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2019-05-21 MINUTES1 MEETING MINUTES MAY 21, 2019 6:30 PM COUNCIL CHAIMBERS 1) CALL TO ORDER Mayor Wagar called the meeting to order at 6:32 PM. 2) MOMENT OF SILENCE / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3) ROLL CALL PRESENT: Sean Brady, Councilman Jonathan Meltz, Councilman Stephen Loffredo, Councilman Alice Burch, Vice Mayor Crystal Wagar, Mayor ALSO PRESENT: Tom Benton, Village Manager Ysabely Rodriguez, Village Clerk Richard Sarafan, Village Attorney 4) PRESENTATIONS 4.A LEGISLATIVE UPDATE PRESENTED BY GOMEZ BARKER & ASSOCIATES Mr. Fausto Gomez, Gomez Barker and Associates, spoke about his professional transition and introduced Mr. Jonathan Kilman and Mr. Cesar Fernandez who provided an update on the 2019 legislative session and answered questions posed by the Village Council. 4.B FINE ARTS COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT Susan Ackley, Fine Arts Commission Chairperson, provided an overview of the board's annual report and presented a small token of appreciation to the Village Council on behalf of the Fine Arts Commission. 4.C RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT Manny Hadad, Recreation Advisory Committee Chairperson, provided an overview of the item, enumerating the various achievements for the year and providing recommendations with respect to Mayor Crystal Wagar Vice Mayor Alice Burch Vice Mayor Sean Brady Councilman Stephen Loffredo Councilman Jonathan Meltz Tom Benton, Village Manager Richard Sarafan, Village Attorney Ysabely Rodriguez, Village Clerk 2 potential repairs to the current Community Center. Chairperson Hadad answered questions posed by the Village Council. Responding to Mayor Wagar, Mr. Hadad, on behalf of the committee, advocated for the repair of the existing Community Center in lieu of constructing a new facility. 5) PUBLIC COMMENTS Miryam Rojas spoke in favor of earmarking transportation funding for flashing crosswalks and she further spoke in favor of reducing campaign contribution limits. Vanessa Flores expressed concern about various issues related to alleged annoyances caused by neighboring properties and asked for the Village Council’s mediation. Sean and Nadine Rogers spoke in opposition to designating NE 100 Street from 1st Avenue and 2nd Avenue as a resident-only parking area and urged the Village Council to formulate alternative solutions for the affected property owner. Jonathan Adrabi spoke in opposition to limiting campaign contributions for various reasons due to potential unintended consequences. Colin Ross spoke in opposition to resident-only parking on NE 100 Street from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue. He further raised concerns regarding MSPD officers allegedly speeding when not conducting official business. Adam Shepard spoke about excessive speeding on NE 95 Street and spoke in favor of the Village allocating transportation funding to curtail the issue. Tracy Bitton spoke in favor of allocating transportation funding to bolster traffic calming efforts on and around NE 95 Street due to excessive speeding. Antonio Netto spoke in favor of advancing efforts between the Village and MDCPS with respect to the programmatic investment in Miami Shores Elementary School. Unknown spoke in favor of allocating funding to bolster traffic calming efforts on NE 95 Street & Grand Concourse. Giselle Kovac advocated for Village-wide gender-neutral bathrooms and she further spoke in opposition to limiting campaign contributions. Nancy Cigno spoke in favor of revisiting discussions concerning developing a new Community Center. Jessica Pfeffer spoke in favor of designating NE 100 Street from 1st Avenue and 2nd Avenue due to unknown vehicles parked in front of her home. Ariel Esposito echoed the sentiments of Adam Shepard and Tracy Bitton concerning NE 95 Street. Caroline Cardenas echoed the sentiments of Jonathan Adrabi and Gisselle Kovac with respect to limiting campaign contributions. Pamela Jarvis asked about the feasibility of running the Community Center on solar energy. 3 6) CONSENT AGENDA Councilman Brady moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented and Vice Mayor Burch seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 6.A APPROVAL OF THE MAY 7, 2019 VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Passed on Consent 6.B A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE TURF AND LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT FUNDED AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (BY: VILLAGE MANAGER). Passed on Consent 7) ORDINANCE(S) ON FIRST READING-None 8) ORDINANCE(S) ON SECOND READING- PUBLIC HEARING 8.A AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA AMENDING APPENDIX A, ARTICLE V ESTABLISHMENT OF REGULATIONS, DIVISION 17, SECTION 536 DESIGN STANDARDS (7), ALLOWING THE USE OF SYNTHETIC TURF PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (SPONSORED BY: COUNCILMAN JONATHAN MELTZ). THIS ITEM WAS APPROVED ON FIRST READING BY A 5/0 VOICE VOTE ON APRIL 2, 2019. Ms. Rodriguez read the caption of the ordinance into the record. Councilman Meltz offered a brief introduction and turned the item over to Mr. Travis Kendall, Planning and Zoning Director, to provide an overview of the proposed ordinance. Mr. Kendall noted a correction that should be made to page 2, line 16, number 5 to reflect, “Prohibited within three feet 3' of a single-family residential structure” for the purpose of allowing a buffer zone between adjacent properties. Mayor Wagar opened the public hearing; as no one present offered comments, Mayor Wagar closed the public hearing. Councilman Loffredo spoke in opposition to the item due to the number of Code Compliance staff and the commercialization of single-family areas. Councilman Meltz moved to amend page 2, line 9, to reflect, “d. Turf shall not be permitted within thirty- six inches (36") of an unfenced side property lot line” and further included the amendment proposed by Mr. Kendall noted above. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Burch, which carried a 4-1 voice vote. Councilman Loffredo voted in opposition. Councilman Meltz moved to adopt the ordinance as amended and Vice Mayor Burch seconded the motion. 4 There being no further discussion, Mayor Wagar called the question, which carried a 4-1 voice vote. Councilman Loffredo voted in opposition. 8.B AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA, AMENDING ARTICLE IV. COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND FILMING OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES; ESTABLISHING CRITERIA; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (SPONSORED BY: VICE MAYOR ALICE BURCH). THIS ITEM WAS APPROVED ON FIRST READING BY A 5/0 VOICE VOTE ON APRIL 2, 2019. Ms. Rodriguez read the caption of the ordinance into the record. Mayor Wagar opened the public hearing; as no one present offered comments, Mayor Wagar closed the public hearing. Vice Mayor Burch offered a brief introduction, noting the breadth and forethought of the proposed ordinance compared to the current ordinance. She further thanked the Village Attorney and staff for drafting the ordinance. Councilman Loffredo raised concerns about increasing the number of video film shoots and the commercialization of single-family areas. Councilman Brady moved to adopt the ordinance and the motion was seconded by Councilman Meltz. There being no further discussion, Mayor Wagar called the question, which carried a 4-1 voice vote. Councilman Loffredo voted in opposition. 9) RESOLUTION(S) 9.A A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA ADOPTING FILMING REGULATIONS PURSUANT TO ARTICLE IV. COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND FILMING OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (BY: VILLAGE MANAGER). Ms. Rodriguez read the caption of the resolution into the record. Mr. Benton offered a brief introduction, noting the proposed resolution provides guidelines and regulations to complement the film ordinance. Councilman Brady moved to approve the resolution and Vice Mayor Burch seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, Mayor Wagar called the question, which carried a 5-0 voice vote. 9.B A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA DESIGNATING RESIDENT ONLY PARKING AREAS WITHIN THE RIGHT-OF WAY OF CERTAIN AREAS (SPONSORED BY: COUNCILMAN SEAN BRADY). 5 Councilman Brady offered a brief overview of the item and provided clarification with respect to some of the residents’ views expressed during public comments. Mr. Benton indicated two parking spots, adjacent to the Miami Shores Police Department, will be designated as visitor parking spaces. Councilman Meltz moved to table the resolution to allow staff to research the legal implications of placing “no public parking” signage in front of the resident’s property and Councilman Brady seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, Mayor Wagar called the question, which carried a 5-0 voice vote. 10) DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS 10.A DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON MIAMI SHORES’ ELECTION FINANCING BY CANDIDATES (SPONSORED BY: VICE MAYOR ALICE BURCH). Vice Mayor Burch introduced the item by asking the Village Council to engage in discussion regarding (1) the possibility of changing the residency requirement from 6 months to 1 year, (2) the upward trend of escalating campaign costs, and (3) the influence of Political Action Committees (PACs) in Miami Shores Village elections. Responding to Councilman Loffredo, Mr. Sarafan indicated should the Village Council choose to move forward with a directive for staff, he would like an opportunity to research the practice of peer cities and the legalities associated with campaign contribution limits. Responding to Mayor Wagar, Mr. Sarafan stated there may be legal implications associated with limiting PACs from contributing to campaigns. Individual Councilmembers offered their respective position on the item, thereby highlighting inequities on both sides of the argument, potential legal implications, increasing residency requirement to the same standard as boards/committees or higher, and enforcement responsibilities to name a few. Councilman Loffredo moved to table the item to allow staff to research the legal implications and the practice of peer cities. The motion was seconded by Councilman Brady, which passed unanimously. Mr. Sarafan noted a charter amendment would be necessary to change the residency requirement. No further action was taken on this item. 10.B UPDATE ON GREEN CORRIDOR PACE PROGRAM (SPONSORED BY: COUNCILMAN SEAN BRADY) Councilman Brady, representative to the Green Corridor District Board of Directors, provided an update on the progress and effect of the Green Corridor PACE Program and answered questions posed by individual Councilmembers. 6 No action was taken on this item. 11) ANNOUNCEMENTS The Village Clerk read the announcements. 12) VILLAGE COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilman Loffredo- Councilman Loffredo spoke about the Plastic Reduction Workshop hosted by Councilman Meltz and further asked Councilmembers to be reasonable with FY19-20 budget requests. Councilman Brady- Councilman Brady asked residents to reach out to the Village Council regarding any feedback, spoke about the traffic calming study, and he further indicated the need for various capital improvements associated with the Community Center, Village Hall, and the Police Department. Councilman Meltz- Councilman Meltz proposed marketing the email option for the newsletter and he further asked residents to attend the Plastic Workshop to voice their position on eco-friendly initiatives. Vice Mayor Burch- Vice Mayor Burch encouraged residents to attend the Memorial Day celebration and thanked Councilman Meltz for hosting the Plastic Reduction workshop. She further thanked the Village Council for indulging in discussions concerning campaign finance reform. Mayor Wagar Mayor Wagar echoed Councilman Meltz’s comments concerning the newsletter. 13) ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Village Council, the meeting adjourned at 8:53 PM.