Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting - February 21, 2024
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Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting - February 21, 2024
The Miramar City Commission held its regular meeting on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 2300 Civic Center Place. The meeting included five proclamations, recognition of youth football champions, a consent agenda, four resolutions, public comments, a budget public hearing, and commission reports. All items on the agenda were approved unanimously by the Mayor and four Commissioners.
Presentations & Proclamations
- Grenada Independence 50th Anniversary Month – Proclamation accepted by Elizabeth Allik, president of Taste of Grenada, who spoke emotionally about Grenada's 50 years of independence.
- Reggae Month – Proclamation accepted by Mark Phipps on behalf of Grammy-winning artist Kabaka Pyramid. Vice Mayor Davis highlighted reggae's global cultural impact and the local celebration.
- National Entrepreneurship Week – Proclamation accepted by Anita Fain Taylor, Director of Economic Development and Housing.
- Government Communications Day – Proclamation accepted by Marketing Assistant Director Natasha Forward. Mayor Messam praised the marketing department as "the best in the United States."
- Flood Awareness Week – Proclamation accepted by Nixon LeBrun, recognizing March 4–8, 2024, to promote flood preparedness and insurance.
- AYFL Super Bowl Champions – The Miramar Wolverines 7U (back-to-back champions) and 11U teams were recognized with certificates and trophies. Coaches thanked parents, staff, and the community.
Consent Calendar
Approved unanimously by one motion:
- Minutes from the Special Commission Meeting of February 7, 2024, to be placed on the March 6, 2024 agenda.
- R8071: Renewal of city phone telecommunications services – Granite Telecommunications ($144,000) and Verizon/T-Mobile cellular services ($327,600) for FY2024.
- R8072: Acceptance of Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program Grant – $200,000 from FDEP with a $200,000 city match for Vizcaya Park Enhancements.
- R8074: Local Agency Program Agreement with FDOT for Miramar Bike and Pedestrian Mobility Improvements.
- R8076: Ratification of emergency pipeline leak repairs – Cacique Utilities ($292,198) and DPX Construction Management ($149,425), total $441,623.
Resolutions
- R8073 (approved 5-0) – Approved the first one-year option renewal with Gallagher Bassett Services Inc. for third-party claims administration, starting April 1, 2024, through April 1, 2025, at a cost of $128,174. Human Resources Director Randy Cross explained the contract was originally awarded via RFP in 2021.
- R8088 (approved 5-0) – Approved the renewal of property and casualty insurance coverages for the City's Comprehensive Risk Management Program. Projected premium cost is $4,993,096, not to exceed $5,000,000, including taxes and fees. The measure passed with a four-fifths affirmative vote to waive competitive procurement. Cross reported the increase is around 9.6%, down from last year's 35% market-driven increase.
- R8078 (approved 5-0) – Approved a 5-year Master Equity Lease and Maintenance Agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management for 165 vehicles and equipment, at an annual cost of $2,288,109 for FY2024–2028, plus a one-time upfitting cost of $771,720 for emergency equipment. Presenter Kirk Hobson-Garcia noted that leasing costs $11.2 million over five years compared to $12.3 million for a traditional loan at 5% interest. The fleet includes 12 electric vehicles and 153 gas vehicles, with 152 replacements and 13 additions.
- R8094 (approved 5-0) – Authorized the City Manager to engage the Goldstein Environmental Law Firm for $300,000 to oppose Miami-Dade County's siting, permitting, construction, and operation of a Solid Waste to Energy Campus at the Opa-Locka West Airport site, adjacent to Miramar's border. Deputy City Manager Kelvin Baker noted total FY2024 expenditures for this effort would be $375,000. The City seeks support from Broward County, Broward League of Cities, and the South Florida Regional Planning Council.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Stephen Muniz (representing Class X) – Claimed the City of Miramar has violated multiple material clauses of its contract with Class X, which manages the Miramar Amphitheater. He stated that the facility's capacity was reduced from 4,999 to 3,792 people (roughly 25% reduction) due to storage containers, that the city refused to provide keys to the containers, and that mediation was rebuffed. He warned that litigation would "undoubtedly ensue" without a resolution. Mayor Messam said he would seek more information from the City Manager and City Attorney.
- Rashad Thomas – Expressed concerns about unauthorized gatherings, barbecue grills, and litter near the Utopia Drive bridge/catwalk area of Linear Park, saying it made families uncomfortable. He asked the city to address the issue. Mayor Messam directed the Parks and Recreation Director and the Police Chief to meet with Mr. Thomas and establish communication on ordinance enforcement.
Public Hearing
- Second Reading of Ordinance O1823 (approved 5-0) – Approved the second amendment to the FY2024 Operating and Capital Improvement Program Budget. Presented by Carmen Dominguez. Key changes with no net impact to most funds included: an increase of $1.5 million in General Fund appropriation from restricted building division fund balance for building services; reprogramming of approximately $188,300 from a closed circuit television project to audio-visual upgrades at Sunset Lakes Community Center and the real-time crime center; $220,000 reprogrammed from the Shirley Branca Park Canopy project to security fencing at the multi-service complex ($130,000) and pickleball court conversion at Lakeshore Park ($90,000); $100,000 for a new covered walkway at Town Center; $70,200 for roofing repairs at the historic aquatic center; and a $656,000 economic development loan to Pinnacle at La Cabana LLP to support development of up to 120 senior affordable housing units. The Stormwater Management Fund also saw a $554,000 reduction in use of fund balance.
Other Business & Reports
- Commissioner Chambers – Thanked staff, announced Miramar Family Night at the Amphitheater on Friday, and proposed a future discussion on protocol for elected officials bringing guests on stage.
- Commissioner Colbourne – Reminded residents of the free screening of "Crossing Over Town" at the Cultural Arts Center on the evening of February 22 for Black History Month.
- Vice Mayor Davis – Praised staff and sponsors for the Reggae Month events and Afro-Caribbean Festival, noting over $150,000 in sponsorship. She also emphasized the need for decorum at public events.
- Mayor Messam – Requested staff to study intersection improvements at 186th Avenue and Miramar Parkway, particularly for pedestrian visibility and traffic flow. He also proposed developing an affordable housing master plan to increase workforce and affordable units, with dedicated annual funding and tracking of units.
- Commissioner Colbourne – Asked staff to explore MPO funding for the intersection and requested a comprehensive affordable housing report.
- City Manager – Stated staff would follow up on all items discussed.
- City Attorney – Announced a closed executive session on March 6, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss pending litigation in the case of Emil Mendez v. City of Miramar (OJCC No. 21-027356). He also reported that a class action lawsuit against the city's water treatment plant was dismissed with prejudice, and commended the police department's risk protection unit for handling more than 15 risk protection order cases since December.
Key Outcomes
- All resolutions, ordinances, and consent items passed unanimously (5-0).
- The Commission directed staff to meet with concerned residents about Utopia Drive/Linear Park issues.
- Staff was directed to bring back a resolution seeking support from Broward County and other agencies regarding the Opa-Locka waste-to-energy opposition.
- The City Manager will coordinate with the Mayor's office on a follow-up regarding the Class X contract concerns.
- An affordable housing master plan and report were requested for future workshops.
- A closed executive session is scheduled for March 6, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. How's everyone tonight? All right, all right. We have a lot of energy in the commission meeting tonight for a great reason. The meeting of the Miramar City Commission is now called to order. An opportunity was given to the public to register to participate or email the city clerk twenty-four hours prior to the commission meeting with any questions, comment comments, or concerns on items we will hear on this evening's agenda. Any person may be heard by the city commission through the chair, and upon registering pursuant to the published notice for not more than three minutes on any proposition before the city commission unless modified by the chair.gov slash commission meeting and televised on Comcast Channel 78 and ATT, you verse channel ninety-nine for all City of Miramar subscribers. As of February twenty first, twenty twenty four at four PM. One member from the public has registered to participate virtually in this meeting. Commissioner Barnes, you're recognized. Okay, uh, just a special mention of um a funeral we attended this past Saturday morning for Dr. Sophie Bryan's mom. Um if we ever thought of the people that work at the city of Miramar as being extra special. There was ample proof and confirmation of it this past Saturday morning. People turned out in support of Sophie. But and I hate to do this, but I have no choice. Um ACM Gail proved that she's ready to go on the operatic tour. The rendition she made at the funeral. I'm not even looking at her, you know, this uh incredible rendition, and our ACM Baker gave what I call an impactful message to those at the funeral service. And I'm saying it again, it only confirms, in my opinion, the incredible specialness of the people of the city of Marijuana. I thank you guys so much. Also would like to observe um Vice Mayor Davis and Farad Griffin and West Park City Commissioner, Joyce Smith. Um lost their aunt, and would like to keep their families in our thoughts and prayers as well. So at this time we'll have a moment of silence. For presentations, we have a total of five proclamations and one presentation. Our first presentation is observance of Grenada's independence, and we have a short video prior to um bringing up the presentation the proclamation. The cleanest bears are the water. Friendly people meeting every corner. Togetherness and love is what we stand for. We stand for stand for island in the sun. Look at how we've grown out far. We've run. Fifty years we strong and more to come to come. So they have going high. Still reaches for home. As we aspire, build our friends for people together. From the people who came to sugar and checks, emancipation through done this makeup on the blue. We are more than the ice cream under much more than the blue. Three islands united us one. Blessed with the strength to carry on. What more than just that island and the sun? Tell the world we are. Oh, you move. We going up, going up, going up, going up, going up, going up, fire. The advance won't be pulled again. Going up, going up, going up, you know, in uptrend. Can't find the words to describe what my conjugate to me. So much things we give for granted, but so much things it gives doing. I can say the measures clear. Save it all together people here.
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