2020-09-01 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 1, 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
Mayor Wagar read the virtual meeting preamble into the record regarding the extended 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 September 1, 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
which were emailed to the Village Council prior to the meeting and were read into the record by the Village
Clerk during the virtual meeting.
3) ROLL CALL
PRESENT: (5)
Councilman Sean Brady,
Councilman Stephen Loffredo,
Councilman Jonathan Meltz,
Vice Mayor Alice Burch,
Mayor Crystal Wagar
ALSO PRESENT:
Tom Benton, Village Manager
Ysabely Rodriguez, Village Clerk
Richard Sarafan, Village Attorney
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4) PRESENTATIONS
4.A LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (PRESENTED BY: CHAIRPERSON
LAURA FARLEY).
Ms. Laura Farley, Chairperson to the Library Board of Trustees, presented the annual report and answered
questions posed by the Village Council.
4) e-PUBLIC COMMENTS
eComments have been attached, hereto, as Exhibit A.
5) APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
6.A APPROVAL OF THE JULY 14, 2020 BUDGET WORKSHOP.
A motion was moved by Councilman Loffredo and seconded by Councilman Brady to approve the July 14, 2020
Budget Workshop Minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
6.B APPROVAL OF THE JULY 21, 2020 VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.
A motion was moved by Vice Mayor Burch and seconded by Councilman Meltz to approve the July 21, 2020
Village Council Meeting Minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
7) VILLAGE BOARD APPOINTMENTS
7.A APPOINTMENTS TO THE SUSTAINANBILITY & RESILIENCY COMMITTEE (7 VACANCIES)
The Village Clerk introduced the item and provided an overview of the electronic voting method by which the
Village Council would cast their respective votes.
Some of the board applicants were present and spoke on their behalf.
The Village Council cast votes and the results were as follows:
ROUND 1
WAGAR BURCH BRADY MELTZ LOFFREDO
David Brown X X X
Patrick Cartney
Lina Castañeda X X
Sarah Coleman X
Thomas Johnson X X X X X
Barbara Lawless
Robert Mahoney X X X X
Darren Ockert X X X X
Juan Ortega X X X X
Patricia Pappaterra X X X X
Marianne
Schmidhofer
Daniel Suman X X X X X
Marjorie Weber X X X
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Given there are seven (7) vacancies and eight (8) applicants who received at least three votes, a run-off was
going to be held between David Brown and Marjorie Weber at the September 15, 2020 Council Meeting as they
both received exactly three (3) votes. However, in the course of the meeting minutes transcription, Mr. Mahoney
resigned from the SRC, thereby eliminating the need for a run-off. Thus, David Brown, Thomas Johnson, Robert
Mahoney, Darren Ockert, Juan Ortega, Patricia Pappaterra, Daniel Suman, and Marjorie Weber were appointed
to the SRC.
7.B APPOINTMENTS TO THE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES-2 Vacancies
The Village Clerk introduced the item and provided an overview of the electronic voting method by which the
Village Council would cast their respective votes.
Some of the board applicants were present and spoke on their behalf.
The Village Council cast votes and the results were as follows:
ROUND 1
WAGAR BURCH BRADY MELTZ LOFFREDO
Liza Ayuso
Vicente Berdayes X X
Laura Farley X X
Cheryl Gowing X X X X X
Carol Hoffman-
Guzman
Jose Rodriguez
Isabelle Roman X
Ian Ross
Bianca Saltz-Musli
Cheryl Gowing was appointed to the Library Board of Trustees. However, in light of other candidates not
receiving a minimum of three votes, a second round of voting was launched.
The Village Council cast votes and the results were as follows:
ROUND 2
WAGAR BURCH BRADY MELTZ LOFFREDO
Liza Ayuso
Vicente Berdayes X X
Laura Farley X X
Cheryl Gowing
Carol Hoffman-
Guzman
Jose Rodriguez
Isabelle Roman X
Ian Ross
Bianca Saltz-Musli
As no candidate received majority vote, the Council cast votes for a third round and the results were as follows:
ROUND 3 WAGAR BURCH BRADY MELTZ LOFFREDO
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Liza Ayuso
Vicente Berdayes X X
Laura Farley X X
Cheryl Gowing
Carol Hoffman-
Guzman
Jose Rodriguez
Isabelle Roman X
Ian Ross
Bianca Saltz-Musli
As no candidate received majority vote, the Council cast votes for a fourth round and the results were as
follows:
ROUND 4
WAGAR BURCH BRADY MELTZ LOFFREDO
Liza Ayuso
Vicente Berdayes X X
Laura Farley X X X
Cheryl Gowing
Carol Hoffman-
Guzman
Jose Rodriguez
Isabelle Roman
Ian Ross
Bianca Saltz-Musli
Laura Farley was also appointed to the Library Board of Trustees.
8) RESOLUTION(S)
8.A A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA,
CREATING BUDGET AMENDMENT #7 TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2019-2020 OPERATING
BUDGETS; APPROPRIATING $482,950 FROM THE GENERAL FUND BALANCE FOR COVID-
19 EXPENSES (STAFF: FINANCE DIRECTOR).
The Village Clerk read the caption of the resolution into the record.
Mr. Benton introduced the item and answered questions posed by the Village Council concerning COVID-19
related expenses incurred by the Village.
A motion was moved by Vice Mayor Burch and seconded by Councilman Brady to approve the resolution. The
motion passed unanimously.
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
NAYS: None
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8.B A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA,
AMENDING THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021
OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGETS AND PROPOSED AD VALOREM MILLAGE RATES;
AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (STAFF: FINANCE DIRECTOR).
The Village Clerk read the caption of the resolution into the record.
Ms. Rodriguez introduced the item, thereby explaining the need to amend the date of the First Budget Hearing
from September 1, 2020 to September 8, 2020 to remain in compliance with TRIM regulations.
A motion was moved by Vice Mayor Burch 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
NAYS: None
8.C A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA
AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR
FEDERALLY-FUNDED SUBAWARDS THROUGH THE CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUND AND
TO ADMINISTER THE SUBAWARD (SPONSORED BY: VILLAGE MANAGER).
The Village Clerk read the caption of the resolution into the record.
Mr. Benton introduced the item and answered questions posed by the Village Council concerning COVID-19
related reimbursement.
A motion was moved by Councilman Loffredo and seconded by Vice Mayor Burch 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
NAYS: None
9) DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS
9.A APPROVAL OF THE RFQ 2020-04-02, CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING & INSPECTION FOR
THE MULTIMODAL PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS, SELECTION COMMITTEE'S HIGHEST
RANKING TO AE ENGINEERING, INC. AND AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT FOR VILLAGE COUNCIL CONSIDERATION (STAFF: PUBLIC
WORKS DIRECTOR).
Mr. Benton introduced the item and turned the presentation over to Mr. Scott Davis, Public Works Director, who
provided an overview and answered questions posed by the Village Council.
A motion was moved by Vice Mayor Burch and seconded by Councilman Brady to approve the RFQ 2020-04-
02 selection committee's highest ranking to AE Engineering, INC. and authorizing the Village Manager to
negotiate a contract/fee schedule for Village Council consideration.
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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
NAYS: None
9.B DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING BISCAYNE BAY POLLUTION
PREVENTION (SPONSORED BY: VICE MAYOR ALICE BURCH).
Vice Mayor Burch provided a brief overview of the item regarding ways to improve the health of Biscayne Bay,
thereby offering three proposals for Council consideration: (1) bolster educational outreach by providing weekly
tips via social media and (2) coordinating virtual meetings hosted by local water experts; and (3) supporting
frontline organizations, such as Miami Waterkeeper, by budgetary contribution.
The Village Council offered their respective position regarding the three proposals and opted to postpone the
budgetary contribution to the September 15 meeting at which time the Finance Director may provide additional
information regarding possible funding sources.
Councilman Loffredo moved to approve the first two proposals and to defer the third proposal for discussion
during the September 15 Council Meeting to allow staff time to gather information regarding possible funding
sources. The motion was seconded by Councilman Meltz. Mayor Wagar called the question, which passed
unanimously.
There was no further discussion or action taken on this item.
10) ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Village Clerk read the announcements into the record.
11) VILLAGE COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilman Brady Councilman Brady wished teachers, parents, and students the best of luck and
patience with the new virtual school year. He further thanked Village staff for all
their hard work for rising above the abnormalities brought on by COVID-19.
Councilman Loffredo Councilman Loffredo spoke about the insightful leadership of his colleagues with
respect to various items. He further spoke about diminishing funds concerning
CARES Act.
Councilman Meltz Councilman Meltz thanked the applicants who expressed interest in serving the
SRC and the Library Board of Trustees. He further encouraged the applicants who
were not selected to apply to the other ten boards that have current vacancies.
Vice Mayor Burch Vice Mayor Burch thanked Mayor Wagar and the Miami Shores Community
Alliance for awarding approximately $15,000 in grant funding to the Village.
Mayor Wagar Mayor shared a brief message on behalf of Senator Pizzo. She encouraged
applicants to reapply to other boards and thanked staff for their tenacity.
Mr. Benton took a moment of personal privilege to inform the Village Council of Honorable Herb Spahn’s
passing and offered his condolences to the Spahn family.
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12) ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Village Council, the meeting adjourned at 8:22 PM.
Village Council
Meeting Time: 09-01-20 18:30
eComments Report
Meetings Meeting
Time
Agenda
Items
Comments Support Oppose Neutral
Village Council 09-01-20
18:30
22 3 1 0 0
Sentiments for All Meetings
The following graphs display sentiments for comments that have location data. Only locations of users who have commented
will be shown.
Overall Sentiment
Village Council
09-01-20 18:30
Agenda Name Comments Support Oppose Neutral
7.A) APPOINTMENTS TO THE SUSTAINANBILITY & RESILIENCY
COMMITTEE (7 VACANCIES)
1 0 0 0
9.B) DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING BISCAYNE
BAY POLLUTION PREVENTION (SPONSORED BY: VICE MAYOR
ALICE BURCH).
2 1 0 0
Sentiments for All Agenda Items
The following graphs display sentiments for comments that have location data. Only locations of users who have commented
will be shown.
Overall Sentiment
Agenda Item: eComments for 7.A) APPOINTMENTS TO THE SUSTAINANBILITY & RESILIENCY COMMITTEE (7 VACANCIES)
Overall Sentiment
Guest User
Location:
Submitted At: 10:34am 09-01-20
Mary Benton 10108 NE 1st Ave. I am grateful to those who applied for this new committee that will provide
critical guidance to the council and residents.
Agenda Item: eComments for 9.B) DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING BISCAYNE BAY POLLUTION
PREVENTION (SPONSORED BY: VICE MAYOR ALICE BURCH).
Overall Sentiment
Guest User
Location:
Submitted At: 2:55pm 09-01-20
Vice Mayor Burch,
Thanks so much for bringing this item to the attention of the Council. In regard to the suggestion that we limit or
stop fertilizing our lawns until October, I would suggest that that we all discontinue fertilizing at least through the
end of the King Tides. Our first King Tide arrives at the New Moon in the middle of September, and will continue
monthly through mid December. Biscayne Bay and our canals need everyone's support to limit the runoff.
Thank you,
Carol Eannace Respondek
Guest User
Location:
Submitted At: 10:32am 09-01-20
Mary Benton 10108 NE 1st Ave. My thanks to the vice mayor for including this important agenda item. I would
like to propose that the village adopt miamiwaterkeeper's model ordinance regarding fertilizer use:
https://www.miamiwaterkeeper.org/fertilizer_ordinance#:~:text=Miami%20Waterkeeper%20has%20developed%2
0a,applied%20on%20South%20Florida%20properties. While the rainy season is particularly problematic
regarding fertilizer being washed into the bay, we have to think about king tides later in the fall as well. Finally, the
village can play a role in educating residents about salt water resistent and tolerant plants that do not require
fertilizer that can be substituted for sod in areas that get inundated during the rainy season, hurricanes and
tropical storms, and king tides.