04-23-16 Visioning Session MinutesCOUNCIL VISIONING SESSION
SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2016
The Miami Shores Village Council conducted a Council Visioning Session on Saturday, April 23, 2016
at the C. Lawton McCall Community Center. The Session began at 9:05 AM with the following
individuals present:
PRESENT: Alice Burch
Steven Zelkowitz
Mac Glinn
Herta Holly
ALSO PRESENT: Tom Benton, Village Manager
Barbara Estep, Village Clerk
Richard Sarafan, Village Attorney
ABSENT: Ivonne Ledesma (letter of explanation read at the start of the Session).
Dr. Robert Lee facilitated the Session, who opened the meeting talking about the process for the
Session and a general statement regarding local government.
Mayor Burch requested input from those residents in attendance:
Julian Montero Mr. Montero spoke of the need for a new community center and his belief that
Miami Shores has an image problem.
Douglas Barnes Mr. Barnes spoke of concerns regarding climate change and sea level rise.
Jack Efromson Mr. Efromson spoke of the community's desire for a dog park and possible
incentives for downtown landlords to lease to retail/restaurants rather than general office purposes.
Kim Flower Ms. Flower indicated that landlords are not willing to invest in their buildings
and spoke of the need for small retail businesses in downtown.
George Fishman Mr. Fishman talked about climate friendly landscaping and the need for
education in best practices.
Janet Goodman Ms. Goodman spoke of her priorities of a new community center and a dog
park.
Bob Domlesky Mr. Domlesky spoke of sustainability and sea level rise and the need for
common sense codes.
Through a number of exercises during which Council Members identified and expounded on their
priorities, a list of five priorities was developed and refined. Council Members discussed the points
at length and indicated that the priorities were equal in importance, with no one priority seen as
more or less important as the next.
The priorities are as follows:
Continue to ensure that public safety (police, lighting, traffic — calming and pathways) is
continually improved through technology and application of "applicable" best practices,
including a plan for climate change.
• Improve the esthetics and effectiveness of public and private spaces — Community Center, Dog
Park, Library and 9900 NE 2"d Avenue building.
• Promote the image of the Village as a place to live, work and invest through branding and
marketing.
e Maintain a fiscally sustainable and responsible budget and expand the Village tax base and
alternative revenue sources.
Y Focus on downtown development to improve the quality of life of citizens.
Additional public comment was invited prior to adjourning the Session.
Mary Benton Ms. Benton spoke of the importance of sustainability and including individuals
that want to participate.
Daisy Black Ms. Black spoke of the process followed during the Session.
Jack Efromson Mr. Efromson spoke of traffic calming and more police presence — asked the
question of what type of police department the Village wants.
The Council Visioning Session was adjourned at 12:10 PM.
Barbara A. Estep, MMC
Village Clerk