02-16-16MINMIAMI 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
16, 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 (Arrived prior to the discussion regarding Item #2A)
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 FEBRUARY 2, 2016 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.
Councilwoman Holly moved approval of the February 2, 2016 Council Meeting Minutes as presented.
Councilman Glinn seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.
B) AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL AMENDING
CHAPTER 18, ARTICLE III GENERAL EMPLOYEES PENSION PLAN, OF THE VILLAGE
CODE OF ORDINANCES TO COMPLY WITH INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
RECOMMENDATIONS, PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Second & Final
Reading)
Ms. Estep read the caption of the ordinance into the record and advised the Council that the two pension
ordinances could be discussed simultaneously but separate votes would be required. Ms. Estep
reminded the Council of the purpose of the ordinances and indicated that a representative from Special
Counsel was present to answer any questions. Councilwoman Holly moved to approve Item 1B on
second/final reading. Councilman Glinn seconded the motion. Mayor Burch opened the floor for the
Public Hearing but seeing no one come forward, closed the Hearing and called the question which was
unanimous in favor of the motion.
C) AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL AMENDING
CHAPTER 18, ARTICLE IV POLICE OFFICERS’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM, OF THE
VILLAGE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO COMPLY WITH INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
RECOMMENDATIONS, PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Second & Final
Reading)
Ms. Estep read the caption of the ordinance into the record. Councilwoman Holly moved to approve the
ordinance on second/final reading. Councilman Glinn seconded the motion. No one present wished to
comment during the Public Hearing. Mayor Burch called for the vote which was unanimous in favor of
the motion.
Vice Mayor Zelkowitz arrived at this point in time.
2) VILLAGE MANAGER Tom Benton
A) DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING APPROVAL OF FUNDING THE
PROPOSED VILLAGE WIDE TRAFFIC STUDY WITH MARLIN ENGINEERING AT A
COST OF $87,255 FROM THE FUND BALANCE SURPLUS.
Mr. Benton provided a summary of the scope of services to be conducted as part of the traffic study at a
negotiated contract price of $87,255. Marlin Engineering representative, James Spinks, responded to
Council questions including that the firm can begin the study right away and that he anticipates the study to
take approximately 5 to 6 months. Mr. Spinks outlined the procedures and protocol to conduct the study.
Mr. Spinks confirmed that Miami-Dade County threshold guidelines for identifying an “area of concern” are
followed. Vice Mayor Zelkowitz moved to approve the contract as recommended by the Village Manager,
including funding the study from the Fund Balance. Councilwoman Holly seconded the motion.
Resident Elizabeth Cowen spoke about the importance of community participation.
The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.
B) DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING APPROVAL OF FUNDING THE
DOWNTOWN DESIGN CRITERIA PROJECT WITH RMA IN THE AMOUNT OF $59,000.
Mr. Benton offered a summary of the proposal and indicated that as requested by Councilwoman Ledesma, a
separate proposal was submitted for a streetscaping/landscaping plan for an additional $16,650. Ms.
Natasha Alfonso-Ahmed from the firm of RMA was present and responded to questions posed by the
Council with respect to developing the criteria, public input and a timeline. Ms. Alfonso-Ahmed estimated
that the project would take approximately 9-10 months or longer depending on the need to amend the zoning
code and allowances for the required public notices and public hearings.
Resident Patrice Gillespie Smith spoke of the issue of business signage and the possibility of incremental
improvements by owners. She also urged the Council to hold property owners accountable for
improvements.
Ms. Alfonso-Ahmed indicated that the old downtown area (Atlantic Boulevard) of Pompano Beach just off
of I-95 represents the firm’s work with Pompano for design criteria.
Vice Mayor Zelkowitz moved to approve the negotiated contract price of $59,000 with the non-budgeted
$9,000 being funded from the Fund Balance. Councilwoman Holly seconded the motion and the vote was
unanimous in favor of the motion.
Councilwoman Ledesma moved to approve the landscape/streetscape proposal of $16,650 to be funded from
the Fund Balance. Councilman Glinn seconded the motion and the vote was 4 to 1 in favor of the motion
with Mayor Burch dissenting.
C) DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A POSSIBLE RESIDENT BUDGET
WORKSHOP.
Mr. Benton spoke to the Council regarding last year’s resident budget workshop and suggested that if the
Council wishes to conduct a similar workshop this year, it be held earlier in the budget calendar. A date of
Tuesday, March 29th was proposed. Council Members expressed their opinions regarding wanting a resident
budget workshop and made suggestions regarding its format and set-up. The consensus of the Council was
to conduct the workshop on Tuesday, March 29th.
3) ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ms. Estep read the announcements.
4) PUBLIC COMMENT
Lou Perez Mr. Perez spoke of a pending application for the installation of a telecommunications
antenna in the church parking lot at NE 2nd Avenue and NE 103rd Street. Mr. Perez is currently
circulating a petition against the application.
In response to Mr. Perez’s comments and the concern expressed by numerous residents, Mr. Benton
provided an update on the issue, indicating that the application submitted was deemed incomplete and
the issue will not be on the February 25, 2016 Planning & Zoning agenda. Mr. Benton has met with the
representatives from the antenna company and offered alternatives to the proposed tower. The issue has
not been scheduled for a hearing as yet.
5) COUNCIL COMMENTS
Herta Holly Councilwoman Holly spoke of the staff doing a superb job and that lots of
things are happening in the Village.
Ivonne Ledesma Councilwoman Ledesma thanked Mr. Perez for bringing up the antenna issue
and getting everyone’s attention.
MacAdam Glinn Councilman Glinn expressed his excitement in seeing many initiatives moving
forward and the need to hire professionals in the areas being studied.
Steven Zelkowitz Vice Mayor Zelkowitz echoed everyone’s comments and spoke of his concern
regarding the cellular antenna tower. He suggested that the Village’s code may need to be updated.
Alice Burch Mayor Burch also thanked Mr. Perez and spoke of the traffic study and an
upcoming community bike ride. Mayor Burch also spoke of the recent Chamber of Commerce Citizen
of the Year event.
6) ADJOURNMENT
The February 16, 2016 Council Meeting was adjourned at 7:45 PM.
_______________________
Alice Burch, Mayor
____________________________
Barbara A. Estep, MMC
Village Clerk