2023-09-19 Minutes1
MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 6:30 PM 9900 NE 2ND AVENUE
1)CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Burch called the meeting to order at 6:38 PM.
2)MOMENT OF SILENCE / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3)ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Jerome Charles
Councilmember Sandra Harris
Councilmember Daniel Marinberg
Vice Mayor Jesse Valinsky
Mayor George Burch
ALSO PRESENT:
Village Attorney Sarah Johnston
Village Clerk Ysabely Rodriguez
Village Manager Esmond Scott
4)ORDER OF BUSINESS
Mayor Burch deferred Items 11B and 11C. Mayor Burch further added an item concerning the County’s
impervious area ordinance to the agenda.
5)PRESENTATIONS
5.A PRESENTATION ON PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP (P3) OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE
9900 BUILDING (DELIVERED BY: MR. KEVIN CROWDER).
Mr. Kevin Crowder delivered a presentation and answered questions posed by the Village Council.
Councilmember Marinberg spoke in opposition to the newly adopted charter amendment affecting the
lease of village-owned property. Responding to Vice Mayor Valinsky’s inquiry regarding whether said
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charter amendment would negatively impact potential development of the 9900 building, Mr. Crowder
indicated it depends on the risk tolerance of the prospective investor/developer.
No action was taken.
5.B PRESENTATION BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (FDOT) ON THE
SR 932/NE 103 STREET PROJECT (from NE 2 Avenue to NE 6 Avenue)
Mr. Scott introduced the item and turned the presentation over to FDOT (Carlos Perez, lead project
engineer) who answered questions posed by the Village Council. Mr. Perez indicated the purpose of the
project is to repave and restripe the road, improve street lighting, add new pedestrian poles, and
upgrade traffic signs. Mr. Perez further indicated trees and landscaping will not be removed.
Construction activities will be completed in phases to minimize impacts to the public.
Responding to Mayor Burch’s inquiry, the project manager indicated no curbs or drainage will be added.
With respect to the commencement of said project (Spring 2025), Councilmember Marinberg asked
FDOT to consider starting the project during the summer when school is not in session to minimize traffic
concerns. FDOT indicated they would consider such proposal and get back to staff.
No action was taken.
6) BOARDS/COMMITTEES REPORT
No board reports.
7) PUBLIC COMMENTS
John Bachay expressed support for Patrizia Bonaduce and Michelle Headley and asked Council to
reappoint said incumbents to the Historic Preservation Board.
George Scott thanked Council for the FDOT presentation as he lives on such road. He further agreed
with a Village-wide septic to sewer conversion project.
Clarissa Rodriguez asked FDOT to consider the use of flashlights around school zones due to high levels
of speeding and traffic.
Village Clerk Rodriguez read eComments into the record.
8) APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
8.A APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 28, 2023 PRE-BUDGET WORKSHOP MINUTES (STAFF:
VILLAGE CLERK).
Councilmember Marinberg moved to approve the June 28, 2023 Pre-Budget workshop minutes and Vice
Mayor Valinsky seconded the motion which carried a 5-0 voice vote.
8.B APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 FIRST BUDGET HEARING MINUTES (STAFF:
VILLAGE CLERK).
Vice Mayor Valinksy moved to approve the September 5, 2023 First Budget Hearing minutes and
Councilmember Marinberg seconded the motion which carried a 5-0 voice vote.
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9)VILLAGE BOARD APPOINTMENTS
9.A APPOINTMENTS TO THE FINE ARTS COMMISSION (4 VACANCIES).
Village Clerk Rodriguez provided opening remarks, detailing the application and selection process. Ms.
Rodriguez indicated Ms. Ackley is term limited. However, a 4/5 vote of the Village Council may override
the stipulated provision.
Following self-introductions by the applicants, paper ballots were voted with the following results:
Village Clerk Rodriguez read the votes into the record.
Kristen Adsit, Victor Bruce, Clarissa Rodriguez, and Tara Strickstein were appointed to the Fine Arts
Commission.
9.B APPOINTMENTS TO THE RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (5 VACANCIES).
Village Clerk Rodriguez provided opening remarks, detailing the application and selection process.
Following self-introductions by the applicants, paper ballots were voted with the following results:
FIRST ROUND BURCH CHARLES HARRIS MARINBERG VALINSKY
Susan Ackley X X
Kristen Adsit X X X X
Victor Bruce X X X X X
Nancy Ghanem
Evie Isles X
Clarissa Rodriguez X X X X X
Tara Strickstein X X X
FIRST ROUND BURCH CHARLES HARRIS MARINBERG VALINSKY
Dan Adsit X
Isabel Alonso X
Jennifer Baumann X X X X X
Patricia Casey
Silvia Clarke X X X X
Bill Diggs X
Evie Iles
Judson LaCapra X X X X
Sheryl Piper X X X
Christopher Sterling
Sharon Thompson X X X X X
Luke Walsh x
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Village Clerk Rodriguez read the votes into the record.
Jennifer Baumann, Silvia Clarke, Judson LaCapra, Sheryl Piper, and Sharon Thompson were appointed to the
Recreation Advisory Committee.
9.C APPOINTMENTS TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD (3 VACANCIES).
Village Clerk Rodriguez provided opening remarks, detailing the application and selection process.
Following self-introductions by the applicants, paper ballots were voted with the following results:
Village Clerk Rodriguez read the votes into the record.
Patrizia Bonaduce, Michelle Headley, and Daniel Serrano were appointed to the Historic Preservation Board.
9.D APPOINTMENTS TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD (2 VACANCIES).
Village Clerk Rodriguez provided opening remarks, detailing the application and selection process.
Following self-introductions by the applicants, paper ballots were voted with the following results:
FIRST ROUND BURCH CHARLES HARRIS MARINBERG VALINSKY
Patrizia Bonaduce X X X X X
Michelle Headley X X X X X
Evie Iles
Daniel Serrano X X X X
Christopher Sterling X
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Village Clerk Rodriguez read the votes into the record.
Daniel Brady and Connie Nappier III were appointed to the Planning and Zoning Board.
9.E APPOINTMENTS TO THE CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD (2 VACANCIES).
Village Clerk Rodriguez provided opening remarks, detailing the application and selection process. Ms.
Rodriguez indicated Mr. Busta is term limited. However, a 4/5 vote of the Village Council may override the
stipulated provision.
Following self-introductions by the applicants, paper ballots were voted with the following results:
Village Clerk Rodriguez read the votes into the record.
Jeff Hawn and Ryan Russell were appointed to the Code Enforcement Board.
10)RESOLUTION(S)
FIRST ROUND BURCH CHARLES HARRIS MARINBERG VALINSKY
Amber Berger
Daniel Brady X X X
John Busta X X
Peter Chevalier X
Deepak Ganju
Jeff Hawn
Evie Iles
Connie Nappier III X X X
Ryan Russell
Samuel Soriero
Christopher Sterling
Nicholas Villagio X
FIRST ROUND BURCH CHARLES HARRIS MARINBERG VALINSKY
Jorge Brito
Jeff Hawn X X X X X
Evie Isles
Ryan Russell X X X X X
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10.A A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE
MANAGER TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT A BEAUTIFICATION GRANT, AND ENTER INTO A
BEAUTIFICATION GRANT, LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION, AND MAINTENANCE
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION. (STAFF: PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR).
Village Clerk Rodriguez read the caption of the resolution into the record.
Christopher Miranda, Public Works provided an overview of the item, indicating the Village is applying for
a beautification grant to assist with the maintenance of Biscayne Boulevard. Mr. Scott indicated
the design element has not been conceptualized. The goal is to implement a zero-scape design
that incorporates Florida-friendly plants.
Mayor Burch opened public comments.
Carol Eannace Respondek spoke in opposition to the installation of grass.
Councilmember Marinberg moved to approve the resolution and Councilmember Charles seconded the
motion which carried a 5-0 voice vote.
11)DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS
11.A DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON TRASH PICKUP IN THE VILLAGE (SPONSORED
BY: MAYOR GEORGE BURCH).
Mayor Burch provided opening remarks, indicating the purpose of the item is for Council to discuss
ways to inform the public regarding issues with solid waste pickup.
Mayor Burch spoke about the need to improve education on solid waste procedures and requirements.
Vice Mayor Valinsky proposed better coordination with lawn maintenance and bulk pickup which can be
improved through increased communication.
Councilmember Charles indicated the new Village website will contain information regarding bulk pickup.
Mayor Burch indicated the average resident may not know solid waste requirements and schedules.
However, the Village Manager is working on an educational campaign.
No action was taken.
11.B DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE CREATION OF AN AD HOC
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMITTEE (SPONSORED BY: MAYOR GEORGE BURCH).
This item was deferred.
11.C DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON EXPEDITING THE PERMITTING PROCESS
(SPONSORED BY: MAYOR GEORGE BURCH).
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The item was deferred.
11D. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE IMPERVIOUS AREA ORDINANCE
(SPONSORED BY: MAYOR GEORGE BURCH).
Mayor Burch indicated the Village Manager will be meeting with the Florida League of Cities (FLC)
regarding the proposed County Ordinance and asked Council to discuss the proposed changes to
impervious area to provide the Village Manager with the Village’s position before he meets with the FLC.
Christopher Miranda provided details concerning the item. Mr. Miranda indicated the County proposal
would require residents to seek authorization from the DERM Director for any improvements to
impervious area on their property, thereby removing Village authority.
Responding to Councilmember Harris’ inquiry, the premise of the proposed ordinance is to reduce
impervious area in an effort to improve percolation of rainfall due to worsening flooding conditions. Mr.
Scott indicated staff is scheduled to meet with the County and staff will report the findings to the Village
Council.
Mr. Miranda stated the proposed ordinance extends to any area that affects the natural ground.
No action was taken.
12)M ANAGER'S REPORT
Village Manager provided an update on operational matters. Village Manager noted the Village’s
community rating system (CRS) improved from 8 to 5 (with 1 being the best rating) within one year. In
addition to fortifying properties, Deputy Village Manager Wilson indicated one of the benefits of said rating
is discounts to flood insurance premiums.
13)ATTORNEY'S REPORT
No comments.
14)ANNOUNCEMENTS
15)VILLAGE COUNCIL COMMENTS
No comments.
16)ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Village Council, the meeting adjourned at 9:17 PM.