The most notable issue of the night was the proposed termination of City Manager Darin E. Williams. The proposal, brought forth by the vice mayor, centered on allegations of gross negligence and failure to adhere to commission policies. The vice mayor, who sponsored the resolution, emphasized a commitment to accountability and stated, “I have no personal issue with the city manager… I ran on something so simple as standing up for what’s right.” The vice mayor argued that the manager’s conduct was unbecoming of a city employee and cited specific instances of disregard for commission directives.

Another commissioner expressed support for the resolution, pointing to documented failures and a downward trend in city funding. They stressed the importance of adhering to policies and providing written documentation as requested by the commission. “When you do not follow the policy… then to me that’s for cause,” the commissioner stated, underscoring the need for clear, documented reasons for the manager’s termination.

In contrast, strong opposition to the termination came from another commissioner who defended the city manager’s performance. This commissioner highlighted the city’s history of managerial turnover and argued that such instability hindered progress. They stated, “I am not looking for a perfect manager… what I’m looking for is someone to get the job done,” and criticized what they perceived as personal motives behind the calls for termination. The commissioner lamented the toxic atmosphere and lack of unity among the commission, emphasizing the shared responsibility in addressing the city’s challenges. “This city is going to hell in a handbag and most of my colleagues would not say that,” they stated, urging a more collaborative approach to governance.

The debate culminated in a vote on the motion to terminate Williams, which resulted in a tie, with the motion failing 2-2. The session concluded shortly after a motion to adjourn was made and seconded.

The meeting also covered significant public input on various issues facing Opa-Locka. Former Commissioner Gail Miller voiced her frustration with the city’s ongoing management issues, particularly the hiring and firing of city managers. Miller threatened to initiate recall efforts against current officials, stating, “Try me tonight… we’re not going to stand for this.” She stressed that the community should not bear the financial burden of the commission’s decisions and urged officials to act in the city’s best interest.

Chris Roberts highlighted the city’s dire financial situation, pointing out a “$5 million deficit” and numerous lawsuits. He alleged corruption within the police department and suggested these inefficiencies were costing taxpayers. Roberts called for respectful public input and expressed concern over the discourse surrounding the city manager’s performance and the commission’s approach.

Tani Mitchell shared a personal incident involving her husband, Anthony Mitchell, who was arrested following an altercation she claimed was mishandled by the police. Mitchell alleged that officers did not take statements from witnesses and favored a former commissioner involved in the event. She called for the removal of both the city manager and the police chief due to their handling of the situation. “The police department was not right how they handled the situation,” she stated, reflecting broader discontent with law enforcement practices in the city.

Additionally, there was a focus on employee health insurance and its associated costs. The commission discussed the decision to continue with the current provider, AET, despite concerns about rising costs. A broker for the city elaborated on the negotiations, mentioning that several carriers opted not to quote the city due to specific ailments affecting employees. The city managed to negotiate a reduction in deductible and maximum out-of-pocket expenses, lowering the initial high double-digit renewal rate to a single-digit increase. The city manager noted that the city absorbs the cost increase, which is dictated by union contracts.

Further, the commission addressed a traffic incident involving a city employee and a Miami-Dade transit bus. Police Chief Kenneth Atley provided information on the investigation, noting that the report detailing the crash was not initially included in the provided documentation. The chief outlined the timeline of events and described the issuance of a traffic citation for the city employee involved. The discussion revealed discrepancies in the communication of this incident to the commission, raising concerns about transparency and the notification process.