Loading...
2024-10-15_Minutes1 MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 15, 2024 6:30 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS 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 Present: Mayor George Burch Vice Mayor Jesse Valinsky Councilmember Sandra Harris Councilmember Jerome Charles Councilmember Neil Cantor Also Present: Village Manager Esmond Scott Village Attorney Chanae Wood Village Clerk Ysabely Rodriguez 4) ORDER OF BUSINESS There were no changes to the order of business. 5) PRESENTATIONS 5.A. CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION IN HONOR OF DOROTHY CAMPBELL, CHAIR OF COASTAL CLEAN-UP DAY (SPONSORED BY: MAYOR GEORGE BURCH). Mayor Burch presented a Certificate of Recognition in honor of Dorothy Campbell for her work in spearheading the first Miami Shores International Coastal Clean-Up Day. Ms. Campbell thanked Mayor Burch, the Councilmembers and others who participated in assisting with this project. 2 5.B. PRESENTATION ON STORMWATER (BY: PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DELROY PETERS). Public Works Director Delroy Peters provided an overview regarding storm water management and its challenges. He answered questions posed by the Village Council. Public Works Director Peters emphasized some of the causes associated with flooding and ponding in Miami Shores, including limited storm water infrastructure, sea level rise, coastal location, king tides, and improper dumping. Public Works Director Peters further highlighted the efforts made by administration to help mitigate the challenges. Mayor Burch also mentioned that the residents should read the County’s Storm Water Ordinance which will go in effect March 25, 2025. 6) MANAGER'S UPDATE Village Manager Scott provided an update regarding Item 9A concerning the bay front seawall. Village Manager Scott noted the Village issued an Invitation to Bid 2024-801, in August 2024 which is still open. Regarding additional public outreach meetings, Village Manager Scott noted the park component called for four meetings. Now that such component is not under consideration, there is no need for an additional meeting. Mr. Scott stated permitting is under review. The construction date is not known as competitive solicitation is still underway. There are no conceptual drawings at this time. 7) PUBLIC COMMENTS John Ise asked Council to support a resolution, condemning disparaging comments against the Haitian American community. Sharon Thompson requested for Council to host a public hearing regarding septic to sewer system along with seawall concerns. Janet Goodman thanked Public Works Director Peters for the storm water presentation and thanked the Public Works staff and the Village Manager for assisting Shores Estates with the recent subdivision rainfall which caused flooding. She also raised the issue of an uncompleted drain in the NE 10th Ct and NE 105th St area that does not lead out to the outflow to the canal. Carol Respondek echoed the comments made by Ms. Goodman. Tim Duerkop asked for increased communication regarding the Bayfront Park Seawall project, thanking Village Manager Scott for today’s update. Brandon Spirk asked for additional information regarding the seawall project. Village Clerk Rodriguez read eComments into the record. 8) CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Harris moved to approve the consent agenda. Councilmember Charles seconded the motion, which carried a 5-0 voice vote. 3 8. A. A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE AWARD OF REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS RFQ 2024-05-01 STORMWATER MASTER PLANNING SERVICES AND AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE TOP RANKED FIRM KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC. AND IF NEGOTIATIONS ARE UNSUCCESSFUL, TO NEGOTIATE WITH CHEN MOORE AND ASSOCIATES, INC. AS THE SECOND-RANKED PROPOSER (PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR). Passed on Consent. 8.B. APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 1, 2024 VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES (STAFF: VILLAGE CLERK). Passed on Consent. 9) DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS 9.A. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE BAYFRONT PARK NEW SEAWALL (MAYOR GEORGE BURCH). Mayor Burch noted that the original contract was included with the agenda item. He explained that he would refer to the latest contract, highlighting the clause requiring four public meetings. Mayor Burch also clarified that additional meetings may be necessary if the Village addresses other park-related elements; however, the current focus is solely on seawall repairs. Village Manager Scott mentioned the potential use of ARPA funds for the seawall repair. The discussion also touched on the FIND grant funding criteria, specifically regarding future water access considerations. There was also conversation about sending seawall plans to FIND. Village Manager Scott provided a timeline of the seawall discussions, noting that an agreement for the seawall’s construction must be in place by December 31, 2024, to qualify for ARPA funding. The upcoming steps involve requesting $125,000 and submitting construction plans to FIND. Elizabeth Keeley, Assistant to the Village Manager and Grants Manager & Special Projects, stated that the Village had not applied for the construction or additional seawall work, as it did not progress beyond the design phase. No action was taken. 10) MANAGER'S REPORT Manager provided an update on operational matters. 11) ATTORNEY'S REPORT 12) ANNOUNCEMENTS 4 13) VILLAGE COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Cantor: Councilmember Cantor shared the new Public Works Director’s vision for the department and discussed the timing of a compensation study. He highlighted challenges with alley maintenance and suggested a short grace period for residents to understand the Village’s requirements. He also proposed a future discussion on a mutual-use agreement with Biscayne Park for the aquatic center. Councilmember Harris: Councilmember Harris expressed concern over potential overcrowding of the Aquatic Center by neighboring residents. She spoke about a resolution to denounce recent comments made against the Haitian community and expressed interest in reviewing home alarm permit fees. Councilmember Charles: Councilmember Charles raised the topic of next steps for the Community Residential (CR) district. Planning and Zoning Director Joseph Corradino provided a summary of the feedback the department received from the recent public workshop, mentioning that the Planning and Zoning Board will hold a workshop in November-December. Mayor Burch asked if the Village code would need revisions to align with the County’s new Storm Water Ordinance, to which Mr. Corradino responded that he would investigate further. Vice Mayor Valinsky: Vice Mayor Valinsky thanked the Public Works team for their efforts during the recent storm and requested an informational workshop from administration. He also discussed a mutual-use agreement with neighboring municipalities for the aquatic center. Mayor Burch: Mayor Burch invited the Council to consider several items, including a new senior center, a contingency fund report, the elimination of term limits for boards and committees, a swale ordinance, a sidewalk ordinance, and EV charging stations. He announced the 2nd Miami Shores Boat Parade scheduled for December 7, 2024, an event aimed at collecting toys for children battling cancer at Holtz Children’s Hospital. Village Clerk Rodriguez noted that the first November meeting date coincides with Election Day on November 5th and asked if the Council would like to reschedule. The Council decided to keep the original date. 14) ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Village Council, the meeting adjourned at 8:02 PM.