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2021-03-02 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 MARCH 2, 2021 6:30PM 9900 NE 2ND AVENUE 1) CALL TO ORDER Mayor Wagar called the meeting to order at 6:35 PM. 2) MOMENT OF SILENCE / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3) ROLL CALL (5) PRESENT: Councilman Sean Brady Councilman Jonathan Meltz Councilman Stephen Loffredo Vice Mayor Alice Burch Mayor Crystal Wagar ALSO PRESENT: Village Attorney Richard Sarafan Village Manager Tom Benton Village Clerk Ysabely Rodriguez 4) PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no in-person public comments. The Village Clerk read the eComments into the record, which have been attached hereto as Exhibit A. Mayor Wagar changed the order of business in light of the County representatives who were present to deliver a presentation on the Army Corp of Engineers on the Back Bay Study. 5) CONSENT AGENDA The Village Clerk read the introductory statement and the caption of each item contained on the Consent Agenda. 2 Councilman Brady moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented and Councilman Loffredo seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 5.A APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 16, 2021 VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. Passed on Consent. 5.B APPROVAL OF THE 2021 ELECTION BOARD (STAFF: VILLAGE CLERK). Passed on Consent. 6) ORDINANCE(S) ON SECOND READING- PUBLIC HEARING 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 stated there have been no changes between first and second reading. Mayor Wagar opened the public hearing and subsequently closed it as no one present or via eComments offered comments. Councilman Brady moved the adoption of the ordinance and Councilman Loffredo seconded the motion. There being no discussion, Mayor Wagar called the question, which carried a 5-0 voice vote. 7) VILLAGE BOARD APPOINTMENTS 7.A APPOINTMENT TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD (1 UNEXPIRED VACANCY). The Village Clerk introduced the item, explained the method by which the Council would cast votes, and invited applicants to introduce themselves. Mr. Seth Bramson, Mr. John Bachay, and Mr. Cleary Shea were present and offered brief comments regarding their qualifications. The Village Council cast votes and the results were as follows: ROUND 1 WAGAR BURCH BRADY LOFFREDO MELTZ SETH BRAMSON X X JOHN BACHAY X X X CLEARY SHEA When reviewing the official ballots for a second time after the meeting, the Village Clerk noticed there was not a tie vote between Mr. Bramson and Mr. Bachay. The first round of voting indicated that Mr. 3 Bachay received majority vote. However, during the meeting, the Village Council cast votes for a second time, with Mr. Bachay receiving majority vote once more. The results did not change and Mr. Bachay was appointed to the Historic Preservation Board. 8) RESOLUTION(S) 8.A A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA, URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO STRENGTHEN CONSUMER PROTECTION MEASURES TO PROPERTY ASSESSED CLEAN ENERGY (PACE) PROGRAMS; TO EXPAND THE QUALIFYING IMPROVEMENTS THAT MAY BE FINANCED THROUGH PACE PROGRAMS TO INCLUDE CONVERSION FROM SEPTIC TANKS TO SEWER SYSTEMS AND OTHER SEWAGE TREATMENT IMPROVEMENTS; TO PRELIMINARILY IDENTIFY THIS ISSUE AS A STATE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY FOR THE 2021 SESSION; DIRECTING THE VILLAGE CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THE RESOLUTION TO THE NAMED OFFICIALS LISTED HEREIN; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (SPONSORED BY: COUNCILMAN SEAN BRADY). The Village Clerk read the caption of the resolution into the record. Councilman Brady introduced the item, indicating the Green Corridor PACE District’s objective to expand the scope of services provided by the PACE Program to include septic to sewer system conversions. As the Village representative of such board, Councilman Brady asked for the Council’s support of the resolution which urges the Florida Legislature to add substantial consumer protection measures to PACE programs by expanding the list of qualifying improvements for PACE to include sewage treatment improvements. Individual Councilmembers offered their respective position concerning the timely nature of such item. Responding to Councilman Meltz’s inquiry, Mr. Benton clarified there are various ways a property owner can fund the connection of their home to the sewer line, such as obtaining a home improvement loan. He further expounded on the crux of the item, which is to urge the Florida legislature to allow the PACE program to expand their list of qualifying improvements to include septic to sewer conversion projects as an alternative funding mechanism for residents. Mr. Benton indicated, according the septic to sewer conversion study conducted by Kimley-Horn, the expected cost per residential property that connects to the sewer system is approximately $10,000, at most. The associated cost depends on the location of the connection point of each home. Councilman Loffredo moved to approve the resolution as presented and Vice Mayor Burch seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, Mayor Wagar called the question, which carried a 5-0 voice vote. 9) DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS 4 9.A DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS BACK BAY STUDY PLAN (SPONSOR: VILLAGE MANAGER) The Village Manager introduced the item and spoke about his virtual meetings with the Army Corp of Engineers and representatives of the Miami-Dade County Office of Resilience regarding the possibility of FEMA paying for the elevation of homes in the affected areas as opposed to erecting the proposed wall to mitigate potential storm surge in the event of a hurricane. Mr. James Murley, Chief Resilience Officer from Miami-Dade County, and his staff delivered a presentation on the status of the Back Bay Study Plan and shared the County’s position with respect to moving forward with the project based on the study authorization and the County-wide recommended plan. Individual Councilmembers raised questions and expressed opposition to the Back Bay Study Plan as presented. Mr. Benton asked the Village Council and Mr. Murley for their input regarding the exploration of elevating residential buildings instead of supporting the proposed plan. There was consensus to direct the Village Manager to discuss alternatives to the Back Bay Study Plan, such as elevating residential buildings, with the Army Corps of Engineers and Miami-Dade County. No further discussion or action was taken. 10) ANNOUNCEMENTS The Village Clerk read the announcements. 11) VILLAGE COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilman Brady- Councilman Brady spoke about remaining vigilant with respect to COVID- 19. Councilman Loffredo- Councilman Loffredo expressed his opposition to the Back Bay Plan and thanked staff for keeping the Village functional during this difficult time. Councilman Meltz- Councilman Meltz reiterated the Purple Walking Path announcement and encouraged residents to bring their four legged friends, kids, and reusable drinking water containers. Vice Mayor Burch- Vice Mayor Burch announced the “We Love This Village” event and encouraged residents to support Doctors Charter School (DCS) by visiting select local businesses on Saturday, March 6. A percentage of the purchase will be donated to DCS. Vice Mayor Burch also invited residents to participate in the Egg your Yard event. Mayor Wagar- Mayor Wagar reiterated the Egging your Yard Event and encouraged people to join the walk. Mayor Wagar inquired as to the advisory capacity of the Recreation Advisory Committee (RAC), specifically as it relates to whom such committee should be advising. Mr. Sarafan explained, according to the governing ordinance, the RAC advises the Recreation Director and the Village Manager since the Recreation Director reports to 5 the Village Manager. For clarification, Mayor Wagar explained the egg event refers to residents who would like to host a private egg hunt event, which should not be confused with throwing eggs at properties. The Recreation Department will help participants hide eggs for the hunt. 12)ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Village Council, the meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM. Village Council Meeting Time: 03-02-21 18:30 eComments Report Meetings Meeting Time Agenda Items Comments Support Oppose Neutral Village Council 03-02-21 18:30 18 3 2 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 03-02-21 18:30 Agenda Name Comments Support Oppose Neutral 4) PUBLIC COMMENTS 1 0 0 0 7.A) APPOINTMENT TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD (1 UNEXPIRED VACANCY). 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 Guest User Location: Submitted At: 8:37pm 03-01-21 Good Evening, my name is Kim Flower and I am the owner of Flight Wine Lounge at 9711 NE 2nd Avenue. I would like to bring something to your attention in the hopes of finding a reasonable solution. 2nd Avenue is really coming to life and no one is happier about than I. However, lately this "life" includes bicycles, skateboards, skates, scooters, etc on the sidewalks on 2nd Avenue. A little while ago, we had a preventable accident when a group of teens were rushing through on bikes and I came out of the bar with a tray full of glasses. Glass went everywhere, wine was lost, prepared food had to be remade. Fortunately, no one got hurt. The sidewalks are full of life now with the tables and we would love to keep it that way – but wheels of any kind are a real hazard. For some reason the activity has really picked up. By the way most of the people on wheels, and many on foot, are also cruising on by without masks through a bunch of people dining. Diners, who are enjoying a moment out in a safe environment have complained that people are walking through the dining area, going up or down the avenue, without masks. It is really inconsiderate to walk through a dining area without a mask. This doesn’t just happen at Flight – I see it through all the outdoor cafés. Can the village enforce "no wheels" on the sidewalks through downtown on 2nd Ave? I know the village endorses mask wearing at the rec center and at group activities at the field - can we highlight the same for downtown 2nd Ave? None of us wants to lose any business because diners just don't feel safe at the outdoor tables. We are still a long way from most of us being vaccinated so safety protocols remain paramount. Thank you for your consideration to these two issues. Stay safe and be well. Agenda Item: eComments for 7.A) APPOINTMENT TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD (1 UNEXPIRED VACANCY). Overall Sentiment Patrizia Bonaduce Location: Submitted At: 5:16pm 03-02-21 Dear Council Members, Good Evening ! As a current Board Member of the Historic Preservation Board, I wanted to express my full support to re-elect Prof. Seth Bramson to this Board. I've had the honor and privilege to share a seat with Prof. Bramson, and his History expertise and knowledge are remarkable. His input to the Board has been crucial and extremely important to all the advancement we have done this past year finding and cataloguing all Shoreland Historic Houses. A never-existing before database we had the pride to donate to the Village and Brockway Memorial Library last year. Prof. Bramson has been a key member to the Historic Preservation Board and I consider we still need him to preserve our rich and precious Miami Shores Village legacy. I wish the best to the Member elected! Patrizia Bonaduce MSV Historic Preservation Board Wesley Castellanos Location: Submitted At: 5:10pm 03-02-21 Good evening. I would like to recommend Mr. Seth Bramson for the vacancy to the HPB. He has expressed a profound level of knowledge in history.