2021-06-01 MINUTES1
MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 1, 2021 6:30 PM 9900 NE 2ND AVENUE
1)CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Harris called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
2)MOMENT OF SILENCE / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3) ROLL CALL
PRESENT: (5)
Councilmember Alice Burch (joined the meeting via electronic
communications technology-Zoom)
Councilmember Katia Saint Fleur
Councilmember Crystal Wagar
Vice Mayor Daniel Marinberg
Mayor Sandra Harris
ALSO PRESENT:
Village Attorney Richard Sarafan (joined the meeting via electronic
communications technology-Zoom)
Omar Bradford (Representative of Genovese Joblove & Batista)
Interim Village Manager Esmond Scott
Village Clerk Ysabely Rodriguez
4)PRESENTATIONS
4.A SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO DOCTORS CHARTER SCHOOL:
-SILVER KNIGHT NOMINEES:
•CHIYLE BRIGGINS ( HONORABLE MENTION) AND
•KARA SEMELFORT
-SPHERO ROBOT WORLD CHAMPION WINNERS:
•KEIRA MERCADO AND
•ALEJANDRO ORTIZ.
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Dr. Edwin Acevedo, Executive Director of Doctors Charter School (DCS), introduced the special
recognition items and students. Dr. Acevedo announced the recent recog nition by U.S. Senator Scott
whereby DCS was recognized as one of the best high schools in Florida by U.S. News and World
Report.
Mayor Harris, on behalf of the Village Council, presented the above referenced students with a
certificate of recognition in honor of their respective academic achievement and contribution of their
special knowledge and talents to DCS.
4.B 2020 COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT PRESENTED BY MR. ENRIQUE
LLERENA (CABALLERO FIERMAN LLERENA + GARCIA, LLP.)
Ms. Holly Hugdahl, Finance Director, introduced Mr. Enrique Llerena, Certified Public Accountant and
Partner of Caballero, Fierman, Llerena + Garcia, LLP., who provided highlights of the Comprehensive
Annual Financial Report (AFR), stating the Village is in compliance with generally accepted accounting
principles. Mr. Llerena answered questions posed by the Village Council.
A motion was moved by Councilmember Wagar and seconded by Vice Mayor Marinberg to approve the
2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. There being no further discussion, Mayor Harris called
the question, which carried a 5-0 voice call vote.
5) PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mr. Lou Perez spoke about an incident involving an alleged parade of speeding vehicles on NE 103
Street this past Saturday and further spoke about the lack of speed enforcement on such thoroughfare.
He advocated for the allocation of resources to help address this dilemma.
Mr. Jimmy Stobs spoke about his email to the Village Council concerning a NextDoor post on recent
Council Actions which allegedly resulted in an exchange of written communication between
Vice Mayor Marinberg and Mr. Stobs.
Mr. Robert Menge spoke about negative and irrelevant social media comments provided by non-
residents concerning Village business.
Village Clerk Rodriguez read eComments, which have been attached here to as Exhibit A, into the
record.
Before moving to Item 6A, Vice Mayor Marinberg responded to the allegations voiced by Mr. Stobs
during public comments. Vice Mayor Marinberg clarified his NextDoor account has not been
suspended. According to Vice Mayor Marinberg, the information that was posted about Mr. Stob’s
father’s business was a direct response to a resident inquiry regarding such business information which
is a public record. Vice Mayor Marinberg further stated he has a copy of the written exchange of the
communication.
6) VILLAGE BOARD APPOINTMENT(S)
6.A APPOINTMENT TO THE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES (1 VACANCY).
Village Clerk Rodriguez introduced the item, indicating the Village Clerk’s Office received one
application for consideration.
The applicant, Nancy Frehling, briefly introduced herself and spoke about her qualifications.
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Councilmember Burch moved to appoint Ms. Frehling to the Library Board of Trustees and
Councilmember Wagar seconded the motion, which carried a 5-0 voice vote.
7)RESOLUTION(S)
7.A A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA
CREATING BUDGET AMENDMENT #2 TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021 OPERATING
BUDGETS; APPROPRIATING $88,000 FROM THE LOCAL OPTION GAS TAX FUND
BALANCE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, ENGINEERING & INSPECTIONS OF THE 96TH
STREET ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT – JPA GRANT PROJECT (STAFF: FINANCE
DIRECTOR).
Village Clerk Rodriguez read the caption of the resolution into the record.
Ms. Hugdahl provided opening remarks, indicating the housekeeping nature of such item.
Councilmember Wagar moved to approve the resolution and Vice Mayor Marinberg seconded the
motion.
There being no discussion, Mayor Harris called the question, which carried a 5-0 voice vote.
8)DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS
8.A DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REQUESTING APPROVAL TO HIRE THE
ENGINEERING FIRM, KIMLEY HORN TO ASSIST WITH THE FEMA FIRM MAP APPEAL
FOR A TOTAL LUMP SUM FEE OF $34,500 (STAFF: PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR).
Mr. Travis Kendall, Planning & Zoning Director, spoke about the FEMA FIRM Map review that was
conducted by his department along with Miami-Dade County to identify areas of concern that may be
presented to FEMA for an appeal. Though Miami-Dade County has offered their assistance in
identifying areas of concern and providing relevant data, the County is unable to support the Village
during the appeal process due to increased work volume. Hence, Mr. Kendall, through the Village
Manager, engaged the firm Kimley-Horn to assist the Village with engineering services involving the
FEMA FIRM Map appeal process. Therefore, staff recommended approval of the item.
Responding to the Village Council’s inquiries, Mr. Kendall explained Kimley-Horn has experience
assisting municipalities with inconsistencies concerning the FEMA FIRM Map. Mr. Kendall indicated
there are approximately 260 properties in Miami Shores that were not located in a flood zone that are
now reflected in the recent data sets provided by FEMA unless such data is successfully appealed by
the Village.
Councilmember Wagar moved approval to hire Kimley-Horn to assist with the FEMA FIRM Map appeal
for a total lump sum fee of $34,500 and Vice Mayor Marinberg seconded the motion which passed
unanimously.
8B. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING FIREWORKS FOR THE FOURTH OF
JULY EVENT (SPONSORED BY: RECREATION DIRECTOR).
Ms. Angela Dorney, Recreation Director, introduced the item, indicating the expenditure associated
with the event is unbudgeted due to the uncertainties surrounding COVID-19. However, the Recreation
Department was able to secure a vendor on short notice to host the annual event. Ms. Dorney further
indicated that social distancing signage has been ordered in an abundance of caution in light of the
pandemic. Staff sought approval of the item as the funds for the fireworks display ($16,000) were not
budgeted.
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Councilmember Wagar asked Mr. Scott, the Interim Village Manager, to reach out to County
Commissioner Hardemon concerning possible donations for the fireworks event.
Mayor Harris moved to approve the requested funding for the fireworks display and Vice Mayor
Marinberg seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
9) ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Village Clerk read the announcements.
10) VILLAGE COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Wagar spoke about Pride Month and the diversity of the Village. Councilmember
Wagar thanked the Recreation Department for coordinating Summer Camp amidst uncertainties. She
further spoke about the issue of people not cleaning up after their dogs around the tot lot. She further
spoke about Mr. Perez's comments regarding speed enforcement and asked the Interim Village
Manager to look into providing an update on speed enforcement within the Village.
Vice Mayor Marinberg thanked staff for coordinating the various Pride Month events and spoke about
traffic enforcement.
Councilmember Saint Fleur spoke about the importance of maintaining decorum and civility when using
social media platforms and asked the residents to give the newly elected body a moment to acclimate
and address all of the salient concerns of the residents.
Mayor Harris spoke about the importance of issuing citations to those who violate speed limits.
Due to technical challenges with internet connectivity, Councilmember Burch was inadvertently
disconnected from the Zoom livestream feed.
11) ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Village Council Meeting, the meeting adjourned at 7:41 PM.
Village Council
Meeting Time: 06-01-21 18:30
eComments Report
Meetings Meeting
Time
Agenda
Items
Comments Support Oppose Neutral
Village Council 06-01-21
18:30
16 2 0 0 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
Village Council
06-01-21 18:30
Agenda Name Comments Support Oppose Neutral
4.A) SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO DOCTORS CHARTER SCHOOL:
- SILVER KNIGHT NOMINEES: CHIYLE BRIGGINS ( HONORABLE
MENTION) AND KARA SEMELFORT
- SPHERO ROBOT WORLD CHAMPION WINNERS: KEIRA MERCADO
AND ALEJANDRO ORTIZ.
1 0 0 0
5) PUBLIC COMMENTS 1 0 0 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 4.A) SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO DOCTORS CHARTER SCHOOL:
- SILVER KNIGHT NOMINEES: CHIYLE BRIGGINS ( HONORABLE MENTION) AND KARA SEMELFORT
- SPHERO ROBOT WORLD CHAMPION WINNERS: KEIRA MERCADO AND ALEJANDRO ORTIZ.
Overall Sentiment
Alice Burch
Location:
Submitted At: 2:41pm 05-29-21
Testing comment function
Agenda Item: eComments for 5) PUBLIC COMMENTS
Overall Sentiment
Guest User
Location:
Submitted At: 11:53am 06-01-21
Damon Stinson, 236 NE 103rd Street.
Two nights ago, yet another accident occurred at the intersection of NE 103 St and 2nd Ave. And sadly, for the
second time in two years a vehicle went airborne, took out entire sections of our tree canopy before finally landing
in a neighboring residents yard and catching fire. Please take action to bring this dangerous intersection to safety.
Police presence and flashers to indicate reduced lanes and school zones are necessary. We are also reaching
out to FDOT. Please so the same. We cannot continue to have people die in our yards, not to mention the
property damage and limitation of use out of fear for the utter disregard for the law these motorists have.
Half the section of road is in a school zone most of the year that is never patrolled and constantly violated by
speeding motorists. My son and I were nearly struck two months ago while walking to school when a vehicle
decided to ignore the pleading crossing guard (who does just a wonderful job by the way) and went up into the
crosswalk to get around. In the school zone. Imagine living in Miami Shores and having apprehension about
walking your child to school due to public safety concerns. That’s now where we are as a Village.
I understand it’s the end of the school year, but we are asking for the Village to install flashing lights at both the
merge sign on NE 103 eastbound before the right lane ends on NE 2nd, and at ALL the school zones along NE
103rd. We believe flashing lights, along with increased law enforcement will help improve the situation short term.
Long term, our solution I feel is to getting back to being a Village. Over the last 9 years I’ve watched a quiet, well
patrolled municipality turn into an extension of downtown Miami. There is too much growth all around the Village.
We need to protect and patrol our infrastructure. Folks bought here because the Village is not Brickell or Miami
Beach. Let’s get back to being the family and faith oriented community the vast majority of us desire.