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2024-10-01 Minutes1 MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 1, 2024 6:30 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1) CALL TO ORDER Mayor Burch called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM. 2) MOMENT OF SILENCE / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3) ROLL CALL Present: Mayor George Burch Vice Mayor Jesse Valinsky arrived at 6:39 PM Councilmember Jerome Charles Councilmember Sandra Harris Councilmember Neil Cantor Also Present: Village Manager Esmond Scott Village Attorney Chanae Wood Village Clerk Ysabely Rodriguez 3) ORDER OF BUSINESS Village Manager Scott requested the deferral of item 5.A. due to the impact of Hurricane Helene. 5) PRESENTATIONS 5.A. PRESENTATION ON CURRENT ACTIVITIES REGARDING UNDERGROUND POWER LINE CONVERSION IN MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE (BY: FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT). This item was deferred. 6) MANAGER'S UPDATE No updates were provided by the Village Manager. 7) PUBLIC COMMENTS 2 Mayor Burch opened the floor to public comments. Gwen Bryzinski indicated she was looking forward to FPL's presentation. 8) CONSENT AGENDA 8.A APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 FIRST BUDGET HEARING MINUTES (STAFF: VILLAGE CLERK). Councilmember Harris moved to approve the consent agenda. Councilmember Charles seconded the motion which carried a 4-0 voice vote. 8.B APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 FINAL BUDGET HEARING MINUTES (STAFF: VILLAGE CLERK). Passed on Consent 8.C A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA, WAIVING THE COMPETITIVE BID REQUIREMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH RESOLUTION 1124-07; APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH TYLER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. FOR A FIVE- YEAR TERM TO UPGRADE THE ENTERGOV ENTERPRISE BUILDING DEPARTMENT PERMITTING & LICENSING SOFTWARE MODULE, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $118,199, AND RECURRING ANNUAL FEES OF $92,354.00, SUBJECT TO ANNUAL ESCALATIONS NOT TO EXECCED 5% PER YEAR AFTER THE FIRST YEAR; PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (STAFF: BUILDING OFFICIAL). Passed on Consent 9) BOARD APPOINTMENTS 9.A. APPOINTMENTS TO THE COUNTRY CLUB ADVISORY BOARD (3 VACANCIES). Village Clerk Rodriguez provided opening remarks, detailing the application and selection process. Councilmember Harris informed the Council that applicant Bill Diggs contacted her to apologize for his absence due to being out of state. She noted that Mr. Diggs is an applicant from the northwest side of the Village and encouraged the Council to take this into account when making their decision. Kevin King approached the lectern to briefly introduce himself. William (Bill) Griffith approached the lectern to briefly introduce himself as the current chairperson, asking for Council to consider his reappointment. After applicants introduced themselves, paper ballots were cast with the following results: FIRST ROUND BURCH VALINSKY HARRIS CHARLES CANTOR BILL DIGGS X X X WILLIAM GRIFFITH X X X X X THOMAS HALLORAN X X KEVIN KING X X X X X Bill Diggs, William Griffith and Kevin King were appointed to the Country Club Advisory Board. 3 9.B. APPOINTMENTS TO THE EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD (3 VACANCIES). Village Clerk Rodriguez provided opening remarks, detailing the application and selection process. Vice Mayor Valinsky moved to appoint Marisol Campillo, Michelle Stone and Michael Weber to the Education Advisory Board. Councilmember Charles seconded the motion which carried a 5-0 voice vote. 9.C. APPOINTMENTS TO THE SUSTAINABILITY & RESILIENCY COMMITTEE (3 VACANCIES). Vice Mayor Valinsky moved to appoint Nestor Alvarez, Nicola Meyer and Richard Pluhar to the Sustainability & Resiliency Committee. Councilmember Charles seconded the motion which carried a 5-0 voice vote. 10) ORDINANCE(S) ON SECOND READING- PUBLIC HEARING 10.A AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE VILLAGE’S CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING CHAPTER 6, BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS, ARTICLE I, IN GENERAL, SECTION 6-4, PERMITS APPLICATION GENERALLY TO UPDATE REGULATIONS TO CONFORM WITH THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR PERMITTING AND REMOVE OBSOLETE PROVISIONS RELATED TO SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (STAFF: BUILDING OFFICIAL). Village Clerk Rodriguez read a caption of the Ordinance into the record. Building Official Ismael Naranjo provided an overview of the item stating that the proposed ordinance establishes conformity with Chapter 6 of the Florida building code requirements. Mayor Burch opened the floor to public comments. No public comments were offered. Councilmember Neil Cantor moved to approve item 10.A. Councilmember Charles seconded the motion, which carried a 5-0 unanimous voice vote. 10.B. AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA, COMPREHENSIVELY AMENDING THE VILLAGE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY CREATING CHAPTER 1, GENERAL PROVISIONS, SECTION 16-2, PUBLIC NOTICE; ADVERTISEMENT AND NOTICE BY PUBLICATION ON PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE WEBSITES AND AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ADMINISTRATION, CHAPTER 11, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, AND CHAPTER 15, OFFENSES, ALL TO ALLOW PUBLICATION OF LEGALLY REQUIRED ADVERTISEMENTS AND NOTICES TO BE MADE IN ANY MANNER PERMITTED UNDER FLORIDA LAW, INCLUDING THROUGH PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE WEBSITES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (STAFF: VILLAGE ATTORNEY). Village Clerk Rodriguez read a caption of the Ordinance and Resolution into the record. Village Attorney Wood explained that both items 10.B. and 11.A. are supplemental items and requested to the Council for the Village Clerk to read the Ordinance and the Resolution into the record to allow 4 joint discussion and public hearings on both items. However, Village Attorney Wood noted that both items should be voted on separately. Mayor Burch opened the floor to public comments. There were no public comments. Village Attorney Wood introduced item 10.B., explaining the fiscal and transparency impact should Council vote in support of the item. Village Attorney Wood detailed the use of the Miami Dade County website for noticing requirements. Item 11.A. is the Interlocal agreement which is a standard agreement that most local municipalities use. In order to use the County’s website, the Council will need to determine that the cost is minimal in relation to the method that we currently use. Village Attorney Wood stated using the Interlocal noticing requirements would cost $707 a year which is an initial quote. However, the standard annual cost that the Village is paying for public notices published in the Miami Herald is approximately $30,000 a year. Councilmember Neil Cantor moved to approve item 10.B. Vice Mayor Valinsky seconded the motion, which carried a 5-0 voice vote. 11) RESOLUTION(S) 11.A A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA, APPROVING AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY RELATING TO THE PUBLICATION OF LEGAL ADVERTISEMENTS AND PUBLIC NOTICES ON MIAMI-DADE COUNTY’S PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE WEBSITE; PROVIDING FOR AUTHORIZATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (STAFF: VILLAGE ATTORNEY). Village Clerk Rodriguez read a caption of the resolution into the record. Please see item 10.B. for discussion. Councilmember Neil Cantor moved to approve item and 11.A. Councilmember Charles seconded the motion, which carried a 5-0 voice vote. 12) MANAGER'S REPORT Village Manager Scott stated that in an upcoming meeting, a presentation will be delivered from the Public Works Department regarding the public’s concerns with storm water, ponding and flooding issues. Parks & Recreation Director Angela Dorney delivered a brief presentation regarding the status of the Parks & Recreation’s fields. She reported three pallets of sod were laid with the assistance of the Public Works Department and another three pallets have been ordered for the bare areas between the Tot-Lot and the Soccer field. Also, an agreement with BrightView Landscaping has been executed regarding the maintenance of the athletic fields. Mayor Burch asked Parks & Recreation Director Dorney how the maintenance of the athletic fields will be maintained during the fall and winter seasons. Parks & Recreation Director Dorney stated that even though the fall season is not an ideal time to sod the fields, according to Public Works Director Peters and BrightView Landscaping’s recommendation, it was suggested to proceed with the sodding. 5 13) ATTORNEY'S REPORT No comments. 14) ANNOUNCEMENTS Village Clerk Rodriguez read the announcements. 15) VILLAGE COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Neil Cantor- Councilmember Cantor provided an update on the electric charging stations previously discussed by Mayor Burch. He noted that residents expressed concerns about advertising in the Village and sought suggestions from the Council for cost-saving measures. Mayor Burch inquired whether Jolt could install charging stations at locations other than NE 2nd Ave. to avoid advertising issues. Councilmember Cantor responded that his discussions with Jolt indicated NE 2nd Avenue was not a feasible option since the Village does not control that right-of-way. Other locations off NE 2nd Avenue are being explored, but residents remain concerned about large billboards in that vicinity. Vice Mayor Valinsky highlighted the demand for higher-tier electric car chargers, which could attract residents. While he disagreed with large signage for charging stations, he acknowledged that it could benefit downtown businesses by increasing foot traffic. He expressed support for further research on various cost options. Councilmember Cantor emphasized that Jolt would manage the advertising in the downtown area. Councilmember Harris remarked that the proposal for electronic charging stations needs further study. She pointed out that the community center currently offers free charging for residents, and the Village has a contract with ChargePoint, which incurs costs. She opposes the idea of allowing EV users to charge without fees. Mayor Burch raised concerns about the maintenance of existing charging stations, noting issues at the community center and country club, where non-electric vehicles were parked in designated spots. He requested that Councilmember Cantor investigate maintenance practices for these stations. Councilmember Cantor committed to seeking the best options for electric charging station services. Mayor Burch praised Councilmember Cantor for keeping the Council informed about the electric charging station developments and his dedication to finding viable solutions. He mentioned that Jolt offers higher amp chargers and acknowledged mixed opinions from residents about advertising. Mayor Burch explained that Jolt provides the first 20 kilowatts of charging for free, after which fees apply, indicating that costs would arise either from advertising or usage. He suggested that Councilmember Cantor research how other cities manage their electric vehicle charging stations. Councilmember Cantor expressed confidence in finding a solution based on his research. Councilmember Sandra Harris- Councilmember Harris requested a complete financial report on Doctors Charter School (DCS) and a demographic report detailing the number of Miami Shores students attending DCS. She also asked the Village Manager about a meeting with the Little River Farms HOA near the Public Works facility, expressing concerns about waste management, noise from the shooting range during school hours, and its impact on residents. 6 Village Manager Scott reported that the Little River Farms HOA meeting mentioned noise from the shooting range during school hours and included a complaint from a veteran. They also discussed the neighborhood's curb appeal. Councilmember Harris then questioned Police Chief Golt about external noise from the shooting range. Chief Golt stated that officers observed no noise impact during school hours. Mayor Burch asked Chief Golt if there had been any incidents related to the shooting range. Chief Golt confirmed there had been none in his nine years with the Village. When inquiring about violations on county property, Chief Golt stated there were no reported issues and deferred to Village Manager Scott, who corroborated that there had been no negative reports. Councilmember Charles clarified that the shooting range is primarily for police firearm certification. He asked how frequently the police department utilizes the range, to which Chief Golt replied that it is used several times a year, with certification required annually. The range also supports tactical training, new officer qualification, and canine training, saving costs for the department. Councilmember Charles noted that in previous years, other municipalities used the range but participation dropped due to complaints. Councilmember Harris asked if the range required certification; Chief Golt indicated he would look into it. Vice Mayor Valinsky called the shooting range a valuable asset for the police department and asked how often dirt is added to the berm for soundproofing. Chief Golt had no immediate answers regarding this process or its costs. Mayor George Burch- Mayor Burch raised concerns about the 9900 building, sharing the Fine Arts Commission's recommendation to convert it into a Village arts center and the Historic Preservation Board's desire for space to display plaques and host demonstrations. Since the building cannot be leased without resident approval, he suggested the Council consider spending $400,000 on roof repairs for board and committee use. Councilmember Charles proposed putting the future of the 9900 building to a resident vote, while Village Manager Scott recommended soliciting letters of interest for its use. Councilmember Harris suggested placing the issue on the ballot in April for residents' approval. Village Clerk Rodriguez explained the timeline requirements for adding a charter amendment question to the ballot, which would necessitate a special election declaration by January 21, 2025. Councilmember Harris asked Village Attorney Wood about drafting a resolution to place the 9900 building on the ballot. Village Attorney Wood confirmed that the process could start now. The Council discussed revising the Charter to expand lease terms for the building beyond ten years but did not reach a consensus on leasing or selling it. Village Attorney Wood clarified that no directive to draft a resolution regarding the 9900 building would move forward during the current meeting. The Village Council answered in the affirmative. Mayor Burch emphasized the importance of Councilmembers attending Board and Committee meetings to improve communication. Village Clerk Rodriguez noted that Doctors Charter School submits audit reports annually, and a quarterly report should also be delivered per their bylaws. Councilmember Harris argued that while there may not be a communication issue, accountability is lacking, suggesting that some committees might need to be sunset. Councilmember Cantor mentioned the strain on staff to support these meetings. Councilmember Charles explained that committee minutes are not official until approved at the following meeting. Village Clerk Rodriguez stated a report 7 template for quicker understanding of board recommendations was crafted, although not all committees use it. She reiterated that the Charter School Authority Board is required to provide biannual reports to the Council, while Mayor Burch noted the quarterly reporting stipulation in the Charter School bylaws. Councilmember Jerome Charles- No comments. Vice Mayor Jesse Valinsky- No Comments. As no further comments were made by the Council, Mayor Burch called for the meeting to be adjourned. Vice Mayor Valinsky moved to adjourn, and Councilmember Charles seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 16) ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Village Council, the meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM.