2022-04-19 Minutes1
MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 19, 2022 6:30 PM 9900 BUILDING
1) CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Harris called the meeting to order at 6:33PM.
2) MOMENT OF SILENCE / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3) ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Alice Burch
Councilmember Katia Saint Fleur
Councilmember Crystal Wagar
Vice Mayor Daniel Marinberg
Mayor Sandra Harris
ALSO PRESENT:
Interim Village Attorney Omar Bradford
Village Clerk Ysabely Rodriguez
Village Manager Esmond Scott
4) PRESENTATIONS
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Cominsky delivered the annual service delivery report for Miami Shores
Village and answered questions posed by the Village Council.
4.A BUILDING DEPARTMENT PRESENTATION (BY: ISMAEL NARANJO, BUILDING OFFICIAL).
Mr. Ismael Naranjo, Miami Shores Village Building Director, delivered a presentation regarding the
operations of his department and answered questions posed by the Village Council.
Discussion ensued regarding the average wait time, employee retention, hours of operations, e-
permitting, and other topics.
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Vice Mayor Marinberg spoke about the importance of data trail and showing applicants how to check
their own filings.
Councilmember Saint Fleur asked the Village Manager to consider hosting a job fair to hire additional
permit clerks once a compensation study for such position has been completed.
5) PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mary Benton, Executive Director of Bound by Beauty, delivered a brief presentation on butterfly
conservation efforts and encouraged residents to view the monarch tower on Green Day.
Jessica Pluhar spoke about excessive speeding on North Miami Avenue and elaborated on a vehicle
collision incident that caused damage to her property. She further thanked Chief Golt and the Command
Staff for their responsiveness and investigative work.
Clark Reynolds spoke about the Public Open House on the Comprehensive Plan and expressed
concerns regarding the effects of the inconsistencies relative to his property.
Richard Fernandez spoke in opposition to using the public works land for any other use.
Carmen Renick indicated the Village website is not user-friendly and spoke about the importance of
providing information in a transparent manner.
Village Clerk Rodriguez read eComments into the record. Such comments have been attached hereto
as Exhibit A.
6) APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
6.A APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 5, 2022 VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES (STAFF:
VILLAGE CLERK).
Councilmember Burch moved to approve the April 5, 2022 Village Council Meeting Minutes and Vice
Mayor Marinberg seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
7) ORDINANCE(S) ON FIRST READING
7.A AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA
AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE II, DIVISION I, SECTION 2-33 TITLED “CHARTER
REVISION COMMITTEE” OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE,
FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, CODIFICATION, SEVERABILITY, AND AN
EFFECTIVE DATE (SPONSORED BY: COUNCILMEMBER CRYSTAL WAGAR).
Village Clerk Rodriguez read the caption of the ordinance into the record.
Mr. Bradford provided a brief overview of the item.
Mayor Harris opened and closed public comments.
Vice Mayor Marinberg proposed amending the ordinance language to reflect “5 or 7” committee members
instead of seven (7) committee members as proposed by the Ad Hoc Charter Advisory Committee.
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Vice Mayor Marinberg moved to approve the ordinance on first reading as amended to include on the
first line of Section 2-33 "5 or 7 resident electors of the Village …" The motion was seconded by
Councilmember Saint Fleur which carried a 5-0 voice vote.
8) DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS
8.A CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION ON USE OF EXCESS PUBLIC WORKS LAND
(SPONSORED BY: VICE MAYOR DANIEL MARINBERG).
Vice Mayor Marinberg introduced the item, indicating the public works land is approximately 20 acres
and the entire property is not in current use. The intent of the item is to seek consensus to direct staff to
conduct further exploratory work about such site. Vice Mayor Marinberg asked the Village Manager to
decipher debris and chipping storing sites used by other municipalities. Vice Mayor Marinberg further
spoke about the potential revenue that can be allocated towards a new community center, septic to sewer
conversion, and/or other projects should the land be leased.
Mayor Harris opened the floor to public comments.
Carmen Renick spoke about complications that may arise in the event of a hurricane and, therefore,
advocated for the retention of the property to store trash on a temporary basis.
Janet Goodman spoke about the importance of retaining such property to store debris in the event of a
hurricane.
Mr. Christopher Miranda, Public Works director, reported that the public works land is approximately 20.3
acres and during the event of a hurricane, 13 acres of the entire property is used for hurricane storage.
Discussion ensued regarding individual perspectives involving the public works land and the implications
to the Village should it be leased.
Councilmember Burch provided historical context regarding the public works land and logistical reference
regarding debris and chipping operations.
Mayor Harris proposed the Village Manager simulate debris chipping and storage possibilities that do not
include the use of the public works land and for such findings to be presented to the Village Council for
discussion.
Vice Mayor Marinberg indicated neighbors have complained about the shooting range used by MSPD
and the FBI for training.
Captain Christine Herbert informed that MSPD uses the shooting range on a quarterly basis in addition
to defensive tactic and K-9 trainings.
There was consensus amongst the Village Council to direct the Village Manager to conduct exploratory
work regarding such site, to inquire with neighboring municipalities other debris and chipping alternatives,
and to determine how much of the 13 acres is needed for Village operations. Such findings shall be
presented to the Village Council no later than 90 days from today.
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8.B AWARD OF REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS NO. 2021-09-01 TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
FOR THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE TENNIS CENTER TO VB ATHLETICS, LLC AND
AUTHORIZATION FOR VILLAGE MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL RELATED DOCUMENTS TO
EFFECTUATE THE AGREEMENT (STAFF: RECREATION DIRECTOR).
Ms. Angela Dorney, Recreation Director, provided an overview of the item, indicating that VB Athletics is
the only respondent concerning the above referenced competitive solicitation. Ms. Dorney further spoke
about the positive feedback she has received regarding the firm's service delivery and disposition.
Mayor Harris opened the floor to public comments.
Discussion ensued regarding revenue sharing and revisiting the agreement in one year.
Mr. Scott clarified the item was pulled from a previous agenda as there was no revenue sharing stipulation
outlined in the agreement. Subsequently, the Village renegotiated $500 in monthly revenue.
Councilmember Wagar moved to award RFQ 2021-09-01, Tennis Professional, to VB Athletics, LLC and
authorize the Village Manager to execute all related documents to effectuate the agreement. The motion
was seconded by Vice Mayor Marinberg, which carried a 4-0 voice vote.
There was no further discussion or action taken.
8.C DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING VILLAGE ATTORNEY EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT (STAFF: INTERIM VILLAGE ATTORNEY).
Interim Village Attorney Bradford provided an overview of the item.
With respect to Section 1, there was discussion regarding Ms. Sarah Johnston's availability as the primary
Village Attorney given her residence in Tampa, Florida. Ms. Johnston committed to attending 90% of the
Village Council Meetings and clarified it is not customary for the primary Village Attorney to also serve as
the attorney to the Planning Board.
There was continued discussion regarding the Village Attorney serving as the Planning Board Attorney.
Ms. Johnston reassured the Village Council that the Planning Board Attorney would be present at Village
Council Meetings.
Discussion ensued regarding Exhibit A, Village Attorney Services included in the Flat Fee; Ms. Johnston
indicated the proposed fees were formulated by determining the annual average fees associated with
general labor, legal, and employment services for the last five years. According to Ms. Johnston, the
proposed fees consist of general routine matters that may arise, such as agenda review and preparation
of resolutions and ordinances, working with the Councilmembers on such agenda items, training of the
newly elected Councilmembers and appointed board members.
Ms. Johnston mentioned the Charter Review process was not included in the flat fee schedule because
it is not a routine matter.
Vice Mayor Marinberg asked Mr. Bradford to produce records associated with the fees of the law firm
Genovese Joblove Batista.
Councilmember Wagar moved to defer the item to the next Village Council Meeting for further discussion
and Mayor Harris seconded the motion, which carried a 5-0 voice vote.
Councilmember Saint Fleur left the meeting at 9:22 PM.
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9) MANAGER'S REPORT
Councilmember Wagar left the meeting at 9:38 PM.
The Assistant Village Manager, Tanya W ilson, and Village Manager Scott provided an update regarding
operational matters.
10) ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Village read the announcements into the record.
11) VILLAGE COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Alice Burch- Councilmember Burch thanked staff for hosting the Marshmallow
Drop event.
Mayor Sandra Harris- Mayor Harris requested for the tennis professional to provide further
data to council regarding business operations.
Vice Mayor Daniel Marinberg – Vice Mayor Marinberg announced he would not be present for
Green Day and the next Village Council Meeting. Vice Mayor
Marinberg further spoke about the Village Council’s one-year
anniversary and all of their accomplishments.
12) ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Village Council, the meeting adjourned at 9:58 PM.