[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6262271,"mediaKeyId","3115633-1447ea39ebc15bd86f89c429ac19bf70","parentId",3115633,"title","Opa-locka manager: audit on schedule, park master plan needs revision; staffing and pay-plan updates coming","audioSeconds",932,"startMs",1709669,"endMs",2642240,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115633-1447ea39ebc15bd86f89c429ac19bf70&start=1709&end=2642","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115633-1447ea39ebc15bd86f89c429ac19bf70/thumbnail_1709669.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6262271/Florida/Opa-locka-manager-audit-on-schedule-park-master-plan-needs-revision-staffing-and-pay-plan-updates-coming","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262271-c249d9c3434605e16a6a47df8084ac8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771120465&Signature=CHiZG8VHH0YSk0ztvpP1cphXvCsiwmpzXR~msxwRot-av37-UuiiOwKgWdWX9HnFkc0QVY2Gqs6aK62bxe9op3yD4wA~tYf9NmZyxZVNDwrx76O7ouDN5QBD~g1oioeVkWsisDZSL4rEyKGAO3nf7pQ225UnOER6L-WDG1-T76YIMZyo6~2JieaOqvR8i-lOpo2af~M70Oyvb~J~AjQzl3wCnPlp0dZIfQT9vdXWC0-wsSrVYfY76zlt4lqFTrrD2zyEAlk3LnC5FRlxFnocSKnAq3~R9joKxvC-mBKMxQTxwgz57w-~t1JfcFMxV8Spim-2ZfvDLIeW8anN4pD-yA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Opa-locka, FL","date","2025-04-25T00:40:51.877Z","article","At the April 23 meeting the City of Opa-locka interim city manager told the commission the city is working with the internal accounting team (CFLG) and external auditors (Markham) to complete field work and deliver financial statements for fiscal year 2024 on time; the report stated the audit is due to the state in June 2025.

The manager reported that staff have been developing schedules and reconciliations and that the field work phase is underway. Commissioners noted this would be the city’s first on-time audit in recent years if the timetable holds.

Park master plan

Commissioners raised concerns about the citywide park master plan. The manager said the city had expended $150,000 on a draft plan that staff judged unsatisfactory, citing errors and references to other cities that do not apply to Opa-locka. Staff met with the consultant and scheduled follow-up reviews with multiple department directors; the manager said a meeting is planned for the following Tuesday to address required corrections.

Commissioners asked the city attorney and manager to review the consultant agreement and deliver a status update; the manager said staff would continue revisions and return the draft for commission review.

Staffing and pay plan

The manager and HR Director (Miss Adams) reported continued recruitment activity and onboarding; the manager said vacancies remain but are reduced, noting police and public works as departments with the most open positions. Miss Adams said a comprehensive pay plan with salary ranges for every job classification has been prepared and submitted and is expected to appear on the May commission agenda for first reading.

Police academy sponsorship

Commissioners discussed an existing budgeted program to sponsor noncertified hires through police academies (city would hire, fund academy training, and retain recruits under a multi-year commitment). The manager said the program is budgeted and staff will provide a written update on progress with academies and recruitment.

Other

Commissioners also discussed emergency-preparedness training (CERT and CPR) that the vice mayor is working to bring to the city and several community events; those items were presented as informational reports rather than actions requiring commission approval.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Opa-locka | Regular Commission Meeting | April 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Interim city manager reported April 23 that work with auditors is on schedule for a June fiscal-year submission and that staff are revising a draft citywide park master plan after identifying significant errors.","taxTitle","City of Opa-locka, Miami-Dade County, Florida","taxId",71258,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6262276,"Opa-locka commission: recodification, meeting-time change, street sweeper lease, Complete Streets and Safe Streets approved",245,1387840,1633440,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115633-1447ea39ebc15bd86f89c429ac19bf70&start=1387&end=1633","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115633-1447ea39ebc15bd86f89c429ac19bf70/thumbnail_1387840.jpg","/articles/6262276/Florida/Opa-locka-commission-recodification-meeting-time-change-street-sweeper-lease-Complete-Streets-and-Safe-Streets-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262276-745a9c09515e635d273a8ee7c9f2b0cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771120465&Signature=MZFTwBlvQfuaRqqLdc9ovkTqgFb-5bWiPRRsl-qENvctph8RdBdIHCXqbwW8MI0bQjqy6nEUJk9eontEEhEvS3-bdHebOv77o9lrATq5YU2rjKcHp2SmobDn~iaTQ5BJvfmDACpCN~xQXnveZgDkDdmCP1elKkiXBW0DW7w3HJ6XKSwDWyYKNwA3zFEfb2phJ65K-kd9T81HUXd71ePQ-xVCSxHmXjHmd-DxW-5sprw1sZfK4i3jwuL83Yl5rRZU~KUs3aQRHuJfH19DFZ97cAPzD6bWrwzXKK2OXU9xbP40SOm13-7ZHZ7mIdR~TGlq7CpZ~RAG2Kr1UnOvumDvcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the April 23 City Commission meeting the City of Opa-locka moved several ordinance items forward or adopted them, most by unanimous or near-unanimous votes.

Votes at a glance

- Recodification of city code (first reading, deferred from 04/09/2025): Passed on first reading, 3-0. The ordinance adopts and enacts a new municipal code for the City of Opa-locka and repeals ordinances not included in the recodification. The item was presented by the city clerk; the commission deferred earlier to allow additional review and the ordinance advanced on first reading.

- Change regular commission meeting start time from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (amendment to Chapter 2, Article 2, Sec. 2-28): First reading passed 2-1. Sponsor Mayor Taylor framed the change as a way to start and finish business earlier and reduce staff time at night. Opponents on the dais raised concerns that a 6 p.m. start could make it harder for working residents to attend in person; the mayor and supporters noted virtual and written comment options remain available. The roll call recorded Commissioner Irvin: Yes; Vice Mayor Kelly: No; Mayor Taylor: Yes.

- Financing agreement for new street sweeper (ordinance approving selection of Leasing 2, Inc.): Adopted 3-0. The financing offers a 3-year capital lease at 5.89% interest with three annual payments of $104,490.44; payments would commence in October 2025. Staff said three quotes were obtained and Leasing 2, Inc. presented the most favorable terms.

- Adoption of Complete Streets policy: Adopted 3-0 on second reading. The policy commits the city to designing and maintaining roadways that accommodate all users and expands municipal mobility goals. Staff noted that future substantive changes to the policy would return to the commission.

- Adoption of Safe Streets for All comprehensive safety action plan (in conformity with Section 163.3177, Florida Statutes): Adopted 3-0 on second reading. The plan, developed with a consultant (Vision Zero partner referenced in the presentation), lays out countermeasures to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries and includes implementation measures and responsibilities.

Several of the items were presented with minimal public comment and limited discussion; the meeting record shows most environmental, mobility and equipment finance items were unanimous. The meeting included substantive discussion on the meeting-time change, where commissioners debated staff scheduling and public access trade-offs before approving the ordinance on first reading.

Details for each item are recorded in the meeting minutes and associated ordinance/resolution texts.","At its April 23 meeting the City of Opa-locka approved several ordinances and measures on first or second reading, including a city code recodification, a change to meeting start time (first reading), financing for a new street sweeper, adoption of a Complete Streets policy and adoption of a Safe Streets comprehensive safety plan.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6262281,"Opa-locka commission approves resolution barring rehiring of former city manager Darvin E. Williams",369,454520,823770,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115633-1447ea39ebc15bd86f89c429ac19bf70&start=454&end=823","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115633-1447ea39ebc15bd86f89c429ac19bf70/thumbnail_454520.jpg","/articles/6262281/Florida/Opa-locka-commission-approves-resolution-barring-rehiring-of-former-city-manager-Darvin-E-Williams","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262281-5099fefc0f90b8e7d07caab54d8822eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771120465&Signature=Yz9Puv4c2ST-~xk1WCebVdrtvwRCo99-VWK~jKSSOgZysndE0ernXKE5jvDHutODUIe~gqqs8QPKoBhy0Pdt-bOTdbxULEvw2b7-w~WL0k7amv310F-T3YMxds5NNL6jca9aNc5mxHhJ0zk5SyR8xlS0OfNmhPof2vB3Huis1bHMvaVSukJNNaGfy6hvpKynVE5REGcvbufWbCggwRHLduOl9Z0uDWQGjGDbaha5McmP2i1u7AUkCMO5Xl3Erscren2ztQc22ZlWT4h4Y-tzqOuVIA-5Ci~nmQkobl8LL7WS6xnr9dk9eS98wiHI1h80ooJ-dr02c9myh3JIccg59g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the April 23 City Commission meeting, the City of Opa-locka voted 2-1 to adopt a resolution prohibiting the rehiring of former city manager Darvin E. Williams for positions that the commission controls.

Commissioner Irvin introduced the measure, saying she brought the resolution after hearing allegations about undisclosed financial activity and other conduct tied to the former manager. She told the commission the resolution was intended to prevent future returns that could, in her words during the meeting, “put another commission in the same situation we were where we have somebody that gives a good front, but the back is not exactly what it seems to be.”

The city attorney advised the commission that the measure fell within the body’s authority. “You all are the persons who determine hiring and firing of the charter officers,” the attorney said during the discussion, noting the commission controls contractual decisions that must be approved by the commission.

Vice Mayor Kelly voted in favor and said the resolution would remove uncertainty about a possible return. Mayor Taylor voted no. The clerk recorded the roll call as Commissioner Irvin: Yes; Vice Mayor Kelly: Yes; Mayor Taylor: No. The motion passed 2-1.

The measure is framed in the ordinance text as narrowly tailored to matters the commission controls (charter officer appointments and contractual hiring decisions) rather than directing personnel decisions for all city departments. Commissioner Irvin referenced rumors about the former manager’s intent to return and cited concerns tied to the opening of bank accounts and other conduct; she said the resolution would alleviate that uncertainty.

The resolution does not create criminal penalties; it is an expression of the commission’s hiring intent and an internal policy statement limited to offices within the commission’s authority. The city attorney said a future commission could adopt a different policy if it chooses.

No formal appeals or legal challenges were raised at the meeting; the item’s sponsor invited questions after the presentation and then called for the vote.","On April 23, 2025, the City of Opa-locka commission adopted a resolution sponsored by Commissioner Irvin that prohibits the rehiring of former city manager Darvin E. Williams for positions the commission controls; the measure passed 2-1.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Opa-locka manager: audit on schedule, park master plan needs revision; staffing and pay-plan updates coming

Opa-locka commission: recodification, meeting-time change, street sweeper lease, Complete Streets and Safe Streets approved

Opa-locka commission approves resolution barring rehiring of former city manager Darvin E. Williams