Opa-locka to sell $14,500 in land — to help reduce $8 million debt

The Opa-locka City Commission met for only 45 minutes on Wednesday — both Mayor Myra Taylor and interim City Manager David Chiverton were in Tallahassee on city business.

The main item

City commissioners unanimously agreed to list three vacant lots of land — that are owned by the city — as “surplus properties.” In the next resolution, commissioners authorized Chiverton to sell the land.

Commissioner Joseph L. Kelley said the city purchased the property years ago, mostly “small parcels” of undeveloped land. Records from the county property appraiser’s office show the value of the three lots — which are located on the corner of Washington Ave and Northwest James Street — are collectively valued at $14,500.

The money, according to city officials, will be used to chip away at Opa-locka’s $8 million debt.

Other business

Commissioners unanimously mandated that the city police department contact family members of homicide victims at least once every 60 days with progress reports until the cases are solved.

The police department will increase the number of patrol cars from 19 to 30. Twenty five of those patrol cars will be marked and the remaining five will be unmarked. The cars, according to city records, will be leased through a private company, Acme Auto Leasing.

“The company has provided options for monthly, semi or annual payments to fit within the city’s fiscal constraints,” Kelley said. “I want to put that on the record because I want to hold us to that and that they will work with us and make sure that it’s not a burden to the budget.”

They said it

“I know we really need [police cars] for the city. Some of the police officers, right now, are riding double in one car. I’m very pleased to see my colleagues supporting this tonight.” — Vice Mayor Timothy Holmes

The next meeting

▪ When: Feb. 24

▪ Where: 215 N. Perviz Ave, Opa-locka

This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 5:55 PM with the headline "Opa-locka to sell $14,500 in land — to help reduce $8 million debt."