2020-03-17 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
MARCH 17, 2020 6:30 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS
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: (4)
Councilman Stephen Loffredo,
Councilman Jonathan Meltz,
Vice Mayor Alice Burch,
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 HISTORIC HOUSE OF THE MONTH CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION PRESENTED TO
MARY BENTON AND DOUG BARNES (10108 NE 1 ST AVE).
The recipients postponed this item to a future meeting as a preventive measure to Covid-19.
4.B PRESENTATION OF THE HISTORIC PROPERTIES DISCOVERIES/DATABASE BY THE
HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD.
Historic Preservation Board Chair Wesley Castellanos introduced board member Patrizia
Bonaduce who delivered a brief presentation on the discoveries database for historic properties
and answered questions posed by the Village Council.
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Ms. Bonaduce thanked Village Clerk Ysabely Rodriguez for her support in helping achieve the
database.
Ms. Bonaduce asked for the Village Council’s support with respect to future board endeavors, such as
the Historic Preservation Exhibit and declaring May as Historic Preservation Month in Miami
Shores.
4) PUBLIC COMMENTS
Maria Coyne spoke about an incident where her dog was attacked by an unleashed dog and urged the
Village Council to consider (1) posting information on the Village website regarding dogs that have
been deemed to be dangerous by the County and (2) amending the Village Code to require dog owners
of dangerous dog(s) to post a “dangerous dog” sign on their property and imposing a citation to dog
owners who don’t adhere to such proposed regulation.
Councilman Loffredo, for the record, noted Ms. Coyne engaged his legal advice with respect to the
above-noted matter.
6) APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
6.A MARCH 3, 2020 VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES (BY: VILLAGE CLERK)
Councilman Loffredo requested for his letter regarding the proposed flood barrier wall be attached to
the minutes.
Councilman Loffredo moved to approve the March 3, 2020 Village Council Meeting Minutes and Vice
Mayor Burch seconded the motion, which carried a 4-0 voice vote.
7) ORDINANCE(S) ON SECOND READING- PUBLIC HEARING
7.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. Travis Kendall, Planning & Zoning Director, provided a brief overview of the item, indicating the
current version authorizes commercial property owners whose property is in the process of
being redeveloped and, only in cases where the existing structure has been demolished, to
erect temporary construction fences in order to secure their property.
Mayor Wagar opened the public hearing and subsequently closed the public hearing as no one present
offered comments regarding the proposed ordinance.
Councilman Loffredo moved to adopt the ordinance and Vice Mayor Burch seconded the motion, which
carried a 4-0 voice vote.
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8) RESOLUTION(S)
8.A A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE
MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE FEDERALLY-FUNDED SUBAWARD AND GRANT
AGREEMENT NUMBER H0467 DOCUMENTS AND TO ADMINISTER THE GRANT; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (STAFF: VILLAGE MANAGER).
The Village Clerk read the caption of the resolution into the record.
Mr. Benton informed the Village Council of his request for authorization to sign the grant agreement
regarding the Shores Estates subdivision drainage project via the proposed resolution.
Vice Mayor Burch moved the approval of the resolution and Councilman Loffredo seconded the motion,
which carried a 4-0 voice vote.
9) ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Village Clerk read the announcements.
Mr. Sarafan spoke about the series of emergencies related to Covid-19 and thus the State of Local
Emergency Declaration, which the Mayor is authorized to sign pursuant to the Village Code, and he
further spoke about reciting the action of the Village Council as the Emergency Management Council
under Chapter 8 of the Village Code.
Mr. Sarafan clarified the declaration is valid for seven (7) days and may be extended or terminated as
the Mayor deems necessary.
Responding to Vice Mayor Burch, Mr. Sarafan clarified the current requirements of Sunshine Law as it
relates to virtual meetings.
Councilman Meltz moved for the Village Council to join in suit with the State of Florida, Miami-Dade
County, and other municipalities in declaring a State of Emergency. The motion was seconded by
Councilman Loffredo, which carried a 4-0 voice vote.
10) VILLAGE COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilman Loffredo- Mr. Loffredo read a memorandum (Exhibit A) into the record
requesting the Council’s consideration regarding the
establishment of an emergency loan fund for businesses in the
Downtown District.
Discussion ensued regarding the proposed loan and the following
suggestions were offered: staff to assist with marketing efforts of
restaurants that are providing take-out options and to give the
State’s Small Business Administration (SBA) time to provide small
business loan relief. However, no action was taken.
Councilman Meltz- No comments.
Vice Mayor Burch- No comments.
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Mayor Wagar- Ms. Wagar and Mr. Benton provided an update regarding Covid-
19 and Village operations, thereby disclosing the closure of Village
Hall and Village Parks to the public with the exception of the
Building Department.
Mayor Wagar and Vice Mayor Burch requested for all Village related Covid-19 video updates be sent
via email to all subscribers in a timely fashion.
11) ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Village Council, the meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM.
EXHIBIT A