2020-03-03 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
MARCH 3, 2020 6:30 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1) CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wagar called the meeting to order at 6:03 PM.
2) MOMENT OF SILENCE / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3) ROLL CALL
PRESENT: (5)
Councilman Sean Brady,
Councilman Stephen Loffredo,
Councilman Jonathan Meltz,
Vice Mayor Alice Burch,
Crystal Wagar, Mayor
ALSO PRESENT:
Tom Benton, Village Manager
Ysabely Rodriguez, Village Clerk
Richard Sarafan, Village Attorney
4) PRESENTATIONS
4.A MARCH 2020 HOUSE OF THE MONTH CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION PRESENTED TO
ISABELLA PETRUZELLI FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 55 NW 92 STREET.
Ms. Petruzelli was not present to receive the Certificate of Recognition. However, Mayor Wagar
read a brief description of the property’s allure into the record.
4.B PRESENTATION OF THE COUNTRY CLUB ADVISORY BOARD ANNUAL REPORT.
Mr. Mark Gallo and Mr. Pedro Rajo delivered a comprehensive report on behalf of the Country
Club Advisory Board and answered questions posed by the Village Council.
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4) PUBLIC COMMENTS
Dorothy Campbell spoke about recent opposition to the ban of plastic bottled water on village
owned properties by the beverage industry and she further spoke in favor of Item 9A.
Aaron Stahlberg, on behalf of Miami Waterkeepers, spoke in support of the Village Council
adopting a fertilizer ordinance in lieu of a resolution.
Alina Nuñez proposed amending Chapter 6, Section 6-4, “Application Generally” to reflect a
change to the cost of work threshold for obtaining a permit to be higher than $100.00.
6) APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
6.A APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 4, 2020 VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES (STAFF:
VILLAGE CLERK)
Councilman Brady moved to approve the February 4, 2020 Council Meeting Minutes and
Councilman Loffredo seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
7) ORDINANCE(S) ON FIRST READING
7.A AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF MIAMI SHORES,
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).
Ms. Rodriguez read the title of the proposed ordinance into the record.
Councilman Loffredo moved to lift the item from the table and Vice Mayor Burch seconded the
motion, which carried a 5-0 voice vote.
Mr. Travis Kendall, Planning & Zoning Director, provided a brief overview of the proposed
ordinance, emphasizing 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.
Mr. Kendall noted a typographical error on page 1, lines 32-33, which is a repetition of lines 30-
31.
Individual Councilmembers posed questions regarding the proposed ordinance.
Councilman Loffredo moved to approve the ordinance on first reading and Councilman Brady
seconded the motion, which carried a 5-0 voice vote.
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8) RESOLUTION(S)
8.A A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA,
CREATING BUDGET AMENDMENT #6 TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2019-2020 OPERATING
BUDGETS; TRANSFERRING $875,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE CAPITAL
PROJECTS FUND FOR THE AQUATIC CENTER’S WILD WATERS (STAFF: FINANCE
DIRECTOR).
Ms. Rodriguez read the title of the proposed ordinance into the record.
Mr. Benton introduced the item, explaining with the payment of the $875,000 Code fine accrued
from the Miami Shores Motel case, the Finance Director, Ms. Holly Hugdahl, is recommending
that this money be transferred to the Capital Budget fund and be used to pay off the remaining
balance of the pool project instead of borrowing money from the bank.
Councilman Loffredo moved to approve to the resolution and Councilman Brady seconded the
motion, which carried a 5-0 voice vote.
9) DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS
9.A DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE USE OF FERTILIZERS IN MIAMI
SHORES AND DIRECTING STAFF TO DEVELOP A BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
PLAN FOR MIAMI SHORES (SPONSORED BY: VICE MAYOR BURCH).
Vice Mayor Burch introduced the item, expanding on the importance of implementing a Best
Management Practices plan (BMPs) regarding the use of fertilizers due to its adverse effects,
especially during the summer season. Vice Mayor Burch further expressed preference to direct
staff to implement BMPs prior to bringing forth an ordinance.
There was consensus for staff to create an educational packet regarding fertilizer BMPs and for
such packet to be brought forth for Council consideration.
Councilman Brady moved to approve the resolution and Councilman Loffredo seconded the
motion which carried a 5-0 voice vote.
No further action was taken on this item.
9.B DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING POSSIBLE COMMUNITY WALK OR
BIKE RIDE ALONG THE FUTURE FLAGLER TRAIL (SPONSORED BY: VICE MAYOR ALICE
BURCH).
Vice Mayor Burch introduced the item in light of the previous Flagler Trail item and she shared
her vision to have a community bike ride event along the Flagler Trail in April 2020 where riders
may stop and have refreshments and discuss the history of the Trail.
Responding to Mayor Wagar, Mr. Benton clarified public safety resources will be handled
exclusively by Miami Shores Police Department though the bike ride would traverse adjoining
municipalities, such as Biscayne Park and El Portal.
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There was consensus amongst the Village Council to direct the Village Manager to work with
adjoining municipalities to establish a community Bike Ride, called the Mayor’s Bike Ride, along
the future Flagler Trail.
No further action was taken on this item.
10) ANNOUNCEMENTS
10.A MARCH 2020 ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ms. Rodriguez read the announcements.
11) VILLAGE COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilman Meltz Councilman Meltz offered no comments.
Vice Mayor Burch Vice Mayor Burch spoke about the Plaza 98 Bingo Night and
commended the Communications Specialist, Ms. Jessica Fleitas,
for her hard work on the March Newsletter.
Councilman Brady Councilman Brady spoke about the Mayor’s Gala and spoke about
the house painting ordinance in response to Ms. Nunez’s
comments.
Councilman Loffredo Councilman Loffredo read into the record his opposition to the
proposed flood barrier wall and offered an alternative solution to
the initiative.
Mayor Wagar Responding to Mayor Wagar’s inquiry, Mr. Benton reported the
new website will be launched in the beginning of April 2020.
Mayor Wagar mentioned she and Mr. Benton will be attending a
meeting hosted by Mayor Gimenez regarding the Corona Virus.
Mayor Wagar invited everyone to attend the Mayor’s Gala.
Mr. Benton informed the Village Council that Dr. Cesar Sastre, a champion of Doctors Charter
School, passed away.
12) ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Village Council, the meeting adjourned at 7:29 PM.
EXHIBIT A