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2020-10-06 MINUTES1 MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 6, 2020 6:30 PM VIRTUAL 1) CALL TO ORDER Mayor Wagar call 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 October 6, 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) PRESENTATIONS 4.A INTRODUCTION & WELCOME TO THE DOCTORS CHARTER SCHOOL (DCS) NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: DR. EDWIN ACEVEDO DCS Chairperson Cindy McCoy introduced Dr. Edwin Acevedo as the new DCS Executive Director and was welcomed by the Village Council. 5) PUBLIC COMMENTS eComments have been attached, hereto, as Exhibit A. 6) APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES 6.A APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 8, 2020 FIRST BUDGET HEARING MINUTES. A motion was moved by Councilman Brady and seconded by Councilman Loffredo to approve the September 8, 2020 First Budget Hearing Minutes. The motion passed unanimously. 6.B APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 FINAL BUDGET HEARING MINUTES. A motion was moved by Councilman Loffredo and seconded by Vice Mayor Burch to approve the September 15, 2020 Final Budget Hearing Minutes. The motion passed unanimously. 6.C APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. A motion was moved by Councilman Brady and seconded by Councilman Loffredo to approve the September 15, 2020 Village Council Meeting Minutes. The motion passed unanimously. 7) VILLAGE BOARD APPOINTMENTS 7.A APPOINTMENTS TO THE PLANNING BOARD (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 LOFFREDO MELTZ John Bolton X Jennifer Frehling Myrna Garcia Irene Hegedus X X X Julian Kasdin Ricardo Mazzitelli Cody McCaughan X X David Snow X X X X Irene Hegedus and David Snow were appointed to the Planning Board. 3 7.B APPOINTMENTS TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD (2 VACANCIES). The Village Clerk introduced the item. 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 LOFFREDO MELTZ Seth Bramson X X Wesley Castellanos X X X X X Jennifer Frehling X X X Cleary Shea Wesley Castellanos and Jennifer Frehling were appointed to the Historic Preservation Board. 7.C APPOINTMENT TO THE DOCTORS CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD (1 VACANCY) The Village Clerk introduced the item. The Village Council cast votes and the results were as follows: ROUND 1 WAGAR BURCH BRADY LOFFREDO MELTZ Christopher McGuire X X Yojana Rodriguez X X X Yojana Rodriguez was appointed to the Doctors Charter School Board (one-year unexpired term). 7.D APPOINTMENTS TO THE EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD (4 VACANCIES). The Village Clerk introduced the item. 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 LOFFREDO MELTZ Tiffany Anderson X X X X X Kristin Feuer X X X X X Leslie Fraser X X X X X Dana Kasdin Antonio Netto X X X X X Marjorie Weber Tiffany Anderson, Kristin Feuer, Leslie Fraser, and Antonio Netto were appointed to the Education Advisory Board. 4 7.E APPOINTMENTS TO THE PERSONNEL APPEALS BOARD (3 VACANCIES). The Village Clerk introduced the item, indicating Mr. Mark Walker, who was the only applicant to apply for the unexpired one-year term back in June 2020, has volunteered to serve such term if it is the pleasure of the Village Council. As indicated in the Village Clerk’s email to the Village Council, a member of the Village Council may move to appoint Mr. Walker to the one-year term by acclamation in lieu of casting ballots for the one-year term. A motion was moved by Councilman Loffredo and seconded by Councilman Brady to appoint Mr. Mark Walker to the Personnel Appeals Board (one-year term). The motion passed unanimously. 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 LOFFREDO MELTZ Patricia Gispert X X X X X Paul Gromadski Jessica Pluhar X X X X X Mark Walker, Patricia Gispert and Jessica Pluhar were appointed to the Personnel Appeals Board. 8) RESOLUTION(S) 8.A A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA ADOPTING THE CURRENT MIAMI-DADE COUNTY LOCAL MITIGATION STRATEGY, AS AMENDED, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS; PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY: VILLAGE MANAGER) The Village Clerk read the caption of the resolution into the record. The Village Manager provided a brief overview of the item, indicating the State’s requirement for every municipality to pass the resolution as amended. Vice Mayor Burch inquired into the Village receiving a greater community rating system discount to which the Village Manager stated he would look into the matter. A motion was moved by Councilman Loffredo and seconded by Councilman Brady to approve the resolution. The motion 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) ANNOUNCEMENTS 5 The Village Clerk read the announcements. 10) VILLAGE COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilman Brady Councilman Brady echoed Councilman Meltz's comments regarding the cancellation of Halloween trick-or-treat events this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He encouraged residents to serve on Village Boards. He further urged residents to remain vigilant about COVID-19 safety precautions. Lastly, he spoke about increased traffic. Councilman Loffredo Councilman Loffredo spoke about the quality of the board applications. He further spoke about the Education Advisory Board resuming meetings with Zoom capabilities. Lastly, he spoke about the importance of devising a robust plan to educate the public on the cancellation of Halloween trick-or-treat events due to COVID-19. Councilman Meltz Councilman Meltz spoke about the issue of Halloween trick-or-treating events in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, thereby recommending the cancellation of such events this year. To inform the public, he proposed staff promote robust communications via all electronic platforms regarding the matter. Vice Mayor Burch Vice Mayor Burch thanked all of the applicants for applying to Village boards. She further spoke about Halloween traffic on her block due to its popularity. Thus Vice Mayor Burch agreed with Councilman Meltz’s recommendation. Vice Mayor Burch spoke about the Miami Herald Business Monday article whereby Miami Shores was featured regarding the value of real estate and longtime resident, Ines Hegedus-Garcia was quoted. Lastly, Vice Mayor Burch addressed the public comments regarding Military Trail Park. Mayor Wagar Mayor Wagar spoke about the pool of applicants and encouraged those who were not selected to reapply. The Mayor spoke in favor of resuming board meetings. Mayor Wagar further thanked Village Clerk, Ysabely Rodriguez, and Assistant to the Manager/IT Manager, Elizabeth Keeley, for their hard work and effort in coordinating virtual meetings. 11) ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Village Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 PM. Virtual Village Council Meeting Time: 10-06-20 18:30 eComments Report Meetings Meeting Time Agenda Items Comments Support Oppose Neutral Virtual Village Council 10-06-20 18:30 21 15 3 11 1 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 EXHIBIT A Virtual Village Council 10-06-20 18:30 Agenda Name Comments Support Oppose Neutral 5) PUBLIC COMMENTS 15 3 11 1 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 5) PUBLIC COMMENTS Overall Sentiment Guest User Location: Submitted At: 3:17pm 10-06-20 Marccia Le Conte My house is one of the several homes affected by this proposed 25-ft pedestrian walkway. If built, this would be adjacent to my master bedroom. My husband and I purchased our home a year ago and we have been blindsided by this project. If we would have known about it, we would have never purchased this home. One of the main reasons why we purchased this home was the location; it is on a quiet, cul-de-sac, bird sanctuary location with greenery everywhere in our yard. I oppose to this walkway because of the lack of privacy, opportunity for potential crime/theft and dog poop/trash/loitering it will bring about. Currently, the Military Trail Park on the non-Miami Shores area is full of garbage, dog poop, not maintained greenery and crime (there were 2 shot (1 died) on 8th Av. near the Park in 3/2019; please see the news). This is not the reason why I moved to my house and I do NOT want to deal with these issues. The bottom line is that the safety of the residents is more important than pedestrians wanting to have quick access to a park or a walking trail. I do NOT want my yard to opened to the public and feel this will bring about many serious issues to Miami Shores residents. Thibault Le Conte Location: Submitted At: 11:08am 10-06-20 Topic: Military Trail Park on 88th street My name is Thibault Le Conte. I live at 910 NE 91st Ter Miami Shores. It got to my attention that a public walk trail will be created between my property and my neighbors from NE 91st Ter, Miami Shores down to the Military Trail Park on 89th street in Miami. 1. I am surprised to hear about this without seeing any notice, mail, sign or permit anywhere. 2. I am terribly worried about noise, particularly at night, since my bedroom is less than 10 feet away. 3. I am extremely worried about cleanliness regarding dogs, papers, cigarettes, ... 4. I am anxious about security for my property. This pathway won't be easily visible from the street and will have direct access to the back of my property. 5. It appears this tiny 25 feet easement has been abandoned for decades and only been taken care of by past and current property owners. It is currently in MINT condition. I am skeptical the city of Miami will come to Miami Shores to maintain it every week as it is currently the case. 6. Is there any insights about: - fencing (wall?) the adjacent properties? - financial compensation regarding noise, cleanliness, and safety? 7. Are we going to have a gate with a keypad like other walkways along NE 91st Terrace in Miami Shores? 8. To avoid any conflicts and maintenance costs for the cities, how can we acquire this easement? Thank you for your time to address my concerns. Respectfully Guest User Location: Submitted At: 9:50am 10-06-20 David Siqueiros I oppose the - Pedestrian walkway from Military Park to Miami Shores Village via 91st Terrace and NE 9th Ave. Alison Maas Location: Submitted At: 9:33am 10-06-20 I oppose the Military Trail Walkway as it will open up our neighborhood to dangerous activity. Alison Maas Guest User Location: Submitted At: 9:19am 10-06-20 Hello, my name is Samar Benitez and I live directly across the street from where the Military Park pedestrian walkway will be (NE 91st Terrace). I oppose this walkway as opening up our neighborhood to the park will invite more crime and increase the danger for us residents, especially for our children. Not too long ago two people were shot on 8th Ave, near that park. At night it’s also a hot spot for drug deals. Please consider the danger this poses for us residents that live in the Shores on 91st Terrace and in the surrounding area. Please help us keep this project from happening as we need our to keep our neighborhood safe for us and for our children. That is a reason why we moved here in the first place. Giving people a short-cut to the park is not as important as maintaining our safety. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sandra Pallo Location: Submitted At: 6:24am 10-06-20 Military Trail Park Project creating a walking path through easement at NE 91st Terrace at 9th Ave thru to NE 90th Street in Miami : As one of the Miami Shores homeowners living adjacent to this narrow 25 foot wide area, I am opposed to opening up a paved footpath to 24 hour foot and bike traffic through our small essentially six block neighborhood between NE 8-10th Avenue and NE 91 Terrace-NE 95th Streets. Besides having received no information from either Miami Shores nor Miami-Dade about exactly what such a “footpath” would consist of, I have security concerns based on my experiences of people transiting through the middle of this narrow easement less than ten feet from my bedroom windows both day and night, lights being shown into the windows of my home at night, loud teenagers and others coming through at all hours, and dog owners feeling free to use the easement as their pets toilet area. After Miami Shores blocked off vehicle traffic at 10th Avenue from 91st Terrace and NE 92 Street, we saw people parking in median area on 90th Street, coming through to Miami Shores thru easement, then a while later escape running back through easement, then hearing car loudly start up and peel off towards Biscayne or Tenth Avenue to disappear in traffic. Numerous cars were broken into in homes around this easement on NE 91 Terrace, as well as a home being renovated across from it broken into and thieves interrupted in the act of moving appliances out of front door and escaping. Then we three adjoining easement homeowners planted foliage at the back of the easement to block egress from both sides and the breaking ins and noise and level of crime dropped. People passing through would toss trash as they went through and I would be cleaning up dog feces and picking up trash. I don’t believe the city will maintain this path to the standards of our community and will create a health problem and draw rats and raccoons to this area. If this walkway goes thru a fence on either side of this easement would be necessary to keep people out of our yards, and even if the easement were lighted, I will not feel safe in my home with strangers passing within ten feet of my bedroom windows because of the narrowness of this piece of land. I also feel this increased traffic will compromise my neighbors privacy and safety as well. Lance Ossman Location: Submitted At: 11:54pm 10-05-20 It has come to my attention that the county is planning on building a foot path between 89th and 91st terrace where 9th Avenue would be if it connected. I am very excited about having a path to Military trail park on this piece of county property. I have lived In the area bordered by 10th ave, 91st St, Biscayne and 96th St. for 15 years. I end up having to walk my dogs in the street down 8th ave or cross a busy 10th aveunue twice in order to get to the park. This trail would greatly improve the safety and enjoyment of my daily walk. I’m sorry a couple people are unhappy about the idea, but this unused public property could be put to good use by the 100 households In my area, rather than being a free piece of land that can’t really be used by the couple residents that border it. I am so in favor of this project that I will personally pledge to bring a bag on my daily walks and keep this path free of any trash that may result from its public use. David Azar Location: Submitted At: 11:16pm 10-05-20 Pedestrian Access from Military Park to Miami Shores Village - I live on 91st ter and I am extremely worried about opening up the access. Living in a deadend with limited outside access was one of the main reason I picked my house as I wanted to feel safe that my daughters could play in the street. Not only opening up the street would create security concerns, and increased traffic in a very quiet part of the neighborhood, but it would also bring people's trash and ring down trees and nature. In addition it would be pointless as access can is available through each end of the street. It would make more sense both financially and for the community to add mirrors at the end of 91st ter and 92nd in order to make exiting that street much safer both for cars and pedestrian. Stephen Kovac Location: Submitted At: 10:51pm 10-05-20 I am posting my comments in support of the proposed pathways to the Military Trail Park. As a Shores resident of over 20 years, I occasionally walk my dogs through the proposed paths already. Unfortunately these unused parcels of public land are frequently used for illegal dumping and piles of yard debris. Enhancing these parcels would make the paths more open, safer and useful to more residents instead of just the couple families who live adjacent. I recognize this action may be opposed by these families on the basis of loosing privacy but other owners in the neighborhood install fences and plant hedges to provide privacy. I also recommend that the Village provides dog waste canisters. Guest User Location: Submitted At: 10:42pm 10-05-20 Hi, I am the resident of 972 NE 93 St, and I would like to support the plan that connects my property through public land to Militar trail park. I have to kids and walking my dog there is very stressful due to the cars. Thank you Gwen Burzycki Location: Submitted At: 10:13pm 10-05-20 I want to take this opportunity to thank MSV Recreation Dept for finding a way to safely open the Aquatic Center this past summer. Access to swimming as a non-impact exercise is very important to me and I greatly appreciate having access, however restricted for safety. Special thanks to Mark Gravie for suggesting a way that the spa could also be opened safely. Thanks to the Council for supporting the continued operation of this important amenity. Alyson Scotti Location: Submitted At: 9:26pm 10-05-20 Alyson Scotti, 803 NE 91st Terrace I oppose the creation of a walkway between Military Park and Miami Shores. It is an unnecessary and wasteful endeavor that will likely only create problems. Guest User Location: Submitted At: 8:22pm 10-05-20 I’m not sure if I am commenting at the correct spot on this website, but I am opposed to the new walkway to Military park on 91 terrace....my name is Stacy Ross Guest User Location: Submitted At: 8:21pm 10-05-20 I oppose the Military Trail Park Project. We already have a number of parks and dog parks in the Shores and I don’t believe that we need pedestrian access to Military Park, especially because that access will be squeezed in between two residential properties. Sheba Kumbhani Guest User Location: Submitted At: 8:36pm 10-04-20 Hello Village Officials, Hope all is well and everyone is staying safe. My name is Carlos Benitez and I’m a Village resident: 897 NE 91st Ter. This past week a team of land surveyors were parked at my property (that’s totally ok!), and they were taking measurements of a No Outlet section of land south of 91st Ter where NE 9ave ends (in between my 2 front door neighbors). At first I thought it was probably either The Village or AT&T given there are some communications boxes on the ground, and they (AT&T) often park there to work on them (the boxes). However, when talking to our neighbors a couple of days later they mentioned that the surveyors were actually from Miami-Dade and they were measuring because there seems to be some kind of upcoming construction/plans to open up The Village (south of NE 91st Ter & 9av) to pedestrians all the way to Military Park? A park outside of The Village’s premises? - this pedestrian access would be literally right in front of our front door. None of the neighbors were aware, nor we’ve seen any signs on the piece of land advising of such plans. One of the neighbors mentioned that there will be some kind of event on OCT12 at Military Park regarding this matter? Pedestrians already have access north and south at NE 10ave, 8ave, and Biscayne Blvd. Intrigued on why add another access in between a block, in between 2 houses/yards. My educated guess is that if Village residents nearby, specifically those between NE 91st Ter & 95th st, and 8ave and 10ave would be aware of such plans, most of them would have the same concern. Is this something that will move forward? Is The Village aware of such pedestrian traffic opening? It seems no one on our street is aware of such plans, especially the ones that their properties could be potentially impacted. I would appreciate if anyone that has some kind of information regarding this matter would be able to expand on such plans? We already have a number of parks (and dog park), so would be interested in knowing more about the possible change to our neighborhood street and access. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Best Regards, The Benitez Family