feet is insufficient to meet the city's current and future needs. >> All right, this is a public hearing item. Public hearing is open. Public hearing is closed. Any questions
or concern to the manager at this time? Hearing none. Madame clerk. >> Vice Mayor Kelly? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Santiago? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Bass? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Irvin? >> Yes. >> Mayor Taylor? >> Yes. >> Motion passes 50. First reading.
>> All right. And last item for the night. >> Go ahead. An ordinance of the city commission of the city of Obalaka, Florida, amending chapter 22 of the land development regulations article 12 impact fees specifically amending section 22-344F entitled legislative findings to update
the methodology and analysis report titled amending section 22-350A entitled computation of the amount of park impact fee to update the park impact fee schedule amending section 22-351 One entitled payment of fee to
delete reference to park impact fee districts and update impact fee payment terms. Deleting section 22-352 entitled park impact fee districts to delete reference to park impact fee districts. Amending section 22-353A
entitled park impact fee trust funds established to update the amount of park impact fee trust funds. Amending section 22-354 entitled use of funds to delete reference to park impact fee districts
providing for incor providing for adoption of representations providing for conflict and repealer providing for severability providing for inclusion in the code providing for an effective date. This is sponsored by the city manager is deferred from the April 8th 2026 regular commission meeting. All
right, this is a public hearing item. Public hearing is open. >> Public hearing is closed. All right. Um, do we have any questions, concerns to the manager at this time? >> Mr. Mayor, >> vice Kelly. >> Thank you. I didn't um say anything the other two, but it really power three.
Um, I would hope somewhere between now and second reading just a line somewhere that could be added um a review after two years just to see where we are um in fees. I know we haven't updated this since 200 whatever, but just that
calls for a change just to make sure the commission um just takes a look to see if we are where we ought to be. If something has changed dramatically because of growth or development or the like to just take a look at it just in case. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
>> Going into our city manager's report, >> Mr. Mayor. So I didn't get a motion in the second on 1683. >> Oh, >> that's Kelly saying about um Madame. >> Um yeah. >> Yeah. Me. >> Commissioner Irvin.
>> Um Commissioner Santiago. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Bass. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Irvin. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Kelly. >> Yes. >> Mayor Taylor. >> Yes. >> Motion passes 50 first. >> Trying to hurry up cuz Commissioner Irvin told me that she got to go. >> I do. I do. So, we're going to go to our
city manager's report. U Madam manager provided the report. Did you want to highlight something? You just want to Yes. Just go in with questions. >> So, I >> you want to go ahead? >> I did provide a written report. Um, however, I'd like to provide a brief update on several ongoing items
throughout the city. Um, we continue to address current staff and vacancies with our human resources department actively recruiting and working with department leaders to fill critical roles as efficiency as as efficiently as possible within our CIP division. Progress
continues on several initiatives. Also, staff have been looking into several possibilities for installing bus benches in v in various um areas of the city in vacant areas and rehabilitating the existing bus benches or shelters
that we have. Expanding these amenities will not only improve accessibility for our residents but also create additional advertising opportunities which was previously adopted by the commission and will be coming back. Additionally, my office has been in communication with the property manager of Gloretta Gardens
Apartments. Management has indicated plans to procure new playground equipment for the site. We will continue to have those discussions in the upcoming weeks. Um it is the goal of the apartment complex and the city to have something installed by summer. The city
does not have any financial contributions to add at this time, but we will support their initiative to install playground equipment over there. and also legislation was passed uh by the commission a while ago. Um I don't have anything else. I'll take any questions or concerns you may have at
this time. >> All right. Any concerns to the manager? Questions? >> I I don't have a a question or concern, but I would like to make a statement. Um I received a I want to say kudos to not just the manager's office, but to the staff. Um, I received a call about
dumping and I tell you Opalaka is not the place to dump because our woman in charge, baby. Huh? F FBI at its finest. Okay. They called me. They said we have a a bunch of stuff that was dumped. By
the time I call her, she called me right back with who it was that dumped it and how she was going to get them because we are under surveillance by our manager. So, not much happened in our city that
she don't see or can't see. And I want to say thank you so much to you and your staff for getting that place cleaned up. Look very nice after it was all done. Thank you. Opaaka is not the place to dump. not here. >> Thank you, Commissioner Irvin. Just to
add to that, um we have seen an increase in illegal dumping throughout the city. So, we have been investing a lot of money for cameras citywide in various hotspots. So, those cameras are being installed. We have we are not finished
yet because it is a big cost. So, we are doing them in phases and they will be monitored. Um we were able to catch a few people that were dumping. So, we'll continue that effort. You still have the floor, but because that was on one of my things I want to talk about illegal dumping. And I'm
going to go back to what I said before because we want to make sure that people know that this is not the place to dump. If you dump in Opaaka, we need to figure out with the attorney that we need to blast these people. >> Blast these people. And maybe we can change the the the ordinance to the max. Whatever we can charge them, the max. If
it's a million dollars, I want to charge them because we need to stop this. And that goes businesses, residents, anybody who illegally dumps in our city. So whatever that max is, work with the attorney's office, bring it back. If it's a million dollars, let's do it
because we all know what happened a couple Yeah, even with that situation. Let's just So I'm glad you brought that up because that was one of my things I want to talk about and I'm going to continue to ask you to do that. Um, you still have the floor. I'm sorry. And um most of you all
know that I walk every morning and when I have residents that come that recognize who I am and say, "Hey, the city looks so pretty. It's so beautiful." And I was like, "Well, we're trying." And she was like, "Oh, you know, y you all aren't trying. You're
actually doing it. It's perfection. It's happening. You're doing it." That really makes me feel good as a commissioner. um that people notice the hard work that staff is doing um to make our city look
beautiful and I did share that with the >> now they didn't see on out >> but >> I just want to um say to the manager thank you and thank your staff because they they do the work and they probably
don't get enough out of boys. So thank thank you all. >> All right. Um, anyone next? >> Vice Mayor. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Uh, thank you. Um, uh, to the manager. Uh I don't think that we're
going to have the time because if I starting to say all the great things that you do together with your stuff here in the city, we're going to ending maybe at 1:00 a.m. in the morning because I see so many progress, so many uh beautifification in the city with all
the tree that you planting, you know, around downtown area. Uh clean, you know, uh the cities look very clean. It's not because I say it because a lot of people told me opalaka look real clean and we working very hard for it. Um,
one of the thing that we had to be sure is that all the u new equipment that we installing all over the city around especially in the area they are Kairo Lane and any other area that they really work and that we have somebody always
you know checking the videos or watching to see if we can catch these people that the mayor talking about and putting inside and make them you uh we can uh punish it then or something like that like they some city do you throw in something they
make you pick you up you're going to pick it up you're going to clean it and you're going to clean it in another section but the only way that we going to catch it if he we catching the way that I catch the guy that broken my signs and we got it we got the guy and that's
the way that we had to do thank you again for the great job that you do and the professional that you are madam manager. I think that you run in the city very well. It's not only because I say it because I have a very good
comments and recommendation from the state that you do a great job. Thank you. And one of the thing that I that I love from your department is that I can reach you 24 hours and
you're not complaining. >> Yeah. >> Seven days a week. 30 days a month and 365 or 67 sometime. >> She got a family. Don't reach out to her. She got kid
>> that we can reach and you always there for us. You doing a very good service. Thank you ma. I don't want to continue because if you're not, we're going to be longer. >> Thank you for your good job. >> Any other? >> Yes. Yes. Thank you. Um my sentiment is exactly coming from mayor commission
towards our city manager. I have called her as early as 7 whatever um on my way to work sometimes or whatever and she always responds and for that I say thank you. Thank you for your leadership and to all of our heads, department heads who are doing an awesome job. Um we're
not flawless but we're getting there. Um and with saying all of that, I think it's time for us to if I'm not mistaken um get ready to look into our city managers. Eval. >> Yeah, I started early. So, we need to um >> the city what? >> Evaluation.
>> Evaluation. >> Oh, yeah. >> So, we need to put that on our to-do list. >> And it's going to be what? From from zero to 100. >> From where? >> From zero to all the way 100. >> Anyone else? All right. I close it out and start our commission report um
report. Madam manager, the only thing I would like is to reach out to Miami Day County to see if we can reroute that bus because I don't understand why they turn here come across. There's no bus stops here and then go back out in front of this building as opposed to just going straight up Alibaba.
But they they they come down the street, turn in front of city hall, make a left and and you know I'm asking that because every time they make that turn, they tear up our tree. But there's no reason for them to make that turn cuz there is no bus stop in that area. And if there
is a bus stop, it's only a block over. So if we can maybe get it relocated. Um so that's that. We already talked about the illegal dumping and I also want to highlight um the great things that we are doing in the social services department. Um y'all know I've been trying to get that
department up and running for come some years now. And we've been able to assist 30 cases for rental assistance, 15 cases, home repair, the down payment assistance, seven cases, utility assistance, two cases, homeless support, three cases, and we were even able to s
provide legal support for three cases. and we know what we can't do. We stand as a conduit to help people get to where they need to go. So there's no wrong door in the city of Opalaka when it comes. So you can find answers here. So
thank you for that. And I'm really excited about the work that our staff Brandon and Brandon and yeah, forgot her name, but you know what I'm talking about. So, we can move on to our
um official board reports. Madame clerk, are there any commission report? >> No, Mr. Mayor. >> All right. And last but not least, we can go to our commission reports. We start um commission.
>> Commissioner, you you ready? >> I don't have a lot. Um, we missed last meeting. So, um, I'll just start with what's happened since then. Um, as some of you all may know that I was challenged
by the mayor. >> And on May 23rd, we're having a slip and slide kickball game. And if I haven't approached you yet to be on my team, please see me to be on my team. >> Mayor Taylor has accepted applications to be on my What you mean you're the
first one? >> She was the first one I called. I need her sons. >> I got Joanna. So that's all about >> No, she's not playing. Her sons are on. >> Joanna. How about that? >> Well, Jen, the son. >> So, it is going to be team Mayor uh
Taylor against team uh Commissioner Irvin. And it's gonna happen May 23rd at 300 PM. I assume it's you and your wife already. Don't switch out. Yes. And also um May 8th bingo is our happy birthday
uh bingo. Our 100th birthday bingo. And we will have an Arabian themed bingo. And just so that folk would know because my seniors of all people asked me,
was there a specific attire? Because this particular sen senior wanted to be a belly dancer and I welcomed the idea. So if you think you want to come to bingo and be a belly dancer, please come. but it's Arabian
theme as we celebrate our um 100th birthday bingo. Um come out. We have fun. Thank you. >> All right. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um I probably
should have went last, but I'm going to go ahead. I I feel all the love in the room. I really love it, but I guess I'm always the one that has to kind of make thoughts known. Uh, nobody probably is more supportive of the manager than I
am and she knows that. Um but under my report, we held our monthly meet Monday community meeting um the other week and it was a lively discussion on a lot of issues um boiling down to code enforcement,
public safety and of course um public works. And there was a lot of discussion and and a lot of the statements that we're making which are true. If you call the manager, she's going to respond
instantaneously. The challenge I have is we shouldn't have to be calling the manager for some of the things that's going on. Um, and I sit at that meeting for almost two hours. Um, because residents were very frustrated about the simple things
of brass cutting, maintenance, um, as we all have identified the last couple of weeks. um illegal dumping or just dumping, dumpsters over grown, etc. And everyone is correct. We call the manager, the manager is going to
respond. The challenge I have is the manager should not have to be responding. She's going to wear herself out. But number two, the other folks under they should see those same things and address them. And so I I'm asking madam managers the next meet Monday if
possible to have those three departments there. Um especially if not I'll do what I always do where it'll be a longer meeting cuz I understood the frustration right down the store city hall the way it looked. I had been out of town so I
hadn't seen it but I made a business to ride by it the day after it looked just overgrown and thrown away. And of course, I know that we have a contractor and and we have ways of doing things, but to the public, it's an eyesore. It should look that way. Public safety,
loud noise. It's 3 4:00 in the morning. I've got residents sending me videos and tapes. And yes, I call you, you respond. I shouldn't have to call you when the officers on duty. We got a police chief, we got majors, we got all these folks
around here. We got whoever's in charge on these shifts, they should hear that same loud noise the residents are hearing. I brought to your attention. I said on numerous occasion about some of these things. Some of these are not I
where dropping whatever you want to call it. They're things that should just be done. They should just be done. Whether it's cutting grass, whether it's picking up piles res, why can't we just pick up the tree limb in the medium? Why
can't we just make sure certain areas are cut? Why do I have to call the manager? Why I got to call elected official for things that should be done? Residents send me pictures uh folks three, four deep in the truck. What are they doing? I don't know.
I know folks work. Some of them work hard, but our residents are demanding even more because the taxes they pay as well as we pay, they pay. So, madam manager, I've said to you on many occasions, I'm your biggest supporter. Some of the folks under you,
you need to tighten up. You need to to really have a heart-to-heart with folks who want to do that job and who want to make sure it gets done because at the end of the day, the taxpayers are the one who are really in charge. And yes, we call
you going to come. You're going to ride the city. I see you riding. People tell me you're riding. But other folks that are riding, they're riding every day. And gas is $4 a gallon. I just filled up my truck and I had to spend almost 90. So I can imagine what some of these other city vehicles are.
But it needs to be it needs to be addressed. It needs to be addressed. And it's something that came out in the um Florida Black Caucus uh conference we went through that me and of my colleagues shared and I always think of
it but it really just made it more aware uh when it was said by both our uh keynote speakers the urgency of now the urgency of now the importance of things getting done now while you're able to get them done and the expectation people
have of elected officials and the urgency of getting things done that you can get done in the cap in the capacities you can get it done. And so I I want to challenge that to you, madam manager. I really want to challenge that to you and to your directors that work
under you that they need to not have you have to call them when we call you that something gets done. They should see it. They see a limb, pick it up. They see a light pole out, make a call or somebody says it's out. Resident has
to come call us. I got calls Opal Laka Boulevard and other areas with the lights out. My only response was I know we did a lighting survey to see the lights that are out, but some of those are our lights. They're not FPNL lights. We can change that bulb.
It needs to be done. It needs to be done. You cannot be everywhere 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That's why you have staff under you. And some of your folks
get paid good money. And folks under them get paid good money. I like the love. I like the fact you're there. You're doing I love it. But I also don't like the fact that folks get paid. They ought to be doing a job.
they ought to be doing their job. And so now I'm not going to get any more specific. I'll deal with that in private with you. But you know, I always say and everybody knows, I'll always go private before I go public. But it needs to change. And I'm going also say this to
you in a general sense. I'm hearing a lot of things. I've been out of town two weeks really. A lot of things in some of these departments, a lot of challenges going on and folks not getting along and fires here and smoke screens there.
At the end of the day, everything falls under you because you're the city manager. You are the city manager and you're the one that all five of us are going to come to you when challenges occur. So, I'm just going to put that out there to you and I make that request. Meet me
Monday. I also want to um say that and encourage all of us for our upcoming initiatives as we say a farm share May 6 and invite everyone to our national day of prayer on May the 7th both at 12 and 6 p.m. hosted by Commissioner Santiago
and Commissioner Bass because we know everybody can't make the 12:00 noon at Helen Miller. There'll be one at 6:00 p.m. um outdoors at historic city hall. We have the tents up for the National Day of Prayer. We're also working on the
Arabian Nights Gospel on May 17th at 4 p.m. asking all of our churches, our community singers, anyone that wants to participate, please let us know. And we're also working on our um annual Haitian American Heritage Month
reception. We got a schedule for um 5:00 p.m. before our second commission meeting in May because we know we moved our meetings up. So asking everyone to be a part of that. We are a diverse community, a brotherhood and sisterhood. And although it's not a budget event, I still believe we need to have something
recognized um all of our residents. And that is also a segment our community that I never want to leave out so everybody can be a part of that uh as well. Again, I want to um thank you again, Madam Manager, for what you do, but I think you um understand where I'm
coming from and also because so much been going on and just getting back in town. Um the fishing fund for uh this Saturday, I'm going to defer defer until uh June. Um so that that'll ease up a little bit because I know the staff has
been a lot overworked as well. I want to just end by saying that again commend um my colleagues that did go to the trip and our mayor who serves on the uh executive board for the uh conference we attended. I thought it was very engaging
and very um enlightening and powerful as well. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> Commission Santiago. >> Oh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um well in my report I start I'd like to start um to say how uh wonderful and happy that I
feel in Tampa uh together with Mike Cali in my first uh Florida Black Casco meeting. Oh, I really enjoying it. And I believe my brothers, they really like me.
Oh yes, we enjoying it. We uh you know we pass a good moment out there and probably you know we we enjoying a very good treatment that they giving to us and uh we learn a lot about what really we are here in the community. This is
something good to go um and share whatever ideas and and all the uh news that they bring to us from everywhere from especially from Tallahassee from Tallahassee and that uh made me thinking about my community and the way that we
had to serve uh them um and prepare for something you know big is going to come uh especially to the state of Florida and is our our hands to make that possible change in the whole state of
Florida in November. We're going to have a bation all over the all all over the United States and we had to participate and make people to come out to come out and do the right things to change the future of this nation, the future of
that state and the future of our city. Um that's the reason why you know and be prepared to uh to bring um events or of you know of of things that that helping the people to uh be ready for the next
uh two coming election in August and November very important election. Um May May 5th we're going to have an event in Shabani Park. We don't have the flyer yet, but I think that we have the letters that they're going to be sending
on Friday all over the residents. Um because we're going to have the um uh the uh supervisor of elation uh Alina Garcia and uh the tax collector Dario Fernandez helping us to register new
people for voting and to change because it's a lot of people in Opalaka that I know they move the last two years or the last year and a half for another city and they don't have uh changing the boarding cars, all the license address.
And let me say, it's going to be very hard now for go to the post and put you both there. They're going to asking you for documentation. They're going to asking you for the right address and if it don't match when your license is
going to be a problem. And that's how we had to make the people prepare. We're going to be here serving uh the community uh May 5th. I believe that's from 3 to 7 f 5 to 7 5 to 7:30 we're going to have chavandi
open for everybody that they need to change the address in the license to need they change the light the the address for the voting car and let's go to do the right thing in November 3rd and in August what 20 that for the primary yeah election um
we're we're going to be in contact we're going I had the flyers out uh very soon and uh all the resident in Opalaka they're going to receive a letter by mail. Um also I like to say you know thank you to my car just say to not say nothing. I'm going to leave to you the
chess and dominos. Oh okay that's okay. Are you sure? All right. Um we're going to celebrate it now every first Sunday. every first Sunday of the month because I see there were a lot of people you know enjoying it the last time and these people they ask me or the why we don't
do a Sunday but we started to do it on Sunday we waiting for you again May 3rd May from 3 to 5 from 3 to 5 we waiting for you out there um another thing that I had to say is thank you again uh
madame manager for all the help that you giving to us when all these events and everything you know is be possible because you working hard for us. Thank you. >> All right. Um, Commissioner Bowski, >> thank you. I want to say thank you to
the clerk's office, most especially Nova for the hard work that she put into the event that we had earlier today um to celebrate Earth Day. I appreciate you. Thank you so much to the manager's
office. Thank you so for always supporting us and what we do. Um your hard work does not go unnoticed. And that's it for me. >> All right. And I'll be really quick, madame um manager, under my report is the financial oversight. Do we have an
update or we still waiting on the we have an update? Miss G. >> Good evening. Naim again, director of finance. So, we had a virtual meeting on the 10th of April with the Watson Rice Group. That's the group doing our
efficiency audit and they had the um schedule compromised due to March 30th deadlines for other entities that submit their annual financial reports by March 30th. So, we were on their back burner, but now that that date has passed, we are now on the front of their agenda.
So, we are back and working with them again. >> Okay. We have been pending a response for several weeks and that was the reason why. >> All right. Did they give a a date or that they will respond or we have No, sir. We don't know the financial. >> No, sir. >> Okay. So, we're still >> But we are still in >> convers. I know you're in
>> Yes, we're still exchanging conversation information. Yes, absolutely. >> Also, the audit. >> Oh, in the external audit. Yes, we're still working every day on our financial audit which is being conducted by CBiz Markham. Working hard on that every day. >> Okay. Um, speaking of that, this is
nothing to do with the city with madam manager and the finance director. You last night at the CRA board. We passed the 2023 24 audit. So, it was already submitted to the state, but it was late from getting to the board. So, I just
want to make sure that we're in sync with the CRA so that we're all doing it at the same time. Yes. as opposed to cuz this is a year later. The state has already approved. We state has already went through it and but it just has just not come to the board and I know it came
to the commission but it didn't go to the CRA board. >> You saying their audit? >> The audit. The audit. >> The audit. The CRA audit doesn't come. We don't prepare the CRA. >> I know that. But we submitted as one packet. That's my point. I just want to make sure that >> No, we we submitted separate and the CRA
audit was was behind when we went to um when we went to Tallahassee, they did mention that. >> No, we we but I thought we submitted it together. >> No, the city's audit is totally separate from the CRA. >> No, I know it's separate. I thought we submitted it. >> No, because we can't wait on their audit to submit ours. So, we submit ours.
>> So, then my next question is, so what we passed last night at the CRA, the 2003 24 has that has already been to the state, right? We have not. >> Okay. So that's a question to Jason. Yes. Because that was very concerning last
was very concerning. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> We don't send anything on. >> So and we're not and we're not on those correspond. >> I know I I should have said that but I we'll go with with Jason on that. But
that was that was my we'll talk about but I think you know where I'm going with that. >> You have a question. >> Yeah. Mr. is a comment that I going to do. Okay. Regarded about the finance reports that we had to send into the state.
I have a very good report about your finance department too. The hard you people be working and together with the new people that you hiding to to helping. Okay. But whatever happened last night, we're going to discussion in another day. Uh when Jason, but one of
the thing is madame manager like the way your department sending the bills or sending everything for the state to be checked. We have to do it when everybody when everybody because one of the complaint that I have and one of the point that I
have that we need to fix we had to send some time not seven or eight months after the matter they don't like that idea at all and I don't want to see that but they talking very good about finance department I
don't say but we have to be very careful with that because I love to go or the oversight >> commissioner. We submit invoices upon receipt of them. If we don't get the invoice, then we can't submit them to the state. So when we get the invoice, we submit it to the state. Well, I going
to keep an eye from now on because I want every little bill that we spend in the city to be report to the state right away, not months or years after. That's the reason why we in trouble. >> All right. All right. Real quick. So,
thank you, Madam um Miss Garrett. >> Thank you. Great report. So, I want to thank um all of my colleagues um for supporting me in the Black Caucus, helping me get right back on the executive board. Thank you for your support. I got reelected to the
executive board. >> I I I couldn't support because I had to attend the job that pays me for >> That's fine. Okay. But I will say Opalaka is one of two cities, the only city that all of the members are part of the Black Caucus and they made mention
of that. Also, next tomorrow we're having um books and burgers right here as we celebrate National Library Week. It'll be right in front of our library where you can get free books and burgers. It's sponsored by myself and Commissioner Bass. And we know that tomorrow is take your child to work day.
So, madam manager, you know, extended it to >> kids. Huh? Where's the burger going to be serving? >> Downstairs. She Chica is on the grill. She's the grill master for tomorrow. She just don't know it yet. She just found out. >> She And also um we know that um
our tax collector has committed to bringing um driver's license services once a month to the city of Opalaka and they'll be back on May 1st. So they're coming um the first Friday of every month. So, the next date is May 1st right here in front of historical city
hall. May 1, >> we May 1st, >> we know that um our centennial schedule is out. And last but not least, and this is one of the things I'm really proud of. So, one of the highest recognitions that a city can get
in the United States is an all-American recognition. the city of Opalaka. Um, we applied me and the manager and our with the help of ICP department, we applied for that recognition and out of all the municipalities that got it, Opaaka
became um top 20. So, we're um in the finalist to become an all-American city >> in the nation. >> Yeah. >> So, that's one of the top recognitions that a municipality can receive. So, um we are preparing now. the commission
will get information on it to I think it's in June they want us to come up to um defend why we should be an all-American city and out of the the 20 that they selected they're going to narrow it down to 10 municipalities and
we are hopeful and prayerful that the city of Opalaka will be named Washington >> American city that is one of the highest recognitions any municipality can get also I want to bring to your attention that we know our centennial week is 14,
15, 16, and 17, but there is a commission meeting that Wednesday. Um, I spoke to the manager to see if there anything that is there anything pressing on the agenda to maybe either cancel that meeting if it's the will of the commission or move it to another day
because that's a long week. It's Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. And the city's birthday is that Thursday. Somebody said >> it's up it's up to them to the manager. There's no pressing items. >> Yeah. >> Um the items that you have for second
reading would be on would they be on that agenda? >> Yes. >> That's the thing. I mean unless you advertise it and have it early or a different date or something. That's the only reason I would see. >> I can work with the clerk and the attorney's office, primarily the clerk
on the advertising since it just >> But you haven't started advertising. No, it it it hasn't been advertised yet. >> I'm not opposed to cancing that meeting and pushing everything back to the um 27th meeting, which is the Wednesday after the last Wednesday of is that
Yeah, the 27th. The last one is of the month. But like I told you, same thing Vice May just said, you got to let us know if there's pressing items, but we will need to >> So, as of right now, we don't have the items yet. >> Okay. Um the only items that I know of are the ones that passed today for first
reading and those we can certainly um defer those. >> But we have a meeting due the first week that may you know >> that's what we're trying to figure out. >> Mr. Mayor Vice Mayor >> I guess can we ask the clerk in terms of notification cuz there's no items um that she's aware of then I would suggest
just go ahead and >> cancel that one. And if something comes up said she needs to do under special, she could do that. Special >> unless the clerk I mean from the time frame. >> Mr. Mayor. >> Yes. >> Um you're speaking in terms of
advertising. So I would just need to be provided with the date, but I do have one item that was submitted from Miami Day County Supervisor of Elections. They're requesting um an agreement to use the senior citizens building as a polling place for the upcoming
elections. and moving forward. And um I had submitted that request to be on the May 13th meeting. I did reach out to see what the time frame was for me to get that back to them, and they said um within 30 days. So, I've had it for like
a week now. I I'm not sure we'll exceed that 30-day period, but I can reach back out to them to see if um they can extend that deadline. What we can do is um hold the commission, madame clerk, madam manager, for a special meeting in the daytime between now and between now and
whatever. And then anything that you have that's pressing, we can add on that agenda and just do a date certain. But I guess you have to pull the commission to see when we when you can get a quorum. Um and then we'll just go ahead and cancel the 13th meeting if that's okay with you. So the meeting will be
cancelled madam madam madame clerk and then you can do a special meeting for that particular item and then any pressing items that the the manager may have on that meeting. >> All right. So other than that we can go out and close out but I want to say that today is administrative professionals
day and I want us to honor our clerk who is the city clerk for the city of Opalaka and the commission's chief administrator. I say that administrator and I also want to acknowledge um Miss M who serves as the legislative um
assistant to the mayor's office and commissioner Santiago's office and to Miss Novale Lee who serves as the administrative um legislative assistant to commissioner Bas Vice Mayor Kelly and Commissioner Urban. So we thank you all for a job well done. We know
>> we know that we call y'all a lot. We get on your nerves. We lean on y'all for everything. So we thank you. We thank you Miss M, Madame Clerk, Miss Flo, and Miss Nova for your hard work and dedication to your um job and to the
city of Opalaka. So with that being said, can I get a motion to adjourn by Commissioner Irv, second by Commissioner Santiago. This meeting is adjourned. >> This a gentleman? >> That's yours. Oh my.