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2020-05-19 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 MAY 19, 2020 6:30 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1) CALL TO ORDER Mayor Wagar called the meeting to order at 6:36 PM. 2) MOMENT OF SILENCE / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Wagar read a brief virtual meeting preamble into the record regarding Executive Order 20-69 issued by Governor DeSantis and explained the means by which the Village has provided reasonable public access and participation. Pursuant to the extended Executive Order No. 20- 69, the Village Council and Village Administrative Officers convened the May 19, 2020 Village Council Meeting via communications media technology means, specifically by integrating the Zoom and Granicus Peak platforms to host the live remote meeting via live stream. A dedicated telephone line was provided to the public to listen to the meeting as well. With respect to public participation, the public was afforded the opportunity to provide written public comments via the Granicus eComments portal. Such comments were emailed to the Village Council and Village Administration prior to the start of the meeting and were read into the record by the Village Clerk during the virtual meeting. 3) ROLL CALL PRESENT: (5) Councilman Stephen Loffredo, Councilman Jonathan Meltz, Vice Mayor Alice Burch, Mayor Crystal Wagar Councilman Brady arrived at 6:39 PM ALSO PRESENT: Tom Benton, Village Manager Ysabely Rodriguez, Village Clerk Richard Sarafan, Village Attorney 2 4) e-PUBLIC COMMENTS Before opening the floor to public comments, Mayor Wagar, on behalf of the Village Council, presented Dr. Kelly Andrews, Executive Director of Doctors Charter School (DCS), with a token of appreciation in light of her resignation from DCS. Vice Mayor Burch offered brief comments regarding Dr. Andrew’s accomplishments and the progress DCS has made under her leadership. Dr. Andrews thanked the Village Council and Village Administration for their support. The Village Clerk read the eComments into record, which have been attached, hereto, as Exhibit A. 5) APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES 5.A APPROVAL OF THE MAY 5, 2020 VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES Vice Mayor Burch moved to approve the May 5, 2020 Village Council Workshop Minutes and Councilman Meltz seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 5.B APPROVAL OF THE MAY 5, 2020 VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Vice Mayor Burch moved to approve the May 5, 2020 Village Council Meeting Minutes and Councilman Meltz seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 6) RESOLUTION(S) 6.A A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA, CONFIRMING THE COUNCIL’S INTENT TO UTILIZE THE UNIFORM METHOD OF LEVY, COLLECTION AND ENFORCEMENT OF NON AD VALOREM ASSESSMENTS WHICH HEREINAFTER MAY BE LEVIED BY THE VILLAGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 197.3632, FLORIDA STATUTES; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE (STAFF: FINANCE DIRECTOR). The Village Clerk read the caption of the resolution into the record. Mr. Benton introduced the Stantec Team, who answered questions posed by the Village Council, and Mr. Benton introduced Terry Lewis, Special Counsel concerning water and sewer. Mr. Benton provided a brief overview of the item, indicating the average property owner along NE 2nd Avenue business district is going to see an increase of $3,120 for sewer maintenance fees. Mr. Benton clarified such tax levy does not affect residential properties. Mayor Wagar opened the public hearing; however, there being no comments from the public, Mayor Wagar closed the public hearing. Vice Mayor Burch moved the approval of the resolution and Mayor Wagar seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, Mayor Wagar called the question, which carried a 5-0 roll call vote. AYES: Mayor Crystal Wagar, Vice Mayor Alice Burch, Councilman Sean Brady, Councilman Stephen Loffredo, and Councilman Jonathan Meltz NAYES: None 3 6.B A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR CERTAIN INCREASES IN THE SCHEDULE OF NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENTS FOR THE PROVISION OF SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL SERVICES WITHIN THE VILLAGE; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (STAFF: FINANCE DIRECTOR). The Village Clerk read the caption of the resolution into the record. Mr. Benton provided a brief overview of the item, indicating a 15% increase was approved for the current fiscal year. He further reported the proposed increase for the next fiscal year was lowered from 15% to 10%. Moving forward, the rate will increase 3% over the next eight (8) years. Vice Mayor Burch thanked Finance Director Holly Hugdahl for her hard work on the item. Councilman Loffredo spoke in opposition to the item for the reasons expressed last year. Councilman Meltz indicated the rate increases were discussed during last year’s public hearing. Councilman Brady moved the approval of the resolution and Councilman Meltz seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, Mayor Wagar called the question, which carried a 4- 1 roll call vote as follows: AYES: Mayor Crystal Wagar, Vice Mayor Alice Burch, Councilman Sean Brady, and Councilman Jonathan Meltz NAYES: Councilman Stephen Loffredo 6.C A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON ENFORCEMENT OF SECTION 541 OF THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE CODE OF ORDINANCES DUE TO COVID-19, SETTING AN EFFECTIVE DATE, AND SETTING A SUNSET DATE (STAFF: VILLAGE MANAGER). The Village Clerk read the caption of the resolution into the record. Mr. Benton provided a brief overview, indicating the item is designed to assist businesses located in the Village given the 50% capacity restriction due to COVID-19. As such, the resolution will allow the Village to relax enforcement of the Open-air Café code provision for six months, subject to the business owner having insurance coverage and signing a hold harmless agreement. Responding to Mayor Wagar, Mr. Sarafan explained the proposed resolution may be extended as needed. A motion was moved by Councilman Brady and seconded by Councilman Loffredo to approve the resolution. There being no further discussion, Mayor Wagar called the question, which carried a 5-0 roll call vote. AYES: Mayor Crystal Wagar, Vice Mayor Alice Burch, Councilman Sean Brady, Councilman Stephen Loffredo, and Councilman Jonathan Meltz NAYES: None 4 7) DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION 7.A DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION CONCERNING BIDDING OUT THE COUNTRY CLUB AND GOLF COURSE OPERATIONS (SPONSORED BY: COUNCILMAN JONATHAN MELTZ). Councilman Meltz introduced the item by referencing the letter from Professional Course Management (PCM) where they declined to exercise their five-year renewal of the lease agreement with the Village concerning the Miami Shores Country Club. Councilman Meltz asked for the Village Council’s perspective regarding the prospect of conducting a nation-wide competitive solicitation for the management of the Country Club in light of the above noted letter. Councilman Meltz further proposed resident input for the item as customary. Responding to Councilman Meltz, Mr. Benton reported all facility-related improvement costs associated with the Country Club have been absorbed by PCM for the last 30 years. Councilman Meltz suggested the competitive solicitation include language indicating the selected proposer shall offer holidays or half-day to the Village per month. Mr. Benton requested authorization from the Village Council to engage an industry consultant to assist with the Country Club management competitive solicitation. Mayor Wagar proposed the Village also engage a land use consultant to determine the best and highest use for the property. Responding to Mayor Wagar’s recommendation, Vice Mayor Burch spoke about the number of residents who moved to Miami Shores due to the amenities of the Country Club. Councilman Loffredo spoke about the possible unintended consequences related to certain types of alternative uses for the property, such as traffic. Mr. Sarafan proposed the Village Council conduct a Council Workshop to discuss in detail the future of the property with respect to the alternatives proffered by the individual Councilmembers. Instead of making it a requirement, as proposed by Councilman Meltz, Mr. Sarafan recommended including language in the competitive solicitation where the Village will give preference to prospective bidders who will offer half-day to the Village per month. Mr. Sarafan clarified the Village Council has the right to reject all bids. In the event the Village does not receive any bids or rejects all bids, Mr. Sarafan stated the Village’s options are to (1) strike a temporary deal with the existing operator, (2) strike a temporary deal with somebody else, or (3) the Village run the Country Club. By way of consensus, the Village Council, in the stated order, directed the Village Manager to (1) engage a consultant to assist with a nation-wide competitive solicitation for the management of the Country Club/Golf Course; (2) engage a land use consultant to decipher alternative uses for such property; and before awarding the management bid, (3) schedule a Council Workshop to discuss all the findings and recommendations. No further action was taken on this item. 7.B DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE APPROVAL OF THE DOCTORS CHARTER SCHOOL CHARTER RENEWAL (STAFF: VILLAGE ATTORNEY). 5 The Village Attorney provided a brief overview of the item, indicating the Doctors Charter School Charter was approaching its 15-year expiration. Thus, he worked with Miami Dade County Public Schools to negotiate the comprehensive document, which includes certain protections to the Village. The Doctors Charter School Board has accepted the changes and MDCPS has asked the Council to approve the contract prior to placing it on Miami-Dade School Board’s agenda. Dr. Andrews thanked the Council for their consideration of the item, thanked Mr. Sarafan for his assistance in negotiating the contract, and thanked Christine Jurado, MDCPS Attorney, for assisting Doctors Charter School in navigating the renewal process. Vice Mayor Burch shared her thoughts regarding the contract. A motion was moved by Vice Mayor Burch and seconded by Councilman Loffredo to approve the Doctors Charter School Charter Renewal. There being no further discussion, Mayor Wagar called the question, which carried a 5-0 roll call vote. AYES: Mayor Crystal Wagar, Vice Mayor Alice Burch, Councilman Sean Brady, Councilman Stephen Loffredo, and Councilman Jonathan Meltz NAYES: None No further action was taken on this item. 8) ANNOUNCEMENTS The Village Manager provided an update on COVID-19, reporting the FarmShare event will be held on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at the Barry University parking lot across the street from Doctors Charter School. The Village Attorney announced the law firm of Genovese, Joblove, & Battista will be donating $500 towards the local heroes lunch initiative sponsored by Vice Mayor Burch. 9) VILLAGE COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilman Brady- Councilman Brady thanked Dr. Kelly Andrews and the attorneys for working on the Charter School Renewal, and he thanked Councilman Meltz for sponsoring the Miami Shores Country Club item for discussion. Councilman Brady encouraged everyone to continue to follow the recommended sanitary practices. Councilman Loffredo- Councilman Loffredo thanked the Council for their participation and shared a suggestion written by resident John Ise concerning the possibility of the Village pursuing a partial street closure around NE 2nd Avenue to support local restaurants. Councilman Loffredo suggested using the Plaza 98 events to support the Miami Theatre Center. 6 Councilman Meltz- Councilman Meltz addressed the residents who expressed concern regarding vehicular speeding in the Village and stated the Village has a plan in place to address such challenges. Vice Mayor Burch- Vice Mayor Burch thanked the Police Department and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue for contributing to the parade in celebration of a resident who was celebrating her 5-year liver transplant recovery. Mayor Wagar- Mayor Wagar gave a shout-out to Ryan London for providing handwritten comments to the Village Council. Mayor Wagar also spoke about Miami- Dade County’s Back-to-Business Box initiative, which is committed to helping businesses get back to work by offering personal protective equipment to small businesses with safety requirements. 10) ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Village Council, the meeting adjourned at 8:15PM.