2021-01-19 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
JANUARY 21, 2021 6:30 PM 9900 NE 2nd Avenue
1) CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wagar called the meeting to order at 6:31 PM.
2) MOMENT OF SILENCE / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3) ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
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
Elizabeth McIntosh, Assistant Village Attorney
4) PRESENTATIONS
4.A PROCLAMATION PRESENTED TO FORMER DOCTORS CHARTER SCHOOL MIDDLE
SCHOOL PRINCIPAL DOUG GARBER.
Mayor Wagar, on behalf of the Village Council, presented Mr. Garber with a proclamation in honor of
his service to Doctors Charter School.
Vice Mayor Burch and Executive Director of Doctors Charter School, Dr. Acevedo, shared brief remarks
regarding Mr. Garber’s devoted service and offered their best wishes on the occasion of his
retirement.
The Village Clerk read a letter drafted by Patricia Walker on behalf of the Education Advisory Board.
Such letter has been attached hereto as part of eComments.
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4.B PRESENTATION OF AGE-FRIENDLY INITIATIVE SURVEY RESULTS.
Mr. Daniel Brady presented the survey findings, outlined the next steps concerning the Age Friendly
Initiative process, and answered questions posed by the Village Council.
5) PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no in-person public comments. The Village Clerk read eComments, attached hereto, into
the record.
6) CONSENT AGENDA
The Village Clerk read the introductory statement and the caption of each item contained on the Consent
Agenda.
Councilman Loffredo pulled Items 6B, 6C, and 6D for discussion.
Councilman Loffredo moved to approve the Consent Agenda as amended and Councilman Brady
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
6.A APPROVAL OF THE DECEMBER 1, 2020 VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES (STAFF:
VILLAGE CLERK).
Passed on Consent.
6.B APPROVAL OF THE ENGINEERING SERVICES FEES AND ASSOCIATED COSTS FOR THE
STORMWATER IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN THE SHORES ESTATES SUBDIVISION.
(STAFF: PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR).
Mr. Benton provided a brief overview of the item including the design phase, grant funding, and fees
associated with the Shores Estates subdivision Stormwater improvement project as well as the
septic to sewer conversion project. Mr. Benton explained the goal of the Village is to have both
projects start at the same time to avoid further disruptions to the residents.
Councilman Loffredo moved to approve Item 6B and Councilman Brady seconded the motion.
There being no further discussion, Mayor Wagar called the question and the motion carried a 5-0 voice
vote.
6.C APPROVAL OF THE ENGINEERING SERVICES FEES AND ASSOCIATED COSTS FOR THE
BAYFRONT PARK SEAWALL REPLACEMENT PROJECT. (STAFF: PUBLIC WORKS
DIRECTOR).
Mr. Benton provided a brief overview of the Phase I grant that was awarded to the Village in addition to
the permit fees associated with the project.
Councilman Brady moved to approve Item 6C and Councilman Loffredo seconded the motion.
There being no further discussion, the motion carried a 5-0 voice vote.
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6.D APPROVAL OF THE ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES FEES FOR THE SEPTIC TO SEWER
CONVERSION IN THE SHORES ESTATES SUBDIVISION. (STAFF: PUBLIC WORKS
DIRECTOR).
Mr. Benton provided a brief overview of the item and the fees associated with the project.
Councilman Loffredo moved to approve Item 6D and Vice Mayor Burch seconded the motion.
There being no further discussion, Mayor Wagar called the question and the motion carried a 5-0 voice
vote.
7) ORDINANCE(S) ON SECOND READING- PUBLIC HEARING
7.A AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE
2021 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT SCHEDULE ANNUAL UPDATE TO THE MIAMI
SHORES VILLAGE 2025 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
The Village Clerk read the caption of the ordinance into the record and indicated there were no
eComments concerning this item.
Mayor Wagar opened the public hearing; however, as no one from the public offered comments, Mayor
Wagar closed the public hearing.
Mr. Travis Kendall, Planning & Zoning Director, introduced the item.
Councilman Brady moved to adopt the ordinance and Vice Mayor Burch seconded the motion. The
motion carried a 5-0 voice vote.
8) RESOLUTION(S)
8.A A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA, TO
REQUIRE THE ELECTRONIC FILING OF ELECTION CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS WITH
THE VILLAGE CLERK; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;
AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE (STAFF: VILLAGE CLERK).
The Village Clerk read the caption of the resolution into the record.
Ms. Rodriguez introduced the item, requesting approval of the proposed electronic filing system and
process for campaign treasurer reports in accordance with Florida Statute 106.07.
Individual Councilmembers offered their respective position concerning the item and posed questions to
the Village Clerk regarding the mandatory tone of the proposed resolution, associated costs, and the
practice of other municipalities in Miami-Dade County with respect to the filing of campaign treasurer
reports.
Councilman Meltz expressed opposition to a mandatory electronic filing system as it may preclude
persons who are not comfortable or adept with technology. Therefore, along with the recommendations
of other Councilmembers, Councilman Meltz proposed amending the resolution by replacing the term
“mandatory” with “voluntary” on page 1, line 18, replacing the term “shall” with “may” on page 1, line 33,
removing “Section 3” as well as any other mandatory tone of the resolution.
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Councilman Brady moved to approve the resolution as amended which shall include the above
referenced changes. The motion was seconded by Councilman Loffredo, which carried a 5-0 voice vote.
9) DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS
9.A APPROVAL OF THE UNIFORM METHOD OF ASSESSMENT COLLECTION FOR THE
FINANCING OF THE SEWER SYSTEM IN THE SHORES ESTATES SUBDIVISION. (STAFF:
VILLAGE MANAGER)
Mr. Benton provided an overview of the item, indicating the next course of action concerning the project,
which is for the Village Council to approve the uniform method of collection for the financing of the sewer
system in the Shores Estates subdivision given the matching grant that was awarded to the Village to
help offset the cost. Should the Village Council approve such method, staff will proceed to publicly notice
the Village’s intent in the newspaper for four consecutive weeks and will mail a letter explaining the
uniform method of collection and the cost of the project to all affected property owners. Mr. Benton further
explained the need to initiate a competitive solicitation for the purpose of conducting a cost benefit
analysis of the project for the residents before September of this year.
Individual Councilmembers offered their respective position on the importance of the project and the need
to educate affected residents on the benefits of the sewer project and assessment in addition to providing
the information outlined by the Village Manager.
Councilman Brady moved to approve the uniform method of assessment collection for the financing of
the sewer system in the Shores Estates Subdivision. The motion was seconded by Councilman Loffredo,
which carried a 5-0 voice vote.
10) ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Village Clerk read the announcements.
11) VILLAGE COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilman Brady- Councilman Brady praised the Recreation Department for their creative approach to
the various programs they have organized during the holidays in light of the COVID-19 pandemic
challenges.
Councilman Loffredo- Councilman Loffredo thanked Scott Davis and the Village Manager for moving the
septic to sewer conversion project forward. He further spoke about concerns about the FAA project and
the airplanes going over residents’ houses.
Vice Mayor Burch- Responding to Councilman Loffredo’s comments, Vice Mayor Burch spoke about the
Village Attorney’s position with respect to the Village joining the efforts of neighboring municipalities in
opposing the FAA South Central Florida Metroplex Program.
Councilman Meltz- No comments
Mayor Wagar- Mayor Wagar provided an update concerning the COVID-19 vaccination process in Miami
Dade County and further shared Miami-Dade County Mayor Levine, along with County residents, have
reached out to Governor DeSantis to provide the County with additional vaccines due to the number of
inhabitants.
12) ADJOURNMENT
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There being no further business before the Village Council, the meeting adjourned at 7:52 PM.