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2024-02-06 Minutes1 MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 6, 2024 6:30 PM 9900 BUILDING 1) CALL TO ORDER Mayor Burch called the meeting to order at 6:32 PM. 2) MOMENT OF SILENCE / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3) ROLL CALL Councilmember Jerome Charles Councilmember Sandra Harris Vice Mayor Jesse Valinsky Mayor George Burch ALSO PRESENT: Village Attorney Sarah Johnston Village Attorney Chanae Wood Village Clerk Ysabely Rodriguez Village Manager Esmond Scott 4) ORDER OF BUSINESS Councilmember Harris moved to place the Manager’s Report before the discussion items and Councilmember Charles seconded the motion, which carried a 4-0 Voice vote. Mayor Burch moved to defer Item 9C and Councilmember Harris seconded the motion which carried a 4-0 voice vote. 5) BOARDS/COMMITTEES REPORT None. 2 6) PUBLIC COMMENTS Robert Menge spoke in support of moving Council Meetings to Village Hall. Toni McCormick spoke about the history of Miami Shores’ recreational facilities. Ms. McCormick asked Council to be mindful of its resident’s desires and concerns. Dana Vignale spoke about a public comment she made with regards to Doctors Charter School (DCS), notifying Council that a DCS boardmember called her employer as a result of said comments. Ms. Vignale closed her comments by offering her expertise to help drive strategic improvements and attract more residents to DCS. Alba Adkins read a letter into the record, lodging a complaint against the placement of an electric pole that is adjacent to her property. Judson LaCapra spoke as a member of the recreation committee and asked Council to continue supporting the committee’s initiatives. William Griffith indicated he withdrew his name for the Councilmember vacancy. 7) APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES 7.A APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 16, 2024 VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES (STAFF: VILLAGE CLERK). Village Clerk Rodriguez noted there was a request to amend the draft minutes to reflect the following on page 4, Item 10C: “Mayor Burch provided an overview of the resolution, which encourages the State legislature to amend the parameters of the live local act to raise and amend the proposed density, height, and FAR in the NE Corridor.” Councilmember Charles moved to approve the minutes as amended and Vice Mayor Valinsky seconded the motion which carried a 4-0 voice vote. 8) COUNCIL APPOINTMENT 8.A APPOINTMENT TO FILL VACANT COUNCILMEMBER SEAT UNTIL APRIL 8, 2025 (STAFF: VILLAGE CLERK). Village Clerk Rodriguez provided an overview of the application and appointment processes as established by the Village Council. Ms. Rodriguez noted the withdrawal of Mr. Hugo Mijares and Mr. William Griffith. Mayor Burch asked applicants to provide a brief introduction. Deepak Ganju, Wesley Castellanos, Neil Cantor, Tim Crutchfield, and Seth Bramson provided an overview of their qualifications. Village Clerk Rodriguez noted paper ballots have been placed in front of each Councilmember for the purpose of selecting one applicant. Village Clerk Rodriguez indicated the individual selections will be read into the record pursuant to Sunshine Law. 3 Individual Councilmembers proceeded to cast their respective vote by way of paper ballot. Village Clerk Rodriguez collected the individual ballots and tabulated the results, which were as follows: BURCH CHARLES HARRIS VALINSKY AGGARWAL BRAMSON CANTOR X X X CASTELLANOS CRUTCHFIELD X GANJU HARTWELL RENTEMA Village Clerk Rodriguez read each Councilmember’s selection into the record and announced Neil Cantor has received majority vote. Neil Cantor was appointed to serve the vacant seat until April 8, 2025. Ms. Rodriguez noted Mr. Cantor will be sworn in at the next Village Council Meeting. A recess was called at 7:16 PM and the meeting resumed at 7:23 PM. 9) DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS 9.A DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE BAYFRONT PARK SEAWALL (SPONSORED BY: GEORGE BURCH). Mayor Burch provided introductory remarks, asking Council to consider raising the Bayfront Park seawall from two feet to three feet. Mayor Burch further asked Council to consider changing the design projection of the existing seawall to allow benches to extend out into the bay. Mayor Burch opened public comments. Ms. Maria McGuiness spoke in opposition to the proposed suggestions proffered by Mayor Burch due to the issues raised by neighboring residents. eComments were read into the record. Vice Mayor Valinsky spoke about the importance of engaging neighboring residents when design changes are discussed. However, he expressed interest in hearing from the engineers regarding the prospect of changing the proposed height of the Bayfront Park seawall. Mayor Burch moved to raise the height of the Bayfront Park seawall from two feet to three feet and for said structure to have a projection at the end of 96th Street and 95th Street to add benches over the bay. The motion failed due to a lack of second. No further action was taken. 4 9.B DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON MOVING COUNCIL MEETINGS BACK TO VILLAGE HALL (SPONSORED BY: MAYOR GEORGE BURCH). Mayor Burch provided opening remarks, citing the need for a new roof, improved acoustics, and AC system in the 9900 Building. Given the estimated costs to repair the building, Mayor Burch moved to host Council Meetings at Village Hall on an trial basis. Councilmember Charles seconded the motion for discussion. Vice Mayor Valinsky indicated Village Council Chambers is limited in seating capacity. Vice Mayor Valinsky asked for clarification from Councilmembers regarding the course of action given the cost proposals drafted by the audio-visual vendor. Councilmember Charles expressed concern regarding ADA accessibility and seating capacity for the public at Village Hall Council Chambers. Councilmember Charles advocated for the assessment of other Village-owned facilities as possible alternatives, such as Brockway Memorial Library. Mr. Christopher Miranda, Public Works Director, provided an update on the renovations at Village Hall, reporting the contractor will resume bathroom renovations in a week and the remaining elements of the project should be completed in 60 days. Mayor Burch opened public comments. Hutch Gurevitz spoke in support of moving meetings to the Council Chambers; however, he expressed reservations about the existing layout of the seats at Village Hall Chambers which may cause disruptions during the meetings. Nancy Dowson spoke in support of moving Council Meetings to Brockway Memorial Library in light of the recent expansion project. Village Clerk Rodriguez read eComments. Village Clerk Rodriguez noted if the Village Council moves its meetings to Village Hall, Planning and Zoning would also move its meetings to such location due to AV reasons. Should the Village Council choose to permanently move its meetings to Village Hall, Village Clerk Rodriguez noted the existing AV system would cease to exist in the 9900 Building, as it will be used as auxiliary equipment. There being no further discussion, Mayor Burch called the question, which carried a 3-1 voice vote. Councilmember Harris voted in opposition. 9.C DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON FUNDING DOCTORS CHARTER SCHOOL AND MIAMI SHORES COUNTRY CLUB CAPITAL NEEDS (SPONSORED BY: MAYOR GEORGE BURCH). This item was deferred. 9.D DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A MULCHING FACILITY ON OUR PUBLIC WORKS LAND (SPONSORED BY: MAYOR GEORGE BURCH). Mayor Burch outlined his reasons for supporting the proposal, indicating the Village remains in control of the property; in the event of a natural disaster, the land is available for debris hauling and management. Mayor Burch further stated the proposal helps the Village save approximately $500,000 a year in dumping fees in addition to other cost savings. Mayor Burch brought the item forward to clarify the above- referenced comments and to ensure the public understands that he’s opposed to any negative community impact. No action was taken on this item. 5 10) MANAGER'S REPORT Village Manager Scott provided a status update on the Bayfront Park Seawall, Miami Shores Country Club, and the recruitment of Planning & Zoning Director. Mr. Scott addressed additional operational matters. 11) ATTORNEY'S REPORT Village Attorney Wood provided an update on the Comprehensive Plan (EAR) and Zoning Code amendments processes. Village Attorney W ood further reported the Village Attorneys will provide a presentation on the RTZ and the Live Local Act. Village Attorney Johnston provided an update on the engagement agreement which includes the municipal services that fall under the scope of the flat fees, separate from special items which exceed fifteen hours. In reviewing the impending items requested by Council which have the potential to exceed fifteen hours, the Village Attorneys asked Council to consider approving Planning and Zoning Special Projects that exceed fifteen hours. Ms. Johnston indicated it’s the same category detailed in the engagement agreement; however, the title of the category would be expanded to cover a broader scope of Planning and Zoning matters that are not considered routine. Ms. Johnston indicated such items will be billed on an hourly basis. Village Attorney Johnston further asked Council to consider approving the addition of the claim of liens assertion to the engagement agreement. Ms. Johnston indicated the attorneys would charge the Village on an hourly basis to assert the claim(s) and the Village would receive recuperated funds in response. Vice Mayor Valinsky spoke in opposition to the hourly rate proposal for Planning & Zoning special projects. Councilmember Charles asked for a list of pending items under the special projects scope. Village Attorney Johnston indicated the Zoning Code review and rewrite will fall under such scope because it will be amended one ordinance at a time as opposed to an entire repeal and replace. Mayor Burch asked about the possibility of including a not-to-exceed amount in the engagement agreement. In response, Village Attorney Johnston stated the firm may not be amenable to said suggestion given the time invested in the comprehensive plan amendment process. However, the Village Attorneys are open to drafting an estimate for Council consideration and advising Council when it is approaching its limit. Councilmember Charles moved to authorize the Village Attorneys to pursue special assessments/foreclosure matters outside of the flat fee schedule and Mayor Burch seconded the motion which carried a 4-0 voice vote. Village Attorney Johnston announced her resignation from Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman, indicating Chanae Wood will be taking the lead with the support of the team of attorneys at Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman. 12) ANNOUNCEMENTS The Village Clerk read announcements into the record. 13) VILLAGE COUNCIL COMMENTS 6 No comments. 14) ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Village Council, the meeting adjourned at 8:49 PM.