Loading...
2024-12-10 Minutes Joint Workshop Council and CCAB1 MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 10, 2024 6:00 PM 9900 BUILDING 1)CALL TO ORDER Mayor Burch called the meeting to order at 6:03 PM. 2)MOMENT OF SILENCE / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3)ROLL CALL Present: Mayor George Burch Vice Mayor Jesse Valinsky arrived at 6:16 PM Councilmember Sandra Harris – absent Councilmember Jerome Charles Councilmember Neil Cantor Country Club Advisory Board Members: Boardmember Scott Maroon Boardmember Samuel Soriero Boardmember E. Thomas Septembre Boardmember Charles “Marty” Mennes Boardmember Kevin King Boardmember Bill Diggs Chair William Griffith Also Present: Village Manager Esmond Scott Village Attorney Chanae Wood Village Clerk Ysabely Rodriguez 4) PUBLIC COMMENTS Village Manager Scott requested to move public comments until after the presentation from NGF (National Golf Foundation). 2 Daniel Thorogood raised concern regarding the safety of homes near hole 6. A resident on NE 6th Street agrees with the proposed project but spoke in opposition to the rerouting of hole 6. She further noted the maintenance of lakes and potential wildlife. Dan Robbins spoke about irrigation challenges. Kendra Braha raised concerns regarding the proposed 10 acres of lakes due to potential flooding, asking Council to conduct a detailed analysis. Nancy Dowson posed questions regarding the percentage of grants awarded. Vivienne Medina raised concerns regarding the proposed lakes due to potential flooding. Carol Respondek raised environmental concerns regarding burying poisoned grass. Also, asking council to assess the lake impact to the community. Jimmy Della Fera advocated for the historic designation of the golf course and country club. He raised concerns regarding the lakes creating a barrier between the golf course and Country Day School and also runoff from the 6th hole that could create a flooding issue. Pat Cocchi thanked the CCAB and the Council for the discussion item and asked council to consider keeping some of the shade trees for the golfers. She also raised concerns with flooding effects. Janet Goodman spoke in opposition to the removal of shade trees, advocating for a tree report. She further raised concerns regarding flooding into the canal and also the lack of information from the SFWM pump station report. Glenn Ivy asked whether the Ficus and Banyan trees would live or die under the proposed plan. 5)DISCUSSION ITEMS 5.A DISCUSSION REGARDING THE DRAFT REPORT ON THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNTRY CLUB AND GOLF COURSE BY NATIONAL GOLF FOUNDATION (STAFF: VILLAGE MANAGER). Village Clerk Rodriguez read a caption of the discussion item into the record. Village Manager Scott opened the workshop by noting that NGF was contracted to conduct a study for the Country Club and golf course renovations. He introduced Mr. Ed Getherall, Director of Consulting at NGF, along with Sanford-Ferris Golf Course Designs and REG Architects. Mr. Getherall provided an overview of the study and introduced Mr. John Sanford, who detailed the conceptual design for the golf course renovation. Mr. Sanford emphasized that the course is well past its useful life cycle and highlighted several planned improvements, including USGA- spec greens, updated bunkers, modern irrigation, concrete cart paths, and better drainage. Sustainability efforts will focus on clearing exotic vegetation, adding native grasses, and constructing a 300-yard extended practice range. Six freshwater lakes will address drainage issues and raise low areas. The project is set to begin in March 2026, following permitting and contract signing. Councilmembers asked questions about the lakes’ depth and water storage capacity, as well as concerns over runoff into the canals. Mr. Sanford clarified that there would be no runoff, and a 3 water management engineer would oversee lake design. He also explained that SFWM, not DERM, would review the lakes. Regarding raising the golf course's low areas, the goal is to do so without adding new material. Mayor Burch raised concerns about fertilizer and pesticide runoff from golf courses, which can contribute to algae blooms and fish kills. Mr. Sanford confirmed that the irrigation system would prevent runoff into the canals and that a consumptive use permit would be obtained for daily irrigation. Rick Gonzalez from REG Architects then discussed the challenges and options for the clubhouse renovation. Three options were presented, ranging in cost from $8 million to $15 million. Option 2, which preserves the historical elements and addresses building deficiencies, was recommended. However, Boardmember Septembre expressed concerns about the lack of engineering analysis for the designs. Mr. Alberto Pozzi, MSCC General Manager, discussed seating capacity and space reconfiguration options but emphasized that these were still conceptual renderings. Boardmember Diggs cautioned against limiting the future of the MSCC to the current options. Boardmember King questioned the cost estimates for Option 2, and Mr. Gonzalez explained the pricing was based on $450 per square foot. Discussion also touched on the SFWMD's involvement in the project, with Village Manager Scott noting that SFWMD plans to erect a structure on the golf course, though a concrete design has not been submitted. Public comments included a clarification from Mr. Sanford that 10-15% of the exotic trees would be preserved, and that the lake plans were still in a conceptual stage. Chair Griffith summarized the board's recommendations, which included reversing the nines for improved functionality and further discussion of the clubhouse options. While Option 2 was favored, the board did not reach consensus on which option to pursue for the clubhouse. Councilmember Cantor thanked residents for their input, and Vice Mayor Valinsky stressed the importance of maintaining the MSCC as a community asset and generating revenue to support debt service. Councilmember Charles emphasized the importance of adhering to the planned timeline and informed the board that PCM will be stepping down after managing the golf course for 30 years, with a new management company coming in. Boardmember Griffith suggested saving a portion of the revenue from the Country Club for future use and noted that the tennis court was not included in the NGF proposal but should be considered. Councilmember Charles mentioned that the Village is working on a Parks Master Plan with Framework Consulting, which includes a review of green space and recreational facilities. Boardmember Diggs recommended separating the golf course and clubhouse proposals for clarity. While the board was comfortable with the golf course plan, further review of the clubhouse proposal was needed. Councilmember Charles asked if there was consensus to move the draft plan forward. Attorney Wood clarified that formal action could only be taken at a Council meeting, not at the workshop. 4 Boardmember Mennes reiterated that the golf course and clubhouse proposals should be addressed separately and that more discussion was needed on the clubhouse design. Chair Griffith concluded by stating that the board was in agreement to move forward with the NGF report. He thanked the Council and PCM for their contributions. Vice Mayor Valinsky inquired about the Country Club's transition from septic to sewer, and a professional confirmed the move to sewer would occur. No action was taken. Mayor Burch moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember Charles seconded the motion which carried a unanimous voice vote. 6)ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Village Council and the Country Club Advisory Board, the workshop adjourned at 8:33 PM.