05-17-16MIN
Miami 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, May 17,
2016 at Village Hall. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM with the following individuals present:
PRESENT: Alice Burch
Steven Zelkowitz (arrived at 6:35PM)
Mac Glinn
Herta Holly
Ivonne Ledesma
ALSO PRESENT: Tom Benton, Village Manager
Barbara Estep, Village Clerk
Richard Sarafan, Village Attorney
PRESENTATIONS
In recognition of their accomplishments, Mayor Burch introduced Doctors Charter School Track Team
Coach, Randy Morales and team member/co-captain of the Boys Track Team, Johnathan Gill, who spoke of
the teams’ records and accomplishments.
State Representative Daphne Campbell provided the Council with information regarding this past legislative
session.
Oscar Bello, Project Manager for Layne Heavy Civil provided the Council with a status report on the
downtown water main and sewer line project.
CONSIDERATIONS
1) CONSENT AGENDA* Barbara A. Estep
*Matters included under the Consent Agenda are routine, self-explanatory matters and are not
expected to require discussion or review. Items will be enacted by one motion. If discussion is
desired by any member of the Council, that item must be removed from the Consent Agenda and
considered separately. If the public wishes to speak on a matter on the Consent Agenda, they must
inform the Village Clerk prior to the start of the meeting. They will be recognized to speak prior to
the approval of the Consent Agenda.
A) APPROVAL OF THE MAY 5, 2016 AND COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AND THE
APRIL 23, 2016 COUNCIL VISIONING SESSION MINUTES.
B) AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL, AMENDING
CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE VI, SECTION 2-90 CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORITY; 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. (1st Reading)
C) AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL, AMENDING
CHAPTER 18, ARTICLE III, SECTION 18-39 GENERAL EMPLOYEE PENSION 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. (1st Reading)
D) AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL, AMENDING
DIVISION 17 LANDSCAPING, SECTION 536 – DESIGN STANDARDS; OF ZONING
APPENDIX A, OF THE VILLAGE’S CODE OF ORDINANCES, RELATING TO DESIGN
STANDARDS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (1st Reading)
E) AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL, AMENDING
SECTION 518 “FENCES, WALLS & HEDGES: CONTAINED IN THE ZONING APPENDIX OF
THE VILLAGE’S CODE OF ORDINANCES BY REPEALING THE CONTENTS OF THE
SECTION IN ITS ENTIRETY AND ADOPTING A NEW SECTION 518 “FENCES, WALLS &
HEDGES”, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (1st Reading)
Ms. Estep read the items contained on the Consent Agenda. Councilwoman Ledesma asked to pull item 1E,
and Mayor Burch asked to pull item 1B from the Consent Agenda. Vice Mayor Zelkowitz moved to
approve the remainder of the Consent Agenda. Councilwoman Holly seconded the motion and the vote was
unanimous in favor of the motion.
1B - Mayor Burch asked for clarification on imposing term limits on Board Members that are not appointed
by the Village Council, i.e. Barry University, PTA group, etc., with Vice Mayor Zelkowitz questioning the
Council’s authority to appoint and/or eliminate those seats. Mr. Sarafan spoke of possible repercussions
with respect to the Vice Mayor’s questions. Mayor Burch asked that the Administration reach out to the
other appointing agencies and get their thoughts on the term limit issue being proposed by the Village. In
response, Councilwoman Holly moved to table the item until the information from the other Boards of
Directors is received. Councilman Glinn seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor of the
motion.
1E - Councilwoman Ledesma provided history and background regarding the November 2015 Council
Workshop during which the subject of hedge heights, among other issues, was discussed. Councilwoman
Ledesma read a number of individual’s statements from the Workshop indicating that clarification on
acceptable hedge heights and specifically on high traffic streets was being sought. Councilwoman Ledesma
stated that at the conclusion of the discussion she had asked the Planning & Zoning Board to look at and
make a recommendation on all hedge heights: front, side and rear.
Mayor Burch asked to hear from the Village Attorney regarding the process followed to have the proposed
ordinance before the Council this evening. Mr. Sarafan reviewed the Council’s referral to Planning &
Zoning and stated that the Planning & Zoning Board considered what was asked of them. He further stated
that there is nothing indicating that the Council can’t ask the Planning & Zoning Board to review the hedge
height issue again. Councilman Glinn asked to hear from Planning Director, David Dacquisto, regarding
the current proposal regarding hedge heights. Mr. Dacquisto summarized that the Planning & Zoning Board
looked at allowable hedge heights along busy streets and proposes a 6’ front yard hedge along specific
streets. The proposed ordinance also expands allowable fencing materials to include metal board and wood
fences (not just wood picket fences) in the front yards. These are proposed changes that the Planning &
Zoning Board felt were being requested by residents and which were not currently permitted. Councilman
Glinn asked as to why 103rd Street, 96th Street and 10th Avenue were not included in the list of streets where
the higher front hedge would be permitted. Councilwoman Holly remarked about the current proposed list
of streets particularly being spoken of.
Vice Mayor Zelkowitz indicated that the code language is confusing but that the Planning & Zoning Board
did what was asked of them. The Vice Mayor asked that the Planning & Zoning Board look again at the
rear yard hedge height restriction and possibly raise it to more than 7’ and expand the list of streets for
higher hedge heights. Councilman Glinn then moved to approve the proposed ordinance on first reading.
Vice Mayor Zelkowitz seconded the motion. Councilwoman Ledesma asked that “hedges” be defined in
the Code. Mr. Sarafan read the definition of hedge contained in the Code. Mayor Burch opened the floor
for public comments.
Mary Benton Ms. Benton spoke about living in a home on a “reverse corner lot” and the
landscaping problems that occur with the scenario.
Bob Smith Mr. Smith indicated that people want privacy and asked the Council to reconsider
hedge height restrictions. He stated that he had heard that Biscayne Park had eliminated any height
restrictions in their Code.
Stanley Summer Mr. Summer spoke in support of higher hedge heights.
John McPhee Mr. McPhee spoke of his concerns regarding the care and maintenance of hedges,
regardless of their height. He further stated that the Code’s language is confusing.
Dennis Leyva Mr. Leyva talked about the Village not being a “cooking cutter” community and
the various styles of homes. He stated that hedge heights need to be different for the different style homes,
indicating that no one regulation will work for all the different homes.
Michelle Jayne Ms. Jayne spoke of the need to look at all hedge heights as she has safety concerns
for her children and the pedestrian traffic along her side yard.
David Siqueiros Mr. Siqueiros indicated that 6’ fence heights are not high enough and supports an
8’ fence height allowance in the rear yards.
Patty Schaeffer Ms. Schaeffer spoke of the problem with a neighbor that has a very tall side hedge
which causes maintenance problems for her pool and roof due to leaves blowing from those hedges. She
stated her belief that shorter hedge heights should be considered.
Adriana Diaz Bergnes Ms. Bergnes expressed her opinion that there shouldn’t be a hedge height
restriction in side or rear yards.
Cecilia __________ This resident asked the Council to remember the train traffic as well as high traffic
streets.
Mayor Burch closed public comment. In the interest of time Vice Mayor Zelkowitz called the question
resulting is a vote of 4 to 1 in favor of the motion with Councilwoman Ledesma dissenting.
Vice Mayor Zelkowitz then moved to direct the Planning & Zoning Board to look at hedge heights: rear,
front and side yards. Councilman Glinn seconded the motion. Councilwoman Ledesma asked that the
motion be amended to include requiring a recommendation back from the Planning & Zoning Board within
two months. Vice Mayor Zelkowitz agreed to the amendment and Councilwoman Ledesma seconded the
amended motion and the vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.
Councilman Glinn spoke of the information circulated on social media sites and Councilwoman Ledesma
responded to Councilman Glinn’s concerns.
2) VILLAGE CLERK Barbara A. Estep
A) AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL, AMENDING SECTION
11-04 (a) OF CHAPTER 11, HISTORIC PRESERVATION 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. (2nd & Final Reading)
B) AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL, AMENDING
CHAPTER 20, ARTICLE IV, DIVISION 2, SECTION 20-71, LIBRARY, 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. (2nd & Final Reading)
C) AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COIUNCIL, AMENDING
CHAPTER 16, ARTICLE II, SECTION 16-21 (a) RECREATION ADVISORY
COMMITTEE, 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.
(2nd & Final Reading)
D) AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL, AMENDING
CHAPTER 16, ARTICLE III, DIVISION2 COUNTRY CLUB ADVISORY BOARD,
SECTIONS 16-56 AND 16-57; 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. (2nd & Final Reading)
E) AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL, AMENDING
CHAPTER 18, ARTICLE II, SECTION 18-16 PERSONNEL APPEALS 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. (2nd & Final Reading)
F) AN ORDINANCE OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 14,
SECTION 14-33 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE,
INCREASING RATES FOR LOCAL BUSINESS TAX RECEIPTS AS CONTAINED
WITHIN THE SCHEDULE OF LOCAL BUSINESS TAXES, PROVIDING FOR
CONFLICTS, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE. (2nd & Final Reading)
Ms. Estep read the captions of the ordinances into the record. Mayor Burch opened the public hearing for
input on any of the ordinances proposed for adoption on second reading. Seeing no one come forward, the
Mayor closed the public hearing.
Vice Mayor Zelkowitz moved to approve and adopt Item 2A. Councilwoman Ledesma seconded the
motion and the vote was 4 - 1 in favor of the motion with Mayor Burch dissenting.
Vice Mayor Zelkowitz moved to approve and adopt Item 2B. Councilwoman Holly seconded the motion
and the vote was 4 – 1 in favor of the motion with Mayor Burch dissenting.
Vice Mayor Zelkowitz moved to approve and adopt Item 2C. Councilwoman Holly seconded the motion
and the vote was 4 – 1 in favor of the motion with Mayor Burch dissenting.
Vice Mayor Zelkowitz moved to approve and adopt Item 2D. Councilwoman Holly seconded the motion
and the vote was 4 – 1 in favor of the motion with Mayor Burch dissenting.
Vice Mayor Zelkowitz moved to approve and adopt Item 2E. Councilman Glinn seconded the motion and
the vote was 4 – 1 in favor of the motion with Mayor Burch dissenting.
Vice Mayor Zelkowitz moved to approve and adopt Item 2F. Councilwoman Ledesma seconded the motion
and the vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.
3) VILLAGE MANAGER Tom Benton
A) DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING COMMUNITY CENTER
PROJECT.
Mr. Benton summarized the information contained in his memo, indicating that a conceptual floor plan and
design has not yet been completed nor a cost estimate calculated. As a result, Mr. Benton stated that it
would be difficult to have all the necessary paperwork and details completed in order to meet the election
ballot deadlines and place the bond question on the scheduled August 30, 2016 election. Mr. Benton stated
his recommendation that the bond question be scheduled for the April 2017 Council Election which will
allow the Administration sufficient time to prepare for the election. He further indicated that he is looking
for Council direction as to the timing of the project. Council Members discussed issues surrounding the
community center project including outstanding bonds owed the possibility of a special election if
preparations can be completed prior to the 2017 Council Election and the fact that the Council would like
Staff to move “full speed ahead” with preparing for a new community center.
4) ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ms. Estep read the announcements.
5) PUBLIC COMMENTS (3 Minute Time Limit Per Speaker)
John McPhee Mr. McPhee thanked everyone for the work and services on behalf of the
residents.
6) COUNCIL COMMENTS
MacAdam Glinn Councilman Glinn thanked the Mayor and spoke of the upcoming meetings
regarding the Downtown Design Criteria information and the opportunity for community input.
Councilman Glinn also spoke of the girls’ softball teams and thanked the Recreation Director, Jerry Estep
for the excellent programming, their success being a testament to the staff and coaches.
Alice Burch Mayor Burch spoke of the successful Bike/Walk to School Day event and that
over 400 students participated. She also spoke of the upcoming Memorial Day ceremony.
7) ADJOURNMENT
The May 17, 2016 Council Meeting was adjourned at 8:10 PM.
_____________________________
Alice Burch, Mayor
_____________________________
Barbara A. Estep, MMC
Village Clerk