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Opa-locka leaders withdraw security ordinance after tenant warnings; special meeting set to consider emergency repeal
Summary
After public testimony from a property owner who warned he would close an affordable complex if a security requirement stayed in place, Vice Mayor Joseph Kelly withdrew his security ordinance and the commission scheduled a special meeting for Friday at 9 a.m. to consider a possible emergency repeal.
The City Commission of the City of Opa-locka voted Thursday to withdraw a proposed security ordinance after public comment that raised the prospect of mass tenant displacement, and scheduled a special meeting Friday morning to consider an emergency repeal.
At the citizens forum, Willie Logan, identified himself as CEO of Tindorff Group, told the commission he would close the Mary Alice Brown affordable housing property if a requirement for a 24/7 off-duty police officer remained on the books. "We cannot afford to spend a million $100,000 a year on a police officer off duty," Logan said, adding the building contains 216 units and that, without action before Thanksgiving, residents could receive 30-day notices.
Vice Mayor Joseph L. Kelly, who sponsored the ordinance, told the commission he had withdrawn item 1681 "totally" after consulting with the manager and attorney, and said he intended to pursue a citywide policy that would address security needs without harming tenants. "I withdrew the item," Kelly said. "There is a way, I believe, in speaking to the manager and attorney to address the concerns without harming any of the tenants."
City Manager (name on record) confirmed her intent to bring back an item to repeal the prior legislation and to call a special commission meeting to consider it. City Attorney (name on record) advised that repealing an ordinance requires proper notice and readings and that repeal does not necessarily eliminate retroactive fines or liens established under the old ordinance. She also explained that an emergency ordinance can be used in limited circumstances under the city charter and Florida law, but must meet statutory criteria and be properly noticed.
Commissioners pressed staff and counsel on timing and options. Mayor John H. Taylor Jr. and Vice Mayor Kelly discussed the need for a special meeting; the commission agreed to convene at 9:00 a.m. Friday for the matter and advised the attorney and manager to prepare the required materials and legal findings. Attorney referenced applicable law, including Florida Statutes 166.014 and the city charter's emergency provisions, as they discussed notice requirements and vote thresholds.
What happens next: the manager and city attorney will prepare proposed repeal language and any emergency findings for the special meeting. The commission must follow statutory and charter notice rules; the attorney said an emergency reading may allow bypassing a second reading only when criteria are met and proper notice is given. If a repeal is adopted, the attorney cautioned that it may not void fines already levied under the earlier ordinance.
Quotes in this article are taken directly from public comment and commission discussion as recorded in the meeting transcript. The commission did not take a final repeal vote at the regular meeting; it only set the special meeting to consider emergency repeal.
