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2021-02-16 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 FEBRUARY 16, 2021 6:30 PM 9900 NE 2ND AVENUE 1)CALL TO ORDER Vice Mayor Burch called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM. 2)MOMENT OF SILENCE / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3)ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilman Sean Brady Councilman Jonathan Meltz Councilman Stephen Loffredo Vice Mayor Alice Burch Mayor Crystal Wagar was absent. ALSO PRESENT: Village Attorney Richard Sarafan Village Manager Tom Benton Village Clerk Ysabely Rodriguez 4) PUBLIC COMMENTS Robert Menge thanked the Village Council for addressing the wastewater and flooding issues experienced by the Shores Estates Subdivision residents. He further proposed the Village negotiate with the City of North Miami for the provision of additional water services. The Village Clerk read eComments into the record. Such comments have been attached hereto as Exhibit A. 2 5)APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES 5.A APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 2, 2021 VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. Councilman Brady moved the approval of the February 2, 2021 Village Council Meeting Minutes. The motion was seconded by Councilman Loffredo, which passed unanimously. 6)ORDINANCE(S) ON FIRST READING 6.A AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA, RELATING TO THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CREATING CHAPTER 23, “WATER CONSERVATION”; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, CODIFICATION, SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE (STAFF: PLANNING & ZONING DIRECTOR). The Village Clerk read the caption of the ordinance into the record. Mr. Travis Kendall, Planning & Zoning Director, introduced the item and spoke about the proposed conservation measures in accordance with the South Florida Water Management District’s Chapter 40E-24, Florida Administrative Code. Individual Councilmembers offered their respective position on the importance of launching an educational campaign by staff and posed questions regarding the enforcement of the ordinance. Mr. Benton explained the proposed conservation measures have been adopted by Miami-Dade County and are currently in effect . In the event there is an alleged violation, Code Compliance will assess the matter and issue a notice of violation if the property owner is not adhering to the regulations. Mr. Sarafan clarified the purpose of the item is to codify such regulations in the Village’s Code of Ordinances even though the conservation measures in accordance with the Florida Administrative Code are in effect. Therefore, he counseled against deferring the item. Councilman Loffredo moved the approval of the ordinance on first reading and Councilman Brady seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, Vice Mayor Burch called the question, which carried a 4-0 voice vote. 7) RESOLUTION(S) 7.A A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE CONFIRMING THE COUNCIL’S INTENT TO UTILIZE THE UNIFORM METHOD OF LEVY AND COLLECTION OF NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENTS WITHIN THE SHORES ESTATES RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION WHICH MAY BE LEVIED BY THE VILLAGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 197.3632, FLORIDA STATUTES FOR THE PURPOSES OF CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF A WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM. (STAFF: VILLAGE MANAGER). The Village Clerk read the caption of the resolution into the record. Vice Mayor Burch opened the public hearing. Mr. Robert Menge spoke in support of the item and mentioned how the item provides relief to the residents who live in the Shores Estates Subdivision. Ms. Chrissie Chiarela asked who is responsible for the sewer system in the event there is a failure with the system. 3 Mr. Gaixkander Elguezabal spoke in support of the item. The Village Clerk read eComments into the record. Such comments have been attached hereto as Exhibit A. There being no further comments, Vice Mayor Burch closed the public hearing. Responding to Councilman Meltz’s inquiry, Mr. Benton clarified the City of North Miami will pay for anything that's in the right-of-way and the resident would be responsible for anything from their house to the property line in the event there’s a problem with the system. Responding to Vice Mayor Burch’s inquiry, Mr. Benton mentioned the proposed system does not require routine maintenance unlike the sewer system on NE 2nd Avenue. Councilman Loffredo moved the approval of the resolution as presented and Councilman Brady seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, Vice Mayor Burch called the question, which carried a 4-0 voice vote. 8)DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS 8.A DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ASKING THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD TO KINDLY CONSIDER CHANGING THE ORDINANCE GOVERNING THE LENGTH OF BOATS THAT CAN BE STORED IN BACKYARDS FROM 26 FEET TO 30 FEET (SPONSORED BY: VICE MAYOR ALICE BURCH). Vice Mayor Burch provided an overview of the item. She further asked Village Council to consider deferring the item to the Planning Board for the purpose of reviewing the ordinance governing the length of boats that can be stored in backyards and consider amending such length from 26 feet to 30 feet due to the increased number of boat ownership and the scarcity of boat storage facilities. Mr. Sarafan spoke about the need for the Planning Board to provide clarification with respect to the manufacturer’s classification of the length of the boat and other matters when they render their recommendations to the Village Council. Councilman Brady moved to defer the consideration of amending the length of boats that can be stored in backyards from 26 feet to 30 feet to the Planning Board and for such review and recommendations to be brought forth for Council consideration. Councilman Loffredo seconded the motion, which carried a 4-0 Voice vote. No further action was taken. 9)ANNOUNCEMENTS The Village Clerk read the announcement into the record. 10)VILLAGE COUNCIL COMMENTS 4 Councilman Brady- Councilman Brady reminded the public to remain vigilant with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic. Councilman Loffredo- Councilman Loffredo encouraged residents to participate in the upcoming Village Council Election. He expressed satisfaction in learning that Councilman Meltz will be running for office and strongly encouraged Councilman Brady to run for office again. He further announced that he will not be running for office. Councilman Meltz- Councilman Meltz thanked Recreation Director Angela Dorney for the purple walking path in the NW quadrant on 104 Street and NE 1st Avenue (1.2 mile marked walking path) which is one of four paths the Village plans on establishing to promote more walking. He further spoke about creating a Miami Shores Green Team to motivate high school students who need service hours to join this volunteer group to assist them in earning community service hours while serving their community. Vice Mayor Burch- Vice Mayor Burch thanked the residents from Shores Estates for attending the meeting and providing comments. She further spoke about the positive work dynamic of the current Village Council. 11) ADJOURNMENT There being no further businesses before the Village Council, the meeting adjourned at 7:09 PM. Village Council Meeting Time: 02-16-21 18:30 eComments Report Meetings Meeting Time Agenda Items Comments Support Oppose Neutral Village Council 02-16-21 18:30 15 4 4 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 EXHIBIT A Village Council 02-16-21 18:30 Agenda Name Comments Support Oppose Neutral 4) PUBLIC COMMENTS 1 1 0 0 6.A) AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA, RELATING TO THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CREATING CHAPTER 23, “WATER CONSERVATION”; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, CODIFICATION, SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE (STAFF: PLANNING & ZONING DIRECTOR). 1 1 0 0 8.A) DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ASKING THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD TO KINDLY CONSIDER CHANGING THE ORDINANCE GOVERNING THE LENGTH OF BOATS THAT CAN BE STORED IN BACKYARDS FROM 26 FEET TO 30 FEET (SPONSORED BY: VICE MAYOR ALICE BURCH). 2 2 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) PUBLIC COMMENTS Overall Sentiment BRETT FIRESTONE Location: Submitted At: 9:42am 02-15-21 With respect to the upcoming infrastructure upgrades in the Miami Shores Estates Sub-Division (Drainage & Septic-to-Sewer conversion): We have read and heard much about the environmental impacts in our community and the suggested steps that we, as a community, should be taking to mitigate the effects of sea-level rise. For that main reason, I am in support of the upcoming upgrades, even though there will be a cost shared by us residents to achieve these important upgrades. I view these costs as investment into our future, because the cost of inaction will be far greater. We have already seen the damage and disruption that sea-level rise can cause in our sub-division. As a Real Estate Broker of over 10 years, I also see these endeavors as a vital investment, and one that will further enhance our community appeal and property values over the long run. First, the very fact that our sub- division has addressed water-rise and flooding concerns head-on will at the very least help maintain our community's steadily appreciating property values. If we didn't make these investments and Miami Shores Estates continued to earn a reputation as a flood-plagued pocket, our property values would most certainly suffer as a result. More, I view the sewer-to-septic conversion as a unique opportunity for residents in Miami Shores Estates to greatly improve their property values once the conversion process is complete. Without the concern of drainage fields and disturbing septic tanks buried underground, residents will be able to improve their properties in a variety of ways. For example, residents could plant more trees where drainage fields used to exist. For residents with septic in the front oft their property, they could consider creating parking courts/driveways, which would enhance curb appeal and alleviate street parking that currently occurs and congests our streets. Generally speaking, not having the burden of septic tanks and drainage fields makes capital improvement to our homes and properties easier and less costly. Capital improvement to our properties will continue to support properties values and ultimately make our sub-division a more appealing place to live. There comes a time when big, bold investment in our communities is the right thing to do. I believe that time is now for Miami Shores Estates, which is why I am very much in favor of our new direction. Agenda Item: eComments for 6.A) AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA, RELATING TO THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CREATING CHAPTER 23, “WATER CONSERVATION”; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, CODIFICATION, SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE (STAFF: PLANNING & ZONING DIRECTOR). Overall Sentiment Guest User Location: Submitted At: 2:53pm 02-16-21 My name is Jenna Rassif. My husband and I reside in the Miami Shores Estates neighborhood at 10634 NE 11th Court. I have previously voiced our support for the pump drainage system with the understanding that the system will be engineered to alleviate the flooding at the bottom of NE 10th Place and throughout the neighborhood areas that suffer flooding, particularly during king tides and heavy rains. We continue to be ardent supporters of the pump drainage system and appreciate all of your efforts in pursuing this project to its completion. Additionally, I have previously expressed our support for the septic to sewer conversion for Miami Shores Estates and would like to state again our strong encouragement that this project be pursued to its completion. Further to this, we are appreciative of the Village's efforts to pursue low interest and/or long-term financing opportunities for the residents of the neighborhood to help ease the household expense that may attend to the conversion. While we are confident Village, County, and State lawmakers will find opportunities to assist, we are also confident that in the absence of such opportunities, it is imperative the septic to sewer conversion be pursued to completion in Miami Shores Estates as a top priority for the Village and our community. Miami Shores Estates simply should not (and cannot) endure both septic tanks and the rising water table. Again, thank you for your collective efforts and service to our Village. And, a special thanks to Alice Burch for her commitment to these issues and her graciousness in answering many questions along the way. Sincerely, Jenna Rinehart Rassif Agenda Item: eComments for 8.A) DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ASKING THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD TO KINDLY CONSIDER CHANGING THE ORDINANCE GOVERNING THE LENGTH OF BOATS THAT CAN BE STORED IN BACKYARDS FROM 26 FEET TO 30 FEET (SPONSORED BY: VICE MAYOR ALICE BURCH). Overall Sentiment Guest User Location: Submitted At: 1:32pm 02-16-21 Having been a Miami Shores Village resident for close to 30 years and a boating enthusiast I support an increase in size of boats stored in backyards from 26 feet to 30 feet. Alan Sherman Guest User Location: Submitted At: 9:24pm 02-15-21 Andrew Stefanick I support changing the ordinance to raise the allowable boat length that can be stored in backyards from to 30 feet from 26 feet in length. Thank you.