Loading...
04-03-09 Minutes1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 DDT2q City of South Miami Special City Commission Minutes April 3, 2009 CALL TO ORDER: The City Commission of the City of South Miami, Florida met in special session on Friday, April 3, 2009, beginning at 7:33 p.m., in the City Commission Chambers, 6130 Sunset Drive. A. Roll Call: The following members of the City Commission were present: Mayor Horace G. Feliu, Vice Mayor Brian D. Beasley, and, Commissioners Velma Palmer, Jay Beckman and Valerie Newman. Also in attendance were: City Attorney Luis Figueredo,_City Clerk Maria M. Menendez and City Manager Ajibola Balogun. B. Invocation:• The invocation was delivered by Commissioner Palmer. C. Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison. D. Presentations(s) (NONE) ORDINANCE(S) SECOND READING PUBLIC HEARING 03 -09 -1995 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, RELATING TO FINANCE; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE A PERMANENT LOAN IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,000,000 TO REPAY THE BRIDGE LOAN OF $1,000,000 WHICH WAS UTILIZED BY THE CITY FOR THE COMPLETION OF CERTAIN ROAD IMPROVEMENTS AND CONSTRUCTION OF A PUBLIC PARKING GARAGE LOCATED AT S.W. 73"D STREET; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 4/5 (City Manager) SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MINUTES - April 3, 2009 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 Moved by Mayor Feliu, seconded by Commissioner Palmer to approve this item. Counselor Figueredo opened the discussion by saying that the bridge loan which was authorized by the Commission was to cover the cost of road improvements and to address the final cost associated with the completion of,the construction of the garage. The bridge loan was for a term of one year, so it was understood that at the completion of the term, the City would have to find a more permanent loan source of financing for the bridge loan. Counselor further explained that the Bank of America loan was facilitated by the League of Cities because they terminated the bond program. After some discussion regarding MRP payments, Commissioner Newman said that Mr. Richman was behind in payments, and that she would like to see copies of the payments front and back as soon as payments are received. She formally asked the City Manager and the Finance Director to advise the Commission on the status of payments. Mr. Richman's attorney, Mr. McArdle, addressed the Commission clarifying some of the concerns that they brought up. After further discussion among the Commission, the Mayor opened the public hearing. Sharon McCain urged the Commission not to vote on a loan until they are provided with all the necessary documentation. She also expressed concern about the system used in collecting the parking fees at the garage, recommending that an automated system be put in place. With no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Newman said that she wanted to make sure that there were no improprieties in the reporting when we obtained this loan. Counselor Figueredo said that the League of Cities do a very in -depth analysis, and because it wasn't ad valorem taxes, they needed to identify specific source of revenue, and in this case it was the parking revenue then the prior Finance Director had to provide them with actual numbers that the City had received, and based upon that they made the determination as to whether or not we could participate in the bond program. Counselor Figueredo also explained that this is entirely a repayment "of the City's obligation. SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION 2 MINUTES - April 3, 2009 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 In response to Vice Mayor Beasley's question on whether the Commission can be indicted as the result of any impropriety, Counselor Figueredo responded that both, the Vice Mayor and Commissioner Newman have specifically asked staff to verify that we have been honest and forthcoming on our reports; she has asked the correct questions; therefore, at this point she is relying on staff and she is basing her decision on representations made by staff that all the information was provided, so the answer is no. For the record, Vice Mayor Beasley said that he is also relying on staff. Mayor Feliu then said that one of his concerns is making sure that there will be no pre - penalty clause. Counselor Figueredo said there is no pre - penalty. Commissioner Palmer wanted to know whether the rate of 4.23 10 -year loan is fixed. The Finance Director said it is fixed. Counselor Figueredo said that as far as the loan is concerned for that one bank, our responsibility is only $300,000. By acclamation, the Commission agreed to the 10 -year fixed loan of 4.23. With some further comments, the motion to approve this item passed by a 5 -0 vote: Commissioner Beckman: Yea Commissioner Palmer: Yea Vice Mayor Beasley: Yea Commissioner Newman: Yea Mayor Feliu: Yea COMMISSION REMARKS There being no further business to come before this Body, the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Attest Approved Maria M. Menendez City Clerk SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MINUTES - April 3, 2009 3 Horace G. Feliu Mayor