2019-09-03 MINUTES1
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
MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 3, 2019 6:01 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS
(immediately following the First Budget hearing)
1) CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wagar called the meeting to order at 6:15 PM.
2) MOMENT OF SILENCE / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3) ROLL CALL (4)
PRESENT:
Stephen Loffredo, Councilman
Jonathan Meltz, Councilman
Alice Burch, Vice Mayor
Crystal Wagar, Mayor
Councilman Sean Brady was absent.
ALSO PRESENT:
Tom Benton, Village Manager
Ysabely Rodriguez, Village Clerk
Richard Sarafan, Village Attorney
4) PRESENTATIONS
4.A SEPTEMBER HOUSE OF THE MONTH CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION PRESENTED TO
1060 NE 104 STREET (THE WOODLING & OBENOUR FAMILY)
Mayor Wagar, on behalf of the Village Council, presented the September House of the Month
Certificate of Recognition to the Woodling & Obenour family.
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4.B HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD ANNUAL REPORT
The Historic Preservation Board report was deferred to the next meeting due to the absence of the
board chair.
5) PUBLIC COMMENTS
Patrice Gillespie Smith spoke in favor of Item 10A.
Victor Bruce spoke about challenges with Miami-Dade County when it comes upgrades to water
services in relation to home renovation projects.
Giselle Kovak spoke in favor of Item 10B to help revitalize the business district.
6) CONSENT AGENDA
Ms. Rodriguez read the caption of each item on the consent agenda.
Vice Mayor Burch pulled Item 6C from the Consent Agenda for discussion.
Councilman Loffredo moved to approve the consent agenda as amended. The motion was seconded
by Vice Mayor Burch, which carried a 4-0 voice vote.
6.A APPROVAL OF THE JULY 9, 2019 BUDGET WORKSHOP MINUTES (BY: VILLAGE CLERK)
Passed on Consent.
6.B APPROVAL OF THE JULY 16, 2019 VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES (BY: VILLAGE
CLERK)
Passed on Consent.
6.C APPROVAL OF THE RFQ 2019-05-01 EVALUATION COMMITTEE'S RESULTS AND
SELECTION OF KIMLEY-HORN FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE
SHORES ESTATES SUBDIVISION SEWER FACILITY PLAN, AND AUTHORIZATION TO
NEGOTIATE WITH THE TOP RANKED FIRM (BY: VILLAGE MANAGER).
Vice Mayor Burch spoke about the project's significance with respect to the Vulnerability Study's
recommendation. She further mentioned grant funding of approximately $40,000 would help offset the
cost of the project and encouraged residents to learn more about septic to sewer conversion.
Mr. Benton provided a brief introduction for the benefit of the public, indicating the sewer facility plan is
a priority due to its low-lying area. Should the Village Council authorize negotiations, the Village
Manager indicated a contract will be presented to the Village Council for consideration.
Vice Mayor Burch moved to approve Item 6C and the motion was seconded by Councilman Loffredo,
which carried a 4-0 voice vote.
7) BOARD APPOINTMENT(S)
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7.A APPOINTMENT TO THE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES (1 VACANCY)
Ms. Rodriguez introduced the item.
Mr. Camp and Mr. Gerhardt were present and spoke on their own behalf. Council Members voted
paper ballots with the following results:
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results yielded a tie between Mr. Camp and Mr. Gerhardt; therefore, there was consensus amongst the
Village Council to postpone the Library Board appointment to the next meeting.
8) APPROVAL OF PERMIT APPLICATION(S)- PUBLIC HEARING
8.A APPROVAL OF OPEN AIR CAFE APPLICATION, AMARANTHINE BISTRO, FOR THE
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 9801 NE 2ND AVENUE, SUBJECT TO ALL CODE
REQUIREMENTS AND SUBJECT TO CERTAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS (STAFF:
PLANNING & ZONING DIRECTOR).
The Village Clerk read the caption of the item into the record.
The Planning & Zoning Director, Mr. Travis Kendall, provided a brief overview of the item, indicating
staff and the Planning Board’s support of the item. Mr. Kendall clarified the application is to allow
outdoor seating in the front of the property only and the application adheres to the minimum code
requirements with respect to outdoor seating. Should the establishment close, Mr. Kendall further
clarified the open air café permit application closes with it and it does not transfer over to future
restaurants.
Applicant George Yiannikakis briefly introduced himself and answered questions posed by the Village
Council.
Mayor Wagar opened the public hearing.
Christian Ulvert spoke in support of the item.
Kim Flowers spoke in support of the item.
Giselle Kovac spoke in support of the item.
Victor Bruce spoke in support of the item.
There being no further comments from the public, Mayor Wagar closed the public hearing.
Mr. Sarafan informed the Village Council that both applications are conditional use permits, which allow
the Village Council to impose additional terms and conditions.
ROUND 1 MELTZ BURCH WAGAR LOFFREDO
JOHN CAMP
DAVID GERHARDT
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Vice Mayor Burch moved to approve Open Air Cafe Application for the property located at 9801 NE 2nd
Avenue, subject to all code requirements, terms and conditions. Councilman Meltz seconded the
motion, which carried a 4-0 voice vote in favor of the motion.
8.B APPROVAL OF OPEN AIR CAFE APPLICATION, SINS GASTROBAR, FOR THE PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 9835 NE 2ND AVENUE, SUBJECT TO ALL CODE REQUIREMENTS AND
SUBJECT TO CERTAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS (STAFF: PLANNING & ZONING
DIRECTOR).
The Village Clerk read the caption of the item into the record.
Mr. Kendall provided a brief overview of the item and clarified the conceptual design, which was
approved by the Planning Board, reflected 16-18 seats outside yet the new design includes 30 seats
outside. Upon visiting the site, Mr. Kendall determined the new design is consistent with the intent of
the Village Code and Planning Board recommendations.
Carlos Oropeza, applicant, thanked Mr. Kendall for his support, provided specific details about the
project, and invited residents to meet at Flight Wine Lounge tomorrow to answer any additional
questions they may have about the project.
Mayor Wagar opened the public hearing; however, there being no comments from the public, Mayor
Wagar closed the public hearing.
Vice Mayor Burch moved to approve the open air café permit application, Sins Gastrobar, for the
property located at 9835 NE 2nd Avenue subject to all code requirements, terms and conditions.
Councilman Meltz seconded the motion, which carried a 4-0 voice vote in favor of the motion.
9) ORDINANCE(S) ON FIRST READING
9.A AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA,
RELATING TO ZONING, APPENDIX “A”, AMENDING ARTICLE V, DIVISION 4, “AREA
REGULATIONS”, SECTION 518, “FENCES, WALLS AND HEDGES”; PROVIDING FOR
CONFLICTS, CODIFICATION, SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE (STAFF:
PLANNING & ZONING DIRECTOR).
The Village Clerk read the caption of the ordinance into the record.
Mr. Kendall provided a brief overview of the item, explaining the impetus for the item and the Planning
board’s recommended specifications: metal picket fence only (six feet height maximum in commercial
designated areas with a one-inch maximum width, 3.5-inch minimum spacing, and limiting the color
scheme to black, white, or green).
Individual Councilmembers posed questions regarding the permitted and prohibited materials and
raised questions regarding the Planning Board’s review of the proposed ordinance.
Councilman Meltz moved to table the item to acquire further information about the development of the
item and Councilman Loffredo seconded the motion. The motion carried a 4-0 voice vote in favor of the
motion.
10) DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS
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10.A DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE VILLAGE ASSUMING THE PLAZA
98 EVENT SERIES RESPONSIBILITIES FROM THE GREATER MIAMI SHORES CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE (BY: VILLAGE MANAGER).
Mr. Benton provided a brief overview of the item and indicated the Recreation Director, Ms. Angela
Dorney, has developed tentative events and a budget for future Plaza 98 events.
Vice Mayor Burch moved to approve the Village taking control over the Plaza 98 events and approving
an additional $5,000 for such events.
No further discussion or action was taken on this item.
10.B DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING 2ND AVENUE BUSINESS DISTRICT
LIGHTING (BY: VILLAGE MANAGER).
Mr. Benton provided a brief overview of the item, recommending a test area from NE 97 Street to NE
98 Street, which will cost approximately $9,700, for the Village Council to determine whether they would
like to expand the lighting area, which would cost an additional $65,000.
Responding to Mayor Wagar’s inquiry regarding the duration of the test period, Mr. Benton mentioned it
is up to the Village Council to inform him of whether or not they are pleased with the results of the test
area. Should the Village Council decide to expand lighting improvements throughout the downtown
district, Mr. Benton further explained he would have to discuss the matter with the Finance Director with
respect to the financing of the project.
Mr. Scott Davis, Public Works Director, stated it takes 6-8 weeks to receive the lighting accoutrements.
Councilman Loffredo moved approval of the proposed test area and Vice Mayor Burch seconded the
motion. The motion carried a 4-0 voice vote.
No further discussion or action was taken.
11) ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ms. Rodriguez read the announcements into the record.
11) VILLAGE COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilman Meltz Councilman Meltz thanked residents and business owners for attending
the meeting and encouraged residents to reach out to the Village Council
to express their concerns prior to the next meeting.
Vice Mayor Burch Vice Mayor Burch announced the Miami Shores Paddle Cleanup event
and the Marine House Action Summit. She further encouraged residents
to donate to Bahamas Relief efforts.
Councilman Loffredo Councilman Loffredo thanked staff for diligently working on the FY19-20
budget and further wished Amaranthine Bistro and Sins Gastrobar the
best of luck.
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Mayor Wagar Mayor Wagar expressed looking forward to the opening of Amaranthine
Bistro and Sins Gastrobar as well as learning about the lighting test area
as soon as possible. In light of the new Communications Specialist, she
spoke about the importance of informing residents, via various
communication channels, of all the different events and initiatives
occurring in the Village. Lastly, along with Miami-Dade County Officials,
she thanked Mr. Benton for his attention to detail with respect to
Hurricane Dorian preparations.
13) ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Village Council, the meeting adjourned at 7:36 PM.