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2020-09-15 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 15, 2020 6:10 PM VIRTUAL 1) CALL TO ORDER Mayor Wagar called the meeting to order at 6:13 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 15, 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 have been provided 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 2 4) e-PUBLIC COMMENTS eComments have been attached, hereto, as Exhibit A. 5) APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES 5.A APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. A motion was moved by Councilman Brady and seconded by Vice Mayor Burch to approve the September 1, 2020 Village Council Meeting Minutes. The motion passed unanimously. 6) RESOLUTION(S) 6.A A RESOLUTION OF VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA DELEGATING FULL AUTHORITY TO THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO MAKE APPROVAL, PRE- APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL DECISIONS REGARDING THE COUNTRY CLUB MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE VILLAGE WITHOUT THE NEED FOR VILLAGE COUNCIL APPROVAL; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (STAFF: VILLAGE MANAGER). The Village Clerk read the caption of resolution into the record. Mr. Sarafan provided an overview of the item, indicating the purpose of the resolution is to provide the Village Manager with the authority to make day-to-day operational decisions concerning the management of the Country Club on behalf of the Village. Individual Councilmembers offered their respective position on the resolution. Mayor Wagar expressed reservations about approving the resolution as presented due to the lack of specificity concerning the decisions that will be delegated to the Village Manager. Councilman Loffredo proposed a friendly amendment to the resolution, which would eliminate the term “full” from the document. Councilman Loffredo moved to approve the resolution as amended, removing the term “full” from the resolution and to direct the Village Attorney to draft a supplemental resolution for Council consideration whereby specificity is provided with respect to the decisions that will be delegated to the Village Manager. The motion was seconded by Councilman Brady. There being no further discussion, Mayor Wagar called the question, which carried a 4-1 roll call vote. Mayor Wagar voted in opposition. AYES: Vice Mayor Alice Burch, Councilman Sean Brady, Councilman Stephen Loffredo, Councilman Jonathan Meltz NAYS: Mayor Crystal Wagar 7) DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS 3 7.A DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING BUDGETARY CONTRIBUTION TO MIAMI WATERKEEPER TO SUPPORT BISCAYNE BAY POLLUTION PREVENTION (STAFF: VILLAGE MANAGER). Vice Mayor Burch briefly provided an overview of the precursor item which was discussed during the September 1, 2020 Council meeting, whereby a motion was moved for staff to research budgetary funding sources relative to above noted item. Mr. Benton indicated the availability of funding in the Village Council’s respective budget should the Village Council choose to direct staff to allocate funding for the above noted matter. Individual Councilmembers offered their respective position regarding the amount of the donation and possible unintended consequences. Vice Mayor Burch moved to allocate $1,000 from the Village Council’s budget to support the Miami Waterkeeper foundation’s efforts in preventing Biscayne Bay pollution. The motion was seconded by Councilman Loffredo, which failed by a 2-3 voice vote. Councilman Meltz, Councilman Brady, and Mayor Wagar voted in opposition. 7.B DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE APPROVAL OF THE CONTRACT WITH AE ENGINEERING INC FOR THE CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AND INSPECTION FOR THE NORTHEAST SECOND AVENUE MULTI-USE PATH IMPROVEMENTS. (STAFF: PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR). This item was withdrawn by the Village Manager. 8) ANNOUNCEMENTS The Village Clerk read the announcements. 9) VILLAGE COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilman Brady Councilman Brady encouraged residents to exercise caution by wearing a mask and adhering to social distancing requirements. He further gave a shout out to all the teachers and students who will be starting school this fall. Lastly, he thanked the Recreation Department for their hard work in coordinating various programs. Councilman Loffredo Councilman Loffredo spoke about the civil war artillery that was found in Miami Shores. He further spoke about COVID-19 and his predictions of further challenges to come. Councilman Meltz Councilman Meltz spoke about the COVID-19 testing site in Miami Shores and asked the Village Manager to provide an update. Mr. Benton reported that such testing site will be closing within the next week due to minimal attendance. Councilman Meltz further referenced a National Public Radio (NPR) investigative report on the misnomers concerning recycling, thereby advocating for the reduction of plastic and other materials. Vice Mayor Burch Vice Mayor Burch spoke about Council discussions and wished Mr. Benton and Mr. Sarafan the best of luck with the Country Club agreement negotiations. Lastly, she thanked Mayor Wagar for ability to navigate dissenting perspectives as presiding officer during Council discussions. 4 Mayor Wagar Mayor Wagar encouraged residents who have not filed the census form to do so as the deadline is rapidly approaching. She further inquired into the closing of the testing site and asked the Village Manager to extend testing for an additional week if possible. Mayor Wagar gave a shout out to all the teachers and students who will be commencing the new school year. 10) ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Village Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:08 PM. Virtual Village Council Meeting Time: 09-15-20 18:10 eComments Report Meetings Meeting Time Agenda Items Comments Support Oppose Neutral Virtual Village Council 09-15-20 18:10 14 1 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 Virtual Village Council 09-15-20 18:10 Agenda Name Comments Support Oppose Neutral 4) e-PUBLIC COMMENTS 1 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 4) e-PUBLIC COMMENTS Overall Sentiment Guest User Location: Submitted At: 1:05pm 09-14-20 Victor Bruce (370 NE 101st Street) - Hope that you are all doing alright six months into this quarantine and that you are staying safe by wearing a mask and by practicing social distancing. Firstly, want to thank the Council for their role in allowing for the Planning & Zoning Board (PZB) Hearings to continue. Just today, an application for a new 4,400 square feet house that was approved by the PZB a few months back has been uploaded to the Village's Online Permit Portal. This means that engineers and residential contractors will be getting paid for their work while this pandemic continues; so thank you very much for your efforts! I also want bring up two items that right now are all but ideas, but could bring great benefits for the future of our Village: 1. the installation of commercial gas service, be it natural or propane, for NE 2nd Avenue. We all know how the installation of the new sewer line has been instrumental for the establishment of new eateries and we are all extremely grateful for the Village's efforts. But, ultimately, without the fuel needed to run a kitchen, we will reach the ceiling for new restaurants very fast. Natural gas lines can be costly proposition, but propane could provide a better alternative for the supply of gas to restaurants. It might even be profitable for the Village to take on this project; 2. the other item is an exploration of having the Clubhouse leased to a developer that can turn it into a "boutique hotel" as well as a first-class clubhouse welcoming tournaments and other events. The existing building itself is old and in bad shape. It would make little sense to renovate, nonetheless it is perfectly located off of the recently upgraded Biscayne Boulevard and the size of the property lends itself for development and construction even while the existing building continues to be in use. The property has incredible commercial potential while it can continue with its role as a golf clubhouse for the Village's golf course. The "boutique hotel" could be used by families, or friends, visiting Village residents from other cities, states, or countries. Thank you for this opportunity to speak with you and please stay safe.