Opa-locka commissioners ask staff to draft single ordinance package to overhaul advisory boards

City of Opa-locka commissioners discussed proposed changes to the city’s advisory boards during a March 26 workshop and asked city staff to return with a single package of legislation to implement the recommendations.

The discussion focused on measures to make boards more functional and locally controlled, including changing membership and quorum rules for planning and zoning and historic preservation panels, consolidating the teen advisory board into the community relations board, creating alternate members to ensure quorums, and improving recruitment, incentives and training for volunteers.

The recommendations stem from a report requested by the mayor on Jan. 8 and presented to the commission on Feb. 12. City Clerk (presenter) described broad recommendations to amend ordinances so each board’s scope, duties and membership are clearer, to set aside line items for board administrative costs and training, and to adopt rules of procedure and consistent minute-submission practices.

Among the panel-specific proposals, staff recommended that the Planning & Zoning Board — currently a seven-member body with a…