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2022-05-03 Minutes1 MEETING MINUTES MAY 3, 2022 6:30 pm 9900 NE 2ND AVENUE 1) CALL TO ORDER Mayor Harris called the meeting to order at 6:32 PM. 2) MOMENT OF SILENCE / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3) ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilmember Alice Burch Councilmember Katia Saint Fleur Vice Mayor Daniel Marinberg joined the meeting via Zoom. Mayor Sandra Harris Councilmember Crystal Wagar was absent. ALSO PRESENT: Interim Village Attorney Omar Bradford Village Clerk Ysabely Rodriguez Village Manager Esmond Scott Mayor Harris announced a change to the order of business which consisted of moving Item 4B, Code Compliance Department Presentation, after the discussion items. 4) PRESENTATIONS 4.A LEGISLATIVE UPDATE PROVIDED BY SENATOR JASON PIZZO. Senator Jason Pizzo and State Representative Dotie Joseph delivered a legislative update and answered questions posed by the Village Council. On a separate note, Mayor Sandra Harris introduced a special recognition item in honor of Municipal Clerk’s Week and Village Clerk Rodriguez’s upcoming five-year anniversary. Individual Councilmembers offered comments regarding Ms. Rodriguez’s dedicated service as Miami Shores Village Clerk and presented her with a token of appreciation. 2 4.B CODE COMPLIANCE DEPARTMENT PRESENTATION PROVIDED BY: MR. LAZARO REMOND, CODE COMPLIANCE DIRECTOR. Code Compliance Director Lazaro Remond delivered a presentation regarding operational matters involving his department and answered questions posed by the Village Council. 4) PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no eComments for this meeting. Janet Goodman provided comments in support of Village Clerk Rodriguez’s service to Miami Shores Village. Jessie Valinsky spoke in opposition to some of the Councilmember’s view concerning the April 5, 2022 Village Council Meeting, specifically the gate-reopening and the emergency items. Patrizia Bonaduce announced the various events in recognition of historic preservation month and encouraged residents to attend. She further presented the Village with historic maps. 5) CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Burch moved to approve the consent agenda as presented and Council Member Saint Fleur seconded the motion, which carried a 4-0 voice vote. 6.A APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 12, 2022 JOINT VILLAGE COUNCIL & DOCTORS CHARTER SCHOOL MEETING MINUTES. PASSED ON CONSENT. (Vice Mayor Marinberg noted his absence during the Joint Meeting between the Village Council and Doctors Charter School Board.) 6.B APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 19, 2022 VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. PASSED ON CONSENT. 6.C APPOINTMENT OF VERONIQUE MALEBRANCHE TO THE SUSTAINABILITY & RESILIENCY COMMITTEE (STAFF: VILLAGE CLERK). PASSED ON CONSENT. 7) DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS 7.A DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE VILLAGE ATTORNEY ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT (STAFF: INTERIM VILLAGE ATTORNEY). Mr. Omar Bradford provided an introduction regarding the item, indicating the deferral at the April 19, 2022 Village Council Meeting. Discussion ensued regarding the flat fee schedule, attendance of the Planning Board Attorney at Village Council Meetings, and consistency of representation. Ms. Sarah Johnston, Weiss Serota Attorney, provided clarification with respect to the type of services that would be included in the flat fee schedule and answered questions posed by the Village Council. 3 Ms. Johnston clarified the Charter Review process is not included in the flat fee schedule. Responding to the Village Council, Ms. Johnston enumerated the following amendments that will be included in the proposed agreement: - The attorney attending the Planning Board Meeting shall attend the Village Council Meeting - Opinions of title and review - Revision of human resource policies and procedures are included under the flat fee. Councilmember Saint Fleur moved to approve the village attorney agreement as amended to include the above referenced changes and Councilmember Burch seconded the motion, which carried a 3-1 voice vote. Mayor Harris voted in opposition. Discussion ensued regarding a transition period between Genovese Joblove & Batista (GJB) and Weiss Serota, with W eiss Serota’s representative, Ms. Sarah Johnston, serving as the Village Attorney. Councilmember Saint Fleur moved to approve the continued retention of GJB for the next four weeks to help transition Weiss Serota and Mayor Harris seconded the motion, which carried a 3- 1 voice vote. Vice Mayor Marinberg voted in opposition. Vice Mayor Marinberg left the meeting at 8:05 PM. 8) MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Scott provided an update on operational matters. 9) ANNOUNCEMENTS Village Clerk Rodriguez expressed gratitude regarding the special recognition and thanked the current and past Village Councils, staff, mentors, residents, and her family for their support and encouragement during her five-year tenure at Miami Shores Village. Village Clerk Rodriguez read the announcements. 10) VILLAGE COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Katia Saint Fleur- Councilmember Saint Fleur thanked the Village Clerk, the Code Compliance Department, and further thanked the Greater Miami Shores Chamber of Commerce for hosting Green Day. In light of Haitian American month, she further shared her experience growing up as a Haitian American. Councilmember Alice Burch- Councilmember Burch spoke about the Earth Day celebration, the Fine Arts Commission Gallery Night, Green Day, and Walk/Bike/Roll to School Day. Mayor Sandra Harris- Mayor Harris spoke about the Village events and thanked staff for their hard work. 11) ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Village Council, the meeting adjourned at 8:43 PM.