02-02-16MINMIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
10050 N.E.2nd Avenue
Miami Shores, Florida 33138
Tel: (305) 795.2207
Fax: (305) 756.8972
Barbara Estep, MMC
Village Clerk
MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
The Miami Shores Village Council held their regularly scheduled Council Meeting on Tuesday, February
2, 2016 in the Council Chambers of Village Hall. The Meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM with the
following individuals present:
PRESENT: Alice Burch
Steven Zelkowitz
Mac Glinn
Herta Holly
Ivonne Ledesma
ALSO PRESENT: Tom Benton, Village Manager
Barbara Estep, Village Clerk
Richard Sarafan, Village Attorney
CONSIDERATIONS
1) VILLAGE CLERK Barbara A. Estep
A) APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 19, 2016 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.
Vice Mayor Zelkowitz moved to approve the January 19, 2016 Council Meeting minutes as presented.
Councilwoman Holly seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.
B) AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL, AMENDING
SECTION 2-77(c), OF ARTICLE IV, CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD; OF THE
VILLAGE CODE OF ORDINANCES, PERTAINING TO THE BOARD MEMBERS’
APPOINTMENT AND TERMS, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, PROVIDING FOR
CONFLICTS, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Ms. Estep read the caption of the ordinance into the record, indicating that the ordinance was being
presented for first reading. Ms. Estep clarified that the two ordinances, Item 1B and 1C contained similar
language regarding term limits and may be discussed simultaneously but must be voted upon separately.
Following a brief explanation of the proposed amendment and its application, Councilwoman Ledesma
moved to approve the ordinance with an amendment in language to make the term limit clause retroactive.
The motion died for lack of a second. Vice Mayor Zelkowitz then moved to approve Item 1B as presented.
Councilman Glinn seconded the motion.
Individual Council Members voiced their opinions, including their concerns and positive points regarding
the issue of term limits. Mayor Burch opened the floor for public comment.
Steven Mumby Mr. Mumby spoke in favor of term limits, stating that they are important and
stressing that institutional knowledge will be retain. Urged the Council to consider not reappointing the
same people when their current term expires.
Mary Benton Ms. Benton spoke of the behavior of Board Members during recent workshop
meetings and her belief that their behavior is in part due to the number of years they have served.
Dick Direnzo Mr. Direnzo spoke in support of term limits, stating that three year terms are
sufficient.
Douglas Barnes Mr. Barnes spoke in favor of retroactive term limits.
Jane Lee Ms. Lee spoke in support of term limits to allow for a fresh outlook and new
ideas.
Jeff Lee Mr. Lee spoke in favor of term limits to get away from the entrenched individuals
and their ideas.
Clark Reynolds Mr. Reynolds stated that after six years, most people are tired of serving on a
Board and are just going through the motions.
Dennis Leyva Mr. Leyva spoke in favor of term limits, indicating that the Boards are not
representative of the community.
Hunt Davis Mr. Davis spoke against term limits, urging the Council to move slowly and
ensure that all of the fine points are thought through.
Mayor Burch closed public comment and following a few additional comments from Council, the question
was called with a 3 to 2 vote in favor of the motion. Councilwoman Holly and Councilwoman Ledesma
voted against the motion to approve Item 1B on first reading as presented.
C) AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL, AMENDING
SECTION 19-17 OF ARTICLE II, PLANNING BOARD; OF THE VILLAGE CODE OF
ORDINANCES, PERTAINING TO BOARD MEMBERS’ APPOINTMENT AND TERMS,
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, AND PROVIDING
FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Ms. Estep read the caption of the ordinance into the record. Vice Mayor Zelkowitz moved approval of the
ordinance on first reading as presented. Councilman Glinn seconded the motion. As general discussion
regarding terms limits had previously taken place, there was no additional comments voiced. The resulting
vote was 3 to 2 in favor of the motion, with Councilwoman Holly and Councilwoman Ledesma voting
against the motion.
2) VILLAGE COUNCIL
A) SELECTION OF APPOINTEE TO THE EDUCATION COMPACT COMMITTEE.
(1 per Council Member)
Council Members advised of their individual appointees:
Alice Burch = Julie Brady
Steven Zelkowitz = Brad Liff
MacAdam Glinn = Frank Hornstein
Herta Holly = Claire Kodsi
Ivonne Ledesma = Christine Sainvil
B) REPORT OF THE CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD AUTHORITY TO THE VILLAGE
COUNCIL PERTAINING TO PLANS FOR ENTERING INTO A NON-
COMPETITIVELY BID CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT FOR CHARTER SCHOOL
MANAGEMENT SERVICES WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Mayor Alice Burch
Mayor Burch provided brief introductory remarks regarding the concerns that have been brought to her
attention regarding the possibility of the Charter School contracting with Dade County Schools for
management services. Mayor Burch confirmed that Councilwoman Ledesma had invited representatives from
Dade County Schools to give a presentation to the Council.
Ms. Dana Vignale, Dr. Sylvia Diaz and Dr. Ron Steiger from Dade County Schools Office of Innovation and
School Choice were present on behalf of Miami-Dade County Schools. Ms. Vignale provided the Council and
those in attendance with a presentation regarding the services being offered as a “District Managed School”.
Ms. Vignale outlined what she believed to be the most pertinent services of backroom services, human
resources, financial/accounting, technologies, facilities and compliance reporting. Ms. Vignale spoke of the
various District services offered to five charter schools within the County, stating that the services provided are
based on the needs of the schools.
At the conclusion of the presentation, Ms. Vignale and Dr. Steiger responded to questions posed by the
Council Members, including the cost of services offered ($440 per student capped at 450 students for a total
of $198,000 annually); the term of the contract (through the remaining term of the School’s Charter); a
timeframe for a decision to be made (March 1st); and whether contracting for the services would require a
change in the School’s Charter (yes to reflect the change to District Managed services). Vice Mayor Zelkowitz
pointed out and Mr. Sarafan concurred, that due to the required change in the School’s Charter, as well as
entering into a multi-year contract amounting to over $200,000 would require Council approval. Additional
issues regarding the proposed management services were clarified by Ms. Vignale and Dr. Steiger.
Council Members thanked the representatives for attending and for the presentation and expressed their
thoughts on the information provided. Doctors Charter School Board Chair, David Benjamin spoke to some of
the misinformation which has been circulated; stating that no decision has yet to be made regarding contracting
with the County for management services.
Mayor Burch opened the floor for public comment.
Kelly Jackson Ms. Jackson spoke of the amount of internal conflict at the School.
Brad Liff Mr. Liff expressed concern over the pricing of the services.
Katherine Borges Ms. Borges, the School’s finance person of ten years, spoke of the increased FTE
funding which has been realized over the budgeted amount resulting in a positive net income for the first
quarter.
Melinda Boucher Hadad Ms. Hadad is a teacher at the School and spoke of the difference between a principal
and an executive director and due to the current search for a new executive director, suggested that the position
be filled before making a commitment for District management services.
Michael Piloto Mr. Piloto is a parent of a DCS student and spoke of the goals of the school and
support of DCS.
Abeer Jadallah Ms. Jadallah is a long time teacher at the School and has had children at the School.
She spoke of her belief in the School and stated that it is not a fledgling school as characterized by the District.
Doug Garber Mr. Garber is the current Interim Executive Director at DCS. Mr. Garber spoke of
the opportunities for savings in the budget and requested time to sort through the issues before making a
decision on the District’s proposal.
Paul Calli Mr. Calli spoke of having to resign from the DCS Board and spoke to the concerns
raised in Mayor Burch’s memo to Council.
Dick Direnzo Mr. Direnzo spoke of sitting on various not-for-profit run charter school boards and
indicated that there are a number of advantages to having a management company.
Jim Wyborg Mr. Wyborg spoke of the value of the School to young families that settle in Miami
Shores and his belief that an executive director be hired before any other major decisions be made by the
Board.
Mayor Burch closed public comment. Council Members offered summary comments which focused on the
questions that were answered during the presentation and Mr. Benjamin’s comments, the fact that people are
passionate about the School and the importance of making informed decisions. Mayor Burch reiterated her
reason for sponsoring the item.
Councilwoman Ledesma left the meeting prior to completion of the Council’s comments.
Mr. Sarafan asked the Council to consider adding an emergency item to the agenda related to the Council’s
previous direction to negotiate the purchase of the Archdiocese’s Senior Services Center. Councilwoman
Holly moved to add the item to the agenda on an emergency basis. Vice Mayor Zelkowitz seconded the
motion and the vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.
Mr. Sarafan then asked for a motion to approve a resolution empowering and authorizing the Village Manager
and Village Attorney to finalize a formal contract and enter into a formal contract to purchase the Archdiocese
property at a price of $1.1 million. Councilwoman Holly made the requested motion. Vice Mayor Zelkowitz
seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor of the motion. Vice Mayor Zelkowitz requested that
the Village issue the title insurance as it is the Village’s responsibility to bear the cost. He further stated that
should the Archdiocese wish to issue the title insurance, the Archdiocese should pay the cost.
3) ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ms. Estep read the announcements.
4) PUBLIC COMMENTS
No additional public comment was offered by those in attendance.
5) COUNCIL COMMENTS
None offered.
6) ADJOURNMENT
The February 2, 2016 Council Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.
______________________
__________________________ Alice Burch, Mayor
Barbara A. Estep, MMC
Village Clerk